sow, sow, sow Misunderstood

I was thinking about the concept in the Bible of reaping and sowing.  Now, for me this is a very simple concept.  I live in rural Texas, where if there is an open field it's plowed and planted with a crop.  But there is a place in the Word that specifically talks about this concept, and its stated very easily and plain, so that everyone can understand God's thoughts on the idea and concept.  

Galatians 6:7-9

"Do not be deceived,  God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."

Interesting that it says don't be fooled.  I guess that's God's way of pointing out this concept has the ability to deceive.  Then it says God can't be mocked.  So I guess that means that if you don't believe or follow the message that is coming next you are making a mockery of God.  Then plain as day....what a man sow he reaps.  VERY PLAIN!  I like that God gave us a the flags to point out this really needs our attention.  He is drawing us in and letting us know how important this philosophy is; and He is drawing attention because maybe it holds an important concept or idea that we need in our foundation.  I am not sure why He flags this for us, I only know He is placing a bet.  He is betting us at the expense of His mockery, that we will reap what we sow.  I don't know if you know this, but God always wins His bets, and He never asks us questions because of His lack of knowledge.  

WE will REAP what WE sow, and I don't think He is just wheat, barley, maize, and bananas.  I think He means in every area in our lives.  I find it extremely sad when I hear, I am a good person, that's how I am getting into heaven.......They are sowing their lives to be good people but in the end....they get hell.  They were deceived.  God has me revisit this concept when He gets jealous of my time spent on things that don't glorify Him, or when there is a disconnect in our relationship!  it's just like Him to bring that gentle reminder in my life.  As I start to value sleep more than I depend on Him to give me energy, He reminds me.....So gentle..."Broc stop sowing in your bed."  "As  a door turns on it's hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed."  When I start to value my friends thoughts, opinions, and judgments above how highly I regards God's, He just speaks to my heart...."Broc, the time you spend entertaining deception, you will deceive yourself."  I love those rebukes!  I know that sounds about like it's impossible to love correction, but I think that comes with the seasoning God brings to us.  

So, I sow

I sow generously.....and I in the end...know according to the Bible I will reap even more than I sowed.  Isn't that what plating is all about.....INVESTMENT!  The farmer doesn't get back seed for seed.  He gets multiple seeds for one seed.  I think that's important.  We have to get our minds around the fact that when we are sowing....and it's not just money.  It's time, patience, understanding, wisdom, love, happiness......etc.  But when we sow....it's tiny compared to what we reap.  Now, this is good and bad news.  Good because, getting love back is awesome....and patience, and understanding......BUT....gossip, laziness, and such are not at all fun.  Not even a little bit.  We learn everywhere we go....when we sow the things that aren't out of a heart of goodness, we reap the things that are not good.   There is this belief that travels around Christian circles, that we should give and not expect anything in return.  As if investing in the kingdom of God isn't a good investment.  Now, my heart is not giving to receive, but to know that I am going to be taken care of.  Saying sow into God without wanting a return...is just like a farmer throwing seed and saying....well, if God wills it will yield a crop.  No, that's crazy and silly to think that way!  

Just some thoughts

Vaya Con Dios

-broc  

Granola!

I love it, and am making it right now!  I love the way it tastes and how good it is for you!  MMM.....it's from Jesus!

SUB-Culture

I was discussing with a friend the other day about how there is a subculture in Christianity.  This new culture is very aware of what's going on in the society in which they live.  They are concerned about the environment.  This doesn't mean the subscribe to the thoughts about global warming.  They just simply feel like it is their responsibility to take care of that which God gave to them.  I think it is interesting that God used the pandering about global warming to wake up a culture of people to take care of things that can be taken care of.  This doesn't mean we always recycle, always eat organic, hug trees, think creation is more important than The Creator.  Truthfully this is our world handed to us by The Creator, and it is our responsibility to do the right thing.  

This culture is more than thanking about the environment, but they are also concerned about the political nature of the world.  They are ever increasingly separating themselves from political parties; while asking hard questions to candidates on each side.  They didn't do this because they don't think Iraq is going in the right direction, or that they were lied to as to the reason that we are even in Iraq; they are just decided that this country is worth fighting for.  That EVER life is worth saving, and humanity needed them.  

This culture fights for all human life.  They see people in need and they are spurred to action.  When they see injustice they fight for it, and fight hard.  Not breaking any of the rules, and being peaceful, with one voice.  This means when they see children in Africa shattered by AIDS, homeless and hungry in their communities, unborn children who's right are subject to being violated, people having to chose between food or medicine, and elderly having their freedoms removed; they will take the actions necessary whatever they might be....barring murder, stealing....and any other despicable unrighteous behavior to see it the policy change.

It's funny to watch this.  It offends their families, who, for lack of a better analogy, drank the kool-aid,   and didn't look for the truth.  It doesn't mean their family is wrong or the culture is right, but the truth is, the sub-culture has realized the importance of being in the culture and influencing it.  

Cultural relevancy is not a new term in the Christian circles, but I am not sure it has ever happened until now.     I am not sure the culture has always been wrong, but it just that Christians have been scared to be in the culture of America and help either turn it or keep it from turning.  It is so interesting.  It is just a thought and some observations that I have noticed over the past few years or so.  

Vaya Con Dios

-b

       

stem cell

WASHINGTON - A breakthrough in stem cell research could

give President Bush and his anti-abortion allies a political I-told-you-so in a

debate Democrats have long been planning to use in next year's elections.

Bush's twin vetoes of bills to put taxpayer dollars

behind embryonic stem cell research, Democrats said, showed that he would let

ideology block progress in finding cures to diseases that afflict millions of

people

.

Bush insisted that medical advances could be made

without destroying embryos. On Tuesday, two teams of scientists on different

continents reported advances in research that might prove him right, giving his

administration a dose of vindication in an otherwise grim last year of office.

In the journals Science and Cell, the scientists

reported that they had coaxed regular human cells into mimicking the

disease-fighting potential of embryonic stem cells - without destroying budding

human life.

Debate over, according to White House officials.

"This is evidence ... that we can get the good results we want from science without cutting corners on ethics," said Karl

Zinsmeister, Bush's domestic policy adviser. "Let's not set up a false choice between on the one hand, progress, and on the other hand, ethics."

Stem cells extracted from embryos a few days old can morph into any type of tissue and are widely considered to hold the greatest promise of treatments and cures for cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's and other ailments. But extracting the stem cells destroys the embryo. Bush and his allies consider that crossing an ethical line that taxpayers should not be forced to finance. Proponents of the process say public money would only be used on embryos that would be discarded anyway under the vetoed legislation. And they say the scientific breakthroughs reported Tuesday changes nothing about the debate. All types of stem cell research should be promoted with federal funding, proponents say.

Additionally, said Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., the years of vetoes and the personal nature of the debate have educated voters to the nuances of the rhetoric. Research on cells derived from adults is not a substitute for embryonic stem cell research, she said.

"The argument that we need to have all types of ethical research is the argument that sways voters," DeGette said Tuesday. "The White House and the opponents of stem cell research have been saying for years that they think adult stem cells are substitutes. This is not a new argument that they're making."

"Scientists may yet find that embryonic stem cells are more powerful," said Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa. "We need to continue to pursue all alternatives as we search for treatments for diabetes, Parkinson's and spinal cord injuries."

Still, the research and the holy grail rhetoric used by some of the scientists who have championed stem cell research can't be anything but persuasive and memorable to voters less than a year out from balloting. Every House seat, a third of the Senate as well as the presidency will be up for grabs during the 2008 election.

The Iraq war, Bush's terrorism-fighting strategy and legal scuffles with Congress over executive power have sunk the president's popularity rating to around 30 percent. But the science announced Tuesday could insulate him from attacks by Democrats on an issue that once left him more vulnerable.

"It solves the ethical dilemma," said Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla. "This should put an end to" the debate. "Maybe we can all now reach agreement on what has been an all-too-divisive issue and advance this promising research through the power of federal funds," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

Nevertheless, the question of whether taxpayers should finance embryonic stem cell research will make an appearance on the 2008 campaign trail, said its proponents.

"It's terribly wrong for any politician to be trying to pick and choose one type of ethical research over another," DeGette said. "That issue isn't going away."

Christmas

So, as most of you know, I switched jobs, and I am working for Starbucks! I am so thrilled, and I ABSOLUTELY love what I do.
If you have been into any Starbucks, lately, then you know the stores are in full Christmas mode. The red cups are out, the "holiday trio" drinks are in full capacity, and of course each partner (employee) is wearing their READ shirt. I love Starbucks at the holidays; I just can't get enough!
This is just such a good season everywhere. I love the holidays, food, family, fun. I think buying gifts is the best part of Christmas. I love going on the hunt for JUST the RIGHT thing. I love it. I don't really know why, but I just do! Make sure you "Pass the Cheer." Check out PASS THE CHEER


Here is an awesome picture of what I think this holiday is all about!

...and in comes the Miracle!

YEAH! I am so super excited. Just got word today, that my granddad is going to have a procedure called an ABLATION. It's pretty much a fancy word for burning the tumors out. So that is awesome...even better...he is having the procedure in Oklahoma City, his home, and not to Houston like we had anticipated. God DOES answer prayer. I know that is said a lot, and as a Christian I have used that to tell of some thing God has gotten me out of, but I have never used it to explain a miracle in my life!

It is a miracle, now sometimes I think we think the only time it is called a miracle is when things vanish or are gone. The truth is miracles happen all the time. God created science, and since he did that, he created the miracle science that is going to heal my granddad. I know this isn't a popular view, but it's the truth.

I was reading in Proverbs the other day.... whoa.... if you haven't you should. Did you know the Bible gives you wisdom on topics like...giving your neighbor a compliment. It says in Proverbs, complimenting your neighbor early in the morning is a curse. Whoa, meaning, if you compliment your neighbor early in the morning, while they are sleeping, you do no good to them! That is so cool.... so get to reading, and let it change the way you think.... I will have more on this in the future!!


vaya con Dios

-b

Hebrews 11:1

I know that I am Christian, and we are suppose to have struggles and hard times.... but I haven't had a lot of those things. I mean sure I lived in Clovis New Mexico and hated every minute of it...but I only hated it because I am a spoiled little brat. It was outside of my comfort zone and I was unable to do the things I liked and wanted to do at all times. I did survives school, and God guided me through what I needed to choose as a major...it was tough at times, but honestly I sweet talked my way through it. There weren't many tough times because I wouldn't let it escalate to that. I also worked in a very stressful job and was VERY tired and watched 8 and 15 year olds die WAY to early.... but that was slightly removed from me. Honestly my job was to just love the families through that. I always have to be the tough one through everything; I have to be the consoler. You might be asking yourself.... why do you feel like you have to do that? Honestly, I feel like if I don't do it, then no one will. It is a place I loathe, and it is place that I live. I think it stems from my teachings in my life that told me...."men are tough." While I agree somewhat with that, it seems like that is all I keep doing. I feel like I can't be vulnerable. And dear friends, if you know me at all you know, that everything is shrugged off with a laugh.... a quip.... a sarcastic statement. Truthfully, I think that is the defense mechanism, and I hate it. I hate having to be the "funny" one. Not that I don't enjoy it, I love it also.... It’s just when I am not in a humorous mood...then everyone wants me to make them laugh. While, making people laugh gives me a huge thrill.... where does the comedian go when they don't feel like laughing? Where does the soul go when it needs replenishment...well it's God. I am so glad he validates me.

I got some really bad news today. The man who taught me what it means to be a man.... my grandpa, was diagnosed with cancer of the liver. I cried. I wept. I called him, and I couldn't take it. He was so mellow. He is the one who I get my sense of humor from. He was almost defeated. I asked how he was.... he replied, "better than I thought I would be." I told him, that Jesus loves him, and that just because he got the bad news today, God still was in control. I assured him that I would pray for him, and that if anyone could beat this...it would be my Paw-Paw. Oh, how I love him. I prayed today. I told God not take my Paw-Paw away. I know God heard me. I know He cares, but the hurt my heart feels is unbearable. I have told others in my situation to: "pray,” "pray without ceasing” God will come through, don’t' fear. I have told them, God is in control, He wants them healed...pray.... press through. I realize how insensitive that is. I realize how preposterously rude that sounds. It took me going through this to realize that, because I see myself having a hard time taking my advice. I know in my heart God so loves my granddad, and that He truly wants to heal him, and I know God loves me and doesn’t want me hurt. It is just that I am at the crossroad where faith and hope meet. It is that inevitable fork in the road, when you must decide whether you are going to walk out what you say or shrink back and lose faith. It is a very tough place. Every ounce of my body wants to get into my bed pull the sheets over my head and wither away, but I know that doing nothing means reaping nothing. My granddad, I believe all be it not 100%, is a Christian. I believe it, but I don't know; that's what makes this so hard. I know God is good.... all the time.

vaya con Dios

-b