Hopeful Truth

Safe and sound is seldom found for broad and potent wings shall cover thee. Harbor checked and feelings kept in winter the creaks reveal tempest rage. For together in the moment is a breath solemn provided. To quest for things beyond the love and vast hope of rings. Marries us to instance and episode.

Bedecked in merriment oft ill presumed folly. As tarpons and terrapins venture the vast and dangerous sands of waiting. We must return to the expansive assumptions of youth to temper them in experience. For tales told of old must be corrected in the sublime reason of today’s perspective. To be rekindled in magnanimity.

Too frequent in pulse and reverb to pause. To august for spring. To nonsensical for the comedic. Hope defiled by those lost in the turgid expectations of blasphemic importance. What reserve must be governed to release the dams of reason and encouraging festivity? What relief may be offered when no sustenance valued?

What prayers coat the waxen and the caustic? Who presumes to know things before revelation? In what manner may a man speak and reword the Divine without interpretation from the Heart and Spirit? When do batteries become irrelevant as they are tossed aside for internal verbiage and tranquility?

What powers the powerless? What fashion is so forward that it astounds and provokes? Who will stand in frailty before the passions of the innocent? Who will stamp out the light of praise and hope as all look to the sky expectant? What will stop the unstoppable and forgive those claiming to have that authority?

Who may be your King, someone in whom you have no doubt, disobedience or alternative? What is primacy? What is fixed and true? Do all things sway and vacillate in the universal understanding? Must we expect anchor, threshing floor or anvil from which all that is right may be constructed?

What is your Hopeful Truth?

The Search

Forgiveness and hope. Seeking, finding, forgetting, losing, remembering, wandering through hallways of dark moments and that brilliant saving light. Being what I should not be, not loving, fearing, walking inconsistent with the calling to spread the word of God. Does it matter the object of my searching heart, especially when seeing my awful behavior and lack of the fruit of self control? There is no place where that is okay.

Some things just need to work. For when the storm comes against us we must be standing hand in hand against it. No amount of salve will heal the desire to listen to another commander. I cannot calm the storm, only the spirit within me. Each time that I attempt to legislate, control or navigate unknown rivers or difficulties I should expect that failure I so often receive. For I am neither in charge nor want to be.

Find your place in the sun. If it were to be with me then we would be seeking the light and place of equal understanding. There is nothing wrong in one person saying, “This is where I will be”. Nothing wrong. However, it does indicate that it is a personal, unique, choice made by one party that is inconsistent with both parties coming to a joint decision in sun and spot selection. Things are as they are and when a good things sours, it may simply be the fault of a lack of commitment to follow the same road in joint decision to find their place together.

This is not my place. It has not captured me but is a way station to fulfill the calling upon my heart. It has been a proper waiting place to conduct ministry and wait upon the blessings that were presented as unexpected possibilities. To plant roots here would end my calling. For my calling is clearly one of evangelist, pastor and perhaps a sliver of prophecy. There is nothing wrong with someone staying here and putting down roots, trees, bushes, fences and family. However, that choice naturally separates the called from those meant to do ministry right here. Much the same as church vs. missionary. One stays the other goes. I am to Go.

The Lord gives us opportunities to make choices. He lays before us those things of our own intention, contentment, resolve and will that are not wrong, but are choices that will inhibit or even end the calling and fulfillment He intended for each life. I have been given such a choice in the quest for family, that has been absent much or even all of my adult life. To accept this answer to prayer I must relinquish the power, mystery and joy that comes with a mobile ministry. Frankly, a very hard thing that required voluntarily giving up those aspirations of self for that achievement consistent with God’s will.

The answer was always evident. Those who are in my family will either love me from afar or take up their cross and go wherever it is God’s Spirit directs us. For this is not the end of the road, only the beginning. If this be a way station to that fulfillment then amen. If this be a place for their roots to be planted deep next to the river then I say Too, Amen. For neither is wrong, only following that which God has placed upon their hearts. My choice has been made and my bad behavior a result of the struggle between your cause and mine. I want to love and am truly sorry that I have been made bitter, angry, frustrated and unloving by trying to conform to the calling of another heart.

I must lose it all to gain it. Including my desire for the white picket fence and family holiday reality. Why? Because my poor behavior is evidence that I know that choice will defy God. I cannot defy Him no matter the gain in this world. For this is not my world, my country or my eternal life but the ground of testing which is what I am experiencing right now. Choices like them or not must be made and my choice as I said has already been made, My Choice is Christ and that means loving my family enough to let them go in order to fulfill God’s Will.

I wish that we all understood, in time perhaps that will be the case. All I know is that I cannot be unloving and find unity in purpose and family. My exasperation is in disservice to a good relationship. Therefore, I must be true to my calling and love my family from far away as I fail up close. If people don’t want you around there is a reason. The reason they don’t want me around is because I squirm, trying to be comfortable while constantly being chastised for being inconsistent with God’s Call. It is simple logic, yet when affairs of the heart are involved logic becomes evasive and complex. I love you and will continue to do so, but I will not subject you to the bitterness that arises when I am out of synch with the Spirit of God. In Jesus name.

Lack and Duty

False Authority and the brutish push to make people perform my wishes. I never had the ability, though sometimes I intended to bulldoze those who were vulnerable enough to mirror my thinking, sight and demands. But as a Man of God walks he learns that Moses tried this as did Aaron and lost to God. For it is a nasty and foolish ideal to wrestle with the Almighty. I do not want people to suffer the trials and expectations of my worldly man. They should rather be free from me and go about joyfully finding hope, peace and comfort in their own pursuits.

People will do what they will do and if they will not listen to reason then the wise man disappears and falls back allowing all to make the free will decisions God has granted them. For sometimes they too must feel enough loss and pain or chastisement of the Lord to be purged of the things He would take from them or give them. Or they must make a choice in their appropriate timing without rush or recommendation. My greatest change has been that the urgency in my heart for God’s unfolding plan may not be transferred by osmosis, suggestion or even brow beating. People must grow in their own time with God. Some have had to forgive me for pushing a bit too hard in the Spirit of Urgency and clocks winding. I am sorry. The time I have will be used for better things than arguing or berating others into alignment with my desires for they do not belong to me but to Him.

He alone should be their guide. He alone shall I serve and none other, excepting the brief Brother, Sister or peaceful partner who wishes to paddle alongside me in this canoe for His proposals. I love, that does not mean that I will fall in love with everyone simply because I have heard their good intentions. A man, especially myself must be tested and in the empirical observance be found worthy of trust and favor or departure. Most people are good and have good intentions and heart, but walking in the life of discipleship is so unlike this world it requires a special amount of evaluation to see if the intentions match the footsteps.

For many times I have heard the word only to left on the side of highway or forced to walk away from someone because their words, vows, intentions and heart pursue something in a worldly neighborhood far from the scarce grounds of spreading the gospel. If it is the house, the dishes, towels, mirrors and foyers that a man seeks then his concerns will be upon his manna, not the people surrounding/needing him. I have been bought with such a price that perhaps there is no one who would want to align with me for I am sold to righteousness.

I find that as I seek things in the world: houses, trucks, relationships, approval that I weaken in my dedication to the ultimate prize, fulfilling God’s destiny, “every millimeter of it” for my life and those around me. I am responsible not only for self be those who may fall short walking with me, so we must at the outset be dedicated to that end, the One God has created for us.

This nation, our states and each individual is in the middle, perhaps in the early stages of the greatest tests and challenges that we shall ever face in this lifetime. To that end there is no wiggle room for me to operate at less than levels outstanding, supernatural in fact, empowered by the Spirit of God Himself living in our hearts. I want to be alongside you, but I cannot depart from the duty of my Soul.

My greatest want is that all given to my care find the fruits of the spirit from me to aid them in readiness. If there is a circumstance that inhibits that fresh/healthy transfer of His Fruits it must be questioned, challenged and changed or suspended in Hope that what I cannot do shall be completed in God’s timing, power and Crafting Workmanship. If my fruits are sour and terse then I am doing myself and you a disservice and must retreat to safety of testing, honing and shaping in God’s Hand. Joining me on that difficult, sometimes impossible road is a path that very few would ever choose. And I always counsel to choose wisely.

Coin

In the middle of my nightmare I awoke to see the Light. The air beneath my wings though brisk would never lift this kite. An all together helpful sort who never left the farm. In film and some frustration will silence all alarm. For the river’s not beyond us but here beneath the sand. And thirst of expectation is met without demand. For simple is so obvious and difficult absurd. Basic transformation provided in the Word. The knife an edge so sharp to divide the hard and soft. Transfixed by maturation spirit hovering aloft. When lies are obfuscation to conceal what hides inside. It’s better to simply tell the truth then be dissembler’s Bride. In the brightness of the morning the night had lost its power. And the grasp with the darkness became so weak and sour. Crimson and the royals, blue and august gold. Lit fire to the prophecies and tales so often told. That we laughed at our twisted grins and shouted at our sin. The doors had opened oh so wide showing where the race would now begin. Freely forward toward forever never glimpsing left of right. Our hearts and spirit onward so certain of the fight.

They’re sold for gold and blood run cold. To mimic the great lies each promised bold. No place to run by avatar, too bad this dimension doesn’t lean that far. In shame of pain and eternal flame. The lake of fire was always the fallen game. But man achieves what the dark deceives and is ushered into all that he believes. No Salt for Earth, no transformed rebirth. To find the dust that comes of all man’s worth. Into their dreams the only safety it seems. They cling to hate and anything that glows or gleams. The fight for self and presumed wealth no concern for youth or general health. A mass of want to be absolutely blunt. They seek to kill not just to hunt. Is this the time when difference clear resolved in images in hope and fear? Reverence for the king and everything that His Kingdom will bring. To pray for real peace and of His Majesty sing. Or stand on the edge of chasm wide with a horrific grin revealing what’s inside. Divorced from God for eternity or in eternal joy find us His bride.

In torrents of their game less pride torn lives and cities left open wide. No heart no sound no relief from shame in awaiting innocence we find their name. Harmful hands and thoughts of gain no compassion felt in other’s pain. In the wondering from reason we find their faith. For sigil, angels, saints and wraith. The moon is easy because it reflects the light and gives them guidance in the lasting night. But Long enough to discuss the dark in whiskey and the squeaking sark. These winds that blow ominous and foretelling. The tears that fall so long in welling. It’s coming kids don’t lose your hope in bottle deep and smoking dope. Sober men look not upon escape nor to some mutant hero in crescent cape. To the King and all He will bring no one worry about any old thing. For the dark has lost and long awaits. The prophecy which dims all fates. The King of Kings and Lord of All the season comes as trumpet sounds from every wall. No reason but a thing of trust will fill your sails as it returns all men to dust. What comes beyond the end of thought is all that Jesus has long forethought. We cannot save in law alone the price of life, this skin and bone. Only Spirit will find in time the answer to each song and rhyme. The mountain high and skinny path forgiveness for each and every crime.

Should?

Yes, the positive presumption is that as the recipients of Grace we should always succeed. However, we must reconcile the statement Jesus made that we would be assured of troubles in this World? They are not mutually exclusive. Therefore, perhaps the readiness and endurance we are to express is found in facing those trials, troubles and even tribulation in joy fully dependent upon the promises that build our faith? Are you ready to face the trials ahead of you or are in assumption of never meeting them? These passed several years and decades I have been readying myself for increased difficulties of path and portent. I eat less, pray more and seek a reflection equivalent with Fruits born of someone slowly and surely bearing resemblance to Christ Jesus. If not why not?

When I seek comfort I am leaning toward my fleshly desire to seek self-accommodation. It is not that I seek difficulty, discomfort and trial but would that practice be inconsistent with let’s say, John the Baptist wearing sack cloth and eating grasshoppers and honey? Have we become so soft that we abhor the sharpening or abrasive stones set before us for honing? Are we spiritually resolved to be the sole person who experiences no persecution though Christ promised it to all? How do you see the last days working out for you in this oddly, Biblically inconsistent review and understanding? Are you pursuing treasures here and yet expect that there will be resounding applause and welcome for you as you arrive in God’s Presence, having done nothing deterministically to secure His good pleasure through Faith?

There are wars and rumors of coming wars. There are earthquakes and natural disasters abounding, whether by accident or man’s recent ability to manipulate their creation and impact. There is pestilence created to capture, harm and control creation in a way that is consistent with the times of Noah as we approached God’s wrath upon this Earth. We see seen rampant, lust an acceptable cultural norm and a greed that rivals or exceeds the history of Man’s satanic empires. When do we confidently acknowledge and align with our expectations/actions to mirror the recognition of God’s direction and commands for humanity? And if not, will we let go of our false expectation of observing His rest, being adopted into His Heavenly family or hearing those faithful words? These are clearly the times for which we were made and it is irrational for someone who neither shows fruitful evidence of the Holy Spirit’s Presence nor the conviction of the Spirit’s chastisement for wrong action or sanctification to expect an outcome consistent with living, set apart, Holy Righteous and True as God bids us live? We ought not be fooled by our own inconsistent behaviors or deceived by enemy promises of heavenly rest when nothing but separation, weeping and gnashing of teeth awaits. The Beginning of Wisdom is fear of the Lord. Without it should we counsel ourselves ready?

Found

Do shame and joy mix evenly in my tears? Do we crave the cleansing shower of the soul? Embarked, wandering, what panel of elders guides your heart? What discipline governs and stays the hand of your war chief? What character teaches him as he dispenses judgment and retribution? Are we raising young men who have vigilantly watched and know that their actions are right, whole and seeking purity of heart and mind?

Yes, having druthers we all would wish to walk with those we love on this life journey to the well spring of eternity. Yet, alone, in righteous reflection and conscious observation of our faces in this mirror of actions and paralysis, we observe obedience or self service. None of those I respected will stand in my footprints as I give explanation to the King of Kings. We are together, alone before the fiery eyes of God and our story.

The thundering voice of rushing waters surrounds my thoughts held captive to His perspective. This has never been a thing of me, only expression of my choices in the vast array of possibility. For in creation I am the tool of His crafting. In guidance the image of what His hand made, set for consistent work of kings, yet with freedom to do otherwise. In the ominous depth of His Word upon my Spirit, I pray in full measure to be found right.

Do I have some duty to this nation in arguing for goodness and obedience to our King? Certainly, I would equally be counted among robbers, if standing as the jewels were emptied into pockets with a lust in their fencing. This is the time to stand apart from wickedness. This is the time upon which my story will be judged, having taken up guide on for God or waving flag’s surrender. Will I be found of this world or the next as Mankind struggles in breathing?

Hold fast

In the desert of tossed ideas. A gasp, cough or frozen throat is often good. For in what manner do I measure the quality of those thoughts sponsored in narrow or vapid thinking? Though I am made in their image. A presumption of eloquence, depth or application especially having seen the vat of pride within, is tempting calamity.

It is time to move on from the attempt at being good enough for any of you. That is a fool’s errand a quest without destination a road dry, sans forage or fodder. May God send me those who appreciate my hue, virtue and brand of elementary humor. For to be in debt to someone expecting eventual love is fertilizer without ground to plant.

Control is of the Lord. Navigation is of the Spirit. Right, prudent and wise are of the Father. None of this was my creation only my doing to match or hatch the impacts of my intention, hope and failures. There never was any expectation of measuring up to a set of metrics born in the damaged hearts and minds of men set out on a broad, dusty trail.

Have I failed. I hope not and hold fast to the Promises of Revelation at meeting. Treasures stored up by faith are equally anticipated by that same faith to which they were gathered. What awaits is greater than the inputs and outputs of a world that looks to metaphysics and concrete fulfillment. There are no pleasures but joy through Promise and kids awaiting gifts.

Facts in evidence.

Culpability, shame for the torture of the innocent, bullying of the vulnerable and prostitution of those things that everyone knows are right? What duty of knights or those choosing some measure of valor, honor and character? What pleasure in dedication to those things that keep the fields pure and the food safe from taint or tincture? What adoration of young men not having been poisoned, ruined or infested with the parasites or social degeneration? Is virginity of person and heart of any value in today’s shock value culture?

If your hands strangled not, yet you watched in timidity or voyeurism you would spend conspiratorial accomplice time in penitentiary. Why then are those who drug, infect or laughingly sell youth into sexual slavery and dangerous, potential life long wounding allowed to reach the pinnacle of wealth, power and political bastion? These are not easily answered questions by a population who does not want to discuss their evil. Those with sin do not want them brought to bare in discussion of accountability of corrective action.

More than half of the Mob rule democracy wish to remain silent about our afflictions as a nation. Not the political apology tour of the offenses of Capitalism, but the painful reality exposed by the analytics regarding a lust to consume children and hide the evidence. We as mankind are filled with a blood lust to do wrong. That should neither be applauded nor concealed as we hand out awards, medals and continue to condone the opposite of evolution. Especially when those with a proclivity for this wickedness hold up the light of man’s transformation as evidence they have become equal to or surpass the Perfect God who made them.

It is time for judgment. Not by my hand or mind, appointing myself worthy of such thought and proclamation. We have once again reached a fevered pitch of putridity and obeisance to self worship. A man who believes himself righteous is perhaps the most dangerous of all. For he cannot abide discussion of his frailties for there must be admission of their existence. No, the only path to perfection is found in rightful admission of our collective poisons, those things which we may not practice but stand action less as they are taken out upon those incapable of defense. There is always the opportunity or risk of sounding as if I am painting with the broad brush of my perspective, but it is to God’s Word, especially prophetic through which we see ourselves either seeking His righteousness or our own gratification. As men, arguably we have done the same things for thousands of years. Certainly the names and places have changed but the actions remain identical throughout our history. How can anyone claim an elevation of the species without evidence to the same?

LAST DAY

Hear the Word of God. Salvation is not a toy, a label, a clique, a cult or a dream. It is ending the War between you and God. It is forgiveness for all that you’ve done and will do. It is not a doctrine of doing some great deeds to earn God’s Love. It is done by God not by you. Your responsibility is to believe, truly believe and walk as if you truly believe that you could never and can never save yourself from death, hell and the things to come. It is a total belief even in moments of doubt that God is the only way to escape the chains of this life found in our sin against Him. God sent His Son to live the life we must suffer through and do it perfectly then sacrifice Himself, voluntarily to pay the debt incurred by our sins. This gift is the only thing that separates one man from the next. When we choose to accept that gift we are now protected, changed, born again of Heavenly seed to withstand all the assaults of evil with courage and a certain understanding of our everlasting life to come.

Now the hard part. We cannot clean ourselves of the poisons and filth of this world. It is something once again that may only be accomplished by God, through His indwelling Spirit and the Constant/Continual relationship between Him and each believer. We are here to suffer the tests of this fallen world and in so doing see the remaining defects of sin within our Earthly bodies to offer them daily before the King to have them removed as dross from purifying metals. Yes, some day, that wonderful day we will be cleansed completely and receive our Heavenly Bodies in glorification, the moment Christ removes us from this world to be with Him forever. Many believe that this represents rapture and the Bible is very clear just as the Old Testament was very clear that the Messiah would come to Earth Twice. There is no other currently known and understood way for the obedient church to be removed before the dispensation of Wrath and judgment upon the wickedness of Earth’s Dwellers. There is no other way to present an environment so dangerous and desperate to force all who remain conscious to make a decision for or against Christ.

Why do we always push things to the point where we are forced to consciousness? Well, in my words it is my own propensity towards pride and disobedience. Somehow though it is a foolish position with no supporting evidence I believe that I know better than the scripture and the Word God placed upon my heart. For some reason I crave the sinful realization of the momentary sensory fulfillment found in adoration of my sin. I want what I want when I want it how I want it disregarding the logic and inescapable import of God’s Will upon me. What is coming is inevitable. What is coming is coming soon. Believers and unbelievers alike must face the same fact in the absolute primacy and imminence of Christ’s return. We must either decide to obey and follow the direction of His indwelling Spirit or choose to go another route. As a believer the joy found in obedience is righteousness and certainty in the dispensation of God’s Power found only in the Holy Spirit. It is a seal against the wiles of the enemy and a sureness found in the understanding, knowledge, love and faith in Jesus Christ and a protection against the dangers of false doctrine or deception. For those who do not believe or choose to disobey and backslide it is an inclusion in the reward of the Earth Dwellers and those predetermined for everlasting separation from God in the Lake of Fire.

The choice is yours, the days are upon us whether you see, don’t see, heed of don’t obey. This naturally then is nearing the end of the time of preparedness offered all men. The days of decision and action based on belief or the days of self-service and idol worship to fulfill the quests of the fallen heart within our mortal man. It is a time that most will never even consider using wisely, sparingly and urgently to get right with God. That is why God’s prophetic word says the before He returns the Spirit of Elijah will come calling us to a righteous walk and returning our hearts to the Father. The time of the Covenant fulfillment of the Jews is nearing where they will find Grace in the Holy Spirit. For that time to arrive the time of the Gentiles must he completed. We are in that time. Therefore this is the last call for all men to make a decision for or against Christ or remain indifferent which will accomplish the same as an adverse choice of Grace. There is no escape but God through Christ in the Holy Spirit’s Power. There is no other decision as important. There is no other time to make that choice and find yourself prepared for Christ’s retrieval and return for rule and reign. There is no other message more important or worthy of action. This is the day for which each of us was made. How will you spend your last days?

Here and there

Make the mistake, see disparity turn to clarity or a silencing of Spirit. How unfortunate and blessed to have the trials and mistakes. Why I must make the error before learning from it or experiencing the chastisement of the Father, I have not yet understood. For now I continue to walk and err, then see the price of my failure, disobedience and wild heart. I pray for a day where I may do the right thing before God and man, separated from my wicked heart and inadequate understanding of heavenly character and fulfillment of God’s Will before my own.

Father, thank you for showing me that I may confess before you the clarity of the man I have yet to become. I do not want to travel the broad boulevard of contempt and disrespect for your Grace. However, I see the poisons and worldly taints remaining in the rising dross as I am super-heated prior to its removal. Thank you for crucible of this world and its pull upon my soul, may your Word and Spirit separate the Spirit from it, that I may live eternal free from graft and sin.

You are my destination. I will be found at the moment I am told to rise from my face, prostrate before your Glorious Appearing. For now I am lost with the hope of Your Spirit’s guidance into the knowledge of the truth I must acquire in readiness. Forgive me over and over it appears that I may someday walk the skinny path with no regard from the Broad boulevard of this world’s ambition. May your Spirit counsel me and the body help me to become steeped in Faith and knowledge of you that my unsalted soul be riven from the cleansed man before you. Help me as I struggle to do those things beyond my present capacity, that someday I may arrive and be able to feed myself the bread of Your Word.