See The Seams

Why? ... Not "Why!"

No doubt the ache of life can close in on us to the point where it becomes very personal, and at times ...down right embarrassing. Life on this side of Heaven can deal some harsh blows to our flesh that cripple us and cause to cower from the gaze of mankind. In those moments ... all we want to do is lock the door, pull down the shades and bury ourselves in the noncritical nature of sleep; but even sleep can flee from us as we struggle from one troubled dream sequence to another. There seems to be no relief and definitely no notable answers to our impertinent and impatient prayers. And we struggle on unnecessarily because of a "question" that we are told not to ask ... Even to the point where we are led to believe it may be a sin to ask.

That type of day had come to me; oh but not all of a sudden. The pain had being poking and jabbing at my frame for some time almost to the point of in-concealable debilitation. As the first dull light of this particular day was trying to poke through the voids in my dark window coverings, I was conscious of my faltering movements that were highlighted by these invading rays of judgment. Each piercing beam felt like a cruel prison spotlight that illuminated the embarrassing changes that were now chained to my mortal frame. "Nobody can see me like this!" I muttered hopelessly, "I am so worthless!" The negative self fulfilling prophesies were beginning to choke any resolve for Hope and forward movement ... When out of the corner of the room came a Voice that shattered the gloom -- and all it said was "Let not!" (My heart, though troubled, was still connected to His spirit through my times in the Word, and immediately filled in the blanks).

I stopped in my sorrowful pain, and prayed ... And prayed and prayed even more fervently ... Then I stopped. The air around was dead still almost gloating in a symphony of "nothing" to subject my faith to even more abuse, AND RIGHT THEN ... NOTHING!

Still there was no immediate relief, and just I was going to reflexively begin the complaining from my overwhelming feeling of abandonment -- the Voice whispered strange a distant hope as it said clearly ... "Be Still!" So I quieted the noise that was haunting my soul and waited before Him. I had a question that was being held back by fear and by the keepers of my voice. The fear had tentacled its way into my prayers because of the curses placed on "the asking of this question" by disenchanted or disconnected teachers. These individuals have passed on their biased reasoning not because of the truth of God's Word but potentially because of the overshadowing of a disappointing event where they may have "skied" this question but failed to wait on earth for the answer. Some of these teachers may have come to where I was and because of the same erroneous teaching handed to them also ... failed to find what they truly needed in that moment because they would not ask that vital question.

The Voice came again and broke the chains of fear that were holding back that question - "Fear not ... Ask!"

So I did.

"WHY?"

... Nothing happened, I wasn't struck down but I wasn't raised up ...but the power of needing to hear the voice again caused me to wait ... In my waiting, the voice spoke again and said "My God, my God ... Why hast Thou forsaken me?" ... It was quiet again and I was left with Jesus asking "Why?"... Quiet a little longer I realized that I was left with what I was really needing ...to know Him.

Psalm 20:1-3 - "The Lord hear the in the day of trouble; the Name of the God of Jacob defend thee; send help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt offerings."

Let's break down this blessed admonition from the heart God through of Psalmist, not in terms of "If God is with me?" Because of Jesus ... Let's look at it in light of amazing revealed truth - "Emmanuel" God with us ... in answer to a need to be freed from covetousness "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee!" Hear the truth for believers "He is with us, and in us and will work through us" ... Believe!

Now to Psalm 20:1-3 to open as a firmer anchor for our souls: "The LORD is hearing you, right now in whatever is perplexing you, His Name is your defense as He is your defender; His help will be an extension (He is always reaching help to you and He will not pull back) of His personal time that you come apart with Him (a holy place where you hold nothing back from Him because His love will cast out all fear), He is actively present bringing strength from these Parched Places that call for the water of His Word (personally, read afresh and drink deeply). He does not cast off your gifts of love to the sea of forgetfulness - He remembers all of our attempts to love Him; and He extravagantly anoints the sacrifices that we let Him utterly consume."

Give the dark moments of "Why?" willingly to Him, and wait as you ask why ... He will pull you closer in His everlasting arms.

Don't just say "Why!" ; And walk away totally crushed.

His Word + A crushing moment + a Why + a wait = His answers of love from His Word.

Isaiah 40:31

HLFA,

Jeff

"Starlock's" Now Open

Now the Story begins: "Starlock's" , a Time to get real!"

I was way too thirsty for this time of the morning; BUT the bonus... The hands of the clock said "Coffee? Go for it!". There was a new Café in town, and with the strange reviews in the media, I was dying to check it out ... ("Starlock's" who were they kidding with this type of cloning?) ... AND THEY HAD A DRIVE THROUGH SERVICE ... My kind of place!

Approaching the place made me do a double take - WOW ... Retro 60s? The drive through had a large warning sign "Extremely restrictive passage ... What? As my vehicle entered the drive way ... I realized that, they were not kidding! Both right and left tires of my car were being challenged by the narrow space (I thought, hey ...they should have had a car wash hook-up, wow!) Somehow I did manage to make it to the call box ... (what in the world)????

A big green button was staring me right in the face, and right above it was a tattered speaker that was labeled "Push, Hold, Talk and Release"; I really wish I had read that before I started yelling at the box.

"OK" ... "Green button pushed" - "I would like a large high test with 2 creams and 7 seconds of honey please!" I released the button and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited ... Just as I was about to push and yell again, the speaker crackled with some extremely inaudible noises ... that carried an irritating voice of sort, that quickly spoke some non-comprehensive gibberish language that I think was repeating my order, and then it said something that sounded like: "OK - pull up to the window!" So I did.

Driving another precarious distance and almost scrunching up to the window ... I waited for someone to come to take my money and give me my coffee. Something was a little strange, it almost looked as if there was no way for the window to swing nor to slide open ... Hmmmm?? But still I waited; and waited; and waited, and waited ... BUT No attendant. Man this was starting to rub me the wrong way, so I squeezed my car out of that chute-like drive-thru, and parked it in their ridiculously spacious, but empty parking lot. ??? With my car securely locked behind me, I ventured into the doors of this strange but welcoming café. (Weird ... Really ... But weirdly familiar.)

Wow...Upon entering, I still can't describe the comfort of the aroma that caressed my face, and O the aching that the aroma brought to my senses! I just had to get a sip of whatever was brewing, it smelled better than the fondest memories of "Home!" ... AND Bonus, a cup of this would be mine, ... and soon ... I had placed my order! Right! Right??

I Walked up to the counter with enough verve that my gestures were loudly saying, "Hey, I am here ...I AM HERE! ME, MYSELF and I, Where is MY order? ... MY ORDER!"

And just as I was about to verbalized that very sentiment or something of that essence, I found myself futilely staring into a mirror with my reflection staring back at me. Awkward! I saw myself with the most arrogant of facial expressions; and I stopped short of making my verbal announcement.

Stunned as I was; I clearly heard a small ... but deep ... confidently, comfortable voice. It spoke from a small corner table (that I hadn't even noticed in my "puffed up" - "I'm gonna have it my way", royal entrance into the café). And the voice said "It has that wonderful effect on all who stand there!" "Kinda catches us at our best, don't you think?"

Although I hadn't turned yet to see from whom the voice was coming; I felt like the individual talking had access to my deepest thoughts, and almost welcoming them without malice or judgement??

"Too much of a hurry?" ...

"Too many burdens?" ...

"Oh, so many distractions!" ...

"Far too much confusion about what is really important" ...

"Gotta run, can't be late!" ...

"Feeling so purposeless and bearing such secret pain!"

When I turned to see the vessel that was conveying this Voice of Reason: The image that came into view was strangely familiar, though I was quite sure we had never met(at least not like this). ... And as I was sure that I knew that voice ... And my senses were about to rope in a matching description of this familiar stranger to name Him ... Just as He began to speak with me again ...

"What is it that you really want?"

"What is truly important that you must have it right now?"

"What do you really want out this life that you are living?"

I was trying not to let my mouth go with what my smart-Alec mind was thinking ... When He sat up in His chair and spoke as if He was reading my heart ...like it was an open book ... As He spoke with a trust for me that I never had felt before, and said...

"You want to snap back with ...'all I want is coffee, and I ain't got time for this!' ... Don't you? But at the start of every day, you sigh with the feeling that there is so much more!" "Yes, you may have thought that all you needed was a quick coffee-like picker upper, but you know that what you really desired was time with Me."

I was fully captivated ...This intriguingly familiar stranger gestured for me to take a seat near Him; and I was overcome with the feeling: That as a Father longing for the nearness of a son... So, He was beckoning me; and I was compelled to sit with Him.

With love in His eyes, we quietly shared the sound of the clock's ticking that was pounding away at my "gotta git r done" fibrous character, as He reached out His hand for my shoulder, and consoled my innermost being as he said,

"Your coffee is now ready, please take it and run ... I have it covered... I will be waiting here for you ... tomorrow."

"Slow down, don't move so fast ... Just a little earlier, let's make these moments last. Tomorrow; I really want to spend some time with you!"

I climbed back into my car to head into my day; but that moment had changed my life's desires. I was determined to get to "Starlock's" earlier everyday ... For there The Father waited for me. If He was willing to wait, so He could unlock the stars of His love for me, I would long to be there.

"As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness." Psalm 17:15

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament show His handiwork." Psalm 19:1 (Savor the aroma of the whole Psalm, drink it into your life).

HLFA,

Jeff

When we pray something is happening between Heaven and Earth. (Luke 11).

Prayer; above miracles and miraculous events challenged the Apostles ... They sensed it was the key connection... {to learn to pray was the only thing that the disciples asked for in fervor ...teach us to pray "like you" do}

Prayer is something we can all continue to learn. Matthew 6:9-13 -- And Jesus taught them how he prayed:

Father, our Daddy, You are so different ...

You are Holy; and let Your Kingdom grow in us ...

Here is our needs. As we wait keep us from being pulled away from You

for ...Yours is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory...for ever Amen.

Prayer is not a performance ... It is an opportunity to be real before God.

Pray must incorporate "Importunity" ... A Shameless persistence to ask, seek and knock ...

When we pray, let us pray with persistence.

Ask...Seek(because His answer is going to be bigger) ...Knock... We are at His Door.

Prayer is not a single transaction...but a continued conversation.

Prayer is an invitation to enter into an intimacy that opens our hearts to knowing Him, our Father. "Spending time with God" is to be treasured about all else.

Every thing you want is behind the Door... Stay with Him in the intimate opening of that Door.

He will unlock the door to the vast expanse of His provision ... As the stars sing out there is "no limit" to His love for us. Dedicated to Pastor Lawrence - CFCOG - Grand Point Church

Where is There?

One day in the back seat of my daughter's car, riding with my Granddaughter strapped in her Car seat (she was facing backwards of course), we looking at cows, trucks, tractors, horses that we found scattered throughout our cross country drive from her home to ours. In the process of our "excited to discover" conversation on the drive, I would say.. "Look over there at the cows sleeping," she would retort as she looked in the opposite direction "Over there?" And she would giggle as I would point and say "No, over there". She would continue to look in the opposite direction and repeat my words "No, over there". Or "No, over here." --- until I would look her square in the face and say "Where is there?" Her answer was interesting " My there is here!" Again pointing and looking the opposite direction.

Sometimes, I get the feeling that our wandering flesh-fueled distractions keep us from clearly and directly studying the "Where is there" that God's Spirit tries to lead, guide and direct the focus of our attention. And rightly so in our world... because even the mention of God says to most "The Law ... Obey or else"; and that harsh vision, though gloriously above our opinions, seems to bring in a cloud of separation over our plans for life. We see God as the "Big Eternal Party Pooper" Who gets His heavenly kicks out of putting the "Kibosh" on our ideas of fun.

But if we would allow His Truth to be opened and availed to us while we offer the sacrifices of righteousness - A broken and contrite heart, mind and spirit - we would be able to experience the refreshing, life changing wind of the Spirit that revitalizes the soul so we can focus on His ... "Where is there?"

Fundamentally true... The most in most important "where" can be stated as:

"Where" is where He is.The "there" is what our hearts discover when we are "where" He is.

Life of true Liberty - Freeborn - no longer a slave... love is the new law.

"Now the Lord is that Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:17,18

Life of a Home with Him - Heaven is our Home in Christ

"And if go, and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:3

As we look at our nation today the distractions have overwhelmed us to the point that each of us needs to stop and return to His Where ... Daily. The closer we are in our walk with Him - the more we will realize that He is our value and He positions us as His priceless possession ... Allowing His likeness to become more and more the image that those around us perceive. This brings the validity there to the words of hope that we can have the privilege to deliver.

Here is some wisdom from the Word to lead us on:

2 Chronicles 7:12-15 - "And the LORD appeared unto Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people. If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will II hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attend the prayer that is made in this place."

Our value is not measured by any personal achievements, self-sacrificial acts, amassed fortune, righteous exposition, or earned position; likewise we are not devalued by our foolish choices, our reflexive fears, nor our debilitating scars caused by our solo acts of stubbornness to do and to be. Oh that we would be reflexively humbled by being called by His Name, His Fame and His Word.

For by Grace we are saved as His through Faith in Him. Now this positions us in the world with a power that transcends all the wickedness and hate that can be thrown our way. We do not have to be controlled by the muting of mediocrity, the numbing of apathy nor the brow beating of the status quo; we belong to the King. Our power is founded in the Perfect Love that comes from Above. Our greatest duty is to become living sacrifices ... Daily being that passive vessel that allows Him to pour through us -His active, life changing Spirit of Love.

Proverbs 10:12 - "Hatred stirs up strifes; but love covers all sin." -- Hatred arouses and constantly incites contention; but love covers with a new clothing ...that conceals from harm and overwhelmingly protects from all transgressions. This clothing is found in God's provision of forgiveness as he removes the incident, the guilt and the punishment via an offering of an overwhelming covering of Christ's Blood...

Where is there?

He is where, and there we will find Him - all in all, our everything!

Hey ... much ground covered, but I love you or you wouldn't be getting this message. And if you are reading it ... Thank you!

HLFA,

Jeff

Take the Stage

To Every Generation: "There is someone coming after you!"

"As the fog was lifting, I found that I had wandered to the edge of a brilliantly lit stage with a beckoning curtain call that filled me with a strong sense of self awareness and fearful resolute responsibility ... I heard the call for me! ..But I, the Scarlet Sinner, what offering would I have on the Stage of Men that could change the course of posterity and sway the hearts coming after me to open wide their floodgates to the outpouring Love from above?"

Exert from the Scarlet Sinner.

"Hamlet: To be, or not to be-- that is the question: Whether 'this nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune or to take arms against a sea of troubles.." William Shakespeare

We will all come upon the stage of men, we will all make our appearance in history, we will all become and be, we will all have our time of performance. Consequently ... We all strive on some level for purpose, and we all want to be appreciated and thought of with worth. Most of us will learn our manner of acting on the stage of life by watching others who have taken the stage before us, and rightly so. Taking the stage and earning a hearing is an achievement in itself.

Now, there is no evil in choosing a pattern that has made it to the stage and has left a good impression on us. Many good leaders are among us and have gone before us ...but... Warning: The image before us may be just a mirage without the power connection of an eternal source off stage. Be careful, there are patterns of performance that publicly appear Godly but in private are flawed by a secret animosity towards the Words and Presence of God.

(Jesus is that "off stage" eternal connection to true life).

For the sake of others looking on to you for a pattern of performance on the stage of life, when you are unseen... study the person of Jesus Christ through His Word, the Bible, and through intimate fellowship in prayer with Him. This is the "off stage" connection we all need so that there is true power on the stage of men and not just hype.

We will mimic someone, consequently; mimic Jesus.

"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour." Ephesians 5:1,2

2018 - LIVE LIFE FULLY ENGAGED WITH JESUS - OFF-STAGE AND ON-STAGE... MAKE A LASTING LOVE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES WHO ARE LOOKING ON!

HLFA,

Jeff

Someone is Looking On

A New Year is at our door... A new opportunity, for a second chance... For all! O by the way, every new moment, every new breath is a fresh opportunity to leave the past behind, and walk aligned with the thinking of God. O to Walk with God aware of His full Blessings!

It all starts with a total reliance on God's Word -- it has been said: "God says it, that should settle it!" Many of us read only the scripture that confirms our life style and keeps us from the discomfort of knowing that God may be saying something contrary to our liking. Because of willful, addictive choices, we find ourselves at a growing distance from the Word of God (rarely will we read it, and if we know it is being read, we tune it out). This is intensified as stronger desires for things that we know are "wrong" over take us. Instead of hi-lighting the scripture that destines good change and receiving it, we avoid it like the plague, creating a black sharpie note in our minds that says "note to self: avoid this truth".

Here is one of those verses that are very unpopular with generations that seek to be anesthetized on the Eve of a New Year, and long to impair their senses all in the name of celebrating:

"And be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit." Ephesians 5:18

(Go ahead ... Read it again ... Carefully ... I double dog dare you!)

Here is the most pitiful statement that I have heard from pulpits lately - The Bible doesn't ever say "don't drink". How stupid are we? Remember this: Most stupidity is self inflicted by choices that run against the grain of wisdom.

(By the way: This chapter in Ephesians is an amazing attempt by God to give us every opportunity to break the chains of addiction and be free to experience the amazing life that He has for us; but... Have we shut down the blessings as we skip the "obvious" of this verse to... do our own thing?) Step back and read this chapter, and "Be ye followers of God, as dear children" ...vs.1

How many verses does it take in Scripture to give clear direction? ONE?

And What do we do with entire chapters and long passages that obviously stand obstinate against our choices for personal pleasure (at the expense and risk of others ... Oh yeah, that child is in the baby seat as you drive impaired... But that's ok, you can handle it.) ??

And how many ecclesiastic dances are performed behind pulpits and in fellowship groups ... fueled by "modern enlightenment conversations" --- drink vs drunk, wine, strong drink, beer, booze, spirits, "we are now more educated", better translations, spiritual liberty jabber, wiser now, we must be socially adaptive in message???? ... How many sliding notes need to be sung to tip toe around the obvious accident scene or premature addiction related death ... as we toast to another family member who may also be taken prematurely by irresponsibility ... on the part of their own self-affliction or someone else's vise ... who thought they were in control, though impaired ... THIS IS JUST WRONG!

"Alcohol-Related Deaths: An estimated 88,000 people (approximately 62,000 men and 26,000 women) die from alcohol-related causes annually, making alcohol the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States. First being tobacco and the second just plain old bad eating and bad health habits." But these are just statistics on reported incidents -- How many of us have had family members die - and/or their lives were shortened because an addiction to alcohol and drugs? Of all people, we should be the first to stop the drink!

LET's get this one straight before we tip the cup of poison to our lips to join the party already in progress.

There are no contradictions in scripture ... Just misinterpretations and misrepresentations by fearful teachers and quietly rebellious followers ...

A clarification Ephesians 5:18 for lovers of the Word: -"Qualify your decision to be filled with the Spirit by not following a life style that is wasted on wine intoxication... Be NOT intoxicated with an alcoholic beverage wherein life is wasted, but BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT OF GOD(sorry you can't have both)"

Now the verses following Ephesians 5:18 are purposeful in the Spirit ...BUT with a "boozed slant" they are ludicrous - Try to sing Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs that come from a pure melody of unity of heart and spirit while inebriated. Try truly loving in submission while impaired. Booze is the best ingredient for true love, and great at keeping marriages together. Beer and wine is a great ingredient for raising obedient drunken children... Mom and Dad did it so it must be ok, they are Christians, right? Drunken parents never scar their abused children. Drunken employees are always the best workers, and booze keeps workplace accidents to a minimum. AND drunken, disrespectful employers make great leaders and create good work environments. And of course - Drunks are the best citizens and church members... DO YOU SEE ANYTHING OBSCENELY SAD and STUPID ABOUT BOOZE?

Let's begin 2018 by listening to God and leaving disobedience behind.

Let's Follow God as dear children.

Let's leave the "stupid" behind and move forward into the full blessings of God.

"Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

You may sense you are ok with a drink or two ... but trust me(or Him) ... you are the best without it.

Happy New Year -- Welcome prayerfully - 2018!

Someone is Looking On!

HLFA,

Jeff

"Pray-in" the New Year, don't "party-in" the New Year... Break the Chain!!

Do you want to see?

I don't think we want to "really see" sometimes ... I think we would sooner choose blindness of the mind than have our souls truly set on fire by the revelation of truth. The sum of earth bound mankind would rather have their "childlike attributes" tickled by tales of fairies and dwarves that magically drizzle blessings and miracles in their passing on good little boys and girls, than to have their perception challenged by the glimpses of glory that flash from Heaven like life changing solar flares of Grace's story unfolding. As we grow older we realize that we have built our taste for magic on the obscenely erroneous tales from the imaginations of mere mortals rather than diving in to the lasting riches of glory found in the eternal words of scripture.

I am not asking us to turn off the wide-eyed wonder of a child ... But I am urging us to build our excitement and anticipation for the miraculous on more than just twinkling lights, glittering balls, tinsel, bows and wrapping paper; let's fasten our hearts on the amazing mystical character of God: who loved the unlovely enough to hold back the horrendous destructive tide of righteous judgment by sending the most unexpected rescue ... "A babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger".

The story actually started in the eons of eternity ... Long before the earth was ever formed ... Long before a peaceful garden was disturbed by the selfish and deadly choices of the crown of God's creation. The Father, Son and Spirit ... Elohim ... Purposed eternal love, engaged the purest wisdom, and launched Mercy, Grace and Truth into action. For mankind needed a rescue.

NOW ... Allow me to fast forward with commentary that draws cool flowing refreshment from The healing well of God's Word:

"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name as Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, "Hail, thou art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." And when she saw him she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the Angel said unto her, " Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God." "And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS." "He shall be great, and shall be called Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of his father David." " And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end". Luke 1:26-33

Imagination time: Years have come and gone, generations have come and then passed with the winds of time. Rebellion is still the way of life for most and the devoted few are all but gone. The Shofar has blown every year, to begin every day, but for the Sabbath, in the month of Elul. The cry of repentance and the desire for forgiveness has been raised to the Highest. But only now at the intersection of the lives of these conquering earthly kingdoms is there an almost oppressive feeling that something is about to happen.

A little one, a virgin ... unseen in her devotion ... has her world turned upside down when a Mighty Heavenly Warrior delivers a message the will cause the ages to pivot in an eternal decision. She chose to be the handmaid of God at the risk of social shunning and possible death. Now all the grace and glory of the ages is packed into a stealthy plan of attack on the kingdom of darkness. And at the time appointed Light will spring on an unsuspecting enemy... this Light will rescue the captives of darkness.

Now...Caesar Augustus... decreed that all the world should be "taxed" ... Pay to play census. Oh the arrogance of worldly kings -- tax "all the world" as if it was his. God uses the arrogance of wickedness to pull the final details of the plans of eternity together ... All the while the earthly leaders are blinded by their own ambitions.

After an approximately 100 miles, 8-10 day journey, "Great with Child", no room in the inn, bedding down in a cave-like stable ... A Star appears, a small baby's cry is heard, Angels announce the event to shepherds ... The shepherd worship ... And the rescue begins in a feed trough and ends up at an empty tomb.

Ages later, although the hype of materialism does a pretty good job of distorting the message of hope, the "Spirit's Song of a Soul Set Free" is unstoppable. Hearts still held at the gate of the spiritual jail cells are waiting to be set free. Jesus is still availing the rescue ... With a small broken prayer to trust Him, Heaven is opened even to the vilest of sinners. Christmas has come.

It is 2017 - and toward the end of our Elul ... forgiveness is available, where will your heart focus for the new year coming?

HLFA,

Jeff

Reference Section for the Studious:

Sixth month - "Elul" - the Shofar is blown on the first day and everyday day after except for the Sabbaths of this month until Rash Hashanah, first day of the following month, beginning of the Jewish New Year. During Elul - Psalm 27 was a focus as well as prayers for forgiveness-- The Shofar (Rams Horn) would blow calling men to "make a noise" Call all to Repentance(August-September time frame). Finding a Tender Heart.

Angel - Messenger one who is sent, envoy - Fit to deliver the seriousness of the message.

Gabriel - Warrior, Man of God - Forged to show strength.

Galilee - Circuit, turning and returning - Following a well worn path.

Nazareth - the guarded one - 100 miles from Bethlehem - Fending off rivals.

Virgin - marriage able, sexually pure woman or man - Found in God's favor.

Joseph - "Let him add" - increase - Fulfilling, submissively, the prophetic increase.

House of David - Dwelling of the Beloved - Following divine promise.

Mary - "their rebellion" - Found faith in the midst of the noise.

Lord - "Kurios" - supreme authority, ruler - Fact of final decision.

Jesus - "Jehovah is Salvation" - Face of God's Grace and Mercy with men.

Son of the Highest - Full eternal connection and privilege as The Son of the Most High God.

Father David - Father of the genetic line of the Beloved.

House of Jacob - the Dwelling of the Supplanter... forcefully opens salvation to all.

Beloved...

Beloved...O the vastness of the tearing chasm that is created in my heart when I see you struggle so. My tears veil the encouraging rays of the sun just as if a massive relentless storm was upon us. Your tears swell in a caldron of ever increasing sadness that reflects the sorrow of your countenance upon the gray sky's closing of Heaven above.

Beloved ... And, O I hear you. I truly hear you... As your words, driven by pain, cut away at the very fiber of my connected soul; and my tender Spirit, that perfectly interprets your groaning so, only magnifies your biting accusations to my hurt, while the echo of them ravages your spirit even more. Word by word ...you are shattering your hope way beyond contrite, and the roaring truth of your situation lays naked your affliction before all gazers (or so you think, and to your constant embarrassment).

Beloved... I feel every broken and shattered chord of your rain dove song. You sing as one that feels they have lost all ability to hear My voice of promise, touting that the promises are there for all others "but not for you." I watch as you fall into the restless sleep of the abandoned pilgrim.

THIS MOMENT WILL VISIT US ALL ... But be still in the night and wait for the Light of His love, His Song in the Night Season ... Be still and know that He is God, and with this knowing begin to praise and bless the Lord, who has not left you no matter how harsh your disappointment was with Him in your Season of Affliction.

In a season of intense abandon and unearthly suffering, Jesus cried ..."My God, my God ... Why hast Thou forsaken me?" But later in His suffering Jesus signed ... "Into Thy hands I commit my spirit." and cried "It is Finished!"

Psalm 16:10, 11 - "For Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt Thou suffer Thine holy one to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures evermore."

Let the truth in the midst of the Psalm soak our soul ...

Jesus: Will not leave us in a place of no return,

He not leave us without the praise of God,

He will not send us to be punished with the wicked,

He will not totally abandon us, nor exile us...

No matter how far sin degrades us... He still holds us in priceless valuation.

In Christ ... We are His "separated" "praised" "possessions"

insomuch that we will never see the pit of destruction ...

We will never experience the grave of the lost ...

He took our Hell on Him, so that we can experience the fullness of His Joy and His "evermore" pleasures.

Don't let pain grind lies into your soul that cause you to hesitate trusting God... You are His Beloved!

He is calling your name... Beloved!

Almost Merry Christmas 2017!!

HLFA,

Jeff

Deactivation Guaranteed!

The Ecclesiastes Life under the sun, under the Heaven ... Life without any eternal perspective ... Life without a Door of Salvation ... Life with eyelids turned upward ... Even when this living is synchronized with a personal righteous endeavor and a sacrificial attitude ... If it is but a "life under the sun", and NOT LIFE "IN THE FAITH OF THE SON" ... It is vanity. It is uselessly wasted.

Never is there a guaranty of the next heart beat ... Never is there signed certification of immunity without incident ... Never a promise for tomorrow... Sometimes the normal brings with it a life threatening monster that swings the unseen and unwarned sting of death; and we are gone. And at that moment all the most advanced security measures, the most meticulously studied health propositions are found to be anemic. Any accumulated prestige, all the well gathered and garnered wealth and possessions, and all the best laid steps to reaching our dreams ... Deactivated and left behind!

"Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel be broken at the cistern." Ecclesiastes 12:6 " Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit return unto God who gave it." Ecclesiastes 12:7

... Why would Solomon paint the event that can deactivate man from life under the sun in such a poetic way? I truly think that if you take the time to read Ecclesiastes you will see "The Preacher" (every once in a while) allows the curtains of eternity to peek open momentarily by the wisp the Spirit's wind so that we would desire Heaven's perspective and not our own temporal tunnel vision.

"In God's hand" ... All positions, all possessions, all things related to success and failure, all information gathered for wisdom and foolishness ... Are in His hands. It is revealed that LOVE is also "in His hands" and stands out as something we can't begin to muster up or earn in a lifetime ... Real Love is in His hands. Does that threaten us?

He who fashioned us in His own image ... Knows what is best and is directed by His great love for us, to us and through us. If we are threatened, check to verify our connection."It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" ... Yes, there is a deactivation point for every thing on this side of Heaven... But just as sure as Winter buries the death of Fall ... Spring has always ushered in new life and hope of Summer.

If we hear the Voice of the Spirit in this entire matter, we will know that "in Christ", our Fall here may cause a Winter for those mourning around our shell that is left behind ... under the sun; but for those in the Son ... They rejoice in the Hope that We already have been ushered into the eternal Season of the Son.

"In His Hands" is not a Holy terror to those trusting... but an awe filled reverence ... So fear! - Live in awesome respect for - God; and keep, trust, guard and give life to His commands ... for they are His Love directions and life appointments that allow us to have Heaven opened to the eyes of our hearts. Doing is not always keeping (think about it). The Keeping is guarding within the assessment that the value is precious and priceless.

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and "keep" His Commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be bad." Ecclesiastes 12: 13, 14

Without Jesus ... There is no Way, No Truth and No Life and no Heaven ... And This brief stint on this terrestrial ball is the vanity of all vanities. Deactivation without Him is eternal death in a Devil's Hell. Why would we not choose to stand in awe and trust of His sacrifice that opens Eternity for you and me?

Deactivation here ... Reset ... Reactivation There ... Only in Christ.

HLFA,

Jeff

Before - Beyond - Exceeding

Risk? In Matthew 25: 14 -30 The only one taking the risk was the "wicked servant" - God gives every man a valuable gift of a measure of eternity to respond to ... There are two types of people in this passage - The "Saved" investors and the "Lost" hider. The investors are those who because of redemption see the value of the Gift of God and multiply it. Read this passage carefully (a week ago it was presented in a Sunday morning service by the Pastor in an attempt to teach risk ... But we may have missed the point in scripture) Matthew 25 ... Only those given the "talents", who were connected to the Master, would take up what is given....take the gift as theirs ...and multiply the entrusted investment to the glory of God. 5 doubled, 2 doubled, BUT 1 was hidden.

When we don't have the God given perspective of the "safety in the Lord" through His salvation ... In our "lost condition", we will see the Lord as harsh and unfair; which in the Kingdom is to not see God in it ... at all.

Why does the "risk" always have to be in the parenthesis of the church program and how is it a risk within the safety of the Kingdom?

"I was afraid" ...no trust in the Master's goodness... No desire to share the Master's joy. This parable of the Kingdom is a spot on target picture of the heart of lost-ness ....the biggest and most foolish risk is to not Know Him. The Gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord - but to bury that gift - out of sight, out of mind carries with it the consequence of eternal condemnation. The cross reveals God's compassion on us and the resurrection reveals His power for us....why not move forward in trust. Why should we be shamed by what others think is risk?

Instead of risk minimization, risk management, or risk avoidance ... (All are characteristics of a "natural" not a "spiritual" life) ... Why not allow our hearts to be unchained from fear by the obvious limitless promises of the word of God?

Sad are the following verses concerning the Servant who hid the Gift...

Matthew 25:25 - " And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine." (This lost servant never took salvation for his own but buried the opportunity "in the earth" ... Why think of Heaven?).

Mathew 25:29 - "For every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath." (The lost servant ... lost the opportunity completely).

Matthew 25:30 - "And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Only the lost, unprofitable servants face this end ... Never are the "saved" cast into outer darkness).

Let's be saturated by some God perspectives and move forward in the courage that He supplies through His word.

Ephesians 1:19 (Grab all of this Chapter it is overwhelmingly powerful in our favor) " And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power,". KNOWING JESUS!

Ephesians 2:7 - "That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." KNOWING JESUS!

KNOWING JESUS brings us into the constant festival of the Gospel ... We live in the joyful sound of His Death, Burial and Resurrection. Stay close to the Gospel!

Psalm 118:27 - "God is the LORD, which hath showed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar." O give thanks unto the LORD for He is good ... His goodness was carving the elements before us, His goodness goes beyond the exchange of our daily decisions and consequence; and His goodness is always exceeding our expectations above all that we ask or think--- because ... His mercy endures forever (in spite of what we may perceive).

But there can be a problem ... It exists because of our perception in the moment ... We will have to choose between Faith and Sight. Sight may suddenly sadden, but faith will carry us to the Father's future.

God is the LORD... He has shown us light and He is becoming our light ... Life in His presence becomes a vibrant ever flowing festival, especially if we fasten the festival with living weavings (of the encounters of our life) to the Altar of Sacrifice -- the Cross. Cherish the moments for this festival could be the last that we share on this side of Eternity.

"Jeff" ... "I am 85, not doing anything has me stiffening up...at least when I drove the truck I could move ... I want to drive 2 more years, and then that is it."

I asked "What then , retirement?"

Dad had no words ... Only a distant look...driving all his life made it near impossible to see the "then" after the "that's it."

As he got into his car he proceeded to break into an overwhelming emotional moment ..

"When life is young and you can go anywhere and do anything with the love of your life ... You never even for a moment imagine that it could be like this ... I am very disappointed with it all."

He continued, "It is not fair ... This is not what I imagined it to be, the pain is so limiting and the dreams are all but gone. Well I have to get back to the nursing home with Mom, see you later!"

"Dad ... Jesus is coming soon!"

His reply. "That would be ok!"

"I love you Dad!" ...

"I love you too, thank you ...Jeff!"

I watched as his vehicle pulled away with the "Jeff" still echoing in my mind ... I cried a bit as I stood there, realizing we may not do this again next Thanksgiving... BUT because of Jesus, eternity's prospects were still bright in spite of the momentary pain and seasonal tears. Of all the things in life ... That we "must" ... We must believe.

Each of us who awake to another day ... Are greeted with the festival power of every promise from His Word ... Start there, stay there until we move forward in victory, as He makes a way for us through our doubts and disappointments.

"Dad" ... "Jesus loves you and Mom so much. He is intimately touched by your feelings in this ... Look for and be grateful for the miracles as they present His glory to you daily (no matter how insignificant they may seem to others) and continue to trust Him in hope of His future."

HLFA,

Jeff

Happy Thanksgiving 2017

I Don't Want Your Toast

"I don't accept toast from strangers."

It was early morning in a remote town at a Gas Station-Convenience Store-Restaurant Combo -- and a working class man was accosted by a stranger at a gas pump - extending toast in his direction. The thought of the stranger was ... "I do not eat this, hate to waste it so I will offer it to someone ... Surely someone would love an offering of fresh toast ... Free".

Some surprises are not well thought out and become a little disconcerting to the recipient of the surprise. The event of the "toast offering" was quite out of sequence -- no relationship established, no need was discovered and a solution from left field was offered ... Would you have taken the toast from the hands of a stranger at a gas pumping moment?

We would like to think that God works that way...BUT ... God's surprises are way beyond "well thought out"... They are sent from the heart of God with the eternal intent to extravagantly love each and every one of us.

NOW THOUGH (and pay attention to this) There is an enemy with a temptation aimed at our "soft spot" ... Satan is the enemy of all of God's creation, and That original sin ("you shall be gods, determining what is good and what is evil) is our "soft spot" for his attacks. This "soft spot" is the target of the enemy that he knows ... binds us so deeply to self servicing decisions, and deep disappointment ... When penetrated it fights against time with a reasoning that has mankind chained to time and timing.

God works in behalf of us within the structure of our time and timing needs, but He is not held captive by our perceptions of the "when", the "where", the "what", and the "how" ... of our rescue. He is not bound by timing or time ... But His "Why" is so compelling: It is His "Love" that is unequalled, unparalleled, undiminished, unmerited, and unending... For us.

Do the following "seems out of sequence" verses bother you because of the order/timing in scripture?

"(It was that Mary which anointed the LORD with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)" John 11:2.

"Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment." John 12:3

Look at the address of the verses above and think for a moment... The word revealed that the Father knew of Jesus' need for anointing for burial prior to Mary's offering. Wow!

Has our life with the LORD gotten to the place where it is like a mindless heathen worship ceremony with constant repetition and boring ritual; where surprises aren't even noticed because of the narcoleptic life style that we have chosen. Worship that is Alive is not a religious activity that we perform or a moment in our formal community church services where we gather together to "hype our faith" with our "cup of tea" songs.

Worship is our Life blood in Christ. Worship is our daily adventure into the goodness of our God. Worship is where daily bow our lives with the "dog lick" to open our hearts for the reception of His amazingly creative... Love rescue of our lives.

Matthew 6:8 - "Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him."

The answer, the awesome well orchestrated rescue is already be on the way.

Living a life of ritual before the Lover of our soul is like a gas pump, dirty hand, unwrapped, toast offering to a King. The King will probably say ... "Depart from me with your toast... I do not know who you are; and I don't make it a habit to receive toast offerings from strangers."

Wash your hands ... Empty your life of limiting expectations... And like a child of wonder ... Get ready for Him.

HLFA,

Jeff

Matthew 6:51 - "And He went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered." This is where He wants us.