Oh, this great thing You do.... this precise miracle of planting love inside of us and clearing away the dross of life and sin and hate..... Oh praise Your name....!!!

How I love you, Lord. Your mercy and forgiveness astound me. How could you love someone like me? I have sinned greatly and yet, your Word says that I'm forgiven... and 'redeemed' by the Blood. How do you come up with such greatness? I'm humbled, I'm ecstatic. 'Thank you' isn't nearly enough... not even a poor beginning. I worship You, Lord Jesus. The sacrifice, oh the totality of the torture and pain you surely suffered for someone like me! It's so hard to take in when I think of how selfish and spoiled and self centered I've been. And then there's the rest of us. How many of us feel the same? How many love You with the devotion and earnest aching inside for something, anything to show the gratitude? But, of course, You already know what's in our hearts. You made us.

As you all can see, I've been in Ephesians again. It doesn't matter how many times I read Ephesians 2: 8-9, I weep inside. Those were the words God was saying to me as I lay on that gurney in that ambulance suffering a 6 1/2 hour heart attack in 1992. The sheer gravity of the situation was nothing to me at the time. I was at peace inside and trying desperately to recall the words of those two scriptures. I think He was keeping me busy, as it were, to get my mind off of the pain and the severity of the moment. He's like that you know. Just when we think the world around us is about to cave in all around us and swallow us with disaster, He steps in.

Suddenly, all is well and it's as though it was only a bad dream; and sometimes it is. I can't count the bad dreams. Innumerable.

Oh, but the relief I feel when I think of how He loves me. How He just makes peace out of nothing and spreads it like crunchy peanut butter on the bread of my mind. I know.... where'd that come from? I don't know. It just jumped out of my fingers onto the page..... Who woulda thought?

I slept well for a time and then the cares of this world and 16 other things popped into my mind and I couldn't lie there another minute. I had to roll back the warm blankets and get out my Sword.

I'm not always faithful to read. I've been negligent. That's me 'Negligent John'.... again. And yet, He still loves me.... right? I can  always go to Him, always. There has never been a time since that day in that jail cell when I got down on my knees and asked Him to forgive me and come into my life and 'fix it", that He hasn't 'been there'. NOT ONE TIME. That's 52 years now.

It's good to look back in one sense only. To the day you surrendered control to the Creator and became the 'clay' that he could mold and shape and smile at. In my case He probably laughs.

Do you trust Him? Do even believe? Oh, you should. Your life will be so much the better for it. I can't begin to explain the joy I feel about being accepted into 'the family'. It's everything to me. It's life itself my friends, you should try it. 
And for those of you that know what I'm saying here, bravo.... blessings and peace to you, as you know so well.... just more of it...

Well, I guess I've rambled on long enough. I know you have other things to do.... but, at any rate, I am so thankful for those of you that might read this.... when ever that is. 

What??

 The norm is not. The usual is not. The surprise is not. We have become so 'indoctorinated' ( I made that up I think), that we seem to accept most anything printed or spoken across the airwaves. I am ashamed of our government. We get a new version of 'the truth' almost everyday and it's easy to see that it isn't truth, just propaganda. When do we stand up to tranny? Today, maybe? Our rights are dissolving rapidly and I don't see many doing anything but complaining.... (Yup, that's me.... complaining). 

How sad. The youth have missed so much. Their brains are plugged into machines that are draining them of all of their energy and creativity and the sense of right and wrong. I think of 'the old days'  when dinosaurs roamed the earth and I went outside to play and not sit for hours looking at a small screen while my brain evaporates.

 This stuff is straight out of the Bible. Turn to most any page where it's talking about what will happen in the future and you're reading a current newspaper of the situation we're living 'right now'. We just have modern clothes on.

Now, not everything is gloom and doom here.... We have Jesus! He's the only hope, but we need to act fast. The doors are closing swiftly and the light is being put out by the darker powers. The only comfort is that we win in the end, but in the meantime we have to fight back or lose our place in the world. I know, we're 'just passing through"... The Word says to communicate with each other and shine the light of love and truth into the darkness, which in turn, dispels the darkness and brings understanding and life and harmony and a lot of other positive and much needed things to the fore.

I know, it's been far too long that I have been here. I haven't been able to get on here for a bit, but I'm back and I hope the blog opens up for me when I need to write. It's frustrating to be 'shut out' and not get the answers to solve the issue.... God is good and I eventually overcome my ignorance and .... well, there ya go.... I 'doodit'.

I want to encourage not discourage. Exhortation is much better than tearing down the walls with negative verbiage. Wouldn't you agree? All you positive thinkers are agreeing....thanks.

Anyway, I just wanted to jump on and say, "Hello!" and send out a shout for freedom and the privileges we have left in this messy world we call home.

We are praying and fasting as a collective where I worship. I see the evidence of successfully praying and fasting in the Word, so I look forward to seeing the results of our efforts soon. Do you believe in prayer? I certainly hope you do. It's the only leverage we have against a wicked enemy out to kill us. I want to destroy everything I see as evil but I am reminded that I don't have that power; that's the Creator's job. I'm supposed to 'stay in my lane' here and be the good servant that pleases the Master and doesn't 'tick Him off' for getting in the way. I'm sure you all know what I mean.  ".... God, they are being a bunch of sinners down here! Don't you want me to bring down some wrath or something on them to make them behave?" 

Yup, you get it. We're better off watching the action from the sidelines where we belong as we praise Him and worship Him and stay out of the way.. yes? That doesn't mean we idly sit by and do nothing. We have to witness and share the Good News with the world, just not in anger or violence.

Okay, I've carried on long enough.... Time to get on to something else... 

Pray for me, please. I am studying to be a grant writer. I see so many that are worthy and yet, don't have the resources. If I can help that along, I believe I can be part of the 'big picture' and see the kingdom progress as the Master instructs. Pray for me and 'them' as I begin to search out the funders and successfully attain the needed approvals for projects He deems worthy. My little brain is struggling a bit with everything it takes to pull off a successful grant application, but I'm confident that Father will help me along. I think He's partial to the 'slower ones", yeah?

I see that I have a few 'followers'. I didn't realize you were there until the Lord pointed me in that direction on the home page. God bless you. Share these posts if you deem them appropriate and interesting. It would thrill me to no end to know that these writings aren't just babble from and old fart, but worthwhile tidbits that 'spark' the thinking mind. 

I can't believe I woke up at 7:30. The coolness of the day was throughout the house. We left windows open to keep things cool and it did. I love this time of year, when we can get fresh air, sorta, through the screens and still enjoy the warmth of our blankets as though we were into winter season already. Di loves the cool room. I had to get used to it. 

The war rages on and still, I hear the same news every morning. "They are about to enter Gaza..."

How much longer will this be? I am thinking Biblically. We are so close to the end. All the signs point to what the Word speaks; and has for years. Our information is so crystal clear and yet the number of people fighting against 'good' is overwhelming. I can't believe my eyes to see so many young people distracted by the left thinkers. They have really laid out a good plan to destroy our young ones. All the hype and misdirected views have really taken hold of the thinking. How can it be so easy for me to see what's going and not for them? Father, help me to spread Your Word better. I have been so blessed and the mercy shown is undeserved, yet Father is still blessing and teaching me and being patient. 

What's next? We are surely in for a roller coaster ride of the century. I can see events about to happen and don't know how they will actually fall into place. The only thing I know for sure is that God is in control and His plan is good. We suffer the consequences of our action more than we think. I am grateful for the patience of God. Otherwise we would all be toast.

Join with me in prayer for all the soldiers on the frontlines. Some will most certainly give their all in this great conflict, but their reward is eternal for the sacrifice. Bless our leaders that have to send our troops into battle. I'm sure the weight  sits heavy on their shoulders. I only hope that they pray a lot about what they are about to do.

God bless America and God bless Israel.

 How cool is that?

We often find ourselves in places that are uncomfortable. I know, you're possibly thinking it's a location, but that's not what I'm talking about. The 'location' I'm referring to is relational. We say or do something that sets the tone in a totally different place than intended. 

I emailed a friend the other day and he totally misunderstood what I 'said' as being negative, when it wasn't meant that way at all. I had to back track a little to calm him down somewhat and get the 'train' back on the track I was aiming for. 

I love words. I even named the blog after words. Words are so expressive, but only when they can be 'heard' in the right context. We often think we are being 'heard' when we are not. The fast pace of our lives today can set us up for a lot of misunderstood dialogue along the way. I am becoming more and more aware of this issue because we are getting into some pretty tricky situations around the globe and not many people are stopping long enough to actually listen to a point of view past the first few words in the sentences. I hear people interrupt others before they can even finish a thought and suddenly go in the opposite direction the speaker was going with his or her point. There's too much confusion here. 

We all just need to slow down long enough to let the other guy say what he or she has on their mind and 'then' comment. It sure would cut down on a lot of the arguments that are happening right now. No matter what side you are on, it's does take a little diplomacy to navigate this world, to say the least .

Love is or should be a big part of our loves and the lack there of sets the stage for some awful  outcomes. Without love we are crippled and not really able to function properly. Let your mind relax a bit when you think someone is going against the grain. They may not have the ability to express themselves quite right, but their heart may still be in the right place. We should give each other a little more slack, especially right now. Would you agree? I sure hope so. I love people but I abhor hate and discontent. If I can comfort someone, I am comforted. It just works that way for me. 

Great words of encouragement
I saw this online and had to share it with all of you today. Our hearts go out to our wonderful friends in Israel as they suffer the loss of loved ones and fellow warriors. We are are certainly in the End Times. See the news reports and compare that to what our Bible says so plainly. It's the same thing. Here's the quote I wanted to pass along to everyone.... Be blessed.

Occupy Until I Come!

"Get ready to see the Kingdom of Heaven penetrate every area of your life. Get ready to see My hands work in the smallest details of your life.

"Rather than disorder, your life will have order, and rather than disease, your life will feel at ease because My hands will be working. You will see your enemies humbled before your eyes, and you will know that it's the Lord's hands at work.

"Times of volatility and instability will arise, but do not fear, for I am with you, and will uphold you in My right hand. What you put your mind to do will prosper, and what you put your hands to do will succeed, for I, the Lord your God, will give you success.

"Occupy until I come, and continue to occupy. Don't let anything hold you back, for I am breaking the spirit of delay from you. You will run and not grow weary and you will walk and not faint, for your strength will come from Me.

"This is the month where your faithfulness will be rewarded, and more authority shall be given. This is the month where you will start to see the transfer of wealth. This is the month where I am assigning you as My Kingdom partner and trusting you with heavenly resources.

"You will hear Me say, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.' You will hear Me say, 'More will be given; more will be entrusted. Things will suddenly start to line up.'"

 

The most important Time of the World

The information is coming in hot and fast. We are in the beginning of the most important time of the world. Yes, I said it. "The most important time in the world."

Look at the news and then look at your Bible. It's the same thing. All the former words are becoming the latter words. All  the statements about the people and the countries of the world are a mimicking of the Word. God is showing Himself to us in new and better and stronger ways. Prepare. Yes, get ready, because things will begin to happen faster and faster than ever before. The evil one has set his chief human up to begin his attempt to take over the world and it will look as though he can actually do it. BUT GOD. Yes, BUT GOD.

God already has a plan in play. He has from the beginning. How stupid is the evil of our world to run head long into the mouth of destruction, not knowing that it is sheer folly to try. Our lives are not our own. The roadmap has already been laid out before us. All we have to do is 'read the signs' and follow the path. That is our only salvation; our only recourse and assurance of safety. Don't be fooled by the hype or the promises to keep you from being involved in what's going on. The world is already 'covered ' by the intelligence sector of the enemy. "They" know who you are. They know where you are and they know what you profess to believe. The time of not being able to buy or sell if you are Christian is upon us now. Look at what the banks are doing. They are shutting down the major Christian's accounts left and right and the 'little guy' is next. They will control the money, the water, the food, the fuel and the land. Our only safety is in the Lord. I will be surprised if this post stays up for very long unless they don't have a very strong 'marker' on me. I know I'm probably not very important in their eyes thus far and that's good. Because I fully intend to be a lot more vocal from now on. We can't sit by any longer. The time is "NOW" to stand for the right or get left behind to suffer the consequences of our lack of effort to spread the Word of the Lord to the ones that don't have any idea of what's transpiring. The trap has been set and in some places even sprung in places that have less knowledge and understanding than we do. Unsuspecting people are being swallowed up by the actions of the evil one and his minions. Look around you. You can surely see the way things have changed where you are. Are you still not aware of what's going on around you? I think, deep down inside there is a 'knowing' beginning to grow inside of you and that you are at least curious as to what it is. God has instilled in each and every one of us a 'knower'. That little something that's informing us of the changes about to happen. He said, "in the last days I will pour out my Spirit upon all men..." That's what is burning inside of you right now and alerting you to the urgency of the times and prompting you to take action. 

Don't wait. Pray right now , that God lifts you up and begins the process of getting you ready for His soon return to planet earth and what will follow. Don't take a chance on being left out of the process. It's life and death to us all right now whether you believe it or not. Just be aware of what I'm saying and balance it against what is going on each day.  It will come about or I will be wrong and found to be crazy and under the influence of untrue beliefs and information.

I pray a blessing on you right now as your friend. "God , bless the ears and the minds of each and everyone that reads this post. May it resonate in their hearts and minds and be a witness to them of your great love for all mankind; not wishing any one to perish because of unbelief. Thank you for hearing my prayer in Jesus' name amen.

 Stagnant.

Nothing worse than feeling worn out inside and stagnant. The guilt alone kicks butt; both cheeks.

But I do look forward and not back. I think that is imperative today especially. Had a back and forth with a client about being 'sick and tired'. all he could say was how mistreated he had been and how everything had gone wrong and this and that. At first I felt sorry for him but the more he dragged it out, the less sympathy I could muster. I tried to encourage and exhort him but he only wanted to wallow in his self pity, so I let him. Sad to be him.

The people that bring on bad things in their lives by living in the negative are so unfortunate. I see people with major disabilities that have great courage and high spirits and it mesmerizes me. They exude a triumphant attitude and barely see the unimaginable hurt they have suffered. This guy was all but blaming God for his woes. He called himself, "God's test Dummy". How awful. I think deep down he is crying out for recognition and doesn't know that he can easily get it by being positive. He has great talents and does some amazing things with a camera, but his main objective is to point to his dilemma instead of the blessings. I will keep him on my prayer list and see how God helps him work these things out; if he 'listens'.

The rain has begun. How awesome is the sound of thunder in the distance and the rhythm of the raindrops on the metal rook of the deck outside. We have a concert every time it rains. The birds are first up with all the twittering and chirping; announcing the coming storm and then it grows silent as the clouds arrange themselves in the 'orchestra pit' and begin 'tuning up' before the impending concert. I sit very still and listen for the beginning melodies of the 'sprinkle section' and then the broad strings of the wind section that usher in the big guns. It's always amazing and never the same song; always brand new. How marvelous is our God. He always thrills His children with His majesty and innovation.

We have so much to look forward to. That's why I try so desperately to never look back. The past is a deep hole that can swallow you up before you know it and oh how hard it is to climb up and out of it. You're never the same after looking back. The mistakes are magnified and the successes are minimized.... nothing good ever comes from living in the past. Don't.

I'll stop for now and go listen to the 'concert' some more. Blessings