The House is on Fire!

I don't know a single person who has not at some moment or another either found themselves angered by another or found themselves being the one that stirs up anger in another by mere words that are spoken.

God's Word has a lot to say about anger and its effect. In Proverbs, which are considered to be words of wisdom, we find these three verses:

Proverbs 15:1, NASB says: A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 26:20, NASB: For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.

Proverbs 26:21, NASB: Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

I have shared them with the children and explained the meanings to the point that when one of them is angry and the others decide it is time to whisper something, I simply say, "Don't throw wood on my fire!" It quickly lets them know to be quiet without me having to say anything else.

The other day though, my entire house erupted into arguments and I yelled out, "My house is on fire!" Instantly I had the children's attention only to have my husband call out from the back, "I don't want to hear stuff like that." To which I called back, "Not literally, metaphorically."

Over the years, by pointing out the fire in the room, I have managed to have quite a success record when it comes to extinguishing fires before they get out of control. However, when it comes to Mike and I, this has not worked quite as well. He does not have understanding regarding these verses and to top that off, he can whip some wood around pretty darn quickly. Recently, he has taken to throwing rotten wood at me and I have truly struggled with my own anger towards him.

He mocks me a lot for going to church, for my faith, for the degree I am seeking in college and for blogging and writing regarding God. It's a lot for a person to take. When you consider all the other things I have on my daily plate, its a wonder I don't combust into flames!

Regardless, I know that the Lord is where I find my strength and I also know there is strength in numbers. I don't go to church to be preached at. I go to church to learn, to be encouraged and to stand in worship with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I need that food. I need that time. I need those hugs from my fellow sisters, and I need to hang with others who understand this fallen world!

This Sunday, we had a guest teacher from Detroit come and speak. At the end, they called those of us that felt we were cloaked with something that was keeping us in chains, something we needed delivered from to come forward. I came up. While I have tried with all my might to rid myself of anger and resentment towards Mike, I was still struggling with them both. As I stood in the front praying for help with these, tears began running down my face. Someone put their hands on my head and began praying in another language for me and suddenly I fell backwards and found myself on the floor. Now I have seen this happen on TV, but I have never felt it happen to myself. After a moment I got back up and began praying and thanking God and again someone put their hands on me. It was a lady and she said to me, "Its okay, let it go. He is all over you, just accept all He has to offer." and wham I fell back harder and I truly thought someone had turned the lights on full force for such brilliant light exploded behind my eyes. That time I remained on the floor and basked in the Son's light and wept with gratitude. I truly believe God removed my resentment of Mike from my heart for my eyes see him differently now. It will be interesting to see if he can give me rise to anger with his words in the near future or if they will fall uselessly to the ground. What I do know is this, something inside me changed and for that I am grateful. Anger is a rotten emotion. It only grows much like jealousy grows. It is no wonder our world is in the shape it is in. How many angry people seek God for help with their emotions? Not enough, that is for sure!

Too much has happened in my life for me to lose my faith. Too much has taken place for me to quit writing just because Mike gives me a hard time about it. I have told him more than once that it is God that called me forth to write and I am listening to that call. I also understand that I need to surround myself with others that have true faith in Christ Jesus.

Mike fears the church. After taking both the History of Ancient Israel as well as the History of Christianity, I understand his fear. False teachers abound. We are warned by Paul time and time again to be on the lookout for them. This is one of the reasons that you need to read the Word of God for yourself. As you do, pray for understanding. The Holy Spirit is a wonderful teacher. While the Word of God will help you come to know God, it is in seeking Him directly that you will grow by leaps and bounds. The LORD wants you to get to know Him. He has countless promises for those who seek.

For today, I encourage you to put into practice the advice found in proverbs, "Don't throw wood onto the fire!" and should you find yourself enraged by someone else, kindly utter the phrase back to them. Perhaps it will halt them long enough for you to calm your heart and recognize your own wood throwing skills!

I would like to leave you with this last little tidbit. Satan LOVES for you to become angry. I am fully convinced that he is a whisperer of evil thoughts. From the very beginning, he has been at the root of sibling rivalry and so much more! Most people know that Cain killed Abel, but did you know that before that murder took place, God came to Cain and counseled him? I promise you , this is true. It is in Genesis that we read this:

Genesis 4:1-10, NASB: Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, "I have gotten a manchild with the help of the LORD." [2] Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. [3] So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit of the ground. [4] Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering; [5] but for Cain and his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. [6] Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? [7] If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it." [8] Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

There is a lot to this story that I am not going to get into right now, for today our focus is on anger and the truth that sin is always crouching at our door desiring to capture us. The LORD's advice for us is the same as it was for Cain. We MUST master it!

I have tried myself to bite my own tongue, to calm my own angry heart, to get hold of my emotions and trust me when I say, "It is no easy feat." Even when I have been able to stifle it, I have not been able to fully put out the coals. It was only until I went before God and admitted that I wanted to be rid of it all, that it was taken from me. I pray that this remains to be the case. I know that it is only with the help of the LORD that it will remain so for I am under no disillusions that the evil one will not continue to whisper into the ears of those that are close to me. I know if he can't get my attention directly, he will use others in an attempt to pull my from my 'happy zone'. That my friends is part of Spiritual Warfare. Our nation is at war but the biggest war is the one being waged against humanity as a whole. It is my prayer that more soldiers for Christ wake up and begin helping bring the Kingdom of Heaven here to earth.

Today if you realize you are holding onto anger and resentment, I encourage you to ask God to help you be rid of it all. It is my prayer that you do this. It is my prayer that you feel the change in your heart. When it comes to others, it is my prayer that you begin to recognize your own 'wood throwing skills' and begin to teach yourself to grab a salt shaker instead ;-) ~ blessings to all who do!

Wendy Glidden, Mom of Many, walks with God.

Where Is Your Focus?

Simple Sincere Singing & Seeking Sunday! Are you enjoying fellowship today? That is what my post was this Sunday on facebook . . . well minus the singing part but God loves to hear us singing praises so I found it fitting! I was going to add what a great day to focus on what is important but honestly every day is a great day for that! I try to keep my focus on God and what pleases him every moment of every day in ever situation. Doing so seems to keep the enemy at bay. Don't think it stops him in his tracks. No no no. Not him. He never stops looking for a way to steal your self control & peace, kill your Joy & Faith, and destroy your Love for God, yourself, and your brothers and sisters in Christ.

I love where I get my fellowship on Sunday. I have blogged on it before, but it is worth mentioning again. Here is the link for anyone who is looking for a bible study of sorts. Rusty teaches straight from it. We are doing the study in Hebrews right now. Past recordings are also available via this link: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/sunday-worship-at-pinheads . . . I think you'll have to copy and paste that into your browser. Sorry. I have never claimed to be a genius when it comes to stuff like that!

So Chapter 12 in the book of Hebrews is where we are at. However once again, where I thought I would start begins with the word therefore. I have been led to start back at chapter 11. I know this is what God planned for me to share today. I am getting better at recognizing the direction I am being pointed in. Please Father help me to get better at sharing what it is you long to share through me quicker! How awesome it would be had I asked where is your focus on facebook as you put on my heart. Out of fear I deleted it off as I didn't want to be attacked for saying Sunday is a good day to focus on you when all moments are a good time. For had I only listened and obeyed, that would have shown more so that you do indeed lead me to share what I share. I pray I follow your direction without pause as the days pass. In Jesus name I pray! Amen.

With that being said, let's get to this. I was right when I blogged earlier on how God trained me for my position before. I had joked that my talent was not that I was a great writer but rather that God gave me the talent of being able to type quickly so I could be more efficient at sharing what I heard as I heard it! You see, here I am again having to type a large section of God's Word to get to today's main topic and it's importance. To do so, I must start all the way back at chapter 11 in the book of Hebrews, starting with the opening sub heading: The Triumphs of Faith:

verse 1:   Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

verse 2:   For by it the men of old gained approval.

verse 3:   By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.

verse 4:   By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.

verse 5:   By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.

verse 6:   And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and the He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

verse 7:   By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

verse 8:   By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance, and he went out, not knowing where he was going. 

verse 9:   By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;

verse 10:  for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

verse 11:  By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. 

verse 12:  Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE.

verse 13: All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

verse 14: For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 

verse 15: And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.

verse 16:  But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

verse 17: By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son;

verse 18: it was he to whom it was said, "IN ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED."

verse 19:  He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type. 

verse 20:  By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.

verse 21: By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on top of his staff.

verse 22:  By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.

verse 23: By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's edict. 

verse 24:  By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of the Pharaoh's daughter, 

verse 25: choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,

verse 26:  considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.

verse 27:  By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.

verse 28:  By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.

verse 29:  By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.

verse 30: By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.

verse 31:  By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.

verse 32: And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,

verse 33:  who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 

verse 34:  quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

verse 35: Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection;

verse 36:  and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.

verse 37:  They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.

verse 39: And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised,

verse 40:  because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.

That brings us to Chapter 12: Jesus, the Example

verse 1:  Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 

verse 2:  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

verse 3:  For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

I know many of us know a lot of the stories about the Old Testament hero's. In Hebrews, chapter 11, the author seems to be making a point of how Faith was the common stronghold for all of them. It was their faith that saw them through their battles. We all have battles. This is an excellent reason to build your relationship with your Heavenly Father and find your own faith in Him, for He is Faithful! It is your Faith that will carry you through the storms you are sure to face. Not a single child of God has an easy walk. This is why the author of Hebrews took the time to write about the Faith of everyone he mentioned.

Once establishing the results God's Faithful achieved, the author of Hebrews next suggests, with such proof, we must lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.

It is sin that separated you from your walk with God. The Father of Lies, Satan, will use every mistake you make against you. He will attempt to make you believe you are unworthy of God's love. He will trick you into believing you are a failure. He will lump upon your shoulders both shame and regret in an attempt to defeat you. In this life there is one thing you can be sure of; You dwell in the flesh. You will slip. Heck you may even fall and this is the warning:  Don't let your sin trap you into believing you are no longer worthy. Do not let your shame keep you from coming to the Father. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, for He endured the cross and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider all He endured for you. Do not grow weary.

I know when I keep my focus on Jesus, it helps me handle myself better in stressful situations. Trust me, I am far from perfect with this. I have noticed a big change in the way I handle things though. I am slowly becoming a better parent. I am slowly becoming a better human being. Knowing Jesus better helps in every area of my life. If you are looking for more peace or joy I cannot think of a better teacher than Jesus.

So this Sunday's message was in a gist:; "Keeping your focus on Jesus will simplify life." Once you accept Jesus as your savior, you are saved. Your old heart is replaced with a righteous heart. You can't get any better than that. What you can do is improve upon what others see when they look at you. Allow them to see the Love of Jesus working through you. Allow them to witness the Glory of God. Share with them the message of Grace.

So, I end with this, "Get focused!"

Father, I come before you today singing praises. Thank you for sending Jesus. Thank you for your Grace. Nothing brings me greater joy than my relationship with you. Knowing you love me, you hear my prayers, and as you promised you are Faithful, allows me to live in a state of rest that only you can provide. I am blessed beyond measure. I ask today that you help me and my fellow brothers and sisters keep our focus on your son, Jesus. Help us daily to be humble enough to sing praises to you for all things. Work through me Father. I am your humble servant longing to be used by you. Use my story you are so beautifully telling through me to reach all your children who like me were deaf to the message of Grace. Use me Father to call more brothers and sisters home. Shine a light through me so bright that they can see that even with all my failures you welcomed me back home as you will also welcome them back home should they turn back to you. Cause countless lost to stumble upon my stories of answered prayers and deliverance from the jaws of death. Help them build their faith in You. And Father, those who have never known you, I pray they are introduced to you through the hands and feet of your son, Jesus. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.


Wendy, Mom of Many

© Wendy Glidden 2013