From Orphans to RoyaltyWritten by Joyce C. Lock
The first time I read Ezekiel 16, I cried all way through it. It's a story of God's heart, as a betrayed husband; with every jealousy, hurt, rage, or emotion felt by humans. Yet, whenever we're hurting, few consider if they're doing same things to God. Whether spiritually, literally, or both … perhaps each of us have once been such a person who betrayed God. Just as dust returns to dust, blood returns to blood (vs. 22, 36), "till pride of man be broken (vs.15) and we're ready to accept God's way (vs. 55) - whatever that may be. And, just when you see your blood for what it is and you're ready to accept punishment you know you deserve, God reaches down and loves you in ways you never dream; restoring you to a better position than you ever had before (vs. 60-63).
| | Christians, the MinorityWritten by Joyce C. Lock
It was recently published that Christian Community is taking over net. I thought, "Yes! It's about time they noticed!" But, sadly, another report came. It said that Christians have used Internet to single-handedly restore love for poetry. But, it has not reached lost world. Perhaps, Christian Community became minority because of our own doing. We were called to be in world, without being like world, to be a testimony in midst of them - not to separate from opportunity to minister to world (Philippians 2:15), except in event of an evil we need to personally get away from. How can they, otherwise, hear? Scripture makes reference to sowing beside all waters, Isaiah 32:20. A way that applies for writers is to submit writings to whomever is interested (the highways and byways of Internet), with exception of X-rated sites. The only reason for eliminating those is because writings would be perverted, wherein God wouldn't get glory. Though, we can still sow beside those waters, without going inside. Go to highways and hedges, where others dare not trod. One way writers can compel them, via Internet, is to include a link to more of their writings, which will draw some to where they can further be ministered. Utilizing your talents, you might have other ideas. There is neither Jew or Greek, bond or free ... red, yellow, black or white ... Protestant, Catholic, Indian, Hindu ... they're all trying to find their way to God. All things were created by Him and for Him. Our God is God of corn, of wheat, of rain ... one in whom all things consist! But, Jesus was an anti-religionist. He went directly to source because THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD. Regardless of what another faith believes (if our writings do not create offense), we can cross religious barriers to submit to them ~ until we all come into unity of faith. Likewise, we can share their non-offensive writings, because, however we serve, it is still same God. No one religion has all answers. If we separate from everything not like us, we lose opportunity to learn from other faiths, also.
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