God's Holiday Horn

Merry Christmas 2010

Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Land of Our Father;

Prepare to hear an impassioned plea to bring the Peace of God back to our troubled world Today! Please read and share our Father's Love to the best of your ability. You have seldom heard this message within the ideologies of mankind. Pray, meditate, relax, or whatever works best for you and allow God to bring His message Home for you in such a way that with your help, He can and will change your World! I am quite sure you will experience His "Rapture", His "Love" for you today if you will take a moment to heed the sound of His trumpet call! Join the ranks of His disciples!

In preparation for this testimonial, allow me to quote a few passages from the New International Version of the Word of God, spoken through children of Israel, Children of God.

Ezekiel 21:2-3 “Son of man, set your face against Jerusalem and preach against the sanctuary. Prophesy against the land of Israel and say to her: ‘This is what the LORD says: I am against you. I will draw my sword from its sheath and cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked."

Isaiah 55:11-12a; "so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song"

Hebrews 4:10-13; "for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

Isaiah 59:8; "The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace."

Proverbs 3:6; "in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Psalm 49:1 "Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world,"

Psalm 50:12; "the world is mine, and all that is in it."

Isaiah 12:5; "let this be known to all the world."

Isaiah 18:3; All you people of the world, you who live on the earth, when a banner is raised on the mountains, you will see it, and when a trumpet sounds, you will hear it."

Mark 16:15; "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'"

Matthew 24:14; "a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come"

Isaiah 52:9; "Isaiah 52:9; 'How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'"

Listen then to this testimony from yet another son of men;

In His attempts to instruct His children in His Love and to prepare them for His Kingdom, God drew Moses from the troubled waters of the Nile in Egypt. At that time, Egypt represented the Mountains of religious thought and worship, a storehouse of myths and legends regarding the Lord of Creation. Through wrestling with Israel, God had led them into a time of seeming exile from His land, to better understand this stew of religious worship. Through their law, God instructed them to totally devote their enemies to the Lord. Yet true to form, Jacob deceived His brethren, bearing false witness in claiming our Father's blessing for themselves and destroying God's Way, [ie. His Promised Land]. Because of the enmity and strife brought on by their military action, and contiuing to shed the blood of God's children upon His Holy ground, God sent them into exile throughout all peoples, cultures, and lands, yet promised Salvation and a restoration within His Love and Family.

This promised messenger of salvation was born into this Jewish culture, in the small town of Bethlehem where livestock were raised for the Sacrificial rituals within Jerusalem, which was then the Mountain of religious culture within the Greek and Roman worlds, God's Zion if you will. God's Wisdom of the ages, as spoken through their prophets, had become flesh and dwelt among them in order to fulfill God's plan, which they had recorded, for salvation. As a Rabbi, this Messiah redefined the military interpretation of [totally devote them to God] through words such as "Love your neighbor as yourself"! He claimed their first commandment "Love the Lord your God" was the most important, but the second, like it from Leviticus 19:18b; "love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." was very much like it. Emmanuel proclaimed that this narrow way of understanding the scriptures summarized all of their law and prophets. [Totally devote them], now required Love and Prayer and Peace to be shared through His children with their enemies; Indeed, there was no longer any room left for alterior interpretation. And yet, Christ's followers have been assuming the alterior interpretation for 2 millenium as they tend to stand in judgment upon the worship and ideologies of others.

Being persistent in sharing His message of Hope and Peace, and according to the firm belief of over 1.5 billion people worldwide, God apparently chose to wrestle again with the ideologies of mankind by speaking through yet another son of man, Muhammad (PBUH). The message this time was "You must submit to "My Wisdom, My Love, My Way, My Truth, My Light in service to your fellowman and to the Unity that I Am and that I represent". And yet, Muslims also have fallen prey to the sins of their fathers by bowing to images of favoritism and partiality in relation to the All Mighty Love of God for all of His Creatures within all of His Lands.

In this 21st century, these three religious brethren refuse to correct the obvious misinterpretations of the prophetic Wisdom of God as they freely exercise their militant strength and pride in actions of vengeance, anger, and the shedding of blood. These militaristic demons of Revelation 16:13 have now brought our world to the brink of further destruction as they tend to serve the son of perdition or destruction - clearly in defiance of a Loving God bearing witness against these sins of favoritism and partiality so obviously represented throughout the zionist culture and so many of its adversaries.

Leviticus 19:15; "Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly."

I Timothy 5:21; "I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism."

This 21st century has united His Land through electronics. For the past 3 years, God has been preparing me in miraculous ways to present this challenge through sharing His Wisdom as expressed in His Word through electronic soundbites. I have been anxious to speak, but He attempts to keep me humble - just sharing His Word into these troubled religious waters.

He has taught me that His Land represents the Dust of His Creation! The sand on the shores of His Spiritual waters! He has shown me through His Word that His People have inherited the earth! Not only Palestine, not only Israel! Indeed, his truth has been spread through their exile and oppression and His Story has reached the four corners of His altar, His Land! The time for fellowship offerings as we reap the harvest of the seeds they have planted has now arrived. He has instructed me without fail that we must not worship created things, persons, nations, or cultures! He has taught me that we must come together with all of creation and worship Him. We must submit together under His Way, His Truth, and His everlasting Life. We must be brought to our knees as we release our pride and we must confess that His Way is the only Way to Peace for those of us, His remnant, remaining here in His Land.

I am a common man and I live among common men. I have been raised at the feet of His beautiful Mountains here in the wonderful state of Colorado in America. I have been raised at the feet of His majestic mountains of Christianity; The seat of the religious right is within 100 miles of my home. I have been raised in multiple Christian cultures indoctrinated in manmade ideologies of "election". I am presently a member of a pre-millenial dispensationalist community - a strong advocate of the zionist movement. I have witnessed their pride, their arrogance, their fear, their enmity, their strife, and most recently, their intolerance of the worship practices of their fellowman as they appear to presume such practices serve false images of their god or some other god. Although I continue to worship God within that cultue, three years ago, I experienced a Spiritual awakening as I realized such pride, arrogance, enmity and strife could not possibly be the fruit of the Spirit I read of in the Word of God. I can only presume it was His Spirit that inflamed me to commit to studying His Word through the pursuit of His Love and His Righteousness.

Through this devotion and the study of His Story and the meaning of names, I have come to understand cultural meanings of my own name. The sur-name given me at my birth means "Border dweller" or "From under the bridge". My first name means Brave, or Lion-Hearted and I know that through His grace and prodding, I have been forced to be passionate about this calling - standing in the face of powerful adversaries within my culture, witnessing that Our God is Greater than our imaginations. My middle name means "little king" or "famous bearer." Through the lineage of my Mother, I bear the title "From West of the Bridge". Within that light, I welcome the participation in spreading His Love and His Peace with all of my cousins, brothers and sisters, friends and relation from Eastern cultures across this great divide - as well as full participation with all my loved ones here at home and throughout His great Land, no one stands exempt from His Love - all are invited to participate for Peace!

It is time to unite under His banner of Peace. It is my desire that He become greater and I become less as I request your help in bearing His Good News to all of Creation - beginning with a profound call to His People in His Holy Land to Create a lasting Peace in Palestine encompassing all of His Children. Sons and daughters of men, speak the words of God in Peace and Love and unite this troubled world into One Body according to His Divine call. In His purity, this has been the passion of Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindu's, and all of God's beloved Children whenever and wherever we have chosen to shed these sins of our prides. Sound the Horns of His Salvation throughout His Land!

I shall continue to bear such witness through all my days here on this earth. I invite you to see the journals of my travels available at

http://www.oneyearbibleblogging.blogspot.com/ ,

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1074381442 and

http://www.facebook.com/pages/One-Year-Bible-Blogging/322591628956 .

In desperation, given the importance of this mission to save His children further pain and heartache, I passionately urge you to actively engage in the conversations of others as we spread the Positively Good News of our Father's requirements for Peace, Love, Honor, and Respect - without allowing the urgency of this message to wane. Purify yourself in His Spirit through the confession of your own sins without focussing on the sins of your fellowman. Grant forgiveness before it is even requested! Call for His Justice for all people! Through our passion for humanity we have joined together before to change our world and make it a better place. Together, we have changed a world of slavery and apartheid! There has been so much more and there is still so much left to do!

We are the generation dedicated to positive change! We must absolutely believe that we WILL, with Our Father's Help and encouragement, secure the rights and privileges for our brothers and sisters upon all the Holy Grounds of Our Father. Once and for all time, let us adhere to His admonismnent of our sins of favoritism and partiality when it comes to bearing witness for the eternal life of our brothers and sisters, our friends and neighbors, our blood flowing throughout all of creation! Defeat the power of the devil once and for all! Commit, Submit! and Pray!

As with all those who would speak the printed Wisdom and Stories of God, I have not been called to forcast future events. However, I can absolutely use His printed word to interpret current events. In this lies the great miraculous proof of His Truth within His Story as it reflects Our Father's Printed Word! I have stood in witness to the Biblical truths reflected in Revelation 17:15-18 as the demonic influences of Zionism seek to devour the flesh of other religious cultures and Spiritual movements within Our Father's Holy land.

Revelation 17:15-18; "Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. The beast and the ten horns (although there is mystery to this story, Israel was considered to be representative of 10 tribes of the sons of Jacob, while the other two were symbolically centered within Jerusalem and were referred to as Judah) you saw will hate the prostitute (much of prophecy refers to both the 10 tribes and the two tribes (centered in Jerusalem) as prostitutes). They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God’s words are fulfilled. The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings (religions) of the earth.”

I bear witness to the grief and wailing daily of all of God's children as we mourn the Holocausts - both in the evil tragedies reflected in Christian Europe against the Jewish people, and in the devouring of Palestinian lands and the 4 generations of "oppression camps", death, and demoralization of the displaced people and nation of Palestine. Emmanuel Himself is fully reflected in both these people as He was born and raised as a Palestinian Jew who lived His life reaching out to and loving His neighbors. His was the Way of Peace. Today we witness such tragedy in an amazingly close comparison to Revelation 18 as we mourn the loss of Godly virtue within our religious prides of favoritism and partiality!

What are we to do to rise above this grief? Our Brother, Sami Awad from Bethlehem, a Palestinian Christian, calls us to compassion and forgiveness for His Jewish brothers as He chose to lay in their tombs of Auschwitz and share their pain. Let us rally around His peace efforts, and instill His attitude of forgiveness and Love as we embrace the pain and heartache He experiences with His own people.

I believe Our Father's message to His people today is this. As you bear witness to His Story and the Truth of His Love and Compassion, It is time to quit bruising the heel of our brethren. It is time to recognize the blow to our prides for what it is! It is the Love of our God knocking down the walls of our Narrow enclosures. It is time to lay down our weapons of death, destruction, and bloodshed upon the Holy Lands of Our Father. It is time to beat our swords into plowshares! It is time to put our children to work for the next seven years and beyond in a worldwide effort to reclaim Our Father's Land.

Psalm 95:6; "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker"

II Chronicles 7:14; "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

It is time for fellowship as we gather around the altar of our Lord and partake of the bread and the wine in remembrance of the unity, prepared by our Father within His body broken for us. It is time that through that body, we too break down our dividing walls of hostility and embrace our fellowman. It is time to forgive, live, and let live. It is time to be bound together as we seek to be worthy of the Love and approval Our Father's has granted us. It is time to Believe in the One and only Truth that is God! It is not a time for patience; This is a time for an impassioned call for renewal and rebirth! This is the great and awesome day of the Lord!

Deuteronomy 5:24; "The LORD our God has shown us his glory and his majesty, and we have heard his voice from the fire. Today we have seen that a person can live even if God speaks with them."

Deuteronomy 30:2b-3a; "when you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes"

Psalm 95:6-8a; "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear his voice, 'Do not harden your hearts'"

Its time to believe in the power of the goodness of our God! His anger has passed, behold, His Love has come!

Please share this good news with all your friends and loved ones. You have nothing to lose and absolutely everything to gain! Believe in Christ again this Christmas! Bless Bethlehem with the reBirth of His Baby this Holiday Season!

Together, lets end humanities' rebellion against God once and for all. There has never been a more important time for you to spread His Good News to the ends of the earth. Challenge your friends to share His Good News. They may not presently believe in God, but challenge them to watch God in Action if they will only participate in this good work! This will change all of our lives! This will save our brothers and sisters on the battlefield! This will end fear and bloodshed! This will bring about a Peace in our times of nothing less than Divine, Biblical Proportion!

The trumpet has now sounded! This call to action is now yours. The roar of His spoken Word has never been louder! Serve your God and experience His blessing. If you are stuck in fear, (there is nothing to fear, guaranteed), hear Him speak again from His word and send it on for your Messiah as His Birthday Gift from You! There is no greater gift, there is no greater love. You'll never regret having taken part in this Great Day of Our Lord!

Isaiah 41:9-10 I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Through electronic media and whatever other gifts our Father has given you, it is time to Go out into all the world and spread His Good News and His invitation! Start communications calling on His Peace; Enter communications calling for His Peace; Pray for His Peace to reign in our hearts and minds all over the world. It is time to Love as we bear witness once again to this prophecy common to all from Isaiah 9:1-7;

"Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan - The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this."

With Love from Our Father

Your Brother.

Amen.

Talk About Love - Ninth chapter "Beginning the Transformation"

“TALK ABOUT LOVE" All original ideas are Copyright of Richard R Sjaardema, 7/21/2010. (I, Richard R Sjaardema invite you to share and copy this material with Copyright notatation and without charge.)

Table of Contents (this page only represents chapter 9. See the archives for chapters 1-8.
A. WHY BOTHER TALKING

1. What Is Man

2. Thou Art Holy

3. Preparing For Celebration

B. KNOWING YOUR BELIEF

1. His Story Positioning

2. Word of God

3. What is Truth

C. UNDERSTANDING GOD’S LOVE

1. God’s Spiritual Gifts

2. God’s Greatest Gift

3. Beginning The Transformation

BEGINNING THE TRANSFORMATION

If you are able, I would like you to get a paper and something to write with. On your paper, I would like you to draw two lines in the form of a cross (8” or 16cm line up and down crossed with a 4” or 8cm line across about 2” or 4cm from the top of the first line. Make sure the crossing line is half on one side and half on the other side of the center line.) Now, draw a circle around the base of the cross like a hole in the ground. On the left side place an S and on the right place an N, creating the word "SON" Above the Cross place the word "FATHER". Turn your paper sideways and write the word "HIS" above the post and "SPIRIT" below the post between the "SON" and the "FATHER". Turn your paper upright again and connect the two ends of the cross beam to the top of the cross and fill in the created triangle. If this has been done correctly, you have an arrow planted in the Son, with His Spirit pointing toward the Father. Through the death of His Son, the Father has granted access to each of us through His Spirit living and active in our world, drawing us closer to Him and to one another - or in some cases, causing more division if we imagine the Father's Love was only meant for us. He has provided the path for our personal and corporate salvation and you now act as an enlightened representative of His Kingdom and family here on earth. You have borne witness to a reunification between our Creator by His great Love through Christ's atonement and death on the cross. Your spiritual identity has been granted access to him through your identity as His Child and His Love as your Father. Your understanding and belief in this reality of your existence will allow you tremendous freedom as you find that Love, Joy, and Peace with Him and with one another as you praise His Holy Name, while remaining humble in the confession of your unworthiness and continued attempt to live a life of thanksgiving and service. (Isaiah 12:2, Exodus 15:2, Psalm 118:14, Luke 3:6). Underneath the triangular point of the arrow use a pencil and write CHR on the left and IST on the right. Through His sacrificial death, He has rejoined the family of God in unity! Christianity and all the other 'IST's and 'ISM's of our world will fade into one as we love our neighbors as ourselves and honor and point one another towards our One True God through Him who has broken down our egotistical walls of division and pride (Ephesians 2). Once you understand this, you can become one in Him with everything that is His and erase these divisions through focusing on the Love available to all of us as Christ desired. We just must believe in the power of His Love. Everything else is apart from that One Way arrow. We cannot turn away to the right nor to the left, we cannot help but go straight to Him. However, He will question us about our acts on this earth, especially those committed following our "enlightenment as we judge our fellowman.

So, with many words, we have come to a conclusion that Salvation – re-unification with the Father – is a free gift provided by God the Father – through the sacrificial lamb who was God the Father re-united with Man in the person of Jesus Christ who claimed “I and the Father are one.” “So, that’s it, right? I’m saved, you’re saved, and we’re all saved, Hallelujah! Now excuse me, I’ve got to get on with my life.”

Sorry, if you wish to live your life; you will have to quit blaming God for your problems. You are bound to live a Hell on Earth. The rest of scripture is asking you to flip your life around. You can keep dealing with trouble in your life (d’evil), but our Father promises to change all that if you are willing to live for Him! He gave His life for you, and He promises that if you will be born again – be a new creature – give your life to him - and to all that He has made, you will look back one day and have forgotten about d’evil, you will have truly LIVED! So, let’s get started, shall we!

First, let me ask you a few questions:

1. Do you believe God Loves You?

2. Do you believe that all men, including you, are flawed and incapable of re-uniting with God the Father without His Greatest Gift – Salvation for all man? In other words, will you admit that all human efforts have failed and caused further separation?

3. Will you accept that God the Father Himself provided the sacrificial lamb through that re-unification with all of humanity and divinity found in Jesus Christ and that His death on the cross paid the penalty for your sins and that of all of creation?

4. Are you ready to accept that free gift of Salvation and Give your life back to God, and love your neighbor as yourself - even going so far as to consider them more worthy than you?

If your answer to these questions was yes, I would like to recommend that you recommit your life to Him daily through a prayer such as the one below. Let’s call this the CoG’s prayer as you have now borne witness that you are a Child of God!

“Dear God, thank You for loving me so much that You paid the penalty for my sin so that I can spend eternity with You. I confess that I have sinned against You and your family! I humbly request Your forgiveness, knowing that you have cleansed me from all unrighteousness. Lord, I willingly offer You my life. Please use it for Your glory. Fill me, I pray, with Your Holy Spirit and help me to share Your Glory and this wonderful Good News with my fellow man in a way that brings them closer to you. I love You Father, Amen.”

Giving Your Life
Good and Bad

My guess here is we are still making this too difficult. My concern is that if we do not understand what this is all about, there is no way we can appropriately share the Love of God with our fellow man. My judgment is that through a lot of data, I have attempted to break down the walls of separation between us and bring the message of the gospel down to just one verse, John 3:16. But my feeling is that this message is still too broad for us to understand. My wish is that you would understand a simple but all encompassing reality.

Accept some wisdom from a middle aged man that has been forced to review his life. When I was a child, I happened to be the shortest guy in my class in school. A good friend chose to call me “lack-o-legs.” There was a young lady in my class who was looked down upon, but whose name closely resembled my own leading to another taunt from my peers. I was blessed with large teeth which did not fit in my mouth and were therefore on display for the world to see leading to the endearing chants of bucky, bucky, bucky. The morning bike rides to school allowed these headlights to collect an insect collection from time to time to display upon my arrival, yummy! The resulting staining from natures wear added injury to the taunts. Through her love for me, my mother challenged me to laugh with my friends – “they wouldn’t be teasing you if they didn’t love you!” What a wonderful memory, right? Why would anyone choose to bring up such pain to a middle aged man?

But your pain continues to this day. You can remember your earliest days. You ask a question that rings down through eternity calling insult on our Father above! “Why would a Good God let bad things happen to good people?” Although we have attempted to answer this, and many of us have already accepted God’s Greatest Gift of Salvation of our souls, the question is bound to continue to nag us. It’s time to lift up that cross and plant it in the earth. Lay your life down on the ground. Dig in deep! Lift the burden of the cross and plant it in that lifeless form you see on the ground. Take the soil of all of your experiences and pack them in around its base. Promise to God and to yourself that you will use all that has been and all that will come for His Glory. See Salvation for others through the pain and experiences of your own life. But at the same time, remember that you are now dead. Use your pain for your own healing and hope of a better life on the other side. Allow them to strengthen your faith and allow these seeds to bear fruit for eternity. Know that He can use all of your experiences to give you strength in weakness, joy in understanding, and compassion to meet one another’s needs – emotional, spiritual, and physical. You are experiencing the University of Life through your experiences. He knew you before you were knit together in your Mother’s womb. He structured your life and its experiences in the hope that you would find your need and desire for Him. He asks that you would use your experiences to help your fellow man. Although you can be dead to self and live for eternity, you are grounded in the earth of your experiences. Be a compassionate listener to the needs of your fellow man and find that the strength and experiences that have made you who you are give you the ability to offer them this same hope, faith, and Love which you have found.

Find that drawing you had earlier of the arrow pointing man to God. This is still too impersonal. Below the word "SON", place your name. Believe just that first part of John 3:16 before you move on. I need you to give your life to God. If you need to, go and look in a mirror and state the following paragraph over and over until you believe it. Commit it to memory and repeat it whenever you are in doubt. Give Him everything and allow Him to use it for His glory. Find Him! Seek Him! Forgive Him! Know Him! Love Him! Serve Him! Understand Him! Go to Him!

For God so loved you! For God so loved you! For God so loved you! For God so loved you! For God so loved you! For God so loved You! will you give Him your life and feed his lambs - his 'loveless' orphans and widows? And all those who need that extra touch from His Love! You don't need to go around the world, start by feeding those people within your grasp, and thereby allow yourself to be fed by them.

It is time to understand the old in light of the new! This old paper we have been working with must now be discarded. It is time to pull out a new slate and understand all that is from a new perspective. It is through an understanding of the truth of God’s Greatest Gift that we might find the desire to live in a brand new way! Thankfully, he has shown us the how and promises to be with us along the way. Although I am speaking, you must hear him in spite of the words I use or the examples I present. However, I do wish you to do the following exercise with me.

Do you have that new, clean piece of paper in front of you? Near the bottom, I would like you to place a circle about 1” or 1cm in diameter. Now, coming out of that circle, draw a line about 8” or 8cm high. 3” down, place the 4” or 4cm line as you did before and complete the triangle as we did in our previous exercise, but do not fill it in. Inside that triangle, place the word I with the word AM below it – all in capital letters. Above this arrow, place the word Father. At the base, on both sides of the circle, complete the word SON as in the earlier diagram. If you have done this right, you now have an arrow again planted in the son pointing to the Father with the words I AM in the triangle.

Now, look upon this new creation and follow this breathing exercise with me. As you breath in deep, hear the Father claiming “I Am your Father”. Now exhale and state the words “I am your son”. Do this over and over until you understand its implications. Use it as you go to sleep. Place this paper in a place where you can remember these words whenever you see it. Allow it to become your mantra for the remainder of your life. Understand this message in all of your relationships from this time forward. You are the son of God! Your purpose in life is to point others to the Father. He asks for all of you! If you have trouble with the word son, listen to these passages from the Bible:

Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus (God the Father). And if you are Christ’s (God’s), then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Matthew 5:9; “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Ok, I’m stuck here again wanting to share so much more than what I am going to, so I must challenge you again to read the Bible every day. Now, if you are able, read Romans 8 regarding this new life in the Spirit. I am only going to focus on verse 14: “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”

John 1:12 states “But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.

Now, you may find that your past is making this relationship difficult. Many of our earthly fathers have not set the greatest example of what this relationship is like. Other experiences in your life may be causing interference. Therefore, I would like you to exercise your demons so that you can obtain the promise. If you need help in this exercise, find it! Go to your nearest church and ask for help! If you do, bring this chapter so that they can understand the experience of transformation you are going through. Understand, if they reject this message of love and acceptance you have received from our Father, find a different counselor. This may even be true in some Christian churches.

Again, this is a spiritual battle – but you now have a Father and a host from Heaven willing and capable of helping you destroy your demons to protect you, His son. Let’s use an example from the life of Israel given to us as they, like us, prepare to enter into the Promised Land. Grab your battle gear of faithfulness and celebrate your victory with your host from heaven – you can call on them whenever you find yourself in need. Think upon your demons or individuals or emotions that keep you from accepting the love of God the Father. Pray to Him about them. Write them down if you will. Prepare to claim your victory upon them. Understand, that as many of our demons have been caused by individuals and circumstances throughout our lives, these are not the human individuals themselves, but only the demons left behind. The individuals represented by our demons are but humans haunted by their own demons, just like you. These now are your demons, your memories. These are beings of spiritual darkness that reside in your soul keeping you from being the man or woman – the son of God – that God your Father wants you to be. Confess your weakness and ask that you might find forgiveness for the human beings or experiences that caused these demons in the first place. Pray that they too might find the freedom you are about to experience and enter this battle ground in your spirit. Prepare yourself to believe that your demons will flee from you as you choose to resist them. God has promised that you shall defeat them and can bury them once and for all. Enter this battle from Joshua 16:16-27 in prayer, for it was placed in the Holy Bible in representation of your victory. This, now is your battle…

As you go out, hear the words of Moses in Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear or be in dread of them: for it is the Lord your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you.” Now, enter your battle;

Capture the rulers of your darkest demons on sheets of paper. Give them specific names and present them before God through prayer and meditation. Hear God state to the host of heaven; “Put them out of his site and place a guard on them. (But you - do not stop praying!) Host of Heaven, Help him to pursue all of his bad memories and those enemies that would keep him from understanding my love. Capture them as they scatter due to the capture of their rulers. Do not allow them to once again put up residency in his mind so that he might be able to enter my kingdom and accept my love and choose to be my beloved son. For I AM his Father. Because of my love for Him, I shall give him victory this day. Bring them to him one by one and allow him to put them to death.”

As a prince in God’s army, you have been given a sword of forgiveness and a helmet of understanding and a shield of love. As your memories come to mind, destroy them. Through the power which is yours through God your Father, pierce them through with your sword of forgiveness. The darkness of their mortal life within your mind will be ended today, for you have become a son of God. Through your helmet of salvation, their reign of terror keeping you from the Promised Land shall meet a very great slaughter as you will now be able to see your fellow man as nothing more than a fellow helpless creature in need of salvation. Pursue the dark nature of your memories and wipe them out. Release them back to the earth from whence they came. Destroy them all. If you are unable to destroy some of them, bind them up and bring them back before the throne of God.

Now hear God thunder; “Bring out His demons.” Bring out your demons which you wrote on paper before your battle. With your demons lying on the ground before you, Hear God’s command: “Place your foot on the necks of these. Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and of good courage; for thus I AM God your Father and I will do this to all your spiritual enemies against whom you fight.” Go, smite them! I command you to destroy these and all those memories you have brought to me bound! Destroy them. Put them out of your mind. If you must, hang their dead carcass where you can consider their worthless bodies for a day, but then, rip them up – burn them – bury them back in the earth once and for all and do not let them come between us again. Place a stone in memory of their death to remind you that never again shall they come between you and me, for I AM your Father and you are My son in whom I am well pleased. This day, you have been born again and we have begun a relationship which I have desired from the moment of your first birth. Never leave me again – for I have never left you – I love you and I have called you my own. Welcome Home my child, my love!

Nothing else can compare with this relationship you have entered. Listen to Gods word:

Romans 8:37-39a: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God”

Hebrews 13:5-6 “keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never fail you or forsake you.” Hence we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?”

I Samuel 12:22-24; “For the Lord will not cast away His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for Himself. Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord, and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.”

Jesus (the firstborn of many brethren (Romans 8:29)) words in John 10:27-29; “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

This truly is a relationship that will last from a Father who loves you, desires you, cares for you, died for you, lives for you, and claims you are my son in whom I am well pleased.

Gravity of Spirituality

Son of God; as I have mentioned several times before, your spiritual gravity must be firmly rooted in the truth revealed by God the Father. You dare not trust your own mind. The things I share with you here come through much study, prayer, and desire to share the truth of God. However, I must confess that I am but a human and my understanding shall continue to build until I leave this mortal body. Therefore, if you question what you read, by all means, bring it to the Father – search His word – talk about it with another child of God whom you love and respect. I have faith that if together we seek the Father, He promises to come with you and commune with you and show you the light. I am certain that following the publication of this book, I will wish I had written many things differently and that I will learn much more from many of you. That being stated, I am on a spiritual journey with you and we must continue:

“The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back.” (Isaiah 50:4-5)

These words touched my soul in my devotions this morning as I prepared to share more with you about the Love of God. Indeed, the sermon and praise I was able to partake of in church with fellow believers and the opportunity to serve in ministry this week gave me tremendous insights and purpose in my own Spiritual life. The words I have been forced to memorize as a member of the choir have always become real and personal! The conversations I have had with my wife, children, and brothers and sisters in my daily walk have been touched by the hand of God. The music I have listened to on the radio, although I have heard most of it before continues to provide inspirational messages throughout my days. I am left in a continual state of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control – all the gifts I have been promised by walking in the Spirit. Perhaps you sense them. Perhaps you desire them. Perhaps they make you sick – if so – so sorry – as Tony would say “They’re Great!”

I do not say this to you to carry an air. In fact, I believe it would be good to mention again that I am no better than you. As we mentioned in the last section, in this family there is a Father and there are sons. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither male nor female; neither Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, or Christian! We are all brethren in the Lord. We have become brothers with one another, with Paul and John, with Peter, Isaiah, Moses, and Adam. The Bible claims the firstborn of our brethren was Jesus Christ – the sacrificial lamb. (Romans 8:29) It is only fitting then that as the Israelites followed a custom of sacrificing the firstborn - and sanctified the firstborn with a birthright - that Jesus, as a bruise to their very ego in being their own Rabbi, was sacrificed for our sanctification and that He received the birthright. This does not mean one brother cannot mentor another brother. Although there may be earthly offices within the Kingdom of God on earth, we all have equal access to our Heavenly Father. The strength and abundance of our spiritual gifts will depend greatly on our own personal investment of time, yet, that investment carries tremendous rewards for you as you live this life and minister in His name.

I must tell you, when I began this book, I did not realize quite where it was leading. However, I realize now what wonderful news this is that you have accepted God’s Greatest Gift through Jesus Christ and that God now resides in you! You have become a son of God. You have joined in the mission of Christ. You and the Father are one. As with the Jews concerning Jesus, you may consider this to be blasphemy, but hear his response to this accusation in John 10:34-35: “Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came (and scripture cannot be broken), do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, I am the Son of God’? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

This promise is now yours! I challenge you to believe it with all your heart, with all your soul, and with your entire mind! Listen to the old law Jesus referred. The Israelite nation has been singing this song and committing it to memory for thousands of years, but today I ask that they with you might understand these words as our brother Jesus did. Hear the words of the Psalmist from Psalm 82:6-8; “I say, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, you shall die like men, Arise, O God, judge the earth; for to thee belong all the nations!”

And now, let me bring you into Isaiah and hear the words of the Father regarding the Son’s work in His Kingdom – You now lay claim to these words – for you are a son of God the Father! Isaiah 49:5 “And now the Lord says – he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob (the deceiver, who grasped his brother's heel) back to him and gather Israel (who has wrestled with God in a symbolism of all men) to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength – he says: ‘It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” This is what the Lord says – the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel – to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: Kings will see you and rise up, princes will see and bow down, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”

If you have accepted God’s Greatest Gift of Salvation through His sacrificial atonement for your sins through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, you have become a new creation. You have accepted an invitation back into the Garden and have been allowed to partake of the tree of life. Your life never has to be the same (although it certainly can be)! The truth of this teaching has been difficult to understand and many have left the faith or misunderstood. Jesus spoke these words following a miraculous feeding of over 5000 people with 5 loaves of bread and two fish. A mob was forming and Jesus was concerned that many were following Him only because of the miracles and the free food. The people brought up the idea of bread by stating in John 6:32 that Moses had provided Manna, so what could Jesus do. He had responded that God had provided the manna and in keeping within the subject of bread, Jesus referred to Himself as the true bread from Heaven that God the Father sent to give life to the world.

Now imagine, reference to the tree of life, as you listen to Jesus words from John 6:47-51; “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down from heaven that a man may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

This was a hard teaching then, and perhaps it is still a hard teaching for you now. My understanding is that Jesus was foretelling the fact that His flesh would be beaten, bruised, and given over to death in the sacrificial atonement for our sins – and that by his wounds, we have been healed! We have received eternal life. In participating in the sacrament of Holy Communion, I don’t know how many Christians recognize this idea of accepting God’s Greatest Gift of eternal life. Meanings within denominations vary greatly.

I hope that in reading many of the Bible passages shared in this book, you are receiving a hunger for the Holy word of God. As I can hear our Father speaking so clearly through these ancient writings with words that make so much sense in a world of growing confusion regarding religiosity, I trust that you will recognize the need for daily devotions. In a world where everyone seems to have an opinion and desire to share their spiritual identity, I hope and pray that this book might help start a spiritual revival in our global mindset to return to the oldest of books and listen to God as through His love He has provided so much instruction for joyful living. Hear His call from Isaiah 48:17-18;

“Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. O that you had hearkened to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river and your righteousness like the waves of the sea”

I have seen many believers who are overwhelmed by the turmoil of life, and I have seen the unfaithful appear unscathed. In my own life, I have found that although there is turmoil, I have found strength in the joy of the Lord. Some speak of the struggle to be spiritual. Perhaps they are attempting to gain God’s favor through righteousness. Perhaps they have not felt the love of God in their lives and serve the Lord from a position of fear. Fear of God’s wrath like a little child expecting discipline or fear of some pending doom, again, based on God’s wrath.

Somehow, wrath is not the message I am receiving from Scripture. Somehow, wrath is not the message emanating from Christian music today. Somehow, I think many of us are receiving a wrong message. Somehow I think we’re stuck in the wars and devastation of the old testament and missing the point that Christ’s last words on the Cross were “It is Finished!” Eternal Life has arrived! The Kingdom of God has come back to earth and is active among us and we are serving in it today! This is a message of hope! Love! Peace! And Joy! Seriously, my brothers, the Joy of the Lord shall be thy strength and you shall mount up on wings like eagles, you shall walk and not faint! You will not grow weary in sharing this good news of Salvation from The Lord Your Father – Your Redeemer – The Holy One!

As we experience a Christian concert or Spiritual conference, don’t we sense a presence of Victory in Jesus? Don’t we stand on His promises that He will defeat our enemies? Do we have the faith to believe He will bring the host of heaven to fight our battles? Listen to a description of our battles from the Holy Bible;

“Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:11-13)

As you define your faith, do not let go of the Father’s hand. Stand firm in the word of God that you might be able to discern wisdom from foolishness. As you question how a good God can allow bad things to happen to good people, find your answers in His word.

I am an opponent of fear based theology and salvation by righteousness. The data I have shared in this book so far is that God Loves You! All men experience separation from God which is manifest in d’evil in our lives. God’s Greatest Gift was his personal atonement for your sins through the Lamb of God which was God Himself in the person of Jesus Christ. I have stated that you are saved by His grace – no ifs ands or buts! I have claimed that the rest of the Bible is God’s directions for peaceful and healthy living - Live according to the recommendations and find peace and happiness in spite of turmoil or rebel against the recommendations and suffer the consequences of your actions. But, unfortunately, I could be totally off base.

You must search the scriptures and find out for yourself. But I believe I have shown that the Bible is trustworthy and has stood up under scrutiny now since ancient history – for a period of over 1000 years greater than any other Holy Book. All the stories, instruction, oracles, promise, and spiritual awareness can and should be trusted – and God indeed has spoken to you through scripture. He has claimed that His is the only way of salvation – given to you as a free gift! I hope, as you accept His Love and appreciate that you are a son of God that through the resulting joy of this revelation, you will find the desire to seek Him where He can be found – and not only from some crazy voice in the crowd spelling gloom and doom for all of mankind in the name of our Holy Loving Father - God!

This is indeed the gravity of spirituality I pray you might find in your life. Be rooted in the word – it is extremely important for your spiritual life and it will cause amazing changes in your ability to cope with the physical and spiritual dimensions of your existence. I have found few religious teachers who do not bear false witness of this God of Love.  To often, God's wrath, which lasts only a moment is used in characterizing our fellowman as going to hell.  I have dealt with that subject in the following link:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwiki.answers.com%2FQ%2FDoes_the_devil_exist_in_the_world_or_not%3Fsms_ss%3Dfacebook&h=a4fc8

Therefore, learn from Him! He has proved to be an awesome teacher for me. Offer your talents within His Kingdom as you join in worship with His family. Don't expect to find the right answers anywhere than what he speaks to you through your new understanding of His word. Read it through your eyes which have been blessed by His Love witnessed so well through John 3:16-17. You will find spiritual blessing as you reach out to reunite His family in peace. This is indeed His mission given to us. Be involved – be faithful – bask in His glory.

Do not only check in for what you might get out of spirituality, but invest in spirituality because our world needs a brother or sister like you. If you have understood this message, get up off your bed of troubles and live! Quit dealing with d’evil and make sense of your life! Find your purpose and blessing in God’s plan for how you will be able to use your free gifts for life eternally! Start living today and start sharing God’s love with your fellow man. You will be amazed how much better life feels when you wake up energized with joy, hope, and purpose instead of a headache, nausea, and yet another broken dream or guilt trip – but maybe you’re so far gone, you’re numb.

“I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

Join in singing with Moses, Isaiah, and the Israelites as we sing: “The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation;”(Exodus 15:2, Psalm 118:14, Isaiah 12:2)

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)

“I have laid up thy word in my heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11)

“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.” Psalm 27:4)

“Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship the Lord in holy array” (Psalm 29:2)

“he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength’…And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.” Nehemiah 8:10-12

Listen now to Colossians 1:9-23; “And so, from the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, to lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:9-14) (we will continue this passage in a moment.)

As a final note of this section, let me challenge you. As you pray for the salvation of your loved ones, do not fear that God might not answer affirmatively; Believe He already did. Go love them and be loved by them in His glorious name! There is much good to be appreciated in all of His children, just look for it and listen to their faith. Its there!

Kingdom of God

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him, bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 100)

As I consider sharing with you some thoughts on the Kingdom of God, let me define my parameters as they are continually increasing and I hesitate to speak of their vast scope in the concern that I do not fully understand. I have come to believe that the good news of salvation is for all mankind. However, I am beginning to see it as all of creation! I have seen plenty of hell on earth and weeping and gnashing of teeth as man lives in separation from God. Yet, as we have discussed, He has redeemed all of creation! No longer is there a need to sacrifice animals – indeed this practice has virtually ended in the earth. Psalm 50:9-11 states: “I will accept no bull from your house, nor he-goat from your folds. For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the air, and all that moves in the field is mine.” Remember, brother, we are heirs of all that is.

Let’s return to Paul’s letter to the Colossians where we left off in the last section. Hear the words of Colossians 1:15-23; “He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation; for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities – all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

And you, who once were estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him, provided that you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which has been preached to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.”

I feel quite confident in telling you that every part of creation that you hoped would be in heaven – will be! Hallelujah? Amen!

But, I don’t mean to be that broad in discussing the “Kingdom of God” with you now. I also am not in any way thinking of military might – for we have all seen the destructive nature and accusations that type of behavior has brought on our Heavenly Father from all of our earthly kingdoms of religiosity. I am speaking of men and women who recognize the truth and are prepared to go about redeeming our creation and destroying the demons – the spiritual realm – the great spiritual empires representative by the prides of leviathan - the demons of darkness which have caused divisions amongst us and have separated us from our Loving Redeemer – our mutual Loving Heavenly Father for far too long. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against d’evil’s spiritual realm. Indeed, our final battle shall be held against this army in a final victory below the victory Elijah witnessed against false religions thousands of years ago. For after his victory, Elijah looked into the valley of Jezreel and saw a small cloud rising that became a storm! We too shall fill the valley of Jezreel, the valley of Armageddon as arm in arm we sing the praises of God our Father in a unity of oneness with all of creation looking on as we defeat d’evil’s host once and for all in the true battle which shall end all battles as we are joined with the host of Heaven itself. But understand, that’s just how I see it!

I'm guessing this peace must begin as always, with Israel as they wrestle with the truth, love their neighbors as themselves, and quit coveting everything that is their neighbor's, or indeed, their brother's.

I hope you will join me in claiming the writing of Moses as our own as we set out to reclaim our heritage! Exodus 19:5-6; “if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my own possession among all peoples; for all the earth is mine, and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

We are not out to battle against the kingdoms of this world; we are called to reclaim them. We will serve the Lord with gladness by serving our families, our neighborhoods, our cities, villages, states, nations, world, all of creation with praise, thanksgiving, honor, and gladness! Our God reigns and He will make this possible. He will go before us and pave the way. We will only serve to complete the good works that he has prepared beforehand. The world stands ready to accept the Kingdom of God as it has been unable to do until this day. We will accomplish the work of the Lord by following all of the guidelines he has given us from the ancient of days.

I have referred to the children of God as CoGs. and it is time to explain this vision (my idea, mind you for which I am sure to be chastised) from Ezekiel: I am expecting CoGs to come from the four corners of the earth. From Christianity, From Judaism, From Islam, From Hinduism and all others through association. If you will, consider this picture of the Children of God as we work with the heavenly realm in reclaiming God’s creation: Ezekiel 1:15-28; Whatever branch of the Kingdom of God you come from, please be willing to listen to one another and allow Our Creator's Spirit to touch each one of our lives through a greater understanding of one another with the faith that there are not competing gods, only competing religions.  It is my firm belief that there is One God and Father of us all - and if we seek Him through loving one another, He promises that we will find Him.  Learning to Love is our mission on earth to prepare for Heaven. This seems to be a current theme in all of our faiths, doesn't it?

“Now as I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel upon the earth beside the living creatures, one for each of the four of them. As for the appearance of the wheels and their construction: their appearance was like the gleaming of a chrysolite; and the four had the same likeness, their construction being as it were a wheel within a wheel. When they went, they went in any of their four directions without turning as they went. The four wheels had rims and they had spokes; and their rims were full of eyes round about. And when the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose. Wherever the spirit would go, they went, and the wheels rose along with them; for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those rose from the earth, the wheels rose along with them; for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

Over the heads of the living creatures there was the likeness of a firmament, shining like crystal, spread out above their heads. And under the firmament their wings were stretched out straight, one toward another; and each creature had two wings covering their body. And when they went, I heard the sound of their wings like the sound of many waters, like the thunder of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of a host; when they stood still, they let down their wings. And there came a voice from above the firmament over their heads; when they stood still, they let down their wings.

And above the firmament over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness as it were of a human form. And upward from what had the appearance of his loins I saw as it were gleaming bronze, like the appearance of fire enclosed round about; and downward from what had the appearance of his loins I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness round about him. Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of brightness round about.

Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.” (Ezekiel 1:15-28)

So, what does that mean? I am not prepared to tell you, but faith tells me that our next steps will be given us clearly by our Heavenly Father. I intend to follow that lead by staying in tune with His Spirit! Seeking Him where He may be found and inviting all those whom the Lord brings before me to become His hands and feet - CoGs in the wheels – eyes from our vision. Keep alert – Keep focused – Keep your eyes and ears in tune with the will of God the Father and test insights for yourselves through the most ancient of Human documents which was handed down by God our Father. Continue to honor him with singing and worship in the Joy of your Salvation. Continually come before His throne with praise and thanksgiving and seek His blessing upon you. You will receive it.

Let me share a few words of caution as we set out to change the world to refocus us on following the will of the Father – these also give us a great place to start changing our world.

James 3:13-18; (James was a leader in the first church in Jerusalem) “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good life let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, and devilish. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity. And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James 1:26; “If any one thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this man’s religion is vain. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world." I have considered orphans and widows in this spiritual context to be those who do not know the Love available from our Father. Share with and care for them, feed them.

Micah 6:8 “He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God”

Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:9-13 saying something like this – read it for yourself from your own translation

“Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name! Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven! Give us this day our daily Bread and forgive us our sins as we have forgiven others. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from d’evil! For Thine is the Kingdom! And Thine is the Power! And Thine is the Glory! Forever and Ever! Amen!

I call on all who are guilty of killing - abortion - war - neglect - hate. I tell you that you are blessed in the Name of the Father who Loves you - and in the name of the Son who is this same God who gave his life for you - and in the name of the Holy Spirit who is this same God who is with you even now and shall be with you till the end of the age. He has forgiven your sins and you have been washed as white as snow through the blood of this God with whom you have been in communion. Now, go in His Love and sin no more. Learn from Him this power of the gospel of redemption and peace and spread His word to the ends of the earth. He shall go with you as we redeem all of our creation together and bring it into His light.

In gratitude for His Greatest Gift of your Salvation, doesn’t it just feel right to Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with your entire mind? This indeed was His first and greatest commandment. Perhaps through this reading, you have found that it is also ok to love yourself as He loves you and work at redemption in your own life. The second commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself.

Are you motivated? Don’t forget to take your daily vitamins (read, pray, listen). Through our Father’s leading, let’s work together and go and change our world!

For further reading: Deuteronomy 6:1-25, Ephesians 2, The Holy Word of God.

You may also witness more of my personal Bible Study and thoughts through the following links;

http://www.facebook.com/pages/One-Year-Bible-Blogging/322591628956?ref=ts

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1074381442

You can also research my Bible Commentaries in the archives of this blogsite. As yet, Our Father has not granted that I be published in print. Allow me to refer you back to His book! It's so much better.

Talk About Love - Eighth Chapter - "God's Greatest Gift"

“TALK ABOUT LOVE" All original ideas are Copyright of Richard R Sjaardema, 7/21/2010. (I, Richard R Sjaardema invite you to share and copy this material with Copyright notatation and without charge.)


(Pending table of contents)

1. WHY BOTHER TALKING

A. What Is Man

B. Thou Art Holy

C. Preparing For Celebration

2. KNOWING YOUR BELIEF

A. His Story Positioning

B. Word of God

C. What is Truth

3. UNDERSTANDING GOD’S LOVE

A. God’s Spiritual Gifts

B. God’s Greatest Gift

C. Beginning The Transformation

GOD’S GREATEST GIFT


Ladies and Gentlemen;

We are preparing to pilgrimage into what I believe to be the Most Holy Word of God. Although I have questioned the word “Infallible” as many of you have, I am certain that God has shared His great message that He paid the price for our Salvation within the Bible. It stands a firm belief of mine that multitudes of mankind are seeking re-unification with The One True God – and have been unable to find that peace we have spoken of. In confusion, so many of us remain lost. In the parable of the prodigal son, the son made the decision to return home to the arms of a very anxious Father. However, in the same passage (Luke 15), Jesus talked about the lost sheep which could not get home without help and the lost coin which obviously had no idea. The judgment generally came upon those who would not seek the lost, not the lost themselves. Therefore, I invite everyone to take this pilgrimage with me. Many paths lead us back to ourselves, giving us a hope of glory and blessing on this earth. Unfortunately, most of us find that those paths based on ourselves or our abilities will lead to dead ends. However, from within this package called the Holy Bible come the words “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6).

The cornerstone of this book is the very wisdom of God depicted in Proverbs 8:22-31. John 1 claims that this word became flesh in the very personhood and Biblical fulfillment of prophecy seen through the life of this man who's English name has been deemed Jesus Christ. For many in the world, however, our human renderings of Jesus Christ have become stumbling blocks and dividing walls of hostility, arrogance, enmity, and strife. The trouble has been that as hard as we have looked, we have continued to see the man – the images - the flesh and blood - the depiction of human sharing within our own inadequate understanding, regardless of the love and compassion and attempted humility with which such depiction is shared. Instead, we must see the very wisdom of our Creator Himself - the wisdom of your God and Father. Unfortunately, for many, we have even limited our focus of this tremendous offering by our creator of Jesus through accounts of disciples such as Peter, or gospel writers, or later apostles such as Paul, or saintly images associated with the likes of His mother Mary or even through later accounts such as that of Muhammad. Instead, we must each witness that ancient cornerstone of God's inherent wisdom displayed for all the world to see, through the witness He has borne unto Himself through our own spiritual identities and allow the sharing of such witness with one another without condemnation or judgment. Perhaps this presents a clearer understanding of Peter's words: It seems fitting that Peter, considered worldwide to be the first leader of the Christian Church, wrote the following in I Peter 2:6-9 in reference to words of the Hebrew writings found in Isaiah 28:14-21, Psalm 118:22-24, Isaiah 8:11-15, and Deuteronomy 10:15. Peter writes: “For it stands in scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and he who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

To you therefore who believe, he is precious, but for those who do not believe,

“The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner,”

And

“A stone that will make men stumble, a rock that will make them fall”;

For they stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were no people but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy.”

The beauty of the message is that God the Father is speaking to all of us through the words “they stumble because they disobey the word” and “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people.” We will read over and over that as God called individuals to be his chosen that the blessing came with a promise – that you will be a blessing to all nations, or to all people. I hope that with me, you will apply that message to your own life and share it with those you come in contact with. As we read in the previous chapter, our unifying focus should not be on ourselves, but on gaining a fullness of God’s Spirit, thereby unifying all of our relationships. Most of us believe, do we not, that there is but one God - and thereby, regardless of our confusion as to exactly who he is, we each acknowledge His existence and desire His greatest gift of blessing in our individual lives and, hopefully for the oneness represented by this sea of humanity as represented by His children on earth.

The apostle John was one of the closest friends of this man Jesus, whom we have already seen is understood to have existed in history. As John remembered the words of Jesus Christ, he claimed Jesus uttered the words: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also;”

Many in our world, in all of our cultures, have seen God the Father and Jesus Christ as two separate entities. However, through the words John wrote in John 10:30, Jesus said; “I and the Father are one.” Ever since these words were uttered, they have rightly been accepted as either the most beautiful words ever written, or the greatest blasphemy the world has ever heard. He was not claiming to be equal with God; He was claiming to be God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit – the Great ‘I Am’! As mentioned, in our feeble minds, we have continued to see the man – the images – instead of God the Father, the Creator and Designer. Because the cornerstone has become a stumbling block, I wish to take our focus off of this man Jesus Christ for a moment and focus our attention, once again on God our Father. In our last chapter, we mentioned the Man with the Birds. I hope it was obvious to all of us that we were picturing God the Father – the Creator – the Designer of everything that is. I fully understand the difficulty of this concept, but I also understand that as nothing compares to the glory of God the Father, nothing less than His sacrificial atonement could cleanse our separation from Him. Still, we are aware that our understanding is not complete as John 17:20-23 continues this teaching of unity with the Father to include the whole world. verse 23 completes this section with the words: "they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them even as thou hast loved me." Any Trinitarian doctrine of condemnation is condemned within itself given this powerful verse. We must all understand that God not only has seen fit to give us different interpretations and understandings, but is watching to see what we shall do with such knowledge and differentiation.

Lol, with that lengthy (and might I be so bold as to say 'distracting' and undoubtably confusing) introduction in place, connect your brains again and prepare with me if you will to enter this word of God, the Protestant Christian Bible. We shall travel back to the beginning of time when first we broke our relationship with the Father. For the sake of invitation, we shall mention the Buddha. We shall see the beginnings of man’s knowledge, worship and understanding! We shall visit the memories of three women, Sarah, Hagar, and Mary, and in a moment of weakness, I shall mention Osama Bin Laden (God bless him). We shall follow a path of breadcrumbs which shall lead us back home to the Father and His wonderful plan of salvation. We shall take a look at prophecy and listen to the words of Jesus.

Know that I am but a human such as you and do not have all knowledge. At this time I would only like to share the knowledge of God. Any imagery or interpretation on my part outside of the words God used is a sign of my own humanity that I shall blame on a lack of self-control. If He or you find it to be offensive, I ask forgiveness. As we step into the Word of God, I would like to describe our entry into this wonderful gift through the words of John as he describes a vision of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:10-27:

“And in the Spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed; on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

And he who talked to me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its breadth; and he measured the city with his rod, twelve thousand stadia (about fifteen hundred miles) its length and breadth and height are equal. He also measured its wall, a hundred and forty four cubits by a man’s measure, that is, an angel’s. The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, clear as glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every jewel; the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass.

And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light shall the nations walk; and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory into it, and its gates shall never be shut by day – and there shall be no night there; they shall bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean shall enter it, nor any one who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

Therefore, before we enter into the Word of God, bow before Him and confess any sin, uncleanness, abomination, or falsehood you may be carrying and throw them in the trash receptacle outside. He is ready, willing, and faithful to forgive you of all of your sin and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Come on in, His doors are always open and His light is always on. Allow Him to speak to you as we enter His way of Salvation!

Follow the Breadcrumbs

You may not like this heading I have chosen as it references a fairy tale in relationship to the Bible. If you take offense, good for you! The Bible is far from a fairy tale! This is a book of profound Wisdom! Therefore, it is only fitting that we begin from the beginning of time with a reference to Wisdom. Solomon, son of King David (both mentioned within the line of Christ we will follow), was one of the wealthiest men this world has ever known. However, even in his time, he was praised for his wisdom. We begin with his words found in Proverbs 8:22-31:

“The Lord created me at the beginning of his way, the first of his acts of old. Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth; before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world. When he established the heavens, I was there, when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside him, like a little child; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the sons of men.”

What a beautiful imagination! But, in contemporary culture, we’re interested in something much more concrete you might say! Take me to the museum or library! Ok, but I know I don’t have your attention for long. Let’s take a quick look at this guy Solomon. He is renown in his time for his wisdom, wealth, and success as king in Israel. His reign & thoughts on wisdom date to about 950 BC, You can read more about Solomon in the historical documents of I Kings chapters 1-11. Another summary of ancient writings is presented of Solomon’s Reign in II Chronicles chapters 1-9. It is here, in chapter 7:14, regarding praying toward the temple Solomon built for the God of Israel in Jerusalem that the great words “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Today, if we will pray towards that ancient temple, we will be facing a Muslim Mosque which has been built above the early foundations of Solomon’s great temple.

Ok, so, our trip through the museum has led us to two libraries regarding Solomon’s time in 950 BC. If we look forward in history, we will see Siddhartha Gautama, known today as the Buddha who lived about 400 years later than Solomon. But our interest lies in ancient history, doesn’t it? For just a moment, let’s jump forward another 300 years and peak at “The Great Historian”, written by Sima Quan around the year 140 BC. He tells us about ancient rulers in China from the Xia Dynasty dating back to around 2070-1600 BC. That’s all good, but we need to go further back to the amazing civilization of ancient Egypt – so prevalent in our thinking today regarding the beginning of knowledge. Truly, here lies Ancient History, yes? However, a study of their culture reveals an earlier writing form called Sumerian cuneiform which appears to have evolved from a Mesopotamian culture which is now referred to by historians as the “cradle of civilization” and centers on an area in southern Iraq between two rivers named the Tigris and Euphrates. Indeed, to go back any farther is considered by historians to be pre-history – and therein lays Solomon’s imagination as well as our own.

That is a long walk backward in time through recorded history. On our way back, let’s stop at this display of two old women and see what they are laughing about. The inscription (see Genesis 11:27-23:20 for more detail) of the one woman is Sarai. That of the second is Sarah. They are both beautiful, but Sarai is said to be 90, and Sarah is about one year older. The main difference is that Sarah is pregnant – and yes, that seems very strange! In reading about Sarai, she appears to be very human. Her husband, Abram with her father in law Terah and some other relatives have left their families in Ur of the Chaldeans, unearthed in 1927 in an area of southern Iraq known today as Mesopotamia. Through their journey to the promised land of Canaan, she left her husband several times to live with noble men of the land, only to be returned to her husband as these noble men realized she did not belong to them.

Sarai remained barren through much of her married life. In the frustrations this caused within her marriage, she offered her maid Hagar to Abram so that he would have an heir from his own flesh and blood to carry on the promise of blessing to which he had been called. (This promise is one of the breadcrumbs in the path which we are about to follow). In fact, her husband now carries the name Abraham due to the promise he had apparently received from God.

Upon conception, Hagar became a rival to Sarai causing obvious problems within the family. Hagar was sent away. However, God met her in the wilderness and told her that her offspring would also be blessed (see Genesis 16:7-14). She was told the son to be born to her would be: “a wild ass of a man, his hand against every man and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell over against all his kinsmen” (sorry Osama, I had to mention it – but truly, I ask God’s richest blessings upon you – just confess your sins and give us all a break). As I said, God promised that her offspring would also be blessed and she returned to the house of Abram with her son, Ishmael (which means ‘God Hears’). He also was circumcised according to the Abrahamic covenant at about the age of 13 and remained within the family for another year or two.

It appears Sarai is laughing because she has just overheard some men telling her husband Abraham that the promise (*breadcrumb*) would be carried out through her offspring – and not through Hagar’s child, Ishmael. Along with this promise, her name would also be changed to Sarah! Being 90 years old, this was beyond belief and so Sarai is laughing. She has been long past believing she could have any part in the promised child except in caring for this other woman’s child. And, yet, just one year later, she is now Sarah! She is laughing again as she realizes the promise is true! The promised child is her own flesh and blood! The Child is born when her husband is full of years (100). His name is Isaac which means “he laughs.” Unfortunately, after Sarah is blessed with the promised child, being the ‘lady’ that she is and considering herself the ‘princess of promise’ she becomes embittered to Hagar and Ishmael as part of the family. To Abraham’s displeasure, she has them banished and left to die. Would that we all could be more considerate of those less fortunate – both in life, and in faith.

Hmmm, how contemporary! Let’s follow along our path of breadcrumbs.

To Abram in Genesis 12:2-3; “I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who curses you I will curse; and by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves.

To Isaac in Genesis 26:4; “I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and will give to your descendants all these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall bless themselves”

To Jacob (who held tightly to his brother's heal in birth thereby receiving his name) in Genesis 28:14; “by you and your descendants shall all the families of the earth bless themselves (or be blessed).” For those who know the story, Jacob had a tendency to mistreat his firstborn brother, resulting in plenty of enmity and strife within the family - and even resulting in the grasping of the birthright and blessing from him.

In Genesis 35:10, God (I am God Almighty=El Shaddai see verse 11) changed Jacob’s name to 'Israel' (due to how he wrestled with God throughout the dark night) and renewed the covenant with him.

Israel had 12 sons. These 12 sons and their families are the ones who went to Egypt in a time of famine about the time of the building of the pyramids and became the nation of Israel. You can read the fascinating story of how they came to be in Egypt in Genesis 37-50! You can also follow the breadcrumbs through some tremendous stories of humanity. One son, Judah (scepter) becomes the chosen seed following the violence of two older brothers. He has a child through his daughter in law – who deceived him in dressing up as a harlot. She conceived twins. During birthing, one stuck out his hand and received the scarlet thread of blessing only to withdraw it and allow his brother to be born before him. The second born, Perez of the scarlet thread, received the breadcrumb. Matthew 1:2-16 follows these breadcrumbs to Joseph who was the earthly stepfather of Jesus. Luke 3:23-38 follows a similar line backwards from Jesus to God through his earthly mother Mary. Both lines follow back through King David, father of King Solomon.

Isn’t it amazing that at such an early time in human civilization, such an ancestry could be documented? What other civilization showed the capacity of such a treasure as the Israelites. The world owes their culture tremendous thanks! As amazing as this is, the account of Luke carries the line even beyond Abraham which forces us back in time once again and into that Egyptian world and the records they held of early Mesopotamia, homeland of Abraham and Sarah. We must start as the nation of Israel is about to be born out of their Egyptian infancy. This brings us back to an early historian by the name of Moses to whom is attributed the first 5 books of the Bible which have a tremendous bearing on our cultures to this very day. Moses was indeed extremely instrumental in structuring the Israeli nation into one which could provide the world with such a rich history of humanity and religion.

It is believed Moses lived and wrote his historical accounts of Mesopotamia and the Hebrew People around the year 1500 BC – which places Abraham during that time of the earliest Chinese Xia dynasty we mentioned. In his biography in Exodus, Moses sees himself as a Jew in the line of Levi (which he claims was cursed by Jacob in Genesis 49:7). Through a circumstance of history relating to the Egyptian atrocities enacted upon the Hebrew people, Moses was raised as Egyptian royalty and had access to their wealth of knowledge as previously discussed. It is his detailed account of earliest human memories that we turn to now in searching for the beginning of our path of breadcrumbs.

“In the beginning, when God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth was without form and void…” (Genesis 1:1-2a). There are plenty of theories regarding the meaning of “days” during creation and whether there was time between verse one and those days. But, suffice it to say that Genesis 1:3-31 tells of 6 days of creation in which God said “let there be” and there was and He found His creation to be very good! On the sixth day, God said “Let us make man in our image” (Genesis 26a) “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them” (Genesis 1:27-28a – the first breadcrumb) “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31).

But, wait, there’s another story in chapter 2. Here are some pieces of that story: “Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed.” (Genesis 2:7-8) “A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers.” (Genesis 2:10). And the name of the third river is Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.” (Genesis 2:14) “Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone: I will make him a helper fit for him.” (Genesis 2:18) “and the rib which the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, ‘This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man” (Genesis 2:22-23)

This story continues in chapter 3 and tells us of the separation between God and man that we have been talking about: “But, the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4-5) “Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked;” Genesis 3:7a) “And he (the man) said, “I heard the sound of thee in the garden and I was afraid…and I hid myself” (Genesis 3:10). “The Lord God said to the serpent (d’evil?)…I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel (reminds me of that later name we mentioned, Jacob).” (Genesis 3:14-15 – second breadcrumb) “And to Adam” (first mention of Adam’s name is in Genesis 3:17). “The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. (First mention of Eve’s name in Genesis 3:20) “Then God sent him forth from the Garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken.” (Genesis 3:23).

The previous 3 paragraphs are a fairly broken summary of the first 3 chapters of Genesis. If you have question, please refer back to those chapters. The Creation and the separation of God and man remain a mystery to humanity to this day. Perhaps there is a reason that the story was presented to us in two versions which we have not grasped. Perhaps our “pursuit of knowledge” has more to do with the story than we realize as it is referred to within the concept of the original sin. Perhaps our Creator, God the Father, appreciates the fact that we continue to seek him, and yet, He alone has all the answers. I feel quite confident that He appreciates that we seek Him through this knowledge and talk to one another about His Love! He has given us the book and provided us with curious minds.

However, Jesus final words were those of caution and commission in Acts 1:7 “He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.” Seldom has man been able to forecast the future, but in hindsight, we have realized we knew of the truth all along. Be careful of pride in interpretive forecasting.

Ok, let’s get back to our breadcrumbs.

Cain killed Abel in Genesis 4 because it appeared that God chose blood sacrifice (breadcrumb) over vegetables. Genesis 5:2 states “Male and female he created them, and he blessed them (breadcrumb) and named them Man when they were created.” Then verse 3 states “When Adam had lived a hundred and thirty years, he became the father of a son in his own likeness, after his image” (breadcrumb). “To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time men began to call upon the name of the Lord” (Genesis 4:26). Genesis chapter 5 follows the breadcrumbs through 1556 years from Adam into the life of Noah and his three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Genesis chapter 6 begins by talking about the sons of God and the daughters of men and that the wickedness of man’s imaginations grieved His heart. “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8). He told Noah: “I will establish my covenant with you” (breadcrumb) in Genesis 6:18. Many cultures speak of the flood of Genesis 7-8. However, to this day, it is unknown or unconsidered how this may have affected our landscapes and dating technologies – it could explain a lot. In a re-unification between man and God in Genesis 8:20-22, we again see blood sacrifice as a seal of the covenant and our path of breadcrumbs has survived.

Let’s pause here a moment and look at Genesis 9:6 and glimpse once again at the heart of God. Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for God made man in his own image. And you, be fruitful and multiply, bring forth abundantly on the earth and multiply in it.” Before any of us decide to kill another human being, I just want to suggest that we feel quite certain that that individual was not included in this mixed blessing and curse. Just a thought, we can go on with our journey of the breadcrumbs now. Wow, and some people said the Old Testament isn’t functional anymore today! I can read this stuff over and over and over…

Noah passes the blessing on to his son Shem in Genesis 9:26, “Blessed by the Lord my God be Shem; and let Canaan be his slave.” Genesis 11:10-26 summarizes our path of breadcrumbs from the Noah and Shem and the time of the flood through 292 years of genealogies leading us back to our story of Abram and Sarai leaving their families in the land of Mesopotamia and traveling to the Promised Land where King David would eventually lead the people of Israel in pursuing the apparent curse upon Canaan and setting up the previously existing city of Jerusalem as the most Holy City of history.

Thus, our path of breadcrumbs has led us from Solomon’s imagination of a time before prehistory. We have read two or three of the oldest stories of the beginning of man placing the first mention of Adam’s name around 3300 BC. We have traveled through ancient history visiting the cradle of civilization. We have traveled from that cradle with the children of Sarah and Abraham to the cradle of this man, Jesus Christ, who claims to be the bread of life. Let’s end this section with a conversation with Jesus Christ as recorded by his disciple, John, in John 6:32: “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.”

Truly, the word of God is like manna from heaven. “Go, eat your bread with enjoyment, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has already approved what you do.” Ecclesiastes 9:7. (The words of Solomon)

Lamb of God

And so we come to God’s greatest gift; The birth of a baby who is changing the world. The Greatest story ever told. And it is told to us by God himself. For I must agree with Agur, son of Jakeh of Massa when I state that my wisdom comes from above: Listen to his words from Proverbs 30:2-6: “Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name? Surely you know! Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you, and you be found a liar.” Therefore, let us listen to God.

“For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it a chaos, he formed it to be inhabited!): ‘I am the Lord, and there is no other. I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek me in chaos.’ I the Lord speak the truth, I declare what is right.

Assemble yourselves and come, draw near together, you survivors of the nations! They have no knowledge who carry about their wooden idols, and keep on praying to a god that cannot save. Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together! Who told this long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I, the Lord? And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me.

‘Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, from my mouth has gone forth in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.’ Only in the Lord, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed, all who were incensed against him. In the Lord all the offspring of Israel shall triumph and glory.” Isaiah 45:18-25.

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return not thither but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it. ‘For you shall go out in joy, and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come forth the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial, for an everlasting sign which shall not be cut off.’ Thus says the Lord: ‘Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed.” Isaiah 55:10-13

“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’” Jeremiah 23:5

“Behold, the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.’ And they shall be called The holy people, The redeemed of the Lord; and you shall be called Sought out, a city not forsaken.” Isaiah 62:11-12.

In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall exult in the Holy One of Israel. For the ruthless shall come to naught and the scoffer cease, and all who watch to do evil shall be cut off, who by a word make a man out to be an offender, and lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate, and with an empty plea turn aside him who is in the right.

Therefore thus says the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: ‘Jacob shall no more be ashamed, no more shall his face grow pale. For when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in his midst, they will sanctify my name; they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. And those who err in spirit will come to understanding, and those who murmur will accept instruction.’” Isaiah 29:18-24

“And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.” Exodus 25:8

“My dwelling place shall be with them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Then the nations will know that I the Lord sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary is in the midst of them for evermore.” Ezekiel 37:27

“Get you up to a high mountain, O herald of good tidings to Zion; lift up your voice with strength, O herald of good tidings to Jerusalem, lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms, he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:9-11

“And I will make my abode among you, and my soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you shall be my people. I am the Lord your God, who brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves; and I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect. Leviticus 26:11-13

“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor and decide with equity for the meek of the earth. Isaiah 11:1-2

“Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (That is God is with us) Isaiah 7:13b-14

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, Who’s origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in travail has brought forth; then the rest of his brethren shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And this shall be peace” Micah 5:2-5a

“For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Isaiah 9:5-7

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.” Luke 1:30-35.

Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20b-21

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:1-14

“I will tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to me, “You are my son, today I have begotten you.” Psalm 2:7

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. (John bore witness to him, and cried, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.’” And from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known. John 1:14-18.

“Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the nations. Isaiah 42:1

“I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the Lord, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.” Isaiah 42:6-9

Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good tidings, who proclaims peace! Nahum 1:15

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace, who brings good tidings of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’ Hark your watchmen lift up their voice, together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the Lord to Zion. Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Isaiah 52:7-10

“For thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite. For I will not contend for ever, nor will I always be angry; for from me proceeds the spirit, and I have made the breath of life.’” Isaiah 57:15-16

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;” Isaiah 61:1-2

“And now the Lord says, who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord, and my God has become my strength he says: ‘It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up he tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Isaiah 49:5-6 (note, we will resume with verse 7 in the next section)

Redeemer of Nations

Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations, the servant of rulers: “Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves; because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.” Isaiah 49:7

“Remember, O Lord, how thy servant is scorned; how I bear in my bosom the insults (all of many) of the peoples, with which thy enemies taunt, O Lord, with which they mock the footsteps of thy anointed. Blessed be the Lord for ever! Amen and Amen. Psalm 89:50-52

God’s only begotten Son was sent into the world – the Prince of Peace. But after 2000 years, that peace still eludes His followers. Listen to the oracle regarding his demise at the hands of His contemporaries as foretold by Isaiah – His sacrificial death was meant to be - and fulfilled God’s requirement for the atonement of all of our sins:

Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors; for he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:1-12

“To them he presented himself alive after his passion with many proofs. Acts 1:3

“Great is the mystery of our religion: He (God) was manifested in the flesh, vindicated (justified) in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in Glory. I Timothy 3:16

“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins. I John 4:9-10

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled shall we be saved by his life. Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received our reconciliation. Romans 5:8-11

And many nations shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and shall decide for strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more; but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and none shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.

For all the peoples walk each in the name of its god, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever. In that day, says the Lord, I will assemble the lame and gather those who have been driven away, and those whom I have afflicted; and the lame I will make the remnant; and those who were cast off, a strong nation; and the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion from this time forth and for evermore.” Micah 2-7

“If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has borne witness to his Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. He who does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne to his Son. I John 5:9-10

“May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him; for he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life; and precious is their blood in his sight. Psalm 72:11-14

“He is the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation; for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities – all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him, provided that you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which has been preached to every creature under heaven” Colossians 1:15-23a

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:1-11

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.” Joel 2:28

“And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them.” Daniel 7:27

The best known statement in the Bible is John 3:16-17. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but shall have everlasting life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

Ok, it’s time to emerge from the packaging of this greatest gift – yet find we remain within this Kingdom of God. We have been told to go out into the entire world and share this wonderful news! Please check back in at anytime. If, as we step out of His Holy Word and back into our world, you find a great desire to talk with someone about this more, please do! That’s the whole reason this book was written in the first place. May God’s richest blessings rest upon you and bring you His abundant peace as you live out your days.

This man, born of woman is not only known as a Muslim prophet, nor only as a Jewish Rabbi, nor just as the Christian ruler.  This man lived a righteous life and died according to the eternal will of His Father in Heaven that all of us might have life - NOW - and have it more abundantly! Please believe it today, because my peace on earth is dependent on yours - and yours on mine.  Together, we shall find strength in His Joy as we serve in His Kingdom for the rest of our earthbound days. Together, we can resist d'evil and it will flee beyond the grasp of our memory.

Psalm 45:1-7 writes of him thus:

"My heart overflows with a goodly theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. You are the fairest of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you for ever. Gird your sword upon your thigh, O mighty one, in your glory and majesty! In your majesty ride forth victoriously for the cause of truth and to defend the right; let your right hand teach you dread deeds! Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the kings enemies; the peoples fall under you. Your divine throne endures for ever and ever. Your royal scepter is a scepter of equity; you love righteousness and hate wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows;"

May he pierce your heart with love and slay you with the very wisdom of God's word which remains His very essence and presence on earth - living and active in all who truly believe.  Receive His Spirit and walk in His light today and forevermore. Amen?

*** STAY TUNED! THE FINAL CHAPTER OF "TALK ABOUT LOVE" IS DUE OUT ON THIS SAME BLOGSITE NOVEMBER 21, 2010. IT IS ENTITLED;

"BEGINNING THE TRANSFORMATION"