"Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certan in his life."
Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon, the wisest person in the bible. He wrote many books and Ecclesiastes was said to be written on his tail end of his career, and it's said that he was in a backslidden state. These I don't know if it is true but upon reading this book, I think he may have gained an different perspective and understanding of life. There are many studies about Solomon but for me I admire the fact that he made every effort to seek God and gain the wisdom only He can offer. For a man to have that much wisdom, Solomon must have been in constant communion with God the Father.
A few weeks ago I ruptured my Achilles Tendon while skateboarding. I have been in a leg cast since then. {it's scheduled to be removed on Dec. 5--originally Nov. 14 but it was re-casted because of weird sensations in my foot.} A few days after the incident, I was really bummed out; one reason because I couldn't ride my board, but it really sucked to be stuck in bed disabled. If you've ever broken or injured yourself to this point, you'll agree with me that it majorly sucks. For me, I just had to get over myself and realize that there is more to life than being stuck. You choose your attitude and how you live your life. Life is a choice. This scripture, although it may sound like common knowledge, allows me to realize that both good and bad times does come from God and we are to enjoy BOTH.
My prayer is that we see that life is a choice. We choose how we feel, our attitudes, and most of all, how we live our lives. The only way we can truely see things the way it's supposed to be is if we have God in our lives. We can choose to be "happy" but without God, not knowing the goodness of God, we will not be satisfied in our souls...we will always long for something and until it's filled with God, as Solomon says "it is meaningless--like chasing the wind."
Are you enjoying the good and bad of life? Do you fully have the knowledge and the heart about the goodness of God? How's your attitude today? Take these questions to the Heavenly Father and spend time getting to know Him today.
"After the Philistines captured the Ark ofGod, they took it from the battleground at Ebenezer to the town of Ashdod. They carried the Ark of God into the temple of Dagon and placed it beside an idol of Dagon. But when the citizens of Ashdod went to see it the next morning, Dagon had fallen with his face to the ground in front of the ark of the Lord! So they took Dagon and put him in his place again. But the next morning the same thing happened--Dagon had fallen face down before the Ark of the Lord again. This time his head and hands had broken off and were lying in the doorway. Only the trunk of his body was left intact. That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor anyone who enters the temple of Dagon in Ashdod will step on its threshold."
I don't know about you, but this story cracks me up!!! I read this story yesterday, and November 1st is All Saints Day. To me, it's a day that I remember those who have passed on; and I get to remember the legacy they left behind. But reading this--it really doesn't relate to the "price of tea in china" {has nothing to do with anything} --was very funny because it's like God saying "Don't mess with Texas" ... Don't mess with me. There is no one like our God. I was straight out thinking Paranormal Activity. Can you imagine walking into a temple and seeing Dagon {a Philistine god of fertility} on the the ground? I can just imagine that this is a huge carven image, a large statue, one that may be immobile. Seeing this idol on the floor basically bowing down to Our God, must of been a trip! And to top it off, it happens the next day but this time his head and hands are broken off! Dude, talk about Paranormal Activity!!! I don't blame these Philistines who are too dang scared to even go into the temple! LOL!!!
So I was cracking up, God, you're pretty cool like that. ;p
I hope you get to crack up as much as I did...Here's looking at you, kid!
This blog originally started for The Rock Church Military ministry but now I hope that it could reach any military personnel.
My idea of Operation Mail Call is for anyone to receive a letter of hope.
I used to imagine what it would feel like, for a deployed soldier, at upon mail call, he would jump up from his resting position and focus his eyes and ears towards the mail caller. He hopes there would be a letter for him. He would hear other's names called out but as the bag gets smaller his hope dwindles down. That glimmer of hope that today would be the day someone wrote to him is slowly fading away. No love notes for him today. Pushing those thoughts aside, he switches gear and realigns his mind with the mission ahead of him.
My hope is that this simple blog could be that letter of hope that keeps that soldier's hope going.
This is no way a substitute for those handwritten notes of affection but a way to reach a broader audience via today's technology. My heart is for the military for I was once a military wife. Those days are long gone but this is my way to attempting to stay connected with that former part of my life. Most of the previous posts in 2009 were taken straight from devotional bibles and as I grow into my ministry I am learning to create my own devotions. I will still pull a few from other sources, but I hope most will be from my heart straight to yours. These are my letters to the country's warriors, those in the armed forces of America.
Lord, please keep these men and women safe, comfort them in troubling times, provide strength when it seems like they can't go any further, but most of all, hope. Hope in you, your personal, intimate, loving God that never leaves nor never ever stops thinking of us. I love you. In Jesus's name, Amen
