In the beginning…
Soon after being called to the ministry of reconciliation by writing a book, this disciple messenger was told that Oprah Winfrey would be the one responsible for receiving the rough draft. She would then do all necessary to get the book printed and distributed. God said she would know that this is not to be a money-making or honor-seeking project for anyone. It is a gift of love.
Another name given was Warren Buffett. At first no explanation of his role was given. I surmised that it meant Warren Buffett would be a help with the book in some way.
I could not see any way with my limited contacts, limited money, and limited influence that Oprah Winfrey and Warren Buffett could ever find out about the book and take the mantle of responsibility from me.
Still in the learning process…
As stated above, this was early into my calling. I had not learned all I needed. At that point, my relationship with God was not where it needed to be. I did not understand then what I know now: God has the complete picture, knows what is needed to correct problems, and directs that his plans be carried out in his time and in his way.
Doing things ‘my way’ is doomed to fail at some point…
I tried ‘my way’ of contacting Oprah Winfrey and Warren Buffett, and, as a back-up in case one way failed perhaps the other would succeed, I sent packets to both parties. To Oprah, I gave my name, explained my calling, gave references, various ways I could be contacted, help needed, and wrote that I had not completed the book at that time, but I was willing to work night and day, if necessary, to complete it. I did not include as many details in the packet sent to Warren Buffett. The main point I wanted to make to Warren Buffett was that it was necessary to contact Oprah Winfrey and I hoped he would be the connection. (This shows my lack of faith and trust in God and my total lack of understanding the enormous task that had been given me.)
Signed, sealed, and, hopefully, delivered…
The information was placed in manila envelopes which were then sent on their way. Because the Winfrey business was moving from Chicago to California, I sent a packet to both locations. Just as I had thought ‘my way’ plan of winning the lottery would be acceptable to God and he would cause it to happen quickly, so I thought this ‘my way’ plan would work quickly, too. I waited to hear — waited, waited, and waited — while also completing the many assignments God was giving me. Eventually, one of the packets sent to Oprah Winfrey was returned unopened. (I kept it as proof of what I had done.) I never knew what happened to the other two packets. I could imagine that one day, one or the other would be found by someone responsible for mail to either Oprah Winfrey or Warren Buffett, be read, deemed important, and passed along with positive results.
God works in unimaginable ways…
That all seems long ago, and far away. I now realize that God works in ways unimaginable by us humans, and in his own time frame. I have reconciled myself to God’s ways. He will make the necessary connections to his named helpers when he determines that it is time. When the time is right, he will make them in his way.
How this example connects to having a Christian heart…
A Christian heart is so filled with love of God and love of others that it wants to do all things in accordance with God’s will and God’s way.
A relationship with God is necessary for this to work as it should. The necessary connection is made through prayer. God will walk with you and talk with you. He will tell you are his own dear child. The voice you hear will compare with none other. Among all the noisy, hateful, out-of-balance voices, you will recognize it, hear, and respond to its truths.
(To better understand how we can discern God’s voice from the voice of others who are trying to lead us astray, read John 10: 3 – 4 where we find that a shepherd knows the names of his sheep. The sheep, in turn, know their shepherd’s voice and follow him. Be it known: Our shepherd is calling our names now, at this very minute, he is calling and calling. Those who know him and recognize him as the Good Shepherd will hear his voice and follow.)
A relationship takes time to develop. It requires work and patience. Work for it, wait for it, and it will happen.
In the beginning…
In the opening paragraph of the previous post, I told you about God’s asking me to contact legislators urging them to vote with a Christian heart. I mentioned that each legislator proclaimed to be guided by values.
What was not explained in that post…
What I did not explain was that each legislator attended a church that thought it was the one and only doing things right. They did not attend the same church, most not even the same denomination, and the ones who shared a domination name, went to various break-off churches – disagreements among church members resulted in the breaking away from the original church and dispersing here and there. These legislators were known in their local communities, districts, and beyond as good men, born-again Christians, saved by grace, thus, they were to be believed and followed. Some of the legislators God asked me to contact I knew personally. I knew them to be good family men, strong leaders in church and community. I had no hate or dislike for these men, I simply wanted them to take the positions that helped the most instead of the few.
Some common values…
Some common values – anti-abortion, returning prayer in schools and public places, replacing public schools with private and religious schools (several attended churches that had established their own school), anti-LGBTQs, control of elections — were held by these legislators, all of whom were from the same political party. There were other named values which were unique to one or more, but not all –such as, shunning of unmarried pregnant women, building walls to shut out ‘ones not like us’ based on color, ethnicity, whom they loved, political beliefs and labels, how they dressed or wore their hair, and on and on and on. They stuck together on voting their values, even though, seemingly, they never fully trusted each other. *They did harm to public schools, while protecting religious and private schools where they could limit who attended and could be in control. *They refused to cooperate on the issues of immigration, guns, affordable health care, or care of the earth and its inhabitants. *They demonized anyone who stood up to them or disagreed with them. *There was no reaching across the aisle, because to them the ones on the other side were not Christian, therefore, not to be trusted. They were putting man’s laws above God’s laws. They were not voting with a Christian heart. Their hearts were filled with greed, wanting for self what was not wanted for others.
Our way or God’s way…
Doing things ‘our way’ when our way was not in harmony with God’s way resulted in actions and voting that did not align with voting with a Christian heart.
Setting the table …
God says you must know: These and others like them were setting the table for extremism which would result in divisions, discord, deaths, and destruction. The harm caused would threaten the church, ‘we the people’, and democracy itself.
They were ‘setting the table for’ and ‘getting ready to give the place of honor to’ a leader who showed daily that his heart was not a Christian heart.
Those who had set the table for these dark times would come to feel that they had no choice but to give allegiance to this earthly one who had taken over their lives, their hearts, their party, even the country. And, casting aside any remains of a Christian heart, they would pledge allegiance to this one and to his flag.
God uses tough love…
About this leader many have chosen to follow and support, God used some tough love. “This one does not need votes, he needs help. You have paid no attention to others who have pointed out his needs; therefore, I am stepping up, as a father should, to tell what is needed.” Then adding, “Who of his earthly family, friends, or spiritual leaders has love for him enough to be the one, or ones, to step up and encourage him to seek the help he needs? Know this: I will be by your side all the way. If you seek my help, I will guide you.”
God first spoke of this one needing help, not votes, in early 2016. Oh, had we known then what we know now! To which God adds, “You now know. No more excuses and no more giving in to want-to-be kings.”
Full disclosure: The first time and for several times after, when I heard God say that it was not votes needed but help, I did not understand what was meant. When psychiatrists — willing to risk their reputations and their jobs in order to inform people and get help for the individual and for the country — began to warn that this one was untethered from reality and was doing harm to himself and others, I had a light-bulb moment. They were describing what I had been observing. God knew all along. Because of his love, God wanted help for this one before self or others were harmed. God will not give up until help comes.
God did not give up on them…
Even when these lawmakers showed no signs of voting with a Christian heart, God did not give up on them. At God’s suggestion, contacts were made through the years, all with results that got darker and more alarming with each passing year. Very concerning was the seeming embrace of politics as religion by many.
God is not giving up on us…
And not one to ever give up on his children and wanting what is best for them, he is not giving up now. (Find out why God is not willing to give up on any of us, even the evilest ones, by re-reading the blog post: God’s Lifesaving Plan – go to the search bar within the blog and type God’s Lifesaving Plan then press search. To have a refresher on how great God’s love is, search for Valentine from God. When it comes up, tap the title and a Valentine should appear – a gift of love from one of God’s faithful disciples. Read the message to feel God’s love being poured upon you.) Urging us to vote with a Christian heart is one example that shows God is not giving up on us.
Vote with a Christian heart…
When voting time arrives, remember that votes help determine whether we remain in the darkness or begin our journey out of the darkness into the light.
God is urging us: “Vote as if your life depended on it, for it does – both your earthly life and your Eternal life. Have no fear, put on the full armor of truth, righteousness, faith, peace, salvation, my word, and go forth to vote with a Christian heart. Remember that a Christian heart does not lean to the extreme right or extreme left for that throws things off balance and nothing good gets done. I planned for the heart to be slightly left leaning so that more of my children are helped.”
He adds, “I am the one who knows what is in your heart. You can keep no secrets from me. I am your Father in Heaven. I have a place prepared for you. I have given you free will, your choice – accept my offer by living, speaking, acting with a Christian heart, or deny it by continuing to do things ‘man’s way’. To deny my offer of a forever-place of love, peace, harmony is to deny me. Your choices determine your final judgment.”
Upcoming: ‘D’ Day — Decision Day