God Really Does Know Your Heart

I once had someone say to me, "I didn't make it to church today, but God knows my heart." I interpreted her words to mean, I might not have made it to God's house today, but He knows I'm a good person because at least I tried. We must be careful in making a comment like this because deceit lies at the heart of it. Deceit because one who makes such a comment is deceived by thinking that their heart is good. First, let's understand, an uncircumcised heart, a hardened heart, in God's eyes is not good. In fact, God tells us in Jeremiah 17:9 the heart is deceitful above all things and is desperately wicked. He then asks, who can know it? I believe those whose eyes have been opened by the Holy Spirit can know the true nature of the human heart.

If our hearts are uncircumcised, then only God truly knows its condition and not we ourselves. In its hardened state, we're prone to think our hearts are good, but God says they are not. Only by divine revelation which comes from the Holy Spirit can we see the true nature of our hearts. David received this revelation that his heart was not good in God's eyes because he cried out to the Lord in Psalm 51 for God to create in him a new heart. Before we say, God knows my heart, let us be certain that we, like David, have asked the Lord to give us a new one. If we haven't done this then all we are really saying is God knows my heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, and that, my friends is nothing on which to boast.

Judge Judy Where Are You?

Judge Judith Sheinlin has a philosophy that says, "Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining." It's a philosophy that I agree with, yet I sometimes encounter people (loved ones) who do just that. Yesterday, in particular, I had the misfortune of having my leg peed on twice (figuratively), and a day later I'm still trying to shake off the stench of the urine.

There are two reasons why people fall prey to "peeing on someone's leg and telling them it's raining." The first has to do with lies and deception. People who are in this group of pee-ers knowingly try to cover up their own or others' wickedness with lies and false truths. I struggle to have compassion on this group because they purposely lie to cover the truth. Whether they believe it or not, they are imitating their father, Satan, who is the father of all lies. I will not stay in this place that lacks compassion for long because God assures me that all lies will be exposed. Lies are darkness and truth is light. Light always conquers darkness...always has...always will. I need not be troubled by lies people tell because God has given me the Holy Spirit who reveals all truth and exposes all lies. I can retain my joy because God is true and in that truth His mercy endures forever.

The second group of people who pee on your leg and tell you it's raining do so because they lack knowledge of the truth and are believing what best suits them even if it contradicts God's Word. It's easier for me to feel compassion for this group because they too are deceived by Satan, but since they are blind they cannot see the deception. The only hope for this group is the Holy Spirit beccause only he can lead them into God's truth and give them revelation knowledge of that truth. The key here, however, is God's timing and the person's maturity level. Only God knows when a person's eyes are ready to see the truth about themselves, others, and circumstances. It is in God's timing that spiritually blinded eyes are opened and desceptive lies exposed. The person's maturity level also comes into play, because as Jack Nicholson so eloquently said in the film "A Few Good Men," we can't always handle the truth. The Holy Spirit knows this and never gives us more than we can carry. He only reveals truth to us when we are able to carry it because there is weight and responsibility associated with knowing the truth.

As I awoke this day with the faint scent of urine about me that even a hot shower couldn't wash away, I began to wonder how Judge Judy shakes the stench off because she deals with lots of people who pee on her leg and tell her it's raining. Since Mrs. Sheinlin is not likely to come strolling in my door to offer me counsel on this, I wisely look to the Judge in Heaven. I cry out to God my Father, to Jesus my Savior, and to the Holy Spirit my Counselor to shower me in the Blood of the Lamb, so the stench of people's lies and their sad state of deception is replaced by the sweet smell of the Trinity's love, mercy, and compassion.

Long Live Victoria

Today I saw the movie Young Victoria, with Emily Blount in the title role. Ms. Blount was so intriguing as the young heir and monarch, that had I a vote within the Academy of Arts and Sciences it would go to her. The movie, which was produced by the current Dutchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, was visually magnificent and historically correct. In addition to being a wonderful depiction of past persons and events, it was a fantastic love story. Rupert Friend who convincingly played Albert left me feeling as if I totally understood how Victoria could have fallen and remained in love with him for the last 60 years of her life. Paul Bettany who played Lord Melbourne was captivating in his quest for personal power and in the end found redemption by advising Victoria to honor Albert and to allow her husband to share in her royal duties. Of all the movies I could have seen this holiday season, I am glad I chose a movie that speaks so clearly to my heart. One day I hope to visit Great Britain, so I can see all of the historical palaces that Victoria once called home.

Next Steps

Recently, I've been toying with the idea of returning to school to pursue a masters degree. I located two schools (Ohio State University and Miami University) which offer M.F.A degrees in creative writing, my program of choice. Since OSU is here in my hometown of Columbus, it makes more sense to attend their program. However, I will remain open to good counsel even if it directs me elsewhere. Making the decision, which I have, to return to academia was an easy one, but acting upon that decision leaves me fearful and overwhelmed because I don't know how to proceed. The financial aspect of pursuing a masters degree looks like a huge mountain that appears impossible to climb. However, I will declare that all things are possible with God. Before I become too encumbered with details of the unknown, I'm going to take a moment to answer some basic questions and perhaps the path will be more clear.

What: Pursue a M.F.A. in Creative Writing
Where: Ohio State University
When: ASAP
Who: Me and the Good Counselor
Why: I'm feeling compelled to return to academia to reach my goal
What is My Goal: Writing Creative Stories or Preaching and Teaching God's Word.

The decision has become clear...it's not a Masters in Creative Writing degree that I really want. I'm called to preach and teach God's Word, so if I must return to academia I must attend Seminary...Talk about clarification...thank you Good Counselor. As you have led me this far, I trust and believe you'll lead me on. God promises that "He who has begun a good work in me will see it through to completion." As a step of faith, I will contact Trinity Lutheran Seminary and then the next step I'm to take will be revealed....I'll keep you posted.

How Valuable Are You?

I recently had the opportunity to observe a couple of hard-core divas who had no qualms about having torrid sex with other women's boyfriends and husbands. Ironically, these women were not very interested in single men who would have loved to have hooked up with them. On a trip I took with them, I witnessed one of them leave our hotel room with a married man to have sex outside by her own admission. I also witnessed the other one sit down to breakfast with one of her many lovers and his wife. The wife, as in most cases, was clueless to her husband and this woman's past entanglements. Although these actions were a sad commentary on how desperate some single women are to have a man, what's even sadder is these women apparently don't realize how valuable they are. If they had a true revelation of their value, they couldn't give away their treasure so easily. It's as if these two are blinded and deceived into thinking that they somehow are in control. They liked to brag how they could make a man lust after them, but what they chose not to dwell on was how these same men quickly discarded them after the sexual act was completed to either run back to their wife or to pursue some other deceived diva. It's not as if I don't know where these two women are coming from because I too went the same way, not realizing just how valuable I truly am. Fortunately, I got the revelation and have not been promiscuous since. I only hope that deceived divas everything get the same revelation and clearly see they're more than just a hoe for any hard stick to poke.