the hurting hurt

‘This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to Me’, declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you’, says the LORD.’  Zechariah 1:3

 

Earlier this year, I wrote a post about ‘the hurting’

It was focused on a gentleman I happened to meet in the store one day. He shared some of his challenges that he experienced, and, in the course of sharing, he mentioned challenges he faced at work due to harassment from some people.

In that post, I noted: ‘… not all bullies mature and change – sometimes they just grow up to become bigger bullies’

I meant what I said – and still do

And I would never make an excuse for someone’s vicious behavior toward another human being. However, there is always another perspective – even when considering the meanness of people

 I am currently in school taking a behavior modification course

And, for some reason, my class assignment this week had me thinking of the hurting - not those who suffer hurt like the gentleman I met but those who do the hurting

I was reading a section of the book Behavior Modification where it notes “behavioral research with nonhuman subjects demonstrated that aggressive behavior and other emotional responses may occur when painful stimuli are presented …”¹

So what does that mean?

It means when a subject experienced a painful stimuli, that same subject lashed out. Further, the subject lashed out at one who was not responsible for presenting the painful stimuli. Their fury rested on the nearest target they could find.

This process is not unique to nonhuman subjects

It is true of human individuals as well

It is a well-established fact that hurt people hurt people

The first documented act of premeditated murder demonstrates this

Cain and Abel, the first brothers mentioned in the Bible both presented offerings to the LORD. Abel gave the fat portions from the firstborn of his flock and Cain gave an offering as well. And Scripture notes:

‘The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering He did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.

Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.” Genesis 4:4-8

Our Scripture reference is lengthy today – please accept my apologies. But it is necessary to understand the whole story.

Rejection is a powerful and painful stimuli

Yet we must  each own our individual reactions

‘We are tempted when we are drawn away and trapped by our own evil desires. Then our evil desires conceive and give birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.’ James 1:14-15

Giving birth to death – what a concept

Sin gives life to a life-taking source

Cain allowed his anger to fester, to mushroom and then to drive him to murder his own brother. But, understand, there is nothing to indicate that Abel actually did anything to Cain. So what was Abel guilty of? What was his great sin?

What did Abel do that was deserving of a murder sentence?

He was loved and approved of by the Father – that is all

Amazing isn’t it? 

What one small seed of rejection can blossom into when planted and cultivated. The sin of jealousy, bitterness and uncontrolled anger – will make one do the unthinkable. It will cause brother to turn against brother, child against parent,  husband against wife – created against the Creator.

What makes me believe that rejection played a role in Cain’s heinous acts?

When confronted with his sin and forced with facing the consequences of his action, his first thoughts and comments were this, “My punishment is more than I can bear … You are driving me from the land and I will be hidden from Your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.' Genesis 4:13-14

It was not until after he voiced words pointing to his concern of being separated from the LORD, that he made mention of his physical safety.

Hurt people hurt people

The hurting hurt others - sometimes

We cannot know for certain why Cain killed Abel or what motivated him

We also understand that not all people who have been hurt hurt others

Yet, sin is always crouching at the door – and we must master it

Cain’s sin against his brother was egregious

He killed his brother, caused grief for his parents and hurt the LORD

Yet the LORD – even after all this – still loved Cain

And He made provision for Cain’s protection.

What a mighty, loving and indescribably gracious God we have!

 

Today – I am praying

I am praying for those who have been hurt by those who are hurting

I am asking God’s hand of protection for those being plotted against

And, I am praying for the hurting who hurt others and themselves

I am praying they would have a genuine encounter with the LORD; one that would take them from feeling hurt and rejected to healed and restored

I am also praying for you.

 

Have a Blessed Day!

 

‘To all who mourn in Israel He will give: beauty for ashes;

joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness.’

Isaiah 61:3

 

¹ Miltenberger, R. (2016). Behavior modification principles and procedures. Cengage Learning.

BLACK FRIDAY!

Good Morning Friends …

I know we have just finished Thanksgiving and it is still November. However – Black Friday is now here, officially marking the beginning of the Christmas Season [at least for retailers]. It is hard to believe how quickly this year has passed … but every day a blessing & today Black Friday blessings!

Traditionally, Black Friday has been one of the busiest shopping days of the year here in the United States. Historically, Black Friday has been a day when retailers [even if they have been experiencing financial setbacks or losses] have been presented an opportunity for economic gains to improve the bottom line of their business:

To move from the RED [a place of deficit]

To move to the BLACK [a place of profit]

For the shopper, Black Friday presents an opportunity to take advantage of some significant deals at bargain prices.

The challenge with Black Friday?

Often the deals, while significant, are subject to limited quantities and require the interested patron to brave the elements and the crowds in order to obtain these great deals.

NOW – I am somewhat of a unique.

I actually HATE shopping … and I really hate crowds. And, since I do not typically hate anything, my choice of the word selection should provide some indication of the level of my discomfort. I think – at least as relates to the crowds – I have my introverted personality to thank.

That being said – I actually LOVE Black Friday!  

However, my love of Black Friday is not for the reason one might suppose.

NOW – I know at this time of year, as we ready for Christmas, many people like to focus their attention on the birth of Christ. After all – it was both miraculous and marvelous!

HOWEVER – I can never bring myself to think about His birth at this time of year, without also thinking about His primary purpose or the tremendous and overwhelming act of love He came to perform.

You see – He, Jesus Christ, was born to die

Plain and Simple – that was His mission

On that Black Friday so many, many years ago

Jesus took us all from a place of DEFICIT to a place of overwhelming PROFIT.

“I have come that they might have life and life abundantly.” John 10:10

HOWEVER –

His Black Friday deal came by placing us in the RED

His blood shed a ransom for all;

It is the best deal ever and one we could never purchase if we tried.

YOU SEE –

He is the Only One who had the currency needed for the purchase

A PERFECT LIFE – FREELY & WILLINGLY GIVEN TO SAVE THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO COULD NOT SAVE THEMSELVES; TO FREE THEM FROM THE DRUDGERY OF DEATH, FROM THE GRIP OFF THE GRAVE – TO RECONCILE US TO PERFECT FELLOWSHIP WITH THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY

Such an amazing love He has for us!

And this is the best part –

-         You do not have to leave your house for this deal

-         You do not have to stand in lines

-         You do not have to fight the crowds [or store staff]

-         There is an unlimited supply on this deal

-         It is yours for the asking and may be received freely

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Jesus Christ, who gave Himself as a ransom for all people.” I Timothy 2:5-6

“And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” Acts 2:21

Now, that is a Black Friday deal if ever I saw one!

Praying You Have a Blessed Day!

LINE DRAWN ...

 Good Afternoon!

I pray you have had a blessed day so far. This morning at church was a great time. We had a guest speaker who preached out of the text regarding Esau and Jacob and the transfer of birthright (Genesis 25:31-34)

It is a fascinating tale which – if you have the opportunity – you should take time to read in its entirety. The pastor was talking about Generosity and specifically Producers and Consumers.

However, after church – as I drove home from spending time with my mom,

The passage of scripture [and the message] took my thoughts in a different [but related] direction.

It got me focused on the divine moment which is occurring, the shift which is unfolding –

THE LINE DRAWN

As I considered and evaluated my mom’s current situation, I will be honest and state that I began to become irritated all over again. She deserves so much better than what she is currently experiencing. And hers was not from a lack of adequate planning – but from scoundrels who would rob an old woman and leave her at the mercies of situations and circumstances.

It got me reflecting on how my mom’s own inheritance was stolen out from underneath her years ago;

How part of my inheritance was stolen in that same transaction;

YET – my mom made a decision that she was going to do something different

One of her favorite verses is out of the book of

‘A good [wise] man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children’ Proverbs 13:22

She had it all planned – a way to redeem some of what had been lost

A way to provide her thirteen grandchildren with a springboard for life.

She formulated a strategy to help catapult them toward their individual destinies

SHE WORKED DILIGENTLY – FOR DECADES – SO THAT IT COULD UNFOLD

She had a hope that the generational curse of stolen and swindled inheritances would finally end

BUT ALAS – It Occurred AGAIN!

You see, with that most recent conniving manipulation and thievery from my mom, went the inheritance which she had set aside for her grandchildren. A birthright wrangled out of the hands of the rightful owner – once again.

It took me back to today’s text:

And, although what Jacob did was highly unethical and abhorrent, it was not illegal

Understand, there are family members and any number of random general individuals [these are the CONSUMERS] who will always attempt to manipulate and strategize ways to wrestle from you what is in your hands so that they may line their pockets

It is an unfortunate by-product of living in a fallen world.

Scripture tells us, ‘We are not ignorant of the devices of the enemy’ II Cor. 2:11

Yet, so often, so many of us are just that – ignorant of the ways he is working and the people he is using

EVEN SO

TODAY – A LINE HAS BEEN DRAWN FOR MY FAMILY

Every generational curse is broken

The enemy has been commanded to restore that which was stolen

The LORD Himself has raised up a standard against those who would rob, and con and pillage

THIS DAY – A MANDATE HAS BEEN DECREED AND DECLARED

GENERATIONAL BLESSING HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED AND ENACTED

I keep feeling the LORD speaking to me as He did King David so many years ago:

“Arise! Pursue! For you shall surely overtake them and recover all!” I Samuel 30:8

I speak to your situation – even as I make declarations over my own:

I command every curse be broken

That ill-effects be cancelled out

That what has been stolen, be restored

That goodness and mercy follow you –

And, that the blessing of the LORD overtake every area of your life

I have a very important meeting with a publisher on Tuesday and another publisher reviewing the same manuscript. Please be praying for me, and know I am doing the same for you.

Have a Blessed Evening & an Amazing Week!

Zenobia

Alive!

I’m Alive!

It seems a fairly simple and obvious thing to get excited over. Yet, more and more, I find myself reflecting on that very fact. Alive! ... And recognizing that each day is a blessing, full of fresh opportunities.

Not too long ago, I heard this song and was overcome – not with sadness but with joy and thankfulness. As I thought about all He has already done to pull me through and bring me back to life - I was moved to tears. I see what the LORD has done in me. And while I am still not everything I need to be, I am nowhere near where I used to be.

I’m excited about that!

In Christian culture we are admonished not to look back. And there is truth and victory in that practice. However, continuously looking forward, we too often focus on how much of the journey is left instead of looking back and celebrating just how much road has been covered – by His grace, through His strength.

That song by Mercy Me talks about the instance when the hurt and the Healer collide and it makes me reflect on all Jesus has done:

'Surely He has borne our grief and carried our sorrows' Is. 53:4

However, the truth is ... that collision takes place every day, many moments throughout the day. The Healer is constantly interacting with us and demonstrating His love and faithfulness - surrounding us with His grace and mercy and equipping us with His strength.

"We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body." II Corinthians 4:8-10

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." II Corinthians 4:16-18

Sometimes we can get so focused on the 'fight' that we fail to celebrate the 'life' that makes the fight possible. We can fix our eyes so intensely on what has been lost, on what has died, that we fail to recognize all the things that are alive and being renewed - the wonderful blessings right in front of us, the most significant being 'Jesus, our Hope!'

Celebrating life is a choice and I choose to focus on all the joys it contains.

It reminds me of when I went to Panama on vacation with my boys several years back. Upon returning, I was sharing my observations with a friend who grew up there. And interestingly enough, all I could talk about was everything positive and all she could talk about was everything that she hated about the country. 

We see what we want to see - and we will see the good in life and living when we take the time to look for it. So why don't you take some time today to just be thankful for being alive, counting your blessings ... large and small.

Enjoy the Journey!

a beautiful exchange

Isaiah 53

Who has believed our report?

And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
² For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of dry ground.
He has no form or comeliness;
And when we see Him,
There is no beauty that we should desire Him.
³ He is despised and rejected by men,
A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

⁴ Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
⁵ But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

⁷ He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He opened not His mouth;
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,
And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.
⁸ He was taken from prison and from judgment,
And who will declare His generation?
For He was cut off from the land of the living;
For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.
⁹ And they made His grave with the wicked—
But with the rich at His death,
Because He had done no violence,
Nor was any deceit in His mouth.

¹⁰ Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him;
He has put Him to grief.
When You make His soul an offering for sin,
He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days,
And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.
¹¹ He shall see the labor of His soul,and be satisfied.
By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many,
For He shall bear their iniquities.
¹² Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great,
And He shall divide the spoil with the strong,
Because He poured out His soul unto death,
And He was numbered with the transgressors,
And He bore the sin of many,
And made intercession for the transgressors.

A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong United

deal of the day!

This week is what some like to refer to as 'Holy Week' ...

Although, I must admit that I do not believe that it is any holier than any other week of the year. I say that not from an attitude of disrespect for all that Jesus endured. Rather, I speak from a place of awareness that recognizes it was not just the week leading up to His death, burial and resurrection that is 'holy'. It is the entire plan of salvation which God set in motion from the beginning which commands our respect and remembrance, at all times, every week of the year. You see, His sacrifice and all that it entailed does not vary in its significance based upon the seasons of the year or the attention we choose to allot it. It stands independently. And well it should!

It was an exchange like no other ...

wretchedness for beauty

isolation for relationship

shame for honor

guilt for pardon

fear for love

There is a song that I love called 'Lead Me to the Cross'
It is a beautiful song which causes us to reflect upon what Jesus did for us
It speaks of us laying ourselves down

However, anything that we could 'do' at the cross, could never begin to compare to what He did at the Cross. He paid the ultimate price.

Jesus ...
Perfect and blameless,
Went to the cross and had all of our sin imputed to Him

And me ...
Full of iniquity and shame,
Went to the cross and had all of His perfect righteousness imputed to me

Hard to fathom ... but nonetheless true

Yesterday at work I was talking to a friend of mine, trying to figure out a business challenge. And  we finally got to a place where we realized we were probably over-analyzing the situation and that the solution was much simpler than we were making it. Then we discussed how we had it drilled into us by our parents, 'If something seems too good to be true, it probably is'. We also talked about how much energy gets wasted and how we often miss out on something great because of that type of rigid mindset and skepticism.

Well, when it comes to matters of faith, it is often no different.

The whole idea of salvation seems too good to be true. Yet that does not change that it is true and that it is what can truly be defined as a 'real deal', an arrangement not just for mutual advantage, but for unfair advantage ... and in our favor!

If you've grabbed hold of that deal,
Take some time to thank God for Jesus ...

If you were unaware of the awesome benefit made available to all,
Seize the opportunity today -
Ask Jesus to come into your life, ask for His forgiveness and then receive it.

Afterall, it is not just the deal of the day ... it is the deal of a lifetime!

'God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us,

so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.'

2 Corinthians 5:21