A lesson I was recently studying is talking about symbols of the Holy Spirit. One particular part was the symbol of the dove. The lesson asked why a dove? What does a dove make you think of and why is that a good symbol for the Holy Spirit. Well, besides the purity, peace and gentleness, I also came up with one more. Cooing. I know that sounds strange, but there are plenty of preachers on the radio and tv that yell and scream at you that you are going to burn in hell fire if you don't change your ways. Perhaps, some of us have even had “so called” Christians yelling and screaming in our faces as well. They yell and scream so hard that their faces turn red and their veins pop out and it gives the appearance that they've been there and know what they are talking about.
But doves coo. They call gently and sweetly to one another. The Holy Spirit also calls gently and sweetly to us. He doesn't yell and scream at us, making us feel inferior and already too slimy to save. Instead, the Holy Spirit coos gently to us. If we stop, rest, and listen, we can hear the Holy Spirit gently guiding and leading us, and asking a simple question. Jesus is coming soon. Are you ready?
Sharon Leukert
Sunday, April 2, 2006
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
My choice
Supportive. My mom was always supportive. My parents were very active in our lives. WE did many things together, even if it was just watching tv together in the evening. Even if it was as a teenager helping make gingerbread cookies and watching in horror as my mom giggled and tried to make some anatomically correct.
Mom was also firm in her faith, but she didn't force her faith on me. I appreciate that. She allowed me to make a choice on my own. This is how it happened.
I was involved in the flag and rifle corps of our high school band, as was my older sister. High school football games, as we all know, are on Friday nights. It's hard to keep the Sabbath holy, biblically, while you are totally involved in a football game and in another world as it were.
Mom was always helping with the fundraisers, getting our uniforms and parties and all that stuff, but she didn't come to the games. She never said we couldn't go. She was never angry and never said we were going to burn in hell for going to a high school football game on Friday night. She simply made a choice, and allowed my sister and I to make our own.
One day, I finally decided that I didn't want to give up being involved in activies and events, but I also didn't want to "trample on the Sabbath" anymore. I wanted to enjoy life and live it to the fullest! I wanted to honor God at the same time. Believe it or not, it is possible. God said He came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.
Since that time, I've had a lot of experiences that most people won't get in an entire lifetime. How many people can say they've been to Hawaii? How many people have ridden in a Hot Air Balloon, and helped to chase them and pack them back up again? How many people have gotten to help arrange a private ride for their child in a 2 seater airplane and fly over your own house? How many people get free tickets to the Great Passion Play, the Harlem Globetrotters and the White Stallions of Lippizan? How many women get to have their firsborn in the car at 70 miles per hour and get to pull the baby out all by themselves?
I've never regretted my decision. I still live life to the fullest. I still make mistakes, but I still try to honor God for He has indeed given me an abundant life, as I have chosen to follow Him.
Mom was also firm in her faith, but she didn't force her faith on me. I appreciate that. She allowed me to make a choice on my own. This is how it happened.
I was involved in the flag and rifle corps of our high school band, as was my older sister. High school football games, as we all know, are on Friday nights. It's hard to keep the Sabbath holy, biblically, while you are totally involved in a football game and in another world as it were.
Mom was always helping with the fundraisers, getting our uniforms and parties and all that stuff, but she didn't come to the games. She never said we couldn't go. She was never angry and never said we were going to burn in hell for going to a high school football game on Friday night. She simply made a choice, and allowed my sister and I to make our own.
One day, I finally decided that I didn't want to give up being involved in activies and events, but I also didn't want to "trample on the Sabbath" anymore. I wanted to enjoy life and live it to the fullest! I wanted to honor God at the same time. Believe it or not, it is possible. God said He came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.
Since that time, I've had a lot of experiences that most people won't get in an entire lifetime. How many people can say they've been to Hawaii? How many people have ridden in a Hot Air Balloon, and helped to chase them and pack them back up again? How many people have gotten to help arrange a private ride for their child in a 2 seater airplane and fly over your own house? How many people get free tickets to the Great Passion Play, the Harlem Globetrotters and the White Stallions of Lippizan? How many women get to have their firsborn in the car at 70 miles per hour and get to pull the baby out all by themselves?
I've never regretted my decision. I still live life to the fullest. I still make mistakes, but I still try to honor God for He has indeed given me an abundant life, as I have chosen to follow Him.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Armageddon
Peace. Wow. Comfort. Wow. Relief. Wow.
All of these things experienced by a neighbor of ours. She's been coming to our house to watch some Bible studies on prophecy, going over satellite television.
The very first program gave peace and comfort to all of us. Yes, there are a lot of conspiracies and problems out there. But we don't have to worry. God tells us what is going to happen and his record so far has been A+, so there's no reason to doubt Him now.
But, Armageddon? How can their be peace in this? I mean, it's all about the middle east, right?
Not what we learned recently. It's the battle for human hearts and souls. Are you going to be on God's side, or Satan's side? The fact that there is a temple rebuilt in Jerusalem or not has nothing to do with you making a decision. Wow! What a relief to know that.
It's quite obvious that Satan has everyone running around like crazy about whether or not the temple will be rebuilt in time. It's called distraction. God is calling our hearts, and Satan is keeping us distracted. Hmmmmm. Sounds like a familiar tactic of his.
I'm so grateful to be learning and studying what God's Word says. I'm grateful that both my neighbor and our family are experiencing the peace of God's Word and truths in our lives.
Do you have that peace? That Shalom?
All of these things experienced by a neighbor of ours. She's been coming to our house to watch some Bible studies on prophecy, going over satellite television.
The very first program gave peace and comfort to all of us. Yes, there are a lot of conspiracies and problems out there. But we don't have to worry. God tells us what is going to happen and his record so far has been A+, so there's no reason to doubt Him now.
But, Armageddon? How can their be peace in this? I mean, it's all about the middle east, right?
Not what we learned recently. It's the battle for human hearts and souls. Are you going to be on God's side, or Satan's side? The fact that there is a temple rebuilt in Jerusalem or not has nothing to do with you making a decision. Wow! What a relief to know that.
It's quite obvious that Satan has everyone running around like crazy about whether or not the temple will be rebuilt in time. It's called distraction. God is calling our hearts, and Satan is keeping us distracted. Hmmmmm. Sounds like a familiar tactic of his.
I'm so grateful to be learning and studying what God's Word says. I'm grateful that both my neighbor and our family are experiencing the peace of God's Word and truths in our lives.
Do you have that peace? That Shalom?
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