CHOSEN CONFUSION

What does the term confound mean?  Answer: to perplex or amaze, esp. by a sudden disturbance or surprise; bewilder; confuse.  Another answer would be to throw into confusion or disorder. 

"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty” - 1 Corinthians 1:27

In the verse above we can see two different definitions for the word confound.  God has CHOSEN the "foolish" and "weak" things of the world to CONFOUND the "wise" and "the things which are mighty."  God's way of looking at things is so different than we see things.  Believe me, He knows best!  God uses things (foolish and weak) to mold us into His image.  There is often something that gets in the way. . .our pride (wise and things which are mighty).

The Straight & Narrow

Matthew 7:13, 14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

We've all heard the expression, "Stay on the straight and narrow."  What does that mean?  Matthew Chapter 7 gives us some insight into this.  I surmise that before you can "stay" on the strait and narrow, you must first "find" the strait and narrow.  To many Christians today talk about being on the right path when in reality they're walking nowhere near "The" path.  Their narrow mind has fooled them into thinking they're on the narrow path, when in reality they're on the wide path (which leads to destruction).

The reality is, they're yielding to self-will instead of God's will.  They're content with the wide path because it's easier.  God doesn't want us to have a harder path, He wants us simply to be on the RIGHT path. . . . His path! 

Termites invited!

What would you say if you were a homeowner of a beautiful log cabin and someone invited 2 creeping things such as termites to take up residence in your home for 40 days?  What thoughts would go through your head?  Why would you allow/not allow such an insect into your home?  Would your thoughts change if God was the one that allowed such a creeping thing to reside in your wooden home?

My thoughts are driven toward Noah.  In Genesis Chapter 6 Noah is commanded of God to bring two of every kind of "creeping thing" in to the ark (Verse 20).  It dawned on me a couple of days ago that those "creeping things" could/probably contained termites.  Our human logic would have caused us to question God's command.  Let's see. . . . make an ark out of gopher wood. . . . then invite wood eating termites aboard for 40 days and 40 nights.

Too many times we focus on the little things that we "perceive" will throw a wrench in our plans instead of trusting God to work out all the details.  If Noah had of focused on the potential problem of having termites aboard he would have no doubt missed out on God working in the situation.  There is never a time when a wrench is thrown in God's plans.  He knows the beginning and the end and everything in between.

Stay the course God has laid out for you and be not distracted by the little things!

Shadowz

As we were flying from point A to point B yesterday I noticed something interesting. As we were traveling above the desert I could see the shadow of the aircraft 8,000 feet below us. I watched as we flew over sand dunes, buildings, and even water that the shadow continued to move at the same rate, cast in the same location relative to the nose of the aircraft, and that it did not grow in size at all. When we descended toward our destination I couldn't help but notice that the shadow continued at the same speed, but that it also began to grow in size.
As I sat under the wing of an aircraft this yesterday afternoon I started thinking about what I had witnessed earlier today. The shadow of the aircraft I was sitting under was present all around me. What a great illustration of how the Lord is ever present with us I began to think. No matter how far away we get from Him, his shadow remains the same size. No matter how fast we run, He is ever present.
I quickly turned to Psalms 17 when I got back to my office. There the Psalmist expressed in verse 8 and 9, "Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, from the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about."
I am comforted to know that I am under the shadow of the Lord's wings. I'm thankful He put me in just the right position on the aircraft to witness this and be reminded of his love, compassion, and forgiveness He shows me each and every day!

Cold in the desert!

It's beyond my comprehension how I could catch such a bad cold in the desert.  I know I keep my air conditioning cranked down low, but not enough to bring on a cold.  Whether I'm back home or here in the desert, colds are no fun.  Plus I'm guessing the coughing and scratchy throat will be with me for the longhaul while in this sandy place.
Life here goes on I suppose.  If you've ever seen the movie "Groundhog Day," you'd know what life is like here.  Not that I advocate the movie, but the concept of re-living the same day over and over again is so applicable here.
Pray the Lord would make each day refreshing through His Word!

Psalms 62:2 He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.  

As the sand blows here today I am reminded of the ROCK of my salvation which keeps me safe each day.  I'm thankful to be anchored to the Lord Jesus Christ.  In this world there are many winds of doctrine which blow about, trying to blow believers off track.  As the wind has been bustling here throughout the day I can't help but think on these things. 

 

In this world of technology we live in I am thankful for the connections that can be established between to distant places.  Although I can't spend time physically in the same location as my loved ones, I can be there "virtually!"  Either through chat, texting, or email it is great to be able to connect with those whom I desire to fellowship with.
I am reminded of two things today:  the sacrifice of many Americans which facilitates the celebration of Memorial Day; and the technological advances which make my communication with home all the more sweeter.
To my family, thank you for your love and prayers as we endure this time of separation.  You're on my thoughts and in my prayers continually!