This writing will be sent to others in an attachment but I thought it also would be good for the whole world to see. As you read this whole writing, you will find a specific, sharing, prayer request.
I was woken up early this morning with a thought in mind that I couldn't shake off. I believe it was the Lord speaking to me to write on a recent experience.
There are many things in our lives which we don't want to share. We have boundaries that we set up through life experiences or what God brings upon us through those experiences. Believing in the immediate family i.e. that which comprises of the husband, wife, and children, most boundaries are lifted except for those topics or knowledge we as parents may want to keep from our children. Even then our children grow up and the things we wouldn’t have told them when they were in primary school, we may tell them in secondary school.
Having said the last paragraph, we as parents want to live lives which in such a way we will set boundaries toward our parents and siblings. These boundaries are set in motion because of our experiences in life. We all have our own lives to live. We are busy in our own way. Some may have studies, some may be dealing with their own family issues, like my self with two teenage boys. Some may have issues regarding older family members. Whatever the situation we find our selves in, we cannot intrude on someone else’s life. Sometimes we may expect other family members to do something for us, but to explain why we can't do the very thing that is asked would be an intrusion on their lives. Many times a family member doesn't need to explain, and if they do, it needs to be volunteered by them.
Having said this, from the date of the time I wrote this, about a week ago, I went to the doctor. The doctor said “Phil we haven’t taken your blood pressure for a while;” It was high! He gave me a referral to have it monitored. Phoning them up they told me I wouldn't be able to get in for a month.
The next day, I went to the Chemist to get my blood pressure test done. It was more high. The girl assistant at the Chemist looked at me horrified. Then she told me what my blood pressure was; I was horrified. I phoned my wife and said I was headed straight to the doctor. After convincing them that I needed to see a doctor urgently; The doctor gave me some medication to tie me over till I could see my regular doctor. When I saw my regular doctor the blood pressure was still high. He then changed my medication differently and higher dosage. Would you believe at one time my blood pressure at it's highest was 198/167. After seeing the doctor again after a couple of days my blood pressure was 140/80. Yes we seem to have it under control.
You see, God and his grace has saved me. Yet, it isn’t my desire to share when I'm going through something, as this is one of my boundaries. Why? Because I want to share with others after going through God's grace and mercy. You see, we need to be careful as Christians how far we want to extract information out of others because we want something for some reason. We don't know what they may be going through. By letting others to be free by God's grace, we have the opportunity for them to share the blessings of God to others after experiencing the difficulty of life of which they endured.
I hope this testimony will help you to live a rich and fuller life in Christ Jesus.
Phil.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Propaganda and the “Titanic
In my childhood and growing up into manhood, I was always interested in the “Titanic” Although interested, I didn't ever follow the events through like some scientist have in recent years.
It has been said before the Titanic left the dock that “Not even God could sink this ship.” unfortunately I still have not been able to substantiate this saying, only to say, that it is inserted the “English” had made this remark.
Herbert Selpin was a man which was refused to enter the German army because of a medical problem with his leg which was caused by Polio. He wanted to prove his worth to the German constituents that he was worthy to fight the war of world war two. In his desire to emulate himself to be worthy of being a soldier, he went into film making the most expensive production of the day, “Titanic.” Herbert portrayed England as a nation of greed and extreme wealth and of material gain. This idea would enable Germany to fuel the war toward England not only for the German army but also for the civilians. During the production, Herbert Selphin was arrested because he was reported by Zerlett-Olfenius, his friend and co-writer, to the Gestapo, for calling a meeting of which he made comments which weren’t tolerable toward the Kriegsmarine officers. He was found in his cell of which is believe was suicide, but there have been speculation, he could have been murdered. In the end the film was believed to be completed by Werner Kingler.
The real facts of Herbert Selpin started out to be propaganda for the war at hand and to feed propaganda to the common people of Germany. This led to his own demise or destruction. Although German officials may have had ideas of their own regarding the war, It is also possible that Herbert Selpin contributed to the war to fuel the fire of propaganda.
Why all this information? It is a sobering thought that people in our own world of 2012 that we could be sharing propaganda to those around us. Wow! If there isn't enough evidence that one in history such as Herbert Selpin who fuelled propaganda, and caused his own demise and the emulation of thoughts to others in Germany, then what is?
I know from past experience, people can say words and pass on information which can hurt someone else and cause a war in their own hearts against another person. This may not only bring consequences to their own lives but also the demise of others that they may or may not know personally.
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth
Prov 26:20
1.From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2.Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
James 4:1,2
12Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Matt 7:12
13A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. 14Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Prov 11:13,14
1Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
Exodus 23:1
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity
Prov 21:15
Interesting note: The name “Titanic” could refer to “Titan” of Greek Mythology.
It has been said before the Titanic left the dock that “Not even God could sink this ship.” unfortunately I still have not been able to substantiate this saying, only to say, that it is inserted the “English” had made this remark.
Herbert Selpin was a man which was refused to enter the German army because of a medical problem with his leg which was caused by Polio. He wanted to prove his worth to the German constituents that he was worthy to fight the war of world war two. In his desire to emulate himself to be worthy of being a soldier, he went into film making the most expensive production of the day, “Titanic.” Herbert portrayed England as a nation of greed and extreme wealth and of material gain. This idea would enable Germany to fuel the war toward England not only for the German army but also for the civilians. During the production, Herbert Selphin was arrested because he was reported by Zerlett-Olfenius, his friend and co-writer, to the Gestapo, for calling a meeting of which he made comments which weren’t tolerable toward the Kriegsmarine officers. He was found in his cell of which is believe was suicide, but there have been speculation, he could have been murdered. In the end the film was believed to be completed by Werner Kingler.
The real facts of Herbert Selpin started out to be propaganda for the war at hand and to feed propaganda to the common people of Germany. This led to his own demise or destruction. Although German officials may have had ideas of their own regarding the war, It is also possible that Herbert Selpin contributed to the war to fuel the fire of propaganda.
Why all this information? It is a sobering thought that people in our own world of 2012 that we could be sharing propaganda to those around us. Wow! If there isn't enough evidence that one in history such as Herbert Selpin who fuelled propaganda, and caused his own demise and the emulation of thoughts to others in Germany, then what is?
I know from past experience, people can say words and pass on information which can hurt someone else and cause a war in their own hearts against another person. This may not only bring consequences to their own lives but also the demise of others that they may or may not know personally.
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth
Prov 26:20
1.From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2.Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
James 4:1,2
12Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Matt 7:12
13A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. 14Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Prov 11:13,14
1Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
Exodus 23:1
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity
Prov 21:15
Interesting note: The name “Titanic” could refer to “Titan” of Greek Mythology.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Some are Mixed Up.
There is a mix-up amongst Christians through messages and writings. It is my observation, we take what is said and apply it to others. Brother or sister in Christ, God's word is for you. Before I write or speak I usually consider myself first, taking this in our thoughts, the criticising finger should not come back at me. God has already spoken to me before I write. I cannot write pointing the finger with out first getting rid of what is in my own life or at least be dealing with it before a just God.
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Matt 7:3
Taking this verse into consideration, you may say that there is things in my life which I haven’t dealt with yet. While this is true, if I can be blunt, It's none of your business. Why is this? God deals with us by the grace of God to perfect us to the day when we are called home to be with Him. Therefore what I write I try not to refer to an individual situation but rather from a variety of observations.
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:14.
It isn't a competition to see who is best in front of each other, but rather it is a mark which we need to aim for which is the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 1 Cor 9:24
This is what I am aiming for. We shouldn't be sticking sticks and stones into each other or trying to trip them as we run. We are all running the same way with our faults and failures. Don't point the finger but rather make sure we haven’t got a beam or a log in our own eye which we need to deal with first. My prayerful concern from this writing and message to consider yourself and don't think of me as you ponder this writing but consider your own race toward heaven with God and don't divert to the path of mix-up.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Salty is showing Light
13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matt 5:13-16
8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
12For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
13But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
14Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Eph 5: 8-21
I have been struggling with the reality of light and darkness in the believer in relation to finding scripture to back my thoughts. The reality is to be the very essence of a preservation which is lasting which results in lighting our whole lives for God and exposing the darkness which maybe in others.
We must realise to be lights to each other there must be an understanding that “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Rom 3:23. I think though, we use this as an excuse to do what we want to do to others because God says that we all have sinned. We need to examine ourselves to make sure we are living in the light while exposing others who are walking in darkness, of a truth which may be basic to the Christian walk .
“But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible.” This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Eph 5:1314
We need to wake up from our own sin. We need to face the reality that we are not like we are because we came from a gene from a relative or passed down from a family member. We are like the way we are because of Adam's sin. We need to follow Jesus, in his walk on earth by exposing sin, leading and rebuking when necessary. To bring someone out of sleep out of a darkness which is pronounced in someone's life is true love.
Before one can pronounce a sin by exposing an individual, we need to be careful of a false mind-set It is so easy for us to be wrong when dealing with exposing another’s pronounced sin. Yes, we need to be walking in the light; we need to be the salt of the earth
Can someone show your faults when they aren’t the salt of the earth or showing the light of Jesus in their lives? The answer I believe is emphatically; Yes! Why is this? God will bring someone in your life to show you a particular sin in your life, so that your light will show to the person who has endeavoured to correct your life. It is embarrassing but also effective to change your life to have our faults exposed by a non believer or someone who is walking in darkness.
Final thought: Exposing someone's fault is true love and will make you a better person.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Edify! Don’t throw Mud
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. Gal 6:7
Once Gal 6:7 was made clear to me many years ago, I have endeavoured to be careful about what I sowed. I also in my life's practice with Christ to always speak good of people. On failing because of my sinful nature I came across in my own life a need to come before God for repentance. I believe God forgave me because of my own ignorance in this sin.
During this endeavour of changing my own life before Jesus Christ it wasn't long before mud slinging (mud slinging is criticism against others which isn't true), took place and is still taking place today. Pointing out someone's fault which not only affects my very being and the Holy Spirit is grieved but also has hit barriers in my life's journey which seems impenetrable when pointing this very sin in other peoples lives. We just seem to not get it do we? We will reap what we sow and it doesn't matter if it is good or bad.
It is sad that even the unsaved know this principle in another way “What goes around comes around.” We need to take in of our own selves about what we want to sow. Some of my internet social networks have changed to share the Gospel and Scripture verses to the world over the “World Wide Web.” I Can't express deeply enough that those who know Christ need to change. Yes you! Oh, but what about me? God is working on me daily. Let's not apply to others what you should be learning yourself, rather me, you, we should put into practice what we learn to change others using our Lord Jesus Christ as the best example.
If I may, an illustration is relevant here in my life. Years ago when I was working as a cleaner, a daytime cleaner which was working in the complex left his rubbish trolleys in the way of the rubbish compactors and they were parked in the way of me getting my rubbish through as a night cleaner working for another cleaning business. Because I was so irritated by these trolleys being in the way, I started to tie them up with a piece of rope or string so when he came in the next day he would need to untie them. I thought this was funny, Yes, I thought it was a good joke. Then one night he saw me and though he didn't say anything about the trolleys, he started abusing me because from his point of view I wasn't leaving enough toilet paper in the disabled toilets. After defending myself, he took off into a rage into the building. A few years later, I was visiting a young lady which I knew in the psychiatric ward. God got my attention, there he was, the guy that worked with the trolleys; he couldn't speak but acted out the moving of the trolleys. After leaving there I was depressed knowing I may have contributed to the very fact he was there in the ward. After this, I asked God to forgive me. Don't get me wrong, there were probably other contributing factors related to his mental instability.
What did I sow? I sowed something that wasn't edifying by tying up this man's trolleys. You see, by sharing with others a person is going to reap what they sow is true love. But also what we do can be damaging to someone else.
Many non Christians and Christians know of this verse of scripture of which is at the very top of this page. Lets heed to the scripture because this is true love to show others that edifying is better than sacrificing your life which produces bad reaping.
Once Gal 6:7 was made clear to me many years ago, I have endeavoured to be careful about what I sowed. I also in my life's practice with Christ to always speak good of people. On failing because of my sinful nature I came across in my own life a need to come before God for repentance. I believe God forgave me because of my own ignorance in this sin.
During this endeavour of changing my own life before Jesus Christ it wasn't long before mud slinging (mud slinging is criticism against others which isn't true), took place and is still taking place today. Pointing out someone's fault which not only affects my very being and the Holy Spirit is grieved but also has hit barriers in my life's journey which seems impenetrable when pointing this very sin in other peoples lives. We just seem to not get it do we? We will reap what we sow and it doesn't matter if it is good or bad.
It is sad that even the unsaved know this principle in another way “What goes around comes around.” We need to take in of our own selves about what we want to sow. Some of my internet social networks have changed to share the Gospel and Scripture verses to the world over the “World Wide Web.” I Can't express deeply enough that those who know Christ need to change. Yes you! Oh, but what about me? God is working on me daily. Let's not apply to others what you should be learning yourself, rather me, you, we should put into practice what we learn to change others using our Lord Jesus Christ as the best example.
If I may, an illustration is relevant here in my life. Years ago when I was working as a cleaner, a daytime cleaner which was working in the complex left his rubbish trolleys in the way of the rubbish compactors and they were parked in the way of me getting my rubbish through as a night cleaner working for another cleaning business. Because I was so irritated by these trolleys being in the way, I started to tie them up with a piece of rope or string so when he came in the next day he would need to untie them. I thought this was funny, Yes, I thought it was a good joke. Then one night he saw me and though he didn't say anything about the trolleys, he started abusing me because from his point of view I wasn't leaving enough toilet paper in the disabled toilets. After defending myself, he took off into a rage into the building. A few years later, I was visiting a young lady which I knew in the psychiatric ward. God got my attention, there he was, the guy that worked with the trolleys; he couldn't speak but acted out the moving of the trolleys. After leaving there I was depressed knowing I may have contributed to the very fact he was there in the ward. After this, I asked God to forgive me. Don't get me wrong, there were probably other contributing factors related to his mental instability.
What did I sow? I sowed something that wasn't edifying by tying up this man's trolleys. You see, by sharing with others a person is going to reap what they sow is true love. But also what we do can be damaging to someone else.
Many non Christians and Christians know of this verse of scripture of which is at the very top of this page. Lets heed to the scripture because this is true love to show others that edifying is better than sacrificing your life which produces bad reaping.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
A Tug-of-War
Edited from my first writing. Other early writings from my blog.
What Philip has learned
It is evident from the Bible to have an active sacrifice of the life we had, without the Holy Spirit, so we may have the Holy Spirit living inward and showing outward in our every day life.
In this life of knowledge I find some difficulty because there is so many right things which we can master in our lives which we want to give advice to help others. We can be trapped in our thoughts so vivid that we are doing the right thing only to find out or think, the very essence of the suggestion portrayed is not appreciated.
It is imperative for the one making a suggestion or giving advice is ready also to listen. Listening and speaking can’t be taken on the assumption on the knowledge of the person which a conversation or advice may take place. To be angry at someone for not adhering or to the one giving advice can lead to interruption of a negative nature to the other person.
Can we really have no interruption from Satan who can cause a rift or a split in families and friends? I don’t think so. This is where difficulty lies. It lies in the fact we have the old nature still within us and the Spirit of God is trying to tell us to do the right thing. It’s like a tug-of-war having the old nature pulling us on one end and the Spirit of God trying to lead us on the other end. We need to let go of the baggage which holds us back from winning the war with the flesh and trust in the almighty God, by reading the Bible.
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. James 1:18, 19
What Philip has learned
It is evident from the Bible to have an active sacrifice of the life we had, without the Holy Spirit, so we may have the Holy Spirit living inward and showing outward in our every day life.
In this life of knowledge I find some difficulty because there is so many right things which we can master in our lives which we want to give advice to help others. We can be trapped in our thoughts so vivid that we are doing the right thing only to find out or think, the very essence of the suggestion portrayed is not appreciated.
It is imperative for the one making a suggestion or giving advice is ready also to listen. Listening and speaking can’t be taken on the assumption on the knowledge of the person which a conversation or advice may take place. To be angry at someone for not adhering or to the one giving advice can lead to interruption of a negative nature to the other person.
Can we really have no interruption from Satan who can cause a rift or a split in families and friends? I don’t think so. This is where difficulty lies. It lies in the fact we have the old nature still within us and the Spirit of God is trying to tell us to do the right thing. It’s like a tug-of-war having the old nature pulling us on one end and the Spirit of God trying to lead us on the other end. We need to let go of the baggage which holds us back from winning the war with the flesh and trust in the almighty God, by reading the Bible.
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. James 1:18, 19
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