Contaminated Gospel

If you were Satan, what would you do to weaken the gospel? You would chip away or erode the good news-making it ineffective and weak. Over time, you could create a Christianity without power. A flaccid Christianity that sees no miracles, heals no sick, raises no dead, casts out no demons. You (as Satan) can laugh all the way to the bank, as few are interested in embracing such a limp faith; few are touched by a weakened and disinterested God. Contrast that anemic gospel with the true gospel demonstrated in the book of Acts. What exciting things happened? Peter HEALS a lame man (Acts 3:1-11), the apostles performed MANY WONDERS (Acts 5:12-16), Peter raises Tabitha from the DEAD (Acts 9:36-41), An ANGEL delivers Peter from prison (Acts 12:7-17), Paul HEALS a crippled man (Acts 14:8-10), Paul HEALS MULTITUDES (Acts 19:11-12), Paul RAISES Eutychus from death (Acts 20:9-12), Paul shakes off a deadly viper AND suffers NO ill effects (Acts 28:3-6), Paul HEALS Publius' father and the REST of the island were cured (Acts 28:7-9)... I could go on, but this is an impressive list, and it doesn't even touch on the rest of the disciples who healed, raised the dead, cast out demons, etc.

I know there is a doctrine of Cessationalism in place, but sorry, I can't see the biblical support for that, and I will NEVER be convinced of it, partly because I have been the recipient of physical healing miracles, but ultimately because Jesus PROMISED us, "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." (John 14:12-14). AMEN! And lest you think you're exempt, you're not. We ALL are gifted for miracles. 1 Corinthians 12:6-11 states, "There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines." That should blow your mind, actually! We ALL are endued with POWER from on high...not ONE of us is left out of the miraculous life. So what's stopping us? Jesus is NOT a liar...get busy, Church!

My Cat

My cat is irritating.

She is also funny, adorable and loving...

...but just when I'm working at the computer, knitting, wrapping gifts, or scrap booking, she's a huge pain in my tush.

I could chalk up her annoying interference as pure cat curiosity, but much of the time, she just wants to be in my lap, close and purring.

Not to be egotistical, but my cat worships me. She isn't really fond of anyone else, unless of course, I'm unavailable, and she'll cuddle up to a select one or two others, but in general, she's a one-woman cat. In fact, even as I write this, at the painfully early hour of 5:00am, she immediately appeared to jump in my lap, curl up and purr. I'm starting to see her behavior in a new light: her adoration and peskiness as attributes rather flaws. I want to be like her in my relationship toward God-seeking Him out and drawing near to Him in love and affection.

I want to sit at His feet and draw comfort and strength in His presence, to worship Him as the mighty and perfect being He is...to trust Him, rely on Him, and love Him with my whole heart.

I want to choose Him over everything else that easily distracts and sucks up my time, to prefer His company to the company of others. I want to rest and soak in His presence. To BE rather than DO, to be a Mary rather than a Martha, whom the Lord had to gently correct: “Martha, Martha...you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42). I want what Mary had: a treasure that cannot be taken.