A Rude Awakening Part 2A

"We got a heart beat, we got a heart beat !" with a gleam of hope in his eyes, the fire fighter, returned once again, but this time baring wonderful news, advising us that Israel was still alive.

Israel, was clinging to life by a single thread, with forty percent of his body suffering from first, and second degree burns, along with extensive damage to his lungs resulting from the intense heat, and smoke inhalation, his condition was listed as critical. Israel was air lifted from the local Hospital in Eureka California, a distance of two hundred and fifty air miles, to Saint Frances Memorial Hospital's burn unite, in San Francisco.

My son in law boarded the plane headed for San Francisco, along with Israel and the paramedics. My wife and I stayed back in Eureka to tend to the other four sibling in our family.

The same evening of the incident, I woke in the middle of the night, to find that I had lost control
of my bodily functions. My arms were waving in the air, my legs were kicking repeatedly uncontrollably. I'm not quite sure what was happening to me at the time, Perhaps I was experiencing a nervous breakdown.

Friends and neighbors, all got together and established a fund for our family. Although at the time money was the very least of my worry's. An acquaintance met with me later on the following day to deliver the money that had been collected, he delivered it to me in a small brown paper bag..

I didn't even bother to look inside the bag to make a count. I thanked him and started to make my way to my daughters home where we were all staying temporarily until our housing problem was resolved.

I walked and walked the streets of the city of Eureka for hours that day trying to remember where Eva my daughter lived
I was lost, I simply couldn't remember the  location of her home, even though I had been at her residence many times before, I lost all sense of directions

Suddenly out of the blue, this R.V pulls up next to me, "What are you doing man, where are you going ?

The man in the R.V. looked  familiar. I had never really  met him on a personal basis, other then a casual "Hello, or how's it going ?"  he was a friend, of a friend that occupied the first floor of the house in which we lived in prior to the fire.

 "Hey man you don't look so good !" "Why don't you get on and I'll give you a ride home."
He must have been notified of the fire and the near tragedy of my son, by Mark my next door neighbor.

So I got in the R.V. and he asked "where are you staying ?" I can't seem to remember where I live."
He asked me," how's you're son doing? " I really don't know" I responded. He's in San Francisco
at the burn unite.

"Would you want to take a drive down to the beach and have a beer or two ?"
 I answered, "sure, why not"

He popped open a couple of beers, and handed me one. I started drinking the cold beer
and I couldn't help it, my emotions took over, I wept, and wept, as I sat there with a man I hardly even knew and cried my heart out.

He put his arm around me with compassion and said, "thats all right man ,let it all out."
You're son is going to be alright" But regardless of his optimism, I couldn't find any comfort,
But what I did find was a new friend, one of whom I will never forget for as long as I live.

After an hour or so, we started driving around the vicinity of my daughters house I wasn't quite sure
where the house was located, but we eventually came across a familiar surrounding and I recognized
her house, I thanked him, and he was on his way. I never got to see him again, but I wish I could have met him under different circumstances.

As my Wife, and I, along with our youngest son Issac, age two, made the drive to the Bay area, to be present at Israel's bedside, I recall, that Nothing mattered to me at that point in time, other then the life of my son. Every ambition, every dream vanished, there wasn't any amount of silver, gold, or precious stones, in the earth that could ever possibly replace the gift of life, that God had graciously delivered to us on August 5, 1975.

A young nurse entered the waiting room of the maternity ward at Tucson Medical center, with a small package weighing 6,lbs 8,oz bundled up in a tiny blanket, decorated with images of various Disney characters. I asked "Is it a boy, or a girl ?" She hesitated for a moment, with a smirk on her face, the nurse released her grip on the blanket to reveal the gender, "It's a boy, Its a boy!" I began to jump up and down with joy, my wish for a son, had been granted.

Through the years, our Father, and son relationship flourished and could be considered to be exceptional. We would often spend long hours in training sessions at the local gym, preparing for upcoming boxing events.

Israel possessed an exceptional talent. At the early age of eleven, and weighing between ninety to a hundred pounds, friends, and acquaintances, ranging in age, from late teens, through, mid thirties, would often challenge the young gladiator. It was rather amusing to witness a child defeat opponents, twice his size, in the manner, resembling the biblical account of the battle between David, and Goliath.

Upon our arrival to San Francisco, the citizens of the city of Eureka California, had made prior arrangements for our stay at the Ronald Mcdonald house.

All of the patrons staying at the  Mcdonalds house had one thing in common. We either had a child, or a young adult that was grievously ill. Everyone there pretty much kept to themselves. I don't ever recall making any kind of conversation with anyone there, other then, "good morning or have a good nite"

I guess there wasn't really any need for a conversation. it was evident by the expression of sorrow on our faces that left anyone without doubt  of  what we were all going through.

Alcohol beverages were not permitted on the premises, however I always managed to sneak in a six pack of beer up into our room.

My son Isaac was of great comfort to me in those days and he became my best friend even though he was only three years old.

Every morning during our stay, I would take my son Isaac, by the hand, and we would proceed to make the two mile journey on foot to Saint Francis, burn unit.

My wife, Grace, would spend the entire day sitting at my sons bedside. As for myself, it was a battle for me to even walk into his room. I was always terrified he would die during my visit, and I would have to witness his departure.

I would spent countless hours at a pizza parlor a few blocks away from the hospital. However, it was not my intention to dine, but rather to just sit there and drink beer. It seemed to me at the time, that alcohol was the answer in helping me to drown away my sorrows.

I felt comfortable in my surrounding. It was a very quiet place. And after a while  I became acquainted with Joe, the owner of the establishment. He was such a fine man. I'm not sure what part of the world he was from. He was of a tan colored skin, perhaps from the middle east,

He would often sit there alongside of me and listen to me for long periods of time, as I went on about Israel. I can honestly say, I'm very thankful To God for providing someone like Joe who found the time to listen.

I preferred drinking  at the Pizza parlor rather then one of the many taverns in the area. The reason being, most of the places in the vicinity were gay bars, However, there was an occasion when I accidently stumbled into such an establishment, fully unaware of my surrounding.  I entered the tavern and asked the bartender to serve me a glass of beer. It wasn't long before the tears started rolling down my cheeks. The Bartender, walked over to me and asked,"whats wrong "? I explained , that my son had been seriously burned and was in critical condition at St. Francis burn center.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the bar sat two men and their conversation consisted of their sexual encounters. The bartender with a stern voice asked them to refrain from having that type of conversation "There's a man here that is having a very tough time, so you guy's lighten up."

I was surprised by the bartenders remark, I'm pretty sure they were regular patrons at the bar, yet he was willing to jeopardize relations with his old clientele, for my sake.

My wife and I, are not strangers, to the  danger, of the possibility of losing one of our sibling.

My daughter, Sharon, Age two, on a Friday afternoon, managed to climb, up into our medicine cabinet, and swallow an undetermined amount of  my wife's prenatal iron tablets.

Our 5 year old daughter, Gracie, knocked, on our bedroom door, " Mommy, Sharon, ate some of your red pills mom!"

My wife got up to investigate  I remained in bed, resting, after spending a long hard day at work in the construction field.

Suddenly, I could hear my wife screaming from the other room,"Sharon what did you do?"  Oh my God! Joe, Sharon swallowed some of my iron tablets."

My wife induced vomiting immediately and we honestly believed at the time, that Sharon, would be just fine. Unfortunately, My wife, and I,  were unfamiliar, with the devastating effect's an overdose of iron tablets has upon the body of a three year old child.

We were planning on going out for dinner that afternoon and taking on a movie afterwards.
 I rested in bed for an hour or so following the episode with my daughter, and everything appeared to be just fine,

My wife Grace, got all three of the children dressed and ready to go. We all hopped into the family station wagon without a care in the world.

As we were driving down the road, I looked into the rear view mirror, to check up on the kid's, that's when I noticed that Little Sharon's eye's were rolling in to the back of her head. Immediately, I changed course, and headed to the nearest hospital emergency room.

The Hospital personal  made Sharon a priority, and for all good reasons.

After receiving the results of the blood tests, they advised us, that the iron count  in her system was extremely high, and potentially lethal.

The Attending physician  at Kino hospital, felt it was necessary, under the circumstances, to have Sharon, transferred to Tucson Medical Center, where they were better equipped in dealing with this type of emergency.

My wife accompanied Sharon, as she was being transported by ambulance, to University Medical.Center I followed in close pursuit of the emergency vehicle. As the driver sped through traffic, with his siren on, and the flashing red lights, I  came to grip at that moment of how serious

Sharon, was immediately admitted into the intensive care unit of the hospital. More blood was draw en, the results of the tests confirmed, the diagnosis made by the staff, at kino hospital were accurate.

"Iron overdose has been one of the leading causes of death caused by toxicological agents in children younger than 6 years." 

The thought of losing my child, was a burden to heavy for me to bear. I left Grace, at Sharon's bed side, and found my way to the chapel, provided on the premises.

A few minutes later, Grace confronted  me at the chapel, and advised me, that the attending physician from the emergency ward desired to talk to me about Sharon's condition, that it was of great importance. But I was so overcome with grief, and sorrow, that it was impossible for me to have a conversation with anyone else other then my own wife.

I was so afraid of what the doctor had to say, that I decided to leave the hospital altogether and just go home to leak my wounds.

Meanwhile, my lovely wife had the conversation with the physician, that I dreaded. " Sharon's chances of surviving are slim. The iron is all her system, and is invading the vital organs of the body, and even if Sharon is to survive, there will be long lasting consequences. Unfortunately we don't believe she will ever be the same."

 My wife responded, "Doctor, I know that my God has the power to deliver my little girl and even if he doesn't he is still my God."

 "To be honest with you, Grace, you're God is the only one that can perform this miracle"

My wife got on the phone and called me at home, regarding the analysis of the medical staff.   As she spoke to me concerning the matter, suddenly her voice sounded optimistic" Joe, Sharon is sitting up, and playing with the doctors flashlight.  The doctors seem to be very excited about it,  Ill call you back.

The doctors that were at her bedside were astonished by what they were witnessing. Immediately they withdrew more blood from Sharon, to make another analysis of the iron in her system.

When the results of the test came in, the doctor called my wife to the side and said," You're God is the true God, there is absolutely no logical medical explanation for what has occurred within a matter of minutes . The Iron in her blood has gone down significantly. We tested her not more then 10 minutes prior to the new test, and the results of that old test indicated the iron level was extremely high. It's a miracle, there's no other explanation. You're daughter is out of danger now, she going to be fine.

" I told you doctor, that my God is the one true God" And the physician at the time, had no other alternative, other then to agree.

The following day Sharon was released from the hospital. Miraculously all the tests performed prior to her release indicated that Sharon  was just fine.



                                                         

"The Penalty of Sin"

World Religion is a list of do's and don'ts that are used by such individuals in order to be found approved of God. If you're Muslim, Catholic, Baptist, Buddhist, etc etc, you all have one thing in common, a law.

The list of do's and don't's varies according to the doctrine of you're denomination, or faith.

Non the less each and every individual who subjects himself or herself to a particular religion is obligated to fulfill the entire list. If it just happen's that you're human, there's not a day that goes by, that you are not guilty of breaking at the very least, one of the laws written, whether it be the the Bible, the Qur'an, or Tripitaka.

Therefore if you've broken one law you're guilty of sin. And the penalty of sin is death, whether you're a Christian, a Buddhist, or Muslim,

However, where there is no law, there is no transgression. Jesus said, " I did not come to destroy the law or the prophets, I came to fulfill it. And what was the fulfillment of the law ? He that sinneth must die.

The only thing the lord is truly guilty of, is tasting death on a cross, to make men free from the judgement of the law.

But never the less, there will be a judgement day, and who will be able to escape from the one that sit's upon the throne.

For the penalty of sin is death, unless of course someone took you're place and paid the ransom in full. And if the one that sit's upon the throne is the very same one , who by his own blood paid in full the penalty of death, when he hung upon the cross and tasted of death, that those who would believe in his name, may be justified, and sanctified by the sacrifice that God made, offering up his only begotten son, that through him we should be made the righteousness of God.

How shall anyone escape the judgement of God, if we neglect such a great of a salvation.

In The Midst of the Whirlwind

I would like to emphasize that this testimony is not fictional, but a true account of what occurred the night I was confronted by the one and only true God, and the father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

It was the early 70's I was a young man . My life at this point in time was in total chaos. I was struggling to find a reason for my existence but no one seemed to have the answer and my life was getting from bad to worse. There was such a deep rooted hatred within me. An anger that would overtake to such a degree that nothing mattered to me.

I would often wake only to find windows shattered, miscellaneous objects in my family's home broken to pieces. The people whom I loved who occupied the home were gone because they feared me. I would have little or no recollection what so ever  had occurred during the night. My Mother would be the one to fill me in the day after and put all the pieces of the puzzle together for me. "Felix, you went crazy again last night " I would apologize to her and she would always forgive me. I really don't want to go into specific detail of everything that was happening to me during this dark period of my life. If I was to do so the only way of providing all that information was to write a book. Non-the-less it was all leading to the only alternative left, and that option was death.

On this particular day I just happened to stay at my cousins home for the night. As I was undressing getting ready for bed , I just happened to glance over at a night table next to my bed. On the table was a bible.  I reached over and picked it up and held it in my hand, and this is what I prayed "Lord if this is the truth show me or else I'm going to die. But please show me tonight otherwise I will perish.


I quickly fell into a deep sleep. After a space of time, of which I cannot determine, I remember I was having a dream and there was nothing really unusual about it, suddenly as though someone pressed the pause button on a D.V.D player the dream froze. I knew that I was dreaming at this point

 I opened my eyes and I found myself standing next to my bed, as I drew close to the person laying on my bed I could distinctly see all the features of my face, it was evident the person lying in the bed was me.

As I looked around the room there was no doubt it was the same one I had occupied that night. I was peaceful and not fearful in the least, I lifted my voice and screamed out his name "Jesus." Immediately I heard the sound of a breeze coming from the ceiling. It quickly became a strong wind and in its final stage a whirlwind. Suddenly I found myself in the midst of the whirlwind and the greatest love known unto mankind. As I was being taken up I recall praising and worshiping the God of all creation .

Suddenly the whirlwind stopped and started rotating in the opposite direction, I could feel myself descending and the power of the wind subsiding. "No Lord, don't take me back, I want to be with you forever," I cried. I felt my soul as it entered back into my body, Immediately my eyes were opened .

I rose from the bed and fell to my knees and prayed "Oh Lord, all this time I thought you were just a joke, that someone had made you up, I didn't know you were real". As I worshiped the room was filled with the presence of a holy being which words are unable to describe. In reverence I confessed my sins to God that night and asked for his forgiveness.

 The following morning I woke early and made my way to the home of some Christian people believing they would somehow be able to shed light in my encounter with the Lord. As I walked to their home it seemed as though the earth was new, even the very air I was breathing was different. I had never experienced such peace in my entire life

Upon arriving I tried explained to them what had occurred that night, they were skeptical and could not understand why God would perform such a miracle for someone as sinful as myself. I could see the doubt in their faces. One of the individuals asked me, "and what do you suppose happened to you last nite." I answered, "the lord gave me of his holy spirit." the words came from my mouth involuntarily, I was amazed at the answer (I had no knowledge of the holy spirit). After they tried to convinced that what had occured to me that nite was not as meaningful as I suspected  I walked back home and straight to the refrigerator where my favorite beverage was, I opened the can and stepped outside to the porch where I was reminiscing about the greatest adventure of my life.

 Then I observed a man walking in the direction of  the house, upon his arrival he started talking to me about his religion. As I listened to him there was suddenly an interruption, words starting pouring from my mouth uncontrollably speaking of one who died on a cross more then two thousand years ago giving testimony of Jesus Christ.

The man was astonished by the words that were being spoken and glorified God, I was also amazed by what was happening and fearful at the same time. I was quoting scripture from the bible, a book I had never read before in my life. Jesus Christ the same yesterday today and forever.    

The Curtain of time.

Several years ago, I took my family on a vacation trip to Sonora Mexico. On the way to our destination, I couldn't help but notice the enormous amount of poverty in the country.

The huts of the poor were made of tin that didn't require a draft of an architect to erect, their children playing by the irrigation ditches, barefoot, their clothing torn, and ragged. The sole provider of the family on his way to work, walking alongside the road, with the hope his sweat, and the strength of his arms would provide for the bare necessities of the day.I was overtaken by emotions, And lifted my voice to God, Oh! Lord, why have you allowed these things to be? My grief was questioning the wisdom of the almighty God.

As I was driving down the road, suddenly their appeared to me a vision of a red velvet curtain, very similar to the ones used on a theatrical stage. The drapes were then slowly drawn, I felt compelled to look inside, as I leaned forward and placed my head inside the curtain, I shifted my focus to my far left and witnessed what appeared to be the beginning of time, as my head slowly turned from left to right, I could see a diverse amount of world events taking placed in perfect sequence, very similar to a jigsaw puzzle being pieced together to form an image.When my eyes were fully focused to the far right, I witnessed the end, or rather the beginning. The puzzle that once held doubt was complete, pieced together to form a clear image, every event of life had its place, whether it was good, or bad.

When I pulled my head out away from curtain, the drapes began to close. When they were fully shut, the vision ended, and I lost memory of the events I had just witnessed. The only Memory that remains to this day, is the fact that our God is perfect in all his ways.

A few months later, at around three o' clock in the morning, there was knock on my front door to advise me of the death of my older brother. The first thought to enter my mind, was that another piece of the puzzle had found its place. Although I loved my brother dearly, I refrained from ever asking the Lord why.

False Prophets

Counterfeiting is the crime of duplicating the original. In order for the counterfeit to be successful it must a replica of the original in every aspect. Example, In order to pass a fake hundred dollar bill, it must look, and feel like the original. "Many shall come in MY NAME and say I AM the CHRIST and shall deceive many, if it were possible even the very elect."
Is there a full proof method of detecting a false prophet? There most certainly is, CHRIST the Shepard , John.10:4 "And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow." For as many as are led by the spirit of God they are the son's of God.

If we are his sheep, is there a reason to be concerned ? Is it possible for the lord to abandon his flock? (John 6: 39)Jesus said," And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day."

Godliness presents it self in a variety of different forms, what appears good to men is often accepted as truth. What is it that every religion in the world has in-common? The law,(Rom 2:14)" For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:" Therefore every religion strives to do the things that are of the law, although they are not fully aware of it.

Some abstain from such things as coffee, cigarettes, alcohol. while others fill the necessity to observe certain calender days. There are some who will not feast, (dance, movies, casinos e.t.c.) who fill it is a sin to participate in such things.

But the bible states,(Col:2:20-2:23)" Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days, Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinancesTouch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? . Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh."

Religion, the best of the best when it comes to counterfeit.(Cor 2:11-2:15) :For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

" Jesus said, " I am the way, the truth, and the life and no man shall come unto the father but by me."

"A Rude Awakening" Part one

On the morning of April, 5, 1991 I was awakened by Charles Dukes, a friend of the family, banging on our bedroom door, shouting "fire ,fire," I quickly dressed and ran out in to the hall way of our three bedroom, upper level apartment, where my wife Grace including myself, along with our five children made our residence.

I entered the hallway from our bedroom to investigate the commotion. Visibility was limited by the black toxic smoke  that engulfed the residence, at that moment is when I realized the seriousness of the matter.

I observed the flames as waves, protruding from the kitchen area. The fire had started spreading quickly out on to the ceiling in the living room. A scene closely resembling ripples of fire on briquet's of burning coal. I screamed out in horror for my children, and their three teenage friends who had spent the night, to evacuate the premises immediately. I watched intensely as they all made their way out the front door of the apartment to safety.

I was confident that everyone was safe, when suddenly it occurred to my wife Grace, that our son Israel was missing. "Where's Israel?, where's Israel?" she cried out ! My 15 year old was unaccounted for.

I desperately started to search for him, shouting his name as I made my way through the crowd of neighbors, who had assembled themselves outside the property to witness the burning structure.

Frantically I combed the grounds adjacent to our property in the hope of finding my first born son safe from the burning inferno. Israel, was nowhere to be found.

I rushed over to the south side of the building, and looked up towards the second floor, and observed the kitchen windows bursting from the intense heat, followed by a cloud of black smoke that funneled through the shattered glass.

"Israel get out son !" I began to shout, "please get out,!" my wife joined me at my side and we both begged him to save himself. We were both convinced, that Israel was trapped inside, and there was nothing at that moment we could do, but watch helplessly, as a combination of fire, and smoke began filtering out through his bedroom window.

We started to hear the sirens of emergency vehicles getting louder as they approached the residence.
In what seemed an eternity, the Eureka Fire Department arrived at the scene. Immediately the firefighters started rolling out their hoses, following all the necessary procedures in order to neutralize the emergency situation.

I ran over towards in the direction, where the fire trucks were stationary. I reached out, and grabbed the first Firefighter I encountered by the sleeve of his fire retardant coat, and began to lead him in the direction of the stair well, on the east side of the structure.

"Hurry! my son is trapped inside his bedroom, Please hurry." He looked up, towards the upper level of the burning complex , the fireman appeared to be stunned by what he witnessed, he turned his face back towards my direction, and I saw an expression of hopelessness in his eyes.

Meanwhile Firefighter Jim Christian, had started making his way up an aluminum ladder to the second floor bedroom on the south side of the building, diving head first through the window into the burning structure,Christian discovered Israel wedged in a corner of his bedroom,

Jim Christian : “I couldn’t stand up because of the heat. I grabbed his right arm and tried to pull him toward me. The burned skin on Israel’s arm came off in my glove. I laid across the bed and grabbed his upper body and somehow got him over the bed to the floor near the window. I could hear Captain Ballard taking the window frame out to give us room.

I was dragging Israel toward the window when Mike Bakke came crashing through it. I was never so happy to have someone jump on me in all my life. We dragged him to the window and lifted him gently as possible through it. It was the first time I could actually see Israel Jaure."

A firefighter approached my wife and I ,his countenance, filled with sorrow "we got your son out." I couldn't find the courage to ask him if he was alive, being sorely afraid of what his response would be, I simply nodded my head.

I embraced my wife, Grace, "there is another body waiting for him in glory," She refused to believe that our son had perished in the flames. "No! No! my son isn't dead !" I bowed my head at that moment, and began worshiping the God of the universe

Meanwhile, Israel, was having the greatest experience of his Life:

“There were flames everywhere and there was so much noise,I panicked and screamed. I knew there was a way out through the back door of the kitchen and I opened the door to my room. A horrible blast of heat knocked me down. I was flopping like a fish out of water. It was like drowning and being burned at the same time. I kept saying ‘God, help me’ over and over.

I could see the flames all around me; I could hear my mother screaming for me downstairs, even over the noise of the fire. Then the pain stopped and all I could feel was peace. I took the deepest breath of my life and when I let it out, my eyes dimmed, my hearing went away and I knew I was about to die.”

Suddenly, Israel found himself in a place of total darkness, where he was transformed to nothing more, then a mere thought, he cried out" Jesus" he recalls hearing what would best be described, as the screeching of a heavy steel door being opened.

Israel, was lifted out from obscurity, and placed before the presence of the creator of all things. He was incapable of lifting his head to look upon the one that sat upon the throne, but recalls, being   placed upon a plateau, where he observed an ocean of people dressed in white garments. All of them in reverence to the one who sat upon the throne. He turned to look upon the source of the light that shined brilliantly on the inhabitants, he was strictly forbidden to do so, "Its not your time"

Feeling destitute, he came across a caravan, composed of a small group of people, who appeared to be carrying all of their earthly possession's in the back of wooden wagons. The leader of the group was wearing military combat fatigues, he was highly decorated with various campaign medals.

As Israel drew closer, he observed a glow illuminating from the man's face. Israel enquired of him, the reason as to why he was prohibited to look upon the light, The leader simply responded,"Its not your time"

He heard a voice, that was similar to the noise of thunder, that shook the heavens, He was told of a precious gift that was to be bestowed upon him. He observed a sphere of light descending upon him, it entered into him, and rested in the vicinity of the heart.

Israel was forewarned of the consequences, of being the recipient, of such a great gift. and cautioned that he was to encounter a great deal of thieves, and adversaries along his journey through life.


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I

The Time Piece

The Time Piece
A story is told of A fine crafts man who built A time piece, and fashioned it like no other. For hours he labored to produce the one of a kind. After being satisfied with his new creation, he thought it fit to give to his closest friend who would surely be pleased by the gift. The friend was left speechless and unable to find words to express his gratitude. The beauty of the time piece was breath taking. Its accuracy was beyond belief.

As time went by the friend's curiosity grew strong. He became determined to find the mystery of the creation of the time piece. After days of thought he came to the conclusion that he must disassemble it, if he is to ever know its secret. After taking it apart and examining it, he found himself unable to put it back together. He did all that was possible with no positive results.

After much deliberation he came to the conclusion that if the time piece was ever to be restored, he would have to endure the shame of his error, and return the time piece to the only one capable of restoring it. He explained to the crafts man how his curiosity had over took him, and asked for his forgiveness. The craftsman quickly accepted his apology, and asked, "my friend, where is the time piece ? " With shame he handed him the remnants. After a short space of time, the crafts man returned, and in his hand was the time piece, the gift fully restored.

The God of the universe is the craftsman the creator of all things.
The friend represents religion
The Time Piece, the life of men without his maker.
The free gift, Jesus Christ

"A Country Divided"

"Amazing Grace"

"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one."(John: 10. 28) With the promise associated with this verse in the scripture, I find it quite difficult to assume that the lord has altered his word because of the trials and tribulations in our lives that we refer to as failures. Despite our doubts, Tim 55-2:13 "If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself."

 "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (Corinthians 2:12.9)

Samson appeared to be a failure as he was led by a youth to the pillars of the coliseum, blinded by his adversaries. Being forewarned of his parents and brethren of the danger regarding his relationship with Delilah, he was rebellious and ignored their advice. "But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines who had dominion over Israel."(Judges:14.4).

Was Samson acting in his own behalf? Some have gone as far as to refer to him as a backslider. It would APPEAR that Samson was out of the will of God, but nothing could be further from the truth.
"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand."psalms 37: 23-24

If we were to place ourselves in the position of Samson's parents when they witnessed the Philistines rejoicing in his defeat and hearing them cry out, "our God dagon has delivered our enemy into our hands," We would consider the advise he neglected from us as the reason for his failure.

Despite logic, the scripture reads "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."(Romans:8.38)

We have been taught (religion) and are under the impression, that we have control over our own destiny and  have been given the right to chose our own fate

Our younger children are free agents, but if they were to make the decision to go play ball in the middle of a freeway, would we oppose their decision, or allow them to exercise there right to chose. If we were to allow them to do so, we would be considered to be unfit parents, correct ?, and  most likely lose custody of them. We can rest assured that our God is not an unfit father. "he that I love I rebuke and I chasten" The lord did not create robots, but an army of children.

For I am PERSUADED, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus in all this things we are more than conquers threw him that loved us.".(Romans:8.39)

As parents the majority of us would do what ever is possible too defend, and protect our sibling, Ask yourself  is God an unfit fit father.

Arizona

In my south the days of winter are like those of spring,
and my nights clear as you've never seen.
My beauty will I share,
and the glory of God will be declared as your eyes
will become a witness to the vastness of my splendor.
For you shall see the magnificence of my deserts
and all the life which they sustain,
my mountains shall you gaze upon they ascend as a prayer come true
unto my skies so blue.
My beauty you will agree is as incense rising to the heavens
and you will applaud my makers hand
as you behold the grandest of all canyons.
Glorious are my sunsets,
they are as the colors of the rainbow
far beyond the works of Rembrandt.
To my beauty there is no end,
I am Arizona, welcome to my land.

fields of gray

The gray does declare the glory of thy wisdom, the scares of your youth

are amongst the fields of gray.

Thy wrinkles are as roads paving paths for us to follow,

experience written in the beauty of thy face, and I must say, I do

 appreciate the fields of gray

The Wolves

The weak,
the elderly,
the confused,
the abused,
have become the victims of the men made prophets of our day,
portraying themselves to be lovers of God, and men.
Thieves in disguise,
but not to the wise.
Ministers of fame,
it is they who have quenched the original flame.
A humble expression,
a soft spoken word,
a tear in their eye,
yet dwelling in lies,
being wolves in a holy disguise.
But the God whom they spoke of for profit, and gain,
shall be the one to extinguish their flame.
For the Lord shall open the eyes of men,
that the wolf be discovered in his unholy plan.

"Is drinking a sin for Christians?"

Is drinking a sin for Christians?
Religious doctrines are usually based on the sanctification of the body and require the abstinence of alcohol. The bible states "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit"; For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

This brings to memory of an event that occurred early in my Christian life. A young man in the congregation was suspected of drinking. One of the ladies in the congregation decided to confront him. "Brother are you aware that one of our brethren is defiling the temple of the holy spirit."The young man was fully aware that she was referring to his drinking, he answered her with the wisdom of the word of God, "Sister, Every sin that a man commits is without the body,  fornication is the only sin that defiles the temple of the holy spirit according to the bible," she disagreed with his answer and a debate was in the brewing.

"Who should I believe your doctrine, or the word of God? the bible says, let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; . Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

If we are to come to a conclusion as to what true holiness is, we would most certainly be satisfied with the righteousness God provided by his first born of creation, that by him we are made the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD, by believing on the one that justifies the ungodly, and it was imputed unto us as RIGHTEOUSNESS, and we are complete in him.

The thief on the cross is one of the greatest example of fully being justified by faith. He was fully aware of who the one that hung on the cross was and said, "Lord remember me when you get to your kingdom," the Lord answered, "Verily verily I say unto you this day you shall be with me in Paradise".

How is this possible? The thief told his companion in crime, that they both deserved death. He didn't have the opportunity to build a stairway to heaven with his good works.We must conclude that he was made righteous because he believed the one hanging on the cross was the Messiah, the righteousness of God. So I have come to the conclusion that my Righteousness is not found in a bottle, but in the blood spilled on Calvary, by my lord and savior Jesus Christ.

"Can Christains Sin"

"If any man says he does not sin he makes God a liar and the truth is not in him. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin for his for his seed remains in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God." (John:3.9.) Often the Bible is criticized as the book that contradicts itself. These two scriptures fit in to this category and most clergy are unable to answer if their asked to interpret their meaning.

The first verse concludes that there is not born one that's righteous no not one for all man have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Second verse concludes who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect? It is God that Justifies (Romans:8.33) Who is he that condemn us? It is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who even is at the right hand of God,who also makes intercession for us.

Paul had the perfect answer to the question can a christian sin. "For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man(the one that cannot sin) But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."

All religions have one thing in common, they all believe in their good works as an aid to there salvation. But what they don't have in common is the belief of one that was slain for them on a cross and tasted of death that by him they should be made the righteous of God threw him. He died once and for all and there is no more memory of sin to those that look to him. Now to answer the question can a Christian sin, not according to God and his Christ.

Fully Trusting in God

"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one."(John: 10. 28) With the promise associated with this verse in the scripture, I find it quite difficult to assume that the lord has altered his word because of the trials and tribulations in our lives that we refer to as failures. Despite our negative feelings the scripture reads, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (Corinthians 2:12.9)
Samson appeared to be a failure as he was led by a youth to the pillars of the coliseum, blinded by his adversaries. Being forewarned of his parents and brethren of the danger regarding his relationship with Delilah, he was rebellious and ignored their advice. "But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines who had dominion over Israel."(Judges:14.4). Was Samson acting in his own behalf? Some have gone as far as to refer to him as a backslider. It would APPEAR that Samson was out of the will of God, but nothing could be further from the truth."The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand."psalms 37: 23-24

If we were to place ourselves in the position of Samsons parents when they witnessed the Philistines rejoicing in his defeat and hearing them cry out, "our God dagon has delivered our enemy into our hands," We would consider the advise he neglected from us as the reason for his failure. Despite logic, the scripture reads "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."(Romans:8.38)

We have been taught and are under the impression, that we have control over our own destiny. God has not created an army of robots in whom he imposes his will, Our younger children are free agents, if they were to make the decision to go play ball in the middle of a freeway, would we oppose their decision, or allow them to exercise there right to choose? If we would  allow them to do so, we would be considered to be unfit parents and would loose custody of them. We can rest assured that our God is not an unfit father. "he that I love I rebuke and I chasten" The lord did not create robots, but an army of children."

For I am PERSUADED, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus in all this things we are more than conquers threw him that loved us.".(Romans:8.39)

The Inner Man

One evening my wife and I were invited for dinner at my daughter's home After supper we all decided to watch a movie, by the time it was over, it seemed rather late to drive home, so my wife, and I decided to spend the night.
I woke up in the middle of the night, restless and unable to fall back to sleep, I decided to go in the garage. As I stood there, my thoughts started focusing on things pertaining to God. I lifted my voice in prayer unto the Lord.
Suddenly I found myself absent from my physical being, For a brief moment in time, the inner-man was released from the outer shell that keeps him in bondage.
Immediately he started worshipping , He cried out, "Father I love you, I have always loved you. I don't have to walk on streets of gold, I don't want what is yours, I just want to be with you." He had no interest whats so ever in the things pertaining to this life. There was no amount of fame, wealth, or glory, that could be given to him in exchange for what he possessed.

He was glorious beyond any men's imagination. The magnitude of his love towards God, was beyond all human comprehension. There is no human terminology that can be used to accurately describe him. 1 CORINTHIANS-2:9-10 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Something else was spoken by the inner-man that night, that I don't fully understand. He cried out, " They have never loved you, like I love you." Then I heard a soft voice, "don't worry son, they will never be where you are." Then appeared a barrier that extended out as far as I could see, At that instant, I was made aware that it was impossible for it to be crossed over, from one side, to the other. Thus the vision faded

I have often wondered, if what I experienced that night was a glimpse of the prophecy of John: 3:2, 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.
Reflections