What's Your Excuse, Now?

Friday, October 8, 2010

“Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani?”

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”  These words were cried out in anguish and pain by the ManGod, Jesus Christ, as he hangs dying on the cross.  The Son of God even questions His doubt in His Father, our God.  Now if Jesus questions His Father, then our human side in us has doubted God one time or other in our lives.  Jesus seems to be quoting the Old Testament Psalm 22:1.  Why is God so far us when we seem to need him in the midst of our crying?  David temporarily questions but knows that God is whom his forefathers trusted and was delivered.  Psalm 22:5 said, “They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.”  Psalm 22:11 said, “Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.”  The Psalmist is definitely facing trials and tribulations.  When God spoke to His people, He called their name twice to let them know that it God who is calling them.  Listen how Christ and David both cry out, “My God, my God!”  How powerful do those words sound?  Do you think they will get God’s attention?  They did not say Oh my God, but My God, my God.  They called on the God that knows the exact number of hairs on our heads and what is in our hearts that will answer.  Christ gave his life willingly for the atonement of man’s sins so that we can have everlasting joy with Him and His Father. I can imagine when Christ first cried out those words, Eli, Eli that the devil and all of his legions cheered when they thought that Christ had weakened.  I can also imagine that it was short-lived because when Christ died He broke the gates of Hell.  Not only that, Christ still forgave man seconds before His death.  No greater love than forgiveness and giving your life.  Christ had an even heavier burden than the cross to carry, yet he did for the very people that hated, tortured, and mocked Him.  Now that is what I call self-control.  If you had the power to give life, change it or take it against your enemies, what would you do?  As a human, doing the right thing might be hard to do.  Christ had that power but He remained obedient to His Father.  At the same time, as God, He gave His mortal life to save His childrens' souls.  Yes, this entry is a follow-up to God’s existence.  I want to also give Reverend Colley credit for our discussion on his own sermon that supported God’s existence and love for us.  Too bad we don’t know how to love ourselves.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Does God Exists? At Least For Me, He Does!!!


Man has been trying to answer this question for centuries.  Scientists, biologists, and even politicians have thrown their hats in the ring.  And now, don’t think I’m trying to enter the arena because I won’t.  My question is, do angels exist?  If you think angels exist and I’m sure that they do, then there must be a superior being who created them.  If you think that none of the above exists then that’s your issue, not mine.  I personally think that God and angels exist.  Even our brightest scientists and doctors can’t figure out how the human body was formed and how it functions to survive. I’m not going to tackle this subject; I just want to bring attention to it.  I saw the show, GLEE, “Grilled Cheesus” the other night and the writers approached this subject with fairness, sensitivity, and respect to believers and nonbelievers.  Young people have their own opinions about spirituality not always the same that might have been handed down.  Everybody wants to believe in something and/or somebody. We look for peace and truth in our lives to fulfill something.  Many of us seek answers from our own personal God.  At times, we seem doubt God but we’re actually doubt ourselves. We doubt our personal trust in God because we think that He’s not doing what we want Him to do.  Either He’s not moving fast enough or it’s usually not the way we want Him to.  Our trust and faith are constantly tested but they are strengthened by our patience in God.  It’s not easy because we are so used to giving up without fighting back.  That’s why so many of us are easily persuaded by others because we’re not strong enough.  We have to accept the fact that we are weak and made strong by the grace of God who is our rock and salvation.  God will have His way, in His time.  But His decision will always be the right one.  Well, now you see my position, I’m a believer.

Monday, October 4, 2010

My Niece, Teria!

Teria sang "Summertime" when she was 13 years old!  She recently won her school's talent show singing "At Last" by Etta James!  You'll be hearing more from this rising star!  Believe it!

The Road Seems Long & Lonely!

I don’t believe any of us are exempt from dealing with obstacles and personal situations in this life.  It doesn’t matter the type because these bumps or mountains can range from being in relationships, beginning relationships, and ending relationships to everything else including but not always involving, mental, social, financial, religious and economic struggles.  So, understand this, everybody deals with something and it depends on the effect the situation has on us.  Some of us face the problem straight up, some find buffers to handle it, and some try to avoid the problem completely.  What could have been handled immediately now festers and becomes a major issue that usually requires outside help because we couldn’t deal with it.  In turn, we put the stress on the people that are close to us and if they can’t help, they are wrong and don’t care.  The pot is now calling the kettle a pitcher.  We don’t realize that the people we ask to help and can’t at the time just might be going through their own struggles, too.  We’re so caught up that we become selfish dealing with our needs caused usually by our own actions that we neglect to think that we are not the only ones struggling.  We all have good days and better days.  Sometimes the very thing we hold so close and dear is the first thing that we lose.  Our priorities can be attached to the wrong things.  We have to learn to look at life in a more positive view.  We need help to get us there.  When all else fails, we call on the Lord and if the help doesn’t come in a timely manner, we’re disappointed.  Keep in mind, we don’t usually think about God when everything seems to be running smoothly.  We think that we don’t need Him and when we do He’s the last resort.  We could always blame Him for these problems.  And what have we learned?  Maybe God doesn’t like us treating Him like a statute.  Maybe He doesn’t appreciate being the third wheel.  Maybe, He’s around us all of the time and don’t like being ignored.  I believe that God wants us to develop a relationship with Him and get Him involved in our lives in everything that we do.  I believe that He is always there for us but if we think negative all of the time we fail to see the positive and good in what we do.  He wants us to know that even if we feel lonely, we are never alone.  Don’t give in or up to despair or discouragement.  Wait on the Lord!  Trust Him!  Let Him work His Will for us!  It’s all about our attitude.  I won’t push my beliefs on anyone.  I struggle, too.  But, I always got through.  I know how I got through and who helped me get through it.  Do you?  Talk to Him, He will work you and He’ll work it out for you!

Gorillas & Rhinos