There are Aliens among Us

The sky was pretty much a dud at the end of the day. Large, threatening clouds had crowded in like a massive herd of hairy mastodon blocking out any view of the sun that was trying to share its last moments of color exchange. Night seemed to just ... turn on, and it was dark. So like any grateful earth dweller, I decided that the early darkness was a gift for the sole purpose of rest. I had no idea that right on the heals of the clouds there were Aliens smuggling in there tools of "perhaps" and "mind altering leadership". They were coming in slowly and subtly under the cloak of the night, but also in a fashion that met my need to rest from the constraints of the Ruler. How oppressive it was day by day to have to say "no" to my desires, and turn my walk away from opportunities for advancement just because "they" said "He" said so. As I lay restless in the darkness, I had little idea that the Alien intruders had already crept into my domain and were already hard at work attaching unseen probes and stimulation devises that would soon persuade me to join their cause ... which really was my cause...wasn't it?

Sounds like the beginning of a science fiction ... "something" ... doesn't it? Trust me though, it is not ... it is literally a story-like briefing on the events that can happen in our lives if we are selfishly being caught unaware. The wisest man that ever lived, Solomon, was trapped because of disobedience that crept into his life via his "love desire" to satisfy his "strange" ...or alien wives - making them comfortable with their alien self-destructive beliefs.

I Kings 11:2,3 - "Of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in unto them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned his away his heart."

Know this ... and hear this right now: if you just had an Ah-ha moment that blames someone else for your troubled life, you have already been infected by the two most subtle alien doctrines. You may think that you have found yourself in an impossible situation that no one else ever came out of unscathed ... and you are right. But to say that you cannot commit to doing right; and/or that something that appears "sinful" to others may be right for you ... PROVES that you have been listening to the teachings that are alienating you from the truth of God's Word. The probes and stimulation devises are already affecting you deep in your soul. Let's briefly but prayerfully look at two doctrines that keep trying to creep into our lives (We need to wholeheartedly cling to Jesus and overcome):

The Doctrine of "Perhaps" - this opens up the thought that we have the right in some cases to partake in the fruits and fellowship of idolatry, and that fornication is just fulfilling our created desires. We would not openly announce that we get comfort from idolatrous and adulterous situations but this is the end result of believing a teaching that allows us to think that "perhaps" God has another plan for us although it may appear sinful, perhaps it isn't sinful for me? CAREFUL THIS ALIEN THINKING IS TURNING OUR HEART AWAY.

The Doctrine of "My Way must be Accepted" - This is powerful because we actually think that if enough people agree with our "alien" position ... that it is right, OR that if enough people don't agree with our "alien" position then they just don't understand. (Please read the last statement carefully and to understand that pride has set in, and that "controlling the situation" is now the dominant attribute in charge ... we are no longer listening but for the need to gather information to prove that we are right.)

Listen Carefully - God's Word is final, Covenants should be honored, Commitment to Truth is the first step ... Jesus said " I am the Way ... the Truth ... and the Life, no man comes to the Father but by Me."

Why do you feel that His Word, as absolute truth, is oppressive? Remember He said "You shall know the truth and the Truth, shall set you free." Careful there are Aliens among us ... confess you alienation thinking and trust Him for the future.

HLFA,

Jeff

Revelation 2: 17 - He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Choose Life - Don't be Sorry!

I can see it still in their eyes ... A mentally challenged young man still being raised like a child, a cancer ridden husband toting his I-V and oxygen into other hospital patient's rooms, an elderly widow on her last breath wanting to encourage still, a brokenhearted husband trying desperately to keep his marriage together, a small child patting the hand of a parent in a hospital bed ... "What would you say to Jesus, if He was here, right now?"

"IF" ... the word seemed to fuel an energy that could not not be reckoned with ... and there seemed to be a powder-keg of that energy now rushing to the senses of each of these individuals. What would come from their lips would anger and baffle the skeptics, but would knock the socks off of a tenderhearted believer. There were no requests for their personal healing? There were no complaints about their current fragile situation? "What would I say ... to Jesus ... right now?"

"I LOVE YOU."

If your callous heart, right now, ... even remotely begins to chill away and your dull senses are already asleep at this HLFA ... there is something you need from Him, something that you are crying out for, but afraid to totally commit the results to Him. You are afraid you will be disappointed. You are afraid that you will be introduced to more pain and more disillusionment. In your perception, the introduction to the people above is a daunting fairy tail and even a cruel scandalous make believe story that is only meant to drive you further into depression over your situation ... because God doesn't even know you exist. (contrariwise - He is holding you close but you are afraid to admit it ... just like the pain that shouts "don't touch me, get away!").

Take a quick walk with me into God's Word ... Nehemiah 8:10 - Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Israel had been in captivity for 70 years in Babylon, and a remnant was back in their land. Though their land was now torn to pieces, they were attempting to put back up the walls and rebuild the temple. Enemies were threatening them all around and would continue that threatening even until today. No wall is stronger than the one we allow the Lord to build inside us ... no temple is more joyful than the body occupied with the written and spoken Word of God flowing through its corridors.

The quote above came to the people after hours of standing and hearing the Word of God for first time in the lives of most of them. These were the spiritually maimed, lame, halt and blind... these were those found in the hedges, and alone the side of the highways and the by-ways. These were the abandoned and forgotten ... BUT GOD DOES NOT FORGET HIS PEOPLE, NOR DIOES HE FORSAKE THEM.

Let's break down the Word into bite size pieces and really hear it.

"Go your way" - go into the life He has given to you ... take ownership and stewardship of your life.
"Eat the fat" - receive the rich things prepared for you, take them gratefully into your life.
"And drink the sweet" - drink in the good and pleasant things via gratitude also. Remember.
"And send portions unto them whom nothing is prepared " - go into the world and share the good news;
"For this day" ... this day ... today ... "is Holy" (set apart as specially His) "unto the Lord."
"NEITHER BE SORRY"
"for the JOY" (gladness) "of the Lord" (the All sufficient lover of our souls) "is your strength" (stronghold, safety, protection and base station for victory)."

HLFA,

Jeff

Joy in the Lord is an intelligent and worthy choice that not only changes your attitude, but heals the hurting around you ... Be Glad!

He came unto His own and His own received Him not, but as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. And we beheld His Glory.

Don't be Left with Just You!

What to do when it is just you?

I know, here we go again ... a question that has so many answers ... depending on the details that have to be pulled out of the one doing the asking.

I always have a tendency to be like the child impatiently tugging at his parents, and all the while he keeps coaching them on with the phrase: "Hurry up or we are going to miss it!"

Funny thing, he has never been there before, and he has no idea what is around the corner, but every fiber of his being is expecting a surprise. I ache so many times when I realize that the child has been ripped from so many lives by life's inevitable but unexpected events. So many of these events would be easier to work through if there weren't so many "naysayers" throwing doubt in the mix (most of these were previously sucker punched by the "dream hater"). Satan is such a marketing master when comes to feeding God's highest creation (humans) false accusations about their loving Creator.

The Devil's billboard always throws a magnificent doubt into the face of those who God truly loves with an everlasting love. Satan boldly splashes on the brightest colors and the boldest lettering to push on the obvious bruised area of our deceitful hearts:

...If God really cared...

Then there would be no ______________: just fill in the blank with whatever has disappointed you about God or whatever you want to blame Him for ... add a good dose of anger and self-pity, and there you have it:

You have killed the little child in you and you stand there all by yourself.

And what do you do when it is just you?

Rest your next step confidently on the truth of God that never changes ... it can't because He doesn't lie.

1. There is no "IF" with God.
2. The "IF" is always with us.
3. God Really Cares.

Even when we have no ability to go any further, and we have come to the end of ourselves " He never turns His back on us.

What should I do if it is just me and I have bought into the doubt?

Psalm 97:12 - Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Be Glad! - Give thanks and remember how sacred and set apart God's love is for you.
Jesus set aside all eternity to take care of yours ... He is definitely committed to you until you are safely with Him. Rest! No event whether expected or not can separate you from His love. BUT when the impact of the event takes place, You have a choice ... choose to trust Him and enjoy the journey with him (don’t be left with just you).

HLFA,

Jeff

"Res Judicata" - eternally; Rest.

The Fine Line Power - Choice

I couldn't believe how sick I really was; I could barely get out of bed to get to the bathroom when the viral activity would rack my shaking frame. I had no control over this situation and the bodily responses that came in vandalizing my life; but it seemed (for dignities sake) when the waves of nausea would begin, I would pull what strength was left in me to allow the uncontrolled responses to bring momentary relief. As the course of most viruses, the hope is that it is only a matter of time wrestling with the activity, and rest should come (maybe 24 hours and all might be well).

I had one interesting problem.  I had less than 4 hours to shake it so I could catch a flight home. To get home would require the following: 1. packing my bags. 2. Getting down three flights of stairs and a 300 yard walk to my rental car. 3. Drive the 15 minute ride to the rental car return. 4. Manage to ride an unusually long escalator up to the security/check in area of the airport. 5. Wait for the flight. 6. Endure the 5 hour flight. 7. Get from the terminal to ground transportation to the parking area. and 8. Take the 1 ½ hour drive home. Not so bad on a normally healthy day, but at this moment in my hotel room I would only enjoy minutes of relief (if you can call a spinning room relief) before I was driven unmercifully to the rest room. How in the world was I to accomplish "getting home" without a mobile bucket and toilet tied to me? I couldn't even stand up without the room spinning out of control.

Can't give you all the details but I made it home. As I look back on that event, I would not attribute it to being a strong stable individual, but I would tell you this ... "the motivation or determination to ‘get home' with God's gracious moments of strengthening intervention allowed me to prevail".

(My apology for taking your mind to embarrassing and disgusting places ... but this is what God has brought to my heart in these early morning hours).

Someone reading this is being pressed to the max and tempted with giving up on love ... your life is so miserable or complicated that you truly feel that your situation is unresolvable, and that no one truly can understand the gravity of the moment. Trust Jesus when I say this next statement, commit this moment to Him.  DESIRE to get back home!  I know it looks impossible right now ... but laying down and becoming invalid to what you know you should do is not the answer. NEVER GIVE UP ON LOVE, because real Love (He) will never give up on you.

I didn't care how awkward, uncomfortable or unsure the next steps would be in moving from that hotel room, I committed that moment to Him and pushed my strength home. There was an easier option for the body ... I could just lay there (get kicked out of a hotel room, default with penalties on my rental, miss my flight, disappoint those waiting for my safe arrival, and spend the rest of my life explaining the penalties) ... and then  work through any of the painful repercussions of my "give up" decision. BUT the best choice was to exert my strength to not giving up, rather than dealing with what I might cause in giving up. Don't sacrifice your future on the altar of the immediate.

Song of Solomon 8: 6-7 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love; neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.

Set Jesus as the lock ... (the seal, not to be broken until the cargo is at home port and under the jurisdiction of the true owner of the cargo) ... upon you heart (seat of life giving and life taking emotions). Jesus is the Lord of your love ... commit to giving up to Him, He is committed to you and get home.

This is just a shot in the dark ... and it is being sent with tears and many miles and hours of prayer. There is a fine line of power to be given to you ... power to proceed or power to give up ... each will bring relief sooner or later. Surrender to none but the King! I would sooner be a ragged beggar walking with my God, than a rich man walking without Him.

Notice the last line of the passage above ... "if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned."    The house "it" would be despised but not the man.

Do right!

HLFA,

Jeff

Kicked to the Curb

You know what? I am a people person (but only by my new nature). Ever since May of 1973, my heart has been captured by the miracle of life and life everlasting. People seemed to appear out of nowhere and began to weigh in heavily on my heart and soul. (THIS IS VERY TOUGH TO SHARE WITH YOU BECAUSE THE RISK I TAKE IN TALKING ABOUT MYSELF, BUT IF YOU BUCKLE YOUR SEATBELT AND GO FOR THE RIDE WITH ME, WE MAY BOTH END UP RADICALLY CHANGED AT THE END OF THIS REFLECTION) I will focus on the eyes of the individual speaking to me: I will laugh along with their laughter and maybe even shed a tear or two when they open their hearts door and reveal a broken part of their life. I find myself as an intense student of human emotions. I study conditions of passions, frustrations and irritations that befall so many in this sin scorched life. I truly do this not to make something of myself, but with the hope that the people that I am gifted to come in contact with will realize their worth if connected to Jesus (and connected to His deep devotional desire for them).

For what is a person's life? It is like a vapor of breath on a cold morning, that appears for such a brief time as it moves into the surrounding air and then it is gone. What is the value of that vapor? God breathed it into the first man and he became a living entity. Sin entered the world of that first man as he missed the mark of his high calling to "Walk with God". Man's desire to breathe the way he wanted to, severed Eden's connection to that intimate walk. Man unknowingly shortened that breath and faced the consequences of his actions by now taking on the effects of his last breath. What is the value of that breath? Man's choice to breathe in the last breath was not where God wanted man ... He loved man so much that He sent His only begotten Son to sacrificially breath His last breath for a world of whosoevers. And if those whosoevers would believe and rely on Him to cover the consequences of their rebellious breathing ... they would not "breathe their last breath" but have eternal life. Jesus breathed His last breath for us and rose again to breathe His new life into us. DOES EVERYONE BELIEVE? DOES EVERYONE RECEIVE? God knew so many would not receive and have not received this immense payment for their sin but still loves them until their last breath.

Although Jesus may be "kicked to the curb" by an individual's rejection of His love, He continues to love them until the end of their days. GOD KICK'S NO BROKEN INDIVIDUAL TO THE CURB.

Here come's the other voice... the other cheerleader that preys on our natural desire to "throw people away". Here come's that influence of death's decree ...he lifts up his declaration that rings true at some point in time to all of us - "life is too short to put up with those kind of people". There is ugliness, grotesqueness and offensiveness built into people all around us. We live in a generation that mars, mangles, pierces, cuts, aborts, slanders, marks, maims and throws itself to the curb. This generation will do everything in its power to dare you to love them. It will appear that they could care less that you care at all, but if the truth would be known ... if you love Jesus, they are counting on you to care.

There was a cry, a scream; and a torn and wounded child crawled out into the daylight from a cruel dark alley. The child had been molested, abused, torn and thrown into the trash pile of useless humanity. As it struggled to pull its weeping bloodied form from the unseen recesses of the ally to the revealing light of the street, Jesus walked up to the child, stared at him, and walked away without so much as a moment of care.

Unbelievable ... you say "No Way!" "That's not my Jesus!" 

No it is not, but it might be me and it might be you when we decide not to care. If we say we love Jesus and choose to walk away - Jesus just walked away from someones life.

Jeremiah 9: 1-2a "Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men;"

Oh to Join Jesus in loving people ... He wants to join you in loving people. Do you want him with you? Or would you prefer just to "kick Him to the Curb"?

Start with those closest to you where the offense may be deepest ... Don't pass them by. 

HLFA,

Jeff

The Open Hole in the Sky

I had just heard the news, it wasn't good. I felt the tremor, although the news was not affecting me directly. Another hero (though not mine) tossed his character aside for a momentary forbidden pleasure. Another leader somehow felt that the influence of the Kingdom would not be forfeited if he would choose sin instead of righteousness. Although I no longer ran in his circles of influence, I was still historically connected and therefore emotionally connected.

Years ago, this hero (as a young man), scaled the respect and admiration of so many and rose above the position of many of his college peers. Such potential that he was able to "arrive" by many of the standards of the day. Yet in one fell swoop, in one tragic decisive moment ... he was headlines. In less than a week, he went from beloved to belittled. Where once he was merely criticized for articulate controversy now he was defrocked because of moral fallacy and justifiable condemnation.

Actually, this fallen hero was no different than so many of the men of his day, and not all that different from so many of his fallen predecessors. NOTE: So many of us think we have the padlock in place on the door of our wicked imaginations. So many of us think that we are strong enough to keep the volatile nature of our sinful (but secret) ambitions in check. So many of us have even been counseled into believing that it is just a "Man thing" or a "woman's prerogative" to lie a little, cheat a little, and steal a little. This type of thinking runs rampant when we have merely a religious walk with a god, instead of a Relevant Walk with Our God. Our futile selfish labors will feed the fire of the desire to be recompensed for our long-suffering while keeping our lusts in check.

What is a Relevant Walk with Our God? Two men are mentioned specifically in scripture to have walked with God or at least are connected to the phrase "walked with God" ... One of them (Enoch) started this walk after the birth of a Son that he named "The Man of the Dart" or "How long before I am Launched?" . The other(Noah) had a "walk with God" was so notable in his character that it differentiated him from those of his generation. This "walk with God" was the foundation for the amazing events that would surround the influence of the life of these men(though neither were without fault).

For just a moment, focus on the phrase "Walk with God" ... held within the treasure chest of the word "Walk" and its usage comes a description of "Relevant" walk...

1. It is a willing walk ... we walk ourselves ... by our choosing ... He has chosen us.
2. It is a shared walk ... we don't walk by ourselves ... we walk with another who walks with us.
3. It is a purposeful walk ... to walk with Him ... loving Him loving us.
4. It is a walk with the future understood and in view ... forever with Him, Who is forever with us.
5. It is a walk that focuses on the Quality of the actions and shared desires of both Walkers.

Actually it is not just "what would Jesus do?" ... it may be better to add some personal communication ... "What do I do, while walking with You, Jesus?"

While walking with the Love of my Life I may still mess up, but it is a lot harder to carelessly throw away the future of that relationship's influence for something that would immediately offend and hurt My Love, walking with me.

As I was hearing the news, I looked out the window into the cloud filled day to see a blue hole open in the clouds ... immediately I desired to fly through the clouds toward the open blue. I wanted to close the distance that seems to be there at times. Jesus, hold me close ... without you, how can I begin to stand?

Psalm 23:4
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

It appears my God has far more invested and vested in this walk with Him ... best trust Him fully. Let's walk with Jesus. And I saw the open hole in the sky. I Corinthians 10:13 ... check it out.

HLFA,

Jeff

When the Rainbow Fades

Stand by Me Maker of the Rainbow

(Be careful not to read too much into this HLFA – unless the mirror is staring back at you)

The toughest reality on this side of the Veil is that the world will create a mirage of loneliness that our flesh so quickly buys into. Within this loneliness "buy in" our soul can be crushed to the point that depression rules, hope is deferred and heart becomes strength-less or helpless to beat at a rate that signifies life. This "crushing" definitely can be on the tail end of the "forgive me - forgive me not" cycle that will be part of our working through a personal disastrous choice for sin (instead of choosing His Desire for us). ("There hath no temptation taken you but such is common to man")

Sometimes we will try to infuse life back into our being with a noble endeavors, that we may even risk to call God's Will. These endeavors may breathe momentary life back into our existence, but because they are fueled merely by the desperate need for worth and acceptance, the endeavors become an obsession that runs our soul deeper into disappointment. Fits of Rage and threatening may become our new tool to motivate others instead of love and prayerful encouragement as we cling to our endeavor like it was our only hope for existence. While we push forward at our endeavor we could even begin to alienate ourselves further by casting aside anybody who can't catch "our vision." Our heart may start rating people as "stupid" and "useless" (though we wouldn't say this openly) as they either fit or don't fit our direction of movement. ("but God is faithful")

Now with the onset of this "rating" of the worth of others ... through the filter of "Our Endeavor" ... we are thinning out the voices that could encourage us. Those who seem to make the connection to God without any difficulty "must be doing something wrong" or "are naive to reality." Our people connections are reducing, our position is becoming more awkward, and the growing hopelessness is now a daily occurring cloud over our life. We truly believe that "no one understands" and "this has never happened to anyone else" ... without any effort a new pride will set in that will usher us into further disappointment. WHAT WE REALLY WANT IS FADING INTO "NOT FOR ME." ("He will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able")

HOLD ON (this is not a disconnect and if you breathe it will be coherent) - I was thoroughly enjoying a meal at local Mexican restaurant with my Wife, Two of my Sons, one daughter n' law, and one Grandson. The enjoyment was caused mostly by my Grandson's fascination with a rainbow, which he could easily watch from the window of the restaurant. His two-year-old (plus) fascination had a ton of wisdom ... I mentioned that God made bow just for him as well as others. His face was all aglow as he blurted out, "I see God." His Dad mentioned that He sees God everywhere. I told my Grandson that it is almost like God took his finger and painted the rainbow in the sky. With a sweeping motion of his finger, the little guy spoke out "God loves me" and pointing to me "He loves you" ... more pointing followed ... "and Becky and Jeremy and Nana and Daddy and" ... as he looked around the room full of people, "and everyone." As the rainbow began fade the little guy was a little discouraged because he couldn't see the rainbow as clearly, BUT he assured me "I can still see God!" ("and will with the temptation make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it" I Corinthians 10:13).

Life will get a little messier as the little guy grows up but if his "heart to see God" can be nurtured and encouraged the "reality" will become a blessing and not a curse. We all are dealt different sets of blessing and heartaches... as the rainbow fades we have a choice to call out to the One who made the Bow - "Stand by Me" or to turn to depression and disappointment as we allow a moment to separate us from Him. Isaiah 8:17 - "And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth His face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for Him." Isaiah 40:31 - "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall rise up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

In the midst of faults and failures, Stand by me (stand by me);
In the midst of faults and failures, Stand by me (stand by me);
When I do the best I can, And my friends misunderstand,
Thou Who knowest all about me, Stand by me (stand by me).

(Third section of the Hymn "Stand by Me" by Charles Albert Tindley)

Jesus desires to Stand by you ... let Him.

HLFA,

Jeff

Wrapped and Alone

Don’t Leave Me Wrapped and Alone

Psalm 83:1-2 Song or Psalm of Asaph. Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.

In our world of strange media events, it is almost expected that the "trash mongers" will be out there digging in the Devil’s Waste Landfill to find and expose any obscenities of life in an attempt to take our hearts away. They position their own rotting corpse right near the cesspool of human failure and tragedy, just waiting for some flaw to bubble to the surface. At which time they will scoop the mess out of the mire and race it to the spin doctors of shame to make it even more obnoxious (publishing discouragement has never been more profitable).

With a bundle of the "Spew News" in hand, Hell's Paper Boy arrives in the market place ready to do his barking to sell "the latest steamy edition." To his dismay on this particular day he finds a crowd of the strangest sort. (Get your imaginations on) As he enters the market place, his senses are assaulted by a crowd hopping and stumbling around - all, every single one of them, wound to the max, foot to head, wrapped tightly with the rags of the grave. Their Mummy-like appearances (flipping, flopping, weaving, wobbling ... every individual totally helpless to even try a defensive or an offensive maneuver) litter the grounds ... with so many appearing to be groping, to be unwound, to be loosed and to be set free. BUT HOLD ON, are my eyes deceiving me??? THE CROWD IS NOT WANTING TO BE SET FREE ... even the Paper Boy is dumbfounded by what he sees: THE CROWD DOES NOT WANT ANYONE TO DISTURB THEIR SITUATION - Listen closely to their pitiful pleas: "We like our captivity, we like our stink, we love our immobility, we don’t want a vision ... don’t touch us, please do not disturb our peaceful deathlike existence." With all the garbage news that they have had pumped into their lives, can you truly blame them for wanting to wrapped and left alone?

"Cease, cease my son to hear the instruction that causes thee to err from the words of knowledge." Some of the most horrendous tragedies in human character have come because of man’s insatiable desire to hear and listen to discouraging and disheartening news. The Enemy is real good at being loud and obnoxious forcing us not only to hear but also to listen. The enemy takes aim at our sore spots and scars as we openly expose them through our whining and complaining. Then, he will stoke the fire of restitution anger, snuff out any fragile coals of forgiveness, and make sure we are so numb with disappointment that there is absolutely no room for grace to be extended to an offender. At this point we will do our best to maintain a firm grip on our tightly wrapped grave clothes, so as not to have to face the Voice of God.

What to do? We live in a day when leadership is arrogant and abusive, servants are squandered or plundered, human life is devalued, the Bible is questioned, prayer is purported to be powerless, kindness is seen as weakness, mercy is for cowards, righteousness is old fashion, love and lust are synonymous, faith is scorned, and God is vilified. All the while God’s people are silent in the work place and the market place. Momentarily we may rise up against an enemy that threatens our temporal security. Momentarily we may cry out and stand up to defend life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

We may even raise enough backing and support to stop an enemy in his tracks, but what then?

Do we begin to examine the cause? MY SIN ... MY SORROW!

Do change the direction of our daily actions? HIS GRACE ... MY SALVATION!

Do we commit to a greater resolve? ALL THINGS ... TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

Do we now begin anew to undergird and nurture the key relationship that has the keys of death and Hell? LISTEN AND LEARN ... HE IS NOT SILENT!

Do we draw closer to the only One who can open and no man shuts, or shuts and no man opens? DRAW NEAR TO HIM ... HE HAS DRAWN NEAR TO YOU!

Do we remember from whence we are fallen and return to the courtship of our First Love? LOVE JESUS OPENLY!

Humble yourselves and allow the Grave Clothes to be removed so you can truly live, move and breathe!

HLFA,

Jeff

Take Away the Stone!

(The John 11 - Lazarus story reflection continued with a fury)

Oh, I can't stand it ... although I am no different from the next guy. (The proverbial “Shell Game” - three shell like covers and a dried pea.) The challenge comes, “Go ahead and guess which shell the pea is under!” And you have seen the game - whizzzzz, shuffle, snap-crack, back n' forth the shells fly until the gamester decides that he has created enough movement that even the most careful observer has fallen for the diversion and lost sight of the positioning of the pea. (In fact one time a fellow played this game with my car keys, I wanted so to blister him) Hey lovers of Jesus - “Take Away the Stone!”

Why is it, that in the midst of a self centered, self medicating, self inflicting, self destructing, self gratifying ... “me, myself, and I” focused generation ... do Those who carry the Precious Word of Life continue to play this game of diversion? In this world that has glorified Sin and its fleeting pleasures, so many stand ravaged from choosing The Lie that claims there is satisfaction apart from or while rebellion against God. These torn and dying ones who believed this lie desperately need to see obvious and open truth that emulates faith, that leads them to eternal life in Jesus Christ. Hey lovers of Jesus - “Bear it away, Take Away the Stone!”

(Careful the pressure is rising) ... (Warning the next portion may offend those who love playing guessing games with the fragile souls of lost and dying men, women and children) For sure ... that within you there are secret putrefying sores that stink from your daily dance with death ... but while you continue to cover this stink with false piety and cellophane holiness (or just downright ignorant hypocrisy) the provision of a visible example of grace rots within the center of your being. And those wanting to sense the Gift of Grace, continue to be discomfited but the smell of this rotting trash leaking from you soul. Even You desire to be clean and refreshed, but you have treated truth (that disturbs your fake sense of security) like trash, and you have become a compacter while trying to hide the growing pile of discarded love rotting within your weakening frame. It is just a matter of time and you will not only be an embarrassment to others but you will be an abomination to yourself as you burst at the seams from the pressure of this oozing prideful infectious puss. HEY ARE YOU DISGUSTED YET. “Take away the Stone” ... but by this time he stinketh ... “and God's people said???”

Some of us have succumbed to believe that Jesus lifts, elevates and carries away the stone ... nope!!!

Obedience to his Word provided for the necessary space for Believing and then Seeing. Sure there were objections blurted from the perspective of those who thought it was obviously hopeless because death had already done its work. These objections will greet you at the door of your tomb-like existence. There has to be somebody and there is somebody lifting and carrying away the stone ... It starts with His Spirit's ministry of active convincing, it spreads to those who begin to move as His Voice is heard and it is carried on to others as His Voice reverberates through their lives. If you are not rapped in the dark dank room of Pride (Ga'own) it is because someone lifted the stone and let the light pour into your ravaged soul.

I have no idea where you are today in the midst of this holocaust within our generation ... whether you are brokenhearted by the presence of the tomb, weeping outside the tomb in the tomb, standing around the tomb, within the tomb or waiting for someone to unravel the grave clothes so you can be at liberty to truly live ... listen to the Master's voice, Take away the stone - bear it up and carry it away.

I Peter 2:6-8 - "Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: where unto also they were appointed."

Romans 9:32,33 - "Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."

Listen up - hear His voice - obey - He won't let you down.

I John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

HLFA,

Jeff

PS. Love Jesus Openly!

Welcome! Dreams Die Here

Scene 1 (Somewhere not far from here): It was a darkened room filled with stuffy stagnant air. In fact you could almost sense that death was more than a welcome visitor here. Life, as we would want to experience it, "to the fullest." would be repelled by the thickness of this room's atmosphere of intense stubbornness. Though there wasn't a sign announcing it, this room had "No compromise, nor understanding will be spoken of here" invisibly but indelibly embossed into its soul.

On one side of the room was a "boardroom" style meeting table that was the epitome of power broker tables. So gaudily grotesque was it in it's design that it screamed "decisions are final here." The cold thick iron legs of the table were fashioned to possibly resemble the legs of a fearless mastodon, eternally immovable in its stance. While the surface of the table was crafted from a thick fiery red, highly polished stone; but its original beauty was hard to imagine due to an immensity of tarnished stains left behind by carelessly handled drinking vessels (whatever was spilled was left to dry).

On the opposite side of the room was a heap of shattered glass containers littered with strewn filthy surgical gloves. The array of colors of these broken vessels created a pallet of colors that would be the envy of the noble had they not be handled so carelessly and dashed against the damp stone wall of the room. Had there been a window behind the dark azure curtains that hung on the opposing sides of the room, (almost ominously hiding some former hideous events) even the smallest ray of light making its way to this pile of broken vessels would have sent the room dancing in streams of magnificent color. BUT that would not happen here because this was, and is GAOWN ... Dreams die here. Let's momentarily leave this scene and move to another realizing that the handle to the door of this room is not very far out of reach and beckons us each with an evil yet almost irresistible pull.

Scene 2 (John 11): Lazarus was "dead four days," grief had rolled into town with its professional mourners and soothsayers, family and friends were numb with "had He been here;" but a New Hope was about to abruptly interrupt the mourning and be placed into our world of broken dreams.

(WAIT A MINUTE THOUGH!! Had the occupants of this horrible room been sequestered on the day that Jesus came to Bethany (at what appeared to be a "too late to help" arrival), the surgical gloves would have been pulled on, and the glorious jar of the resurrection would have been quickly stolen away to THE ROOM GAOWN. After a brief ignominious meeting, and the clank of the steins filled with the dregs of Hell, this jar also would have been hurled and shattered against the cold stone wall of the room Gaown. The filthy gloves would have been tossed to the heap and the door would be locked behind - end of story. Praise God ... it didn't happen.)

Jesus' Word and power cut through that hour. Here are some sound bites from the event: "Take away the stone" ... "If thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the Glory of God" ... "Lazarus, come forth" ... "Loose him and let him go." Oh, the precious order and power of these words, that if captured in our hearts, will keep us from moving toward the Room Gaown. Hearing and obeying the Voice of God, no matter what clamor of opinions may be pressing in around us and within us, is the key to abundant life in Him. Many of us may groan at the thought of taking away the stone ... the weight and the consequences have us reaching for the handle of the door to the room Gaown. "Just let me see and then I will believe" will have us taking a place at the table of Gaown to judge with our eyes instead of our spirit. When "Lazarus come forth" is heard in the air we could choose to lift the the stein of Gaown to our lips and guzzle away to drown out the sound of His voice, because "it was not my idea." And if Jesus expects us to unwrap a former stinky dead man, that Jar is hitting the wall, "it's not my job" ... could be our response.

Scene 3 (On my knees): Lord, do not let my wandering heart lead me into being a participant of this room Gaown. Help me to be a lover of your glory and an encourager of the dreams of your people. Let me dare not take part with those who ingloriously gloat within the walls of the Room Gaown (Pride).

I want to live (take away the stone) ... I want to breathe(believe) ... I want to dream(see) ... I want to love (loose him and let him go).

HLFA,

Jeff