Brothers and Sisters....Listen!

I Cor. 15:58,
   
   Therefore, my brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Aways give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. For  your labor is not in vain.
   


     This particular scripture follows Paul's discourse just before this on the resurrected body and what it shall be.  Curious.....The entirety of his discourse to the Corinthians was to dispute the ongoing error on the resurrected Christ and also ours, as Christ's followers. In other words speaking of the future to come?  NO not so.  AS we are par takers of Christ's new creation now in this present time, then we have a work to do to be par takers in the work here and now.  After the resurrected Christ came and showed himself to his followers realize that something momentous just happened not to Christ only, but to all those who would believe.  Redemption of ourselves of course but also of the new Jerusalem and the Earth. (N. T. Wright) Surprised by Hope).  What Paul is trying to convey is life is now worth living, in the here and now. We being the vessels by which God will usher in the so needed changes in this present evil and corrupt world.  We are changed so our mission has changed. No longer do we just work for money, safety, our families, and the like.   The great commission stands.  Why?  Because if we held to the former beliefs that all is passing away and heaven awaits us elsewhere, why bother?  With that mindset corruption continues, evil persists, bad people continue to be bad people.  There is no resistance.  I do not mean we should fight, but we should be able to influence what is around us, if in fact Jesus is the first fruits of something entirely different.  Death has been conquered.  If when casting out demons he refuted the Pharisees saying If by the finger of God ( get this..finger is small but greater than us.) he casts them out then the Kingdom of God has come down to Earth.  So then as " Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, then we have a witness to uphold in  whatever we do. Since now his kingdom is come to earth and Jesus is alive and well and reigning. Now...
     So when I look around me and and get very dismayed, my nose out of joint because some do not carry their own weight and despise good work ethics, that cause wasted time, money, and labor that ultimately leads to ruin the very company they work for, I have to remember .......What I do will last and transcend to the resurrection and the new. In other words...what I  sow I will reap, Likewise so will they.....and then I rest, compose myself and Let Nothing Move Me!   Peace!
   
   

There is Still; This rising Up" This new creation........

     Even  now in  my 62nd  and a half years, there is this rising up......from within, this new creation that Christ has given me so many years ago now when I was only 25.  This rising, is surely not of me, of my own making.  Can't be. I know myself. What's the saying, " To thine own self be true?" Well then there it is.  Christ in me, That's the difference. And that's what people would argue, "That's just you, you know, your changing.  Evolving......Not so!  Death and decay is the natural order. Look around you.  But, resurrection begins here and now ushering in the new creation in Christ.  The New Testament is  pregnant, full of life for the believer. Otherwise death is not defeated Christ is not raised and like Paul said. " We would be the most miserable of men."  Resurrection then is not then a disembodiment of soul and Spirit heading towards heaven after we die.(1). N. T. Wright) . No it is like Christ's....a new body, glorified, transformed, yet recognizable and not..., able to apparently walk through closed doors, and disappear and so forth.  Pentecost....the giving of the Spirit and the transformation through Baptism of the Holy Spirit, that is the beginning. A process in which a new mind is given over time. Thoughts are transformed, repositioned to think through things from a Godly perspective.  Like minded to Christ. 
     These springs of living water are now part of me. The women at the well asked for water. Jesus told her of you knew who I was, you would ask me for the living water, and then you would thirst no more.   Don't get me wrong we do not walk in twinkle dust. No we persevere, and go forward and look ahead all the while knowing what the grand plan is.  Christ subduing all things to be under his authority, death being the final enemy, vanquished once and for all.  So then this rising up from within  is still there with me, a constant companion (comforter) and reminder what is to come upon the bodily death first and then ........renewal! 
     The corruptible to incorruptible.   




     1. N. T. Wright, "Surprised By Hope, Harper Collins/ Publishers 2008

SKIN, KIN

What gets under my skin,

is one with no kin,

With illness inside,

no reality to coincide,

With slaps, and taps, muttering, and puttering,

they walk alone,

singing,  their own song,

Crazy, they might be, but we only see,

The outside, and not inside,

where once was housed a mind so sound,

now only a soul homeless and bound,

To be set free one must come,

To God and his only Son..............

Legion, was found, by a man of renown,

You know the story, it's old and re-told

For when you see another so bound,

remember to pray for a mind so sound.

Every body ask, what I do? Everybody ask what you do? I say, What you mean...?

Everybody always ask what you do? I say, what you mean, what I do? I live. That's what I do.  My job is not who I am. I've had many jobs. I say.  If that's so, then I be many things. They say not so, your work, your passion, what is it? I say and laugh, riiiiiight....I do what I can, when I can, you know? Today it's bein a janitor. Yesteryear it was, a cook, tomorrow, who knows, Lord knows, I say, not important to me.  I just live.  Then they look at me sideways, not knowin what to think.  You see they on the other side of the tracks.  And i'm on this side.  I live day by day, year by year, and it all works out.  They stare.  I think they from Mars, they think, i'm lost......but I know.
     I gave up worry long time ago.  It wasn't worth it. Always thinkin, always wrinkled up my brow, got me ulcers young.  And so here I am 85 and still truckin!  They be 60 and dead.......I smile, walk on........

parajumpers

With a a mighty leap from wings on high
men  dart through earths azure sky
with mirthful grins and hearts aflame
their chutes deployed their fears allayed
like a ball in a glove the earth receives
the feet of men superbly trained

Homeless and nowhere to go.....

     she's about to lingah
     
     directing traffic with her fingah,

     she crosses the black asphalt,

     hoping she's not at fault,

     with eyes open wide,
 
     surely there is no pride,

     with one coat on her back,

     she doesn't look back,

     holes in her shoes,

     there is no new news,

     she scuffles along,

     watching traffic move on,

     windows uptight,

    there sheds no light,

     for from within, a man with a grin,

     feeling so nifty, he full of fifties,

     speeding on by, she begins to cry.........

"THE HOUR HAS COME........"

JOHN 17:1

     The seventeenth chapter of The Gospel of John has always intrigued me.  Why? Because it is the most intimate prayer I think Jesus had just before his betrayal and crucifixion. How exactly are we privy to these words of prayer?  It would seem that Jesus would have been as his usual manner be alone when praying this. Who then was near enough to hear this prayer of his and record it for posterity?  It is not only beautifully intimate, all inclusive of what the heart of the gospel is all about, I.e. (he longs for us) and wants us to be with him and the Father.  Also we know these things too....
    We are to know God and his life that is eternal life...
     That Jesus has been glorified and we have brought him glory
      That he prayed for us and not the world, because like him we are no longer of this world, in other words we have come to his kingdom and we know it.
       That through the power of his name, the name (you gave me) has protected them
        He gave us his word, the word that was given to him (Jesus).
        That he sanctified himself and us as well.
         And finally he prayed for all those who would believe through their word that they would be one in complete unity.......

           Now notice this last line...be one in complete unity.....in other words no discord among believers.  and in love also.


       But back to the nature of how we got these words....I suspect that John was within earshot of Jesus when he prayed this incredible prayer of his.  How else did we get it?  It wasn't dictated, recorded or re-transcribed, like the letters of the Jews.  I think it was indelibly etched upon John's heart when he listened and later written down from memory in love for his master and Lord. Peace.
 
   

The Informant

     I was tasked to watch and gather any information I could. Damaging information.   Everywhere he went so did I.  For two whole weeks I trailed behind just a little blending in with his followers and the crowds who followed his man.  Often I was skeptical of what was happening.  Not so much of what he did, the sooth-sayers did the similar things but it was always a  sham. No, it was what he was saying.  I saw healings, saw what some would call miracles, saw Lepers, prostitutes, Lawyers, and even Roman soldiers and just about every class there was come to listen to this man.  And I could find no wrong in what I saw. I was supposed to get the dirt and inform on him. I was to be the "false witness" against him for the temple Priests, and especially the High one.  Given a lot of silver ahead of time to do this I now had nothing. Nothing but a witness of his good works.  How could I get him.....I would wait a little longer. 
     One month has gone by and I still had not much to report back with.  It seemed that I was going to have to give back all that silver.  The crowds were increasing daily as news about what he was doing spread person by person, town by town.  He was nearly thrown off a cliff in one town all because he had shown them the error of their thinking. But he got away unharmed.  It was always the religious too who were incensed about what he said.  I myself found it amusing and somewhat interesting the more I listened from afar.  He had some kind of hold on people I did not understand.  He was forceful yet not condemning . He was intense yet also merciful more than anyone I had met in my life.  And he spoke of the Kingdom at hand now here in the present, and acted on it in ways that surely made me question all that I was told up to now.  But that was all still an aside.  I had something to accomplish. 
     I found it in his last sermon........he claimed he could forgive sin!   That was the hook!  I knew from my earliest days in Synagogue, that could not be true, only God could do that...........I had my in........and my way to discredit him.....I would be paid after all.........an yet I felt sickened inside like never before.
   

direction

moving towards perfection
I shed my infection
covered from above
its true, im really loved
if I may be so bold
im not getting old
im turning towards perfection
from the ones direction
and invisible cue
and im on my way
my earths done stay
im moving away

TOO LATE, AND TOO COLD, BETTER TO BE......BE BOLD!

                                 IT'S really, really, late, and then u start to think,
                              GOTTA Turn my life around, fore I'm in the ground,
                                                  GONNA Say, hallelujah,
                                               MEANS I give my life to ya,
                                                     HE'S the only SON,
                                                   THE Holy Risen ONE,
                                                DOWN on Bended Knee,
                                                  I cried my Holy PLEA,
                                              HE of Course Responded,
                                          AND now we're BLOOD BONDED
                                               NOW I Am transparent
                                              A Happy, Happy, Parent,
                                          PASSING down the Knowledge,
                                                  TO my Son in College,
                                                     HE will Carry On,
                                                   LIFE'S eternal Song,
                                                 WHEN he Has his Son,
                                                  GLORY To The One,
                                                NOW it starts All Over,
                                                  AND Thru Eternity,
                                               UNTIL that Beckon Call.
                                                      I will never Fall.........

Job; RIGHTEOUS MAN'S PRAYER ANSWERED?

     VS. 32, " HE IS NOT A MERE MORTAL LIKE ME THAT I MIGHT ANSWER HIM,
                           THAT WE MIGHT CONFRONT EACH OTHER IN COURT,
                     IF ONLY THERE WERE SOMEONE TO MEDIATE BETWEEN US,
                                         SOMEONE TO BRING US TOGETHER,
                                SOMEONE TO REMOVE GOD'S ROD FROM ME,
                              SO THAT HIS TERROR WOULD FRIGHTEN ME NO MORE,
                                  THEN I WOULD SPEAK UP WITHOUT FEAR OF HIM,
                                       BUT AS IT NOW STANDS WITH ME, I CANNOT."

      Written in the story of Job, lies this precious statement, spoken by Job himself, while suffering deeply having lost family, friends, and worldly goods he was blessed with, from the hand of his God.  He was "hedged in," so said the accuser, Satan when he appeared before the throne of God and was questioned by God.
    Job knew his God.  He knew that he was awesome in might.  That he spread out the heavens and formed the constellations  perfectly to form that which we navigate by.  He formed the mighty mountains and sent the thunder to remove them too.  So he was well aware of his state and that he was a mere mortal, afflicted, and abased suddenly, all to prove a point in the heavens....to Satan. God would be God, for himself, to himself and to Job, and his three friends who gave boastful words without wisdom.
     The beauty of his prayer though speaks volumes.  There was no way for him (or any man) to approach God and live.  For to do that is death. There was separation between us and God.  Sin had broken the bond, the communion we had in the beginning.  Moses saw just the back of God and he was hiding behind a rock, covered by God's hand, And still his face glowed for days and days.
     Holiness of God was a terror.  The Israelites saw the mountain smoke.
    Fast forward, In comes Christ, the Lamb of God, slain, the atonement for all time. He was the mediator for us.  The blood  carried into the heavens, and into the presence of God himself.  The only offering to appease the terror of a Holy God.
 
  So did God answer this prayer of his, a (a righteous man's prayer availeth much).
For us too?............

Wrestling; So that our hearts don't condemn us.......

"This is how we know we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence."    If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts....
 


        Think about this little scripture of John's for a moment.  The disciples and John walked and talked with the Lord Jesus and had intimate contact with him daily for three years.  He was Holy, without sin, and because of his power, he was most likely intimidating (to us to now because of the HOly Spirit)  because they felt their sin when they were around him.  It was exposed like an open sore.  More often that not confession of their sin was on their tongues around Jesus, especially after a miracle was performed or some event occurred to totally make them aware of this state.  "Away from me for I am a Sinful man!"  This is stated more than once even in the Old Testament.  But......
     John, in his letter to the Brethren, wants to soothe them and assure them that Jesus has born their shame, and no longer condemns them. It has been taken care of.  But we wrestle  with ourselves because our hearts still condemn us and we must know beyond a doubt that we can and do enter his presence fully accepted, providing we continue in the faith, abide in him with doing the things he asked.  If we fall, we get up.  Simple as that.  Of course the greater the magnitude of falling requires a greater awareness of repentance and forgiveness, even forgiving ourselves again and again.
     We are not Holy people otherwise we would not need a savior.  Jesus fit all that was written about both in the Law and the Prophets.  NOt one thing was left out.  On the cross at the end of his natural life....he cries,   "It is Finished!"  
      Sin was conquered, death was overcome. And our hearts accounted for.  Think Peter and the Rooster...........

"I Assure You That What I Am Writing Is No Lie."

     How can we be sure that what we read of the Gospel is truth? After all it has been translated over and over again into many languages and tongues.  How can we be sure that nothing is lost or perverted and so continue in a faith that is 2000 plus years old?  In the day in which we live where even the President of the United States lies so effortlessly, and distorts to his own end facts and statements to lead astray and foster his agenda, we need to be on our toes when it comes to truth.  The premise of this blog then is that Paul whose title this blog is about received direct revelation from God the Father about Jesus and his death and atonement.  You can be sure that given the explosive way that God intervened in his path it was not only for effect but for effective purposes given that Paul was thoroughly Jewish and thoroughly zealous for God, so therefore God had to be equal to the task and apprehend Paul in such manner. So that the Gospel could be spread through the Gentile populations, God separated him from the current Apostles save for Peter and James whom he met three years after his conversion.  So we have the self same message divinely given to Paul and the message given in person the the 12 who spent three years walking and talking to the savior.  Amazing!
     So in the letter to the Galations, apparently there were those who brought into the Church, false teachings to which the Galations listened to and maybe gave heed to.  Paul was "astonished" that they left so quickly the message of "the Gospel" and were open to "another Gospel" which Paul said was not a Gospel at all! After all Gospel simply means good news.  The good news that the Kingdom of God had arrived here on earth and salvation for man was available for all not just for a select few or select race any longer.  The truth was out!
    Now in the manner to which we hear today about the Gospel...it is entirely the same as then.  It is preached, it is heard, and it is either accepted or thrown away depending upon which soil it falls on.  Look to the parable Jesus told his disciples.  But and this is a big but....it absolutely has to be unadulterated not twisted in any way to have the power it is supposed to have for conversion to happen.  Don't go to church for the programs, the nurseries, or even the fellowship alone or the promise that God will give you thousand fold if you give to the Church.  I just don't see that doctrine in the Gospel.  But what I do see is the promise of the HOly Spirit promised and given to those who believe on Jesus.  This is the root of salvation and is just the tip of the iceberg of the journey you are about to begin.  For we work out our Salvation with "fear and trembling."  Daily we take up the cross and follow another way.  Not our own any more.  For giving to the poor, or loving our enemy, or forgiving the horrendous things some one does is not a natural response we have within ourselves.   It takes the Spirit.  And so Paul admonishes the Galations for easily losing the truth they heard, and following another Gospel.
   So we have a responsibility as Christians to follow the truth, and not a winding path that proceeds to lead us astray.  How you say? Do we know we are going In the right direction?   Test it.  Test the ones who say they are Christians. Do they live by it? Or do you see hypocrisy?  Is it strong and actionable?  Or weak like the Laodicean church?  Are they rich, or are they poor , blind and naked?  It is sometimes a disappointing journey to find out these things but necessary.  For as Jesus warned, we will all be judged on every empty word.  That is a fearful place to be. And today we must be sure to believe the Gospel as presented in Scripture as Paul exhorted his church.  He went through Hell to give us these letters!  And he was blessed in his logic and presentation to us today that we can read these letters of his and glean from them a truth about a Savior who never lied.  
   
   
   
   

SWAY

"REV. 22:18.  If any one adds to the Prophecy in this scroll I will add the plagues mentioned in this Scroll.  And if anyone takes away from the words on this Scroll I will take away any share in the tree of life in mentioned in this Scroll."
 
   The command of Jesus at the end of the age, a revelation beheld by John of Patmos, exiled on the account of the testimony of the Lord Jesus.
                      Also, "Beware the Leaven of the Saducees and Pharisees."
     
    What do we take away from this?  I say a little fear and wisdom.  The title of this blog, SWAY, is meant to convey a certain message of men's words and power. The religious leaders of Jesus's time held sway over men and so they had power. They had the power to influence the outcome of men's activity and a power over their minds.  They controlled the temple tax, they controlled how much work was to be done. They controlled the sick, the wealthy, the poor, and those who would eventually teach and carry on the correct teachings of Jesus.  They could stop or try to stop and challenge even the word of God.  So nothing has changed, even today.  Once upon a time I heard the message of the Gospel of Good News and embraced it heartily and readily after much skepticism from messages I could not accept. Why did I embrace it this time?  Because the HOLY SPIRIT backed it up.  But after many years the words of truth began to be subtly twisted into a message not of the Gospel.  A vision of one man held on so tightly that nothing even light of truth could not get in to sway the once true word.  And so the mix of man and the word of God turned the Gospel once that had power to save into a vessel of a version of  vision that was  unable to be moved.  To the hurt of many who followed.  So as Jesus warned, beware of what has the power to sway.  Keep to the words You know are true to the Gospel. Be wary of programs of promise in Churches, designed to keep the programs pumping away, regardless of the people who may have much to give but unable because of the mechanisms In place.  The gears must grind!  Sometimes de-construction must occur
before construction begins.   Teachings especially religious can be especially harmful if wielded incorrectly.   So much in the word of God has the ability to aid in the way we live. Not only in wisdom, but lifestyle, health, and a sane mentality, if we interpret it with wisdom and not of rigid rules and do's and dont's.
     Why did the "Christians" of this age vote for a man like Trump?  Because they believed he would deliver on some issue they valued......regardless of the man himself or his blatant openly vulgar and blasphemous words. And I use the word Christian very loosely!  Because The "Sheep hear his voice."  Peace.

When The Son Comes To Town; The chains come off.........

     Restraints, bondage, held captive against one's will.....This is our state before our encounter with the Son. But....when the Son comes to town.....the chains fall off!  Often enough, we are not aware we are even captive. You ask captive by who, or what?  WE have been in another kingdom, a kingdom ruled by authorities, in high places, so the Christian scriptures say.  But by being nailed to the cross, Jesus made an open spectacle of them and conquered all authorities in high places.  Wherever Jesus went you could be sure something was going to happen, and the people knew it.  For he drew crowds, and masses of people who wanted to see who this man was who did the things no other did.  His fame so to speak went before him. And he did by all accounts of what we read about him, he was not interested in it at all!  In fact he often sought out, out of the way places for solitude to get away from the noise and personal adoration and sometimes  the hateful people who despised what he did and stood for.
     But for those who had eyes and ears, to see beyond, he was the one to go to, to be free.  Free from hate, malice, anger, immorality and many other things that we were conceived in at birth...from shame, and the sheer weight of sin that restrains freedom to be what we were supposed to be...like him.
    So is there a preacher in your area who is unlike anyone you have heard before? Are their people that don't complain, don't gossip, give freely and love one another near you?  Seek them out for they are the ones who know their God. For at some point the Son came near, the Gospel came near, and the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them and they changed.  They switched kingdoms!  The chains fell off, just like when Jesus came to Legion, across the lake at the Gadarenes,on  the Eastern shore of Galilee.

Letters;

Oh! What a comfort there is in reading letters from the Apostle Paul.  In Second Timothy, Paul graciously instructs a young Timothy in the ways of truth. A teaching of sound doctrines and a way of life so as to spare him the trials he himself was very familiar with.  There is something very very special in his writing that transcends the centuries even down to our own time if you will let it nourish you.  Paul knows that he is about to be killed and this time no hint of a release from prison is mentioned. Instead all the experiences he has gone through is condensed and given in a Fatherly way to young Timothy.  Warnings about idleness, busy bodies, myth bearers and antagonists who resist the faith and even go so far as to disrupt Paul's ministry.  So we have an account of the one who endured and finally succumbed to death at the hands of the political establishment of the time. So be warned it can happen again, in our time and to us who follow the way, the truth, and the life.  
    But do not weaken in your faith.  Today are the days Paul warned us about.  Lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, and departers from the faith, proud and given to many false teachers who teach "itchy ears."  Stay true to the course, run the race, receive the crown of life, which Christ holds out for you.   Peace be with you!

A last ride & a driver's pride......

                                                          I drove along a by-way,
                                                       my wife quietly beside me,
                                                       seeking peace and solitude,
                                                   we rode as two, together, as one,
                                                           when raced alongside
                                                               a driver as blind,
                                               In haste and speed did he, his selfish deed,
                                               In pride he delighted, he reveled in speed,
                                                             not knowing a thing,
                                                         that damage would bring,
                                                  My wife lay dying, her last request,
                                                 to drive her along, a beautiful stretch,
                                                we swerved, we banked, and finally sank,
                                                            the river consumed,
                                                           our bodies exhumed,
                                               The driver, oblivious, his act insidious,
                                                                never caught,
                                                         for the act he wrought.

The Power of Belief: Transmitted Thru Time and Space

     I'm a science fan. I recently watched an episode of Stargate Atlantis. In this particular episode, replicators were the adversary.  Indestructible machines bent on destroying organic human life and replacing it with their own likeness.  The theme is familiar.    Now, since they could not be destroyed one at a time, because they replaced themselves too quickly, they had to be destroyed all at once.  With something instantaneous.  An EMP pulse!  Simultaneously they all broke into tiny little pieces!  (Emphasis on tiny)
      Enter Christ.........The awaited Messiah.  Boom! Sin was destroyed.....all at once!
But....and this is a big but......you have to take it seriously and believe!  You see the power of belief has been transmitted through time and space somehow in the Holy Spirit and is still active destroying sin and freeing those captive to it even now.  How is this possible?  I don't know how, because it does not make sense to the rational mind, it continually defies it.  The physics doesn't jive.  Neither does life after death.  All I know is when I was introduced to Christ everything changed.  I was skeptical.  Just like many before me.   I remember standing in front of a mirror, hands outstretched and asking for the Spirit and repenting, seeking some kind of experience  like that of those I has met recently, Christians not from the mainstream but of a group of small College age Christians gathered in a small building.  They had something I wanted.   And I got It!!!  
      Through time and Space, The Holy Spirit is Eternal.  And so My belief in Christ activated a promise he made to each of his disciples during his natural life in ministry.  To wait for the comforter, the advocate, the helper who would come and remind them of Me ( C= Jesus)  C= comforter somewhat like Einstein's E=MC squared. But. alot more powerful.  Sorry Einstein!  You were good!  But a student is not greater than the Teacher!  
     So Like an electro magnetic pulse......EMP.....we could all be transformed...better word than saved....for us because unfortunately it has become weakened by misuse.
Paul said....be transformed by the renewing of your mind  Rom. 12:2 and that my friends can only happen with the introduction to Christ and through him believe on the one who sent him!     The message is still the same, Ancient but powerful. Oh Death where is thy Sting!  It was in fear, but perfect love casts out fear.  
     

No Tom Foolery Here!

    If someone walked up to you and said, " look, I'm going to die and lay my life down, but don't worry, I have all the authority to come back from that and live again."  What would you say?  Probably the exact same thing those around Jesus said, " your mad!!
      Hindsight it is said is 20-20 or perfect in other words. All those born on this side of the cross of crucifixion that was Jesus's to bear, have a choice to explore for themselves whether or not this man was truly who he said he was. The Son of Man, Son of God, Messiah, Christ etc, etc.  If we have had 2000 years to explore this profound moment in history, then perhaps we should trust the fact that it has stood for that long and give the benefit of doubt to this remarkable man and his story and his sacrifice.  It is not easy, because he said the whole world is blind and under the control of you know who.   Like in  Harry Potter's story and  "the one who must not be named", Voldemort, he blindsided Potter much of the time.  We are blindsided too and cannot see around the next corner let lone see directly in front of us.   Jesus was unique in that nothing , no wool, no foolery, no deception was too great to blindside him.  All the cunning traps, Miss-directions, and Miss-leading lies hidden in the human heart are laid bare.  Just like the Old Testament in referring to the Almighty. Nothing escapes his view or judgment.
     If that world was dramatically changed forever including the rule and authority's of  that time, then perhaps ours can too.  The advent of the Holy Spirit was waited for but not entirely under stood by those who waited for it.  But after , it was given explosive change was rampant and the new followers of "the way"  began the inexorable push into the world and the message of the good news spread like fire, we are told.  Those who were witnesses did justice to the one on whom they believed.....and we now benefit still after all these years.     Check it out.....
   

Out of Sync with the world and Loving It!

     Syncopation; "A disturbance or interruption of the regular flow of rhythm....or accents where they would not normally occur."
     Now I know this applies in music for flows of rhythmic music...but I apply this daily to the world around me and what influences me each and every single day.  Because I am a follower of Christ and much of the time following Christ means chucking the things most people do every day which is hard to do on your own. But those who are Christ's are not alone and we have the gifting of inward presence of the Holy Spirit or "helper" as Christ told his disciples to wait for. Now that was certainly an interruption of what we were before!  The once accepted norms of living suddenly became crystal clear and behavior was now conforming to the new creation in Christ..... (or should be ) which means I am out of sync with what I once knew.
     Paul said it more clearly like this to those who preach not to steal. Do you steal? Those who preach against adultery, do you commit it? Those who preach against breaking the law, do you break it?..and so on.   Now most people have a conscience or some form of inward sense of right and wrong, but where sin is concerned we all sinned and fell short.  Short of God's intent for us.   Now to be in the world but not of it means a whole new ballgame.  I  drive a bus every day.  Been on the highway lately? Do the limit but find yourself still feeling like a turtle in the midst of a Daytona like race way?  Or how about being courteous to another driver and suddenly a blast from behind makes you jump!  Because impatience has found another target.  Or how about taking a little extra time in line at the super market and you can feel the eyes of those not so fortunate to be  behind you.... wishing they could speak their true minds but refrain because maybe it would not be acceptable?  Now you know what the Lord knew because over and over again scripture says, he knew what was in their hearts.
     Jesus constantly challenged those he was near to to change their minds.  To judge not by appearance, but by what was in the heart.  So when he healed the cripple on the Sabbath, the Priests and the Pharisees condemned him for it.  So now you know.  Being bombarded by our western culture every single day (like Lot in Sodom) can be wearing. It is and always will  be a battle tactic of Satan to wear out the Saints.
     That is why we need to stay close to the one who refreshes by daily prayer and reading of the word and be refreshed by the Spirit given to us very graciously.  It was the gift of God to die for us so we could change and not stagnate in the sin we were born with.  This means we must not straddle kingdoms any more.  Light and dark have no togetherness.  Shine a light into. dark room and you can see everything it lands on. Put darkness on light and the light goes out........come on into the kingdom and be joyfully out of sync!  

Are You Being Twisted?

    Everyday and every time you tune in to today's version of news are you being twisted?  I can say positively that you are.  One of  the commands that we as Christians are to follow is this: "Love not the world and anything in it, for the lust of the flesh, the pride of life and the lust of the eye comes not from the Father but from the world."  All of the ideas, all of our striving, all of our successes do they help foster love for one another? Or do they foster individuality and a self-ness that builds up the individual and walls off the ability to love another like yourself?  I can say that our media fosters fear, doubt, feeds on the negative, and builds up on a 24 hour cycle a feeling of "what's next" to happen and like the old line in the movie " I'm mad as
Hell and i'm not going to take it anymore.!!!"  Yes Hell is mad and a mad place to be banished too, because there is no light there, it is without God, separated and apart from the light of the world that was with us in the flesh a short time.  But there is hope. an advocate who is now here and has been here for plus two-thousand years, the work of the Holy Spirit.  If you will he will come to you and be your helper to resist the call of the sirens, the world and all of its pressures to conform and be molded to it's shape and not Christs. So resist the Devil, and his twisting ways and be renewed in the Spirit of your mind. Be like Christ.  Peaceable, loving, sacrificial, giving, and a friend to those who were un-loveable.  Love not the world today, and turn "hit the mark" turn and repent of all of it. Draw nigh unto God and he will draw nigh unto you.                    P.S. Christ led captivity captive......even in Hell.  

What is God Like?

    The place where I go to work everyday is near the foothills of Manitou Springs, that leads up to a fourteener, Pikes Peak mountain.  Over and across the street from my workplace is a gentle and tree'd hillside, populated with evergreens and low-lying shrubs and grassy knolls.   This is where from time to time I imagine Christ standing getting ready to teach the multitudes of followers, The Beattitudes.  There is enough room I think to accommodate the thousands that want to hear what he is about to teach them.
     So what is God like?.......The Beattitudes, I think are some of the most if not the most, beautiful words ever spoken and recorded.  They sum up the exact character of God, expressing a love that is profound and richly deep with hope sewn up in them for those who are poor, broken-hearted, meek, and pure.  These words spoken are words that bind up, lift up, and mend the deep parts of our souls that are damaged while progressing through this world in our lives while enduring harsh, unfair, at times hateful and harmful conditions heaped upon us by others that seem to have no hearts at all.  This world is under a task master.  And we are deceived. So says the one who liberated so many in his day, by words spoken with the authority of the almighty.
  These were not "merely" words.  They were a "substance", created and originating from a place (heavenly) that functioned quite a bit differently from the one we live in.  In that place   this word, that created that substance became true and everything else was not.  That is why statements like, "let your yes be yes and your no be no," be succinct and all in all.  Otherwise as The scriptures teach, everything else comes from below and is evil.  ?????? Get that.  It is important.
      "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word out of the mouth of God."  We were meant to live by, breath by, and abide by those words. It is life for us in the midst of many words that do nothing but confuse.  Teachings that go beyond what the stated scriptures profess often lead to doctrines that lead to division and dispute.
     So What is God like?
                                                            Blessed are the poor, in spirit,
                                                             for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
                                                            Blessed are those who mourn,
                                                             for they will be comforted.
                                                            Blessed are the meek,
                                                             for they will inherit the Earth
                                                            Blessed are those who hunger and
                                                             thirst for righteousness,
                                                            for they will be filled.
                                                             Blessed are the merciful,
                                                            for they will be shown mercy.
                                                           Blessed are the pure in heart,
                                                            for they will see God.
                                                           Blessed are the peacemakers,
                                                          for they will be called the sons of God.
                                                            Blessed are those who are persecuted,
                                                           because of righteousness,
                                                             for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.........
   
     and the rest of those words are for those who are insulted, persecuted, and have false witness borne against them because of Christ.     So know any one like these?  Are you one?  If so, take heart. There is a world out there that is coming apart faster than it is being put together.  NOT unlike in the times of Christ and the Roman empire.  Justice is twisted, war is rampant, those who are elevated to  immense power seemingly overnight from out of nowhere and are undeserving of it run over those with little power, like a bulldozer.  So we look at the one who is savior (some say why do we need one?) The evidence is clear.  Again take heart, for all the things you go through, he went through and more so. So that you could live by words of substance....created in a place beyond ours and a place that works justice and healing, and wisdom.   Just look at the Son and you will see God.   Don't be tempted, drawn into teachings that promise what the Scriptures do not teach. Don't be divided by doctrines that eliminate, insulate, elevate, people and things that the scriptures do not teach.  Do you give out of guilt or pressure because it is taught to you?  Do you expect bounty from heaven, perfect jobs, lives, wives, children and a prosperity here on this earth that is Governed by the one who tempted Christ with exactly these same things?  Then beware, these are not the words of God.  If anything ,those who followed him were executed, hung, tortured, and thrown in prison for being counterculture to their time.  We are no different and the one who rules does not want you to leave his kingdom.     So be blessed and take what Christ offered.  Resurrection day is ahead.........and his word is substance, faith filled and able to keep you to the end of anything. If you fall he will lift you. And if he is for you, who can be against you? Peace.

   

Dad is it done yet?

 "Dad is it done yet?

 "No, not yet."

"It looks done."

 "Oh, no, there's so much more to do."

"When will they come?"

 " Soon."

" How will you know, and how many?"

"Oh, you will know all right and all of these you see and so many more you cannot, will come when the time is right.  Just wait."  "

"But, what about all our friends and all those out there who everyday make fun of you and us for doing this?" "

"I warned them over and over for  a hundred years, they are responsible for their own decisions."

  "But I don't want to be alone."

"Don't worry son, all things will be new, he said so."
 "And you believe him?  Everyone laughs at us and has done so for so long and even I am doubtful now."

"I know, it's hard but you must take this stand with me.  You and your brothers and sisters must believe.  It's going to come soon and fast.  Just know I love you and he loves us even more, to do this terrible thing, and yet save us.  Look around, see all the things they do, what has become of men?  They are vile, liars, greedy, killers, they slander and are incestuous.  Are these the friends you want to be with?"

"No, I just don't know what will happen."

"When everything is swept away like the LOrd said.  All things will be new. When all this is gone, then comes the newness, again.  And we will have our peace."

The Trouble With Man; Pride of Life

     " That men loved darkness more than the light.........
     We have been fed a great lie, that we are independent, able to reach our destiny, can do anything we set our minds to and achieve a greatness in our society that many say is our rightful inheritance.   Wrong.  Why then are so many unhappy when the sights set on have finally been achieved? The pride of life gets in the way blocks our vision and leads back to death.  It is inevitable, there is no other way for life but one way, and that greatest of achievements was accomplished many years ago.
     The greatest display of power ever and I mean ever was done in a simple man,(he was anything but simple) the Son of God who   gave his life for ours. The problem we face is the acceptance of that fact and how to gain our rightful inheritance and  not a material one.
     From our earliest days we begin to believe a lie embedded in our society, families, and our own nature that we alone are responsible for our future and what we do with it.  So in essence we begin to "build of a wall of great defense" a bulwark against anything and any one who opposes that goal.  "We can do anything....."  
    We go it alone, abandon God, ( even if we believe there is one) or that he is just...how could he be? Letting wars, ravish this world, killings done with abandon, Political shenanigans and the list goes on and on.
     The great key that unlocks everything for freedom has been given us.  Only it's not what many want to take to unlock their personal prison.  
I was one of those.   My pride was ,  "I'm not a sinner!"  I don't do what I consider bad or evil or and of such things that I need a redeemer.  Who is that anyway?

      At 24 I found out.  He got ahold of me and hasn't let me go.  And the very thing I had sought for was revealed by the simplest of methods we know and sometimes disdain...preaching.  But preaching has to be backed up by truth and a witness that someone or something is behind it all giving witness to  that truth and that was that someone else took my place in death to free me from all and I mean all that was wrong and twisted and all that was going to be wrong for the rest of my life.  This pride was suddenly and very quickly squashed and a new humility replaced it. But it was squashed lovingly.  At that moment we call conversion the light was on in a dark place, and the walking began with the one who had the keys of hades and death, the one who led captivity, captive, and the one who still today is alive wooing all those who are confused, unhappy, unfulfilled, miserable or just plain empty inside for what ever the reason.  I does not matter we, were made for eternity, not 70 years and then Pffttttt! no more!  
     So resurrection of this body is coming and so is the Lord.....Consider the Transfiguration, witnessed by the few who stood by and Jesus was revealed in all of his glory as who he truly was.  "If today you hear is voice, harden not your hearts." Yes we are saturated with the Gospel and deceived by many who preach it out of personal gain, status, or fakery but as Paul said at least Christ is preached.  Just get to the place where it rings true and those who live it are the true believers.  "By the fruit..........and nothing else. Pride is always a threat that leads to a fall.  Who right now do you know that has the greatest of pride, where is it on display?  I can name one........can you?



   

To What End Were We Born?

     In the scriptures our life span is likened to that of a blade of grass.  It quickly withers dies and goes away.  Not to say our lives are meaningless or of little value.  But we are endowed with a spirit within that seeks the eternal, even though is seems as if it slips through our hands quickly.
    Those who take the stand that there is more to our life than a mere 70-80 years we are here are correct.  Christians are among those who believe that a resurrection will occur at the end of this life and when we obey faithfully the commands set forth by our Lord, Jesus, we will be like him.  For he is the "firstborn from the dead."  And we too must come to the end and then rise, like he did.
     This puts us in a frame of mind to faithfully live out our lives as people who are filled with love, serve others, humble ourselves and re-think our way of living to best fulfill that command.
     After the Israelites, crossed over the Jordan, after forty years of wandering, laws were set forth for just this kind of living.  A blessing for those who lived accordingly and a curse for those who did not.
     Christ did not do away with the law, just legalism, that was highly developed and embraced by certain high sects within Jewish life.  The letter killed while the Spirit gave life.  This life we have so shorten by God's decree because of disobedience beckons us to find out how to live it to the fullest while here, and it is a battle.  Satan stands at times before God and accuses us before him like Job, and we can and do overcome that by the word of our testimony and the blood of the lamb.  (Slain before the foundation of our world ) we will live again....what wonders await us?  One can only dream.  We look at the abundant beauty of what's left around us in our natural surroundings and see only dimly what must have been before.  For those who do not think climate change is important only need look at what has been lost in the last 50 years of  our life span. Species lost and melt off from Antarctica and pollution in cities of Shanghai, and Beijing so thick it sometimes resembles a thick fog.
     Yet we still must find ourselves and our lives liveable and find out "To what end were we born?" In that sense it is urgent to seek the one who has the answers.  Peace.

Hearing in The Dark

    We were all around the Master. The fire was glowing, the wood crackling softly, throwing a glow out into the woods. It was quiet.  No one else was around.  He began to speak.  "What you are about to hear, now in this place, just us and in the dark, proclaim tomorrow in the daylight."  "The words I speak, are washing words, you are now my friends, no longer servants."  So go and carry with you no scrip, no bags, no extra cloaks or food,  for sufficient for the day are the problems of that day."
   So we listened, enraptured, captured by his word.  We put them away in our hearts for we knew the power of his word.  Just the day before we watched him still the waters, as we were all afraid of being overturned in our boat.  "What kind of man was this.?   People said.  We knew...  he is Lord.
     Private places and private words he spoke in the darkness.  Parables one after another came at us confusing us, making us marvel at his word and who he was.  Just 12 of us, and we were to "go into all the world."  Well the world to us was local. Family, friends, villages, and they did not listen to us at all.  
                                        "Who then would?  Will you?   Will they?  




Listen carefully, in the secret place...................in the quiet you will hear him.

The Master's Hand;

     Do not worry, do not be afraid, do not let your hearts be sorrowful, and do not worry about tomorrow.   These are the words that are comforting in a climate where change is rapid, and mirrors the same climate as in the days of Jesus, and the Roman Empire.  The "Master", as he was called, spoke these words to his friends now called because, they listened to him, took in his words and applied them out of love and respect to the one who showed himself to be master and Lord over all.  So these words had power and meaning and were to be obeyed.  lt's hard to do considering that change is thrust upon us sometimes unwillingly, and makes us uncomfortable.  We like status quo, that is events that are easily managed and within our grasp.  At least I do.  The Master or Rabbi, was more than teacher or a good man as some intimated.  "Why do you call me good?"  He asked.  " No one is good, except God."  Was the answer.  If you missed that then you missed the humble and contrite Spirit exemplified in Christ.  He would not equate his human qualities as equal with God's or his Father's. Although he often spoke of his being "before Abraham and , I Am." as being qualitatively God.
     The Jews were enraged over this because they could not wrap their legal minds around and incarnate God, who was weak, suffered in the flesh, and died.  Impossible?  God cannot die!
    So if Jesus resurrected as he said he would, ? "Destroy this temple, and in three day I will raise it up again.  'Preposterous said the Jews', 70 years it took to build it.  " An you can raise it up in three days?"
      Find out for yourself.........The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, will raise you also.....when you are filled with it.    This is not a simple believers prayer but comes with a repentant heart to obey.....as a friend and disciple of the MASTER.
SO TODAY, DO NOT WORRY....ESPECIALLY ABOUT THE BIG .......trump.(note how small the letter are.)
   

Thunder and Clouds on the Horizon

 

     The lie is out;  In plain sight.  We now have a President governing this country that is a liar and cannot distinguish truth from lies.  Even our media has written and is writing and putting out all of it in front of our eyes.  As I have written before in March of last year and further on in September  I have noted his ways and have spoken of his blasphemy towards not only God "not needing forgiveness" and mocking that which comes against him.  I said is was Spiritual and I still stand by that assessment of our now 45th President. It saddens me to call it out but I fear we have as Dan Rather pointed out " we have entered another reality the Twilight Zone of politics."
     Anything goes it seems that comes out of this man's mouth.  What I see happening is a darkening of our political realm and the levers of power he is about to pull is somewhat frightening.  There are thunder and clouds around us. and not only us , but what about all the other parts of the world he is about to affect?  We should be very aware of this type of  man and what he can do.  Already he disparges free speech and contends that they are the worst people of all those who write what may be the truth about him.  Denial, twisiting, mockery, confusion of thought, these are apparenty the hallmarks shown in plain sight in the first week of his Presidency.  The blocking of countries that may house terrorists  is one thing but I fear that a distinction is coming that will call out Christians as well.  Marking those who are "acceptable", how are we to draw lines of distinction clearly?  What will be the guidlines alone? Religion or tests  of Religiousity?
     Remember only  70 years has past since a regime of Nazizism did that very thing. Eradication of Jews,and all  those the regime branded "unpure."
     Our Constitution grants certain freedoms other countries only dream about. Our inalienable rights our equality and our freedoms will have to be watched more closely say than in generations.  I still remember the resignation of Richard nixon and the anti government feelings of that era.  The Pentagon Papers, the lies of Vietnam and the un pronounced war still are deeply embeded within me.  Watergate will look like kindergarten compared to the cyber warfare we are headed into.  The very thought that our election was influence by Russia and that Hillary Clinton lost the election because of the FBI's untimely disclosure of emails unthinkable even 8 years ago.
     So why do I do what I do every day?   I Pray, and live according to a different set of guidelines.  Guidelines established millenia ago, by a very humble servant, Jesus  Christ.  Words he spoke I have learned to cherish, take in my heart, and live by.  Words the he himself said were "full of the Spirit."  Lifegiving and trustworthy.  If you have not had such an encounter, "make it so in the words"  of Jean-Luc!  Peace.

   

Faith and Suicidal Pigs!

     In the land of Gad of biblical times there were shepards that made their living herding and selling pigs.  These were decendants of Gad. Whether or not they were "true Jews" we may not really know.  All we know is that this tribe originally stemmed from those of the Exodus and settled on the East side of the Jordan.  Jesus, in his time took a boat crossed over and was met by a demon possesed man whom he healed.  Jesus delivered the Demons into the pigs and they promptly however went mad and rushed over a cliff to their untimely death!  Suicidal pigs I have never seen!  But these were.  Which begs the question.......was this normal behavior for animals?  I do not think so.  So we have here a double story. One of faith and suicidal pigs.  The man or the demoniac as he was called was returned to health and returned to tell his story to his hometown brethren.  To which they were amazed.  However those who made their living with pigs just witnessed their money so to speak disappear over a cliff!  Did they praise God for the man and his health?  Did they worship the Lord they had just seen do this marvelous thing?  No, they begged Jesus to depart from their land!  They were both afraid of him, and probably distressed that the pigs and their livelyhood had just been eliminated.  Their eyes were not open.  And they also were earning a living with and animal that was "unclean" according ot OT law.  So Judgement occurred, Faith was released and hearts were uncovered for what was in their hearts was revealed.   Remarkable all that at the meeting of Jesus.
     Happy New Year!  May your eyes be open in our days that we live in and see God for who he really is!  P.s. I have been absent in writing this blog,  for too long, probablly because of a mental block due to recent events in our country and around the world as well. Just too much to contemplate sometimes but happy to be writing again!