love

How Do You Do It?

/ The WheatandTares / 3 Comments

I watch as a mother holds the hand of her 12 year old battling cancer in a children’s hospital day after day. I look on as a wife says goodbye to her man of almost 60 years. I wipe a tear as I read a story of a family that’s dealing with the death of two grandchildren, a son and daughter in law, all in the same week, and I wonder how you do it?  

How do you survive in this world without the love of Christ to sustain you? I wonder how you make it through these darkened days of tragedy and pain. I can’t imagine living my life with no hope, no joy, no faith in a Higher Power than myself. 

Maybe you’ll think I am just weak, that I simply need a crutch to walk through this life…well, I have found I can’t even walk without holding His hand! When I am leaning on His everlasting arms, I realize I can climb a mountain or walk through a valley! I have strength, because it’s no longer my human strength that I am relying on. It is the strength of my Creator and my God. He laid the foundations of this earth, and He breathed life into my very being; so, why would I ever think my strength is better than His? 

To top it all off, He loves me so much that He died and rose again for me. His plans for me are good plans, and He wants to give me a hope and a future! Believe it or not, He longs to do the same for YOU, because He loves you, too! Why would you ever want to deny that kind of love or reject that kind of power in your life??

Paving Their Path

/ The WheatandTares / 1 Comment

 

Once a child reaches the age of accountability, every child must make his or her own choices, and every child is responsible for what he or she does. However, I have found that we, as parents, do have a part to play in helping to pave the path they choose in life. We can’t make their choices, and we can’t be accountable for their decisions. However, we do have the ability to make those choices easy or hard to find.

You see, our children walk down their own paths into the destiny of their own choosing. They will be faced with the good and bad consequences of their actions and with the fruit from the seeds they choose to sow. However, we can pave that path with the “asphalt” of faith, the guard rails of love and the road signs toward joy and fulfillment, or we can lay down layer upon layer of rock, rubble, nails and thorns from the bitterness, foolishness, enablement and even pain of our own lives, layers through which our children will have to fight and claw just to find those good decisions they long to choose.

 

When we live as good examples for our little ones, make good decisions for our own lives as we try to raise them the best way we know how, and strive to correct in front of them the mistakes we are sure to make along the way, their paths will be lined with the good substance they need to not only survive this life, but it also will build the foundation upon which they can thrive through this life!

If you realize your children may have a rocky road ahead, I have good news for you! You can begin TODAY picking up the stones of hatred and anger that have been thrown along their path. The rocks and rubble of foolishness and enablement can be pushed aside. The nails of spite which have been dropped and the thorns of pain which have been sown can be picked up, cut back and removed as you reach out with repentance, forgiveness, truth and love.

This process can only begin with a right relationship with God, a daily seeking of His Word and a continual reaching out to your child with loving kindness. It may not be an instant reconciliation, but with Christ, it can be an instant healing within your own heart and mind. He can help you to clear the path and to make things right again. He can guide you and your child to a better way.

When The Pain Sets In

/ The WheatandTares / 5 Comments

Sometimes, your heart is bound up with so much emotion, words are hard to find. Your mind is so consumed with an avalanche of thought that you can not grasp even one. It’s like water droplets over a waterfall. 

Sometimes, the pain is so baffling, it feels as if time is standing still. Your destiny is too far to imagine, and your past comes in like a flood. It can be overwhelming… Suffocating… Constricting and condemning.

Sometimes, in that very moment, is when you need the reminder of His love and His grace. It is comforting… It is reassuring… It is strengthening and redeeming… 

He will heal. 

Only believe. 

Trite Answers for the Broken 

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

mydestinysharinghope.com

Yesterday, we went to visit someone whose spouse is dying of cancer and then prayed with a lady whose mom is in the final hours of her life. A few moments later, we spoke with a set of parents whose 30-something daughter was admitted into the hospital with an aneurysm one month ago and who is, currently, knocking at death’s door.

Today, I read of a husband who is living in the house with his wife who desires a divorce, and I thought of a wife who faced the choice to stay and ignore, attempt to pick up the shards, or simply walk away from years of holy matrimony. Tonight, I read stories of children with leukemia struggling to thrive and more who deliberately survive day to day with debilitating diseases and conditions. There’s so many who need to be reached.

I read my Bible. I pray, and I send an encouraging word, hoping to bring hope in those places where, sometimes, I wonder if change will come. I believe His Word to be true. I really, really do; yet, I fear my answers seem so trite and contrived as I pray desperately to have the faith to believe for the miracle.

It’s so easy to give into the doubt. My flesh longs to feel the relief of my faith. My carnal mind fights against reason to grasp for Hope. My heart wars on the battlefield of Spirit vs. flesh…

Yet, in that very moment, I can feel my spirit rising in indignation. I can feel my heart leap for the Comforter’s arrival. My eyes swell with tears as I know without a shadow of doubt that He has stepped into that chasm of space and time. As the old song declares, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow… Because He lives, all fear is gone… Because I know, I know, He holds the future… And life is worth the living just because He lives!” 

I cannot tell you how He does it. I cannot even tell you how He makes it possible, but I am eternally convinced of His promise: when you place your hand in His, and you simply trust and believe, He gives you grace in the very moment you need.

He gives you Hope…for He is Hope. He is Love. He is everything you could ever need.

kingdavid.wordpress.com

Thank You a little late…

/ The WheatandTares / 9 Comments

I received this from WordPress last week, and I’m just now getting the chance to post a Thank You!! I do apologize for my delay, and I hope you know how deeply appreciative I am for each and every follow and kind word of encouragement you have so graciously given to me over the last two years! It means so very much! YOU are awesome!! THANK YOU!! 💗

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mydishisbomb.com

Can You Not See?

/ The WheatandTares / 10 Comments

You lash out against the one you call opponent

Thinking your anger and words of ill will can turn others away

What you don’t realize is the hate you spew simply returns to you

For curses return to the one who cursed. You will reap what you have sown.

You bite and claw to get ahead

Your lips bring lies and deceit believing this will bring you high

What you don’t see is they seek truth and authenticity not another position

For truth will always bring freedom even if it comes with a sacrifice.

We don’t desire your popularity or control. We don’t long for your position or ruling.

Your anger will not bring you justice. It will only bring you shame.

Your slanderous words will not bring you happiness and freedom. It will only bring you brokenness in bondage.

Your vicious actions will not bring you power. It will only bring you a prison of pain.

We long for Truth. We long for Freedom. We long for Life.

He is your only answer. He is your only Hope. He is standing there waiting for you.

He is The Way.  He is the Truth. He is The Light. He is all you need.

Will you turn to see Him today?

Will you turn before it’s too late?

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endtimesnourishment.wordpress.com

Penned – MG – 7/26/16

Remember Your Purpose

/ The WheatandTares / 1 Comment


I hear the screams “Hypocrisy! … Hypocrite! … Deceit!” Yet, the very ones whose mouths move are of that reputation. 

I hear the cries for “Justice! … Unity! … Peace!” Yet, the very fists raised are fighting against the solution. 

I hear the rants toward “Hatred … Cruelty … Death!” Yet, the very teeth chattering gnash against reason and resolution. 

My brothers speak ill of another as result of simple disagreements and competition. My sisters spin vicious webs of gossip as a conclusion of jealousy and conceit. Yet, we call ourselves children of a King. 

Can I tell you, THIS OUGHT NOT BE! 

Where is the love of Christ? Where is the discipleship of a Savior? Are we His followers, or are we just playing a game? How can we reach them when we cannot reach each other? How can we share love if we cannot give love?

This world needs Truth. 

This world needs Love. 

This world needs Hope. 

This world needs Redemption. 

We were placed here for a purpose, and that purpose is His and His alone. That purpose is to find the lost, and let them be found! That purpose is to bring Him glory even if it means bringing us shame. 

Let us remember. 

Let us never forget. 

He is our purpose. 

He is our goal. 

“Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Phil. 2:1-4

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Hope Is Free

/ The WheatandTares

Hope is here. It is available to all. It is unconditional, and it costs you absolutely nothing.

The Hope I have is redeeming  it is strengthening. It is unwavering, and it is unifying.

This Hope that I have found isn’t like others propegated by many. It is not gained only by the rich and elite. It does not have to be earned by hard work or good behavior, and it is definitely isn’t obtained by violence to those who do not believe.

This Hope is for any who will ask and believe. It will give you peace amidst the storm. It will sustain you through life’s most difficult journey, and it will even give you Hope for eternity.

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Jesus is the Hope of the world.

He loves you, and He longs to be your Savior. He doesn’t demand your allegiance, but once you give it, you’ll never want to take it back. He doesn’t force you to love Him, but once you do, you will never be the same.

He stands with open arms. He doesn’t require your purity before you believe. He never commands perfection in loyalty. He simply says, “Come. Come as you are.” He will love you. He will cleanse you. He will redeem you and transform you. You will never be the same.

Won’t you come?

Won’t you simply believe?

quotesgram.com

Hope is Here

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

This world needs hope. There is nothing more strengthening, nothing more encouraging, and nothing more unifying than HOPE.

Hope is not found in politicians, and it’s not found in world events. It cannot be found in personal agendas, and it can’t be found in people. These things might bring temporary hope, but this isn’t the hope to which I’m referring.

I’m talking about a Hope that can bring peace, a Hope that can bring love, a Hope that can bring healing. This is a Hope that can bring Light to a darkened and desolate world.

This Hope is Jesus Christ. He wasn’t just a man who roamed the earth. He wasn’t just a good prophet who had some nice things to say, and He certainly is a God who died and is still buried in a tomb.

No, He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the God who was and is and is to come. He is our Prince of Peace.

His Hope does not have to be earned. His grace does come with a price. His love is unconditional and free for all who ask and believe.

He is standing with His arms open wide. Just come to Him today. Let His love wash over you and redeem you. He longs to give you the Hope of Who He Is.

rhondaerb.com

Hypocritical Resolution

/ The WheatandTares / 20 Comments

I don’t usually post anything on Fridays other than the New Angle game, but in light of last night’s tragedy, my heart is heavy today, and my pen longs to bleed… 

The screams of “our lives matter” and demands for justice for the death of brothers, with the resulting applause for the stealing of the lives of the very men sworn to protect all, reveal a heart of hypocrisy. 

Your life doesn’t carry significance simply because of its tone or contrast. One life is not of higher quality due to its origin. The value of your life is just that: because you are a living, breathing human being. 

The lives that were slaughtered near the midnight hour on July 7 were not lives of value because of their skin color, and they were not wielding swords to kill their assassins. They did not throw fiery darts just before the bullets pierced their ashen skin. 

No, these men and women were standing watch on a wall. Sworn to defend and protect the innocent lives who stood in protest. Doesn’t matter if these fallen soldiers were or weren’t in agreement with the march; their oath was to defend, to protect, and to shield the innocent from harm. Yet, while they stood as pillars of strength, men of cowardly hearts came with evil intent and annihilated the very strength on which our nation stands. 

This strength does not come because of the color of skin you were birthed nor does it remain because of the hues you now have gained. This strength comes from fighting day in and day out for the cause of the innocent. This strength is birthed in the chambers of integrity, love and a desire for peace among all. This strength is paid for at all cost. For life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is not so easily won. It is not simply obtained because you wish it so. 

Do we really believe the hypocrisy in the killings will bring about peace and restoration? Unbridled anger never resolved anything with any person. I’ve heard it said, “Anger makes room for the unthinkable.” 

This was proven on this night, the 7th day of July. Anger has brought division. Division has brought unbridled anger as it has led to hypocrisy and injustice. Injustice will continue as the innocent are killed for the sake of retribution. For unbridled anger will never bring peace, only more blood shed and the loss of freedom, peace and any hope for restoration. 

God, please forgive us and heal our nation. Please bring unity and rest. Protect the innocent and open the eyes of all. For You are the only One who can save us! We must reach out across the aisles. We must lay down our agendas for the sake of our future. We must seek a higher call than ourselves and selfish ambition. 

  
“A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.” Proverbs 19:19

“Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul.” Proverbs 22:24

“A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.” Proverbs 15:18