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

Reason

What do you think, dear reader?

If for some reason you or I decide that seeing someone in person is unwise, because they pose some kind of moral, emotional, spiritual, physical threat to well-being, would it not follow that the reason remains in place, perhaps perpetually? 

I mean, if I could make you deathly ill, to the point of you not wanting me in the vicinity of the very air you breath, does it not follow, again, somewhat logically, to assume said threat to life would never really go away, since all around us there are particles and peculiarities so microscopically small as to be invisible to the proverbial naked eye, that the threat of illness never departs: rather, it lurks in all nooks and crannies, awaiting a moment to pounce and pound unsuspecting, unprotected, naive and exposed prey. 

It is risky business being with other disgusting humans that cough, sometimes spit when they speak, and sneeze without a tissue, splaying germs far and wide. Morally, a sick person ought to suffer their fate solo, and be decent enough to refrain from possibly infecting others... better yet, they ought to take every available precaution seriously, and if not, it is their fault if no one wants them around, no one takes care of them if they are injured or ill, and if they happen to die a brutally painful death... that is on their heads, FOOLS! 

NOTE: This was the reasoning, the maladjusted malignant illogical reasoning we were subjected to not long ago, and it threatens to rear its ugly head more often then not, now that it has been established, that it is easy to divide people, even those that have pledged fidelity. 

Dear reader, it behooves me to remind everyone that happens to read my writing, how horribly devastating it was for those of us that would not buy the bull regarding CV 19, when relatives, old friends, neighbours, clients, and perfect strangers, treated us like we were a plague of pariahs, meant to be cast out from society: a sick society that could not see wickedness if their life depended upon it... and it did. Lives were, and are still, dependant upon seeing evil, and choosing good, for their own sake and the sake of those they may have influence over. 

There are people that want back into our lives, and rightly so, because what was wonderful before, could possibly be again. There is a caveat of compassion though, a proviso for re-entrance of repentance, and begging for forgiveness for treating others with rough, callous hands and hearts: alas, I do not believe the conditions will be met in order to repair and rebuild...  

Can you imagine being hit hard by your friend, not your husband, wife, brother, sister, child, uncle, aunt, grandparent, but by your friend's invisible hand of rejection, and them having no remorse for causing you pain? Now imagine them realizing that when they felt justified in giving you a swat, they were wrong, so wrong that somewhere deep inside, they had the stirrings of regret, and perhaps hear themselves saying, What have I done?

What have they done? 

Back to the top, dear reader. What say you? If I was a threat before to safety and well-being; if you were perceived as unconscionably wicked for not abiding by the rules superimposed by mercenary men and women, as your relatives, old friends, neighbours, clients, and perfect strangers did, what makes us suddenly worthy of being entertained as we once were? How did we go from being pariah, to relationship material again? 

Let me be really pointed: if you hold something against another, and find them despicable in some way, how do you dare keep them company? It is to their injury and yours, and is hypocritical. If damage has been done, there is only one way of repair, and it is saying sorry, asking for forgiveness with a contrite spirit, and then hoping against hope, that the other has left the door open a crack, in order for you to squeak your way back in. 

Let me be really pointed once more: I am not simply talking about forgiveness ~ not that forgiveness is by any means simple: an injured person that belongs to God, will have already commenced this work. I am talking about the one that was injurious: they have a significant responsibility, not only to attempt reunion, but to own what they did that caused fracture. The wounded one no longer trusts the soul swatter... they look in that persons direction with suspicion, and rightly so. Once a person has raised a hand to us, we can be sure that they may very well find a reason to do it again, and again. 

This is why we need the strength of Christ to resolve our reasoning to logical conclusions. Christ instead of CV 19... forgive me Lord, for this vulgar comparison, but dear reader, this is what we have seen. Humans forsook themselves, their families, co-workers, neighbours, and friends, in favour of fear, indulging the fear to the point of destroying relationships. 

Jesus would never, ever, want us to choose self-preservation at the expense of loving one another, being available and present for each other, in the face of real, or perceived threat... 

The ones that now think it safe to interact freely with whomever they choose, are not being chosen by those they rejected. If I was once a danger, if you were at one time a hazard, then in the coming days, you will be more so, if you continue to decide that you answer to God, and not those that would presume to impose, regardless of their relation to you. 

With good reason, we are godly. Without reason, we are lost.

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me (Matthew 25:40)

How It Was

Do you remember how it was?

It was an every other and sometimes every day event. Siri, call ________. When you picked up, I would playfully ask, Who is it?, even though I was the one that rang you... 

A short second of silence, and then laughter... I knew you, you knew me, and there wasn't anything that could keep us apart, despite the hundreds of kilometres of road between us: those evaporated, didn't they? when we shared our troubles, our concerns, our sadness, triumphs, and our joy too. An hour on the phone with you disappeared in a brilliant flash and I always looked forward to next... Hello, Who is it?

Now don't you dare think that our time apart has been easy for me. It hasn't been. When I think of you, it is with fondness. When I cast my line into the past, my hook retrieves memories of when you were there for me, loving me through the tough stuff, and I hope, you felt the same about me? Was I as good to you as you were to me?

The Captain wrote a song, perhaps you recall it. Love, love will keep us together, think of me babe whenever... 

Ahhh, if only love kept us together. If only love, godly love, could have gorilla glued us inseparable. Do you wish it had? I want you to know that if you would have let me, I would never have left your side: we would be like siamese twins, you and me, me and you... 

Crow bars are terrible things when applied to two who relate so well, wedging them asunder, prying them apart. It was invisible, wasn't it, the insidious apparition that inserted itself between us... we didn't see or hear its approach and hadn't a clue what damage it would do. Love, we loved one another and spoke these words often, wrote them repeatedly, committed to the concept. 

I could tell you that I miss you, but I don't. I had to give up missing you, because I knew the feeling wouldn't fade unless I gave it permission to. It had to go... have you given up missing me too?

The love, you know that deep down forever love, it is still there... it longs for what was and sorrows for what will never be. The crow bar worked, and the space between us has grown. Time is said to heal all wounds, but I don't think this is so... what used to be is irreplaceable, and how can the hurt ever really go away? 

And so I will love you forever and ever, amen. 

I just wanted you to know.

Mixing With The Masses

Today I mixed with the masses. I rarely if ever make plans on Sundays, preferring the quiet of home, but I got an invitation I did not want to refuse. A close friend asked me to go to a Christmas craft show, the kind where booths are set up and entrepreneurs sell their wares. These shows hold little to no interest for me, but the friend is someone I see infrequently (about once a month) and I could not, would not, resist the urge to spend quality time with her. 

So we walked and talked, going from booth to booth. I ran into someone I haven't seen for a long while, and the memory of this short meet up makes me grin in the recalling. Isn't it wonderful to run into people we care about, even though time has lapsed into years apart? Hey Ruth, if you are reading this, my heart is happy to have seen you and your brood today!

Mostly, the day was lovely, and the vendors were gregarious and talkative, but I noticed some products, some items for sale that had me stop in my tracks, turn, and walk away rapidly. In one booth, I picked up a tiny glass bottle, labelled, Spell Bottle... there was a whole tray of the damnable things. 

The city in witch (I spelt that right, if you are wondering) I live, is full of occult loving humans that are not at all shy about advertising their dark inclinations. From t-shirts to tattoos, hats and handbags, witches wear their black hearts on their sleeve, blatantly, boldly, proclaiming publicly, to whom it is they belong. That tiny spell bottle gave me the creeps, and so did the vendor that stood sentinel over her satanic products.

I admit, I looked at the items for sale at the booths with suspicion, because mixed in with Christmas themed products there were hidden in plain view, scary Halloween type trinkets and talisman that hinted at the sinister spirit of the vendor. Covering all their bases, they had something for everyone from the looks of it. Just in case there was a Christian with cash, or a devil worshipper with plastic to swipe, they could sell to both: wouldn't want to alienate anyone with money. 

How the day started

This morning when I got up, I had to assess my rough night of sleeplessness. I arose early, could not concentrate on my regular reading, and decided to try some more sleep. After a little catch me up nap, I had a headache, all this before 8 a.m. I wanted to see my friend, did not want to cancel, and was motivated to rid myself of the headache; advil and instant coffee did the trick and I was able to go... but you know what, dear reader, the headache returned, and upon reflection, I know why.

It was the mixing with the masses. This was not my first time absorbing what was in the atmosphere that makes me sick. Seeing my friend was important to me, and I overrode what I knew was probably not going to be good for my health, in order to say yes to her offer. That headache was a morning warning I did not heed. Early into the afternoon, I again, could not concentrate, and had to excuse myself from continuing our time together in the market. I felt like I was on guard at this point, with lurking all around us dark spirits... because they are, dear one, they are.

There were marvellous moments in the time we spent together, and I am grateful that I got to see my friend, AND;

Knowing what I know about what is going on in the world, and how mixing with the masses impacts my sense of well-being, I am going to say yes to seeing my pals when invited out, and counter offer when the activity does not match what is wholesome and healthy for my soul, mind, and body. 

It is the company that counts, after all, dear reader, isn't that so?

Wisdom to follow:

Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fail. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink wine of violence (Proverbs 4:15-17)

A wish to be had:

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth (3 John 1:2)

The Bible covers all circumstances. God knows we influence and impact one another, either to edify, or to injury with evil intent. I cannot trust a human that hates my God. I cannot mix and mingle with them and believe that their sick, toxic, demonic and devilish fetishes and inclinations, will not somehow throw me off balance and sicken my soul. They are poisonous, and must be avoided at all costs by those that belong to the Saviour. 

Yes, we are to be in the world but not of it, AND;

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful (Psalm 1:1)

I am okay with avoiding the satan-ick-ly soaked public.

I am content stearing clear of walking with them, listening to their ungodly thoughts and ideas, or standing in their midst where ever they gather. I don't want to sit or eat with them, nor do I want to see their vile demon adoring tattoos and garb...

... and I am pretty confident they aren't fond of my company either.