Confessions of a Tired Christian in the Face of a Tool

People are weary.  Distracted.  Over-exposed, overwhelmed, and over football. 

Let me go ahead and get my snark out of the way.   Here are some "Margafesto" definitions you may find useful for this post:

Tool:  to͞ol 

noun:    a person, especially one used by the enemy, blindly carrying out the carefully laid 

plans of the evil one. 

Toolery:  to͞olərē 

noun:   the behavior of a tool.

Tooligan:  to͞oləɡən

noun:   the more obnoxious tool. 

Funny thing happened on the way to a football game…all of America got distracted!

Good grief.  

How much attention can we give tools in uniforms? 

Tooligans who are so dissatisfied with America that they allow themselves to be used as tools of divisiveness should take a mission trip to Haiti, Equatorial Guinea, or Zimbabwe.   Or simply do some in depth research on how people are treated in North Korea, Saudi Arabia, or Sudan.  Knowing what goes on in oppressed countries will make the hardest heart realize that America, even with her problems, is a great place to live. 

Freedom of speech, though.  I get it, and I get tired...I get tired of the one-sidedness of it.  My first inclination is to respond to supporters of knee-takers with pointed comments and a bit of sarcasm.   I refrained from tossing too many comments into the vast abyss we call the internet, but I did give in and slap out a few rebuttals on Facebook.

The thing is, adding my two cents worth doesn’t do any good…in fact, it only adds to the fray.  Just like they won’t convince me that they are doing a good thing somehow making a positive statement, I will not convince them that they are being disrespectful, divisive, and…well, a tool. 

When friction is coming from both sides, we only get chaos and disorder.  Someone must be willing to rise above the toolery.   I say it should be Christians.

The reminder here is that we aren’t fighting flesh and blood.  (Ephesians 6:12)  

While we are focused on the NFL, the enemy is blatantly walking in, gearing up, and taking their places for battle.  But we are ungirded. 

We. Are. Not. Ready. For. Battle

We are sidetracked by the actions of others.

We know who God is, but we are ignoring Him and giving our attention to carefully laid distractions.  God aches to bless us because He loves us…but when we remain focused on devil's deeds and his tools, getting involved with the bickering, we miss out on the great plans our Father has for us. 

Here’s how we gird ourselves:  PRAYER...God’s children praying, all of us, together, and each of us individually...without ceasing.  There's a lot of disagreement between brothers and sisters in Christ, and we are often known for that more than we are known for our love for one another.  Let's stop worrying about who is wearing what, who is playing or not playing music, who is too loud, who prays too softly, or :::gasp::: who is speaking in tongues.   Christians must unite and learn to love one another despite our differences, and maybe even because of them.  Jesus tells us that people will know we are His disciples by our love for one another.  (John 13:34-35)  Outside of our own church, are we there yet?  A house (country) divided can't stand.  (Matthew 12:25)

Christians in heavily persecuted countries aren't debating theology.  They are praying!  We cannot afford to remain separated by walls of denominations.  It’s time to come together corporately and pay the sacrifice of prayer to the ONLY ONE who can turn this country around!  

Stop worrying about that the NFL is doing.   Look up!   Seek His face!  He can handle a few over-pampered, over-paid, over-bearing, spoiled football players.   Pay attention to the real issue:   satan is moving in and setting up house in our own front yard.   

We have the authority to stop him…in the name that is above all other names, the name to which every knee will bow and every tongue will confess, in the name of the One who saves, who delivers, who heals, and He who is coming back again, in the name of Jesus Christ…that’s how we do battle. 

Are you ready to take our country back? 

Let’s do some kneeling of our own!

Pray that eyes will be opened...
so they see,
(and that we see).
That ears will be opened...
so they hear,
(and that we hear).
That hearts will be opened...
so they understand
(and that we understand).

PS:  It's not just the NFL.   There are many well-placed, divisive stumbling blocks being rolled into our paths every day.  Be ever mindful of the hour in which we live...watch carefully so that you don't trip.

Click HERE to have Margaret's Musings delivered by email

Tuesday's Thoughts...The Nice America Edition

Truth is no less true just because it is not believed; but a lie believed has the power to destroy lives…and countries.

Countries are also destroyed when we let wrongs go unchecked; when there is no recompense for deception and broken laws.  When we turn our heads and let evil stand…when we do not demand truth!   God is a God of Justice…Jehovah Misphat…He loves justice; the foundation of His throne is justice and righteousness.

If it’s wrong, it’s wrong for everyone, not just for others.

Us, too.

Remember that oft-quoted scripture, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”  (2 Chron. 7:14)?   We sometimes forget that we…Christians, His people…are who this scripture is directing to repent.  We can’t look out the corner of our judgmental, narrowed eyes at others wishing they would repent.  It starts with us. 

I sure would like to see a nicer America.

Please Lord, let it start with Your children.

This is an actual page from my Bible...I pray this chapter often (Psalm 51),
and when I do, I in add my notes:   my prayer  includes "...and renew a steadfast,
unwavering, loyal, dedicated, true, trusty, and faithful spirit within me..."

Click HERE to have Margaret's Musings delivered by email

You will receive a verification message once you submit this form. If you do not receive the email confirmation, check your spam folder. Your subscription to “Margaret's Musings” will be activated once you respond to the verification message

Monday Musings: The Age Boom Edition

Dear Time:

Could you back up a little?  This age thing is really affecting me!

Dear Age:

You act like an old woman.  No wonder people lie about you!

Dear Head:

I know you’re in the clouds a lot, but this silver lining thing you got going on is not attractive.

Dear Gray Roots (aka silver lining):

Meet Miss Clairol.

Dear Morning:

Why are you so mean to my face?

Dear Mirror:

You just ain’t as pretty as you used to be.    I try to avoid you first thing in the morning.

Dear Make Up:

Slacker!   You don’t work near as well as you used to.

Dear Joints:

Could you try to be a little more quiet?   You’re disturbing the peace with all that snap! crackle! pop!

Dear Midlife:

What up with all these sound effects?   Hot flashes?   Dry skin?   Mood swings?

Dear Ole Boy:

Thank you for putting up with me.   You’re the best!

Click HERE to have Margaret's Musings delivered by email

You will receive a verification message once you submit this form. If you do not receive the email confirmation, check your spam folder. Your subscription to “Margaret's Musings” will be activated once you respond to the verification message

Two Cent Tuesday: The Other Side of the Coin Edition

In a controversial debate, both sides feel abused, maligned, picked on…if you listen to the comments and complaints, they are each saying much the same thing.

Both sides are fellow humans with passions and feelings, and should be treated as such.

Both sides feel they are as right as right can be, and that the other side couldn’t be more wrong.

Sometimes you have to accept that certain people are not going to like you for their own reasons, and you won’t be able to change that.

There are those, on both sides of the coin, who recognize that you don’t have to agree with someone to still like and respect them.   Those people are few and far in-between.

Folks on both sides of the coin can get self-righteous and downright mean when faced with opposition.  

Most of the time, both sides have some very heart-felt reasons for their stance.  

Arguing, name-calling, back-biting, anger:   None of these things help either side, ever.

If you can’t talk to the other side of the coin without the above, walking away is the best thing you can do.

No one can live a perfect life…don’t take it too personally when you’re called a hypocrite by the other side of the coin.  They are making mistakes and bad choices, too.   Everyone does, and theirs will show up eventually.

If, at some point, you realize you’re wrong, say you’re wrong.

Don’t compromise your convictions to end harassment for your beliefs.  Walking away is the better option.    If you know you’re right, you don’t have to defend yourself against those who would belittle you for your principles.   You won’t change them, anyway.

And lastly:  No matter how right you are, or even how much you try to stay neutral, there are those who will find fault with you, who will talk about you, and who won’t treat you the way they’d like to be treated.   It happens to everyone…

The Good News in the Midst of the Bad

I resolve to pray more and complain less.

We are told in Hebrews 4:12 that the word of God is living and powerful (alive and active), piercing even to diving soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and that it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.   Did you ever wonder what would happen if Christians put aside their own ideas and traditions, and began memorizing and reciting scripture?   Would the Bible regain authority in America?   We cannot deny that God’s word has not only lost authority, but it is regarded with disdain, mocked, and denied. 

It is a real problem in America that the church even agree.   It should never be the Baptists against the Pentecostals, and the non-denominational believers against the Church of Christ believers.   We are all the body of Christ, and it is vitally important that we come together as one.   Let me say that again:   We MUST come together as one to combat the evil that is spreading in our country like the fast growing cancer it is!

We want Americans to come together 

and accept each other’s differences,

Christians must do that all the more!

The general consensus among Christians is that America is going to hell in a hand-basket.   If we remain on the road we are currently traveling, no doubt America as we know it will be destroyed.   It does not have to be this way!  The God we serve is a forgiving God, and He is merciful.  It is my belief that America is still standing because there are praying people here…and there are nations under great bondage who have persecuted Christians praying for us.   Yes, that’s the truth.

 

I urge you to make your own individual walk with God stronger.  Draw close to Him, allow Him to draw close to you.   Make a real effort to read your Bible more.  Make an even bigger effort to memorize scripture and recite…out loud…scripture.  Words are important.  With words, Heaven and earth were formed, and the universe was spoken into existence.  The Word, His words…speak them out, often and confidently. 

If we really want to make America great again, we need to seek Him first…the rest will fall into place.  That, my friends, is the really good news. 

If you’d like a suggestion on a verse to memorize…start with this one:

Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light.

Ephesians 4:14

::::See whole Chapter:::

Click HERE to have Margaret's Musings delivered by email