ONE'S OUTWARD APPEARANCE

I'm finally back after running the gauntlet of 10 straight work days for a total of 97 total hours.  I'm one whooped puppy. lol.  Anyway, God is still good, He is still on His throne and prayer still changes things.  Taking some time off ... will be incognito for a few days towards the end of next week.  I am blessed!!  

Something struck me just yesterday.  As much as women try to make themselves look alluring, there is something much more important that ones outward appearance.  I am using the women from my work place as my sole example, but this observation spills over into the world at large.  If you don't have a godly heart, your outward appearance will be tarnished.  Being pretty outside, yet ugly inside is very unappealing.  It is the godly woman who knows how to place her focus on that which is most important.  There is nothing wrong with looking your best, but using up an inordinate amount of time accentuating certain aspects of one anatomy with less than pure motives will not serve you well. Trust God to fulfill His promises to you and live for Him with purity, kindness, love, mercy, patience and grace.  No matter what your outward physical appearance may be, you will look beautiful to those who see you due to the godly radiance that shines forth from your heart thru your eyes. rlk.

ARIAN FOSTER DOESN'T BELIEVE IN GOD

     Arian Foster, star running back for the Houston Texans, proclaimed in a published interview last Thursday that he didn't believe in God.  Ok, he's entitled to that choice.  He has started campaigning for the group Openly Secular. He claims secular people are widely misunderstood.  Perhaps, but I know what the issue is.  It's no different than being an atheist or an agnostic.  They want to call the shots.  I think the openly secular don't have an understanding of who God is or what becoming a Christian is truly all about.  Perhaps it is partly because so many believers misrepresent Christianity.  Arian said the question he gets from teammates is "Do you worship the devil then?"  His response is simply "If I don't believe in God, why would I believe in the devil."  A fair answer.  The real issue at hand here is man's autonomy.  He doesn't feel he needs anybody's assistance, he can go it alone and do just fine.  While I don't know Mr. Foster's take on Christians, some non-believers see us as weak, in need of a crutch, which in this case would be Jesus. I don't believe Christians misunderstand secular people at all.  I just think Arian Foster is trying to justify his non-belief by making an issue of it. That's his choice and because of the free will we believe God gives each man, Arian absolutely has the right to believe whatever he wants.  So does everyone.  If my faith is misplaced and I am wrong, that there is no God, then I will live my life out, die and rot in the ground.  People like Arian Foster have a whole lot more to lose if they are mistaken. rlkeller

MY TAKE ON THINGS

       I read a brief article that had been emailed to me the other day.  One line caught my attention.  The writer said we were “in the midst of a hostile take over in America.”  It essentially said the modern day terrorists are using unmitigated violence in the name of religion and it was already here in the US.  I don't see it that way.  While I do see middle eastern looking individuals all over, I find it hard to believe they are all going to one day collectively rise up and take all free men as prisoners.  Am I naïve?  I hope not.  But if God is greater than any force known to man.  No terrorist or nuclear attack can stop God when he decides to move on our behalf.  I have chosen not to fret or become fearful.  I simply refuse to live in fear!  We are called repeatedly throughout scripture not to fear.  If I must someday die for my faith then it is God’s will and I cannot stop it from taking place.  I have decided that while I will make myself generally aware of what is transpiring around the world, I will not immerse myself in it, but rather continue to learn of the things of the Lord and attempt to imitate Christ in my daily life.  That is how I can be the most productive for the kingdom.  Planting and watering seeds is my mission.  Being a conduit for the Lord is my aim.  Let the devil do his worst, I will stand tall on my convictions believing that in the end I will be with the Lord for all eternity. rlkeller