Rant

I promise to keep this short. Here are a few things that really tick me off.

• People who complain about partisan politics. I voted for someone who shares my ideals, not someone who will vote your way. If that is partisan, I am OK with that.
• People who believe that the government is giving you something for free. Where do they think there "free" health care will come from?
• People who believe that the government is giving you something for free. Where do they think there "free" health care will come from? It's worth saying twice.
• Finally (for now) people who believe that I should pay their way in life. I believe in helping the poor, I also believe that when you vote yourself my money it's no different than robbing me.

That's enough for now. I feel much better.

Miraculos Miracles

I have been blessed to have God perform Several miracles in my life. One of the most memorable happened in Mexico while on a missions trip. My youth group was traveling from village to village in the mountains preaching to the locals.

While setting out one day our youth pastor asked someone how far the village was from the compound we were traveling to. The basic gist was that it was only a short distance. After filling up at the closest "petrol" station we headed out. If I remember correctly we were told the village was about 45 minutes away. Four and a half hours later we were just about out of gas. FYI, when in Mexico don't believe a word you are told concerning time or distance. Please trust me on this one.

Our youth pastor believed that this would be a great time for prayer. We all agreed and began fervently asking God to deliver us from our predicament. While praying I was assuming that God would provide a "Good Samaritan" with extra gas to save us in our time of need. He did not... Instead, our youth pastor began shouting for us to look at the dash. To our amazement the needle on the fuel gauge went from E to F! I am not joking. It was an undeniable miracle.

I had often wondered why God saved us in such a Miraculous manner. A few years I believe I got my answer. I sensed God telling me that He provided us with such a profound salvation there could be no reasoning the event away. You see, I cannot deny God was involved in helping us. A "Good Samartian" might have been reasoned away as coincidence.

There are times when God's Miracles are Miraculos in nature if I can put it that way. Don't put God in a box. I know it sounds like a cliche, but allowing God to provide for your needs in the way that seems fit him will help you accecpt His help instead of relying on yourself. It will allow a deeper faith to grow in your life as you go through other trials since you have been a personal witness to His power manifest in your life. Finally, your testomony will help strengthen the faith of others as they hear your witness.

The three elements listed are not an exaustive list by any means. feel free to comment with your own thoughts about how God's Miraculos Miracles make a difference in our walk with Him.

MAXIMA FAITH! (part two)

My wisdom tells me that if I need a car I should pray that God would help me make the best decision. My FAITH tells me that God will supply the best car for the money. Faith and wisdom go hand in hand. The bible says that if I need wisdom all I have to do is ask in faith.

BibleGateway.com - Passage Lookup: James 1 ;: "5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind."

My faith has been tested as of late. I have lost two jobs in one week, and have used my life savings over the last 18 months to help support my family. We are now on the precipice of loosing our home if the situation does not change quickly. I remember the times that God has helped us in the past. I worked in an commission environment for the past decade and have seen God supply our needs many times.

One year, I was only able to earn $8,000 over an eight month period. We found ourselves in a tough situation and saw God provide $46,000 over the next two months.

While this is the worst financial position we have been in we have seen God move in the past. We have actually seen our "practical faith" increase as our financial stability has decreased. We are ready to see god move anytime now and pray that He helps us during our times of unbelief.

BibleGateway.com - Passage Lookup: Mark 9:24;: "24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”"

MAXIMA FAITH (beliving for God to place us in a position in which we will be overwhelmed) is not apprpriate at this time. PRACTIAL FAITH (believing God will meet our needs and even provide an abundance) is biblical.

I pray that God provide you with prosperity, not problems, wisdom with your wealth, and much more PRACTIAL FAITH than MAXIMA FAITH.