It is funny, well not really, that when you choose to follow Christ, your life seems to get more difficult. I was never a big believer in the, “Happy, happy, isn’t this a Blessed day, Christian.” In fact, I often found them shallow, and fake. It was like they were pretending, hiding the struggles, for fear, that the struggles meant they were not good Christians.
            Believe me, my friends, good Christians struggle; look at the apostles, and the early Christians. If you look at the news you will see that many “good Christians,” are suffering, and dying around the world. As we get closer to the end of this world, the struggles and suffering will only increase. When the believers are Raptured up, those that become Christians during the time of the Tribulation, will suffer more than we can imagine.
            James wrote;
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:2-8)
            It is difficult to be joyful during times of trouble, trials, and testing, but if we remain faithful, and have patience, everything will work out in God’s time, according to God’s plan in your life. It is important to remember that your plan, is not necessarily God’s plan for you. I’ve been down that road, and while I learned some valuable lessons, and I have wasted years of valuable time.
When in doubt, ask God for direction. The answer may not come as fast as you wish, it may not even be the answer you want, but trust that God knows best. The answer may make sense, seem crazy, or impossible, but take that step of faith, get out of the boat onto the seas, and know that God can do the impossible with the most unlikely vessel.
Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!
John 4:35
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"I've decided to stick with love.  Hate is too great a burden to bear."-Martin Luther King

            Hate is a useless emotion that is the one most often expressed.  I have found that hate is draining, and too much work.  Think about it if you hate someone, chances are they dominate your thoughts, and through no fault of their own, ruin your day.  Their good news is your bad news. You spend days and nights wondering how that person can keep getting off the hook for their actions.

            Prayers are prayed asking God to teach them a lesson, not a fatal or permanent one, just a life changing one.  Of course the lesson we want taught is a bad one, one that brings them down, or ruins their lives, but in a way that teaches them something, we want them to learn.  

            It's always nice to know, that God needs our help designing His lesson plan.

            May I humbly suggest trying something different? Love your enemies, or at least let them go, and don't think about them.  Life is too short to focus on those we don't like for whatever reason. Our time would be better served loving the ones that love us, and showing God's love to others. Hate will destroy you, and what will you have accomplished? Nothing.

            Work at building God's kingdom, not destroying others.
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            Luke 6:27-36
      “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
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​            We are not living in a dying country, we are living in a suicidal country. The problems and issues that inflict us as a nation, are of our own creation. You can see the moral and social decay accelerating each day. We turn on each other, we divide ourselves, we communicate with tweets, instant messages and smart phone emails, yet we are more disconnected as a society than ever.

            We are killing ourselves as a nation, and as a people, by removing God from the public square. No prayer in school, has led to school shootings, drug dependence, and a lack of respect for those in authority at school, and fellow students. We now have teachers and students having relationships, and children. Removing God from government buildings has led to corruption, a sense of entitlement, the abuse of intern and pages, and no fear of justice for the crimes being committed.

            The removal of God, and Christian themes in Hollywood and the media ahs created a product that has destroyed the family, normalized the vilest behaviors, led to a desensitizing to the violence, sexual promiscuity, and drugs. Bad behavior has become cool and encouraged. Women long for the “bad boy, bully,” to protect them, but suffer in an abusive relationship that they seem unable to escape; and when they do it is often with tragic consequences. Men chase the “bad girl,” but become upset with her, when her past comes up before him. We live in a time when men think they are women, women think they are men, and anyone who disagrees is labeled a “Hater.”

            Our society is fearless. It does not fear the consequences of their actions, it does not fear how their actions will impact others, and it does not fear God. Yes, God is love; also remember that God is just.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”-Proverbs 9:10
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            Please understand this, there is a just God, and there is a Hell. Both are real. You need to make a decision to turn to Jesus Christ and be saved from this suicidal world and have an eternity in Heaven. All the choices we make, are ours, we own them. As Larry Norman sang many years ago, “Why don’t you look into Jesus?”

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12
           
            Life is funny.  Well it has to be, as sometimes it hurts too much to live it.  When looking at life we have two choices; carry on or get carried out.  No matter how bad things get I figure it is always better to carry on.

            I am at a time in my life where I am getting squeezed by so many outside forces that I look and feel like a stress doll.  I'm not complaining, well maybe I am, but the reality is I just laugh about it. I have no money, and by no money, I mean NO money.  The last time I had two pennies to rub together Lincoln was still warm.  I was preparing for bad news from my doctor this week, eating bread sandwiches, scraping gas money together so I can get to work, and preparing to go back to stripping to pay the rent.

            Now lesser souls would throw in the towel, hang their heads and cry.  Not me, that's what “they” want.  I say when life gives you lemons, throw them back at life, and laugh.  I mean who wants that much lemonade?  There is no point getting down, after all, I'm already there, so I just decide to take a look at the absurdity of my life and laugh.  I look at each day as an adventure.

            Example? Sure, one night, due to some unforeseen circumstances, I had to sleep in my car.  It's funny how before the situation arises you really don't think about it.  The park closes at midnight and the cops kick you out, sleeping in a Walmart parking lot isn't that appealing, and sleeping on the side of the road is just not an option.  So what does a homeless, but car rich person do? 

            First, I go to Eat n Park for some cheap food, coffee, and a restroom break.  After getting that out of the way, you find an apartment complex, grab your emergency blanket and pillow, and climb in the back seat of the car, covering yourself so the car itself looks empty to the casual observer.  Don't laugh, this is a true story. 

            When you wake up, a little stiff, it is time to get ready for work.  Now you can head into the park.  I would suggest finding a shelter off the beaten path.  I have two that I have used.  These are great places to put on my work clothes, brush my teeth and wash my hair.  What? I hear you say.  Yes, I have done this.  It is important to carry at least two gallons of water with you to take care of hygiene issues.  A towel is also a great thing to have with you, as well.  There is nothing quite like sitting shirtless, hair dripping, on a picnic bench watching deer, squirrels, and nature in general on a crisp September morning.  Of course, the occasional dude walking his dog can make it weird, but such is life.

            After cleaning and dressing, it is time to head back to Eat n Park for a cheap breakfast, coffee and bathroom break.  Now I would never wash my hair, self, brush my teeth or shave in a restroom.  As hard as it is for some of you to believe right now, I do have standards, and a rechargeable razor. 

            In closing folks, there may be times when I am down, but I am not out.  Being homeless once in a while is no big deal, in fact it's a character builder, and proves that I can survive.  Also, I am luckier than others who don't have somewhere to stay 365 days a year.  I look at my circumstances, accept them, and enjoy them for what they are, a chance to live the adventure that is life.  Whatever life throws at you, remember to either duck or catch it, and keep moving forward.  Irritate the people that want to see you fail by smiling and enjoying the life you are living. 
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            Keep calm and carry on!

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  James 1:2-4