Thursday, November 13, 2008

What's right will be wrong and what's wrong will be right...

Doesn't anyone else find it curious that Eve didn't think it strange to have a conversation with a snake?!!!

Em and I have talked about this quite often and our theory is that quite possibly animals were able to speak in the Garden. I'm not saying that's true, I'm just thinking out loud here...(Now, for those who don't think the Bible is literal, the story of the Garden of Eden and Adam and Eve is just that...a story...and, if you don't think the Bible is literal then, relatively speaking of course, Jesus isn't the only way to God...)But, since the Bible is literal, it's a story in that it's an account of a very unique and special time in the history of God's people. A time where God literally walked with His creation. Where every animal came to Adam to be named. Where God and man and woman hung out...not in boundless freedom but within a loving setting where God said all of it was theirs to enjoy, but not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Why? Why not eat from it? What's the big deal? Well, God knew what the big deal was but satan made that decision appear to be one of little or no consequence...he made it seem enticing. "You're not really going to die..." It'll feel good, come on, it's not as big a deal to disobey the Living God of the Universe as you might think...I did it a while back...see, I'm still 'alive'...come on, now, give it a go...The tree itself was not 'evil' if you will. The act of choosing to eat from it after God had warned not to was what was truly detrimental..the beginning of life outside of God's physical presence. No wonder the devil wanted company...he was miserable!

You see, when Jesus said the anti-Christ would come, he told us so we would know. He told us about the signs of the end of the age, so we would know. God wrote His word down on paper for us to read and feast off, so we would know. People who don't read God's word then are easily deceived by things that sound good, politically correct, peaceful, because let's face it...an anti-Christ coming and the end of the world...that doesn't sound like 'fun times'. No, we'd rather go about our busy lives, attending this and that, doing good deeds and 'getting along' with everyone, not standing for Christ, because, well, we need to 'love our neighbor'. The rest of that scripture, which is truth imperative, reads, "Love your neighbor as yourself." If we love Christ yet do not share Christ's love with our neighbors we aren't loving, nor do we really believe God's word to be true. Loving our neighbors means telling the world about God's love for them in Christ...that's why He came. The ultimate Love Story for all mankind!

So, back to the Garden. I personally know that if I were in the back yard watering the trees, let's say, and a snake was in my Aspen tree, I'd freak out, and run in the house to call for help. That's one. Two, if the snake tried to strike up a conversation, if I didn't pass out first, I'd look at him square in the eye and say, "The Lord rebuke you, satan! Get away from me!" And, because of the authority Jesus' name carries in all existence, he'd be required to slither his slimy ass out of my yard...

But that's what I'm trying to say here. "Anti" means: opposed to or against. Notice in the Garden that the devil didn't say God wasn't real, true or God Almighty, Creator of the World. No, in fact, he referred to God as 'God' in his conversation with Eve...he knew who He was and called Him 'God' with a capital 'G' appropriately. What he did do, and with obvious success for the untrained woman, was distort God's earlier conversation with Eve so that it presented itself to her in a much more appealing, human way.

So, for us to be wise, we need to realize that 'anti-Christ' isn't necessarily someone who will come and be a militant, hateful person. Why would we follow someone like that? We are educated enough to discern that. Like, when Osama or Sadam rose up in their corners of the world, don't you think it was obvious they were bad guys! I mean, really, looking back, since many of us weren't alive at the time, isn't it obvious to see that Hitler was a whack job? But still, people have followed these men because they obviously told them something that sounded good...at least at first. And, Jesus said there would be 'anti-Christ's' meaning, plural, meaning many people would oppose Him...They may even call God 'God'. What will happen, however, is people will loosely claim Christ's name (you know, in order to entice followers of Christ), saying they are 'community organizers' meaning all-embracing do-gooders, and it will sound right and good and humanitarian and earth-friendly so people will follow...because, who wants to be left out, right?

In the meantime, while that is happening, if we stand strong and follow Christ, we will be persecuted. It may not look like public hangings or crucifixions, but think about how if you are currently a Christian you are judged for believing that God's word is true and that Christ is the only way to salvation...Jesus did love everyone. He came for everyone. He died for everyone. He does not exclude anyone who will believe in His name. He was inclusive...whether people followed Him or not was their choice. He was very offensive and really miffed a lot of people...political and religious leaders of the day, especially. He wasn't fluffy. He hated sin. He hated being separated from God's presence and experience that on this earth on the cross so that He knew exactly how we feel apart from Him...but because He was intimate with God, He knew that the things we try to fill our lives with were dissatisfying, leading to death. That is why He came. That is why He died. That is why He conquered death and rose again and prays for you and me. That is why there is nothing in ourselves we can do to 'do' good or 'be' good enough for God. Grace is grace. Grace is free. Grace is only found in Jesus Christ. Religion is false. Christ alone is true. Loving Jesus is not PC. My Facebook political status reads: Incorrect

If talking to snakes in backyards around the world is a common thing nowadays, I am clearly out of the loop...and I'm not interested in getting in on that 'loop', thank you very much...but the question is: "Do we know when snakes are talking anymore?"

29 comments:

  1. I have always loved reading your posts - Noah has, and always will have, a special place in my heart (as well as Emily, too!). However, I feel that to bring politics into the picture is something too personal for most. While I may be wrong (hey, it happens!), I can't help but feel that this was a vieled post against Obama (political came up more than once). I have not commented on your other posts that were clearly so, because I am not one to stir up trouble or point fingers; however, I want to say that we AS PEOPLE have to be proud of the choices we make. I come from the red state of KY, but I could not sleep at night if I let others influence my decisions. I too am a God-fearing woman, but I choose to go with my gut-instinct with Obama. While he may not hold true to every idea that I do, I know that abortion has remained legal since the 1970's, regardless of who is in office. The deciding factor for me came in form of Palin ordering those who had been raped to pay for their own kits, because you see, I too was raped and would have never been able to stomach that additional injustice . . .

    Again, I will continue to check your site daily (write more!), but we AS WOMEN can agree to disagree while supporting and coming together as ONE!

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  2. Anonymous7:33 PM

    What a wonderful post. I believe over time ugly sins that were ugly at first now seem not so much a sin in some people's eyes. I hope that makes sense. I love reading your blog.
    ~Jessica

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  3. Anonymous9:53 PM

    Well-said, Ade. Thanks for speaking it "out loud." And, for the update on the lyme, too. I've been meaning to e-mail you for awhile and ask, but obviously haven't gotten around to it yet. Am praying for you, hope to be in touch before long.

    Blessings, Sister!

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  4. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here, you guys. I always respect lively discussion whether any of us agree or not.

    First of all, Devan, I want to say I am sorry that you were raped. There are no words...I am really sorry. What happened to you was wrong, and I wasn't even thinking of specific sins really when writing this post, mainly sin in general and how satan tries to convince us that our choices aren't consequential, and then you sharing your heart here only confirms that some guy thought that pushing the line WAY OVER by forcing you in a gift that God created...that is horrible!

    Regarding this being a veiled post against Obama, I promise it was not. I appreciate you bringing it up, but truly, since Noah was in the hospital, God kept directing me to scriptures throughout His word regarding the end times. I hadn't really paid them much attention up until that time and since Noah died, the same theme has not ceased to lay upon my heart on a daily basis, really.

    Jesus said over 2000 years ago that he was coming soon and made clearly in His word what the signs of the end of the age would be.

    My purpose in this post was to stir in any readers heart and mind just a glimpse of what I look forward to everyday. I look forward to the Lord's return. I've written about it many times, years now since this current presidential race. I don't think any politician is 100% truthful, that is why I wrote a week ago or so about the election.

    My heart here, on this blog, whether I write about daily life or whatever, is to point people to the Lord Jesus who loves us all so very much. And as I get more and more into his word, I'm blown away how much He said that does not tickle our ears or make us feel warm and fuzzy, not always, anyway.

    As far as abortion, I've thought about this a lot...I don't know what it's like to be president, to try to pass bills and try to overturn them. I know we don't live in a dictator society, so I imagine it's difficult to pass laws and try to stop others from being passed when a lot of people vote against you. I don't know the true ins and outs of that and so I imagine that the reason abortion still exists as a political issue is because a lot of people make a lot of money from it and have politically positioned themselves to rally for it. We as the church need to love women, regardless of how they got pregnant. We need to walk alongside them, sharing God's truth and love, helping them know they are supported to make life giving decisions, like adoption for all the amazing people I know that want babies and can't have their own. And if we didn't love them well, we need to love them after they have made their choice.

    Truly, that is my heart in this post...that we would have our eyes open to the sins in our lives that the devil has tried to convince us of that 'just aren't that big a deal'. I wrote previously about the election and specifically said I didn't think O is the Anti-Christ. Regardless of who is a leader and who is a follower, God's word says if we aren't for God we are against Him. Only God knows who the final anti-Christ will be.

    I hope some of this reveals my thoughts while writing this post. Thanks for commenting.

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  5. I have honestly never thought about it!! The deepest we've gotten around her in discussing Adam and Eve is to wonder if Adam had a belly button......welcome to my world!

    Thank you for this post!

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  6. Anonymous5:40 PM

    The other meaning of the term "anti" in anti-christ is "instead of"....not just against Christ, but instead of Christ, which is actually against Christ. When we look to someone or something instead of looking to Christ, it/they become an "anti-christ".....so we can make people or things into anti-christs. Our own human tendencies are awfully big to get over, aren't they?

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  7. Anonymous9:12 PM

    adrienne, i have enjoyed following your blog from time to time, but with all due respect i find this entry disconcerting. your reference to this mysterious community organizer (i.e. obama) lumped into the same group as bin laden and hitler, a group that you say could possibly include the anti-christ is just plain weird and frankly it saddens me.

    lord have mercy on us all.

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  8. My initial interpretation of this blog was that it was referring to Obama as well. Only you know what you truly meant, because you are the one who wrote it. I'm just telling you how it appears to others. Obama's experience as a community organizer was one of the most scrutinized points in the election. Was it just a coincidence that you said potential Anti-Christs would claim to be community organizers and do-gooders? *Raises eyebrow*

    Honestly, if you really do feel that Obama is the Anti-Christ, or that his presidency is a sign of the end of the world, just say so. (There are a lot of people out there who do.) It's your blog and you have the freedom of speech/freedom of the press, so you can say whatever you want. I can disagree with someone and still have respect for them, but I find it really hard to respect someone who won't outright admit to or stand behind their own views.

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  9. Anonymous6:11 AM

    sorry, but if I have to agree with moonlit's comment above ... I actually really enjoyed this post - but the minute I read it (or anybody reads it) I thought wow! She's not pulling any punches in calling O the anti-Christ.
    Like I said, I enjoyed the post and for the most part agreed with everything you said... but own it, don't say you weren't even thinking of Obama.

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  10. Anonymous9:39 AM

    Ade, I'm sorry some people seem to think that they know your heart and mind better than you know your own. But, as you titled your post.... ;-) People are going to think what they think, no matter what you say. I think that maybe they should be looking into their own hearts, rather than judging someone else's at this point, if they are so sure they can know another's thoughts from afar. I may be mistaken, but I'm thinking that only you and the Lord can know that. Have a great weekend!

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  11. I read this post as addressing something I worry about: Do I have the sense to recognize good versus evil? And will I be able to recognize what is right versus what is wrong, in the Biblical sense and not the political sense?

    Right now the mass media does put people with conservative leanings in the “incorrect” political status. Look what political liberal “progressive” policies have done to San Francisco with its sanctuary city policy. Does that mean SF’s mayor, district attorney or police chief are the anti-Christ? Not at all … the anti-Christ is bigger than any of those people, bigger than Saddam or Osama or Hitler. And that’s a scary thought.

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  12. I second Caligirl9's comment...that is how I read it as well. I can only imagine that since your separation from Noah is based on your time left here on earth that you think about Christ's return and what it will look like often.

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  13. This was a very disturbing post for me. I come from a different place in my faith and it is a faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. We did not elect Obama as our Savior, we elected him as our president. No one person or political party can save us from ourselves~ from the people in the world we fear~ from the choices others make ~ and the past certainly proves that. The changes we need here in America or in the world must come from within ~ one person ~ one family ~ one church~ one community at a time.
    Renee

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  14. Anonymous5:15 PM

    I read your blog from time to time...I also thought this was an eye opening post. Only you know what you meant when you posted...
    Just a thought about abortion laws in our country... people need to remember there's something called "checks and balances". No one person can make something into law or overturn a law just that easy. As a God-fearing woman myself, I voted based solely on Biblical principle. Some Christians vote based on who the candidate is and what he promises...I cannot do that. I vote based on God's word and His promises. I know many Christians don't feel the Bible is relevant in today's world...kinda goes along with the original post. Today it seems as though sin is "watered down". The world says many things are "okay" and should be accepted and tolerated...however, if you look at God's word you'll see a different perspective...the ONLY perspective that matters.

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  15. Ade,

    I just wanted to send you my love :)

    This is your blog and you can write whatever you want :)

    Love you :)

    Carly x

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  16. hey adrienne,

    I missed this original post somehow until you just posted today and referred back to here.

    Just wanted to tell you that I totally get what you were saying here. because history has shown us that every world leader who turned out to be evil didn't start out the way they ended up --- they crept in, promising things, organizing the community, putting on a front like satan - u are exactly right.... only when they were in power did they turn on the people and show their evil side/intentions.

    If your readers thought you were talking solely of Obama, it's just because of how much the media and everybody has labeled and talked about Obama as a community organizer, do they really believe Obama is the only community organizer in history? every single power in this world started as a "community organizer" --- it's right out of the marxist playbook --- what many call, "agitation organizing".

    so anyway ---- politics are hard to discuss but I love when you write from your heart.... I totally got what you were saying here --- your focus was about satan and his sneakiness. The front he puts on. How he twists things. and examples abound in world history of how he has used that same tactic for power in evil leaders even in today's world....

    xoxo love ya

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  17. I'm reminded again that this is your blog, not mine. :) Can we discuss things openly? Well, since you have made this a safe place to do so, yes. I respect you Adrienne... I respect you for laying your joys AND heartaches out here for the world to see. I respect you for standing for truth when it isn't popular. I respect you for taking the risk to share your heart even when others will be determined to take loving words and turn them into something you never intended. I respect you and I pray that your readers will reply with respect. It matters not if we agree on all things, but it DOES matter how we approach our differences. We should all be approaching those differences from a place of love for one another. I hope, hope hope hope, that out of love for one another, we can each one be cautious to lovingly ask the questions rather than making blanket assumptions about what we think you mean. I am SURE I have quickly assumed when reading other blogs too... what has happened here today is a good reminder to ME to be cautious how I approach what I THINK I read - or what I'm reading between the lines.

    And for the record, I get the heart of the message you have shared in this post and I think it is precious. A good call for us to seek God to give us wisdom in days that are sure to be harder and darker.

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  18. Anonymous1:00 PM

    Adrienne, unfortunatley when we put our lives out in the open on the web for all to see we are sometimes faced with the evils of the world. I stumbled upon your blog about 2 months ago and do not know you, but what I do know is you are a kind, passionate and honest woman who loves the Lord and your family. That is something NOONE can take from you. You own this blog and it is your life's journey with God, Noah, Em and Jason.....a journey that none of us are worthy of judging. I want you to know I think you are amazing for blogging what you have and continuing to speak your thoughts no matter what the cost, as a true Christian does. Keep up the good work and I pray that God sheilds you from the evils tongues of others!

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  19. Anonymous3:34 PM

    Devan~Im not as'nice" as Ade is. I'm so irrated right now! First off Palin didnt order anyone to pay for a rape kit. Secondly, if you want warm and fuzzy, watch the Libs on ABC,CBS, NBC and CNN.Do a little research on Obama and friends and Palin before you make comments on things you probably heard on the view! I have loved this blog from the first day I prayed for Noah and fam in my bible study in little 'ol SD. I have learned so much from this woman sharing her heart and It's been a God send for me because I'm so tired of mainsteam media and their love affair with O. I used to watch alot of TV and dont anymore because I cant take another minute of the liberal freaks! Now I spend what free time I have reading christian blogs. If you dont like it then go somewhere else! Theres plenty of Obama loving people who want to hear what you have to say and have the same "gut" feeling. Also Gods word tells us to trust in him and follow his commandments not to go with our "gut" I'm just sayin...

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  20. Anonymous9:00 PM

    Ade, I'm sorry you were hurt by comments from your post. Just FYI for you, I was encouraged that someone else thinks the same way I do. Those who love the darkness will hate the light.... And for those who speak truth, it's only going to get "worse"....

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  21. Anonymous3:03 PM

    www.howobamagotelected.com/

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  22. I dont think I have ever commented here, though I have read your blog for quite some time. I love your writing, your heart for the Lord; it's so refreshing. Thank you for keeping your blog going! I love to see what your family is up to and enjoy reading your insight. Bless you!

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  23. Anonymous11:46 PM

    I'm sad that people are taking your words the wrong way. I've been reading your blog for awhile and it's sad that anyone who has read your blog thinks that you think that way. Your posts are open and honest and from the heart. People unfortunately will see what they want to see in your words. If you had written that post, as you said, a year ago, no one would think you were talking about the president-elect. It's sad that people find things that aren't there to be offended at. Don't take it to heart. There are always people out there who want to upset others so that they feel more justified in their beliefs or whatnot.

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  24. People! Wow!
    You guys are the ones assuming... And you know what they say about assuming....Hmmm, I can only concur that the reason the post was misconstrued is that you all are still sensitive about the election-GET OVER IT, HE WON FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!
    Move on with your lives and help your new "President" do it right. Geez.
    As for me, I didn't vote for Obama because his skin is black, I voted against him because his soul is!

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  25. Anonymous3:45 PM

    Wow, that last comment by Misi was scary. **Move on with your lives and help your new "President" do it right. Geez.** Maybe she doesn't realize that he will be her President too; there's really no way around that unless she changes her citizenship. And is Obama "President" or President? What's the point of the quotation marks? And then she knows the state of his soul and thus voted against him? Did she have the same insight into John McCain's soul?

    Sara

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  26. I really appreciate this post. And this is YOUR blog, for YOUR opinions. People can choose to read or not to read.
    I'm so sick of being made to feel "wrong" for not being an Obama supporter. Or for just being a more conservative person in general.
    Don't let these people keep you from writing what's on your heart.
    I love your blog and how real you are in it.

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  28. Found you by accident - right - divine...lol Really enjoyed this post and will read more as I can - especially your testimony. : )

    Blessings and peace to you and your family.

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  29. Anonymous5:09 PM

    One of my twitter accounts was suspended today because I said that a trans "woman" is not a woman, and I will not partake in a lie like that. My comment was labelled as being hateful/discriminatory/etc. because I can't and won't participate in the lies.
    I really think we're in the end times. Nothing makes sense anymore. What's right is wrong and what's wrong is right.
    I know I'm a little late to the party, but I just found this page tonight and I have a lot on my mind.
    I'm sorry that your point went over so many people's heads. I got it.

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