Thought the world might want to know.

Does God Still Speak Today? (Continued)

I fully intended to write about times I've felt that God has spoken to me. 
I started the post. 
It's currently saved in my drafts...It might eventually be deleted. 
I just can't quite get it together. 

Personal experiences can be...well just that.  Personal. 
They could be misunderstood.
People could think I'm completely nuts.  (they might be right)

(listening to voices in my head)
(things that defy logic)
(dreams - or maybe I was partly awake)  

Experiences in village churches where I couldn't even understand the preacher.
Signs on trees.
Did I mention those voices in my head?   Or the things that cannot be logically explained?

Like I said people might think I'm completely nuts!  Therefore if you want to hear these stories come over, drink tea (or bring your own coffee) and ask questions.   (have I ever mentioned I love when people ask questions?) I like telling stories (especially God stories) if I think people want to hear them.   And I don't even care but so much if you think I'm nuts as long as you're there with me. 

And does God speak today?   Yes.   I believe he does but probably not always in the ways that you would like for him to speak.

And now....
this is not a story of God speaking today but God does not change so maybe we can learn something from what Elijah learned long ago. 

The Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks But the Lord was not in the wind.  And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.  And after the earthquake a fire but the LORD was not in the fire.  And after the fire the sound of a still small voice - And that was the voice of the LORD.   (1 Kings 19)

Does God Still Speak Today?

A couple of months ago I found myself face down, thumping the floor, begging. "God, I wanna hear from you.  Where are you?   Are you even listening? Speak to me!"   
It seemed He remained silent in spite of my pounding, begging and demands.   

And I am reminded - 

God seldom speaks in the ways that I expect Him to speak.   He seldom moves the instant I demand that He move.  In fact God is not required to speak, move or do anything upon my demand.   For God is God and God is so much wiser than I am. He knows what I need so much better than I do.   

For this I am very grateful!  

Sometimes it does seem that God is silent.  But could it be that I'm so busy begging, demanding and informing God on what HE needs to do that I'm missing something very important? 

(to be continued)  
 

Thoughts on "Why?" and Worship

Jesus,

Why is there so much pain in the world?
Why do little children suffer at the hands of those they should be able to trust?
Why do Mommies abandon babies?  
Why do Daddies leave?
Why are governments corrupt?
Why do leaders fail?
Why is there so much unfairness?

You gave us choice. 
Why did you give man a choice?  You knew we'd make the wrong one.

You gave us choice.
What glory is there in the worship of a robot?  What praise is there in obedience when there is no choice?   That's not obedience, that's doing what one is programmed to do.

You gave us choice.
You created us to worship and then you gave us choice. 
We will worship - But who?

If all men and women would worship their creator would there still be so much pain?
Would Daddies still leave?
Would Mommies still walk away?
Would leaders still fail and governments be corrupt?
Would life still be unfair? 

What I've Learned at the Castle

So I moved to The Castle. 
I did a small amount of rebelling at the name of my new location but since the name came before I did I realized that there was no point in me getting stressed over a name.  I will admit in my false humility in a castle is not a place I was aspiring to live.  But alas I have learned to like our Castle.

 Recently I was reading a blog which challenged it's readers to think of themselves as less Princess and more Servant. Which once again got me to thinking.   Do I really want to be identified as living in a Castle?  For is it not Princesses who live in castles?  But then I thought... Wait a minute!  You should meet the occupants of my Castle.  Let me tell you a bit of what what I've learned about servant-hood from living with them.

 When there are mice.  The mice get caught.

Christmas comes and I am given a new favorite book. 

I won't say how I feel about being compared to a bat. In the end of the story I'm not scary, I'm the cutest  There may have been just a bit of flattery applied here. 

For our Christmas meal together we enjoyed the simple things.  Like McDonalds sandwiches.

In the evenings I've been served tea and hot chocolate in my favorite mug.  (maybe just a touch of flattery with the mug as well)



That's right.  I stayed seated (or sprawled as it might happen to be) on my comfy black couch under my nice warm blanket  and the hot chocolate just arrives.   You can't ask for more than that now can you?  

But I'm just now getting to the best part.  Since right now I am gone three nights a week I am realizing how blessed I am by The Castle or rather my servant friends who live there.  I miss our talks and the laughter.  
We talk and talk.  Oh the things we discuss, the problems we solve.  You know like.... (Oh wait, I can't tell you for we have an agreement among us.  What's said at The Castle stays at The Castle!) 

But you know what - those ladies - They're all pretty amazing for they keep me posted on all the latest happenings in their lives even when I'm not there.   You couldn't  ask for better friends than that.  Now could ya?

And when I grow up...Maybe I'll be more like them.  Maybe I'll be the one catching mice, or serving tea.  Maybe I'll even give complementary books for Christmas...And I'm really learning to enjoy the simple things in life. 

Life at The Castle is good!  You really should try it sometime.