Category Archives: personal

Perception

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My past has brought me to a place where I should not have arrived.  Yet what shall be said?

From birth, the desire of God was not the sin I embraced so tightly.  He had plans for this soul which did not include the wickedness that covered me.  Yet today, I find myself where I stand.

Now I seek to know Him with diligence; that I might receive His Holy wisdom, that I might understand His Holy will to the doing of it.  Before His Holy Throne, He knows these things to be true.  Yet my doing is clouded with two things.

First it is clouded with the teachings of man I have embraced in the past.  Though I seek to be released from them, they obscure purity of understanding.  Thus my doings are diminished to some degree.  So be it.  What can be done with the mind a man brings to the Gospel?

Secondly is the testimony this past brings to the people who have known me while my sinful ways appeared before them.  It is not enough for me to say, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his home town and among his own people”.  This puts the blame on others.  I will not allow that before His Holy Throne.

Should we resist His teachings: “. . . do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”?  And what shall we do with the following scripture: 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5)

I search these things this morning.  I search to own His Wisdom for these things.  I find certain truths waiting for me, as I appear before Him.

I was not obedient before He taught me His ways.  I balked at those who taught the truth.  How then am I different now, than those who oppose my testimony?  Yet, how can I settle for their balking?  (The specific problems that provoke this introspection are not worthy of public display.  Suffice it to apply to the things which accompany your own testimony)

What is the answer?  How can it be anything other than continuance of the things that provoke the Holy Chasm between men?  The Gospel divides by its very essence.  There is the Holy, and there is the way of man.  They collide at the very presentation of God’s Holy covenant in the Blood of His Holy Son.  It will not be dispelled.  Jesus remains a rock of offence.  And all who embrace His Lovely ways, will become some measure of that offence.  To myself I must yell, “DEAL WITH IT!”

I have resolved, by the demands of our Lovely God’s commands, to obey.  Not because I have agreed with His Holy ways in the past, but because He provokes me to adore Him.  I will continue to display love.  I will continue to serve.  I will put on patience.  I will learn!

If they do not perceive, what is that to me?  If I make it my dedication to notice their refusal, I will fall into a certain judgment of their rejection.  That will bring this difficulty directly before the Holy God’s Holy Throne.  He will be forced to judge between us.  How can I count that as “good”?

Without trying to be self-righteous, let me expose a portion of my prayer in regard to these things.  “Lord, Holy God of all good things, do not judge between my brother and I.  Let the fault rest heavily on my shoulders.  Do not hold anything against any man in regard to me, but free them all from accusation.  No one can sin against me.

But let me embrace your Holy wisdom.  Cause me to understand what must be done.  Show me how to make things right.  Be strong with me, I beg you for mercy in Your Holy and Righteous Son, teach me your perfect way.

Let them be a fire against me.  But do not count that fire as sin.  Release them.  But ignite me.”

Can we rightly respond any other way?  We are the ones who receive eternity, at the hands of His Holy Promise of Mercy.  How should we ask for retribution for some perceived “wrong” done to us?  (Even if that “wrong” is a rejection of the Gospel we have come to adore.)

And how should I shake off the dust that comes from the lives of those I am put in place to love?  How shall I leave them?  How shall I put up a wall against them, and between us set a chasm?  The answer rings like a mighty bell on a hillside, NEVER!”

May the Holy Lord of Life grant wisdom to the doing of these things.  May His eternal freedom clothe all His people.  May we, indeed, become that brilliant light He has given His perfect Blood to secure.  May we strive to be godly and holy in all our dealings of this sort.

Glory for all Good things belongs to He alone who is Good.  We are but a shadow of His Righteousness, even as we “accomplish” His Rightful Demands.

Amen.

Blog Files

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22_old-book-textures

Words from There 2-15-15  (pdf file of all posts to the date shown in the url.)

I was finally able to learn how to do this.  Below are the years of this blog, offered in docx format.

I’ve got no idea who might be interested.  It doesn’t really matter.  It’s not mine to determine what’s important.  These belong to the Living God in His Holy Son.

I’ve just made a stack of fire wood for those who need help keeping warm in this severe winter of life.  Come take what you will.  There’s plenty of more lumber to busy myself preparing.

It would be nice if someone would take a moment to try the links.  I’d simply like to know if they work.  I got them from the following site.  http://www.blogbooker.com/  What a wonderful answer to sharing our work in the Lord.  Especially for those on severely limited resources.

May God bless all His people with prosperity, according to His Holy Wisdom.

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

God’s Presence

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One day, when I was in college, I was called in to a certain teacher’s office.  Another teacher came to sit with us two.  A question was asked.  I don’t remember the exact phrasing, but it sort of went like this: “What makes you think that God appears to men today?”

I was relatively young in Christ.  And I don’t remember my response.  But in retrospect, I am still amazed that these two should ask such a thing.

It was a Bible College!  It was a popular Christian College on the west coast.  Yet there were two teachers there who did not believe in the living presence of the Living God.

I was stunned by the question, I do remember that.  I was angered that such people, in such a position of ability, should even dare to challenge one of their students with such a foolish and unbelieving question.

I could not give powerful answer on that day, I do remember feeling rather weak before their “mighty” minds.  And I do remember how I relegated their teachings to “small” after that day.  I had doubted their power in Christ before that.  That doubt only grew from then on.

But doesn’t the question remain?  And isn’t it asked by far more than two unbelieving teachers in a Bible College?  There are millions of “Christians” who have wrestled with this very question in their heart for years.

The answer does not appear in physical proof.  It comes to us by faith.  Yet, I can testify that the power of the Living God does rest upon those who believe.

We hear the Word.  We believe the word.  And as we apply that belief to our life, the Living God moves in.  The more we turn to that belief, as our singular power to live each moment, the stronger is the presence of God.

The answer to their question is something like this:  “If God is not willing to reside within His people, then everything you stand for is a blazing lie.  Everything you’ve taught is worthless trash.  Therefore, your position, title, and all the money you make here, is stolen.”

I wish I had said that.  I wish I had sealed my lips after speaking it, got up from my chair, and left them to ponder.

Truth For Sale

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There is a distinct possibility that I’m about to lose a new-found friend.  Yet, in an effort to avoid the loss, I’m going to preface this post with a few short words.

This one I’m about to give answer to, is not alone.  He will know who he is.  But I won’t make mention of his name.  It’s not the new-found friend I’m attacking.  It is a certain concept that has gripped the “new” Christian church, with a “Gorilla Tape” grip.

I must also say, that if we bolt and run because someone points out a faulty premise we hold dear, we stood on quicksand long before we heard the correction.  I don’t want any loss.  But I can’t let this slide either.

 

What association does money have with Christ Jesus?  What value does fame have before the Living God?  Nationality is a cause for pride, not a source of godliness.  And if we are not accepted for some worldly division, what is that to us?

You want to write to make money.  There’s nothing stopping you there.  But if you want to make money by writing Christian books, you stand on really thin ice.  “Freely you have received, freely give.”  Anyone recall that?  Did Peter charge the beggar anything to heal his legs?  Did Jesus charge admission for any of His words or miracles?  Are we required to pay anything to receive salvation?  Then why would we use the freely given Gospel of Christ to make money.

To sit and gripe that no one will let you join in this useless profit, is a bewildering sorrow.  Isn’t salvation enough?  Did your nationality come up as you stood to accept the Lord?  Did someone say, “Oh, you’re from ‘this nation'”?  We’re you excluded from the joy of Christ because your skin was a different color?  Wasn’t the Gospel presented to you FREE?  Wasn’t it proclaimed in your native tongue?

You can do what you want.  What’s that to me?  But to make money because of the Son of God?  Aren’t there plenty of other ways to earn money?  Isn’t this world plentiful enough to inspire writings worthy of a couple bucks?

Again, you’ll do what you’ll do.

By the way, there are millions of anonymous writers.  And there are hundreds of ways to spread the Gospel for free.  What counts to you, profit, or the glorification of the Lord who’s Holy Blood bought your joy and inspiration?

Blue Christmas

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Throughout the night, the last song I heard playing continues to echo in my mind.  Exhausted as I was, I slept well.  But the power of the song continues.  Even all my dreams were touched by endless sorrow.

I wake with a heavy heart.  For the things I have done in my life will not leave me alone.  This is a picture of the life I lead for decades.  It is a haunting echo of the man I was.

With desperation I realize I need a friend.  I need someone who is not like me.  I need someone whose resources are endless.  I need someone near me who can care.  This is, of course, the Living God in Christ Jesus.

I hide from men as a loner, because I do not want to teach them the things I have done.  If I speak to them face to face, the testimony of myself comes to the surface.

I push the Lord forward before me, between they and I, that they will not assume a wicked life can have any righteousness.

The song is “Blue Christmas”.  I am void of explanation that I should have any joy at all.  The things I have done in my life are death.  My value is to die, and to die, and to die.  If it had not been for the mercy of God, I would be dead already.

This is my testimony before all men, according to the things I have done. 

I know I am not alone.  Everyone of you can testify the same.  If every man is honest with his history, death is all he ever was.  And without the life that God offers, no man has hope.

But isn’t this the reason why I testify so vigorously?  Because the One with endless resource has offered his bloody hands to me.  He teaches me to receive.  He promises me a new song. 

I cannot live in my past, for it is nothing but death.  I cannot live in my present, for memories drown me in sorrow.  And if it were not for the Living God, to come and touch me with compassion, my future is nothing but darkness of death’s promise.

This is what this blog of testimony is all about.  I write that many may have life.  I speak as loudly as I can about the endless resources of God to love you.  I speak as loudly as I can, to educate every man regarding his own worthless life.  Let them perceive the disparity and yearn for health.

God is mercy.  He holds out his hands all day long to every man, woman and child.  “Come, let us reason together.  Though your sins are as scarlet they shall become white as wool”.

Hope!  Precious and vibrant hope!  This is what the Lord offers!  Yet with a heavy sigh, I wonder who can take it.

Who is willing to lay down their precious death?  Who is willing to abandon their regretful memories; their only solace in the dark?  The compensation of man for the nature of what he is.

Yes Christianity requires much.  There is holiness to attain.  But in this work there is life.  We are death.  We are headed to death, and all we have is death. 

All the while God stands.  Life, promise and pure integrity, is held out for any who come and take it.  To die is easy.  For that is what we are.  To live, simply requires laying down death.

This is the new song he gave me, as I sat with heavy heart.  He reminded me of the new song that waits to be sung.  The compassion of God is not a fable.  It is in fact, the endless resource for life.

By His Grace

Wicked to the Core

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I believed, long before I started writing, that man is wicked to the core.  This hope of a man-made utopia is a pipe dream that will never come true.  And those who put their trust in men to design it, and bring it to be, will find themselves disappointed.

I write this because it just occurred to me that over the years, my writings have given proof for my belief. 

Before I begin to write, I was often in debate over this issue.  In my heart I knew it, but I lacked the longevity of proof.  Since I could not substantiate, with examples, what I proposed to be, they simply referred to me as cynical.  I was relegated to a room in the hotel called “Pessimism”.

Before this, I relied on my own perception; the proof that man supplied by driving me to a dark corner of society.  But it is impossible for me to stand alone as a witness with my own perception. 

What good is it if I point the finger at them?  It is simply my finger; the weakend finger of an unhappy camper. And so the proclamation required many examples.  Let them point their fingers at themselves.

But there is proof in the volume of this place.  And isn’t that the very reason why this is not an amazingly popular blog?

I used to think it was the name of Christ that drove people away.  And I was perplexed, for millions attend church every Sunday.  Where were my brothers who believe the same as I?  Why was I shunned by those who profess the name of Christ?

But there is one item in these writings that sides with Christ very strongly; all of our righteous deeds are as filthy rags.  For this the masses have been driven away.  (no pun intended)

By His Grace