The real Question for those who follow Christ...

    I am sitting here with many thoughts running through my mind...do I write about the gun laws or about mentally unstable, or maybe about impending disaster of the fiscal cliff. Yet for all these thoughts, I keep going back to another thought, What am I thankful for this Season?

     I admit it is not as exciting as the other 'News'. We as a people immediately prepare to argue and debate over the laws of our freedoms including the right to keep and bear arms. We love to fight over who has the moral high ground where fiscal spending and waste is concerned. Now we even are throwing into the debates the care or lack there of for mentally unstable persons. We point fingers and throw judgements around at each other as if we were sure that we had the truth and righteousness on our side, but do we? Does it matter? Is this what is really important? Honestly?

     So then I sat down and began thinking about what should be important...God, Family, Friends, Neighbors, Country. I thought about what was going right, you know what was good in my life. My ability to get up in the morning and go to work. The fact that I had work to actually go to. My beautiful wife who loves me even when I am not lovable. My children who still love me when I fuss at them all the time and do not spend the time I should with them. These are blessings. Then I thought about other blessings that came to me...like God bringing a family in need to me that we could bless with gifts during the Christmas holiday. He even provided us the extra funds for those gifts. We did not plan on a trip to visit the family but went and Father met our needs for that trip. My parents lost their puppy and although 'I' tried to find a dog for them I couldn't. Yet when it was time he had one waiting and provided it. He also provided one for my wife's mom who needed it. I did not understand, "why can't I find a dog for my parents?" I wasn't waiting on my God. He already had one. He covered everything. He took care of all our needs and ensured we were safe on the way home in the rain, sleet, and snow. It was a long trip but we made it safely home because Father held us in his hand.

     Then I looked back even further and saw friends whom I was blessed with being able to help with cars, money, food, clothing, and other blessings that Father brought my way. I did not understand at the time nor do I even understand everything that he accomplished. I don't need to and I am content to know that I at least tried to be obedient some of the days. I am not perfect and was not obedient in all things. I was stiff necked and hard headed most of the days, yet on those days that I did obey Father was able to use me to help others.

     So perhaps this will be the REAL question, what will be your New Years resolution this year? Will it be to Lose Weight? Or to stand up for your Rights? or to ensure that No One has Assault Weapons? Or maybe just maybe we should start this year as the year we stand up for One Another! The Year We open ourselves to our Father's will and allow him to truly Guide our walk. I know that I have yet to reach that pinnacle but am going to attempt to climb that mountain, anyone going to come along?

Written on Dec 18, 'Father is the Path to Healing'

While thinking about the latest post, Father put upon my heart that it was not complete. That I had not truly covered the topic of discussion. You see although I cannot even come close to the horror of understanding the loss of a child, I have other demons that I have endured for more than 40 years due to my own choices. 2 years ago, I would not have written this, however today I am free to do so ...because I know that Father loves me and has loved me even when I THOUGHT he did not.
As I stated I cannot even imagine the horror of losing a child. However, I have known the nightmare of molestation as a child. Some of my first memories are as a 4 year old boy being molested by an uncle. This continued until 10 - 11 years of age. My uncle of course told me that this was all my fault and that I was a very bad boy. Me, I was too little to understand anything other than I was a rotten kid and God must hate me. My family took me to church every Sunday morning, and Sunday and Wednesday evenings. They told me that God loved me but I knew that was a lie. Where was he when I was being molested? Sound Familiar? At the age of approximately 13-14 I was again attacked this time by a youth minister....Where was God? Now I did hate him back. God was like Zeus. I cursed at him for not loving me and allowing this to happen to me. It took me 40 YEARS to understand that Father was there with me as a child. That he did not abandon me during those times. I had prayed and he had heard. He had been there the whole time and had held me close to him as a child.
I know that it is little consolation to know that the children are all being held closely by our Father and are sitting in his lap right now. Yet, that is truth. The question we each have to answer is which choice will I make; to hate God for allowing this to happen, or to accept that bad things will happen and we can look to God for healing. We may never understand the reason for the shooting in an elementary school. However, we can choose to love our Father and support each other. I pray that you will allow Father to work healing in your life now, not later. That it will not take you years to understand that our God is capable of healing all your hurt and pain.
Lastly, Father has a simple promise that may fit here. Ask and it shall be given, seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened. Ask and you shall be given peace, seek and you shall find the path through the pain, and knock and the door to the Father's presence will be open to you. I pray that this is your walk in the next few months.

Written Dec 18, Christ the Truth of the Season

So here we are in the middle of the Holiday Season. Yes, I am using the politically correct wording so as to not offend those who are reading this at the beginning. Because I would hate for them not to continue reading when I state that Christ truly was born into this world and walked as a man among us. Was it on December 25th? Well, no one truly knows for sure. And if you wish to celebrate his birthday at another time then that is okay with me. I do not nor will I hold that against you. As a Christian, I choose this time to celebrate along with many others the true meaning of Christmas, and that is this; the Gift from our Father of His one and only Son, Jesus. Who was there in the beginning, see Genesis chapter 1 and John chapter 1 for confirmation of this. That is, if you accept that the Bible is God's revealed Word. Jesus was born into the world to save man from himself. Yes, I said that...Jesus was born into the world to save man from himself. We are and always have been a carnal being. We each of us have within us the ability to do great good and kindness, but we also have the seeds of great evil and death. From the beginning it was so. Adam and Eve fell almost immediately doing exactly what they were told not to. Then Cain slew his brother. Jacob was wrestling with Esau before they left the womb. We have had wars on the world scale for thousands of years.
We desire, we lust, we covet what others have and are jealous because we do not have. We say, "it isn't fair." Or life's not fair. Really? Who are you or I to say what is fair? Did I design the earth? Or set the stars in the sky? Or did I plan out the design of a hummingbird? Can I count the hairs on my own head?
Let's get closer to home. What about Friday's attack on the School? Was that fair? No. Were those children taken too soon? I would say so, but I did not make the plan of my Father. He is the one who makes the plan. Did He put the gun in that man's hand? NO. Did he tell him to shoot all those children? NO. Satan did that just as he told Eve to eat the apple. So how do you get past this? Prayer, for the families and talking with God. The families have to decide if they will be mad at God for allowing this to happen and be angry. Or will they allow Father to help them heal. The PTSD and my own childhood taught me that much (40 years is too long a time to wait to get peace).
As for Christmas, well perhaps this event will open our eyes to the needy and suffering of others living close to us that we pass by every day but never even see. We do not see because we do not want to see, and we do not know because we do not want to know. If we see and know then we are responsible for them, but if we are 'blind' to others pain and suffering then we can tell our Father on that day that we just were not aware...right? Sorry, I sometimes say we when I mean me. I know that like Paul I am chiefest of sinners in all things. It just pains me to know that some blame God for this and it is our own fault for telling Him to leave us alone. We want to wear our big boy pants and do this on our own like the prodigal son until something really bad happens and then we scream out, "Where were you?"
For those who love Him and know Him, the answer is, "Right here. I have always been Right here with you. I will never leave you."

So I wish you all a Merry Christmas and hope that this year you will reach out to someone needy to lend a helping hand ensuring they have a Merry Christmas and perhaps learn what Christmas is really about.

 

 

 

Written on Dec 13, 'Stop Whining'

     Last night on the drive home, I was thinking about work. Seems that is most of what I do...or I am feeling angry a lot about work; or some situation that seems important to ME. It's a loooong drive from Austin to Belton and Father decided he had listened to enough of my continual drival. My walk had been moving further away from God lately and less focused on spiritual things. I was not writing for Father nor chronicling as I am led to do....always to busy, or whining about my own frustrations. Father led me to understand this, "I put you where you are for a purpose. You are there until I decide to send you somewhere else. Quit Whining! Stand and Show Yourself The Man. Rejoice in suffering and know that in your weakness; I show MY Strength. Did Joseph whine while spending years in prison? And what about Paul who was beaten, shipwrecked and stoned? What makes you better than my prophets of old who were hounded and murdered? Quit Whining and do what I ask of you!" This is what God placed upon my heart last evening.

    Then, I saw all the things He has accomplished while I was here, and I understood more what my time here has been for. Sometimes, we do not know why we are placed into situations and do not understand the 'impossible' situations that we find ourselves in only to find that God was there with a plan that we never even could have hoped to accomplish on our own. I keep getting asked by everyone, even my own relatives, what I will be doing next (after this assignment) and I tell them, "I do not know." That is the honest truth. I know what I would like to be doing next but honestly; Belton, TX was not in my planned path and God brought me here for a reason. I did not want to come; sniveled and whined about being sent. Now, I am honestly glad he did. I have true Battle Brothers who I can call upon to listen when I need to openly confess to my childish behavior or other failings and whom I can stand beside when they are in need. I know that He has a plan for me somewhere after this. Do I know what it is? No, but I believe that he will open that door for me when he is ready. I do know that I will serve God, my family and those he places in my care to the best of my ability.

                Yesterday, I wrote about Common-ism and felt that I had covered the material as best that I could, or more correctly, as closely as I could to where I felt the Spirit was leading.  However, all last evening I kept feeling that I had left part out. That I had not finished what I was supposed to say. The writing was incomplete somehow.  So let’s continue and see what the ending is…

                First let’s look at the Common-ism as a community.  Inside this community of believers we are told that all were of One Mind and One Heart. Now does that mean they all thought the same thing about all the issues in life? Or that they never had an issue with another? No. Let’s look at what we are talking about here.  In Acts chapter 2, they added 3000 believers to their community.  Now this is a number that includes men, women and children. Then, in Acts 4, the number grows to 5000 men alone…not including the women and children (NLV).  Okay, so with all these people involved in the new Common-ism community can we honestly say there would not be differences of opinion when we talk about matters of material world? I can honestly say that there were differences and issues that arose. If not then why would the Apostles appoint 7 godly men to oversee the care of the Widows and Orphans? For more on that look at Acts chapter 6 starting from verse 1 and following.  No, there will always be issues that arise between humans due to our own wants and desires.

                So what exactly does Oneness mentioned in Acts 4 mean? This is addressing the oneness in belief and purpose. You see they were sitting at the feet of the Spirit filled Apostles of Christ. They were receiving the indwelling Spirit of our God. They all understood that no matter what their differences were carnally, they all shared the same faith, the same hope and most importantly the same love for each other. Yes, issues would arise between them, but they also submitted to their leaders and allowed them to solve the problem through love and understanding. This is displayed in Acts 6, when the Apostles appoint the 7 godly men to oversee the handling of the widows and orphans. Read verse 5. The Whole group was pleased. The Oneness that is discussed is an oneness that we submit ourselves to the word and the leaders of our community. That we love each other, no matter what, and this is borne out by our obedience and support of all the community.

                A final note about Oneness, these individuals did not take their fellows to the courts of the State. They allowed their community leadership to handle disputes and lived with the decisions. Why would that be? How can you remain in Oneness with division from within? If you are biting and clawing and fighting with each other, then the State community will see and what is different from the lives they are already living? Nothing. I would never join a community that was as bad as I was already experiencing in the world. What would be the point? That is also why the Apostles spoke so harshly about slander and gossiping. We are to build each other up in all things.

                Next let’s talk about possessions and ownership. Here is where the rubber meets the road. I have a personal challenge with this. You see in Acts 4 when they say that they held all things in common. They are saying that your house, whether worth $20,000 or $20 million dollars, does not belong to you…say what? Yup. Your home is not yours. It belongs to the Lord, your God and is only on loan to you. Your Lexus or Mercedes…not yours! It belongs to the Lord as well. Your wife and children…also a loan! Look at it this way; you were born into this world naked and alone. Your mother gave birth to you and loved you, but you did not own her nor did she own you. She was given you as a blessing from our Lord. You will leave this world in the same manner that you arrived in it; naked and alone. You will not be able to take your home, your favorite car or other items with you when you go to be with our Father. All you will have is the book of your life and it will be opened for our Father to read back to you. Will it be filled with your having hoarded all the blessings that He bestowed upon you to share with others or will it be a sweet aroma of blessings extended to others? This is the example that we see in Acts 4, where they sold their homes and land and then brought the money to the Apostles to be used for the good of all, and in that way ALL the Needs of the believers were met.

                Finally let’s look at how we are blessed by the Father.  A wise lady once broke it down to me this way; hold out your hand. Keep the fist closed and try to put a $1 bill into it. You cannot. In the same way, if you take what our Father gives to you and hold tightly to it you will never experience the other blessings that Father would love to give you. However, if you open that fist and hold your hand out flat…the dollar bill easily lays in it. So to with the blessings our Father gives. If you hold them in common as those did in Acts 4, then Father will be able to open wide the floodgates of His blessings upon you and all those you extend His blessings to. This is what Jesus was describing in Luke 6:38, “Give and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full-pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap.” Father promises to meet all our needs and more if we will only be faithful servants and trust him to fulfill our needs. This is my major struggle. I continually find that I close my hand and hold tightly to the blessings that Father bestows upon me. It is a struggle each time I attempt to open my hand. Yet, that is what we are called to do, and one of the most important lessons we learn from Acts 4. It was one of the most important methods of spreading the Good News of Christ to the world. The care taken of all the believers through their Common-ism was so very desirable that 1000’s of individuals came to know our God in a short time. When was the last time that you saw 1000’s saved at one time? I can honestly say that I have never witnessed such an event. Yet, it happened not once but multiple times. We talk about how to expand the Church but do not live a ‘life of expansion’ because we will not open our hands to our Father. I am slowly learning this lesson and I hope that you will consider it as well. “Father, forgive my unbelief and greed. I know that you are a loving Father and will care for me in all my needs. Yet, I continually hoard your blessings. I ask that you send your Spirit to help me recognize any opportunity to bless others with your gifts and that I will trust you to always be there. I ask this in Jesus Name. Amen”

               

               

     Common-ism, what is it and should it be the new socialism? In Acts 4: 32-37, the writer talks about a better way of living life as a christian. This is a way of life that as a group or society, all members are of one mind and one heart. In other words, they all think and feel the same...right? And as a result of this oneness, all the members held their worldly goods as though they did not own them. They all shared their belongs as though they belonged to the whole. Everyone sharing everything they had. In this way, all the believers had their needs met and NO ONE was in need within the group. Wait a minute, not one person? According to the text, no one.
     First lets look at what Socialism is. Socialism as defined by the dictionary is  "an economic system characterised by social ownership of the means of production and co-operative management of the economy,^[1] and a political philosophy advocating such a system." Huh? What it means is that all the productive means within a society; all the manufacturing plants, the farming lands, the oil and minerals, the gulf waters, etc., etc. is owned by the society (government) as a whole and therefore all production is managed by the government to ensure that all people are treated the same. No one has an unfair advantage. As long as the oversight committee is made up of individuals interested in the true welfare of their people then this seems to be a viable working economic system. However, someone or a group of individuals will always be at the top of this system and therefore not all persons within this society will be equal. How can you say that all are equal and everything is held in common when at least one or a small group of the society will be presiding over the rest and determining who gets what? This system opens the door for a Dictatorial state and or an elite society such as was present in the fuedal system of the medieval ages. Our human nature will always bring out the individual who will attempt to usurp total authority and establish his right to rule all. Hitler, Stalin, Lenin, and Napoleon all attempted to use this system as a stepping stone to total power with some success.
     Then we have the other ism known as Communism...well what is it? Communism is defined as "a revolutionary socialist movement to create a classless, moneyless, and stateless social order structured upon common ownership of the means of production, as well as a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of this social order." Once again it is a state run economy where everything is held in common. Everything is held in common and controlled by the Governing State. Again, there is an elite group or individual.
     But isn't this the same as what the Bible was talking about in Acts4? Actually no it isn't and here is why. Let's break this down. First, the group was christians who were a part of the Roman society living in an occupied state. Rome was the government that controlled Jerusalem and most of the world at the time. The Christians were not a governing society and therefore could not control the economic system that they were living within. Jesus even acknowledged the Roman Government's control during his time here on earth saying, "Render unto Ceasar that which is Ceasar's", in reference to the tax that all were required to pay to the Roman Government. The Christians could not control the means of production and ensure that all people's living within their society as a whole received equal ownership of the wealth of the governing society they lived in. The Roman's and Jewish leaders were not a classless system. On the contrary there were definite references all throughout the New Testament illustrating the differences in castes within their social system.
     So how does this work? How is it supposed to work? Read it again, although the Christians lived within an Authoritarian State, they would come together and establish a unique system within their societies where they held all their belongs as belonging to the whole. Huh? In other words, each member worked in the local State run economical system as was necessary to survive. They of course had different levels of persons in these caste systems, some rich and some poor. Yet what made the Church different from the rest of society at that time was their use of these assets and belongings. First, let me state that at no time did the Apostles dictate what each individual would contribute nor did they demand an audit of each individuals assets as a whole. What they did was listen to the open, spoken needs of each individual within the Church and then let all the members know the needs of their people. Now these were NEEDS not WANTS. Once those needs were published, then each of the members of the Church would give as they could. The even went so far as to "sell their homes and lands. Bringing the money and laying it at the Apostles feet. Then it was distributed as each individual had needs." This is what we in class coined as Common-ism. This was in reference to the biblical wording of "holding all their belongings in common."
     What Common-ism looks like is the opening of our hands and saying, "Lord, everything I own is not mine. You entrusted it to me and now I am giving it back to you. Take what you need Father, and use it as you desire for it is not really mine." Once you say that, you have to be prepared to do what you are directed to do by the Spirit because He will come to you with tests of your faithfulness in this. He will show you the needs of others and expect you to do what is necessary to fill those needs with what you have been blessed with. Yet, sit for a moment and ponder this...what would it look like if you attended a Church where ALL the needs of EVERY member were met to the FULL? How much of an impact would our Christian Social System have on the Governing State if everyone looked at a Group of Citizens who regardless of their caste standing within that State, filled the needs of others and no one within that Church was treated as better than the lowest beggar who attended? Such was the Church of the Apostles and so should ours be. We say the Spirit is not alive within our Church and that miracles do not happen any longer. Are we listening to the Spirit when He guides us to fill the needs of our Brothers and Sisters?  I was challenged while reading and writing this in that I do not hold all the blessings that my Father has given me in Common for the use of all the members of the Church. I am guilty of closing my fist and holding back...it is a lack of trust and faith in my God to continue to meet my and my family's needs and wants. "Father forgive my greed and lack of trust in closing my fist, holding tight to the blessings you have poured out upon me. Send your Spirit to me that I may gain a better understanding of your desire for the use of those blessings you have loaned to me. I pray that your Spirit will help me overcome my greed and lack of faith in not meeting the needs of others as you have placed them in my path. In Jesus Name I beg this. Amen"

     While listening to Air1 on the radio driving home, the DJ was talking about a new realization for him about the culture and times of the bible versus our own times. We always seem to overlay our own culture and standards onto everything that we encounter, and this includes the Bible. When we do this we can get a skewd understanding of what is written down.
     The DJ was discussing the bible story of when Jesus was sitting and teaching his followers while at the house of Mary and Martha, Luke 10: 39-42. As a child and on into adulthood, I was taught this was a story about priorities and ensuring that we focus on what is important. Martha was obviously miffed that Mary was not helping and that she had to do all the work. This is in fact the truth  and a logical stopping point. Yet, was there more to this story than just a lesson on when to work and when to listen?
     Let's step back into the time of those who are involved and the culture that was prevelent during that era. You see all throughout the bible it speaks of men and their actions. The world as a whole was very male dominate and Paternal in nature. Even God's dealings was usually with a male. In that culture, men and women were seperated and never intermixed due to their beliefs and customs. The women cooked, cleaned and tended the young children. The men ate together in a seperate room; they talked and discussed business in a seperate room; and entertained guests seperately from the women. The woman would bring the food and drink but would not stay and dine with them. She would wait until the men were finished and would remain seperated. She would come get the dishes and clean up the place but not remain in the room. She was a servant in her home.
     So now lets go back to the text and look at this setting again...was more going on in Martha's mind than just Mary's not helping her with the duties of a woman? Martha was obviously concerned about the family reputation here. You see Mary had stepped across a boundary that could lead to family dishonor. She had intermixed with men at length and sat in the presence of men  when all the cultural norms would be saying she was acting as a 'loose woman'. Her sitting at the feet of our Lord, was litterally at the risk of not only her personnal reputation but that of  the family honor as well. Her 'place' at this time was in the kitchen or in another room seperated from the men. So when Martha went to Jesus to discuss her sister and 'complain' about the lack of help, she was also attempting to enlist his help in getting her sister out of there and back where she belonged so that their family would not become the 'local gossip' and looked down upon.
     With all this in mind, let's look again at Jesus' response to Martha..."Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled by many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken from her." Now on the surface that could be only addressing the fact that Mary was not helping, but what were the 'other things'? I submit that Jesus knew Martha was concerned about cultural dictates and her family's name. So why did He not adhear to the cultural values and send Mary back into the kitchen? Jesus was making a point to cross over the subservient male vs female tradition. He was acknowledging that not only was it proper for Mary to be with him but it was the best choice no matter the cost. That Jesus accepted her as an equal to the other disciples within that room. Jesus was saying that he loved all of us the same; male or female. He was crossing the segregation bounds that were prevelant during that time and challenging them. He wanted to challenge these old ways of thinking and tear down the walls of segregation that were built throughout thousands of years.
     Remember, in the beginning man and woman walked together throughout the garden. Both were talking with and being treated as children by God. God also stated that a man would leave his father and mother, and cleave unto his wife. And the two would become ONE. Not that the man would take a wife and she become the servant/slave within their house. God ordained that men were to treat their wives as Christ had treated His 'Church'. Yet I do not see where Jesus treated His disciples as lowly servants and slaves. Not once. No, it was Jesus who donned the towel and assumed the role of slave and washed their feet for them. Jesus showed us that we are to accept His daughters as equals and our treasured partners in this life.
     I usually forget this and have to be slapped in the face with it by the Spirit. I am always forgetting that servant/slave relationship that I am supposed to mimic as I walk alongside my bride. For this I beg my Father's forgiveness and my Penny's as well.
     "Father help me to keep this lesson at the forefront of my mind and help me to always demonstrate my love for your daughter so that our sons, whom you loaned to us, will understand what it means to be a Man of God. Amen."  

Retirement planning...

     So here is a question for all to ponder...what is retirement? What does the Bible say about retirement? I was recently challenged by this and had to stop and question my own views on this subject.
     Like most Americans, I was raised to work hard with the 'idea' that if I put into the Social Security System I would, in my later years, be able to retire. Yet, as I have grown older and am closing in on that magical time in my life that I should be able to draw a monthly stipend to allow me to laze around the house and drink iced tea or whatever is my dream of retirement, the government and all the economists are saying that there won't be anything  left for me to receive. The Social Security System is going broke. All the money that I have been putting into that system has been given away. Okay, now what? That wonderful bit of news started me thinking about what retirement is and what Father's plan for retirement really looks like.
     First let's talk about our American misguided ideas or dreams of retirement. We have been hit with all kinds of media and training that tells us that there is a magical time in our lives that we 'should be able to retire.' That being, a time in our lives where we can just sit back and enjoy a life of ease. We are entitled to it because we have spent all our youth chasing after the big dreams, all the high profile jobs and everything that our society sees as us having achieved success. We are told what success is, and how it looks and that you have to be willing to sacrifice everything to achieve it. We have learned this so well that our divorce rate and our broken homes are among the highest in the world. We value achieving those goals as our main driving force....I know because I bought into this as well for too many years. We have changed our American Values to 'it's all about me' and even our shows and media support this. No longer do athletes help each other up or slap one another on the back from opposing teams. Instead they stand over each other and taunt each other, that is our sportsmanship. Or if one is unhappy, let's just start a fight or throw a temper tantrum. Our youth thinks this is what sportsmanship is all about and we are condoning these attitudes by supporting our favorite troublemaker athletes. But that is for another writing...
     Our dream is supposed to be a Huge house with 2-3 Lexus' or Mercedes benz' cars in the driveway. A wife that is a super model or a husband that is a financial powerhouse. We are supposed to be able to travel the world and eat at all the fine restaurants while staying at 10 star hotels. Truthfully, some will actually achieve these goals and I congratulate you if you have done so. But was there casualties along the road to success?
     As we age we start looking at our lives and seeing the reality of what we have achieved. I also was slapped in the face with my lack of looking for higher involvement in my path. So the question I asked myself was 'how did you define success and are you happy with your success?' I will tell you that my own introspection was difficult for me as I looked at where I had been and what I had done.
    The Bible tells us Father's retirement plan is for us to store up in heaven our treasures so that when  we are finally retired from this life we will have a wonderful place to live and take our ease. He does not say that life will be easy nor that we will ever achieve the world's or society's definition of success. What Father does say is that where you hoard your treasure is where your heart will be, Luke 12:34. Therefore, if you scrimp and save and hoard your money and things in this life then you will be focused on earthly things. Whereas, if you follow Father's plan, you should find that you are supporting others with what He has given you. Am I saying that you will starve and not support your own families? NO. Father tells us that we are to take care of our own families (1 Tim 5:8), but He also expects us to support those who do not have a support network.
     You see America believes that as we age our usefulness is diminished and we at a point will become a 'dependant' upon our welfare system. All our ability to help society will have left with our youth. But God did not design us that way. In fact, I cannot find one place in the bible that God says,"upon reaching this age you will no longer be required to work." What I do see is that God tells us as we age that we are to teach and train the young men. We are to guide and mentor them with our knowledge and wisdom. The same is true for the ladies and young women.
     This reflection was initially troubling to me. I had been raised to believe that I was owed a retirement and that it was my right to be able to draw money from SSI upon reaching that age. Yet, now I can no longer look at this whole topic the same because God did not add retirement to our living plan. I believe that His real plan was for our young men to learn a trade in their youth and then as they aged to become more involved with His kingdom work. For example, most youth are interested in starting a family and working on achieving their dream of success. As they age they are more interested in their family but work has now put strong demands upon their time. Then as they get on in age and their children start to leave, they focus on that time where they can slow down but it is not upon them yet. Work still monopolizes their time. However, this was not God's plan. His plan was for us to mentor and teach others during this season of our lives. And as we get older we would be able to spend more and more time doing this because work would slow down for us as we no longer were able to drive ourselves like before. God knew we would not be able to maintain our fast pace forever; He created us. Therefore, I believe that it was His intention that we would devote our later years to furthering His work and training the youth of the next generation to follow Him.
     Finally, I would like to point out that during my search of the bible for a retirement plan, I did find one individual who was atempting to utilize a plan similar to our own planning of this age. He was the farmer who decided to store up crops in huge barns and after doing so thought it was time to sit back and take it easy. God said,"Fool! This night your soul is required of you and now who will benefit from all your wealth?" Luke 12:20. His plan was never for us to reach a point of retirement but to work until He called us home. That is our retirement plan and the best one we can every work for.

   In bible class, we are studying the book of Acts. The title suggests that it is the Acts of the Apostles and I understand how that could be derived. For the writer, everyone assumes it is Luke, writes about the actions of Apostles. However, if you give this book a more in depth look, I believe that it should be named differently.
     In my studies at Harding University, a religion based college, one of my Professors suggested that the Title would be more appropriately "Some of the Acts of some of the Apostles" due to the fact that only a few of the Apostles and their actions are mentioned within the contents of the writings. Not only were only a few actually written about, 4, but not even all of their actions chronicled. The writer himself, admits that only a few of their activities were written about so that the reader could gain a stronger faith, based upon these actions by those who followed Jesus.
     However, not all of the Apostles were written about. Were the others also performing miraculous signs and wonders as well? How about the disciples other than the 12? I say they were all involved in the expansion of the Body of Christ. Therefore, I pose the argument that even my Professor had it wrong and the title of the writings should have been, "Some of the Acts of the Holy Spirit in expanding the Body of Christ." Or if one wants "Acts of the Holy Spirit" for short. Here is why...
     As mentioned before, there were only a few of the actual 12 that were discussed in the signs and wonders of what was going on. Peter was shown preaching and taking a lead role not only on Pentecost but at other times in the book. John was also mentioned and seems to have been a traveling companion to Peter. Yet, others were also mentioned, and the actions of the Holy Spirit were more in line with what was happening in this book. For instance, when Peter and John were entering the temple and healed the cripple man in Acts 3. It was not a planned action but a Spirit guided action, the man had been taken there for years and when he saw Peter and John entering he took note of them. My belief is that he noticed them due to their not being the usual crowd that came through the gate and as a beggar saw a chance to request assistance from a new source that was not used to his pleas and therefore hardened to his advances. Yet he did not seem to believe that they would be overly generous, as he looked away. Peter had to command his attention, "LOOK at us" was his response to the beggar. That invites me to believe that Peter and John did not intentionally plan this whole thing, but that the Spirit was active in guiding this whole miraculous healing so that there could be no doubt about what had occurred.
     Then we see other individuals involved throughout this book such as Paul. Was he one of the original 12? Anyone familiar with the Gospels know that Paul was not. Not only that he was not listed among the 12 but that he also was not a disciple of Jesus at all. In fact, Saul as he was named by his parents, was a very devout and devoted Pharisee of Pharisees. He spent the better part of his time persecuting the new converts to Christ's Body (Acts 8). Yet most of the latter part of this book is devoted to the actions of the Holy Spirit through this same individual, and he becomes known as the Apostle to the Gentiles.
     Saul played a role in the execution of many Christians, including one of the disciples that the Spirit works strongly through. Stephen was not an Apostle and yet the Spirit worked strongly in him and he is discussed on several occasions in this book. The most thorough of which is his denunciation of the Israelites and his stoning; where Saul was standing there watching, giving approval and holding the coats of those killing him. Stephen is actually given a Spirit derived vision of Jesus and the Father, prior to his death quickly followed by his going to sleep. That can only be a Spirit induced miracle as he was being pelted by stones and I do not believe that anyone could sleep through the pain they would experience by stoning.
     On another occasion, Philip (bible does not say if he is the Apostle) was directed to travel on road between Jerusalem and Gaza, Acts 8. He is directed by the Spirit to an Ethiopian eunuch traveling on the road. It was not by accident that Philip was traveling on that road nor at a point where there would be water to baptise this man. Then at the end of the encounter another miraculous occurrence when Philip was carried away from there to Azotus.
      As you can see by now there are many accounts of action and not all by the Apostles who seem to be the focus of those naming this book. Yet, I believe that the original intent was not to focus the learning of the new christian upon the actions of the Apostles but to show them the actions of the Holy Spirit in order to instill within them the knowledge that the Holy Spirit did indeed come down and does indwell within Father's children. Holy Spirit not only indwells but is active in their lives and would guide them in their walk to be like Jesus the Messiah.
     Now the question for all today is, what will you do with the Holy Spirit? You can say that He is not still alive and active within us as many do today, and put God in a box that does not allow Him to be active and involved with us like He was with the Christians at the beginning. Or, is there an option for Holy Spirit to be truly alive and active in the world today? Could He still live and indwell within us and be active in our lives like He was for those in the beginning? And if He was still alive and active, how would we know? Perhaps it is not God who has changed but us? Perhaps Father still intends for His children to receive the indwelling Spirit for great things but we do not have the faith to support those works any longer. Perhaps we have allowed the great deceiver to convince us that there is no need for those signs and wonders as long as we have the Bible? Shouldn't the Word alone be enough? For what purpose would miraculous signs serve if you have the Bible? Maybe, just maybe the Spirit could help us reignite a world that truly cares about each other. And maybe the Israelites, who had the Torah should not have needed Prophets to help them remember and obey the Laws that were given to them, but they did and even signs and miracles were not enough. Why would we be any different today. I may have stepped over a bound with this but then I am not ashamed to say that I have been deceived for too many years in how the Holy Spirit works in our lives and I am just now realizing that He is capable of so much more for all of us. I pray that you will meditate upon this and come to your own realization on the Holy Spirit. I challenge you to show yourself where in the Bible that it states the Holy Spirit is no longer active in our lives. That we do not need Him because we have the Bible.
When you do find that please send it to me so that I can understand that as well...however, I cannot find it.
God bless you in your search for God's truth and plan in your life.

     This mornings sunrise was beautiful. It reminded me of our gift from Father. He creates such beauty and artistic expression in the Morning Sunrise and the Evening Sunset. How can anyone question the existence of our Creator when viewed from these events? Not even Thomas Kinkade himself could match the morning sunrise and evening sunsets for their expressions of light...and yet we call him the Master of Light Art. Yet he attempted to mimic that which our Lord and Creator alone could paint and imagine.
     We as humans are incapable of perfection and so will never be able to truly immitate the perfection that we glimpse each day in our daily walk. We see grass and trees and flowers and other glimpses of God's creativity. Yet we do not truly see them because we are so very busy that we do not slow down long enough to truly look, or to smell, or feel, or touch nor allow any of our senses to just bask in the beauty that surrounds us in our lives. We get so busy with 'living' that we never see God's hand in our world. We are so busy that we wonder where He is and why He does not spend time with us as His children. Yet, He is here all the time and is as close as a simple quiet time. When was the last time that you just STOPPED. I mean really stopped all the noise that we put into our lives and got quiet. Sitting still and listening for Him. Seeking a moment of peace, no music, no phones, no computers, no external influences at all...just you sitting still listening? I forget to carve those times out of each day and then wonder why I feel so lonely. Why my Father has not been near me for so long?
     Honestly, it is not God who is moving away from me and leaving me alone. It is me allowing my busy life to intrude into my time with Father.  He craves and yearns for a closer relationship with each of us. One that is as rich and open as that He shared with David and Abraham. I was reading today the daily bible verse and it was from Psalms42 where David talks of his desire for God, "as a deer longs for streams of water so I long for you, O God." Yet upon reflection it felt empty. Why? Because I do not long for my Father as David did...I have too much other responsibility and distractors keeping me from what is truly important. How sad that I have allowed my other daily labors to distract me so much that I lost touch with that which should be number 1 in my heart! For just a moment, sit quietly now and think about that verse, feel it inside and own it in your heart.
     That is my prayer for each of us today...that we would read it again and then meditate upon it's meaning. Each one of us to be able to FEEL as a deer who is thirsting after a cooling drink of  fresh water following a mad dash from hunters or a predator. That deep longing and need for a quick refreshing drink.
     Jesus promised us that he would give us the living water and all we had to do was ask for it. "Father bless your child this day with the Living Water that grants life. Open the flood geates and pour out Your Spirit upon this child and all who are your children that we will FEEL your Holy Presence in us." In Jesus Name, Amen.

   Last Sunday we started a study into the book of Acts. It was a great start and while reading through it I was struck by the use of numbers and their significance in the bible.
You see Jesus after his resurrection was with his disciples for 40 days. Now, today that just seems a little over a month or almost 6 weeks or just a number of days. We do not place emphasis upon these things. However, to the people in the first century there was indeed significance in the numbers. The number 40 for instance was used 149 times in the bible and that number is associated with a period of probation, trial and chastisement, but also ends with a period of renewal, restoration, or revival.
   So where am I going with this? Well think about the individuals who Jesus was with...all of them were downtrodden and dejected at the death of their Master whom they had put all their hopes upon for a return to the Kingdom of Israel of old. Some if not all started a return to their old lives. So here we have a group of followers who obviously did not get nor understand the true nature of their leader nor did they understand the changes that he had been foretelling even prior and up to his death. So they obviously never understood what was happening nor about to happen as foretold by the prophets of the Old Testament.
   Then suddenly their Master is alive and with them. Yet not only with them, he is living, breathing and eating with them for 40 days. This is a time where their faith is tested, it is a probationary period where Jesus is with them and with the Spirit's assistance begins opening the minds of his disciples so that they can finally start to comprehend what has truly occurred. That Jesus broke the bondage of death and was raised to life anew. It was this 40 days of time that was necessary for the disciples to truly begin the process of understanding and knowledge.
   Yet it was not until they saw him ascend into heaven that the true power and change would occur. For Jesus had to leave and then the Holy Spirit would descend from our Father and bring true comprehension to these individuals. Yet that would not occur until after the period of probation...or testing. But Jesus told them that after he left another would come and help them. Once the Spirit came they would be His witnesses throughout all the world to all men. What we see is the restoration of his disciples as his chosen ones. They chose to remain in Jerusalem as directed and they chose to believe. They passed the test and because they were obedient they received the gift of the Holy Spirit renewing their relationship with Jesus and our Father.
   Yes there are a lot of other significant things happening in Chapters1 of Acts and I am not diminishing those in any way. I was hoping to add more significance and clarity to some of the happenings of this chapter as we begin to look into more detail about the workings of the Holy Spirit in and through the disciples of Christ. May God give us a better understanding of how His Holy Spirit can and will make us witnesses to His glory as we delve deeper into these texts.

Mark  
  

A Message Against the Clergy

Usually, I just start writing what I am given. However, this has caused some readers to have issues with my writings. Therefore, I will preface this writing and all others from now on with acknowledging that these words are not mine. I was given them and will write them as best I can. Staying true to what I received.

To the Priests, Ministers, Pastors, and ordained Clergy who claim to follow the Lord. How dare you change His words! You who are to be leaders of His flocks, feel that you are man or woman enough to impersonate God. Were you there in the Beginning when God laid the foundation of the earth? Did you set the Stars in the sky? Can you make a plant grow overnight without aid from the Lord Almighty? What power do you have except that which is given you by our Father?

Yet, you change the very words set in His Book! You who He created from dust feel emboldened to change the very essence of what was written by God. Are you God?

Which of you created man and woman? Can you also set the days of a man on earth? Do you know your own days? Yet, you feel you can change God's view of a man and woman. Can you, by your authority forgive man's sin? Can you Save a man from the fires of hell through your own sacrifice? Then how do you fogive that which God has condemned? Did the Lord not call homosexuallity a sin? And what about adultry and fornication or beastiality? Where in the Word did the Father give permission to clergy to sodomize children? Yet, you have called it forgiven even without repentance. How Dare You! The punishment listed in Revelations is waiting for you.

Or why do you change the way God gave you to worship Him because of a lawsuit? Do you fear the laws of man more than God? Or do you not TRUST Him? If someone is threatening God's flock, why do you not cry out to our Father in heaven? God is faithful to those that love Him and wait upon Him. Yet, you do not wait upon God, but in your haste try to find your own solution. Therefore, the Lord will allow you to fail upon your own so that you will learn to look to Him, but you do not. Then you blame Him for not saving you. Why? Did God not tell you this would happen?

You men continually point to the women that God has raised and say that they are to remain silent in church. Yet, I do not hear your voices. Where were you when your voices were needed to turn around God's flocks and preach the Good News to the Land? How many men of courage stepped forward when God's Name was being taken out of our public places and prayer was banished. Do you now question Father's right to raise up His daughters of faith when you would not answer His call? Look to the old testament and see how God deals with weak men. Barak lead the attack but it was a woman who received the glory for the victory.

Why do you fight amongst yourselves when the very foundation of the Nation God gave to you is falling apart? You continually bicker like children about which is better or worse and who is first or least when the very house you are living in is about to be stripped away from you. The Lord gave you freedom to worship Him in this land in Spirit and Truth. He did not dictate to you a set of creeds or statutes and by laws such as was written so long ago by the Pharasees and Sadducees. What God wanted was your hearts and souls. He wanted to be your God and your one true passion. Through your love and devotion to Him, He finds joy and great happiness. However, He will not force himself upon you and we have left Him so He is allowing us to go our own way. 

Repent now and return to the Lord Almighty all you Leaders and Clergy that those who follow you can see your return to the Father and will in turn repent. In this way, you will renew your vows to your God and He will once again accept you as His children and the leaders of His flocks.

I pray that God our Father grants those who read this and takes this message to heart mercy and grace. That He will shower you and all your loved ones with blessings. That you may walk side by side with our Lord and He will keep you now and forever Amen

  

The Authorship and Sanity of the Writer

I am sorry that it has been a while since my last post. I have been away on work related travel. That has kept me quite busy and unable to write. I have another post that I must write but was also inspired to discuss a question of authorship and sanity.

I have not, and will not try to assert or claim that I am in any measure divine or God. I am His son by His grace and mercy through the sacrifice of Christ upon the cross. I claim sonship only and servanthood through the baptism for the remission of my sins and receipt of the Holy Spirit. I am no apostle nor am I a prophet. I have not nor will I claim to be anything other than a man who loves the Lord.

Yes, I do write some of the blogs in first person. Those are the writings that I feel led to write by the Spirit. When I first was given to write these warnings, I tried to deny an ability to write or communicate effectively with an audience. I was challenged to write the messages anyway. I will not go into this as some will say that I am crazy and others that I am just another individual looking to gain notoriety. Unfortunately, neither is true but were one true I would prefer to be crazy.

Each time I am given a writing, I attempt to write it as given. I could put in The Lord says, or some other biblical beginnings. However, that is not how I receive them and so I do not. For those of you who say that my words are from the evil one...let me pose this question to you, has Satan or would he ever attempt to bring about the repentance of a people? No. Yet, the writings I have written are warnings to repent. Satan already has most of the American populace and so would not wish to preach repentance. Well then, where did these come from? I am no preacher and definitely no clergy. I claim no great religious background nor understanding. For those who still need more then perhaps a relook at the message in Luke 11: 14-23. Jesus tells about a house divided not standing, as a quick synopsis for those who do not remember it.

So the question that I now pose to you, is can you believe that our Father is trying to reach out to all of us with a message of impending judgment such as that promised upon the 7 churches in Revelations or do you still intend to question my right of authorship (which I do not claim to have any) and sanity? I humbly submit that perhaps that is the greatest deceit of all. Satan has us so concerned with these things that we forget to focus on what truly matters, saving the lost...or in this case the saving of our Nation. One Nation Under God. Either way, I do ask that you pray for our Nation and that God will not dispense His divine judgment upon us as we deserve. A true and radical reformation of our Nations principles will be needed to change what is to come. Some say it is too late. I believe that Father loves us and would relent if we will only start moving in His direction. He would run to us as the Father ran to the Prodigal Son. But we have to cry out to Him.

I pray Father's blessings upon you all and ask Him to open the flood gates of His love and mercies to each of you.

Sexual Abomination

     In the beginning, I created you all men to be strong and free. To rule all that you laid your eyes upon. To run like the stallions, free upon the open ranges with a heart free and wild. Yet, I also breathed into you life and wisdom greater than that of any animal. What animal has an intelligence that can match even the least of My sons in intelligence? Yet, you lower yourselves to the basest instincts of an animal. No, for even an animal knows the difference between male and female. Yet, you cannot tell a man from a woman. In your lust, My sons chase after women and men, and My daughters chase after both men and women. Do you not even know for what you were made? Do you not understand the difference between a man and a woman?     
     In the beginning, did I not tell my Angels to destroy Sodom and  Gomorrah and the surrounding cities for their abominable acts? They were such an offense that their stench reached to the heavens and so I rained destruction upon them. Then, My son Paul gave you My word that homosexuality was a sin to Me. All sexual sin is a sin against the temple of the Holy Spirit. For does not My Spirit reside within you? Therefore, you are sinning against My Spirit doubly when you commit sexual sin. But it is an abomination for a man to join with another man as with a woman, or a woman with another woman. Do you realize that you are forcing My Spirit to participate in this sin? There are some of you who would change My word and the purpose of My vengence and I will visit upon you the curses promised in My Word. For it is My word NOT yours! What arrogance that you in your wisdom believe you can change My Perfect Words to fit your desires so that you can live the abominal life you have chosen. SO BE IT! I abandon you to it.
     For those who would keep My commands, harken now to what I say, "I am coming swiftly to visit My justice upon this abominable land. My patience and waiting is over. Behold, the time is near. You will know that I have spoken because this land will be torn. I will visit upon this wicked people such a scurge as has not been seen since the Roman and Grecan Empires fell. Loud will be the noise of the fall. Many will leave this land."
     Even now, My Angels have removed the flame of My presence from among you and are withdrawing. I am leaving you to your lacivious and abominable ways. I give you over to all your abominable practices and idols. Soon you will feel the full weight of the destruction that is coming upon you.

Core Values

Riding home from work last night, I was contemplating Core Values and what that really means to me. A picture of an apple core came into my mind with only the core of the apple left. Inside this are the life of the apples of the future. The seeds. They are the core values of these apples for without them the apple will only feed you once. From the seeds come the true wellspring of life that will feed many throughout a season. Our core values are what we place upon our children's hearts and those we come into contact with whom we mentor. We write a few small tenants upon their soul that will change how they view and interact with the world.  Different groups in this country hold out different standards of values as their list of ideal values. It is these values that they want to build the foundation of their group or community. The issue is that we start learning our true values at a young age. I truly believe that this is one of the reasons Father was so protective of little children. He tells His people to teach His commandments to their children writing them upon their hearts. It is by training up the  child in the way he should go (values) that ensures he will not depart from them. We have forgotten this simple teaching and so are suffering the consequences of our lack of teaching. If we wish to win the hearts and minds of a foreign country, the method of choice has been to focus on the next generation. Yet, we as christians are not learning this simple lesson. If we want to return God to this country we should focus on winning the next generation for Him. When was the last time you talked about the Be Attitudes? When was the last time you discussed the Ten Commandments? When was the last time you sat with your children or anyone and impressed upon them the need to love your neighbor as yourself?

The American Ant

America the land of the Ant? Really. Why an ant? We spend all our time working and slaving away. Hurrying here and there to ensure that we have all the modern 'necessities' that we are sold by the main stream marketers as being the newest and best items that will make us happy. Each time we buy into, literally, this thought process we become slave ants to these individuals and lose more of our God given freedoms. Most Americans are up before the sun, rising between 4-5 am and then getting to bed late in the evening. Probably well after 10 PM. Many believe that we only need 4 hours of sleep a night to function at 100% during the day. Yet, most of us are addicted to coffee, or energy drinks or any other number of forms of legal drugs that keep us running when our body's start slowing down due to a lack of energy. Why would we have a lack of energy if all we needed was only 4-5 hours of sleep? Just a thought...I remember being told a child's tale about this same subject when a little boy. It was the story of the Ant and the Grasshopper. The Ant of course was busy working and saving while the Grasshopper was out playing and wasting all his time not preparing for winter. Of course, the ant is the smart one and saves the grasshopper in the end. However, in this story, the ant is not hoarding his riches as he prepares for winter. He is working for the good of the whole.
This brings me to the next part of being an ant. An ant is not an individual. It is part of a socitial network that could describe or exemplify the actual model of socialism or communism. You see each ant has a position within its social network. Everything it does is done for the good of the whole. It does not think apart from the whole or act apart from the whole. As America moves closer and closer to socialism and communism you see this same thing happening. Fairness is expressed as all individuals should have the same medical treatment, the same money, the same house, the same car, etc. Unless you are the ruling class and then of course this does not apply to you. As in the Ant society, there is an aristocracy and this ant is special. This ant is treated differentially. So will it be in America, as in any other socialist or communistic nation. Those that govern are always given special treatment. Yet God did not design our Constitution and Democracy on this basis. He designed it so that we would not be Ants but free from a socialist or communistic society.
He did not call us to a life of hoarding things for the future. Or hoarding riches for our own purposes. He called us to a life of serving others and caring for our families. God wants us to care for those who cannot care for themselves not for those too lazy to do so. God designed America so that each individual has the freedom to work hard and when blessed to achieve a higher level of living than the generation before. All our Father asked in return was for us to love Him and keep His commands. Yet we like the Israelites before us have forgotten Him. We have prostituted ourselves to other gods that are man made and now have earned our own condemnation such as that earned by every fallen nation before us.
We are still capable of restoration. If we will just awaken from our own stupidity before it is too late and cry out to our Father for His forgiveness.

Purpose of the Spirit

To all who would listen to my words and give an ear, then hear my words now. I sent you my Spirit as a Gift. It is my Spirit as a guide to help you walk in my ways and keep my statutes. To obey that which I have directed you to and to keep my word. He lives within you as your conscious and your giver of wisdom. For which of you has wisdom that is higher than that which can be given from my Spirit? Or which of you can claim knowledge of a higher level than that which is imparted by my Spirit? Surely not even Solomon in all his wisest days could have claimed such wisdom or knowledge. How then can anyone today make such a claim? I tell you not one upon this planet could compare to Solomon and none has the ability to match the wisdom and guidance available offered through my Spirit. Yet that is not all he does for you. He lives within you to comfort you and to be your advocate when you are communicating with me. He will help you pray, he will help you sing and worship Me. He will help you cry out to me in pain when you suffer or when you are in torment. It is through Him that I bless you with gifts and healings. I once walked with you and I still walk with you in Spirit. It is my Spirit that carries you when you cannot continue further on your own. Remember, that I told you, I would never ask more of you than you could give and I am not capable of lying. It is my Spirit that carries on when you cannot continue. For when you have reached the limits of your endurance, he helps you to continue. I am faithful and I will not ever leave you. My Spirit will always be with you so long as you remain with and remember Me.

Father Son and Holy Ghost; a new perspective on looking at them...

Since I was a child, I have struggled with this. How could God be 3 people in one? Children have such simple minds and come up with simple ways of seeing things, yet even small children cannot really explain how this one works. I used to love the Art Linkletter show that was all about the funny things that little children say. We used to laugh at the explanations these children would give to questions asked them.

Yet, the children in bible classes will always explain that these three are seperate...or seem to be, or should be...so even for small innocent minds such as theirs it is a difficult thing to grasp. How much more so for our 'mature' and 'wise' thoughts.

I have believed that Jesus told us that unless we became like these children we would never enter the kingdom of heaven as a sign of their innocence. But as I age and think back on things now, I am beginning to wonder if it is more. You see, when we were children we believed and trusted whole heartedly in our earthly parents. That they were going  to care for us and would always love us. We looked at the world as good or bad, there were no shades of gray. When we thought, it was always of adventure and fun. So when a child thinks of God what does he or she think of? Well, usually they immediately think of what their Sunday School Teacher tells them or their Mommy and Daddy tell them about who God is...okay, so what does that mean? Well God is God. He is the Trinity. The 3 Gods in one. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit living in one Church, or body or house...or however, their little minds try to explain it.

Then it hit me like a stone in the head...they are right! The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three beings in one body. Wait, how does this work? Now my analytical side says I cannot do this. Yet, my precious wife had already laid it out for me. You see, it works like this...God is made up of the Father, the body (draw a stick figure or any other type of human representation as we were made in Their image); the Son, the Words that God speaks (draw a text area coming out of the mouth of your stick figure); and the Holy Spirit, the indwelling essence of God (draw a heart inside your stick figure or anything that you wish to represent the spiritual being inside the stick figure that would represent its spirit). 

We already have biblical proofs of this as far back as Genesis...when God said let's make man in Our image. He made us a body, a voice and a spirit. Then in John it talks of the Word (Jesus) coming down. God planned that They would send the Son down to redeem us, so the Father used His Spirit to open the pathway into Mary's womb and spoke Jesus into being. Perhaps this is why it states that Jesus was made in the image of man and not of God. He is also called the Son of Man while walking this earth. You see all throughout the book of John, Jesus refers to himself as I AM. Which is what God referred to Himself as when talking with Moses. He also states that he was there in the beginning when everything was made and without Him nothing was made. And even Jesus is given the Holy Spirit. It is the power through which all miracles are channeled and His strength sustained for the trials He will face. The Holy Spirit was Jesus' intercessor with His Father in heaven as He is ours today.

You may not accept what I have written. And you may laugh and say that this is a child's thoughts. I understand that this is not necessarily deep ground for some. However, to some this may have deep meaning as they have struggled to actually understand the Trinity and the God they serve. If this will help them and give them comfort and peace in that then it has accomplished its purpose. If not, I wish only that you find another source of knowledge and understanding to draw upon that will give you the answers you seek.

God bless you and keep you.  

Challenging Thoughts on Women Leadership

This morning as I drove to work I was praying as I usually do and asking Father to give me something to write about. I was not necessarily thinking about the blog and religously contentious thoughts but Spirit did talk to me about Women and their place in service.

What was given to me was this, son's of God, the reason that our Father is raising up so many of His daughters to be Speakers and Leaders in His Churchs is because His sons are not Chazaq'ing (for those who do not understand this word it means Showing Yourself The Man). This was very disturbing for me on multiple levels. First, I am still old school enough that I have felt that it is the man's place to lead in the service. Yet, the Spirit just affirmed that God did raise up these daughters to lead. This immediately took me back to the Book of Judges and the story of Deborah and Barak. This story describes how a man fails to lead when called upon by Father and  the results were that God gave the final glory to a woman. Read the story again in Judges 4. I wanted to challenge the Spirit and say that only the sons are to lead that it was to us that God gave authority. Yet, then Phoebe popped into my mind with a challenge to explain the reference to her as a Deacon in the Church in Cenchrea, Romans 16:1.

The Spirit was leading me down the path to knowledge that in the absence of willing sons our Father will raise up His daughters to lead His church. What we are witnessing today here in America is not so much a change to what has always been but a condemnation of the sons who are not showing themselves the man. We have not stepped up as men to lead the Church as Christ showed us how. We have allowed ourselves to be immasculated and become euniches in the eyes of our Father and the world by our lack of courage and strength. Therefore, our Father has taken our glory and given it to His daughters.

When I was thinking of challenges to these thoughts, I was immediately taken to the New Testament and the story of Peter's vision of the unclean food that God had declared clean, Acts 10:9-17. I cannot say that I am comfortable with what I was given as I am sure Peter was not. However, I also cannot say that I am ready to challenge God as Job did. I will follow where the Spirit leads and pray that He helps me to Show Myself The Man when Father calls and to accept the 'clean food' God has provided. And He has all power and authority in heaven and on earth.

Today, we sons of God need to step forward with a spirit of courage and boldness asssured that our Father has already given us the victory. If we would do this, God could empower us and lift us up as His One in a Thousand (reference to old testament Mighty men).

Dreams of Destruction

For those who are reading this from a conservative religious background, I ask that you keep an open mind. For I too was raised in a very conservative background. I was raised Church of Christ. No music, no dancing, etc. etc. This calling has been very strong for me to even consider writing and acknowledging that I was receiving these from the Spirit.

I have felt the Spirit directing me to write of my dreams about the coming destruction. I have only talked about this with my wife. She has been my friend and supporter during these writings although she was initially challenged as well with what I was writing and telling her.

My dreams are of a city on a hill. It is a hugh city of magnificent skyscrapers and expansive streets. People are everywhere and seem as ants within its confines. there are millions of them going about their daily lives as though nothing were happening. Content to exist within their world of the City on the Hill. Yet, on the slope right outside this city there is a line of Warriors. They are Warriors of Light standing 2 ranks deep along the hill just below the edge of the City. These warriors stand shoulder to shoulder, in armor of differing shades and colors but all are defenders of the City. Coming from the wastes that is quickly approaching is a horde without count. It is made of all manner of beastly form and deamonic countanence. It lays waste to all the earth it touches and it consumes all the people of the earth as it approaches. Already you can just make out in the distant darkness left by the horde, the broken and shattered remanents of former Cities, no longer radiant and shining as a beacon. The horde has devoured all that was bright and glorious in those cities and all that remains is a desolate waste that is good only for the carrion birds and scavengers. Destruction visited those places that once held the light and nothing was left but desolation and depair.

The Horde draws up in its might in front of the Warriors who are standing firm in front of this City. They are ravenous and hunger for the coming slaughter. With a word from their Commander they surge forward and the battle begins. It is a long and bloody battle. It rages all throughout the day, yet the horde is thrown back. But when it's tide withdraws, there is a large number of Warriors who were thrown down during that battle. The number of dead is gastly on both sides but the horde has numbers to rival that of the stars in the heavens. The Warriors of Light have no reserves. No one is coming to aid them. For the lights are going out in the city temples. The City dwellers are not worried about the battle that is occurring without their city. They only care for their own daily lives. The Warriors must stand the battle line alone.

With each new day, the horde returns and with the end of the day, it withdraws. Yet each day, sees the Warriors lines getting smaller until not even their line can cover all the holes. Then, I saw an epic battle where a Warrior faced a beast of mammoth dimensions. This Warrior stood the line even when no others were within sight and fought off all the evil that approached. Yet, a demon as Large as a Strong Bull and twice its heights came forward to battle the Warrior. They battled all the day until finally exhausted the Warrior was knocked to his knees. He had only his shield held high to defend against this brute. It was smothering him with its strength and presence. Yet, the brute could not defeat the Warrior. When the day was finally ended and the call to end the battle occurred. There were only a handfull of Warriors still standing before the City and all the Lights were extinguished save one. The next day would be the end of the Warriors and their defense of the City. With their fall would come the destruction of the City on the Hill.

That day blood flowed in the streets like water running from rain. Some people joined the horde and others were slaughtered.  The City saw its own citizens turning on each other. They were fighting and killing each other for their own survival. When the end came they were only concerned with their  own lives, even killing their own parents or parents killing their own children. The desolation was total and complete.

I have thought of these dreams many times as they tell of our Country's fall. I have cried out to Father asking Him to forgive and be merciful. I have wept for the coming generations who will not know the freedom we have known. Yet each time, I am given the same response...tell them that I am taking my Lamp stand from you and that you will be turned over to the wolves. Each time the message is the same only the time for the coming judgement is closer. Already the wolves have found the scent of their prey and they are quickly drawing close. We do not have long for a reformation and repentance such as that which occurred in Nineveh or our destruction is sure.

Divinity of Christ

This is more of a thoughtful post than anything. I am writing to get my thoughts out for clarity. It helps me to find my own truths sometimes...

Yesterday evening while returning home from work, I was given that during class the discussion would come around to the Divinity of Christ. The question that would be posed for all is "was Christ a human man totally while he walked upon this earth, or was he still God in human form?" This question has haunted and exhausted greater minds than mine for many centuries. For Christ is not called lightly 'Immanuel' or God With Us. Yet, does that mean he is Deity in human form? First lets establish what we mean by God. When I say God, I am immediately in the mindset of the supernatural. God is the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. God has the power and authority over all the elements of the earth, the spiritual, health and even death. So when we say Jesus walked as God With Us we are in fact saying that he maintained his power over all those. He was still God.

I was raised believing that Jesus was indeed God With Us. Meaning that even while he walked upon this earth he was still God. And all throughout the Gospels you will find many passages that will support you if that is your stance. John 1 being one of the strongest of them all. And I do not discount or suggest that Jesus  was not nor is not God.

However, my struggle is this...if Jesus was God With Us while walking this earth. If he was still divine and had all authority to do anything as part of the God Head, then how could he truly relate to my humanity? How could he truly understand the fullness of the temptation of pornography, or drunkenness, or gambling, or addiction to drugs, or any number of other sins that I am tempted with on a daily basis? Some will say that I am a heretic for this but I challenge you to consider this. If Christ was God, could he truly be tempted by Satan in the wilderness? Could he have really been allured by the siren call of having the Whole World kneel to him? Remember, He was there in the beginning, John 1 again states that through him all things were made and without him nothing would have been made...so how was this tempting? As God, everything was already his. God, including Jesus, in the old testament told Israel that, "he detested their sacrifices, and did not need them. He owned a thousand bulls on a thousand hills." How then is there a temptation in Satans offering to Christ in the Wilderness if he is God? This leads to the crux for me and that is this, if Christ was God while on earth, then how can I even hope to emulate him? As a disciple of Christ, it is my charge to live my life as closely to Christ's as possible. Yet, if he was still God, how is that possible?

So here is the other side of the coin, again John 1 does say that in the beginning was the Word and the word was with God and the Word was God. But it also, says that the Word came down and became FLESH. So what if, Jesus (the Word) upon his leaving the Father and Holy Spirit, set aside his power and authority over all things and decended to earth as a man. Just a man. Then Christ would be subject to the same temptations and same trials as I am on a daily basis. Hense, growing in wisdom and stature as a youth. Then upon his baptism the Holy Spirit desends upon Jesus and he begins his ministry and march toward the cross. In this way, the Jesus that I follow experienced everything I experience and overcame them all proving to me that even a man can do so with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit. In Hebrews the author states that Christ was made perfect by his obedience to the Father even to the point of dying on the cross and was therefore given the Highest Place at the Right Hand of God the Father. I believe that Christ regained his full authority and power once he had accomplished all that God the Father had set before him to do. While upon this earth, I believe that the miracles that he performed were in fact a product of God the Father through the Holy Spirit residing within the Son.

 To me this makes as much sense as my human mind can glean from my readings and contemplations on this subject. I would not suggest that I have the absolute answer to this question as many have in the past nor do I believe that any will be able to totally explain it until the day we stand in God's presence and he tells us how it all came to be. What I am saying is that this helps me to deal with a Savior who understands where I have been and has experienced what I have. In my mind Christ, now can empathize with my struggles and carnal nature. He no longer resembles a God sitting on a throne who is above all and out of touch, but is a caring and loving Lord. He knows my weaknesses and is there to help me when I fall. This is the God I see when I read the Psalms written by David.

Murder of Children

Lately I have been dealing with depression, apathy and anger. I am sure many of you are the same when you look at the television and all you see is candidates running each other down in an attempt to get to the White House. Yet, that was not what was smothering me. I find that Satan has truly turned his eyes on me in an attempt to halt my writings. He succeeded for a time...but God is faithful and delivers us when we search for him.

So what was he keeping me from writing about? What else, the new legislation that mandates we give out pills that will kill, no lets call it what it truly is, murder innocent children. In the Old Testament, our Father told us not to murder (some say kill). That is one of the 10 Commandments. Yet even then we humans were prone to disobey. Therefore, God told the family of those murdered innocents that they could exact vengence upon the murderer, hence an eye for an eye. But He also recognized that sometimes accidents occurred where death was not intentional. Therefore, he set up cities of refuge where you could flee if you accidentally killed someone.
Then Jesus came and completed the Old Law and made a New Covenant, wherein we are not to murder each other. We are to live in harmony with one another as far as it is up to us Christians. This is part of our 'BE Attitudes' found in the sermon on the Mount. In this New Covenant Jesus is trying to take us even further than before by doing away with the 'an eye for an eye' attitude of the old and bringing in the 'turn the other cheek' of the new. Everything Jesus teaches throughout his short time on this earth was a passion for life and loving each other.
If then the Second Greatest Commandment of all, 'is love your neighbor as yourself' how can murder be a part of that? Would you consider murdering yourself as loving yourself? NO! Attempted Suicide is considered by all a cry for HELP not of love for self. So if you are saying that you would not murder yourself, how then can you possibly justify taking the life of an innocent child who is a precious gift from our Father in heaven? Jesus loved children while upon this earth telling his disciples to allow them to come to him during his time out teaching.
Yet now our elected officials deem it necessary and vital for the health of women to provide them the pills and other means of ending the life of unborn children. They tell us that this is not a violation of my religious freedoms...truly? Who gave them the right to decide that? I did not. My Father in heaven did not. He ordained that each would be in power but He can also take that power away. How far our society has fallen that not only do we fornicate and are adulterous, but we also have to add to that the murder of innocence that is begotten from our own selfish and lascivious acts. We seem to believe that we should be able to go out and do whatever we want and then when our actions procreate another human being, well that is not convenient and we should be able to just kill that life as if it was nothing. Not only that, but our own children, those who are here walking and watching are also witnessing these acts and believing them to be the normal values of this nation. May our Father have mercy upon us for this.
I wonder now if our founding fathers would be proud of their progeny and the nation of silent sheep that are walking to the slaughter pen for these wolves. We have allowed our voices to remain silent to long and have not stood and shown ourselves to be the men of God that they were. I am praying that my Father will renew my Warrior heart and Spirit so that I may overcome the crushing assualt of the evil one when he tells me to remain silent.
One final word, one of the strongest curses in the bible is for those who harm children. Vengence is mine says the Lord and on that day I would not want to be the one or ones who authored or supported this legislation.

Condemnation of Liars and Thieves

Woa be unto you liars and thieves. I am coming. Do you think that you are not seen? I have watched your theft of My lands and My blessings to My children for years. You laugh at My children's warnings of retribution and condemnation. You say that I will do nothing as you take My name out of the government and schools of this nation. You boast in the power of your army and the might of your weapons. You brag that none on this planet can match you in your superior technologies and strength of arms. I have sent storms of disaster to show that you are no match for the power of My might and you do not heed the warnings. I send disease to strike you and still you continue your dispicable acts. The time is coming that you will no longer be able to deny that I was the author of your downfall. For I am telling you that you will know that it is coming and soon. I will bring upon you a fall such as has not been seen since the fall of Rome. Your arrogance and pride is even greater than that of the Israelites of old. You think that you can stop even the plagues that I send to warn you of your sins against Me. Do you think that I would turn a blind eye to your sexual perversions and the cruelties you visited upon My helpless ones? Now you even steal openly from each other and call it business. You drag your fellow man into court and falsely accuse him of wrong doings so that you can take what you have not earned. Your forefathers used My Word as a guide to help in deciding how to make a decision in court but you believe that you have higher wisdom than Mine.
Therefore, this is what I say, your land will be split in warfare. You will soon come to know the truth of bondage and slavery. Your land will be a godless land, where I will no longer walk as before. Your children and your children's children will grow up knowing the burden of true labor under the task masters of those who know no god. I am going to hand you over to your enemies and they will make of you a mockery of the eagle who once flew so proudly before. You will never fly again. This is what I tell you and I am the Alpha and the Omega.

Is the Race for Office just another Reality Show?

I am dismayed by the continual trashing that each of the Republican candidates heap upon each other during their run for the Oval Office. Whatever happened to running a clean campaign based upon what each candidate hoped to achieve while in office. The sad truth is, clean campaigns are not interesting and do not gain attention of 'We The People' any longer.
Today's tv is rife with what we refer to as reality tv. This is no more than gossip and mudslinging tv where everyone is out to get each other from the beginning. I used to watch the show called Survivor and I was wrong to do so. It was a show where a group of individuals were put on a secluded wilderness spot without much in the way of equipment and necessities, and then told to survive. Only they were each competing for money. Whoever was the lone survivor would get $1million dollars. America loved it. It was an inspiring show and nothing more than a late night soap opera of who was cheating with who and who was going to stab their 'friends' in the back so that they could win. After all, winning is everything and 'it was only a game' were the 'reasons' that the individuals always touted as forcing them to give in to lying and cheating to win. I mean it was $1 million dollars. Now wait, whatever happened to the Golden Rule, you know 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you' not the current one that states 'he who has the gold makes the rules' or 'do unto others before they do unto you.' What you must ask yourself is what is my soul worth? Is it worth more than $1 million dollars? To many of the contestants on Survivor the answer was NO.
Now we turn to the candidates running for office, are they selling their soul for a chance to be King for 4 years. Yup, it has a nice ring to it...KING. I am President of the United States of America. Wow, that used to mean something. Today, that position does not mean as much. We have allowed our own greed and vice to become involved in taking care of our people so much so that acquiring this position does not mean what it used to. Our Creator gave each man the right to the pursuit of his happiness and freedom; to choose whom he will serve as a Lord and Master. Yet, we the people have given our freedoms to choose away in order to 'ensure' our own lazy greed and vices. So all the men running for this office have to do is 'promise' to fulfill those same wants and desires and we elect them our King for 4 years. Then when that same man fails to fulfill all our expectations (deliver the exaggerated promises he made) we are angry and upset. Is there any wonder that each candidate slings mud and opens all the closet doors of the other candidates while trying to hide his own failings? His only objective, the same as the contestants on Survivor, is to win! It does not matter who gets hurt. It does not matter if what is said is totally true or not. Winning is everything. 
But our Lord in heaven does not look at these outward things. He looks to our hearts. He wants us to love and respect Him, and with that comes love and respect for others. Jesus said to the scribes and pharasees that the Greatest Rule of all was to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul. But did not stop at that. He then continued with the second was to 'love your neighbor as yourself'. How then are these same men who tell half truths and lies about each other, and all for the desire of an elected office, glorifying our Lord? I say they are not and that we are just as wrong for encouraging them to act this way. Huh? Now that hits home. Yet it is truth. These same individuals employ marketing groups to determine what 'we the people' desire and want most in each electoral district and then that candidate overwhelms us with promises of exceeding those wants and desirs. We watch reality tv and read smut magazines that deliver all the latest gossip on celebrates and heros, hoping to get a glimps of the 'good life' or watch as someone else experiences the same pains as we are so we feel less of a failure. The News is innundated with such stories now instead of truth and things of hope. So how can we expect less from our men running for office?
Until we have a shift of values and morales that will return us to days of truly caring for others and placing other's welfare before our own we will not truly experience a change in our political representatives. They are a product of our own making. I will leave you once again with this, my Grandfather drilled into me this simple but true phrase, "Son, the government and other men can take most everything else away from you, but they cannot take your integrity/honesty. YOU have to give that away." Choose today whom you will serve, God or money/power/position/etc., as for me I choose my heavenly Father.