What's coming?

  What to do? Oh, what to do?.........  Rome is burning.  Turning to ash and crumbling all around us! What of my children? How will they survive the world we leave behind for them?

  What's right has now been deemed offensive.  You cannot criticize. You cannot speak your mind or speak of the truth without being labeled a racist, a bigot or xenophobe.  How have we gotten here so fast and can we turn the tide? Even in some of our churches- Our pastors have replaced truth with twisted acceptance of sin as to not condemn or correct the sinner for fear of not adhering to the instruction "judge lest ye be judged". Without biblical truth, our instruction manual, all that remains is chaos and destruction.

And thus, we have:

  Brother against brother.  Nation against nation.  We are a country divided, too entrenched in ideology or in our own interpretation of right and wrong to reach out to each other.  To build upon our strengths and our common ground. To let go of our deep need to be right and make believers out of our critics. This is America. A nation set apart by God to be the light in the darkness.  Instead we have embraced the dark. The wolf in sheep clothing. The temptress with a wicked design. A devouring, spirit corrupting, soul taking demon....... Tolerance, inclusion, political correctness; synonyms for the great deceiver.

  I will not quietly reside in my fear and fret upon such silly things as offending my brothers and sisters.  I will not soften my speech in order to blindly accept evil as "the ways things are" and to not offend.  No!  I WILL judge others.  I will judge their actions, their associations, their words.  I will judge a mans destructive behavior.  I will not idly watch as the world slowly dies. I will speak.  I will pray.  I will correct and will not be afraid. I will praise the Lord God and I will petition the Lord for intervention with my family, myself, my friends; and yes, for you too.

  We are all His children. We all have His spirit within our being, guiding us to do right.  Whispering warnings to us when we violate His law and yet as children often do, we are disobedient and will continue to be so until corrected.  Those of you who have little ones know that this is true.  Are we now as adults so enlightened in our arrogance to believe we choose what is right and wrong; we set the rules?  That there are no longer consequences for breaking His law?  That we are above correction?

Oh, how deceived are we!

Lord God,
  I am not a perfect man.  I am a lost shepherd. A pitiful steward of what You have given me, yet You continue to bless me more than I or any other man deserve.  Strengthen my resolve. Temper my heart with compassion, conviction, love and without condemnation for my brothers and sisters.
Please continue pouring out your blessings upon our families, churches, pastors, leaders and friends. Though we, I, have not earned it, forgive us of our sins and turn our wicked hearts back to You. May Your will be done in all things and in Your time.

In Your sons holy name,
Amen


Footnote : The past several months I have had many conversations with God.  I have meditated on His truth, studied history and culture and the language of the ages and how it has changed over time and impacted the meaning of words we use today.  In doing so I have discovered a new and appreciated understanding of the Word.  I mentioned above Mathew 7:1-3 " ¹Judge not, that ye be not judged.² For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.³ And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" - KJV.  It is important to come to understand that ultimately we will all be judged, however, we do not look beyond that which follows judgment.... condemnation or conviction if you prefer, followed by carrying out of sentence.  Furthermore, historically, specifically prior to our modern judicial system, justice was carried out immediately and by the public or common man. This continues today in more archaic primitive societies.  It was revealed to me that the term "judging" a man has been perverted and lost in translation.  We immediately associate the term with conviction.  We know as Christians that this is reserved solely for God.  We don't judge a man and stone him in the streets anymore and as revealed to me changes the meaning slightly.  We can judge a man by his actions and words and how he treats his brothers and sisters.  His deeds speak on the condition of his heart. There is nothing wrong with this, so long as we do not attempt to apply conviction or damnation of his soul. We can do this only as long as we do so without determining guilt or innocence - damnation or salvation. Only God in heaven can do this.

I also mentioned being a shepherd.  I believe we are all shepherds as the body of the Church.  As believers we are given charge over His flock, which I now understand to be all peoples both within and without the Church.  We are to be the light in the darkness.  We are given authority over all of the Earth. All creation. And the sheep.......they are the lost.  Christ has taught us to "go" and to reach the lost.  To be disciples. To minister to those in need and provide them access to the Father and to salvation through the blood and sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Theses things have been revealed to me as true to the Word and applicable in this life and the life to come.

For my brothers and sisters.
In Christ,

~PR

Hi......Why today is special and sacred to me

    This is a special day, not because this is the day of my birth, rather this is the day tragedy struck my country in the form of an unprovoked attacked on civilians by Muslim terrorists. 2997 innocent lives were stolen from us that day.  Countless thousands lost a little bit of thier heart this day and all of us felt the world change. This great and divinely inspired country, this glorious bastion of freedom (the last and only hope for the world), can never go back. No, we will never be the same.

  Is this necessarily a bad thing? I suppose there are negative affects(aside from the loss of life, the feeling of helplessness when watching people jump from the 90th floor as opposed to burning to thier death, or the fear of the unknown.  You know, that monster in the closet we all grew up with, so to speak, just waiting for the right time to burst out and devour our soul). Paranoia, depression & uncertainty to name a few, seemed to be the new normal since that day. 

  So, what positive came out of this?  Some people returned to God.  They found thier faith and hope renewed on that day. Some came to God for the first time(its said there is no such thing as an athiest in a fox hole). Others found a determination, a desire to become a better provider, preparer, supporter for thier families.  A new awareness of security and need for protection emerged. The comfort of the warm blanket of safety had been torn away from us and we wanted that back.  


  We all strugle with doubt and fear, paranoia and uncertainty. I know for me, I feel better knowing that I have a loving Lord.  All things work for HIS will.  He can use the most tragic of events to bring glory to him.  We lose sight of that in the drive-thru, get it now culture we have.  Sometimes, God has to brew the pot for a bit; let things stew for awhile.

   There is a peace in knowing that when we die, and our loved ones pass, that we will see them again in the Lords kingdom (that is assuming you are saved and accepted the salvation of Christs redeeming blood).  If you're one of the ones reading this and doubt the existence of God, flat out deny His presence or are unsure you are saved......  Well......  All I can say is get right with the Lord our God because.............What if YOU'RE wrong????  Prepared to spend 1000 years in the torment of hell before you are ultimately wisped away from existence, cast into nothingness? And what if I'm wrong?  Who's better off being wrong, you or me?
 

Heavenly Father,  Thank you for this blessed day.  Bless those who suffer and are in pain and forgive us for the depths of our depraivity.Help us to put you first.  In your name I pray.~Amen

The Call

  I want to post this for only one reason, to call out every husband, father and son to think about the legacy you want to leave and the impact it can have. We have all been called out!........ I also want to say to my dad, I love you. Thank you for leading me, correcting me and loving me. For entrusting me with your wisdom and leaving me a legacy of love, discipline and faith . You Cannot imagine..... how blessed you've made me. I love you!
                                      ******************Please Read *******************
                                     ******This happened Yesterday and is 100% true**********

   " Today I'm in Warner Oklahoma for work. as I pull into the parking lot I see two US Marshals, guns at the ready, in a foot chase. The suspect was considerably younger and 1 of the Marshals was considerably a little more out of shape. The suspect began to pull away and the other Marshal began to fall back even more. I threw the truck in drive, tore down the street picked up the US Marshal, chased through yards, alleys and finally into the woods where he was quickly apprehended. When we came out of the woods, the young man was complaining of debris in his eyes and I happen to have a gallon water. I began to rinse his eyes out while the Marshal held his head over and of course with eye pain there's a knee jerk reaction to resist putting anything else in your eye, including water. Forcefully I said" hold still" and with expletives he told me that he didn't want my help if I was going to be rude to him... I felt bad and wanted to make things right but it was too late. even though I tried to help him, I became the guy who caused him to get into trouble with the law and his guards we're up. I started thinking about our study and what kind of father if any, this young man had. Where did it go wrong for him? I tried to reach out to him several times while we're walking back to the squad car but he wanted nothing to do with me. I wanted to share with him that it doesn't matter who he is now or where he came from and what his situation is, he could be forgiven. He could be sanctified through the blood of Christ, and that my heart felt for him and I will pray for him. That I loved him as does his Heavenly Father.... sadly though my adrenaline and my frustration with him caused my words to be harsh and robbed him of the opportunity to hear what I had to share with him. We are given several opportunities throughout our life to share the Gospel, yet it only takes 1 word, 1 second to shut that door on someone's heart.
   Pray for this young man as I pray for him today and as I pray for my temper and for Gods forgiveness. This could have easily been my son or your son's or our daughters. We have but 1 shot in this life to get it right and may God forgive us if we screw it up. THIS is Gods calling to ALL men (every christian & women too)! I'm answering His call......."

The God Particle

Scientist claim to have discovered the "God Particle". The origin of the universe as we know it. Some in our society will use this as a tool to disprove God's existence, some will cry out "haresy!!" and there may be some who lose all faith in a Creator and creation as we are taught in the bible. I don't see what the big deal is. God can't use science as a means to do anything? What about trees or babies? Science can explain almost anything and there are loads in the scientific community who must find a cause for creation. Well, congratulations! You have found the elemental tools which God used to create the universe. Explain the mosquito or for that matter, why the liberal mind operates the way it does, and you're really on to something. ________________________________________________________________ Lord, thank you for science and those who use the vast intelligence you gave them to further our technology and understanding. Amen

The Canvas of the Past

Have you ever been busy at work, minding your own business when all of the sudden a flood of memories hits you in the face like a pillow-case full of soda cans? Then one memory brings along another, and another and yet another; sometimes related and sometimes on the opposite end of the spectrum. Soon, you're overwhelmed and sinking in the mire of thought of the past. It's interesting, the emotional power of the past and the dramatic influence which we allow the present and our future to be governed. It is affecting.

Our past is to us as the canvas is to the artist. Each memory we paint has its own canvas; its own beauty and place on the walls of our mind. We don't choose only the good and pleasant memories, those that make us smile, and in fact we have no choice what we put on canvas. There are those which make us swell with pride and joy, those that we weep over and yes, those we are disgusted with. Like any work of art, we can choose to either seek it's meaning and learn from them or turn our face in defiance, refusing to see its message, missing its inherent value altogether.

Recently, I have uncovered a treasure trove of memories; locked away in a forgotten vault in the gallery of my mind with far more works that what I currently had chosen to put on display. Masterpieces of various artists with such detail and vividity you're swept away to that forgotten time and place to relive the moment once more. I have discovered a simple yet profound truth. My memories and not mine alone, they are shared and at times created by or in cooperation with someone else. And yet it is those masterpieces created by another that are the most powerful.

In understanding the power of someone else’s work, I now believe there is a third option we can choose when it comes to memories. Appreciate them for what they are and be thankful to have lived through or experienced that moment in time. Our past or more specifically, memories do not dictate who we are or who we will be. True there is some influence, but knowing that the majority of our precious memories are not creations of our own but rather another who is responsible for each deliberate stroke of the brush, we can choose to diminish the affect that moment has on our future.

So.......... what will you paint in someone’s life today?

Father God, Thank You for the loving direction You provide to us in our daily walk with you. Thank You for the understanding, patience and forgiveness as I fail You time and time again. You have given me so many memories of love and joy. Memories of friends and loved ones whom have come to live in your kingdom. Memories or heartbreak, moments of despair and regret. So many works of art that are precious cargo. Blessed is Your name, for throughout our time, You have been right there with us and have guided us with the light of Your love. Allow me to remember that my works may end up on someone else's canvas so that I may create for them something so beautiful and special that this memory will be cherished for all time and bring You glory. I know not what You have planned for my life and works, only that You are the author and I want to follow Your will. Express my love and fill the hearts of those I love with my good works; my good memories, so that they may feel my deep love for them and desire of forgiveness for my failures and all the hurt I may have and probably will cause as I am just a man, broken and faulted by sin, just as all of Your children are. It is in your name and authority I pray, Amen.

The Disease and Demise of a Nation

Our nation suffers from the disease of complacency and extreme tolerance.....well tolerance for things in such respect that are an affront to Christian beliefs and values. The political correctness of tolerance says "everything is o.k." and "you can do what you want, be what you want, say what you want". Our children learn that there is no right or wrong and we should accept every form of value system, morale and immoral alike. All but those values revered in Christianity....those hate filled judgmental Christians!

When did our values become a lesson on "what not to believe in" in this all-inclusive society of ours? What have we done to lead a non-believer to think this way? When did some church bodies reverse course and allow certain values to pass away and allow other more "inclusive" values to take their place?

We are bombarded daily through social networks, the media(print and broadcast)our friends, politicians and even our clergymen that the right thing is to punish success, award corruption, envy/curse the wealthy, comfort the evil and chastise the righteous (by righteous I mean those who make a discerned moment to moment effort to live a life pleasing to God. Yes, even though we are sinful.) for abiding in Christ and his commandments.

God tells us in Isaiah 5:20 "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
The enemy has sent his agents to convince the world of such things. We are witnessing the fulfillment of prophecy. Christ answers this verse in Mathew 24: 3-5"3... Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."

As far as our values, how firm should we stand in defense of them? God commands us through the book of Revelations 3:19"..those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be zealous and repent". In the preceding verses we are warned of having wishy washy beliefs. Rev 3:15-16"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one of the other! So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth". Remember too, the wise builder. Mathew 7:24-29 "24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.


We should remember instruction to our children and the world, Christs command and warning against judgment as found in Mat 7:1-2"1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Be firm, build your house on The Rock and be brave but never forget 1 Cor 13:13"..But the greatest of these is love.". Nowhere does Jesus say....."except for those dirty sinners". For the detestation of the sinner is the Lord God's reserved right.

So, in answer to my original statement "what happened and how?"- Sin and the influence of the prince of darkness. All these things must happen to fulfill the will of God. All we can do is live within Gods commandments, love each other through hope, charity and compassion and pass these on to the next generation.

Heavenly Father, Forgive us of our blind acceptance and open rebellion to your commandments. We've allowed our society to decline into a dark abyss and stood by with crossed arms. Send us into the world to spread the good news that God is love and Your love is unconditional. Open the hearts of the willing to the change You have for them. We cannot take away, forgive or prevent someone from sinning, but the Holy Spirit through its work can.
Bless our nation, our leaders and those past, present and future who will shed their blood to protect future generations.

Change.........Continued

Gods blessings can be overwhelming sometimes! Occasionally God offers us a choice to accept His blessing or not. With that acceptance, disrupting change may be required which can cause anxiety, trepidation and a blind faith in the unknown.....the grass ISN'T always greener, but for Gods will his perfect plan IS realized if we abide in His will and are willing to faithfully trust in Him.
We might encounter trials and hurdles or we might find a new peace and joy. Whatever transpires, we have to remember that He loves us. He is our father and wants the best for us. We are reaffirmed in this in the book of John.
John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. " and again in verses 4-6 along with the warning of not abiding in Him John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.



Father in Heaven, Please hear my plea. I want to abide in You and succumb to Your plan for my life. Forgive me of my sins and grant me Your grace so I may bask in the light of Your presence. May my face reflect that light to the world. Thank You for the new peace You've granted me these last few weeks, the blessings of abundance I have been entrusted and the hedge of protection You've given my family. How amazing, Your love for me. In Jesus name, Amen