Joy In The Morning

How Can I Stay Current and not be Old-Fashioned?

2009-07-05T04:45:00.000-07:00

I have friends in their eighty's who are not old-fashioned or out-of-date and fun and satisfying to be around. Then I have been around people younger, my age, or older who are boring, old-fashioned, and unsatisfying to spend time with. What is the difference?
The Word of God makes the difference. Those who read the Bible regularly look, act, and are current. They are not old-fashioned. Why? Because it is the Spirit that gives life (John 6:63). Jesus said that the flesh profits nothing. Therefore, when we interact with the Bible, the written Word of God, and Jesus, the living Word of God, by reading and through prayer, then we are instilling life into our flesh which is passing away. The Word of God cleanses our inner man removing hatred, bitterness, fear, selfishness and on and on . . . there is nothing to say negative about the Word of God. It satisfies the soul.

ABORTION DAMAGES SOCIETY

2008-12-18T09:48:00.000-08:00

Would you rip the arms and legs off of your kitten or puppy? I assume your answer is "No" unless you are a sadistic person. That procedure, though, is what abortion doctors do routinely to infants in their mother's body so she does not have to carry it full term and give birth to a 40 week (give or take a few) baby. Another procedure is to inject a high salt solution into the amniotic fluid. For more information about this procedure and the dangers to the women having it, see http://realchoice.0catch.com/library/weekly/aa063000a.htm

Why does abortion damage our society? I am not probing the issue whether abortion is or is not murder. (1)

About two years ago I took a course on how to counsel pregnant women. I figured it would be good with my nursing background. Three of my daughters took the course with me. We were trained to present the options to women who were pregnant: abortion, adoption, or keeping and raising their child. We were only trained to present them with the truth and their options and encourage them to express their feelings and hopefully they could discover their best option.

Statistics tell us that most women who have had abortions are unaware and unprepared for the physical pain they experience during an abortion and the guilt, self-hatred, and emptiness they experience after an abortion.

After much observation and counseling with many women who have had abortions, here are my conclusions.

The mother-child relationship is the most natural, nurturing relationship that women can experience. If this relationship is twisted into the opposite of what is natural and intended: instead of a nurturing relationship, it becomes a neglectful, abusive or murderous relationship, then all other relationships which do not come as naturally to a woman will be nearly impossible for her to find satisfaction in and achieve success.

Let me say it again this way: if it is natural for a woman to love and to nurture her child, and, instead, she kills her child, then all other relationships are even harder or impossible because she has destroyed part of identity establishing who she is. It could be described as taking away a pillar holding up a porch. The person collapses. Thus, she will have identity confusion, guilt, and self-hatred thus affecting all other relationships in her life.

Romans 1:26 says “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:” The rest of this chapter indicates there may be more to this than just destroying the mothering, nurturing ability of women but my point is that the natural use for women is to have children and care for them. She is the man with the womb or "woman" that can reproduce and hold a child until it is ready to be born. Jesus said the day would come when it will be spoken as good when a women does not have children or breastfeed them.

Satan wants all of us to have identity confusion because then we are neutralized as far as knowing and understanding God and, thus, ourselves. We waste time (instead of redeeming the time) trying to figure out who we are rather than focused on glorifying God doing those positive acts that bring satisfaction and confidence in ourselves as individuals and encourage other believers.

Psalms 127 says that children are God’s reward. It is hard, yet fun, and rewarding to have children and take care of them. We influence generations when we focus on the enjoyable and worthwhile task of nurturing children.

(1) This discussion only probes the potential psychological affect of an abortion. Other parts of a woman's life can be affected. Legal abortion ranks as the fifth cause of death for women.

Copyright © SW

What is Truth?

2008-09-28T19:01:00.000-07:00

Truth

What is truth? Remember that question Pontius Pilate asked Jesus Christ? (John 18:38)

Truth can be defined as a person. A person you ask. How can that be?

The night before Jesus’ crucifixion, the elders, chief priests, and the scribes of Israel came together, and led Jesus into their council. They demanded he answer this question, Are you the Christ? Jesus answered, If I say I am you won’t believe me, and if I ask a question, you won’t answer me neither will you let me go.

Then Jesus said, but after this is all over you will see me sitting on the right hand of the power of God.

Well, Jesus statement was treason to this group of mobsters. The record says that the whole bunch hauled him off to Pontius Pilate for answering this way.

Pilate was over the whole region of Judea and Herod only ruled in Galilee. Herod and Pilate kept passing Jesus between each other like a hot potato. The two became friends again after many years of being enemies and Jesus Christ was the uniting factor.

When the elders sent Jesus to Pilate, Pilate himself wanted, and did question Jesus. Jesus even answers Pilate that He (Jesus) was King of the Jews.

It is interesting that the elders of Israel said Jesus was guilty of treason for admitting he was king of the Jews but Pilate said he did not find any fault in him stating he was a just person.

The gentile Pilate was the tolerant one. As a rule, Gentiles are more tolerant than religious people or groups (whatever their persuasion).

Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me.”

Nobody is going to Heaven unless they go by Jesus Christ.

Jesus said in John 4:23 and 24, the time is coming and now is when the true worshippers of God will worship him in spirit and in truth because God is spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Now, what if you said that verse this way, God is spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in Jesus Christ. We know the Scriptures teach we can only worship God through Jesus Christ.

That is why I say Truth is defined as a person and that person is Christ.

Copyright © s.winters 2008.

Hurricane Ike

2008-09-28T08:37:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah 10:1-13

Our triune God made the earth by his power, established the world by his wisdom, and stretched the heavens by his discretion. When he utters his voice, there is a multitude of waters, . . . he makes lightnings with rain and brings forth the wind out of his treasures. . . . (verse 13).

Jeremiah the Old Testament prophet says, Listen to what the Lord says to you, . . .
"Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the heathen are dismayed at them."

We, as believers, are instructed by Jeremiah to listen to God's Word to us. Don't be frightened by the natural disasters that are occurring around the world and here in our country.

Then, Jeremiah gives us the reason why: "For the customs of the people are vain [empty]: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not."

Jeremiah says they [gods made of wood] are as straight as the palm tree, but they do not speak: they have to be carried because they cannot go on their own.

Yet their owners are asking them questions and praying to them for answers.

Ha Ha. That is funny. It is like someone, who is not in their right mind, stopping and asking a stone which direction to take.

Then Jeremiah says, "Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good." He is saying to us, calm down, don't be afraid of them. They cannot do evil or good to you.

Next, Jeremiah says in verse 6: "Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. . . forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee."

Verse 7, 10 : Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? . . . But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

Jeremiah tells us what to say to them who make and worship these gods, "Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens."

We can relax and trust God. He is the only person to worship. He is the only one who controls the elements.

What a joy to know these truths and the peace they bring.

Copyright s.winters 2008.

The Foolish Child and the Foolish Woman

2008-04-13T16:50:00.000-07:00

I was contemplating the verse in Proverbs 22:15 "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him."

Then my mind wandered to Proverbs 14:1 "Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands."

I began to wonder if these two uses of "foolish" could be the same Hebrew word. So I went to E-Sword (which is the Bible Software I use) and looked up these verses.

Sure enough, these two verses use the same Hebrew word for foolish meaning "silliness."

It is possible it may be the kind of silliness referred to in 2 Timothy 3:6 "For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, . . ." I did not get that far yet but will some time.

There are other verses in Proverbs that speak of foolishness or the foolish woman.

For example, Proverbs 9:13 speaks of the foolish woman. It says she is clamorous and knows nothing but this is a different "foolish" than that used in Proverbs 14:1 and Proverbs 22:15.

Here is my conclusion: A foolish female child grows into a foolish woman just like a foolish boy grows into a foolish man. The foolish woman is not just a foolish woman for the sake of foolishness though, she is also wasteful and destructive.

She builds a house and then after she builds it, she plucks it down (piece by piece) with her own hands (an open hand indicating power or direction). What a waste.

We built a house in Illinois and the amount of work that went into to building it was incredible. It would be truly amazing to work hard to build a house and then it would be incredibly foolish to do that same work over by tearing it down piece by piece.

The only way to cure this problem is to drive it out with the rod of correction. It took me years before I realized that it was my responsibility to be continuously correcting and teaching my children whenever I have an opportunity.

Asking for Wisdom (not just any ole wisdom)

2008-04-08T22:33:00.001-07:00

I read Proverbs 8 today. It is all about wisdom:
it is calling to us
it is in the high places;
it is at the gates (courts);
wisdom speaks of excellent things;
of right things;
wisdom's mouth speaks truth;
not deceit (frowardness);
wisdom is plain[ly seen] if you have understanding.

Then God says this about wisdom (verse 10): receive his instruction (part of wisdom) instead of silver;
and knowledge instead of choice gold (not any ole gold);
wisdom is better than rubies and nothing (nothing, nothing) we ever possibly can want can be compared to wisdom.

Sounds like wisdom will make you wealthy (more than silver and gold).

Listen: The LORD possessed wisdom in the beginning before his works of old. . . .When he established the clouds; the fountains of the deep . . . when he appointed the foundations of the earth . . . (verses 22, 28, 29 . . .).

Generally, this chapter has been boring to me. I never understood it until James 1:5 enlightened me - "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

The same wisdom that God used in creating the earth is the same wisdom we can ask him for. If we ask in faith, he promises to give it to us. Incredible. Every time I ask God for wisdom - I think about these two passages and how awesome our God is.
Copyright April 2008

Proverbs 31 A Different Insight

2008-03-31T12:59:00.000-07:00

I was reading Proverbs 31 since today is the 31st day of the month. I thought about the portion on the virtuous woman but here is what I saw today instead. Proverbs 31:1-7 says that wine is not for princes, nor strong drink for kings but that wine is for those who are heavy of heart (and the next verse indicates that they may be heavy of heart because they are poor); that strong drink is for those who are perishing. The NIV uses the word beer but I do not believe that is a good translation.

All of a sudden, my nursing training came back to me: when people are dying of terminal diseases, they give them morphine or something equivalently strong. That is what these verses were saying: strong drink (sedation) is for those who are perishing (dying).

The Scriptures talk to us concerning every possible issue in life with answers that satisfy and ring true.

May you have a joy filled day.

copyright SW March 2008.

DO NOT BE OVERCOME OF EVIL BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD

2008-03-25T17:11:00.000-07:00

I woke up thinking "it would be a lot easier to go do something else and save myself all this struggle." Then the verse, "do not be overcome of evil but overcome with good" went through my mind. I always thought that verse meant be nice and kind to people and eventually they will come around to your point of view.

Romans says the truth is suppressed in unrighteousness. Based on my experience now, I believe that verse is saying, keep working until the truth revealed. It takes hard work and faith to overcome unrighteousness. God calls us as Christians to work and overcome it.

The Scriptures teach us not to be overwhelmed or overcome by evil wherever the setting. Instead we are instructed to overcome evil with good by standing firm in faith and proclaiming truth.
copyright 2008 SW

Genuine Beauty

2008-03-23T20:23:00.000-07:00

I have observed very few attractive older women. Have you ever considered why? I have observed women in town, working women, stay at home women, traveling women, educated women, and uneducated women. Here is what I have concluded. Physical features and physical beauty are not at issue. There are many women with nice physical features and nice figures but they are still not considered attractive, pretty, or beautiful.

On the other hand, it is possible to be beautiful and have average or plain features . The key is the inner spirit, inner thoughts, and inner attitudes which show up in the countenance of a woman (the facial expression).

Most older women have hard facial expressions and hard attitudes. That makes them appear older than they are, mean, and even ugly. Scripture says that a wicked man hardens his face (Proverbs 21).

What makes an older woman beautiful is a gentle and relaxed look on her face (peace in the spirit) and it is almost non-existent in older women.

The gentle, soft, kind look on the face comes from a gentle, kind inner spirit that is not nervous or restless. What is on the inside will manifest on the outside. Do not let your adornment be external only but let it be the hidden person of the heart, even the ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit which is precious in the sight of God (I Peter).

I believe it is found only in women who have a relationship with God.
Copyright 2008 by SK Winters.