Friday, April 22, 2011

Dangerous Criminal

Dear Friend:
At a crime or disaster scene affecting large numbers of people, multiple jurisdictions, or broad geographic areas, many police agencies may be involved by mutual aid agreements. For example, the United States Federal Protective Service responded to the Hurricane Katrina natural disaster.

May 7: State police Lt. Carl Anderson, with a fellow investigator, escort Drew Peterson into District 5 State Police headquarters in Bolingbrook.

Upon my own investigation of how many officials go to pick-up a criminal or respond on a crime scene, I found the two previous stories. If there is proof of criminal activity by a person or persons, protection is called in for security reasons.

The arrest of Jesus says this “so Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. A detachment is a group of three hundred to six hundred Roman soldiers.

Then Jesus addressed the mob: "What is this—coming out after me with swords and clubs as if I were a dangerous criminal? Day after day I have been sitting in the Temple teaching, and you never so much as lifted a hand against me. You've done it this way to confirm and fulfill the prophetic writings." Then all the disciples cut and ran. (Matthew 26:55 MSG)

Matthew wrote fifteen times in the Scriptures stating everything that occurred must be fulfulled and it happened this way. As the agony progressed from Jesus’ arrest, trial and crucifixion everything was fulfilled.

Why am I telling you all this? We deserve complete protection from guilty criminals. The people and officials of Jesus’ time totally misunderstood Jesus by treating Him as a dangerous criminal, when He only ever showed signs of peace and humbleness. We did not deserve God’s plan of salvation. Our sin deserves death. But our loving God saw it differently and gave His son up to death so that we can be freed from our sins and eternal separation from God. Jesus was treated worse than our criminals today but yet He gave up His life freely for you without even an argument. Jesus has nothing but true love always for you!

Prayer: Father in heaven I did not deserve Jesus’ act of love toward me. Yet He fulfilled God’s will. Thank you for this great act of forgiveness. Amen.

It was fulfilled with the greatest act of love,
Elaine

Friday, April 15, 2011

Good Mood Food

“You’re right” was my daughters quick response when I asked “ I guess you don’t want to be in a good mood then?”

My 17 year old daughter had just gotten home from school and that was the end of the conversation that took place. Prior to her coming home I happened to drive by an Arby’s and it’s sign out front said “Try our new cinnamon bites, The Good Mood Food.” Found out that Arby’s launched on February 28, 2011 a Good Mood Food advertisement. Here is a sample of their sing-a-long jingle, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gzz0wY2Vobk . The new Outside-in Cinnamon Bites; try them for $1.00. My mind created its own sing-a-long jingle deciding if I should “try them.”

It is three o’clock
I can’t block
the monster in my brain
I feel insane
cause my tummy
is a bit rumbly
I am falling
For this calling
I have To have a bite
Of that sugary delight.
It was a sign
I will be fine
I won’t whine
Isn’t this worth the fight
For the good food mood, right?
THE END

Then I attempted to bring my daughter down with me on this cheat by asking the question “don’t you want to try some “Good Mood Food?”

“It looks like a Totino Pizza Roll,” she said.

The ad says “light and flaky bite size pastry with warm cinnamon cream cheese filling all on the inside,” I replied.

All she could say was, “Gross!”

After laughing with my daughter, I tasted it and decided that I did not like the cinnamon bite.

I heard a whisper inside me saying, “God is the true good mood food.”

Do you use food in your life as an idol? If you fasted would it free up your mind?
I fasted recently and discovered that I think about food too much. God and I are working this out. Do you feel comforted by food? This is a message that God wants to talk to many about. The power we think food can have.

So many choices for “Good Mood Food” we need to pray. God satisfies!

PRAYER: Father in heaven so many choices today, help me to put you first. You alone can give me a good mood. Thank you Father for providing and help with daily needs.

I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. (Psalm 63:5 NIV)
Blessings,
Elaine

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Throw in the Towel

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. (Hebrew 10:35 NIV)

Dear Friend:

I googled the idiom, throw in the towel, often used in the boxing world where a trainer ends a fight. Simply put- give up in the face of defeat of lacking hope, admit defeat.

Do you feel like throwing in the towel regarding your life? Not meaning you would end it, but just give up. Making decisions for business ventures, schedules, disciplining children, household finances, Easter plans and all relationships. I am exhausted just typing this list and thinking about all the work that goes into each of these. All different circumstances vying for your attention. Each thing from the list above requires consistency, boundaries, and setting limits. Throwing in the towel or giving up is pretty understandable when times get hard.

Let’s address throwing in the towel, shall we? Towels that are dirty get thrown into the washing machine with some soap and fresh spring scent softener. I love them just out of the dryer when they are warm, filled with a fresh aroma and fluffy ready to be used again.

Just like our towels needed a little cleaning and then they are fresh and like new, we need some time with God to get fresh perspective. Here is some help, the next verse in Hebrews says “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”

What is holding you back from wanting to persevere and receive the promise? Be honest. Tell God about it and then wait, just wait for God to work some fresh ideas of how to move forward.

So don’t throw in the towel, chose to spend more time with God instead!

Let’s pray:
Father in Heaven help me not to throw away my faith, but hold true to you. Thank you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Shalom,
Elaine