Christians – Should You Share That Post?

Christians – Should You Share That Post?

To “Share or Not to Share” – now that’s a good question, especially in this day and age.

Have you ever been on Facebook and seen an inspirational or funny picture-quote from a friend and felt that you had to share it right away on your own wall?

Here’s an example:

Christians - should you share that postIt’s funny, right?

But, be careful.

I’m seeing some risky sharebait and I don’t think people even realize it.

See where it says “Anonymous” in the example? Normally, that word would also be a clickable link to some other website.

Anonymous is usually fine, but it’s some of the other sources I’m seeing all over Facebook that are concerning.

What is sharebait? It’s a post that has the potential of going viral.

Your friend was probably just one of a thousand people on social media who saw a clever post, didn’t check the originating website carefully, and shared it right away.

source of the quoteWho is the originator of the quote and do they represent anything that you want to be associated with? For instance, you would never find me sharing a quote from Bill Maher, or any other liberal – no matter what.

Take Care When You Share

For a fictitious example, let’s say you see a post on Facebook that says in big letters, “I like chocolate” with a picture of a delicious, mouth-watering brownie in the background.

Sounds harmless enough, right? Why not share it?

But wait, what if the the chocolate quote came from a website called “Love is stupid.”

That “Love is stupid” website shows up as a clickable link now, on your wall. Do you really think love is stupid?

check the sourceIt’s wise to check the “source” of the quotes you share before you share.

This actually happened:

A Christian friend of mine shared a wonderful inspirational picture-quote that I almost shared myself until I looked at the source website.

Fortunately, I caught it quickly before I did.

The clickable website “source” contained an F-bomb.

How can you go out and talk about the love of Christ to people when you have an F-bomb glaring at everyone when they look at your Facebook wall? That could be very embarrassing.

guard your witnessThe internet is Satan’s playground. We’re going to see more and more junk from questionable sources online. There will be a distinctive separation between darkness and light and a lot of it will be played out right on the internet.

Psalm 19:14 –

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. 

English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

 

 

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The America In My Heart

The America In My Heart That I Will Always Hold Onto

I found this video and wanted to share it with you. It represents everything about America that I love – no matter how much the current culture is trying to change it. America is the best and most beautiful country in the world. Why, oh why, are liberals trying to destroy her?

Tears of Sadness For The America In My Heart

The video is from the Hillsdale College Choir. Did anyone else get goosebumps besides me? Did anyone else have a few tears well up besides me?

I love that video. It’s a masterpiece of images set to one of the most wonderful songs ever written about our great country.

No one can change the fact that our country was founded on Judeo-Christian values. The agenda-promoters can rewrite history and confuse the next generation, but the true facts of our country’s founding remain.

The America in my heart

Wishing you a safe and happy 4th.

God bless you all, God bless America, and stay strong!

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Christians Take Heart

Christians Take Heart

Christians take heartGod is still on His throne.

We knew in this journey that things would happen in the world that would discourage and, even at times, horrify us.

I turn off the news a lot.

And I click out of the internet headlines because they get to be too much.

I read about the “groups” that are now pushing even harder for their “rights” and it makes my skin crawl…like pedos. I can’t even say that full word because it makes me nauseated. You can check it out for yourself. See Allen B. West’s website, June 27th article, for the awful headline. That’s what happens when God’s design for marriage is shot down.

And I turn off the television shows that glorify SIN.

It’s so “in your face” that I get sick of it. In our home, we tape a lot of family-friendly shows and buy movies just to get away from the junk. No agenda-TV for us, thanks.

This continuing defiance and fist-shaking at God that is happening in America will not end well for those who continue to deny His ultimate authority.

Very Troublesome Times Are Up Ahead

As Christians, we must continue to stand up for God’s truth in love and respond with gentleness and respect.

Time to get ready though. There are those people who hate God so much they will vilify believers. That’s you and me.

standing up for God's truth in loveWe will be hated and may lose friendships for speaking up for Jesus Christ, maybe even lose our jobs. We should expect it and be prepared. Someone said to me once, in effect, “Christians always think they’re being persecuted.” How sad is it that someone like that person refuses to listen to what is happening in other countries and also what is already happening here in the United States. They need to be more informed before making a statement like that.

But, in the thick of it, we must continue to pray.

As Christ forgave us, we must forgive them.

Don’t Lose Heart, My Brothers and Sisters in Christ

Stay strong, bold, and courageous. We know how it all ends.

He has overcome the world and keeps all of His promises.

Keep looking Heavenward!

Christ has overcome the world

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Don’t miss glimpses of Heaven all around you

Glimpses of Heaven – Don’t Miss Them!

beauty of Gods creationWhen was the last time you noticed the beauty of God’s creation right in front of you – a foretaste of Heaven on earth?

Creation is a gift from God.

Our lives are so busy and yet, if we’re not careful, we can miss it all.

The beauty we see around us is a reminder of what Heaven has in store for believers, only much much better.

How Would You Describe Heaven?

Here are some thoughts about Heaven from two friends of mine:

“I think Heaven is a wonderful place where I don’t have to worry about sinning anymore” – James, 8 years old.

“Heaven is better than anything we know here on earth. It’s like going to Hawaii and everything’s free” – Emma, 7 years old.

Yes, dear ones, you are right!

But there’s so much more.

My Description of Heaven – A Fraction of What It Will Be

Praying at the top of a mountainI’ve personally visited picturesque, snow-capped, mountains in Wyoming and Colorado. 

I’ve been to the top of one of those mountains and couldn’t help but say prayers in that gorgeous setting.

How could you not?

It’s hard to imagine that there’s a more magnificent place than those beautiful mountains to praise and worship the Heavenly Father, but Heaven is.

I would never get tired of it.

I’ve snorkeled in Hawaii, the Bahamas, and Panama City Beach.

Heaven isIt’s hard to imagine there’s a more serene and breath-taking place than those beaches, but Heaven is.

I have questions about the sad events that have happened in my life. Is there a place where my every question will be answered?

Yes, in Heaven.

I’ve experienced the heartache of losing some of my brothers and sisters in Christ. I miss them and want to see them again.

I will, in Heaven.

It’s inconceivable to me why anyone would not want Heaven for their future.

Randy Alcorn’s Heaven – a Great Book

Randy Alcorn's Heaven bookOne of the most encouraging books I’ve ever read is Randy Alcorn’s book, “Heaven.” I first heard about his book after listening to his interview on the John Ankerberg show.

I was totally mesmerized and couldn’t wait to buy it.

The most important thing to remember is that Mr. Alcorn uses Scripture throughout. He’s not claiming that he visited Heaven or had some kind of vision, which would be suspect.

He presents a hopeful and thought-provoking picture for us of what our eternal lives could be with Jesus Christ.

The book, “Heaven”, stirs my imagination and gives me great hope in the beauty, freedoms, and fun that Heaven has to offer to believers in Jesus Christ.

Heaven will be, in one word, magnificent!

There are so many gold nuggets in Mr. Alcorn’s book that I even took notes to refer to later. I don’t say that about many of the books I’ve read. His book paints a beautiful and hopeful picture for us of what our eternal future could be like – a future away from this very dark and compromising world that we live in now.

From Titus 2:11-13:

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. –

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles

In The Presence of Our Savior

I always knew from reading Scripture that Heaven is a place prepared for believers, in the presence of our Savior. I didn’t fully think about that before. Looking back, it’s like when you read a Bible verse that really sticks with you and then later, you take a Bible study and the study materials bring out the richness of the verse that you’ve never realized before. Your love and understanding of that verse then increases tenfold.

I like to use the example of Stephen in Acts 7:55-56. Before he was killed, Stephen uttered in his dying moments that he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 

Encouraging verse right? But, if you really think deeper about that word picture, Jesus was standing.

Not sitting, but standing to welcome Stephen into the Kingdom.

Talk about an honorary welcome from the One who paid the price for all of our sins.

Heaven is a Real Place

Heaven is a real placeIf anyone tells you otherwise, please consider the source. That person having doubts needs our prayers and the working of the Holy Spirit in his or her heart. 

The blessed fact is, Heaven is very real and attainable for all of us who put our faith in the one, true, and living God. Are we bearing the fruits of the Spirit?

How do we know Heaven is real? Because Jesus spoke about the Kingdom in the Bible. (See Matthew 7:21-22 as one example). Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. God does not lie.

As Christians, we must pray for strength and courage in the trying times ahead. Our ultimate relief from sin and its strongholds will be in Heaven. Praise God for that.

Heaven Will Take Your Breath Away

Heaven will be anything BUT boring.

Why is it that some people think anything that is eternally good, will be boring?

That’s a lie from Satan, says Mr. Alcorn:

Satan need not convince us that Heaven doesn’t exist. He need only convince us that Heaven is a place of boring, unearthly existence. If we believe that lie, we’ll be robbed of our joy and anticipation, we’ll set our minds on this life and not the next, and we won’t be motivated to share our faith.    From Randy Alcorn’s, “Heaven”. Tyndale House Publishers. 2004.

Randy Alcorn’s “Heaven” is a long book, but it’s worth spending the time to read it. I hope you enjoy it.

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Father’s Day 2015

Father’s Day 2015 is Sunday, June 21st.

That means … it’s this Sunday!

Is it me or is this year flying by?

I hope you get the opportunity to celebrate with your father this weekend. Whether it’s with a hug, a card, a phone call, a visit – whatever expression of love you wish to give, I’m sure your father will appreciate it.

Missing My Dad

If, like me, your father has passed on, it’s still a special time to remember.

My father was my hero.

It’s hard for me to write this without shedding some tears.

My DadI have so many fond memories etched in my mind. I was blessed to have my father in my life and I thank God for him.

My father was strong, affectionate, and enthusiastic. He loved to laugh and was always interested in what was going on in my life and the lives of others. He was hard-working and athletic and I looked up to him like no other. Can you tell I was his No. 1 fan?

Father’s Day 2015 – Looking Back

Here’s just a few nostalgic thoughts from the past.

It didn’t matter whether I was telling him about something really important or, as a child, about the tadpoles that I had just caught in the creek behind our house. My father had this special way of making me feel like I was the most important person in the room. I believe that’s a God-given gift.

I remember that he would hold my hand during the Blue Angel’s air shows in Pensacola, Florida. As the mighty jets soared over our heads in precise formation, I would grip his hand tighter and he would beam with Navy pride.

Blue Angels air shows with my dad

Encouragement Is So Important

My father was also an encourager. In high school, I needed that assurance. I excelled on the track team, but failed miserably when it came to talking to boys. I was painfully shy. In my freshman year, my high school held a Sadie Hawkins dance. That’s where the girls ask the boys. Horrors!

How would I ever get up enough courage to ask a boy to go out on a date? The thought had me tossing and turning a few nights.

My father used to drive me to school every day and he could tell one morning that I had something big on my mind.

I told him about the dance and insisted that no boy would ever want to go with me. Dad said with his big smile, “Any boy should be PROUD to go with you” and then he proceeded to assure me that everything would be alright. I’ll never forget it.

He was the most encouraging person I’d ever met.

p.s. His pep talk worked and I did end up going to the dance 🙂

I remember that my father never hesitated to say how much he loved me or that he was proud of me after one of my accomplishments.

I loved that he was the first to stretch out his arms for a big hug whenever I would come home from college on a long weekend.

Father's Day 2015

My Hero

My father was a hero in the military too.

He was an honored flight surgeon and we found out years later that he had performed emergency, life-saving, brain surgery on a soldier while on board a ship. He saved lives and I appreciate and respect his service to our country.

I was devastated when he lost his battle to Alzheimers in 1988. As painful as his death was, I knew that he was no longer suffering and was in God’s hands. I’m looking forward to that reunion more than I can say.

Dad, you’re always in my thoughts, but especially this Sunday as our country celebrates Father’s Day. I love you and miss you every day.

Giving you a happy high-five!

Fathers Day

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