This morning I could see a wall. The wall could not be breached. It appeared to be cinder block, white or gray in color and infinitely high.
Somebody started running toward the wall. They ran like they were going to break through it, or die trying.
As soon as they got to the wall, God's hand came down and raised the wall off the ground.
The runner shot right under it.
As the runner realized that he had gone under the wall, he came to a sliding stop.
This area beyond the wall was vast, without borders, and dark. The scene was illuminated from above. There was nothing there but vast, limitless blackness.
The runner looked around, then started running again.
I thought this was something for the church I was visiting, which it was, but is was really for me-
I was the runner!
--
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
To Denominate or Not To Denominate, That IS The Question
It has been bugging me for a while; I wanted to join this church we have been attending...
BUT,
God never gave me the go-ahead.
Everything seems so good, but something was up. There had to be a reason, a solid reason why we couldn't join, and, most importantly, there had to be scriptures to back up and explain everything.
Then one morning a couple "joined" the church. During the member acceptance thing (speech), the pastor was reading out of a book. There was something said to the gist of do you promise to uphold the blah, blah, blah of the "general assembly".
What? What was that?
Something kind of clicked inside letting me know this is why God had not released me to join this church.
I went on to research everything I could find on the denomination.
There was nothing out of line.
Everything was in order. Everything was in line with scriptures.
I could NOT find a single thing wrong with anything anywhere.
Okay, so what now?
I started searching out the scriptures to see if I could get an answer.
There was something about that promise to the general assembly.
I started with looking at "vows" in the Bible. I looked at every verse, but nothing clicked.
I next looked into "oaths" in the Bible; nothing there either.
I pondered and prayed, but nothing came forth.
I talked with some of my friends that are in deliverance ministries and they laughed. The general thinking by deliverance ministers is that you CAN'T join any church. I have explained that I have a wife that has a call of God to work with children; she feels we need to be a part of a church to do that. My kids would like the comradery of going to a church with a good youth group. My son has gone as far as to tell me specifically that he does not want to be the son of a preacher nor does he want to go from church to church (nothing like a little PRESSURE, huh?!). I explain this and people say, "hmm... I'll pray for you".
Then, something clicked last night. What do you do with an oath?
You "SWEAR".
"Swear", that's it!
I started looking that up...
"'Or if a person thoughtlessly takes an oath to do anything, whether good or evil--in any matter one might carelessly swear about--even though he is unaware of it, in any case when he learns of it he will be guilty. Leviticus 5:4 NIV84
This is in reference to unintentional sin.
???
Unintentional? How about "presumptuous"?
Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I will be blameless, And I shall be acquitted of great transgression. Psalms 19:13 NASB
Or,
Don't let me do wrong on purpose, Lord, or let sin have control over my life. Then I will be innocent, and not guilty of some terrible fault. Psalms 19:13 CEV
So it is boiling down to a sin that will control me, whether unintentionally committed or presumptuously.
Obviously, God does not want anybody to commit any sin whatsoever, whether on purpose or otherwise.
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1 NASB
There is no obvious sin that I can see, but it seems there is some hidden snare that God is trying to keep me from.
Faith. If it ain't in faith, it is sin.
My friends, above all else, don't take an oath. You must not swear by heaven or by earth or by anything else. "Yes" or "No" is all you need to say. If you say anything more, you will be condemned. James 5:12 CEV
But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; Matthew 5:34 NIV84
--
BUT,
God never gave me the go-ahead.
Everything seems so good, but something was up. There had to be a reason, a solid reason why we couldn't join, and, most importantly, there had to be scriptures to back up and explain everything.
Then one morning a couple "joined" the church. During the member acceptance thing (speech), the pastor was reading out of a book. There was something said to the gist of do you promise to uphold the blah, blah, blah of the "general assembly".
What? What was that?
Something kind of clicked inside letting me know this is why God had not released me to join this church.
I went on to research everything I could find on the denomination.
There was nothing out of line.
Everything was in order. Everything was in line with scriptures.
I could NOT find a single thing wrong with anything anywhere.
Okay, so what now?
I started searching out the scriptures to see if I could get an answer.
There was something about that promise to the general assembly.
I started with looking at "vows" in the Bible. I looked at every verse, but nothing clicked.
I next looked into "oaths" in the Bible; nothing there either.
I pondered and prayed, but nothing came forth.
I talked with some of my friends that are in deliverance ministries and they laughed. The general thinking by deliverance ministers is that you CAN'T join any church. I have explained that I have a wife that has a call of God to work with children; she feels we need to be a part of a church to do that. My kids would like the comradery of going to a church with a good youth group. My son has gone as far as to tell me specifically that he does not want to be the son of a preacher nor does he want to go from church to church (nothing like a little PRESSURE, huh?!). I explain this and people say, "hmm... I'll pray for you".
Then, something clicked last night. What do you do with an oath?
You "SWEAR".
"Swear", that's it!
I started looking that up...
"'Or if a person thoughtlessly takes an oath to do anything, whether good or evil--in any matter one might carelessly swear about--even though he is unaware of it, in any case when he learns of it he will be guilty. Leviticus 5:4 NIV84
This is in reference to unintentional sin.
???
Unintentional? How about "presumptuous"?
Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I will be blameless, And I shall be acquitted of great transgression. Psalms 19:13 NASB
Or,
Don't let me do wrong on purpose, Lord, or let sin have control over my life. Then I will be innocent, and not guilty of some terrible fault. Psalms 19:13 CEV
So it is boiling down to a sin that will control me, whether unintentionally committed or presumptuously.
Obviously, God does not want anybody to commit any sin whatsoever, whether on purpose or otherwise.
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1 NASB
There is no obvious sin that I can see, but it seems there is some hidden snare that God is trying to keep me from.
Faith. If it ain't in faith, it is sin.
My friends, above all else, don't take an oath. You must not swear by heaven or by earth or by anything else. "Yes" or "No" is all you need to say. If you say anything more, you will be condemned. James 5:12 CEV
But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; Matthew 5:34 NIV84
--
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Staff Smiting the Earth
This morning I saw something hitting the ground. It was round. As it hit the ground there was a circle of dust that rose up. The view that I had was from way, high up. The place that it was striking was where I would have been standing, but I was not in view.
It was a "staff as it smote the earth".
"You shall take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs." Exodus 4:17 NASB
'Thus says the LORD, "By this you shall know that I am the LORD: behold, I will strike the water that is in the Nile with the staff that is in my hand, and it will be turned to blood. Exodus 7:17 NASB
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Say to Aaron, 'Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, that it may become gnats through all the land of Egypt.'" They did so; and Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff, and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats through all the land of Egypt. Exodus 8:16-17 NASB
Webster's 1828 Dictionary:
Staff
STAFF, n. plu. [G., a bar, a rod. The primary sense is to thrust, to shoot. See Stab.]
1. A stick carried in the hand for support or defense by a person walking; hence, a support; that which props or upholds. Bread is the proverbially called the staff of life.
2. A stick or club used as a weapon.
3. A long piece of wood; a stick; the long handle of an instrument; a pole or stick, used for many purposes.
5. An ensign of authority; a badge of office; as a constables staff.
8. In military affairs, an establishment of officers in various departments, attached to an army. The staff includes officers not of the line, as adjutants, quarter-masters, chaplain, surgeon, &c. The staff is the medium of communication from the commander in chief to every department of an army.
This is interesting...
--
It was a "staff as it smote the earth".
'Thus says the LORD, "By this you shall know that I am the LORD: behold, I will strike the water that is in the Nile with the staff that is in my hand, and it will be turned to blood. Exodus 7:17 NASB
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Say to Aaron, 'Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, that it may become gnats through all the land of Egypt.'" They did so; and Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff, and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats through all the land of Egypt. Exodus 8:16-17 NASB
Webster's 1828 Dictionary:
Staff
STAFF, n. plu. [G., a bar, a rod. The primary sense is to thrust, to shoot. See Stab.]
1. A stick carried in the hand for support or defense by a person walking; hence, a support; that which props or upholds. Bread is the proverbially called the staff of life.
2. A stick or club used as a weapon.
3. A long piece of wood; a stick; the long handle of an instrument; a pole or stick, used for many purposes.
5. An ensign of authority; a badge of office; as a constables staff.
8. In military affairs, an establishment of officers in various departments, attached to an army. The staff includes officers not of the line, as adjutants, quarter-masters, chaplain, surgeon, &c. The staff is the medium of communication from the commander in chief to every department of an army.
This is interesting...
--
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Ezekiel's Wheel
I was listening to a good sermon before church this morning. The man said,
"You can spend too much time trying to figure it out, and you'll miss the miracle."
Hmm, for a guy like me that likes details, that a very good point!
Back to lasts week's church services for just a moment.
In the morning service, I had my eyes closed and I could see a vertical sheet of water, actually two of them; one on either side. The water was not still, it was glistening and rippling in all directions. Then, one of the ladies took off shouting and praising God as she walked all over the auditorium.
During the evening service, I could see a bed of hot coals. There was a stick or a torch that was beating the coals and causing them to throw sparks every where and flame upward. Then the pastor really had him a time. He was crying and had a very difficult time closing the service.
That was last week.
This morning was interesting. I was looking for a miracle, but didn't want to get lost in the details on the way there.
I saw something, but it is hard to describe.
Have you ever seen a lake or pond that was perfectly still? The reflection is a perfect image of what it is reflecting. Now throw a rock in it. The ripples move through the whole image.
What I saw was sort of like that, but it was on a vertical plain, kind of like a shock wave moving through everything around me in the church. This was 3D.
The ripples were moving through everything.
I told God I didn't understand what I was seeing, but I didn't want to get wrapped up in details and miss the "miracle".
Then it changed. This is even harder to describe. It was like rings inside of rings, the way the shock waves or ripples were moving and distorting everything on a vertical axis.
Then it hit me- rings inside of rings! Ezekiel's wheel! WOW!!!
I was trying to find the specific references in Ezekiel and discovered that what I saw today and last Sunday is related.
And each went straight forward; wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go, without turning as they went. In the midst of the living beings there was something that looked like burning coals of fire, like torches darting back and forth among the living beings. The fire was bright, and lightning was flashing from the fire. Ezekiel 1:12-13 (NASB)
Spirit, coals, torches?
Now as I looked at the living beings, behold, there was one wheel on the earth beside the living beings, for each of the four of them. Ezekiel 1:15 (NASB)
Whenever the living beings moved, the wheels moved with them. And whenever the living beings rose from the earth, the wheels rose also. Wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go in that direction. And the wheels rose close beside them; for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels. Ezekiel 1:19-20 (NASB)
Wheels, spirits?
Ezekiel 10:15 says these "living beings" are cherubim.
Cherubim?
Above these 4 cherubim, is the throne of God, (Ezekiel 1:22-28).
Also called the "Glory of God", (Ezekiel 10:18-19).
So, coals of fire and torches last Sunday, the "wheels" today, visible evidences of God moving amongst His people...
Dare I say that the Glory of God was present?
Wow!
I guess we don't have to wish, hope, or pray that we will, some day, see the "glory of God" in church...
IT'S HAPPENING EVERY SUNDAY!!!
WOW!!!
--
"You can spend too much time trying to figure it out, and you'll miss the miracle."
Hmm, for a guy like me that likes details, that a very good point!
Back to lasts week's church services for just a moment.
In the morning service, I had my eyes closed and I could see a vertical sheet of water, actually two of them; one on either side. The water was not still, it was glistening and rippling in all directions. Then, one of the ladies took off shouting and praising God as she walked all over the auditorium.
During the evening service, I could see a bed of hot coals. There was a stick or a torch that was beating the coals and causing them to throw sparks every where and flame upward. Then the pastor really had him a time. He was crying and had a very difficult time closing the service.
That was last week.
This morning was interesting. I was looking for a miracle, but didn't want to get lost in the details on the way there.
I saw something, but it is hard to describe.
Have you ever seen a lake or pond that was perfectly still? The reflection is a perfect image of what it is reflecting. Now throw a rock in it. The ripples move through the whole image.
What I saw was sort of like that, but it was on a vertical plain, kind of like a shock wave moving through everything around me in the church. This was 3D.
The ripples were moving through everything.
I told God I didn't understand what I was seeing, but I didn't want to get wrapped up in details and miss the "miracle".
Then it changed. This is even harder to describe. It was like rings inside of rings, the way the shock waves or ripples were moving and distorting everything on a vertical axis.
Then it hit me- rings inside of rings! Ezekiel's wheel! WOW!!!
I was trying to find the specific references in Ezekiel and discovered that what I saw today and last Sunday is related.
And each went straight forward; wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go, without turning as they went. In the midst of the living beings there was something that looked like burning coals of fire, like torches darting back and forth among the living beings. The fire was bright, and lightning was flashing from the fire. Ezekiel 1:12-13 (NASB)
Spirit, coals, torches?
Now as I looked at the living beings, behold, there was one wheel on the earth beside the living beings, for each of the four of them. Ezekiel 1:15 (NASB)
Whenever the living beings moved, the wheels moved with them. And whenever the living beings rose from the earth, the wheels rose also. Wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go in that direction. And the wheels rose close beside them; for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels. Ezekiel 1:19-20 (NASB)
Wheels, spirits?
Ezekiel 10:15 says these "living beings" are cherubim.
Cherubim?
Above these 4 cherubim, is the throne of God, (Ezekiel 1:22-28).
Also called the "Glory of God", (Ezekiel 10:18-19).
So, coals of fire and torches last Sunday, the "wheels" today, visible evidences of God moving amongst His people...
Dare I say that the Glory of God was present?
Wow!
I guess we don't have to wish, hope, or pray that we will, some day, see the "glory of God" in church...
IT'S HAPPENING EVERY SUNDAY!!!
WOW!!!
--
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Metal Core Country???
Here in Greeneville, TN we have an interesting mix.
Of course, there are a lot of people that like country.
This is why I have attended gospel singings in the area; not for the music myself necessarily, but because I know it will draw a crowd. I just want to see people saved.
Then, there's the crowd that likes heavier music (like myself). Most of us are quite content to listen in the privacy of our own homes whether tv, internet, or what-have-you.
I think I discovered a blend of the two genres, sort of.
Tell me what you think via my Space or Face Book.
--
Of course, there are a lot of people that like country.
This is why I have attended gospel singings in the area; not for the music myself necessarily, but because I know it will draw a crowd. I just want to see people saved.
Then, there's the crowd that likes heavier music (like myself). Most of us are quite content to listen in the privacy of our own homes whether tv, internet, or what-have-you.
I think I discovered a blend of the two genres, sort of.
Tell me what you think via my Space or Face Book.
--
Deteriorate - Demon Hunter
Love this song. Found the lyrics at http://www.christianrocklyrics.com/
If you have a mySpace account you can give it a listen.
If you have a mySpace account you can give it a listen.
| Artist: | Demon Hunter |
| Album: | The Triptych |
| Song: | Deteriorate |
Time has had its way with me My broken, tired hands can't build a thing The wires that have held me still Embedded now in flesh, define my will The idle of my days has won The empty I have fed has made me numb Despite what you will find in me The failures of my past still swell beneath (Pre-chorus:) I need a heart that carries on through the pain When the walls start collapsing again Give me a soul that never ceases to follow Despite the infection within (Chorus:) Our careless feet leaving trails Never minding the fragile dirt that we all end in This is where I find my fall The cares that held me life don't work at all And every step away from here Is closer to the plague I hold so dear Awaiting my end Breathing in the day that finds me new Redemption begins Bleeding out the flaws in place of you (Chorus)
--
Easter, Revisited
It all started with some comments on "Easter":
Easter, Really?! part 2
Easter, Really?! part 3
Easter, Really?! part 4
Easter, Really?! part 5
Now I've been upstaged in a most, EXTREME way:
I just don't know what to say now...
--
Monday, July 4, 2011
Independence Day Reflection
Independence Day
The day that we won freedom from our British oppressors. We became the United States of America.
Many fought and died that day. They died for a dream; they died for a cause.
God blessed us with the victory so we could have our own country, our own government, one nation, under God...
Freedom.
Freedom is a precious thing, a gift, a gift from God.
A long time ago, God raised up a man to free His people. That man was Moses; the people were the Israelites.
God just wanted the people to follow Him. He promised to take care of them and feed them every day.
God was visible to them in the form of a cloud during the day and a column of fire at night.
All they had to do was follow God and He would take of them...
but they didn't make it. They angered God with their fussing, bellyaching, and threatenings.
They never made it.
We have freedom. We have the same deal - follow God and He will take care of us.
So how are we doing with it, 235 years later?
The so-called "right wing" is politically obsessed,
but where is their god?
Everybody is depressed;
where is their freedom?
People are hard pressed to darken the door of a "church" once a week,
only to just sit there, and, somehow, that is "serving God".
People fuss, bellyache, and threaten.
Is God happy with us?
Are we going to make it?
--
The day that we won freedom from our British oppressors. We became the United States of America.
Many fought and died that day. They died for a dream; they died for a cause.
God blessed us with the victory so we could have our own country, our own government, one nation, under God...
Freedom.
Freedom is a precious thing, a gift, a gift from God.
A long time ago, God raised up a man to free His people. That man was Moses; the people were the Israelites.
God just wanted the people to follow Him. He promised to take care of them and feed them every day.
God was visible to them in the form of a cloud during the day and a column of fire at night.
All they had to do was follow God and He would take of them...
but they didn't make it. They angered God with their fussing, bellyaching, and threatenings.
They never made it.
We have freedom. We have the same deal - follow God and He will take care of us.
So how are we doing with it, 235 years later?
The so-called "right wing" is politically obsessed,
but where is their god?
Everybody is depressed;
where is their freedom?
People are hard pressed to darken the door of a "church" once a week,
only to just sit there, and, somehow, that is "serving God".
People fuss, bellyache, and threaten.
Is God happy with us?
Are we going to make it?
--
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Dear Soldier
As I sit here, looking at these images,
images of soldiers, soldiers in strange places,
fighting strange people, far from home,
fighting for me, I stare in disbelief.
Dear soldier, you don't know me.
Why would you fight for me?
Why would you fight for my freedom?
Why would you fight for my safety?
You don't know me.
Do I deserve your dedication, your loyalty?
Do I deserve you?
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you for these brave souls!
Father, I thank You for every soldier!
I don't know their names, but You do.
They don't know me, but You do.
Father, watch over them. Blaze a trail before them. Every place that the soul of their boots treads upon, give it to them as a possession, just like You did for Joshua, in Jesus' Name.
Heavenly Father, give them strength, give them health, safety and wisdom, in Jesus' Name.
Father, give them the VICTORY, no matter what the cause, no matter what oposes them.
Cause their enemies to flee before them in all direction,
or,
give them a clear sight picture and good trigger control, in Jesus' Name!
Father, when they sleep, send Your mighty warrior angels to watch-guard over them, in Jesus' Name.
Father, I want to see every single soldier in Your Heaven. They are always willing to pay the price, and Jesus already paid the price for them.
Father, won't You save them?
Father, whatever it takes, please make sure that they are saved, every one.
I don't know them, but You do.
They don't know me, and they don't have to. But, they need to know You.
They need to know Your Son Jesus as Lord and Saviour. They need to commit themselves to You, just like they selflessly commit themselves to my safety.
Father, please save every one.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
--
images of soldiers, soldiers in strange places,
fighting strange people, far from home,
fighting for me, I stare in disbelief.
Dear soldier, you don't know me.
Why would you fight for me?
Why would you fight for my freedom?
Why would you fight for my safety?
You don't know me.
Do I deserve your dedication, your loyalty?
Do I deserve you?
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you for these brave souls!
Father, I thank You for every soldier!
I don't know their names, but You do.
They don't know me, but You do.
Father, watch over them. Blaze a trail before them. Every place that the soul of their boots treads upon, give it to them as a possession, just like You did for Joshua, in Jesus' Name.
Heavenly Father, give them strength, give them health, safety and wisdom, in Jesus' Name.
Father, give them the VICTORY, no matter what the cause, no matter what oposes them.
Cause their enemies to flee before them in all direction,
or,
give them a clear sight picture and good trigger control, in Jesus' Name!
Father, when they sleep, send Your mighty warrior angels to watch-guard over them, in Jesus' Name.
Father, I want to see every single soldier in Your Heaven. They are always willing to pay the price, and Jesus already paid the price for them.
Father, won't You save them?
Father, whatever it takes, please make sure that they are saved, every one.
I don't know them, but You do.
They don't know me, and they don't have to. But, they need to know You.
They need to know Your Son Jesus as Lord and Saviour. They need to commit themselves to You, just like they selflessly commit themselves to my safety.
Father, please save every one.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
--
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