Slowly
my eyes drifted across the smooth white pages of my
Bible. As the drama group acted out a very
poignant skit on judgment, my mind replayed
moments of my own where I had drawn conclusions about
situations or people. At times my conclusions
were discerning, if not brilliant. Other times,
my conclusions made me feel like a fool when proven
wrong. It's a fine line that we have to navigate
when it comes to understanding all the dynamics of the
events that unfold within our churches! However,
as I pondered the scenes playing in my thoughts I
began to see a common thread that brought a bite to
some of the judgments I'd passed. That thread
was the emotions tied to my conclusions. Some of
the scenes smacked of bitterness and resentment,
others of fear and rage. It was the emotions and
motives BEHIND my judgments that were sin.
"Acid Rain"
I wrote the words on my notepad inside my daytimer.
"Acid Rain." Now, I wonder where THAT
word came from? I closed my daytimer. A
verse popped into my mind.
Rev 12:10
"
accuser of our brethren, who accused them
before our God day and night
"
Some time ago, someone mentioned that the accuser of
the brethren stood before the throne of God accusing
the Saints of God. They wondered out loud how
that could be, since Satan wasn't allowed into Heaven,
let alone in front of the throne. Another person
close by had turned to us and said that they felt that
the accuser that stood before the throne was someone
who had access to the throne, and the only ones that
he knew of that had access to the throne were the
children of God themselves! The enemy was using
their own lips to accuse one another as well as
themselves. Whether or not his interpretation
was correct, it has given me food for thought for
years!
"Acid Rain"
The drama team chanted in rhythm, "J-U-DGE-M-ENT!
Judgment! J-U-DGE-M-ENT! Judgment!"
Starting to squirm in my seat (and hoping no one would
notice) I started remembering words that I'd said
regarding people
especially myself and my loved
ones! Those words that voiced the conclusions
that I'd drawn, were curses. Those curses were
acid rain upon the crop of blessings that God wanted
to add to my life. Because of my own
stubbornness and distrust, it had become all too easy
to curse what I had not understood. You know
those crops well
Here is an easy one to recall. How about the
`crop' of wisdom and knowledge? You know the
one. The one where you struggle to learn
something and then quit in the middle of it because
you become convinced that you are too stupid to learn
it anyway. How did you know that? Someone
told you that. It could have been a parent
or a teacher. But now you are replaying their
`acid rain' with your own lips speaking out into
the universe with the anointed lips that God gave you,
declaring to all creation that you are "too
stupid anyway!"
"Acid Rain"
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers,
knowing that we shall receive a stricter
judgment. For we all stumble in many
things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he
is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole
body. Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that
they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.
Look also at ships: although they are so large and are
driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very
small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so
the tongue is a little member and boasts great
things. See how great a forest a little fire
kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of
iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members
that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the
course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and
creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by
mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is
an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it
we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men,
who have been made in the similitude of God. Out
of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing.
My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from
the same opening? James 3:1-11
Could acid rain be what polluted the spring that is
referred to in this passage of scripture? When
we are dissatisfied with our marriages, our children,
our jobs, our churches, our congregational members,
life in general
could it have been acid rain
that was showered upon the tender blessings that God
was bringing to us, that turned bitter? Was it
our own pain and bitter judgments that misjudged our
husbands motives regarding something? Something
like, "He just wants to control me and not let me
drive the car or go anywhere," when in
actuality, he knows that something is wrong with the
car and he wants to keep you safe? Your actions
of retaliation and accusations can cause him to wonder
if maybe there IS a reason why he shouldn't trust
you!
We reap what we sow.
"Acid Rain"
or sweet water? Water
fragranced by unconditional love, supreme trust in an
Almighty Heavenly Father and the grace He showers down
upon us so freely. I don't know about you, but I
think it's high time that we begin to pray for a fresh
wind of the Holy Spirit in our lives to blow away the
poisonous clouds that are surrounding our lives due to
our bitter judgments and cruel accusations.
Perhaps it's acid rain such as this that keeps us from
experiencing that closeness we once knew so
wonderfully as the presence of God!
If your congregation, church, spouse, children,
finances, health, happiness or spiritual walk are not
measuring up to what you think they should be, take a
look at the words that have proceeded out of your own
mouth regarding these things. Are they
shriveling in death due to their exposure of your
"Acid Rain?"
Deut 30:19-20
"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have
set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose
life,
that both you and your descendants may live
"
UPDATES
FROM THE TENT
- Check out our suggested Book reading! Guaranteed
to add possibilities to you that you may have
never thought of before! Curious? Go to: http://www.sarahstent.com/Books/careers.htm
- Yep, its changed again. You never know what the
entrance to the tent is going to look like! Check
it out at: http://www.sarahstent.com
- No, I haven't forgotten its had to be put on
the back burner! What's on the back burner? The
Sarah's Specialty Shoppe and Christian E-Books,
that's what. As much as I would like to devote the
time necessary to get this up and running, I'm
just not getting there. We have the established
website the domain names have been purchased
and we've been visited from citizens around the
world as many as 500 or more a day! (Amazing
considering this is a specialized site.) The
potential is there! Any ideas? I'm game if you
have an interest in helping to get this off the
ground. There are too many talented men and women
in ministry who need the extra finances, support
and to get the word out that their experience
brings, to not do something! If you have
web-building experience, especially in the
e-commerce arena, and would like to help support
God's faithful ministers with your time and
talents, I'd like to talk to you! Write me at: Shannon@sarahstent.com
- Inspiration Point
E-Groups
Recipes
Links
Books
Message Boards
Chats
Articles
Member Directory
. What do these
things and more have in common? They are all a
part of Sarah's Tent and need attention by people
who have a vision. Do you love to research
gather information stir up ideas build web
sites chat encourage teach? For only a
few hours a week at best you can touch lives from
around the entire globe! Imagine it! God loves
taking something small and making something great
out of it. Share with me in His miraculous
blessings!
- Prayer Warriors! Everyday we receive many prayer
requests from ministers who need prayer from
faithful people who understand the unique
situations of ministers. If you would like to be
added to our list of intercessors, or would like
to help facilitate our intercessors group and
encourage THEM, please write me. In the meantime,
be sure to pick up the book by Cindy Jacobs called
"Storming the Gates of Hell." Wisely
written about the life of an intercessor including
exhortations to keep you healthy and on track (not
overburdened), this is a must read!
FUNNY
WORDS
Words
That Don't Exist, But Should
LACTOMANGULATION
(lak' to man gyu lay' shun) n. Manhandling the
"open here" spout on a milk container so badly
that one has to resort to the 'illegal' side.
PEPPIER
(peph ee ay') n. The waiter at a fancy restaurant whose
sole purpose seems to be walking around asking diners if
they want fresh ground pepper.
PHONESIA
(fo nee' zhuh) n. The affliction of dialing a phone
number and forgetting whom you were calling just as they
answer.
BOOK
REVIEW
The EVERYTHING
HOT CAREERS BOOK
WOW! Think of the Possibilities!
After the last issue of the JITK (http://sarahstent.com/vol5/joyv6.htm
) went out, I received more responses through email,
than I have in a long time. It seems that a good many
of you would love to earn money doing something you
love whether it is in addition to what you are
doing now, or in response to needing a change. Shortly
after I received the last email, I happened to go to
our local bookstore and as I walked into the front
door, saw this book sitting on the door display. What
a God-send!
The timing was perfect! Rather than
try to share all the ideas that I alone can come up
with, I can share with you a great resource that you
can keep! Let me share with you what is written on the
back:
"Focusing on 50 fascinating new
and traditional occupations, the book tells you all
you need to know about each career, including
necessary job requirements and potential salary
ranges. Throughout the book, you'll also find personal
interviews with men and women working in today's
hottest fields, as well as useful advice on resume
writing, contract negotiation, and internships. Packed
with professional tips and personal accounts, The
Everythingฎ Hot Careers Book is an essential
reference for getting a job you will love."
Not everyone desires to work out of
their home, or to work in corporate America for that
matter, so it's a good thing that both options are
covered in this terrific book!
(No, it's not a "Christian"
book
haven't you heard the scripture that says,
"the wealth of the unrighteous is laid up for the
just?" Wealth not only pertains to finances
it
pertains to knowledge and wisdom as well!)
*
Please be discerning when you visit web sites that do
not proclaim to be Christian. Enjoy the wheat - and
spit out the chaff. Sarah's Tent does not necessarily
agree to everything that is written in this book or
located on the authors site, however, the resources
are rich!
Visit our LINKS page for a wide variety
of resources.
Trade
permanent links with us
Joy in The Kitchen Volume
5 Issue 7
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