Dream Maker

Many people seem to have wandered through life with little or no sense of purpose, just existing from one day to the next. Yet, if you watch most children playing, they seem to be so happy and full of life, imagination and dreams. They're always looking for some new adventure, or something that's would be challenging and/or rewarding. It's the way they were designed.

Yet, as many people grew up, things changed and they got busier, too busy in fact. Most become parents and/or joined the work forces of society. But the dreams and ambitions they once had now seem to be dead and buried in the past. Others are trying to be the picture of success, working longer and harder to fulfill their dream, going to the extreme, for what?   And a few seem will to do anything, just to keep from getting bored, including wasting more time watching TV or playing video games or going to sports events. In the process many have lost track of time and reality, watching others trying to fulfill their dreams. Most people have now giving up on having any dreams of their own.  

Some people no longer know what's really important to them. While other are busy trying to help or please someone else, such as their children, their spouse, their boss and sometimes even themselves. Some don't even know how to take time off, to rejuvenate their body, mind or spirit. Or even do some serious soul searching. (But, there's still hope for you, so please read on.)

If I were to ask you. Are you fulfilling your dream? What would you say? Would it be something like, "Well, I'm too busy for that," or "What dream! I'm just trying to survive." Is that what life's all about, survival?

Do you know that God placed within you and every child of his, a dream? A dream to be fulfilled. Some are small and others are much bigger, but more importantly it was pacifically designed for you. He also gives everyone, the ability to fulfill their portion of that dream. It may not be the dream you once though of, such as a sport figure, or a celebrity, or being rich and famous. But, a dream just the same that is much bigger and grander than you could ever imagine. God is also able to provide everything necessary to get you started and help you fulfill your part. But, you will still have to choose and it will cost you to follow his dream. Even human's dreams require lots of time, practice, energy  and money. 


God's dreams don't come cheap either, but they are much more rewarding. His dreams are meant to give people a purpose or reason for living. Without a dream or dreams, your already dead, even though you may still be breathing and content with doing just that. Probably, because you may not know any better. The truth of the matter is, God loves you and he has a lot more in mind for you. Don't sell yourself short or believe the lies of others who will try to discourage you. You're never too dumb, weak, or old to begin your dream and pass it on. A dream(s) that make your life worth living. Yet, many times you won't be able to complete them, because they're much bigger than anyone realized.

There are two kinds of dreams, spiritual and carnal ones. The spiritual ones comes from God, your Heavenly Father and they are eternal. The others dreams often stem from our pride, greed and lust (or too much pizza) and then they're forgotten or fade as quickly as we had them. The same goes for all our carnal efforts or activities. They have no lasting value or eternal purpose even though they may be gratifying for some earthly goal. Or maybe helping a few people or some charitable act to save the animals or the earth from global warming. Some even dream of killing others over foolish beliefs or some other vile and vain imagination.

However, God's dreams have real meaning, and often they are life changing. They're meant to inspire, give hope or direction, sometimes they even warn us or others. Some may be just a simple gift to enjoy in our nightlife when one may be experiencing a difficult or stressful time. (God cares about every facet of our life, even when we're asleep.) Other dreams maybe grander in scope to pass onto another generation. 


Sometimes God's dreams show us how to accomplish certain task, or create or build. Others are for instructions or blessings or revelation knowledge to be shared with others. Other reveal some form of judgment that need to acted on through intercession. God's dreams are meant for LIFE, not death, even to save one poor lost soul. You may wonder, how and why God would do that?


There are no limitations to God's love, power, knowledge or abilities. He owns everything and knows every thought you have and what you will do next week, month and year—because God is LOVE and he cares for you very much. We just have to be willing to accept that and work with Him. That requires us to be able to hear his voice and do what he says so we will be ready when the time comes. That process can start now if you're willing. It may seem hard at first, but it's really not. Just spend more time waiting before him each day (talking if you feel that's necessary, remember he knows your heart and your thoughts). God is also very patient, but he's not a fool either. We need to be serious about our efforts.  


Let God know that you're willing to work with him, and that begins with repentance and more prayer time. Shed excess baggage, a clutter mind or life has little room for God's dreams. Fasting meals can also helps prepare our minds and bodies for His dreams to be revealed. God's desires will then becomes yours and you will want to see the dream he has planned lived out. He says, '"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans for good and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope ...when you seek me...and search for me with all your heart."' (Jer. 29:11-13)



God's dreams for us are much bigger than anything we could ever imagine. What we do and say can effect hundreds, thousands even millions of people lives, now and those who will live after us. God's dreams were promised to Abraham and his descendants for a thousand generations (that's a very long time). That's how big God thinks, his abilities (and ours) can go beyond time and space, because we too share in his power. These Bible character's dreams effected the lives of countless numbers. 


Noah was a righteous man and he found grace is the eyes of the Lord. God gave him instructions (a dream) to save his family and the generations to come, along with all the animals. King David was told to buy a piece of land, where the temple of the Lord was to be built, and he gave his gold and silver to help start it. Yet, the greatest example he gave us was the position of his heart. David loved God with all his heart. He was not a man with divided interests. When we're willing to prepare our heart the same way as David, God will help us fulfill our dream. Mary yielded her body and her dignity to give birth to the savor of the world, Jesus Christ.


Sometimes we my have to be willing to sacrifice everything, to see a dream accomplish. Jesus did when he was only 33 years old, he chose to hang on a cross and die to save humanity. It was then, he was able to say, "It is finish." That was the dream set before him, to see us free from the bonds of sin, to make all thing new and gain access to the Heavenly Father. What would you be willing to do in order to see others set free from their physical, mental and/or spiritual bonds?


God's dreams are meant to go beyond ourselves, time and space. They are eternal, whereas mankind's dreams are small, usually selfish, and they have only temporary value or pleasure. However, there is no greater joy or reward than knowing that you have pleased your Heavenly Father, the Dream Maker.


Note: Every man and woman of God is given a dream and a role to play. Some may appear grander than others, but they're all have a significant part in the Kingdom of God.

A Time For War

Give me the money that has been spent in war and I will clothe every man, woman, and child in an attire of which kings and queens will be proud. I will build a schoolhouse in every valley over the whole earth. I will crown every hillside with a place of worship consecrated to peace. ~Charles Sumner

War does not determine who is right - only who is left. ~Bertrand Russell

It'll be a great day when education gets all the money it wants and the Air Force has to hold a bake sale to buy bombers. ~Author unknown, quoted in You Said a Mouthful edited by Ronald D. Fuchs

I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, "Mother, what was war?" ~Eve Merriam

The release of atom power has changed everything except our way of thinking... the solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind. If only I had known, I should have become a watchmaker. ~Albert Einstein

What a cruel thing is war: to separate and destroy families and friends, and mar the purest joys and happiness God has granted us in this world; to fill our hearts with hatred instead of love for our neighbors, and to devastate the fair face of this beautiful world. ~Robert E. Lee, letter to his wife, 1864

Everyone has their own opinion about war because of what they've seen, heard or experienced as a result of them. However the Bible states in Ecclesiastes Chp. 3:1-8:

"There is an appointed time for everything."

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; A time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace."

As much as many of us dislike war, they do serve a purpose in God's greater design. Whether it is for judgment, blessing or discipline (correction and purification), God is in control and He loves all His children.

There are many of things that can be learned from war. Here are some of them:

- Trust in the wisdom of God.
- Evil must be confronted.
- Realize our own weaknesses and limitations versus God's strength and protection.
- The outcome of obedience is more important than our personal feelings or needs.
- Sacrifice is the foundation and the principle requirement for seeing others set free.
- The future and eternity have a greater reward than the present.

Wars are caused by people who chose to deviate from the will and plan of God. Satan looks for victims who show signs of weakness, of pride and greed and lust, using them to breed discontent and fuel hatred toward another person, a race, a religion or a nation. These fleshly traits are used by the enemy, satan, as his way of stealing, killing and hurting people. When men aspire to leadership they often have wrong motives. Some choose to set themselves up by force as superior to their neighbors and brothers, forcing their opinion and beliefs on others, insisting they submit or be destroyed. Regardless of their motive and actions, God is still in control. He is even the authority over satan, as to fulfill his greater plan.

Jesus' desire for us is to love God first and then our neighbors. Even if there are some losses or sacrifices, we must trust God for the full benefit of such battles.

God allows wars to be a tool to bring purification into the hearts of mankind. Wars often help us realize our own pride and depravity. Just as God did with the children of Israel; they were judged for their sins, but they were also taught how to conquer their enemies. But, in the New Testament Jesus taught people to fight the enemy with the power of love — to pray for and bless people that spitefully use us. We need to forgive, even from our greatest depths of pain (the cross). Anytime there is a war, it should be a time of prayer, intercession, an examination of the heart. People should expect to see sacrifices, even personal ones. Most wars often take longer than anticipated.

Wars are really fought on several fronts, not only where the action is but also on the home front and in the heart. Conflicts always heighten emotions, but we must not let them rule us. There are always differences of opinions from leaders, from neighbors, and even within the family. Questions and doubts about war, all the rights and wrongs, and thoughts and sides that can be taken. It grieves me to see the hate and division between people, races and nations as a result of war. Not only the current wars, but all wars.

The loss of life and human suffering not only grieves me but also our Heavenly Father. He is like a good parent and does not take pleasure in disciplining his children or seeing them suffer, but knows it is necessary at times for the good. He knows the benefits we may not see at the time; including the possibility of some of his children rebelling or dying. All of us need to understand this.

There is also "the fallout" or consequences of wars on individuals and families. Whether they have to deal with a death or a capture of a friend or loved one, wounded and/or disabled, there's a lot of emotion, pain and suffering. Often the emotional or mental pain is the worst. Bitterness and resentment can creep in and fester (poison) the mind. Many veterans and soldiers' minds are tormented by nightmares, being driven to despair and hopelessness because of what they have seen and experienced. As a result many marriages and families have suffered, and many have been destroyed.

Recently, I learned that an average of 18 American soldiers and vets, after coming home from war, are committing suicide each day. I think that is horrible and unacceptable. What that does to families is devastating and unimaginable. We must pray for our soldiers and their families wherever they are. We have to give them HOPE, letting them know that not all is lost or in vain. We must let them know that there is a reason to live; that their sacrifice is appreciated.

All these service men and women have paid far too great a price to be ignored. God wants to honor them also, those who have been willing to sacrifice for their families, their country and were willing to stop evil from spreading in other parts of the world. But, most importantly that they come to know Jesus , the one who loves them and spared them for a reason. They need to know that not all is lost, and be encouraged to see the glory of God and the wonderful future he has in store for them.

We're reaching out to all of you now. Jesus wants to take your burden, whether you are a veteran or not, and give you a reason to continue to live a life full of hope and joy. In the days ahead God is going to demonstrate his love and mercy in a greater way than ever seen before. And you will even see it on the news (and reporters will be speechless). We are about to see the greatest move of God, where minds, lives and limbs will be restored—including body parts that were missing. There will be no question as to whether there is a God, and who he is. He will display his awesome and miraculous power through his sons and daughters (the army of God). The enemy will not prevail over this army, whose commander and chief is Jesus Christ the Lord. And the children will sing His praises. There will be signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. You and I will see the revelation of the Heavenly Father's love that will take away the pain and sorrow that have been in lives because of wars. (Even the ones we created by our own mistakes, including our personal and emotional wars.)

As a nation and as individuals we need to learn how and when to fight the physical and the spiritual battles. By reading the Bible, we gain wisdom by the examples given and knowledge by applying it to our lives. Unfortunately, many of us are slow learners; but God is very patient. Rather than seeking to be independent, we as children of God need to become totally dependent on him, understanding that he knows best.

Jesus told us that in the last days there would be wars and rumors of wars. But don't be afraid, for those things must happen. For nation shall rise against nation, brother against brother, and kingdom against kingdom. (Mt. 24: 6-7) He tells us this so we can have peace and not fear, for Jesus has overcome the world. (John 16:33) Don't fear Him who can kill the body, but fear him who can kill both the body and the soul. (Mat. 10:28)

God promises that the future will be better for the righteous. "Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (Mt. 24:34) There is coming the time when the lion or wolf will lie down with the lamb. (Is. 11:6 and Is. 65:35) And a time when there will be no more tears, sorrow or pain. And no more wars. Swords will be hammered into plowshares, and the wicked will be no more. We will live in peace and harmony in the presence of Jesus Christ for eternity. Now that's Heaven on earth, don't you think? Hope to see you there!