About Character

I have been invited to share the message at the Church in Hot Springs in a week. 

And while thinking of what to say, I wrote this down. Its partially incomplete, but I think the line of thought will be appreciated by whomever reads this.

Hope you can follow my thinking.

Enjoy

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What makes entertainment such a drawing point? More specifically, what about movies, games, TV shows and suchlike do we find so attractive? What component is essential in making interesting entertainment?

What do you think it might be?

• Maybe a lot of action, or it has to be
• funny or maybe it has to have the
• newest advancements in computer graphics,
• a thrilling plot, with suspenseful scenes
• or even epic music

But let me propose a basic, fundamental part of what makes them such an attractive force.

We would all agree that, you need, characters. Specific personalities that resonate with a part of you.

What makes religion such an important part of society and life?

Aside from the rewards of afterlife.

What would be the prime factor in following a religion, or what is common denominator about each of them?

That makes religion or even the reasoning behind a stance of no religion, each has something in common.

Similar to why we are so enraptured with entertainment: It would be the quality or the character of the God, gods, or person one follows.

The quality of character, weather its the peaceful composer of a chrishna, or the honor of Muhammad, everyone follows, including the proposed atheist, who would be a follower of his own heart or the teaching of other men. We all put the character of some other being on a pedestal, and in one way or another we aim to form ours similarly.

I am not a Buddhist, and atheist, or a Muslim, I am not even what society would call a christian.

Though I am not free from that title, I am a follower of the one true God, explicitly brought out through scripture, nature and the life of Christ.

The God of the bible, has a character. A character that I believe and see in my life, is perfect.

Now about who God is in his quality of being. One would attribute many things to him, for instance, he is wonderful, he is powerful, he is many things.

But there is one thing that is expressly brought out in the Bible that overall defines and fulfills the explaination of who God IS at his core. And the word is one that, undoubably we have all pondered the meaning of.

That is LOVE.

I think I would be hardpressed to find an honest individual who would say that they have not been curious about what this feeling, this indwelling compulsion for the affection and attention of others is. Or what it might mean to Love.

And I say to you with %100 confidence that ever person, old or young has the capacety to give and recieve this true love.

Because, ingrained in ourselves is a purpose in life, this ingrained purpose is well known by the writers in hollywood and the designers of media today. Its the desire to have love in our lives, and when its evident we don't and are not fulfilled in this area because so many of us seek fulfillment in other things, modernly its been in supplied through media but its been given in many forms through time.

Now God has been expressly labeled as the ideal and perfect form of Love.

for "God is Love"

He is the only being that possess the extreme title of Love in its purest and truest sense, and thus said, is the only place were love can be derived.

That is why I am a Christ follower, in every work, in every creation and destruction from his hand, with patience, one can see the motive of self-sacrificing Love behind it.

I hope today, that I can think about what in, or around me is love inspired.

And I hope you do to.

Blessings.

Breaks over.

So I'm back, 7 days later as would be expected, and I am very thankful for my experience.

I want to share it, and some other things that I've been pondering, I'm sure there is someone that is at least a little curious to what occurred.

First off, I'm reliant on music much more than I had thought, I never knew how much I used it to escape. And side note, I listen to classical music, not hardcore stuff like I used to, but I've learned, I can abuse a good thing, and be intemperate. So I am glad for that knowledge.

Breaking away from checking my "online life" was nice. I didn't have some strange compelling force getting me to reclick my notifications. Kinda reminded me of how I would check the fridge for food when I was bored. I think being attached to attention via social media is a symptom of dissatisfaction in real life. I veg out and just stare at the screen, its a bit of plague for the mind I say. And I want to severely limit myself, even more than I do.

On a spiritual note, I have fought some hard fights, and lost many in last few weeks.

I've noticed how self-reliant I am, and how that can benefit and hurt me.

I really love and hate a truth I found not to long ago about falling, or giving in to temptation.

Its about free will, and how I used to blame things outside myself for my failure.

I want desperately, and with no lack of trying, to detour the fault of my failure to other things. Like my circumstances, other peoples influences, even things I saw while I was browsing the web.

I make it look like that image, or exposure forced me to have thoughts about things I didn't want to think about and it is why I fell later when opportunity arouse.

But Ive realized, I can't even blame the Devil for the evils I have done, because in the end I chose to do them.

This is about me:

You are continually finding fault with circumstances, which is nothing less than finding fault with providences. You are continually casting about for somebody or something to answer the place of a scapegoat, upon which you can lay the blame of having brought you into a position to feel and speak unworthy of a Christian. Instead of simply censuring yourself for your defects, you censure the circumstances and occasions which led you to develop the traits in your character which lie dormant or hid beneath the surface unless something arises to disturb and arouse them to life and action. Then they appear in all their deformity and strength 2T 371

Its pretty cercise on how I think sometimes.

 But Its nice to know I am not the victim of Satan, but that I am in control.

I have to take responsibility for my sins. They are mine.

Fully, completely mine, I chose to rebel, and I chose to lust, or be prideful, or to covet. I chose not to look to Jesus in the time of peace.

In all my failures, all my evil, and perversion. One watches me, with pity, and love.

He waiting, just waiting, staying near, having sorrow fill his heart as I slowly creep into death.

Then I commit death, WILLINGLY.

And feel the guilt, feel the departure of peace.

And I can't see by darkness, but I put out my hand for help.

And Immediately, every time! my Lover is there. Hurt, but helping anyways.

Ready to forgive, and give again.

This vicious cycle is slowing down, and I see, progress.

Pray for me.

{post edit}

Oh, after looking this over that seemed like a dreary end.

So I want yall to pray for me because I really need it, I want to stay connected.

Thats what we need most. Connection with Christ.

Blessings!

Break time

This weekend we just had a speaker come and talk on the topic of media and the brain.

It was very eye opening for many of us.

The areas of music, social networking, video games, and theatrical entertainment are all places where the devil can reach God's children to insert ungodly principles into our lives, and believe me, Im living example of how much spiritual degradation can be brought through media. And BTW if you didn't know, media is a medium, and can be used for good and evil. But guess who rules this world and its media, ill give you a hint, its not God.


 We also talked about addictions.

And if you think media and similar can't be an addiction think again. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association put Video Games and Internet Gaming down as a legitimate addiction and disorder. 

You know what that means? If that can be a addiction, its more than possible for people to become addicted or make a negative habit out of things in the same realm. For instance-

Social media, even blogger. (Disclaimer- this is not a lets burn it all type exclamation)

I purpose to be open and honest with everyone and myself, and to be honest, something as simple as Blogger, which I aim to share spiritual and righteous material with, can still be something that gets between me and God.

Its about temperance, and self-control, which both principle to help us maintain our relationship with Christ. Time and trust are building blocks for relationships but often time I find myself honestly devoting more time to the internet, and the desire to share my thoughts on here.


When, as a Christ lover I should be devoting myself to sharing my thoughts with Him and receiving and reading his thoughts in his word.

I honestly would be frightened to find out how much time really I sacrifice to my desire to be engaged in social networking and how much time I spend think about myself or others I enjoy thinking about instead of God.

ANYTHING can come between you and God. But God wants to help us, and If we think, even slightly feel as if something, even simple or innocent is disturbing our relationship with Christ we should cut it off.

Imagine with me you are eating a snack, or something, or just having a meal and you read a article about the food you have been eating. It says that if this food is consumed over a long period of time it can "possibly" create a disease that will eventually kill the consumer.

I would probably stop eating it. It doesn't matter, I would not take the minutest chance of it. I I hope you would do the same, at the very least stop eating it to see if you feel different.

But its so sad that many of us will guard out physical health with zeal but not our spiritual health.

Satan's favorite trick is to give you something that only has a little bit of spiritual poison but it tastes really really good, or maybe its something that feels really good, or maybe even you are using this thing like me, and justifying its use because it can help people come closer to God.

Read this-

"But I beat my body and bring it into submission, lest by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected." 1 Cor 9:27

Paul is speaking to me and many others in this verse. He is saying you could be PREACHING, doing Gods work, evangelizing, and still if we are not guarded, if we are not disciplined, we will be lost, castaway, and rejected.

I myself have had the Holy Spirit speaking softly to my heart on this issue, and I plan to fast from blogger and social stuff and music for 7 days. And yah, I will miss important things, I will not be sharing my experiences or thoughts.

But really, lets be logical, if Christ is the one we adore and love, we should be happy to give up something to make more time to talk to him and read His words.

So, do you love Him, or at least want to love Him more?

Join me, and fast, give up, or sacrifice something to him for just a week, and don't just fill it with meaningless things, but put in that effort to make it additional time for prayer and getting to know who our Friend, Lover, Creator, Lord, Master, and God really is and what he wants to say to you.

Chances are He has something to say to you right now.

Give it a shot, you may lose some, even losing good things like connections to friends and family, but God will notice your effort.

But don't take my word for it.

28Then Peter began to say to him, See, we have left all, and have followed you. 29And Jesus answered and said, Truly I say to you, There is no man that has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30But he shall receive an hundred times now in this time, houses, and brothers, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. 31But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. Mark 10:28-31

Supliment or Substitute

I wrote this essay for my class, and had to limit the words a bit, so its packed with meaning.

I thought I should post it since it's a topic I actually care about.

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                                                               Social Media


“The wise do not buy into other people’s perceptions of who they are and what they are capable of. Instead, they bypass a person’s public persona and see who they are in their highest expression. When you see actions taken with integrity, instead of words only, you will then know a soul’s worth.” - Shannon L. Alder

Social media is the phenomena of the century, providing many people with various questions about how do we, as social beings, truly find meaning. No one doubts that this new avenue for communication has various effects on the most recent generation. Many that consistently use this medium wouldn't hesitate to tell you how things like Facebook, and Instagram have helped bolster there social sphere and improve their relationships. On the other hand, many of these same people would admit to the detrimental effects of daily social media usage. From distracting them from priorities and causing occasional frustration due to a uncomfortable post, one does not need to dig deep past the surface conveniences to find the numerous faults in social media. Those faults, some not so easily defined, are influencing the realms of relationships we are so purposely trying to foster.

Social media is among, if not foremost in recent innovations for increasing the amount of communication is able to accomplish. This being said, we must now inspect communication and how communication quality may be affected in this electronic environment. The communication quality during the typical use of social media is more often than not, lacking in connection. Imagine two friends meet on a normal day, but one friend brings their adorable kitten into the fold and both parties exchange exclamations of how cute the little animal is. This real life interaction provides the friends the ability to share the experience with varying responses, all while perceptively gauging the enjoyment of the friend. And inversely, a friend can observe the deeper relays of dissatisfaction or sadness in the other friend. Compare this to an attempt to share the experience on a social medium, like Twitter or even YouTube. Though you may be able to increase the magnitude of responses, the sense of genuine understanding is far lost in the confounds of the consuming electronic experience.

Furthermore, an aspect that also should be taken into consideration when using is not just quality of your relationship experience but of your own self depiction. A social media user must be weary of how beholding an abnormally high amount of filtered life experiences will effect how one perceives their personal life success. While one can lackadaisically browse the uploads and posts of hundreds of people's amusing experiences, the brain will ultimately reason itself into a state of discontent catalyzing a need to provide a experience that would rival some of the posts just lay eyes on. This continual, and sometimes competitive posting of abnormal life portrayals is a prime motivator for the perpetual use of social media. The craving to exhilarate themselves in social networking's arena of attention is by use of entertaining posts, all necessitating a increase in interesting content to fuel a wheel of praise. Though some are outside this arena, most are inside, fighting, and those that aren't fighting, are inevitably part of the crowd cheering on this unceasing display for a reinforced self image.

These effects from social media aren't discriminatory. People are effected no matter who they are. Men and woman alike have been the recipients of dissatisfaction. Researchers from two different German universities have noticed a pervading attitude among certain social media users. The researchers bring out that both sexes feel pressure to make their online image in the “best light.” Men specifically are found to exclaim there self-promotion in there personal biographies, linking to a flaunting of words to attain success in display. Women, the authors of the study say, are much more apt to emphasize “physical attractiveness and sociability.” The stated characteristics of this parading of self-image are obviously not confined to one gender or the other. One needs but only a few moments on a social media site to see a male profile with a flurry of new “selfies” or to find narcissistic profile descriptions on a females account.


 This being said, discounting all social media to be inherently evil or destructive would be a brash overstatement. The effects of social media on the most delicate areas of a individuals life are in quite varying degrees but none-the-less apparent. An article on the subject gives a accurate summerization “Online relationships are less valuable than offline ones. Indeed, their net benefit depends on whether they supplement or substitute for offline social relationships.” This paper is not a decree to ban social media, but to raise awareness on the effects. Though not exhaustive in its influences, hopefully this essay gave room for thought on what else social media may be the cause of in one who partakes in this contemporary communication.

Motivation

I apologize to anyone who was wanting more content here recently, Ive been busy with school, personal finances, family stuff, and more personal things.

But a midst all this, for school I made a Bible study that happened to be completely wrong so I redid it. But this was the original one, its very simple, I am bad at following the teachers structure but I hope it makes sense. Lets begin.

What is love?

(John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

(Galatians 2:20) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

(Ephesians 5:25) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it

Love is a motivating principle revolved around giving. God gives his perfect example of love by giving the most he can in a selfless way.

Its about Sacrifice, or what is given.

What is Lust?

(I John 2:16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

(James 1:15) Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Lust, a desire for something to find pleasure in the flesh, eyes or life. It, when conceived, is sin.

What is Sin?

(I John 3:4) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

(Deuteronomy 6:1) Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:

(Exodus 20:6) And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

(Luke 10:27-28) And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

Since Love is integrated with obedience to the commandments, and the commandments are all selfless sacrifices of something we would rather do, that it would be self-serving to oppose.

Thus sin is transgression of the law is selfishness, since you are going against or rebelling against selfless requirements.

What is lust and love more practically then?

Love is the desire to give unselfishly for no rewards, even to the detriment of ones self.

Lust is the desire to take selfishly to gain, even to the harm or death of others.

What is Salvation?

(Titus 2:11-12) For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

(John 1:29) The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

A bi-product of salvation is eternal life, eternal life is not salvation itself.

People want to be saved from death without being saved from sin.

Ultimately we can desire salvation in a sinful way.

We can try overcoming sin, in a way that is sinful. Desiring or coveting heaven, the rewards of salvation.

Can we pursue righteousness in an unrighteous way?

The answer is yes. We can covet and lust after the perks of a relationship with Christ.

So the question we ask ourselves now is, do we follow Christ because of what we want? Or do we follow Christ because of what he wants?

What does Christ want?

(Hebrews 2:17) Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people

Christ says he wants to get closer to us or "reconsile, thus he makes all effort to remove sin from separating us.

So do we want to be closer to be closer to Christ or closer to the perks of Christ's gifts?

------This is where my assignment ended, but I had another thought that I put down separately on my phone.

I was thinking about love at first sight... It's such a common term people use, but just as brought out earlier in this post I think it, being a worldly popular term has something to teach us about the Devil's counterfeit Love.

Is Love at first sight fake? a ploy? Can it be related to our experience with Jesus?

Is it a deception? I believe so, and I hope you will see my line of thought here clearly.

This deception leads people to assume they are "in love" with Jesus but usually there are certain impure motives for this attraction. They want what Jesus has not who Jesus is, the  "love" the stuff that comes with the relationship, not the relationship itself.

Just like Lucifer's accusation against Job, "Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land." Job 1:10, we all are "accused" of loving the blessing rather than the Blesser.

So how do we react when God lets Satan take blessing from us, lose of money, health, or otherwise. 

In our words, actions, or heart so we stay loving God? Its your reaction in those moments that reveals to the universe who we really love.

If eternal life, heaven, and earthly blessings were never mentioned as rewards, would we still pursue being Christlike, if the reward is why we are in it, we aren't actually in it.

If I lust after the gifts that accompany salvation instead of loving the one who saves, I will retain earthly things and losee eternally. 

But motivation sourced from divinly given love will spur me to forsake the temporal, worldy things, and gain whatever it is God's will to bestow.

------ None of us are worthy, lets not pretend, lets use our time not for ourselves, but for what God wants.

May his will be done in on earth as it is in heaven, Amen.

Relationality

Well its late night here, and I haven't really posted anything on this for a while, so I apologize.

I really don't feel right sharing spiritual things when I'm struggling in my spiritual life, but hey, these posts are more for myself than for who reads them, I need to realize that and stop taking so much pride in this blog.

Anyway, I thought I would take the time to do a little thought throwing.

There is a string of thoughts and logic that has always been fascinating and has been helping me see God more clearly.

Pardon me, but I'm just going to get right into it.

God is Love

Part of God's fundamentalism is his relationality.

 The binding force of the universe is love, which God is the definition of.

The main aspect of Love is self-sacrifice, or giving.

 John 3:16 He GAVE himself because LOVE.
Gal 2:20 LOVED me, so he GAVE
Eph 5:25 GAVE himself for LOVE, like a Husband to Wife

Its not just any giving, so many people give out of what they have or they feel they can give up fairly, they don't give until they are convinced the money or whatever isn't theirs to begin with.

But real giving, the Love giving, is where you possess something that is in all fairness yours, but you give it up anyways.

Side note: This is an aspect I struggle with, even recently I had to give up something very important to me, I thought I possessed it justly and fairly and that I saw no reason for it to be wrong, so why give it up?

What I had, I may perfectly well have in the future but I wanted to possess it by my own timing and I awakened it before it desired. So I gave it up because though it was a good thing, I needed to give it, because I want to Love God, and that means sacrifice even of things I may think I deserve.

In the end, God will choose to give me what I need the most and Ill trust him for the future. I gave for him, and I know I can't out-give God. So I will trust and Obey.

Our creator, our Father is fundamentally love. Love is something that is acted upon to another. It is something you can't have by yourself. You must have an object of affection, and object to sacrifice for.

That's why God in his nature is plural not singular, because before he created any being he would have not had an object to be love to. Unless its as Pastor Asscherick said it a sort of "Divine Family."

Even without creation God is still Love, because the Father, Son and Holy Spirit Love each other.

Same thing with man, he need to likewise have a horizontal Love, not just vertical. So God gave Eve or a woman to be with us men. So now, as a man, the object of my affection and the being I am going to supremely sacrifice for on this earth is whomever I marry. The goal is to give, not to take in the marital relations. God is the perfect example of this.

He gave himself for us, the church, his sinful erring children.

Jesus knew, when he created us that it would cause him death. Isn't that almost idiotic?

Not to be irreverent but by all human standards that is like suicide or something. He would kill himself eternally to save his failing creation. Why?

Its his nature, he desires our happiness, our fulfillment, or eternity and existence above his own. Why would God, the almighty do such a thing...?

That's the beauty, its part in the unfathomable mystery of what LOVE really is... Who God really is...

Sacrifice, in life and in death, perfectly purposed to rescue me and you.

Indecision

So I had mentioned I was going to talk about my experience with Temptation, and things I've learned. But before I can really share that there are some more foundational topics I wanted to mention.

A lot of of people, like as myself have been caught in a little lie. Just a little one.

This lie is a favorite teaching of the world. It has to do with the middle ground.

You, dear reader may or may not be aware that there is a battle for your soul. Sometimes you may be aware of it, somedays it may not even cross your mind.

This battle, this fight, this controversy is between two sides. These sides have characteristics. 

Unfortunately though, you can't avoid entering this war. Upon existence, every rational, conscious entity chooses a side. And the middle ground is where most people want to be, this middle ground is where you don't have to worry about the war. People so desperately want to believe this area exists. That they can not choose a side.

Let me do some clearing up of what these two "sides" are in the fight you and I are in.

Most widely known as

Good and Evil,
Light and Darkness.

Sin and Righteousness

Giving and Taking

Love and Hate

There are just two sides. So so many people are trying to find this area of compromise, an area where they can comfortably Sin. And unfortunately, "Seek and you shall find" is applicable here.

People will against God to do what they would like, and the will is something God has given as a gift and will never overpower you. He pleads but never compels you to choose. The topic of the power of the will is important and I am going to talk about it later.

But back to the main idea. Jesus very much new this middle ground existed and understood its role in the battle. This deception is probably one of Satan's favorite ploys. Getting you to become lackadaisical or careless in your effort to be like Jesus.

In one of the verses in Revelation, about a simple thing like water temperature, he clearly reveals the inner workings of this trap.

Rev 3:14-16

 "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."

This is definitely the position of the majority, and sadly I have seen how my life was lukewarm.

Many people believe in and desire salvation and heaven but make no efforts in bringing God's sanctifying power into their life.

Truly the fallen angels desire to return to the celestial glories of heaven, and believe it more real than we, but the lukewarm, "in need of nothing" Christians, are in a similar position to Satan and his angels, believing and desire heaven but will inevitably lack a fitness for it. 

"What greater deception can come upon human minds than a confidence that they are right when they are all wrong! the message of the True Witness finds the people of God in a sad deception, yet honest in that deception." 3T 252, 253

Matt 7:21-23

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

Many, like myself, have been caught in a lie. That they have nothing to do but be believe, mentally realize that we can go to heaven. And thats it, the Christian experience stops there and we wait till we die. But what a deception, how evil our hearts become when we do not do the  will of the Father. Even as a professed Christian in words, we profess Satan by our  un-christlike actions. Jesus hates sin, and sin is the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4) We must be obedient to the commands of Jesus, aligning ourselves everyday anew to the side of light.

Now, will you remain between good and evil, holding onto known sin and things that bring you away from rightousness and purity or will you "choose you this day whom ye will serve"

1 John 3:6-9

"Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."

"Indecision will soon become decision in the wrong direction" T4 344

If not now, when?

Satan seeks whom he will devour, if you wait in indecision he WILL catch you, like paralyzed prey.

Or will you choose Jesus, who will give you hinds legs to run from the lion to safety.

Choose to be like Jesus today more than ever before.


May God bless you,

Amen

The unknown

There is just to much in life we don't know.

Where will my help come from?

No matter who you are, or where your from, this question rings a points in your life.

Money can't save you from death. Life doesn't immediately mean comfort. Comfort doesn't ensure happiness.

Many see the obvious difficulties of health, and money, or finding comfort. But the pursuit of happiness is often illusory.

Happiness never seems to last, to most people, its more like a poison.
The object of happiness has, to so many, turned sour after sweet. Quickly fading from fresh air into a thick miasma of disappointment.

Why? Why are so many caught, blissfully self-deceived that this next boyfriend, girlfriend, season of sports, exciting video game or movie, career or otherwise, the list goes on, all through materialism and emotions, hoping in the probability that this next experience will finally deliver them what they have been searching for?

Some things are inherently negative, some are supposedly beneficial, but it all lets us down, always leaving unfulfilled ... The problem I dare say, isn't the object of our affections, it is us......

If you have the right mindset, you will not seek the obvious destruction, when you are a honest Christian seeking to not just avoid evil, but to do right (or be righteous), evil will become more and more obvious as your innocence makes you more sensitive to it.

The sanctified or divinely created pleasures will bring a happiness and satisfaction, but even these will only be for a time.

Why? Because we will take this pleasure, this right action and eventually compromise it's integrity.

How? Evil will suggest ideas to take small steps outside the boundaries spoken by God, then motivation, reasons to justify these small compromises will take there stand against scripture.

These thought or suggestions are fashioned to slip under the radar, to pierce our conscious defense of disobedience to God. These are like "fiery darts". Then slowly but surely we WILL PERVERT or change the once clear instruction from God into a self guided and perfectly justifiable sin.

 Thus we need follow through in our personal duty to uphold the sanctity of the experience we are experiencing.

Unless we strive to sacrifice, to leave indulgence in personal desires behind, these God-given pleasures will also turn to ash.

My favorite author said, in reference to the Satan's strategy.

" He will endeavor to excite the emotions, to arouse the passions, to fasten the affections on that which is not for your good; but it is for you to hold every emotion and passion under control, in calm subjection to reason and conscience." OHC 87.3

You see, impulse is Satan's favorite trap, to get us to take action first before applying principle.

Reminds me of another quote related to impulse in relation to one of the most pondered aspects of humanity, Love.

"True love is not a strong, fiery, impetuous passion. On the contrary, it is calm and deep in its nature." LYL 30.1

So many today have access to knowledge of God but do not take it into account during temptation.
Now to finish off the first quote, after we control ourselves by reason and conscience.

"Then Satan loses his power to control the mind. The work to which Christ calls us is to the work of progressive conquest over spiritual evil in our characters. Natural tendencies are to be overcome.... Appetite and passion must be conquered, and the will must be placed wholly on the side of Christ." OHC 87.3

The next lesson on that page is about my personal struggle with temptation.

Its about the single most important principle to overcoming sin that I have ever encountered.

That will be for my next post.

" Now may the God of peace... make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen"
Heb 13:20-21

Jesus loves me this I know

The phrase, "Jesus loves me this I know", has never meant more to me than today. There is a point in life that I have reached when I asked for Gods help. I cried out to God, over and over, expecting nothing.

God was listening though, to the unutterable cry of my soul. My life very drastically changed in moments. But...

Even when the valley of the shadow of death is of your own doing he is there.

I always thought that the verse

Psalms 23:4;5
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Would mean I am being attacked, or I have been surrounded, God will surely come to my rescue.

But friends, I have a report, it is much more precious a promise than that. Much lovelier a treat.

Even when we, fully knowing where the enemy is, or seeing death ahead, willfully and purposely walk forward, no matter how far into enemy territory we tread, or how deeply we walk into the valley of death (sin). We are followed, we are watch, every step to darkness is recorded by God, he notes our slightest shift away from his presence.

Knowing this fact, one might say he recorded and notes for Judgement, he follows us, to take evidence of our need of destruction.

Friends, brothers and sisters, he follows, he records, he traces us for a better purpose, a nobler goal, a higher reason.

Our redemption!

His thoughts are higher than ours, so much higher!

Isaiah 55:8;9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

He chastens us, when you are submitted to him, he refines you in the fire of affliction.

This fire, at least in my case, is a fire kindled by my own hand. But praise God, he can even use a sinner like me, who starts his own fire, and walks deeply into the valley of death, not in ignorance but it full knowledge.

How gracious God is to us, to me. He surely does not desire sacrifice, but mercy, obedience.

The wise surely have said, fear can force a man to change, but love, or loving mercy of our God, this love can make a man want to change.

Obedience is only true obedience out out of love, not fear.

Today I have known fear, my life lost, my future in ruin.

But the promise, the hope of Jesus Christ, who gladly bears my sin....

For what end? Our creator, sinless, mighty, and worthy of all honor takes my destruction, my sin, my weakness, my defilement... For what end?

To receive me.

What wondrous love is this...

Glory to God, for this day he has shown his endless love, and mercy to me...

And in return?

John 5:14
Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

He just wants me to "sin no more". To obey his Law, to exemplify order in my life according to his statues...

That is my duty, as a forgiven sinner.

May I ever remember this mercy, and I do take hold of this promise "lest a worse thing come upon thee".

God has shown me he will give me up to my destructive habits, to redeem me. And he Loves me just enough to refine me again, and again, and again.

If you read this, pray I "sin no more."

All this is only possible because of the sacrifice of God, in Jesus Christ, by his precious redeeming blood, which makes the Sinful heard by the Sinless.

In that name, I do say.

Amen

Burning Out

(I want to add a little disclaimer here before a begin, If it hasn't been clear already, I recognize the great controversy of control in my life, and that being said, much of what I right is from the occurrences and battles of self vying for control.)

I have yet another conundrum of difficulty I have subjected myself to, I have found myself in this spiral of dispiritation multiple times this summer. And the following thoughts are the catalyst.

I have been fighting thoughts of worthlessness.

And before you even think it, I know, as a Christian I should remember what God thinks of me. But that's not my problem necessarily, I am supposed to be a preacher, I feel called to help others, yet I go out to do so, and fail, my time, energy and efforts feel so squandered and even feel as if they are being a negative. I have not seen hardly any accomplishment, spiritually or otherwise all summer and my focus has been to spread the Gospel by books and even that is dragging me down.

I am definitely afraid, afraid I am truly useless.

This all wouldn't be that much of a problem if it wasn't for sin in my life. I fail to stay on the narrow path almost everyday. Right now I don't even know what path I'm on.

(I wrote all that last night)

Now today, after some prayer and spiritual nourishment my mind is leveling out.

I have been feeling so negative and downtrodden about the trouble I've been going through.

Somehow I feel as if I should be getting worldly success and blessing as a child of God. But I am reminded of the beauty of steadfast principle in followers of God in the Bible.

Job undoubtedly faces some of the harshest circumstances. But I was curious to what he had that I didn't that drove him even through God approved suffering.

Amidst hurt, and immense anguish, his own wife, the woman supposedly supporting him and bringing him closer to God said "Do you hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!" Job 2:9 NKJV

And this is the principle and view point  I am missing, and in missing this I am poisoned by my frustration and pride just as Job's wife.

Job's response (As if God was speaking to me) "You speak as a foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" Job 2:10 NKJV

There it is, I had thought of such an idea, but from scripture it is so plain.

I am exactly what the devil has a accused me of. A follower of God because the goodness of God to me, my motivations are wrong, Job had it right, there was a deeper meaning to why he served God. And God has a deeper plan than giving us prosperity.

In Job's life, God worked out the precious plan of redemption.

Our goal is not to find prosperity from Gods hand, our goal is not to live life comfortably, it is to become like Jesus.

And to do that, to become a child of God, accusation from Satan must be tested against us, and we must suffer.

Hebrews 12:11 Says "Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." NKJV

Notice here is the equation for righteousness, painful chastening by God.

And the point is furthermore brought out in 1 Peter 5:11 "But may the God of all grace, who called is to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you." NKJV

Suffering is a necassary component and should be welcomed by the Christian.

We have ultimately been called the take the cross of suffering and adversity just as our God has. Not the "cross" of self seeking, searching for pleasure or idleness, just wait sloth fully for our Lords coming. If we aren't working for the Lord and sharing in his adversity and finding pleasure in the difficult per suit of righteousness by Gods chastening hand, we will be to brittle to stand when the time comes.

We are Gods treasure, just as a blacksmith shapes and forms his tools for usefulness we must submit to the fire, and hammering of God to be redeemed to our right place.

All in all, I'm still struggling, I'm still tempted to think I have failed, but the truth is, God won't break me through adversity, I will only be a useless broken tool, when I give up.

May God be with you, and shape you into his likeness.

Amen

Revival

I praise God, because the Holy Spirit works in us to conform to the image of God.

Last week was possibly the most difficult, depressing week Ive had. But counsel rings true, I was having a hard time starting dvotions, and i was not talking with God and spending time with him.

As a result, depression, self-relience, pain, frustration and discouragment settled.

I never want that feeling, that experience, to happen again.

God is always there to be found. He waits to share blessings and treasures with you as you begin to search for him again.

This past Sabbath was a blessing, among difficulty and depression from the week, Sabbath revived my heart towards Jesus.

I was reminded of the importance of the canvassing work, and to what purpose it serves in spreading the gospel.

Though a seperated myself from the Lord through my self sufficiency, I am happy as ever to be back and once again cast my cares upon him.

One care I had was imediately taken care of, and relief was brought to my heart. And yet another soon after.

Even after all the knowledge and experience with God and knowing how much he has done for me, I selfishly hoarded my time. But even after denying him, with full knowledge of what may come, He still greatly recieved me back to him with blessings waiting in the doorway as soon as I opened it.

God is good.

I beg you, if you ar reading this, and the Holy Spirit has put a burden on your heart to give more time to God, or just to focus on him more. Pray, seek, and God will recieve you and wash you, he did me, and my sins were great, many that would be repulsive to all. Purposely giving my heart into the hands of the Satan, yet when I turned to Jesus he shelterd me from the self inflicted storm.

Praise God.

This week will be a blessing, pray for me, pray for us who are laboring for souls.

Even a great destructive storm gives life giving rain to those looking to grow.

Blessings, keep burning for God.

Life, Now

So its about 2 AM in the morning. In 12 hours Ill be at an airport to go to Michigan, and In less time than that I will hopefully see my new born niece, because my sister is in labor right now... As I type.

The strange circumstances that stem from such events, like a new life be born, or my lack of sleep, or my excitement for the environmental change from my home to the canvassing work, have spurred this little thought blending post I'm currently typing.

These past two weeks have been exactly about what I hoped they wouldn't be.

On the outside, its been a grand ole time. I got to preach, a wonderful God given message this past Sabbath. I learned so much about God through watching sermons. Even did some climbing and exploring with a friend, had some mini adventures. 

On the inside, Its been a power struggle. The fear I had expressed about my going home has definitely rooted itself. I've faced and failed so much spiritual warfare these past weeks, and sunk so low. Even at the point of wanting to forsake everything God had for me, even now I feel as if my failures have somehow made me unworthy of all the blessing I see God wants to bestow upon me in the future. 

So many things plaguing me. The thoughts of unworthiness, the contemplations of turning my back, giving up. My biggest struggle revolves around my self worth. On one hand, I am prideful, I am confident in somethings, and beat myself up because I know I shouldn't be so proud. And on the other I see certain people, as so much better than me, and me like some sort of annoyance or disease on others, thinking to myself, certain people would be better having not ever known me. But again I know to that I am not that worthless Im worth something. at least I think I am... Right?

But I know were all this difficulty and insecurity comes from. I've been in spiritual darkness, which carries over to darken many other aspects of life.

I need more light.

And I praise GOD! because just like the crazed demon possessed men off the shores of Galilee, I too see the Savior. I will be saved from this pit of despair, and have been thankfully provided with away to share sufferings and true life with Jesus through sharing on Gospel during canvassing.

I cant wait to start. Canvassing is a life giving experience. I have been starving of life because I have not been giving life to others.

 Without giving, there is no love, and no love means, no life, and death will seem preferable to life.

So I hope, that if you reading this feel a deadness in yourself, start giving, and shine light in your darkness. 

Disclaimer: If that made any sense, praise the Lord. Like usual I am not rereading this post, so I hope its not confusing, cause Its late, and my head is throwing a bunch of stuff around.

The Little (Big) things

So I arrived home to stay for a couple weeks. After returning from a run my father told me that there was some sort of waterfall that the neighbors saw down where I went to run.

Obviously that spiked my interest, being the explorer and appreciator of nature by heart.

I went searching for it this past Sabbath and did it surprise me.

I live in the back country of Bauxite, Ar and there is nothing that exciting out here, until I found this little gem :)

I preceded to go take a little hike to visit the area three consecutive days, and took my friend Jesse along too.

Its pretty pretty.

 On our way to find the waterfall

 Needless to say, we had to walk through water a lot

 Thats Jesse, he carried his camera and tripod. He took some great pics too

 It was a little hot outside, but thats not a big problem, it was an all around good  couple days.

 This is the "water"fall, with no water, but as we found out, there is a amazing little cave in the wall!

 I walked inside the cave, it was really cool, temperature wise and aesthetically too lol

 Much larger than I expected, the camera just can't do it justice.

 Enough room to stand, and had a little stream, which of course, I totally drank from, tasted good.

 Jesse, he spent a lot of time surveying for good photo opportunities.

 These pics were with my phone, You can see the cave entrance in the bottom left

 View into the cave from right outside

 I dont have much to say about this pic, exept that having a friend to share experiences with makes them much better.

 Back to my camera shots, This was the fancy ceiling .

And this was the mine right near there, looks like a mini canyon.

So all in all, the couple days where fun, lots of picture, lots of pressing buttons on a camera I couldn't figure out, but had a great time, and I praise God that he has such beautiful gifts in nature.

Eventually

This interesting event happens over and over again, I can't seem to avoid it.

To set the area, I was with my friend last night and we were talking.... Well I was talking really. But essentially there was sort of a conversation. This conversation was about life.

And EVENTUALLY it got to this event, this unavoidable question...

Why are we here? Why does existence exist?

The ancient question of all, the paramount inquiry, What is the meaning of Life?

After many minutes of feeling like a philosopher, this question emerged. Why? I don't know really, but I do know that I feel it needs an answer, and I am not one to be able to ignore my curiosity.

 But as a believer and follower of the Living Creator God, one scripture came to mind from a sermon related to this topic.

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, thee only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. John 17:3 KJV

There it is. A very simple but complicated answer.

After reading this verse, if you are not satisfied with the answer, please pray, then allow me to guide you through what God has shown me.

First of all, this isn't just to answer the question of what is life on earth, but Eternal Life, the here and after. This is the answer to the question, What "might" I be doing for eternity?

Getting to know God.

If getting to know Him doesn't sit well with you as a purpose in life. Just give it a try.

By beholding we become changed, and its a human desire to become a "better" person, having kindness, and love. This is also the desire of our creator, and this is our purpose.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (I John 3:2 [KJV]

All to long in my life, I have tried and tried to be like others, and along the way reflect positive characteristics in those I chose to "behold."

Whats crazy is, this desire cannot and will not be fulfilled if I continue to behold what man can do, because man cannot out of himself become better, but that that's the beauty of Jesus. He proved, by divine power we can "be like him" but only if we "see him as he is."

Number 1

I suppose my first blog ever should start with an explanation to anyone who knows me, consisting of why i would do such an outlandish thing as to get involved in social media.

Well as always It makes sense in my head, though there is nothing inherently wrong with social media, there is very little right with it, that's why I "preach" against it so oft.

So why am I using it?

God has used me, and will use me. And if I can bring glory to God and avoid bringing glory to myself, this "can" be a powerful tool.

So here I am, sitting in my kitchen, having been inspired by a friends blog, to write my thoughts and experiences down for others to absorb.

My next question is... Where to start?