Standing Ground not new to man but made for each of us in the time of our trial. I do not argue for change or for personal realization of prayers for self but follow the Will of God. He alone has the power, the protection and provision to usher in the Kingdom. I rely upon His Power, His Knowledge and His Strength to see things through. Why would I taint those perfect objectives with the wishes, will and whims of the man who died upon the Cross with Christ? The intentions of the old, wounded and poorly experienced man will never pave the way for a Perfect Kingdom, only Faith may fill the shoes in which I now firmly reside.

When I have messed up every personal attempt at righteousness how may I continue to follow that accord and not see my own immature insanity of reason? My desires to some extent have been surrendered for the Will of God. I want what He wants for that is the only method through which my provision, achievement and power for ambassadorship of His Will. This although freeing brings the abrasive nature of worldly loss. It hurts in my heart to see relationships and wants go the way of surrender in acquiescence of my will. That pain is joyous recognition of the God’s Spirit upon my heart, mind and soul.

Those who stand with me in the absolute confidence in completion of God’s Will although chastised by our shortcomings have instead through love determined that as God Wills so must I walk in faith. For in surrender we have given up the completion of our own planning, knowing fully that all that I want will given to me or replaced by God’s perfect understanding of what is best for me. Even in the faithful recognition that only He sees the things that I cannot. James 4:2-3 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

I know the man who was in me. I know his lusts, I know his weak admission of desires to be loved appropriately that have been contorted by the poisons of this painful world. As a born again believer in Christ I now also know the perfect Will of God for my life and the new born wine of pursuits made perfect in the Blood and righteousness of Jesus. I do not crave the simple or imperfect things born of my previous existence. I seek those things beyond the vain imagination of the man I was revealed in the mind of Christ for the man I am becoming.

The proof in passions of struggle between the Flesh and Spirit are revealed in the Trials of this day. I have no doubt though my flesh still yearns for Earthly wish for “it is finished” said the Saviour on the Cross as He took the old man of sin into death, resurrection, forgiveness and Eternal Life. Lord let me only walk according to Your Perfect Will for my life. In Jesus’ name You are the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE and no one comes to the FATHER but by YOU

The fresh fragrance of hopeful heart

Longed to see in both you and me

Damaged days of bygone ways

Once and for all been set free

The lasting light of promised end

Mending days into less passive ways

Of worthy charter Perchance we barter

To gain the fruit allegiance pays

Chased away the spirits fear

We’re just liven twice forgiven

Childish smiles counting miles

Reflecting every place we’d been

Forgot the power of strong comedy

Ticklish foes and frightening woes

Hold no power in the joking hour

We poke fun chin, head and nose

Lasting peace is seldom found

In startling sound or pounding ground

What leaves each branch in faith receives

When shackles lost so tightly bound

Tis joy upon the lips of life

Whistling fife of surrendered wife

Three fold ties to blade replies

Go and find a sharper knife

You do not want to know what I had considered sharing. Funny thing about what one man perceives wisdom. When deaf ears prowl for shining siren pine dull to thin and thistle. Soft and shapely avenues of egress to mourning and delight. It prides a man to grow fields of tallow and tinder then store it for the pleasure of lean weekends.

Whose to choose what to gain and lose? When midnight means to manifest it all for sacrifice and sorrow. Perhaps tomorrow shone somber starlight upon the treasures of two thirty. When we arise, ribbon and prize shall decorate the platters and the mantles of manhood. All for the grand pleasure of a day that would see it all consumed for carbon tax and elite understanding. We whistle sweet times and jolly days of plunder.

What lay round the bend a puff of steam seen over top the hickory. Through the dales and valley prime moose calls and hoot owls mark perch and broad thicket knowing others shall certainly follow. Stepping with intention upon the soft ground. Leaving paw and claw as reminder of our inclusion. The crunch of pine straw and strawberry threaten to call rip tide to draw us keel to stone and hand to gentle cheek. Strong and weak.

Present tear, ripening fear turn about the seasoned warrior keenly sensing danger. It is good to remember and sometimes better to forget. For the lure of sweet tomorrows and daylight snoozes on porch swings that only become twisted in the rusty days of Autumn. Theirs is evil in promise that corrodes into reason. The thoughts turn to twisted oak when prostrate on the grounds in darkness of Winter’s damp. Implacable and steadfast a combination to make bitter the hearts of young men and slight the beat of elderly folk.

All for the glory of counting tabs and chalk marks. Skeptics and Priest tuck chin to cross and make winking gesture as none escape perspective. A “hurry back” and “that’s good to hear” say nothing to no one but declare unwillingness to borrow or shade the putrid purse of sin. What eye is dark or sight so dim to refuse light’s entry? What hearts forget the joy of youth when nothing is impossible? What delight is found when regretful memories pull back frowns from dancing laughter? All too short for us to open all the presents.

Joy, Arms wrapped

thinking Politely of how good it feels

Taking time to ponder nothing

As the trickling sound of distant brooks

Sunlit skies and august days

Wander into memory

Hand finding grasp 

Returned

The moments before slumber

When what has been read three times

laps the words before it

Risked, found nothing lost

Arbitrating for a wounded heart

found in healing season

Nothing said

For need or inclination

And as the morning left dawn behind

The implausible recovered

Where missing became wonder

And dream

Blended into courage

Coloring the background

In cascading facades

Where Love and kindness

Enjoyed the introduction

Some may find it easy, this life. I do not, in fact though not surprised by the fact, I often see impossible circumstances repeatedly threatening to get the better of the insecure man that this world has counseled me to be. It is with great imagination that people are able to deny the impact and pain that this life causes when trying to face these situations and consequences alone. My only comfort is that each time I feel the well of pain beckon me spiral downward, I find the hope, power and comfort that comes in prayer for all those within the impossible situation or circumstance.

I am no longer prisoner to the walls of the self-constructed cell of my own sin nor am I a party to the worldly limitations of my ability to react or not react to difficulty. The Bible says what it says and the Lord means it. Those who have been set free by Christ Jesus are Free indeed and must choose to remain within the unproductive confines of worldly/psychological prisons placed upon us by our agreement with sin, hell and death. I for one and I pray for those of my Christian Family will not fall prey to the false emotional attempts to capture me to the cells that have been broken by Grace.

I welcome your choices and am thankful that each of us must choose to work out our own salvation in fear and trembling. I will not offer condolence, colloquialism or spiritual absent sentiment in non-prayerfully offering to seek your blessings. Everything that Christ Jesus promised is there for your pursuit and receipt. I am also thankful that He calls us to obedience and achievement beyond the possible, for in that calling we are committed to a faithful search of the power, promise and provision outside of our own abilities to cope.

If He says do it, I am thankful when Christians simply seek its completion rather than interpreting, revising or avoiding the impossible tasks before them through faith rather than personal power, financial or talent based achievement. In fact, I often must admit that the things He directs me conquer are displeasing, daunting and doubtful in my own analysis, but that is why we are called to walk by faith and not by sight. Equally, I will not apologize for pursuing those things that God bid us confront together for they were never within my own capacity to bring to reality. If He directs it is He who will make them happen.

No, this life is neither easy nor hard for those are personal judgments it is either possible or impossible based upon our talents, treasures, experiences and expectations. The skinny path is narrow by definition because most would never consider choosing its difficulties. We are called to do something greater than that which simply is a feel-good exercise of faith and reason. We are called to overcome, implying directly that the things before us are by nature beyond our capacity to individually deliver. That is why we needed Christ, why we needed salvation, forgiveness, rebirth, seal and power. For it has never been within my power to overcome but through my belief, surrender and reliance upon Him to get to where I never could. His Glory, Honor and Praise and His Will be done in this world, the Heavens in my heart. In Jesus’ name.

For Joy I give thanks. May the Spirit of inadequacy be given its moment of painful recognition, not in failures achieved but in attempts made. Then, may it be ordered to leave my soul and never return leaving it cleaned and refreshed by the continued love of Christ Jesus. I know He bids healthy, communicative relationships baring fruit as evidence of Sovereign presence in the promise of His indwelling, comforting, teaching Spirit. The mastery evades me, but in each sanctified opportunity I joyfully embrace patience that it left to do its perfect work will make me perfect wanton for nothing. Not if but when, that is the surge from relief in promise.

If none avails let this pain that I have been given be adequate to my sanctification by Spirit. May I never utilize the ineffective aspects of the previous man instead seeking to drink of new wine, being remade for the asking. What I have done is gone away and may not be recovered as the past always present an unchangeable set of occurrence, would haves and regret. It must remain in its perfect capacity to educate the new man. For it is a master at pointing out the objects for transformation, confession and improvement. Perhaps this is why forgiveness is such pivotal component in long-term success of marriage, as we must be willing to leave behind the ineffective and embrace that which promises.

It is grand to know that God will never leave, regardless of quirk, mistake or learning opportunity, especially in the midst of overwhelming trial. I pray that I may reflect this component of God, never leaving in upset, disapproval, lack of forgiveness or due to my reluctance to face the impossible with Partner and Spirit. That is the winning bias of vow to God, for it admittedly and knowingly transcends the admission of impossibility invariably endemic to life by promise to overcome all together. What God as ordained let no man put asunder. Where there is a will, God’s Will there will always be a way.

Lord let my obedience include those impossible circumstances, never avoiding, forsaking or evading the arduous, but rather facing them in the same joy as I face the bountiful days of blessings. Let me love and be a good man to whoever you send into my covering. That they find encouragement, hope, food, fuel and strength to find smile in the midst of despair. May we pray together against the dark of night, standing in Your reflected light upon our shared heart. For the reflection of courage found in the difficulties of shared pursuit may be the greatest glory we could ever bring upon Your Name.

Two Truths: The absolute Truth that is God and the absolute truth that all men will face deception whether armed with God’s Truth or entirely vulnerable by choice to the overwhelming powers of deception. Deceptive is impartial and seeks the captivity of both those who fail to recognize its power and those who are aware of its dangers yet venture in against this overwhelming force without sufficient protective cover.

For the purpose of this period of discussion it matters not whether you are believer in Christ for we all are in these same two crafts: Acknowledging God’s Sovereignty and the salvation provided through Christ Jesus or failing to acknowledge that Sovereign Truth and operating through our own vain failure to recognize the absolute Truth of God’s Position as Creator.

We are equal in this review as all whether they agree upon Christ or God will certainly agree that ALL men are equal in that they face deception in this life. Whatever tool set you adopt or adapt to confront deception in this world there are none who will venture to say that each man, regardless of talent, defense or supernatural discernment will face deception and either be lure or controlled by it or identify it and steer clear of its power and effectiveness.

Many, who do not acknowledge the Sovereign Truth will have you believe that intelligence or experience may act as adequate defense against deception that somehow the component of awareness mandates sufficiency in this battle for hearts and minds. The do however acknowledge that inadequacy in their own admission of the dangers of deception in the following, “fooled me once shame on you, fooled me twice shame on me”.

Some may argue that the original sin was not sin but most regard that it began in deception. Then was made far worse by the aware acceptance of the sinful choice to join in the rebellious actions. In fact Adam participated in childlike denial or self-deception by claiming that he had been forced by the woman God had given him into the choice of disobedience to the direct command of God. It appears that once captive to deception it becomes a jail from which further offenses gather and contort reason and righteousness.

Let us mention however briefly the abject deception perpetrated in worldly power that any of us may be self-protected against the deception and its overwhelming power. Having agreed that all men whether saved or disobedient to God will face deception in this world. And that the negative impacts of that confrontation are severe for either party. This is both made embarrassing and of greater potential danger by believers somehow believing themselves adequate to overcome this overwhelming force. Adam is original example of this deception upon deception and Cain on down the line of the Sons of Seth illuminate this reality.

Job perhaps is one of the primary examples of this mistakenly ideology within faithful living, believing himself so righteous that all the punishments he received via the enemy of God were somehow unfair as his righteousness should have delivered him from the inherent dangers. Not only did he lose everything but also was given a factor of two restoration after receiving the recognition of his vulnerability without God’s protection.

The pride and or arrogance displayed by believers in somehow being deceived into believing the deceptive falsehood that they can stand against the overwhelming powers of the fallen is perhaps akin to the original deception. Whatever you call it, it is an abomination and perhaps even blaspheming the Holy Spirit the only power sufficient to defend against deception. Today we are going to undertake the essential study/understanding of the responsibilities sown into the Body of Christ are that defense against deception to which God calls us. Roman’s 1 lays out the dilemma and the book of Ephesians, especially Books: 1, 4 and 6 define the supernatural battle against deception and the evil that perpetrates it.

We face a common dilemma for all men. As believers we need pursue supernatural warfare in the only armor that gives adequate protection from the wiles of enemy, the Spiritual Armour of God Almighty found in the powers of His Holy Spirit. Then we learn how the Body of Christ is placed above the footstool with Christ through Faith and action in preparing for, armouring against and standing in Good Courage against the Evils of this world and the heavenly realms.

Equally as American’s we have a unique battle for which we are inadequately prepared without these understandings. We face not only historic deception but those who have been deceived without adequate Godly protection now being the agents of the masters of captivity. While we rejoice in the fact that Christ took captivity captive and gave us gifts to overcome the bulk of the world has fallen to deception and are now slaves to unrighteousness as we are slaves to Christ Jesus. We have been bought back from captivity and therefore should have special compassion for those who remain enslaved taking to the field of battle that they may find the same salvation for all men within belief upon Jesus Christ the King. In His name we stand in Good Courage this and every day until His return.

 In the heart we start

all of us to stand apart

Akin to something born anew

Bringing dimension into view

What then of love we proclaim

No abject failure we may blame

For game’s afoot as feet pass bye

Escaping nothing in Eternal Eye

Restraining naught all brought to bear

The Heaven’s, Earth and even air

To dime a roll my fingers spin

Losses gain and a win’s a win

What world’s are built in disrepair

Freedom found in lost despair

Don’t sulk my love it’s in His hand

Every choice seems as if planned

The flowers of will found in choice

To Him I give resounding voice

That the King my heart may overcome

Until revelation and Kingdom Come

In the birth of brightness, flowers new. I seldom stopped to sniff a few. In all the dangers I review. Found none guaranteed for blessings due.

A tribute to the forming hands. As the man of wisdom understands. When freedom fails where mercy stands. It never cedes to wroth demands.

Hope of head in heart it thrives. Keeping pure once awful lives. Face first to waves in which he dives. Shall reward be found where rebirth revives.

To mysteries long and words so sweet. Oft better than sacrificial meat. Before revelation signals their defeat. The false are found in rash retreat.

Full circle come to round the bend. Never anticipating so swift untimely end. No wounds to succor, no heart to mend. Winds so roar no reed to bend.

In pride we flutter, spark and fume. Seeking plans yet to resume. Never dark the opening of once sealed tomb. No flesh to rot in death’s perfume.

For life it lives not breath, blood and bone. Everything we once thought to own. The cards are read the secret shown. Leaving us presumably alone.

Salvation stand and judgment kneel. We never thought we’d forget that deal. Not about what we think or feel. What we once believed was not even real.

Each of us child newly come. Princely sons and Earthly bum. Not born of numbers or equation’s sum. We march to Heaven by the fife and drum.

 Into my dream I interjected

Until this day Words disrespected

Most frequently found within a hope

With which despair would never cope

So bright the sands of time and change

The dampened dark must rearrange

The light cast off a shadow deep

Reflecting fields we all soon reap

Resisting dream I stood awake

So joyous none had been mistake

Elated heart and mind alt clear

Courage grand in absent fear

I stood for what seemed an hour

In rekindled grace and present power

The fires of wrath had passed me by

To rest acquaint my thankful cry

Escaping dream and finding fate

My love forever escaping hate