HARRY POTTER TO CHRISTIANS: IT'S NOT GOOD TO HEAR VOICESWritten by Mark B. Replogle
That is popular and, thank God (if you'll pardon use of G name) politically correct feeling among most Christians today. You will recall that in second book of Potter series, The Chamber Of Secrets, Harry Potter alone heard voice of basilisk. When he confided in his two friends about it, one told him that even in wizarding world, hearing voices is not a good thing. Like art imitating reality, can't we say that even in our non-wizarding world, it's not a good thing to be hearing voices. Whether those voices be God's or someone else's voice.Most of us would agree that hearing voices in your head, voices that aren't there, this is indeed a bad thing. In fact it used to be a sign of being crazy. But what if person claims to be hearing God's voice? How can we know if God is speaking to this guy such that we can't immediately lock him up in looney bin? The obvious answer is that we, non-Harry Potter-hearing-voices-people, have to recall eleven different ways that God speaks to mankind. Some of those ways are observable and objectively verifiable. Others are not observable but they can be verified. Examples in first category are times that God spoke to Moses out loud and all other Israelites could hear their conversation. Or when God Father spoke to Jesus during his baptism, and others gathered around heard that talk. Or when wayward prophet Balaam had a talking to by his donkey. Makes you wonder who dumb animal was at that time, doesn't it? Only daring men and women choose to hear God's voice today. Many christians don't hear God because they don't know what exercises to do that would enable them to hear his voice. While other christians choose not to hear God out of fear of what their friends will say about them. They will likely be considered to be crazy, religious fanatics, and attempting to glorify themselves. Worst yet, those christians will be imposing their morality on rest of us because they claim to have heard God. Right?
| | THE WONDERFUL CHRISTMASWritten by Irvin L. Rozier
The Wonderful Christmas Genesis 33:5: “And he lifted up his eyes, and saw woman and children, and said, who are those with thee? And he said, children which God has graciously given thy servant.” Children are a gift from God. He had blessed me to have two wonderful daughters and a good son. When their mother left in 1986 I became a single parent to six, eight, and eleven year old children. My heart grieved for them as they missed their mother. After Lord saved me, I began to pray for them. One of my prayers that December 1989 was that they would be blessed to have a wonderful Christmas, including spending some precious time with their mother. Shortly thereafter, my children’s mother called and asked if she could have children a few days. She would get them about four or five days before Christmas and bring them back Christmas day. I readily agreed. She asked if I would drive them halfway. She lived in Atlanta so Dublin was agreed meeting point. The children were all excited about this rare visit with their mother. They had not spent much time with her since our separation. I scraped together a few dollars to give to them to spend, we loaded up and headed out. Well, you should of seen look of happiness on their faces as they hugged and greeted their mom. She had been such a wonderful mom to our children before. She always made sure they were well fed, clothed, clean, and hugged and loved. She roller-skated with them, read to them..they were her life. Tragically, Devil can destroy and take away a mother’s concern and love for her children–whether it’s drugs or other methods. As they drove away, I sat in car and cried. My tears were a mixture of joy for their happiness of being with their mom and sadness and grief for losses they had experienced. I loved these children that God had given me and when they hurt, I did too. What I didn’t tell children was that I had given them all money I had. My car’s gas needle showed empty and it was 110 miles back home. It was Sunday morning about 10:30 a.m. as I began to drive back home. I said, “Lord, I guess I’ll run out of gas within a few miles but I’m trusting you in this situation.” About three miles down road, I saw a small sign displaying an arrow pointing left to a small country church. The Lord suddenly spoke to me and said, “Go to that church.” I said, “Okay, but I’m not dressed very well (I had on old blue jeans, a tee-shirt and tennis shoes).” The Lord replied, “Go just like you are and don’t even concern yourself about what others may think about your clothing. I know what is in your heart.” I drove up to that church, got out of my beat up old Toyota and went inside. Services had already started and several heads turned to stare as a badly dressed stranger entered. I sat down on a seat and after a few songs, preacher preached on famous faith chapter in Bible, Hebrews, Chapter 11. The Lord anointed this pastor as he preached. It seemed as if most of words he spoke were directed at me. I needed that encouragement at that particular moment! Thank you Jesus! After service, preacher was led to ask for testimonies. A few dear saints stood up and testified. Their testimonies were very uplifting. Suddenly Lord spoke and said, “Irvin, get up and testify.” As I stood, I wiped some of wrinkles from my blue jeans and began to speak. As Spirit of Lord anointed me, every eye in congregation was on me and every ear was attentive. I told how Lord has directed my footsteps to that church, how sermon and testimonies had encouraged me, and how happy I was that my children would be spending a few days with their mom. I asked for prayer. At this request, Godly pastor asked his little flock to gather around altar and especially pray that not only my children but other children from broken homes would have a happy Christmas. After service, I slowly walked to my Toyota. An elderly woman came up to me, shook my hand, and told me my testimony had touched her heart in a special way. After I withdrew my hand, I looked in my palm and saw folded five dollar bill she had given me. Gas money to get home! God will provide! When I got home that Sunday evening, a friend of mine called and asked if I would drive him to a city about 50 miles away. His truck had quit and it was too cold to drive his motorcycle. I said, “Okay, I’ve got to pick up a few pecans to sell to get a few dollars. My children aren’t here so I’m free to go.” He was a nurse and was going to work two 16 hour shifts during Christmas. He said he was renting a hotel room and I could stay there while he was working.
|