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.

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…

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

Jesus said in John 12:32, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”  In context He was speaking of His upcoming crucifixion, yet in a greater sense He was also speaking concerning the sharing of the Gospel message.  This simple message is the key to undoing every atrocity, every injustice, every lie and bondage which has ensnared all creation since the fall of Adam. The message is this:  Jesus Christ (Yeshua HaMeshiah) the very Son of God (Yahweh), who has existed from Everlasting and will exist eternally (just as God, the Father), was incarnated as a man, lived a sinless life, performed many life affirming miracles, and taught all who would listen of the love of God.  Then, according to God’s plan, Jesus was unjustly, accused and mocked by the religious leaders of His people, the jews.  Ultimately, the leaders incited the people to convince their occupiers (the Romans) to put Jesus to death because they perceived Him as a threat to their authority.  He was cruelly beaten and then crucified.  From His cross, He prayed to God, His Father, saying, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” – Luke 23:34

Then with His dying breath, He cried out, “It is finished!” – John 19:30

According to God’s divine plan however, the power of God raised Jesus from the dead on the third day, thus validating all that Jesus had proclaimed during His earthly ministry.  And just before He ascended to Heaven, He instructed His disciples, saying, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
- Mark 16:15-18 KJV)

So the end of all this is simply to say, though I truly hate Islam, God loves muslims.  Therefore I too love these people.  After all, they too are the descendants of Abraham! So when I speak out against the tyranny of Islam (and speak out I will as the Lord leads), rest assured, there is ought but Christ’s longing to bless, not just muslims, but all people with His love!

“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!

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.

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!

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:

Dexxie fetching stones	Life Guard on Duty	“There can be only One Stick-Master!”
“ME!!!!”	Zubie keeps a sharp eye on the horizon	Changing of The Guard
Dexxie looking for trouble	Zubie bringing up the Rear Guard	Jason leads the way back home

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!