Is God Talking to Me?

After a good ten minutes into a bedtime story, my four year old pulled her two fingers out of her mouth just long enough to ask, "Are you talking to me?" I cracked up. Of course I was talking to her! I giggled myself to sleep that night.

When it comes to certain books in the Bible, interestingly enough, God is in fact not talking to us. At first I thought that this was just as absurd as my daughter not knowing that I was talking to her, as she was the only other person in the room.

So how do you know when God is talking to you, and when His intentions are for someone else? It's almost enough to make you give up reading the Bible; as if it's not confusing enough already. Luckily, we are not the first ones to read it, as it has been around for a while. There are plenty of people who have done the work and figured the Bible out for us.

First we must identify who we are. If you are reading this, you are among the "Church Age". That is everyone born between the time Jesus was ascended into Heaven, until the Rapture. The thirteen books in the Bible that are speaking to the Church Age are Romans through Philemon. They cover the writings of the Apostle Paul, who was speaking to us. This would be a good starting point for those that may want to cut to the chase, and read what was intended for them.

Don't get me wrong, I believe it to be very important to read the Bible in its entirety. Once you get into it, I'll guarantee you that you will be very happy that you are in the Church Age. We have it easier than those before us, and way better than those after.

Recommended reading on this subject: One Book Rightly Divided www.rightlydivided.com

Please remember that BIBLE BAIT is written by a novice Bible study student, not a theologian.

Keeping the C in the YMCA

Several months ago the YMCA I am a member of underwent a corporate overhaul that started to stake its claim on the walls. Slowly, the newly painted walls began to take shape… the switchplates were replaced, new and smartly designed room and directional signs were hung, and the floorboard was neatly fastened. There was one thing sadly and obviously missing…all things Christian. As many of you know, I can be a fairly outspoken girl at times. On his first day on the job, I told the new manager that I was among many Christian members who would dearly miss Jesus if he did not come back. He assured me that I was going to like what I was going to see up on the new walls. (I had a feeling this meant that I would not like what I was going to see up on the new walls.) Sure enough, Jesus had been replaced with social responsibility.  

The first Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) was organized by George Williams as a refuge of Bible study and prayer for young men seeking escape from the hazards of life on the streets of London in 1844. There remains today a Bible study and prayer group at my YMCA who's motto is "Keeping the C in the YMCA". I am to understand that they are the party responsible for the last remaining yet most important remnant of Christianity in the hallway…the Bible. Above the Bible used to hang a jovial portrait of Jesus with children, which made me smile every time I walked by. Finally, after months of leaving a big white space where the painting used to be, they hung this…

Don't you just love God's humor? My recurrent smile has turned into a recurrent chuckle. Above God's word they hung an automated external defibrillator…a lifesaving device!

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. -John 10:28

READER COMMENT:  NOW,..... this post makes perfect sense. If someone has a heart attack,.... you get to decide which one of these lifesaving tools to to grab ie, if they are saved (the defriburator) & if they are lost, (the Bible). If you don't know their status, I say you take both, ask them, & then respond accordingly. "Brother, Have you been saved?" "Yes" the 'defib' "No" the Bible. If you remind the YMCA of the legal complexities in all this,.... once someone tries this and utilizes the correct tool for a "No" response, the lawyers might get involved & one of those two items will be removed leaving the YM_A, "C" less. Perhaps a better solution is for everyone to be issued t-shirts that indicates their status; red t-shirt with the word "saved" emblazoned on it or a flame colored t-shirt with the word "lost". This way, anyone who suffers a heart attack, will be served with the correct life-saving device. -C.

Please remember, BIBLE BAIT is written by a novice Bible study student, not a Bible scholar. If something doesn't look quite right to you, dig into God's word. The one thing I promise you is that you won't get bored! Many thanks to my Bible study friend Renee Driscoll, who helps me keep Bible Bait Biblically correct.

Bible Bait: A Beginner's Mind View of God's Word

Something kind of scary happened to me recently. In a conversation with an acquaintance, I happened to mention that I was a Christian. He smiled and said, "I know, I read your stuff". "How could that be?" I asked myself. I have been writing as an undercover Christian for years. Did he crack my code? Apparently I let out a hint or two that had given me away.

Then, something even scarier happened. While I was praying, (and actually listening for a change) I heard Jesus whisper in my ear, "Write more about Me." I pretended not to hear. If I brought Him into my writing, I might lose the interest of my readers. And worse, I could lose friends altogether. Why would he ask me to write about Him anyway? True, I have known Him most of my life, but I ignore Him half the time, and I haven't even read his best seller.

Now pretending not to hear Jesus is like pretending that the dryer is shrinking my clothes. I know better. So after months of being 'too busy,' I have decided to answer His call. My first action was to get my nose into His Book, and I am attending a Bible study that is off the charts. It doesn't take long to realize that you are reading something so profound that only our God himself could have written it. The truth is a trip, people!

Some of you may be wondering what I've been smoking. Actually, I took a pill; the red one. Like Neo in the movie "The Matrix," I have been awakened to the fact that our daily lives are but a mere illusion of something much, much greater. Once you find out the truth, you want your friends and even your enemies to find out, too. This works well into the plan of writing more about Jesus…because now I want to!

So once a week I'm going to post a thought provoking article about our Creator and His intentions for us. The segment will be called "Bible Bait: A Beginner's Mind View of God's Word". I am humbled that I was recruited to do this job, and eternally grateful for the wealth of truth that I am picking up along the way.

Many thanks to my husband and kids, who know all too well how much this new occupation pays. It should, however, make for a nice example of delayed gratification.

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32

Footloose Movie Review

The only real negative comment I have on the new movie "Footloose" is that you can't get up and dance in the theater! Too bad. Other than that, I was pleasantly surprised to find this film so much fun to watch. Many critics were disappointed that it was too similar to the original. I believe these are the same people that would have complained if they had strayed too much.

There is, of course, some teen sensuality, drinking and drug use, but my most ardent warning to parents is about the dancing.

The truth is, we could only dream of dances like this for our kids. The film is a bit misleading if parents think this is the way kids are dancing at their school dances. It's not. I can understand why any misinformed parent might be angry at their school for kicking their child out of a dance, or canceling a dance altogether, if they are to believe it is anything like the movie.

Please check out the post below, as it will clearly illustrate what high school dances are really like today.

Grinding at School Dances Inappropriate

It's that time of year again: packed lunches, overloaded backpacks, and mixers...ugh! In case you didn't get a chance to view my movie last year about this time, I posted it again. If you have kids in Jr. High or High School, it's a must see. It clearly illustrates how school dances have degenerated into something very wrong. I know several principals, teachers and parents that will vouch to it's accuracy in how it portrays the typical behavior at today's dances. Please watch to the end with an open mind, and an open heart. I hope it inspires you to act to make a positive difference for our kids, who truly deserve the best!

WARNING - like the dances, there is quite a bit of vulgar sex and language throughout.

The quality on this movie is rather pitiful. I am working on a better way to import it. If you would like a DVD please leave a comment with your contact information and I will get one right out to you.

What is Formspring?

A great article from Common Sense Media...


http://www.commonsensemedia.org/new/family-battles-formspring?utm_source=cyberbullying_sa09.27.11&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=formspring

Online Parenting. Do You Check Your Child's Social Networking?

CLICK HERE to check out my article on Online Parenting.

So Annoying!

Being a good parent can mean being quite annoying in your childrens' eyes. This video assures parents that keeping a close watch on their online activity is quite necessary in spite of their children's hostility towards it. If you’re worried about how all of this intrusive policing might affect your friendship with them, remember this: The ultimate reward of being our children's friend is not only enriched, but dependent on the fact that we are first their teachers.

IS THE WORLD REALLY GOING TO END ON MAY 21, 2011?

I don't know about you, but I absolutely love vacations. Often, the time building up to them can be just as exciting as the time spent away. I start packing weeks beforehand, and gratuitously shop for new things to wear while I'm there. I think about all of the great things I'll get to do while there, that in my routine life I don't have the chance for. I eat right and workout as to be in my best shape. I make reservations for things I probably don't need to before I'm there, and plan out my time so that I have plenty of unplanned time. I do all of this with great anticipation!

I don't know whether you've heard of this yet, or not, but there is a rumor going around that Jesus is coming back to judge the living and the dead next month. May 21, 2011 to be exact. Personally, I don't think Jesus would have said, "But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." (Matthew 24:36) if he didn't really mean it. Either way, how does one prepare for this trip?

I believe a friend of mine has the answer. He says he's packing his bags for heaven…with souls! And he is as excited about it as I have ever been for any Earthly vacation. All you have to do is get people to believe in Jesus, know they are sinners, and know they are forgiven. It really is that easy! So, whether this awesome trip begins on May 21, 2011, December 21, 2012, or later today, I think I'm going to start packing for it. Does anyone want to come with me?

More divorces are filed in January than any other month.

More people file for divorce in January than any other time of the year. This could be due to the holiday delay, finances, or a resolution for change. To the children involved, the real reason doesn’t matter; to them, it’s their fault. The ultimate goal of Standing on My Own Two Feet is to help them understand that it’s not, and that their parents’ love for them is unconditional.

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