Category Archives: personal

Elton John and His Peers

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How easy it would be so slam Elton John for his hatred for truth.   He uses his money and “power” (Sir.  Really?) to push others around.  And now he stands in his pomp to decry a truth, spoken against the sin he loves so very much.   It would be so much more peaceful, in this world, if those who say they love freedom would give that same desire of freedom to the One who made them.

How easy to speak of God’s perspective of “unnatural desire for those of the same gender”.  But to what end?  All I would accomplish is to set myself against the times in which we live (a purposeful pun against Johnny’s own statement).  And I have already done that for many years now.  And look at how many lives have been changed by my testimony for the Christ of the Living God; only me.

But shall I let the blind and ignorant talk, of the “powerful and rich”, go without response?  Why should I?  Their power to influence others into sin demands a response.

I do not respect a man because he has money.  I do not respect a man because he is poverty stricken.  I respect a man who proves he loves the God who made him.  I do not respect a man who has the approval of heads of state.  I respect a man who proves he has the approval of the Head of All Creation.

No sir, “sir” Johnny, I don’t respect your decry of truth.  And you are no lover of freedom.  For you purchase the silence of those who stand against you.  I believe the proper term for your brand of freedom is called Fascism (authoritarian, or intolerant views or practice).  How you love the idea of tolerant behavior, while you crush anyone who does not agree with your sinful life.  Not only that, but you would purchase the power, if it existed, to silence the Living God.

I really wanted this to become some kind of encouraging statement.  But I find nothing encouraging in today’s acceptance of ungodly behavior.

I guess if there is anything to be called “encouragement” in this article, it is that one man has the guts to stand up and say “NO”.

Related link
http://m.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/31896339

Van Gogh in US All

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Van Gogh’s work is held in high esteem.  But he himself was a drunken, shiftless man.  He was violent because no one would give him fame, and he despised humility.

The world is full, in its history, of men who were forced to obscurity, all the while desiring to be first.  It is the way of men.  And it plays out strong even today.

Van Gogh desired to be considered a great man.  But what did he own that was admirable?  And I write the words I do, desiring to change the scheme of things.  But I will not desire what I cannot have.

I am with man.  I am of man’s things.  And one might think, that by the words I write, I am a very violent man.  If that is so, then my end should be like Van Gogh’s; to dismember some part of my body in a drunken and violent  protest.

But no such thing shall happen.  And I am no longer a violent man.  The Lord himself will sustain me in joy.  He will place humility on my forehead and keep it there with great pressure. 

This is no personal boast.  If the Lord does not build the house, the builder build in vain.  But if it is the Lord that builds the house, nothing can shake it.

It is like man to see the wicked things around him and explode in violence.  But it is like Christ to see the wicked things around him and respond with truth.

He was not touched by our filthy ways.  And those who submit themselves to his leadership will not be touched by it either.  Yet they will proclaim in truth.  Yet suspicion and gossip will abound in regard to their tendency toward violence.

Rest easy my fellow men.  I do not desire your demise.  I speak the things I do by the will of the Living God himself; that all men may be wakened to the reality of their own violence, appealing to the Christ to heal them.

By His Grace

Purposefully Single!

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The choir sings, while one sings alone.

The preacher preaches to hundreds,  while one bows in the dust alone.

So many are witness to each others worshiping soul.

While the single one grapples with truth before the master of it all.

“16 At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen”  (2nd Timothy 4)

By His Grace

Ungodly, Unholy Homeless

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With my wife and two children, we walked down the sidewalks of Salem Oregon, suitcases in hand.  My irresponsible behavior had driven my family to homelessness.  We were not victims of the economy.  We were victims of my hatred for righteousness.

Even then I did not turn to God for help.  I turned to the system of men that we could find shelter.  We found some shelter for our bones, but we did not find shelter from my behavior.

Regardless how the bleeding hearts want to paint the homeless as helpless and pathetic little people, there are many of them who are unholy, ungodly, and unworthy of anything good.

Just like every other man, they had opportunity, but they squandered it for the sake of selfish gain. 

I will not hide that fact, for I have known many who were just like me.  We take advantage of the bleeding hearts and consume all their energy and money.  We are a thankless brood; for while we say “Thank you”, we do not use their gifts to do what is right.  And why should we?  They are as foolish men, who walk into a band of thieves, knowingly holding out their hands full of money.  What do they think is going to happen?

You may look at the things I write and substantiate your liberal gifts to the poor.  “See how he has finally gotten out.  See what glorious thing we have accomplished!”  My friend you have done nothing but give me a few days more before I died!

It was God who gave me understanding.  It was God who opened my eyes to my own irresponsible behavior.  It was God who counseled me to be responsible in poverty.  And from there the steps up were clear.

I read God’s Holy Word and saw the condemnation that waited for me.  And as he has spoken it was true, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”.  Man did nothing but prolong my personal agony of irresponsible and unholy doings.

There are unholy and ungodly homeless men and women, yes.  And there are unholy and ungodly responsible and rich men and women, yes. 

I have been told that pointing out the condemnation of everyone of us, will save no one.  Well how can that be true when that is precisely what turned this wayward soul?

There is a passage that, if you believe it, will shake your soul to the ground.  The more you believe it, the more you will desire the better things of God. 

If you want to make change in others.  If you want to see change in yourself.  Believe the following words.

“. . . and repays to their face those who hate him, by destroying them. He will not be slack with one who hates him. He will repay him to his face” (Deuteronomy 7:10)

Can you imagine the Holy One getting right down into your face, and accusing you rightly of the things you have done?  If a man does this to us, we may fight back.  But when God does this, you will be utterly helpless.  You will know that your destruction is imminent.  And fear like you have never felt, will consume you.

Allow yourself to believe this and you will start to desire Life.  There will be no bleeding hearts to come and save you.  There will be no hand out that you might pick up to offer God.

You are like wayward bums, who settled on the land of the king.  You did as you pleased and trashed his beautiful meadow.  You called the land by your own name.  And there you made a unrighteous home for yourself.

The righteous King will appear with his vast army.  He will see what you have done without asking.  He will see that you disrespect his authority.  He will not consider your personal excuses.  He will order his men to thrust you through.

He will tear down all that you have built, toss it into a pile, and with great discompassion, he will set it on fire to clear his land.

No one will come to your aid.  No one will remember your name.  Your plight belongs to you.  And at the last effort of your silent scream, you will be obliterated for eternity.

These words are written in a place that is conspicuous.  I do not fear you, and I would be glad to say these things to your face.  But would you listen to me there?  Or would you turn your face like you do when you see me at a distance?

These things are true.  Do with them as seems best to you.

By His Grace

“I Will Not Go Quietly”

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“I Will Not Go Quietly”

I was born with an angel whispering in my ear
Telling me sacred secrets that God wanted me to hear
And I have lived to tell the mysteries I’ve been told
And even when they tell me it’s my time to go

No I will not, no I will not, not go quietly
No I will not, no I will not, not go quietly
No, no, not go quietly no, no, not go quietly

These things I tell, they are much truer
Than the heart of he who speaks
Even so, this humble servant

Cannot help but talk about his king
So I will sing ’cause I can’t hold back the song
I shout and scream, until God takes me home

No I will not, no I will not, not go quietly
No I will not, no I will not, not go quietly
No, no, not go quietly no, no, not go quietly

So how can I keep silent?
So how can I not speak?
And tell about the Savior
Who has set this prisoner free?

No I will not, no I will not, not go quietly
No I will not, no I will not, not go quietly
No, no, not go quietly no, no, not go quietly

Steven Curtis Chapman

By His Grace

Solace in the Offending

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I find great solace in the following:

If, in the words that proclaim the Holy One of God, I offend three hundred people.  If these people leave this place of proclamation, there is no loss.  For there are three hundred million yet to hear.

And if, in the end, I have offended three hundred million, I have done no harm.  For such men would be offended even if the Holy One Himself appeared among them.