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Bumps Ahead Proceed With Caution |
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Posted By: everfaithful
As I drove past a sign that said "Bumps Ahead" in a parking lot, it got me thinking. I realized God wants us to have this sign in our mind in reference to our lives. In my prayer life I always want a quick fix and an easy way out. "Please give us money....please give my son a job, please fix my husband...hahah". But how are we to grow and learn when there are no bumps in the road of our lives. The bumps and how we deal with them and rely on God to see us through them are the building blocks of our growth as Christians. I have a friend who is not dealing with a bump but a mountain. He was sent to jail for a white collar crime he didn't even commit. He working at the wrong place at the wrong time and associating with the wrong people. I have gotten two letters from him. God is working on him during this difficult time and he is giving him a heart for those around him who cant seem to life a crime free life. He said that prison is a real dichotomy because it is filled with men and women that cannot follow rules on the outside, but need the upper hand and can follow them better on the inside. They need to be told what to do, when to eat, who to eat with etc. But after two months, he is realizing that God is with him and this is a bump, though a large one, in his road. He says in the letter, "I am learning about myself and others and this will really help me to become a better person, a better husband and father...my goal here is to share God;s word and help steer some of these guys away from their collision course with failure." I know that he would rather learn these things somewhere else other than prison, but he understands the God's ways are sometimes not ours.
Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
We must cling to the Word when going through these bumps and though I have not prison and hope that the Lord does not want to grow me there, I have been through a lot of bumps.
When you think of it these bumps are speed bumps. They are meant to slow us down so we can focus our attention and not injure ourselves or anyone around us. God's speed bumps have the same intention. They make us self reflect on what we need to change and slow down and focus on Him. If we always remember God's promise to us:
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
We can go over these bumps with trust that God will help us to the other side and we will be more like Him when we get there
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Posted: 05/10/08 10:06am - Total Views: 298 - Category: Christian Life
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papillionkiller |
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Posted by:
papillionkiller 
(Posted: 05/10/08 11:22am)
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I wonder with all this thinking, did you get to where you were going?
Enjoyed this except that husband part. 
I know about that jail part, that's where I was saved, has a special place in my heart I no longer care to visit.
Have you ever seen a test track for cars? they have those bumps every few feet for about 50 feet.
Think in the last few years I've hit ever one of them.
Thinks Effie, think I'll slow down just in case.
P-Killer
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youaregolden |
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Posted by:
youaregolden
(Posted: 05/10/08 11:49am)
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Amen Effie!  I always freakout when I come to a bump in the road, but I knowing that God is going to use it is amazing.
I'll continue to keep your friend in my prayers.
YSIC,
-Golden 
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savedbyegrace |
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Posted by:
savedbyegrace
(Posted: 05/10/08 12:16pm)
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God really uses those bumps in the road, yet we try to hard to flatten them or go around them. Amen, Effie! 
Gracie
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blessings2you |
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Posted by:
blessings2you
(Posted: 05/10/08 3:23pm)
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Sometimes bumps are a warning of what lies ahead. Going down a road at 60 mph it is very jarring to hit "rumble strips" that warn of an approaching blinking red light on the two lane road. As annoying as those strips are, they are still better than not seeing the light and ramming into the side of another vehicle.
Then there are the "bumps in the night". I guess that is another subject though.
Great thoughts. Thank you.
B2Y
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kreynolds |
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Posted by:
kreynolds
(Posted: 05/11/08 5:43am)
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Just a few weeks ago, one of our pastor's read a letter he'd received from his parents who are missionaries in Africa. It was a similar situation. A pastor had gone out early to a fairly secluded area one beautiful morning. He was spending a quiet time with the Lord when suddenly the area was surrounded by the police. There were drug dealers in that area and he ended up getting picked up too.
One thing after another kept coming up when he was supposed to come to trial. For example; the judge would be sick so he would have to go back on the docket for another three months. This pastor chose to have the attitude of your friend. He knew he hadn't done anything wrong. He was only having a quiet time with God. He knew that God was aware of exactly where he was. Since God knew where he was; God must have a purpose for having him be there.
During this time, he started a prison ministry. A great number of men came to know God before he was released in about a year. His two most faithful assistants were former Satanists whom everyone in the prison had feared. When they said "Go to church." everyone jumped up and headed to the service. They were used to listening to these two guys. No one could believe the change.
Jesus sent us to the lost and often the lost are in terrible places and situations. We have to go where they are...even if the road is bumpy. I've thought about this in my bout with cancer. People going through this same battle are much more likely to listen to those who are in a similar situation. In order for me to be able to truly proclaim God is our deliverer, I have to experience deliverance. In order to say he provides, I have to experience his provision. In order to say "He makes my darkness light and he will make your darkness light as well." means that I will have to go to dark places sometimes.
May God bless your friend as he faithfully labors in the corner of the field God has currently placed him in!
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allforhim |
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Posted by:
allforhim
(Posted: 05/12/08 4:24am)
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Yes, may we remember to praise God when we hit a bump and we have to change direction or slow down and look to see what God is saying instead of trying to go around it or back-up! I praise God for your friend and His obedience to God. Good blog Effie! Blessings! Andrea
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I have been happily married for 24 years. I have 2 children ages 19 and 22 (I guess they really aren't children anymore) We just moved to San Diego County area where my husband and I chose to retire. I currently teach in a program called kids college an after...
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thoughts from pastors across america, part 1
