YEAR OF THE BIBLE

I read this article written on February 3, in 1983, from president Ronald Reagan. In which he declares the year, 1983, as the year of the bible. The summation of it speaks of how the United States was based off of the bible and it's truths, then near the end says this excerpt.

"Now, therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, in recognition of the contributions and influence of the Bible on our Republic and our people, do hereby proclaim 1983 the Year of the Bible in the United States. I encourage all citizens, each in his or her own way, to reexamine and rediscover its priceless and timeless message."

Earlier in the letter he also quoted Abraham Lincoln, saying, the bible is... "the best gift God has ever given to man... But for it we could not know right from wrong."

My heart and mind are in agreement with both presidents, of course. I wish more people, whether they're in America or not, would do this very thing. Reconsider the message of the gospel, or consider it for the first time.

A DREAM I JUST HAD

It's 6:58 AM, I do not want to be awake right now. I just had a dream.

It was a glimpse at the end times. It mainly took place in my city, because it is what I know and am familiar with.

It wasn't completely accurate because it didn't go over everything. It wasn't an actual vision of it... maybe it was I don't know. It focused on the hearts of men and the deceit the antichrist tells them to win their approval.

It started with Jesus leaving. The church was gone, I only knew this because I had a sense of it. I did not see the rapture, the people who were left behind... simply could've cared less. They dismissed it... and only cared about themselves. But some wondered as to what happened.

The antichrist moved quickly on the hearts of men.... wearing white. He said, he had an answer for the reason why the people were missing. He promised to rescue the people from their confusion and set everything straight.

He promised clarity of the bible, he promised clarity of truth, this repulsed me because he clearly was a fake and NOT truth. He promised men hope... and an understanding. A gaining of knowledge through what he would tell them.

He told them to join all they would have to do was give up their life.... by this he meant their soul... they took a mark... It wasn't a barcode like everyone thinks... or really anything... I don't know what it was... But in my dream for the sake of imagery. They all started wearing red. Red cloaks... The poor wore tattered red cloaks, as the richer wore more scarlet made of fine fabrics.

As soon as they agreed to it... He handed them this new.... "bible." They called it the bible because that's what they thought it was... to them, in no way was it different to what we read and have today... to THEM. Which makes me think most non believers today wouldn't see any difference between our sacred word of God... and a common cult book... all truth is relative anyway right? This sole fact is what satan moved on. Relative truth. Post modern culture. He used that as a tool to manipulate the hearts of man to win them to his way and himself. And please believe me when I say. This book that was handed to them... the way they so easily took to it, blows out of the water the way we see people are deceived today through cults and different religions.

This was not a dream that focused on God's wrath, I saw none of that. It was solely focused on the hearts of man and the lies they fell in to. The rampage the antichrist would feed them. I honestly could not believe how easily he persuaded them. It was disgusting.

The next part of the dream. An overshot of my city... Everyone walking in red. They were all marked. Some of them were... and didn't know why.. they almost walked around in circles as someone crying out for desperation, in help, but... they didn't know why they needed help. Others understood what was happening and there were guards "containing" them, making them public examples of what NOT to do. Others walked forward, you could see the people... not all, but the people who were walking forward were all going in one direction.

I was caught up with them... Walking forward in their midst... we started to go up a hill... I heard two men talking to my left. Both wearing red, one person was unsure about what was happening. The other sort of comforted him telling him, "My whole life it never made sense, but finally this man (the antichrist) has placed all the religions into one. I never knew what to believe, but who would've thought that believing was simply believing whatever you believed." I tell you the truth (in hindsight) satan BANKS on this. Today we can see how easily people could believe this. You know it to be true. This....... This is what bothered me........ this is why I woke up to write it down, when I cherish sleep more than anything. (That blessed gift of God) I was so... shocked... and awed... and worried for these people... I couldn't do anything about it. I watched them fall into the lie... knowing the truth. I couldn't help them. Here's the kicker. The lie they believed is EXACTLY what people are believing TODAY. My heart is heavy as I write this. I never knew that one of the reasons we need to act now and spread the truth is because when we are there... knowing the truth... and being saved from it all... how we will still see the people who are falling into the lie... and the amount of compassion from that perspective will affect us until the day things are set right. This part of my dream is when I realized and started to think, the gap between truth and lies is shorter than we think. We look to the end days as far off. But the way people reason with each other today... and so easily believe what they're told, often times the next best thing that makes sense to them, is the way satan moves on people... today and in the end times. Jesus is the only truth. If that is all you know, make it the only thing you know, because it's the only thing that matters. The only thing that saves.

This next part I will never forget. There he was... the antichrist himself, wearing white, walking amongst the people. Swiftly. Very swiftly. Each step was significantly more than the next. People turned to acknowledge him.. Some were excited. Not all. Only his true followers. He dashed through the crowd. Half smiling and tipping his head to people in return. This man was loved. We walked as the bible says "like a roaring lion, seeking to devour." Except his devouring looked like talking and smiling. And his talking brought this false peace. When he would talk to someone, using an idea of relativism for example... (as if you can imagine two people sitting down for coffee, exchanging ideas and opinions but the conversation was left empty because neither one of those people would change their minds or opinions for anything in the world)... The antichrist used this kind of stubbornness and lack of compromise to his advantage. He told them that believing your opinion.. or ideas, was believing in something and if they believed in something they believed in this... "movement."

The next part... as I walked up this hill with the people... There was a man, not wearing red. The antichrist walked right up to him. Put his arm around the man, who looked lost... He told him about this "movement." He told him he could help and rescue him from whatever he was feeling, pulling him away from confusion. (VERY similar to the promises the church makes to people today which is why people bought into it, because they heard it from the church for so long, that they finally decided this works for them, they were familiar with it) Pulled out a "bible," put it in the mans hands, put a red cloak around him, and he was marked before my eyes. His days were now numbered. Then the antichrist turned and stomped off... again very swiftly. This was incredible. The easiness it took for him to persuade someone into his thinking.

We got up to the top of the hill and this is when I was so disturbed and overcome by the magnitude of it all, I woke myself up from the dream. Right as we got to the top. What was at the top was unimportant. It was just a gathering of people. All lead to listen to a liar and die a tragic death.

I leave you with this. These words do not do it justice. If you have a heart for the lost, for people... this may move you. If you don't understand the deceptions of today, and you don't understand the gospel, this will mean nothing to you.

We are close.

IN THE WORDS OF JASON THE PROPHET

If you’re having a hard time letting your guard down and trusting Him completely, do one thing, spend time with Him. The more you know Him the more you’ll be able to trust Him. Give Him space. The more you know Him, the more you trust Him, and the more you trust Him, the more you will love Him.

God will only take us as far as we’re willing to go. What do you think God will do when you give yourself up, and let Him take control? It is worth it, you’ll get to know your God in ways you could’ve never known Him before. Your shield and protector, you’re strength when you’ve had none, etc. Allow God to push you out.

What we choose right now will affect us for the rest of eternity. How far and deep do you want to go and how much do you want to be used?

For the intimacy that He has for us is great! He desires so much intimacy with us that we can’t fathom it. He wants the same intimacy that the son has with the Father , one that we can never know. Never in the history of the world has there been a connection like that.

This is why we can not depend on feelings, because the devil can control them, and come in and say, “God isn’t with you,” “Where is God?” But guess what, God is a reality! He is always with us! We just have to believe it and know it, and then follow it, not trusting what our heads may tell us, but believe what God has for us. And we will overcome. With no emotionalism.

When we are in that fellowship, we enjoy everything greater. To a greater degree! Rejoice in Him and what He’s doing, and give Him space to work.

Paul boiled it down to one thing, as did David, that he may know Him, that I may dwell in the house of God forever. Not religion, not rules and regulations, and church, it boils down to knowing Him.

TURN ON THE LIGHT

Jesus was the greatest teacher of all and not many understood Him. There is no better expositor than the Lord Himself. No pastor could ever get a clearer point across. No one could exemplify and simplify the word better than Him who speaks it.

John 2:19-21, Jesus spoke of destroying the temple and raising it up in three days. The disciples, the people closest around him, didn't understand it until he was risen from the dead.

John 3:4, Jesus spoke of a new birth, and Nicodemus replied, "How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" This is comical, but it is a natural reaction I would say. Praise God for His word and its detail and its unwillingness to sugar-coat our stupidity.

John 4:11, Jesus spoke of living water, to which the woman at the well replied, "Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then have you that living water." But dude, you don't have a bucket, and the well is like a million miles into the ground, how the heck are you going to get this "living water?"

John 6:51-54, Jesus spoke to the Jews about eating his flesh and drinking his blood. And they responded. "How can this man give us flesh to eat?" Man you are talking about cannibalism?! Who is this guy?

John 8:30-36, Jesus spoke about knowing the truth and the truth setting them free, to which the people in the temple questioned, "We are Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how do you say, You shall be made free?" We are the descendant of Abraham, we are God's chosen people, and we are not in chains or oppression right now, so what are we being set free from?

John 11:11-13, Jesus spoke about Lazarus being asleep when he had died, to which the disciples replied, "If he sleep, he shall do well." Howbeit Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that he has spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

There is a massive divide here from the ever all cliche, dead and living. 1 Corinthians 2:6-8, "Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect; yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nothing: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world to our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."

I see this all the time today, there are two different kinds of wisdom, mans and God's. 1 Corinthians also says that it pleases God to overcome the wisdom of the world with what they would consider foolishness. It may be funny to us to look at these examples, but the church is overcome with this in it's current status. Constantly debating and dividing within itself to figure out what the bible "really" means. Or what the "true core of the text," is saying. It's a constant battle between wrong and right, exegesis or eisegesis, literal or allegorical translations... the list goes on. I believe that the answer is found in the fact that people are still in the dark.

It doesn't matter what side you are on, this applies to everyone. 1 Corinthians 2:14, "The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." It is because of our unshakeable natural inclinations that we will always be at war with God, between the old and the new man, until we marry. So what does one do when they can not figure out the spiritual understanding of the bible because they are in darkness? Turn on the light.

You don't enter into a room and start swinging at the darkness with a bat to beat or scare it away. You don't yell at the darkness, or come up with what you may think is a profound rebuttal to the darkness that surrounds you. You easily turn on the light-switch. Likewise, we need to "turn on the light," in our lives to overcome the dark.

Abandon all your opinions, all of man's wisdom, approach your Father as a child, seeking understanding. It is only by His word, and His wisdom in which we gain it. The bible is not a book in which God hid Himself for us to find, so that we one day might argue over it and it's meanings. It is a credible source of knowledge that God graciously has given and revealed to us, so that we may understand Him and learn to love Him. No secrets. No agendas. Just honesty and convenience. It is not until you know someone, that you can love them truly. He has made it so simple and accessible for us to love Him. Coming to us on our terms and our level, considering how we think and how we were created to interact with His spirit. That is how much He desires to be in relationship with us. He is an all trustworthy and holy God, to question His word as anything but logical, would seem foolish. Come on guys, this is easy.

"The word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Overcome the confusion and dismay by reading His word. If your spirit is still not connecting, and you still lack wisdom, James 1:5 "Let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraides not; and it shall be given to him." This is the only way to overcome spiritual darkness. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

WHY TWO BLOGS.

A blog in the offset of normality. Brought to you by heart-warming and bothersome experiences and moving gestures. Written to break the mold, to stir, and to undo what is done. A second blog; to write when inspired when the release through composition isn't enough with the first blog.

Also known as: venting.

The reason for the title; I normally have always thought anything that is published for a public audience was a way to get attention or to bring attention to yourself. Abandoning this former belief, I am now embracing what I thought to be a type of pride and am recognizing it as a form of creativity. And let's face it, we were created to create; if we do not do so, we are not living life as it was intended. What I thought previously was a problem of pride, is now a pathway of creativity.

So I now blog.



Below is what has gone on before, previously on Facebook, re-posted on here.

LEVITY, LEVITY, ALL IS LEVITY.

Originally Posted: Friday, January 8, 2010 at 11:59pm

Had a thought the other day, centered around this idea. The world and the people in it, who are in exact opposition to our Lord and anything He represents, belittle and make light of a serious and drastic God, our God.

Our God is good. So good! There is no evil in Him. What a wondrous thing! Any evil that we experience is not because of Him. That brings a smile to my face. :) <- See? That means the God we serve and have hopefully grown to love, is not an evil God; but one who loves unconditionally, never changing, wanting to bless us completely so that we can experience the fullness in Him. If we are not? It is our faults. There is something in us, or about us, or an action, ...maybe a habitual sin that separates us from His blessing and His face shining upon our lives.

Our God is a God of simplicity and reason, and of a sound mind. He has set an order in the world to revolve around logic, mostly... (Sometimes things and situations don't make sense to us and we just have to accept that they will never make sense to us, those are separate occasions,) but I am talking about our everyday living that God has ordained. When something works it is because we have deduced in our minds that it will work, and God preordained it to. When something doesn't work it should be pretty apparent. The closer you are to Him by the power of His spirit, the easier it should be to discern the logistics of what steps to take. The fact that we can use our heads to determine the will of God through logic, is a logical thing in of itself.

I love this. I can look back on times when things were clearly not working out, around every corner was more and more trouble, clearly this was not the path for me, because it has now ended. I can see where God intervened and where I was so misguided and mislead because of my own selfishness to follow my will and not God's. If I had paid attention to the clear signs of disarray and confusion and hurt, I could've made a quick escape. Instead, I forced and pushed, and everything broke. Oh, how I wait for the day when nothing will ever break again! I hate when things break. Good thing we have a God to put everything together again.

Because the world is in opposition to God, as Romans says it is at war with Him; as we were before we surrendered our lives to Him. The world has dulled down, nullified, suppressed, desensitized, perverted, belittled and pushed back the God Most High and His ordinances. So much so that even church is affected by the world's oppression in their war against God. There are so many small things that I'm sure each one of us does or thinks. We may think, "Oh it's not that bad." Well... it is. It is that bad, because even recognizing a little bad means that there is evil in the world. Evil that God did not intend to be in our existence in walking with Him.

The world makes light of God. Everyday I hear it. It breaks my heart. Oh the lightness of serious matters, the levity behind the Lord's standards! My heart breaks even more knowing that I am involved in it some way or another; sometimes willingly, sometimes inevitably because of my sin nature, and it will not stop until I see His face.

I think about marriage, how the enemy has such a gripping hold on it that people are too afraid to make a commitment such as this that they never go into one at all; or they do and they just break that covenant, or worse, even go into a marriage thinking it's not permanent. God hates divorce. It says so in His word. If it breaks my heart, I can't imagine how it breaks His.

Even something as "simple" as saying, "Oh my God." Taking the Lord's name in vain. Are you really trying to bring God into the situation at hand, or is it just flowing out of your mouth without thinking? The reason to say, "Oh my God" would be to bring our most holy and powerful God into the situation. All else is just degrading His most pure, righteous, and reverent name into a common curse word. That is not ok.

Whatever it may be, a covenant between God and another human, or using His name as a curse word, God set up rules that we often break and man takes those rules, with the help of satan, and tears down everything He set up. This is a sad truth I know, but my point is to not leave you feeling hopeless.

I love God for his kindness. And His kindness is included in His character of grace. So really, I love God for his grace. He let's us get away with things we should never get away with. We should always aspire to be like Him completely, lacking nothing. Struggling is inevitable, good luck being perfect.

The key is to try harder to be more like Him each time you fall and fail Jesus, so that we may be complete in Him. That is the difference between the dead and the living, when one makes light of God's established ordinances, the dead cares not at all, and the living repent, acknowledging their unworthiness and then hunger for righteousness.

Which is why I say; Let us use our logical God given minds to recognize His ways, by the power of the spirit and the reading of the word, and stop making light of Him and what He has established, along with the rest of the dead world.

Amen.

THIS IS AN EMERGENTCY.

Originally Posted: Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 12:24pm

We live in a consumer world. We live very comfortably. All of our days circle around the fact of how comfortable we can make the circumstances around us in whatever situation God has us in. Note, I am including myself in this. I am the master of comfort.

This is a consumer world that modern America has adapted and pulled into the modern church.

We as a nation have raised up and accepted this into our churches by allowing people to shape the good news of Jesus Christ and make it one of appeal.

Anyone who has been in church for a while and has any spiritual discernment and realizes that there is a disconnect between what is in the bible and what we live out in our lives knows this to be true. There is a massive gap, created by us, one that is known in the deepest part of our souls; that part that yearns for more, searches the world for something new, something that works for us.

This search for something different, when we realize the disconnect, is exactly what these people play off of. You know these people as pastors, some even as spiritual powerhouses in the modern church. They spin and warp God's word, using their own understanding, their own knowledge, taking all that they have accumulated throughout their life, bringing all of their intellectual discussions with all of their intellectual friends into consideration, finding loopholes and open cracks in the scriptures and spiritual truths, and they introduce to us a new form of appeal. A new wave of a new movement of a new interpretation of a new theology of an OLD gospel.

This is great for those of you who want little growth, and are fine with living the comfortable christian life. Keep searching out those new churches with their new leaders. Label me as conservative, that is fine. Although I would never label myself as one, anyone who reads God's word and hears His truths should be labeled as conservative. Because I am pretty sure that when God created the world with us living in perfect harmony with Him, He did not intend for us to be living comfortably as non radical christians in a sinful and oppressed nation, if you know His word of truth and righteousness, and deny the conservation of it, accepting liberality and openness to the world, you might as well deny God, or Christ, whichever have you. (Hopefully you have read about the struggles of the Holy nation of Israel, God's nation that He set apart to be an example to the rest of the nations, and the dangers of bringing in outside influences.)

"There is nothing new under the sun." This is why God's word is so powerful! You can not take God's word, the one things He holds in higher regard than His own name, the one thing that will never fail and will stand the test of time for all of eternity, the one thing He promises that we can place all of hope into, and that builds our faith; You can not take it, and expound upon it. You can not take Christ the cornerstone, the foundation that has already been set and find a new foundation to build from. It is already there. There is nothing new, His word and the message has always been the same, and there will never be something more effective that cuts straight to the heart than the simple truth.

If every single thing in the bible was NOT true, then God would be a liar, which He is not. He definitely would not be consistent, which He is. So therefore, it is a simple conclusion, that everything in His word is true. It can be held in the highest regard. We can put all of our faith in it. We can go all in with every hand dealt to us, because He never fails, and His word doesn't either.

This consumer nation is always trying to one up what we already have. God teaches the exact opposite way of living, and unfortunately we have heavily carried this way of consumer thinking into our church. It is so easy to get caught up in it all, because it is so easy to get comfortable. We are constantly looking for approval, validation, security. We hide behind these churches because they offer a covering over us, a label, that we are only as good as the church we go to, as good as our pastors. Not so, God wants for us to find our approval, validation, and security in Him and Him alone.

To truly follow Jesus we have to first, have a desire; second, die to ourselves and OUR desires; and then thirdly, pick up our crosses and follow Him. I think the current church state stops at desire. This is why it is so easy to get caught up in the comfortable christian living. They are one third of the way there. This is why it is so easy to see, very obviously, the gap and disconnect between what is preached and what is lived out. This is why it is so easy to be herded around and manipulated by intellectualism and conformed to the world by what we find right in our own minds rather than transformed by the reading of the truth and renewing of our minds.

Mark 8:15 "And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod." The Pharisees were a group in Jesus' day who convinced themselves and everyone else that they were more spiritual than they actually were. The same goes for Herod and his political standing at that time. Leaven is the stuff in bread that makes it puff up. It takes a little leaven to leaven the whole loaf. Jesus says, "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees." Watch out for the puffed up false information and knowledge that comes from the self proclaimed people who appear more spiritual than they actually are. I believe the same warning stands for us today.

CLOSER THAN A BROTHER: JESUS MY SAVIOR.

Originally Posted: Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 9:28pm

Closer than a brother. Think about that for a second.

Can you say that about Jesus? This man, who is supposed to be the closest person to us? Emotionally with your heart, spiritually with your soul, and mentally with your mind.

This should be the foremost thought on our minds, from day wake to day break. Walking alongside Him, acting how He would act. Reacting how He would react. Consulting Him on all things. Listening for His voice as a shepherd directs his sheep. Because it says, the sheep know my voice and follow it.

If not, there is obviously then, something that separates you from this life of walking with Him. There is something, that I think, can be narrowed down to being a matter of the heart.

Did you know that the very reason Jesus came down, was to preach truth to our souls? To free us from the darkest corners of our hearts. So that we can have a relationship with Him? Jesus' ministry was to people. Only people, it wasn't to the restoration of the greens in the world, or the animals on the earth, and it certainly wasn't to feed us with knowledge. Jesus dealt with the hearts of people, and solely the hearts of people. When He spoke, it was directly to peoples hearts, passing the walls of the mind and the inhibitions of the sinful nature. He cares for and desires your heart only.

I see so many today. People call Jesus, "My savior." But they live their lives, and I watch, the littlest things upset them, they have hot tempers, constant sadness, heavy countenances and so forth. They have what seems, to be no or very little connection between them and their "savior." Where is your relationship? Where is your heart? And what did Jesus "save" you from?

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. This people draws near to me with their mouth, and honors me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

If you think for even one second, that it doesn't matter where your heart is. That you can be fine, and live a good christian life not worrying about the consequences as long as you act like what you think is a christian, or 'good person,' Jesus says so Himself, it is useless.

Jesus would rather have a man in an open and honest relationship with him failing every minute of every day, as long as that man is trying to attain Jesus' righteousness, and covered by God's grace; than a man who lives a, what the world would perceive, 'perfect life' without any communicative relationship or attempt to attain His righteousness. This is what it means to love Jesus. To have an earnest and open heart toward Him.

It's funny isn't it? The only reason Jesus came and died. Was so that He can reach deep into peoples hearts and free us from ourselves, that we can have an intimate and real relationship with Him. How amazing is our God!

Likewise, as John says, He that says he is in light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loves his brother abides in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

Applying this to this open relationship with Christ, because of this intimate loving relationship with Him, we should love others and crave intimacy and genuineness with others just like we do with Him! Our relationship with Jesus should be that of overflow, to where we are in such a constant state of staring into the beautiful face of God's love, that our faces are glowing with abundance, enough to carry it out into the world with eagerness, because we have found this inexplicable love.

So I draw this conclusion; If you do not have love in abundance, if you do not desire intimacy, if you are desperate, if you are constantly weary, if you are found wanting. Where is your heart in your relationship with Jesus? Because that is all that matters to Him. And His love is what changes a heart of stone.

Is he closer than a brother?

Matthew 13:15 "For this people's heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, they have closed their eyes; or else perhaps they might perceive with their eyes, hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should turn again; and I would heal them."



Optional: (Let me just say, for me personally; I do not have this relationship, nor will I ever have this relationship nailed down and contained in a box of sorts. God is too big to contain, and my relationship with Him is not one of me being high and mighty, knowing exactly when and how to come to Him. It is full of doubts and insecurities and worries. it is often a relationship of constantly falling on my face before Him and crying out to Him. Coming to Him with my problems and there's a lot of whining involved. But it is open, and honest, and real, and it is all I have. And He ALWAYS shows up and fills me with His love and His hope, so that I have the ability and pleasure to go and TRY to show others. I don't know much, I struggle to hear His voice, but I can say though; because of this open relationship of desperation, I can honestly, truly say, He IS closer to me than a brother... and even closer than that. And I KNOW He desires the same for every one of us. For He issues the same grace on all of us. Surrender every corner of your heart.)

LIVING FOR DEATH.

Originally Posted: Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 10:34pm

Jesus conquered death.

People live their lives to the fullest, constantly worried about missing opportunities. Because they never know when their time is up. Death is fear... to most people.

Looking from an earthly perspective, not knowing anything outside of the world; There is no thing worse than death. If you can think of something, come tell me. (You must agree with this or else you should stop reading now. It is a simple truth)

Death is not natural, anyone who has been to a funeral can tell you this. There is something not right about it. Everything within a person (with some sort of conscious left, if they haven't seared it off) should be screaming this is just not how it should be. And everything Jesus stands for says to that person, that they are right! Death is completely unnatural from the established order of how we were created to live, and live forever.

When inquired about this subject, Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life, he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live, and he that lives and believes in me shall never die."

By this understanding and power, Jesus himself raised many from the dead. Jesus himself rose from the dead. By the spirit of God.

That same spirit is in us today who are willing to receive it. That sweet breath of life. The same that overcame the worst imaginable outcome to this little existence.

The same spirit, that swept and covered the earth in the beginning. That inspired the very words of the bible we read. That raised Jesus from the dead. That same spirit, has the power to free your troubled mind, to heal your wounded heart, to connect every last piece of the puzzle (even the ones you thought you lost under the table), and the power to overcome physical death. These are not just words, these are tangible, attainable things that are available to those who ask of them.

If you are living this way, with this weight. Especially for those that call themselves christians, we are called to set aside not just these things that separate, but the weight of it all. If you feel that it is an impossibility, that you are somehow destined to fall into a repetitious cycle of being chained up in the darkest of circumstances; where there is confusion, and strife, and envy, and hatred, and every evil thing, God cares about you more than any surmised human language could ever describe and I can tell you with confidence that He does NOT want you to feel that way. Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

There is no reason for us to not live in constant freedom, and a state of constant rejoicing, praising God and thanking Him always for delivering us from the dark mindset we once were consumed by. The only thing that holds us back are ourselves, everyday reminded of our faults, our insecurities, our pasts, our jobs, and the bad in the world, and the death, focusing solely on our problems, and our troubles, and our worries.

This should not be.

God wants you to get off of yourself, and onto Him, and live by His spirit of truth and life, living life for Him and not for death, worrying about missing opportunities, about what has happened or is happening currently, for success, for money, for power, thinking only of yourself day in and day out...

The spirit is available. Are you? Or are you just living for death?



(These things that I say are true. He who has ears let him hear.)

THIS SONG 'EDEN' BY PHIL WICKHAM

Originally Posted: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 10:03pm

I think that... Phil Wickham has captured my desire to be in heaven in this song he wrote called Eden. These words just keep running through my head all day long, everyday. The words of being completely reconciled with God, living in perfection and COMPLETE peace. Where there is not one bad thing. Where we are in communion with God and our only knowledge is of Him and His beauty and goodness. Oh the levity and joy it brings to think of how marvelous it would be to be back in congruence with what He originally desired for us all. My desire is to be there, and so is my heart, because He desires it for us. Thank God for His son Jesus so that we can have it. Amen.

Eden

When the first light brightened the dark,
before the breaking of the human heart,
there was you and there was me.

Innocence was all I knew,
cause all I had to know was you,
we were running underneath the trees.

I want to see you face to face,
where being in your arms is the permanent state,
I want it like it was back then,
I want to be in Eden.

I remember how you call my name,
when I would meet you at the garden gate,
how the glory of your love would shine.

And I remember when the stars were young,
you breathed life into my lungs,
oh, I never felt so alive.

I want to see you face to face,
where being in your arms is the permanent state,
I want it like it was back then,
I want to be in Eden.

To be naked and unashamed,
in a sweet downpour of innocent rain,
I want it like it was back then,
I want to be in Eden.

Where my eyes can see the colors of glory,
my hands can reach the heaven before me,
Oh my God, I want to be there with you.

Where our hearts will beat with joy together,
and love will reign forever and ever,
Oh my God, I want to be there with you.

MUTE MATH - STALL OUT (STORY OF MY LIFE :)

Originally Posted: Friday, September 25, 2009 at 1:46pm

Racing on a faultline
Bracing for a landslide
Conscious of every move getting harder
Has the race gone underwater?

I keep stalling out
I just can't keep up
There's alarming doubt
Am I good enough?
But you keep coming around
To convince me
It's still far from over, oh

We are still far
We are still far
We are still far from over

I AM KEEN ON KEANE.

Originally Posted: Sunday, August 30, 2009 at 10:49pm

So, I decided, after much consideration... that Perfect Symmetry is a good album.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the band Keane. The great thing about them is that every time they come out with an album it is so different and diverse than the last, but always a step ahead of the trend set curve. Usually knocking many other bands off any pedestal they were on. At least, in my opinion.

Their first full length album, Hopes and Fears, was a new wave-y, electronic, piano pop album. Every song on it is great. When I listen to it, I find myself anticipating the next song as I enjoy the current one. Savoring the music, yet counting down to what will come after. And when the next song plays, it continues the theme of that first song that started the album off.

Their second album, Under The Iron Sea; may I add, has one of the coolest covers I've ever seen, is like audible artwork. This is truly a concept album. Written with beautiful craftsmanship, I can not take my ears away from the magnificence of this album. I heard a rumor, that when writing the album, they would think of their greatest fears, tapping into the deepest part of the emotional spectrum, and then write a song about it. This album contains one of my all time favorite songs called, 'Atlantic'. And is quite possibly one of my favorite albums of all time, continuing with their above the curve, shattering the norm tendencies. Once again with catchier beats, if-possible more melodic melodies, and more experimental ambient noises. This is the best album, again, in my opinion, they have produced.

Which is why I was expecting them to blow it away with Perfect Symmetry. Their third album was not what I was expecting. But I've not judged quickly or harshly, leaving time and an open mind to let it sink in. It has been since October 14th, 2008 that this came out, almost a year. And I have decided in the past week that I do, in fact, enjoy this album and that it is a good follow up to 'Under the Iron Sea.' They again, up the anti, making something new and sharp, cutting down a lot of what is considered popular trend set music. But still adopting the eighties throwback feel that IS so popular nowadays. The song selection is still conceptual with the lyrics ranging from light-hearted to also much darker tones than they have ever attempted before. The album is bold, and sustains the life Keane has built, so they can stride down the path they so elegantly set before themselves.

Surprisingly, Keane is not my favorite band. They are one of them, but they are still worth writing about. :) I hope to see them live someday. And I anxiously look forward to their fourth long play album!

IT BACKFIRED AGAIN: THE STEADFAST PATTERN OF MUSIC DECLINE

Originally Posted: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at 10:36pm

I bought the new Mute Math album, Armistice, today. It is exactly what I was expecting, let me tell you why this is a slight disappointment.

The self titled Mute Math debut album is the epitome of good music to me. From start to finish, that album is perfect. Unbeatable by even themselves, there is no way Mute Math could recover from their own slaughter. Mute Math themselves announced early on that, "whoever thought the first album was perfect, would hate the new album, whoever thought it was good but could be fixed in a few areas, would love the new one."

Again, this is all pertaining to me, some of you may disagree, but you can hopefully agree with the point I will make.

Unlike most artists who give you grandeur and then hit you in the face with a terrible follow up album, Mute Math warned us. Which is why I was expecting Armistice to disappoint to an extent. Don't get me wrong it is still very good. I will listen to it for the rest of my life, but this album still can not hold a flame to their first.

It is a sad and an upsetting truth that a great album is easy to find, but a great artist is hard to find. Which is why I decided early on that consistency is much more important to me when it comes to music, rather than a good song or a good album.

So many bands peak at their first or early on albums and then decline from there, never making anything as good as the first. It is almost as if they put all of their heart and mind to make something bigger than themselves, and when it is done, they are asked to do it again. What a challenge. I know I couldn't do it.

I thank God for music. There is something about music that hits an emotional aestheticism that creates a type of nostalgia that resonates to the deepest part of ourselves. The work and creativity that it takes to make something original and become part of our lives does not go unnoticed. I appreciate even more though, the artists who are truly gifted and imagine newness throughout the lifespan of their artistic existence.

Do not get me wrong, Mute Math is still amazing. And will always be held in high regard solely for that first album and the fact that they still do make great music! But they now fall in the same category as so many other bands I've come to stop gawking over as soon as they've outdone themselves by being too good at one time.

Ultimately I am grateful for even having at least one album that blows my mind by so many different bands, no matter where they are now. And I am thankful for the bands that keep their consistency and will always be great and I am thankful for just... music in general!

WRITTEN FOR THOSE WHO CALL THEMSELVES MY FRIEND AND FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST.

Originally Posted: Thursday, July 2, 2009 at 5:03am

Steven, a servant of God, to his beloved brethren and to those who are in Christ Jesus, in order to put to rest striving and promote godliness, grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ.

I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I write to you; not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have more abundantly to you.

What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun? All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?

To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.

The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, but if you keep His command to persevere, He will also keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

For all seek their own, but like Timothy, seek the things which are Jesus Christ's. More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it! For it is written, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. They will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."

Though the flesh and heart fail; God is the strength of the heart and all portions forever.

But where sin abounds, grace abounds much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

So let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby: And of Jesus Christ our Lord, according as his divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and excellence.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world and against spiritual wickedness in heavenly realms. (For as we see in Daniel, the angel Gabriel took twenty days to reach him from the hearing of his prayers, for he was withstood by the prince of the kingdom of Persia.)

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are admirable, if there be any excellence, and if there be anything worthy of praise, think on these things.

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God!

Herein, Love has been perfected among us: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

We love Him because He first love us.

For this reason, I do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding: that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Now to him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

I love you all and every word comes from the bottom of my heart.



Scripture Used: 2 Thes. 1:1-2/James 1:1, 1 Thes. 5:23, 1 Thes. 3:18, 2 Corinth. 2:4, Ecc. 2:22-26, 2 Tim. 4:3, Rev 3:10, Phil. 2:21, Luke 11:28, John 10:27, John 10:5, Psalm 73:26, Rom. 5:20-21, James 1:4, 1 Peter 2:2, 2 Peter 1:3, Eph. 6:12, Dan. 10:12-14, Roma. 8:5-6, 2 Corinth. 4:18, Phil. 4:6-8, Col. 3:2-3, 1 John 4:17-19, Col. 1:9-10, Eph. 6:18, Jude 24-25.

CASTLEDOOR - FALL APART

Originally Posted: Monday, June 15, 2009 at 6:47pm

The wind blew a peculiar warning and everything is changed
Pieces of a life half lived are scattered incomplete.

Lost, I find myself lost. Lost, I find myself lost.

And I just fall apart. And I just fall apart. Unlock your castle door, I'm tired of being ignored by you.

Tall gates and crowded streets are keeping me from you.
A field of a thousand soldiers holding back the truth.

Lost, I find myself lost. Lost, I find myself lost.

And I just fall apart. And I just fall apart. Unlock your castle door, I'm tired of being ignored.

It's in your hands, like a million grains of sand, but I'm slipping through, can't you see? I'm falling down.
But I know, it's in your hands, like a million grains of sand. And you're thinking of me, tell me that you're thinking of me.
I know you are.

You're the happy ending to a very tragic story, and I'm casting off the burdens that I used to carry, casting all my cares on you!

I just fall apart.

L O S T - TO ANYONE THAT IS A DOUBTER.

Originally Posted: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 6:36pm

"People often ask me how Lost is going to end. I usually tell them to ask Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, who run that series. But I always wonder, do they really want to know? And what if I did tell them? They might have an aha moment, but without context. Especially since the final episode is a year away. That is to say, the experience—the setup for a joke's punch line, the buildup to a magic trick's big flourish—is as much of a thrill as the result. There's discovery to be made and wonder to be had on the journey that not only enrich the ending but in many ways define it."

There you have it, from the mouth of J.J. Abrams himself.