2013 - I See a Bad Moon Rising

Ok - this isn't a very happy blog - but it is what it is.  I hope you will be convicted to draw closer to Him, dive deeper into His Word and pray like you've never prayed before.

I keep hearing, "Bad Moon Rising" playing in my head (yeah, I'm that old).


2013

I'd love to give you some sage advice and encouraging words but I just can't find any.  Things are bad for many of us and there is no confidence that (baring His coming)they will do anything but get worse.

We see the evil of men, especially men (not to leave out women) in power and we see their godless intentions being worked out.  Oh, we tried to beat them at their own game but, well, it was always their game so winning was not an option we had.  We've expended countless effort and rediculous amounts of wealth trying to beat a rigged house.  And now we will have to experience the consequences of it.

While we have been saying to the unbelieves, "No, you can't do that," and trying to halt the doward spiral of a world which we have been told has no way to go but down, we have forsaken our imperative and compromised our indicative (thanks David).  We have not been what we were called to be and hence we have been doing what we were never called to do.

What part of, "Christ the Redeemer," do we not get?  We redeem nothing and yet we have wasted so very much of His provision trying to.  We are called to be His and to do His will.  But, no, we have our own ideas and instead of simply and faithfully obeying Him we poured ourselves into - well - playing in their gym on their court by their rules.

Now we will reap what we have sown.

I am concerned that those who follow Christ will now, similar to the days of Rome, have to submit to a godless authority or pay grievious consequences.  While we have spent decades saying, "You can't....."  we have lost the voice to say, "We won't....."  And now we will have to say "We won't...." and they, like Rome will exact their pound of flesh - actually, several pounds (how much do you weigh?)

We have been so wrapped up in the myth of a Christian America (sorry folks, our revolution was a direct violation of scripture) that we have not given the needed attention to being individual Christians.  We have picked a fight with flesh and blood when we are clearly taught that that is not the true fight.

Not only have we picked a fight that was not ours but at the same time we have groveled pleading, "Please like us --- we're not so bad --- see all the cool stuff we do that you like."  We have YouTubed the gospel to the point that it's meaningless.  We have so focused on "fighting" to keep sinners from sinning that we have ignored our own sins.

Folks, it's time to flee to Pella.  Here's an interesting thing.  In the battle with Rome in 70 a.d. most believers thought it was the biggy and they booked it out of Jerusalem to Pella.  Well, they caught a lot of flack for that so in 132 a.d. when Simon bar Kokhba led his revolt against Rome we hung in there and fought.  All was hunky dory until the High Priest declared Kokhba the Messiah.  Well, then we dropped our weapons and said, "No!"  But it was just a little too late.  Our "No!" didn't matter.  We had sold out to culture and nationalism - patriotism and ended up having served "another evil."

Well, we didn't seem to learn from that one.  And now, our "No!" is meaningless.

Now I'm reading about folks buying lots of guns and ammo.  What do you plan to do follower of the Prince of Peace?  Kill someone in Jesus's name?  Are we going to do another "Peasant's Revolt?"  Another "Revolution?"  I'm not.

Oh, don't get me wrong I will, for prayerfully considered reasons, defend myself and my family but I'm not getting into an unholy war in His name.  If I am told I must offer sacrifices to Caesar (or the modern equvilant) I will not.  But I've got to have a lot of His help determining if and when I'm being told I have to do that.  The tough part is being sure that what I'm being forced or coerced to do is indeed a denial of Christ.

The issue is, "Who do I have to accept as sovereign?"  Christ or the ruling forces?  At what point can I say in good conscience, "No, it goes against my faith and would be tantamount to a denial of my Lord."

Now, however I get there and make that decision it will have to be my prayfuly considered decision.  I will have to examine everything prayerfully and scripturally and then stand to the consequences.  What I can not do is form some weird "movement," some crusade into which we pour and waste more lives, effort and money.

You know, regardless of our corporate calls for being united in refusing to deny our Lord it will always come down to you and me.  We will each have to stand before Caesar's alter and the bowl of incense and make our own decision.  When we say, "No!" we will say it individualy - only He will be with us.

Yes, God is sovereign but tell that to all those before us who were slaughtered, burned, starved, exiled, imprisonned ---etc.  Oh, they know it much better than we do - but we will be learning.  It will not be fun it will not be easy but He will be in charge of every moment of it.

I worry that those for whom serving Christ has been a comfortable thing will soon find it almost unbearable.  I fear those who have poured out only a little life for Him will stumble when all of it is demanded.

It may not be "lambs to the slaughter" time but the fleecing has begun.

Maranatha - Oh my sweet Lord!!!

Pre 2013 almost new years thoughts ---

I just don't know --

Well, I've written my "new year's" blog and I'm actually reviewing it.  I don't know if I'll actually publish it or not.  As I read it I felt kind of foolish.  The old, "Who do you think you are?" kept popping up.

So - in case I decide that I've lost it and gone off on a tangent and don't publish it I ask you to just consider a few things as we moved into a new year.

1.   We are commonly more persecuted in this country that ever before.  It will grow
      more common.
2.   The constitution has been confused with a biblical document.
3.   Politics and "faithfuness" don't mix.
4.   Faith has no political affiliation.
5.   The "right to bear arms" is not a God-given right.
6.   A revolution against "Caesar" is as much a sin as Caesar's oppression,      
      persecution and abuse of power.
7.   The lesser of two evils is no less evil.
8.   Genesis 6:5 is still true.
9.   John 3:19 is still true.
10.  Luke 21:17 is still true.
11.  Rev. 21 is still true.

Get the idea????

Finger Thinking 122612

Luke 9:23 ESV
And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

"AND follow me"

Consecutive?  Concurrent?

How do we read this admonition?  Is it steps?  One big "happening?"

Can we "follow" Him without His call?  Without self-denial?  Without daily taking up our cross?

His call makes me His.  "It is finished."  But even though His work is finished for me it is not finished in me.  The denial and the taking up are both part and parcel of the journey - the following of Him.

At least in my experience they are.

Everyday I find that I forget that I am His and not my own.  Perhaps I do that because I know that such a surrender may result in a loss of comfort and ease in my life here.  Perhaps I am afraid of that loss to too great a degree.  Perhaps I am yet too attached to me and my material ease and comfort.  Well - we both know there is no "perhaps" in it.  There is little question of my attachment and my struggle with it.

A poor man can be proud and possessive of his poverty.  He can cling to and depend upon what little he has and hoard it jealously.  He can clasp it in an iron hand refusing to let God remove it so that it might be replaced.  He indeed has a "death grip" upon what little he has.

The rich man may cling to all he has just a passionately as the poor man clings to his little.

But for most of us there is a middle place.  We will "give up" just so much before we begin to balk and sulk.  I know I do.  I find that I cling to too much even if it's just a little.  That "little" is mine and as long as it is, I think I am OK.  Of course, that in itself shows me that I have a long way to go.

Remember the poster of the kitten clinging to the limb?  Remember the caption, "Just hang in there?"  Well, that's where I find myself all too often.  I'm clinging to the dubious security I have (the limb) and refusing so let it go so that I might trust Him.  My "hanging in there" smacks too much of "hanging on to."

Now, on the other end of that stick is a "letting go" that's just as bad.  It's a self-motivated letting go - a proud and resentful - "Well, just take it all then!"  It's an angry and proud surrender (??) to God that really is no surrender at all.  It is more of a throwing whatever I do have back into God's face.  It isn't a pretty or a useful thing.

Paul wrote:
1 Timothy 6:6-8 ESV
Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, [7] for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. [8] But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

So, there is no gain and perhaps even loss in godliness without contentment?  Mmmm, Ouch!  There certainly can be no true value in contentment without godiliness.

Ahhh but then there is vers 8.  Food and clothing = content.  Am I willing?  I can say that, but will I accept that?  Or, do I have a few other "buts," I'd like to throw in?  Oh how I wish I didn't!!!!  But, I know I do - even if I'm being very effective at not seeing them right now.

Here's my quandry.  What, if anything (stuff, aspirations, feelings, associations, $), does God want me to give up?  It is clear from the Gospels that following Him carried with it the very real potential of giving up stuff - but what do "I" need to give up?

Then, is it actually "stuff" He wants me to give up or is it an attitude, thought process, false belief, sinful fear---------?  I think of Job and I shiver.  Job has got me beat hands down!  Yet in his loss he struggles with everything but trusting God.  It's almost viscseral to read, "Even if He kills me, I will trust in Him."

Maybe the struggle is between having everything we want and being dead.  I feel like a petulant child fussing over surrendering toys I haven't played with in ages - "Well just take it all - all of it - I don't want any of it.  Why don't you just kill me?"

Wow - are you as suprised at the depth of my shallowness as I am?  And you know what's even more disturbing?  So far I haven't "lost" anything.  Oh, we can see potential even probable loss looming ahead of us but so far - we really haven't "lost" anything we've noticed.

Ok - maybe that's not true.  We have lost (or at least are losing - letting go of) trusting in others, even trusting in ourselves instead of Him.  We have faced the fact that "chariots" are not the answer.  We've lost that, "I'm counting on you," attitude towards others and ourselves.  We've discovered that "faith" belongs only in Him - not in friends, associates - not even those with whom and for whom we've sacrifced and worked and prayed.  "Chariots," can't work when the other option is Him.  And making aliances with "Egypt" won't work ethier.

We, like so many of you, are waiting - or at least struggling to wait - upon Him to do what we should depend upon Him alone to do.  We are getting to know the feeling David must have felt when those about him mocked asking, "Where's your God?"

Do you feel like the only answer to that mocking is, "I don't know."  Or perhaps an overly cocky, "He is there."  Or do you just pray no one asks you that quesiton?

Times are tough and I believe that especially for believers it will get tougher.  Yes, I mean that in a material way but it will also be a tough time for our faith and our faithfulness.

Not naked and not starving.  If that's what He has for me will I be faithful in it?  Right now, all I can say is that I want to be - I hope to be - but I will not do it by my own ability or power.  So, like many many of you, I sit and pray and wait, fighting myself to trust only in Him.

For 2013 - so far

Working on a blog but it's too long right now.  But just consider:
1.  The key words for 2013 for us will be suffering and persecution - in new and exciting ways.
2.  God is faithful - He will get all of His to heaven.

Counsel????  Admonition????
Resolve to:
Memorize the Decalogue
Memorize the Model Prayer
Memorize the Apostles Creed
and use them as a re-starting blocks!!!!!

Jude 1:24-25 ESV
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,  to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Happy Ho Ho!

Of course we're at the 'Bou - with a couple of the staff ---  Foggy - dreary day - shopping center empty - just a few folks in the place.  All in all it's a lonely type day - a good day for reflection and even prayer (of course that's good all the time).

So many folks have noone this time of year - and it's sad.  So many have lots of folks around them right now - yet the still feel that deep deep loneliness.  Perhaps it's all the hype around the day - Perhaps we've built in so many unrealistic expectations that, well, some of us just can't rise that high.

The really sad thing (historical facts aside) is that the day is not intended to celebrate or raise expectations but rather a promise fulfilled.  It is the day we remembeer Christ coming into the world - the beginning of the final Act of God's redemptive plan. 

Maybe it ought to be a more reflective and humbling day -a day of remembering all this one birth meant. 

Maybe we ought to not require anyone to do anything more than just be themselves on this day and talk about the whys and wherefores --

Maybe we ought to just consider Him  - just Him without all the hooplah and expectations.

I guess, all historical and biblical reasons aside, that I don't to the typical Xmas thing is becasue I know that every moment of this day (not to mention the season) is a real hell for lots of people - and I can't gather them together and let them know it's OK to NOT DO Xmas.

For all the loney sheep out there - you are not forgotten - we are lifting you up in prayer throughout the day.  We pray for your healing, comfort and safety.  It's is OK that you're not "doing" Xmas like everyone else - in fact, it mught be better for you!

God bless you and keep you all on this day and all days - until He comes again.

So - maybe it isn't "the" day ----

Whether or not tomorrow is really the day of our Savior's birth is something we can go round and round about - forever.  Whether all the glitz and glimmer of the season has anything at all to contribute t recognizing the nativity is doubtful.  And certainly the power of Mammon is clearly demonstrated by the frenzy and stress of the season.

It's a high time for suicide, abuse, extremes and depression.  Interesting is it not - that the supposed season and celebration of the coming of the Savior should be attended by so very much that is contrary to everything He would have us be and do.   It is curious that this time of year is a time of pretense and hypocracy in so many relationships.

In WW I there was a Christmas where men on both sides just refused to fight.  They left their trenches to meet in no-man's-land to celebrate the Nativity.  Many were court-martialed and some were even were even executed.  But the recognition of the celebration of the nativity stopped the fighting even if it was just for one day.

We have no idea what day Jesus was born on.  The "day" was set by a Roman Emperor who made good use of the "faith" to expand and consolidate his power.  He also picked a day that was a real "biggy" in his pagan pantheon of days.

The tree?  Don't get me started.  Presents - oy vey!  The shallow and brief "good will towards men?"  Don't even go there.

We really have to face the fact - sooner or later - that Christmas is more a travesty than a triumph.

Ahhhhh but there is good news!

The celebration of the Savior coming into the world is a good thing.  To celebrate the initiation of the final step in God's redemptive plan is a worthy thing.  But, like so much else that pertains to the faith, it has been hi-jacked by the world, the flesh and the devil.

I guess that's my biggest objection.  It's "our" celebration but it has been hi-jacked by hypocritical high-jinks.  It has been - prostituted, pimped out by the evil that can't stand anything good, anything of Him.

The good news is that there's bad smeared all over our celebration of His coming.  If it wasn't a good thing why would the world, the flesh and the devil try and turn and twist it?  If it wasn't indeed an even worth commemorating why would the world, the flesh and the devil work so very hard to pervert it?

There was never a birth so magnificent in it's conception and completion as this one. This little baby was God and man.  This little baby was born for us - to die for us.  That was it.  Certainly His life teaches us much but it is in His death and resurrection that His purpose was completed.

His is, perhaps, the only birth worthy of remembering and celebrating but we need to isolate that from all the - well - dung that has been attached to it over the years.  I really feel this is imperative.

Santa Claus?   Not hardly - to allow our children to "believe" in Santa Claus is deception.  But, Niloloas of Myra, a fourth century Bishop who passionately contended for the faith and had a reputation for giving gifts secretly - well there's someone to look to.

Perhaps the saddest part of the whole Christmas thing - at least to me - is that it so centers around giving-getting-getting-giving - or Mammon.  "Christ-mas," is the big "giving!"  How have we turned it into the big "getting?"  Why do we agonize over what we are able (or not able) to give - usually to people who have no real need?

Again - Mammon.

I am NOT anti-celebration-of-the-coming-of-the-Savior.  But I am against this thing we call Christmas with its black-Fridays and cyber-Mondays.  I am against the expectation that everyone needs some super gift - some meaningful gift on this one day.  Hey, the "wise men" brought gifts for the Savior - not for everyone else.

So if there is any gift giving going on shouldn't it be gifts to Him?  Gifts for His glory?  Gifts for the demonstration of Gods kindness to all mankind.  In other word, shouldn't it be "gifts" for people in need (of course I have to ask - "Just one day a year???").

Ni, I'm not a Scrouge - I am a man who has seen the awful results of the Body of Christ taking the hand of the world when the world wants to pervert the faith.  I believe in celebrating the nativity and I have no big problem with Dec. 25th.  But if we are indeed intending to demonstrate the magnificence of His coming should there not be more repentance preached?  More benevolance shown?  More compassion?  Shouldn't there be less "me" in Christmas and more of Christ?

Oh, well - it's a battle Satan has won.  Yeah, I do believe that.  He and the world and the flesh have so prostituted the celebration of the nativity that, well, it sickens me.
but, it's "christmas" and we don't want our children to feel weird or left out -- God forbid we teach them to live apart from the world - in it but not of it.

OK - enough of my Xmas rant -

But, as you do all those good cheer things and give all those goodies to friends and family - just ask yourself - how does all we do really honor the birth of the Savior?

I'll stick with Simeon -
Luke 2:25-32 ESV
Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. [26] And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. [27] And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, [28] he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, [29] "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; [30] for my eyes have seen your salvation [31] that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, [32] a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel."


Oh, by the way, it's Pentecost and NOT Easter !!!

What's for Him?

Maybe you have a tree.  All decorated with a star or angel on the top.  Under it are all kinds of wonderfully wrapped goodies with a name tag for each recipient.

OK - go look - where's the one with a tag that says, "For Jesus."

I mean, it is His birthday.  Ok - at least it's the day we celebrate His birth.

How many of us expect gifts on our birthday?  Most of us.

So, what's under the tree for Him?

Mmmmmm, some birthday - no presents.

Main and Plain - Denying self?!? Oops!

Matthew 16:24 ESV
Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Jesus is quite clear here.  IF - anyone desires (wants) to come after me.

There is a "wanting" - and a specific wanting.

Oh, how I remember the times I wanted - really wanted to go after Him.  Oh, how I wanted to live for Him and love for Him - indeed to live as simply as possible so I might not be encumbered as I sought to go after Him.

Ah, there have been many such times.  They came and when and my walk was up and down (mostly down).

At this late stage of my life, I have to wonder why and in wondering I have sought an answer.  The answer was embarrassingly simple once I found it.  And it was embarrassing once I found it.

There is a plain and main process we can see and make use of in fulfilling our desire to go after Him.  It's not a process that ends - actually it's more like a "loop" command in old DOS.  The plain and main of it is that we begin and keep doing the same old thing over and over and over.  

This "loop" is so simple that it puts all the "how to follow Jesus" books and tapes and seminars to shame.  I put me to shame.  Please understand that this "loop" is not easy and it can be very very tedious but it's simplicity along with the promises of God to fulfill in us what He has started makes it an exciting and hopeful "loop."

Step one:  "let him (or her) deny himself."

Ok - there we go!  --Yes In know all about the calling and claiming that God does in and upon us - but that's where the "desire" comes from.

We hear the Word and the "gospel power" is unleashed, the Spirit works in us and we really really want to go after Jesus.  Ok - job #1 - deny your self.  

Really, go ahead, do it!!  Huh?  Ahhhhh, there's the rub.  Anyone out there ever been taught to deny their self?   Quit sinning - oh yeas we were told that.  Pray and read the Bible - yep.  but denying my self?  Oops---

I find it very interesting and quite distressing that so many so-called and self-proclaimed "answer men and women" have written so much which actually focuses our attention on the self.  Self-worth, self-esteem....  Being who YOU are in Jesus.  Claiming His promises for YOU.  Oh yeah - we have a lot of real helpful anti-christs out there keeping our eyes, hearts and minds OFF of step number 1.

Deny - your - self.

Hey - I'm not picking on you!!  Your getting to suffer this because I did  ;-}}}}.

Nobody ever taught me I needed to deny me.  No one ever helped me see how to live with Jesus coming before me, my, mine and I.  I am minded of the Monopoly card - "Go to jail, go directly to jail, do not pass Go and so not collect $200."

A.W. Pink says the first step is the, "denying of self itself."

Here's just a smattering of what Pink means:

- abandoning my own righteousness

- refusing to rest on my own wisdom

- repudiating my self

- ceasing to consider my comfort, pleasure, ease, benefits, aggrandizement

Look at Romans 12:1

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Catch that - "present your bodies as a living sacrifice," thing?  Folks - in most pagan cultures once your were tapped to be a sacrifice it was really all over.  Even in Jesus' day, once you took your lamb or birds etc. and presented it for sacrifice - it was all over for the bird/lamb.

Offering your self for sacrifice means that all the "me" stops.  There is no "me."  There are no plans, desires, want, wishes, etc.  You are offering yourself for death.

Plain - main and tough - huh?

Paul gets really tough on this:

Romans 8:13 ESV

For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

My "flesh" in not some bogaboo that lives in me.  My "flesh" is my self - my nature has changed in Christ but my self (flesh) is well versed in taking care of itself and quite

sneaky at getting its way/

Also, and if you don't agree then ok, but for me the "deeds of the body," are not limited to my eyes, hands, feet, etc - but include my thoughts, speculations, - in short my brain and heart where all the bad stuff comes from.  It is my "me" thoughts and affection I have to deny - to fight - and with His power, defeat.

But nobody told me this when I was in the first exciting days of my faith.  And to be honest, no one told me about it (clearly) since.

The good news is that it's not too late for me to learn.  The cost will be very uncomfortable but we are not amphibians - we either live in and for His kingdom or we live in and for the other.

This means war - and don't think that it's just a war within.  As you learn and begin to deny self you will make others very uncomfortable.  They will begin to see you as a fanatic, some kind of religious nut.

"Let him deny himself."  Go for it!  Need resources?  Write me and I'll send you some titles that will help.

God bless you all!!

Encouragement, counsel and accountability - NEEDED

As you examine yourself ----- Encouragement

From experience I know that it is often hard to see the encouragements that God sends.  We tend to look for what we think are encouragements and miss His. Some of His encouragements are what I call "left-handed."  They are encouragements disguised in opportunities and challenges.  Sometimes they are wrapped in seeming afflictions.  Of course, sometimes they are obnoxiously wonderful.

But, although God's encouragements are the best encouragements it is also the obliation of our brothers and sisters in Christ to encourage us.  This, it appears, is either rare or injuriously shallow and brief.

Although one may share a godly goal or undertaking for sinful reasons (pride, status, etc.) one may also do so because there is a need and desire for encouragement, counsel and even accountability.  It is adequate and good to know that what we are about is honoring to God but it is also a blessing to have the encouragement, counsel and accountability that a brother and sister can provide.

How may times have you felt a call or even an inclination to do something in of for the Kingdom only to have a less than enthusiastic response?  Now I don't mean a quesitoning - which is a good thing - but an almost skeptical, even suspicious response.  How may times have you shared the same and had an offer of encouragement, counsel or accoiuntability offered?  I imagine the former is a lot more frequent than the latter

I wonder what wonderful things have not happened becasue of a lack of ecnuragement  I wonder how many wonderful things have gone awry becasue of a lack off counsel.  and how may things now gather dust or just take up disc space for lack of accountability?  OK - I don't wonder - at least not that much.

One danger face by those who are called or inspired (I use the terms commonly) is that they want some for of approval by others.  Now that's not bad when we are in the early stages as long as the approval we seek is a confirmation of our sense and not applause.

It's the danger of "specialness" of which we need to be wary.  We have a thought or an insight and that grows into an opportunity for some sort of service.  we decide (all too often without counsel) that we are going to do it.  We tell someone.  They are impressed and that begins the downward flow of our efforts.  We were recognized as being "special," abouot to undertake a "special" think and so our flesh being satisfied we faulter in our progress.

Or we do move forward but the "un" or "ill" considered cost of the work quickly overwhelms us - and the next thing we know we're caught up in something else that's new and fresh and, well, easier.  That's not good but it is quite common - trust me, I know.

Or we begin our work and we bein to have doubts about it's value.  It is really meaningful?  Who am I to undertake this?  I have no credibility in this!  there's plenty our there that addresses this (or there are lots of people doing it).  Why reinvent the wheel?  Someone else can do it better!

All these press us down and slow - then stop - our progress.

To have a couple of brothers and sisters who will commit to encourage, counsel and hold you acountable is - well - incomfortable but I've discovered it is very valuable.  Not having listened to encouragement, counsel and being accountable concerning some undertakingI had on my heart has cost me years (literally).  I can only pray that the Lord will allow me time and opportunity to fulfill the call.

Just a recommendation -

I'm right at the start of recording my notes from my latest read,  A Lifting Up for the Downcast by William Bridge.  Written in 1649 it is still a powerful and valuable read.  sure, the language is a little rough to understand at times but after a while you begin to realize you "get it."

Cogently written and well documented with scripture this work is a "must read" for anyone ministering to th "downcast."  And - who among us isn't downcast at times?

Bold yet tender, Bridge deals with most of the afflictions and struggles we all face.  he even poses arguments concerning specific objections which are clear, kind but solid.

As a big time reader I find the offerings that are on the shelves today - well - offensive.  The doctrine in obscured if dealt with at all and there's just a little too much scripture tweeking for my tasted.  It's the difference between gruel and a good steak (or really good salad.  Today's offerings are shallow, narrow and barely scriptural.  They are indeed meant for, "itching ears."

It's a challenge to read the works of the Puritans and it's a challenge to get past the false view we have been presented concerning them.  They lived with a view of scripture, God and holiness that you will be hard pressed to find today.  And yet the were well aware, understood and were sympathetic to the struggles (large and small) that we all face - and they treat them with compassion and respect.

Here are a couple of examples:

"It is a sure rule, that God's promise of mercy supposes our misery; if He promise health, He supposes our sickness; if He promise grace, He supposes our sin."

"Thus, is the lack of assurance be not the same thing as damning unbelief, then a man has no reason to be quite discouraged."

Writing concerning our Christian duties:
"He (God)proclaims this unto them, that he will require no more than He gives; He will give what He requires and He will accept what He gives."

"Oh, that people would not measure God's eternal affection by some present dispensation; so they would never be much discouraged."

"No, for though the weakness of faith is usually accompanied with doubts and fears, and the strength of faith, with assurance, joy and comfort; yet it is possible, that a man may have a great deal of faith, yet may have no assurance; and a man may have assurance, not doubting God's love, and yet may have but little of His grace."

"No: for the spiritual battle is not always to the strong.  Our victory lies not in ourselves and our own habitual strength, but in Christ's fresh assistance."

These are just nuggets drawn from the main vein, the mother-load one will find in this work.  I have to say that I have discovered many things afresh - things I knew but that had grown dim in my rememberance of them.

There are a great number of works from the Puritans available today - we go amiss if we don't take advantage of them.  They are certainly much deeper, wider and more valuable than what we are offered today.

Examine yourself - Contentment 008

Examine yourself - Contentment 008

But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women would speak.

Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?"

In all this Job did not sin with his lips.   (Job 2:10 ESV)

"Evil" - from the Hebrew word meaning: literally by breaking to pieces.

Job understood and submitted to the sovereignty of God.  Happy he was not – but content?  I think so.

However, contentment is not just an, "Oh well, what can I do, God is bigger than me."

Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face.  (Job 13:15 ESV)

Ah, how wonderfully human is Job.  He has committed his hope to God and is content but he will "yet" go to God and plead his case.  He is bold before the Lord but not rebellious.

And so . . . . .

This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him.

Keep listening to my words, and let my declaration be in your ears. Behold, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be in the right. Who is there who will contend with me? For then I would be silent and die.

Only grant me two things, then I will not hide myself from your face: withdraw your hand far from me, and let not dread of you terrify me. Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you reply to me.

How many are my iniquities and my sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin. Why do you hide your face and count me as your enemy?   (Job 13:16-24 ESV)

I'd paraphrase this as Job crying out, "Wait - wait - no more - let's talk about this.  What have I done to deserve this?"

And so we do the same don't we?  When we are in a place where our fleshly contentment is threatened we cry out to God, "What have I done to deserve this"  why are You picking on me?"

Teachable moment:
Remember, if God gave us what we deserved, we'd all be in hell right now.  We do not really want what we deserve!  That would not be a good thing!

Job is not happy - but happiness is not the same as contentment.  I believe that Job was content but confounded and confused - which is not unnatural.  But Job's hope was still in the God who had allowed these calamities to befall him.

I don't believe that God wants us to like or enjoy trials and adversity.  I would be worried about anyone who liked them.  But I know that God desires us to understand the purpose (and there is a purpose) for them.  For the believer they are neither arbitrary nor are they punishment.

Note:  "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat.” (Luke 22:31 ESV)

Uhhhhhhh - there is a real parallel here to Job's circumstances.

Note:  “but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."   (Luke 22:32 ESV)

Uhhhhhhhh - we are not alone or helpless.

Note:  Peter said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death."   (Luke 22:33 ESV)

Uhhhhhhh - We think too much of ourselves.

Note:  Jesus said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me."   (Luke 22:34 ESV)

Uhhhhhh - See what I mean?

Job was blind-sided.  Peter had clear specific warning, assurance and purpose.  But there is little difference in God's purpose in these two circumstances.  His purposes were: to glorify Himself; to refine both Job and Peter; and to present us with a greater understanding of God's working in and through His people than either Peter or Job had.

If you have been strengthened and encouraged by either or both of these examples, would you be willing to be one who experiences such trials to encourage others?  If God so desires to use you and your adversities to encourage and instruct His, could you be content with that?  Would that excite you?  If God simply wants you to go through adversity so that you will be more conformed to the likeness of His Son - could you be content with that?

I think most of us would react like Peter - but also like Peter, we would be way off base.

Examine yourself - Contentment 007

Examine yourself - Contentment 007

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
(2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV)

LEARNED

Paul did not learn contentment from just the scriptures or the Holy Spirit.  He learned contentment in the crucible of life.  (NOTE: People experience – endure hardships yet not learn contentment –- would you say it was the combination of experiences, scriptures and the Holy Spirit?)

Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;
on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.  (2 Corinthians 11:24-28 ESV)

So, any questions?

We do not learn contentment from being in a situation that breeds contentment.  The contentment Paul learned was a contentment in adversity - in life threatening circumstances, in knowing that the above difficulties (what an understatement) would probably continue to present themselves.

Paul accepted Christ's teaching that in this world we would have tribulation and be hated.  He accepted persecution and other dangers.

There are two aspects to the crucible in which he learned contentment.  The first was the crucible of persecution and the second was the crucible of life.  Life here is full of uncertainty and danger.  Life here, as a follower of Christ, is full of certain danger.  Paul accepted that - it is what it is.

He didn't try to control of conquer his circumstances.  He didn't try to manipulate or manage the conditions or people he lived among.  It is what it is.
He accepted that.

But he accepted that within a specific context.  That context was the sovereignty and faithfulness of God in Christ.  Paul did not WANT to be beaten or stoned or naked or hungry.  He did not seek these things in some warped quest for higher spirituality.  They were simply what they were.

But Paul also accepted that his sovereign and faithful God was in total control and that anything that happened was in God's control and for God's glory.

There's an old chorus I remember singing:
In my life Lord be glorified, be glorified.
In my life Lord, be glorified today.

I'm a lot more tremulous when I sing that today.  When I used to sing it, my mind was seeing success and influence and prosperity and health.  That's what I thought was glorifying to God and it can be - but not in every life.

I made this statement at a Bible study last night.  "The love of God is meaningless without the wrath of God."

We are all too willing to accept nice things as God's will but not so nice or un-nice things?  We always ascribe them to Satan or men.  But God is sovereign - right?  See Job the first two chapters.

Contentment for Paul was defined by his heart, not his circumstances:

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith--   (Philippians 3:7-9 ESV)

The "whatever" in verse 7 certainly refers to the accomplishments Paul lists before it but it is not limited to it.  He says, "For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish."

"Count" = in the above passage carries more than a simple "consideration."  There is an element of command in this counting.  Paul pronounced all these things rubbish.  It was a pronouncement of commitment.  He decided that in his life everything was rubbish in comparison to the grace of God in Christ.

When he says he did this for, Christ's "sake," he is saying that because of Christ he does so.  It also carried the idea that Paul does this "through" Christ.

Paul determined that apart from Christ there was no contentment and that in Christ there was no reason for discontent.

Ahh - here's the rub!  Do we really say with Paul, "I no longer live!"

Think on the following:

I have been crucified with Christ. (Not "in" but "with")

 It is no longer I who live, (Not "me")

but Christ who lives in me. (Just Him)

And the life I now live in the flesh  (Here and now - hated and persecuted, hungry and naked, beaten and stoned etc...)

 I live by faith (This is a biggie!!  Faith = trust, submission, surrender, dependence, etc.......)

in the Son of God,
who loved me and
gave himself for me.
(Galatians 2:20 ESV)


Think about that - more later --

This is not some legalistic imposition I'm striving for here - I am trying to help us see that contentment is utterly redefined in Christ.  Simply put, we must be content with our redemption and not seek it anywhere else - because, if we are indeed "in Him," it can't be found anywhere else.  ms

An old thing new -- Request for prayers

Greetings in the His name,

There are changes coming for us all.  Fortunately for Patti and I we know many of the changes we face.  Some are wonderful and others - well, not so much.

But the exciting news is that after a great deal of prayer and counsel I have accepted the challenge of begining a Biblical Counseling practice.  I know many of you know that I have done this for years but never in any "official" way.  Well, in the sunset of our lives Patti and I are accepting the challenge.

I have become a member of the Association of Biblical Counselors and I will be going through their particular certification process.  We selected the ABC after a great deal of searching and prayer as well as input from our church leadership.  We are humbled by this new undertakng and seek His guidance and provision for it.

If you would, we would apprecaite your prayers and assistance.  There are several things we have considered and they make it obviouse that prayer in the main and plain things is needed.

Becasue many of those I work with are already under the care of a psychiatrist, psychologist or counselor they are already carrying a heavy burden financially.  We do not want to add to that so we have determined to keep "overhead" as small as possible.

The first impact this has is in regrds to an office.  Right now I meet with clients at (of course) Caribou and can meet at their homes or their church (if possible).  So, they don't have to pay for an office space.  However that raised quite a few eyebrows.  "No office, how can this be a real counseling practice?"  Well, it is but it does not want to add to the burden its clients already have.

So we are praying for the provision of a space somewhere that we can use for free.  It doesn't have to be much, just a room with space for a couple of chairs and maybe a table.  Well, a window would be nice.  But all in all we just need a place to meet with our clients so when some heavy privacy is needed it is available.  So please pray that God will provide the contacts, connections or just the space for this to happen.

We are also praying about fees.  Again, my clinets tend to be under a financial burden already and to add to that would be counter productive.  But, we need to eat and all so we have accepted the necessity of having fees.  We have a "range" in mind that starts a $0.00.  What we are praying about is the top end of this.  So please pray that we will get good advice in setting that end.

Costs of materials is another issue.  I use a lot of study sheets and verse cards in working with folks and they cost money.  Fortunately we can always go digital for those who have access to a computer or the internet.  But some folks just like paper and we wish to respect that.  So, there's another factor to put in the prayer mix.

Marketing --- oy vey!  We are already working with some mental health professionals but we want to expand our connections and get the word out.  That takes $.  We want to keep it simple and inexpensive.  So we plan to do a a letter of introduction and send it our to churches and mental health practitioners. Again, $. So we have another notch on the prayer log.

Then there is "stuff" - paper, pencils - "stuff."  We're not as worried about that as the things above but we have to keep that in mind.

Finally there is the certification process.  It costs money and it's money we don't have right now.  The first level costs about $500 (there are three levels).  So we are praying to be able to meet that need.

Notice how much $'s figure into this?  Oh well.  But we ask you to pray not just that God will provide it through others but that Patti and I will improve our stewardship so we can carry our share.

A couple of things for those of you who I have worked with in the past.  First if you could pass this need on to others who might be willing to help that would be great.  Second, if you could simply write a recommendation concerning the work we did together I would be grateful.

Well, that's about it - "Praise God and press on!"

If you have any advice, inight or questions please don't hesitate to send it!!!

Thanks for taking the time to consider and pray about this.

In Him,
Michael Sanders

Michael and Patti Sanders
2205 New Garden Rd.
#2807
Greensboro, NC 27410
336-549-2081
ms@tc2v1.com

Finger Thinking - On Me

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  Gal. 5:24  ESV

Have we?  Have we indeed nailed "our" fleshly passions and desires to the cross?

Paul says that we have done this, not that it has been done.  This is an engagement the believer will be involved in until He comes.  But are we engaged in it?  Do we, with willfull intention and humble dependence actively seek to crucify the flesh - to kill it?  Or do we merely swat at it and/or just battle those desires and passions for which we would suffer some public shame?

The life of the believer is an up-stream journey.  The world, the flesh and the devil ae the river in which we journey.  We don't just float up-stream.  Nor may we tie ourselves to the bank and wait.  We are called for a purpose and in a specific direction.  Plainly put we are to glorify God - now that it is possible through the sacrificed of Christ.
We are not "saved' for ourselves but for His glory and praise.  For His good pleasure.  And yet we seem to miss that point.

In this river there are rapids and rocks and eddys.  There are dangers.  There are calm places where the progress is pleasant and there are those places where we must paddle with every ounce of energy we have.  Why?  To "gain" something?  No!  We paddle becasue we have gained something by His grace and in humble submission and thanks we live appropriately and intentionally for the purpose of the gift.

Consider whether your salvation is of such great value as your glorifying of Him.  Do you not see the connection?  Do you not see that it is a horror to assume the gift was only about or for you?  Indeed it is a great gift but it for His glory and righteousness first and foremost.

Our redemption glorifies Him and so everything the redeemed think, feel or do is to glorify Him.  Yes, He is passively glorified in what He has done in and for us BUT He will be actively glorified in and through our lvin for Him.

Note the subtle difference:
"Jesus saved me."
"God has glorified Himself in redeeming me through Jesus the Christ, the Son of God.

Can you see the difference?

Our salvation is all fo His glory.  Certainly we benefit - we benefit worderfully - but it is for His glroy we do so.

This is not something I have understood for most of my life in Him.  Like many I was just happy to be saved.  But as I learned more, studied more I was greatly convicted that there was something missing in my understanding and appreciation.  I was more focused on what was in it for me than what His purpose is in my salvation.  I can best describe it as finally seeing salvation from His point of view as opposed to the common view most of us have.

The greatest change this has had for me is in my prayer life.  As the model prayer teaches us to begin with Him and His glory so I find myself stuck in my prayers glorifying Him and fighting what I see as my fleshly supplications and requests.  Somehow, what I need or want has grown smaller compared to my need to praise and glorify Him.

Oh, I want to eat and have a roof and enjoy the blessings of His creation but more and more I find that my desires are based upon wheher or not my "getting" is for and to His glory.  I am growing in my desire to glorify Him over and above my desire to be comforable and satisfied by anything here.  It has made many many of my requests suspect in my mind and heart.

He is my God - I am His servant and His child - I want Him and His glory to be he focus of my life and living.  Yes, that is kind of scary.  When I read in the Word and in the history of His pepole what the probable cost of that is - it is scary.

I want to forsake all for His glory and yet my flesh is terrified of what that might mean.  Of course my flesh would not have me glorify Him at all - but, except for what little I can do about it - my flesh is His problem.  Certainly the God who defeated sin and death can and will ovecome my fleshy parts.

Examine yourself - Contentment 006

Examine yourself - Contentment 006

Godly counsel.

Oh boy - do we ever avoid that one -   OK, we'll share the good stuff about ourselves and the not so good stuff about others - but we keep the tough stuff about ourselves really close to our vests.

Not good!

Let me say right off that one must be very prayerful and discerning about who we seek counsel from.  This is two sided.

On the first side, we want counsel from someone in the faith.  Yeah, we may be seeing a secular counselor and that's not wrong - but we need someone who's reading from the same play-book we are.  Many of my clients are seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist and I work very closely with them.  But, compared to these other counselors, in Biblical issues, I'm the lead dog.

You need a Biblical counselor, mentor, discipler, or whatever, regardless of whether you are having "problems."  This person needs to be knowledgeable, mature, trustworthy and faithful.

On the second side of the issue is submission or humbling.  Now, you do not ever submit to any human without question, but a counselor, mentor, etc. is there to give you insight and direction (that's stuff to do).  You are going to have to be submissive enough to give it a try.

You are also going to have to be humbled (I don't like the word humiliated).  You've got to be straight with your counselor, mentor, etc.  If you aren't, then very, very little of what they can give you will be of any use.

It is humbling to expose the icky parts of our lives - but it's also icky having to put on that silly little robe-thingy at the doctor - but we do it.

If you went to the doctor and he asked what the problem was, you wouldn't tell him about the slow leak in your right front tire.  You wouldn't tell him to guess.  And, it wouldn't be wise to only tell part of it.  Yes, it's embarrassing - but that lasts for a moment - then comes the diagnosis and treatment - ahhhhhhhh.

We were not made to be solitary - and especially when it comes to our following the Lord - there are no healthy Lone-Rangers.

Ok - so it's not comfortable.  Well, how well have you been doing all on your own?

Think about this.  With all the "one anothers" we find in scripture may we not consider it a sin or at least a grievous error to not allow others to have ministry in our lives?  Are we to keep our needs away from those whom God has prepared to help us in them?  Seem very sad to me.

"Oh, but it would be humiliating," you say.  Yes, that may be true - but it is only so when we refuse to be humble enough to ask for help when we first recognize a need.  If one can not swim, it is always best to start yelling for help when one falls in the water - yelling for help while submerged doesn't do much good.

If it is pride that keeps you from seeking godly counsel - you are acting very very foolishly.  Pride walks proudly into the ditch!  Pride rasies one's nose so high their feet stumble.  Pride - kills.  Pride tells God we only need His provision sometimes.  Pride - kills.

One of my favorite old songs in "I Am a Rock" by Simon and Garfunkle.  Oh how I loved to sing that sad lamenting song.  But I learned soon enough that I wasn't a rock and to try to be one was just hubris.

The Kingdom of God is a "we," not a "me."  If you don't know that or don't like that then maybe your just not a kingdom person.  A desire or compulsion to hide our needs and our sins certainly speaks to a serious flaw in our faith and understanding.

Examine yourself -

Examine yourself - Contentment 005

Examine yourself -  Contentment 005

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. (Philippians 4:11 ESV)

LEARNED

The Word and the Spirit - our two key blessings for learning - our two essential and necessary blessings.

But - we don't have to be passive.  Actually we shouldn't be.

Remember that old song, I Fall Asleep Counting My Blessings?  Well it's better to count them before you fall asleep.

Now for most of us, keeping a journal or diary is just not something we consider.  But it is a valuable investment of time and effort.  Just as God has recorded His will and work in the Bible, we can record His will and work in our lives in a diary or a journal.

I think this works best if we keep it simple - and I've tried just about every method possible from a voice recorder to a "cloud" journal.  After a lot of stops and starts, I ended up back at paper and pen.  

Here's what I use.  I have a Moleskine Monthly Notebook - the pocket size.  I have two pages for the current month and two blank lined pages after the two monthly pages.  I keep my calendar and then on the two blank-lined pages I keep track of what God is doing in my life.  

I don't go into great detail - I write just enough to inform myself later.

Why?

If we don't keep some kind of record, we will forget and miss opportunities for prayer, repentance - opportunities for growth.

Ever been in a meeting and spoken ill?  Well you can "jot" that down in the notebook without making a big deal of it.  

Ever had someone ask for prayer and then much later you remember?  Jot it down in the notebook.  Heard a great insight in a sermon?  Jot it down.  Ever been blindsided by your sin?  Jot is down.  Even gotten an unexpected blessing?  Jot it down.

It is said that those who fail to learn from the mistakes of history are doomed to repeat them.  Well, if there is no history kept, we're just going to keep making the same mistakes and sinning the same sins.

OK - so someone out there is going to ask where I keep my business notes if my personal notes are in the notebook.  Simple, I use 3x5 cards for meeting notes.  They fit in the notebook cover I got from, Levengers for my Moleskine - no problem.  The cards get filed in a small 3x5 index file box and there ya go.

The main point is that in order to effectively examine ourselves we really do need to keep some kind of record.  Ever gone to worship feeling like it was the last place you wanted to go and then left worship walking inches off the ground?  That needs to be recorded and examined.  Ever had a sermon or lesson "hit you the wrong way”? (yeah - as if we get hit a right way) -- Anyway, this is something worth noting and examining later --- "Why?"

Look, you're going to find sin when you do this - and that's good.  It should be no great shock anyway - godly dismay yes - shock no.  This isn't about beating yourself up.  It's about getting to know, understand and appreciate you and your walk in the Way.

Another great use for recording this is that it really does "preserve" the evidence that you are His and growing in Him.  With my counseling clients, I always keep a sheet in their file that lists all the wonderful and powerful things they share - ya know why?  Because they don't - so they forget the very evidence the experience.  It's really wonderful to testify to someone about the Lord working in and through them from evidence they themselves gave me weeks or months before.

Think about this - sin is sin is sin - right?  Growth is growth is growth - right?  But you are utterly unique - totally unique by God's design.  So your sin and your growth are totally unique - there are no cookie-cutters on the Way.  We get made of the same stuff but every mold is broken after one use.

If you are the object of God's grace and mercy, you certainly can pay a little attention to yourself - right?

Write it down - examine it - rejoice and/or repent - but, examine yourself.

Examine yourself - Contentment 004

Examine yourself -  Contentment 004

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. (Philippians 4:11 ESV)

LEARNED

Just a little backing up.  If you want to begin to study the Word, I have a few simple suggestions.  First, get a good translation of the Word and get one that has cross-references.  The Thompson-Chain Reference is a good option and it comes in several translations.  Second, get a good Bible Atlas.  I like the ESV Bible Atlas.  An Atlas will really help you understand the context of the scriptures you are reading.  Finally - and this is a biggy for me - get a copy of William Ames' book, The Marrow of Theology.  This is a very simple and clear outline of theology - not full of arguments, etc.  

These resources will be a big help as you begin your studies.  Stay away from "issue specific" books - especially those which tell you "how to," or get all wrapped up in areas of speculation, i.e. Revelation, millennial issues, demons, even money.  You don't want to get so hung up on one tree that you miss the forest!

OK - LEARNED

Let's talk Holy Spirit.  We can get into all kinds of long and tedious discussions about the Holy Spirit and the fruits and gifts but - let's not!

The Holy Spirit is both Comforter and Reminder.  He is given in sufficient and necessary measure to every believer.  There is no necessity for any more-than-ordinary signs of Him being given.  He is given - and that is that.

So???????

How He works is not a concern of mine.  That He works in us is.  He is sent to comfort us and to remind us.  Yes, I know He is the "seal" of our salvation, but He is also active in us.  

OK, He is active in us and if we pay attention with intention, we will see His working.  No thunder or lightening but some very curious moments of comfort and remembering.  I know - I seem to be getting a little weird.   But a couple of things I've experienced make me lean towards being weird.

Every once in a while I will have someone relate something they heard me say in a lesson and I am clueless about having said it.  It's not in my notes and it is unfamiliar to my recollection.  Thankfully, it is something true and sound but it is not something "I" thought up.  Now you can get as skeptical as you want, but I KNOW I didn't come up with it and so I "blame" ;-) the Spirit for a timely word for me to speak that - well - I didn't know I spoke.  I'm not trying to get all mystical or even miraculous here - it just has happened and I cannot lay claim to it.

I've also been reading the Word – something I’ve read time and time again and "Bam," I realize something I never saw before.  Of course I run to some good resources to check myself.  But I believe it's just (just????) the Spirit doing what He does in the hearts and minds of believers.

On the flip side, I have found myself convicted out of the blue and embarrassed (ok, more chagrined) that I had never seen that issue as an issue - if I saw it at all.  It's wonderfully humbling and assuring when that happens - It's not fun but it does get the job done.

My point, I guess, is this.  You don't need all the bells and whistles that are commonly attributed to the Spirit for Him to be working in your life.  He works in many, many ways, but we've somehow gotten diverted by all the yeeehaaaw things that are seen to be His.  I believe that He is more often the "still small voice," as opposed to the attention grabbing event.  

He can and has provided much for believers in the way of knowledge and insight when there was little to work with in the first place.  But folks, I believe that the more of the Word we get in our minds and hearts, the more He has to work with.  I believe the more we exercise our faith in the simple and mundane things like prayer, study and worship, the more regularly He works in us.

Hey, I'm more than willing to be absolutely wrong here.  But what I know to be true has served to undergird and confirm what I have experienced which is what I build my belief and trust on.  

It's not sitting around waiting for Him to do or say or impart something.  It's slowly, deliberately, regularly and earnestly engaging in the "disciplines," of our faith that makes us more sensitive and available to His working.  Now, that's my carefully determined view - it does not have to be yours.

But we all need to desire His working in our lives.  He is the only means of our growth - it is by His power working on and in us that we must rely upon for any kind of progress along the Way.  You can quote the Bible from cover to cover but without Him and His work - that's all you can do.

I don't believe you have to pray for Him to "come," or "be present."  I just think you have to be faithfully obedient and available and PAYING ATTENTION to see how He is in you and works in you.  You are "filled" by Him - everywhere you go and in everything you do He is present - think on that one.  Every poke of conscience and every inspiration to serve comes from Him.  Most of all, the power to keep going is all of Him and none of us.

I had a coach whose rule was - "You don't come to practice, you don’t get in the game."  He knew that unless we practiced individually and as a team, victory was dubious at best.  Practicing our faith, engaging in the "exercises" of our faith makes us fit and hail to be put into the game.  Trust me, God calling someone out of the bleachers to play is the exception, never the rule.