Posts Tagged ‘ Daniel Klem ’

Getting Out for a Walk

Do not stray from knowledge; rather find wisdom through Proverbial Thought!

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
Philippians 2:12-18

Needing to Go for a Walk

Last week I wrote about my dog and God’s control over our lives. I return to the topic of my dog this week.

My little puppy is a joy to have around . . .

. . . especially when he begins to make a lot of noise.

. . . especially when he nips at our hands and heels.

. . . especially when he tears at furniture and furnishings.

. . . especially when he destroys things.

Usually, there is a simple fix: he just needs to go for a walk!

When all he does is get fed and hang around the home, eventually things build up inside that must be released. He needs to walk around, meet with others, and “release” all that is locked up inside. Only then does he behave well.

Needing to Go for a Walk

We can get the same way in the Church.

Many people grumble and make a lot of noise about what they do not like or how they think things should run.

Many people complain about others, and they begin to gossip and fight.

Many people tear apart relationships and congregations over meaningless squabbles.

Many people destroy their own or their families lives.

You may already know where this is going:

The biggest problem with many in the Church is that they do not get out of the Church enough.

They sit in their chairs and get fed, and they are surrounded by (and even help) others who are constantly being fed. Yet, they almost never step outside to meet others and share what they have been fed and thus lead them to salvation.

14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones 15 to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”16 These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.

17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
Jude 1:14-23

When we hold onto all of the good things God has given us, even attempting to keep His Holy Spirit to ourselves, what really builds up inside is our own selfishness and pride. We build our sin instead of righteousness.

Then we lash out and complain.

All we need to is go Walk.

2013
05/14
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 05/12/2013

Be wise and head over to Proverbial Thought for some wisdom!

 

HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY! You are appreciated and loved through this blog! Thanks for all of your hard work and love mom’s. You have shown us freedoms through your teachings, warnings, and devotion.

We all desire freedom from something.

We are all a slave to something in this life, and we want freedom.

Ironically, freedom can be found when we fully give ourselves over to one thing, allow it to control the way our lives will run.

To what do you give your life over? To Whom do you give your life over?

 

 

 

 

free yourself

 we all live in bondage
a slave to something
we are born slaves to
our wickedness and sin
free yourself
there is no need to suffer
our lives stuck in place
we may be happy here
but joy has no place
free yourself
there is a way to be free
to remove the weight sin brings
turn away from the sin
and make Jesus your King
free yourself
when a slave to the King
true freedom is released
with Jesus Christ in control
there is real joy and peace
so
free yourself

2013
05/12
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Out for a Walk

Be counted among the wise and go read the wisdom found at Proverbial Thought.

Out for WalkiesWP_20130323_002

I currently live in an apartment, for a couple more months, at least. We eagerly await the day we can move into our new home.

Living in an apartment with a dog requires taking many walks for exercise and “potty breaks”.

As we walk along together, I let my puppy scamper around wherever he wishes in the grass and rocks, even letting him choose where he “does his business” on our mini-journey.

Sometimes, he gets a hold of a bone of some sort, a plant with spines or bad fluids inside, or a piece of garbage. I have to take his “treat” out of his mouth, even though he does not care for me doing so and would rather keep this seeming “prize”.

Sometimes, he rolls through something, such as another dog’s waste or some mud. This requires taking a bath as soon as we are back at the apartment, even though he does not care for it at the time and seems to prefer his new smell.

Sometimes he begins to stray into the parking lot, driving lanes, or even the road. I have to pull him back, even though he does not care about it nor necessarily understand why.

No matter what, though, I give him some freedom to choose where he goes on our path. However, I am the one ultimately in control of the path we take. He chooses some of his stops, but I am the one leading the way (even if it sometimes looks like he is!) to get him where I want when I want. When we eventually move into our new home, he will have more freedom to choose when he goes outside.

Human WalkiesWP_20130329_070

In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.
Proverbs 16:9

This is not a debate about theologies. Many of the soteriological theologies agree with what I am about to express.

God treats us much in the same way.

While we live on this Earth, God gives us some freedom of choice in many areas.

We often choose to put things into our minds and bodies that harm us, make our minds, bodies, and souls sick. Sometimes, God has to help us, but it can hurt, be uncomfortable, or even be embarrassing. It is for our benefit to be made healthy and whole.

We often choose to put ourselves in situations that sully our character or reputation. Sometimes, God has to wash us, but it can hurt, be uncomfortable, or even be embarrassing. It is for our benefit to be made clean and pure.

We often choose to stray from the path of righteousness. Sometimes, God has to pull us back to save us, but it can hurt, be uncomfortable, or even be embarrassing. It is for our benefit to be made holy and righteous.

Every step of the way, though we make some choices, God is leading the way. He knows our choices before we make them, but He is in the business of redemption and grace. He leads along the path of life, until He finally takes us to our new Home with Him.

2013
05/07
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 05/05/2013

Find some hope through the wisdom discovered at Proverbial Thought.

A major problem with most of us is that we feel like we have to do things right, clean things up, and live rightly before God can use us or change us. We feel like we have to fill our lives with so many things to help us grow and be better.

If there is one thing Eastern religions have right, it is that we need to clean out. We need to clear out all of the rubble, all of the frustrations, all of the things.

Where those religions fall short is that we must then be filled again.

in emptiness

in emptiness
He can be found
when you feel empty
He fills you up
in times of need
He is there
empty hearts
are where He lives
empty souls
His best friends
in emptiness
He draws you close
in emptiness
He calls out to you
in emptiness
He fills you

with Himself

 

2013
05/05
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Unwelcoming Jesus

Do not be a fool, and go get some wisdom over at Proverbial Thought!

Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman

36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Luke 7:36-50, NIV

Christianity is the most popular religion in the United States of America. In fact, approximately 74% of Americans claim to follow some form of Christianity (found at census.gov).

That is amazing! 74%! That is about three-quarters (3/4) of those living in the USA!

How well do we live up to this?

Welcome or Unwelcome?

Many people look to this passage and Luke and see the love and faith displayed by this woman in Jesus as Messiah.

Most times this passage is used to show how God’s love and grace goes to all people, but those who are painfully aware of their sin are those who are most grateful for the forgiveness they are given.

However, look at what is said about the two people most interested in Jesus here.

“Sinful Woman”:

“she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair”
“this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet”
“she has poured perfume on my feet”

Simon:

“one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him”
“You did not give me any water for my feet”
“You did not give me a kiss”
“You did not put oil on my head”

Simon, a religious leader, comparable to a pastor today, invited Jesus into his home for dinner.

Typically, when you have a guest, you greet them, then you offer something such as a place to put shoes or jackets.

In this case, Simon should have greeted his Guest with a kiss (on the cheek or the lips or, for you Baptists and Nazarenes, with the hands in the form of a good handshake). He then should have offered at least some water to clean His feet and/or some lotion or perfume after having walked around in the sun all day.

Instead, Simon expected his Guest to take care of himself (except for the food, of course). His real intention was to either find out more of this so-called Messiah or to look important for having this great teacher in his home.

Simon disregarded all forms of respect and love to look important. He did not treat Jesus as a welcome guest.

A Land of “Simon the Pharisees”?

How many Americans (or christians from around the world) treat Jesus the same way?

I am sure there are honest people out there who are doing the best they can, and perhaps they are simply living by what they have been taught.

If you look around at this nation, there are a lot of people who invite Jesus into their houses, but they ignore Him most of the time.

We have athletes who thank their Lord Jesus Christ after every game; but they sleep around with various partners, get into drugs and alcohol, or lose all of their money to frivolous and/or dangerous things.

We have politicians who pray in the name of Jesus, but they lie, cheat, and steal from their constituents and government on a regular basis.

We have preachers who use Jesus as a reason for a 501(c)3 status (tax-exempt) and promote a different gospel of good feelings and good intentions.

We have churches as fancy as country clubs where people carry their Bibles to look good and holy, but the only time they spend with Jesus is an hour on Sunday mornings and maybe on Wednesday nights.

We have committees and groups who promote social justice and stopping the liberals/conservatives from destroying the fabric of American society, but they lack love for some of the very people who need love the most.

Remember …

Those who look good or know all the answers tend to be the ones who invite Jesus in to their homes, but it is the people who serve Jesus who are forgiven and accepted by God.

How do you love Jesus? By expecting some of the glory or by humbling yourself and serving others?

2013
04/30
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 04/28/2013

Learn patience and wisdom by going to Proverbial Thought.

Last week I shared a poem about the greatest evidence of love ever shown.

This week is about our response!

Your love amazes me
You fill my senses
and move my spirit
how can i not respond
to an awesome Creator
Who loves me so much
Who loves us all
that He created a universe
and put it in motion
just to come inside it
to create us
to join us
to know us
how can i not respond

2013
04/28
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… For They Know Not What They Do

Give yourself something: get wisdom over at Proverbial Thought.

As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then

“‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!”
and to the hills, “Cover us!”’

For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Luke 23:26-34

You may know where I am going with this, but I am going to continue, anyway.

Jesus had to endure some pretty bad stuff. He went through some of the most torturous agony a person can.

And he forgave His murderers and haters.

Keep in mind, it is our own sin that put Jesus on the cross. Jesus was forgiving you and me with that sentence, as well!

Jesus said other words to us about this subject, as well:

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 6:14-15

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
Mark 11:25

And I’ve Never Been to Boston in the Fall

For over a week now, as of this posting, people have been dealing with the bombing at the Boston Marathon. On Thursday, those responsible were found, and they caused more damage and took the life of a police officer. It left one of them, the older brother, dead, and the younger is now in custody.

I have heard many people, understandably angry, calling for the death of this young man. Some have said torture is justified. Still others have prayed for these brothers to be joined back together in Hell.

What have you said about these men? What thoughts and words have you allowed through your mind and out your mouth concerning these men?

Regardless of the various parts of belief systems within major (and minor) world religions, specifically Islam, their family and friends say these two brothers were twisted in the beliefs by a radical form of Islam.

The point?

These young men were convinced that God’s love for them would grow if they killed infidels. They were led to believe they were doing God’s will.

Do you know what this means?

They did not fully understand what they were doing!

Regardless of what arguments you want to make about their understanding of what they were doing:

Have you ever been so angry with someone (say, these to men, your parents, siblings, friends, that jerk on the road) that you wished ill-will upon them?

Have you ever lusted after another person?

Have you ever desired something so much that you would do anything to get it?

Have you ever loved someone or something more than God?

The short answer is “Yes!”

As I stated above, it was our sin which put Jesus on that cross.

A “yes” to any of those questions above shows your sin (and, yes, we have all sinned: Romans 3).

This means we are all guilty of murdering God.

If He can forgive us for killing Him, our Creator and greatest Lover …

Pray for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, that he may come to know the love of Jesus Christ.

Pray for the family of Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, that they may be drawn to Christ and learn to cope with their loss and this atrocity committed by their family members.

Pray for each of the families and friends who were killed or injured during the bombing and chase a few days later.

Forgive and repent of hatred.

Love.

2013
04/23
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 04/21/2013

Make sure you grow in the wealth of wisdom by going to Proverbial Thought!

What is the greatest expression of love in history?

If you have followed my blog for any length of time, you probably know the answer. (For a hint, just read the title of the poem today)

I love you                   from on a cross

why would anyone love me
why should they choose me
i cannot find a reason
i cannot see why they would

i am a filthy rag
i have covered myself in stains
my life has been wasted
my life has no real value

this thing called me is worthless
this tiny piece of flesh nothing
who could want to love me
i have to ask aloud who could

there is a Being out there
He has heard my laments
He died in my place of pain
just to say to me
I love you

God says that He loves me
God chooses constantly to use me
He only has one reason
He acts in me for His love

He has cleaned this rag
He washed me with His blood
my life in Him has meaning
my life now loves out much

this Savior redeems my soul
this God loves me all the time
if i turn to Him  He helps
if i turn to Him  i am absolved

with God i have real life
with Him is a reason to live
my Lord has shown me love
and it was shown
from on a cross

2013
04/21
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Terrorized People – Still Watching

Do not forget Proverbial Thought. I wrote the one for today, and I think it applies to this post, as well!

By now you may have heard that yesterday afternoon, at the finish line of the Boston Marathon in Boston, Massachusetts, bombs were exploded. At the time I write this, there are three confirmed dead and at least 144 injured.

We need to remember in our prayers all those affected by this evil.

We must also remember those around the world who deal with terrorism and other acts of violence every day.

May we also remember those in the persecuted Church around the world who also deal with these kinds of things every day.

As an encouragement, I am posting a poem I posted on 09/11/2011 that still applies.

still watching

the bombs exploded
the bullets fired
the damage wrought
cannot be measured
those who walk away
are angry with God
most of them wonder
how He could
let their loved ones go
and leave them there
all of those people
are completely unaware
remember God is watching
all of His children
and He cares for each
no matter where or when
it all fits into
His great Plan
because He loves
this thing called man

Taken from simple words for God from a simple man of God by daniel m  klem, page 82.

Loving Father and Lord, let all those affected by the violence and evil of this world feel Your presence today. Not all know You, and many may despise Your Name, but grant everyone affected by loss and pain this week a measure of Your peace and understanding. Help them to grieve. Stretch out Your hand and bring healing to the injured. May they each be drawn closer to You through their pain.

Fill those of us who come into contact with those who are hurting and grieving with compassion, wisdom, mercy, and love, that we may demonstrate Your goodness and hope. Through the violence of this world, may You be glorified as You were through the violence brought against You through the crucifixion. May You also use Your people to offer comfort in their time of need.

We pray these things as Your adopted children through Jesus Christ. Amen.

2013
04/16
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 04/14/2013

First, go find wisdom from Proverbial Thought.

Now, let us worship God!

Your love is astounding
Your grace amazing
i cannot express
how much You have blessed
my spirit and soul
to those who do not know
just how majestic
and yet simplistic
the love that You have
and salvation that
is for every person
offered through Your Son
Who through a gruesome death
and with His last breath
gave praise to the Father
Who forgives forever
all of the many sins
of those who call on Him
and truly repent
of a life misspent
to turn to a God
and true servanthood

2013
04/14
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