Heart, Soul, and Strength

  i have come to terms with my false pride--somewhat--and am doing my best to learn humility.  i apologize for anything i've ever done to anybody in the name of God.  Am i worthy of being a chaplain?  Can i show attentive respect?  Do i want to pay attention to folks who just moan and groan?  Folks who put themselves in the center of their own universe?  Do i have the patience for that?  Me?  A Chaplain?  Is it Your plan for me?  i failed at becoming a minister.  Can i let anybody let the conversation go where they want it to flow?  Or do i have to be the one in charge.  The one who has to take charge?  i say, no...now.  But what happens when i'm confronted with that person with whom i've grown impatient?  i can never claim i have an overabundance of patience.  Longsuffering has never been my strong characteristic because i never wanted to suffer for long. YAH, open my eyes to see all wonderful thi...

i'd rather live by every blessing of God than to live miracle to miracle.  Miracles would mean that God would have to utilize "just--in-time" management, and i don't think i could expect that from Him.  YAH, help me to never need another miracle in my life.  Teach me what i need to know so that i can walk in Your blessings and prevent crises.  As i live in the abundance of Your blessings, make me a vessel through whom You can bring miracles to others who need them more than i.  Help me teach others that Your blessings are not things.  They are Your favors spoken over all of us. i have to come to terms with my false pride and learn humility.  i know You are watching and ready to guide me in this area.  i know that being humble is a prerequisite for Your grace. i know that if i just say words to see if things will work, it won't.  Mixing faith with my words brings creative power to them, but only through Your blessing.  For indeed the Gosp...

 i could fill in the blanks about seeing the advantages of going to Charis eventually.  Being in the company of fellow Christians in one spot coming from all parts of the world.  Sounds good, but does God want me to make such a move?  Does He see me doing a sufficient job learning the Bible by myself.  Was there only this romantic vision about being out in Colorado with the scenery and the mountains?  Or is it only a potential wilderness where i'll get lost and marginalized?  Just the job application process itself for finding jobs there is a pain.  They asked me if i had transportation to get to a job.  i established early that i did not and that was why i wanted to be close to campus or on-campus.  Plus it's not an accredited Bible college.  i was warned about that. For i wrestle not against flesh and blood.  YAH, look no further.  i want Your best.  i don't want second best.  i don't want to just cope and surv...

 It's gotten to the point where "the end of the world" and "end times" are soon to become callous buzz words and those who hadn't been paying attention will soon pay even less.  How about we started to really search for Biblical prophecy within the pages of the Word, or how about we started listening to top-notch pastors who bother to help us on YouTube and on their own websites.  Imagine Paul, who then was named Saul, standing and watching them stone Stephen to death, and hearing Stephen proclaiming that he can see King Jesus on the throne up in heaven?  There are times when i feel brave enough to take the place of Stephen.  just to see my King of kings on His throne. As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.  --[Colossians 2:6] The Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ.  A Jesus who is less than God could not provide salvation for the whole human race.  The only way i am ever going to fully understand ...

 A beautiful autumn Sunday morning this morning.  The air is cool and crisp.  The sun is out and the shadows are sharper than any other time of the year.  October is my favorite month of the year.  The aroma of dead leaves exhilarates me.  YAH, i thank You for autumn!  How could anyone be consumed by  a consuming lust for power when all that is needed is Jesus Christ.  i have no need for the world.   i think of the infants who were killed in Israel and Palestine and i can't help but think of the nursery You have already set up for them.  You have given first dibs to the victims of October 7, 2023.  You have prepared a place for them, and we are in awe of Your planning and Your power.  That's where my feeling comfortable about this who matter comes in because i know You are in control. The Cross is the symbol of my faith.  One beam horizontal, the other vertical.  Like Your holiness, Abba Father, one beam rea...

 From here on out i will never obsess or doubt that the Bible is the true Word of God.  It is the Truth.  No question about it.  i'm a Christian and i'm a believer;  i know Jesus is the Son of God; in fact, the Bible makes it clear that Jesus is God.  He was crucified to pay for our sins and He rose after three days after releasing the saints of the Old Testament when He descended into Hell.  Satan and his demons are real and are not figments of our imagination.  i can say that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, and i don't concern myself with all the debates with non-believers who are too lazy to read it.    i think it's time to share the ideas of all the marvelous books and authors i've read over these past few months.  Authors like Bart D. Ehrman, who wrote Misquoting Jesus :  [page 7] What good does it do to say that the words are inspired by God if most people have absolutely no access to these words, but only to more ...

 YAH, return me to the joy of salvation i've felt and knew before.  i know i already have salvation and eternal life.  It's on me to recollect that moment kneeling in the basement while Billy Graham called everybody to come on television.  It was early to mid-70s.  i had tears of joy and it was an emotional moment.  Help me to go beyond mere emotions now.  Thank You for the wisdom to confess my sins--past, present, and future which You know about already.  Had the soldier hesitated, Jesus Himself would have swung the mallet.  He knew that the purpose of the nail was to place my sins where they could be hidden by His sacrifice and covered by His blood. The same hand that stilled the seas stills my guilt.  The same hand that cleansed the Temple cleanses my heart. As the hands of Jesus opened for the nails, the doors of heaven opened for me.  i am humbled.  i could never be so proud of what i have that i miss what i need to hear a...

i always, as a younger man, thought i'd be cool by telling folks that i was never a lonely person.  i'd always say, "i may be alone, but never lonely."  i'm sure i wasn't the first or last person to ever try to con people with that crap.  The only person i was fooling was myself.  i've lived by myself for years now.  i've lost count, but that's the way i like it.  Especially now that i have the Lord.  i really never got the concept of living parallel lives with somone.  Seems these days most anyone i'd ever hook up with for a roomie will be too busy on a cellphone anyway.  Amazing how that creepy gadget works to only alienate people.  Not bring them together.    YAH, You splash orange in the sunrise and cast the sky in blue.  And yes i love to see birds in the sly gathering together, so i'm not surprised when i see them, too.  They are a delight to see and hear.  You made the squirrels' tails so bushy and i love ...

  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.  Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.  - [James 1: 17-18] God, You called Nehemiah to commit himself to a job You willed him to do. i know the feeling that there will always be somebody who will attempt to stall me, to do me harm by not letting me continue on with the work of the Lord.  It's like a jealousy thing.  A resentment.  i am quick in sensing this, especially now.  They are furious and indignant and tend to muck. "Will he spend his money serving the Lord before he pays his bill?  Seems to me when people talk like that they have no knowledge of the Bible.  They are lip-service Christians who know not about being active or proactive.  So it was, when the Jews who dwelt near them came, that they ...

  You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy, At Your right hand are pleasures evermore.  - [Psalm 16:11] There is no person so difficult to love than myself.  This shall never be a weak excuse for not loving others.  i won't drone on and on about it just as i won't drone on and on about "dark clouds" hovering.  For i am in Your presence now and i will stay and ask You to pull me back when i start to stray.  Just grab me about the collar and pull me over the sawhorse.   For behold, in those days and at that time, When i bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgement with them there.  On account of My people, My heritage, Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; They have also divided up my land.  They have cast lots for My people, Have given a boy as payment for a harlot, And ...

 i am committed to You, Lord, i will place my thoughts on You today.  Am i but an armchair theologian?  Surely i haven't experienced the bad things the Apostle Paul had.  i'm not facing a beheading, not in the literal sense anyway.  Yet i've heard the echoes of eviction.  As it was intended for me to hear.  i face at times suspicious eyes looking on, though Satan and his demons are laughing their asses off because it's all in my self-centered mind.  i am committed to You, Lord, i will place my thoughts on You only. No longer do i want to be so preoccupied with whether or not i can, i want to be able to stop and pause and think about whether or not i should. YAH, You are in control and i know Jesus is coming.  You want me to live my life for Your honor and glory and a constant awareness that Jesus may return at any moment.  "...[It is] because Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective ...

 Come, Jesus, come.  May more and more people begin to see the Light that can fill their darkness.  Touch their hearts so they don't resist and protest for as Satan himself dances in the leaves.  YAH, You are the reason i want to be nicer to people even my enemies.  Since You reveal Yourself by words and actions, my intentions and emotions belong to You alone.  i've seen where they want to blame Christians for the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, well, Nero burned Rome and blamed the Christians, too.  UAH, You want us to have an aggressive offense rather than a passive defense.  You want us to live our lives intentionally with the purpose of glorifying You--may we all be quick to use today's events to glorify You. May we prepare for Jesus' return, ready to accompany as many of us so that we can all glorify You. May we all celebrate Your Resurrection every day!  YAH i do look up to You to be my provider so i don't need to cheat an...

There are people who speak to me and i don't bother listening to what they're saying because i'm too busy reading between the lines and listening to what they're NOT saying!  The Ten Commandments aren't like that.  There's no need to read between the lines.  The truth is all there.  Guides.  Blueprints that we may not always follow or pay attention to.  i'm too imperfect to ever be like Christ, but that doesn't mean i don't try to emulate Him-fail that i may.  YAH, You are the right God and i must follow You the right way, You know and expect me to stray at times.  i can't always be truthful, yet You are Truth.   i don't need to see You or concoct some image of You or look any longer of an image of Christ that hung on my mirror for so long.  i've taken it down. See, i'm not perfect.  i must do my best to follow the Second Commandment.  Jerry Vines says "an image of God is limited.  God is unlimited; an image of God is...

 i can only be sanctified with You, Lord.  Whatever You created me to be and do, i am willing and able to stand up and be sanctified in the name of Jesus. YAH, You understand my coming and my going.  My standing up and lying down.  You even know every word that's on my tongue before i even speak it.  You are here standing beside me right now, it is a comfort thing.  A warm tingly feeling on my shoulders.  i know i've felt that before, so it must have been You all along, even if i wasn't aware of Your presence, it had to be You, YAH. Where can I go from Your Spirit?  Or where can I flee from Your Presence?  If I ascend in heaven, You are there; If I make y bed in hell, behold, You are there.  -[Psalm 139:7-8] So many times i've had my head in hell and yet You understand me--without judgment and with unconditional agape. Even the night shall be light about me.  i love that You care enough to know the count of every hair on my head and...

Abba Father, i know i'm no longer alone.  The Holy Spirit dwelling within intercedes and speaks to my heart, letting me know i'm not alone.  A human uniqueness grew in my mother's womb, i was not just another appendage to be removed, like Willie Nelson's guitar.  You had special plans for me and You've waited patiently for me to be ready.  Never mind my age.  Age is of no importance or relevance now...not when i'm focused on You.  Please forgive my transgression yesterday afternoon.  i am not perfect and i don't have an excuse for my poor decisions. My life isn't about me anymore.  It's about Jesus who i need, so i need to begin each and every day talking and walking with Him.  Abba Father, show me more ways i can glorify Jesus and lift Him up so that others will see and regard Him as well.  Make me Your work of art.  Make me ever mindful of my life, how it isn't about me anymore.  Without Your Word, i have no hope.  In fa...

 YAH, i can do nothing to make You love me.  You love me because that's in Your nature to do so.  Your brilliant artwork is to be loved and enjoyed by both the evil and good, the saved and the unsaved. Agape is Your kind of love.  YAH, i'm learning more and more about grace because of You.  i don't put on humility naturally.  i have to make a conscious choice to do that.  Because of my sinful nature, i am prideful.  That is downfall.  Help me. Lord, to put aside my old prideful self.  i have to develop the character to know what hope is.  No matter what adversity comes my way.  i have to let go of having the last word or having any word for that matter.  You, Lord, are so much happier when i keep my big mouth shut.  Your agape love is poured out in my heart when i see the rabbits and squirrels in the back yard.  The animals domestic and wild alike give me a genuine delight.  You can't imagine the joy a gard...

Like Nehemiah building the wall, i want to be one of those who are engaged in Kingdom Building.  Abba, You see what's going on in my heart and about the anger and resentment going on there.  You know how bemused and amused i can be with other people and what appears to be their schemes.  Other times i feel like You will for me to feel.  That You are creating situations that are going to benefit me and do me good. You are my only cure, my Physician, my Cardiologist.  You know how people irritate me and who preoccupies my thoughts, so i must pray for them all.  Though it may not seem to do much good when i hear and observe them.  i've told them all how i've felt, so i'm waiting for them to return the favor. There are some TV evangelists who are becoming too much a chore to sit down and listen to.  There's so much verbiage and verbosity.  They need to choose words that are like a diamond that cuts right through all that tedious talk.  ...

  YAH, i understand that there are people who aren't living for You.  People who are in bondage.  People who are rejecting Your Word, and by the power of the Holy Spirit You command that i love them anyway.  For i was one of them in bondage, rejecting the Word of God, smoking, choking, and drinking.  i let my Bible sit idle for twenty years, and i referred to You, YAH, as my "Creative Source."  i suppose that could've been any god.  It was a positive case of pagan idolatry.  i confess my sins.  i got into porn on a daily basis, i was a practicing homosexual---most recently more in theory but that was just as wrong and would be wrong should i ever uphold those beliefs.   Now i realize that i don't have to work my way into heaven.  The Holy Spirit constantly witnesses to me that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and my personal Savior.  He, through His stripes, heals me and has carried me through many dangerous situations becau...

 If i'm wise enough to repent and trust in the Lord, then anyone could do it, That doesn't mean bearing church on Sunday morning when i know i don't want to be there.  YAH, You know about that so i need not explain it to anybody else.  i'm done with observing and making commentary about what people do and don't do at church.  i'll gladly let God be the judge of that.  i heard somebody say we've become so open-minded that our brains are beginning to fall out.  There is stability in knowing and studying and investing in the Truth.  Spiritual drifting has been with us for centuries so nobody should be surprised or shocked at the antics of folks these days.   There is a nonstop seeking for answers that leads to nowhere.  i'm beginning to see the validity in seeking the right questions, but that's almost become cliche now.  Asking the right question, asking the right questions is something that's been drilled into the minds of all of us....

 i pray, Lord Jesus, for all those on earth to not only begin to believe through faith in the mission of the Cross but that we may all turn away from our sins--though imperfect we may be--may we all feel that we are no longer of this world but that our focus is on You and Your kingdom.  i pray for my brothers and sisters to get on board and to pay attention to this Christian revival going world wide.  In Your name, i pray.  The name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen    May any prayer we pray and compassion we feel be accompanied with action, for pity and complaining and observing does nothing.  Compel us to act proactively, Abba.  Like my dad did once, grab us by the collars and pull us over the sawhorse and may we land safely and softly on our behind yet be ready to leap up and take hold of the handle on the other end of the two-man saw.   But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love...