Spare

So the rain just keeps coming and coming and we keep slip sliding away in all the mud. Last evening we had another 1 & 1/2 inches of rain along with a bit of hail. These are the pictures I forgot yesterday of the swather home safe and sound. Thank you so much to Ron and Laurie and we know God will continue to bless them for their goodness to the ranch project. James, Dave and Danny also finished the siding on the south side of the building and does it ever look good. God's Vision and plan for us is not always how we want people to see us or to know about us. We are living in a time with many technological and medicinal advances, yet the world appears to be worst off than its ever been before. People from the poorest to the wealthiest countries around the world people are suffering greatly and very little is being done about it. What makes matters worst is that the suffering of our fellow man is so common most of us aren't affected in the least bit to see people dying from hunger, epidemics, wars, etc. The word of God forewarned us that these times were coming. "(Mark 13:5-8) 5: Jesus said to them: Watch out that no one deceives you. 6: Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. 7:When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8:Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains...." The word of God also speaks about how the church should operate in these last days until Jesus returns. "(Matthew 5:14-16) 14: You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15: Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16: In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." The word of God is clear and precise! During these times of uncertainty the church is supposed to be a beacon of light, the pillar of the community, and most importantly the place where the word of God is being taught and souls are led to Christ. Unfortunately, many of the church bodies around the world are completely out of order and their lack of fruit being produced is evidence of this. Many church congregations are no more than social clubs for the contemporary Pharisees. "(Luke 11:39-44) 39: Then the Lord said to him, "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40: You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41: But give what is inside the dish to the poor, and everything will be clean for you. 42: "Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. 43: "Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. 44: "Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without knowing it." Many Christians focus more on the appearing holy and look harshly on those who don't dress the way dress we dress, don't attend church as often as we attend church, aren't as well versed in the scriptures as we are, etc. In fact on Sunday's the average church is filled with the same saved people going through the religious act of attending church because this is what most of us have been taught will get us into heaven. Moreover, have we noticed that there are more churches in the inner city, urban, poverty and crime stricken areas than any were else; yet these churches have the smallest congregation and the least amount of positive influence in their communities. The problem is that many churches have confined Jesus within the walls of the church. Week-in and week-out we are preaching and teaching salvation and the good news about Jesus to people who are already saved! Furthermore, we spend all of our time with other Christians avoiding those who we considers as worldly and undesirable doing our best to avoid being associated with the "heathens" of this world. However, Jesus says as Christians we should be doing just the opposite, "(Matthew 9:12-13) 12: On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13:But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."" What have we chosen to be when we say we are Christians? To be a Christian is to be a FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST and nothing less. To strive daily 24-7 to be more like Him in every way, in every place and in every situation. We have a friend that left the ministry as a youth pastor, when he was told by his board," just turn a blind eye, boys will be boys". I was imagining today, what if Christian churches did what Christian schools do and make every one in church wear the same uniforms or have a dress code to attend church. The reason schools do it is so every on is equal, boy would that burst some bubbles and at the same time build up some. Go figure!!!