Why?

The question comes up often, why would God allow His children to go through tribulation? This theme is treated throughout the Scripture and well patterned in the Old Testament. The lives of the martyrs throughout the centuries reflect it as well.

It goes something like this. “For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.’ If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it..” Hebrews 12:3-11.

It’s surprising how this understanding has gotten lost. Yet not really, considering how a “soft” gospel, which seems to have arrived about the same time as the Hal Lindsay, CI Scoffield, and JN Darby heresy came into full view, essentially taking over much opinion by the 1970s.

I can recall being taught the understanding of the purpose of tribulation, small or large, growing up in a parochial school where there were good foundations. It always made sense. God’s ways are not our ways. If there is going to be any “great tribulation” that is on the way, or may be already unfolding, this is how God refines and forms and transforms us into heirs and joint heirs in Christ Jesus. This is how the Church from of old understood things.

We have to remember, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28,29.

It’s not a “pop Christianity” notion that, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.” Psalm 111:10

God is God. Not your buddy or your boyfriend or your best life now coach. He readies us for eternity. His love is expressed in both justice and mercy. He creates and re-creates us anew. A former pastor used to put it this way, “He afflicts the comfortable, and comforts the afflicted.”

Worth pondering.

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Saint Patrick or Syncretism?

Since ’tis the Day… here’s the prayer. See bold print below.

It is puzzling why the images of impish trickster demons (Leprechauns) are used for celebrating an amazing saint of the ancient past, when this prayer would be a far nobler tribute, and it is all but unknown in its full version. “… Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul; Christ to shield me today…”

Can’t have it both ways. Or maybe that shows the syncretism and superstition people allow themselves in “being spiritual.” Or is this something once more hijacked by the world?

It all begs the question, What fellowship has light with darkness???

St Patrick’s Breastplate:

I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through belief in the Threeness, Through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.

I arise today Through the strength of Christ’s birth with His baptism, Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial, Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension, Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.

I arise today Through the strength of the love of cherubim, In the obedience of angels, In the service of archangels, In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward, In the prayers of patriarchs, In the predictions of prophets, In the preaching of apostles, In the faith of confessors, In the innocence of holy virgins, In the deeds of righteous men.

I arise today, through The strength of heaven, The light of the sun, The radiance of the moon, The splendor of fire, The speed of lightning, The swiftness of wind, The depth of the sea, The stability of the earth, The firmness of rock.

I arise today, through God’s strength to pilot me, God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me, God’s shield to protect me, God’s host to save me From snares of devils, From temptation of vices, From everyone who shall wish me ill, afar and near.

I summon today All these powers between me and those evils, Against every cruel and merciless power that may oppose my body and soul, Against incantations of false prophets, Against black laws of pagandom, Against false laws of heretics, Against craft of idolatry, Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards, Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul; Christ to shield me today Against poison, against burning, Against drowning, against wounding, So that there may come to me an abundance of reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every one who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through belief in the Threeness. Through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation. Amen.

Wandering Thoughts for the Day

Warning: And they – the thoughts – really will wander. Thought bullets. Shotgun out the back door. Not well aimed. Without effort at punctuation or sentence structure. Strictly stream of consciousness. Or maybe not?

Here we go…

Based on actual social media experience – It’s interesting to watch the “touchy” people disappear from the “friend” flock. Birds of a feather? Not likely. Honestly, it doesn’t hurt my feelings one bit, since in some cases every post or (response/comment) was like walking on eggshells. If the shoe fits, wear it. All I can say is, they wouldn’t last 5 minutes in the environment I used to work in for decades. It was a great place to grow a thick skin.

Fly! Fly! B’bye.

Social media is sort of a field study of personalities (eeks!), some of whom would not be actual friends in real life. They provide a so called “online community” (IMO, an oxymoron!) where everybody gets tossed in together, then make a bunch of “community standards” (cough, choke…) which are not readily available, and then watch what happens.

The pattern seems to be, what’s been defined as good and evil for thousands of years – because that seems to work for providing social order – has suddenly been turned tail over teacups by a bunch of ego maniacs who think they are going to become “gods.”

I suspect this is why these “social” platforms were created, to profile everybody perceived as being under the domains of those who consider themselves as superior to the rest of us in every way.

The old bait and switch. My, isn’t this fun. We can all keep up with one another. But… then it becomes a risk to post pictures of one’s grandkids or even the dog.

Where else would the idea of herd immunity come from, unless someone seems to regard us as a herd of beasts? Personally I find the idea of being labelled that way objectionable. I know Who my Creator is, and that I was created in His Image. It’s not about any herd! Those who would redefine us are His adversaries. On their way to their own demise, since what is sown will eventually be reaped.

Size you up psychologically, physically (facial recognition, biometrics) emotionally, what your interests are. Aggressive. Passive. Pretenders. So everybody self censors. Possibly not the best idea, since that registers with the PTWB (powers that wanna be) as perhaps, well, weak. Writing and posting anything that requires any real thinking or analysis, well, that is unHERD of.

Suppose for a moment that the goal of the PTWB is to mine data on you and me to be used to create an artificial reality – including holographic imagery, which will be incredibly “real”, cunning and manipulative, using one’s very best and very worst traits against them. And everything in between. Tools of manipulation and control. Just suppose. Go ahead. Unlock that door with the key of imagination. Or did they somehow get it into your head that imagination is evil?

And you won’t know what’s real and what isn’t anymore, especially as far as “news” and information. Per some reliable reports (not mainstream) this m.o. is already online, but not quite entirely. Don’t ask where this is going.

The best shot may be to stay off the Internet entirely, where both current events and history may be experiencing significant manipulation, redaction, and obfuscation. You yourself may be up for “redefinition” without your even knowing about it.

By the way, that’s not my tinfoil hat you see; it’s a Faraday Cage for my brain.

Over ‘n’ out. Off into the blue.

Just Dropped in for a Short One

So every day I check my iCloud email which gets only special meaningful emails. Or at least that is my intention. Not the gmail one which is all purpose.

Apple apparently thinks it’s ok to send “news” reports being caught up in the cloud as they are. I finally figured out how to get them funneled into the junk folder. “Spam” is not a thing with those. It does not exist, so they still clutter up things and must be deleted.

The curious thing is that almost every one of them begins with, “Here’s what you need to know about…” As someone who loves to write and is allergic to, um, baloney, I can say that they need to know that this is a really dreadfully predictable way to introduce anything anyone really needs to know.

What’s also predictable is that I will put it in the trash folder and delete it without opening it. This also goes for other things that read, “Breaking news!” Or other sensationalist cliches which are intended to bring some “crisis” to your attention, which you already knew 2 weeks ago.

Another favorite is “Bombshell report!” Well, empty shells, bomb or otherwise, don’t pack much of a wallop now, do they? Thud. Clink. Fizzle.

Oh where, oh where have real journalists gone? Hard to be real when you’re told what to say or write, and your 6 or 7 figure a year income makes you keep repeating the same thing you’re told to regurgitate.

That’s why I like hanging with the bloggers. No hype about need to know, breaking news, or bombshells. Just real thoughts from real people.

Until later,

Blaiseintotheblue

Rain on the Parade

Things as they are: Empires come and empires go. There’s a self destruct mechanism built in to putting out lies, schemes, self interest, and murderous ways. Nothing new under the sun.

It’s just Amerika’s turn as the Empire goes dark, corrupt, and into self destruct mode.

The whole world lies under the power of the evil one, says St. John. Biz as usual. We can be aware, yes. But to go into Chicken Little mode and cry out that the sky is falling, regarding every dark report that comes out? And it’s going to get very dark…

The question is, Whose are you, and therefore who are you?

It’s raining on the parade.

Jesus Christ, to Whom is given all authority in heaven and on earth reigns over all things. Even the parade.

Till next time, off into the blue.

Only a messenger and Celestial Nomad

Be Encouraged

So much darkness being passed around! Guilty as charged am I at times. An easy thing to get trapped into when you care.

Yet – Trying to deflect the view in another direction without being a Pollyanna. Sure, it’s pretty dark. There are other “levels” of reality besides what’s in front of your physical eyes.

What do we see? How should we see the times? This was on my heart this morning. Reading this against its historical backdrop helps. You can check that out in some good commentaries. It was bleak, and complex but …

2 Kings 6:15-17. ‘When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.’

Lord, give us eyes of faith to see as Elisha saw, and as by prayer his fearful servant’s eyes were opened, so let it be for Your servants. … “Oh for a faith that will not shrink, though pressed by many a foe; that will not tremble on the brink of poverty or woe.” Ah, those good old hymns I learned growing up. God’s Word set to music. They never fail to show up on the Winds of the Spirit!

We HAVE TO see beyond what our mind, senses, and all this information tell us.

“Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” 1 Corinthians 10:11

Ponder that.

And pray for one another!

Soli Deo Gloria. Amen.

Curiosity and Tin Icons

This morning I ran into an interesting quote. “Curiosity is the lust of the mind.” That came from Thomas Hobbes. (You can look him up.) While I cannot agree with all he embraced as philosophy and beliefs, the quote is a provocative one.

I’ve heard that word “curiosity” bandied about as if with a personal pat on the back, as if it is some sort of virtue. Is it? Or is it a lust, a desire, of the mind?

Paul also addresses this in Ephesians 2:3, where he refers to the desires or lusts of both the flesh and of the mind, as being a part of the unregenerate life – “BC” before Christ.

A Christian may have given up booze, tobacco, drugs, and sex, yet still have PRIDE in the pursuits of information gathering, given its excuse in curiosity, not realizing that this is a form of mental lust no different from physical addictions. Its effect can be the same. It makes a person insensitive to the needs of others and self centered. If it is on the level of addiction.

Especially when everybody has their little “tin icon” cellphone or other “device” into which one may gaze to satiate his mental lust for information, his curiosity. Even religious information. Beware. Forest Gump might say it’s like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get. Truth. Falsehood. In between – that one’s really slippery.

The Greeks of old sat around discussing philosophy. It was their passion. A pass time especially among those with a lot of time and affluence, the leisure class. Think Paul on Mars Hill. Didn’t they call him just a babbler? The “how great I art” of the intellectuals. Oh, those pesky subtle passions! The flesh. The old Adam. The exaltation of the mind with information.

Now many people just isolate themselves from giving and receiving love by gazing into the tin icon. Thus it certainly may serve as the drug of choice of the masses. The new bread and circuses. Maybe even a new techno religion?

Information is the drug of choice for those who may not indulge the lusts of the flesh. The lust of the mind still has its hold on them. The internet info glut also provides faster access to resources for other reading materials. And endless, futile discussions, discussions, and discussions. Books, books, books… “But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive study is wearying to the body.” Ecclesiastes 12:12.

Was it Daniel who pointed out this increase of knowledge and its dangers at the end of days?

Jesus says in Jn 13:34,35 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

What Jesus offered was the Way that was and is available to everyone, literate, illiterate, rich, poor. But it was there and is here for the living of it. Not by how much info – old or new – you amass, but how much you resemble Him. That is what matters.

It’s not rocket science and it doesn’t take a seminary degree. It takes offering our heart to the Holy Spirit in godly sorrow for our self indulgence and failure to love, in repentance, and a willingness to surrender to His work in us, and to pray for His power to overcome this subtle thing that is so pervasive today, because so many are addicted to information gathering. That includes the devoutly religious too.

The devices suck us in and enthrall us. Holy Spirit, help us to see this, and empower us to overcome it! Grant us the desire to hate whatever destroys God’s will for us!

It’s interesting that this “desire” of the mind Paul speaks of is from the Greek “thelemata.” Interesting that the most evil man that ever lived, Aleister Crowley, called his demonic spiritual path “Thelema”. Hmmm. Draw your own conclusions. Suffice it to say, that path was all about desire.

And it is this obsession for information that can keep separating people who don’t even realize they are engaging the desires of the mind along these lines!

Let us then put aside the sin that besets us, the addiction of either flesh or mind, and get to the business of actually living a life of Christ love.

Let us hear what Jesus says characterizes His ecclesia.

Disclaimer: This is not for the purpose of downplaying reading and legitimate education; it is for those whose passion for information keeps them from living what they may even be reading about.

Disclaimer 2: This writer is not necessarily onboard with the ideas expressed in ads which may occur with this blog.

The Asbury Event

What’s really disturbing is the outcry of CRITICISM of this event at Asbury U… “They didn’t say this; they didn’t do that… it’s not going where we think it should… it’s not ‘changing our country’… bla, bla, bla…”

For crying out loud!!! Are you God? It’s up to Him what He’s doing and where He’s taking it and how long HIS PLAN – not your ideas – will take.

Reminds me of some events from the Bible. “He cannot possibly be the Messiah. He comes from Nazareth. Can any good thing come from there?” (Get the whole story, eh?)

“Even though we prayed for Peter all night, that couldn’t be him at the door. They had him locked up! Must be his ghost. Nothing to see here.”

Why pray if you don’t really believe prayer will be answered??? You pray for a move of God, and when something starts with signs following of repentance and contrition and rebirth, well, that just cannot possibly be a move of God. Because it’s not happening the way you think it should.

We ought to be thankful and on our knees rejoicing and repenting that God would even come to do ANYTHING in a country this full of depravity and hypocrisy. It’s a blessing and a show of His willingness to show up where He is still welcome. These young people know that the mess this world is will unfold under their watch. And what better thing to do than to prepare themselves with prayer and inviting Him to be present in events to which there are going to be no human answers!

Have a care, you nay sayers. You’re about a nano millimeter from the potential of blaspheming the Holy Spirit!

Soli Deo Gloria! Amen!

Prayer as a Way of Life

See Col 4:2 NASB. “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.”

During the wee hours (one of my friends calls this the “4th Watch”) I was strongly stirred to write out prayers for every person on the evening prayer list. My time for insomnia to hit. Roughly 3-6 a.m. Redeeming the time. Not that I have completed that task yet, but I’m coming to realize that it’s not just about responding with a praying hands emoji to the needs of loved ones or the world. Actually praying is more than an intention in your head.

It is helpful to be orderly when it comes to prayer and to keep it centered in Scripture as the focus of meditation. Lack of “structure” may be what puts off a great many people from ever developing a solid prayer practice. There may also be a critical attitude toward any sort of written prayers as well. Personally I find written prayers and prayer books very useful as a springboard into more personalized or spontaneous praying. They help to get things on track as well as keeping it there, and aid with being mindful of one’s connection to God throughout the day.

God knows our tendencies toward a wandering mind and distraction, especially in a time when so many claim ADHD and the like, so He would probably rather that we draw near and begin with form prayers than not at all. The more one turns toward God in prayer, the better. Besides, it is good discipline to learn to be still, and it may be that some of our “pathology” is due to never having had that encouraged as a child. Nor might there have been any example of it. Just saying…

Written prayers (you can make up your own too) make good launch pads into more spontaneous talks with Jesus. Over time I have found it useful to develop 2 sets of prayers – a personal one to begin the day, then one for evening where the family can pray together. Prayer features to begin and end the day. It takes a little getting used to, but it becomes a very good habit, as it greatly improves the spiritual atmosphere of the home. God is given the lead, and no one can go wrong with that! 

To share prayer at least once a day is, in my opinion, as vital – if not more so – as sharing a meal together as a family. These are times where there’s a rather patent agenda to isolate and separate people, and this is a good way to combat that direction in our own homes, if we do not allow the sinister powers that be to fragment our families by not praying together and sharing a meal at the same time at the same table together. We should always desire to see things for what they are, and then call our Lord Jesus Christ into it to be our guide and protector.

Ephesians 6:18 NASB. “With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints.”  

1 Corinthians 14:14,15 NASB. “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive. What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit, but I will sing with the mind also.” 

1 Samuel 12:23 NASB. “Furthermore, as for me, far be it from me that I would sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way.”

These passages all point to the fact that the work of God’s people is prayer more than anything. We are the body temples of the Holy Spirit. Jesus calls His Father’s house a house of prayer.

Christ our Head intercedes for us, makes His plea before the Mercy Seat on behalf of His shed blood for our sins and having paid the death penalty for us. He is the Head and we are His body. So is not the body where the head is, engaged in what the Head does?

Samuel calls it sin to fail to pray for God’s people, even when they strayed! We are to pray at all times. We are to pray with both the spirit and the understanding. Paul exemplified and taught this to a very high degree.

The beauty of prayer as our service to others is that, even as one becomes older or may be disabled, it is a good way to stay spiritually fruitful. Jesus directs us to go into our inner room, shut the door, and pray in secret, per Matthew 6:5,6. That is encouraging for anyone with decreasing mobility or ability for going out to an activity, and who might feel that he or she has nothing to offer anymore amidst the people of Christ.

The Royal Priesthood is not only about worship and praise and “activity” but also prayer. Older Christians or disabled who still desire to serve the Lord and His people do well to consider devoting themselves to prayer as a new way of life! Consider how, in exile, the Lord mightily used an elderly John!

We do well also to pray for those who are shut in, or for anyone who seems to be left out of the church shuffle, so to speak, that the Holy Spirit would stir their hearts to kindle in them the will and the wherewithal to be about the Heavenly Father’s business of prayer, as their opportunity to still offer and contribute this gift of prayer.

Soli Deo Gloria. Amen.

Over, ’n’ out, Blaiseintotheblue

On the Day of “Love”

What Is Love About Anyway? What does it really look like?

“A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them would be considered the greatest. So Jesus declared, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors. But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves.” Luke 22:24-26.

Everybody wants to “be somebody.” But who wants to be as Jesus? The culture encourages being recognized, being a person of letters or titles. Being important.

But Jesus takes a different direction – “and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28.

With Jesus, the Way “up” is the way down!

Is the servant greater than THE Master, Who is and always has called Himself the Servant of all?

“Power” for Jesus means humility and servanthood. That is Love. This is how He upholds all things by the word of His “power,” His authority. It is based on love, not force, or lording over. The universe would not last a nano second if it were otherwise!

Imagine for a few moments being in a world where everyone lets go of self ambition, and serves and loves others from the heart.

That is what heaven will be like – those who “look like” Jesus in their manner of being. All giving from hearts transformed into His likeness.

Hell will be full of ambitious self seekers who can never have enough of what they want for themselves.

Not far from what earth is like now, and why we need to remember His Way.

Peace be with you,

Blaiseintotheblue