Temperatures coming down as the back of my neck is uncustomarily dry in the path of the afternoon sun. Greens are dampened but the blues of the sky above are so bright as if they punch me. Awe, Stricken any remorse forgotten as the valley below reveals the darkened pools of cool water awaiting the afternoon showers. Hard to imagine that this life is just the practice round, that we can barely envisage the size and shape of awaiting miracles.

How many moons tolerated my gaze? How many times tracing the craters and ridges they now say are simply our imagination? What shadow shakes us from the dream we all thought real? What questions remain in the back of minds that have been somehow manipulated in thought for a lifetime? It is always a joy when I see that I thought myself further on the journey to a lifetime of maturity. Hopefully arriving at a plateau where thoughts are certain and life somehow shared some of its secrets with me before passing bye.

Throwing caution and care overboard we cannonball over the gunwale crashing into the waves beyond, somehow fearless breaking the pall of paralysis trapping the inner child. What dreams have we forgotten? What pressures have we born that were never meant for our packing? Alive in the world that God made for us, hard to comprehend how my shallow path in this roadway will bring great glory to His Name. The things I have pondered that never needed a bit of attention remind that it is so easy to lose sight of the proper investment.

The bright orange of morning strikes me in a moment’s pause. The Earth seems ready to bust loose from its temporary orbit and take off for the outer reaches, to galaxies unknown. How simple my reflections, how basic my understanding, how meager my resolve. Waiting on ideas that resemble something worthy of God’s making. It is not the lack of capacity to say or do the impressive, but hoping someday to see His image in my own. That kinship is so far beyond the approach of marching footfall. It seems so close yet further than the light side of darkness.

I taste the air to determine which was the smoke is rising. No gray fog, but misty whispers of cloud fingers tapping each of us upon the arm and cheek. The wind it captures sunlight throwing strikes of lightning through each passing molecule of water. I blink as if time could be forgotten, remembering simpler days and nights where no child felt he could ever be alone. Something stops my breathe briefly, not struggling to hold it tightly in my chest. At best I had become a man laden with false sense of power and security. At worst a man missing all that really ever mattered as I chased the shiny bugs.

Believing in things beyond my imagination, fighting for things that bring love into focus and punching above my weight class. Forgiving as instantly as possible and walking on from silly folks who have no idea they are mocking the Maker. Trying to care for folks who most often don’t even realize that they need it. Loving kids, birds, squirrels, goats and donkeys because they know where to get it. Knowing very early that I am meant to pass through this place with very little warm and fuzzy but a treasured set of opportunities to see the impossible done before I leave.

I am not better than anyone, never wanted to be, though did waste a bunch of time trying to master everything to prove to them I was always good enough. Natural insecurity associated with believing that everyone should be given love and realizing that just is not the rules here. What a spectacular use of my time to meet people who seemingly at random needed a kind word, hug or whisper of encouragement. Always getting it wrong when trying to fit in or serve the local master, it’s just outside my structure to do anything because they believe that’s how we measure up.

Life in my cup. Selling nothing. Rarely able to convince anybody of anything especially when they accuse you of being clever enough to do so. Losing the luster of speaking with folks cause they just want to chatter about this or that never really wanting to improve the relationship. Simply marking time until something they want shows up in the availability list. Don’t want to be anything to anybody other than the guy who was there when they needed. I fully comprehend that desire to pass between dimensions at will or just blend into surroundings as it was always the only power I ever really personally obtained. Thank God He showed me how to give that all up.

Trying real hard not to shout above the misery and braggadocio as folks are not taking seriously that God said we need to be prepared. The only time that makes sense is before an event, after it is simply regretful. Never was anyone’s cup of tea or soul mate, just someone solid enough and barely entertaining enough to keep them distracted from checking their watches for the buses arrival. What is faith if we don’t respect it enough to apply all that we are to see it grow by walking? Don’t know how success looks, but I think of it akin to chopping wood. You know there is enough when you’re done chopping.

Can’t tell anyone what is right for them, but that doesn’t mean I won’t sound the trumpet as their enemies come calling. Service has never promised good treatment it really is about getting someone else what they are seeking. I read the Word and see a world that resembles very closely the moments we’ve entered into. In a scarcity sense everybody knows as well but they seem to mention it in passing, not lifting, packing, gathering or disciplining as if the last day might be this one.

Being thankful for everything is the greatest stretch of the expectations I hold dearly close. Things don’t often align with the plans I pondered quietly, but it is even harder to believe that they always turn out better. That’s the thing that makes this impossible thing, easy. I don’t want much anymore. Not that hope has been abandoned, but the trust in my own imagination has somehow gotten so much smaller than I remember. Don’t need to wow the world, I would be fine with a dog that I know I can always impress or sponsor. God is more than enough for me. I truly learned that when I let go of trying to get everyone else to realize how much I love them.

All die is the certainty of all men, women and children who have lived on this planet, with few exceptions. Those exceptions: those who history writes have been taken before death by God and those who have been set free from the appointed death and judgment provisioned by God’s Gift.

No matter: Believer, atheist, agnostic, denier, scientist, transhumanist or servant of other god all use the same declaration of faith in the something to which they owe and deliver conformative and confirmative action. Therefore the difficulty in discussion is always found in arguing over the choice rather the material of historical incidence.

Why then must science or disbelief in Christianity rewrite Biblically documented history or claim that it has been manipulated or inaccurately recorded in order to confirm their world view? To date the same argument ensues with unfounded or documented claims or revision are met with the same worldly documented data that sponsored yesterday’s document.

Yes, it appears and logic would agree that there is much more to know than is known. God provides for this understanding in indwelling gift of His Holy Spirit to accurately and safely guide each human into that which is yet known. There is no escaping our shortness of life that none remain alive who were eye witness to the history we all base our arguments upon. However, that is exactly the frustration/elation with Bible as no other documents lay effective dispute to its wealth of accurately defined events.

If there are differing choices, paths and thought collectives that entirely based upon our willingness and choice to make certain our faith, then arguably and inevitably as the Bible predicts there will be a time for all to finally realize the Truth by Test. The Bible perfectly predicts that test and exactly how it will be conducted and its provision for dispensation of outcomes based on that Certainty of Faith.

What we must all see equally and logically is that those of Faith are reckoning a convergence with the reality of today’s events leading to that eventual review. Yes, we are blessed to either walk with a “spiritually enabled sight” of the things to come in faith or await the evidence and outcome without that reliance.

We all know what is coming. The problem and the argument always begins at the decision to either acknowledge the Truth that is God as God or depart to a particular or smorgasbord of belief in action. I am rejoicing that the pregnant moment of my testing has come for it happens in this life not in the next as many sustain. It is the perfect arena for one decision: for or against the sole pathway of Christ Jesus.

When we analyze this collective purpose, we find the basis for argument is truly on the part of those who will not for whatever reason acknowledge God. For all are marching toward the inevitable unveiling of the Truth. However, the difference and it is huge is that the unveiling for Christians happened two thousand years ago and makes each of us certain of two things: we are no longer participants in the collective argument and two because we are no longer facing the inevitable death leading to the equally inevitable judgment.

There remains no doubt in all this life has been about. To stand stout and shout against the encroachment of the churl and the lout. We’re refined in circumstance whether dress, skirt or pants. In war, sales or romance. Everything determined by the portrait of our stance.

What fear is wrought in all that we’ve been taught, begged, borrowed or bought or the virus we caught? What thoughts are made pure in the things we endure? What days are made right by dark dreams in the night? What families made whole with no soup in each bowl?

So simple the word, so absurd all the history we heard. When evil makes kings the wind that it brings poisoned with things that the spring never brings. But summer is hot and plenty in pot none left to rot as the time each forgot. All sad little tales the Bishop regales forever it fails.

Asleep at my work some entitlement jerk refusing to clerk nor greasing the zerk. The system in pause my toes, beak and claws testing the laws and escaping the maws. But none true shall pass no boy, count or lass with charisma a class we are fated to pass. Happily.

Unlike man, God does not tell us to fear loneliness, attempting to fill it no matter the associative costs of motivation by fearful emotion or scarcity. Instead He promises to make for each man in his in-optimal position of being alone a suitable helper. Not a servant for man’s want and desire or willful plan of self, but someone of such unique character that she submits her own will to aid her man in achieving God’s Righteous objectives and Plan, fully understanding this the only path to the ultimate desire a healthy marriage.

Both fully comprehending and submitting to God’s identity for their role in marriage, the man and woman take it upon themselves to walk with God in an educated manner conducive to greatest productivity of Godly definition. They do not resent each other, they do not contend with each other, they do not willfully seek frustration as a unit because their identities and roles are clearly observed and appreciated. They both concur that submitting to God’s Will is not only the chosen path but the best path to be chosen.

Nations outside of this balanced role understanding continue to create conflicts vying for the powers or position of a person that should be the perfect match to their mate. Divorce rates sky rocket as people observing this “winner takes all” mentality with the now non biblical relationship of man to woman. Men are bitter, complaining or silent and reluctant to provide the characteristic unconditional love associated with relationship and service to God. Women seek expression or receipt of love through other means finding that their man has failed their definition of the love they are to provided by entitlement or self requirement.

No one owes anyone anything, except mankind to God. Therefore, unless a clear surrendered relationship exists between: man or woman with their maker there exists no predetermined identity of Love or Reverence to be expected of either party to marriage. Women disassociated to or not surrendered to God, recognizing His authority to define their identity a woman will be reluctant at best and absolutely defiant of offering her man the reverence associated with his image in God. A man will always look to the woman as a reflection of his fulfilled bag of wants and bitter with her when they are not fulfilled in time or depth.

When one of these two parties are out of alignment with God’s will and heaven forbid both then there is little hope of a Godly function to the marriage a vow made unto God. To observe the Biblical definition of role for man and woman in a Godly marriage demands at outset a surrender to God’s Will over our own. The constant failures of either party associated with the unmet expectations of carnal will in either party is caustic to the peace defined with that Godly formula. We must not be unequally yoked in our marriages. We cannot expect our mates to align or mirror Godly image definitions without the primary surrender to God’s Will that brings those identities into alignment.

Simple would be my preference. Seldom great change comes in complexity of thought, memory and unresolved conflict. Born of times when reason was challenged and experience yet honed.

Saying things in kindness without doubt or hats exchanged to be the person capable of saying them. In timing and gentle hope may they find rest on parchment or ears intended. Bespoken

The Veils and misery broken, by revelation of things lacking buttons, knobs or levers for my access and control. Salve. Dreaming nectar of sweet gentle sleep, finding the oxygen we’d begged.

Perhaps a snappish response is appropriate in argument or battle. These days require spice and sensible hand across the wrist of resistance. Lay me paths that lead to peaceful misgivings.

Life goes into the well of history and reckoning. Making sense of the sublime or sweet that scribes may teach those after. A’s and E’s in syllables counted on my fingers. In silence I await.

There is no fierce recourse that will win the day. For this is love not battle. This is family not fiend. This is hope that lights to halls of those who would walk sans regret into the presence of God.

Oh, forgiveness today you ought be needed. For doing it right, clipping the bite in my tongue these teeth shall not seek dominion. What pride is there in showing Mother a gift carefully chosen?

Being needed by someone, especially those who are looking to you to attain a better relationship with Jesus is a wonderful feeling. The bummer about this world is that so many have no concern for God that they are seeking a host of other objectives. I don’t fault them, nor do I judge/look down upon them, but I must ask forgiveness for thinking that they may be choosing second best in this lifetime.

People need help, even if it is a hug, kind word or new pair of socks. Yes, the danger of the needy is that their need is all that they know and instead of doing some great assisting we end up condoning or empowering a weak wanton mindset. However, the simple process of leaving my own comfort, family, Church and air conditioning/heat to interact with humans gives me the pregnant, quickening moments to observe God’s Divine opportunities for my life.

There is the rub for which I have mistakenly garnered a fair level of contempt from the beloved as they wish to huddle in comfort: monetary, food, fellowship, ritual and support environments such that they never have the opportunity to meet an enemy, never mind to love them. That is not my concern, certainly not within my calling and responsibility to adjust. What I am empowered to do is sound the trumpet of potential dangers and leave it between them and God. Doing anything else risks appearing authoritarian or worse yet getting myself injured because people must often face their challenges alone.

What I experienced today was a cornucopia of divine interactions. So many people in one place, so many conversations all occurring simultaneously that it was such a God affair. Something worthy of witness. People of all colors came together, seemingly by coincidence and had discussions about the world and how God fits into the entire paradigm. The mere fact that I had the linguistic background to overcome any barriers was a feature in the Glory of God’s Presence. Everyone had excuses, barriers, conflicts, stories and worldly demands that called them to choose to avoid participation, yet somehow God overcame all of that this orderly discussion/relationship ensued.

We prayed, we loved and we avoided the enemy led pitfalls of conflict and contention to produce an outcome that brought Glory to His Name. The reality that I was at the center of this act/scene or story emerging in front of us was such a tremendous gift. Nothing I have ever done will account for why I was there. None of my works had anything to do with this scene except that we all agreed that they were nothing more than the filthy rags we all try to bring into Divinity.

No one fell outside of their humility, that precursor for all successful interaction with the King. Everyone had an honest perspective about their own shortcomings in ministry and that allowed the Holy Spirit to provide the foundation of Fruits, Mysteries and miracles of impossibility when God is invited into our walk. What it did for me is validate the times in which we reside. Yes, I see the need for making money and living in prosperity of our own regard, but I am forced to admit in equal dialogue that doing right now the things for which I was created, called, gifted and prepared outweighs personal productivity immeasurably.

It was a grand blessing to be among men seeking to spread the gospel and in so doing those around: females and children were mesmerized in the flourishing prayer and power they saw in front of them. The greatest realization for me personally was that when I seek my own regard I am invariably alone in so doing and the only family that I discover is found consistently in the work of God in which He allows me to participate. I am tired of the world’s loneliness, it’s a grand deception. Instead of seeking and finding the rich, Family-centric opportunities provided in reward for seeking the work of God, I often sit frustrated with the way my plans are inconsistently fulfilling.

So much for my way. Instead of worrying about or trying to draw people into a scenario meant as attractive invite into a life apparently consistent with the objectives of worldly mastery I will seek the things of God and see the wonderful things that He delivers in response. This is not just an insight of one man’s thinking, nor something for which my ego needs tending but the authentic evaluation of a Spirit based living that answers the depression and desperation threatening to enslave the bulk of the folks I have been fortunate to meet. There is only one path for me and it promises real family not just romantic or heroic tales of the worlds’ second best offering.

Many of our American Founders stated that the greatest enemy to our Constitutional Republic are those of “special interests”. https://library.fiveable.me/key-terms/ap-gov/special-interests Special interests refer to groups of individuals or organizations that seek to influence government policy and decision-making to benefit their specific agenda. These groups often have a focused interest in particular issues, such as environmental protection, business interests, labor rights, or education reform, and they employ various strategies to sway lawmakers and public opinion. Understanding special interests is crucial because they play a significant role in shaping legislation and public policy, especially in the context of changing media landscapes that amplify their voices.

Knowing this charitably exchanges the year one of political sciences courses for first year students. This focus is the basis for all politics. We all must practice this discipline in all social interaction as everyone that we meet has a unique special perspective and seek the ends thereof. The church is not excluded from the “Worldly Competition” for assets in provision, protection and purpose. All believers must struggle through even their own special interests in competition for enduring character in service to the King of Kings. Our Will is the enemy, certain we will be tempted to pursue our own pride, sins of the eye and flesh and that is where the true battle lay, for Americans and Christians. Our failure to awaken to the nature of our conflict has relegated humanity to chasing its own tail and subscribing all efforts against God to principality and dominion when we ourselves are perhaps our worst enemy.

When we graduate to understanding and defining our own will as the beacon of serving “other gods” we may rest in the Word of God and stop resisting the miracles that God is doing within each of our hearts and minds. Realizing, defining, acknowledging and establishing boundaries to all the voices, as special interests within our own lives we are freed to establish/maintain boundaries of performance within the Will of God and frankly being Americans. Do we believe that it is a coincidence that the struggles of Biblical World View and American Civics are identical? That would be a preposterous assertion as the origin of our Sovereignty as Americans is God Almighty. Equally the voices of special interests, clearly defined in the Bible are always the competing interests and direction that lead believers astray from obedience to God. Not so coincidentally the only path to showing God we love Him.

What then must be done with the “Shiny Objects” of our own special expectations, planning and compelling allegiance if we are to achieve the pinnacle of God’s Purpose for each of us? Self-denial is impossible at times. It is empirically ironic to resist our own perceived needs, yet there are very few people who will contend that what we want is always the best thing for ourselves. Yet, many believers spend the bulk of precious time before God’s throne, begging for the desires and wants special to our own thinking and desire. That seems foolish and is in fact how the Bible codifies this idol/idle behavior. James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

In Conclusion, in order to establish command efficacy in American civics and Biblical compliance with the Will of God we must first identify and categorize the “Special Interests” seeking our attention and performance. We cannot perform God’s perfect will by ourselves clearly requiring the intervention of God’s Holy Spirit in that fulfillment. Therefore as the Bible identifies God’s Sheep know His Voice and won’t follow other voices. We must primarily identify and conditional our senses to recognize this stark allegiance and discipline. Failing to remain aware of competing interests we induce ourselves to vulnerability in disciplining our senses to filter out “Special Interests” when they compete with God’s commands. Therefore, as politically savvy Americans we must condition our perspective to reflect on the parallel compliance or resistance to those same self-serving voices and ideals.

We are Americans who follow the identical moral coding as the Judeo Christian origins of our faith that birthed this nation. We pray to God that His Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. It would be self-accepted foolishness then to establish practices that tolerate the competing “special interests” we invariably encounter. It is far past time for those who call themselves by His Name to assert: identity, clarity, discernment and perambulation consistent with Biblical/American principles of retarding special interests with deference to the Word of God and the Constitution of the United States of America. Our Founders understood and spoke urgently some 250 years ago regarding this necessity. For such a time as this we have been prepared. Will we remember the logical foundations of our Faith and our Civic Responsibility as Patriots or perhaps dedicate ourselves to perpetual slumber?

Ever made a truly great choice or decision? I made one, crying out to God in my utter despair and having me accept me in my broken state to serve His Will for my life and the purposes He alone determined for my future. That single moment of clarity and assurance, not in self but in the Sovereign God of the Universe was the single best and probably only good decision in my entire, inadequately and arguably most wasted existence.

Sure, I made money, had conquests, won fights and did some things that most would say were stupid but were intended to be cool at the time. I loved people mostly too much so that it hurt because I never could seem to get the balance thing right. Either I was loved to little or vise versa, resulting in eventual decrease and separation for lack of a commitment. Too bad I was never able to associate one with the other and serve God together with someone.

Now, I weep as so many refuse to cry out to God in their greatest moment of need, seeking searching for someone, something or the money to free themselves from the things that Jesus has already competed. People aren’t just worried now their panicking. I see it in their eyes, hear it in their trembling voices and yet it still is all going to be alright. Why? Because this is God’s Plan not ours and He knows we will come around even if we have to experience separation and wrath to reach that point of brokenness.

Simple is really what we all really needed. Sustainable property, family, friends and a dedication to working it out together. Even planning for the difficult times in advance, knowing fully that when it all started to fall apart about our ears that we would never be separated from God’s Promises and the hope of family, friends and faith. It may be late in the game to acquire that opportunity but for those prayerful few, I suggest it. After all in the worst moments the only thing that makes the difference between success and horrific failure is the wonderful first decision we all made in choosing Jesus.

It really doesn’t matter the level of my failure, for God chooses broken vessels like me to change the world. How, people know that I am not the origin of the works and miracles He continues to do in my life. That allows all the glory and all the awareness to be dedicated to Him. None would argue that He has allowed me to endure where others including myself would have miserably failed, yet here am I. I love my enemies which means I certainly love my Family and Friends. This is not about me but about the fact that He loves you so much He saved me to tell you that. The only accolade I may personally observe is that although I have never been worthy, nor does that matter much, what does matter is that I was broken or smart enough to cry out in pain for salvation. I’ll leave it to you to determine which it was, but nothing really matters but that first good decision.

From memory, the dry untamed ground drew every drop of warmth and sweat from me. I dragged myself another mile, never really knowing where the will to continue was born. A thing of nature or perhaps desire to tell someone I had finally showed some character, beyond the noisy man wanting more of this and a lot less of that.

Habitats become you, razor sharp, so easy to catch flame when everything has forgotten water. Rash, frequent thoughts of running and long walks taking time to let my dogs run freely. Looking up to the mountains, partially blocking the ravaging sun. I touched my cheek, it felt more like lizard or pterodactyl, I could not take my hand away.

When did the rain forget our names? Forsaking us until short days of winter called it out to play. Rocks and sand, no happy ministry’s finding soft words and welcome ears for the cries of men wandering round in circles. Our Brothers believing themselves free of duty stiff armed our children as they came to ask for bread and wine-drops.

We wanted more than the greatest ever given. Taking off the shield against the dark welcoming the shadow to breast we thought to own the sun and chase the mornings into cavern. We looked upon the face of sovereignty, knowing ourselves richly blessed by the love and power of everlasting. But sweeter songs of pride lured us into poverty.

We had watched the world, wanting so much to be welcomed, honored, finding praise in hearing our own names chanted. We walked away from safety, throwing fire and caution straight into eastern sky. Clenched teeth at the winters bark and labors of a world never meant to see the light beyond circumference. A shield too far.