Give yourself freedom

My own manure. The joy of personal and egoistic review. The resounding reverb of listening to my own self-centered viewpoint. Often nauseating, sometimes witty but most times bored to tears by my own capacity for bloviation and self support. This world is not complex. My attempts to present myself as one complex gear in the superstructure of humanity most frequently ends in self loathing or chuckles as my own penchant to the ridiculous. The reality and requirements of simplicity demand a regular and timely investigation of the sandwich I prepare for those around me.

I may not agree with you. Seldom do two people have a one to one agreement that support the absence or inclusion of parallel emotional and logical understanding. Most often people remain in relationship through unmet/met need or a conscious decision to achieve the 80% of objectives while settling or determining that the 20% had to suffer the consequence. We then have a propensity for compromise built into our fellowship. That realization challenges the construct or adherence to our faithful resolution of God’s Call upon our hearts and minds. For I no longer belong to myself for my reconciliation to God came with my debt having been paid for by Christ Jesus.

I seek something real, new if you so see it, but older than time. I want to live in accordance with the Will of God. Not simply to laugh about it at parties or walk in hypocrisy, but to stand without blame before God and Man. That is basically impossible for human achievement. Each day, though I have this mindset and the determined parameters associated with goal performance yet invariably find that it was just wishful thinking and spurious attempt. None of Christianity is within my ability to perform. The sooner I realize that foundation the greater my opportunity for surrender before God’s Throne and the subsequent miracle of His Spiritual power to accomplish those previously impossible blessings.

I am finding that men do not wish to see anyone reach these plateaus. For the mere sight of someone else eclipsing these heights presents the reality of our own compromise in worldliness. When I am faced with righteousness of another heart there is a moment when I too proclaim, “that cannot be true”. However, just as with my own acceptance of my frailty, the self-induced envy in the achievements of others through God’s Holy Spirit, threatens my Earthly man. Additionally, I am finding that those who knew the horrific man before each of us met Christ, often refuse to view each of us in new perspective. Refusing to acknowledge the transformative hand of God’s Spirit, Grace And salvation as they would lose their own refusal to face the now “possible” transformation of sin and forgiveness.

I forgive, but must live as if perfection is in fact possible. For God says that it is, even if that state is achieved upon attaining the presence of God. There is no path for me in the past I left behind. Therefore, there is no rational support for attendance to the arguments and the man I admit I once was but am no longer. What is in the rear view mirror must be forgotten in some sense but the joy of having been delivered from its horror retained. Yes, I am not ready to say that I may be presented before God, blameless, spotless and renewed. However, I never could claim that refinement as part or parcel of my own fleshly achievement. So, my faith in God’s righteousness compels me to announce that it will in fact occur at a time and place of His Choosing.

For those who refuse to let my transgressions disappear for whatever reason, especially those who believe it offers some relationship control to continue in unforgiveness. That is the burden of unforgiveness. It is no longer mine to pay nor the burden in my pack as I have asked and been offered that forgiveness by you for my past offenses. I pity your refusal to see the man God is recreating. For in that instant that you see what He has done and is doing in me, may in fact provide that same self review that sets you free from hell and death. In Jesus’ name I pray that you see and decide to forgive. It will be the greatest gift you can ever give yourself.

Forethought

Gulls above, waves below. Snow upon the mountain, supported by the coated trees. Salt and sand with pine aloft. Thinking of the ground prepared, waiting and so soft. All too real, no doubt or curse. Nothing could be better and less could be much worse. Time it slows when breathing ease. No harbor towns or judge appease. To walk a saint and hear the faint sound of silence we deem so quaint.

Complaints dissolve and sound subdued. Cooked up sweet steak fresh bread we chewed. Our hearts and muscles freshly renewed. Into the pelt I melted warm. Constellations taking their clear form. Imbued with pleasure and fits of joy. My heart not bitter nor mood so coy. For days and weeks we marched at pace, a roaring rhythm of saving grace. Wide smiles and color upon each face.

No sense of doom, no furnished room. Where duck and squirrel do their dance. A fallen tree my sheltered home. To wind we bundled absent spark. Setting flame with birch wood bark. We laughed inside not aloud. Much too humbled to be feeling proud. Our mood soon quickened with each mounting cloud. Into deep supply each must reach remembering waves on crashing beach.

So short now this hour new. The steps once many reduced to few. Our feet aflame our names forgotten. All was pure nothing rotten. Pondering all that we’d forgotten. Upon our doubt we encountered peace. Abundant life and new found lease. Against reduction we sought increase. The happy smiles of kids in mud, found in awe of the powerful flood, who knows when trees supposed to bud?

Our skin and hearts in deep repair. No cause for anger, rage or swear. We’d found ourselves, I do declare, when we expected to see so little there. Hope is treasure and will so kind to fortify and prepare the mind. Our hearts aflame with kindled fire knowing now we’d reach the wire. Stretched across a road so slim the day so long the light so dim. Spurious delight the thoughts impossible to requite our charcoal future once again so bright. We knew we would survive the fight.

The day

Rage, sorrow, madness and joy. Unleashed upon an unsuspecting and ill prepared world. Forgiveness earned. Taming twists of specific manipulation. The legions of fury consume the night. As the insufferable hold themselves on high. There is no victory in securing that which you knew would be defeated. Only the demands of damaged wiring.

Silence! As the calm bellow’s boldly. Reverberating through the system’s planning. Disengaged from the course of peaceful resolution. Wanting and breathing chaos. Fired bellies screaming misguided acrimony of tortured feline. Spitting fiery fumes of pitch thrown free of volcanic upset. We imagined for a moment blue skies in Autumn.

We have become the lake of fire. Resemble the disquiet of lives gone wrong. Awry, twisted, frozen profiles of practiced performance. Dancing to too many and too frequent demands upon humanity. Throats cleared and voices damaged in persistent fearful expression. Men stepping too close to self adoration. We believed ourselves absolved of all compassion.

Imagining you see me as I am. Convinced that mechanisms of a machine for which you once saw schematic now reside within controls, nuance and dismissal. Certainly this damsel is tamed. Complexities and accepted certainties. Knowing that the gravity of resistance is found in time. Waiting for the moments when the picture emerges unfamiliar.

Staying lanes imparts some measure of control or authority. Into lands you’ve never ventured and journeys unforgotten for never having been seen. Palsy the desire for inclusion. Freedom never stored on shelf or kept comfortable in slavery of mind, tent or promise. Love, given without consent, fee or graft. Made to see but never receive.

Full Nelson

The world is duped. Complicit to a takeover. Seeking personal obeisance and promised vapors. Looking into a vision built on mist and flowery language. Following queens, beans and band aids showered in nightmares and bullets. What cream has sweetened fruit and coffee? What pursuance of planetary populations in pragmatism? We have not prospered here what neighborhood would accept us until we’ve matured in heart, mind and spirit? The long slow sell of escapism over transformation by character revision.

The fallen are not sound investment. An inevitable service to the sovereign means their projections have never been more than puppet’s porn. An allegory involving a man, a cave and the shadows of flashlights and flash-bangs herding humanity. What is freedom now that we have empirical shakeout of the falsely represented? Slow steady pressure on the hypothalamus as temperature, muscle and nerve controls bend the will to many while the few are broken. Rebellion is cumulative and community activism the paid agents of empire.

Mine eyes have seen the glory and my heart sank in my service to those who hate Him. No watch fires of the faithful but pyres of pointless sacrifice of innocent and unprotected. As good men volunteered to bring about new horizons. We stood hapless, confused and disengaged to the starting guns of salvation. Rolling over to slap the snooze we return to booze and circus to entertain our grip upon the inevitable. Misunderstanding the probability and promise we stood rough shod upon the shores of indifference waiting for a sign and season. We had lost before we began though repeatedly promised victory, Incapable.

When choosing sides, courage was absent in our solemn recitation of spiritual conquest. Revisionist history is always a term for prevarication no matter who well wrapped in pretty papers and perfume. Those who own the common man’s quest to rise from the dust will always craft a better version. While truth remains itself upon a field of obfuscation, those who would see light’s failing continue to convince silly men that water is not wet and the skies are never falling. We are the product of what we believe to be sound judgment. Regardless of what version my imagination remains a self defined interpretation.

Pause

In the chambers of our self worth, stored images, perceptions, false and real. Is it real to imagine myself noble? To believe somehow my time has been spent sidestepping the unrighteous ideals and notions of a heart known to be average. Intelligent but average, nothing new, nothing rare, nothing resembling elevated character and decision making. What must we tell ourselves to establish this ruse of self containment and conditioning?

In all my ventures, sweet and dark, the consistent factor when reviewing my performance has been a resilient level of mediocrity. Why then would I believe that writing home of valor and applause is somehow anything but absurd or delusional? I have impressed no one especially myself and the things I have done worthy of accord have all been the dynamic voice and direction given me by Holy Spirit. I am a productive man led by the Hand of God.

I cannot follow you into the alleys of your indifference or foolish attendance to errant flesh. If you wish to wrestle with Almighty, I will not stand with you but kneel before Him in prayer hoping that He councils you to reason. I have had my stomach full of disobedience and affirmation of my ignorance. For the longest time I believed that this somehow was unloving, discouraging or disloyal, but maturity elucidates the alternate. Resisting is real love.

In these moments where the opportunity favors to demonstrates aspects commensurate with character. I shall not squander the chance to do something right. I am not one to threaten or cajole, but in discernment if I stand against this foolish movement perhaps one or both of us will exhibit sufficient faith to please the Father? Nonetheless I must try. For in this miserable history of weakened resolve I have prayed and hope for the pregnant moment to be found in Grace bringing Glory to the King.

Beginning

No pyres no fires and no dreamscape rituals chanted in the low light of mimicked parlors shadowed in darkness. What travesty Trieste? We may not dawdle with the gloomy realists of yesteryear. No broken slurs against the Sovereign. No slithering dames found hapless in mid night. No proud offerings or consideration for legacy and fame. Let God foretell the covenant peoples. Leaving judgment to the right and remembering our place beneath His vision and repair.

For victory challenges the failed dreams of those hiding in the mountain. Sequester in hope of ruin. Laying wait for the innocent and the weary. Neither show us your contempt for all that breathes its light may be covered in soot or snuffed out as the candles of your calling. The choked cough of silent reeling. Promenade peradventure praying some notice by forgotten queen or parlay before Emperor’s ruling. No bells chiming in the clarity of cold kept vales of cloistered reason.

Fall and fail the trying rail against wisdom’s wall. Bring down the march toward oblivion. Joining hands in waiting watch of fire’s fashion. Counseled to stand against thirst and hunger instead of buffet’s bounty. They herald warns of coming wrath. And hath freed the dogs of wars whisper. As proud men seek handfuls of hair and fury. We watched as all care and compassion stepped away from the frenzied feast. Found equal and aligned with night’s perch.

Shoring up the falling is not the same as repairing or healing the broken. America needs both knees replaced that we may kneel humbly before the Creator and stand resistant against the Dark in Courage. Gone are the days and elements of excuse. Into the night in flight or repentant promise of light scamper we. Found only cautious in our word and mindful of deed. We hope to some day stand together in the eternal warmth of God’s transcendent promise.

Fourth Quarter

What are we but men, made by God breathing His Spirit into a handful of Earth, Adam-from dirt. Women, taken and created from that God-Breathed Man. In our simplicity and union with God we found life, purpose and projected outcome found in the promises He made to all. The Spirit being the promise of that scripting as reminder that one day we would be completed in our physical presence before and with God to live our Eternity. It is the “now” of this Divine play that confronts and demands our attention.

This realization governs both those who have given commitment to this understanding or denied it to find themselves in a self-created, alternate vain glory of imagination. Complicating this scenario, is the entrance of a highly powerful created being thrown down from presence before God. A being brilliantly, clever beyond our power’s of defense against the wiles of deception. Our only protection and inevitable victory found once again in the belief and reliance upon God’s original promises and the hope of protection from this Dominion by that same Spirit of promise found in our creation.

This reality or subsequent determined departure from it provides the range of thought and motion completely encapsulating this thing we call life. For as life was started by God through His Power and defined by His promise and purpose, there is nothing outside that governing sphere. It is the basis of Christian understanding and consciousness fully described and taught by the Spirit of Romans 1. For it is that same Spirit that is the “earnest” or faithful promise of our participation or enmity with God throughout time. Since that Spirit is the Promise of our Salvation, the presence or absence of that Same Spirit within each heart is the “Seal” either for eternity in presence of God or departure to a separation in a place we know as Gehenna or more commonly as Hell.

Now the challenge. We as men test the limits of this governing sphere in our own will to either find contentment within the will of God or escape in Self-Dominion. Additionally, we are continually lured, prompted and coaxed by the wiles of a Roaming Lion wandering to and fro seeking whom he may devour. Yes, we have an extremely powerful created being, thrown down by God, set among men to challenge us to obey or defy God. The joy found in the protection of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit of our Creation, the same defining Spirit of the Promise found in God, the same Spirit that seals all men in faith for eternity with God. All this managed by choice. A choice so powerful, so Divine, so loving that each man is given a lifetime to make it. A choice that defines not only our present life but the one to follow. The Choice to believe upon the powerful promised salvation found in Jesus Christ the coming King or depart in our own vain creation ending only in separation from God.

Why is this paramount to our current predicaments? Well as with any athletic or mental challenge there was a beginning, there is a period of performance and there is a coming end where our works are analyzed and accounted. Nothing matters unless there is an end to the voluntary choice that looms before humanity. The difficulty for today’s man is that winding down of time leading to a “pencil’s down” moment is creating urgency in our hearts and minds. We all feel the pressure upon us, even those who seek seclusion and self-created peace through vain imagination. For Roman’s 1 declares that the failure to acknowledge God’s Sovereignty in the demanded choice leaves no man free of the weight of judgment upon everyone. We are told that no man is without excuse as God has made His coming Wrath evident to all in creation. We are in the fourth quarter of that contest. What we do now is of special import for we proceed the return of Christ to rule and reign for eternity. As those who believe we now hold the Spirit of Promise and Power in our hearts, the only avenue of escape for all mankind from the certain wrath and judgment.

Do we think it is coincidence that there have been four Reich’s unleashed upon man in 800AD? Do we think it simple chance that places the forces of Global Dominion, Global Government, Global War and Global religion upon all of humanity at this precise timing? Do we think it pure chance that man has come to the age of advanced artificial thinking? Isn’t this an alternate expression of Vain Imagination that fails to acknowledge God and seeks its own will? No, this current paradigm is consistent with God’s Gospel and never departs one iteration or iota from God’s declaration of Light’s entry. He is the beginning and the end, He is the Light and the Spirit, He is the only peace and protection. Only in our acceptance of this Awesome reality do we find the potential to do Good or seek alternate end in avatar. The time is upon us, liking it or worrying about it does little to defer the gravity of its import or the danger of our ignorance/denial. The fourth quarter is the time in which we are privileged to participate. Have you decided to bring your A Game, simply show up or remain in the illusion that you through self determination/actualization may find your own created end?

Hypocrisy

To teach the ideals and commandments of God, we must commit ourselves to a continuous and lasting review of those things we do that are inconsistent with the teachings of our Holy and Righteous God. When I sin then tell others not to it immediately enters me into the hypocrisy of do what I say not what I do. I abhor my sin and each time I say or do something inconsistent with God’s direction it makes me viscerally ill. Not only because of my trespasses and violations against God but because it hurts my witness for Christ. Being an anointed believer engaging the power and the truth of God’s gift to tell others to do right while doing otherwise is to me a disgusting violation in itself. I pray that I am without blame for that is what I seek for all those given unto my responsibility and care. There is no resolution to this but success in the Spirit in not sinning and immediately when something is said or done owning it and awaiting God’s direction and correction to repair any wounds.

Washed clean for a reason. The blood of Jesus set me free from past and future sin, but may be incorrectly perceived as license to commit further offense with impunity. Reading of Matthew and other text firmly establishes that this false, abhorrent and twisted translation of God’s Word. This is not only literally evident but comes with potent conviction from the Holy Spirit. Sinning is the last thing any born again believer wants. I don’t crave my sin’s of flesh, eye and pride, I seek to be made new of the desires that led my fleshly man to yearn for their persistent completion. I am here for the purposes of Christ and bringing glory to God’s name and the sins I commit in this state are especially repugnant to the man of God I purport to be. Now is the time to get it right, not through effort but through committed submission to God’s refining fire in my life. The danger begins for each believer when they quench the convictions of Spirit in attempted quelling of the guilt and dangers of continued sin. Eradication of my further sin and elimination of the desire to serve it is the reason I was washed clean originally. There is no version of thinking that allows me to continue in that vein.

Remaining pure is just as impossible as forgiving our sins without accepting Jesus. For these works are miraculous display of God’s Love for all mankind. If I could never achieve any of this then it is fully dependent upon God’s provision of mercy and grace. My only power is that of choice. The choice to remain in alignment with God, if He so allows, to approach the ideals of perfection, correction, sanctification and eventual glorification in Him. I would love to say that I have remained pure before God. I would love to present myself without Blame before His throne. I would love if it were a thing that I could somehow achieve. However, my desire to be found righteous is only useful in the commitment and dedication to remain in the righteousness conveyed to me through my belief on the only self-existent righteousness, that of God found only in Christ Jesus. I cannot attend to my sin and remain righteous. I cannot forgive myself the offenses of stepping away from pursuing a blameless life. I cannot give myself eternity I may only walk the path God says leads to that end state solely established through the power of the Holy Spirit in promise, conviction and transformation.

I love all of you but the mere mention or avoidance of the conviction given us by the Holy Spirit ought be consistent with God’s call upon our lives, not with self-righteous or evil pursuance of the poisons of this world. We have been changed forever. No amount of continuance in those behaviors consistent with the flesh is going to further our eventual adherence to and expression of a likeness of Christ. Therefore, if a relationship leads me away from the those things of God I need immediately step from it. Doing so is the loving thing He would have me show you. Doing so is the only method of remain aligned with the Holy Spirit in His leading in to Truth, transformation and the pursuit of perfection He demands. I no longer want to be associated with my own quest for sin. It sickens me to see myself a man who would teach purity and then do something of display the foul mouthed allegiance to the cage of my worldly existence. Please don’t attempt to associate this a lack of loving compassion for you or the health of a relationship in family, friendship and Body. For we know emphatically, that a consistent commitment and pursuit of righteousness is the only recourse of true love.

If I run from you to save us both from the trials, hypocrisy and potential failures found in moments of humanity. This is love. Many Biblical characters would have succeeded in the face of repeated failure by stepping, running or fleeing the opportunity for sin, until such time as the Holy Spirit could change them. Taking the “Way” of escape was often the only path to their success. I cannot remain indifferent in this sanctified and anointed relationship between pastor and saint. Recognition of the dangers found in a particular situation, circumstance or trial is the path to change. For the conscious understanding of my own predilections, propensities and sketches footfalls is the beginning of anointed judgment that must persistently and painfully accompany every anointed preacher, teacher and disciple. I ask you help in setting me free from your internal expectations and invested outcome so that I may achieve through belief and commitment that blameless history of a true believer. For to love God as I do and love you the way I would want to be loved demands this commitment to my Gospel and created purpose.

Candor

I have always had a penchant for code. Mostly the linguistic rhymes and rhythms of decipherable meanings. This brought a love of poetic journalism to keep my thoughts, my thoughts from the prying eyes of those who would use your emotions and private tales against you.This world was never very safe as a child and I found it even more dangerous in adulthood. Joining the Marine Corps in this capacity awakened me to the broad disciplines of code: electronic, mathematics, Biblical, Quantum and otherwise. Unfortunately, we are in a time when the coded speech must be abandoned that all may hear the clear unblemished Word God, revealing all the mysteries and simplicity of God’s unfolding Plan. A Plan that effects every life and impacts everyone as they make their decision where to spend eternity.

I am not ashamed of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and preach, teach, evangelize and pastor to those people who have the fortunate/unfortunate opportunity to spend time with me. Today, I taught a Bible Study on Genesis, Judges, Romans, Ephesians and Revelation. The Holy Spirit bid me preach on Simplicity and that the world and those separated from God or perhaps those trying to self justify attempt desperately to complicate that many will not find the clear, unadulterated Truth of God’s Love and Plan for Salvation of ALL men. In reading the first chapter of all these books with some diligence and meditation you see that the only way to fairly judge mankind is to give them all the information up front that they may make a choice of their method of Judgment. It is the only way that a loving God would love all men and clearly tell them the expectations, departures and outcomes of obedience or rebellion. That has been my great pleasure and unexpected purpose.

We have arrived, uncomfortably or otherwise at the timing of that candid listening, observance and review. A review that God expects all to make yet an enemy wanders about trying to inhibit, prohibit or simply cancel. I am not going to be clever though the impetus presents. I pray and will assist in any way that I may with your hunger to make acquaintance with God and thresh the Gospel Message imperative to your forgiveness, sanctification and everlasting existence. I would plead with you to read the text with a desire/intention to fully comprehend the gravity of the material and the circumstances, timing upon all men. Therefor there is no code in my words, no complexity in my plea and no mystery or hidden meaning in the import I convey. I am not trying to be callous in delivery or indifferent in my appeal, however, my job is to simply tell you and let you make the choices. I assure you of my love, a lasting love that will follow you regardless of your decision. But I will leave you with a request to take this seriously and if you must laugh me off see the tears in the corner of my eye for the loss that we will experience when finally with God in heaven.

self-idolatry

Their dreams are shattered their constitution and spirit weak. Who may profit from their loss, be made strong in their fear or stand tall while they are frightened and alone? This is no allegiance to the dawn and light. To prance about in self-adoration while the young go hungry, fearful and downtrodden in body, mind and image. When did we take on this polymorphism unaccustomed to God’s reflection? What day sponsored this contempt and challenged heart? How wrongly you believe in the value of scarcity or the norm in hate of plenty. Do you hate trees because there are so many or burn them, cut them down for fun since they are in abundance? Why then are children so reprehensible in their multitude? To sacrifice them on your unholy pyres for the sake of trading them for aspired gold?

Do you esteem to destroy that for which you have little desire or use? What of dogs, donkeys or daylight? What happens when they fall astray of your lustful valuation? What of men who counsel wisdom or make the rabid mistake of speaking truth to your willing illness? Is your universe so terse or insecure that nothing may breathe air unless conforming to your limitations of size shape and worth? Do you think that God may take offense to your candid distaste for the things He gave when He spoke the Word of Creation? What of my mimicry when considering your discontent with the world that neither of us brought into being? Am I to rid the world of your brief interaction with the living because I find no value in your brief struggle? Or is it that everything is deemed of worthy purpose by being an asset or a liability in your finding or quality of need?

What then of tales of valiant humans? Those who fought simply that life may bring glory to God for as long and however they may reflect His measure? Do you fight for the princes and dukes of darkness? Or have you become an engine that seeks fuel source, void of conscience or conviction in the taking? Diminishing the beautiful, innocent or rare to how long they will burn when put to flame, the consuming madness of your unfiltered lust for self-existence? Yes, that is your affinity with the things of dark dungeons and high fells and groves of the ungodly. All things are viewed as matter to consume, catalysts to activate change conducive to your appetite. I applaud the simplicity in your vapid recourse but pity you as we pass bye flowers, are filled with joy in song or mercy and kindness of the living. For I too have lived solely for my hunger. It is a frightful and boring pursuit. For I knew no love, contentment or preserved the things of heart simply because they encouraged others.

There is a song to life that all are made better knowing. There is a dream to collective drive that bids us work in unison to launch. There is a norm of heart and mettle that feeds the flames of protection in innocence and charm. Those days when breath is brief and peace in short supply yet we gather with those unworthy to enable their existence. Just because they came from the Mind and Love of God. To see and trust our journey you must remember the things you’ve lost in the assaults of mankind upon all youth. You must recall the day when you wanted to please your Mom or Dad, just because they were the closest representation of our maker. However, the church, this world or people have failed you is no recourse to define them as wood for fire or life to be consumed in the ravages of your lust to consume. For you to decide their fate when they belong to God will end in a final conflict or your losing. Where you will have fulfilled the irony of purpose and decide to live the life of predetermination of those who were made to feed the maw of Gehenna’s unending flame.