Uncompromising seems to have a bad vibe about it these days. It sounds a lot like unwavering. Unwilling to give in. One dictionary defines uncompromising as unwilling to grant concessions or negotiate; inflexible. Another says that uncompromising includes an unwillingness to changes ways or opinions.
So to find a compromise with someone, we need to change? What ever happened to “agree to disagree”? That’s a compromise Continue reading “Living in peace, uncompromising”
Midlife Crisis. One of mine came on as a bit of a jolt. As it turned out, the crisis became an opportunity, eventually, for a great restart.
“What’s a midlife crisis? It’s the stuff of jokes and stereotypes—the time in life when you do outrageous, impractical things like quit a job impulsively, buy a red sports car, or dump your spouse.” WebMD
I managed to do all three mentioned above, with a slight variation; I was the one dumped and propelled on an uncharted course. That’s how I got to Continue reading “Restart”
A cold wind blew up Main Street as I walked past Lassen High School. The dimly lite street lamps cast shadows that danced in the wind. Susanville’s streets were clear of ice and snow, yet few cars were out; it was after six o’clock and the few stores in the downtown were closed. People say “they” roll up the sidewalks Continue reading “Dim”
Jacob fled his home after yet another scheme blew up in his face. Little did he know it would be twenty or so years before he’d return. Jacob fell in love, at first sight.
. . . Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess. Now as soon as Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, Jacob came near and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother. Then Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud. And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s kinsman, and that he was Rebekah’s son, and she ran and told her father.
Genesis 29:9-12
But Jacob didn’t have a dime to his name. He made a deal with Laben to work for Rachel’s hand in marriage. Seven years in service and finally he’s married. He lifts the vail from his new wife and discovers Laben has outdone the schemer, substituting Rachel’s sister, Leah. Another deal is struck, and Jacob agrees to seven more years service.
Finally the day comes and Jacob has two wives, but is still penniless. Laben knows a good deal when he sees it, and takes one Jacob for another tour of service. Eventually, Jacob turns the tables on Laben, grows wealthy, gathers up his small clan, and heads home.
On the way, Jacob prepares to face his brother, from whom he schemed against to not only get the birth right, but also the inheritance. He divides his clan in two, sends gifts ahead of them with some of his staff, and spends the night alone.
Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel,f for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.”
Genesis 32: 24-30
Wrestling with an angel. Wrestling with the God Abraham and Issac. John Parson’s, Hebrew for Christians, explains that we all must face our fears and wrestle over who we are with G-d.
As with Jacob, G-d comes to each of us at some point in our lives. We wrestle with Him. If we prevail in our struggle, we are asked to give our name. Our name is often thought of as meaning our identity. Who are we? Furthermore, we must give account of ourselves. We must look deeply into our lives, must see ourselves as we truly are, and tell that to G-d. In turn, we are given a new identity.
It seems to me this is an ongoing process; one that continues our entire lives. For we wrestle, also, with our own selves.
Apostle “Paul describes in the Book of Romans a much deeper frustration—one with which only Christians can identify and one with which all Christians can identify. The Christian’s agony comes from realizing that our sinful flesh refuses to respond to the requirements of God’s Law. Those things which we as Christians despise we find ourselves doing. Those things which we as Christians desire we fail to accomplish. No matter how much we may wish to serve God in our minds, we find ourselves sinning in our bodies. As Paul describes his frustration in Romans 7, with his mind he desires to serve God. He agrees with the Law of God and rejoices in it. He wants to do what is right, but his body will not respond. He watches, almost as a third party, as sin sends a signal to his body, and as his body responds, “What would you like to do?” Paul finds, as we do, that while our fleshly bodies refuse to obey God and do that which we desire and which delights God, they quickly and eagerly respond to the impulses and desires aroused by sin.” Bible.ORG.
We live our lives, then, on the tenterhooks, experiencing the ups and downs, the joy and the tragedy of an Earthly sojourn. The chief difference between those who haven’t experienced the revelation of a new identity in G-d through His Son our Messiah, Yeshua, is that we have the hope of eternal salvation. Those who will not wrestle with G-d and prevail, will not reveal their names to G-d, have only what is here on this Earth, with it’s joys and heartaches.
As Christians, we are privileged. We call the Creator of the universe our Father. Furthermore, we are called His sons and daughters. We are in the Family of G-d.
May the G-d of Abraham, Issac, Jacob, grant us the spiritual peace to live a life that is complete, abundant, filled with the knowledge we are loved and desired by a Father that cares enough to wrestle with us and one day take us off the tenterhooks of this Earthly travel.
L-RD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .
The Daily Post Word Prompt Tenterhooks
Andrew Willow, a host of a conservative radio talk show The Wiklow Majority sub-titles his show with “We’re Right. They’re Wrong. End of Story.” He has a point.
According to C.H. Spurgeon (19 June 1834 – 31 January 1892 Baptist Preacher in London) as Christians, as Followers of Y’shuaJesus, we are entitled. We have Christian Privilege. In previous posts here at JonahzSong, Continue reading “We’re Right; They’re Wrong; And Christians Still Die as They did in Rome”
Recently, a young man on his way home from work, picked up his two children from a day care/learning center as he had many times before. This man went home and dropped the two children off with his pregnant wife, and went out into the woods and killed himself.
Why? I tried to find news of it in the local paper. Nothing. I looked at the crime blotter for the county. Nothing. There are too many other “more important” events to report.
“Unbelief is at the bottom of all our staggerings at God’s promises,” wrote Matthew Henry.
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. . . (Romans 4;20)
The Creator of the Universe, of all that is, seen and unseen, offers righteousness to His creation; belief is what we offer to G-d. We offer belief in His miracles, His promises, His Resurrection of us. We do this because He offered Y’shuaJesus in redemption for our souls. Through Y’shuaJesus, and only through Y’shuaJesus, Continue reading “Stagger not at the Promises of G-d; Live Successful Lives”
The Christmas Season is over today for those folks who wait until the Feast of Three Kings or Orthodox Christmas to call it over. The New Years is well under way, and I suppose most of those well-meaning resolutions are already broken, Continue reading “Specific”
Last summer, beneath a lonely full moon that cried out to me, “Chill Out, Dude,” I relaxed a little. I enjoyed the solitude, the sound of waves slapping the hull, and the breeze filling the sails. When finally the sun dropped behind the pine trees to the west, I stirred only to discover the battery was dead. That meant no lights. Darkness stole the evening and my peaceful sail. Then, naturally, the breeze dropped out and the sails lay ideal, and Cassandra, a heavy, full-keeled, twenty-five-foot sailboat, came to an abrupt halt. Continue reading “Chill Out!”
“An English degree and a dime,” Dad said, “will get you a cup of coffee.” A dime won’t get me a cup of coffee these days. Do something “practical.” How ’bout a marine biologist. And later, inspired by my auto shop teacher, I wanted to get my degree in industrial arts and teach. When I finally started college, it was like more high school—same-O, same-O. The English I liked. I did take psychology. It was good too. But I didn’t HAVE to attend class. I found my niche; I majored in lounge. My days consisted of hanging out in the student lounge and fraternizing. Occasionally I attended a class or two. English and psychology.
“Your problem is that you’re codependent,” her words jabbed Continue reading “Getting Old”
Jonah’s Song 