Who are You again??

So here we are once more old friend. fighting the good fight and living to fight another day.

     I sit here in pain from a night that I wish not to hash out before you. Physical, mental and emotional pain. But what I wish to convey is this..... Who are You.

     I started this journey to find the truth in "religion" or more to the point God. I wanted to find a more perfect form in which to wholly embrace and worship Him. As I search I find more corruption in writing than I do in the words of the followers. Is this the way we believe? "Get what you want out of it and focus on those points", "search but don't take the liberty of testing itself with itself." or is it merely, "truth is what your mind makes it."

     I wish to say I have had enough. But I know that will not happen. I am tired of asking those who are in the "know" because they don't. Preach one thing teach another. The mouth of man is his ultimate curse. Show the faults of patriarchs and those around retort, "No, that's not what they meant." then proceed to give you the brainwashed version of their vision of truth. And for those of you reading this......NO IT"S  NOT BACKLASH AGAINST YOUR PRECIOUS RELIGION. IT IS ABOUT EVERYONE OF THEM. sorry for the yelling but I will hurt so many of you that are close that are reading this. Yeah pain does funny things to the body and mind but I have been in this state of doubt for weeks now. my only reprieve. A small joyous vacation with my family.

this from the nkj if you so believe in the bible.

James 1:26-27

26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Enough is enough. Though my search continues for THE Truth.

This means WAR!!

War. War is the big boy term for another breaking some thing of yours or possibly hurt you or another that you care for. Am I correct or just rambling? For the sake of argument I shall say that I am correct.

  What do we war over? Possessions? Hate, (or ignorance), Even political views? How about the old stand by religious beliefs....Touchy subject I know, What makes the Islamic religion true? what makes Christianity true? I have said in the past that being agnostic is basically fence sitting. For those not in the know an agnostic believes in a higher power yet has no true conviction as to "religious" belief system. In other words all could possibly be right. Well here I sit pondering the things of the spiritual, trusting that the writings of days gone past by dead guys is truly the "word of God." Now I know how the Bible was brought together, God didn't just hand Peter, or Paul for that matter a book and say " Here fellas, use this." No it was much more complicated than that. Nor did God give a secret society clairvoyance to  sit in a corner and put together the book in the shadows.

I do believe in Divine Inspiration. I also believe that God gives this inspiration to whomever He pleases. I also believe that God has Prophets that walk upon this Earth today.You hear everywhere that "they" have a prophet leading them. Which of course is fine but let's clear up a few things. First the definition of a prophet.

1. a person who speaks for God or a deity, or by divine inspiration.

2.a person chosen to speak for God and to guide the people of Israel: Moses was the greatest of Old Testament prophets.

3.a spokesperson of some doctrine, cause, or movement.

So are there more than one prophet upon the Earth? I believe so. From the old testament we know that Jeremiah the prophet had contemporaries. Habakuk being one such. But how many more were there that are not written of? The more prominent prophets of today, do they teach in anyway that you should hate your neighbors? Or due to different belief system do they  instruct their followers to kill all who believe differently? I would say no.

SO why do we hate those that believe different? Afraid of new, the unknown? ignorance?  Now I understand that hate is a harsh word but lets face it folks.....it's hate. You wouldn't dare entertain the idea that someone else may have the right idea. You won't even think twice about opening any other book. So why do we push so hard for others to believe as we do. And in any culture we use all sorts of forms of "persuasion" to get them to see it from your point of view. Whether it be coersion, fear, reward, and of course force.

What did Christ say to us? did he not say to walk two miles with a man if he asked us to walk one? or to give him your shirt when he asked for his coat? Did Christ ever tell you that there was any other way to heaven other than believing in Him? what have we done to the Church of Christ? I have seen it turned into a business. Selling heaven, and reaping "Cash for Christ". Let's get back to the root of our spirituality.   

forgive and forget......

   I have had my fair share of car accidents. Until last Thursday it had been nine years since my last accident. Though not my fault, the idea is extremely frustrating. At an intersection in town I was waiting for the light to change. the very young fellow behind me decided that it had turned green just a few moments before it actually did. that's when the stars flew. I have never been rear-ended, and let me say I would rather be hit head on. The thought of being total caught by surprise is not my idea of a good time. Yeah, I have had a head on, and the fact that I was knocked unconscious still makes it my way to go. So getting back to the mishap at hand, I turned into a parking lot with aprehension. The impact was at low speed but you should see my tailgate!! needless to say I forgave the kid, yup not even asking for a phone number or a name let alone his insurance information. Some call it stoopid, others just shake their heads.
   my savior said something long ago which I wish to share with you.

Mathew 5:38-42 states:

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

folks please understand, when the Lord spoke these words they were not just something to say. There is purpose behind it. Read and understand the words of our Father. Amen.

Arrogance is bliss.....

I know it has to many days since my last post but things have been moving so fast this new year I am having trouble finding time for myself. When I do it is usually swallowed up by trivial mindless "activities."
I have a co-worker, "Pat," that has a tendency to ask for days off then miraculously gets "sick" the following work day making their "vacation" days just that much longer. With that said, I could have won a bet. I tried to get my boss to wager 5:1 that "Pat" would not show on the following Monday. 2 hours late to work "Pat" calls in. Sick of course, I run the route to find that there are problems on the route that needed attention from management. Blah, Blah, Blah.....
I ride with "Pat" today and listen to them tell me incessantly that they are one of the best employees this company has. Even after the boss jump all over them because every time "Pat" takes a Vacation day they have never failed to get sick, People I mean NEVER HAS FAILED TO DO THIS!
  I remembered this from somewhere,

  "Pride comes before a fall."

   As I listened to "Pat" I asked myself how prideful I come across. here are a few scriptures that hopefully keep my own pride in check.
Proverbs 8:13

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.

and this...

Jeremiah 49:16

Your fierceness has deceived you, The pride of your heart, O you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, Who hold the height of the hill! Though you make your nest as high as the eagle, I will bring you down from there,” says the LORD.

Lord help this man to keep his tongue in check and to keep my words behind my teeth.

 

Tears for fears

   No, not the band. I have heard this artist before, but never really gave much thought to who sang or what the lyrics said. Though I have memorized most of the lyrics just by hearing it on Air One, (in our area it is 89.5). The song is by Jeremy Camp called "there will be a day." but please watch this first:


Then watch this......

Traditions

   Sorry for the long lapse in writing folks. It has been two weeks of driving me crazy. Getting ready for the day we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
So our family started a new tradition this year, which is giving to Christ gifts of selfless acts. We have utilized a white stocking for Christ. Everyday for the month of December we would place in the stocking acts that we had done, acts done for us, or acts we have seen others do without being asked. As Christmas morning came we said a prayer and read each of the little pieces of paper that each of us had wrote on. How amazing it was to hear what we have seen and done for others without reward.
Now you have to understand the ages of our children, here is the breakdown. "A" is 14, "T" is 12, "I" is 10, "B" is 8 and "Z" is 5. It is astonishing what these young hearts and minds wrote with their own hands. I love this tradition, it truly kept Christ in Christmas for us. Oh by the way, it took us right about an hour and a half to get through all the pieces of paper without so much as a "can we open gifts now?" ever being said. Our Children were more interested in reading the things that had been done. Our gift to Christ was more important to them than what lay under the tree.  May God Bless the little Children.
This brings to mind a scripture from the Gospel of Mathew chapter 19 verses 13-15 says: 13 Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.
May we all be as little children and the love that they have.

Breakdown

   Unfortunately there are times in our lives that others try to extol you, give you hope for the future. Then there are times that the compliments and uplifting words just kinda drag you down. Quite the oxymoron but it does happen.
   I am in such a predicament. My family and friends are of one faith, which I have tried to be as open as possible. I am studying to really grasp the teachings and nuances offered. Coming from a background of  "mainstream" Christianity I have been tried and tested on some of my core beliefs. Lets just say that I feel the Refiners Fire burning the fluff or pomp and circumstance from my soul.
   This has been a very trying time not only for the soul, but for the mind. Let me say that the stress throughout my body is AGGRAVATING! It is quite the struggle within myself, so to try and uplift my own spirit so I have a few passages that hope will keep me strong.
2 Timothy 1:6-14 reads:
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
And the entire Chapter of Ecclesiastes 9:

1For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.

2All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

3This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

4For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.

5For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

6Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.

7Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.

8Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.

9Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

10Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

11I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

12For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

13This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:

14There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:

15Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.16Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.17The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.18Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth

Lord keep your soldier strong, help me to keep my eyes focused solely upon your countenance. Amen.

It's a traffic jam when you're already late ......

Main Entry: Irony
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: turn of expression
Synonyms: adumbration, allegory, alliteration, allusion, analogue, analogy, anaphora, anticlimax, antistrophe, antithesis, aposiopesis, apostrophe, asyndeton, bathos, communication that is not meant literally; stylistic device, comparison, conceit, device, echoism, ellipsis, euphemism, euphuism, exaggeration, expression, flourish, flower, hyperbole, image, imagery, irony, litotes, malapropism, manner of speaking, metaphor, metonymy, onomatopoeia, ornament, oxymoron, parable, paradox, parallel, personification, proteron, rhetoric, sarcasm, satire, simile, synecdoche, trope, tropology, turn of phrase, understatement, way of speaking.

Alanis Morissette Put it very well when she sang this song. Ironic.....
Now as some of you know I am a bread man....I sell and deliver a Nationally popular brand of bread and snack cakes, (not as glorious as some might think.) So I thought to myself, "I am a bread man," not thinking in disgust or despair but more as a matter of fact.
Ask me about bread, no, go right ahead. Not to say I know it all but I could probably tell you by taste texture and smell what company baked that loaf of bread. White, wheat, whole grain, multi-grain, etc. I unfortunately know my bread.
So in all this there is one thing I have been searching for for quite some time now, not that it is lost or that I have never knew where to look. We all know where to find Him, but do we truly find find Him.
What I mean to say is that I am a bread man looking for the Bread of Life. Christ told his Disciples at the last supper speak these words from Luke chapter 22 verse 19: "And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”"
Here are a few more to ponder:

John 6:33

For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

John 6:35

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 6:48

I am the bread of life.

John 6:51

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

Kinda Ironic huh?!?!
Someday by the Grace of God I may find the Truth of His Word, applying such to my life and living as God has commanded of me. Amen.

Tidbits

Well folks it's very late at the moment and it has been quite the week so far. I find myself gone more than I am at home. Not out of choice but for work. At this point frustration and depression leaks in. So I am writing tonite to lay down a little tidbit of the Word to jump start my spirit, so to speak...

Ezekiel 34:16

“I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment.” N.K.J.V.

This is another that hits home at this moment,

Psalm 42: 1 - 11

   As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God. My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holy day. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar. Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Yet the LORD will command his loving kindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God? Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. K.J.V.
The wonderful thing about God is he never leaves you hopeless. Thank you Father for Your will and Your love. Amen.

Fine china

   I realize that it has been a few days since my last post, but have been in the land of Nod for the last week. I have been working non-stop since pretty much Monday @ 3A.M.. So apologies all around. I wrote on Jewelz' Facebook page during Thanksgiving about how I hope that all would not take for granted the little things. I also wrote of the importance to never let a chance to say "I love you," pass you by to those you love, it may be the last chance you get. So in celebration of the Love of my life I must throw this tidbit out, Genesis 2: 18-23 states: The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.

But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. N.I.V.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzkZPI-HKsk&feature=related
Even though this song has no real spiritual meaning, it does sum up how I see and love my wife.It is from Pearl Jam's new album, Backspacer, the song is Just breathe.
I love you baby! I hate the fact that we are away from each other for so long. By God's grace we will someday be able to spend real quality time together.

Pressure, pushing down on me, Pressing down on you, no man ask for...

Main Entry: pressure

Part of Speech: noun

Definition: demand, difficulty

Synonyms: adversity, affliction, albatross, burden, choke, clout, coercion, compulsion, confinement, constraint,crunch, discipline, distress, drag, duress, exigency, force, full court press, hardship, hassle, heat, hurry, influence, inside track, load, misfortune, necessity, obligation, persuasion, power, press, pressure cooker, pull, requirement, strain, stress, sway, tension, trouble, unnaturalness, urgency, weight 

   Pretty much sums it all up in the last few days. So many express to me what they expect of me, what I should be doing or how I do things. Apparently time is of the essence so to speak. Romans 13:11 states: And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. K.J.V. 

   Am I wishing to BE asleep? Does this show signs of an inward procrastination? Not to say that my Father has left me with unanswered prayers, yet I may have failed to see what truly is presented before me.

   I have 2 missionaries that come to see me pretty much on a weekly basis. one is so shy, the other is a freight train. I dearly love all that have come to see me and share their vision of the gospel of Christ. I have issues that unfortunately (from what I gather) is either my own true doubt because I have not seen nor felt. The other is as stated above as pressure. Am I allowing the pressure of work, family and the struggle to try and accommodate all creating a sense of anxiety to which I am burdened beyond capacity to rationally decide what God has in store for me? The proverbial Doubting Thomas?

John 20:24-25 reads:

24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” N.K.J.V.

   So, here I sit all broken hearted........... Yeah, I pretty much feel this way right now. disheartened and down trodden, broken and torn, these are the heart felt issues I strive with. May one day God see fit to settle an aging man's heart and heal all wounds. With this I pray Father with gratitude and humility, In the name of your Holy Son Jesus Christ, Amen. Oh by the way the title is a song by Queen( if you didn't already know).

Till death do us part......

   I would like to think of myself as one who loves his wife more than life itself.....As a matter of fact I would in all aspects of the theory, take a bullet for her. Now having said that, no offense, you might find it hard putting me in a situation to call for said bullet taking (rather me giving the bullets, not getting them). not paranoid just prepared. We will leave it at that.
   In the past I have been known for my stupidity and my stubbornness. taking for granted not only my gorgeous and humble wife but also my children and close personal friends. Crazy I know, but stranger things have happened.
   I lay here in a motel room hundreds of miles away from my family. doing what I do best, watch t.v.. Yep, a true blue channel flipper by profession. When I stopped on C.B.N. NO not C.B.S. and John Hagee was on. Now I am not a big fan of t.v. Evangelism, but Hagee has his moments......Well this was one of those moments.
    He spoke of a way a man should treat his wife. Ephesians 5:25 reads: "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;" K.J.V. or even this small passage from Genesis 2:24 which states: " Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. K.J.V. (Not using a meat cleaver) but this....  

Main Entry:	cleave
Part of Speech:	verb
Definition:	stand by, stick together
Synonyms:	abide by, adhere, agree, associate, attach, be devoted to, be tight with, be true, cling, cohere, combine, freeze to, hold, join, link, remain, stay put, unite

Pretty big shoes to fill if I may say so, but I also do not see myself loving her in the way God commanded. Not that I hate her or some such, I just ain't doing it right. I am A VERY SELFISH PERSON!! I love things done my way. See told you so.Which definitely does not coincide with the words given by Paul to those in Colosse. Colossians 3:19, which reads: " Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter with them." N.K.J.V.
   I pray that someday soon I will truly understand and place into practice the word herein, but until then... I shall strive daily to be the man that my Father in Heaven expects of me. Jewelz please forgive a stubborn and selfish fool. I do so love you.

Silent Humility

I remember a song by the band Queensryche, singing of Silent Lucidity. Lucidity of which, being clarity. So the rhyming of humility seemed appropriate. Humility being humble or reserve, I have really tried to see what God had been whispering in my ear this hectic last few days.

   It all started at work in Panaca, NV. A 4 o'clock A.M. start in 18* weather. Packing my bags into my truck I found myself in a predicament I haven't been apart of for the last ten years....I locked my keys in the truck. Being 100 miles from home, I found myself in a tight spot. My even keeled wife was still fast asleep in our nice warm bed, in said 100 miles away. Whilst I searched the limits of my conscience to solve this quandary. Resorting to my only option at the moment. I called my co-worker to please drive the 11 miles to come get me so we could start our day. This of course set us behind about an hour for work but that is neither here nor there. After our shift ended he graciously assisted me in an attempt to open my truck door. 2 hours later I was back on the road headed the 100 miles home to see my lovely family.
   If it pleases, I am a man of doing. I can do this stuff all by myself, proud in my abilities. Most often creating off the wall and unorthodox solutions to difficult issues. Accepting the fact that there are things in this world that I am not able to resolve of my own accord is a very large and starch coated pill for me to swallow. Grateful for his help, yet upset that I would have done such a ludicrous deed, brought feelings of doubt and personal frustration. Oh I ain't done there's more......
   That afternoon I made my way into the shop to meet with mt supervisor and to settle up with my monetary obligations with the C.E.O. of our company. With much ado about every little thing, I left with money in my hand but a sinking feeling in my heart. My job description is as such: I DO WHAT THE BOSS TELLS ME TO DO. Not real hard but not quite easy either. Being the type of person I am, I do not carry credit cards of any type. Which in the eyes of my C.E.O. is ridiculous and a pain in his behind due to the fact that whenever I go out of town he must front the money for my excursions into the wilds of Nevada. Apparently even though this is his company and his money, he would rather just write me a check after the fact to pay off my credit card debt. Um nope, sorry that ain't gonna happen folks.
   The very next morning I found myself in a similar conundrum. attaching all the product for one of our customers on the wrong invoice number. This creates hostility with the customer because we have to rescan all the product into their system once more. Not to mention I have to void my invoice and start another. Thus re-creating the same feelings as the previous day.
   Your probably wishing I would get to the point already, but background for me is a must in telling of a story. More often than not the background info is the story. Well I became quite irritated at the fact that he knew I do not carry credit cards yet is complaining about the fact that he had to pay for my next few trips to the great white north.
   Humility......being reserved, accepting the fact that it is his money and his company. I work for him, he was gracious enough to give me the job that I have. Mosiah 3:19 reads:

For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticements of the Holy Spirit, and puts off the natural man and becomes a saint throughthe atonement of Christ the Lord, and becomes as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord sees fit to inflict upon him, even as a child submits to his

father." B.O.M

   Who sees fit? God. so when do we know when to submit, always. 

In Abot 4.4  it reads:  Be of an exceedingly humble spirit, for the end of man is the worm.  Judaism. Mishnah

At this point I pray humility and gratitude may someday be apart of me, with the grace of God.

Well this pretty much sums it up.

So I was listening to my ipod today on my way back from the hills and this song sums up how I feel and how I believe. The artist is Disciple, the cd is " this might sting a little" and the song is "I just know"

"I just know Jesus is the way
I just know Jesus is the truth
I just know Jesus is the life
I just know Jesus is my God

what makes you different from one another
why do you argue about who you follow
there is no man that you belong to
there's only one God that can claim you

I don't care if you don't speak in tongues
I don't care if you're into submersion
what does it matter if wear a liturgical robe
or prophesy and say God said so

I just know Jesus is the way
I just know Jesus is the truth
I just know Jesus is the life
I know that Jesus is my God

do you serve your name or do you serve mankind
would you feel the same if they took down your sign
could you sit next to me if I was Baptist or Presbyterian
or do I need to be a charismatic or Episcopalian

I don't care if you drink grape juice or if it's wine
and I don't care if you get out of church on time
what does it matter if you praise God with music in your church
or you burn your dead or bury them six feet in the dirt

I just know Jesus is the way
I just know Jesus is the truth
I just know Jesus is the life
I just know Jesus is my God

I don't care if you clap your hands
I don't care if you get out in the aisle and dance
what's it matter if someone lets out a hallelujah shout
have we forgotten what praising Yahweh is all about

I just know Jesus is the way
I just know Jesus is the truth
I just know Jesus is the life
I know that Jesus is my God"

The wonderful thing about this is....I just know Jesus is the truth

This isn't what I ordered.

 I am getting the feeling that in our age of ease and technology we forget the simplest things in life. Buying from  the Internet, you do not receive what you ordered in a timely fashion. You wait in line anywhere and you feel your the one being down out and nobody cares about your needs.
 Well, I stuck my own foot in this one the other day. Jewelz and I went for some quality time together to our favorite local Tex-Mex joint. The seating for the time of day was abundant and being the type of people we are sitting in a booth is always preferred. In the process we were seated in a booth in a section waited upon by a not much older woman than the 2 of us. She truly seemed to not belong in the field of employment she found herself in. We struggled through our order and onto the wait for chips, salsa and drinks. The chips and salsa made it to the table shortly yet our drinks seemed to have gotten lost. time went on and our food arrived, not to the satisfaction of my wife, (though of course she was OK with just taking it as is.) Not me of course, Jewelz asked for our drinks and the server apologized for the mistake, bringing them promptly. By this time in my eyes this little gal ain't gittin' no tip.
   As we finished eating and the check arrived, a thought came to mind......was there some reason out of the diner's staff's control to create the events of our lunch.....Probably so. Forgiveness seemed to be the one item on the check I was supposed to pay for. Matthew 6:14-15 reads: "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses"

    Another day in the life of........The Idiot. Well Father I hope you have a 24 hour body shop, 'cause this is gonna take awhile.

Tidbits

I have had the desire to post everyday. Sadly there are quite a few distractions in my life. My method of employment is one, as to the others......Well..... You understand. So today I will share a tidbit from Philippians chapter 1:21 which reads: "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." NKJV. Lord, I am not of this world, take from this hell so I may kneel in Your presence and praise Your Holy name for eternity, Amen.

You say potato, I say potatoe..

So my struggle continues...I must let you know that our house is a small house somewhat divided. My gorgeous and very understanding wife is of the L.D.S. faith. My upbringing believes in the Trinity: Three in One, the L.D.S. faith believes that they are Three in One purpose. SO...... According to 3 Nephi 11:14,27,36 from the book of Mormon (B.O.M.), the Trinity exists....I will wait while you search............O.K. so from a "mainstream" Christianity you can see that those words confirm this right? Well as I and my better half "discussed" this portion of Scripture, I had discounted the fact that I had asked God ( before I read this Chapter) to see what He wanted me to see. Not that there are not words here to argue, but of a small verse which became lost. Quietly I asked for guidance, (for my side of the argument) and lo and behold, I received a calming peace. I read over the chapter again to find more ammo, when what do my wandering eyes should read? 3 Nephi 11:29-30  which reads: "For verily, verily, I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. Behold this is not My doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against the other, but this is My doctrine, such things should be done away." BOM. Amazingly I did concede. The Lord had shown me that the importance of whether it be Three in One or Three in One purpose, might not be the argument for the saving of the soul. it seemed that it was how I was to enter into a discussion with an open heart to His guiding touch without contention and a hidden agenda. 2 Timothy 2:14-19 states: "Remind them of these things, charging them before the lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God,a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings,for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort.who have strayed according to the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past;and they overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "the lord knows those who are His" and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity." NKJV
So here I am eating crow as usual.....If it were not for the lord i would be one HUGE cesspool of iniquity (oh wait I am.) Thank you Father for Your grace. Thank you Jewelz for your patience with a broken man.

Words are only words, right?

So I must confess.......I have a potty mouth..... yeah shocking I know, but for those of you that acknowledge intimate relationships with me this is of no surprise. This all came about today as I drove the 120 mile BORING trek back to my neck of the woods after 2 days of freezing rain and the inability to open my truck's door at 6:00 A.M. due to IT WAS FROZEN SOLID!! Anyway the trek home consisted of my mind not on the road but what my ipod spewed forth. The plethora of music on said ipod would curl some toes and make others cover their ears (check out the section "my joyful noise.") the music flowed through my speakers creating the illusion that time was moving much faster than it was. The shuffle option of said device would kick around songs that uplift my soul and others that speak of a much more secular taste. I hadn't fully realized what a difference words make when focusing on things of the Spirit, well today I noticed. Frankly I was quite ashamed about the secular songs in my music library. What does this have to do with my potty mouth you say? First off lets look into Colossians 3:17 which reads:
   "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." NKJV
And Psalms 34:13 says:
   "Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile." KJV
And yet another, possibly my favorite (as far as chastisement goes..) Mathew 15:10-11:
   "When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said, "Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."" NKJV

How humbled I was and as of this moment have the inclination to delete such songs from the library, and yes part of me is sad yet the soul is grateful. The big question of the day is, will it cease the profanity? with the grace of God on my side.....YES. Without His grace I am as good as dead. WENDY'S here I come!!