11
Jun '15
Turtle Talk
11
Jun '15
God encounters us in a way we can understand. But we must take the time to listen and make space to listen. I have been told that researchers have conducted studies on the communication and conversation patterns of a breed of river turtles in Brazil’s Amazon territory. This research has yielded recordings of over 250 distinct sounds between a group of hatchling turtles and their mother. They were able to categorize this conversation into 6 different groups corresponding according to the behavior observed as a consequence of the “turtle chatter.” Now the communication elements are not definitive in their meaning, but it has become clear to researchers that information is being exchanged between the mother turtle and her babies. What some scientists have concerned themselves with is the noise pollution created by a growing level of modern civilization and heavy machinery that brings conflicting and distractive sounds to their world.
God speaks to us also. Not always in long soliloquies or eloquent orations, but God often speaks to us in a still small voice that can also be susceptible to distracting voices and sounds. These world manufactured distractions take us away from finding and hearing God’s voice spoken to our spirit. In Psalm 46:10 scripture tells us this, “10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” In this scripture, God lets us know of His awesome power; that he will be exalted among all people and throughout the entire world! Yet the Word of God starts with, “Be still and know…”
It is when we get in a place and a time of quiet peace that we can hear the voice of God speaking to us and telling us things that bring an intimacy to our relationship with God. Just as the baby turtles have to be in a place and time to be able to stop, hear and recognize the voice of Mama Turtle (Away from the noise of the world), we need to do the same with our Father who has opened up His line of communication through His Word and by the medium of the Holy Spirit speaking to our spirit. That is why it is so important to find a place of isolation and spend time with God before we leave our domicile in the morning, entering into the world with distracting activities and voices. Take time each morning and find a place where God’s voice becomes clear and His Words begin to speak to you.
Be blessed and be grateful,
Pastor Chris
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11
Jun '15
Talking Points
11
Jun '15
Do you believe in Conspiracies? Society is fascinated with them! Did George Bush order the 911 attacks? Did we really land on the moon? What is in Area 51? Or is it Area 54? Are the Bilderberger’s & Rothschild’s getting ready to take over the world thru the Illuminati? Who is the Anti-Christ, really? And, who drank my Sunkist that was in the fridge?
From Watergate to the IRS scandal and beyond, many people live from one conspiracy to another, latching on to the latest cloak and dagger theory. Some conspiracies have merit and some do not. But because we see silly conspiratorial theories come forth, some have taken the pendulum the other way and think there is no merit to any conspiratorial tales (unless it goes against something they happen to dislike). One thing that we certainly need to be careful of is becoming like “Paranoid Rob Lowe”, thinking that the government is putting microphones in our cheese!
Well then Pastor, do YOU believe there are conspiracies? Absolutely…I know there are dark agents that make up conspiratorial elements in our world. In our political system, the very fact that groups put out TALKING POINTS (whether believed true or not) reveals people who conspire for the determined goal of putting themselves into power! Regardless, the idea that there is a sinister force behind what we see going on in our world today has become a bit of a joke in the minds of some. The Christian Church needs to accept some of the blame for that due to all of the “date setting” regarding the imminent return of Christ. However, that does not mean that we do not face forces behind the scenes conspiring against us. For the Bible is clear that we do.
In Ephesians 6:10-12, we read ”Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[c]against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” [CONSPIRACY] The Devil conspires against God and God’s people daily, and Satan has his own “Talking Points” to do so. Later in that chapter, verse 16, we are told to take the shield of faith in order to quench the “fiery darts” [TALKING POINTS] of the enemy. In fact, to be a follower of Christ is to know we have an enemy that conspires against the Cross of Christ and those who believe in it. Be reminded what the Apostles tells us in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” We can fight back… More later.
Be blessed and be grateful,
Pastor Chris
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