The Pot Holder (33)

Thanks to Mitch for the prayer last week.

 

This year I realized some important lessons that have always been present but I was unable to understand.  You may not hear what I am trying to say either but I know you will in time.  If you have an ear, please hear.

 

the stuff that happens to us from the cradle to the grave not only shows us the presence of God but that we are connected like a piece of fabric to each other.  Our lives are intertwined. Imagine a loom potholder you made in summer camp with those big loops. It was of many colors and the patterns change the older it gets. The stains that we have don't come out always but make a pattern we don't see.  Sometimes others can see it clearer. The stains are the things that happen to us.  All of us go through some of the same things even if we don't share the extent or the facts.

 

Why it happens is that we belong to the same maker who knows what each of us represent better than we do.  He knows that what happens to you, will give you the opportunity to either curse or bless.  You have a choice. If you bless, it won't erase what you are going through but will take you through more loops. You are an influencer if you are connected to His will. Even our tragedies, give us the opportunities unknowingly usually.

 

I recently found out that a friend of mines brother attempted to kill himself. He blew a massive hole in his head. For as much as I know, he suffered his whole life from addictions, schizophrenia, and a every mental malady you can name.  He is still alive. Horrific right?  What in the world could God be thinking?  I don't know. I don't know but I am watching. I am observing what is happening from afar.  My friend is publicly questioning God. He has written so. He is now asking for prayer for his parents, that I don't think were together. His mother has flown from somewhere to be by her son.  Her son is able to respond to her touch. The doctors have closed up "Rauls" skull and he is doing better than I would have expected seeing the before photos. But guess what? I am not in control of anything. My friend is the founder of a large international motorcycle club. Believers are calling, praying and donating money he asked for in his GoFundMe appeal to help with his elderly parents travel expenses.

I never heard of his brother before. He is sorrowful for how he treated him in the past. If you can look pasted the horrific event, look at the people that this has touched. and continues to touch. In detective work, that is called a clue. god is working, we just don't always see it.

 

personally, I had a member of this podcast ministry welcome me into their home for some R&R. Another, flew all the way here to take me to see me, and another let me drag him to church.  God inspired these folks to think it not robbery to help me. I didn't and don't even know what I need.

 

look at your life. Look at who you touch. Who you bless. Who is blessed by your help, your encouragement, your prayers to God. Look at me, at times I felt like I am all over the place. Guess that put me in the perfect position to have you talk to your heavenly Father on my behalf.  You unselfishly won't even pray for yourself but you prayed for me, a stranger, a rogue pistol packing preacher, a dude with more issues than Field and Stream.  Oddly enough, just as many talents and gifts it seems. WHO would that come from, Jehovah, Yahweh, Adonai, Elohim, the Most High, the Holy One of Israel, the A and O,

 

we are all in this together, all of our life isn't tragedy and tears, there are good times, and fun in there too. but its life. the good and the bad. the sunny days and the cloudy ones. 

 

And we are not supposed to try to do it alone.  You are part of this Loom.  This ugly ass potholder only a Father could love. You don't understand why stuff happens like it does. I don't know why. I just know that HE is. He doesn't need you to believe in Him but He wants you too.

 

We do a lot of unnecessary crap and call it church. Church isn't the problem it is us. You and I are the church. that is why it is raggedy. We are looking for escapes, entertainment and ethos. (good feelings) Ain't none of that a biblical requirement. We make up stuff and get comfortable with it. And then we wonder why the golden plates, holy water, scented candles, chants, pendants, rocks, numbers, astrological signs,  alcohol, dope, sex, work, and retail therapy doesn't work.

 

In the midst of my mess there is a message.  in the midst of my conundrum I am becoming something more than I was. I am changing. I am growing. Not only my feet and hat size has increased. I am not the same guy I was 4 years ago.

 

I have a sneaking suspicion, I ain't by myself.  the Loom is bigger. you are connected to more people, or if not more, someone important to God. you matter. What you are going through brings others to loop in with you. What you have makes the pattern complete.  Your stains color the design.  It's an intelligent design by the way.

 

just like there are bacteria in your mouth that help break down the French fries you left in there, there is reason known only to God for the stuff in yours, ours, my life.

 

and what is the purpose of a potholder anyway? it helps protect your hands from getting burned.

 

Throughout the Bible, fire is often used as a metaphor for testing and refinement, purifying individuals or situations. It can also represent the intense passion and zeal that believers should have for God and His Word.

 

Fire holds significant symbolic meaning in the Bible. It represents purification, judgment, and the presence of God. In Hebrews 12:29, it is written, “For our God is a consuming fire.” This verse highlights the power and holiness associated with fire.

 

And you know you can't handle that Fire on your own. We need Jesus.