"Is is sad but natural to cut, whack and trim God until your god fits in a box." ~priest

God created the world and everything in it.  That is big, but not big enough.  It is impossible to describe God.  How can words describe something with no bounds and is limitless in dimension.  There is no limit to the depth, width or height of God.  He is not two dimensional or three or even four dimensional.  He is ALL dimensional.  

But that creates a problem for a man with limited thinking.  For how shall we understand something that is not totally understandable.  In our pride or ignorance, we must objectively cut away the parts of God we don't understand and come to grips with the parts we think we do understand.  When the cutting is complete, we have a God that will easily and we think rightfully fit in a box.  

We feel good about the god we have created and eagerly share our god with those that will listen.  We may even be will to die for the god created and maybe even our converts will die for the god in the box. But sadly in the cutting, trimming and distorting of our god, we likely have killed off the opportunity to experience the richest qualities of the ever encompassing real God.

Ever wonder what your god might look like if you let Him out of the box?

"I say that creeds, dogmas, and theologies are inventions of the mind. It is the nature of the mind to make sense out of experience, to reduce the conglomerates of experience to units of comprehension which we call principles, or ideologies, or concepts. Religious experience is dynamic, fluid, effervescent, yeasty. But the mind can't handle these so it has to imprison religious experience in some way, get it bottled up. Then, when the experience quiets down, the mind draws a bead on it and extracts concepts, notions, dogmas, so that religious experience can make sense to the mind. Meanwhile religious experience goes on experiencing, so that by the time I get my dogma stated so that I can think about it, the religious experience becomes an object of thought." 

Howard Thurman 

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"You don't believe God will supply all your needs!"~priest

As I was coming out of a migraine stupor, I began pondering if I really believed God will supply all my needs.  When your head hurts like hell, you really think you have needs.  Right?

If you believe something, the faith of belief is in the doing.  I once prayed with a guy, that said he had an employee that was unproductive because he prayed too much when he was suppose to be working.  I can understand that line of reasoning, but I don't believe it.  I believe God will honor the prayer and consciousness toward God and bless the business far beyond anything the employee could have done in his own power.  I really believe that.  Do you?  Not likely.

I once was fired for pointing out the sexual harassment one employee was directing at another.  I think about school teachers who choose to not talk of Jesus, because they might be fired.  True.  You might be fired.  So what.  I thought you just said, you believed God will supply all your needs.  I suppose you meant God would supply all your needs as long as you didn't need anything.  Right?

Then I think about the employer who consciously separates his faith from his business.  After all, it is important to not create confusion in the work place.  The attitude is to get your job done and then you can let God act in your life.  It is kinda like, check your gifts in at the door and get to work.  I know what is best for you and the business.  Maybe so.  I don't think so.  I think a business would benefit knowing where your gifts and passions are.  Then, you are best able to bless the profitability of the business.

I'm just sayin',,,

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"You can't add grace to the law"~Stacey Robbins

Enjoyed this thought in facebook.,,

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Stacey Robbins You can't ADD grace to the law. If the new law we're living under isn't 'grace' then, we're still in the old legal system and the 'reward' and 'punishment' thing is eventually going to rear it's ugly head. It's not about adding grace to our existing theological 'to-do' list, it's about living in grace. That's a very different thing.

My comment follows:

Archie Rhines

 

Much of the richness of God seems to be tough in that one can't do it on their own. Knowledge of grace is not enough. It has to get from the head to the heart. Only God blesses us with His grace at the heart level...

This is really a pretty awesome thought. There are no shortcuts or cheaters in the area of grace. You can't be a wicked person with knowledge of grace and expect to experience it. 

It is enjoyed by membership in a closed club, called "Believers United". I formed the club. Any joiners?

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"It's Friday. Think I will swing by the convent and see who is ready to party." ~priest

It is Friday and I am feeling happy for life.  I am happy for the family and friends I have.  I am happy for the odd sense of humor God has given me.  I am happy Jesus loves me.

Do you find this a bit upsetting?  "It's Friday. Think I will swing by the convent and see who is ready to party." ~priest 

Why is that? Why is it we as human beings get our shorts in a knot when people on a pedestal are poked at. The only person who ever lived and deserved to be on a pedestal was Jesus. He was King of Kings, Lord of Lords. He was the beginning and the end. Everyone else is just people.

So my advice for you is... pick any person you see on a pedestal and start poking. It will feel good and it is Friday! Live a little! Love a lot! Peace.

~the priest

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"Today I choose to love Jesus. All things are possible..." ~priest

"In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine. I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day."--ISA.27:2,3

"What an answer from the mouth of God Himself to the question so often asked: Is it possible for the believer always to abide in Jesus? Is a life of unbroken fellowship with the Son of God indeed attainable here in this earthly life? 

Truly not, if the abiding is our work, to be done in our strength. But the things that are impossible with men are possible with God. If the Lord Himself will keep the soul night and day, yea, will watch and water it every moment, then surely the uninterrupted communion with Jesus becomes a blessed possibility to those who can trust God to mean and to do what He says. 

Then surely the abiding of the branch of the vine day and night, summer and winter, in a never-ceasing life-fellowship, is nothing less than the simple but certain promise of your abiding in your Lord." ~Andrew Murray

Read the entire inspirational message here... Enjoy!

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"Are you running like a three legged dog?" ~priest

Recently Cora and I drove past a nature hike and bike trail.  On the trail, Cora pointed out a three legged dog.  In my warped sense of humor I wondered if a three legged dog really enjoyed being taken for a walk?  

My Bim friend the bajanpoet recently was reunited with his wife and God, after his infidelity.  He is earnestly chasing after God and repentant for stepping into the trap he found himself.  It is truly a miracle of God's grace that they find themselves once again running the race for God, equipped to win.

In their worship service he says, "The sermon used the analogy of needing two legs to walk, with the two legs being the fear of the Lord AND the comfort of the Spirit."  I think this analogy speaks to the three legged dog.

It is tough running on one leg.  The best you can do is hop.  If we fear God and have no comfort from the Holy Spirit, we will tire quickly and the world will laugh.  Are we not blessed that as we fear God and run the race He sets before us, God responds with a knowledge of the presence of the Holy Spirit which brings comfort and power.

God bless you and the runners of the world. 

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"Thank you Jesus! Show me more!" ~priest

There have been times in my Christian walk when I have asked the question, "Is that all there is?"  You probably remember the popular song with this thought in its lyrics...

And when I was 12 years old, my father took me to a circus, the greatest show on earth.
There were clowns and elephants and dancing bears.
And a beautiful lady in pink tights flew high above our heads.
And so I sat there watching the marvelous spectacle.
I had the feeling that something was missing.
I don't know what, but when it was over,
I said to myself, "is that all there is to a circus?

Is that all there is, is that all there is
If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing
Let's break out the booze and have a ball
If that's all there is

Recently I was at a church meeting with a group of church planters and I asked the leader, why is it at some point one asks the question, "Is that all there is?"  I know I have asked the question more times than I can remember.  His thought was for some our Spirit walk toward maturity is much like becoming middle age.  We have experienced it all and the new is no longer new.  I think that is true for many.  I also think it is a mean trap with a strong jaw and rusty teeth.

Internalizing the question, "Is that all there is to my relationship with God?" always comes at a time in my life when I don't really need God.  The going is smooth.  I'm getting my ticket punched at church.  Everyone sees me as Spiritually significant.  My bills are paid.  Everyone is healthy.  My career path looks solid.  My kids soccer team is winner.  My wife loves me and my dog adores me.  Life is good.  

Contrast "Life is good" with a terminal illness, my wife has run off with another man and I have lost my job.  Suddenly, I need God.  I need a deeper relationship.  Now my line is, "God.  Is that all there is?  If so, I am going to die.  Please God.  Help me!  Show me your power.  Revive me oh God!"  God becomes very significant, but His ear might not be significantly inclined toward me.  He might be leading me toward that place of realizing there is more to my walk and He desires to answer the question, "Is that all there is?"

I think it is natural to ask the question, "Is that all there is?"  I think it is SUPERNATURAL to appreciate there is always more and to thank God when He allows circumstance in your life that brings more of Him to you.  

So I sincerely mean it when I say, the next time you receive a beating, say, "Thank you Jesus!  Show me more!"  I believe that is the attitude and words Paul would have cried out!  I also believe the depth of your love for God and the original question, "Is that all there is?" will seem foolish...

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"Why is my best different than God's best?" ~priest

Most of the time I know what is best for me or so I think so.  Like I know good health is the best for me, yet I get migraines.  I know owning a fine home for my bride is the best for me, yet I live in a rented home.  I know wealth is the best for me, but I live week to week.  I know a lot of things, but God appears to know something different.

How do you resolve what you think is best for your life and what you experience? I don't have the answer.  I am just wondering....

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"Sometimes His wisdom seems foolishness to us"~hisfool

Guest post by: hisfool

 

I think we have all made those kinds of decisions, and we have all found ourselves between a rock and a hard place – or backed into a corner. In those times we have to make a choice, do we focus on our problems, or do we focus on the answer? There is always an answer, it is not always the easiest, or the choice we would want, but God always gives us the answer if we ask. I speak with confidence, as I have been there before, and truth be told and there now.

Sometimes His wisdom seems foolishness to us, but if we obey, He uses that to make the way. Sometimes it is painful, I am reminded of 2Sam 24. David had sinned and found himself in a corner: “So Gad came to David and told him; and he said to him, “Shall seven years of famine come to you in your land? Or shall you flee three months before your enemies, while they pursue you? Or shall there be three days’ plague in your land? Now consider and see what answer I should take back to Him who sent me.” David faced a painful choice, in His wisdom He chose to fall upon the judgment and mercy of God. Sometimes we face the same sort of choices, but God’s mercy and grace is always the best choice.

Having said that I have found that most often IF we make the wrong choice out of a desire to obey God and do His will we can count on His grace in our time of need. No it’s not always easy, but Jesus never said everything would be easy and every day sunshine and roses. Rather, He said, “take up your cross daily and follow me”, and “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” No it’s not always easy, but He will give you what you need to persevere and break through to victory. Best of all, I have found that the hard times invariably are also the times where the greatest treasures are revealed.

Comment by hisfool | January 25, 2010 |

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"Best of intentions sometimes go awry..." ~the priest just sayin'...

I've really been bummed lately with the head hurt thing and intended to write something really uplifting.  But alas then I discovered this picture and it reminded me it is tax season.  So, I think I will stop here and let the picture communicate it all.  Enjoy!  Ah yes.... April 15th.

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"Fish oil and the Bible. Who needs it?" ~just sayin' priest

I'm not real impressed with the thought of taking fish oil to rid myself of headaches.  I'm told that fish oil has an ingredient that is good for the production of seritonin, which a lack of can produce migraines.  I've jokingly said I'd rather rub it on me than to actually injest it.  My wife thinks the fish oil rub might not go over too well in the office.

 

The need for fish oil and my lack of desire for it, makes me think about my attitude (possibly yours) toward the Bible.  I know there is a need for it.  I know I will be a better person for reading it.  But there has been in my past an unreasonbly small desire to consume it.  Why is that?

 

Likely, there are many reasons why consuming God's Word does not float very high on our list of priorities.  Probably for most, it is seemingly a lack of need.  We in America are so unreasonably blessed.  We don't deserve all God has given us and yet He keeps on giving.  I wonder how long His grace will last...

 

Personally I have discovered when times get tough, I am inclined to read His Word more and ask for help.  God responds with love and care.  I respond with thank you and put His Word back on the shelf.  How about you?

 

I think there will be a time when God tires of America's lack of love for Him.  He is the creator.  He asked His Son to die for us.  He asks us to return His love.  I believe His time of grace is running out...

 

Where is your Bible? Will you read it today?  Will you read it tomorrow?  When will you read it? 

 

Like my fish oil, it is time to do with the Word as God intended...

 

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"I like this. Can't add a jot or tiddle." ~the priest

3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:

3:2 a time to be born,

and a time to die;

a time to plant,

and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3:3 a time to kill,

and a time to heal;

a time to break down,

and a time to build up;

3:4 a time to weep,

and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn,

and a time to dance;

3:5 a time to cast away stones,

and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace,

and a time to refrain from embracing;

3:6 a time to seek,

and a time to lose;

a time to keep,

and a time to cast away;

3:7 a time to tear,

and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence,

and a time to speak;

3:8 a time to love,

and a time to hate;

a time for war,

and a time for peace.

--
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"It is I. Don't be afraid." ~Jesus

Jesus was a man of few words or was He?  Think about it.  If all His spoken words were recorded, how big would the Bible be?  The red letter edition of the Bible is a record of some of what Jesus said.  I have to assume He was not mute for the first 30 years of His life.  Right?  

I wonder what else He had to say?  Like did he say, "Hey bud!  Let's go fishin'.."  or did He say, "Man!  That dog smells! What did he get into?"  I mean really.  Did He tell a good joke?  Did He laugh at His sister or brother?  Did He even have a sister?  I don't know.  When you get right down to it, we know very little about the most influential man in universe history.

When Jesus came back to life and was back among the living in flesh for a while, He said some very profound things, but what about the things He didn't say?  Like, "Dude it is really HOT like fire in hell.  I don't recommend it."  or "Can you imagine the look on satan's face when I showed up in hell?  You just had to be there to believe it!"  or "You won't believe who I saw in Hell!  You just never know..."

As large as Jesus is, we really know very little about the Son of God!  Put that in your pipe and smoke it.  THE SON OF GOD! and yet a man of few words....

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"I think I will take a walk on the wild side.." ~the priest

To all my friends and everyone else...

Morning!  It is a brand new day.  The head feels reasonable.  My heart is beating.  My wife loves me.  My foster dog adores me.  I am working on a new blog and I have friends.  God is good.

You want the best for me.  I want the best for you.  Sometimes it is hard to know what best is.  But the friendship only grows deeper with the adventure.  

Thank you!  I sincerely appreciate the encouragement.  I believe it is the encouragement that will help me out of my funk.  So God bless and enjoy the day.  I think I will take a walk on the wild side....  

archie

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There was a time when miracles were expected, even counted on...

Have you ever laid at the pool of Bethesda?  You were hurt.  Deeply hurt.  Many times you attempted to be healed.  You knew healing was possible, it was just that you couldn't quite get to where you needed to go to receive healing.  You had even seen others healed, but not you.

There was once a cripple man who laid at the pool of Bethesda.  The cripple man watched as an angel would stir the water in the pool and someone would step over him, getting to the healing water first.  Time and again, he was stepped over by those in less need than him. They would be healed.  Time and again he would crawl back to his place of waiting, hoping one day he would be healed.

This cripple man waited for 38 years.  Likely, he was crippled even before Jesus was born.  Yet he waited...

John tells the story like this... "Now in Jerusalem by the sheep gate, there is a pool, which is called in Hebrew, “Bethesda,” having five porches.  

In these lay a great multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, or paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water; for an angel went down at certain times into the pool, and stirred up the water. Whoever stepped in first after the stirring of the water was made whole of whatever disease he had. 

A certain man was there, who had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had been sick for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to be made well?”  The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I’m coming, another steps down before me.”

Jesus said to him, “Arise, take up your mat, and walk.”
Immediately, the man was made well, and took up his mat and walked.

For this cripple man, it was not the way of the multitudes for him.  It was the way of Jesus that changed his life.  The multitudes kept stepping over and in front of him.  Jesus met him where he was and made him whole.  

Do you wait at the pool of Bethesda?  Have faith.  Jesus is coming again!

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"3:00 AM and I am awake with more questions than answers.."~priest

I am suppose to be sleeping.  I am not sleeping.  Why is that? 

I feel depressed.  How can that be? I am a believer.  My God promises to supply all my needs, yet I am up at 3:00 AM feeling depressed. 

I suspect many of you are with me in feeling depressed.  Life did not turn out the way you planned.  You did your best, but it seems like your best was not good enough.  

My recent adventure with being diagnosed with a possible brain tumor, helped push me over the edge emotionally.  I was already on the edge.  The diagnosis just kicked me in the butt and pushed me over.  I am still tumbling, but I have a plan and it is really quite simple. 

I am going to start a new life.  I am going to ditch those things that bring negative influences on me and grab hold of those things that bring positive influences.  

First things first.  I am going to return to my 1st love: my love for Jesus.  Andrew Murray explains it like this...

"IT IS to you who have heard and hearkened to the call, “Come unto me,” that this new invitation comes, “Abide in me.” The message comes from the same loving Saviour. You doubtless have never repented having come at His call. You experienced that His word was truth; all His promises He fulfilled; He made you partakers of the blessings and the joy of His love. Was not His welcome most hearty, His pardon full and free, His love most sweet and precious? You more than once, at your first coming to Him, had reason to say, “The half was not told me.”

And yet you have had to complain of disappointment: as time went on, your expectations were not realized. The blessings you once enjoyed were lost; the love and joy of your first meeting with your Saviour, instead of deepening, have become faint and feeble. And often you have wondered what the reason could be, that with such a Saviour, so mighty and so loving, your experience of salvation should not have been a fuller one.

The answer is very simple. You wandered from Him. "~Andrew Murray  excerpt from ALL YOU WHO HAVE COME TO HIM

The next thing I am purposed to do is return to my 2nd love: my love for Cora.  Outside of Jesus, she is the most positive influence in my life.  She has incredible wisdom.  She is strong.  She loves me deeply.  She loves Jesus and encourages others with that love daily.  I will be the husband God designed for her with a love that only can come from Jesus.

Closely following my love for Jesus and Cora: I purpose to share in the love of friends and family.  I will encourage them with my love and bask in their love.  I will look for specific ways to bring a smile to their face, but I will choose to smile first.  My love of friends will extend to "the least of these".

Lastly, I will turn to you and appreciate the friendship of those that read this blog.  You are an encouragement.  You are steadfast friends in times of trouble.  Thank you.  

Of special note: Ichabod is a blog friend from Canada.  Ich has experienced much of life just like me.  Life has not always been kind, yet he chooses to be an encourager.  We don't always agree on Jesus and the things of the faith, yet he encourages me.  I pray I might be an encouragement to him.  I find it interesting despite our differences, he chooses to encourage me.  Thank you, Robert.  

So, it is now 4:37 AM and I think I will ponder on these things while drifting back to sleep for an hour or so.... 

Lest I forget to say: "I will avoid those things that tend to steal my joy." ~the priest

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"Thank you for your concern and prayers. The doc says my MRI brain scan came back normal, but he has no explanation for my being ugly. Some things you just have to live with." ~priest 

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“Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people alive.” ~Jesus

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"Have you made your mark for Jesus?"~priest

Keith Green was born 10 days before me.  He was an incredible musician, song writer and follower of Jesus. Keith died at the age of 28, having made his mark for Jesus.  

Jesus lived about 30 years in preparation for making His mark.  He was only on the world scene sharing His story and love for about 3 years while He made His mark.

I am 56 years, old.  I spent 54 years being shaped by God in preparation to make my mark for Jesus.  Today, I have the crayons in hand and am doing the best I know how to make my mark for Him.  I fear I wasted too many years trying to make the mark for me.  Will I be given the time to color the picture God has drawn?  I don't know.

It seems I have a fist full of crayons.  It took a life time collecting each of the colors produced by my life's experiences.  Some are bright and vibrant colors full of life. I like them a lot.  Others are dark and dull, full of death and defeat.  I don't like these at all.

God has drawn my life's picture on paper much like a page out of a coloring book.  I have only recently begun filling in the shapes with color.  I am anxious to use the bright vibrant colors Christ gave me when He died on the cross for my sins.  I have discarded the dark ugly colors, as they have no place in my life while walking beside Jesus. 

Today, God chooses the colors He wants me to use and directs my hand to stay within the lines.  Sometimes it seems the coloring moves at a rapid pace.  Sometimes I can't see that I have colored at all.  The picture of my life, balanced against God's framework of grace is beginning to take shape.  It is a good picture, but I wonder if I have time to finish...

Today at noon, I will have an MRI done of my head.  The doctor says he'd bet a dime I have a brain tumor, but he says he'll bet a dollar I don't.  I think they call that insurance in Vegas.  So today, a machine will draw a picture I may or may not have time to color?  

Have you made your mark?  It is past time to start coloring...

 
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"What do you do other than janitorial stuff?"~bajanpoet

There was a time not so long ago that I was a broken man.  God wanted me broken so He might have opportunity to fix me.  During that time, my church was very gracious to create a job position and hire me as Director of Facilities.  I needed to work.  I needed to work hard.  It kept me from going nuts.  I will be forever grateful to my church for helping me in an incredibly tough time in my life.  I hope I have been a blessing to them...

My broken self was a couple years, ago.  Since that time, God has faithfully been rebuilding me into the man He desires to spend eternity with.  It has been a healthy rebuild. I'm not so broke anymore.  God has a plan and I desire to step into it.  I believe the plan He has for me is to play my part in the rebuilding of His church.   I'm not sure what that exactly looks like, but I am excited to know He has a place for me.

Now that I am not so broken, I wonder how God will choose to use my skill set and giftedness developed over the years.  I was once a research scientist and physicist.  I have started software companies.  I have owned computer stores.  I have patented items and copyrighted computer software.  I even spent the day with the son-in-law of EF Hutton on Wall Street.  But today, I love the Lord.  I wonder where He will put me next...  Just sayin'...

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"My high school teacher said I was really smart until I opened my mouth"~priest

Intellect has always been one of man's passions.  We all look up to smart people.  Smart people look up to even smarter people.  I was a research scientist in my early career.  I received a couple patents.  One day I looked around and realized I was not the smartest.  It seemed most everyone was smarter than me.  It was then I decided I wanted to do something I could be the smartest in.

When Jesus came on the scene, there was a man named Nathanael.  He thought himself pretty smart and John thought him pretty smart, also.  That is to say, until he opened his mouth.  In that way, Nathanael and I were the same.   He said, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”  

"My high school teacher said I was really smart until I opened my mouth"~priest It has been a bit like that most of my life. I am pretty smart until I say otherwise. I have begun to incorporate God's Word in my speech. It seems truth is pretty smart and I am not at risk of being counted as dumb. Except by those that don't count anyway.

So today, I choose to speak truth with a splash of love. I figure I can't go wrong...

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"Today, I woke up with the picture of me walking with one foot on the sidewalk and the other foot on rough ground.." ~priest

God has a plan.  He really does.  We each have a job to do in His plan.  I suspect much of what God has planned for you and I is impossible in our own strength.  

Maybe as Abraham was going to be the father of nations at 100 years old seems a likely as the plan God has for your life.  The thing that really thrilled God about Abraham was His faith.  Abraham knew the impossibility of the task and chose to believe in the future, regardless.  God by Abraham's faith produced the seed that impacted mankind forever.  

I look at the plan God has for me.  I only understand a tiny piece of it, because that is all He has revealed.  It doesn't make it any less important. But it does require faith believing that God knows what He is doing and positioning me to fulfill His wishes.  I was created for His purpose and not mine.

Today, I woke up with the picture of me walking with one foot on the sidewalk and the other foot on rough ground. I think it speaks to my not being fully in the groove with God. I don't know how that can be, but I think that might be the case. So I begin the quest of evaluating what needs to be done in my life to get both feet on the sidewalk.

How is your footing? Are you walking with one foot on the ground? Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you shall find. Knock and keep on knocking....

"Without being weakened in faith, he didn’t consider his own body, already having been worn out, (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. Yet, looking to the promise of God, he didn’t waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was also able to perform".~Paul

 
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Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

"The lukewarm apparently are going to hell." ~the priest

I am reading a book by Francis Chan.  It is titled, "Crazy Love".  I have become very uncomfortable.  Let me quote a bit of it....

"As I see it, a lukewarm Christian is an oxymoron.  To put it plainly, churchgoers who are lukewarm are not Christians.  We will not see them in heaven." ~Chan

Chan backs up this radical statement with God's Word....

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth. " Jesus

So it seems we have very important decision to make.  Will we continue to be lukewarm?  Maybe....    

You may disagree with the radicalness of the statement.  It bothers me, also.  But in your discomfort, the truth has to be reconciled.  The only way I can see around it as to accept it as truth or pick and choose what part of the Bible I choose to believe.  After all, I do like the peace and prosperity part.  I'm just sayin'..

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Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

Bought 5 more "Throw Down Bibles"... Want one autographed, "~the priest"?

Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

"Organic church refers to a body of believers who are learning to live by the indwelling life of Christ together."~Frank Viola

"Organic church, or “organic expression of the church,” or “organic church life” are terms that owe a debt to one man who’s rarely mentioned in these discussions—British author and teacher T. Austin Sparks. As far as I know, he is the first person to use this term, and he used it often.

When T. Austin Sparks employed the word organic to refer to church, he was not speaking of a system, a method, a technique, or even a movement. Instead, he was speaking of the particular expression a church takes when she is living according to her God-given nature as a living organism.

Note his words

:

God’s way and law of fullness is that of organic life. In the Divine order, life produces its own organism, whether it be vegetable, animal, human, or spiritual. This means that everything comes from the inside. Function, order, and fruit issue from this law of life within. It was solely on this principle that what we have in the New Testament came into being. Organized Christianity has entirely reversed this order.

Taking my cue from Sparks, I’ve been using the terms organic church and organic expression of the church since 1993.

For Sparks, myself, and many others, organic church refers to a body of believers who are learning to live by the indwelling life of Christ together. And out of that living, the church takes on a certain expression. That expression is marked by some of the following features: the every-member functioning of the body, the centrality and supremacy of Jesus Christ, consensual decision making, open-participatory gatherings, and passing through seasons (meaning the church is not tied down to ritual, but moves according to the season she finds herself in)." ~Frank Viola

excerpt from Frank Viola's blog... 

http://frankviola.wordpress.com/2010/01/14/why-organic-church-is-not-exactly-a-movement-christianity-today-article/

Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

"It's not wise to hack off an angel, or is it?"~priest

I was reading about the time a priest went into the Holy of Holies to do his duties (at the risk of his life) and was visited by Gabriel, an archangel.  Gabriel is known to stand in God's presence and is a powerful messenger of God.  The priest was filled with fear.  Gabriel struck him mute because he didn't believe his message.  

I've always thought of muteness as being punishment and likely was for hacking off the angel.   But in personal experience there might have an upside.  You see if God uniquely speaks to you and it takes time and patience for the revelation to works it's way into your life, you might just begin to wonder if you even heard God.  

In the case of the priest, his muteness would have been a daily reminder of his Holy encounter with a messenger from God.  When the doubt came with time, his muteness would speak louder than his memory and God would be glorified.  

"The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news. Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things will happen, because you didn’t believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”"~Luke

 
So now I wait... without the encouragement of muteness... just sayin'...

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Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

"God does speak when you have a heart that listens..."~priest

A Facebook friend posted this interesting dream....

Teri Undreiner  

A new friend very wisely recently quoted something.. " Live and speak from your heart and you will heal peopl'es souls." Something like that.

I'm a dreamer and the night before he posted that, I had a dream that a horrible catastophe came upon a country and no one could get water or food but water was the most important. All these 

buildings had crumpled and people were everywhere thirsty. I kept telling everyone that they needed water or they'd die but no one had any to give. All these people were dying. 

When I woke up I was so disturbed about it and I knew once again that it wasn't any old dream. Something was happening or going to happen. Then my friend posted that quote and I realized that I needed to get focused. That I needed to give out the water that I had and stop holding it in. 

Interesting that this has happened in Haiti one week later. My prayer first is for water for them. I actually woke up from that dream terribly thirsty. It was weird.

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Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

Deacon Clay Simmons serves at Chick Fil A

I met Deacon Clay Simmons at Chick-Fil-A at the Medical Center in San Antonio.  Watching him from a distance, I thought him a simpleton.  He was too friendly.  He was too happy.  When he came to my table, I thought this would be interesting and l likely good blog material.  I decided I would be kind.

It turns out I am the simpleton.  Clay began sharing a genuine love of Christ.  He no agenda.  He was just excited to share what he knew about the workings of Christ.  He shared how angels sometime take on a human body and get hungry.  They eat and are blown away by the experience.

Clay shared how God loves us and many times works in the numbers of 3 and 7.  Sometimes 3 days, sometimes 3 years, but God works.  He shared how Jonah was swallowed by a whale and survived in darkness.  But 3 days later he was tossed into the light.

Clay's enthusiasm for Christ never wavered.  Eye to eye.  Heart to heart.  I was blessed by Deacon Clay Simmons.  Drop on by Chick-Fil-A at the Medical Center in San Antonio.  See what Deacon Simmons has for you.  I was a simpleton...

If I am there, say hi to me, the simpleton priest...

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Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

"Mary was religious..."~priest

I was at McDonald's yesterday.  Across the table from me sat Mary.  I find it no longer unusual for God to put people in my path who have a story.  I do find it unusual now when I go somewhere, that someone does not find a place in my story.  I wonder why that is?

Mary is in her mid 70's.  She was very nicely dressed and was killing time at McDonald's until she was to make her appointment.  I asked how she was and she shared what a friend her doctor has been to her since the passing of her husband.  

She shared how things have changed.  People are different from her generation.  Now, they are less caring.  They dress immorally.  They have lost their sense of values. Sometimes, she wishes her priest would tell the ladies to dress more appropriately.  Afterall, they don't have to show everything.  I agreed.

Mary says she prays her rosary everyday.  She wanted to know what religion I was.  I said I wasn't so much into religion.  I thought my faith was more about Jesus.  She agreed.  I said I was protestant.  I don't really know what that means, but I said I was one.  She asked if I was a pastor?  I said no, but I wonder....

I  wonder about Mary being a religious person.  I wonder if her religion has brought her to a relationship with Christ.  Some would say it is religion that brings us to Christ.  I'm not so sure....

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Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

"Self Portrait of Haiti and I" ~priest

I am deeply sensitized to how similar Haiti and I are.  There have been times in my life that an earthquake of tremendous magnitude has ripped through the very depths of my being.  There has been immediate and lifelong impact.  People have been hurt, possibly even lost their lives resulting from the earthquakes and after shocks.  I didn't want the earthquakes.  I didn't ask for the earthquakes.  I was living life and they came, much like this current earthquake has ripped apart Haiti.

Then there is the beautiful part of life.  Much like this beach scene in Haiti.  There is chaos and destruction all around, but the beauty of the beach is ever present.   I can retreat there.  I can enjoy the freshness of the ocean breeze.  I can wiggle my toes in the sand.  I can for but a moment pretend that there is not pain and suffering all around.  It is a good place to be in God's presence.  I think I will linger just a bit today and enjoy....

Pray for the people of Haiti.  Pray they will find the beach in the lives that will bring hope....

Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

"Haiti is cursed or is it? God knows..." ~priest

God does LOVE! God does HATE! Haiti is a country with witchcraft and satanic worship strongly practiced. It is said historically that a ruler of Haiti made a deal with the devil years back. Truth is truth. We can't change truth no matter how much we don't like it.

Sometimes we believers will neglect the power of satan. As to the plight of Haiti, only God knows. God will at times remove His protective covering from you, I and nations..... just sayin'... Tremendous suffering is very likely without God's direct intervention in our lives.  Even with God's involvement, satan is at work to do his damnedest to destroy the loved ones of Jesus.  

A personal thread of what is happening in Haiti can be found here.   Haiti Devastation . 

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"I'd rather be sleepless than homeless." ~priest

So I went to the doctor this morning to see why my head hurts.  It turns out there is not a sledge hammer embedded or at least he suspects that's the case.  The doc says I'm not fat and if I'd sleep good, then my head wouldn't hurt.  Seems like an easy fix, right?   Will work on it.

I celebrated by taking my bride to lunch at Wendy's.  I bought a small chile for her and a kid's meal for me.  I like the toy! Leaving Wendy's there was a guy squatting outside Wendy's front door.  I had seen him when we entered and sized him up as a guy waiting for someone and just liked to squat in the process.  

It turns out John is from Virginia and homeless.  He came to Texas 8 months, ago.  I commented he must have been trying to get away from the cold.  He laughed at the thought considering how cold it has been here.  He was proud of the fact that he had a mummy style sleeping bag that kept him warm.  He asked if I could spare even a little bit as he rubbed his finger and thumb together.

I said, "Sure.  Could I pray for him first?"  He agreed enthusiastically and extended his hand to hold mine.  He bowed his head and waited.  I was blown away because he was taking the initiative to share in prayer with me.  I prayed in Jesus name for miraculous provisions for this man who life had treated rough.  I gave him money.  All I had.  

He said, "Thank you!"  He was sincere and obviously hungry.  He gave me a strong handshake. He said, "Thank you." again and went inside Wendys to buy lunch.  I was blessed.  He was blessed.

Thank you letting me share this with you.  Pray for John.

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Some people only have a prayer of a chance...

Rendi...I am sending this to my prayer book and some of our warriors will get this twice...please send it out.  The situation is dire.  Blessings, Robbie

 

Team,

The earthquake that has hit Haiti, hit within 14 miles of Dr Dan and Dee Dee's house and right in the middle of Dan's hospital.

 

If you have not heard, it was a 7.0, with a 5.9 aftershock, and then a 5.5 additional earthquake.  There have now been reported 12 more aftershocks since the original earthquake.  We are not able to reach Dan in this hour but do know from Dee Dee's Mother that they are in Port as is their son James who has not yet left for college.  In addition, of course, are our Pastor Charite Noel's family home in Port... where his wife Fe Fe and children who are still at home were present... while likely Pastor was in Dessalines... and finds himself unable to get to his family.  We have not been able to reach him in this hour as well.

 

     The reports are very dire.  Homes falling as the mountainside literally collapses.  One hospital is known to have collapsed.  The pictures on CNN of the President's palace in Port is horribly collapsed into itself.  This is an hour of great need for prayer. All flights into Port are canceled.  Military transport aide is going in tomorrow morning.  Razor wire is all over the street and the people are walking in the dark.  This is a city made to house 50,000 and holds 2 million people.  There is never a time when people are not living by the hundreds of thousands in the streets.  Imagine what that means in this devastation.  It became dark almost immediately after the earthquake.  There is no appropriate infrastructure for such emergency in Haiti.

 

     Please pray for the mercy and grace of our Lord over all the people and for the safety of our dear friends.  This will be an especially difficult time for Dr. Dan of course...as he will want to help everybody.  Water and food will be very limited and people will be desperate.  Let's agree with the Word of the Lord and pray as the Holy Spirit leads us as we stand for our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

 

Blessings,

Robbie and Bob

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"I'm going to live forever, probably in a dog house." ~the priest

I've been wondering about my vocabulary.  Words are meant to communicate.  Sometimes I wonder how many Words have lost their power.  I stumbled on this thought the other day when I used the Word eternal life.  That is strong, but when I used the phrase, "Hey bud.  Do you want to live forever?"  The thought was EXPLOSIVE.  I even questioned whether I believed it.  

I mean I believe in eternal life, because that is what I bought into when I chose to walk with Jesus as a life style.  But when I translate the thought to I will live forever,  I wonder, "REALLY?" 

My friend from Barbados says, "Robert: It's unimaginable, not that it doesn't make any sense... ur finite mind will explode trying to understand it " and goes on to say, "You actually are a spirit living in a body... so u will live for ever regardless the question is WHERE " 

Check out his blog at: http://bajanpoet.wordpress.com/

I think you will enjoy thoughts from the island and yes I am going to live forever, eternally with my friend Jesus...

Archie

Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

On the cross Jesus does away with all the rule-keeping, debt-collecting, point-scoring, merit-awarding rigmarole of religious systems that try to control God and limit heaven to people like us. Bishop of Reading Stephen Cottrell

I like this and borrowed it from Charl, a South African friend.  He has a great blog at: A Coffee Community.  Swing on by and say, "Hi".

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"Joy is supernatural happiness..." ~priest

I am bummed.  I am happy.  I am sad.  I am filled with joy.  What does it all mean?  Where do emotions come from and what do you do with them? The Word says we are made of three components.  We are body, soul and spirit.  Body is the physical.  Spirit is the eternal component of us.  Our soul is the essence of our being.  Somewhere built within our souls and likely overlapped in our spirit is our emotion of Joy.

John placed great value in the component called Joy.  

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly, when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear about my children walking in truth.

I think joy is similar to happiness in feeling, but much more powerful.  It seems to me Joy is only available to those that know Father as Lord.  There is a supernatural component to Joy.  Think about, "The Joy of the Lord is my strength" or something like that.... 

So if I were having my fingernails pulled out for my failure to denounce Jesus, I would not be happy.  Oddly and miraculously, in the midst of the pain and suffering, I could experience JOY as deep and penetrating as inhumanly possible.  Read it again.  This thought is profound.  You don't need happiness.  You need JOY.  Joy is only found in Christ.

So the thought for the day is to "Dis happiness" and seek Joy! Do it.  Strive for it.  Test God in it.  Your life will never be the same.  Count it all joy!

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"Now I've got a peaceful, easy feeling" ~Eagles

I like the way you came into my life
With your Spirit so bright
I want to walk with you forever now,
along this road we call life

Now I've got a peaceful, easy feeling
I know you won't let me down
'cause I'm always standing, on the ground.

I found out a long time ago
What the devil can to do to your soul
Oh but he can't take you anywhere,
you don't already know how to go

But I've got a peaceful, easy feeling
I know you won't let me down
'cause I'm always standing, on the ground.

I get this feeling that you know me
as my saviour and my friend
Your voice keeps whispering, to my inner man
tells me "I will be with you till the end"

and I've got a peaceful, easy feeling
I know you won't let me down
'cause I'm always standing,
I'm always standing,
yes I'm always standing
on solid ground.

Original Facebook post by Nathan. Read his story at:
http://37stories.wordpress.com/heartfelt/

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Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

"If the ocean were grace, I'm drowning." ~ Greg Coplen

Sunday, I met with a large group of other believers (or not) and worshiped in song led by an astonishing talented artist, Greg Coplen.  You might think about inviting him to your gathering as well.  I don't know if he wrote the song or even the title but a phrase really captured me.  The song said, "If the ocean were grace, I'm drowning." The thought speaks strongly to the immense love God has for you and I.

In the Bible, Peter speaks of the struggle life is as a believer. His speaks frankly that life is tough, but there is hope.

Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials, that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ— whom not having known you love; in whom, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory— receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 

Consider the boldness of Peter when he says, "the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold".  What is the proof of our faith?  I think Peter is saying that when things get really tough, we don't quit.  We keep our head up.  We keep our eyes focused on Jesus.  We choose to take one more step in faith that God truly loves us and suffers right alongside.  He never neglects us.  His Son is always reaching out and His Spirit empowers and protects.

So for today, believe that God is alive and well.  Look for those God Spots and don't forget to say, "Hey bud!  Want to live forever?"

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Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

Hey bud! Want to live forever?

In my contemplative state this morning, I was blown away with the thought that I am going to live forever.  It seems I have heard the term "eternal life" so often that it has lost it's impact or meaning.  I was reciting in my mind the verse, "For God so loved the world, He gave His only Son, that whosoever believed in Him should have everlasting life."  That is when it hit me.  I am going to live forever!

I wonder if you also are sleepily appreciating the gift you received as you live your life?  If so, think about it.  If you are living your life with Christ, you are going to live forever!  It is a story that needs telling.  There are people who want to hear.  Welcome to the great awakening!

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Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

"Think I'll call my cat a dog, so he'll roll over and play dead." ~priest

Religion is really getting confusing as we march on toward the unification of the world.  Borders are coming down.  Races are merging.  Economies overlap.  The world is really rapidly becoming a world of one people.  I'm not saying that is good or bad.  As one world united under the one true God, this could be incredibly good.  The alternative of being united under a false god is not so good.  The hope is for Jesus to come again.

I am reading of church bombings in Malaysia and the struggles of people of different religious beliefs are evident.  When I first read that Christian churches were being firebombed by Muslim people.  I thought, well extremist Muslims killing Christians is not new.  But the motive here is new and unexpected for me.  The Muslims are bombing Christian church buildings, because non Muslim publications want to refer to God as Allah.  I am baffled.

"KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian Muslims rallied on Friday to protest against Christians using the word "Allah" for God after a spate of attacks on churches that threatened to stoke racial and religious tensions".

The catholics want to refer to God as Allah so as to convert Muslims to catholicism.  To me that is a bit like referring to a cat as a dog, so the cat will roll over and play dead.  I don't see how this can happen and even if it does, I'm not sure it is good.  After all, what good is a cat that plays dead? 

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Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

Trapped by bars of the past or freed to live in the present

There was a guy in world history named Paul.  He was a brilliant man.  Might even have had a photographic memory.  Paul was also a craftsman and came from good genetic stock.  Likely his parents were positioned well in government.  Paul had it all, yet Paul was in prison for what he believed and actions dictated by his beliefs.

One would think to be in prison would be the end of God's opportunity to use a person for international impact.  In Paul's case, it was only the beginning.  His writings and observations have impacted mankind for our entire existence... 

It seems to me many people live in prison.  Some behind iron bars, others behind the bars of past circumstance.  Both can be equally confining.  I suspect being confined by the bars of historical circumstance are far more confining then iron bars.  Consider Paul again.  He was confined by iron bars and continued to have tremendous impact on the world.

In prison or out of prison, Paul was effective in his walk with Christ and his impact on the world.  The question for each of us is, "Has our response to life's circumstance created a prison we choose to live life in?" 

This seems a bit muddy.  I'll try to clean the thought up.  Supposing as a child, you were abused by your father or someone else.  From that vantage point or perspective, you have come to view life.  After all, if you can't trust your father, who can you trust?  Supposing in the abuse, you are taught to believe the lie, you have no value.  Why else would you be abused?  Right?  It only took me a couple of lines to build a more solid prison around you than Paul had with iron.  I hurt for you and I and the prison we live in.

There is a way out.  It is at the feet of Jesus....
 
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Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

"Build faith into expectations"~priest

You all know Paul.  He wrote a bunch of stuff about successful living a Christian life in the midst of hell on earth.  He was tortured in body, soul and spirit more times than he could remember.  Yet, he passionately loved Jesus and lived a life worthy of his calling.  Here is a great principle for you and I to adopt in our life.  Paul says it like this...

"Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you."~Paul

In your and my life, this thought would play out in our looking to the future of what we want and desire according to God's will and purpose.  Then, physically do something that points you toward your expectations.  In Paul's case, he wanted to visit his friends.  He was in chains literally and the visit was an impossibility.  But in faith, he asked his friends to prepare a room for him.  Then, it was time to pray...

Today.  Look to the future.  Prepare a room.  Pray.  It's time...

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Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

Sometimes being outside the box is a good thing

I am blogging in Chick-fil-A listening to Christian music. How incredibly unique is that? The place closes on Sunday, also. While the world blows off God and demands ownership of Sunday, Chick-fil-A gives it back to God. The corporation is incredibly profitable and there is a waiting line to manager a franchise.  

Thank you Chick-fil-A for blesses the world with your faithfulness to God! Eat mo chikin!

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Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

"When a command conflicts with a principle, which rules?"~priest

WHAT!? A priest doesn't know everything?  Well.  Shuck my corn!

As I reach into my pocket and take out my last $2 to give to a bum, the thought comes to my mind: "Be a good steward of what God has given you."  I take the $2, give it to the bum and say, "God bless".

OK.  Here is the rub.  The Word says to give to the poor quite explicitly.  The Word has a principle that says to be good stewards of what God has given us.  Is it possible for a command to conflict with a principle?  I don't know.  Maybe.

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Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

Paul was not a wimp and suffered that his friends might live...

Paul is my hero.  He ran a good fight.  He was not afraid of suffering for Christ.  He was not ashamed for the life he uniquely lived.  He encouraged others to life a similar life. This page is from a personal letter to his friend Timothy and is powerful.  Enjoy!

For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. Therefore don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Good News according to the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Good News. For this, I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For this cause I also suffer these things.

Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him against that day.

Paul words are powerful. Consider living your life according to God's purpose and grace.  God bless. archie

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Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

The gift of tongues would have come in handy.

I was sitting in McDonald's yesterday.  There was an older hispanic gentleman sitting at a table next to mine.  He sleeping.  I was blogging on my computer and thinking about the old guy across from me.  I had a "throw down" Bible.  I figured I might have an opportunity to give it to him when he woke up.

Very shortly, he woke up and mumbled some stuff.  I walked over and commented about how cold it was getting outside.  I handed him a couple dollars.  He took them, stuffed them in his pocket and nodded back to sleep.  There was a table full of teenagers watching to interchange between he and I.  

In a bit, he woke up for good.  He started talking, not to anyone, just talking and staring at the table.  He was talking in spanish.  Much of what he had to say  cursing.  He could curse in both spanish and english.  But he only spoke in spanish.   Interesting.... I begin praying, but what to pray?

Time for the pop quiz: When a person is talking gibberish, how do you know if the person is mentally unstable or demonically possessed?  I guess if you don't believe in demon possession, it only leaves crazy.  Personally, I'm ok with the concept of demonic "crazy out of your head" possession.  

I kept my Bible and begin praying for his sanity.  I prayed God would restore his mind.  I prayed God would drive out the demons.  I kept praying and hoping he would regain his sanity.  I wondered what it would be like to have demons exorcized in McDonalds.  I wondered if there were any pigs around.  

He and I left at the same time.  Me getting in my car and him trying to get across a busy street.  I like to think my prayers were heard and God will speak into the confusion of his mind.  I don't know if I did all I was suppose to do.  I just know I tried...

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Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

Does God hear the slot machine prayer?

There are times when I pray and immediately I can see God at work fulfilling my wishes.  But there are other times when I pray and I see and get nothing.  What is up with that?  What happens when you pray to the god of slot machines and don't see God do anything?

Some simplify the Sunday School answer to God always answers.  He either says, "Yes", "No" or "Later".  I know the answer to be much deeper than that and likely even devalues God with the simplicity of the taught Sunday School answer.  My God seems to be a bit mysterious in the way He operates.  How about yours?

There is one thing I know to be true.  When you pray in the will of God, things happen.  People struggle knowing the will of God.  Somethings are easy.  Read His Word.  Everything there is within His will.  The Word says, "Love".  So pray for Love.  God will hear.  

Knowing the will of God in buying a new car, may be a bit more difficult to discern His will.  His Word does not say to go buy a new red Porsche, but it doesn't explicitly say to not buy the Porsche of your dreams.  So what do you do?  How will you pray with expectations of seeing God at work?

You might try this.  Bow your head and worship the Father.  Tell Him thank you for life and all He has blessed you with.  While in worship pick up His Word and read it.  Appreciate that you are reading the very Words of God.  Incredible.  Then, ask God for what you should pray.  This part is awesome.  

Don't go to the slot machine god of the skies.  Go to your heavenly Father.  Say, "Father.  I have lots of issues, but today I want to pray according to your will.  For what shall I pray?"  God will immediately open your mind to His thoughts and His will.  Pray in His will, not yours.  

Then remember, revelation dictates action.  Get up and Act up for Jesus!  I love that thought, "Get up and Act up for Jesus!"

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Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

"Pray to God to change all the possibilities in my life. Please pray for my husband,he is call Fred."~Apphia

A visitor to 37stories last night says, "i am 24 year old,am facing difficult challenges in my right,it very moment i feel like given up .God bless" and also asks for prayer. "Pray to God to change all the possibilities in my life. Please pray for my husband,he is call Fred."~Apphia

I am blessed as I am sure you are, that a person with heart and soul has stumbled across an oasis of love in the desert of the Internet.  God's presence is being felt through His God Spots, literally around the world. 

I will pray for Apphia and I have hope you will pray, also.  I believe Apphia will know the presence of God and will be encouraged to continue the race.  It would be encouraging to Apphia if you would post an encouraging comment.  Thank you.  Archie
 
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Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

God Spot: I wondered. I had Awe." ~Jack

Guest Post by: Jack Frost 

I will not make a doctrine of this...but, I wonder....

We live in a fallen world. We know that. We believe that. We live that.
We live in a physical world. We see that. We feel that. We know that.
We live in a spiritual world. We see that. We feel that. We know it because we experience it.

So. Permit me to limit to these three at this time....

In our fallen world, we see sin abound. We see sickness and we see pain and we see massive injustice. We see far more than this, but we also understand it is tied very inextricably to the spiritual world.

In our spiritual world, we see forces of evil and forces of God in combat. We see the struggle for good to overcome evil. We see a constant battle to deny the power of God in everyday life. We see times of wonderful communion and times of absolute beauty and worship.

With the spiritual world, we do battle and participate in the process of trying to live in the Age to Come as we live physically in This Present Evil Age.

How often CAN we bring things into the spiritual world that are firmly a part of the physical world?

Example: Moses was told to take his rod (a physical stick, possibly formed to be comfortable in the hand and a useful tool and weapon) and throw it into the spiritual world. It became a serpent...and then he pulled it back into the physical world.

Moses again: Take the same rod, and strike a rock- both in the physical world. Follow the direction of God and in supernatural ways we do not understand, the physical act moved something in the spiritual world and the physical world reacted by water flowing from a rock.

We know of times with Elijah and Elisha where they spoke regarding things in the physical world that became subject to the spiritual world.

So. In this time. In this age. We continue to live in This Present Evil Age, while also living in The Age To Come....and Jesus said 'greater things than these....' and 'signs and wonders will follow....': Is it possible that we would see and perform 'miracles' if we were to grasp and live within that understanding that we MUST pull the physical world into the spiritual world in order for the spiritual world to be able to impact the physical?

I'm not after a formula. I'm wondering about understanding.

In part, this came about as we headed home from Nashville late last night. It was pushing midnight, and it is just under 70 miles of mostly dark interstate to our little house on the lake. And we weren't 3 miles into the trip when the engine began stuttering and missing....and I stopped at the first place and bought drygas stuff to help clear the lines. It didn't help. The further along we went, the worse it got, and I had no place to turn to for help. Then the transmission began some funny thing of seeming to drop out of overdrive into some in-between gear...not overdrive, not 3rd...and yet there isn't a 4th....and the engine would work better in that gear. 

Worried that I would be stranded with wife and two kids in the hills of Southern TN with the outdoor temps right around 14 degrees, I turned to Father and just asked for help. And this is the thought that then came to me. And in that I began to 'see' my Suburban being moved in a form into a spiritual world. At this point, I began to wonder. Moses and Elijah and all did what they did with natural materials. Did it work with things made by man? 

I don't have answers. I know over the miles, the engine continued to miss, but it lessened. The transmission began to go back to a more normal operation. None of it quit entirely, but enough that I was no longer fearful of being stranded 50 or 60 miles from friends that might help us on a Monday morning at 12:30am...most need sleep as they go to work or school early. 

So as I drove into our drive and parked (strange thing, those words and concept), I Wondered. I had Awe. Not that we had made it, but that an entirely new understanding is breaking upon me. 

How often do I lose the awareness of the Worlds in which I live?

How often can I see a change in one world if I can see it brought into another?

Curiosity abounds.

Your Brother-in-grace,
Jack

Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

"Revelation presumes action seems certain," ~priest

Some things are certain in life.  The thought that revelation presumes action seems certain.  Why else would God reveal truth?

God's Word is meant to be shared.  There are limitless venues from which God's Word is propagated.  Sometimes, it is shared in traditional worship services.  Sometimes, it is shared "one-on-one" in personal relationship.  God's Word is even shared by those yelling it from a street corner.

I was in Honduras years back, helping to build a missionary compound.  We took a break and went into the small town near by.  There was a man standing on a street corner proclaiming God's Word at the top of His lungs.  From the raspy sound in his voice, you can tell this was not the first time he had been out.  

Jesus tells us that there are those who proclaim the Word and there are those who hear the Word.  For those that hear the Word, their life is forever impacted.  With revelation from God, action follows and life begins.  Satan goes to work attempting to destroy any good thing God is in the process of creating.  Many times Satan is successful in stealing the blessings intended for you and I.  

Uniquely when we are steadfast in our walk with Jesus, we are blessed to produce fruit some thirty times, some sixty times and some one hundred times.  

As we begin the new year, hear God's Word.  
Keep your eyes focused on Jesus.  
Believe He will walk with you through the storm.  
In Jesus name, bind satan.  

I pray God's protection on you and your family.  
There is wonderful fruit just waiting to be picked.  

"The farmer sows the word. 

4:15 The ones by the road are the ones where the word is sown; and when they have heard, immediately Satan comes, and takes away the word which has been sown in them. 

4:16 These in the same way are those who are sown on the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy. 

4:17 They have no root in themselves, but are short-lived. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they stumble. 

4:18 Others are those who are sown among the thorns. These are those who have heard the word, and the cares of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 

4:20 Those which were sown on the good ground are those who hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit, some thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times.” ~Jesus

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Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream