What Makes a Person Turn Their Back on God?

Untitled design (38)If I were to ask several people their thoughts on God, there would no doubt be various opinions, ideas and comments.

While this can be a sticky subject for some, I can share my experience as it relates to the need I had then and still do for God.
My reason for asking the Lord into my life, had more to do with me walking around as a living man outwardly but a dying man inwardly.
An internal emptiness that no earthly panacea could fill.
While this of course isn’t everyone’s case, mine came through my religious experience. I found that what I did religiously translated different practically. This means religion and church was what I did, but what I lived was who I really was.
Today we would call this a hypocrite. I don’t say that putting myself down. I thought I was a good person comparatively speaking, however that was not enough.
I would feel good about what I did religiously but once the religious practice concluded, the more “relaxed version” of myself picked up. The projection vs the actual.
I came into a different understanding between 2004 and 2005. It was when I saw the effectiveness of my service being connected to the purity of my life.
This meant that my motives were more important than “the
good” I’d done.
The reason behind the actions became the priority of my focus. Was it purely for their need or my notoriety? I had to check my intentions for that.
I went through a season of untidiness. Tidiness is key. Order, arrangement, alignment in ones life is essential.
In that season of untidiness I had to learn to “cross my t’s” and “dot my i’s. ”Learn the importance of living by principle, not governed by emotions. That life needed personal government, internal management, personal responsibility and accountability in order to work successfully.
While these things continue to be a work in progress, to have the awareness of what’s needed and the committed heart to see to it being done.
While this may seem like a lot, it really isn’t. When you believe there is a better, more complete version of yourself you’re eager to participate in the process.
God really IS good, whether you know Him or not. God is good whether you believe in Him or not. God is good whether you understand Him or not. God is good whether you are a follower or not. God is good whether you have a good past or bad past.
With a God that good it makes me wonder…
What makes anyone turn their back on a God so good?
anablepsis

What’s Ahead?

Untitled design (23)Have you come to terms with the new normal yet? I believe I’m like those of you that are still adjusting. Obviously we don’t know all of the details that the new normal entails, but I want to make sure that my “inner” stays healthy, (heart mind and attitude).
While it is said that nothing is more permanent than change, sometimes we reach a place when we feel; “enough already” as it relates to boredom and redundancy in being locked down.
The human will, is being tested along with the bandwidth of the human mind… sometimes simultaneously.
Being “creatures of habit” play into this as well, sometimes the frustration of laws meant to protect us gets too confining, some feel with these things they’re being pushed too far.
For example; I saw a video of women with their children at the playground. An officer came up and politely told the ladies the park was closed. He was calm, nice and respectful, someone was obviously videoing the scene. He explained why the park was closed.
One mother captured my attention who appeared to be more vocal than the others, more questioning against officer. The camera picked up the woman as she began to go back and forth verbally with the officer. The entire video was about 40 min in length but exchanges were made prior to the recording (the article explained) this particular mother was insistent on going back and forth with the officer. She was displeased with the park being closed.
I realize the aggravation people are feeling as a result of being inside. There is a yearning to return to “normalcy” as we’ve known it.
After several minutes of exchange, the woman voluntarily placed her hands behind her back and the officer handcuffed the her and took her away. An unseen female was heard the video saying; “her children are here”! That saddened me.
A day intended to visit the playground park with her children, is now being arrested by police separated from them away from the park she came to visit, because of a disappointment gone haywire.
Why did the mother take it that far to the point of being arrested?
These are perplexing days. Some people are tired and frustrated, taking this new normal hard because their “inner”is being tested severely.
Perhaps these actions are a cry for intervention…who knows maybe a Divine intervention.
anablepsis.

Meet My Friend James

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There is a young man I’ve known almost 11 yrs now. I have deep respect for James, his family and their privacy. He will be known as “James” (my middle name) for this article.
In 2009 I met James and his family. He was born with Down Syndrome (D.S.) My best estimate is that James is now a teenager.
It’s been a long time since seeing him and his family and I recently reconnected with his parents. I was able to see pictures of him they publicized from time to time. I was excitingly amazed at how he’d grown up.
When I would see recent photos or videos of James I noticed qualities in him, I would see that struck me. This post isn’t about the briefing I’ve done on D. S. nor my disappointment for anemic funding for research to help in the fight to minimize the syndrome.
This post isn’t about James having D.S. but what exudes from him despite it, and the indirect impact it’s had on me through glimpses of him interacting in his world.
While studies ascribe behavior and delayed intellect and development in those living with D. S. what I see in James could easily be missed by the “intelligence” of our day.
From what I can see, James is teachable. He doesn’t appear moody. He seems to be able to work with others, and doesn’t need to lead. He celebrates passionately because of accomplishment, not ego. He’s humble enough to be camera shy. He doesn’t appear to have many concerns or worries(as I have at times.)
James radiates to me what internal purity should reveal. I don’t see malice coming through his eyes, I do see willingness, compliance, humility, those attributes that can allude adults if we’re not careful.
When I look at James I don’t see someone who would to try to “hustle me” or sell me a “bill of goods” just for his bottom line.
What’s refreshing to see in this world is the expression of wonderment in a world of skepticism and trepidation.
No wonder Jesus said If you wanna see the kingdom you must be as a child.
Maybe that’s what I see in James.
I don’t live with James, and I don’t know if my impressions are accurate, but that’s the sense I get when I see his face.
Whether a smiling thumbs up, a still photo in the middle of a project. Whether running doing a sprint to doing his school work or engaging one of his favorite computer games. He’s not “stressin”.
Makes me ask myself, if James’ has “down” what’s “up” with me?
anablepsis.

John Chapter 9

Divine Stimulus In the Bible, John Chapter 9 is recorded a story of a man who was born blind.

His name wasn’t give, his family financial status wasn’t mentioned, but his affliction was; born blind. We are all blind to something whether it is particulars about tomorrow, or the end of COVID-19 Coronavirus.

In this case the disciples asked Jesus why he was born that way, was it his sin or his parents sin?

Jesus said neither, just so God’s work would be seen through his life. Sometimes in the mind; there has to be a logical connection as to why things are the way they are. It somehow satisfies the curiosity to attached a bad result to bad behavior, but in this case it was different. This man was born blind for this defining moment in Jesus’ ministry.

The thing that amazes me about this story was how the religious leaders of that day chose to discredit the miracle of Jesus. I would think such a miracle of recovery of of sight would garner praise not criticism of Jesus. Herein lies my disappointment with the religious leaders of that day.

Those religious pundits had time to heal this man, and all while he was blind never seemed moved to do it. Frankly, I doubt if they possessed the power to do so, had they, I can’t find a reason for them not to have bought their ability to public notoriety.

As the Bible story has it John Chapter 9. There is a series of questions the man is asked about how he regained his sight. No matter what answer was given it never satisfied the critics. They went to his parents to see if he was actually born blind and if they knew who healed him.

One of the many messages in this story for me is how new found sight can be a problem publicly as your blindness was personally…the good news in verse 36 is when you’re thrown out of the temple, is when Jesus looks for you because in certain places, He was too…who better to relate?

anablepsis

Gratitude

Kelvin ChamblissGratitude is defined as the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

At times things we are accustomed to that are beneficial to us, if we’re not careful can go unacknowledged, and it’s not always because it’s taken for granted. Gratitude should be deliberate, and born out of a realization.
It can be simple for gratitude to allude us as, vital, stable, consistent things we depend on carry us almost without thought.
An example of this is seen in the ability to dress ourselves. It’s not until a necessary part of our body hurts as we dress or becomes
incapacitated and incapable of functioning as normal, that it’s importance magnified.
I invite you to join me in naming on your own just a few things you are gratefully aware of today. And these may sometimes include bitter circumstances and hard places…they count also, as they make and develop us in essential ways.
anablepsis

Alarm to Wake Up or Snooze?

SnoozeI read an article the other day of a man around my age who was critical of COVID-19 Coronavirus. He posted on Social Media that the virus was (oh well, my word here…bull manure) and a Political ploy. He died a few days ago from the virus. What was real, what he believed wasn’t true but was, or what he wished wasn’t true, into not being true?

Brenda and I were talking about this and to our never ending amazement for people to ignore, criticize, politicize, this pandemic as though nothing significant has occurred.

I read where one televangelist believed that he could blow Coronavirus away! Well, he tried, and it’s still here.

Democrats and Republicans deeply divided over who will get the political edge over this pandemic to hurl at the other side.

What keeps a country so divided? What has people so skeptical about padded numbers of the growing list of loss of life, people with names, having left families, jobs, friends, memories and some folks dying in just a matter of days.

My Dad had a friend, that spoke to him one Tuesday by phone, two days later he died COVID-19 took him away.

What is it going to take? There seems to be a willful blindness by some, and hyperbole by others.

One of the most puzzling things ever invented on an alarm clock (in my opinion) was a snooze button. If you’re a person that thanks God for it, what can I say?

I thought an alarm clock was to wake us up or alert us and call us into action, but with the snooze feature we can condition ourselves to not to take the alarm seriously and defer response times to it.

When the alarm is not being used in this case for action but deferred response, we can say to ourselves (‘I have more time’, or ‘that’s only the first alarm, another will follow shortly.’)

The world has changed, however in this case I believe God has sounded the alarm.

The question today is , what is the correct response to His alarm seeing that God’s alarm has no snooze feature?

Can we hear it? Do we hear it but drown it out?

How many more warnings do we get?

anablepsis.

Divine Stimulus

IMG_8581Here in the U.S. millions of Americans are expected to receive “stimulus checks”. Some folks received their checks nearly a week ago.

A stimulus check is a check sent to a taxpayer by the U.S. government. Stimulus checks are intended to stimulate the economy by providing consumers with some spending money. When taxpayers spend this money, it will boost consumption and drive revenues at retailers and manufacturers and, thus, spur the economy.

The U.S. took tremendous financial hits with businesses, in the markets, restaurants, and many other things to cripple the economy during this Covid 19 pandemic. Some owners sadly admitting, their business’s will never recover. While I hope that isn’t true, so much is unpredictable now.

How much will this stimulus help the economy? How much will it help people over the long haul? Don’t get me wrong, it’s a helpful gesture by our government anyway you look at it. Here’s my point.

Things are still shaking, we are not out of the woods yet. While many are eager to reopen the country and get the economy resuscitated, things are still dire from a coronavirus and economic standpoint. There are those that have strong opinions about what should be done. There are political positions on it, healthcare positions on it, business and economy pundits on it. While there can be serious hypothesis and healthy conversations volleying back and forth, and afterwards are no more closer to solutions.

I’m suggesting, we listen for God. Sounds religious huh?

I’m not speaking from a religious perspective but from God as a Creator. Yes, God the creator of heaven and earth, God the creator of you and I. God, the originator of all things. God, the One who knows where COVID-19 actually came from and the complete properties it’s made of AND the cure. God the One who knows what tomorrow holds, and the day we will close our eyes for the last time.

Until we listen to, and inquire from the One who knows all things past, present, and future, we are “straining at gnats.” (Matthew 23:24) We are trying to cover cancer with a band-aid. But we must come humble enough, open enough, less skeptical enough…and trusting enough.

The kind of stimulus we need, is one that doesn’t spend, but one that replenishes our hearts with resilience and gives us true perspective and hope. A divine stimulus. A talk with God to get answers we don’t have for a future we can’t see.

 

anablepsis.

 

It’s important to know there is hope.

Untitled design (35)Many are feeling the pressure and stress of these times. Loss of jobs, closing of businesses, people unable to make ends meet. Schools closing, parents are asked to become tutors and oversee remote education via internet. New and uncomfortable norms are emerging for children and parents.

Abuse has risen on children, husband and wives abusing each other in some cases, turmoil has seemed to have crept in, invaded and seized families under pressure. Without it being anyone’s fault plenty of blame is passed around, as though passing blame is the ultimate gratification.

We are seeing in this season problems reaching all tiers of class, economy, gender, race, and culture. There are perplexities in all levels of life. What are the answers to help lift and alleviate these changes in life?

It’s important to know there is hope.

The hope I’m referring to can’t be in a vulnerable economy that can easily be neutralized over time by a pandemic. No, we need something impervious to viruses, plagues, or anything other thing that makes vulnerable a people and an economy.

We need something stronger than the security of a good job that can be taken away for any reason. Many things we trust in are unstable, but we give our faith to theses unsecured and unstable things, often without other known options, so we press on and hope for the best .

We all believe and disbelieve in something. What if there was something no, even better, SOMEONE to trust and put our confidence in who won’t fail us.

Nope. Not offering religion. Not offering pie in the sky, no guarantees. I’m not offering anything unreasonable. People have problems without religion. People go through difficulties without God, so He can’t be the reason for not accepting His help.

Some believe God is angry with them, He’s unforgiving and disapproves what they’ve done to the extent He wouldn’t want to hear a word they uttered. These are all false.

Here’s what I’m offering, only if you believe in the existence of God. Go to God and just talk. It may be that you don’t know the formality, you may not know the protocol, here is the good news, it doesn’t matter.

Just ask God if He’s real to prove Himself to you. Give it time. Don’t have a preconceived expectation. Let Him reveal Himself, when He wants, the WAY He wants. God can speak for Himself. Be patient. It will be worth it.

Ask Him about your situation and what you should do, invite Him to help you. God is able to speak to you in a manner and language you understand. If you try this and give it time. If you approach God humbly without argument and skepticism, you just might be surprised. Try it… then listen.

anablepsis.

 

A New Normal is Imminent

Kelvin CMy wife Brenda and I were waiting in line outside at our favorite food market for groceries the other day and it felt like life changed in an instant, as our norms were cut off. This is the same store we were able to walk into freely without restriction just a few months ago, now we are met with orange cones spaced 6 feet apart in single file.
People in line were calm and orderly, what really changed? No one seemed impatient in line, little to no talking, those who spoke, did so in a almost quiet respectful way. It was like a “hush” in the atmosphere.
This silent infector and killer COVID-19 has put something on our minds. It’s slowed us down a bit, and given us reason to think. It was hard to stand in the line without thinking about why we were going through this change.
People have died, gotten sick, many have contracted Coronavirus without knowing they have the virus. (A Symptomatic). The masks remind us, the gloves remind us, the silence reminds us, the quarantine remind us, the empty streets, the closed businesses remind us, that normal for us has vanished, and a different life has emerged.
The new normal is imminent, we get glimpses of it but we don’t really know what it will look like in full affect. If I was to base the outcome our future today on a grocery line experience, I believe life would be better different beyond the pandemic.
anablepsis.

The Peace of God is found in the Presence of God

You may be asking today, ‘where is the silver lining?’
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There is one. The Peace of God is indeed the silver lining amid these dark and challenging days. The good news is that we don’t need to wait to receive it. It is found in the presence of God.

Before Jesus left and went to His Father, He left us His peace John 14:27. This peace is given by God independent of the fray we sometimes live in. If we are opened to it, God seeks to reside with us in our pain, emptiness and gloom. He is able to provide stability inside the stress and deliver peace inside the chaos. How does God accomplish it? His presence alone.
The scriptures are replete with episodes in Jesus’ life where He brought peace to His Disciples, often encouraging them to fear not upon His arrival meeting them whether land or sea. His Word and presence bought the disciples peace.
By inviting the Lord Jesus into our space, that part of us it seems no possible word could impact or help or even matter, when we’re up against it. There are times we’re so despondent refusing to be comforted. Things are seemingly so difficult, we won’t allow ourselves even to be rescued.
The quality of Peace like this, passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7) which means its beyond human comprehension why we are so peaceful.
This peace affords us comfort and strength that could only be received from the “Prince of Peace” Isaiah 9:6.
So when we pray, and sincerely ask God NOT to change the problem (and I know it sounds ridiculous and unconventional), and NOT to change conditions but asking Him to enter the conditions with us.
Psalms 16:11
This is the peace I invite us to receive today. It was designed for us. It’s available to us.
It begins with…’Lord, I need you’.
anablepsis.