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Like A Thief In The Night

One night a thief broke into a house he thought was abandoned. As he walked then the darkened house with a flashlight he heard a voice from the kitchen that said, “Jesus is watching you.’ He stopped and said, “who’s there?” There was no answer so he thought he must have imagined it. But after he took a few more steps, the voice said again, “Jesus is watching you.” He decided to walk toward the voice, just before he entered the kitchen, he heard it again, “Jesus is watching you.” He swung the flashlight up and saw a parrot talking in a cage. The parrot said, Jesus is watching you.” The their turned flipped on the kitchen light and said, “Why you’re just a dumb bird.” The he looked in the corner of the room and seen a huge Rottweiler couching. And the parrot said “Get him Jesus.”

You might think it’s strange that Jesus would compare Himself to a thief. Of course, Jesus isn’t identifying with the sin of stealing. But just a good thief (that’s a oxymoron).that tries to sneak in quickly and quietly and escape with His people. That’s an accurate description of how Jesus will rapture His church.

We should all be living as if Jesus was crucified yesterday; raised from the dead this morning, and is coming back this afternoon.

1 Thessalonians 5: 1-4 tells us, “But concerning the times and the seasons, you have no need that anything be written to you. For you yourselves know that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. For when they are saying, “Peace and safety,” then sudden destruction will come to then, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape.

We should know these 4 things

1. Jesus will return, But we don’t know the exact day.

Can you imagine a thief sending you a text or email saying, “Just wanted to know that I’m coming to rob your house tonight.” Of course not. Thief’s don’t announce when they’re coming. They sneak in and out.

When I was growing up my Dad used to do military funerals when a soldier or veteran would pass away. My father would keep all the guns in his closet. One night when no one was home the house was broken into and all the M16 rifles were stolen. He was very upset because they trusted him with these rifles. For a long time there would be someone home, or a neighbor would be watching the house.

Jesus told us to keep watch, because you don’t know on what day the Lord will come. We need to understand, if the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and not let the house be broken into. So we must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you don’t expect him (Matthew 24:42-44),

There have been times throughout history when many people expected Jesus to return. We use the Gregorian calendar now, but when the Julian calendar turned from year 999 to the year 1000, people expected Jesus to come for a new millennium, the same was true in the year 2000. People were on their best behavior, In the year 1000 history says that worldly goods were sold and money was given to the poor. Prisoners were set free, and many traveled to Israel to wait for Jesus’s return,

In the second and third chapter of Revelation, Jesus gives messages to the 7 churches, which represent all churches of all time. When He wrote to the church at Philadelphia, He says, “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I also will keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth” (Revelation3:10).

In Luke 17 Jesus compares His return to a couple of Old Testament events. “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the dat Noah entered the ark. Then the flood cane and destroyed them all. It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating, drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and suffer rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just like this on the day the Son Of Man is revealed (Luke 17:26-30).

Are You Ready?

Self Poisoning With Negativity

Shoshone National Forest -Wyoming

We have all had bad moments where we’ve been less than kind to ourselves. We might have struggled to accomplish something and called ourselves either put loud or internally things like failure, lazy, stupid or even worthless, we might even feel like we deserved it, or we minimize and tell ourselves it isn’t so bad since we only did it once or twice.

But the fact of the matter is that word choice is a powerful thing, and every time we direct harsh negativity toward ourselves we are potentially feeding ourselves poison.

While it may take time for this negativity to accumulate in our system, eventually it takes root and solidifies into negative thoughts that reoccur regularly or can turn into negative core beliefs. These beliefs are so deeply engrained in us that they color how we see and move in the world.

It’s important to note that our mind accept negativity more easily than positivity, so the amount of work we create for ourselves down the road to undo what we did in a matter of seconds becomes insurmountable.

Some people might argue that it’s important to acknowledge when we make mistakes or fail and that no one is perfect, I agree but there are better ways to do this than punishing ourselves.

When it comes to word choice there is an abundance of synonyms, each with varying degrees of negative, neutral, and positive words. If we feel a need to hold ourselves accountable we can pick a word that holds a neutral or positive meaning. For example, instead of “I failed, try I struggled.” It’s a subtle difference but it can help to reduce the amount of negativity we absorb.

For years I told myself I was everything my mother told me I was. It wasn’t until I changed the words, that I stopped attracting negative things into my life.

We can find small ways to practice dropping negativity and putting down the poison. Choosing positivity and optimism is a harder path and takes more effort initially, but the payoff down the road is more than worth it.

Underrated People in History

Daily writing prompt
Who are some underrated people in history?
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I think back to some people I wondered why no one knows their name, such as someone who has no doubt saved many lives. Charles Drew was an African American physician who revolutionized blood transfusions and created the first major blood bank from 1904 to 1950.

Another is from church history is Elishama in Jeremiah 36:12, A scribe whose presence in the historical records offered external validation of biblical narratives, confirming the accuracy of the accounts.

Being A Minimalist

Daily writing prompt
What are the biggest benefits of minimalist living?
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Minimalist living has gained popularity because it offers the promise of reduced stress, financial freedom, and intentional livings.
I think it’s more popular now because of the cost of everything is so high, no one can afford not to be a mimimalist. Minimalists own nothing but the things that add value to their lives.

Walking In Holiness Through Obedience

Joshua Tree National Park – California

Do you think our thoughts tell us something about our sins? I think that if our thinking is not right then our obedience to God can never be right.

How can a person come into the presence of God and not recognize their own sins? When we have an encounter with God, we are so humbled, ashamed, embarrassed, disgraced, and mortified. At least this is what happened to me. I spent years thinking God would never accept me, because of the life I had lived. Then I read 1 Peter 1:13-16,

We cannot be Holy unless we have the presence of God. Holiness comes when obedience is our first nature. Personal holiness is a result of what God has produced in us, not what we have attained that makes us holy. It is who we obey that makes us holy. Living in holiness is obedience. I believe that people who refuse to obey have a rebellious spirit or heart.

If we think of Israel in the wilderness, it wasn’t that they had forgotten what God did in Egypt, or that He parted the Red Sea for them, it was because they chose not to live by faith, holiness and obedience anymore. I think they wanted a new kind of life independent of God. And independence from God and His church body causes holy failure. The Israelites as well as many people today want their way along with God’s provisions, the problem is that they can’t co-exist.

When we prepare our minds for action, be self-controlled, and set our hope fully on the grace of God, we will see the holiness of God developed in our lives. Holiness is the characteristic of a person who is after God’s own heart and can be described as God’s recognized presence. Jesus alone is the source of our holiness. When we recognize God’s presence, we realize that we are not like Him, we are holy because of Him.

If we want to obey Jesus, we must first recognize His presence in our lives. When we do, we will want to be holy as He is Holy.

Our self or flesh wants to do things its own way but still receive all the blessings from God. But, God does not bless sin, He blesses holiness. To live a life of holiness we have to submit our lives to the ways of God then we can have everything we need for a life of godliness.

2 Peter 1:3 tells us, “Seeing that His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and virtue.”

My Obsession As A Child

Daily writing prompt
What’s a thing you were completely obsessed with as a kid?
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My obsession as a child was music, I definitely used it as a coping mechanism to manage trauma, and to fill the emotional void I was lacking. In a way I think it acted as a surrogate parent or a safe haven.

I think it was because it bypassed my emotional defenses and helped soothe my nervous system and provided the stability and an outlet for my overwhelmed emotions.

Research actually suggests that children with neglect or abuse develop a more intense creative process. And that music often acts as a bridge to feel safe, and helps rebuild a child’s quality of life by providing a space for processing and comfort.

Everything Should Glorify God

Denali National Park -Alaska

I read a quote once that said, “Each of our actions holds weight in God’s eyes and we should honor Him with what we do.”

Glorifying God in everything we do actually comes from scripture. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”

Paul goes on to remind the Corinthian church to consider the consequences of others who may feel differently about eating or drinking anything sacrificed to idols or anything that will cause us to sin.

One of my favorite verses is in 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 where Paul says, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful, all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one see his own, but each one the other’s well-being.”

I think Paul wants us to understand that glorifying God doesn’t just happen in the church, or on any certain day. Glorifying God can occur in every circumstance. Glorifying God means honoring Him with our actions that are good, and obedient.

When we fall into sin and temptation, we don’t glorify God as we should. Each one of the actions we do holds weight in God’s eyes and we should honor God in what we do.

Glorifying God is more than just doing the right things. But, don’t get overly moralistic, because then we are tempted to seek out our own glory.

Letting Go Of Control

Bullion Falls -Fishlake National Forest

I was praying of Psalm 131 about how King David embraced humility, and I was lead to look up the lessons we can learn from this Psalm. Here’s what I found.

Embracing Humility:

David made a powerful declaration to God in this Psalm he said, “My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty.” This reminds me the truth greatness in the eyes of God is found in humility. I think by acknowledging our limitations and relying on God’s wisdom we can open ourselves up to His guidance and grace. Humility isn’t about thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less, and allowing us to serve others and glorify God.

I was watching an interview of Victor Marx last night, he is now running for governor of Colorado. But, he was speaking on the things he has endured throughout his life. His humility left me in awe. I think this is why I began praying about David’s humility in Psalm 131.

Finding Contentment in Simplicity:

David was a very rich man, the Bible tells us of his material possessions that he passed on to his son Solomon. Psalm 131 reminds us that contentment is found not in abundance of possessions or any achievement, but in a quiet trusting relationship with God. I think by simplifying our lives and focusing on what truly matters, we can experience a peace that surpasses all understanding that is promised in Philippians 4:7.

Practicing Patience:

Psalm 131:2 talks about how a calm quiet soul is a testament to the virtue of patience. The world often demand instant gratification, but this psalm encourages us to wait on the God and trust in His timing. One of the fruits of the Spirit is patience in Galatians, and by practicing it, we can align ourselves with God’s perfect will.

Experience Inner Peace:

David’s calm and quiet soul is a reflection of the inner peace that comes from a deep relationship with God. This piece is not dependent on external circumstances, but a gift from the Holy Spirit. By seeking God’s presence everyday we can experience this peace.

Trusting in God’s Sovereignty:

Psalm 131 reminds us of the importance of trusting in God’s sovereignty. Acknowledging that some things in life are beyond our understanding, we can rest in assurance that God is in control of everything. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

I think above all we have to reflect on God’s faithfulness. By remembering His past supply of promises kept, we can strengthen our faith, and trust in His plans for us. One thing I’ve learned as I have looked into my past is that God never let me down. I may have been mad or sometimes even hated Him. He had a perfect plan for my life, even when I was struggling in horrible circumstances He was always there protecting me from what could have been the outcome.

Interesting Local Customs

Daily writing prompt
What’s the most interesting local custom you’ve encountered?
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Interesting local customs that are around my area, are the illegal acts of polygamist communities, it still goes on, they still go on as a matter of fact, they have their own town and usually keep to themselves. Even though it’s illegal everyone is so used to it they look the other way because of cultural factors, and it’s a deep-rooted act in some the foundational LDS beliefs.

We Are Called To Examine Ourselves

The Bible teaches us to examine ourselves concerning others with humility, love, and respect.

This involves assessing whether our life reflects the teachings of Jesus. 2 Corinthians 13:5 commands believers to “examine yourselves to see whether you are in faith.” This can be done by considering our actions and reliance on Jesus, and the fruit of the Spirit, which are love, joy, and patience in our lives.

The purpose is to gain assurance, identify areas that need growth, and ensure our faith is authentic. This leads to transformation rather than self-deception.

David in Psalm 139:23-24 asks God to, “Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts. And see if there by any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” This shows a dependence on God to reveal our own sin and motives, as we may not see them ourselves.

The Apostle Paul connects self-examination with participating in the Lord’s Supper (Communion) stating in 1 Corinthians 11:28, “But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup.”

There are some questions I ask myself that I find important for self examination:

  • Are you trusting in Jesus alone? Examine if your faith and salvation are based on who Jesus is or what he has done, not on our own efforts or perceiving good deeds.
  • Do you see the fruit of the Spirit? Consider if you are growing in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23).
  • Is your prayer life genuine? Are you praying with sincerity, or is there bitterness, envy, or evil in your heart.
  • Are you living out what you believe? Compare your actions to your beliefs. Are you putting your faith into action, or are you simply hearing the Word without doing it?
  • Are you relying on God’s power? Recognize that transformation is not solely your own effort but a work of the Holy Spirit. Are you depending on Him to change you?

There are also some things to avoid when we examine ourselves.

  • Unhealthy introspection. Avoid becoming overly self focused to the point of despair or self-pity. Do not fall into thinking “I’m failing at everything” or my growth is hopeless.
  • Making self-improvement goal. The goal here isn’t self improvement towards its own sake, but the purpose of being more like Jesus and glorifying God. The focus should be on Him, not on ourselves.
  • Focusing only on feelings. Self examination should not be based on feelings alone, as it can be unreliable. Instead, look to the unchanging truth of God’s Word.

The Ideal Life

Daily writing prompt
If you had to describe your ideal life, what would it look like?
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My ideal life would be living in a cottage on a private beach. And finishing my psychology degree, and having my own office where I can help people struggling with mental distress, not advocating pills,” but teaching people coping mechanisms to live healthy full lives.

The Best Concert

Daily writing prompt
What is the best concert you have been to?
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Hands down the best concert I ever attended was Eric Church. This man puts on a great show. The energy in the theatre was intense. He plays a blend of American country, rock and outlaw style.

Eric Church