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.

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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.

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.

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

A Work in Progress

A Work in Progress – Becoming What We Are in Christ

1 Samuel 16:7b NKJV. “… For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

2 Corinthians 5:14, 16 NKJV. “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; … Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.”

Is this to say that we need not espouse the directive to become holy, that our sanctification is not to be manifest, that we never encourage or exhort or pray for one another, or that the life of Christ within us remains some sort of hidden candle that never brings its light to the world, or that it is OK to sin that grace may abound?

By no means!

What it does mean is that we do not judge according to our own standards of what we see on the outside of a person, as indicating what God is doing on the inside of a person, as to their spiritual progress. We are to regard them as someone for whom Christ shed His blood and thus they are His claim. What He works in them, or the time it takes is not up to us.

So often our regard for one another is according to the flesh. We need to “see” a different way. Paul points to a “mystery” here: that is, if One (Jesus Christ) died for all, then all died. 

This is the feature of proclaiming the Gospel, so that all who died in Christ may hear and also join Him in His resurrection, as having been made new creatures in Him.

Let’s consider that in light of Ephesians 2:4-10.  I’ll let you look that up rather than writing it here. Have you taken this reality to heart? It means to live according to the “vision” of already having died and made love in the death and resurrection of Jesus! It is in this reality that we live, move, and have our being – becoming what we have been made already – ever being cleansed and made whole by grace through faith, and that the Holy Spirit is ever cleansing us and making us whole – wholly – holy more like Jesus all the time.

We become what we are. Paradoxically. Choose into it and live out from it. That is the expectation of the Gospel!

Pick up an acorn from the ground, and say, “This is an oak tree!” And so it will be – when it is planted into the ground, subjected to being diminished and to dying to its current form. That must happen, if the “life codes” put in it by our Creator are to be awakened, and thus it may gradually become something other than a little nut. It involves a process to become what it is, that great big tree that we cannot see, except with the eyes of faith in God’s intention for the acorn.

Like the acorn, we are to become what we are, not just remain little nuts. That is the expectation of the Gospel! But, as Jesus makes clear, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” John 12:24 NKJV. That is applicable to any seed, pit, or nut.

Here’s another way to see it. 

As I write this, I can see a very large painting I finished some months ago, yet it was started over 25 years ago! There were clearly long periods of dormancy. Other priorities seemed to prohibit finishing it. It sat in the basement gathering dust for years after only the background had been painted. It had to be lifted out of its space in the dark, and put back on the easel. Cleaned up before the rest of the paint could be applied to it. Then recently, something prompted me to get working on it again, and it seemed urgent to complete it. So a work in progress, even though with many delays, had finally become what it was intended to be – after it became clear in my mind what the subject was really all about.

As I finished it, I realized that this is how the Christian life works. It’s always a work in progress. We are its recipients, thanks be to the Holy Spirit.

We should never give up on anyone, especially our fellow believers, as confused or problematic as they may seem to us! Jesus does not give up on us! 

This is why we do not cease to give thanks and to make mention of one another in our prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ and Father of glory, may give to us all the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. This is a paraphrase from Ephesians 5 beginning at verse 15-23. It was how Paul prayed for believers!

This prayer is well worth adapting, to be prayed over all who name the name of Christ Jesus. We can include our sometimes discouraged selves! We cannot see what we are to be without the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. Once you see it, you cannot unsee it, and the “vision” will encourage and spur you on.

It’s important to get rid of the reductionistic, “linear” thinking that has beset the definitions of the Gospel. We have to see all that He has made available to us, in order to be all that He desires us to become according to His will – comprehending no one according to the flesh. In other words according to our human, finite opinions about where this one or that one ought to be by now.

The Holy Spirit used my painting to illustrate this to me. The chief Creator and Master Artist! He reinforced – with the encouragement of this project – an understanding about His work in me, and especially in others. It just doesn’t happen all at once. His grace is all sufficient! And He is patient beyond our imagining.

I have also noticed that some of the great classic hymns were not brought forth to completion overnight. Lyrics, for example, might have been penned by a Reformer from the 16th century, but the words were known only to a few of perhaps his contemporaries. Or the words may have been written by someone anonymous, yet having a good sense of being able to combine good theology with poetry. Yet a century later, someone else comes up with a melody. And a century after that someone translates it, and it is published and put into a hymnal – which you have the honor of holding in your hands. The truly worthwhile works seldom happen in the blink of an eye.

(And just an aside – this is also why I advocate for the use of hymnals: They put you in a prayerful posture, with your head bowed and your hands in a receptive position, filled with the word of God in poetic rendition.) 

Nature and creative processes are works of God that don’t happen overnight. And so it is with those to whom God gives the right to become His sons and daughters, those who believe on His name. We are His workmanship, cast in the earth forge of affliction and trial, to bring forth beings of eternal glory and beauty and fitting us for the heavenly kingdom. This is an amazing gift!

Consequently we must be patient in prayer, even for those who may resist the Gospel as they live according to the world and the flesh. Prayer and patience will prevail. We see them and call upon God on their behalf, always remembering that the purchase price of their soul has been paid by the blood of the Lamb Who takes away the sin of the world. 

There’s also a time and a place for a truthful admonition, rebuke, or some encouragement, by the way.

We should also be ever prepared to present the precious foundational Gospel with this understanding: that which has been provided in and through the work of Christ Jesus must be entered into and lived, in repentance and faith, ever turning to Him Who has been given all authority in heaven and on earth.

Let’s never take for granted the “Great Commission.” “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ ” Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV. Pray, ponder, proclaim!

“But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:8,9 NKJV.

Rambling Thoughts on a World at War

There is so much good, beauty, and creativity which our Creator Heavenly Father has brought us into in this life. It is here to enjoy and to bless and to strengthen. All anyone has to do is look out the window or step outside to see it. Or look at the face of someone near and dear, and say, here is the image of God right in front of me.

The electronic devices have us instead peering into the oblong icon of technocracy and its allurements. It becomes more and more difficult for parents to exercise their God given authority to monitor what their children are being exposed to. And certainly the public schools – another “trusted authority” – add to this defilement of children through some teachers and officials who are absolutely unworthy of any sort of trust.

Although it’s clear that there are things that will take place before our Lord returns, there’s a part of me that still cannot, in some ways, fathom that we’re in a space where so many love only the darkness, and want to bring others – especially children – into it and literally work to defile and demoralize them.

A “culture” that also seeks to murder its unborn and infants, to legitimize assisted suicide, to rid itself of the old or infirm, or anyone it regards as “useless” or inconvenient or too expensive, and also continues on its path of (its old favorite) war (asymmetric and eventually kinetic) and destruction in plundering and possessing other people’s stuff, so they can play god and “redistribute” the wealth according to that culture’s atheist ideology, is headed for destruction itself. Whether it can even be regarded as a culture is debatable.

Is it any wonder that John the Apostle makes clear that the whole world (system) is under the power of the evil one?

Go and read the little Book of Jude in the Bible, and see if it is not a depiction of our times. Many will say, Oh, there have always been times such as these. Yet… those times were somewhat regional. Currently these attitudes and afflictions are on a global scale.

As Christ makes clear, “And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It will be hot,’ and it is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky. Why don’t you know how to interpret the present time? And why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?” Luke 12:55-57. (Berean Study Bible)

The world has been at war for longer than most imagine. That began in Genesis 3.

But still the blessed and the beautiful are present. Because God is present everywhere.

Seek Him with all your heart; seek Him in all you find before you each day; seek Him in His Word which reveals His Son. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you. It is vital to walk with Him now.

In Christ Above the Circumstances

Psalm 31:19. NASB “How great is Your goodness, Which You have stored up for those who fear You, Which You have performed for those who take refuge in You, Before the sons of mankind!”

When reading through this psalm, it becomes evident that King David is experiencing a great amount of adversity. The accounts of his life reveal unimaginable strife, turmoil, conflict, war, affliction, sin, and rebellion. All of these conspired against the reign over God’s people tasked to him by the Lord.

Yet in reading this Psalm, what becomes clear is that his attention is set above these problems. The progression of his prayer shows first how he brings his lament over circumstances to the Lord, and he moves into confession of faith :14 and following – “But as for me, I trust in You. You are my God. My times are in Your hands.”

He then asks for deliverance from his enemies and persecutors, and to be saved out of the circumstances. It was also time for the wicked to have their day of shame, even to be silenced in the grave! He boldly calls on the power of God to put down the bullies (my word) who lie and speak insolent things with pride and contempt against the righteous. This seems to be the pivotal point for turning things around – where the prayer itself changes direction.

What follows is essentially a chorus of praise of God, Who in spite of circumstances works miraculous things, bringing the light of awareness of it into very dark times. Right in front of a world in conflict and opposition with the Lord and His people.

Verses 23 and 24 are strong encouragement to love the Lord and hope in Him. This is for all us saints – those set apart for His plans and purposes. Be of good courage! (A good time to check out Romans 8:18-30) The promise follows, based upon his experiences and knowledge , “He shall strengthen your heart!”

There’s a little meme out there which keeps popping up: “Stay calm and pray a psalm.” You can also sing, chant, read reflectively, or meditate on one as well. Keep God’s truth central!

This one covers the bases of how prayer can flow, going from a lament over how things are perceived circumstantially, through laying down that view and burden at the Lord’s feet, and then accelerating up into a place of transcending our view of circumstances, by way of declaring and praising God’s goodness and blessing, which is for those who put their trust in Him. This is in the presence of the sons of men, who will either be full of hatred and envy, or there may be some who will see it who will come to Him in surrender.

This is why the Psalms are often called the prayer book or the hymn book of the Church. Over and over the pattern is made clear, by David and the other very artful inspired sacred song writers who contributed to the Psalms, that our Lord is very interactive in the affairs of those whom He has claimed in Christ Jesus. The Psalms make prayer practical and applicable.

If our “religion” is not that, making us aware of what a relationship with God looks like, then of what use is it?

Thoughts in Christ winging toward you, dear reader.

Celestial Nomad out.

Grieve-ance

Grievance

Don’t you find it disturbing that – not only are we going through some unparalleled, unprecedented times (that they are global rather than regional makes it so, IMO) – but that so few even notice, even when something is shown to them?

This is where we have to be careful. Especially when it comes to name calling, such as what gets thrown around in the way of “They are so stupid…” You think you’re smart because you see something and are aware. You have awakened. And you aren’t too much bothered by it… But “THEY” are just ignorant and stupid.

Chem trails. The effects of the injectacide (y’all know what I mean). Poison in the air, the water, the food. Lies. Propaganda. Crooked elections. Open borders. Media lies and celeb mouthpieces who are most unworthy “idols.” (But what is a “worthy” idol? An oxymoron.) Constant bombardment of “ain’t it awful” from so many sources – ever so well intentioned – who keep pounding and hounding about the bad news (and it is bad), and put it in front of you, as if force feeding you “truth” that is like journalistic spinach (or pick anything else you hate to eat).

No thanks. I got it. Now I will process it in my own way, and in my own prayerful timing.

There is a war against mankind going on right now. An all out assault on all levels. There are devils in human disguise on the loose on every front. Satan is real. His minions and human sycophants are busy and well organized. We all have our own perspectives on that. Some call it the “4th Turning.”

So let’s just stop with that analysis for a few moments, and connect with some compassion, as to how some folks respond to it. They’re not all “stupid.” They hurt and are in denial. Who has not lost something, or someone, or what characterized your life as “old normal” before “all this” picked up its momentum before?

What we can conclude is that perhaps there’s a massive GRIEVING going on over what has been lost. We have all been assaulted on many fronts – spiritual, psychological, physical, mental, emotional… In some cases the very core of being has been tampered with and damaged severely. Each one of us has a story on that of what the cost has been for the last, specifically 3 years since 2019.

What is common is the GRIEVING!

If you think you’re handling this well, and are proud of it, well, good for you. But some people are not handling things well. They may not be STUPID, as they have been judged, but they may be in the DENIAL phase. If someone does not have the “tools” or the toughness that you have to handle what’s going on, how about growing a little understanding, instead of name calling?

Each of the phases of grieving are handled at different paces by different individuals. And this is global grieving, on a scale never before experienced by humankind.

Evil has the upper hand. This is “Satan’s Little Season,” as it has been referred to. It will not last forever. Because those involved plant the seed of evil, they will eventually reap their own harvest.

But people are being hurt. Desperately in some cases. We ought no to add to that, especially if we name the name of Christ.

A good place to start with an attitude adjustment, as far as bringing a little balm to the wounded, is Psalm 37:1,2. “Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.”

It’s good to have “situational awareness.” But sometimes it’s also good to know when to back off. Especially if it becomes a matter of pride in knowledge, to the point where we become part of the problem.

Just A Short One

From an undisclosed location somewhere along the eastern shores of a very icy and uninviting Lake Michigan…

Here’s a perspective, for everyone muttering about how the weather has interrupted your plans. Let’s imagine for a moment – since “the season” celebrates the day that the Creator of the Universe entered into HIS world to redeem it – a different perspective. Everybody is making a fuss, all bustling around, stressed out over “their” own parties, and gifting one another.

Maybe this storm, with a major highway shut down, and forbidding conditions, is His way of saying that He’s giving you an opportunity to talk to Him, slow down, to spend some time in His word, and getting to know Him…

But no one is talking to the Guest of Honor? A most peculiar thing.

Hmmm. Maybe we need to think about that for a moment.

If you can possibly spare the time.

Sailing back Into and Out of the Blue,

Your Celestial Nomad,

Blaiseintotheblue

From the Shire

Leave No Stone Unturned

We went for a neighborhood walk on this beautiful spring day. Quiet conversation emerged, as we pointed out the trees budding, birds singing, fallen trees, and how well the bakery seems to be doing in spite of what has happened. Well, sure – it’s carryout.

GB picked up a stone someone painted and left by the wayside. It says, “Keep moving.” I will try to be mindful of that sage advice.

Slower than usual, we walk along, me with my walking stick, as I fancy myself among the quietly pensive companions in the Shire, as they realize how things are not what they were. Nor will they ever be. Not only politically, but physically too. Back trouble, knee trouble, foot trouble. Effects all sides and parts. Sometimes it moves to my right thumb. Sometimes I get a Charlie Horse in my left hand. That’s especially interesting when driving or playing my guitar. Never know what’s going to hurt first or give out when anymore. Living in hope I will see the “missing parts” of my far flung beloved family and relatives once more. Somehow. While still in this life.

No special triumphs to boast about here. Sinner still in need of a Savior in a besieged land. But, it is what it is, and God has been, is, and always will be Good. Life is good too because it is a gift of God. In spite of what physical senses and the news tell us. Perhaps He asks us to look beyond what we see with new eyes, into higher purposes. Beyond the darkness, into the dawn.

“Remember my affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and bitterness. Surely my soul remembers And is bowed down within me. This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope.The LORD’S loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, says my soul, Therefore I have hope in Him.
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently For the salvation of the LORD.”

~from Lamentations 3~

 

Soli Deo Gloria!