causes

Causality is the relationship between an event (the cause) and a second event (the effect), where the second event is a consequence of the first.Life is not always what it seems. You must know the context- the cause.

Look at the pictures and the three true statements below. Then search the next few paragraphs to find the cause and fill in the blanks.

Cause:
Effect: I held Zack

Cause:
Effect: Zack could walk even before his wounds healed.

Cause:
Effect: a black eye

Sometimes we see an effect and conjure up all kinds of scenarios, mere speculations and make judgments without any real basis in reality.

Was I holding Zack still?
No! Zack was terrified and screaming uncontrollably and I held him as close as I could to comfort him while they sawed off his casts
… We will know more tomorrow how things are going for him when he goes up for x-rays. We are hoping the pins (to hold the bones together for fusing after the amputations and bone surgery) will get to come out. But hope the removal of his casts for x-rays is not as traumatic for him as the sawing off his casts Friday... it petrified him plus the casts had become like friends for him cause they enabled him to walk and climb while the wounds were healing.

What about the black eye? Did someone hit her… well in a way, there was a car wreck and the other car hit her car. But some actually thought domestic violence lol!

We all know the term cause and effect but often we see an effect and come to conclusions that have no basis in reality. Like the one who wondered about domestic violence.

I would like to share something that the LORD highlighted to me as I read HIS word today seeing the word because several times. Since the word because is a connecting word used to link the cause with the effect, whenever you see the word because check the context closely to determine what is the cause and what is the effect.

fill in the blanks
Daniel 4:37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Cause:
1-
2-
3-
Effect: Nebuchadnezzar praised, exalted and glorified the King of heaven (note the name the earthly king Nebuchadnezzar called GOD)


Notice the 3 reasons why Nebuchadnezzar praised and exalted and glorified the King of heaven.
1-everything HE does is right
2-all HIS ways are fair
3-HE is able to humble those who walk in pride.
***(notice the great earthly King Nebuchadnezzar’s name for GOD was King of heaven)
***

Ezra 7:6 this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, because the hand of the LORD his God was on him.

Cause:
Effect: the king granted Ezra everything he asked for.

Ezra 7:9 He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, because the gracious hand of his God was on him. 10Because Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

Cause: because
Effect: Ezra arrived safely in Jerusalem

Cause: Ezra had devoted himself to study, obey and teach the word of GOD
Effect: therefore


GOD’s gracious hand was on Ezra and because of it the king granted him what he asked for and because GOD's gracious hand was on Ezra. he was protected from dangers and delays on his trip to Jerusalem. Why was GOD’s gracious hand on him?

Does GOD play favorites? Vs 6 and 10 show us the reason. Because Ezra turned to GOD and devoted himself to learn (study) and obey GOD’s word and then teach it GOD in turn put HIS gracious hand on Ezra.

When we turn to GOD, we will find HIS good hand upon us.

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek ME and find ME because when you seek ME with all your heart. 14 I will let you find ME," declares the LORD,

you do the same things

Romans 2:1You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

When I 1st began to see that truth I was horrified at it's implications. But now this verse is a tool. When I see something wrong in another I stop and ask how do I do this (not necessarily the same exact thing but the same kind of thing)

I remember when the LORD was began speaking to me about my stubbornness...
HE used Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you. 9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.

GOD was telling me that HE wanted to instruct and teach me, HE wanted to counsel and protect me, but I needed to learn to listen carefully and obey HIS instruction regardless if I agreed or understood why.

What came across were the words I have made bold. I saw that GOD was speaking of stubbornness. But I refused to acknowledge, even to myself, that I could be stubborn. Rather I reasoned, "I am not stubborn so this must apply to Mac cause he really is stubborn. GOD must want me to pray for his stubbornness"

Don't get me wrong, Mac was stubborn but GOD show me his stubborness so I would see how hateful stubbornness is. By neglecting/ refusing to check myself for stubborness and rejecting the entire idea that I could even be stubborn I delayed/ blocked my own growth in that area and also opened the door/ caused myself much hardship and many trials for GOD had to do things (control me with a bit and bridle) to get me to go the way I needed to go.

Praise the LORD for HIS gentle longsuffering, HE didn't leave me but stayed right by my stubborn side. Yet HE had to put restraints on me that would not have been necessary if I had listened to what HE was saying more clearly and examined myself.

So now when I see a fault in another, I obey GOD's command in Galations 6: 1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch(consider, check) yourself, or you also may be tempted.

1st I stop and ask GOD if that fault lies in me and where then and only then after I deal with the log in my own eye, I am able to help my sister remove the splinter in her eye.

hugs
Sharon

The devil made me do it?

I have this neat friend who is kind and giving. She is a fun person… maybe even a clown and gets people laughing and since laughter is a great medicine you know that is a good thing. My friend loves the LORD but has not studied the Bible much until the past year or so. She now loves Bible study. There is just this one thing I have noticed…. She can study and study and study the Bible and then the only thing she talks about from all her study is some obscure concept that has absolutely nothing to do with knowing JESUS or GOD the Father better or how to live right. Her bunny trails are like the proverbial controversy: how many angels can fit on the head of a pen.

Recently my friend confronted a loved one who used bad language but this time she used my name, saying that I say that the devil can give us thoughts…

Well, she was right on there… for our battle is in the mind (II Cor.10:3-5) and just like that serpent Satan whispered to Eve in the garden that GOD was trying to keep something good from her, so he whispers lies and puts words and thoughts in our minds. And I tell you, he can sound more like me than me.

But although he can put thoughts in my mind, I alone choose what I do with those thoughts or words.

Just like JESUS chose what to do with his suggestions in the wilderness.

I can remember clearly a situation many years ago when tempting thoughts hit so hard and it sounded so like me and you know what is the use of fighting yourself? … but from within another voice whispered, “It’s the battle, Sharon” I had to choose who I was going to listen to… GOD or the liar. If you can’t tell by content whose voice is speaking simply ask. For GOD promises that if we acknowledge HIM that HE will direct us.

Our teacher, the Holy Spirit will show us who is doing the talking if we will stop and ask.

Bill Crosby’s famous, “The devil made me do it” is a lie. The devil can’t make us do a thing. His power is simply in deception. He only has as much power as we give him.

My friend’s love one misunderstood what my friend meant and thought my friend had said she was full of the devil…(Boy how the devil can twist our words to cause division) and her loved one really got mad and won’t even talk to her now.

Of course my dear friend is heartbroken and I told her I would pray about it. After I prayed and went on to the task at hand. An answer began to surface. The answer was not to her problem with her loved one (but as it came into focus I could see they were directly related.) The answer was to a question I had been asking about my friend and the bunny trails she got on.

I had asked the LORD, why (when there was so much to see in a passage that showed us so much of the nature and dealings of GOD and showed us how it all related to us) all she seemed aware of was insignificant controversies like those we are told by Peter to avoid?

The answer to my question, was her answer to her loved one. Rather than to allow my friend to be drawn deeply into the nature of GOD, our enemy quickened her curiosity about insignificant statements to distract her from what GOD had for her in that passage and thus steal it from her.

For you see the devil comes not but to steal, kill and destroy. John 10:10 and he will use anything he can to accomplish that purpose.

What a reminder for me to avoid that pitfall of being turned aside to bunny trails.
.
Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.(what is the goal? In my friend’s case; what is the purpose of her Bible study? Is it to learn of GOD and HIS ways or use human reasoning to satisfy her curiosity?)
Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe.
Don't get sidetracked; Prov4:25-27

What is your focus for today? Are you willing to focus your thoughts and energies on God's blessings and upon His will for your life? Or will you let the enemy distract you, stealing your attention from what GOD would show you?

The choice is yours.

Hugs
Sharon

look ahead

Like in the saying, blood, sweat and tears... have you ever worked so hard you wondered if you could go on? But then when all was done there was that feeling of great satisfaction at what was accomplished and it was worth it all. Wasn’t it?

This summer before Camp Elim’s 50th celebration was Servant’s Leader’s Training. And we worked a couple hours in an area (Kitchen/ dining room, Maintenance, Housekeeping, Office Program-{which included things like canoeing, ropes course, archery and making props and learning the games we would have the kids play},). By the end of the week we had some training in each area plus sessions of training in counseling and many awesome worship and praise times with good chapels.

Since Camp’s anniversary was coming up and we would have hundreds of visitors, Shawn wanted to get certain things done and in place before the big day. Well, the day I worked with the kids in maintenance, Shawn had us shovel dirt from piles into wheelbarrows and move it to an area that needed filling in. It was work. When I was done I felt like I could collapse and the next day my muscles ached in areas I didn’t ever experience before.

But it was so satisfying to level that pile of dirt and to see the results made me feel good at what we had accomplished.

This morning I was amazed as I pondered a verse in Isaiah 53 and I saw how it applied to us and all the struggles we have been through lately. But 1st things 1st.

Fixing our eyes on JESUS, the Author and Profecter of our faith , WHO for the joy HE set before HIMSELF endured the cross, despising the shame (see it is OK not to like it)… Hebrews 12:2

It was fitting (apropos) that GOD, for WHOM and by WHOM all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory should make the Author of their salvation (JESUS) perfect through suffering. Hebrews 2:10

When HE (JESUS) sees all that is accomplished by HIS anguish, HE will be satisfied. And because of what HE has experienced, MY righteous Servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for HE will bear all their sins. Isaiah 53:11,12

AMAZING isn’t it… looking ahead at what would be accomplished by HIS anguish JESUS endured suffering, even though HE hated the shame. HE was earning the way and leading and teaching us all at once. So that by one offering HE could perfect forever those who are being made holy Hebrews . Since we have to suffer to made perfect, so HE (the Creator/Sustainer of all) suffered to complete (another meaning of the word perfect in the Greek) HIS work for us.

But as I read those words in Isaiah 53:11, “when HE shall see what was accomplished by HIS suffering HE was satisfied..” what I thought of was how I feel when others write and tell me Little Zachary’s story and the struggles Shirley and Richard are having help them, encourage them with the hard things they are facing.

All Praise to the GOD and FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. HE is the source of every mercy and the GOD who comforts us. HE comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort GOD has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:3,4

Hugs
Sharon

Once again we see that our present troubles are achieving eternal things that far outweigh the pain of today and know that we, like JESUS are to look ahead at what the troubles are achieving. 2 Corinthians 4:17.18

celebrating

Just got the news and am celebrating that 2 week old baby Ben is out of heart surgery at 7:00PM - all went well - thanks for your prayers - God is faithful -

hugs

Sharon

O LORD, YOU are an Awesome GOD, we celebrate YOUR love and goodness. Thank YOU LORD, thank YOU

Ben and Jillian

It is amazing how GOD uses our pain and through it enables us to co labor with HIM and encourage others in a time of struggle and pain. As I have written updates on Zachary and how GOD is using his struggles and adventures to reminds us of HIS promises and teach us, many have responded. Two women who are very special friends shared how they have been encouraged and shared their immediate sturggle. One for a 2 week old baby cousin and another for an unborn granddaughter... both with very serious heart conditions. Please pray with me for them.

Elaine, wrote about her unborn granddaughter: After the appointment at Children's Friday, it was confirmed Jillian only has 3 chambers of her heart. The options are a heart transplant immediately after birth, a 3 stage surgery immediately after birth, 4-6 mo later, and about 3 years after. The 3rd is to do nothing. The kids have opted for the 3rd part surgery unless a heart is available when she is born. Special attention will be given to Nikki as she finishes her pregnancy. It's good to know this up front so plans can be in place but difficult to know their baby is not perfectly healthy.

Mid, shared about her cousin, Rachael and Thomas Kauffman who have a 2 week old son who has 4 defects in his heart. He is Benjamin Thomas Kauffman. Doctors deem Ben is stable enough that they are going to do the 1st of 2 open heart surgeries on Tuesday (Sept. 14th), LORD willing, with an expected 2-4 weeks recovery time. The 2nd surgery will be when he is 6 months old- the end of February or early March. Nurses keep talking about how much attitude he has. His dad, Thomas, is not saved and they don't have any insurance and Thomas's job doesn't bring in a lot and they bumped Rachael down on her job because of missed time during her pregnancy, in fact she may no longer have a job. Please pray for Thomas's salvation, for Ben's healing and for Rachael's strength and peace of mind and provision.

Thank you all for your prayers...
Sharon Manning

Stop! YOU are doing it all wrong!

I love the colors of the sunrises and sunsets when there are clouds to reflect the glory of the rising or lowering sun.

I love to look at the stars at night. And when I think of the scripture that tells us GOD leads them like a shepherd.. I marvel at the synchronization of the heavenly bodies and how it says our GOD flung them out into space.


But sometimes I don't love the things that seem to be flung into my life.

This morning reading in Isaiah I was reminded not to argue with GOD but to acknowledge that HE is in charge and give thanks in all things. (I Thess 5:18)

Isaiah 45: 9
“What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, ‘Stop, YOU're doing it wrong!’ Does the pot exclaim, ‘How clumsy can you be?’

Won't you join me in singing GOD's Praise?
Praise be to the name of GOD for ever and ever; wisdom and power are HIS. HE changes times and seasons; HE set up kings and deposes them. HE gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. HE reveals deep and hidden things; HE knows what lies in darkness and light dwells with HIM. Daniel 2:20-22

hugs
Sharon

red-winged fruit bat

sucker-footed bat

Often we wonder why things are as they are but the Bible tells us in Ezekiel 14 GOD does nothing without a cause.

The newsletter from, "The Texas Gardener Seeds" said: Put up a bat house to encourage the presence of these shy animals.

Did you know: Bats consume 3,000 or more mosquitoes and other insects nightly, and bats are less likely to be rabid than dogs are.

Need another reason?

Bats are responsible for up to 95 percent of the seed dispersal essential to the regeneration of forests.

Our planet is populated with plenty of bizarre and astonishing creatures and yet the facts above show that the LORD had a reason for making the crazy characters shown above.

Laugh with the LORD at the characters HE has created and

rejoice in the AWESOME wisdom HE showed in making HIS creation.

Remember when things seem crazy in your life,

that GOD does absolutely nothing without a good cause..

blessings and hugs
Sharon

challenges

Challenges of various types have hit us from every direction (it seems) and yet are proving to be opportunities to see GOD and share HIS love. The main thing about our challenges is that we are helpless to do anything but call out to GOD and wait for HIM to work.

One of the hardest challenges was my grandson-Zachary 2yrs. taking off his casts. Here is set 4 of casts for Zachary since his feet were amputated August 25th 2010 (yep 10 days ago) as you can see they are bright green. Yes we are tired and at times challenged but praising the LORD for little evidences of HIS care and provision.

Yesterday AM my son in law had a flat when he arrived to work... Praise the LORD, what if that had happened when they were speeding down the highway trying to get Zack to Denver or when Shirley was driving alone with the kids? We don't even try to figure out why the challenges have hit but just look to the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY and are seeing HIM everywhere.

Nothing so far keeps Zack down for long. He may get a bit grouchy and say ouchie or pout for a few but soon he is smiling and off. Richard put snug pjs with feet on him and he cant get them off. Of course someone is with him constantly after his houdini tricks. Therefore I plan to stay up there all next week, his daddy and sisters are home til Tuesday so I will go up then.

Yesterday afternoon after a long day, when I told him goodby, he crawled military style (like when they go under a fence) to his wheelchair. Pulled himself to a standing position then reached higher and pulled himself onto the chair on to his belly, then he grabbed hold of the chairs arms lifted himself up and turned and was sitting in his chair. He is undaunted... like usual, GOD knew how to design this little one according to HIS purposes for the boy. Shirley is talking about putting him in gymnastics.

We thank each of you for your prayers and ask that you not stop praying yet.... with Zack we need all the special coverage we can get ...

hugs
Sharon