I'm thankful to have done some traveling and a couple of relocations through my years of ministry, so I can give examples of situations, good and bad without the audience having any idea to whom I refer. I don't want to gossip, but sometimes we humans provide some amazing illustrations of what to do or not do in a given situation. I've probably supplied a few speakers with more than one example of "horrible warning" along the way.
I was reading posts in social network the other day when one led me to an odd recollection. Seems so much of what we call fellowship is really just coming together in agreement about whom and what in which we disagree. Fellowship becomes a bit more difficult as we seek to agree on what is right!
I have two real sticklers and I have heard and seen it enough that when I relate the stories, so many faces, voices, or ID's come to mind, I rarely pin it down to one source. The first one is simple and I would guess I'm far from the only one who has encountered this particular approach. In a Bible discussion in which it becomes obvious there is a difference of interpretation, a.k.a. opinion, when someone says, "Does the Bible not say . . .?" All I hear are the words of the adversary temping Messiah in the wilderness. That is not to say that's the intent of the person's heart, but suffice it to say, it doesn't open the lines of communication or unity of fellowship from my direction.
The other comment takes me back years, but still remains to this day. There was a man who was always studying his Dake's Bible. That's the KJV that includes footnotes telling what is wrong with any other translation or denomination, I think . . . Anyway, this man used to say, "Y'all can do what you want, but the Bible says . . . and he pronounced the word "says" with a long A. It wasn't just to emphasize, that's just the way he spoke, and then he would proceed to tell us why we wrong and why if we had any sense, we'd see it his way. Sadly, I didn't hear much after his comment, "Y'all can do what you want, but . . ." All I heard was. "You can go ahead and be wrong, if that's what you want to do."
That still comes across in social media when I see the debates and a comment inferring a self-proclaimed individual absolute. No, this is what I believe, or this is my understanding, but "Y'all can do what you want, but I'm going by Scripture!" Sadly, I hear his voice telling me I have permission to be wrong . . ." Unity isn't going to come by correcting each other or espousing our own correctness. Unity isn't coming in by way of discussion, it's coming in our own silent understanding of who YHWH is. Unity will come when we actually have our eyes on Messiah.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Remember Art Linkletter's House Party?
Kids really do say . . . exactly what they think they heard.
This is what happens when your child is exposed to too many commercials on TV. A Baptist pastor was presenting a children's sermon.
During the sermon, he asked the children if they knew what the resurrection was. Now, asking questions during children's sermons is crucial, but at the same time, asking children questions in front of a congregation can also be very dangerous.
Having asked the children if they knew the meaning of the resurrection,
a little boy raised his hand........
The pastor called on him and the little boy said, "I know that if you have a resurrection that lasts more than four hours you are supposed to call the doctor." It took over ten minutes for the congregation to settle down enough for the service to continue.
This is what happens when your child is exposed to too many commercials on TV. A Baptist pastor was presenting a children's sermon.
During the sermon, he asked the children if they knew what the resurrection was. Now, asking questions during children's sermons is crucial, but at the same time, asking children questions in front of a congregation can also be very dangerous.
Having asked the children if they knew the meaning of the resurrection,
a little boy raised his hand........
The pastor called on him and the little boy said, "I know that if you have a resurrection that lasts more than four hours you are supposed to call the doctor." It took over ten minutes for the congregation to settle down enough for the service to continue.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
A Noticeable Presence
I got very serious about hiding a place of refuge a few years back. I truly planned to stay as far off the google grid as possible, but YHWH had other plans. I had no intentions of ever being involved in the world wide web. As a matter of fact, my folks tried to talk me into getting a computer when they got one for my daughter and sister. I said straight out, "It's a modern tower of babel and until I know what I'm supposed to do with one, I don't want one!" It was just a couple of years later, YHWH told me what I'm supposed to do with one, so the web ministry was established. It's expanded through the years, but until a little over a year ago, I tried very hard to keep my physical life and my virtual life separated.
That is not to say, I was making up a life on the internet, but rather I didn't want to "google earth" my homestead. I still don't have my phone number associated with my e-mails, but then I don't have a cell phone, either. My home phone number is associated only with my webpage and my store, and the store didn't come about until after the incident I am about to share.
I wrote a book a few years ago entitled, "While He May Be Found," addressing the need to remove our dependency from the 10 kingdoms or powers mentioned in Scriptural prophecy for the end of days. This book also gave a different perspective and explanation of what those 10 powers are. Rather than geographical or countries, I have been shown they are the literal powers already in existence that are coming together to be controlled by the one world power in the end of days.
So here I am, establishing a homestead refuge for a community to gather as the time of tribulation comes upon us, or simply for those interested in placing their dependency upon our Creator, rather than the systems. The internet ministry was also expanding and the book was being carried by amazon, as well as more books were being written, by the time an individual with a family expressed interest in this lifestyle and my spiritual beliefs. I continued to try to keep this establishment protected, while still hosting visitors and answering questions.
In my attempt to make this rather long story short, I'll make this simple statement. When this individual who claimed to have read my books began her supposed interest in relocating, it was as if the devil himself was invading my life. I couldn't get my computer work done, nothing was right here at the homestead, and the shalom that was always so embracing was no where to be found. I felt I was literally fighting for my life and to preserve the sanctity of this place of refuge. Finally, it ended, and of course it ended badly, but then most things that end, do end badly.
As I sat in grievous prayer trying to recover, I became so aware of something. It was as if this individual has systematically checked off every "power" listed in the book and made sure my address was associated in some way. I don't go to doctors, but she chose to go to the county health department and use MY address. I had no reason to be a part of the education system, but she had to enroll her kids, and then left before school started, but failed to inform the school, so my address was registered and on the bus route. The googling of directions from my place on SMART phones seemed unrelenting. It was quite eye opening experience! To the point I wondered if I really could establish a community and maintain any level of decorum.
Did this person know what they were doing? Only G-d knows that answer. People can simply be self-absorbed and thoughtless, without forethought; but there were many overt indications of intentional disregard for the vision. By the time it had ended, "used and mocked" were the familiar terms and I "heard" one word through the ordeal, that was not in my regular vocabulary. I looked it up to be sure I was hearing YHWH correctly. The word was "derision" It isn't something I'd ever want to experience again, but it did change my perspective regarding my separation of an internet presence and a physical address. I had really been working against my own effort and certainly missing G-d's plan for expansion. It also made me realize I survived that, I have no fear what man can do to me . . .
Y'hshuwah said the end of days would be "as in the days of Noah." We are commanded to not add to or take away from Torah, but I am going to hazard a comment here. I would guess a boat the size of the ark in the middle of a field would have been noticeable and probably viewed by many . . . It's been amazing, in just a little over a year, since that ordeal concluded, the widespread coverage that has occurred. As these end of days continue to unfold, YHWH does expect us to be circumspect in our dealings, but He is bigger than all the inventions and intentions of man and evil. We have no need to hide!
But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but G-d meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Genesis 50:20
That is not to say, I was making up a life on the internet, but rather I didn't want to "google earth" my homestead. I still don't have my phone number associated with my e-mails, but then I don't have a cell phone, either. My home phone number is associated only with my webpage and my store, and the store didn't come about until after the incident I am about to share.
I wrote a book a few years ago entitled, "While He May Be Found," addressing the need to remove our dependency from the 10 kingdoms or powers mentioned in Scriptural prophecy for the end of days. This book also gave a different perspective and explanation of what those 10 powers are. Rather than geographical or countries, I have been shown they are the literal powers already in existence that are coming together to be controlled by the one world power in the end of days.
So here I am, establishing a homestead refuge for a community to gather as the time of tribulation comes upon us, or simply for those interested in placing their dependency upon our Creator, rather than the systems. The internet ministry was also expanding and the book was being carried by amazon, as well as more books were being written, by the time an individual with a family expressed interest in this lifestyle and my spiritual beliefs. I continued to try to keep this establishment protected, while still hosting visitors and answering questions.
In my attempt to make this rather long story short, I'll make this simple statement. When this individual who claimed to have read my books began her supposed interest in relocating, it was as if the devil himself was invading my life. I couldn't get my computer work done, nothing was right here at the homestead, and the shalom that was always so embracing was no where to be found. I felt I was literally fighting for my life and to preserve the sanctity of this place of refuge. Finally, it ended, and of course it ended badly, but then most things that end, do end badly.
As I sat in grievous prayer trying to recover, I became so aware of something. It was as if this individual has systematically checked off every "power" listed in the book and made sure my address was associated in some way. I don't go to doctors, but she chose to go to the county health department and use MY address. I had no reason to be a part of the education system, but she had to enroll her kids, and then left before school started, but failed to inform the school, so my address was registered and on the bus route. The googling of directions from my place on SMART phones seemed unrelenting. It was quite eye opening experience! To the point I wondered if I really could establish a community and maintain any level of decorum.
Did this person know what they were doing? Only G-d knows that answer. People can simply be self-absorbed and thoughtless, without forethought; but there were many overt indications of intentional disregard for the vision. By the time it had ended, "used and mocked" were the familiar terms and I "heard" one word through the ordeal, that was not in my regular vocabulary. I looked it up to be sure I was hearing YHWH correctly. The word was "derision" It isn't something I'd ever want to experience again, but it did change my perspective regarding my separation of an internet presence and a physical address. I had really been working against my own effort and certainly missing G-d's plan for expansion. It also made me realize I survived that, I have no fear what man can do to me . . .
Y'hshuwah said the end of days would be "as in the days of Noah." We are commanded to not add to or take away from Torah, but I am going to hazard a comment here. I would guess a boat the size of the ark in the middle of a field would have been noticeable and probably viewed by many . . . It's been amazing, in just a little over a year, since that ordeal concluded, the widespread coverage that has occurred. As these end of days continue to unfold, YHWH does expect us to be circumspect in our dealings, but He is bigger than all the inventions and intentions of man and evil. We have no need to hide!
But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but G-d meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Genesis 50:20
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Big Step Finally Behind Me
YHWH has a way of getting to the heart of matters, that we cannot even see about ourselves. As I mentioned in the previous article, here I think I'm "ready" to get busy and He calmly patiently says, "There is an order to the plan, and this next step is necessary." You know the step, the one we don't want to take!
I write all the time. I write about prophecy, and I'm not saying I write prophecy, but rather connect the dots of prophecy with current events. I write about natural health. For our readers, here at the Goshen Gazette or those who have followed my blogs or read my books, it's obvious a significant portion of my life is spent at the keyboard! Yet, last week's article was tough. It felt like going to the local cafe and replacing the morning paper with my diary. The most amazing thing happened, though; after I published that article.
The fact of the matter hadn't changed, but it was no longer a stabbing pain, it was simply a stated fact of life. The broken sharp edges of that part of me were gone. Trying to keep that broken piece hidden and protected, ended up keeping it sharp and painfully stabbing at the most unexpected moments. Refusing to look at something painful is not denial of self, as Samson and I both discovered. After all these years of wondering why Samson would do such a stupid thing, over and over and over again, I found myself judged as I'd judged! Seeing myself in a way I really didn't want to see myself changed my perspective dramatically.
In seeing what YHWH was showing me about me, I then began to be able to see things even more clearly between prophecy and current events. I could clearly hear the Plan He had for me. Things He has shown me about our coming food supply or lack of it. Things to help others actually be ready. I began to be able to hear what the warnings should be and how they should be declared. I also became very aware of how amazingly tender our Messiah is and I have a new appreciation for the Comforter that is in my life. There is a gentle strength in me that wasn't here before the article was written. There is a resolve that is unshakeable in what I know I have heard from my Creator.
I write all the time. I write about prophecy, and I'm not saying I write prophecy, but rather connect the dots of prophecy with current events. I write about natural health. For our readers, here at the Goshen Gazette or those who have followed my blogs or read my books, it's obvious a significant portion of my life is spent at the keyboard! Yet, last week's article was tough. It felt like going to the local cafe and replacing the morning paper with my diary. The most amazing thing happened, though; after I published that article.
The fact of the matter hadn't changed, but it was no longer a stabbing pain, it was simply a stated fact of life. The broken sharp edges of that part of me were gone. Trying to keep that broken piece hidden and protected, ended up keeping it sharp and painfully stabbing at the most unexpected moments. Refusing to look at something painful is not denial of self, as Samson and I both discovered. After all these years of wondering why Samson would do such a stupid thing, over and over and over again, I found myself judged as I'd judged! Seeing myself in a way I really didn't want to see myself changed my perspective dramatically.
In seeing what YHWH was showing me about me, I then began to be able to see things even more clearly between prophecy and current events. I could clearly hear the Plan He had for me. Things He has shown me about our coming food supply or lack of it. Things to help others actually be ready. I began to be able to hear what the warnings should be and how they should be declared. I also became very aware of how amazingly tender our Messiah is and I have a new appreciation for the Comforter that is in my life. There is a gentle strength in me that wasn't here before the article was written. There is a resolve that is unshakeable in what I know I have heard from my Creator.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)