Obama's heart or agenda?

I am greatly concerned over the stand our pres has taken in Libya. I am forthrightly delighted Congress is hesitating to arm the rebels there because we just do not know who they are. We hear what they are saying every evening, but are they speaking truth or just what the Americans want to hear?

News reporters spoke with Egyptians who hated America along with other Arabs in the other countries (there are so many it is hard to keep up) where the civil unrest has made news since January. In Tunisia, where it seems it all began, the folks there were organized enough to set up food lines to feed the rebels and refugees from Libya. Their focus was just humanitarian, but it was very well organized, almost too organized.

So, why did Obama publicly declare the date we would be pulling our troops from Iraq?

Why did Obama turn a blind eye to murder and torture of peaceful Iranian protesters who wanted fair elections in 2009? Why did Obama ignore the molestation of an American reporter in Egypt?

Now the Muslim Brotherhood is ruling Egypt. How is that good for the U.S.?

I watched Obama postulate on March 28 about how some countries could sit by and watch innocents be maimed and tortured (not exactly his words), but America is different. What is see is the U.S. President putting our brave soldiers in harm's way for something that has no vested interest in U.S. security or welfare.

This has set a pattern for the democrats, Bill Clinton embroiled us in a war/police action in the Balkans because Milosevic was committing genocide and ethnic cleansing. That had no harm to the U.S. whatsoever. Yet, when Stalin and Lenin were doing the same, the U.S. sat by and watched because the U.S. does not have an interest in regime change... However, those very words came out of Obama's mouth Monday night.

Here is the crux. We have already spent $1 trillion in Iraq and Afghanistan which have proven to be grounds of terrorist activities and terrorists are actively moving against the U.S. and have attacked us on our soil. There is money well spent, I believe, especially when I know my grandchildren (when I have some) will be able to sleep safely in their beds at night.

I can plainly see, even though I'm not privy to diplomatic cables or military secrets, there is an agenda to pave the path toward less moderate regimes led by Muslim Brotherhood in the Arab nations. We have seen a river of passion pouring across these Muslim nations with an organization unprecedented, but to what end?

Let's not forget that these leaders who are ousted and being ousted have had good relations with the U.S. as well as being somewhat calm when faced with Israel. The hate that is bubbling under the surface of this unrest has a heat source which is America and Israel. In order for the Anti-Christ to rise to power in a bloodless coup, these Arab nations must be united and the best way for multiple countries to unite is to have a single enemy.

What is happening now is pivotal.

4 cups of the Passover

(This is from my friend Wayne whom I met in my online Bible study at Studylight.org)

I completely agree regarding Passover as a picture of the wedding. Here is my understanding of the meaning of the 4 Cups of the Passover meal.

Exodus 6: 6 "Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, 'I am the YHWH, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage. I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.
7 'Then I will take you for My people, and I will be your Elohim; and you shall know that I am YHWH your Elohim, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
8 'I will bring you to the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you for a possession; I am YHWH.'"

The Four Cups of the Passover are Four "I Wills"

1. “I will bring you out” – Yatsa – the Cup of Sanctification/Kiddush
2. “I will rescue you” – Natsal – the Cup of Deliverance
3. “I will redeem you” – Ga’al – the Cup of Redemption
4. “I will take you as my people” – Laqach (take) – the Cup of Praise/Acceptance

The cool thing is the Cup of Praise and the word Laqach, take.

It is the same word meaning to take a bride.

Examples:

Gen 24: 51 "Here is Rebekah before you, take (laqach) her and go, and let her be the wife of your master's son, as the LORD has spoken."

Leviticus 21: 13 'He shall take (laqach) a wife in her virginity."

I believe the 4th Cup of the Passover is the Cup that Messiah will drink with us in the Kingdom, at the wedding feast of the Lamb:

Matthew 26: 29 "But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."

Question: Why does Jesus want to marry the Bride?

The Wane of Etiquette

I found the most delicious book on etiquette written by Sarah Anne Foster in 1869 or somewhere thereabouts. It is public domain and an ebook which can be found by clicking on the post title.
Never smack the lips when eating.

Never take a long, deep breath after you finish eating, as if the exercise had fatigued you.

Never make noises in your mouth or throat.

Never suck your teeth, or pass your tongue round the outside of your gums.

Never, even with cheese, put your knife into your mouth.

Never pick your teeth, or put your finger into your mouth. If you find you have a fish-bone in your mouth, cover your lips with a napkin to remove it. It is better to be very careful to remove all bones before putting fish into your mouth. On no account spit the bones out upon your plate.

(I did read an article on how Alexander Pope went to a dinner party and spit out the searing bite of potato saying, "A man would be a fool to keep that in his mouth! Of course, he lived in the eighteenth century.)


Never take the bones of fowl or birds up in your fingers to gnaw or suck them. Remove the meat with your knife, and convey it to your mouth with your fork, never being too eager to clean off every particle of flesh.

Wipe your finger tips, if soiled, upon the table napkin, never upon your tongue or the table-cloth. An elegant eater will never have occasion to think of his fingers.
Never use the table-cloth to wipe your mouth, you might as well use it in place of your pocket handkerchief.

Never remark upon what is placed before you, either in praise or dispraise of it.

Neither drink nor speak when you have anything in your mouth.

When you are helped, begin to eat, without regard to those who have already, or have not yet, been helped.

Never watch the dishes as they are uncovered, nor make any exclamation when you see their contents. Under no circumstances tuck your napkin, bib-fashion, into your shirt collar. Unfold it partially and put it in your lap, covering your knees. A lady may slip a corner under her belt if there is danger of its slipping upon her dress, but a gentleman must be awkward indeed if he lets his napkin fall upon the floor.

No gentleman will ever settle himself in his chair, pushing back his cuffs, as if for a "set-to," at the table.

If you make any general remark, do not look up at the waiters to see what effect it has upon them. If they are well-trained they will not move a muscle at hearing the most laughable story, nor will they give any sign whatever that they have not closed their ears like deaf adders to all that has been going on. In any case, however, you must refrain from noticing them. If you want anything, take the occasion of a waiter being near to you, to ask for it in an undertone. To shout out "Waiter!" or order one about, as if you were in a restaurant, is a certain mark of ill-breeding. Unless the party is a very small one, general conversation is impossible. In such a case, you must converse with those on either side of you, not confining your remarks exclusively to one.

As I have been reading this most enlightened etiquette book, I have noticed such a drastic and, sorry to say, great chasm between the mid-nineteenth century and today. Not just in years, but in everything that is genteel and courteous. I read these dos and dont's and I can remember my mother teaching some of them to me, like a gentleman should always remove his hat in church. When I grew up, gentlemen did not wear hats. They were called caps and baseball was always said in front of it. Baseball cap. I remember gentlemen opening doors for me and greatly watching their language when I was in the room. Now, I see all kinds of foul things on the internet and within my hearing if I'm not careful about what movie I'm watching.

It makes me want to cry out, "Oh, Jesus, come quickly!" Then the faces of people I love flash in my memory. People I know do not have Jesus in their hearts and I say, "Wait, Lord Jesus, get them; gather them like a hen gathers her chicks. Continue just a little longer until they finally get it." So I will bear the crassness of today, just so the lost will have a bit more time to come home.

Bombing in Jerusalem

I received an update from Chosen People Ministries this morning; and I want to share it with you all.

Dear Gina,

I wanted to share with you this first-hand report from Michael Z., director of Chosen People Ministries' work in Israel:

We heard the terrible explosion near the Jerusalem Bus Station, which is located just a half mile from our home. The first news from the field showed that it was a suitcase packed with explosives that exploded just outside the bus stop, injuring at least 30 people and killing one. There is Jewish blood spilled on the streets of Jerusalem; the blood of people whose only crime was being born Jewish is again crying to the world in an effort to be heard and understood.

This attack comes after a few days of intense bombing from the Gaza strip. Recently, almost 50 missiles fell in one day in the Ashkelon area, and the next day two Grad missiles landed in Beer Sheva and injured several people. In addition, a week ago Israel was shocked by the cold-blooded murder of five people from one family - a husband, wife and three children were stabbed to death in their sleep. The youngest child was only a few months old.

We are shocked and saddened by this violence, but we know that there is still a hope for our people despite all the attempts of the enemy - this hope is in Yeshua (Jesus), and we are praying for the day all Israel will recognize Him as Messiah.

Please pray with us, and may God bless you.

Thankfully, all of Chosen People Ministries' staff workers in Israel are safe and sound. Pray for the Lord to open witnessing opportunities for us in the midst of this unstable time in the Holy Land.
To get the most up-to-date news from Chosen People Ministries in Israel and around the world, please join us on Twitter and Facebook, where we will be posting daily updates.
In Messiah,
Mitch

Did you know God has commanded to pray for peace in Jerusalem?

Psalm 122:6  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you.

Isaiah 62:6  I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent, 7  And give Him no rest till He establishes And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

The blessing is a settled heart and abundant living. The underlying blessing is those who obey the LORD will always stand under the open windows of Heaven. God promised that every nation which loved His chosen people, which befriended His beloved nation of Israel would have His blessing.

Kay Arthur made a startling observation in her book, "My Beloved Israel", when she illustrated how each country that mounted a massive expulsion of the Jews eventually fell into ruin. From Judah to Rome (Constantine enveloped the Roman Empire) to Spain, to the Russian Czar Alexander's assignation, to Germany's fall in WWII. There are more examples and you can look them up. 

Even though God has said there will be no peace until His Son comes again, we are to pray for peace. 

Ezekiel 13:16  that is, the prophets of Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and who see visions of peace for her when there is no peace,' " says the Lord GOD. 

Zechariah 9:10  I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim And the horse from Jerusalem; The battle bow shall be cut off. He shall speak peace to the nations; His dominion shall be 'from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth.'

Pray for peace in Jerusalem, and pray that the United States will no longer tread this path of removing support from Israel. Being friends with Israel is the only hope for the U.S.

The Wedding Principle

I have read about twenty translations of Song of Solomon 8:6. The paraphrases do not seem to get that this verse is from the Ketubah or the Marriage Contract. I have heard at least a hundred sermons on how our relationship with Jesus is as a betrothal between the groom and the bride, but I haven't heard much at all on the contents of the marriage contract, or the Ketubah.

It’s fascinating, in a word.

The original purpose of the ketubah was to protect the wife and children in case something ever happened to the husband and papa. In ancient times, the family of the husband could just absorb the whole estate leaving the wife and children with nothing. In Jewish thought, this is tzedek, or justice.

In the ketubah the bride and groom did not sign the document, but the two witnesses attested to the promises made by the groom who would speak the words out loud to the bride and then would drink from the goblet of wine, then offer it to her. The wine represented the groom’s blood and offering it to his betrothed was the symbolic gesture that he would give up his life for her. When she took the goblet and drank it, she was telling him, the witnesses, and all who were present that she accepted his life and his promises. Thus the betrothal was complete.

I was going to finish this tonight, but it's just not going to happen...

The Jewish Wedding depicts our relationship with God

I have so often been intrigued by the ceremonial Jewish wedding. The significance of how the wedding rituals relate so closely to our relationship with God is astounding to me.

My problem has been trying to find a source of explanation that uses the full Bible rather than starting at the belief then trying to fit the facts to the belief system. Several have excellent premises then falter when it comes to fitting biblical facts to their own belief system so the whole tumbles down because of faulty interpretation. An example if this is here.


I did find Don Ratcliff's "Jewish Wedding in Bible Times" which gives some insight.


The arrangements made before the betrothal (Fiddler on the Roof) required a matchmaker. The first one in the Bible is God who created Eve for Adam. The next one recorded is Abraham's servant sent out to find the bride for Isaac (Genesis 24).

Adam paid a most personal bride price--his rib. Abraham paid a bride price rich with gold and with life (the camels etc.), but more importantly, God answered the Abraham's supplication and the servant's prayer by showing him who He had chosen for Isaac's wife.

Then comes the question put to Rebekah, "Would you go with this man?" She said, "I will go." This is a point often missed because it indicates the willingness of the maid for the betrothal. She is asked and she says yes. Her willingness to be betrothed was crucial and planned for before this point because the Abraham told his servan if the woman refused to come, then the oath was canceled.

How interesting...

If she refused, the servant would not be held to his oath. What was it? To go to the country from which Abraham came to his family and take a wife for Isaac. If she refused then the servant would not have to bring the bride home to Isaac.

This meant that God only desired a willing bride. Rebekah was fully cognizant of what was required of her in this betrothal. She placed her trust in the servant of Abraham and faith that Isaac would be a good husband. She stepped out on faith.

But, let's not put too much awe into this. She saw the abundance of the camels, the silver, gold and clothing which told her that this was a rich man and not just something for show. She was willing to fill the troughs for ten camels to drink. That was considerable work considering thirsty camels can drink anywhere from thirty to fifty gallons of water. Rebekah drew water until the camels were satisfied. She most likely did this as part of her every workaday world. However we must note that camels can go as long as seven months without drinking water, so she might not have had this hard work on an everyday basis. Regardless of her other duties, going with Abraham's servant, she would be a princess so to speak and her status would be exponentially increased. It didn't take her long to recognize this.

So we have a betrothal with the willingness of the bride as priority. (Please read the comments to this post because the discussion is very interesting.)

What other parallels have you seen in this Genesis story that depicts our relationship with God?

Blessed by Kelly Beaver, 2001

Blessed

My soul shines bright
With Jesus' light
As He gently guides me through
A life of trials
and joys and smiles
and things that I must do.
He found me mired,
Distraught and tired,
'Midst the rushing tide of sin;
He reached out and
He grabbed my hand
And pulled me out again.
He'd not condemn
me of my sin
But offered me His grace;
He'd died for me
at Calvary
With love, He took my place.
My heart now sings,
my soul has wings
my mind and spirit glow
My life is blessed --
Who would have guessed
Such happiness I'd know?
and now...
He gives me voice
to pose the choice
to those who have not heard
The Good News of
His precious love
Spoke loud; without a word.
Kelly Beaver, 2001

I have not heard from Kelly in a very long time, we've lost touch over the years. How often that has happened to me. Sweet friends that I remember with such poignant fondness have large places in my heart and memory, but sadly I do not write or call. Praise God one day we will all be in Heaven, and after about the first million years of sitting at my Lord's feet, I'll look them all up and we'll catch up with hugs and smiles and I be able to tell them all how much I love them... how much they all have enriched my life.

Christians are hate-filled hypocrites and other lies you've been told

I've been studying this work by Bradley R. E. Wright, and reference it a lot because there is so much truth to be found. I reviewed it on my review blog when it first came out.

Frankly, statistics can be molded to make any point you want. It is all in how you word the question. On another blog, someone wrote that he could get the exact answer you wanted if you gave him carte blanche in wording the questions.

Recently I have noticed so many using statistics and tweaking them into what they want, rather that facing bald facts. Politically, we should be acting like Paul when he wrote the Corinthians in his first letter...

1Corinthians 11:18  Indeed, first, I hear divisions to be among you when you come together in the assembly. And I believe it in some part. 19  For also heresies need to be among you, so that the approved ones may become revealed among you. 


There is something there, but wait until the smoke clears before charging into a situation (or quote a statistic). How often do we hear something shocking, form an opinion, then run around shouting/gossiping a message that may or may not be true? What usually happens is we hear a stat from one source, and a few days later the same stat from another source until the thing becomes true without having ever been checked out in the first place.

We've lived in this Soap Opera generation where drama is the norm, therefore shock value has sky rocketed. 


If I had ever turned in a newspaper story without fact checking, I'm sure I'd have gotten more than a slapped wrist. But, I had already learned my lesson before that could ever happen. When the truth is known, not even Satan can shout you down. There is something about truth that stops the mouths of liars, and something about liars who will deny truth or believe truth is a lie simply because of their own nature.


Unfortunately, there is this thing going around in the political circles which is growing like cancer. Twisted Truth, which is actually a lie, is being used to clog the cogs of justice. When all a person has to do is accuse without presenting any evidence, there is something horribly wrong with the system. It isn't a new thing, either. It is pervading our culture and is insidiously creeping into our churches, harming our pastors and undermining church leadership. It reminds me so much of the Salem Witch Hunts... modicum of truth wrapped with gargantuan lies, and people lost their lives. 


Question: Have you ever experienced this kind of accusation in your work or in your church?

The Groom, the Bride, and the Bridesmaids

Several years ago, I wrote a post about this parable found in Matthew 25:1-13. Jesus used so many parables to teach the principles and each one is rich with cultural background as well as spiritual truths.

Matthew 25:1 Then the kingdom of Heaven shall be compared to ten virgins who taking their lamps, went out to a meeting of the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five foolish.
3 Those being foolish, taking their lamps, did not take oil with them.
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 But the bridegroom delaying, all nodded and slept.
6 And at midnight, a cry occurred: Behold, the bridegroom comes! Go out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins were aroused and prepared their lamps.
8 And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, No, lest there not be enough for us and you. But rather, go to those who sell and buy for yourselves.
10 But they going away to buy, the bridegroom came. And those ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut.
11 And afterwards, the rest of the virgins also came, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But answering, he said, Truly I say to you, I do not know you.
13 Therefore, watch, for you do not know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man comes.

There are as many interpretations of this parable as there are Bible scholars. I have always been intrigued by the Jewish Wedding Ceremony coming first when I saw Fiddler on the Roof, and wondered why the groom stomped the glass (recalling the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem). But why the groom? Something we will have to explore soon.

I have prayed for understanding about Jesus’ parables over the years and there are some things that I have noticed about this one. The first thing to take note of is this is not about the Bride. Jesus is describing what it will be like when He is bringing His bride, not coming to His Bride. He says the lesson is to watch and be ready for no one knows the hour or the day in which He will come!

Who is the Bride of Christ? It is the church, of course. So, this story isn’t really about the Bride. However, if  the Bride lived too far away for her friends to come, then it was necessary for the Groom to provide “ladies in waiting” for the Bride or if she had no friends to go with her. These girls were waiting for the Groom to bring His Bride to his home for the Seven Days within the chador (chamber) or chuppah (honeymoon chamber). The Bride of this parable lived too far away for them to be with her during the wedding ceremony. They were provided by the Bridegroom to bring comfort to the Bride to light the way for the Groom and His Bride in case they arrived during the night, therefore the lamps. What happens during the Seven Days, one need only read the Song of Solomon. These seven days correspond to the days between the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement. The Feast of Trumpets Rosh Hashanah which occurs on the first and second day of Tishri and is the Jewish New Year which I talk about in my post Day of the Shofar Blast.

I have been lost in homesickness. You know, that aching and longing to be with the One you know the best in all the world.

I go to church and love studying our lessons about how God is God. He doesn't need us but we need Him desperately. I sing with all my heart that He is my All in All. I study about the travails of Jesus as a baby when Joseph had to take his little family to Egypt to get away from Herod while my dear pastor preaches from Matthew and Luke.

I laugh and chat with my friends at church before we go out to eat, often time seeing people we know and love, laughing and chatting with them.  On the way home one Sunday, this wave of missing my dad washed over me. I miss him so much. Then I thought jealously about where he is and Who he is laughing and chatting with. A yearning so deep and so poignant rushed through me. I cried out, "Come, Lord Jesus, come and get me and take me to my real home, Father!"

Studying the Bible, studying for these columns, and praying seems like it would be enough, but it is not. I am not satisfied. I want more. Nothing here satisfies. There are instant gratifications that satisfy some people for seconds smoking, alcohol, sex. They consume time with thoughts and with actions but they do not last even a tenth of the time that satisfaction lasts from true worship of my God. Sin has a way of enticing but not fulfilling.

Nothing here satisfies....

I have family, and it is sweet. I have a ministry and it is sweet. I teach Sunday School. I sing in the choir, yet, that is not enough. It is enough that Jesus died for me and that He has saved me. Yet, I know in my Spirit there is more, so much more and I yearn for my Beloved Bridegroom.

NPR Execs have foot in mouth disease

The conservative activist James O'Keefe posted a video of National Public Radio's president of fundraising, Ron Schiller, saying nasty things about conservatives and the Tea Party. Evidently, he has a major problem with foot in mouth disease because he said members of the Tea Party are racists. Then he retracted that statement, issued an apology and said that wasn't his own personal belief.


This is  nauseating because it only stereotypes sales people as liars and our verbiage is only that of what you want to hear. Poppycock! I'm disgusted with Schiller's statements and his actions. It doesn't matter that he had already resigned from his position. He met with two activists posting as members of a Muslim group for purposes of raising $5 million for NPR which they had offered. 

What was he doing meeting with them when he had already resigned?


This is a clear example of honesty being the best policy always. Handling oneself within the highest of ethical standards is the best cure for foot in mouth disease.

DEMS file complaint against Gov. Scott Walker

Remember that phone call from a blogger posing as campaign contributor David Koch? Oh, yeah, that was really funny... Almost as funny as filing so many bogus ethics complaints against Sarah Palin she stepped down from the governorship of Alaska so the tax payers of Alaska would not have the foot the millions of dollars of legal fees for ethics investigations. Before she left office those fees totaled more than $2 million which she states in her book "Going Rogue". I reviewed it here.

This is proof that what Sarah Palin went through is the kind of thing that ALL Republicans will go through when they stand up for what is right and good in this nation. It is a wicked and dishonest trick to weigh down the Republican governor to waste tax payer dollars that Wisconsin doesn't have. How stupid is that?

These tricksters do not care that we must pay our bills and we must live within our means but these Demo-rats think and act otherwise.

This is another campaign designed to blow smoke in the eyes of the general public and to create the look of a fire when there is nothing there. It worked really well for them against Sarah Palin, so now they are trying the same tactic with Scott Walker. What happened to the promise of no wild rhetoric? 

Democrats and Socialists' thought process indicates a future economic collapse unless something drastically changes. When will The People realize that? How long will it take the teachers, police, firefighters and government workers to understand THERE IS NO MONEY to pay their collective bargained salaries?

Can you say "I forgive you"?

When someone hurts you, can you tell if it was intentional or if it was in reaction to something or someone other than you? Do you snap back without even thinking it through? I've done it plenty of times and to my dear sweet mother, too!

Well, when a brother or a sister has a field day with your feelings...

First, pray. Ask God for guidance in how to respond. You know He'll say, forgive. That's a given when dealing within the Body. Don't even think differently because Jesus spoke plainly about that to Peter.

Second, tell your sibling exactly how you feel. Do not let the sun go down on your anger! Be as direct and as explicit as you can, but spread it all over with kindness and don't be mean. You must consider that the hurt should stop with you and not let it keep spreading like cancer. Is that the way the world behaves? Of course not. Is that the way your Father would have you behave? Of course.

Third, when an apology comes forth, it does not matter how it comes, accept it graciously and then let the thing go!

Holding grudges only makes you miserable and completely spoils your peace and totally destroys the beautiful relationship with Father. It is so self-absorbed and self-directed.

Rejoice in having your sibling restored to you! Listen... you will spend eternity with this sibling so you might as well learn how to get along while still here on earth. Amen? Come on and say AMEN!

How has forgiving someone transformed your life? 

Stolen from a Facebook friend

figured out why I'm fat! The shampoo I use in the shower that runs down my body says "For extra volume and body". I'm going to start using "Dawn" dish soap. It says "Dissolves fat that is otherwise difficult to remove".
please repost if u agree

Thank you, Barbara!

 

What do you consider stealing?

For that matter, what is lying and are we allowed to do it in certain circumstances?

Rahab told a couple of lies to the Jericho police who were searching for the two men who were spying out the land by order of Joshua. James says she was justified by her works for the men of Israel (James 2:25). One could make the argument that lying is a lack of faith, but James and the author of Hebrews clearly state Rahab acted on faith.

We could split hairs here and say that the command in the ten commandments is "thou shalt not bear false witness". However, God says that lying lips are an abomination in His sight. So is lying relative?

What about stealing? I have been having problems with security on my computer. It seems to be too secure. I can't copy/paste something from another website to blog about it. The "accelerator" doesn't accelerate. Was that God "saving me from sin" by blocking my ability to "steal" something from another website?

I remember sitting in church one Sunday with worship on my mind. Bro. Kriss is preaching on the 10 commandments and we got to "You shall not steal".

You know, I really thought I was an honest person until Sunday's sermon.

Yes. I have taken pens and notepads and calendars from work to use at home. Oh, not like slipping a handful into my pocket, or anything like that. I just stick it behind my ear or in my notepad and think nothing about returning it to work. I've taken calendars for organization. I've used work internet for writing blog entries.

There are so many ways we rationalize and justify the things we do that maybe aren't entirely wrong but are still on the shady side of right. Okay, so I did put in a huge amount of overtime with no comp time or salary upgrade. That still doesn't make it right, does it?

Just when you get to thinking you've got a handle on living Christ-like, along comes God and pretty much slaps you on the wrist to say: "You aren't there, yet. Keep working. Keep striving. You are still under construction."

That, my siblings, is very humbling. It isn't painful, but crow doesn't taste very good no matter how well it's served.

What do you consider is stealing? Lying? Are there gray areas?