Does Praise Possess Power? Acts 16:25

  I am curious and growing in a personal desire to find out more about a power found in praising God. This is a background as to how this subject became a top priority for me, an urging I believe coming from His very throne...  


I am finding great value taking the time to give God praise in my daily life. Circumstances, concerns for the present and the future, sins, coupled with ongoing relationships, personal and otherwise, sometimes bring feelings of frustration which left unattended, lead to a hopelessness. A believer is then left in a quandary; people or circumstances never change, and when or if they do, it is merely a result of happenstance rather than a trusting faith in the Lord Jesus. 
  For myself, I began to rejoice having Him as a true friend in my life and embrace a gratefulness in my heart for this friendship. As I practice this new behavior, I have discovered a power emerges that leads me to a time of praise. From this praise rises an inner confidence and trust, giving me ability to trust in Him not only for the present, but for the future. It reinforces the fact although my sin erupts in life daily, confession with a heart of repentance can lead me to a strength to overcome. It is often a process rather than a "one-night wonder," yet it is stable and helps me in following Him. Out of this time of praise comes a renewed vigor God is and will change all things to give Him glory, including relationships and/or circumstances.

So, how does this work?

  The book of Acts was written by a physician named Luke. He was non-Jewish, the only non-Jewish author of the New Testament. Although Saint Paul wrote approximately 2/3 of all the letters found in the New Testament, word count actually points out 25% of the entire New Testament was written by...Luke, more than any other author, including Paul.
  Luke traveled and worked with Saint Paul. His main objective in writing the New Testament letters was to write the truth of what was being said of Christ. Luke makes this clear in the first chapter:
  Luke 1:1-4  " Many people have tried their hand at putting together the events of a wonderful harvest conveyed through the Scriptures, making it known to all God is actively among us. The testimonies of these eyewitness reports originate back to His original disciples.
  Having investigated the accuracy of these events in the most disciplined and learned fashion, I submit to you Theophilus, these finding have been found to be true with certainty. It is further concluded these events are an encouragement to believers in Him and are valid to reinforce the very doctrine of our faith." ( a gleaning format with use of numerous versions.)

  Luke supported Paul...including Paul's final days in a Roman prison.

  Luke was sensitive and aware of the many stories that were told about Christians in relation to the Roman Empire. The general public regarded Christians as a cult group whose real motive was to disrupt the success of the Roman Empire and cause a rebellion against Roman form of government with its goal to overthrow Roman rule.
  Writing this letter of Acts (Acts of the Apostles technically), Luke wanted to show the citizens and government of the Roman Empire that Christians were good for the Empire and good to support its success and future. Luke furthered this thought with a proclamation Christ Jesus was good for all: all people, all nations, and for the entirety of mankind. Luke equally wanted to dispel the numerous lies and inaccurate tales that have been spread about the Christian faith, both by Christians and non-Christians.
  One method of clarifying the Christian message was the welcome of the Holy Spirit into the lives of those who had given their hearts in an act of total surrender to this One known as Jesus of Nazareth. This new form of vital guidance coming directly from this Spirit includes visions, dreams, words of knowledge, and prophecy. 
 The problem arose when those calling themselves believers began spreading mixed messages. Some interpreted any dreams and thoughts as God revealing His purpose to them. The real conflict escalated when these various thoughts were not in agreement to the written Scriptures.
  Along with these controversial experiences beginning to happen, the early Christian church was in a serious division, stemming from the need for Jewish law in Christianity. With Gentile ( non-Jewish) communities surrendering their hearts and lives to the Lord Jesus, the question arose on the need of Jewish culture in the lives of the Gentiles.  

 In chapter 16, Timothy, a loyal follower and later Pastor within the early Christian church, was introduced. Timothy was an assistant to Saint Paul. Timothy brought a unique background to Jewish and Gentile believers. Timothy had a Jewish mother and a Greek ( Gentile) father. This was a major controversy in that time period: becoming a Christian without Jewish roots vs. becoming a Christian outside a Judean belief system. Paul encouraged Timothy to have circumcision to have better acceptance toward Jewish Christians. 
  Much like today, where many of us have a "mixed bag" in reference to ancestry. We have various nationalities, different cultures, various ideals, and different religious beliefs  toward God and who He is.  The early church faced similar circumstances.
  
  In this chapter in Acts, Paul receives a vision one night. He sees a man from the Greek region of Macedonia who speaks to Paul requesting help. He encourages Paul to come and help them introducing this Jesus of Nazareth. Paul did...the Scriptures write he left for Macedonia immediately. 
  This story surprised me. Involved in a Christian format of study in the meaning of the Scripture, Saint Paul, a scholar of the written Word, suddenly receives a vision one night and is off to Macedonia.  How did he know that was a God thing... a vision from God?

 Enter the Holy Spirit....

Does Integrity have a vote in the Polls?

Larger than Life!
Incredibly Rich!
Independent and Crude!
Fearless before All!
Speaking the Truth!

America is Angry!
Fed up with their Pay!
Weary of Political Clutter!
An Articulate Voice!
Speaking the Truth!

                       Does Integrity play a part in any of this?

  Many in America have found Trump refreshing, and deservedly so. He has spoke of heartfelt issues that concern us all. ISIS, the economy, immigration to mention a few, he is aware of the cries and no one seems to know what to do.
  As I listen to his message and enjoy the words he speaks, I can't get out of my mind some matters of the heart.
  Integrity is defined "the quality of being honest, free of deceit, having moral principle and uprightness." 

  Honestly, when I think of Trump, integrity is not the first word that comes to my mind. Yet, I remain open...maybe he is redefining the definition of this word...integrity.
  Can you be rude? Can you publicly degrade others? Can you attack others with a personal vendetta because they challenge the words he speaks? 
  Politicians have muddied the waters to such an extent...a Donald Trump is needed to arise?
Is Donald Trump a populace?...or is he a true conservative leader for American people?

  I don't know if Trump's choice of delivery is the right one. I don't know if attacking others for their looks, their gender, or belittling words of rebuttal in choosing the right thing to do. And I don't know if Trump is the thoughtful and compassionate leader many have embraced him to be.

  What I do know? My Christian faith is vital to me. I don't expect others to have equal passions, but don't just say "the Bible means a lot to me, I don't want to get into the specifics," only to hear phrases like "I think the Bible is certainly, it is THE BOOK," quoting "Two Corinthians,", taking this passage of Scripture completely out of context. 
  I would rather Mr. Trump keep his religious beliefs to himself, his interests being elsewhere.
  Then, I wonder, Is he being straight up and honest? Is he a man of his word...is this integrity?

  Donald Trump then asks "Why do they love me? You'll have to ask them. But they do! They do love me!" Is this the kind of love the bible writes of?

  When asked on the subject of asking for forgiveness, he replied: " I am not sure I have, I just go on and try to do a better job from there. I don't think so, I think if I do something wrong, I think, I just try and make it right. I don't bring God into that picture, I don't."
  This puts a big red flag in me...I am not comfortable the work of the Cross is in its rightful place based on his description of forgiveness. Christianity is not about "trying to do what is right." It is not a matter of "if I do something wrong." These are some basic tenets of the Christian faith. 
  I would rather have him avoid the Christian segment altogether. He would gain more respect from me personally if he did so. As a Christian, I like "old-fashioned" integrity....not words of B.S. I like the freshness and the identity he radiates with the nation. Just don't fake stuff...don't mess with things of seemingly little interest to you. 
  I like him standing up and announce it is cool to say "Merry Christmas," yet attending church, giving me the impression of a scorecard...not doin' it for me.

  Someone asked Donald Trump about the meaning of communion. His response was " Yes, if by communion one means "little cracker". When I drink my little wine which is about the only time I drink { Do Presbyterians drink wine...or grape juice? Does refusal of alcohol climb you up the "God ladder of acceptance?"} ... and have my little cracker, I guess that is a form of forgiveness, and I do that as often as possible because I feel cleansed."
  That "little cracker" and "little wine" may not be that "little"...just sayin.'

  I like what Donald Trump has brought to "the table." I think he has challenged many of us. I do sincerely believe he wants to "Make America Great." The problem for me goes back to this word "integrity." I would suggest taking a look at the major doctrine of the Presbyterian church introduced by its founder John Calvin, something called "Total Depravity." 

It's kind of like the popular phrase we hear today,"If you see something, say something." In this case, "If you don't know something, don't say something." 
  






  

The Dark Triad

  During my life, I have seen relationships around me come and go. This list would include me! While there are many reasons to the failure of relationships, here is one we don't always recognize or consider valid. The Dark Triad...

  What is The Dark Triad? The Dark Triad consists of 3 major components: 1) narcissism 2) machiavellianism, and 3) psychopathy.

  When a person enters a relationship and has a narcissistic personality, what is the problem? The truth is narcissism invites a whole mesh of problems with the  potential of destroying a relationship.
  A narcissist brings to the table the following: a grandiosity that denies any weakness, demands entitlement, condescending toward others, and demands another's immediate and undivided attention. A narcissist has no need for help from others, will judge others with little objective reasoning, and becomes so self-centered will develop a sense of pride and boast of its position in the relationship. As time goes on, a narcissist will grow more callous to empathy, emotional concerns or the mental anguish that may be in the other.

  The second part of the Dark Triad, Machiavellian, is a dangerous personality to embrace. A person with these capabilities are cunning, manipulative, scheming, and brings to the relationship a disrespectful and dishonest agenda that is cultivated with only self interest.

  The third part of this Dark Triad is the most deadly: psychopathy. This personality is most malevolent in both motive and desire. A person engaged in a personality of this nature has one primary goal...to satisfy their own selfish needs.

  As a Christian attempting to live a guideline based on the Scriptures, I have it rather stunning  how these Scripture verses are used for wrong intent, out of context, and to condemn others. 
  One example from my own experience is found in Malachi 2:16 " God hates divorce." Well, sure He does, yet He hates a lot of things. Look at Proverbs if you don't believe me.
  My point in all this...If you are being controlled and degraded by another, it is not a sin to cry out "Enough!" Before I continue, give me your opinion!...