MICAH's profileMy View, From PeruPhotosBlogListsMore  |  Tools Help |
|
10/20/2006 Spoken to...God spoke to me yesterday. Not in the round-about sort of way where I think maybe He was imparting some wisdom into my life. No, it was direct, to the point, and quite clear.
I've been reading Romans as of late, as well as Hosea, as part of my progressive reading. Yesterday I picked up my Bible, opened it to Jeremiah, and there found the voice of God speaking to me. This was not a chance incident, not a coincidence. Rather, God led me to this place quite strategically, without question as to what His intentions were or are.
Saying this, to some of you, may sound quite cocky, arrogant, or just plain crazy. After all, who am I to hear from God? Likewise, the message was not one easily accepted, not without understanding. Just as Jeremiah shied away from his calling, so have I in the past. The path God has led me to is not a surprise, but one I was made aware of many years ago. Though never accepted, God's will, His desire for me to follow that path never faded. He is patient...
As I read the first chapter of Jeremiah yesterday it was as if these words were to me, from me, and about me, all at the same time...
"Then the Lord touched my mouth and said 'See, I have put my words in your mouth! Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. You are to uproot some and tear them down, to destroy and overthrow them. You are to build up others and plant them.
"'Get up and get dressed. Go out, and tell them whatever I tell you to say. Do not be afraid of them, or I will make you look foolish in front of them. For see, today I have made you immune to their attacks. You are strong like a fortified city that cannot be captured, like an iron pillar or a bronze wall. None of the kings, officials, priests, or people of Judah will be able to stand against you. They will try, but they will fail. For I am with you, and I will take care of you. I, the Lord, have spoken!'" Jeremiah 1:9-10; 17-19
This is a message not easily accepted by many, and I expect a great deal of resistance, to say the least. A common verse in the Gospels has long spoken to me regarding this, though until now I never really embraced it...
"But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his hometown." Luke 4:24
Until recently I took this literally, as to mean that as a prophet we will not be accepted from whence we came as a result of the image we left behind as a sinner. That makes sense, after all, in a very logical sort of way. However, the following version of the same passage suddenly makes much more sense to me personally, and describes quite accurately the position in which I find myself -
"And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Then Jesus told them 'A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.'" Matthew 13:57
As you all read this the only question is which are you - One to be uprooted and destroyed, or built up and planted?
Without destruction restoration cannot take place - keep that in mind as you come along with me on this journey...
Micah Cantley mkacma@msn.com
10/17/2006 Time and the fool...What a great chapter Solomon brings us!!! Variety, insight, and wonderful words throughout...
vs. 4 "Wrongdoers listen to wicked talk; liars pay attention to destructive words." How often do we worry about the way our good acts are going to be misperceived? Do we wonder what will happen when those we have offended through our righteousness tell others of our mean-spirited ways? Why do we not realize that if anyone is offended by anything we do that is done in God's will it is then their conscience that is offending them, and not us at all...if it truly is our actions that have caused offense we then need to examine ourselves and clear our own consciences, rather than worrying about our self-image. But, if our words and actions are of God then the lies spread of those who are convicted by them will only be heard by others who are in an equal state of Godlessness...for "it is liars [who] pay attention to destructive words" and the lies spread by those convicted have only the purpose of destruction. So, as long as our words and actions are sanctioned by God we have nothing to fear in the form of repercussion or blowback due to those who disagree, for if they disagree with our Godly words then they disagree with God Himself. Now, back to the fools, for a minute... vs. 10 "A single rebuke does more for a person of understading than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool." In a sense it would seem as though we are being told not to waste our time with the fools of this world, and I think we actually are. No, I'm not saying to ignore or forget about them, but that we are not to WASTE our time with them. You see, the fool does not take kindly to correction nor direction, and while we have a duty to aid and guide all people to focus on those who do not desire change, direction, or discipline (fools) would make us fools ourselves!! Likewise, chastisement and correction to a fool is a lost cause. Only those who wish to experience correction will embrace it, learn from it. Correction given to a fool only buries them deeper in their self-absorbed way of thinking, so often times our only course is to avoid the fool, allowing them to run their course, find their own rock-bottom so they may realize on their own their need and then desire for correction and discipline. Sure, this is difficult, especially when the obviousness of their situation is often so obvious, but it is our duty many times to be aware of things without acting. This is a lesson from which we will learn so much more than we could ever teach. Of at least equal importance, however, is the manner in which a sole rebuke can touch the soul of one who is on the path seeking wisdom and understanding. Those who are listening to God need not be told time and again of the areas in which they need to work. Rather, if they are truly individuals of understanding the first rebuke they receive should be sufficient in leading them down the path of correction adn reconciliation. How many people do you know who claim or imply that they are wise in the ways of God, and yet seem to be incapable of hearing that they, too, have areas of opportunity? These people, often teachers, preachers, and leaders, but also everyday folks, while they listen with seemingly humility as we offer them correcting guidance, afterwards continue to act in the very manner to which we have made them aware causes offense. Thus, true wisdom of the individual can be determined by the manner in which they receive rebuke, correction, chastisement, and discipline... I certainly don't possess ultimate knowledge, but am constantly in the process of learning, and I seek those who share this desire, this passion, this understanding that we are never finished, never complete, never truly wise, especially not in our own eyes!! I do, however, seek out those who say "what can you give me, what can I learn" not because I have so much to offer, but because it is from these humble spirits that I can learn the most, can receive the greatest blessings, and can build the strongest relationships which are mutually beneficial to each other and to the kingdom of God. No such thing as a one-sided friendship, you know... What, then, do we do with the fools of this world? Pray for them, embrace them, share with them when they ask, but do not be caught in their games of double-speak nor their feeble attempts to trap us religiosity and churchianity, that Pharisaic way of thinking so prevalent amongst us even today, inescapable as it often seems. Examine your heart, purify your actions, and suffer not the fool, for the fool will suffer himself plenty... _________________ If you find my thoughts convicting perhaps there is a reason... 10/11/2006 Morning InspirationI've been a bit frustrated as of late...struggling with the going-ons of my daily life, trying to hard to figure out what it is I'm suppose to be doing, and allowing my burdens to get me down. Now, this has only been for the last 5-6 days, mind you, but it feels much longer. Just last week I was excited as I've ever been, looking forward to starting new projects around here, initiating Young Life meetings in my home around the 1st of November, and starting a bi-weekly Bible study for those English speakers I know in town.
I graduated from college two weeks ago (just my associates, so only a small round of applause is necessary) which, despite the many ways in which I discount the achievement, means a great deal to me, if only for the accomplishment, and for the indication of forward progress in my life...
I began classes at the University of Phoenix this past week, and already I feel as though I am so close to completing this next step, despite the fact that the plan calls for two years to complete...
At the same time, we are beginning to struggle financially, due primarily to our extensive medical expenditures. Alec needs continuous physical therapy, doctors visits, and another MRI soon, in addition to his daily regiment of medicines; Kayla, too, is on a daily dose of various pills designed to control her migraines and arthritis; and of course the Tootsie Roll is not cheap...he has gained enough weight to move from Premie formula to Regular, but with the weight gain he is now ready to begin his vaccinations.
Finances alone are not enough to make me worry, though. We always have what we need, and what we need is all I want, nothing more...
The real struggle comes in the weight of what is to come...as I'm sure many of you have experienced throughout your lives, as we move closer to God, to His will, we tend to encounter greater resistance, and it is in this resistance that I find myself embattled. Of course, to think about it, to reflect, I realize I am acting as a child, more concerned with the possibility of not succeeding rather than focusing on the reality that will come about only through faith, hard work, and dedication. I have to chastise myself for these thoughts and actions; I have to constantly keep myself in check when thoughts of doubt or confusion invade; I have to remember that my life is not my own, but God's, and that His will must be my will if I am to succeed and bring success to my family.
A friend told me just the other day that he had noticed a tinge of homesickness in my writing and conversation as of late...maybe he's right, maybe I am homesick, or maybe I'm just sick of not having a home? Either way, I needed to be reminded of all this, be thrown back into my purpose...
Too often we expect for life to be easy when we're doing what is right, what is good, what is Godly. When we face struggles in the midst of what we think is the righteous path we have a tendency to lose focus, to question what it is we're doing, rather than staying true and seeing it through. We must fight against this...nothing in life worth anything comes easy, yet when the fight is brought to us we have a tendency to back down.
I was feeling like backing down, the last few days I wanted to give up...
Around sunrise this morning, while I was sitting in my recliner holding Ephraim, I looked out my balcony window and noticed the clouds breaking around the sky...clouds are a rare sight in Arequipa, clouds worth looking at, anyway. This morning was an exception, and as I grabbed my camera and captured images of mountains and clouds greeting me I realized, again, that the future is not mine to worry about, no more than the past is mine to dwell upon...all I have to do is seek God, His will, and leave the details to Him. 10/8/2006 To often do I forget...My wife deserves more credit than I give her...perhaps this is the case
with many of you as well, but there's nothing I can do about that. I'm doing
good just to take care of my own responsibilities...
But, back to Kayla...life has not been kind to her as of late...she's had
continuous migraines for several months, with fatigue and a general feeing of
being run-down. Energy has escaped her, and yet she pushes on...
Add to that the loss of her kindergarten class, something she was so
excited to have, something she put so much work into. Having to give it
away because of the shortcomings of others was certainly not an easy pill to
swallow...she struggles with this but continues on, working through the feelings
of frustration.
Despite all of this, however, she has in her heart an amazing amount of
love, energy, and dedication for little Ephraim...while this may seem easy I am
reminded every day that we are still but baby-sitters to this little boy, though
we act as more our roles remain uncertain. Of all her struggles I know
this one burdens her the most, and yet as though this were not so she cares for
him each day as if she herself had given birth.
He may be ours someday, or our role in his life may be brief; only God
knows and perhaps that is for the best. What I know is this - Kayla
deserves more credit than I give her. Please pray for her as she conquers
these daily trials, and pray for me that I will be reminded daily, and in turn
remind her, of just how wonderful she is!!
Micah
Cantley
mkacma@msn.com
10/7/2006 Toootsie Roll Update...(that's Ephraim, for those of you who may have forgotten)After our visit with the pediatrician today we are quite encouraged. Of course, the fact that we can visit the pediatrician on a Saturday, first-come first-serve, is just another benefit of third-world living, one we took advantage of.
His last visit left us wanting more, as he needed to gain about 3 pounds in order to qualify for his vaccinations, and hopefully move up from Enfamil Premature to Level 1, saving us a good bit of money. As small as he was/is, though, I was not terribly optimistic that this would happen, not yet, at least.
He's been awfully gassy, as well, a touch of cholic, if nothing else, though not nearly as fussy and grumpy as he could be. And, his belly button is not just an outy, but more like a bubble rising from his stomach. Of course, his eyes are still a little crossed on occasion, but that's normal for the little ones, or so says the doc...
So, after our visit the results are in...Ephraim has gained a significant amount of weight, up to 3.720 kilos, or 8.2 pounds, which is huge!!! Not only is he now ready for vaccinations, but once we use the Premie formula we have (plus the free can the doctor gave us!!!) we have been given permission to switch to Enfamil 1, a nice break to the wallet, to be sure...
He has also grown in length, from 44 to 52 centimeters!!! Yeah, he's growing at an amazing rate!!!
So, that's the official "Tootsie Roll Update" for now...stay tuned for more details, and feel free ask any questions you may come up with...
Micah Cantley mkacma@msn.com
|
|
|
