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.