Do the do's; don't do the don'ts (Ephesians 5:1-21)

"Lilies in our garden"
Canon Rebel T1i
© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

First I'd like to thank all who prayed for our boardwalk in Ocean Grove (God's square mile).  The boards came, and it's almost done.  Next week Governor Christie is coming to cut the ribbon.  I don't know who did what and how but thanks!  The Lord has provided : )

This morning my husband and I were walking on a local trail.  I looked at the ground and saw sand.  We're miles from the shore here.  Then I remembered all the seashells  I found on top of mountains in Washington state.  It makes no sense unless there really was a flood that washed over all the mountains.  It could've happened in creation but it just seems like a flood thing to me because the shells were already created.  Perhaps the flood created the Grand Canyon as well.  DNA blew away the big bang.  One thing is for sure, God knows.  I'm hoping He'll show us one day how it really happened err from a safe place : )

I am excited to see Scientists and Christian leaders dig into the Bible to figure this all out.   I can only imagine how delighted God must be : )

Walk in Love
1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet- smelling aroma.
We are to imitate God, to walk in love.  We know that God loves us or we wouldn't be forgiven.  He would've walked away before the flood receded.   He could've made a new planet with robot people (I would've hahaha).  But He didn't.  Amazing God, amazing grace.  We must remember this so we don't give up:

23 ...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus...
(Romans 3:23-24 NKJV)

I quote Romans 3:23 to myself when I start feeling bad.

God inspired the Apostle Paul to give us some do's and don'ts.  They're so practical.  You want to live in peace?  Don't be unwise (stupid).  You want to be respected?  Don't be drunk all the time... be honest and helpful.  You want to be happy?  Give thanks to God for what you have.  You want to contribute ideas that are accepted?  Listen to the ideas of others, remember God is with you.  Try and use everyone's ideas not just yours.  Reading through these verses showed me some great stuff.
 
Don'ts vs. 3-6, 15-18

• don't even mention fornication
• uncleanness
• covetousness
• filthiness
• foolish talking
• coarse jesting
• idolatry 
• be unwise
• be drunk with wine
• walk as fools
• speak of the things done in darkness

 Do's vs. 8-21

• give thanks
• stay away from people doing the don'ts
• walk as children of light 
• “Awake, you who sleep,
  Arise from the dead,
  And Christ will give you light.”
• goodness, righteousness, truth 
• have no fellowship with people doing the "don'ts"
• understand what the Lord's will is
• be filled with the Spirit
• speak to one another in psalms, hymns, spiritual songs
• sing
• make melody in your heart to God
• give thanks for all things to God
• in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
• walk circumspectly (cautiously)
• submit to one another in the fear of God
• redeem the time, because the days are evil

3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.
 
Walk in Light
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:
“Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light.”
 
Walk in Wisdom
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
(Ephesians 5:1-21 NKJV)

Love this song : ) by Hezekiah Walker, Every Praise (link)
Giving Christian Musicians some free publicity : )

Clear the path! (Hebrews 12:10-29)

"Taken at the New Jersey Marathon 2010"

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

I finally had the courage to go through all my photographs for the past 4 years, burn them on DVDs and file copies in my database.  Umm there were 200 gigabytes of photos!  Thought I would never finish.  It's time to work on moving forward with my freelancing.  I also saved up and bought some great pens for cartooning.  You may see some new and improved work on my blog : )  My business cards are on the way.  Time to update my main web site next. This is the verse that really got me moving-

"...aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands..."
(1 Thessalonians 4:11 NKJV)  

It's so simple. Yet true. I am so happy to be out of the office cube. I longed to be able to be home in a quiet place just working.  Then one of the neighbor ladies decided she would start some gossip about me. She made up stories about my photography. I tried to show her the flowers I'd shot, but she said  she didn't have time to look.   One of my Mother-in-law's (I have 2- divorce and remarriage...) told me I can't be an artist because there's no money in it.  The other one is thrilled and is my biggest fan (actually my husband is my very biggest fan)!  My Mom was too, before she passed away.  That verse:  "lead a quiet life, mind your own business, work with your own hands."  I gave up on pleasing the money hungry Mother-in-law and the neighbor, decided I'd just work.  Mind my own business, who cares what the gossips think.  They're probably just bored.  Seek quiet.  It's just what I needed.  I've never been so happy.  God gave me my talent so I could share it with others and bless Him back.

Hebrews 12

10 While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God's holy best. 11 At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well–trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.
This reminds me of learning to drive a car. My driving instructor used to say I had a lead foot because I hit the gas pedal too hard. Then I'd forget to signal and confuse other drivers.  And of course there's always the distractions of looking on the floor of the car and not seeing the road at all.  Now these things are natural and easy.  This is what God trains us for, to know how to minister, teach, pray and inspire.  It takes daily quiet times, prayer, perseverance.  It's well worth it.  Honestly, I failed my first driving test and had to take it over the next year.  Don't give up- it'll all come to together if we keep at our relationship with God.

12 So don't sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! 13 Clear the path for long–distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!
I love this and The Message version is great!  Run for it, or sit for it, and run in your heart.  If I don't pay attention to gossips it's not fun for them anymore and they stop.  When I let myself get excited about the Bible and what it says I encourage others to read it too.  AND!  I actually learn more and more about God's Word : )  When I focus on my photography and art, I find purpose and peace.  Who better to inspire my artwork than the Creator Himself?

14 Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse of God. 15 Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. 
Getting along with God is most important in my honest opinion.  

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
(Hebrews 11:6 NKJV)

Can you imagine turning to your husband or wife and saying, "I know you're not real and I can't trust you.  You never do anything right.  So with all my strength, I'll ask anyway, 'Will you take out the trash?'"

Probably won't receive the best response with that one.  God doesn't take that too seriously either.  "Talk to the hand.  The ears aren't listening."  Although I have asked, "God, if You're real will You show me?" and, "Show me the true Church.  I'm confused."  He answered those prayers for me, in a way I understood.

16 Watch out for the Esau syndrome:  trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short–term appetite. 17 You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God's blessing––but by then it was too late, tears or no tears.
Aww, it wasn't just me that wondered about Esau's decision.  To me this is also describing those who know how to accept Jesus as Savior and keep putting it off until it's convenient.  You know when the Broncos aren't playing, and the laundry is done, the grass looks fantastic and I got a raise.  There's no sales at Macy's.  The car is a family/race car.  The kids are perfect.  The boss is on vacation for 6 months...  Don't miss out by not having Jesus as your Savior. I actually found joy in Him : )

18 Unlike your ancestors, you didn't come to Mount Sinai––all that volcanic blaze and earthshaking rumble–– 19 to hear God speak. The earsplitting words and soul–shaking message terrified them and they begged him to stop. 20 When they heard the words–– "If an animal touches the Mountain, it's as good as dead" ––they were afraid to move. 21 Even Moses was terrified.
I didn't realize Moses was terrified.  It makes perfect sense.  It would be frightening to hear a loud voice and see burning bushes.  It would be frightening to approach God without understanding His character.  He longs for us to come to Him, loved us so much He died for us.    

22 No, that's not your experience at all. You've come to Mount Zion, the city where the living God resides. The invisible Jerusalem is populated by throngs of festive angels 23 and Christian citizens. It is the city where God is Judge, with judgments that make us just. 24 You've come to Jesus, who presents us with a new covenant, a fresh charter from God. He is the Mediator of this covenant. The murder of Jesus, unlike Abel's––a homicide that cried out for vengeance––became a proclamation of grace.
Abel was Adam and Eve's son who offered a sacrifice to God.  His brother Cain became jealous because God liked Abel's sacrifice best.  Abel's death was a murder.  Jesus' death was a proclamation of grace, assurance of our forgiveness.

25 So don't turn a deaf ear to these gracious words. If those who ignored earthly warnings didn't get away with it, what will happen to us if we turn our backs on heavenly warnings? 26 His voice that time shook the earth to its foundations; this time––he's told us this quite plainly––he'll also rock the heavens:"One last shaking, from top to bottom, stem to stern." 27 The phrase "one last shaking" means a thorough housecleaning, getting rid of all the historical and religious junk so that the unshakable essentials stand clear and uncluttered.
I feel a revival!  One last shaking!  Woot!  He'll get rid of our sins, misconceptions and focus on the truth.  All will be revealed and the wrong will fade away.  Hallelujah!


28 Do you see what we've got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander. 29 He's actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and he won't quit until it's all cleansed. God himself is Fire.
(Hebrews 12:10-29 Message)

My prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father I lift up my dear friend Lisa who is halfway through her chemo treatments.  I pray You will comfort her and help her find peace and rest.  Heal her body, mind and spirit.  Thank You so much for her.  Father, I lift up Russia, the Ukraine and Syria to You as well.  I pray for Your protection over the people who live in uncertainty and fear.  You are God!  You have a plan.  I trust in You.
In Jesus Name, Amen.