Where's the money? (James 9) (Joshua 24:15, Psalm 139:23, James 5:1-11, 1 Tim 6:10)

Hi everyone-

I'm back.  Sometimes I take a break without realizing it : )  After I wrote about fake reality on TV, I realized I needed to get outside myself.  Funny how God does that.  So, my husband and I planted a garden in our little courtyard.  I've learned to pick off the "deadheads."  Not a rock band at all.  It's actually when the blooms die on the plant.  As I was outside wondering why there were so many deadheads, I made friends with some of the neighbor ladies.  It's been fun.  Soon we may even have an iced tea party : )  And, yeah, I'm a Walmart shopper.  They have a nice Nursery and low prices.  Walmart also has great prices for groceries.

"God's the most amazing Artist of all"

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

"Charlie" our planter, finally has flowers.

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

"Marigolds, Petunias and uh....Impatience!"

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

"Fire thing- 'Chiminea,' Petunias, Hastas and flowers : )"

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

The New Jersey Boardwalks are coming back.  Gov. Chris Christie set it up that we would break a world record by extending a tape for 5 miles and then cut it.  He did this at the Seaside Heights Boardwalk which opened on Memorial Day.  We haven't been out there yet.  The weather has been very pleasant with cool air and very few high humidity days.

I'm trying to juggle my housework better by doing one thing a day.  So today I planned to sweep and put away the laundry I washed yesterday (that's 2 things- tomorrow is another day).  I set my glasses down at some point.  So I prayed, "Father, I don't know where they are again.  Sorry!  Could you show me?"

Sure enough I had an urge to look at my husband's recliner.  There they were. When I reclined, I squished the glasses and popped out a lens.  As I was thinking I'll never find the little screw to put it back in. I noticed it was still in place.  "Thank You Father, Your love never ends."  Can't wait to see the look on His face when we all go to Heaven.  You too?  No more eyeglasses : )

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Psalm 139:23 NIV

As far as the garden, I told my husband that this is my first try.  We may lose the rose or something, but we'll learn how to do better next year.  Err... I learn best by trial and error.  He's very patient.  After 30 years in business, I learned even I can garden : )

"Roses to remember our Moms and Grandmas"

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

James 5:1-11

Back to James now.  This section of James starts out referring to rich people.  Money in itself isn't evil.  It becomes evil when we love it above all else.

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!  2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. 4 Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.  5 You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you. 
This sounds like what we're experiencing in the USA.  Probably in Europe too.  The government collected taxes.  Employers cut wages to keep their profit margin as high as possible.  Profit must be met for the business owners, and high level officials.  The cost is people's jobs and income.  I believe there are still some companies that won't allow the profit margin to stay above what the company produces.  But I'm sure it's only a few.  

That's one reason people lose jobs.  Another is unions that have created their own profit margin on top of the company's.  The economy is bad for businesses for sure.  It would be great to see business leaders and others who are able to bend in the storms, and not break us.  I don't know how that would happen.  Healthcare issues are not helping at all right now and it's definitely the wrong time to raise taxes.  The verses above describe how God feels about this.  Only God can set this mess straight.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
1 Timothy 6:10

This verse describes how money can become more important than it should to us. Have to admit though, I think most of money when I don't have any. It's a miserable feeling. We are doing fine. But my heart goes out to those who are still struggling.  When I am able to put my faith in God and just surrender, I find new strength.

 
7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 
We must all be patient and innovative.  Americans are a "resilient" (and stubborn) group of people. We have wealthy and poor people in our country who still care about others.  People God can use to help us out.  Nothing is impossible for Him.  And there's the day of His second coming to earth when we will meet Him in the clouds.  It could be soon, but it will be a surprise for all of us.
 
9 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! 10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord — that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
NKJV
We were reading about Jonah on this blog awhile ago.  He went through a lot for sure!  The key in these verses is to not let money become our god.  To me it's saying not to try and put the blame on others but try very much to have faith in God.  He helped me find my glasses in our house today : )  We should never give up, He is full of surprises.

I wake up to either hard rock or Christian music (my husband plays it all on his iPod).  This was the one I heard yesterday morning.  I just had to share it.

Gonna Be Alright, Newsboys (link)