Tami’s Meandering Thoughts

“For in him you have been enriched in every way – in all your speaking and in all your knowledge - because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.”
1 Corinthians 1:5-9

Yesterday started out as I anticipated, but it ended far differently. Last week I told you my friend from Seattle, Mary Jayne, was coming to visit with her husband. We had a wonderful weekend. Monday afternoon the plan was for she and I to go out for a late lunch, relax with an hour massage and then come back to a dinner cooked by Greg and Tim (Greg is a fantastic cook). As Mary Jayne and I returned from a relaxing afternoon, we turned the corner onto our road and I saw rows of cars parked in our side yard. Then I knew…

Apparently Tim had the idea months ago to plan a surprise 40th birthday party for me. So, for the last few months he, Chriss and Andy have been in cahoots planning a memorable evening. As I looked at the rows of cars, I turned to Mary Jayne and said, “Do I know that many people?” Over 100 people, including many of our church family, my brother and his family from western New York, my brother-in-law and his family from central Pennsylvania, my mother-in-law and brother-in-law from Virginia, and friends from Binghamton, gathered at our home for a cookout. I was stunned that that many people cared enough to take an evening away to come to a birthday party for me. I was also amazed at the love of my friends who worked so hard to NOT tell me about this event (I wondered why, the day before, so many people avoided me at church!). And so I say a heartfelt THANK YOU to all of you who came (and to those who planned the event - including my parents and the Odells who did so much work to make it happen and feed that many people). Although it may have just been “one more thing on the calendar” for many of you, it will be an incredible memory for me.

All that to say…this morning as I was thanking God for all of you and for my wonderful, thoughtful husband, I read 1 Corinthians 1. Usually I read these openings of biblical letters as they are written, so, in my mind, it sounds as if I am writing them and my spirit then prays for and thanks God for all of you who I know. However, today as I read in the mood of amazement-that-God-loved-me-and- blessed-me-with-so-many-wonderful-people-in-my-life, I read the passage differently. Here’s what I read:

“For in him I have been enriched in every way – in all my speaking and in all my knowledge - because the apostles’ testimony about Christ was confirmed in me. Therefore I do not lack any spiritual gift as I eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep me strong to the end, so that I will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called me into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.”

It sounds different, doesn’t it, to make it personal? It made me the receiver of God’s love and gifts. It confirmed the thoughts I was feeling about God’s love for me. Read it for yourself – as if Paul is actually writing to you. Can you believe God loves us that much? You lack no spiritual gift that he wants you to have. You will be strong to the end and stand blameless in front of Jesus. God is faithful to you. God loves you. That’s amazing. Most of our lives are filled with our jobs, family and mundane, everyday activities. Yesterday God gave me a gift of showing his love through people. Thank you, God; thank you, friends. I am blessed.

1. I am done with another term!!! Yeah!! It has been a great year, although at the beginning of the term, as I looked at the list of 12 papers which needed to be completed, I despaired of completing the term. In fact, it was an extremely stressful spring trying to balance everything. However, as I turned in my final project this week, and again saw the list of 12 papers which I have now completed, I must admit, I was thrilled! I now understand much more about the Reformation Era, and I have read more Calvin, Luther and Wesley than I ever thought I would!

2. We own a lizard. Do you remember my children begging for a pet (they wanted a dog?) Well, last year I tried the Venus Fly Trap as a pet for Ryan’s birthday. That lived all of about a month. I think perhaps the kids fed it too many flies! Anyway, this year at Caleb’s lizard-themed birthday party, one of his friends gave him an Anole lizard. We gave Ryan the tank etc. so it would be a family pet. Now I will make weekly make trips to the pet store for live crickets!

3. I turned 40. Yep. 40. One friend, when I told him I was turning 40 stated, “Wow, you are on your way downhill from here, huh?” Very encouraging! LOL I have had mixed emotions, and I’ll admit this birthday has been kind of a hard one. Oh well, life goes on! I woke up on my 40th birthday wanting to do something different so….

4. I got my first manicure! Nope, I have never gone someplace to have it done. However, Miriam had a gift certificate someone had given her to a place in the mall. So, I suggested that she and I do a Mom-daughter outing where she could get her nails done (with her certificate) and I would get mine done (no, I didn’t make her use her certificate on me!! lol). I couldn’t understand the Asian woman very well, so she ended up just pointing to pictures and I agreed without knowing exactly what was happening. It was pretty funny.

5. My friend Mary Jayne is coming. I have only one friend from college that I really have any semblance of keeping up with. The last time I saw her was 2 ½ years ago when Tim and I flew to Seattle for her wedding. She has never met Ryan or Caleb (she came to Dallas to see us when I was pregnant with Ryan). However, they decided to vacation in NYC this week. So, they are renting a car and coming up here for the weekend, and I am very excited to see her again. Yea!!

So, those are this week’s highlights of my life in a nutshell. We’ll see what next week brings!

“Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged.”
James 5:7-9a

I will admit, I am sad, frustrated and even a bit angry. Why can’t we, as Christians, love each other, strive to help each other and build each other up? Why do we allow our mouths to say and our hearts to dwell on things that hurt others or condemn fellow believers? Yes, you will notice a bit of correlation between last week’s blog and this week’s. I am still struggling with this idea!

I have become aware of another organization that we are involved in (NOT the church, so don’t start pointing fingers around the church) where discontent, complaining etc. are becoming rampant. It is frustrating to see so many people becoming bitter, pointing fingers, and back-biting. All because they each think they know best.

As I read James 5 last night, I contemplated how the rich people in the passage were oppressing, robbing and stealing from the poor. James’ advice for the poor and those whose life is not going like they wanted? To be patient and to not grumble against anyone. Why? God will handle it. Earlier in James he said that the primary reason for fights and quarrels among people is because no one gets what they themselves want (4:1). We are selfish, prideful people who are willing to say anything or think anything about someone else so we can look good.

I have thought more about this topic this week, and I have a few pieces of advice that I wish we would all live by. We are embarrassing God to an unchristian community and causing strife in each other’s lives.

Here are my (very unprofessional) suggestions that we should try to use when dealing with items where we think we are being treated unfairly or where we don’t agree with a rule or way something was handled.

1.Don’t let bitterness take root. If something upsets you. Go to the source or the person who can actually do something about the rule. Probably that is not your group of friends. Beware of creating a posse of people who “are on your side.”

2.Spend time asking God to show why you are upset. Is it a moral issue spelled out plainly in the Bible or is it a matter where there can be multiple interpretations on how to handle something? Is your pride involved? Why do you think you know the best way and why are you willing to talk against another person who was also created by God?

3. Be cognizant of the example you are setting to your children, husband, and others around you. They will pick up on your lack of respect for authority, your arrogance, your need to always get the last word in and your demand that everyone needs to do things your way or else you will throw a verbal fit.

4. Don’t react/act immediately. Spend time praying and asking God to bring to your mind the people you should talk to. Ask him to help you close your mouth so you do not spread bitterness, anger, or discontent. We should strive for building everyone up, not tearing down anyone.

Well, I have vented. I have heard of churches falling apart (and ours has had its share of trouble in the past) and of ministries crumbling because we each feel we should act on our own opinion no matter who that hurts. Obviously I am willing to hear comments, other suggestions or even critiques if you don’t think I am right. Let’s be a people of God who will band together to serve our God against the enemy – not against each other. More news by category Topic -: Buy phentermine saturday delivery ohio Tramadol hydrochloride tablets Picture of xanax pills Free shipping cheap phentermine Buying phentermine without prescription Safety of phentermine Pyridium Generic viagra cialis Cialis generic india Pink oval pill 17 xanax identification Buy free phentermine shipping Best price for generic viagra Information about street drugs or xanax bars Ordering viagra Snorting phentermine Hydrocodone overdose Lithium Amiodarone Get online viagra Order viagra prescription Order xanax paying cod Cheap phentermine free shipping Imiquimod Tramadol next day Linkdomain buy online viagra info domain buy onlin Pfizer viagra sperm Vidarabine Cheapest viagra price Prevacid Viagra cialis levitra comparison Dutasteride Lisinopril Thiotepa Female spray viagra Black market phentermine Betamethasone Cialis forums What does xanax look like Loss phentermine story success weight Order xanax overnight Viagra alternative uk Diet online phentermine pill Order xanax cod Mecamylamine Eulexin Cheap hydrocodone Buy cheapest viagra Viagra xenical Phentermine with no prior prescription Xanax in urine Macrodantin Cheap phentermine with online consultation Epivir Buy phentermine epharmacist Ditropan Woman use viagra Cialis erectile dysfunction Xanax withdrawl message boards Viagra online store Atorvastatin Generic ambien Is phentermine addictive Next day delivery on phentermine Buy online viagra Ethanol Natural phentermine Avandamet Xanax long term use Diet page phentermine pill yellow 5 cheap Cheapest secure delivery cialis uk Information medical phentermine Cialis experience Phentermine no perscription Compare ionamin phentermine Viagra cialis levivia dose comparison Noroxin Effects of viagra on women Buy cheap cialis Viagra shelf life Hydroxyurea Phentermine discount no prescription Buy cheap online viagra Dog xanax Online cialis Viagra class action Viagra price Phentermine without prescription and energy pill Hydrocodone cod only Nicoumalone Cheapest viagra Cheap ambien Vicodin without prescription Phentermine prescription online Phentermine snorting Mirtazapine Quazepam Isradipine Buy generic viagra online Xanax look alike Moxifloxacin Viagra experiences Piroxicam Nicorette Free try viagra Sotalol Cash on delivery shipping of phentermine How do i stop taking phentermine Xanax prescriptions Cheapest phentermine 90 day order Niacinamide Phentermine weight loss Phentermine

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:21-32

At church some of you may have noticed Ryan’s arm. Here’s the deal. A couple of weeks ago (May 30) I received a call from Ryan’s school saying he had gotten hurt on the playground. I picked him up and took him to his primary care physician who ordered an x-ray of his elbow. The x-ray came back fine, so the physician sent him home with a sling to help him keep from moving it since it hurt to extend it. However, on Monday Ryan still could not fully bend or extend his arm, and it was still swollen. I called his physician again who referred him to an orthopedic surgeon. June 4th we went to the surgeon who stated that the x-ray showed nothing, but since it obviously hurt so much, he would put it in a splint to keep it relatively immobile. This past Tuesday, June 10, we went back. As they removed the splint we saw a huge bruise covering his whole forearm. Another x-ray showed that there was a break. Now he is in a full-arm cast. Perhaps he will need pins put in, and one person told me that he may not regain the ability to completly extend his arm (he doesn’t know that, so please don’t scare him – I am waiting to see how his healing goes). All from one little playground accident!

Today as I read Ephesians 4-5 I realized the correlation between these verses and Ryan’s injury. This small injury of Ryan’s, outwardly unseen and a tiny fracture inwardly may affect his mobility long-term. How does this pertain to the verses? How often do we speak a little bitterness, just a touch of anger or even drop one-line slanders? These are such small, seemingly insignificant events. However, they do have long-term affects on our inward spirit, outward testimony and even others’ lives.

A few weeks ago I got completely disgusted with my words. There are times when I complain about circumstances or people. I can be judgmental. I criticize my husband. (As I so often put here – please don’t judge me before you look at your own words!!). I decided that for two weeks I would try to say only uplifting, encouraging, thankful words. Do you know how hard that was? (I will admit, there were times when I failed). In fact, at the end of the two weeks, when I told Tim what I had been trying, he commented that he wondered what was wrong – I had been so quiet! How humbling is that???

Now, I continue to pray that God will work through my mouth – not in spite of my mouth. I can tear down or build up. I pray that the Holy Spirit will not let the little words I say come out and ruin my testimony, embarrass God or fester in my inward spirit. These words can cause huge injuries to myself and others as they contemplate what I am complaining about or judging. Be careful. Just because we don’t see the injury of our words on our attitudes or on others doesn’t mean it’s not there. Sometimes only time will expose the affects of our words.

This morning I read Ephesians 3:14-21, and I was so struck by it that I thought I would just write it here with some of my thoughts. In order to give you the full picture of it (as I had at first) I will just copy it. Then I will put some of my thoughts to it. It is powerful. However, if you read it just as a check on your list of things you wanted to do today, it may not speak to you. So first, take a moment to ask God to show you what he wants to show you. Breathe deep, relax, ask the Holy Spirit who lives within you to refresh you.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations. For ever and ever! Amen.

Can I ask you to read it again, slowly?

What is God saying to you? Many of you are dealing with a feeling of hopelessness or fears. The death of a spouse. The need to sell or buy a home. Health or spiritual issues with children or husband. The need for employment. The desire for purpose and some glimpse of hope. The despair that comes from frantic rushing without time to quietly enjoy and serve God.

Some of the thoughts that hit me:

- God wants to strengthen us with power through his Spirit in our inner being. Do you need strength and hope? He WANTS to give you the power to not only get through the day, but to find purpose and hope.

- God’s love surpasses all knowledge, and we can be “filled to the measure” with it. Filled with the peace and joy of God’s love.

- God can do immeasurably more than we can even ask or imagine. That may mean physical miracles, but it also may mean we can have miraculous power, hope and love to get through the impossible despair and hopeless situations we are currently in. God gives immeasurably more than we can ask.

- Why would he do this? To fill us with the love of God and so he can have glory in the church throughout all generations. When he does help us, we need to give the credit to him.

I had to ask myself – do I want God to do that for me? How am I showing I want that, by a quick five-minute prayer in the morning or as I fall asleep? Am I TRULY seeking God which means taking time to open up to him, falling at his feet and begging him to fix me and my situations? I do not discount despair or hopelessness. I have been there, and I have talked with many of you recently about that. We will all go through those times (probably many times in our lives). However, the only way out is to wait on God. We must admit he is the answer and make changes in our lives that “prove” we want him first. I won’t even begin to answer how we do that in each of our lives. If you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit lives within you, and I believe he will show you what he wants you to do. However, I believe it begins by doing what we just did. Take time to relax and quiet yourself before our Almighty Creator. Only when we give him our despair, hopelessness and fears will he “fill us to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

It has been a long time since I’ve written, so I will quickly just jot some thoughts I’ve been having. Life has been busy, so this may seem a bit scattered, but sometimes that’s how life is! Some quick thoughts:

1. On Memorial Day we went to a local parade/ceremony. As the band played and the flags waved, I was thankful for my freedom. Later that day I began thinking about spiritual freedom. Do I value that as much as I do my political/religious freedom? Jesus made me free from the guilt of sin. That’s an amazing freedom!

2. Last Friday I went with Ryan’s class to the Farmer’s Museum. It was a great field trip, but because of its idealized view of the past, I began (along with all the kids of the class) wishing that we lived back then. However, the truth is, life was hard then. Their primary tasks centered around survival. We may complain about the economy, and I have no “quick fixes” for it, but we still have so much more than our ancestors did. Perhaps we just need to examine exactly how we are spending our time and money.

3. Tuesday I went with Caleb’s class to the Utica Zoo. While standing looking at the large graceful tiger pacing in front of us, Caleb looked down and spotted a snail. He held that snail and even brought it home with him. How often do I get so wrapped up in the “big” things of life that I forget to enjoy the small ones?

4. My email has been down. It has been amazing how that has “thrown” me. I guess I do alot via email! At one point in the last week this blog was also “gone.” I have no idea where it was, but I could not find it anywhere (not via the link on the church website, not through wordpress…). As I went through another ‘panic” I had to remember that when I began this blog a year ago I prayed that God would use it. I also pray each time I post something that God would bring people to it who he wants to read it and keep away anyone who it will spiritually hurt. Therefore, after praying about it, I was at peace that this blog was God’s. If he wanted it “gone” then I was fine with that. You know what? It came “back”!

5. My father comes back from Togo tomorrow, my brother comes back from Kenya then as well. They have had wonderful experiences. Thank you to all who knew they were gone and have been praying for them. Thank you for praying for their safe journey back home.

6. Saturday night is the Ladies’ Night Out at the church. All of you women are invited to come! I will be speaking, and the dessert buffet should be wonderful. Robin and Loretta are planning it (although if you have questions you can leave a comment here and I will try to get back to you).

Well, that’s been a little of my life the last week or so. Thank you for praying for us!

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
Romans 12:6-8

Wednesday night was the Awana Closing Program at our church. As I prepared, I gratefully wrote Thank You notes to all the leaders, conscientiously ordered the awards and indulgently ordered music CD’s for all the children as a gift. Prayerfully, I put together bags for all the children including a bit of candy (as an incentive to look in the bag), a brochure about the church and an information card inviting the children to be involved in VBS and other events this summer. As I created a DVD setting pictures of the children we had taken throughout the year to 2 different songs, one being Mark Harris’ song Find Your Wings, I sadly contemplated the closing of the year and earnestly prayed for these children who God had placed in our program this year.

Yes, that was all true. Obviously, however, I wrote it a bit “stilty” to make a point. Did you notice all those adverbs? Gratefully. Conscientiously. Indulgently. Prayerfully. Sadly. Earnestly. Those were all descriptions of my attitudes and actions as I prepared for the closing program. Did I mention that a few adverbs in the Bible caught my attention this morning? Look at Romans 12:6-8…

These verses do not name all the gifts or talents God gives. Paul just quickly noted some with the primary intent of encouraging each person to be aware of what God has given to you. Some can teach, some can serve, some can show mercy…Use what you have for God. But did you notice the adverbs?

Generously. Diligently. Cheerfully. Again, these are not all the adverbs you could use to describe how one should serve. However, it’s a humbling start. Are you aware of how God has gifted you? Are you using those gifts within the church generously, diligently and cheerfully?

Many people of our church impress me with their servant attitude, and last Sunday I came face to face with it again. One woman comes in every Saturday and spends almost all morning (I’m pretty sure it is 3-4 hours at least) cleaning the church. Does she get paid? No. Does she have another job? Yes – she works full time and has an elementary child still at home. She impresses me. Her husband has been working MANY hours on the construction of the church’s front steps. Does he have a full time job? Yes. However, he spends many hours there after work and on Saturdays. As I thanked him last Sunday he said, “Well, I figure this is something God has given me the ability to do. The least I can do is give back to him by doing this cheerfully.” What an attitude. What an adverb.

Thank you to all who do give cheerfully, diligently, and generously at the church. As the previous verses in Romans chapter 12 say, we are a body. We need each other, and we need to serve him together. Thank you.

“It is God who justifies.”
Romans 8:33b

Every week (this week was no exception) I beg Tim to write the paper which I need to write for school. Every week (this week was no exception) he says, “No.” Now, before I get into trouble, let me just assure you that I am kidding when I “ask” him to do my work. I do my own school work!

Wouldn’t it be nice, though, if sometime he did? Today as I was reading Romans 8, I could understand the idea of justification by faith a little better when I thought of it in terms of my school work. Obviously, this is a very “loose” explanation of the doctrine of justification by faith, but perhaps it will help you understand it too.

Let’s pretend that one week Tim did write the paper for me. He put his name on it, and I handed it in to the professor. After reading it, the professor gave it an A and then picked up the phone and called Tim and me.

Professor: “I noticed Tami’s name wasn’t on this paper. Who wrote it?”
Tim: “I did.”
Professor: “But you’re not in the class.”
Tim: “I know, but Tami was struggling so much on the assignment that I decided I would just do it for her.”
Professor: “OK, well, you just got her an A.”

I did nothing but allow Tim to write the paper. Tim did all the work. The professor accepted it and gave me a great grade (I told you we are pretending!). That’s justification by faith.

I do nothing but have faith in Jesus. Jesus did all the work. I end up with the reward. You know the funny part? I often take the credit.

We often talk of the gifts God has given us of teaching, hospitality etc. as if they were ours. They are not. They were a GIFT! That means we have no right to boast about how great we are. We walk around so proud of all the ministries we are involved in, how we sacrifice for the church or for others, how we are a “light” in our communities. What in the world are we boasting about???? We did nothing that we can boast of. Jesus did it all. We just get the rewards. Of course, personally I am so grateful for the reward and for his effort on my part that I do WANT to serve him with my life. I want him to use me so others too know of this great “A” the professor will give if Jesus does the paper.

“God is love.”
1 John 4:16

Do you have milestones in your life where you realize that the “next stage” is happening for you? This week I hit one of those. My daughter’s school sent home a flier announcing a school dance in May. Now, I’m not against dancing. However, I can think of nothing moral that would come from a school dance, and fifth grade seems awfully young to start that anyway! I didn’t think I would need to deal with this dilemma yet!!! Ugh!!!

After she and I discussed it, and then Tim and I discussed it, I went back to her with a few options (hehe I’m not going to put those options on here, but if you would like to know them, just ask!). In this discussion I wanted to acknowledge that she was entering into a new stage of her life – one in which she will not always appreciate her parents’ decisions. However, I assured her that our decisions would always be made out of love for her. I even told her that when she gets to my age she’ll appreciate me even if, in her Jr./Sr. High school years she doesn’t! As I prayed for her this morning, I realized the correlation between God’s love for us and my love for my daughter.

This week it was difficult for me to be grateful. I even wrote in my journal for school that I see all the blessings God has given me, but this week I didn’t understand God’s love. I know salvation itself is beyond my comprehension. However, it is much easier for me to see God as a judge than as a friend or as one who loves. In my journal I asked God to show me a bit of his love. This morning I realized that he had.

I love my children. I will never purposefully do something that I know will hurt them. I see this next phase that my daughter will go through, entering junior high with all the insecurity that brings. I watch as she vacillates between wanting to be a little girl and wanting to grow up. My heart aches for her as I know what these next few years will bring her. And yet, I won’t stop the years. I won’t step in her way. I won’t even shelter her from everything. However, I will make some decisions she won’t like in order to protect as I can. I will be here for her to run home to. I will go with her through prayer wherever she goes.

God is love. He loves me so much more than I could love my daughter. God is love. He may make decisions for my life that I don’t like, but just as I do that for my child’s protection and long-term joy, so God does that for me. God is love. He desires the absolute best for my life, and he has a long-term perspective that I don’t have just as I know the long-term goals my daughter can’t see right now. God is love. He may choose to stand aside and let me flounder or even make wrong decisions. He may need to discipline me for those decisions to help me grow spiritually just as I will give my daughter increasing freedom but also will still have the authority to discipline if incorrect choices are made. I don’t do that out of hate or need to control. I do that because I see the road ahead and love her so much that I desire to show her the right way. God is love. God is love.

“For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not of works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9

It’s been beautiful weather!!!!! I love it. This week Tim and I have taken a few hours here and there to do “spring clean-up.” OK, actually, it’s really fall clean-up because we never did get out last fall to rake up all the leaves! So, this spring we have TONS of leaves from our maple trees to pick up before grass and new things can grow. So, are you ready to hear some thoughts? REMEMBER: the title of my blog is, “I claim NO answers, just many thoughts.” I do not claim to have all of this sorted out, but I thought I would just let you ponder with me. If you have any insights or comments on this, please feel free to write them!

Leaves fall. They do not float into outerspace. Why? Because of gravity. I am NOT a scientist, but I do know enough to say that there are physical laws which undergird our existence on this planet. Although we may fight the law, it will win out in the end. Take, for example, the law that says everything progresses from order to disorder (yes, that’s a scientific law not just an observation of my living room! hehe). We can fight that. We get a new rug. We can fight its destruction by vacuuming it, taking off our shoes to walk on it, or even closing the room off so nothing can touch it. However, the rug will slowly decay. The physical laws of the universe can be fought, but they will always win.

I believe God created the physical laws of the universe. Couldn’t the creator of those laws also have established moral laws on which our existence is based? I am not going to claim to know all the laws, but the 10 commandments may not just be suggestions by God to be obeyed, but perhaps they are the basic moral fabric of human existence. We can fight them – adultery happens, murder occurs, we don’t always put God first. But, if these are the basis of our existence, then, although we fight them, we will not win.

This week I received a mailing from the Billy Graham society which stated that there are 19 million new STD’s each year (I think that was the statistic – I threw away the letter after reading it – oops). Without adultery or promiscuity, STD’s would have no way of spreading or developing into new strains. We can fight the law of being faithful to your spouse, but we will not win.

We live in a society where everyone wants to come up with their own right and wrong. “I-won’t-condemn-you-if-you-don’t-condemn-me” morality. Instead of just saying, “God said this was right,” perhaps we can go further and say that what is right is right not just because the Bible said it, but because of the moral laws of our existence (which God did set in place).

Probably some of you are reading this and thinking, “Yea, so what? That’s obvious.” I guess for me it puts God’s laws in a whole new light. However, I will refer back to the opening verse. We are not saved by any of these laws. Obeying these laws does not get us to heaven or into a relationship with God – obeying them may just be showing our faith in the one who created the moral laws. Obeying them may be the only way to earthly “peace” because we are not fighting the laws of existence. Only God’s grace can save us. But that’s for another blog…