Christian Bloggers Unite

Today’s post is by my guest blogger Dan Lillpop. You can catch Dan over at his blog, Big Life Links.

There’s an old story told about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. An important job had to be done, and EVERYBODY was sure that SOMEBODY would do it. ANYBODY could have done it, but NOBODY did it. SOMEBODY got angry about that, because it was EVERYBODY’S job. EVERYBODY thought ANYBODY could do it and that SOMEBODY would do it. But NOBODY realized that EVERYBODY thought SOMEBODY would do it. It ended up that EVERYBODY blamed SOMEBODY when NOBODY did what ANYBODY could have done.

There are a multitude of problems facing our nation and the world, and EVERYBODY seems to be pointing an accusing finger at SOMEBODY as being the cause of all the trouble. ANYBODY could be the blame, but the fact is that NOBODY seems to be accepting responsibility for the fix we’re in.

At the height of the Civil War, President Lincoln said, “The occasion is piled high with difficulty, but we must arise to the occasion.”

President Elect Obama is assuming “an occasion piled high with difficulty.” His job is huge, and there are many who are looking to him as the solution to the multitude of problems facing this country, but we need to be looking closer to home. Yes, there is much he can do, but a long-lasting solution will only be discovered as each of us begins living more responsibly in our own little world. Instead of pointing a finger in the direction of Washington, maybe the best thing would be for each of us to determine some things we can do to make our world a better place.

“It’s time that we woke up and smelled the coffee” . . . It’s time that we face the fact that what we have tried isn’t working . . . It’s time that we face the fact that something is radically wrong with the way we have chosen to operate and live our lives in today’s world. We can try to put the blame in any number of places, but the bottom line is that our present conditions are the result of choices we have made. At the expense of some valuable assets in our society, we have made some deadly decisions which we have been told would bring us a better quality of life. It hasn’t worked, and it won’t work. It’s time for us to return to the basics.

We need to draw from the right RESOURCE. If our problems are to be solved, we must draw from the right resource . . . We must seek out wisdom from above.

We need to be RECEPTIVE to the instruction given. The answer we need may not always be what we want to hear . . . It may not be in agreement with other more popular answers . . . It may not be easy, but if we have gone to the right resource, we need to be receptive to the instruction we are given.

We need to be RESPONSIVE to the instructions we have received. The best plan in the world won’t work if we don’t. What we’ve tried hasn’t work, maybe it’s time we changed plans.

The need of the hour is great. It is indeed “an occasion piled high with difficulty,” but we must arise to the occasion and do our part to make the world a better place.

Written by: Dan Lillpop from www.biglifelinks.com/blog

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. ~1 Chronicles 16:34~

I had what some might consider to be an exciting day. Not the kind of excitement I’d go looking for, but still…

This afternoon I was in my bedroom when I heard the back door open. I figured it was my sister as she usually comes in that way, so I didn’t give it much thought. A couple of minutes later I heard what sounded like somebody tripping over something and then what sounded like a mans voice say “OW.” It wasn’t a voice I recognized and I know it wasn’t the smartest thing to do, but me being me, I had to go check it out.

I went to the kitchen as that’s where the noise seemed to be coming from. When I reached the kitchen doorway, I saw someone standing next to the kitchen island. Their back was turned towards me so I can’t be sure, but I’m thinking by the way they were dressed and by their build that they were male.

Apparently whoever it was heard me come into the kitchen because they immediately left through the back door. Part of me wanted to follow them, but I didn’t. Instead I went back to my room and called 911. I’m guessing the police where in the area because I could hear their sirens while I was still on the phone with the dispatcher and they were here within minutes.

I’m still a little shaken, but I am ok. Nothing around the house seems to be missing which is a good thing. The neighborhood I live in is for the most part a low crime area, but you just never know anymore. I think my husband and stepson are more shaken up than I am, but I know it’s only because they care.

Even though it was a an unpleasant experience, a stranger coming into my home uninvited, I’m very thankful that God was watching over me.

As Always - BJ

I’ve noticed that instead of complaining about the election results, many bloggers (my regular reads at least) are concentrating on the need for prayer, not only for our new president elect, but also for our nation. This is a concept that I wish certain friends and family members around me could grasp.

For those who continue to complain, I’m not going to preach you a sermon or anything, but there is something I would like to share with you. It’s a statement about the election from a 15 year old girl. (name withheld by me)

“I’m fifteen years old and I might be to young to vote but I’m not to young to honor my Christian responsibilities. I don’t have to like Mr. Obama but he’s gonna be our next president and it’s my duty as a Christian to pray for him.

My responsibilities don’t stop there. I have a responsibility to be careful with the words that come out of my mouth. If I’m always confessing the economy is gonna collapse, or that taxes are going up, or that social security is going broke, then I don’t have a right to complain when those things happen.

I love my country and I refuse to confess that it’s going to hell. Instead I lift it up to God and pray and believe that He will do what’s best.”

While there’s absolutely nothing that needs added to the above statement, I do have a question. If someone at the tender age of 15 can so completely grasp our responsibilities as a Christian, then why is it so hard for some of us adults to get it?

As Always - BJ

My web host has finally finished with the server migration, so hopefully there will be no more problems from their end. The past couple of weeks have been a bit frustrating, but I’m sticking with them for several reasons, including the fact that their customer service is the best I’ve found.

As to the recent problems I’ve been having, well, it hasn’t been so much my web host, but the Wordpress theme I’ve been using. It seems that parts of the template’s code is conflicting with certain plugins I use.

Though I really like the theme, I’m going to ditch it as I’m tired of the headaches. I’m in the process of installing a new theme, but until I’m finished, you’re stuck with the default theme.

I’m sorry for all the inconvenience this has caused, but hopefully things are finally good to go. I’m going to give it a couple of more weeks and problems continue to exist after changing the Worpress theme, then perhaps I’ll consider changing web host.

As Always - BJ

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. ~1 John 5:4~

Persevere: To persist in or remain constant to a purpose, idea, or task in the face of obstacles or discouragement.

This week’s featured blog Persevere, is appropriately titled. To help you understand why I say this, let me share a snippet from Lori’s profile.

My blog is all about perseverance…running the race of faith in the midst of my daily struggles with a Muscle Disease. It’s all about the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

Lori is such an inspiration, as is her blog. While some might expect a blog filled with anger and bitterness from a person who struggles daily with a physical disability, you won’t find that at Persevere. What you will find when you read Lori’s blog, is a woman who has a definite love for life, as well as a love for sharing the word of God with others.

As Always - BJ