Fame and Fortune

I am wondering dear reader, about a little thought that we can explore together.

Look with me at the devastating of souls of the rich and famous: those that have been elevated to star status, mere humans travelling heavenly heights, lifted up by plebeians that are inclined to worship and adore those they believe are better than themselves. 

Star status, for goodness sakes! Who made up that comparison and analogy? 

This morning, I turned on the light in my kitchen. It was early and the darkness had yet to lift. Oddly, I saw light shining under a kitchen curtain, reflecting off the ceramic tile. I thought it strange, since no street lights lit my backyard, and the spot of light was so bright. I opened the curtain to see the source of light, and my eyes were drawn upward: there the moon glowed, looking down on me as I smiled up to him.

God is light, God provides light, God brightens the darkness, and when we look for illumination, it is to him we must turn our gaze, always and forever, to him alone. Which brings me to the thought I had, that started as a conversation with a good friend. The thought was a wondering... wonder with me now?

When I consider all the famous people, now made infamous by their utter apostasy and blasphemous declarations in public forums, I wonder if they ever knew Christ at all? If they did, as Judas had when he was privileged to spend time with the living God, did they do as Judas had done, selling their Saviour for a mere thirty pieces of silver, or in modern translation, all the glitter and shine of fools gold, in the form of fame and fortune? Jesus was first and similarly tempted by the devil himself, just before his ministry of reconciling the world to himself began:

Luke 4: 2-14

Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. 

And the devil, said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 

And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 

And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him though all the region round about.

Jesus modelled holiness in his responses to the devil, and dear reader, anyone that belongs to him, clings to his example and asks for the power of the Spirit of God, to so imbue us with the very same strength, when temptation threatens our soundness and faith. 

The thirty pieces of silver that purchased Judas' betrayal, bought the land on which he hung himself... his life became worthless. My point being, dear reader, that sell outs short change themselves, and whatever reward they get here on earth for betraying their King, is very little indeed to what their inheritance would have been if they had bowed to the Sovereign rather than to Baal. 

No one can sell out the Saviour. No one can cheat Christ. Even the devil quoted scripture, which is quite an interesting bit of intel if we look closely. He tried to try the Lord, with his own words... only the devil and his minions, in spirit and human form, could be so arrogant!

Now that we have what I consider a back drop for our topic and wondering, I want to address the real reason for our time together. I am thrilled to consider the humble and meek, the talented and timid, those among us that could have been big names in the entertainment industry, or in politics, or in world affairs, that could have been famous and fortunate financially, above and beyond wildest dreams. Those that were tempted and tried and declined, when they realized it was their soul they would have to remit, as an entrance fee for such public grandeur. They wanted not to be shining super stars, but quiet servants of the Lord, and when we look at The Bible greats, many were men made wise in old age, and rather resistant to be called to duty by God; they didn't see themselves as worthy, as capable, as talented, as able, and yet God chose them because he saw in them, sparks of his brilliance, reflections of Who he is. Willing hearts and weak human hands, made strong by God's spirit. 

And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. 

Look with me at Jesus. Fame of him went out through all the region round about. How come, dear reader? This Man/God had lived in relative obscurity until this point, and yet he becomes famous after denying the devil any diabolical pleasure by giving into to his temptations. What is happening here?

I am thrilled, dear reader, to impart this brief snippet of significancy with you. I am excited that I actually KNOW people, that have repeatedly and insistently said no to demonic hints, suggestions, attempted impositions, and offers of fame and fortune. I delight in knowing humans that love the Truth, Who is of course, Jesus Christ, so much, that they could care less about bread, power, or earthly safety! 

Jesus is the staff, the bread, of life

Jesus is the power to which saints bow, and from which we get our strength

Jesus is our security, our safe haven, our heavenly reward and promise

Oh happy days, if only we could give this Truth too all without them rejecting it constantly and consistently. 

What we see, is self-betrayal by the rich and famous. In their mocking of God, they have made fools of themselves. All those that have been froward, in the future will be fodder for the fire: some have gone so far as to never be recovered or redeemed. Blasphemy of the Holy Ghost is an unpardonable sin. 

The light shines brightest in the darkness, dear reader. Let the light that shines forth from you, be God's, and give no praise to yourself, and seek not the glory that belongs only to the Lord, your God. We have been warned, admonished, and redeemed, and we must remain steadfast, when all the world is ablaze in bizarre and wicked self-destructive endeavours.

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass (Psalm 37:7)

The wicked will receive their reward here on earth, and no fame or fortune will protect them from the wrath of the righteousness of God. 

Rogue Attackers

I have a friend that I met on LinkedIn. We are two Christian peas in a pod, two females holding down the fort against rogue attackers, that want to dismantle faith, and us too, if they can, by suggesting we are uneducated, misinformed, off base, and perhaps a little silly, silly little women, for suggesting 1 the pope is a homosexual, 2 Catholicism is a farce, and 3 The Bible is God's authoritative last word on all things reprobate and abominable. 

1 Promoters of homosexuality are perhaps, homosexuals themselves: or at least, I do believe this is a valid accusation regarding the priests that occupy high places within Romish institutions. IF you argue with me on this point, it will be rather a weak attempt on your part to defend the indefensible, since it is public knowledge that many a robed man, under the guise of sound spiritual guide and director, has taken advantage of the vulnerable. Scandals abound: I am disinclined to defend predators, but if you feel you must, you go right ahead.

The pope - who is no more pope than I am, since there is no such type of person or position mentioned in The Bible - heavily promotes homosexually, going directly against the word of God. He can wear whatever he wants, carry around that heavy golden cross hanging from his neck, but he hasn't picked up the cross of Christ, nor does he pay homage to the one that bore stripes on his back for the sins of the world. The pope is a popular nobody that many somebodies seem to want to adore, elevate, and bow down to too... a mere man with a gaping mouth that speaks death, an open sepulchre: he digs his own grave with every word uttered as he publicly promotes wickedness.

2 Based on point 1, Catholicism is a farce... okay, okay, based on far more than the point I made above, Catholicism is held suspect for far too many reasons that I could possibly list here, and the Good Lord knows, this topic has been covered by Biblical scholars for decades upon decades. I need not go too far into the fray but to say this: any deviation from The Bible puts a person in peril. The Romish church has superseded itself repeatedly, far surpassing previous egregious activities, by currently approving what God explicitly has condemned. They are God's enemy, who go against God's will, God's commands, God's warnings. 

Praying to Mary alone is abominable to the Lord... this major point incenses Catholics everywhere. No where in the word of God is it ever suggested that anyone, ever, pray to Mary, a saint, or anyone else of the human, animal, or elemental variety. For a quick review of this truth, all you need do, if you disagree with me on this point, is read the first of ten commandments. God doesn't take kindly to competition for his affection and devotion. He isn't inclined to approve disobedience or the delusion that worshipping other humans is acceptable and tolerable. He is God, creator of the Universe, and of you and I. Mary didn't make us, nor will she break us... but God did, and can.

3 The Bible is God's word, and anyone calling themselves a Christian, ought to rely on The Bible as life manual. I can't help it, dear reader, if I love it, quote it, live by it, get chastised and corrected when I need it... it is holy to me, as a gift from God's mouth to man's pen! I praise God for the wisdom therein, and I will speak it loudly, shouting from the rooftop, if ever I find myself in such a place, so that others can know him as I do! God is marvellous, and I would be a cruel keeper of the word if I didn't share its good news with all that care to give an ear! 

I don't need to defend God, he is, after all, All Powerful! I do however, defend the faith, holding down the fort with my sisters and brothers in Christ. If I did not hold fast to him, with all that he has done for me and mine, what kind of sorry Christian would I be? If I do not counter the lies people tell about Who he is, and if I do not speak against blasphemous bastardizations against God's word, then I am an empty shell, uselessly wanting substance. 

Imagine me, professing Christ, and then pretending that anything goes?

Ha, that is what many, countless fake Christians have done, and they resent this truth being pointed out to them.

God is good, and he is merciful. Deviating from his will and way is a human thing to do, and when we read the Bible, we must stand willing to be corrected, next to fall at his feet in adoration, and finally, to turn away from our own deviancy and instead, commit to honouring and abiding in him. 

Tonya, sis, this one is for you: rogue attackers 🤪 are no match for our Sovereign.

Much love, in Christ, LGB

Now You Can

Now you can, dear reader, do whatever you want, whenever you want, with whomever you want, for as long as you want. Isn't this just Jim Dandy for you? Since we are talking about now, and all you can do via choice, with your desires, your time, and with people you have interest in, I must add one caveat, before we proceed: 

Now you can, but it'll cost ya. 

Cost. Things are expensive, dear reader, and some things are too dear to spend, to exquisite to part with, to important to treat roughly. Perhaps you guess to what I am referring? I will uncloak and tell you I speak of relationships. Relationships are invaluable, and when one fractures, when one breaks, they are often virtually impossible to mend and put back together again... unless, of course, extraordinary measures are taken to repair what has been shattered. 

How though, how does one go about making amends? 

A-mend... a-men... AMEN... agreement is the great AMEN. How do you, or I, go about coming into agreement with someone we no longer have in our lives because of a breach in our relating?

I write giving advice today, to would be listeners, those that might read my writing and hear my message. I think of one person in particular that I have compassion for, but who does not heed warnings, or take kindly to being directed... and yet, here I must try, perhaps one more time? 

Say you are sorry

Say you are sorry not for hurting others, but rather, for what you did

Say you regret your choices and wish you could turn back time, start over, never again do what you have done, because it hurts your heart to know you did wrongly

Say you don't expect or hope for anything in return except for perhaps, forgiveness

Say your life has been horrible since you did what you did, and you don't even recognize the mean person you have become

Say you are shattered knowing the heartache and pain you caused

Say it, say it all, with your trembling body and voice speaking volumes of anguish for not being there, not contributing, being selfish and cowardly, dishonest and self-indulgently callous

Say it, say it until you are spent, and others know that you mean it. Be broken for them because they were broken for you

Being sorry is admittance to wrong doing. It is the only honest way of apologizing. No one, not a one, believes an apology for injuries caused: we believe apologies that include the wrong doer owning what they did, stating it plainly, and holding firm, minus excuses.

I am sorry for hurting you means very little. I am sorry for doing what I did and how it hurt you, means far more, and highlights accountability for the speaker, and innocence for the injured.

Dear reader, the new year approaches quickly and I am cleaning house, purging what does not suit me in my surroundings, and clearing what clings to my being that must be ousted. I anticipate news of death at every turn because so many live lives as though they are answerable to no one. Everyone can do what they want, whenever they want, with whomever they want, for as long as they want, and they have. The injections that people agreed to and lined up for, were symptomatic of indulgence, of inner workings. There were and are still, lots of excuses people make for doing what ought not to have been done, and the shots, they were a way to keep going, unhindered... but it'll cost them.

Hindered is what happens when choices are made now, that further on down the road prove to be huge errors in judgment. What may present as freedom of spirit at first blush, often shackles the soul for eternity. While I think of one person in particular as I type, I cannot help but consider how very many have gone the way of earthly pleasure now, forsaking heavenly joy for the future. 

CHRISTmas is about a baby boy GodChild, born to die for the sins of the world. God gives us ample opportunity to take a good look at ourselves and the wrongs we have committed that injured others. We get to be sorry, say it and mean it, minus attempts to weasel out of accountability. Soul searching sincerity goes a long way on the road to redemption, and besides, God doesn't take wooden nickels, hear half-assed apologies, or wait around until we get around to being honest about what we have said and done. Jesus died for our wicked transgressions, the least we can do is be pure hearted in our confessions and desire to sin no more. 

How do we mend relationship, you ask?

Be sorry, truly sorry for wrongdoing... it is the only way back into a heart that may remain ajar. 

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy (Proverbs 28:13)

Vicious

Bared teeth. In a split second I saw them before they sunk into and closed around the throat of my tiny six-pound Yorkshire terrier. Next there was violent shaking, and a moment later, she died in my arms.

Writing this makes me tear up. I miss my dog tremendously, and while I don't give myself permission to perpetually ponder the loss, when I do, my mind goes beyond this memory, and the tears begin to flow as I consider the losses my friends are living, facing Christmas and the rest of their lives, without people they love. 

Bared teeth. Humans behave like rabid dogs. I have several humans turned savage in mind as I type, but one in particular goes for the jugular without conscience or hesitation, purposefully directing his killing hatred toward humanity: Noah Harari.

He is a vicious man. The name Noah means comfort and rest. Noah Harari is the antithesis. He slavishly savours chaos and exertion, engaging in murderous plotting, planning, and implementation. The Noah of The Bible took his instructions from God... God destroyed mankind, save eight humans, for their abominable sins (they had truck loads of time and opportunity to repent, but decided sacrificing their children to demon gods was more valuable then heeding the warnings of the living God; plus, unnatural sexual activities were rampant), and Noah Harari, demonically attempting to falsely imitate God, deems himself worthy of doing the same: wiping out those that he views as less then who he has puffed himself up to be. 

Huh, well then, if it ain't just a black cat copy of God's judgment, turned from righteousness to hellishly-horrendously-satanic-satire. Satan hates humans, and he has recruited some of them to mock and mimic God, as destroyers of their own kind, rather than loving others as God commands.

Noah Harari has bared his teeth, and next, he has sunk them in and closed around throats, blood lust driving his passion. He is a homosexual: willingly he violates other men, and is violated similarly. Rage drives him to his own destruction and distraction, and belies what he believes about himself. He hates himself. Only a person filled with self-loathing, wants to harm and hinder others, especially those that profess faith in Christ. 

I am torn in two when I think of the suffering he has caused and what I witness when people I love weep in their brokenness, recognizing that their parents have been murdered... this, dear reader, is our reality. Murderers roam freely, lawlessly, and we grieve, begging God for comfort and justice. The killing hasn't ended, and it won't any time soon. God is giving many a soul time to repent for their sins, profess Christ as Saviour, and be redeemed and made worthy through Emmanuel, so that when they leave this world and enter into the next, they will reach God's heavenly Canaan, the promised paradise. 

Comfort and rest is not ours, dear reader, until we reach our promised land. We cannot witness horror and forget, setting aside the pain as though it is a nothing, a thing not to be acknowledged. We weep when we see our brethren weep. We laugh with them when they discover a moment of peace and joy... we long with them for reunion, to have and to hold those that went before us, and in the mean time, we pray, we wait, and we love like our Saviour.

Noah Harari, you have given yourself over to the dark side, your shadow is small and you want to make it grand and imposing. You are a little man, not because of your stature, but because you demean yourself, proclaim publicly what you do in private, and you have made yourself an enemy to God, the Almighty. You have not learned from history, and yet you proclaim you are carving a path for the future. Foolishness.

Acts 18:6

And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles

Noah Harari, your blood is on your own head.

Outside Evidence

NOTE: You will be challenged at the end of this writing.

There is always evidence, dear reader, always a way to know. The outside betrays the inside and visa versa. 

Take overweight as an example. If someone you know happens to be carrying a few extra pounds around the middle, they can try their level best to hide it, but our clothes let us know just how they feel, when we try to squuuueezze into them. Our pants may as well have voices: 

Right Pant Leg: Hey, you, trying to slip me over that pudgy right leg of yours, what is going on? When you brought me home we were a fit, now, not so much. Stop it, stop pulling for goodness sakes, you are going to tear me in half with those grabby mitts of yours! 

Left Pant Leg: Oh my gosh, are you kidding me? Did you not see how hard it was on Right Leg when you finally squished yourself in there? Now you are torturing me? Are you trying to break us apart? Cut it out!

Zipper: Okay, okay... you know, my teeth can only do so much to contain what you got going on just below your naval. I mean seriously, holding this thing together is going to take all I got: you are pushing your limits buddy! And by the way, holding your breath to get me to go up to Button, doesn't mean we are going to get along all day... especially after lunch. 

Inner workings and outside evidence go hand in hand. We truly are what we think, because whatever it is we think, becomes behaviours we engage, and from there, we become: what we eat, what we wear, what we praise or condemn; what we espouse and lastly, what we estrange from. 

I have the pope in my sights these days, as a malignant malefactor. With cross in hand, he betrays who he is, what his inner workings are, by displaying what he really believes and holds fast to. The pope is proving the case against him, without anyone having to prosecute, or lift a finger in pointing. He is a homosexual man that feigns love for people, and the evidence is stacking, proving his hatred for and hostile opposition to, Christ... just before CHRISTmas! 

The old man used Mary for a very long time as a decoy, a distraction away from Jesus the King of kings, making her into a deity for those that prefer worshipping humans, rather than falling on their faces in awe before the all sufficient God of the universe. Now said pope, must take several leaps further, seeing how he has gained the confidence of wanna be homosexuals, and bleeding hearts that pander to their perversion. Hooray is the chorus, we have done it! We have liberated man from bondage so that they can have anal violation as their right, they can fornicate without making babies, they can even have pretend marriage, adopt children, have someone surrogate a paid for baby so they can feign family, and start all over again via divorce, if they find they are unhappy and want a change. Yup, giddy-up! All condoned and acceptable behaviours according to the pope and his demonic peeps. 

Lalala, life is grand when you live in fantasy land, isn't it though?

Back to your pants, I mean my pants... wait, I mean someone's pants that are currently on strike and want danger pay to be anywhere near a human with a spare tire. Pants don't lie, this is why they are so annoying! This is also why we can trust them, because they don't accommodate us just because we want them to. They are consistently what they are, and if we want to be in relationship with them, we have to acknowledge that they aren't going to change, and by God, if we don't, we will have to go find us a pair that matches our current state of fluff. 

Current state of fluff... the pope thinks he can publicly trick people into believing that God changes to accommodate us when we want our own way. The suggestion is that God is flexible, accepting, unconditionally loving, no matter where someone shoves or forces a body part, namely, and you will forgive me dear reader for being candid, a penis. The penis is not a toy or a weapon, and yet that is how it is being represented and wielded in the most repugnant and demeaning ways... all acceptable according to the antichrist pope.

And so we have it: Once again, there is nothing new under the sun. The devil insinuated that God loves to restrict humans and their understanding when he drew Eve & Adam into accord with him against the God that formed and shaped them and gave them breath, and he works his trickery still, on many a fool. The pope leads the way to hell as pied piper, opening his mouth and spewing forth lies to draw people astray and in the direction of the pit. 

The outside evidence betrays his inner workings... and anyone that owns, reads, and loves The Book of Wisdom, The Bible, see him exactly for who he is. 

Scripture speaks for itself, and before you read it below, allow me to be sharp in making my argument. The pope is Mr. Obvious at this stage of his diabolical game, in his disobedience and desire. He is holding back only his profession of Satan as his father, but all his actions point clearly at the amassed evidence, that this is indeed, to whom he pledges his allegiance and life. The man in the dress hates humanity, and hates Jesus even more. 

Now on to you, dear reader. If you do as he does, encouraging sin by colluding with others in theirs, knowing what The Bible clearly states, you are no better than popey, and are heading in the direction the devil is leading many to... a deep dark pit of perpetual pain. 

Scripture states: 

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has shewed it unto them. 

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in the imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lust of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who change the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. 

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgement of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them (Romans 1:18-32)

Promised Challenge

How about we don't blame our pants when they don't fit, and we don't accuse God when he remains true to his Word... how about that, dear reader?

Causation Contributor

Today I am inclined to go after a giant in the construction industry in my city, EllisDon.

Crickets. I hear crickets chirping, crickets crunching. In my mind's eye, thousands upon thousands of the critters are conveyed to grinders, dropped in powered form after a strange Frankenstein dehydrating process, into bags, sealed and next delivered, as food stuff to grocery stores. President's Choice has made their choice clear, they favour and market the leggy product... clearly we cannot trust most presidents, living or dead. 

Do you recall, dear reader, the plagues of Egypt? A quick tour through Exodus in the Bible will give you the history I refer to. My main point, is disobedience to God's commands brings with it warnings of judgment, followed by consequences of a dire nature, when said warnings are arrogantly ignored. 

I wonder how the employees that work at the factory feel about their employment. Are  they bursting with pride, when asked, What do you do? And what about the builder that took cash to build this nightmarish monstrosity of a factory: is he consuming cricket on the daily, considering he must clearly believe that it good enough for Joe Shmoe, the average consumer that doesn't read labels on packaging. 

EllisDon is a blight on our society. I am embarrassed that the city of London can boast this cricket factory as the worlds largest. I don't really care who commissioned the work of building, what I care about is the who that contributed to ensuring this nasty business came to fruition, or ought I say, infestation. 

Thinking of the plagues has me very seriously contemplating what we are witnessing. There is a lack of awareness, and an undertone of not really wanting to know, that has many a human under the spell of stupor. I am laying some blame at the feet of EllisDon, but each employee that takes his pay from Aspire Food Group, is culpable too. Aspire Food Group: hmmm, imagine aspiring to demean fellow humans to the point of them unwittingly eating bugs. Beetles and lice are coded as E120 and E904 respectively on packaging: I am not sure what crickets are coded under when they are one of many ingredients, but I do know that the manufacturers are not shy about promoting their creepy crawly hoppy critter products as edible. 

I said I was going after a construction giant in this writing; perhaps I have shifted somewhat in my mood and tone at this point in our time together. EllisDon is just one more godless company, taking funds in exchange for constructing whatever the client orders up. There isn't a moral code consulted, clearly, for the owners and operators of this construction company. They don't really care what they build, as long as their pockets are filled. 

🔥 Do you care, dear reader, about the long term effects and results of your work?

🔥 Would it be okay with you, if you knew that what you do for that paycheque, is contributing to the injury, illness, or long term disability, and possible death, of consumers of the products or services, the company you work for provides? 

🔥 Are you contributing to causation: meaning, are you a player, a cog in the machine of destruction and death that we see all around us?

If the work you do harms others, either immediately or further on down the road, you are culpable, criminally, and morally. It isn't the giants in industry that do all the damage, it is the worker bees, the tenders of the hive, the humans turned to cricket ambassadors, that do the most heinous vandalization to humanity. 

If only... if only we truly loved our neighbours as ourselves

I am calm now, dear reader, having worked out some of my angst here, with you. I know God permits us to be jerks or gents, commoners or royalty. We can demolish or build up, and he keeps track of each worker bee, each construction crew boss, each commanding officer, and each CEO. Nothing gets past his inspection and he wants us to be conscientious about our choices, about what goes into our system and how it can impact us mind, body and spirit. He wants us to think about our impact, because we are accountable and answerable not only to him, but to one another. 

🔥 Dare I say you take a very close look at your work, and what you are contributing to society? 

🔥 Dare I suggest that if you suspect your skills are being converted to human harm while you ply your trade, that you begin analyzing your situation, and assessing it while considering a change? 

Freedom of will to harm or heal, that is the double edge sword gift that God has bestowed. Blaming people feels good at first, until we take a close look at our own contributions to the problems, and alternatively, the solutions.

We are heading down a dusty road together, dear reader. Along the way we will see people that have dropped dead in the ditch after stumbling in their stupor. They won't have known how they got there, and there won't be anyone to pick them up where they have fallen, because we will have to keep on walking by, saddened at the sight. 

I realize now, as we close together, why I felt compelled to write. Disobedience to God's commands is rampant, and we are being plagued, en masse. What you and I do impacts everyone, and that is a truth we cannot escape, nor should we want to. 

But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said (Exodus 8:15)

And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out they rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt (Exodus 8:16-17) 

And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast (Exodus 8:18)

Satan has done a marvellous job of using what was once considered despicable and disgusting, and turning men's minds toward these things as being delicious and desirable. The Egyptian magicians could not manufacture lice, but modern man as sorcerer has mastered the ability, doing the devils bidding. They directly oppose the living God, bringing plague upon us, with hardened hearts that have not compassion for those that are subjected to their cruel impositions. 

Pharaoh's own son died because he refused to heed warnings, gratefully receive respite, and next refrain from continuing in his arrogant ways. He was drowned in the Red Sea, enraged as he was, in pursuit of God's people, who crossed over before him on a newly made river bed path, free from encumbrance: God commanded the parting of the sea, and he was the Israelites rear guard! The waters came crashing down upon Pharaoh, and his army of men riding proudly on chariots pulled by powerful horses. 

Lice... crickets... food for thought or the belly?

All that oppose God and stubbornly refuse correcting, will discover they have brought upon themselves, their family, and even their friends, a plague, a pox, a curse from which they will not be redeemed. 

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7)

God, Mr. No Fun

Commandments? I'm going to take a pass

I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. Now wait a minute God, I don't ever recall being in Egypt and you know, I was born in a free country. In this country, we get to choose who our God is so for me, this commandment just doesn't apply. I am going to take a pass on this one if you don't mind?    

I like reading my horrorscope, it is always so accurate!

You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of their fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. Ummm, God? Didn't you create nature? That is what I heard. I really love the moon and the stars and I have learned that my fortune and future can be foretold by the wise Zodiac reader people. I mean seriously, have you read your horrorscope yet today? Mine is always so accurate. And what is this stuff about jealousy? Isn't jealousy a no-no? I had a jealous boyfriend once and he wanted me all to himself... is this what you mean? Anyways, there are so many people and things to love about this life, I am thinking you need to relax your grip a little on this one. Maybe just trust us humans, we have evolved quite a bit since the caveman days you know! You also speak about sins of the fathers... my dad had a bit of a temper and was sometimes impatient. I feel this works though, because people knew where he stood and when I have to use them, these super power abilities work for me too! And what is this nonsense about hate and love? I thought you loved everyone, just the way they are? You HAVE heard of UNCONDITIONAL love, right? What kind of God are you anyway? This commandment is a bit, well, touch and go for me... I think I am going to take a pass and just go with what my heart tells me to do, go with my intuition and gut feelings. I am thinking you may be on the mean side... I like a lighter touch!

    
Guilt is harsh, chill out

It's just an expression yo

You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. God, I have to call you out on this one. Don't you know the rhyme we teach our children? Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me! Things are more casual now. We all call each other names: we are cool like that. Sometimes, we use your name as a form of expression, you know, for emphasis; to be emphatic! Sure it sounds and feels a little awkward when I hear your name used often and off colour but no one means anything by it. Names are just words! Perhaps you can take this less seriously, like the rest of us? Guilt is harsh! I am chill about this one and think you should be too.

The malls are open on Sundays for a reason God

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all of your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor you manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, or the aliens within  your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. God, I knew it, I just knew there were aliens and here it is, proof right in your commandment. Okay, now that I got that out, let's get serious, shall we? You want me to take a day off? Do you realize how much money I can make working seven days a week, twenty four hours a day? I mean seriously? I have a whole lot of things I need to pay for. We have an expression here in the real world, I owe, I owe, it's off to work I go. This is a brand new world out here in Modernia. You may have made the universe in six days but I have a twenty-five year mortgage, a monthly lease payment on my car, a vacation I have to put a downpayment on and my kid, he has his eyes on some new Nike high tops. This commandment does NOT compute. Besides, if I take a day off and everyone else does too, what the heck would we do with ourselves? Think about that God-we would be so bored... I shake my head to this one. I am not taking a day off any time soon.    

This one well...

Honour your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. This one is a big ask God. I am not sure if you realize this, but my childhood wasn't exactly perfect. I mean, sure, I had a house to live in and food in my stomach and my own room and all but, my parents and I don't always see eye to eye. Plus, they are getting older and you know how busy I am. I am thinking an old age home may be just the right place soon enough. Then I won't have to drive them to and from the doctors office constantly and besides, I am not a nurse for goodness sakes. I have my own life to live, they already had theirs. I am nice to them, they should be grateful I visit once a week. I do believe I got this commandment down. We more or less agree on this one; that must be a relief for you, huh?    

We can completely agree on something, finally

You shall not murder. Phew, I agree with you God. Murder is horrid. Sometimes I joke that I could strangle someone, but that isn't at all the same as actually doing it. I mean a thought is just a thought, right? There are a few people though, that... anyways, I would never kill anyone! That's two for us now that we agree on. I shall not murder.

Sometimes falling out of love happens God, who are you to judge?

You shall not commit adultery. Now this is tricky. I do agree with you in theory I suppose, but you know very well that there are always extenuating circumstances. I mean people change, don't they? Sometimes people just grow apart. Talking to a member of the opposite sex while married just happens, especially when my spouse, I mean a spouse, just plain old doesn't get me, err, get the person they are married to... Surely you understand that nothing lasts forever? Sometimes second marriages make more sense and affairs happen because no one wants to be unhappy. Aren't we all here to enjoy life? I'm on the fence with this one God... I am pretty sure you are sometimes too.

We clearly agree on the big things!

You shall not steal. Ok, we are totally in agreement on the whole stealing thing. I have never taken anything that was not mine. I pay for everything I own! Now the government, they are another story. They are thieves I tell you! My accountant and I agree on this and he finds every possible way for me to pay as little on taxes as possible. You can't trust the government and I would be a fool to! You and I are getting along now, aren't we? We clearly agree on the big things.    

My neighbours are a pain in the butt

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour. My neighbour... you mean that SOB next door to the right or the idiot that lives across the street? Have you met these people? I don't say anything about them that isn't true. I found out last fall what they were saying about me and you know what, I just don't talk to them anymore; it's as simple as that! If they would keep their traps shut we would all get along. I agree on this commandment too... those people shouldn't have given false testimonies about me. This is a good one. I commend you for this choice and suggestion.

Competition is the name of the game baby!

You shall not covet your neighbour's house. You shall not covet your neighbour's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour. Oh God, this one is super tough. I know The Bible is all ancient so let's go with some modern view points on this one, shall we? How am I suppose to get ahead if I don't compete? How am I supposed to milk this life for all it's worth if I don't do a little comparing, you know, so that I will up my game and come out on top? My neighbour down the street has a really amazing house... three car garage with some high end cars. I guess in the dusty road days, this would be equivalent to a huge barn full of animals. His cars are way faster than four legged furries and I have to confess, I have some car envy. This neighbour also has a lucrative business with many top producing employees... I was thinking of approaching a couple of them, to see if I could persuade them to work for me. Oh and get this, his partner is an upgrade! Mine is looking and sounding like an old broken record-who wouldn't want to trade in and up? I am thinking we have a semantics problem here. When you said you shall not covet, I think you meant you shouldn't compare and compete with your neighbour? I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt here because you may have been confused a little, being ancient and all. Competition is the name of the game baby. It is how we roll! The world would stop spinning if we stopped trying to outdo one another. Survival of the fitness is for real! Covet, compete, name it what you will but you and I are not going to agree on this one.

I'm glad we had this chat, I feel so much better now

You know what God? I am really glad we had this discussion. I believe you are fair and that compromise is a part of who you are and this is great for me, because I love to go with the flow and change with the times. Adapt or die is my motto! I thought at first that you were Mr. No Fun but I realize after spending this time with you that you are really cool. I mean, lightning hasn't struck me dead yet, even though I don't agree with you on some points. Besides, you gave me freedom of will and I get to choose what is right for me, right? 

I'll catch you on the flip side, thanks for hanging out. Later gator...

Reciprocal

When someone does you a kindness, how do you respond? Are you naturally inclined to reciprocate?

From what I have read, this is how our society has survived and thrived, via the principal of reciprocity. On the dark side, marketing experts are most excellent at taking advantage of human nature, why, all they have to do is ask, How are you?, and they have primed the pump of potential consumers, to respond warmly to the inquiry, and next to their sales pitch.

In stark contrast, Christians are called to care for those that cannot reciprocate due to their plight, age, or position in society:

When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands (Deuteronomy 24:19)

In the verse above, we see that a stranger, an orphan, a widow, may be in need of food without the ability to provide for themselves, making them vulnerable to starvation. God commands the farmer to be generous with his harvest, because, dear reader, after all, God has been generous with him! Nutrient rich soil, rain, sunshine, seeds or grain to plant then harvest, they are all gifts from God, meant to be appreciated and shared. This is where reciprocity was first taught: God to man, with the express purpose of man taking up godly ways by following his example. 

Let us turn now to the apostles/disciples, who really didn't comprehend what was happening when they saw Jesus taking care of the masses out of compassion, healing them and feeding them, and performing miracles everywhere he went. How odd it must have been, that Jesus worked not for money, and yet he ate, and made miraculously bread and fish multiply for thousands of followers. He had no place to lay his head, and yet commanded the wind and rain. He came as King in the form of a new born baby, and thirty-three years later, conquered death, by allowing the murderous to raise their fists against him, and have him crucified as their enemy. 

The apostles were not too sure how to take Jesus. With a very humanistic view complimented by a religious history, it is understandable that they looked for what they would get out of their relationship with him. Perhaps a better seat at the table in heaven? Maybe a partner and leader to overthrown their overlords? Possibly agreement from him, to bring down fire from above to destroy people they perceived as his enemies? 

They just plain old didn't get it, when he said:

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13)

What we know for sure, is that John, purportedly Jesus' favourite, was there with Jesus' mother during the darkest day in the history of humanity, as Jesus hung dying on the cross. 

When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! (John 19:26)

Where were the ten remaining apostles? And where, pray tell, were Jesus' half brothers and sisters? Why did he give his mother to John to take care of?

Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home (John 19:27)

Interestingly enough, on an historical note, John was the only apostle that was not martyred: he did live a long life, the end of it spent alienated from the world as a prisoner on the Greek Island of Patmos, and yet his is credited as the love apostle... read John 1, 2, and 3, for a sweet experience of godly love. 

Back to the apostles...

Ten apostles were martyred, after they witnessed the death and resurrection of their LORD, their God, their King, their promised Saviour. They finally understood Who he was and what he had done for them, and by God, they were compelled and delighted to follow in his footsteps, sharing the gospel with all that would hear, and hopefully receive the Good News. They were willing to die for this life altering and saving truth, that Jesus was the Christ, the promised Messiah!

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13)

Jesus modelled the purest love, dying for the sins of the world, and willingly laying down his life for his friends. The apostles fearlessly did the same, wanting none to be lost, wanting all to be saved, at the risk of life and limb. They preached that all are sinners and come short of the glory of God, and that through repentance, and sinning no more, they would be saved through the blood of Christ... THAT, is the gospel. 

These men learned the most astounding form of reciprocity, and dear reader, I ask you...

Are you willing to lay down your life for your friends, by preaching the gospel at the risk of losing all you have, including your earthly existence? 

The apostle Paul stated: 

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21)

Is this true for you? Do you live with Christ as your God? Do you have the confidence that whether you live or die, you will be with him in eternity as your gain, your wonderful reward for fidelity?

Are you, dear reader, ready to reciprocate?

If you are, then know you will not be a popular person by any stretch of the imagination. Know that you will be hated for speaking Biblical truth and that you may lose a few "friends" along the way.

The Way... The Truth... The Life...

Jesus is all that matters, and when we see reciprocal in the light of eternity, the price we pay in this life, is nominally trivial. 

For to me, and I hope to you too, dear reader, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 

Secular Morality - An Oxymoron

I had a thought about judgment, here it is:

It is curiously contrary that those who accuse Christians of being judgmental, have an odd morality that estranges them from ethical principles and godly wisdom. 

The evident difference:

🔥 When a Christian quotes scripture, the secularist that has committed sin, personally or through collusion, rages and rebels against the suggestion that they have done wrong

🔥 When a Christian reads scripture, and they blush with shame or embarrassment when they realize how they have sinned, been disobedient to God, and have thrown shade on their profession of faith, said Christian is inclined to confess their sins, repent of them, ask God for forgiveness, turn away from their wayward ways, and sin no more. 

Let us look at this in a structured fashion:

Christian quotes scripture

Secularist gets defensive, irritable, self-righteous, accusatory

Christian reads scripture

Christian becomes abashed, saddened, self-conscious, apologetic

As a Christian, when I am at fault in my approach to life's challenges and issues, you can be sure God will point out the errs and omissions in my thinking, and doing: I welcome his merciful correction so that I can recalibrate to Christ. This is why the Bible is invaluable to me, because I know how inclined I am to want my own way, and how misguided I can be without his intervening into my world, my mind, my heart, my very being. This said, I decided long ago that I do not argue with Biblical Truth, because that is a foolish endeavour... God wins every time because he is infallible, never changes, and is perfect in all his righteousness. His will is flawlessly faultless.

Expectations

Christians know there is more expected of them than to just mind our own business, say nothing, pray silently, and hope for the best. Christians have confidence in the Truth as being able to make us free, and there isn't a Christian alive worth their weight in salt, that does not share what they know because souls hang in the balance, giving us a compelling reason to speak up boldly. 

Here, dear reader, is one of the commands given by God to his followers, for the express purpose of making disciples of men. If a person can indeed be reproved, there is a chance they will fall in love with the gospel truth, that Jesus died for the sins of the world and wants none to be lost:

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them (Ephesians 5:11)

I cannot approve sin, just like God cannot approve mine... I am not God, he is the one that established us as his creatures, and he is the one that calls the shots in the judgment department. 

My job is to avoid being friendly or having fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness. In other words, I am to refrain from the disobedience of indulging in what God considers works of darkness, but rather reprove them. To do, or condone, what God condemns, is a treacherously dangerous path of rebellion against the living God. 

1 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather

2 Reprove them

Next, the Bible is very clear how God views adulterers, adulteresses, those that are friends with the world (secularism) and cheating on the God that made them. Read below James 4:4-8:

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 

God is called jealous, dear reader, and rightly so: wouldn't you be, if those that you created in love, turned their back on you, stopped up their ears, spoke ill of you and disobeyed all that you commanded for their own well-being? God has been very merciful thus far in our own generation, but those that sin against him by turning to the world in all its wickedness, are marking themselves as his enemies. Good Lord in heaven, that is a scary prospect! 

Now at this point in your reading, you are either with me in my arguments or against me. Which ever way, you are making a decision that will help or hinder your progress in understanding that God is Sovereign, and no matter what you read or hear a professing Christian write or say, he is the ultimate judge and he never, ever, I mean absolutely not at any time, errs in his guidance, or his judgment. 

So, my challenge to you, if you happen to be a secularist opposed to a Christian like me pointing out that homosexuality is a sin, is to go argue with God, and see how far that gets you. If you think "your" God is different from the one in the Bible, then indeed, you are friends with the world, are at enmity with God, and you are in danger of continuing to be his enemy until you take your last breath... 

THAT IS

  RISKY 

   BUSINESS

Look again at James 4:6-8:

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith , God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 

God gives grace

God resists the proud

God gives grace to the humble

Let us submit ourselves therefore to God

Let us resist the devil

He will flee from us

Draw nigh, close to God

He will draw nigh, close to you

Cleanse your hands sinner, they are dirty

Purify your heart, and be single minded

Draw nigh to God

And God, in all his glory

Will draw nigh to you