NCarolinian

Some say as we get older and acquire conditions that place us near death that we - "have one foot in this world and one foot in eternity". I understand what they are trying to convey, the fact that the person has pretty much checked-out mentally and all that is left is for the physical functions to stop, then the person can pass away. However, I want to propose that the person with ailing health, as well as the rest of humanity is an eternal being since birth and death is merely The Doorway to the next form of our existence and location thereof. The vital thing here is the decision about our faith in Christ before we pass through The Doorway. As C.S. Lewis said, " You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God," - but a decision needs to be made otherwise no decision goes against that person. Unless someone has a supernatural visit to and from Paradise or Hell, and there are a...

Ever have a meltdown over an issue only to realize afterward that the problem was not worth that much worry and certainly not worth your panicked reaction? We need a change in perspective that daily aides us in problem solving. I believe we have that change, we simply have to accept it and execute it. Scripture tells us there is nothing new, we all face the same kinds of problems and God is faithful to those who are called according to His purpose(s). Concerning old tactics by the enemy and old habits/snares we fall into - Ecclesiastes 1:9 says, " What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." However, Paul acknowledges this and encourages us all in the same breath as he writes the believers in Corinth -   "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out...

Tents, Tabernacles and Temples were places set up under The Law of Moses that people traveled to in order to worship Yahweh.  One's reasonable service to The Lord and means of displaying his/her worship of God was the official daily, monthly or yearly sacrifices and offerings done at these locations. However, when Jesus came along, He had a conversation with a Samaritan woman which declared changes were forthcoming. The transaction went like this - “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they...

Joseph, son of Israel, went from the Pit  to Potifer to Prison to Palace to Provision to Progeny and seemingly had Peace during it all ( Genesis 37-46 ). Why would I think that Joseph had Peace during all of these major life-changes and challenges? First, he did not complain. Second, the phrase "the Lord was with Joseph" or "the Lord was with him" keeps appearing. But what gave Joseph the edge on his long journey? Especially observing he started out as a teenager. Joseph had not one, but two dreams about his future. They were not popular with his brothers, but he held onto them none-the-less. Christians cannot afford to wait around for a dream or two to receive for our future life direction. However, we can actively wait. We can live for The Lord and when He decides and how He decides to communicate the next steps in our lives - we must trust Him completely. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways...

How close is Christ Jesus? A thought away. The breath of His name away.  "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." (John 14:16-17) After Jesus had described the Holy Spirit as The Comforter or one called  alongside  - Jesus described the Holy Spirit dwelling in two other fashions -  with  and  in  them. Never before had every believer received such an intimate connection with God. In the past, Old Testament prophets would be graced with a special endowment of God's Spirit to accomplish His will, but that was all. The Holy Spirit would come upon people according to God's design, but never reside within them. The stone temple was considered God's dwelling place. At other times the Holy Spirit would be with someone - as in the con...

Ever stood about waist deep in the ocean on the beach on a busy surf day and the waves just seem relentless? I certainly have experienced this unyielding, wave-after-wave, pounding of water. I have also felt the unrelenting waves of the challenges in life. Here is a recent glimpse into my life and the waves that have pounded me. Family sickness Degrading health of a dear Uncle Me, Kidney Stone Wife, Physical issues Wife, car accident Gum in dryer Ice maker dead Laptop is dead Water break in my yard near street Pastor Change in my church ENOUGH ALREADY!!! However, the Scripture says these waves are producing in me now - perseverance and character which leads to hope. The actual passage in Romans 5:3-4 reads - " but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Then Paul in his second letter to the church in Corinth stated and I paraphrase - The trials and tribulatio...