Is Christianity Taking You In Circles?

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isa 55:9)

Do you ever feel as though your religion is taking you in circles? I do at times. The same verse that acquits me one day can back me into a corner and convict me the next day.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Heb 4:12)

I study it more, and the next thing I know, the verse that convicted me acquits me! Something that I think I understand perfectly today can mystify me tomorrow and then come right back into perfect focus again later, but my understanding of it has changed.

… If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (Joh 8:31-32)

I’ve experienced God’s grace and I’ve also experienced his displeasure. I’ve felt him smiling at me and I’ve experienced his grief over some of the things I’ve done and said and even thought. In all honesty, it’s been pretty worrisome for me at times. I have, at times, felt as though I was just going in circles.

But not today. I had an insight a few days ago that opened my eyes to another part of the reality and nature of my journey.

When I take my buddy Colonel Klink out into the front yard with me, he’s always tethered to the tree in the center of the front lawn. One really inconvenient thing about tethering him is that he gets wrapped around that tree a lot. Of course he could get free if only he’d reverse course and go ‘round the other way, but being a dog, he doesn’t perceive that. Instead, he vocalizes (not quite a bark) in my direction and waits for me to come free him. And of course, I do!

Most times, I simply lead him in the opposite direction from the one that got him stuck in the first place. Yesterday was no exception. Colonel Klink managed to get himself wrapped around that darn tree every few minutes. It was particularly exasperating because I wasn’t feeling well, and getting up every few minutes to get him unwrapped again and again wasn’t helping matters.

As it happens, I’d been feeling as though my religion was taking me in circles during the preceding days, and it was weighing me down. I said to Klink as I led him yet again ‘round and ‘round that tree “At least I’m not the only one going around in circles, eh Klink?” But even as that thought occurred to me, even as I spoke the words, I noticed something:

I was leading Colonel Klink in circles, but with every step we took together, Klink got a little freer and farther from the tree he was tethered to! Around we went, ‘round and ‘round, and with each pass around that tree, with each circle we made, Colonel Klink got a little more free. I gave him the command to heel, then led him in circles until he was free.

I tried with amusement to imagine what Klink must be thinking when I lead him in those circles. Does he perceive the logic of what we’re doing? Probably not. But he does trust me, and he does obey me, and the result for him is greater freedom.

That’s what’s happening with me when I study God’s word and strive to serve him and do my very best to please him, but wind up “going in circles” instead. I was sold into bondage, I’m tethered to the law of sin, but God is leading me into freedom. He shows me the saving, liberating POWER of his word, at times, by leading me in circles! Just as Colonel Klink gains greater freedom by trusting and obeying me even though he doesn’t quite understand what we’re doing or why we’re doing it, I gain freedom from the tree I’m chained to when I trust and obey God to the best of my ability, even when - especially when - I don't understand. And just as the only way to free Colonel Klink is sometimes to lead him around in circles, it seems that my gentle Master must lead me in circles to help me get free of that tree.

But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. (Gen 3:3)

I love my gentle master! Thank you, LORD!

Colonel Klink and me
Goin' 'round a tree
I take my friend in circles
So that he can be more free.

@silentautumnlife

Peace to all reading!

Dirty Love

Doin’ What Comes Naturally

Love, love, love. All you need is love. Love is like oxygen. What the world needs now is love sweet love. Love will keep us together. Those are all lyrics or titles of songs about love. It seems that if there’s one thing everyone can agree on, it’s that love is um… good. It’s just something we’re born with. We naturally know that love is good. More than that, we naturally love!

Frank Zappa recorded a song called “Dirty Love” quite a few years ago (yeah, I’m old). As you may immediately have surmised, it isn’t about the kind of dirty love we’ll be talking about here (and I’m not trying to promote or recommend the song), but I figured it was due a mention since I borrowed the title for my entry today. Thanks for the title, some mind-blowing music, and some great laughs Frank. I sincerely hope you found your way to Christ before you died.

The title of the song sprang into my mind one day recently while I was sitting out on my front porch. I had just been playing with Blue Bear (my best four-legged buddy in the whole world), lying on the grass and exchanging smooches and long, loving gazes with him. There’s such a complete bond between us, such a genuine, unadulterated, uncompromised love and affection and trust and one might even say adoration between us.

While all this was going on, a sudden flash of insight came to me. I was witnessing God’s creation loving itself! Blue and I both, and you and everyone you know and everyone I know, are made of what? Well basically, dirt. Right?

And YHWH Elohim formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Gen 2:7)

So I’m layin’ there totally and mutually enraptured, just really gone in this lovefest with Blue Bear, and all of a sudden what am I seeing? Two piles of dirt loving each other!

And I’m seeing a miracle!

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath 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…: (Rom 1:19-20)

I was seeing, in a very microcosmic kind of way, God himself animating his creation! I was seeing God's creation loving itself! That was cool J

That’s a pretty cool little story too, even if I do say so myself, and yes it's absolutely true. But do you know what’s even cooler? It goes back to an earlier statement I made: You, and me, and everyone either one of us knows or doesn’t know, we’re all walking, living, breathing piles of dirt. So if you want to be a miracle worker, and if the spirit of the living God really is living in you, get out there and enjoy some dirty love today!

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (1Jn 4:8)

And when some pile of dirt walks up and loves you, be sure to recognize the animating Spirit that moved that pile of dirt in your direction and muster up some gratitude! You might just see a miracle of your own!

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. (Pro 16:9)

So rock on, brothers and sisters! Make the most of every step in service of the King of Kings! And remember what you should be seeing every single time you look at one of those wonderfully designed and sculpted piles of dirt that we call "humans":

... God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Gen 1:27)

That's the one and only image on earth worth serving!

Please share the love by clicking here to make sure you're on the right page, and then clicking here to rec this entry! Ye’shua’s peace be with all the family. Peace be with all reading

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Was the Rock of Ages Into Rolling Stones?

[This is an edited reprint of an essay originally published here on Jan 11, 2009. I hope it blesses someone today!]

Ye'shua: He has no sympathy for the devil, but He will come to your emotional rescue if you'll cry out to Him, and His love for you will not fade away. Was the Rock of Ages into rolling stones? Read on, turn to Him, and get yourself...

A new identity...

One of the two that heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon (Peter)'s brother. He findeth first his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah (which is, being interpreted, Christ). He brought him unto Jesus. Jesus looked upon him, and said, Thou art Simon the son of John: thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter). (John 1:40-42)

Whoa. In case you missed that, the Son of God just told Simon, a man that he had just met, that his new name was "Cephas", or "Peter" in Greek, which means "Rock", and that upon him, Ye'shua would build his congregation. I don't think I can even imagine what I would do if I were able to be speaking face to face with Ye'shua and he said that to me! I mean think about it! And if that wasn't enough to jolt Peter, look what the Son of God said to him next according to Matthew's account of the story!

I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matt 16:19)

Why Simon of all people?

You may be asking yourself "Why Simon?" He was, at times, weak, inconsistent, he cursed, he was hot tempered, fearful, and violent at least once. He even denied knowing Ye'shua three times. In other words, he was someone who most of us could identify with... It isn't unfair to say that to human eyes, he was not so much a Rock as a rolling stone!

"And after a little while they that stood by came and said to Peter, Of a truth thou also art one of them; for thy speech maketh thee known. Then began he to curse and to swear, "I know not the man"...And straightway the cock crew." (Matt 26:73)

Please note that even though Peter was doing his very best NOT to be known as a follower of Ye'shua Messiah, something about him gave him away as one! You see, he had become something NEW; something so complete in it's nature had happened to him that he was not able to hide it, even from unbelievers, even when he believed that his life depended on it! When you start getting to know the Word of Life, you are changed! In spite of this, we're told that Peter cussed up a storm and denied Ye'shua to men in reply (the third time that night).

Please note also that this was not a fresh from the boat Simon we're learning from. This is Peter, one of Ye'shua's intimate friends and disciples, after three years of knowing him and learning from him. How could "Rock have done such a thing? The same way you and I do, brothers and sisters. And thanks to his story, we can know that we are forgiven when we do. I think there may be some of us who, like Peter, will never be fully aware of our true identities in Christ until we find ourselves hanging from our own crosses.

Just the facts...

Can we learn anything from what happened to Peter? YES! In fact, until you begin to fathom the beautiful implications of this little story, you might never really know what God's love actually looks like. I'm not saying that it isn't possible, I'm not saying that there aren't plenty of other places to see His love for us. I AM saying that as lost as I get in His love whenever I try to think about it, as much as I see it on the cross, in His promises, in His creation, my understanding of it and my appreciation of His nature increased exponentially when I began to understand the things I'm writing about today. This is an excellent place to seek His very face!

Peter denied Ye'shua that night, just as Ye'shua had told him he would earlier that evening. Ye'shua knew it would happen. He knew it that day when they first met, too... the day He gave Simon his new name. Rock! Did Eternal Father in heaven and Ye'shua choose him because of his faults? I think it just might be possible, but I think there are other reasons as well. Peter was just an average guy with faults, but he had some things in his favor, too.

Peter was humbled by knowledge of his own sinful nature.

And it happened that the crowd was pressing on Him to hear the Word of God. And He was standing by Lake Gennesaret. And He saw two boats standing by the lake, but the fishermen had left them and were washing the nets. And entering into one of the boats, which was Simon's, He asked him to put out a little from the land. And sitting down, He taught the crowd from the boat. And as He quit speaking, He said to Simon, Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a haul. And answering, Simon said to Him, Master, laboring all through the night we took nothing. But at Your word I will let down the net. And doing this, they netted a great multitude of fish; and their net was being torn. And they signaled the partners, those in the other boat, to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they were sinking. And seeing, Simon Peter fell at the knees of Jesus, saying, Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord. (Luke 5:1-8)

Peter was interested!

He was looking for the fulfillment of YHWH's promise, the coming of Messiah, or the Saviour! That much becomes obvious with his response when his brother Andrew came and told him that he had found Messiah. Peter got up and went to see!

Again on the morrow John was standing, and two of his disciples; and he looked upon Jesus as he walked, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. And Jesus turned, and beheld them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? And they said unto him, Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), where abideth thou? He saith unto them, Come, and ye shall see. They came therefore and saw where he abode; and they abode with him that day: it was about the tenth hour. One of the two that heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He findeth first his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah (which is, being interpreted, Christ). He brought him unto Jesus. (John 1:35-42)

Peter was willing.

And walking along beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a small net in the sea; for they were fishers. And Jesus said to them, Come after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And leaving their nets, they immediately followed Him. (Mar 1:16)

What I really think is important to note is that Peter DARED to follow Ye'shua Messiah, and continued to follow Him in spite of his weaknesses and failings. He didn't shrink from Ye'shua when He called him, and he didn't give up when he messed up. And let's not forget the fact that he walked away from his job as a fisherman to become a fisher of men, and he was married, a family man. No excuses, Peter followed. Can you imagine what his wife might have said if she was anything like people today? "A fisher of men? How are we supposed to eat that? I don't even think that's kosher! What will you use for bait, a remote control tied to a string?" Imagine what Peter's decision to follow Ye'shua meant to his family. Think about what a leap of faith it took! Peter was willing to walk away from everything he cared about and place his trust in the God he chose to follow. In that respect, he was truly a child of Abraham, the man of faith! I love Abraham's story and example, let's talk about that soon, yes?

Focus focus focus...

Peter is an archetype. He exemplifies the average guy who was used by YHWH through His only begotten Son Ye'shua Messiah to do spectacular things, to draw men back to Himself, and to help perpetuate Ye'shua's work on earth. That's good news for average guys like me (praise God, I can at least claim to be average now). That's good news for everyone, because if we needed to be perfect to approach Eternal Father, we'd all be without hope. Even if we needed to be just plain old "good", we'd be in a world of trouble, literally.

If we've studied (or even just read) the Word, we shouldn't be surprised at all to learn that Father in heaven chose a man like Peter to do great things! That seems to be the pattern throughout the bible! Think about Gideon and so many others like him! Think about puny David laying some righteous violence on the giant Goliath! Moses had to be brought down a healthy notch before he could serve YHWH! And then there's Paul, the man who persecuted, arrested, and took part in the executions of people who followed Ye'shua among the Jews in Jerusalem and elsewhere. He became the servant of God who helped to knock down the (spiritual) middle wall of partition which had kept Jew and gentile apart since the beginning of Judaism. He traveled the known world, founding, sustaining and instructing churches wherever he went, and eventually forfeited his life for the sake of the gospel. He seems to have learned the lesson well:

And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

YHWH's nature partially revealed: Loving Eternal Father

For another thing, we can learn about some important aspects of God's nature or personality. We can observe the facts that are recorded in the Word and make inferences that will, if we have any faith at all, bolster that faith and give us impetus to continue in it.

Ye'shua could probably have found a dozen more righteous men than Simon to call to follow Him without having to walk an extra step, yet it was Simon that He called. He did that for a lot of good reasons probably, but the most important one I can think of is so that people like me (and maybe someone reading these words right now) could plainly see that He doesn't demand that we become perfect in order to come to Him. In fact, it's comforting to know that He actually tells us that we aren't able to be perfect without Him! Phew! I was kinda worried about myself there! He doesn't expect you to be anything but messed up when you come to Him!

Actually, expect is not a very good word to use, because He knows every detail - even the ones we've forgotten - about the things we've done and said and thought and felt. But He knows much more than that. He knows something that we don't: He knows what we will become! We know what we've done and where we've been, and if we're really honest with ourselves, we know what we are. But He knows what we will be! That's why Ye'shua gave Simon the new name Cephas, or Peter, or Rock! He called that which was not as if it were because He knew it would be:

On account of this, it is of faith, that it be according to grace, for the promise to be certain to all the seed, not to that of the Law only, but also to that of the faith of Abraham, who is father of us all, according as it has been written, "I have appointed you a father of many nations;" before God, whom he believed, the One making the dead live, and calling the things that are not as if they were.(Rom 4:16-17)

Remember former things from forever, for I am God, and no one else is God, even none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from the past those things which were not done, saying, My counsel shall rise; and, I will do all My desire; (Isaiah 46:9-10)

Ye'shua answers every question

So... why Peter? If you've read this far, you've already heard the answer from the mouth of Messiah himself! Did you catch it?

And he hath said unto me...  my power is made perfect in weakness.

Do you have weaknesses? Get in Messiah and rejoice! Ye'shua didn't come for the righteous; He came for the weak. He came for sinners. He came for me. He came for you.

I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

This family of brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of the Most High God, waits for you with open arms, and so does our Eternal Father and firstborn brother Ye'shua!

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Conclusion

Our heavenly Father loves us, and like a loving father, he sees beyond what we are to what we can be. He looks on our potential, not our shortcomings. Where you're coming from isn't important. It's where you're going that counts! What you've done isn't important - it's what you will do that is. Father began trying to make that abundantly clear way back in the Old Covenant, and it really can't be stated any more clearly than it is in Ecclesiastes:

Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. (Ecclesiastes 7:8)

That sounds just like a father sitting a child who has erred on his lap and speaking words of love and encouragement to them, doesn't it? "Be patient, little one. It isn't where you start, but where you wind up that counts." He used Peter to demonstrate the same principle! He communicates this very idea to us time and time again throughout His Word!

No, it doesn't matter what we've done. Nothing is big enough or bad enough to undo the sacrifice made on a Roman cross that day on Calvary. All our loving God and Saviour requires is a contrite heart. All He is looking for is someone who is looking for Him! Like Zaccheus, who couldn't see over the heads of the tall hebrews, so he climbed a tree to see Ye'shua as he came by:

And he entered and was passing through Jericho. And behold, a man called by name Zacchaeus; and he was a chief publican, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the crowd, because he was little of stature. And he ran on before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to-day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. (Luke 19:1-6)

It wasn't Zaccheus' stature that got him noticed by the Son of God that day - it was the tree-climbing he did in order to see Ye'shua, the figurative struggle to rise above the situation for a glimpse of God. It wasn't Peter's strength that made him usable to God, it was his willingness. It wasn't Peter's goodness that drew Ye'shua Messiah to go looking for him by the seashore that day, it was the fact that Peter looked for the fulfillment of God's promise. He was looking for Messiah, and Ye'shua Messiah came to him. Seek him, and he will come to you too!

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Mat 7:7-8) ...But remember: ...without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Heb 11:6)

Rock on, brothers and sisters! Ye'shua's peace be with all the family! Peace to all reading

A Lamp Unto Their Feet

In recent days, a fellow christian blogger at Xanga (@RevFultz, peace be with you, brother) publicly stated his position on Islam and how we as Christians should serve Christ in that regard. In principle, I agree with much of what this brother has to say. Much of his position is founded upon verses in John 14 in which Ye'shua declares himself the one and only way for men to come to Father:

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (Joh 14:6)

And so he is, and so it is, and we certainly can't fail to make that truth known to the world and still call ourselves his servants! But I think it immensely important that we also call to remembrance the rest of Ye'shua's teaching on the subject of men coming to Father through him:

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (Joh 6:37)

He teaches us that every single individual that Father wills to come to him through Ye'shua will do so. We can therefore reason that all who do not come to Father through Ye’shua do not do so by his will as well. If we look into chapter six a little farther, we have confirmation of that from Ye'shua himself.

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. (Joh 6:44)

As brothers in Christ, we’re grateful to Father that he’s chosen us to be given to his son Ye’shua, that he’s willed that we come to him through Ye’shua, that we’ve found grace in the eyes of the Living God, maker of all that is, King of the Universe. We’ve found favor in his eyes! Speaking strictly for myself, that’s the biggest miracle of all, that I should find favor in the King of Kings’ eyes! No one I know deserves it less than me. That really gets me hyped, that I am not only known of by this greatest of kings, but that I am known by him, and that I have found favor in his eyes! Oh my God and my King I love you! I’m so grateful! But we must remember:

… it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy… Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. (Rom 9:16, 18)

All of the above, combined with the spirit he gave me, the spirit of love and mercy and truth, lead me to believe that rather than attacking something so genuinely cherished by so many people who haven’t yet found the favor in his eyes that we have, rather than plunging that dagger into their hearts, our proper action is intercessory prayer. If it is not Father’s will that these should have come by now to Christ, should we not appeal to Father in prayer, in Ye’shua’s name, to turn his countenance upon them, to see their willingness, their obedience, their sincerity, all misplaced, all in vain, and to show them mercy as he has shown us mercy, to beseech him to grant them favor and draw them to himself in the only way available to all mankind? Isn’t that what agreeing with Father’s will sounds like?

The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward us, not purposing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2Pe 3:9)

My heart toward the Muslim peoples everywhere is the same heart I have toward our Jewish friends (be they friendly or not lol): I feel a great deal of affection toward them. A great deal indeed. I find their sincerity and their obedience to their religion and by way of that to God (as they believe he would have them do) immensely endearing, and it hurts my heart to see them missing the freedom, the liberty, the assuredness and the spirit we’re given in Christ. Such sacrifice, such willingness, such obedience, dear Father, please see these qualities in these children and look upon them with mercy. Extend your grace to them too, and make them one with us in Messiah, in his name, and for your glory. We feel a great compassion for them.

But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. (Act 24:14-16)

The men Ye’shua commissioned to establish his church in the world did so, we can all agree, successfully. Those men also left us with instructions for the continuance of the work after them and at least a partial record of the tactics and strategies they used to such great effect throughout the world. Paul, arguably the most successful church builder of all, said this:

Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. (1Co 10:32-33)

As believers in the faithfulness of YHWH through Ye’shua the Messiah, we aren’t alone in feeling a certain indignation when we read or hear teaching that is contrary or even opposed to sound doctrine, or especially when we observe those who not only reject truth when it is spoken to them, but mock and assail it. We surely aren’t the first to feel this kind of indignation!

… and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? (Luk 9:52-54)

Sons of thunder indeed!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)

Please note Ye’shua’s response to their indignation and their proposal that they destroy those who had rejected him:

But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village. (Luk 9:55-56)

Brothers and sisters, we simply must recognize the human heart seeking God in every religion. Of course we must neither justify nor defend any teaching that is contrary to Truth and eternal life, we mustn't pander, but we should strive to recognize that (nearly) universal human quest – communion with our Creator - and to look with love and a merciful eye upon those who strive in any way whatsoever toward that very thing which we value above all! Just as we choose to agree unqualifiedly with what we are taught is God's will, these do the same. The willingness is there, and it is our task to get the Truth out there without giving offense. Yes, that complicates things for us, but we have been instructed by the master and his appointed servants to do so for his sake.

Recognizing that yearning in the hearts of others didn't come easily for me until I examined my own history of seeking. Speaking strictly for myself, I looked in a lot of places before I got to Christ – drugs, religions, churches, the occult. I was seeking the God of POWER that I’d been told about in churches but had never encountered. I didn’t know him, but I believed he existed and I thought him worth finding and knowing.

Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. (Isa 42:1-4)

I was a bruised reed, certainly not a pillar. I was no light unto the world, but I was at least still smoldering. And somehow, I didn't know how or even why, I just knew he would reveal himself to me if I kept seeking him.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Mat 7:7-8, Heb 11:6)

And it was the breath of God, blown upon that smoldering mess named Tony that ignited the flame that burns in me today. Rather than despising the stink and the uselessness that was me, he breathed new life into me until I flamed on. He can do the same for them too, and if we serve him, we’ll govern ourselves accordingly! Regardless of the indignation we may feel when faced with opposition to or rejection of our King's message, regardless of anything at all, we can surely agree that Muslims everywhere are seeking and submitting to harsh discipline and making sacrifices in their quest for God. Shouldn't we be a lamp unto their willing feet to help them find Truth rather than a fire from on high to destroy them? I do honestly believe so.

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. (Jas 3:5-6)

Anyone who has followed my blog here over the years is quite aware that I was once similarly militant, aggressive and insensitive to the feelings of others in how I went about sharing the truth. I believed in all sincerity at the time that I was serving him in exactly the manner in which he wanted me to. But I've learned that love is the great commandment, and it isn't a loving act when we hurt people with the truth needlessly. We mustn't compromise truth or soften the message in any way, but we can do so in a way that reflects the will of our King and our God. Love. Peace. Life.

Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. (Rom 15:33; 12:18; Mat 5:46-48; Heb 12:13-14; Rom 16:20)

Peace

Crawling In The Dark?

[This is a reprint of an essay from September of 2009. I hope it blesses someone today!]

I was just watching an old music video I made when I got my new puppy, Baby Blue. Her real (registered) name is What In Blue Blazes lol. She's still a pup, but not a tiny little thing like she was when I got her, and I almost can't believe how much she's grown!

Anyways, the lyrics to the song I used are very meaningful to me. See, those lyrics describe what was happening with me for a long time; most of my life, actually. I thought I'd share the song with you today, and tell you that if the lyrics in the song describe the way you're feeling, it's no accident. I'm speaking from experience, and I'm telling you that it might just be that YHVH, the Eternal, self Existing God of Creation, and his risen son Yeshua are speaking to you! I've stopped the music from beginning automatically, so you'll need to click the play button on the embedded player to start it, and you can stop it and restart it at any time by clicking the same play/pause button.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)

Before I go on, here are the song and the lyrics. I hope you'll give it a listen at least while you read the lyrics. 

Crawling In The Dark - Hoobastank

I will dedicate and sacrifice my everything for just a seconds worth
of how my story's ending,
and I wish I could know if the directions that I take and all the choices that I make
won't end up all for nothing.

Show me what it's for.
Make me understand it.
I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer.
Is there something more than what I've been handed?
I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer.

Help me carry on. Assure me it's ok to use my heart and not my eyes
to navigate the darkness.
Will the ending be ever coming suddenly? Will I ever get to see
the ending to my story?

Show me what it's for.
Make me understand it.
I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer.
Is there something more than what I've been handed?
I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer.

So when and how will I know?
How much further do I have to go?
How much longer until I finally know?
Because I'm looking, and I just can't see what's in front of me, in front of me!

Show me what it's for.
Make me understand it.
I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer.
Is there something more than what I've been handed?
I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer.

How about you?

Feeling a little in the dark about your purpose, life's meaning, or the choices you're facing? Feel like you've been handed an imitation? Nervous about your life's outcome? Is having only part of the truth wearing you out? Can you ever know the answers?

Relax... you aren't the first person in the world to be in your position. In fact, you've been in good company going back a couple thousand years at least! You aren't in that position alone, either - I'm just a little bit in the dark myself, but only for the time being, so I'm also encouraged, and you should be too!

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (1Corinthians 13:12)

The people who walk in darkness have seen a great Light. They who dwell in the land of the shadow of death - Light has shone on them. (Isaiah 9:2)

Being in the dark can be fun, especially at first, especially when it's new. It's kind of thrilling in a way. But that only lasts for a short while. In no time at all, it can get downright uncomfortable, and before you know it, you're trying to find some light. You might even find yourself crawling in the dark. But it's a big world, and if you get lost in the darkness for too long, you can wind up much farther from the light than you ever expected to go.

Stop crawling! I have a light you can use!

Coincidence? I Don't Think So!

It's no accident that you're feeling these things, friends. It's no accident that it feels like a piece of the puzzle is missing, because a piece of the puzzle is missing! That may come as no surprise, but you won't believe the size of the missing piece... it's infinite!

Think I'm kidding? Lay yourself on the ground on a starry night, look up into the stars, and just allow yourself to get lost in your thoughts as you consider the incomprehensible vastness of creation. Try it!

Here's the kicker... I bet you've already done it once or twice! Know why? We are made for eternity, friends, and the material world just doesn't have that piece of the puzzle to offer. In the darkness of this world, we can see only a very small distance in front of us, sometimes we can't see at all. But we were designed to see much farther than that. We just need more light to do it!

I have seen the task which God has given to the sons of men, to be humbled by it. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has set eternity in their heart, without which man can not find out the work that God makes from the beginning even to the end. (Ecclesiastes 3:10-11)

A Shining Light In A Darkened World

I have good news for every single one of you. There is a light shining in this world of darkness! You don't have to continue crawling in the dark! You don't have to wonder endlessly what life is about, or even about why you're alive! You don't have to make blind choices any more! You don't even have to worry about your life's outcome any more!

You were made for a purpose!

The whole truth is available to you, starting today. The answers are written in Eternity, and yet they're within your reach right now! I tell you no lie, friends. I know all this to be true, because that light that's shining into the darkness of this world has shined into the darkness that was once my life. And if you think you're stumbling in darkness, come talk to me some time. I'll tell you how dark dark can get!

Do I know it all? No, of course not, and it's very unlikely that you will either! But I do know everything I need to know to live and be at peace in this world, and that's a big step in the right direction. I'm learning a little more every day how to love and how to live, and every day, life gets a little better, even when it looks a little worse to the world looking in. Most importantly, I know that there's a place for me in Eternity. Just think what that means! Think about it the next time you stare into space on a starry night!

How Can You Get What I Have?

You can have what I have, each and every one of you. It doesn't matter where you've been or what you've done. Period. And guess what? There's nothing you can do to earn it. You can't earn it, because it's already been given to you freely. All you have to do is accept it, friends.

The light's name is Yeshua, and He will touch you and heal you just the way you are! He didn't come into the world to call the righteous, but sinners like me! Oh praise God, He came for people like me! And he came for people like you too, friend. One day, you may even find yourself sharing some light with someone else who's still crawling in the dark, looking for answers of their own!

Want some?

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Because the one who asks receives. And he seeking, finds. And to the one knocking, it will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)

Please message me if you'd like to talk, or if I can send you a free copy of the Bible, or do anything else at all to help you out as you ask, seek and knock. And please help me get this out to some newer readers! Click here to get on the correct page first, then click here to recommend!