I’m in the process of moving this blog to a new server so I can unleash my creativity in new ways… The new address is: http://alternateconsiderations.limewebs.com/wordpress. Check it out!
Full day
April 4, 2010 at 11:48 pm (Life to the Full, Seasons of life, Uncategorized)
Tags: Our life together
I spent the major portion of the day getting our wireless printer up and running. Couldn’t get it connected to Shay’s system though. She’s in dire need of a new system! The CD ROM is shot and she’s only got 512 MB RAM. We’ve got some medical needs which require immediate attention, but hopefully by her birthday I’ll have enough saved to rectify this situation.
Usually Resurrection Day is our favorite Holiday… But this year it came and went without much fanfare at all… I’m still processing how I feel about that.
Setting a new course
April 3, 2010 at 1:54 am (Seasons of life)
Tags: Don Quixote, recommit, renewal
I’ve decided to renew my commitment to blog for at least 10 minutes a day. Given my track record, I feel a bit like Don Quixote tilting at his imaginary nemesis: the dreaded windmill. But I too must face my demons; my lack of discipline! Not for anyone but myself. If only to rail against this flesh; this “prison/crucible” from which there is only one escape: DEATH!
The Process is naturally repulsive. But only through the Process can I gain the freedom to do what I truly intend. That for which I was born!
And so I press on… Will I succeed in taming this unruly dragon deftly donned as a windmill?
Stay Tuned…
Christmas confusion
December 7, 2009 at 1:10 am (Foundational, He That Has Ears To Hear, holidays, Life to the Full)
Christmas? What’s wrong with celebrating Christmas? NOTHING! However, were you aware that it’s a holiday set up solely to placate pagans? Thereby make Christianity more palatable to those who might otherwise be unwilling to come to Christ through the preaching of the simple Gospel message? For more on the pagan origins of Christmas, click here.
There continues to be much controversy within the Body of Christ as to whether celebrating Christmas is something believers should even engage in! Let’s go to a few scriptures in the bible to get God’s perspective:
“1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. 2 If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; 3 but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.
4 Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.
7 However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. 9 But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? 11 For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. 12 And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.”
- 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 NASB
Now here, in context, Paul is clearly talking about believers eating food sacrificed to idols. But in the broader context, he’s talking about doing ANYTHING that would cause another to do ANYTHING contrary to the dictates of their own conscience! Another way to see this point is to consider expecting someone who has a severe allergy to say… Strawberries to sit down and eat a piece of strawberry shortcake with you (who have no such allergy), knowing strawberries are perfectly harmless (for you!). Wouldn’t your natural response be rather to choose a dish your friend CAN eat safely?
Christmas is an almost universally excepted holiday in western civilization. One associated with peace and good will. Many even insist we must keep it to commemorate Christ’s birth. THERE IS NOTHING INTRINSICALLY WRONG with this mindset!
However, keep in mind it is not a biblical mindset either. Therefore, as Paul, I will not celebrate this holiday (in the traditional sense), lest it cause my brother to stumble.
Lastly, let me post these scripture verses without comment. I’ll let you draw your own conclusions:
“
14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
“I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM;
AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
17 “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord.
“AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN;
And I will welcome you.
18 “And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”
Says the Lord Almighty.”
-2 Corinthians 6:14-18 NASB
What happened to Discernment in the Church of Jesus Christ?
October 21, 2009 at 12:54 am (Foundational, He That Has Ears To Hear)
Tags: apostasy, false signs and wonders, false teachers, lack of discernment
If you’ve come to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and are regularly attending church and/or receiving instruction via various televangelists, BEWARE! These are the perilous times the apostle Paul warned us about:
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.”
- 2 Timothy 3:1-9
Jesus Himself warned of a time when:
“… there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”
- Matthew 24:24
We as Christians need to rely much more heavily on the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth, just as Jesus promised those who would be His disciples:
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
- John 14:26
There are many “Wolves in sheep’s clothing” in the Church at large today. God’s heart breaks over those who follow after these deceivers who have themselves believed a lie!
Many exhibit signs and wonders, seeking to somehow validate their “ministry.” Yet their true intent (if one simply examines their lifestyle) is to make as much money off “the faithful’” as they can!
PEOPLE! We’ve been gullible far too long! Do we truly believe the Bible? How long will we tolerate such “doctrines of demons?” These false teachers and preachers are running headlong into Hell! All the while paving the way for those who adhere to their perverse gospel.
God has called us to a life of humility and servitude. No where in Scripture does God promise to shower us with fame and fortune! Yet that is the message of the new gospel these charletons preach!
IT IS TIME TO COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM AND BE YE SEPERATE! IT IS TIME TO REPENT AND PUT OUR TRUST IN THE ROCK OF OUR SALVATION: JESUS CHRIST!
God is patient and longsuffering, But He’ll not allow His Son to wait indefinitely for His Bride! Jesus comes quickly now. And only those who are ready will go into the Marriage Supper with Him.
The rest (though they claim to know Him) will be shut out, with the only words they’ll ever truly hear from His mouth:
“… I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
- Matthew 7:23
If this post has stirred something in you, I urge you with all compassion of the Holy Spirit. Seek Him out fervently! Ask the Spirit to strip away every teaching and practice from your life that is not borne out of the heart of God. Seek Him diligently, for He has promised that those who seek Him with all their heart WILL find Him!
Need more? Check out this video… Personally, I’m not real big on rap, but these boys give it to you straight up!
Will you heed the signs?
July 6, 2009 at 9:55 pm (Foundational, Life to the Full, Seasons of life)
Tags: Run
They are all around us now. Yet we refuse to look up. The economy, not only in the U.S., but across the globe is in the tank. Wars, violence, bloodshed, unbridled debauchery, and pandemics plague the nations. And many are either frantically running about looking for someone to blame or hoarding food, guns, and ammo for this horrific battle for their very lives which many sense is coming. Then there are others who are too afraid and disillusioned to even entertain the idea that life as we know it is about to come crashing down around us. Many, even in the church will be swept away in the coming deluge. Why? Because we’ve bought into the lie that we are the master of our own destiny. “God? Who is God? Who needs this god anyway?” Thus we’ve abandoned common sense, and literally cling to our own demise.
Even in the church, we cling to this notion only in a slightly skewed form. “God? Oh sure! He’s the One who’s there to bless me! His whole desire is to make me prosperous. He does MY bidding!” Whoah! What’s this? When we begin seeing Yaweh, the Holy and Unchanging Creator of all things, as somehow subordinate to us, we’ve fallen into the same trap that so-called “unbelievers” have fallen into! Yes! Of course His desire is to bless and prosper His own, but far above that, His desire is for every man, woman, and child is to have deep, continual fellowship with Himself!
The Storm is gathering in strength. Crises mount, and become more dire with each passing day… The “experts” continue to chant that things will improve. Give it time…” Meanwhile, the disgruntled and disenfranchised among us have already struck a match to light the fuse on a powder keg the likes of which no one has ever imagined!
Our only way of escape is a “straight and narrow” way. The way which God alone has provided. That way is through Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son.
Some days offer more challenges than others
June 24, 2009 at 3:41 am (Seasons of life, Uncategorized)
Today’s been a recoup day. My beautiful wife isn’t having an easy time of it unfortunately. Yesterday she, her son, and I made the harrowing trek into the Zoo (Missoula) to restock our food supplies with various tasty morsels you just can’t get in Drummond. The trip generally physically (and mentally) drains both Shay and I fairly severely and yesterday’s escapade was no exception!
We ran into an old, dear friend of mine who works where we now shop. I was really in no mood to chat (I rarely am). Anyway, I didn’t even think to introduce her to my wife –which is not at all out of character for me—, and as a result, my friend asked an introduction, I felt about six inches tall!
I always try to consider other people’s (especially Shay’s) feelings before my own. In fact, I guess it’s become somewhat of a source of pride. Shay hasn’t mentioned it, so perhaps it’s more a sore spot for me than for her, but it still makes me wanna’ kick myself black and blue. Not a very “christian” attitude, but hey, I’m still under construction!
Anyway, it’s been a long day. Tomorrow’s gotta’ be better!
Settling in
June 9, 2009 at 11:03 pm (Life to the Full, Seasons of life, Uncategorized)
My wife and I are finally finding that place called “home” in our new digs. Our dog is making friends with all her new neighbors. My wife and her son seem to have found the relationship back which they had when Jas was a kid. Going through boxes of things that were hastily packed for our exodus from Henderson Creek Rd. has been a some what arduous process, but the place is at last home.
For how long, only God knows, But for the moment, the dust is settling, the sights, sounds, lighting, and shadows are wooing our affections with subtle strains of endearment.
We all went back up to the water fall few miles up Douglas Creek Rd.:
Up to the falls
Here are several pictures Shay took of our excursion:
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Zubie more or less grew up with Dexxie. But when we moved to Missoula, we gave her to Jas (Shay’s son) since Dex is more or less my Service Dog, and as such, she goes where I go. We got Zubie as a companion for Dex. It was by God’s benevolence Jason was able to take her in. I had to give pets away before, and vowed when we got Dexxie and later Zubie, that would NEVER happen again! And my Lord has honored that! Our Zuber is still in our life!
When All Is Said And Done…
May 27, 2009 at 10:41 pm (Foundational, Seasons of life, Uncategorized)
In praying this morning, I was struck with the contrast between the simple, abiding peace which permeates the life of Christ’s Own and the complex, unnerving chaos which preoccupies the hearts and minds of those who have not yet accepted the sovereignty of God or the bounty of His unfathomable Love-Gift: the atoning sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus, who is the Christ. Nations rise, rattling swords, threatening to “unhinge” the peace of a grief-weary world. Presidents, Prime Ministers, kings and statesman the world over, strain and wrangle with problems and catastrophes which merely seem to compound daily… Most are unaware they serve God’s purpose, just as every other part of the Creation does. On and on they scamper about. Wearing themselves out with the rest of the world.
Yet if they would stop for even the briefest of moments to acknowledge their utter dependence on the immutable, everlasting, loving Creator, they would find themselves privy to the Wisdom of the Ages! Having at their disposal an unending Well-Spring of Life to reinvigorate a sick and dying (dare I say, Dead) world. But alas, the forces of darkness continue to charm, to allure, to seduce and caress unquenchable egos, to promise unrivaled power: “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." – (Matthew 24:24)
But events and epochs continue to play out, just as God’s Word: the Bible said they would. Kings, Prime Ministers, and Presidents will continue to plot and scheme and plan. Some even with beneficent intent, Yet “except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” – (Psalms 127:1)
If you don’t know Jesus yet, if you haven’t yet come to “… taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” – (Psalms 34:8) Please don’t put it off any longer. Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins. He promises He will: “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” – (John 6:37) Ask Him to take the reigns of your life. He promises “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” – (John 4:14)
Now, understand this new life will ultimately cost you everything you hold dear (love more than Jesus). Life may well become harder than you’ve yet known. But if you continue, you’ll find the Life of God has become YOUR LIFE! And NOTHING can defeat you!
