Affirmative

Affirmative is defined in several ways: 1. agreeing with or consenting to a statement or request 2. stating that a fact is so; making an assertion. Today, I want to agree with and consent to statements and requests made, asserting that they are facts. I live in a half and half world Dear Reader. My body functions on the plane of earth and at times, it feels as though my soul is tethered with a satin rope loosely tied to my right ankle, keeping me from flying heavenward. What about you Dear One, do you have similar experiences? Is there more for you than meets the earthly eye? Back to the affirmative assertions mentioned earlier. Long ago, I was asked to believe. Most recently, in fact moments ago, I was asked, Do you believe? Do you believe that I AM? Do you believe what I have promised? Do you believe that what I say is what is and will be? Do you? My answer is a weak and tentative yes. I want to consent, make the assertion, YES, affirmative. But alas, my ankle, it is tethered, keeping me floating just above earth. My faith is tested in my waiting. I still cling to what I know, what I see. The pull upward and the gravitational pull downward have me in-between what I know and what I hope for. Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." I cannot see my spirit. I cannot see God. I can see the difficulties in front of me, the "things" that would have me convinced that hope is foolish. The "things" that would have me assert, this is beyond me and it is useless to even bother trying to change any of it. True, very true. Many things are beyond me and that, is the point Dear Reader. I cannot be everywhere all at once, solving this and fixing that. God, however, He is completely and all together different from me, from you. It is not I that I question, I know my limitations. It is God that I have doubted and questioned...can He really do what He has promised? Isn't this where we land sometimes as human beings, wondering when God, when will You act?

Seeing God is a matter of believing. I cannot see Him when I am trying to be Him. It is only when I affirm Him as my God that I am clear and my ankle slips free from the loose satiny loop that encircles it. Faith is my assurance of things hoped for, my conviction of things not seen. He, is all at once, everywhere all of the time...

Doorways & Passover

Safety

I have a house with five doorway entry points. Each door has some form of locking mechanism. The idea is to secure safety. Intruders may still be able to get in, but the locks pose as a slight deterrent and challenge. Each time a door is unlocked or opened, the possibility of unwanted entry by a stranger presents itself. 

Are we paranoid to have locks on our doors and windows dear reader? Is there a constant fear that we will be violated, and that other humans are not to be trusted? Perhaps, or is it ancient wisdom passed down long ago...

Obey
Gods people were captives, living as slaves in Egypt. He heard their cries for freedom, as they called out to Him for help. No one could anticipate the how of their deliverance. Their hope was in Him, and the plan unfolded before their watching eyes and listening ears. The part they were asked to play was this, obey:

Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying in the tenth day of this month the shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb fo an house (Exodus 12:3) 

... and ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it (Exodus 12:6-7)

For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the
gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever (Exodus 12:12-14) 

Fast forward

Fast forward to 2017. The foreshadowing in Exodus is a delight dear reader. It is a puzzle piece placed by God for us to recall as we look toward Easter and the placement of the final piece. The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, is Jesus on the cross. 

He shed His blood so that we can figuratively strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses. God sees the blood, but more importantly, we must obey, trusting in Him, so that He will pass over us, without judgement that ultimately results in death. 

I don't know about you, but I want this kind of protection. While I want to keep destructive intruders out of my household, I am keen on inviting Jesus in! The Ancient of days bestowed wisdom to His people in the past, and ordained a continuance to commemorate a release from captivity celebration for generations to come...that's us, He is speaking about us! 

All believers living, and all those who came after the life, death and resurrection of Christ are the ones that God is referencing as throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. I am thrilled, because we were in Gods redemptive plans all along. 

Now, about your doorways...

January 4th, 2022

Addendum: Back in 2017, I spent much time pondering Exodus, and how it pertained to my personal life. I realized as time went on, that the theme continued, and lo, we find ourselves in a similar situation to the ancient Hebrews. 

We must, we simply must, heed Biblical commands: it is our only hope for release, as modern day captives to an evil and hell bent global government, It isn't humans in charge, it is the devil... a modern day Pharaoh is represented in the henchman like humans that do his bidding

Read Exodus, read the entire Bible... the ending is already written, and the enemy is already conquered. We, must, trust, in the LORD for our now, and our future, into eternity and beyond

The Bell Tolls

Alarm bells

Alarm bells have been going off in my head, and in my heart... 

For whom the bell tolls

Can you hear the bells still?

Last night, a family member set an alarm on a phone. This morning, the sound of repeated bell ringing in intervals, reminded me of a poem by John Donne, 

For Whom the Bell Tolls. 

Rather than getting up and turning the alarm off immediately, I let the bells chime. recalling my youth, and the ringing of church bells, calling people to attendance. The powerful bells could be heard near and far, beckoning the faithful to worship and prayer. 

Bells set to clocks chime the hour, 12 rings for 12 o'clock, 1 for 1 o'clock, you get the idea. Bells declare it is time and somehow in their deep ringing, there is resonance in the bodies of men. We hear them and sometimes pay no attention. When we hear them and notice, the questions follow:

• What time is it for me? 
• Is the bell, tolling for me? 
• What am I to pay attention to? 
• Is there something to notice, to be aware of, to discern? 
• Is it time? 
• Time for what? 
• Am I to be alarmed, or am I being called? 

The snooze option

Wake up, wake up and listen, says the bells. Interestingly, man has his ways of circumventing the call of the bells. Snooze buttons have been installed, and for the sleepy, those who would rather stay in slumber, the snooze option is used often. We have our ways, don't we dear reader, to hear and ignore, to notice and dismiss, to be called and to lay down and just go back to sleep.

The bell, it tolls for you

• How are you with getting older? 
• When you look in the mirror, do you see changes, to your face, your body?
• Where are your wrinkle lines and how did they get there? 
• Are you living the life you have been called to? 
• Does it show, landmarked, on your face? 
• Is time slipping away into one more day, and another, just one more day? 
• Have all the bells that call you to Him stopped ringing? 
• Can you hear them still, dimly, as they ring from a tucked under your pillow place? 
• Can you hear them Dear Reader? 

The bell, it tolls for you: it tolls for me. It does not say it is too late, because while there is yet breath in your lungs, and thoughts in your head, it never is dear one, to hear and heed the last call.

It is time, now... listen for the bells, they call and beckon. They ring for you. 

Vacation Destination, Denial

You never have to be accountable on Denial

There is a cool place that many have gone to visit called Denial. I believe we have all gone on short excursions there and for some, it is so pleasant and wonderful, there is no coming back! In Denial, you can come and go as you please. You never have to be accountable and best of all, you can leave a trail of destruction behind you without cleaning up. No backward glances required, you can just keep on keeping on as you travel to happy destinations located nearby.

STAY AT YOUR OWN RISK

Close to Denial is an island called It's Not My Fault. Many people visit there, finding most excellent company. On It's Not My Fault, people tell their stories in great detail. There is a lot of nodding and agreement from everyone as they take turns listening and talking: after all, it isn't their fault either. You can take a short ferry ride across a bay to Blame Everyone Else. This is a delight to experience, however, there are signs posted everywhere by an anonymous do-gooder that clearly warn STAY AT YOUR OWN RISK. Eventually you will be blamed for something. 

Next on the island hopping tour is Deception. This place is very curious. Nothing is as it appears and this island is inhabited with indigenous characters. While visiting, you are bound to be enchanted by Bold Face Lie, Lie of Omission, Little White Lie, Manipulation, and a crowd favourite, Whispering Gossip. These entertainers will not fail to keep you engaged and occupied during your stay. You might even leave with a keepsake, you know, the old knife in your back kind that may very well be the envy of all of your friends when you return to Denial. Hell, you could win the grand title at the One Up Contest when you share your stories! Ahhh, sweet denial, it is a haven for the unaccountable, those who feel safest just not having to be responsible! Of course, denial is always an option, a go to hide away from the rest of the world but alas, it is lonely because relationship cannot survive there. No one can be trusted on Denial.

Beams of light widen eyes, pupils dilate

There is a place, not far from Denial. It boasts a lighthouse and on the darkest nights, beams of radiant light shine onto the inhabitants of Denial. Some cover their eyes with their forearms, blocking out the rays but some stare directly at the light and wonder about it, where it comes from. Eyes widen, pupils dilate. Those with eyes that see are drawn to travel to the island with the beams of light. The island of Truth beckons and onlookers cannot help but feel its tug, its inexplicable pull.

Denial is always an option and the Truth, well, it too is an option. You get to choose. We all get to choose. 

Spiritual Inheritance

Who do you resemble in your family? Can people tell who your siblings and parents are by looking at you? Have you heard someone say, are you related to so and so because you look just like them! Same gene pool equals similarities amongst relatives. It only makes sense Dear Reader. How about mannerisms? I was visiting with a friend and her son recently and I had to laugh as I pointed out to them that as they were listening to me, they were both leaning to the right, heads cocked, one leg crossed over the other. The son may have unconsciously picked up physical cues for listening from his mother with mannerisms to match or maybe, there is some kind of genetic coding from their gene pool that says, sit this way when intensely listening? I am going to go the safe route here and say that there are clearly some learned behaviours AND some natural family type predispositions. Now, what about who you are as a human being Dear One? Look at your spiritual inheritance now, take a close look. Perhaps you have been compared to your benevolent, honest hard working grandfather. Perhaps your aunt on your mothers side was mischievous, pulling playful pranks remembered and spoken of at family reunions decades later, long after death. Are you like her, compared to her Dear One? How about this. Your fathers brother was greedy, a liar, a cheat. He could not be trusted because his promises were schemes. Grin, no one compares you to him...there is no way you are like that guy! Its your sister that people compare to sneaky uncle so and so. Some traits seem like just that, family traits, passed on from one generation to the next. In the comparison, I wonder about the sins of a father being visited upon his children. What sins am I thinking of Dear Reader? It is this-godlessness. Without God, we open our doors wide to many a thing, including the lies of self dependency, motivation to succeed at the expense of relationships and a clinging to all that this life has to offer at the expense of losing our souls, selling them for things that rust and die away in fads that come and go. Was, is, your family godless? Have you inherited richly or were you born impoverished? What is your spiritual inheritance? Now, you are here, reading this. Your family has influenced you and currently, you are at choice. What was does not have to continue to be. Again, you can choose. Godlessness is easy, we are born into this and you can carry on as though you just didn't know you had options if you like. I am suggesting something else, Dear One. You can inherit from God directly, become heir apparent before the throne, grafted into His family through Christ. It is an offering, to shed the old and embrace the new. A forever family of saints united by God Almighty through His Son. I want in, how about you? 

God Gets the Job Done

I am laughing at the concept of God getting the God done. An image of Mrs. Doubtfire popped into my mind. The character in this movie became truth and kindness disguised as a nanny for a broken family in need. At the root of the message is a supplanting of self for the benefit and sake of others. This means that we deny our own needs, desires, wants, demands for acknowledgement and approval by putting others first. This can only happen when we ourselves are whole and healthy, Dear Reader. In other words, if our needs, desires and wants have not been met, we may very well be demanding them from the people we encounter, in strange and wanton ways. This is known as projection, defined as: the unconscious transfer of one's desires or emotions to another person. If projection is happening in the life of a would be helper, it may render him/her haphazard and perhaps even useless at times, in the service of other(s). God getting the job done is interesting because He has made a request of us, that we trust in Him by accepting His Son as the propitiation (this means winning or regaining Gods favour because it pleases Him to know that we have accepted His Son as Saviour) for our sins. In so doing, we, meaning the driver in me and the driver in you to self satisfy, is replaced by something far more valuable and worthy of our attention. The Holy Spirit! Forgive me if this seems an oversimplification but it is the only way for this simple Christ follower to explain. God gets the job done when I get out of the way and ask Him to use me well. When I give myself over to Him and say I trust you have the best, coolest, most heart racing wonderful plan, suddenly I am living it! I am fearlessly living it now Dear Reader. By keeping my eyes on Him, my ears open to The Spirit and modelling Christ in the world, I get to serve you, my husband, my son, family, friends, neighbours, the hungry the poor the downtrodden the the the...it isn't work, it is delight. My burden is light because God does all the heavy lifting, I just move a pebble or two! Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Jesus asks us to come to him with our weariness, our burdens. He wants to lighten the load for us Dear One. No human could possibly offer this because they cannot even guarantee it for themselves. It is Christ alone, God Himself that can make such bold promises. Go to Him first for your own help and soon enough, you will be rendered able to help another. 

Success Formula

How do you measure success? Your answer to this question may change after reading this and my hope is that individually and collectively, we have a meeting of the mind(s) with God on this topic of success. I have been immersed in a book entitled The Bondage Breaker, by Neil T. Anderson. Utilizing biblical wisdom, the author leads readers to truth. I borrow heavily from this book as I write. Here we go Dear Reader.

There are three W's that we can recall as our guideposts for success. They are the worship, word, and will of God. By worshipping God, we go into His word, seeking His will for the wisdom to live wisely. Keeping our eyes on God and what He wants for us is crucial for this success formula to work. Philippians 4:4-7 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Lets face it Dear One, our own self administered advice isn't always the most beneficial. Why not give ourselves a break and give God the reins, once and for all? With God in charge, we move to a most wonder filled piece of Biblical advice in Corinthians 10:5 "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." How do we do this Dear One? What thought(s) and how do we hold them captive, making them obedient to Christ? Here are the clues, the ones we can measure our thoughts against, found in Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent and praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." We are promised peace Dear One, by holding every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. We are promised peace, Dear One, by measuring each thought and asking ourselves the questions, is it true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy? What does Jesus have to say about the thoughts that enter our minds AND that attempt to persuade us to action? What does Love want us to say, want us to do? The battle of the mind is fought and won in the spiritual arenas Dear Reader. The will and Word of God is our protection against onslaught, attack and destruction of our souls. There is a success formula available and only a portion is mentioned here. I point you now to this Philippians 4:13 "I can do everything through him who strengthens me." You can, do all things, through Christ, who strengthens you Dear One. Go to Him, ask Him for help and the answers to the questions and success will be yours.