Ladies and gentlemen, my second book "Like a Chainmailed Pomegranate" is coming in next week! I am receiving 45 copies initially, some of which are already spoken for, and the rest will be available to anyone interested, all autographed and mailed directly to you.
This work combines the fruit of the Spirit and the armor of God, looking into how we arm ourselves for Spiritual warfare andf protect our fruit from the assaults of the enemy. It is a deeper work than the first one, and covers much more ground in both Scripture and personal introspection. And while it is not specifically written in a devotional style, it could certasinly be applied that way.
If you are interested, please message me directly for details on cost and shipping, and be sure to include your address. Also, if you are interested in my first book, I have only a few copies available, but would certainly love to share that with you, as well.
4thwallministries@gmail.com
And, as always, I pray grace and peace over you and yours, my blessed Christian family!
God bless you all!!!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
After Valentine's Day...
I made mention of a little "candy heart" that we received once, and that was not a light statement. It is the truth that that message of come and rest was delivered to every Christian at some point in life. But what follows it? There are far too many people who place such extreme importance on a day like February 14, and I wonder if they realize that love should always be a constant... even and especially if there is no reason. Can you think of Someone who shows you that kind of love?
I read a blog that spoke against the concept of unconditional love, in saying that God doesn't necessarily "love you no matter what you do or who you are" (paraphrased main theme, not a direct quote), and I agree completely. That writer pointed out clearly the truth that God loves us all IN SPITE of what we do and who we are. But those who receive God's unbelievable love do change... they change not because they are required to by some ridiculous mandate laid before them from other men, but because they WANT to be different and try to show honor to the Father! It is a similar concept to the teaching in James that tells us that "faith without works is dead (2:17)," in that when we are strengthened by faith and that faith is real and present within our lives, we go and grow into different and less-bad people.
His love is just that, friends... unbelievable! It stands for us to see as an example and an encouragement, and it is always there. But that doesn't give us license to "pray the prayer and go on with our lives," as it were, because we should want to be better after asking the Creator of the universe to live inside us. We must, must, MUST understand how huge that is!
Brothers and sisters in Christ, I beg you to realize today that His love is our example of what to live up to (John 13:34), and that His love is exceptionally unbelievable. It cannot fully be explained or described in words, because it's something you just feel. And, as odd as this may sound to some, He doesn't pick just one day of the year to show it, but rather has decided to continually pour it onto us all for all eternity... and we should do the same.
God bless you all!!!
"Dust, generations, thousands of years of beautiful hope. Men long gone before me sang to God from this handbook. I can hear singing... I can hear singing...
Oh Your love is so unbelievable! It won't be long yet, we'll need another song to sing. Your love is so unbelievable! We'll sing through the ages: Your love is unbelievable!"
from the song "Unbelievable" by downhere
I read a blog that spoke against the concept of unconditional love, in saying that God doesn't necessarily "love you no matter what you do or who you are" (paraphrased main theme, not a direct quote), and I agree completely. That writer pointed out clearly the truth that God loves us all IN SPITE of what we do and who we are. But those who receive God's unbelievable love do change... they change not because they are required to by some ridiculous mandate laid before them from other men, but because they WANT to be different and try to show honor to the Father! It is a similar concept to the teaching in James that tells us that "faith without works is dead (2:17)," in that when we are strengthened by faith and that faith is real and present within our lives, we go and grow into different and less-bad people.
"Buildings, stone by stone, choirs of angels sing on Sunday mornings. Through the wood and stained glass windows, paintings of stories dance in color. I can hear singing... I can hear singing...
Oh Your love is so unbelievable! It won't be long yet, we'll need another song to sing. Your love is so unbelievable! We'll sing through the ages: Your love is unbelievable!"
from the song "Unbelievable" by downhere
His love is just that, friends... unbelievable! It stands for us to see as an example and an encouragement, and it is always there. But that doesn't give us license to "pray the prayer and go on with our lives," as it were, because we should want to be better after asking the Creator of the universe to live inside us. We must, must, MUST understand how huge that is!
"And can it be that I should gain an unbelievable love, unbelievable love? Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, of unbelievable love... unbelievable love! For the LORD God omnipotent He reigns in unbelievable love!"
from the song "Unbelievable" by downhere
Brothers and sisters in Christ, I beg you to realize today that His love is our example of what to live up to (John 13:34), and that His love is exceptionally unbelievable. It cannot fully be explained or described in words, because it's something you just feel. And, as odd as this may sound to some, He doesn't pick just one day of the year to show it, but rather has decided to continually pour it onto us all for all eternity... and we should do the same.
God bless you all!!!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Valentine's Day...
Today, I would ask that each and every married person who reads through my musings give special thanks to the Father for their spouse. Marriage is such a sacred and blessed covenant between one man and one woman, and it is wonderful to know exactly who your "Valentine" will be for all time.
I would also ask, for those of you not yet married, that you consider carefully who it is you ask to be your "Valentine." The single-most important job you will EVER HAVE IN YOUR TIME ON THIS EARTH is as a husband or wife, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with a lengthy and thorough interview process. And make no mistake, this interview is important beyond measure... as is the awesome responsibility that follows acceptance of the vows and commitment.
And for all of us, we need to remember that the best little candy heart we ever received in our entire life had one message on it, and it was a powerful one. This little candy heart that we were given one day changed our lives for all eternity. And regardless of the color that it came in for you, which was certainly different than the color it was for me, the message was the same:
So today, amidst your revelry and sharing of affections, please remember that there was a moment in your life accompanied with this precise message, and it was given to you on the best Valentine's Day ever (regardless of the actual calendar day or date), and it was delivered directly by the Creator if the universe, God the Father, through Jesus Christ's Atonement for the sins of all, whispered to you by the Holy Spirit. Never forget that the greatest love you will ever know comes from above, and never, ever stop giving thanks for the blessing to receive it.
God bless you all!!!
I would also ask, for those of you not yet married, that you consider carefully who it is you ask to be your "Valentine." The single-most important job you will EVER HAVE IN YOUR TIME ON THIS EARTH is as a husband or wife, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with a lengthy and thorough interview process. And make no mistake, this interview is important beyond measure... as is the awesome responsibility that follows acceptance of the vows and commitment.
And for all of us, we need to remember that the best little candy heart we ever received in our entire life had one message on it, and it was a powerful one. This little candy heart that we were given one day changed our lives for all eternity. And regardless of the color that it came in for you, which was certainly different than the color it was for me, the message was the same:
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28 (NIV 1984)
So today, amidst your revelry and sharing of affections, please remember that there was a moment in your life accompanied with this precise message, and it was given to you on the best Valentine's Day ever (regardless of the actual calendar day or date), and it was delivered directly by the Creator if the universe, God the Father, through Jesus Christ's Atonement for the sins of all, whispered to you by the Holy Spirit. Never forget that the greatest love you will ever know comes from above, and never, ever stop giving thanks for the blessing to receive it.
God bless you all!!!
Monday, February 13, 2012
More on prayer... while we wait...
You know what... I have another deep thought on prayer to share with you, and it will not take long for me to explain it. This will be one of the shortest posts I have ever shared, but I pray that the brevity will only enhance the impact.
When you have a prayer request, you need to enlist the powerful and effective prayers of the saints around you. You need a prayer army, and you need to deploy them when the time is right.
Yep... that's really it.
God bless you all!!!
When you have a prayer request, you need to enlist the powerful and effective prayers of the saints around you. You need a prayer army, and you need to deploy them when the time is right.
Yep... that's really it.
God bless you all!!!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Still waiting...
Continuing from the previous thought, I would like to encourage you again today to spend some time in prayer. But today, I would like to ask you to join me in a specific prayer... one that might seem odd at first, but one that I think you'll understand better than any other. I would like for you to join me in giving thanks for all of the answered prayers that were OPPOSITE of the answer you wanted. I'll explain...
We know from Isaiah 55 that God's ways and thoughts are far, FAR above our own, and that we cannot possibly understand or grasp what it is He's doing. At least, we cannot understand all of it. We further understand, as Christians, that it should be our highest goal to live within His will for our lives, as that will allow Romans 8:28 to take full form. But for some reason, there are things that we pray for that we do not receive the answer we want to receive... and sometimes, we forget to pray about it at all.
In all honesty, I'm really bad about that. Like, really bad about it. Terrible would be an apt descriptor.
Recently, I had a feeling that I was to return to school and pursue a degree from a Seminary. I have all the backing I need from those who would encourage and uplift me, I have the letters of recommendation necessary, I have all the major requirements... but I decided that before I leapt down this road (which would certainly NOT be an easy or inexpensive one), I would pray about it. However, I did something unconventional in this application... I asked specifically that people pray about it, and that they pray that the answer would be given through my wife, not through me, so that I could not invent it. And I let go of it, prayed myself for the same thing, and waited.
While waiting, I was filling out scholarship forms and applications, getting all documents necessary, looking into different basic concepts that would aid the schooling process, etc. I was living that faith that I should go by performing the works necessary in order to go. And then the answer came, clear as a bell ringing, from my wife. She said, "Not now." (That's not an exact quote, but it simplifies a very lengthy discussion.)
She was upset at telling me the answer she felt, but I was not. I told her what I had requested for prayer, and how I requested the answer be delivered. I shared with her that all the people I had asked (and there were a BUNCH of them) had committed to pray specifically in that vein, and that I felt so blessed to have received such a clear answer. And while you may wonder why it would come back in the "not now" style, as I most certainly wondered, you need to see that it simply is not that time for me. Now is not that time for that specific journey, for me or for my family... because it would certainly have effects on all of us.
Here's the cool part, though. After deciding to be faithful to the answer given, things started happening that can only be explained as blessings upon us. I cannot get into specifics on all of it, but let's just say that one seemingly impossible situation was instantly relieved, another always-looking-bleaker situation was immediately reversed, and all the glory for all of it goes to the Father who blessed us. I wonder if it would be the same way if I had decided that my wife "heard it wrong," but then I remember that I cannot live on speculation, and I have these blessings upon me that I MUST honor.
So I would like you to join me in praying a prayer of thanks for those things that did not turn out the way you wanted them to, because you see now that there is a greater process at work. There is a plan bigger than the one each of us has, and it is greater and larger and not ever meant for harm, according to the teachings of Jeremiah 29:11. Thank God for keeping you from barreling down a path you weren't ready to endure. Praise Him for the wisdom that is imparted to others, wisdom to which you should listen and adhere. Glorify Him by accepting His answer the FIRST TIME He gives it, without assuming that you heard wrong, or that it can't be that you're not supposed to do {fill-in-the-blank}.
I'll close with a thought from my favorite band, downhere, from their song "Great Are You:"
"It makes me wonder, who am I? Who am I? Who am I, and great are You!"
God bless you all!!!
We know from Isaiah 55 that God's ways and thoughts are far, FAR above our own, and that we cannot possibly understand or grasp what it is He's doing. At least, we cannot understand all of it. We further understand, as Christians, that it should be our highest goal to live within His will for our lives, as that will allow Romans 8:28 to take full form. But for some reason, there are things that we pray for that we do not receive the answer we want to receive... and sometimes, we forget to pray about it at all.
In all honesty, I'm really bad about that. Like, really bad about it. Terrible would be an apt descriptor.
Recently, I had a feeling that I was to return to school and pursue a degree from a Seminary. I have all the backing I need from those who would encourage and uplift me, I have the letters of recommendation necessary, I have all the major requirements... but I decided that before I leapt down this road (which would certainly NOT be an easy or inexpensive one), I would pray about it. However, I did something unconventional in this application... I asked specifically that people pray about it, and that they pray that the answer would be given through my wife, not through me, so that I could not invent it. And I let go of it, prayed myself for the same thing, and waited.
While waiting, I was filling out scholarship forms and applications, getting all documents necessary, looking into different basic concepts that would aid the schooling process, etc. I was living that faith that I should go by performing the works necessary in order to go. And then the answer came, clear as a bell ringing, from my wife. She said, "Not now." (That's not an exact quote, but it simplifies a very lengthy discussion.)
She was upset at telling me the answer she felt, but I was not. I told her what I had requested for prayer, and how I requested the answer be delivered. I shared with her that all the people I had asked (and there were a BUNCH of them) had committed to pray specifically in that vein, and that I felt so blessed to have received such a clear answer. And while you may wonder why it would come back in the "not now" style, as I most certainly wondered, you need to see that it simply is not that time for me. Now is not that time for that specific journey, for me or for my family... because it would certainly have effects on all of us.
Here's the cool part, though. After deciding to be faithful to the answer given, things started happening that can only be explained as blessings upon us. I cannot get into specifics on all of it, but let's just say that one seemingly impossible situation was instantly relieved, another always-looking-bleaker situation was immediately reversed, and all the glory for all of it goes to the Father who blessed us. I wonder if it would be the same way if I had decided that my wife "heard it wrong," but then I remember that I cannot live on speculation, and I have these blessings upon me that I MUST honor.
So I would like you to join me in praying a prayer of thanks for those things that did not turn out the way you wanted them to, because you see now that there is a greater process at work. There is a plan bigger than the one each of us has, and it is greater and larger and not ever meant for harm, according to the teachings of Jeremiah 29:11. Thank God for keeping you from barreling down a path you weren't ready to endure. Praise Him for the wisdom that is imparted to others, wisdom to which you should listen and adhere. Glorify Him by accepting His answer the FIRST TIME He gives it, without assuming that you heard wrong, or that it can't be that you're not supposed to do {fill-in-the-blank}.
I'll close with a thought from my favorite band, downhere, from their song "Great Are You:"
"It makes me wonder, who am I? Who am I? Who am I, and great are You!"
God bless you all!!!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Not there yet...
Blessed friends, I have come to the decision to move forward with the miracles of Jesus, but it will probably not begin for a bit. In the mean time, I will post as often as I am able while I study up on the miracles, before leading through them all.
One thing I would ask is that you join me in prayer before the next formal study begins, that we would all be lifted by the Spirit into a place of learning and knowledge. I would ask that you also pray that we all be challenged to ask ourselves the question, "Now that I have this knowledge, how shall I apply it to my life right now?" Further, I would ask that you pray that all of us have the courage to answer that question with action and purpose.
But in the time until then, I would mainly ask that you just pray... pray for whatever God lays upon your heart each day, in every moment, and don't concern yourself so much with the words as with the intent of the heart. Pray earnestly for whatever it is you pray for, and discover that you can just have a wonderful conversation with your Heavenly Father and Creator. Allow the Spirit to intercede as only He can, and let Jesus fill your whole being with the peace that passes all understanding.
Not enough people pray as often as they should, and there are some still who pray often, but not in the intent that they should, and then there are still others who don't hardly pray at all in either case. Pray. And pray honestly. Pray well. Pray for whatever it is that you feel led to pray about... or, as I said, just converse with God.
Most importantly, though, pray for the wisdom to know when to listen with a clear mind for the Father's reply. Practice kneeling in humility and bowing your head, clearing your thoughts so that you can hear Him speaking to you. Realize that as the creature, we need direction from the Creator. And, as you ponder these things, recognize that there is no way you can hear the answer to the question if you never stop talking. Listen. Listen openly, and listen for His will and His purpose in your life and in your request. And then, once you hear, GO AND DO!!!
Ignorance may be bliss, but we are not ignorant of the Father or His ways of communication with us. He communicates through the people around us, the situations we're leaving/in/headed to, and through His Word. But, like any conversation, it must be two-sided, and that means that we have to stop talking and listen. (Hard for me, for those of you who know me personally, but necessary.) Listen today, and be blessed for doing so.
God bless you all!!!
One thing I would ask is that you join me in prayer before the next formal study begins, that we would all be lifted by the Spirit into a place of learning and knowledge. I would ask that you also pray that we all be challenged to ask ourselves the question, "Now that I have this knowledge, how shall I apply it to my life right now?" Further, I would ask that you pray that all of us have the courage to answer that question with action and purpose.
But in the time until then, I would mainly ask that you just pray... pray for whatever God lays upon your heart each day, in every moment, and don't concern yourself so much with the words as with the intent of the heart. Pray earnestly for whatever it is you pray for, and discover that you can just have a wonderful conversation with your Heavenly Father and Creator. Allow the Spirit to intercede as only He can, and let Jesus fill your whole being with the peace that passes all understanding.
Not enough people pray as often as they should, and there are some still who pray often, but not in the intent that they should, and then there are still others who don't hardly pray at all in either case. Pray. And pray honestly. Pray well. Pray for whatever it is that you feel led to pray about... or, as I said, just converse with God.
Most importantly, though, pray for the wisdom to know when to listen with a clear mind for the Father's reply. Practice kneeling in humility and bowing your head, clearing your thoughts so that you can hear Him speaking to you. Realize that as the creature, we need direction from the Creator. And, as you ponder these things, recognize that there is no way you can hear the answer to the question if you never stop talking. Listen. Listen openly, and listen for His will and His purpose in your life and in your request. And then, once you hear, GO AND DO!!!
Ignorance may be bliss, but we are not ignorant of the Father or His ways of communication with us. He communicates through the people around us, the situations we're leaving/in/headed to, and through His Word. But, like any conversation, it must be two-sided, and that means that we have to stop talking and listen. (Hard for me, for those of you who know me personally, but necessary.) Listen today, and be blessed for doing so.
God bless you all!!!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
While we're waiting...
While we're waiting to get to the new study, please take the time (roughly 4 minutes) to watch the video contained in this post. Take the time to really listen to it, and then think... really think... are you known by a denomination? Or are you known as a Christian?
I tell people who ask me what I am that I am a Christian who has found a home in a Baptist church... but the truest expression of the Church is the body of believers, regardless of denomination or political affiliation or gender or ethnicity, who believe whole-heartedly that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He paid the ultimate price and died for our sins, as the propitiation for our transgressions... and that He did so, in this one perfect act, so that we could be reconciled back to the Father from whence we came.
Never forget, friends, that regardless of your color or language or location or any other such ridiculous man-made concern, there was a time in your life that you admitted your sin and need for a Redeemer, a perfect and blameless High Priest. And in that moment, He looked upon you and had every reason to tell you that you were worthless... but He accepted you instead, and took your punishment upon Himself ENTIRELY, offering you grace and peace and communion directly with the Father in Heaven.
May God bless you all, and, as always, I pray grace and peace over you and yours with fervency and determined expectancy!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY&context=C395b49eADOEgsToPDskIB-nSuYRatkDhrOKOCr5nB
I tell people who ask me what I am that I am a Christian who has found a home in a Baptist church... but the truest expression of the Church is the body of believers, regardless of denomination or political affiliation or gender or ethnicity, who believe whole-heartedly that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He paid the ultimate price and died for our sins, as the propitiation for our transgressions... and that He did so, in this one perfect act, so that we could be reconciled back to the Father from whence we came.
Never forget, friends, that regardless of your color or language or location or any other such ridiculous man-made concern, there was a time in your life that you admitted your sin and need for a Redeemer, a perfect and blameless High Priest. And in that moment, He looked upon you and had every reason to tell you that you were worthless... but He accepted you instead, and took your punishment upon Himself ENTIRELY, offering you grace and peace and communion directly with the Father in Heaven.
May God bless you all, and, as always, I pray grace and peace over you and yours with fervency and determined expectancy!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY&context=C395b49eADOEgsToPDskIB-nSuYRatkDhrOKOCr5nB
Next study...
Blessed ones, I do believe I have discovered what we will move into next. I am leaning on a few very close friends and a family member for this one, but I do believe we will be moving into a deep study of the miracles of Christ.
We will go fairly slowly, and compare across the Gospels to ensure we cover all aspects of each one. I am quite excited with the possibility of covering it all, and I look forward to what we will soon learn. Grace and peace, my wonderful friends!
God bless you all!!!
We will go fairly slowly, and compare across the Gospels to ensure we cover all aspects of each one. I am quite excited with the possibility of covering it all, and I look forward to what we will soon learn. Grace and peace, my wonderful friends!
God bless you all!!!
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