Wrecked

Let's not look at this as a gulf that both of us have to cross to get together. let's look at this as a gap that can only be crossed by the bridge of God's love. I'm sorry that I didn't foresee this. I feel that I a thoroughly to blame. I should have created an evironmetn around me that was more open to not just honesty, but also transparency. I thought we were doing so well. That's why this is hitting me like someone dropped a whale on me. I'm crushed, but I do not lbame you for this. I could never blaem you for anything. We need to redirect all our attention to the cituation. Yes, I take full responsibility for this happening, but I can't make it right on my own. I need the Lord's help to overcome my failures. I think I became too complacent. I have ahabit of doing this. I tried to keep things new and exciting, but I forget to neglect what really made our relationship special. Intentional, thoughful, and cooperative discussion. Remmeber outside Dan and Daniels's that one night? We need to get back to being those poeple again. I can appreciate what you are going through. You have to understand my cituation is something I have to ovecome as well in order to date. I feel so inadequete because of what the Lord has chosen for me. I was never sure if I would be able to find someone to fit the bill of what I needed. I say needed as in the original wya man needed woman. I felt like Adam, you see. I felt like that first man who seem fine as God created Him. I came to terms with who I was and what my calling was. But when I looked at my situation I discovered that I needed help needed to be met in ways I couldn't accomplish on my own. It truly wouldn't be good if i was a man alone. So after I became settled in my singleness I began to look for God's answer to my needs. I didn't know what the answer would be, but I knew I would be attentive when she cossed my path. I refused to be caught sleeping on the job of finding you! I've looking through some of my old journaled prayers. I never once asked God for someone repcisely like you. For not even my vast imagination could concieve someone so splendid. All I did when praying for was ask God to provide someone who would meet m two greatest needs, my child, and my poor comunication. Oh, blessed father, You fullfilled desries that I didn't know i had 'till they snuck up upon me so suddenly that I was caught compeltely off guard when my sentences beheld them. I am wrecked by your providence. I am forever grateful. Evelasting thanksgiving was do you fully from salvation alone. I had no way of ever rendering a proper responce soley from that. Now that you have given me her I have less then no way.

Unfiltered Response

'been thinking about the "unfiltered" logo. The human body stripped down to it's core. Our sturdy frame of bones is what holds us up. Bones were significant in the Jewish faith. Woman was made from a rib, Joseph's bones wern't brought to the promised land, Samson fought of hundreds with a jawbone, and Ezekial and his valley of bones. Jesus had the ultimate example. Not one of his bones were broken during his ordeal on the cross. Specifically his femur was not broken by the centurion who ended the life of the 2 thieves on the cross. The femur was a symbol of a covenant. Abraham's servant swore to him on that same bone. This preservation of Jesus's thigh bone showed that even though he bared the weight of God the father never completely broken his promise to His son. This promise was that though one man's  flesh that was torn on the cross all man could have a home one day in heaven. Brothers and sisters rest assured that your connection to the father is as solid as the thickest bone in your body. Yes these bones may splinter and crack, but they are never beyond repair. Next time your flesh is weak when you feel as though you are falling a part, hold firm on to the most solid part of your body, and rejoice knowing that this firmness shows God steadfast-love.

Psalm 35:10 (ESV)
All my bones shall say, "O Lord, who is like you, delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, the poor and needy from him who robs him?"

Psalm 34:20 (ESV)
He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.

Silent Women

           I've that at many churches that i have attended that the female singer can not be heard during the worship part of the service. If the worhsip leader is on lead it seems that the female worship leader mike is turned down so they can't be heard. Whenever she takes over the set she can be heard perfectly fine, but it seems her mike volume varies throughout the service. Is this the modern way that the church follows Paul's instructions in I Corinthians 14:34 "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law."

     Would that really be so bad. Lately this ideal in the early church for women to be silent has been under attack. Like many other issues its said that "Christians need to get with the morals that the majority follow." Basically womans equality can not sit back and let the verse hold them back. But the church being as stubborn as she is meant to be should not submit so easily to popular thought.
    Personally I do not see this mandate given by the early church fathers as limiting our sisters in Christ. It mearly reiterates  the role woman have played thoughout The Bible. Woman have always preached without words. Sarah spoke volumes by sticking with a man no matter what God told them to do. Rebekah won the heart of Isaac by watering his fathers camels. Leah won jacob's heart by her looks. Ruth bared her soul to Boaz by her work ethic. Hannah established how best to honor God by fulfilling her word. Mary Magdelene showed her dedication and compassion for the messiah by washing his feet with ointment. All together these matriarchs of our faith spoke volumes without even moving their lips, and what gentlman doesn't know that a lady can command the hearts of any my by a sweet smile.

So next time I see a female worship leader who may have sound problems I will be watching how she shows worhsip to God the way her sisters have for all of time, and that may not even involve singing a single word. I think Peter may have put it best

I Peter 3: 1Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct

Road construction.

I'm about fed up with construction on the roads I take to work. It seems everyday there is some part of with orange cones redirecting traffic. It's getting to the point where I avoid the interstate all together. But this ridiculous of me. I wouldn't have to commute to work if it weren't for these roads, and unless they are properly maintained I would be able to safely drive on them. I need to learn to appreciate being stopped by a man with a stop/slow sign because without it I wouldn't be to drive anywhere. Small goes for the path I'm on as a Christian. I need to learn learn to stop being so upset about the trials of life. Because these rough patches are being mended just the same as potholes on the highway. Learning to be grateful while I'm stopped or slowed on the highway of life is just a part of the system that brings me closer to eternity. I need to learn to respect the authority of the Department of transportation, and just wait to till its my turn to get back up to full speed. 

The tree

Im kneeling in front of a silopheted tree against a horizon set a blaze by the setting sun.  A man clings to the tree. His body dripping with blood. Its flows down the bark to where I lay into the roots below me. As the man dies the tree starts to show signs of life. It begins to grow at an unusual pace. Then I notice worked comings towards the tree with branches of various kinds. The graft these new arms onto the tree. With its fast growing ability the branches instantly attach, grow, bud, bloom and bring forth fruit of every kind imaginable. Then the world turns heavenly white, and I see many sit down to a feast of the fuit from the strange tree. The man that gave it all for the harvest is now sitting at the head of the table. The workers are his guests, and I am humble to be one of them.

Immunity with Christ

Acts 28:4-6 ESV

4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live."5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

How soon after narrowly escaping great trials do we come across more hardship. After overcoming sin and the enemy by trusting in Christ foe salvation, we easily fall back into the old life. A life of indulgence, anger, sexuality, and deciete. When this world sees this back sliding, our lack of love and other shortcomings, how quickly do they begin to accuse us of bring cursed people. That we are condemned hypocrites. That we are just the same as were before the Holy Spirit dwelled in us. Thankfully my friends we have saving grace and not just saved once grace. Just as soon as the enemy leaps upon us to devour our hearts we shake him off like he doesn't have any power because indeed he doesn't. Then as we become more Christ like. The world takes notice. They begin to inquire about the the change in us. The freedom we have from, fear, hatred, lasciviousness, and all forms of malice. Today brother, immediately dear sister, continuously trust our Messiah to continually heal and protect you.

Predestined prayer.

Philemon 1:22 NRSV

One thing more—prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping through your prayers to be restored to you.

Paul sure had a weird way of asking for prayer. He doesn't out right ask for his friend to pray for a request. He says do this thing because your gonna need to be prepared for this answer to this prayer. What if we asked for prayer like this.

Bob-"Hey guys you're all invited to my wedding next year."

Guys- "But Bob your not even dating"

Bob- "Oh you're right that's why you're going to help me ask God for a wife. By the way I'm registered at Macys "

See how this principal can be applied to your life. Prepare for answers to the prayer you haven't asked yet.

Jesus : The Servant King

Philippians 2:5-7 ESV

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

I memorized this verse once when I was in elementary school. I can still almost quote it to this day, but reciting verses means nothing unless I comprehend the meaning of a passage. It's as useless as reading a whole cook book from cover to cover and never turning on an oven. Just yesterday the "the oven" of this section of Bible turned on. I finally see what Paul was talking about now that I can see it fitting in context with the Old Testament that he knew so well. You see over the past year I've been reading through the whole Bible. I'm 89% of the way through it, and I won't stop till I have cleared Revelations. Armed with knowledge gained from the Old Testament and the Holy Spirit I was revealed what Paul was referring to. You see Jesus is the king of Jews. He is also a perfect king compared to all others especially those listed in Old Testament. These verses describe the king as a servant. Which seems odd until look at it with the history of the Old Testament Kings.

Flash back to 1 Kings 12. King Rehoboam, son of Solomon the wise, is faced with a choice. His people have asked to be freedom from the "yoke" of slavery. He must decide to keep them working or set them free. His older wiser counselors say, "Free them. " the younger and less experienced advise to increase the labor. He sides with the foolish youth. The people upon hearing that their labor will increase instead of diminish rebel against their new king. Rehoboam's decision splits the kingdom at the "seams". Along with the hearts of his people he loses 10 out of the 12 tribes of Israel. Retaining only the capital with hardly any country. Which through a series of other poor kingly decisions sends God chosen people into a tail spin of sexual immorality and idol worship that lands them in captivity in a foreign land. There only hope ultimately is a messiah that will come and unite the world's kingdom.

Flash forward to the gospels and the story of man that fulfills the prophecies of said messiah. A man that spent much of his life studying the Scriptures, and learning about the history of his people that include the failures of many great men including that of Rehoboam. I'm sure Jesus knew the story of Solomon son well because he saw the effects of the former kings decision daily. Remember those 10 tribes that suceded from Judah? Well they were known at Samaria in Jesus's time. The cultural divide was seen in Jesus's encounter with the woman at the well and when he past through Samaria just before reaching Jerusalem for the last time. Both times Jesus was looked down upon because of his race. Seeing the affects that mistreating subjects can have on a king. Jesus who only did the most wise thing he could do. He headed the advice of the wise counselors from Rehoboam's court,

1 Kings 12:7 ESV

And they said to him, "If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever."

And became a servant to his people. Thereby garnering the respect of the people he would on day rule.

So how does this apply to us? Well here are 3 practical applications to the principal of being a servant king.

1) In this election year be looking for the candidate who earns respect by promising to serve the people's needs. If one does exist.

2) In in the same way look to be under humble leadership. Many of us have suffered under the harsh overbearing leadership. Look for leader to work for who is first willing to work for your needs. So as to earn your respect.

3) In your relationships strive to be that bears the serving responsibilities of those you love by the strength of God of course. Another reason why Jeus became a servant is because it showed his love for the Jews a people with a history of slavery. Israel bared the burdens of many great countries, Egypt, Babylon, and Rome. By declaring to be a king that serve he his essentially saying let me become the the thing you hate most. We can best display this actions of love by choosing to serve other like friends, family, the body of Christ and spouses in like manner. By taking on the duties, burdens, and responsibities they hate most.

"Greater Love hath no man than to lay down his life for a friend. "

The science in salvation

What happened at the Cross was mirror of the immaculate design of the universe. The chances of everything falling into to place to sustain life on earth, how our world is just the perfect distance from the sun, how oxygen is a perfect percentage to keep from igniting the world, and how water the liquid of life cycles itself around could not happen by chance. Yet still many take it for granted and disbelieve in a creator God, and even just as many do not acknowledge the work of His Son. They are God coming down in the form of man, the thousands of prophecies fulfilled beyond all odds, and this diety dieing on a cross, but rising after in life to bring eternal life to all. I pray they all might one day slow down their busy lives and acknowledge heavens that have been shouting forth His wonder since the first week of time. Then take time to trust the more beautiful glory of a the king born in lowly Bethlehem, the conquered who rode on a donkey, and an immaculate man who died a thief's death.

The sustainable word of God.

Just as soon as my journey through the Scriptures become dull and rough as a walk through the desert I see manna fall from Heaven, I overcome a great foe in battle, and I see a cloud that is the presence of God descending among the multitude. Father forgive this mortal whose emotions rise an fall like the sun in the Heavens. Keep me focused on the cloud by day and the fire by night. Let me not lose focus on your word. When I find joy in you as well as when I am lacking in desire let me always know you are constant while I am inconsistent. You are steadfast in spite of my routine stumbling. You are God in you there is no fault while I am man devoid of any perfection.

Gardening of the mind.

Matthew 7:18 ESV

A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.

Looking back on my life I can see a person that left his mind open to any kind of influence. Whether it was good or evil by any standard I absorbed it all. Violence, profanity, and pornography were some of the worst pollutants I allowed into the environment of my thoughts. They buried deep down inside me with every daily dose. At the time I didn't consider that I would regret it later. Today it is a constant struggle to rise above the cluttered landfill my mind has become, but through the strength of the one who never let himself become defiled I have hope of restoring my ecosystem to what it was and even better. I say all this to those who are working to tare down the house they built with sinful thoughts that they might have hope. I also say this to those who struggle to build a new house dedicated to the new Lord of your house. Just as deeply rooted the sins of the past life and it's dark deeds were so are the seeds of the new life. They hurry down deeper than lust, hatred, or pride. No word read in the Scriptures, no song sung, and no message on Sunday will return void. It's there with you even if you don't feel it working. One day when you least expect the seed planted in the quiet time that seemed so frustrating will burst free of the ground and display the glory of the Spirit that is buried deep inside you. Therefore I say this: No sin is impossible to remove, forget, and be forgiven, and every word from God in any form will lead to a blessing on a kingdom scale in the Lord's faithful timing.

Premarital sex

"The Bible says not to do it (have premarital sex) ,but I think,for most people,they need more than that," said Landini,now 35,who still sees her 11-year-old son,Jacob,whom she gave up for adoption. "We want to know why. And most of the time folks aren't prepared to answer the question why."

I think the answer to this question lies in the paragraph. The laws of The Bible aren't limitations put on us, but rather are guidelines for life. It's not so much "Though shalt not commit adultery" it's more like find yourself a wife for life, find physical intimacy with her, and create life from your commited love. I don't say this as an judgemental observer, but as a person that gave into temptation. Truly we humans operate better in a sexual relationship in side the confides of marriage. Giving into lustful passions doesn't work in any area of life. Sleeping around whenever possible will lead to emotional problems. Giving into what ever feels good won't get you far in life. Having a child (which is always planned when penis meets vagina) works best inside marriage. I'm sure I will get a lot of flack for basing my moral judgment on an ancient book, but would you rather I base it on my day to day whims? I'd hope not.

The wind

"I wonder if it's the wind that pushes so much on the earth. If the breeze makes waves, cloud, and trees dance in unison. Maybe it's all of creation joining in a rhythmic sway in honor of the creator. The Holy Spirit then would be the conductor" -Thomas Anderson

Signature sin

If our sin nature is a disease , it could be said that each individual act of sin is a symptom. Some are more obvious than others. A "signatures sin" is just the easiest to recognize problem. They would be the surface problem we have. If a doctor was examining a sick patient and stopped at checking the outside problems and ignored the inside problem nothing is really solved. The devil plays into this. He doesn't want us to know we are sinning. So he could cover up the guilt with another sin. Layer upon layer of sin. Luckily for us Jesus dug down deep all the way to the core. He changed us from the inside out.

Master of death

No even breaking through the threshold of the afterlife removes me from the power if Christ and His cross. What then can anything do in this world to break my life saving cord that is anchored  to the cross? Death is the greatest unknown. No living man can see what the dead glimpse after their go dark.
But our heavenly father sent His son ahead of us. To explore the pit. To enter the darkness while still being a creature of light. He wandered in the labyrinth of Gehenna, and returned proclaiming that he had mastered the puzzle. Answered the hardest question. Simplified our choices or what happens when we die. Endless meditations, studies, and imaginings are no longer needed. The Christ walked back across the threshold of death, confidently laughed it off. "Hah, oh that place" "There is no more need to worry about it my child" "The choice is yours" I give the knowledge that conquers death freely."

Romans 14:7-9 ESV

For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

Jesus in Islam

Not even the false religeon of Islam denies the position of Christian fully. Though they deny is divinity they can never ignore his prophetship.  If only they would embrace the love, mercy, and grace of Jesus. Then they could brake free of the bondage of rules that lead to God. Remember this Easter that even Muslims need to Christ just as much as anyone.

Surah 61:6 And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said: "O Children of Israel! I am the apostle of Allah (sent) to you, confirming the Law (which came) before me, and giving Glad Tidings

White ink

Think about your works as white ink. He sees everything you do as pure. The page He writes your story on is wholly white. So good deeds and selfish sins are recorded in white ink on a white page. Written down , but the neither add to or remove the way God looks at the book of your life. Every since the name above every other name was written in red ink the rest doesn't go for or against you. The word of christ in red are all that matters.

Qing Ming Festival

Todau is The Qingming Festival  an opportunity for celebrants to remember and honour their ancestors at grave sites. Young and old pray before the ancestors, sweep the tombs.

Lets metaphorically celebrate this holiday today, and sweep off the dust of false teaching that has accumulated on the grave of christ. Lets abandon what we've been told believe about Christ's death, and instead read what was written down as the essential account if Jesus of Nazareth.

Religeous reform

why waste your time cleaning up theology? Its been perverted since Cain offered vegetables as a sacrifice. You and I are thousands of years late to the game of purifying the worship of God. Just read trough kings or 2 Chronicles. No matter how hard we work to clean up the temple when we die someone else will undo all our work. Thankfully we have a simple God that made things easy at the cross. After believing in Him we are set for life!

Ishmarl and Isaac

In Galatians Paul uses the example to show some truth about Christians.

He declares Abraham to be the one who originally received the promise of Christ. Then later he talks about the Galatians returning to the slavery of sin after being freed from it. Then he talks about Hagar and Sarah and their Children. How one one free and the other was a slave. Both if these children Isaac and Ishmael shared a common father. So what made one free and one a slave? The difference in their conception was their mothers and faith. Abraham knew his promise. That Sarah would bare him a great nation, but because of insincere faith he didn't wait for God. He moved to quickly found his own way. That was better in his own manly eyes. Not unlike our common father Adam did. The result was that Ishmael was born into a God fearing household, but not into the freedom of his father because of the status of his mother. Isaac on the other hand was born a free man to a free woman, and was granted the full blessing of his fathers that was blessed by God.

What am I getting at? I'm trying to say there seems to be 2 kinds of christian converts. (I say this not to judge. I say this out of observation of my own life and others.) One kind join the faith when the time is right. They fully comprehend the need of a savior. They are there because they truly heard the stirring of the spirit before they walked down the aisle. They walked back to their seat in freedom. They are the Isaac. On the other hand the ones like me are the Ishmaels they entered the promise of Jesus Christ by ill informed circumstances. When they prayed the prayer the time was not right. Just like how the timing for the crucifixion had to be just right. The Lord needs them to wait. They may spend years in the church. Waiting for the scales to be lifted from their eyes. Not yet listing with ears that can hear. They are ones living in slavery. Do not lose heart for them they are never beyond the great hope. Continue to minister continue be ti light Jesus wants in their lives. Stand ready as watchmen waiting for the chances to usher them into true freedom. Never assume someone who performs all the common church rituals truly there whole heartedly. Never risk their eternal lives.

Man needs woman.

Society will tell you women need man to be safe secure and protected. That a woman is not complete without a man. That's sorely logic. The Bible says man needs woman to be strong. Man can not survive without his woman. This isn't true of everyone, but for the great majority a man is not fully a man without his woman.

1 Corinthians 11:8-12 ESV

For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.

Come to Christ to be cleaned.

2 Chronicles 30:18-20 ESV

For a majority of the people, many of them from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than as prescribed. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, "May the good Lord pardon everyone who sets his heart to seek God, the Lord, the God of his fathers, even though not according to the sanctuary's rules of cleanness." And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.

This is so interesting. In the Old Testament many were struck dead for being unclean in religious ceremonies, but here a simple prayer led tograce overcoming law. This extends to us today. How many are shunned from the church because of the stain of sin? How many led to believe that sin hold them down from the heaven that Jesus invited us to? Don't get this wrong! Your never to far from the love of God.

THE KING's kings

I've been reading through 2 Chronicles and I'm noticing a patern. A large part of this book describes the different kings of Judah and Israel, and how they obeyed God. Once great is how they are introduced. They first labeled as being sons of their father's and then their mother is named. Then it tells how they ruled. They are always compared to previous rulers either they were as bad as the worst or as good as King David. The good ones even stumble at the end, but are always remember for their good works. When they died they were buried in Jerusalem.

My take from this is that we are a product of our parents. Once it's described that a king was corrupted by his evil mother. I'm so thankful for the Godly parents I've had I'd wouldn't be who I am without them. Also remember that our father in Heaven is our greatest example. Also take note that we are compared to our predecessors. Seek to be like the good and avoid the path of the wicked. Lastly Jesus is not concerned with how we started or finished. When we accept Him as king He also crowns us. No matter our actions we will be buried in His city. The New Jerusalem.

Only Angels have wings.

I've wondered about the thrill of flying for years. To finally be free of what holds me down on earth would be true freedom. Every day I take steps closer to this dream. At best I have simply floated a few inches off the ground. Even this small feat leaves me euphoric, overwhelming so, and exhausted, debilitating so. It makes me wonder if our human bodies are even meant to fly.

My father in heaven is the father I want to be on earth.

I'm in the middle of a court battle for custody of my daughter. Beyond wondering what kind of woman she could become without the store house of wisdom God blessed me with. I'm worried what I will miss out on learning if I don't have a child to care for. Job talked about knowing God by observing nature. I know all the more by being a father to a toddler. Children are the future not just because they will populate it, but also because they inspire it.

A true friend will tell you no sometimes.

2 Chronicles 17,18

We all might have that one discouraging friend. He's the one who is always telling you what not to do while the crowds are fully supporting you. She's like a second. He's just a jerk. The majority only has nice things to say. He doesn't. She's a negative Nancy when it comes to your dreams and desires. Quite frankly why are you even friends? He really is no good for you.

WRONG! In fact he's the only good friend you have. He not only has yours, but also God's best intention for your life. A wise saying in the Bible is,"Faithful are the wounds of a friend". Believe this to be true. It's a characteristics of God. He punishes only those he loves in order that they might grow in faith. Look to the gospel. Jesus gained so much for us by doing what no "good" friend would support. I can imagine what might have been the advice of many. "Dude Jesus, call down some angels and save your but. You don't need this pain." look at one of his Real friends, Mary. She prepared a perfectly healthy man for death. In fact she saved up to honor his death. What if one of your friends did that for you. Happy Birthday buddy! Here I got you a coffin! This sounds foolish , but it actually very wise. So next time you are told. "Quit having realtions with your girlfriend!" "Stop getting plastered every night" think about what your friend's intentions are. Consider the source. Next break down what is being said when your friend says, "Your and idiot. Don't do that." also please think how you can be a spread of tough love. Be a true friend of someone today. Be their mirror.

Knowing God

I need to stop imagining God, and start knowing Him.  How do I get to know Him? First I reject all preconceived ideas of Him.  The I abandon the negative emotions of our first and past encounters. When nothing is left that could possibly be a classic notion about God.  I simply seek Him daily in His words.  I can know Him by His love letters.

Endless genealogies

1 Chronicles 1:35 ESV

The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.

I had some trouble when I ran into the part of the Bible. It's hard to learn much from these genealogists, but i think I have been revealed atleast one lesson. The people we choose for a spouse can affect how our families turn. Specifically chooses a mate that is Godly wise, and also approved by your parents. There are many examples of this in The Bible, but here we will focus on Esau father of the Edomites.

First off let's see how he chose his wives.

Genesis 28:6-9 ESV

Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan-aram to take a wife from there, and that as he blessed him he directed him, "You must not take a wife from the Canaanite women," and that Jacob had obeyed his father and his mother and gone to Paddan-aram. So when Esau saw that the Canaanite women did not please Isaac his father, Esau went to Ishmael and took as his wife, besides the wives he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham's son, the sister of Nebaioth.

So he decided to rebel against his father's wishes (and by extension disobeyed God) and picked a spouse so he to spite his father. Later in chapter 36 of Genesis it says that Esau's descendents are called to Edomites. So then jump Malachi:

Malachi 1:2-5 ESV

"I have loved you," says the Lord. But you say, "How have you loved us?" "Is not Esau Jacob's brother?" declares the Lord. "Yet I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert." If Edom says, "We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins," the Lord of hosts says, "They may build, but I will tear down, and they will be called 'the wicked country,' and 'the people with whom the Lord is angry forever.'" Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, "Great is the Lord beyond the border of Israel!"

Here we see the eventual outcome of his poor judgement. There are many description other places in The Bible that also confirm this. The lesson in this is that who we choose for a spouse is critical to your future. Not that any mistake in choosing a mate dooms you. Hopefully you know of our God's exceedingly abundant grace, but i can say from first hand experience you will continue to deal with the consequences the only difference is that God will be standing by your side. So if you are having intercourse with your girlfriend your should probably move on and accept that it's not God honoring, if you are daring someone who doesn't believe in God then that's probably not a good idea, and most assuredly if your parents don't approved please don't incur the wrath of God. Go ahead and let them go. God will definitely bless a sacrifice like that. He will reward with something greater.

Worship and it's reward.

Singing to our Lord is a long standing tradition for my faith. In 1 Chronicles men that long ago were in charge of worship were by having their names added to The Bible. Just think this tradition is passed down to modern members of the church. For it our names are added to the book of life. That is the greatest honor we could receive from this life.

1 Chronicles 6:31-32 ESV

These are the men whom David put in charge of the service of song in the house of the Lord after the ark rested there. They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting until Solomon built the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, and they performed their service according to their order.

Rebelion, redemption, and the water.

the world knew peace once, but that was ages ago. Back when things were simple, one man, one woman, and one God. The one God that gave man everything, but one tree. That one tree was the one thing we couldn't have. This one law, this one restriction was the one thing that the one deceiver wanted us to violate. Through deception we did. In one moment by the cunning of one snake mankind enlisted in an army that would seek to challenge sovereignty of the one God. In the war between light and dark it seemed darkness had taken victory. Mankind was ashamed of their actions. Breaking their Father left them with great guilt. Our merciful Creator did not repay our rebelion with judgment. Instead He gave tge chance to come back to Him. All He asked was for us to abandon the contract we signed with the serpent, and embrace Him again.For some this was harder than others. So the war of light and dark solutions mankind in two. While some followed the mandates of God to the letter other's added to this list of crimes. Jealousy, hate, and murder were added to the charges against us. The first soldier had fallen in the name of His King our Father. The man who was able would certainly not be the last. To this adversary of light His rendered justice. Dooming His adversary to life long exile. For years afterwards man dwelled in darkness while some still held fast to the light. This tug of war continued until the darkness held to high an advantage. Then the Creator God stepped on to the battle field to eliminate those which warred against Him. This judgment on His own children grieved the Father so much His tears flowed 'till they flooded the earth. He only spared a small remnenant that still listened for His voice. Mankind took His first steps on dry ground for the second time. Peace was on the earth again, and only time would tell if they would cherish it or toss it away like trash.

Underneath the vail of a grin

Nehemiah 2:1-8 ESV

In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. And the king said to me, "Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart." Then I was very much afraid. I said to the king, "Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?" Then the king said to me, "What are you requesting?" So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' graves, that I may rebuild it." And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), "How long will you be gone, and when will you return?" So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time. And I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy." And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.

Okay so we have all been there. We might be at church, school or any place where we interact with other believers. We may be caring burdens from our day with us. Burdens that we may not even realize are weighing us down. Sometimes know about them and try to hide them underneath the vail of a grin. Whether we know why we are sad or not I face automatically changes based on our mood. some get nervous and turn red. Some have been crying and just can't hold back the water works. Either way we all can't fully hide our emotions. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are right through our pointless attempts to hide our moods. They might say " Are you doing okay?" . Inside we want to say no. We want to scream for help, but the deciever pulls on the puppet string of pride. We begin to legitimize a lie. "They can't know. I would be too embarrassed. I better lie.". It's just 3 words " I'm doing great " "I'm okay" " I'm good", but it's still a lie. But that's just where it's starts.

Your friends tries again, "Are you sure?"

You reply. "Positive ".

Just one word this time, but it's still a sin. Pretty soon it's spreads . Suddenly everyone is swarming you. All across the room you leave a trail of lies. You've made excuses for your own conscience, but that doesn't pardon you from the righteous God. While this sin of lying is wrong. It is not the issue we will address. God has, can, and will pardon you for it. The point we need to learn is that we should not let pride take control of us. In this passage we see what happens when we break free from the cage of pride. Nehemiah had the King take notice of the sadness he could not hide. When the king asked "What wrong?" Nehemiah did not hold back. It may have been because Nehemiah was just an honest guy. It may also have been because he knew better than to lie to the most powerful man in the land. Truly if anyone could help him it was the king. Considered this my friend, next time you are confronted with the question "Are you okay?" Why not respond was if that person can solve your problem. Because for sure the one up above can provide for you. Maybe He moved that person to talk to you. So that your problem could be mended and joy return.

Builders and Battlers

Nehemiah 4:15-20 ESV

When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, "The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us."

We are so similar to Israel it's unquestionable that they are a metaphor for our walk with Christ. a good portion of the Old Testament centers around Israel's years of captivity. This time was a punishment from God for years of turning away from Him. like us they knew what was required of them, but still did what they wanted. So judgment was rendered. One part of this judgement was the devastation of the City of Jerusalem ,the holy city of Zion.(Nehemiah 11:2). It's parallel to how how God humbles us after We have sinned. But like us they were given another chance. They were allowed to return to the capital city. Upon their return they quickly went to work rebuilding the once great city. Something like how we return to the straight and narrow road after straying off the path. When they returned they found wholes in the walls and the gates missing doors. The scares on their city were a reminder of the consequences to their past sins. But like us the record of iniquities is cleaned. like the rubble of the fallen city. The wholes are fixed, and The gates are restored. While this work of tenderly is raking place. Israel's neighbors grew fearful that their power would rise with they walls. So they planned to ambusg them while they labored. This for us is like when Satan tries to assault us while we grow in Christ. So while these workers were about their Godly calling to build. they made sure they kept the tools of battle beside the tools of building. This is a lesson to us. That while We seek to build upon our faith(Jude 1:20) through studying the Scriptures, fellowshiping with others, and worshiping the Living God We should always be on guard against attacks from the Enemy. So as you take the time to build your spiritual city to the splendor We have through Christ never forget to stay armed for the fight. As much as you take in the Scriptures to build up be sure to stockpile weapons for the battle.

Little lambs lead to slaughter

I know this passage is a prediction of Jesus Christ, but just for a moment imagine these words refer to a helpless baby cut off from.life  before ever being born.

Isaiah 53:7-9 ESV

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,

yet he opened not his mouth;

like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,

and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,

so he opened not his mouth.

By oppression and judgment he was taken away;

and as for his generation, who considered

that he was cut off out of the land of the living,

stricken for the transgression of my people?

And they made his grave with the wicked

and with a rich man in his death,

although he had done no violence,

and there was no deceit in his mouth. Isaiah 53:7-9 ESV

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,

yet he opened not his mouth;

like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,

and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,

so he opened not his mouth.

By oppression and judgment he was taken away;

and as for his generation, who considered

that he was cut off out of the land of the living,

stricken for the transgression of my people?

And they made his grave with the wicked

and with a rich man in his death,

although he had done no violence,

and there was no deceit in his mouth.

Black, white, and a little red.

Long ago, when time first started ticking,  and there were no  human words to describe the world, He was shining with the  light. The light  instantly shown it's boundaries where darkness existed. Darkness and light are twins. They exist side by side. There are completely separate with no middle ground. They are two great kingdoms who have declared the original war on each other. Their battle field is the world. The earth and all that exists was created for this purpose. This saga of two great powers plays out like a drama on the stage of Earth. The Director using only the most stunning of sets. Mountains, valleys,  oceans, and skys that reveal His artistic tallent. Birds, fish, land animals and seed yielders that confirm His planning ability.  All this effort is put into what is just behind what matters. This Earth is just a basket caring the precious cargo of Man. We are responsible at promised to outlast the fire that will consume this temporary vessel. For all it's beauty it can not compare to Man.  We are the children born originaly of light We have many roles in this world. We are the actors chosen by Him the director.  We are the soldiers that stand on the front lines of this battlefield. We are also the rat used for testing by the Scientist. But as just like darkness existed after light. Darkness who had no children of it's own jealousy sought to steal His children. We  knew. We  were told. But still a shadow was cast on us. One that still last till this day. Darkness invaded the realm of light. Through disobedience and rebellion We traded our Father of Light for one Darkness. Our development minds thought We knew better. Now We all live with the consequences of leaving the light. We can not wash out the blackness and return to white light on our own. But even after our rebellion. Our Father still cares for us. He gave us red blood sacrified in His name for us. The only way We can come back to Him.

The final will and testament of Peter

2 Peter 1:1 ESV

Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

Something i was thinking about the beginning to II Peter was that it sounds so official. He wrote his name in almost a legally binding way. This combined with the context that he thinks he is dying makes me think of the first chapter as a will. If this is true what Peter is leaving to his Christian family is knowledge. In Ecclesiastes knowledge and wisdom are referred to as being treasure and riches. We know Peter was not a rich man in worldly wealth because of the life he chose in Christ, but we know he had abundant love and grace from what he sacrificed to be an apostle. It also says ,in proverbs I believe, that a wise man leaves an inheritance. The inheritance he was leaving instructions on how to wait for our end. We mention that what Peter was talking about was available to all the world. Isn't it cool to think that since our knowledge of Christ is a inexhaustible treasure that we can be a philanthropist that has no reason to hold back handing out the never fading Spiritual objects of grace, peace, and love?

Why would a good God punish so many fir eternity.

Read this passage. Consider yourself the watchman, the gospel to be a trumpet, the wicked to be the lost, and Israel is the world. Then tell me who is to blame for some not entering Heaven's door.

Ezekiel 33:1-33 NIV

The word of the Lord came to me: "Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: 'When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone's life, that person's life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.' "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to the wicked, 'You wicked person, you will surely die,' and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved. "Son of man, say to the Israelites, 'This is what you are saying: "Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them. How then can we live?"' Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?' "Therefore, son of man, say to your people, 'If someone who is righteous disobeys, that person's former righteousness will count for nothing. And if someone who is wicked repents, that person's former wickedness will not bring condemnation. The righteous person who sins will not be allowed to live even though they were formerly righteous.' If I tell a righteous person that they will surely live, but then they trust in their righteousness and do evil, none of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered; they will die for the evil they have done. And if I say to a wicked person, 'You will surely die,' but they then turn away from their sin and do what is just and right— if they give back what they took in pledge for a loan, return what they have stolen, follow the decrees that give life, and do no evil—that person will surely live; they will not die. None of the sins that person has committed will be remembered against them. They have done what is just and right; they will surely live. "Yet your people say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' But it is their way that is not just. If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and does evil, they will die for it. And if a wicked person turns away from their wickedness and does what is just and right, they will live by doing so. Yet you Israelites say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' But I will judge each of you according to your own ways." In the twelfth year of our exile, in the tenth month on the fifth day, a man who had escaped from Jerusalem came to me and said, "The city has fallen!" Now the evening before the man arrived, the hand of the Lord was on me, and he opened my mouth before the man came to me in the morning. So my mouth was opened and I was no longer silent. Then the word of the Lord came to me: "Son of man, the people living in those ruins in the land of Israel are saying, 'Abraham was only one man, yet he possessed the land. But we are many; surely the land has been given to us as our possession.' Therefore say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Since you eat meat with the blood still in it and look to your idols and shed blood, should you then possess the land? You rely on your sword, you do detestable things, and each of you defiles his neighbor's wife. Should you then possess the land?' "Say this to them: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: As surely as I live, those who are left in the ruins will fall by the sword, those out in the country I will give to the wild animals to be devoured, and those in strongholds and caves will die of a plague. I will make the land a desolate waste, and her proud strength will come to an end, and the mountains of Israel will become desolate so that no one will cross them. Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I have made the land a desolate waste because of all the detestable things they have done.' "As for you, son of man, your people are talking together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, saying to each other, 'Come and hear the message that has come from the Lord.' My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice. "When all this comes true—and it surely will—then they will know that a prophet has been among them."

Spiritual dehydration

Ezekiel 3:26-27 NIV

I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious people. But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says.' Whoever will listen let them listen, and whoever will refuse let them refuse; for they are a rebellious people.

When I read this I immediately ask God to do the same for me. To open my mouth when I should speak, and to cause my tongue to stick to the top if my mouth when I shouldn't. I wonder though what changes in me that I shouldn't speak sometimes. I see the answer here.

Lamentations 4:4a NIV

Because of thirst the infant's tongue sticks to the roof of their mouths

From this I know that without water specifically of a Holy nature I should not speak. I need to have living water flowing in me. Where does this water come from? It comes from Jesus Christ.

John 7:38 NIV

Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them."

So not only do I need to prayer earnestly that God would speak through me, but also I need to search His word to be filled of His living water. Lord I pray that you would give all your servants a craving for your living water just like King David had.

Psalm 42:1 NIV

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.

When I do receive your gift of water let me proclaim it aloud as you see fit. Let your inspiration energize me to sing your praises.

Psalm 119:172 NIV

May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.

He is a Savior in the Silence and Lord over the lonely.

Many associate loneliness with silence. I too have felt this, and personally its hard to understand. What i have learned is that silent stillness is a perfect place to talk to God. We live in such a loud over stimulating society that we forget how great quiet can be. I hope to talk soon.

Lamentations 3:27-28, 31-33 NIV

It is good for a man to bear the yoke
while he is young. Let him sit alone in silence,
for the Lord has laid it on him. For no one is cast off
by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction
or grief to anyone.

Christian celebrity crushes

I don't really want a seat on the Tim Tebow bandwagon, but if christian girls have a man to crush on rather than a pasty sparkling vampire or a 16 year old "music" heart throb, than I'm all for it. The only problem is what if this causes some faith filled females to set their sights too high? Not every christian is called to be in the spot light, pray ironically, or go to a foreign land. Where's the love for Jerry the volunteer stage set up crew member who is slightly balding and prays with both knees down?

Hardcore worship

After attending a hardcore concert last night and reading this passage. I wonder if when God speaks it sounds alot like a heavy metal concert.

Job 37:1-5 NIV

"At this my heart pounds
and leaps from its place. Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice,
to the rumbling that comes from his mouth. He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven
and sends it to the ends of the earth. After that comes the sound of his roar;
he thunders with his majestic voice.
When his voice resounds,
he holds nothing back. God's voice thunders in marvelous ways;
he does great things beyond our understanding.

A piece of perspective

We all go through life trying to prove ourselves to society's "norm" By trying to dress fashionable,  sliming down to other's standards, and conforming to the beliefs of others. My response to this facet of society is my deep need to be different. Yes some might consider me a "hipster" for not conforming where I don't have to.(mainly my brother) bur honestly I can't help it. I refuse to accept that I have to dress a certain way to impress others. So I choose to dress how in a way that leaves me both comfortable and confident.  When I am told believe a certain theology I choose instead to anylize it to see if I find it true. The truth is one of the facets I believe God loves me for is my perspective. Some look at life head on where I choose sit upside and look at it from a new angle and in the end im happy for it.

Constantly considering confidence

Sometimes I feel as confident as a lion. Attiring as I walk showing off my big glorious mane. Truly my confidence flows straight flows straight from the Holy Spirit. But sometimes I fear that I speak as a fool. That I let my human brain take over.  My greatest fear is that I might become a false teacher. I never want to become like the lion in this verse: Ezekiel 32:2b ESV

"...You consider yourself a lion of the nations,

but you are like a dragon in the seas;

you burst forth in your rivers,

trouble the waters with your feet,

and foul their rivers.

What I have realized is this step in the process is a good thing. If I am constantly reapplying myself to God's word it keeps me from taking the way that simply seems right to me
This is crucial because Proverbs 14:12 ESV

There is a way that seems right to a man,

but its end is the way to death.

Another way I can prevent become a false teacher is by refusing to boast in myself by presenting weaknesses when ministering. The whole time being grateful of my shortcomings.

Turning that weakness into something that shows God's strength.

2 Corinthians 11:16-17 ESV

I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. What I am saying with this boastful confidence, I say not with the Lord's authority but as a fool.

When I do share my trials the point is not to depress them with tear jerking stories. The point is to share the moral to the tale God wrote with your life. This is one of the big reasons for Job's testing with fire.

Job 36:15-16 ESV

He delivers the afflicted by their affliction

and opens their ear by adversity.

He also allured you out of distress

into a broad place where there was no cramping,

and what was set on your table was full of fatness.

So I encourage all those who care for those around them. To constantly be learning, always examining your path, and embrace trials not in a sense that pain is good. Just simply that learning is always precious.

Mortal Righteousness.

Just had a time of soaking. There were some people talking in the room. So i had to block the out with music. I felt moved to stand up and worship so I did. Then the music cut out. So read job 29,30, and 31. I read how Job did Jesus like things and for it he was clothed in righteousness and justice. Similar to how the priest Joshua was clothed in Zephaniah 3. I see some of Job's righteous acts and I think of some things I have done. Have I attained righteousness through the gift of Jesus by letting Him have control of my Life? I believe so. I do slip up sometimes, but the blood of Jesus covers my very definite short comings. I am so grateful for that.

Not all scripture is profitable.

Not all of the Bible is the in fallable word of God. Yes, I did just say take this for example: Job 11:13-15 NIV

"Yet if you devote your heart to him
and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand
and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then, free of fault, you will lift up your face;
you will stand firm and without fear.

It sounds very true. But is it?

This passage was spoken by one of Job's friends. If you read the bugging of the book you know Job's misfortune had nothing to do with his righteousness. Be careful what you read in the Bible. Even Satan twisted it around to tempt the son of man. Especially be careful what is preached to you. Take anything you are taught with a consireable amount if consideration.

Consider the source

Becareful when receiving counsel from anyone. It's that Job was blameless before God, but why then did his friends accuse him of wrong. The God they believed in was humanly just. Where in fact justice is not seen in this life. Life is hard because that's the world we live in. So be careful where you get your wisdom from. Our of context this verse could changeinds in the wrong way.

Job 8:5-7 NIV

But if you will seek God earnestly
and plead with the Almighty, if you are pure and upright,
even now he will rouse himself on your behalf
and restore you to your prosperous state. Your beginnings will seem humble,
so prosperous will your future be.

How's your day going?

Dont question your day with "Am I having a good day or a bad day?" instead consider "How is God testing me, and how should I answer? "

"What is mankind that you make so much of them,
that you give them so much attention, that you examine them every morning
and test them every moment?

Funeral protests

I've been thinking about the funeral for a fallen soldier,specifically the protesting. I think if we truly believe Westboro to be lunatics we should just ignore them. They will probably take any negative reaction to their actions as persecution. Persecution for their beliefs would only motivate to do more. We should maybe hold a prayer service for them.

Sent from Heaven

Don't get down on yourself not everyone is a super Christian in fact we all come short of measuring up to God's so amounts of faith don't really matter I hope this verse makes sense replace "manna" with "faith " or "money" or anything sent from Jesus

Exodus 16:17-18 NIV

The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed.

Prayers are thoughts solely focused on you.

Lord, I feel a little lost. I look around at my life, and I see a place I am not familiar with. It is a land that is foreign to all that is me, save for a small portion. That tiny fragment is the place you dwell in Lord. Recently I have labored earnestly to remove from inside all that rebels against You ,  but i feel my foe is closing in again attempting to surround me. I am growing tired of your sweet honey. Lord I pray you would renew my hunger for your word.  Let all that my senses can perceive stand poised like a watchman. Earnestly seeking YOU.  I still am lost to how I should reach Eden. I know it will take time. My heart sinks from lack of vision of the outcome of this task. I can however know the benefit of a restored relationship. If we were reunited my heart would sing for joy, but even still my heart can not comprehend your plan. I trust you Lord. Show me an opportunity. Until the day all this yearning is completed, I will refuse any kind of man and woman union. Still holding out a hand of caring to all. Make full use of my freedom that is a blessing of my season of solitude. Knowing that one day I will trade many options for the option of one on whom there is no other option. Lately I have planned some mischief on my night bed. At the present i feel no grief or guilt. I know that if I can't be sure it is what is right then I should not even risk it. I pray that you would pull back on my reigns stop me short of fling off the plateau of temptation. Give me strength to endure the battle. As I stand under your banner let me always remain on your narrow path. Break my will. Let the righteous man fall 7 times more. Release me of everything in the world. Bestow upon me all that can be given from your store houses.

A brief history of Bible relationships

In the Bible I dont see any set standard for a spouse. Every couple seemed to have a different story. Abraham and Sarah were companions. She was his prized posesion. Isaac had a wife that was a diligent worker. Jacob went to the right source and was blessed for it. Esau rebelled against what his parents wanted for him. Moses disobeyed the law and married someone from another  nation, yet God approved. Boaz married because of jewish law. David won a wife from his ability to make war. Abigail won his favor by speaking to King David's stomach. The list hoes on and on. What you can see though each story is a little different. So apart from the obvious need for a potential mate to obey God like you do. What important?  Well each of these men had different wives, for different reasons. Also they had different achievements and goals. So why not look at the goals God has for your life and pick a spouse that will help you attain that goal.

Passion 2012 sarcasm

Fact about passion 2012: 7 people have already had sex under the dome. Studies show the bigger the congregation the more sin is committed while preaching. It's starts out with 0-25 people. Some gossip will occur. With 40,000 people odds are some will probably get shanked. Probably during the offering. While two people fight over stealing it. Sorry Mrs. Jones your husband atleast died doing something he loved. Best usher we ever had.

Abortion is okay Biblicaly

Children of destruction. Mentally im a fan of abortians. Isaiah 54 I'm starting to understand the analogy of labor pains used by the Old Testament prophets.(Micah 4:9-10) It's like sin conceives thoughts, ideas, and memories that evil in nature. They bury down deep inside like a seed planted in the womb.(Micah 2:1-3) Pregnant with sin from false gods and worthless idols I realize calamity is not long off. Thanks be to God by the blessings of the cross. The fetus of sin is a still born child in my head. I never have to face a reality where I am responsible for my misdeeds. Yes I go through labor pains, but only to remove from my life mine and the devil's illegitimate offspring. I pray I never again invest time in deeds of destruction. Deeds that have previously left scars on my belly that are a constant reminder of the filth that was ripped from my womb.

The six people you will share the gospel with.

The Six people around you. Ezekiel 25-29 Ezekiel is a prophetic book that reiterates the message of how and why God is pushing Isreal. In these chapters it discusses the nations that surrounded Isreal. It shows why they were doomed to distribution, and also why Isreal was spared from complete destruction. This can be a metaphor for those people we are around daily and us as well, and why we are showed mercy. In Ezekiel 25:1-7 we see our first example. Ammon represents all those who laugh off Christianity as a joke. They laugh at our faith in the unseen. Their laughter brings happiness for a time, but eventually their laughter will run out.(proverbs14:13) Our best action here is to simply be there to catch them with the Gospel when life gets tough, and they are willing to receive it. In Ezekiel 25:8-11 we have the Moabites. This nation is a mirror for many in our own county. Most in America they have a shallow knowledge of Christianity that they see in many of us, but because what they see is similar to them they see no reason to change. So they simply continue their lives as such. Praying to God that they barely even know. (Revelation 2:13-17) Our best tactics to overcome this mindset to live set apart. Cast off anything that unnecessarily makes us look like the world. Makes them see the difference in us. So they can make the change to accept Christ. Ezekiel 25 : 12-14 Here we the Isreal's brother nation of Edom. Descendants of Esau. They are the ones that may be brothers in Christ or simply those who hold a grudge against the Church. They were wronged by some christian in their life and now are vengeful against all things God. Think of how the character from the good samaritan parable. I doubt he would have been very receptive of a priest or a levite words. How can we overcome this level of hate? I Peter 2:11, 12, simply enough we live attractive gospel centered lives. Make yourself a servant to them win them over with love. Ezekiel 25:15-17 Here e we have the Philistia. They are the classic enemy of Isreal. They are naturally antagonistic to the Christians. Similar to many other characters on the Bible. Luke pharaoh refuses to free God's people, or the pharasies looking to trip up Jesus constantly. (Luke 6:27-36) so in defiance of their hate. Protest with love. You can not go to far to make the happy. Be kind almost to the point of shaming their malice. Do this any you have a chance to melt their hearts. Ezekiel 26,27 Tyre is one who is too busy with this life. As you can see Tyre is very invested in this world. Rich beyond measure by the toils of this life. Working hard to what goal tho? In Ecclesiastes 2 we see the futility of life's pursuits. In the end no one can find that "apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?" (vs25) Even if after hearing words as these they still cling to the fruit of their deeds. Do not worry their glory will run out with time. Be patient and wait for their gs and let the Truth of the Gospel catch them like a safety net. This glory will always be there waiting for them. (1 Peter 1:24, 25) In ch. 28 we see the King of Tyre go farther to say that he is a God. This could be considered to be the mindset of an atheist. They believe they are above belief in God. Their pride will not allow them to bow before God Almighty. David the man after God's heart has an answer he says in Psalm 53 it takes wisdom to follow God and only a fool will turn away from true divinity. What can we do? Hurling insults at them will do them no good. The riches of the gospel is wasted on their ears. (Matthew 7:6). The answer is found in a familiar passage (Romans 12:9-21). Let God soften their hearts. Pray for wisdom to find the right opportunity to speak to them wait on God's timing. We see the fate of those who have ears to hear in Ezekial 28:24-26. All those who accept His offer are like in grafted branches. Added to the nation of Israel we share in their blessings.(Romans 11:16-25). But alas those who do not take the opportunity are wood used for a different purpose. (Matthew3:10) This is a hard truth to accept, but it is justice. But most importantly it is a delayed, voluntary one. The truth is it is our responsibility to spread the good news. (Ezekiel 33)

Shine reflection

This may not look like much, but it is. It's the reflection of a haircut I had my boots shined simultaneously.

The Six people you offer the gospel to.

The Six people around you.

Ezekiel 25-29

Ezekiel is a prophetic book that reiterates the message of how and why God is pushing Isreal. In these chapters it discusses the nations that surrounded Isreal. It shows why they were doomed to distribution, and also why Isreal was spared from complete destruction. This can be a metaphor for those people we are around daily and us as well, and why we are showed mercy.

In Ezekiel 25:1-7 we see our first example. Ammon represents all those who laugh off Christianity as a joke. They laugh at our faith in the unseen. Their laughter brings happiness for a time, but eventually their laughter will run out.(proverbs14:13) Our best action here is to simply be there to catch them with the Gospel when life gets tough, and they are willing to receive it.

In Ezekiel 25:8-11 we have the Moabites. This nation is a mirror for many in our own county. Most in America they have a shallow knowledge of Christianity that they see in many of us, but because what they see is similar to them they see no reason to change. So they simply continue their lives as such. Praying to God that they barely even know. (Revelation 2:13-17) Our best tactics to overcome this mindset to live set apart. Cast off anything that unnecessarily makes us look like the world. Makes them see the difference in us. So they can make the change to accept Christ.

Ezekiel 25 : 12-14

Here we the Isreal's brother nation of Edom. Descendants of Esau. They are the ones that may be brothers in Christ or simply those who hold a grudge against the Church. They were wronged by some christian in their life and now are vengeful against all things God. Think of how the character from the good samaritan parable. I doubt he would have been very receptive of a priest or a levite words. How can we overcome this level of hate? I Peter 2:11, 12, simply enough we live attractive gospel centered lives. Make yourself a servant to them win them over with love.

Ezekiel 25:15-17 Here e we have the Philistia. They are the classic enemy of Isreal. They are naturally antagonistic to the Christians. Similar to many other characters on the Bible. Luke pharaoh refuses to free God's people, or the pharasies looking to trip up Jesus constantly. (Luke 6:27-36) so in defiance of their hate. Protest with love. You can not go to far to make the happy. Be kind almost to the point of shaming their malice. Do this any you have a chance to melt their hearts.

Ezekiel 26,27

Tyre is one who is too busy with this life. As you can see Tyre is very invested in this world. Rich beyond measure by the toils of this life. Working hard to what goal tho? In Ecclesiastes 2 we see the futility of life's pursuits. In the end no one can find that "apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?" (vs25)
Even if after hearing words as these they still cling to the fruit of their deeds. Do not worry their glory will run out with time. Be patient and wait for their gs and let the Truth of the Gospel catch them like a safety net. This glory will always be there waiting for them. (1 Peter 1:24, 25)

In ch. 28 we see the King of Tyre go farther to say that he is a God. This could be considered to be the mindset of an atheist. They believe they are above belief in God. Their pride will not allow them to bow before God Almighty. David the man after God's heart has an answer he says in Psalm 53 it takes wisdom to follow God and only a fool will turn away from true divinity. What can we do?  Hurling insults at them will do them no good. The riches of the gospel is wasted on their ears. (Matthew 7:6).  The answer is found in a familiar passage (Romans 12:9-21).  Let God soften their hearts. Pray for wisdom to find the right opportunity to speak to them wait on God's timing.

We see the fate of those who have ears to hear in Ezekial 28:24-26. All those who accept His offer are like in grafted branches. Added to the nation of Israel we share in their blessings.(Romans 11:16-25). But alas those who do not take the opportunity are wood used for a different purpose. (Matthew3:10) This is a hard truth to accept, but it is justice. But most importantly it is a delayed, voluntary one. The truth is it is our responsibility to spread the good news. (Ezekiel  33)