Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Arrogance of the Young
I have a brother I love very much, he is only a year and a half older than me. One thing about this brother is his propensity for joking. He jokes and laughs often, so much so that my sister in law says that he has a condition called, "serious conversation challenged." We have a lot of good times together, there is never a dull moment.
Today in conversation on the phone we were discussing the roll of men and women in the family. Of course in every discussion there is a joke not far off.
My brother shared his philosophy of life (jokingly) concerning marriage. He said that he believes it might be good to elevate the woman so the man can blame her for everything, except when things go well, then he can take the credit. He has been married 44 years, it seems to be working out for him.
LOL, LOL, LOL!!!!!
Perhaps some people become so dogmatic about the rolls of women and men in marriage that they tend to oppress the creativity of one or the other. There is room for diversity in marriage in terms of function, as long as both husband and wife agree. They must decide between them what works in their marriage.
When I see people making rules that God does not make, for the sake of their own agenda, my first response is to study things out to determine if the rule is actually from God or just a idea spawned from the mind of a human based on one or two verses.
When we have a view of marriage based on Scripture, we had better use the entire Bible, not one or two short passages out of context to fit our own agenda. AND, never are we to judge the marriage of another couple based on OUR OWN ideas.
Each marriage has dynamics within it that we do not know about and that are, frankly, none of our business. When someone begins to mess in another person's marriage, placing pressure on one party to force the other spouse to comply, or, when someone chooses to treat one party in a marriage disrespectfully based on their particular interpretation then we have crossed the line into meddling. Sometimes this meddling comes in subtle covert ways, one of which is to show favoritism one over another.
1 Peter 4:14-16 "…14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a MEDDLER. 16 But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear this name.…"
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
"11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and ATTEND TO YOUR OWN BUSINESS and work with your hands, just as we commanded you,"
There is place for the older women to instruct the younger married women, but there is no place for forcing, belittling, intimidating and treating with contempt. Teaching is far different than attempting to start trouble in a marriage to manipulate one party against another.
Titus 2:3-5
"3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,
4 so that they may ENCOURAGE THE YOUNG WOMEN TO LOVE THEIR HUSBANDS, TO LOVE THEIR CHILDREN,
5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored."
Each person ought to be encouraging one another to seek Christ. Then we would have each person evaluating themselves, not seeking to force or intimidate others.
In our modern day of rebellion we see the younger women refusing to listen to instruction and the older women intimidated to withhold it because of the fear of losing the love of their children.
Instruction of children does not end with adulthood, it should be even more appreciated because of growing maturity in the adult children.
No where in God's Word does He tell the younger women to instruct the older women. It is disrespectful for a young woman, newly married to think she can instruct an older woman who has been married 30 years, not only disrespectful but immature. Adult children are to love and honor their parents, they are not to instruct them. Honor means to value them, their wisdom and their years of experience in life.
Some of the most offensive encounters have been when people the age of our grandchildren think they can lecture us about life. Sorry, been through too much over a long period of time to go back to the first grade, taught by an arrogant and self righteous know-it-all.
I am pretty sure many young people are not going to like this post, however, the older ones will know exactly what I am talking about. Perhaps there will be some joy in watching these snotty nosed brats get it from their own children one day. LOL If someone is offended at the use of the term, "snotty nosed brats", then you must think this is about you. If you think this is about you, then seek the Lord for a changed heart, a heart free of arrogance and self righteousness, that will fix the problem.
Colossians 3:20
"Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord."
Romans 12:2
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Psalm 31:18
"Let the lying lips be mute, Which speak arrogantly against the righteous With pride and contempt."
2 Timothy 3:1-5
"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these."
The lesson for young people: Remember that you have not lived long enough to think you know more than those who have lived twice as long. There is a lot more for you to learn, but you will not learn it as long as you think you already know everything. Wisdom comes from listening, watching, praying and living life a long time.
Lastly, lighten up, in other words, don't take yourself so seriously that you can never say, "I was wrong", or "I'm sorry that was a dumb thing to do." The day you can say these things without feeling embarrassed, is the day you will grow spiritually and emotionally.
Today in conversation on the phone we were discussing the roll of men and women in the family. Of course in every discussion there is a joke not far off.
My brother shared his philosophy of life (jokingly) concerning marriage. He said that he believes it might be good to elevate the woman so the man can blame her for everything, except when things go well, then he can take the credit. He has been married 44 years, it seems to be working out for him.
LOL, LOL, LOL!!!!!
Perhaps some people become so dogmatic about the rolls of women and men in marriage that they tend to oppress the creativity of one or the other. There is room for diversity in marriage in terms of function, as long as both husband and wife agree. They must decide between them what works in their marriage.
When I see people making rules that God does not make, for the sake of their own agenda, my first response is to study things out to determine if the rule is actually from God or just a idea spawned from the mind of a human based on one or two verses.
When we have a view of marriage based on Scripture, we had better use the entire Bible, not one or two short passages out of context to fit our own agenda. AND, never are we to judge the marriage of another couple based on OUR OWN ideas.
Each marriage has dynamics within it that we do not know about and that are, frankly, none of our business. When someone begins to mess in another person's marriage, placing pressure on one party to force the other spouse to comply, or, when someone chooses to treat one party in a marriage disrespectfully based on their particular interpretation then we have crossed the line into meddling. Sometimes this meddling comes in subtle covert ways, one of which is to show favoritism one over another.
1 Peter 4:14-16 "…14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a MEDDLER. 16 But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear this name.…"
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
"11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and ATTEND TO YOUR OWN BUSINESS and work with your hands, just as we commanded you,"
There is place for the older women to instruct the younger married women, but there is no place for forcing, belittling, intimidating and treating with contempt. Teaching is far different than attempting to start trouble in a marriage to manipulate one party against another.
Titus 2:3-5
"3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,
4 so that they may ENCOURAGE THE YOUNG WOMEN TO LOVE THEIR HUSBANDS, TO LOVE THEIR CHILDREN,
5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored."
Each person ought to be encouraging one another to seek Christ. Then we would have each person evaluating themselves, not seeking to force or intimidate others.
In our modern day of rebellion we see the younger women refusing to listen to instruction and the older women intimidated to withhold it because of the fear of losing the love of their children.
Instruction of children does not end with adulthood, it should be even more appreciated because of growing maturity in the adult children.
No where in God's Word does He tell the younger women to instruct the older women. It is disrespectful for a young woman, newly married to think she can instruct an older woman who has been married 30 years, not only disrespectful but immature. Adult children are to love and honor their parents, they are not to instruct them. Honor means to value them, their wisdom and their years of experience in life.
Some of the most offensive encounters have been when people the age of our grandchildren think they can lecture us about life. Sorry, been through too much over a long period of time to go back to the first grade, taught by an arrogant and self righteous know-it-all.
I am pretty sure many young people are not going to like this post, however, the older ones will know exactly what I am talking about. Perhaps there will be some joy in watching these snotty nosed brats get it from their own children one day. LOL If someone is offended at the use of the term, "snotty nosed brats", then you must think this is about you. If you think this is about you, then seek the Lord for a changed heart, a heart free of arrogance and self righteousness, that will fix the problem.
Colossians 3:20
"Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord."
Romans 12:2
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Psalm 31:18
"Let the lying lips be mute, Which speak arrogantly against the righteous With pride and contempt."
2 Timothy 3:1-5
"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these."
The lesson for young people: Remember that you have not lived long enough to think you know more than those who have lived twice as long. There is a lot more for you to learn, but you will not learn it as long as you think you already know everything. Wisdom comes from listening, watching, praying and living life a long time.
Lastly, lighten up, in other words, don't take yourself so seriously that you can never say, "I was wrong", or "I'm sorry that was a dumb thing to do." The day you can say these things without feeling embarrassed, is the day you will grow spiritually and emotionally.
Narcissists Attempt at Control
Often I see narcissists deliberately disagreeing with malice or mocking in their voices to cause hurt feelings. They know if they do this in a crowd, it will cast their target in an unfavorable light, for answering back and then an argument ensues. The narcissists in a case like this is able to shut down any discussion immediately through this tactic.
He thinks he appears superior and is able to control the conversation. The best way to handle this is to ignore the arguer and speak personally to someone else in the group. this way the arguer is not able to control the entire conversation through his intimidation tactics.
When we are having a private conversation with a reasonable person, others in the group may hear but feel it is not their conversation and remain silent. This is good in cases where a narcissist is working to cause fights. You will still be able to have your say, the others will hear and the narcissist looks foolish if they insert themselves into a private conversation.
It is the goal of the narcissist to start an argument, they think this makes them superior. It is impossible to reason with someone who only cares about appearing to win, even if he is not winning, beating someone up verbally to make them give up, will make the narcissist sense that he has won. That is the goal of the narcissist, he cares not whether he is rational, whether truth is discovered or someone else is validated, he only care that he wins.
My suggestion:
As soon as you realize you are encountering a narcissist in conversation, ignore everything that comes out of their mouth. The reason? The narcissist will use every single response to begin the fight. If we ignore them and converse with others in the room, the narcissist is not able to take complete control of the mood of the room or the direction of the discussion.
Proverbs 23:9 " 9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words."
Proverbs 14:6-8 "…6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, But knowledge is easy to one who has understanding. 7 Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge. 8 The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of fools is deceit.…"
He thinks he appears superior and is able to control the conversation. The best way to handle this is to ignore the arguer and speak personally to someone else in the group. this way the arguer is not able to control the entire conversation through his intimidation tactics.
When we are having a private conversation with a reasonable person, others in the group may hear but feel it is not their conversation and remain silent. This is good in cases where a narcissist is working to cause fights. You will still be able to have your say, the others will hear and the narcissist looks foolish if they insert themselves into a private conversation.
It is the goal of the narcissist to start an argument, they think this makes them superior. It is impossible to reason with someone who only cares about appearing to win, even if he is not winning, beating someone up verbally to make them give up, will make the narcissist sense that he has won. That is the goal of the narcissist, he cares not whether he is rational, whether truth is discovered or someone else is validated, he only care that he wins.
My suggestion:
As soon as you realize you are encountering a narcissist in conversation, ignore everything that comes out of their mouth. The reason? The narcissist will use every single response to begin the fight. If we ignore them and converse with others in the room, the narcissist is not able to take complete control of the mood of the room or the direction of the discussion.
Proverbs 23:9 " 9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words."
Proverbs 14:6-8 "…6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, But knowledge is easy to one who has understanding. 7 Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge. 8 The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of fools is deceit.…"
In the Presence of God
Yes, this is what I think of when I encounter a "know it all" who is bent on demeaning everyone else to elevate self. I have experienced a lot of these in my life. Most of them have been people who claim to be "Christians."
Jason Herrington
"It is impossible for a person that lives in the presence of God to be proud, you become proud when you leave the presence of God."
Jason Herrington
"It is impossible for a person that lives in the presence of God to be proud, you become proud when you leave the presence of God."
A Show of the End Times
The eclipse, in my estimation is a show of God's glory. The moon representing society all over the world snuffing out the light of the SON.
Not a warning, but an expression of the end times. As soon as the sun was completely blotted out except the small ring around the moon, the people cheered.
There is a small remnant of believer, perhaps representing that tiny ring of light, who remain but soon the truth will be blotted out, the Holy Spirit will be gone and the cold darkness will envelope everything.
Not a warning, but an expression of the end times. As soon as the sun was completely blotted out except the small ring around the moon, the people cheered.
There is a small remnant of believer, perhaps representing that tiny ring of light, who remain but soon the truth will be blotted out, the Holy Spirit will be gone and the cold darkness will envelope everything.
Darkness, Missing the Light
Darkness is nothing, it is merely the absence of light. Without Christ there is only darkness in the soul of man. With Christ we possess the light that brings all things good.
Reviled Because of Christ
I know of those who are so contentious that they negate everything others say and do.
If it isn't what they would do or like they mock it, working to demean anyone who does not do or say what they do or say.
These people are fools, their desire to be superior destroys any chance they have of rational evaluation, as well as any relationship of value.
These people believe they know everything and everyone else is stupid.
Here's what God says about it. If we find ourselves acting or speaking in a superior fashion, then we fit into this category:
Proverbs 29:8-10 "…8 Scorners set a city aflame, But wise men turn away anger. 9 When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest. 10 Men of bloodshed hate the blameless, But the upright are concerned for his life.…"
Those who love to elevate themselves above others always mock and demean anything that is not their own idea. They will even use the ideas of others claiming it was theirs in the first place.
These mockers are self righteous and judgmental over things that do not matter and accept no one who doesn't treat them with special honor.
When we meet a mocker, they will see everyone who does not elevate them, as an enemy to be destroyed. This is exactly what the Pharisees did to Christ. They hated Him because He was righteous, because He did good deeds and because He told the truth. They claimed He did and said things that He didn't, to discredit Him in the eyes of others.
Galatians 4:16-17 "16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you will be zealous for them."
They will often attempt to isolate you from those that would benefit and love you, so that you will have no one but them. They are less likely to be able to destroy you, if you have allies.
Arrogant mockers always see righteous people as the enemy and someone to be conquered.
Praise the Lord for His testimony! He was treated in spiteful ways too, when all He did was good and righteous. They concocted lies about Him to isolate him from others.
Matthew 12:23-25 "…23 The crowds were all amazed and asked, “Could this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “Only by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons,” does this man drive out demons. 25 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.…"
The same tactics the devil used in Christ's day are the ones they use in our day. Anyone who loves the Lord and tells the truth will be a target for these modern day Pharisees. Those who attack believers unjustly will be divided against one another.
2 Thessalonians 2:8-9 "…8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and abolish by the majesty of His arrival. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, 10 and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.…"
Those who are rebellious against God also be ravenously against God's children.
1 Peter 4:12-14 "12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.
14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you."
If it isn't what they would do or like they mock it, working to demean anyone who does not do or say what they do or say.
These people are fools, their desire to be superior destroys any chance they have of rational evaluation, as well as any relationship of value.
These people believe they know everything and everyone else is stupid.
Here's what God says about it. If we find ourselves acting or speaking in a superior fashion, then we fit into this category:
Proverbs 29:8-10 "…8 Scorners set a city aflame, But wise men turn away anger. 9 When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest. 10 Men of bloodshed hate the blameless, But the upright are concerned for his life.…"
Those who love to elevate themselves above others always mock and demean anything that is not their own idea. They will even use the ideas of others claiming it was theirs in the first place.
These mockers are self righteous and judgmental over things that do not matter and accept no one who doesn't treat them with special honor.
When we meet a mocker, they will see everyone who does not elevate them, as an enemy to be destroyed. This is exactly what the Pharisees did to Christ. They hated Him because He was righteous, because He did good deeds and because He told the truth. They claimed He did and said things that He didn't, to discredit Him in the eyes of others.
Galatians 4:16-17 "16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you will be zealous for them."
They will often attempt to isolate you from those that would benefit and love you, so that you will have no one but them. They are less likely to be able to destroy you, if you have allies.
Arrogant mockers always see righteous people as the enemy and someone to be conquered.
Praise the Lord for His testimony! He was treated in spiteful ways too, when all He did was good and righteous. They concocted lies about Him to isolate him from others.
Matthew 12:23-25 "…23 The crowds were all amazed and asked, “Could this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “Only by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons,” does this man drive out demons. 25 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.…"
The same tactics the devil used in Christ's day are the ones they use in our day. Anyone who loves the Lord and tells the truth will be a target for these modern day Pharisees. Those who attack believers unjustly will be divided against one another.
2 Thessalonians 2:8-9 "…8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and abolish by the majesty of His arrival. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, 10 and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.…"
Those who are rebellious against God also be ravenously against God's children.
1 Peter 4:12-14 "12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.
14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you."
Never Deny the Experiences of Others
When we deny what we are going through to appear spiritual, we are lying. Tell the truth, while trusting Christ. Chances are good if we deny the truth of our trials to appear superior, we will also deny the trials of others for the same reason.
Romans 12:15
"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."
We cannot weep with those who weep if we deny their reality. We cannot laugh with those who laugh if we will not also share in all aspects of the lives of others. God wants us to deeply love others, that means we will feel what they feel, we will connect with their struggles as well as their joys.
When Christ sets us free, we are free to express ourselves in truth, knowing that He has the solutions and the strength that we need to endure them.
Never negate another brother or sisters reality, empathize, encourage and pray for, but never judge something that is not sin or negate what they are experiencing.
James 1:2-12
"2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
9 But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position;
10 and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.
11 For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.
12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Romans 12:15
"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."
We cannot weep with those who weep if we deny their reality. We cannot laugh with those who laugh if we will not also share in all aspects of the lives of others. God wants us to deeply love others, that means we will feel what they feel, we will connect with their struggles as well as their joys.
When Christ sets us free, we are free to express ourselves in truth, knowing that He has the solutions and the strength that we need to endure them.
Never negate another brother or sisters reality, empathize, encourage and pray for, but never judge something that is not sin or negate what they are experiencing.
James 1:2-12
"2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
9 But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position;
10 and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.
11 For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.
12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
The Message of the Eclipse
My husband and I traveled 2 and 1/2 hours to see the eclipse in the path of totality to the apartment of our grandaughter, grandson and their friends.
I had not expected it to be as dramatic as it was. The only real reasons I saw to go, was my husbands interest in science and to be with our grandchildren. The visit was wonderful as well as what followed.
The eclipse was amazing and wonderful, causing me to want to worship as I watched the very power of God through His creation. After it was over we said our goodbyes and traveled 120 miles, normally taking us 2 and 1/2 hours, morphing into 9 hours before we reached home. 20 miles an hour, in most places was the pace at which we crawled along, sometimes stopped for several minutes.
The traffic was horrific but the experience was worth it. I had read writings from so called prophets and prophetesses that this may be a warning from God for America. I didn't think it had that much significance as a "warning", these events happen around the world every year.
It was however a once in a lifetime event for our region. Also, I do not take the "warnings" seriously because God has given me everything I need to know in the Word to trust Him for each day until He takes us home.
As I watched the moon slowly, over a period of about an hour, obscure small bites of the sun, it began to get colder on the one thousand high hill where we were. Then it happened, the sun was gone, with only a tiny sliver of sun showing around the edges, while the temperature dropped dramatically, even becoming chilly, when before that it was hot outside, for less than two minutes.
As the sun was obscured at totality, I felt an amazing sense of wanting to worship. There were about a hundred people in that secluded place, suddenly the crowd erupted in cheers and shouts at the total obliteration of the sun's light except for that sliver of light encasing the edge of the moon. It was an eerie and wonderful cool darkness with just enough light to still be able to see, as a though standing in the shadows.
Then the Lord explained the meaning of this event to me. It was not a warning to us about pending doom, although we deserve it and later it may come.
This was a show of God's power and majesty, the creation He made was obeying His command to show what He demonstrates frequently in nature, that He is all powerful, that His creation is beyond human understanding. Humans have no ability to altar what God has done or what He will do in the future.
Romans 1:19-21 "…19 For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.…"
This amazing event was God showing, through His creation, Who He is. Perhaps this is just one more demonstration of His power and might to draw the unbelieving heart to Him. He is shouting, "see Who I am."
Most who watched the event did not understand the significance of this, the power of God and His majesty were glorified, but they didn't know it.
The cheers that came from the crowd as the sun was darkened, made me realize that God was showing us another principle at play. That is that the Son of God is being hidden by the world. The more the Son has been removed from the culture, the more loudly they cheer.
The ungodly cheered when Christ was on the cross, they loved that he was, in their minds, "destroyed."
Most people saw this as nothing more than an exciting natural event. But I saw it as much greater than that, not as warning for coming things, but as a demonstration of the heart of man in response to the Savior.
I will repeat what God said in Romans 1, God has been showing us all down through the ages Who He is, but mankind would rather worship self and nature than the God who made both.
Romans 1:20-21 "…20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,…"
Was this a warning for America? I do not believe so, but it was from God that He is the God of creation, showing the world one more time that without Him, we would not exist, this world would not exist and there would be no salvation for man. Christ is the Son that died for us, and the world is blocking Him out.
I had not expected it to be as dramatic as it was. The only real reasons I saw to go, was my husbands interest in science and to be with our grandchildren. The visit was wonderful as well as what followed.
The eclipse was amazing and wonderful, causing me to want to worship as I watched the very power of God through His creation. After it was over we said our goodbyes and traveled 120 miles, normally taking us 2 and 1/2 hours, morphing into 9 hours before we reached home. 20 miles an hour, in most places was the pace at which we crawled along, sometimes stopped for several minutes.
The traffic was horrific but the experience was worth it. I had read writings from so called prophets and prophetesses that this may be a warning from God for America. I didn't think it had that much significance as a "warning", these events happen around the world every year.
It was however a once in a lifetime event for our region. Also, I do not take the "warnings" seriously because God has given me everything I need to know in the Word to trust Him for each day until He takes us home.
As I watched the moon slowly, over a period of about an hour, obscure small bites of the sun, it began to get colder on the one thousand high hill where we were. Then it happened, the sun was gone, with only a tiny sliver of sun showing around the edges, while the temperature dropped dramatically, even becoming chilly, when before that it was hot outside, for less than two minutes.
As the sun was obscured at totality, I felt an amazing sense of wanting to worship. There were about a hundred people in that secluded place, suddenly the crowd erupted in cheers and shouts at the total obliteration of the sun's light except for that sliver of light encasing the edge of the moon. It was an eerie and wonderful cool darkness with just enough light to still be able to see, as a though standing in the shadows.
Then the Lord explained the meaning of this event to me. It was not a warning to us about pending doom, although we deserve it and later it may come.
This was a show of God's power and majesty, the creation He made was obeying His command to show what He demonstrates frequently in nature, that He is all powerful, that His creation is beyond human understanding. Humans have no ability to altar what God has done or what He will do in the future.
Romans 1:19-21 "…19 For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.…"
This amazing event was God showing, through His creation, Who He is. Perhaps this is just one more demonstration of His power and might to draw the unbelieving heart to Him. He is shouting, "see Who I am."
Most who watched the event did not understand the significance of this, the power of God and His majesty were glorified, but they didn't know it.
The cheers that came from the crowd as the sun was darkened, made me realize that God was showing us another principle at play. That is that the Son of God is being hidden by the world. The more the Son has been removed from the culture, the more loudly they cheer.
The ungodly cheered when Christ was on the cross, they loved that he was, in their minds, "destroyed."
Most people saw this as nothing more than an exciting natural event. But I saw it as much greater than that, not as warning for coming things, but as a demonstration of the heart of man in response to the Savior.
I will repeat what God said in Romans 1, God has been showing us all down through the ages Who He is, but mankind would rather worship self and nature than the God who made both.
Romans 1:20-21 "…20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,…"
Was this a warning for America? I do not believe so, but it was from God that He is the God of creation, showing the world one more time that without Him, we would not exist, this world would not exist and there would be no salvation for man. Christ is the Son that died for us, and the world is blocking Him out.
Do We Allow Him?
Isaiah 30:18
God Is Gracious and Just
18 "Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you,
And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
How blessed are all those who long for Him."
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