Thanks to my Wife...

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: His Eminence the Very Lord Eaglewood the Omnipresent of Oxbridge by Camford Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

The Beast

We now have "new" transportation. It is large, ungainly, and hard to park. It needs new paint and new tires (what used vehicle doesn't). The inside is very well kept for an 18 yo van, the engine is in good shape, and there is more than enough room for the entire family.

While driving around last night I kept saying this thing is a beast. Now the van has a name "The Beast"

Vehicle Needs

As most of you know Birdie and I have been without a car of our own for about 6 months. This may all come to an end next week. Between a generous bonus from my employer and returning an expensive part for the van that has given up the ghost we now have enough money to purchase a well worn used car. Please be praying that G_d helps us find the right one to fit our family needs.

Three

This is a trailer for a movie based upon my favorite fiction author's book "Three" When I read it I thought it would make a great movie and it is now going to be out in the theaters. The cool thing is there is another one in the works based upon his book "house"

He is a Christian author who writes suspense novels. I am looking forward to the movie.


The trailer was removed in order to make my blog load quicker.

You can still see the trailer HERE.

My Struggle

The other day on another blog Andrea asked me a question. One that I have been struggling with myself for several months. Her question was simple but the answer itself is not.

“Eaglewood, you seem like such a good husband and father, so I wonder why you're trying to hang in there and use the word fundamentalist to describe yourself. I can think of absolutely nothing positive associated with that word. They seem to have no respect for freedom, unlike yourself. There just has to be a better word, because they've ruined that one.”

You see by the very basic definition of Christian Fundamentalist I am one. I have a specific set of core beliefs that are unwavering. These comprise who I am, how I think, and determine what I do. The problem even goes deeper when you understand I also am a prophet. There is a certain stigma to being a prophet even in Christian circles. Everyone has a set preconception on what a prophet is (myself included). I had to open my eyes to the fact there is more to than I originally thought. Consequently, I have been struggling with the direction my ministry needs to go including this blog.

On one hand I want people to be aware of the dangerous heresies being taught by certain prominent preachers, yet I think that if I stop there it does a great disservice to Yeshua and His gospel. We need to be about the business of preaching His Word, telling those who have ears to hear the news of why it is that He came and died on that cross over 2000 years ago. I also want people to understand the very nature of G_d is complex and cannot be nailed down, boxed or whatever you want to do to try to limit Him. We are often guilty of trying to condense His message to our world view. In order to even begin to understand Him we need to realize He is bigger than our own ideas and conceptions. Whether it is the liberal Christian preaching about the loving kindness and compassion of Christ, or the fire and brimstone preacher of repentance from sin, we miss the boat when we focus on one aspect of His nature, and ignore the fact that, like His creation, He is a wondrous and complex Creator, and I think it would behoove us find out more about who He really is.

The question still stands as to why I have doggedly stuck with being called a fundamentalist. Well to be honest in a conversation with Birdie she reminded me it is only in the blogesphere that I even represent myself that way. I think that I will move a way from that label. While I have fundamental beliefs, I have them not because I am a fundamentalist, but because they are simple fundamental truths. While I would love to see the day that the word “fundamentalist” loses its negative connotations, I think it is time to move on from this label. I like the term used by Serena and her family. We are simply the redeemed. There is no other aspect of the our faith more fundamental than Yeshua's redemptive work. So I think that for now on I will be who I am, one of His redeemed and one of His called prophets for this age. Nothing more nothing less.

NFL Week 13

Last week 11- 5 for 68.75 %
For the Season 106–70 for 60.22 %

Blue = Win
Red = loss

Baltimore at Cincinnati : Baltimore
Minnesota at Chicago : Chicago
Kansas City at Cleveland : Kansas City
San Diego at Buffalo : San Diego
Indianapolis at Tennessee : Indianapolis
NY Jets at Green Bay : Green Bay
Atlanta at Washington : Washington
Detroit at New England : New England
Arizona at St. Louis : St. Louis
San Francisco at New Orleans : New Orleans
Houston at Oakland : Houston
Jacksonville at Miami : Jacksonville
Dallas at NY Giants : Dallas
Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh : Pittsburgh
Seattle at Denver : Denver
Carolina at Philadelphia : Carolina

Too Much Fun

Thanks to Heidi, Pablo, and Joelle

Get Your Cyborg Name

This one is based upon my personal nickname.

Get Your Cyborg Name

NFL Week 12

Last week 8-8 for 50.0 %
For the Season 95–65 for 59.37 %

Blue = Win
Red = loss

Miami at Detroit : Miami
Tampa Bay at Dallas : Dallas
Denver at Kansas City : Kansas City
Cincinnati at Cleveland : Cincinnati
Jacksonville at Buffalo : Jacksonville
Pittsburgh at Baltimore : Baltimore
New Orleans at Atlanta : Atlanta
Carolina at Washington : Carolina
San Francisco at St. Louis : St. Louis
Arizona at Minnesota : Minnesota
Houston at NY Jets : NY Jets
Oakland at San Diego : San Diego
Chicago at New England : Chicago
NY Giants at Tennessee : NY Giants
Philadelphia at Indianapolis : Indianapolis
Green Bay at Seattle : Seattle

Still Alive and Kicking

Well life has taken over here. I seem to have allot to say at the wrong times. When I am near the computer I am tired and not thinking straight or I only have a couple of minutes before I have to leave.

I do have a little rant about being who you really are. We have a major "Christian" radio station here in Dallas. They play all of the current songs plus some of the older ones in the Contemporary Christian genre, but only bill themselves as a "family friendly" station. This annoys me to no end. What really gets me is the DJ that plays at night has people calling in and telling their stories based upon that weeks particular subject, but she carefully avoids all mention of G_d, church, or faith. All I have to say is, be who you are, don't hide behind some market plan or desire not to offend. If you have faith in G_d let the light shine for all to see.

NFL Week 11

Last week 9-7 for 56.25 %
For the Season 87–57 for 60.42 %

Blue = Win
Red = loss


St. Louis at Carolina : St. Louis
Washington at Tampa Bay : Tampa Bay
Cincinnati at New Orleans : Cincinnati
Tennessee at Philadelphia : Philadelphia
Chicago at NY Jets : Chicago
Minnesota at Miami : Minnesota
Oakland at Kansas City : Kansas City
New England at Green Bay : New England
Pittsburgh at Cleveland : Pittsburgh
Atlanta at Baltimore : Baltimore
Buffalo at Houston : Buffalo
Detroit at Arizona : Detroit
Seattle at San Francisco : Seattle
Indianapolis at Dallas : Indianapolis
San Diego at Denver : Denver
NY Giants at Jacksonville : NY Giants

Update:
I have never been happier to place a red mark than I was today when the Boy's beat Indy today. GO COWBOYS!!!

NFL Week 10

Last week 9-5 for 64.28 %
For the Season 78–50 for 60.93 %

Blue = Win
Red = loss


Baltimore at Tennessee: Baltimore
Buffalo at Indianapolis: Indianapolis
Cleveland at Atlanta: Atlanta
Green Bay at Minnesota: Minnesota
Houston at Jacksonville: Jacksonville
Kansas City at Miami: Kansas City
N.Y. Jets at New England: New England
San Diego at Cincinnati: Cincinnati
San Francisco at Detroit: Detroit
Washington at Philadelphia: Philadelphia
Denver at Oakland: Denver
Dallas at Arizona: Dallas
New Orleans at Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh
St. Louis at Seattle: Seattle
Chicago at N.Y. Giants: Chicago
Tampa Bay at Carolina: Carolina

New Wheels

I will be joining the two wheel crowd here soon. This is just the first step in getting a motorcycle for myself. My brother is selling me his scooter that will give me a great advantage on gas mileage. I think I will cut my gas bill from $30 -$40 per week to $10 that is quite a savings.


The extended time in NM is going to net me quite a bit of overtime. I am looking forward to it. As I should be able to get the van fixed with some of that money. Then Birdie will have transportation again. My car is DOA. The engine is blown. Birdie and I are looking into our options right now.

NFL Week 9

Last week 8-6 for 57.14 %
For the Season 69–45 for 60.53 %

I was gone for a week and just got back last night. Here are the picks for this week.

Blue = Win
Red = loss

Kansas City at St. Louis : Kansas City
Houston at NY Giants : NY Giants
Tennessee at Jacksonville : Jacksonville
New Orleans at Tampa Bay : New Orleans
Dallas at Washington : Dallas
Miami at Chicago : Chicago
Green Bay at Buffalo : Green Bay
Cincinnati at Baltimore : Baltimore
Atlanta at Detroit : Atlanta
Minnesota at San Francisco : Minnesota
Denver at Pittsburgh : Denver
Cleveland at San Diego : San Diego
Indianapolis at New England : Indianapolis
Oakland at Seattle : Seattle
Bye Week: NY Jets, Philadelphia, Arizona, Carolina

NFL Week 8

Last week 4-9 for 30.77 %
For the Season 61–39 for 61.00 %

Well, last week was even worse than the week before. I am leaving for NM here in a couple of hours so I will not be able to update this until I get back, but I am not seeing that I will do any worse this week even though there were several difficult choices this week.


Blue = Win
Red = loss

Arizona at Green Bay: Green Bay
Atlanta at Cincinnati: Atlanta
Baltimore at New Orleans: New Orleans
Houston at Tennessee: Tennessee
Jacksonville at Philadelphia: Philadelphia
Seattle at Kansas City: Seattle
San Francisco at Chicago: Chicago
Tampa Bay at N.Y. Giants: N.Y. Giants
St. Louis at San Diego: San Diego
Indianapolis at Denver: Denver
N.Y. Jets at Cleveland: N.Y. Jets
Pittsburgh at Oakland: Pittsburgh
Dallas at Carolina: Dallas
New England at Minnesota: Minnesota
By Week: Buffalo, Detroit, Miami, Washington

NFL Week 7

Last week 6-7 for 46.15 %
For the Season 57–30 for 65.51 %

Well, last week was not so good. Hopefully I am on the rebound this week. The sad part about this is that two of my teams I have in Evel Squirrel's pool I picked to lose this week. So either I will do good in the pool or I will have chosen wisely here.

Blue = Win
Red = loss


Carolina at Cincinnati: Carolina
Detroit at N.Y. Jets: Detroit
Green Bay at Miami: Green Bay
Jacksonville at Houston: Jacksonville
New England at Buffalo: New England
Philadelphia at Tampa Bay: Philadelphia
Pittsburgh at Atlanta: Pittsburgh
San Diego at Kansas City: San Diego
Denver at Cleveland: Denver
Arizona at Oakland: Arizona
Minnesota at Seattle: Seattle
Washington at Indianapolis: Indianapolis
N.Y. Giants at Dallas: Dallas
By Week: Baltimore, Chicago, New Orleans, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tennessee

Update:
I am not sure how I could do worse than this week. I think that I need to back to the drawing board on this. Two bad weeks in a row. That is just not like me.

I am Back

Well, I have returned from the Panhandle of TX and I am suffering from Internet withdrawal. I took the company laptop with me in hopes of being able to check on my blog and e-mail while i was gone, but i will not have a user name and password for the company computers until I have been with the company for 90 days. The tech I went with refused to allow me access to the computer. I really need to get my laptop fixed.

If there was anything I have against this company is their trust issues. It appears the only thing I will be trusted with before my probationary period is over is my tools and the company truck. I will not have a company credit card or access to the company computers without asking someone to log on the computer for me. I can tell this is going to get real old before my 90 days are up. I am not sure what has prompted this policy, but it is aggravating.

Questioning my expertise is going to get old, too. We came upon a difficult problem while we were at this job site and only after looking for what appeared to be one problem, I realized we were just chasing our tails and realized the issue was a totally different one that would have the same effects. This was knowledge carried over from past experience working in this type of industry and one they will not have a lot of problems with due to the fact they do not use much of this in their analyzers. My boss would not believe the problem was not a leak. I know leaks; leaks are easy to detect and fix. There was no leak. On the other hand the type of tubing being used will permeate over time and create some of the same effects in this analyzer as a leak would. The only problem was that the parts kits did not contain any of this tubing. An oversight I will correct. Well my family needs me and I need to quit venting

NFL Week 6

Last week 11-3 for 78.57 %
For the Season 51–23 for 68.92 %
(I made a math error somewhere and added one to the win column. I have corrected it here.)

Blue = Win
Red = loss


Buffalo at Detroit: Buffalo
Carolina at Baltimore: Baltimore
Cincinnati at Tampa Bay: Cincinnati
Houston at Dallas: Dallas
N.Y. Giants at Atlanta: Atlanta
Philadelphia at New Orleans: Eagles
Seattle at St. Louis: Seattle
Tennessee at Washington: Washington
Kansas City at Pittsburgh: Kansas City
Miami at N.Y. Jets: N.Y. Jets
San Diego at San Francisco: San Diego
Oakland at Denver: Denver
Chicago at Arizona: Chicago
By Week: Cleveland, Green Bay, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Minnesota, New England

NFL Week 5

Last week 9-5 for 64.29 %
For the Season 41–20 for 67.21 %

Blue = Win
Red = loss


Buffalo at Chicago: Chicago
Cleveland at Carolina: Carolina
Detroit at Minnesota: Minnesota
Miami at New England: New England
St. Louis at Green Bay: Green Bay
Tampa Bay at New Orleans: New Orleans
Tennessee at Indianapolis: Indianapolis
Washington at N.Y. Giants: N.Y. Giants
Kansas City at Arizona: Kansas City
N.Y. Jets at Jacksonville: Jacksonville
Oakland at San Francisco: Oakland
Dallas at Philadelphia: Dallas
Pittsburgh at San Diego: San Diego
Baltimore at Denver: Denver
By Week: Atlanta, Cincinnati, Houston, Seattle

He Reigns

This is one of my favorite songs by the Newsboys. I love how the video is set up to not show their faces. Sort of putting the emphasis in Him not them.

Lifehouse

I have found a new music group. They have been around a little while, but Birdie and I just discovered them. I am very impressed with there music. So impressed that I thought I would share them with you. One of my favorite songs is “Breathing”. The concept behind the song is that we should be content just to be hanging around Heaven's door just to hear G_d breath. I think that is just an amazing level of devotion. I can understand the love involved. How many of you have desired to be in the presence of someone even in the quiet times just so you could be close. I know I have.


Breathing Low High

Some other songs I like by Lifehouse.

Sick Cycle Carousel Low High
Hanging By a Moment Low High

NFL Week 4

Last week 9-5 for 64.29 %
For the Season 32–15 for 68.09 %

Blue = win
Red = loss

Arizona at Atlanta : Atlanta
Dallas at Tennessee : Dallas
Indianapolis at N.Y. Jets : Indianapolis
Miami at Houston : Miami
Minnesota at Buffalo : Minnesota
New Orleans at Carolina : Carolina
San Diego at Baltimore : Baltimore
San Francisco at Kansas City : Kansas City
Detroit at St. Louis : St. Louis
Cleveland at Oakland : Cleveland
Jacksonville at Washington : Jacksonville
New England at Cincinnati : Cincinnati
Seattle at Chicago : Seattle
Green Bay at Philadelphia : Philadelphia

The New Job

Well I started my new job today and to say the least like most first days it was boring. I spent most of my day reading manuals, signing paperwork, asking questions, and trying to not get in the way. Tomorrow I will get my hands on an actual analyzer and get into the real learning. It will probably be a month before I get started traveling and that is when the real work begins. I am quite confident that I will catch on quickly and be their #1 tech. Not too difficult a feat considering there are only two of us and the other guy is green.

The only concerns were the background check and drug test and it appears that I have come through that gauntlet as I received an e-mail from the Texas Workforce Commission (where I found the job posted) congratulating me on getting the job and deactivating my account. Is that cool or what? One thing I will lament is the lack of ability to get on-line while I am traveling. My lap-top is down right now and it is looking like I won't get it fixed before the beginning of the new year. The only problem is that the CD/DVD drive crapped out and I tried restoring some stuff that took out the operating system. If I can get the drive fixed I can reload the software and then take it with me when I travel.

NFL Week 3

Last week 13-3 for 81.25 %
For the Season 23 – 9 for 71.88 %

Blue = win
Red = loss

Carolina at Tampa Bay - Carolina
Chicago at Minnesota - Chicago
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh
Green Bay at Detroit - Detroit
Jacksonville at Indianapolis - Indianapolis
N.Y. Jets at Buffalo - Buffalo
Tennessee at Miami - Miami
Washington at Houston - Washington
Baltimore at Cleveland - Baltimore
N.Y. Giants at Seattle - Seattle
Philadelphia at San Francisco - Philadelphia
St. Louis at Arizona - Arizona
Denver at New England - Denver
Atlanta at New Orleans - Atlanta
By Week - Dallas, Kansas City, Oakland, San Diego

OH-HAPPY DAY!

After feeling the desperation of underemployment for almost two months and two weeks of thinking that Del-Mar is not going to hire me they asked today when I could come in for the pre-employment drug screening test. This is just a formality with me as I have never done drugs in my life.

Now all that is left is getting caught up on bills and rent. Once we have that done we will be looking into getting our emergency fund redone. This job is really a God-send. I will be getting back into the industry that I know and have opportunity for advancement as well. I want to thank all of you for your prayers and well wishes. Hopefully I will get back on track with my usual posts on the Word and Yeshua, maybe even answer a few questions.

Update

Here is how things stand for us right now. I have had two interviews that seem promising one id for a gas analyzer company and one is as a maintenance tech for a company that makes CDs and DVDs. Both jobs would be good ones. I thought I would have received a job offer from the analyzer company by now as they seemed to really want me to work for them we only had salary issues to work out. The second company I interviewed with today has two positions open and it looks promising.

On the home front things are looking grim. After a month of working with a group that said they were going to help us with things like rent finally came through but are way short on being able to pay our rent. We currently have about $400 in he bank, they are offering to help us with $300. that is going to leave us $300 short on paying rent that is already past due. I still have one more bill to pay and we need to eat for the next two weeks. Please be praying that G_d provides a way for us out of this.

NFL Picks Week 2

I went 10 and 6 last week for 62.5%. I am starting the season off well lets hope it stays that way.

Blue = win
Red = loss


Carolina at Minnesota - Minnesota
Cleveland at Cincinnati - Cincinnati
Detroit at Chicago - Chicago
Houston at Indianapolis - Indianapolis
New Orleans at Green Bay - New Orleans
N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia - N.Y. Giants
Oakland at Baltimore - Baltimore
Tampa Bay at Atlanta - Atlanta
Arizona at Seattle - Seattle
Buffalo at Miami - Miami
St. Louis at San Francisco - St. Louis
Kansas City at Denver - Kansas City
New England at N.Y. Jets - New England
Tennessee at San Diego - San Diego
Washington at Dallas - Dallas
Pittsburgh at Jacksonville - Pittsburgh

I Can Only Imagine

A Little Inspiration
To make your day a brighter one

NFL Picks Week 1

Blue = win
Red = loss


Miami at Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh (Trust me)
Atlanta at Carolina - Carolina
Baltimore at Tampa Bay - Baltimore
Buffalo at New England - New England
Cincinnati at Kansas City - Kansas City
Denver at St. Louis - Denver
New Orleans at Cleveland - Cleveland
N.Y. Jets at Tennessee - Tennessee
Philadelphia at Houston - Philadelphia
Seattle at Detroit - Seattle
Chicago at Green Bay - Chicago
Dallas at Jacksonville - Dallas
San Francisco at Arizona - Arizona
Indianapolis at N.Y. Giants - Indianapolis
Minnesota at Washington - Minnesota
San Diego at Oakland - San Diego

Update:
Eight wins and six losses. I thought I picked better than that, but go figure. At worst I will end up 8-8 and start off batting .500.

Update 2:
Well that was not too bad of a start for the year going 10-8 we will see how things go next week.

Getting Back On Track

Enough with the belly aching over not having a good job. He will provide one in good time. I thought I would start things back up with this little tid-bit from Birdie's e-mail devotional.


"To whom also He shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3).

To the first Christians, faith in the deity of Christ was not a blind leap into the dark. Only God could defeat death, and they knew--beyond all doubt--that Jesus Christ had risen bodily from the tomb. They had seen Him, touched Him, and eaten with Him, alone and in crowds, in closed rooms, and out in the open.
The term "infallible proofs" translates a Greek word used only this one time, meaning literally, "many criteria of certainty," and it is significant that the inspired Word of God applies it only to the resurrection of Christ. It is not too much to say that Christ's resurrection is the most certain fact in all history, and many large volumes have been published setting forth the evidences thereof. No wonder the apostle Peter could say: "We have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty" (II Peter 1:16).
The apostle John testified thus: "The life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us" (I John 1:2). John not only saw Him in His resurrection body, but also in His glorified body, hearing Him say: "I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore" (Revelation 1:18).
It is true that we, like the first Christians, must believe on Christ to receive salvation, but this faith is not a credulous faith, a leap into the dark. It is a reasonable faith, based on many infallible proofs, and we can, therefore, trust Him with our eternal souls.

You see I have always thought about the faith of the founders of our church being greater than ours, but the more I look the more I realize that the reason they believed was because they saw what happened with their own eyes. They lived and died for what they believed because it was the truth and nothing could take away that knowledge of what they had witnessed. I find that to be some of the best proof of His existence, death, and resurrection. Amazing, it is truly amazing.

Because You Care

Well I have been out of a full time job for about a month now. So far none of my interviews have gone well. One of the things I am looking at is sales. One of the things that has surprised me is I seem to have a natural ability to sell stuff. I am good with customers in that I have learned to listen to them and their needs so that I can determine what it is that they want.

With that said the company that my brother used to work for as a mechanic contacted me about joining their sales force. I have been playing phone tag with them ever since. I like this company as they have a different approach to selling than 95% of other car sales companies. Please be praying that the phone tag will end. With cars in mind please be praying about our car situation. My car is currently down for the count with a broken timing belt this is on top of the fuel pump I knew was bad that I replaced over the weekend. Birdies van is also down. My brother seems to believe that a crank position sensor is bad causing the engine to think it is not running so the thing will not start. We put a new one in but it still wont start. It was over 100 outside while he was working on it so he has not finished the work yet. He thinks it just needs to be aligned properly. In the mean time he has loaned me his truck. It has no air conditioning so it will be hot to drive but at least I can get to work he also gave us some money to help buy food.

I also have been contacted by the Texas Workforce Commission about three industrial maintenance positions please be praying about that as well.

I know that G_d is providing for us it just seems that it only comes in the nick of time. We are getting some help from a local charity right now and that is hard to swallow. I know it is a pride thing, but I can't seem to get over it. Well that seems to be about it for now, I will let you know how things go in the near future.

Update

Well, I never heard back from Essilor, and the one interview I have had did not pan out. I think it was mostly due o the fact that I have no real credible references. The people I used to know are scattered and I do not know where they are and Birdie and I have not made connections here in Dallas that are not family.

Things are beginning to look bleak to say the least. I am now at a crossroads. I am considering taking up a new profession. My brother (who is a master mechanic) clued me into a very lucrative profession that does not take much training to get involved in. that is the wonderful world of paintless dent repair (PDR). The only problem is that the courses cost about $5,000. Now for the money invested it is a good return in that most paintless dent repair techs make on average $120,000 a year. Even if I made half of that it would be more than I have ever made. The course takes about 1 week and I could be up and running in no time.

Be praying that G_d shows me what to do and opens the doors. The PDR line of work would allow me some stability in that I would have a skill that can be used anywhere, and with frugal living could provide a fully paid for home for my family in less that 5 years. A paid for home would help my family more than anything I could think of.


P.S.

I forgot to mention how hard things have gotten. A few months ago my car broke down (needs a new fuel pump) Well two days ago my wife's van broke down we now have no transportation of our own. My mother is graciously allowing us to use her car, but I need to get one of ours running. My brother is going to look at them and see which one will be the cheapest to fix. It all depends on what is wrong with the van. We know the primary ignition is not working but we do not know why. My brother has to get some tools to do the diagnostics, but he was just in the same job position as I am. He is able to rebound better, because his skill is in demand every where, but he will not have access to his tools until they can be moved to his new employer.

Be Praying

I got this in my e-mail a couple of days ago. This is from a company I interviewed with a few years ago and would have been hired by them then if I had lived in Dallas at the time. This is a good job and one that will more than pay the bills if I get it.


“Hi there,

My name is Natalie Woodward, I'm the HR Coordinator Avisia & Technologies at Essilor Laboratories of America.

I found your resume on Monster and wanted to discuss an open Instrumental Installation or Maintenance position at our company. Please let me know if you are interested and if you could forward you salary history or salary requirements.”

Bad News Day

Last night we had a meeting with the contractors letting us know of impending lay-offs. We were told that if we were going to be laid off that we would receive a call in the morning. I did not receive that call so I went to work believing my job safe at least for another week. After being at work for several hours several contractors were called in to a meeting with the contractor supervisor and told we were being laid-off. This is a rough time for us. Unlike last time where I had 28,000 dollars to fall back on we have no savings left from the last lay-off. Please be praying I find a permanent job soon.I still have the job at Sears but even if I can get full time hours there it will not pay all the bills.

Life

Please forgive me if I seem to be a little down today. Today it seems no matter what I do I have a heavy heart. I am not normally a lighthearted person so it comes across as quite pensive and morose. Why today of all days I am missing my son I do not know but there it is, he has been on my mind most of today. I imagine I will have days like this for the rest of my life. The wondering of what could have been. For all I know it could have been Birdie putting the crib I never put together in storage that got to me. I think that the reason I could never get around to it was the permanence of that action. Strangely I am reminded of something Yeshua said and somewhat of a reminder of why He came.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
John 10:10 NASB

It is the last part of the verse I am reminded of. Yeshua came that we might have life and have it abundantly. In that life is hope. Hope of many things, new beginnings, dreams fulfilled, and wounds healed. I am reminded that life is to be lived to the fullest and not be concerned about what is to come because He has it under control. I am reminded that Samuel is with Him and living life more abundant than I can dream.

Does Yeshua Still Speak to His Children?

“Eaglewood,
I don’t know but this question might be worthy of its own post. Please understand I’m quite serious even if the question seems flippant on the surface.

How does one distinguish between a “voice” of one of the godhead and schizophrenia?

One commenter mentioned that it would not be different than what was said in the Bible. If that is so, and the Bible contains sufficient information and instruction, why would anyone need direct revelation? Why do so many direct revelations given to individuals contradict each other?”

After asking for some clarification Res sent me this.

“Good point. What I meant was; I've heard men say: "God gave me a message to say to you... therefore do thus” But then a week or a month latter the same man will get up and say "God told me to say...." and it will require a different action in contradiction to the first message.

This type of situation is even more confusing when co-pastors have contradictory revelations that are given to them by God. Or so they claim.

Right now I hold the belief that God doesn't speak to men individually. I believe that the Bible holds the information we need to come to a knowledge of salvation and righteous living. I do believe that God will give man a sense of peace about a decision or open doors in response to prayer or providing a leading into how we should live. I just don't see evidence of Him providing audible instruction to individuals or direct revelation to a church through one man.

When Jerry Farwell says "God told me to tell you if we don't raise millions for this church, He is going to take me home on such and such a date" and then the day comes and goes, the message isn't from God and if we followed the OT we would stone him for speaking presumptuously in God's name.

I said right now I believe, because I'm open to changing my mind on the topic. I think what I'm looking for is a clear-cut way to know if it was God speaking. If an individual could explain how they know it would be interesting. In the Bible it was common for the prophet to confirm his message with a supernatural sign like the hour hand on the sun dial moving backwards etc. Modern prophets seem to not be able to do this.”

Lets tackle the basic foundation here, and by doing that it will allow me to agree with Res on a point. When it comes to salvation, reproof, and instruction the Scriptures are all we need. The Scriptures are the foundation of all that we do and if we are not in line with them then we are outside of His will. So the question is why does G_d still reveal Himself to people on an individual basis.

Before we answer that question we should find out if there is a Biblical precedent for prophecy in our modern age.

And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Acts 2:17 KJV

I think that this is sufficient precedent to make the case that G_d will speak to His children in a number of ways even after His Word has been completed. All of these things prophesy, visions, and dreams are all methods of direct revelation G_d has used in the past. There is also precedent for G_d falling silent such as the 400-year period between Malachi and when Jesus was born.

Now I have been involved with each of these three kinds of revelation either personally or from something I was told by another believer. I personally have been told a number of things about the church here in America’s future that would count as prophecy, My wife has had a vision that lead to her healing, and a brother I know told me of a prophetic dream he had that was the source of comfort and reconciliation in his church that went through a couple of rough years. If he gives me permission I will share it with you. It was an amazing dream and story.

With that answered lets take on the contradictory statements issue. I too have a problem with the issue that seems to primarily come from the Pentecostal churches. These types of revelations that change from month to month need to be tested against the Word. It is important that any revelation not contradict the Word first off. The second point is that rarely are revelations given one day that will be countermanded by a second revelation that contradicts it. If it does then you may want to consider the source something other than G_d. Which brings me to the point that G_d is not the only one who can give visions, dreams, and prophecies. The Enemy is very clever and can provide some very convincing false revelations. If two pastors of the same church have differing visions then you can be assured that at least one of them is false. The enemy loves to sow dissention and confusion. What better way than to deceive the leaders of a local church. The Jerry Falwell incident is a perfect example of a man using his influence to dupe gullible individuals into doing what he wanted. I his case it could be easily argued that G_d never worked that way. Yeshua does not work through fear and intimidation. I think it would have been

How do we know that what we have heard is from G_d and not from our own over ambitious minds, or from the enemy? It is often not that easy, other times such as G_d giving me my calling or my wife’s vision it was extremely clear who was talking. With my wife’s vision it was a dramatic direct answer to prayer. It made it clear that G_d was taking the fear in her life and he indeed was holding onto her just as she asked. Now G_d talking to me nearly caused a wreck as I was driving at the time. It was a clear audible voice telling me that His bride had forsaken him and directing me to study what He had done to His children in the past when they forsook Him. As to spectacular supernatural events accompanying prophecy that is just not as common as it would seem to be. While He has performed some amazing supernatural feats they do not accompany most prophecies, as the proof of their veracity was to be the fulfillment of that prophecy. If my understanding is correct that the true measure of a prophet was his perfect accuracy.

I wish that it was easy to know when someone is indeed speaking in G_d’s name, but the only way to know is to be diligent and study. Make sure you do not just take one persons word for it, check it against the scriptures, but this is important to do no matter what is said by anyone teaching in G_d’s name. I think that the scriptures are clear that He has, He does, and He will talk to His children. He does so in a number of ways and it never will contradict what His established Word says.

Luke Asks a Not So Simple Question

“Could you please distinguish between these three phenomena:”
1) The voice of your conscience.
2) The influence of the Holy Spirit.
3) The voice of Yeshua that you heard.

Luke just seems to like to come up with the easy questions. :)
I will give my best educated answers for what they are worth. Just remember my answers are free so take them or leave them, as you will.

1) In a simple answer your conscience is that inner part of your soul that knows what is right and what is wrong, your own personal moral compass so to speak. In most people it is developed enough that they at least heed it when they know they are doing something wrong, other people seem to have no conscience whatsoever. It is a simply a part of us because G_d created us with it. The problem is it is easily influenced by our culture and the fact that our conscience is as fallible as we are.

2) Now the Holy Spirit is a totally different thing. The Holy Spirit is the Third Aspect of the Godhead. Do not ask me to explain it. Some of the best theologians have a hard time explaining it effectively. It is one of those things I think we are not meant to completely understand until we are with Him. The Holy Spirit can be considered the active aspect of G_d in our world. He is constantly prompting Christians and wooing those who do not believe yet. The Holy Spirit will deal with each person individually as He knows what each person needs. His voice is often the quietest and will manifest the most when we are still and listening for it. Still you know without a doubt He has moved upon your life.

3) The third is the hardest. This is where I can come off and look like a complete raving lunatic. The voice of Yeshua, or G_d was a clear distinct voice in my head. It was full of love and full of power. Not all Christians will ever hear that voice before they die. I felt unworthy of the task set before me, and hope to show myself approved when it is done. The message seemed a little cryptic in that He would not tell me everything only those things I needed to know. I have reiterated them a number of times on my blog so I do not feel the need to go over it again at this time. Now people like Robert or Omar will simply say I am delusional and I am hearing voices, but if that was the case why would my delusional mind wait years between the first time and now when I surrendered to the call. The first time I heard that voice I was plain scared and ran.

A Message For Luke

Life along with death is not a simple thing. You have an upbringing to overcome that is difficult to say the least. I do not pity you at all; In fact I feel the desperate love that Yeshua has for you. It has nearly brought me to tears several times while writing this. I too came from essentially an atheist home, although I am not sure it was as multi generational as yours. I know I have a great or great great grandfather who was a circuit preacher. I know my father was dismayed that his two oldest sons forsook atheism in favor of knowing the Living-G_d.

Faith is not a normal thing. I know that I try to present a logical argument for the existence of Elohem, Yahweh, or G_d (whichever you want to call Him), but the fact of the matter is that faith involves something more than logic. In fact faith is illogical. (I know Robert would like to hear me say that.) Faith requires that we do the one thing we cannot, that is to let go. It does not matter what it is we are holding on to we have to let go. For all of us it is a daily struggle that is why I talk about dying unto ourselves and that it is a process. Many Christians talk about the free gift of grace and indeed it is free, but faith is another issue. Faith and I mean true faith, the kind of faith that says if G_d commanded you to jump off off a cliff you would do so, that kind of faith costs us our life. The good news is the Jesus said he came to give us life and give it to us in abundance. When we are willing to give our life to Him an amazing transformation happens. I wish I could explain it clearly, but it is hard as each person has a different encounter with Him, but I do know that when you do, you will have no doubt as to whom it was.


Winds of Change
Kutless

Can you feel the pains in life?
Wrapped around you like they're chains
Restricting all your dreams
Do you wonder if there is a way?
A way to set you free
Set you free

So tell me all your dreams
Tell me all your fears and what you're longing for the most
It's not another way
That'll end up the same for it's under my control

Do you feel the winds of change?
Soon this weight will fall away
And take you to a place
Only found through these winds of change
A breeze that's new and free
New and free

So tell me all your dreams
Tell me all your fears and what you're longing for the most
It's not another way
That'll end up the same for it's under my control

I'll be the one who you can cry to
The one who will give you wings
I will give wings
Someday we'll sail away
Mounted up on wings like eagles
We will run and will not fade away

So tell me all your dreams
Tell me all your fears and what you're longing for the most
It's not another way
That'll end up the same for it's under my control

I'll be the one who you can cry to
The one who will give you wings
I will give wingsThe one who will give you wings
I will give you wings
To set you free
The one who will give you wings
I will give you wings
To set you free
The one who will give you wings

The Golden Rule Is It Relativistic?

“Well, secular humanists are frequently accused of being moral relativists by evangelicals, (as if this is an insult). The implication is that without God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, one has no moral compass, so they create ethical/legal castles on a foundation of sand.

I think that Christians too face this dilemma, along with the rest of us. Even if you believe that the 10 Commandments were actually meant to apply to Gentiles, then there is still no absolute consistency in the interpretation of those rules. Consider stealing, for example, as in stealing bread from the mouths of decadence. It’s all muddy when you mix it with human law, but it is inevitable to mix it with human law. That is why we stone people to death as they leave the Red Lobster every night.

Or, better, consider killing. Some Christian men would conclude that killing the enemy in war is absolutely immoral, like Cain killing Abel. Other Christians would praise God and pass the ammo.

But now the Golden Rule, that is explicit. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Make a moral decision about your actions based on your own point of view. This is explicitly morally relativistic. And it was commanded by your Lord Jesus.

So, when I hear an evangelical deride others for being a moral relativist (much less a nihilist), then I point out that sand is under everyone’s feet.

Sand is what happens to concrete when rain, wind, moss, and light have finished their work.”

Luke (thimscool)

Alright here, I promised Luke I would write on this. Jimmie has given his answer I will give mine. You see my friends what happens when things are taken out of context.

7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?
11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Mathew 7: 7-12 NIV

When taken in proper context with the supporting verses and in the context of the complete verse itself you can see that it has nothing to do with moral relativism. The supporting verses talk about giving good things and that the Father is capable of giving even greater things. The golden rule sums this up by talking about looking at our own lives and seeing the good things that we would want in it and to treat others accordingly. The verse itself I think is more telling in the defense that the golden rule is not relativistic because it specifically points to the fact that these verses sum up what the Law and the Prophets (scriptures) said. The whole of the books of the Law and the Prophets (our Old Testament) can hardly be described as being relativistic.

In His Hands

My friends I do not talk much Birdie’s and my past, I think it is about time. This is about Yeshua's provision and healing for Birdie. To understand you will have to know a little bit about my wife. She has told me it is ok to tell you so I will try my best here. For several years my wife suffered with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) it was bad enough that she dreaded touching other people, washed her hands with bleach to the point that they would bleed, these were just a couple of things that she could not help doing or feeling. To make things worse I was to say the least, unsympathetic. Now OCD is related to fear, and from all I have learned it cannot be “cured” it can be controlled but not “cured”. Birdie prayed fervently that G_d would take the fear away and hold her in His hands. So one day we were driving back home from a day in Ft. Smith, AR when G_d gave her a vision of her falling into a giant loving hand and the fear that wracked her life was gone permanently. She has not had a problem with the OCD since that day. I grow constantly amazed at people who tell me He does not exist. It is moments like this that bring clarity to our lives and remind us that He truly does have us in His hands.

Ask A Question And Eventually You Will Receive

Roland asked me a question a while back and I never really got around to answering him. I think I owe him an answer. The question had to do with a certain story in the Bible about a centurion named Cornelius. For those of you who are not familiar with the story here it is:
Acts chapter 10

His question to me was: Did I believe that Cornelius was saved before he met Peter or after? It is a very good question. After reading this passage I asked myself another question: Is it important to know when Cornelius was saved? The immediate knee jerk reaction was to say no, but then I prayed about it and let G_d answer the question for me. As sometimes happens I did not get an immediate answer. (This is His way of saying “Chill, it is My hands”) Well to be honest I had forgotten all about the question until today when G_d answered me on the way to work.

The answer was another question: Why would I instruct Cornelius to seek out Peter and bring him to his home if he and his family did not need to hear the message about My Son? It started me thinking. Cornelius was a good man in all respects, but he lacked a true relationship with G_d because he had not at that time accepted the atoning sacrifice of Yeshua. Cornelius was doing everything in his own finite mind to please the G_d he knew existed, but his own efforts would never be enough. G_d knowing this and being pleased with Cornelius provided a way for him to hear the message of Yeshua’s sacrifice, and gave him the opportunity to accept it. He and his family did. I could go more into the other side of the story involving Peter, but I think that is for another time.

Come Play With Me

The other day Ditto was out weed eating the back yard (doing my yard work for pay) when my ever rambunctious dog Remington walked over to the outlet unplugged the trimmer and the brought Ditto his ball so that they could play fetch.

Yeshua is Real

My friend Roland mentioned something over at another blog I frequent. I will not link to it because an atheist runs the blog in question. While I as a general rule have no problem with atheists his site is not for the feint of heart. Roland was curious about my encounters with Yeshua. Shortly after that another person I have been conversing with (Luke) expressed interest in my encounters as well. I sure hope I do not disappoint people because it is not as spectacular as you would think.

I do not talk about it much because even in Christian circles I get looked at very strangely, mocked, or downright ridiculed. These encounters are why I know beyond a shadow of a doubt He is real. I wish I could say that it was something spectacular like Moses’ burning bush but it was not. The first encounter was quiet, restful and a sensation of the most overwhelming peace and love I have ever encountered. He did not talk to me then, that is not what I needed. After the first time He talked to me I ran for about ten years from what He was asking of me. It was a quiet voice but powerful. There was no denying who was talking to me. It scared the crap out of me; I wanted no part of it. I was content to live my life with my little family and not be interjected into things I did not understand and did not want to know. All I have to say is I do not recommend running after He has called you. The hounds of Hell have nothing on the hounds of Heaven. He was relentless in His pursuit no matter how far I tried to run He was there cajoling, pressing, and loving. Once I gave up the cat and mouse game with G_d He started telling me He wanted me to be one of His prophets for this time. I was impressed with his sadness over His church. His church has lost its first love and He wants her back. He will do whatever it takes to bring her back to Him, even if it means that he scatters the church to the wind. I fear the repercussions of this. In the past when G_d did this to Israel He all but destroyed them. My job is to prepare those who will listen for this time in hope that a true awakening will happen and the purging will be unnecessary.

I do not think that my encounters with the Living G_d are all that unusual, but my church background is Baptist and they seem to have a disregard for anything in the supernatural realm, heck they would balk at my prophet status. The reason that I do not think my story is all that unusual because my wife has talks with G_d on a much more regular basis that I and He has given her a vision that have not only comforted her, but had been the basis for healing in her life.

Yet the supernatural is not just the realm of G_d. The enemy is there as well and the one vision I have had was part of a lie to get me off of the true path. Once a person is saved Lucifer has no real power over that person but he can still work his deceptions. When I had the vision I thought it was from G_d and I nearly followed it. It promised of a great ministry with lots of glory. The thing I did not realize was that the glory in the entire vision was mine not once was Yeshua lifted up it was always me. That is what G_d used to show me it was not from Him.

Missing In ACTION

I am not sure if you have noticed it or not but Birdie has been MIA for a while. Don’t worry she is doing just fine. As a mater of fact her feeling good has been the reason she has not been around. Since finding out that she has diabetes her eating habits have changed drastically. She has lost more than forty pounds in the past couple of months and has I would say 100 times more energy than she had just two months ago. The boundless energy has kept her busy and away from the computer. She now has a hard time even sitting at the computer long enough to read my blog. I will have to say I am reaping the benefits of a wife who is feeling better and has ALOT more energy. ;)

P.S.
I would ask people to be praying, I am looking for ways to expand my ministry; right now it is pretty much contained to the blog world. I am looking at something right now but I want to know it is G_d’s will not just my own fanciful thinking. Thanks

I Love My Children

Well I do not know about you but I had a wonderful Fathers Day. It started out the night before when I got home from work. My Children in all of their excitement could not wait to give me their gifts. I got a book, a couple of DVD’s and the new album from Kutless “Hearts of the Innocent”, and a new hip quiver for my archery hobby. I look forward to using it as I had been just sitting the arrows on the ground. I hated the bow-mounted quiver that came with the bow. It was good for hunting because it kept the arrows quiet, but it was hard to get a new arrow and I am pretty sure my quarry will not run away if I make a little noise.

On fathers day I laid around in bed most of the morning, and then we went to see “Cars”. That is one hilarious movie. If you have not seen it go even if you do not have children. A good story is just that a good story. “Cars” will be a classic and will be one of those movies we will own on DVD when it comes out.

I really like the new Kutless album; so far my favorite song is "Shut Me Out".


"Shut Me Out"

Tell me something I don't already know
I know that you can't stand these things I'm preaching in the streets
But how can I contain the truth I hold inside
With all the hurting people that I see so I don't mind
Putting up with you, and all the things you say
I'm not about to stop or even change my ways

[CHORUS:]
There's nothing you can say
That will take me away from this life
There's nothing you can do
To shut me up when I'm speaking the truth

You may not like all I have to say
But you can't prove that everything is filled with empty words
I know my life and inside how I've changed
A testimony to the truth I speak, so I don't mind
Putting up with you, and all the things you say
I'm not about to stop or even change my ways

[CHORUS:]
There's nothing you can say
That will take me away from this life
There's nothing you can do
To shut me up, to shut me out when I'm speaking the truth

There's nothing you can say
That will take me away from this life
There's nothing you can do
To shut me up when I'm speaking the truth
There's nothing you can say
That will take me away from this life
There's nothing you can do
To shut me up, to shut me out when I'm speaking the truth

Science, Trolls, and the Wonder of it All

While doing my usual perusal of my blogroll the other day I ran across some interesting comments from a commenter over at Triton’s place. She was obviously someone who felt that anyone who was a Christian was stuck in the dark ages and did not have any enlightened thinking. I was quite amused at the time. I was amused enough to leave a couple of snarky comments. I am not normally like that but I felt like a little bit of humor was called for, as the title of the post was “Lord, save us from the Californians”. She was very clear on her belief that science and Gnostic philosophies were the path that we should follow and that Christianity was just a big lie. To Triton’s credit he went out of his way to provide detailed counterpoints too her naked assertions and blatant misrepresentations. I am not sure I would have been quite so patient with someone who was proving to be a troll.

One of her naked assertions was that Christians had no real understanding of Science. I would say that Christians for the most part have at least a basic understanding of science and Earth’s place in the total universe. For me it just increases my adoration of Him. His creation is vast and it just shows what kind of power He has. To think that with that kind of power he would even bother with one little speck of dust that our planet is in this vast universe is humbling. He could have just wiped the slate clean and started over; instead He provided a way for us to be reconciled with Him. That is the kind of love that deserves worship.

International Blogroll Update

I have a couple of blogs I read that are from places other than Here in the United States and it is about time I added them to my blogroll.

Pablo is the Evil Squirrel that runs Attitude Central in the Great White North of Canada.

Morris writes his musings from the Land Down Under in Australia.

The Way

Birdie has a friend who runs an e-mail loop sending out information on matters of government and Christianity. She is a wonderful sweet woman, but sometimes I wonder if she reads everything she sends out, and if she does, does she believe it. Most of the stuff is conspiracy theory or expositions of one form of heresy or another. While my calling as a prophet is to preserve that which is true, and I think that is what the writers in question are trying to do, I think that many of these people are missing the mark. It seems to me that based upon what I have seen from these writers is that if you do not follow every tenant of their denomination you are a heretic and an unbeliever. How do they know they are right?

The thing is that there is only one way. Yeshua is that way. He said He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that no man would come to the Father except through Him. It is a shame that some have turned that to mean something more than what it says. It has become the Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, or whichever of several hundred denominations you wish to insert are the way. It grieves me to see this. Yeshua made it clear how we as individuals are to get to the Father. It is simple, why do we make it so hard?

Our Tax Dollars at Work

Sometimes I read something that just leaves me shaking my head and thinking, “What were those idiots thinking?”. I read this story over on WND a couple of days ago and almost burst at the ineptitude of our Secret Service. How could anyone with half a mind think that these gospel tracts are anything other that what they are? They are cleverly designed to catch the eye, and at first glance resemble our current currency, but if someone could actually think they are real money then they deserve all the ridicule they would receive. I think that this would include those people in our government who are persecuting this ministry.

I Stand Corrected

“It has nothing to do with us. There is a popular Christian song with the title, "What Can I do For You My Lord." We can do nothing for God. In reality, God works out His will through us. I has nothing to do with us as all.

My problem is that I want to help God. I cannot help God because if I were to assist, it would never be perfect. Can I make a difference in the world or make a difference in my life or make a gesture toward God that He has not already prepared me to make?

I am here to do the good works that He has prepared for me to accomplish before the foundation of the world. Maybe if I sat back and enjoyed the ride I would find more contentment in my relationship. Instead, I want to be the one in control and I know where that leads, in the wrong direction.

I know what you mean, and it comes from our Judeo Christian work ethic from the 1500's. The problem is: we can not work for God, He works through us.”

Jimmie has a good point, but then what are mentors for? I think maybe my last question was not worded correctly. The first two were definitely more about an evidence of Yeshua in our lives and somewhat redundant. The third had to do with our willing submission to His will. The fourth, in retrospect, while looking like a good question to ask could be construed the way Jimmie saw it. The real question should be: Are we dying unto ourselves each day, taking up our cross, and following Him. Is it evident in our lives that we have submitted to Him and doing whatever it is he would have us do. In a sense giving up our selfish desires to do His will and become the instruments for His plan he meant for us to be? Jimmie is right our own pathetic attempts will only meet with eventual failure, but if we allow Yeshua to guide our moves and submit our will to His we can do miraculous things.

BTW if you have not been to his blog it is definitely worth the time to read what he has to say.

Whatever

I was going to write a second part to “Defining Love” but I got so many great answers I think it would be redundant.

It is interesting though where you will gain inspiration for a thought. I was going through the songs I have on my computer at work trying to put together a playlist and came across a couple of songs by Stephen Curtis Chapman. The two songs were “The Change” and “Whatever”. “The Change” is a song about the change that should be evident in our lives when we accept Christ, “Whatever” is a song about surrendering our lives to the call G_d has placed on our lives. I was doing this while contemplating what it is that separates the believer from the non-believer, the redeemed from the lost. I know the answer, but these are the kinds of things I contemplate from time to time. Well all of this got me to thinking about a few questions. What is the evidence of Yeshua in your life? Would someone be able to accuse you of following Jesus just my examining your life? Are you willing to do whatever is required of you? What is the difference you are making?

“Whatever” is a powerful word. In today’s world that word has become one of disrespect, used to dismiss those who do not agree. It is a much more powerful word of acceptance though. When we surrender our life and tell Yeshua “Whatever” we are telling him we will do what He requires of us. I for one want to be one of those who tell Him “whatever”. If we do that, the rest of the answers to the other questions will fall into place.

Christians And The Law

A little while ago I was told that if I Christian expected someone to live by Levitical law then they had to live by that law as well. To be honest I got mad and walked away from the conversation at that point. I wanted a biblical refutation for that argument. It seems that I have been shown one.

Rather than write it here I will link to Triton who wrote the post and let you read what he said. it is from Acts chapter 15 verses 5-21

Christians and the Law

One More Blogroll Update

When I updated my blogroll lat week I forgot someone I have read from time to time and he reads my blog as well.

If you have ever thought Archie Bunker was right you will love 704 Houser Street.

Defining Love Part 1

What is love, and how do we know it is love? This is one of the big questions almost all followers of Yeshua ask. During a discussion over at Morgan’s (The debates can be interesting) she trotted out one of her favorite verses and it got me thinking just what does that verse mean.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
John 13:34 NASB

The commandment seems pretty straightforward. We are to love one another as Yeshua loves us. So the question in following the commandment is what constitutes love. Is it some Kind of emotion, is it more something substantive like an action, or is it something all together different. I first thought of looking up a definition for love, but I thought better of that, it would be inadequate and most likely a modern definition. So I asked myself how would I define it then? It was sitting right smack dab in front of my face in the verse. Find out how Yeshua showed His love and then we can define it.

Finding all of the references to His love is turning out to be a more daunting task than I originally thought. So I am going to turn this into a two parter. I would like to see how my readers see His love. I know His love is simple, but it is complex in the ways he showed it. How is that for a conundrum?