A dictionary for navigators on spiritual rough waters chapter 6: continuing indefinitely

Why do some see and some cannot? For example, when we come to the word everlasting, can I believe without seeing it with my physical eyes? How do I know it will take place if I cannot see it manifesting and besides no one has been through everlasting, so how can anyone know it is true? These were the questions I have asked before I became convinced that there is an everlasting in terms of time.

There is a character in Lewis’ Narnia book named Lucy who can see and hear what others cannot. And she knows what she sees is true. It took her siblings sometime to see and hear the audible voice of the supernatural being Aslan, the Lion. This is Aslan’s explanation to another two children Digory and friend Polly who can see him and receive comfort from him, the miserable uncle Andrew cannot:

“But I cannot tell that to this old sinner, and I cannot comfort him either; he has made himself unable to hear my voice. If I spoke to him, he would hear only growling and roarings. Oh, Adam’s son, how cleverly you defend yourself against all that might do you good!”― C.S. Lewis, The Magician’s Nephew

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A dictionary for navigators on spiritual rough waters chapter 6: continuing indefinitely -from everlasting to everlasting

God’s everlasting love

Everlasting means continuing indefinitely.

These words have been used with the adjective Everlasting in the Bible: love, life, covenant, possession, joy, God, Father, King, light, rule, righteousness.

All verses are quoted from New King James Version

2 Thessalonians 2:16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

Romans 8:30-32 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

John 3:15-17 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:

“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;

Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

4 Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt,

O virgin of Israel!

You shall again be adorned with your tambourines,

And shall go forth in the dances of those who rejoice.

Isaiah 61:7-9 7 Instead of your shame you shall have double honor,

And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion.

Therefore in their land they shall possess double;

Everlasting joy shall be theirs.

8 “For I, the Lord, love justice;

I hate robbery for burnt offering;

I will direct their work in truth,

And will make with them an everlasting covenant.

9 Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles,

And their offspring among the people.

All who see them shall acknowledge them,

That they are the posterity whom the Lord has blessed.”

I am convinced of the existence of everlasting. All to do with God. Who He is and what He gives. That is why I must include this word in the selection of Bible words starting with E. In my previous post I studied the word END, which is not the end. Today’s everlasting word tells us that there is an existence for us to go on indefinitely. Be comforted. “Courage, dear heart!”

kainotes, 2021-12-21

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A DICTIONARY FOR NAVIGATORS ON SPIRITUAL ROUGH WATERS chapter 3: 1 A, 1 B, 2 Cs

All that I am sharing are words I have used and they have worked. To get rid of whatever lies and doubts when sensing the “depressive-oppressive” spirit sneaking anywhere near, I turn and increase the intensity of my focus on who I am in today’s words. Lest we ever forget, this is the triumphant positioning to which we must hold fast.

Alive: animate, having life, active, aware. It is used to describe a physical body or the word of God. A dead body or lifeless word is of no use to anyone. But God’s words are alive. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Jesus says that hIs words are life and spirit. And His Spirit gives life to our mortal body. (John 6:63; Romans 8:11).

Body: one’s physical essence “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” (1Corinthians 9:27); or a group of people. 1 Corinthians 12:12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.

Being alive and disciplining the body are inter-related. Without the alive and fit physical body, there will be no body of Christ (a group of believers). This is essential in advancing the Kingdom of God. Why does God call Himself as “I Am the Healer”? Why did He send Jesus as Savior and Healer? The salvation package actually consists of two gifts: redemption from the consequence of sins, and the healing of all our diseases. (Isaiah 53:4-5) A great psalm by king David confirms this fact clearly: read Psalm 103:1-5. In addition to redemption, David had received the physiological benefits of having all his diseases healed and his youth being renewed like the eagle’s!

Christian: One who professes belief and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. A believer. The name was first given to the worshippers of Jesus by the Gentiles, (Acts 11:26) but from the second century onward accepted by them as a title of honor. 1 Peter 4:16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!

Looking back, I have never thought of myself as having any other identity but a Christian even when I did not attend church or read the Bible or pray. Later I came to know God’s grace (undeserved favor) and His love for me, and was baptized in the Holy Spirit. The term “being a Christian” became really meaningful and purposeful. I read the Bible with a passion, and the words come alive. My life has been totally transformed and renewed, seeing and experiencing supernatural signs, miracles, divine healings. Indeed, to me, Christianity is a call to live supernaturally, walking by the Spirit. Thank God I am a supernatural Christian. So can you be.

Church: Ekklesia (or ecclesia) is the Greek word translated in the New Testament as “church.” It comes from ek, meaning “out from and to” and kaleo, meaning “to call,” and has to do with a group of people called out from one place and to another. It is an assembly or a congregation. The ekklesia in the New Testament is a group of people who have been called out of the world and to God; it is the church. It is not a building or a place. The church universal is made up of all believers in Jesus. Local churches are smaller gatherings of the worldwide church. 

(Acts 11:26, 12:5, 13:1-2, 16:5 church in the house) The early Christians gathered together to worship God, pray, partake Holy Communion, and listen to the teachings about Jesus (through the Scripture written and circulated by the apostles and disciples). Regardless of their circumstances. There was really no physical buildings to which they could call “church”. They became the church just as Jesus has commanded. An invincible spiritual body of Christ. They followed exactly what Jesus has taught. He knew best. They believed. They became what He promised them to be, having a position in the spiritual that cannot be shaken.

Historically, all the Christians who listened carefully to Jesus’ warnings and watched the signs, were able to flee to safety before the AD70 total invasion and destruction of Judea and Jerusalem by the Romans. In this case, history presents a type of what will happen again. (In a vision nearly a decade ago, I was led to see empty halls of former churches richly decorated and furnished like a theatre which became dead, deserted and dusty and forlorn. Then I was led to another place thriving with lives, where believers continue to worship God, pray and gather together in small groups.)

2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

kainotes, 2021-12-15

A dictionary for navigators on spiritual rough waters (1): anger, bravery, consider and excellence (Revised August 8, 2020)

I wrote this first of a series based on notes from study of God’s words on 03/16/2013. I took words from the Bible in the sequence of words starting with A, B, C and so on.

“A dictionary for navigators on spiritual rough waters” background explained (3/17/2013): Why does the spiritual mindman start this new journey to read God’s words? Because he has navigated the uncharted waters previously and known how tough it is to sail without a pilot or a navigation guide. So in this dictionary he records everything he perceives in his spirit to share with his spiritual novice friends and brethren. This is not a conventional Bible words dictionary. It is a compilation of his spiritual notes while reading the Bible.

Here are the Bible verses as his solid foundation and plumb line for his notes and for all readers who have purposed in their hearts (spirit) to read the Bible afresh and be led by the Holy Spirit. (Please read the whole chapter of 1 Corinthians 2).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Original posted on 03/16/2013

There is a new dictionary which is not exactly new. It has been hidden to many who do not venture into the spiritual realm. The mindman has discovered this new way of reading words, really important words, the words of God. So he begins his real journey on the rough uncharted waters.

Here are some of the new meanings of words or phrases he has found on the way. Enjoy your own navigation through the spiritual mind journey!

________________________________

Anger: it means murder when you think anger in your mind concerning your fellow Christians. Matthew 5:21-23 (NKJV) Murder Begins in the Heart ²¹ “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ ²² But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. ²³ Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,

Bravery: If you think of men and fear them and do what they like you to do, you are  a coward. Only when you mind the matters of God and do the will of God regardless what men may say or do to you, you are considered brave, Jesus is the best example of bravery. Peter is a typical example of the opposite.

(Matthew 16:23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Matthew 16:22-24 (in Context)  Matthew 16 (Whole Chapter)  Other Translations )

Consider: means accounting action. Many think this is just a matter of thinking in your mind. But in the new dictionary it means real action. For example, it is same as the word count or account. When you consider something in your mind your account in heaven starts updating with debits and credits being input into it!Romans 6:11 (EXB) | In Context | Whole Chapter¹¹ In the same way, you should ·see [count; consider] yourselves as being dead to ·the power of sin [^Lsin] and alive ·with [to; with reference to] God ·through [or in; in union with] Christ Jesus.

Defile: it means even your thoughts are action words. Mark 7:20-23 (ESV) ²⁰ And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. ²¹ For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, ²² coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. ²³ All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Excellence: comes in two forms: 1. the power of God (the Holy Spirit); 2. your spiritual knowledge of God.

• 2 Corinthians 4:7 [ Cast Down but Unconquered ]  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
• Philippians 3:8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.

blue square and a poem: recalibrate and celebrate

See this window blue-shuttered silence

see the things that can be seen through a lens

but you cannot see the unseen

things like my lonesome way

sheltered in the coolness of the day

why look at the unseen you ask

the seen are temporary task

we tend to forget

and soon to regret

yet framed no longer behold

for i’m well and made whole

today i’ll break out and set sail

biding blue square farewell

o let’s recalibrate and celebrate

to great beyond ’tis well

https://beckybofwinchester.com/2019/07/16/july-blues-16/#more-13871

https://beckybofwinchester.com/2019/07/17/july-blues-17/

@my best friend: the time for an old poet

leaf and life thought

The poet gazes afar as the two slowly walk,

Through a strait gate palm in palm they talk.

Now I am ninety-nine and you not younger dear,

Friend to friend, goodbye without fear.

Time to leave them all: sanctuary abode round the corner,

Old dreams of love and whimsy bliss that can not be

Reconciled with the ultimate Initiator and Sustainer of life

Artful tiled floors, Christmas tree, green attic, Jacuzzi in style, red waving palm, sunken secret garden, tinted glass canopies, white-washed walls, yellow brick steps and all.

Yes, we seem to have lived here all our lives,

Season to season, rain and draught, tears and laughter, colors and paleness, words and silence adrift as each decade drives.

I always liked to stay up all hours of the night,

Sitting alone by the green attic window star-gazing into the dim gentle light,

Crafting, designing, evaluating, fantasizing what mattered then,

A future of retreating retiring reviving resurrecting right.

Hearing perhaps a faint sobbing in your sleep,

Urging we must leave and sail across the vast blue deep.

Looking for a blue hope bird in springtime great beyond,

Never again shall we be contented with mere earthling’s song.

Hence in this poem I now give all to time,

To our new home the young country soon we come.

Sound Mind Economics #1: “equal right”

gold bars: economics principle

Sound Mind Economics and Application Issues #1

Dear Millennials and others: Because I was once your age I know how you currently struggle with many pertinent issues. Why economics? It is the main issue that divides many in this world of “inequality”. I believe when we go deeper in economics we shall find some solutions together.

Today we touch on the issue of “equal right” in the practice of economics.

Economics is neutral. It is a set of principles and concepts that describe the way human “trade” with one another in order to satisfy needs and wants. The ability to make wealth and the integrity to keep and use wealth are inseparable. There is a price to be paid and a value system to be measured. In the final analysis, there is always an account to give, rich and poor. 

The first thing I learned in my school economics is the law of supply and demand. Supply is based on demand. but every supplier has the right to supply to the target customers who are willing to buy his goods according to the supplier-seller’s condition of sales. Similarly, a customer can choose to buy or not to buy based on the same set of condition of sales.

A civil democratic (majority-rule) society normally has sales and purchase agreements with checks and balances based on recognized and legalized laws and practices by the majority of the legitimate legal citizens/residents who have legitimate voting rights of that society. Ideally such a system will ensure that the majority of needs and wants of the majority in the society will be met according to the original social “contract” of gathering together as a legal entity called nation/state.

The issues you may face today come from one predominant source: some individuals want to claim more right than others by demanding exemptions from the set social contract.  

In an economic system without exemption, everyone shall abide with the same terms and conditions of production and sales. You cannot force someone to produce and give/sell their products to you even if you have the required money to buy. The terms of exchange have to be met in full. Your ability to provide the monetary value is only one of the terms of the total sales and purchase agreement.

In a neutral civil economic society, the legitimate owner and seller of the resources, produces, goods and services has a legal upper hand than the person who wants that goods and services. It is therefore a crime to forcibly take what the owner does not want to give or sell to you. You cannot covet another man’s property. For example, I cannot ask you to remove your branded watch or shoes or bag from your possession and hand them to me just because I like to have or need to use them. It will be a robbery subject to punishment.

Similarly, no man can trespass another man’s property. That is what legal boundaries and demarcations are for.

The civil democratic constitution and law of “unadulterated” interpretation and implementation normally protect the right of the majority of the legitimate components of the society.  People in a society can create and/or encounter many social issues because they are ignorant or choose to ignore, misrepresent, misinterpret, misjudge, miss-apply and miss-execute the law.

Does a neutral economic system result in inequality? My question is: “inequality” in what? Don’t you honor patent right for the fruit of the inventor? In the same principle, remember and honor the one who produces a good and service. He has the right to decide to sell or not to sell. To give or not to give. A very simple guide is: do not rob or steal from others when you do not want others to do that to you or your loved ones. What honor and esteem you gain by taking what is not yours?

How then shall individuals who deem themselves as “under-privileged” function in a civil economic society? The group of individuals who form the civil society can come together and agree on some rules and regulations governing the common good in any ethical social system.

Who decides what is common good and what are considered ethical? In a democratic system there are established and tested ways to do this effectively. I believe the common moral and ethical values of a society influence that society’s decision making processes and choices. Normally this is influenced by the worldview of individuals, derived from family culture, education and their religious system. Can experiences and knowledge change our worldview? Yes. Definitely. My advice for the younger individuals is to remain open to views and really go in depth and study and understand economics and ethics. For those who are chronologically young, it is wise to know that the older individuals are learning knowledge and developing wisdom too and many are advancing in an accelerated speed and better focus because of the wider and deeper scope they have already gone through in life.

History has shown that taking without paying the due rewards for any goods and services from one man’s possession to another man has resulted in regression instead of progression of mankind. Such a system results in oppression and depression in which mankind do not feel motivated and challenged to do better for himself and/or the community. Social ills such as corruption, poverty and a general economic depression set in together with crime, abuses, violence, destruction, and brokenness in many aspects of the society. When an economy breaks down, the shortage of funds generated from taxation which otherwise would have maintained, up-kept and even improved the common amenities, facilities and security often results in loss of the general wellbeing of individuals and society.

I would therefore urge you to read economic history in the context of the history of mankind. I would define the history of mankind as a history of economics. The depth and breadth of its knowledge, effective application and faithful unbiased implementation is really the key to maintain, sustain and further advance a civil society.

None of us will be around forever on this earth. We need to know and live with each other through genuine knowledge and cooperation with one another. Many great men and great women had lived before us and left behind tested economic principles, ethics and values which have ensured the effective and well functioning of human community. Their positive contributions have laid a foundation for human to work together peaceably and effectively. The evidence is the sustained and improved general human livelihood despite the exponential increase of the population of the world. Food for thought, don’t you think?

I hope this letter will clarify some thoughts and challenge you to widen your thinking scope. During my writing of this, I too have been challenged and decided to know more and think wider on this subject.

From: a sound-mind-economic being.

Postscript: I will attempt the subject of “ownership” of resources, “wealth” and related “equal right” in my next blog.

What is Wealth?

Wealth measures the value of all the assets of worth owned by a person, community, company or country. Wealth is determined by taking the total market value of all physical and intangible assets owned, then subtracting all debts. Essentially, wealth is the accumulation of resources. Specific people, organizations and nations are said to be wealthy when they are able to accumulate many valuable resources or goods. (Investopedia)

Proverbs 13:11

Proverbs 13:11Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase.

know the time at hand

know and vote

AAA watchman

know the time and act: faith without deed is dead

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a joyous ascent from joy to joy

a joyous ascent: Nehemiah 12:27-43

A joyous ascent
poetry alone cannot reveal: a poetic study on Nehemiah 12:27-43 our words and pictures and the light

Come
assist
celebrate
Priests singers musicians leaders people
Large choirs all
Ezra the writer for God leads
I follow

Joyous thanksgiving
with cymbals harps and lyres
ready singers all around
All to sing
rise to top
marching south and marching north
to water gate
to guard gate
congregate

At the Temple of our God
take your places
so do I
choir director to direct
play and sing
at full blast

For God has given
His people cause
great joy with many joyous gifts
families old and young women and children none left out
participate celebrate

Filled with pure joy
far and near
shore to shore
heart to heart
be blessed

another attempt: the windows are open

from where we stand, on this street, the windows are open

blue screen: windows open

windows of opportunity
open daily
to hearts that tally
and not give up

patiently
perseveringly
waiting for the break

dawns always break
at the first ray of light

come alive
a call
so still and quiet
yet you hear it
high and wide

many years ago
he heard
and passed it by

now the call
again so faint yet vivid
come alive
at this first ray of light

the windows are open
from where you stand

beloved, this day you shall not fly alone (updated)

this day I shall not fly alone
with new hope and not forlorn

living
dreaming
planning
parting

leaving behind
my depressed mind

stepping ahead
as my spirit heard you said

do not fear
for I have wiped away your every tear
go forth
as I have come forth

behold
here is My heart
as always of old
ever
never
leave

beloved
you are loved
so deep

so Sweet
this day you will not fly alone

Note added: a famous Christian man who lived for 99 years and is known to perhaps millions in this world died on 21st February 2018 . This poem was written and posted on the 16th five days before that day while fasting for Lent.

What is the only true reality when it comes to the value of every person? （1）

every investor knows that the value of anything is not the value we pay for at the moment we transact. it is another value we see in the unseen, a future value of the investment and this involves the crucial word “Growth“. without seeing a potential for growth we will not bother to invest. every human is born as an infant and the potential for growth is intrinsic in the person. it is an assumption that the person will grow in physical and other realms which will determine the worth of the person. when the investment/infant does not grow the potential worth is not materialized. what is the true reality when it comes to the value of every person? the value is always at the level where the individual has grown into. can a person not grow? of course anyone can choose to not grow to the potential each person is designed to become. stagnation or stuntedness are personal choices. i am not talking about physical aspect. there are many realms in our lives. we can find positive potentials in many realms. the key word is “GROW”. Just move on and you will not stagnate. i look forward to seeing many bountiful harvests for those who believe so that you may be a joyous blessing to others too.  (to be continued)

some words of wisdom to ponder on:
Genesis 2:9 The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit.
Genesis 26:13 He became a very rich man, and his wealth continued to grow.
Proverbs 13:11 Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.
Psalm 90:12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
Psalm 92:12 But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.

A dictionary for navigators on spiritual rough waters 46: how to define love? (2017 Revised)

The spirit-mind man realizes he does not know many things about love and God. Love ties with pain. Here is a word that God uses to describe Himself. Love. What is love? Let us read about love again.
This is what he attempted in this blog before: (with 2017 up to date mind man’s deliberations in human terms and thoughts in brackets)

A dictionary for navigators on spiritual rough waters: chapter ten -how to define love? 07/22/2013 (Quoted below in excerpts)
“the most difficult word: love”
Today we read the most difficult word in the whole Bible, ‘Love’. (Most difficult outside the Bible too)

Love: This is not a shallow, superficial common word as the mind man had thought in his reckless days. There is richness, depth, breadth, width, height here. …
If he attempts to define this word with his human mind, emotion and senses, he knows he would be insulting the word.

The only way to give love justice is to define this word in the Spirit (spirit).

The next question is who is qualified (in terms of supreme authority) to define love?

Not this mind man, however spiritual he (thinks he) has turned into. The only thing he can do is to find his definition in the word of God, and let each reader find his own.

__________Here the definition goes:

The plumb-line of love: sacrificial. For example: God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, Jesus, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. God should be receiving man’s sacrifices, but He gave His own Son as a sacrifice! John 3:16 and Romans 5:8. This is how God views love and has demonstrated (unconditional) love to us. God has freely given so we need not try to earn it.
(God’s kind of love warrants one-sided sacrificial giving without the other party favorably responding or wanting to receive your love. A person in love may think he or she can give that kind of love without regret. But believe me, when human love fades, regret becomes a glaring color in your black and white life.)

Here is one verse that has persuaded the mind man (and impacted his personal decision) about love:

“Love does not demand its own way.” This is what the mind man received from the Lord (1 Corinthians 13:5) when he was on the verge of making a real big decision…
What more can he do but to let go? …Indeed, the heart has its reason that reason cannot comprehend. But, God’s way (of love) can convince and convict one’s heart…

Can one become whole again when one chooses to love in God’s way? The answer is definitely ‘yes’! …Abraham…David…Jesus’ giving Himself was the supreme example.

What motivated them? The mind man could not think of better reason than ‘love’. Love of God…O yes, love of your loved ones too!

‘Love’ indeed is the most difficult word in this spiritual dictionary, and it is also the best word anyone can lay hold of.

—-
October 28, 2017 spirit-mind-man’s update: This was written four years and three months ago. The human pain felt then can still be felt though much less in intensity and frequency today. Giving up/letting go is the hardest thing to do for anyone. Yet the supreme power of the supernatural love of God gives all the strength one needs to overcome a feeling called pain which ties closely to love. Does anyone lose out because of the love described in 1 Corinthians 13:5? No. Nobody loses out when God’s love becomes the uttermost plumb line in your life. No loss but gain. I pray all who want to encounter God’s kind of love find the peace and security only His love can give. Love means you do no harm to others or to yourself.  Love others in the way God loves you. This is the best ever commandment to keep.

A DICTIONARY FOR NAVIGATORS ON SPIRITUAL ROUGH WATERS 43: the victorious Giving

Windows of giving.
Today we open the Book to the word GIVE. This could mean life and death. Without someone giving the right provision at the right time to another person selflessly, the would-be recipient may have perished. For example, giving of direction to the right road, giving of the right type and quantity of food, giving of warm and safe board and lodging in the freezing cold, and even giving of precious blood to save someone in critical need. Human have physical bodies and often the giving we need is in the physical.

There are other forms of giving too. For example, the ancient poet said,
“Your righteous testimonies are everlasting and Your decrees are binding to eternity; give me understanding and I shall live [give me discernment and comprehension and I shall not die].” (Psalm 119:144) This apparently refers to a higher wisdom and counsel which go beyond the human mind. To continue to keep up with the increasingly self-loving, crafty (multiplied exponentially by scientific and technological development), deceptive and unscrupulous physical world, an average human needs far more than what we have been taught by today’s education system or whatever words of wisdom (which often fall on deaf ears of today’s children) our parents have tried to impart to us based on what they had acquired and received. We can never catch up with the fast and ever-changing physical world.

But human nature has not changed. Survival strategies in a normal community are often based on generic inbuilt concepts of good and bad. How to decide what is good or bad? Often decisions are based on a number of generic social economic factors: agreed definition and standard of morality, code of ethics for economic conduct, code of social/relationship interactions with one another in the same community. By mutual adherence to such agreed beliefs and practices the family/community members can continue their peaceful co-existence.

One key success factor is giving. The ability and willingness to give (often more than what is required by legal binding covenant) enhances the quality of living together. It requires a higher belief and value system to give unconditionally and selflessly. One cannot give what one does not have. If a person gives at the expense of another person then it is not giving. The ultimate value behind giving has to be love. A love higher than human love.

Where does such a love come from? This spirit-mind man looks at this from a Christian perspective. Our God has revealed to us that He is love. He has demonstrated love historically by giving to us His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross and atone for us so that we can freely and boldly interact with God as children of the righteous God through Jesus (now the resurrected Christ). Our human mind cannot understand this completely but it does not stop us from receiving this love by faith. His kind of love is pure and without selfish agenda. How do we apply to others? We are human. Every born again Christian is also given the Holy Spirit who lives in us and gives us strength to apply God’s love for others. This means we are supernatural and not just human when it comes to applying God’s goodness.

Why do we not see this wonderful powerful supernatural love manifesting in all Christians? As we are human, we can be hindered by our flesh (hampered by un-renewed mind which in turn controls our body and emotion). Some may be subject to the influences of demons. The Bible clearly records instances of demons influencing people’s lives. Persistent seeking an intimate relationship with God through reading and applying His words, prayers and worship, and fellowship with other Christians who similarly seek God and love God are ways to establish a firm foundation in one’s relationship with God. Transformation of our character comes as a process as our minds are being renewed. God’s presence becomes real and clear in our mind. In times of uncertainty we walk by clarity in decisions and not confusion.

Why do we focus on talking about the kind of love Christians can give to others in this world? Christians remained the largest religious group in the world in 2015, making up nearly a third (31%) of Earth’s 7.3 billion people, according to a new Pew Research Center demographic analysis. Just imagine the supernatural power of love manifesting together by a third of the earth’s population!

Yes, giving is required of every Christian. The only force that compels us is the love of our God, who loves us so much and whom we are to love in return. Are lovers fools? Yes, in the eyes of those who have never encountered this love we are fools. We are fools for Christ’s sake. (1 Corinthians 4:10)

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
1 John 3:16 This is how we know what real love is: Jesus gave his life for us. So we should give our lives for each other as brothers and sisters.

Matthew 5:42-44 (Jesus says,)
Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,…”

Isaiah 11:2 English Standard Version (ESV)
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

a path of riches in 2017

a Path of riches for the year 2017.
VOICE Know this: my God will also fill every need you have according to His glorious riches in Jesus the Anointed, our Liberating King. (Philippians 4:19)

a young girl’s anticipation of good

an Anticipation of good from a young idealist. This is the sound minder’s wish too. For a new year of new beginning for many. Be transformed by the renewal of our mind.

Bible verses on hope:
Romans 5:4
and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Hebrews 6:18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.

Hebrews 6:19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,

Hebrews 7:19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 11:1 [ By Faith We Understand ] Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Not magic: a day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Not Magic.
Underwater life is no magic. It is real in the tangible physical world. Where did such wonder come from? The same where every living and none living things (including planets and the origins of the materials and matters that form planets, stars, gases and forces) and creatures come from.

Bible verses:
And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly and swarm with living creatures, and let birds fly over the earth in the open expanse of the heavens.
God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, which the waters brought forth abundantly, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good (suitable, admirable) and He approved it.
And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let the fowl multiply in the earth. (Genesis 1:20-22)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Notes (excerpted from Wikipedia online)
The Monterey Bay Aquarium (MBA) is a non-profit public aquarium located in Monterey, California, United States. The aquarium was founded in 1984 and is located on the site of a former sardine cannery on Cannery Row. It has an annual attendance of around two million visitors. It holds thousands of plants and animals, representing more than 600 species on display. The aquarium benefits from a high circulation of fresh ocean water which is obtained through pipes which pump it in continuously from Monterey Bay. Sea life on exhibit includes stingrays, jellyfish, sea otters, sea horses, and numerous other native marine species, which can be viewed above and below the waterline. In January 1996, the aquarium opened the Outer Bay wing to provide exhibits covering the open-water ecology of Monterey’s Outer Bay. The MBA has more than 400 employees and over 1000 volunteers. Operating costs are largely covered by visitor admission, as well as by special events and membership dues. No government money is involved, with the exception of an occasional federal grant given to visiting scientists, for study.

Flowers are not in chaos

Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you. (1 Corinthians 14:26)

The flowers are Not in Chaos !

Thank God!

details of my life (fiction)

Details
Some years ago while jogging along the lakeside, I looked up and suddenly found that the world had lost its colours. Closing my eyes I then reopened them and found that truly the colours had gone. There was no more differentiation of the living things around me by colours. The trees and grass lost their green. The sky lost its blue. The clouds lost their white. The water lost its turquoise. The ground lost its yellow and brown. The flowers lost their pink. It was like a dream painted with shades of grey. I was transported into a monochrome realm. I continued to walk slowly and looked at the changed world around me. There were no people. Even the birds were gone. Did I lose my own perception of colours or did I accidentally enter a portal to another world? I never knew. I sat down under some trees and closed my eyes again and waited. I could sense colours returning with burst of sunlight and sounds of happy children around. When I opened my eyes again my colorful world had returned.

The experience made me really think about life. My life. How I have taken for granted the things around me. The colours. The beauty. The masterpiece of creation. My eyes. My perception. I shall never forget.
(Note: I took those names of some shops at random. Tried out their combination with a fish taken from an aquarium. Edited.)

a tree and her shade: a haiku (and prose)

inseparable

a tree and her shade label

refreshing table

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Walking in hot sun requires plenty of shady spots to rest. Here is one of my favorite spots. Near Autumn but there is still plenty of green. The sun can get quite unbearable and one has to fortify oneself with a hat/cap, at least a bottle of plain water, and of course a mobile phone (camera). But the shades are very useful. They are not the trees. They reflect what the trees are like. Usually in a stretching and exaggerating way. Shades stretch the truth somewhat depending on the location of the sun. Sometimes some creatures like birds or squirrels may be hiding up the trees and their shadows appear as parts of the shades. Rare but it could happen. Trees and shades are certainly very rewarding to a traveler.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” 

(Psalm 91:1-2)

“Voilà, Lo, there it is, see here!” a haiku (and a prose)

a fine day unfolds

meeting green friends light refreshed

petal parasols

~~~~~~~~~~~~Nature often brings pleasant surprises. A casual walk under the sun may bring you to another world. Like this picture. We are taken to a tour at the dam to see fishermen fishing and making of fish paste. But the other side of the dam is lined with lush green countryside. Very refreshing walk indeed. It is like a part of our normal ordinary mundane life which is hidden quietly somewhere suddenly emerges and shouts, “Voilà, Lo, there it is, see here!” The beauty of creation unfolds so unassumingly even at a poor outback place like this.

The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them,
And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; 

It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice,
Even with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
The excellence of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the LORD,
The excellency of our God.

(Bible verses quoted from Isaiah 35:1-2)

behold love: a haiku (and a prose)

Behold love so vast

beyond my vision’s ship mast

sailing on with hope

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Sometimes he finds it hard to carry on hoping when he has waited quite long. He may feel tired and somewhat lonely when he is sailing alone facing the same tough and trying stormy or impasse situation. Yet in his deepest inner most he knows he is not alone. He has support. There are heavenly support. There are others on earth like him facing the same issue too, and silently sailing on in each respective hope-boat, fearlessly facing the same positive direction. The same goal, a safe harbor of solid rock for their weary anchor. Come what may: wind or rain or both.

Hebrews 6:18-20 New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁸ So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. ¹⁹ This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. ²⁰ Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.

she knows love: a haiku (and prose)

His heart with hope glows

her new song from ocean’s end

never ebbing flow

~~~~~~~~~~~~~“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” ― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby. Having come to his thirtieth haiku on the theme of LOVE, he discovers this twist, a turn to the positive. She calls. She says, “Never give up hope.” She knows love.

This is the song she sings:

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud ⁵ or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. ⁶ It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. ⁷ Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

(From the Holy Bible NLT 1 Corinthians 13)

 

A DICTIONARY FOR NAVIGATORS ON SPIRITUAL ROUGH WATERS 40: MORE WORDS FOR HARD TIMES

More words for hard times coping, or rather, overcoming, which is a better and stronger action word, with victory in sight. Hard times draw out the best in human, the tough ones who go on and become tougher still. The weak ones too must rise to their best and become tough and free from their bondages. Hard times test for the best in each. What victory-ensured word shall we read today from the book of victories -the Book of God, the Bible?

Yesterday we read from the alphabet L (for Look). Today we read from the alphabet M. MORE. The word is “More”.

The definition of the term “MORE”: “MORE” has something to do with “VALUE” in quantity and in quality. There are plus and minus involved in the matter. The word “More” will generate a further “More”. For that matter, the word “Less” will generate a further “Less”. Like the word “Lack”. Such quantitative terms are like an epidemics. They are reproductive.

For example: I could do with some more clothes: additional, further, added, extra, increased, new, other, supplementary. ANTONYMS less, fewer. he was able to concentrate more on his writing: to a greater extent, further, some more, better.

More of what for hard times combat? This is the crux of the matter. Let us read on from the Holy Bible New Living Translation (NLT). The boldness and the italics are added. My own notes are in bold letters and italics as well.

First, Jesus says what God values. He values your life far more than you can ever imagine. 

Matthew 10:31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

Second, Jesus asks you to value your life too, above all else. 

Matthew 16:26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?

Thirdly, Jesus says that you have far more resources and power to do things (even like Jesus does) than you can ever imagine. 

Matthew 21:21 Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen.

Fourthly, when God gives you something He gives you the power to multiply. It is expected that you generate “MORE”. 

Matthew 25:19-21, 29¹⁹ “After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. ²⁰ The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’ ²¹ “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!^[a]’ 29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.

random Bible picture thoughts for hard times

Bible verses encouragement and uplifting pictures for hard times.

sound mind journal

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two minds: To love at all is to be vulnerable

a haiku for this story of the love of two minds:

a mind who ponders

met a mirrored mind of his

late but not too late.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken…””For Jack the attraction was at first undoubtedly intellectual. Joy was the only woman whom he had met … ”

Thirty great quotes from C.S. Lewis

1. “Friendship … is born at the moment when one man says to another “What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .” The Four Loves
2. “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”
3. “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.” The Four Loves
4. “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
5. “Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.”
6. “A children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest.”
7. “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”
8. “The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”
9. “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art…. It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.” The Four Loves
10. “Eating and reading are two pleasures that combine admirably.”
11. “I can’t imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once.”
12. “Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of – throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.” Mere Christianity
13. “No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally – and often far more – worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond.”
14. “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
15. “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”
16. “A man can no more diminish God’s glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word ‘darkness’ on the walls of his cell.” The Problem of Pain
17. “Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person’s ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.”
18. “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
19. “God can’t give us peace and happiness apart from Himself because there is no such thing.”
20. “Crying is all right in its way while it lasts. But you have to stop sooner or later, and then you still have to decide what to do.” The Silver Chair
21. “I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” Mere Christianity
22. “Atheism turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning…”
23. “It is a good rule after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between.”
24. “I’m on Aslan’s side even if there isn’t any Aslan to lead it. I’m going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn’t any Narnia.” The Silver Chair
25. “Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”
26. “I have learned now that while those who speak about one’s miseries usually hurt, those who keep silence hurt more.”
27. “You can make anything by writing.”
28. “The homemaker has the ultimate career. All other careers exist for one purpose only – and that is to support the ultimate career. ”
29. “He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.”
30. “What draws people to be friends is that they see the same truth. They share it.”

CLIVE STAPLES LEWIS (1898–1963), son of a solicitor and the daughter of an Anglican priest, was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers of his day. When he was four, his dog Jacksie was killed by a car, and he announced that his name was now Jacksie. At first, he would answer to no other name, but later accepted Jack, the name by which he was known to friends and family for the rest of his life.

As a boy, Lewis was fascinated with anthropomorphic animals; he fell in love with Beatrix Potter’s stories and often wrote and illustrated his own animal stories.  He also grew to love nature and its beauty. Lewis was raised in a religious family that attended the Church of Ireland. He became an atheist at age 15, though he later described his young self as being paradoxically “angry with God for not existing.” He eventually returned to Christianity, having been influenced by arguments with his Oxford colleague and friend J. R. R. Tolkien, whom he seems to have met for the first time on 11 May 1926, and by the book The Everlasting Man by G. K. Chesterton. Lewis vigorously resisted conversion, noting that he was brought into Christianity like a prodigal, “kicking, struggling, resentful, and darting his eyes in every direction for a chance to escape.” He described his last struggle in Surprised by Joy:

“You must picture me alone in that room in Magdalen, night after night, feeling, whenever my mind lifted even for a second from my work, the steady, unrelenting approach of Him whom I so earnestly desired not to meet. That which I greatly feared had at last come upon me. In the Trinity Term of 1929 I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England.”

From 1941 to 1943, Lewis spoke on religious programs broadcast by the BBC from London while the city was under periodic air raids. These broadcasts were appreciated by civilians and servicemen at that stage. For example, Air Chief Marshal Sir Donald Hardman wrote:

“The war, the whole of life, everything tended to seem pointless. We needed, many of us, a key to the meaning of the universe. Lewis provided just that.”

The broadcasts were anthologized in Mere Christianity. From 1941, he was occupied at his summer holiday weekends visiting R.A.F. stations to speak on his faith, invited by the R.A.F.’s Chaplain-in-Chief Maurice Edwards.

It was also during the same wartime period that Lewis was invited to become first President of the Oxford Socratic Club in January 1942, a position that he enthusiastically held until he resigned on appointment to Cambridge University in 1954. He was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement.

In later life, Lewis corresponded and fell in love with Joy Davidman Gresham, an American writer of Jewish background, a former Communist, and a convert from atheism to Christianity. Lewis’s brother Warren described Joy:

“For Jack the attraction was at first undoubtedly intellectual. Joy was the only woman whom he had met … who had a brain which matched his own in suppleness, in width of interest, and in analytical grasp, and above all in humor and a sense of fun.”

After complaining of a painful hip, she was diagnosed with terminal bone cancer, and the relationship developed to the point that they sought a Christian marriage. Since she was divorced, this was not straightforward in the Church of England at the time, but a friend, the Rev. Peter Bide, performed the ceremony at her bed in the Churchill Hospital on 21 March 1957. Gresham’s cancer soon went into remission, and the couple lived together as a family until 1960, when recurrence of the cancer caused her death.

He wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include Mere Christianity, Out of the Silent Planet, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, and the universally acknowledged classics The Chronicles of Narnia which is a series of seven fantasy novels for children and is considered a classic of children’s literature. Written between 1949 and 1954, the series is Lewis’s most popular work, having sold over 100 million copies in 41 languages, has been adapted several times, complete or in part, for radio, television, stage and cinema.

(The above is excerpted from various web sources)

Half hearted adieu: a haiku

Autumn left her heart

such fine masterpiece of art

half done half adieu

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fall is a beautiful mellow and tender season like my favorite watercolor art. This year’s fall tried to linger but could not bear the early arrival of the cold. It was ironical that I liked the leaves to turn into richer colors while at the same time I hoped that they would not fall. I did not expect the loss of photography opportunity so soon. A few gems did appear out of the hasty work.

~~~~~~~~~~~~Wise sayings from a wise king about the late autumn of a man’s life:

Remember Him—before the silver cord is severed,
    and the golden bowl is broken;
before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
    and the wheel broken at the well,
and the dust returns to the ground it came from,
    and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

(Ecclesiastes 12:6-7)

 

 

 

 

Quotes from a man of faith and words

Kenneth E. Hagin quotes

“Do not have any anxiety about anything.” ― Kenneth E. Hagin, Casting Your Care Upon The Lord

“Jesus paid for salvation for every man, woman, boy, and girl who would ever live on this earth. But people must believe on Jesus and receive Him as their own Savior before salvation can benefit them.”  Biblical Ways To Receive Healing

“Healing belongs to you. It belongs to you because sickness is of the enemy. It belongs to you because you are a spiritual child of Abraham. It belongs to you because sickness is a curse, and Christ has redeemed you from the curse of the law.”
―  Don’t blame God

“The Name of Jesus and You Here’s another Bible fact: The Name of Jesus belongs to every believer, every child of God.”
― Your Faith In God Will Work

“Central Truth: Prayer is successful only when it is based on the promises in God’s Word!” ―  Biblical Ways To Receive Healing

“Our confession will either imprison us or set us free. Our confession is the result of our believing, and our believing is the result of our right or wrong thinking.” ―  Right and Wrong Thinking

“What we believe is a result of our thinking. If we think wrong, we will believe wrong.”
― Right and Wrong Thinking

“You are what you read.” ―  Growing Up, Spiritually

“Sometimes we have to unlearn things before we can learn the right things.”
― God’s Medicine

“When you know the Word of God, it will change you.”
― Your Faith In God Will Work

“Mothers and Dads: Your home atmosphere is the product of WORDS. Children fail because wrong WORDS were spoken. The right WORDS were not spoken.”
―  Words

“Make this confession out loud: “I am the righteousness of God in Christ.”
― Your Faith In God Will Work

“know who I am! I’m a new creature in Christ Jesus. I’m a child of God. I’m an heir of God. I’m a joint-heir with Jesus Christ. I’m the righteousness of God. Hallelujah!”
― Your Faith In God Will Work

“Come and stay a month with us. Come and stay until you get healed and have your faith built up enough to stay healed. The Spirit of God is moving, and the Word of God always works!” (K.E. Hagin, Prayer and Healing School)

~~~~~~~~~~~~Brief biography taken from various sources*

Rev. Kenneth Erwin Hagin (August 20, 1917 – September 19, 2003), known as the “father of the modern faith movement,” served in Christian ministry for nearly 70 years.

Kenneth E. Hagin was born with a deformed heart and an incurable blood disease. Those conditions left him paralyzed and bedridden at the age of 15. Everyone around him told him to prepare for death. But he got light on Mark 11:23–24, and that sparked faith for healing in his young heart. On August 8, 1934, God raised Kenneth off the sickbed—completely healed and whole! At that moment, God birthed something greater in Kenneth E. Hagin—a desire to see the lost saved and the sick made well. He began to preach and teach salvation and divine healing wherever he went.

Hagin began an itinerant ministry as a Bible teacher and evangelist in 1949. He was also a part of the Voice of Healing Revival in the U.S. in the 40s and 50s. In 1950, the Lord spoke to Kenneth E. Hagin and told him, “Go teach My people faith. I have taught you faith through My Word, and I have permitted you to go through certain experiences. You have learned faith both through My Word and by experience. Now go teach my people what I have taught you.” In 1967, he began a regular radio broadcast that continues today as Faith Seminar of the Air. In 1974, Hagin founded RHEMA Bible Training College USA, which now has 200 campuses in 46 nations. In 1979, he founded the Prayer and Healing School there to provide a place for the sick to come to “have the opportunity to build their faith.” Its Healing School continues to be held free of charge twice daily on the RHEMA campus. RBTC has trained over 40,000 graduates who reside and minister in more than 100 countries.

In 1968 Rev. Hagin published the first issues of The Word of Faith. That magazine, now produced nine times a year, has a circulation of over 200,000. The publishing outreach he founded, Faith Library Publications, has circulated worldwide more than 65 million copies of books by Rev. Hagin and several other authors. Faith Library Publications also has produced millions of audio and video teaching.

*Sources of biography as follows:

http://www.rhema.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2008&Itemid=663

http://www.rhema.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=137

https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/102183.Kenneth_E_Hagin

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_E._Hagin

Beware timing: a haiku for a woman of some means

Is this not the time

to seek pleasure and grandeur

NO NOT for self Frau

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Then he said to him, “Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants?  ~~~~~~2 Kings 5:26

Deuteronomy 11:16

“Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them,

Lamentations 3:41

Let us lift our hearts and hands To God in heaven.

Matthew 5:8

Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

the eyes of your heart: a haiku

behind a cool glass

flying horse passed by in haste

tree friends waved in silence

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~When he is just riding in a car, minding his own business, things are happening in another realm right before his eyes. The trees bend and wave. The cloud moves into position. A clear sign appears in the clear blue sky, which has been unruffled until the moment. From afar he sees a speck of shape come rushing at a good speed and it becomes clearer and larger as he focuses. Here is a clear picture of the flying horse. On other pictures he sees the rider too with a sword. This appearance takes place just after he has visited a most oppressed place of history. He has prayed when others complain of heaviness and unease. Then the celestial rider comes on a horse and the oppression lifts immediately. An amazing experience. He believes in the power of prayers.

Ephesians 1:18

And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (God’s people),

Dearest love, he began: a haiku (and a prose)

Dearest love, he began,

seeing her at other land,

write to me, she said. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~When he travels he likes to write down what he sees, hears and thinks. A picture in his selective perceptive mind often helps him to recall the moment of encounter with colors, sounds, and lives that co-exist: a pleasant surprise, a happy feeling, a tinge of sadness, a glimpse of greatness beyond his comprehension, an act of courage, a light that stands out on the face of someone, eyes that speak kindness, a smile that spells hope, a bowl of hot soup that warms his soul, a word of friendliness like “Good morning” from another jogger, a mother pushing a pram, an old man walking his dog, yes, the general non-hostility of the expressions from nature, creatures, and even human. So he writes.

“A letter makes ordinary things seem important.”
― Marilynne Robinson, Lila

“More than kisses, letters mingle souls.”
― John Donne

“You deserve a longer letter than this; but it is my unhappy fate seldom to treat people so well as they deserve.”
― Jane Austen

“Only write to me, write to me, I love to see the hop and skip and sudden starts of your ink.”
― A.S. Byatt, Possession

random words, definitions, quotes: LIBERAL

Today we look at the definition of a popular English word that came from France. LIBERTY/LIBERAL/FREE. French libre ‎(“free, having liberty, at liberty”)

Origin of LIBERAL comes from:Middle English: via Old French from Latin liberalis, from liber ‘free (man)’. The original sense was ‘suitable for a free man’, hence ‘suitable for a gentleman’ (one not tied to a trade), surviving in liberal arts. Another early sense, ‘generous’, gave rise to an obsolete meaning ‘free from restraint’.

Oxford dictionary Definition of liberal in English: adjective

1Open to new behavior or opinions and willing to discard traditional values. 1.1Favorable to or respectful of individual rights and freedoms 1.2 (In a political context) favoring maximum individual liberty in political and social reform. 1.5 Theology Regarding many traditional beliefs as dispensable, invalidated by modern thought, or liable to change. 2 [attributive] (Of education) concerned mainly with broadening a person’s general knowledge and experience, rather than with technical or professional training. 3(Especially of an interpretation of a law) broadly construed or understood; not strictly literal or exact: 4Given, used, or occurring in generous amounts: 4.1(Of a person) giving generously: noun 1A person of liberal views.

Synonyms of liberal in English: adjective
1 the values of a liberal society
tolerant, unprejudiced, unbigoted, broad-minded, open-minded, enlightened; permissive, free, free and easy, easygoing, libertarian, indulgent, lenient
2 a liberal social agenda
progressive, advanced, modern, forward-looking, forward-thinking, progressivist, enlightened, reformist, radical
3 a liberal education
wide-ranging, broad-based, general
4 a liberal interpretation of divorce laws
flexible, broad, loose, rough, free, general, nonliteral, nonspecific, imprecise, vague, indefinite

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oxford dictionary Definition of liberty in English: noun (plural liberties)

1The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behavior, or political views 2The power or scope to act as one pleases: individuals should enjoy the liberty to pursue their own interests and preferences 2.1 Philosophy A person’s freedom from control by fate or necessity.

Origin Late Middle English: from Old French liberte, from Latin libertas, from liber ‘free’.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

QUOTES ON “LIBERTY”

“If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.”
― George Orwell

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
― Nelson Mandela

“What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or in the holy name of liberty or democracy?”
― Mahatma Gandhi

“Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.”
― George Bernard Shaw, Man and Superman

“If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.
[Inaugural Address, January 20 1961]”
― John F. Kennedy

 “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.”
― John Philpot Curran

“The most fatal thing a man can do is try to stand alone.”
― Carson McCullers, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter

“Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties.”
― John Milton, Areopagitica

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

QUOTES FROM THE BIBLE: LIBERTY FROM FEAR

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

“So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” John 8:36

“Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.” John 10:9

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

“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”  1 John 4:18 [Full Chapter]

And that is what happened: a haiku

fascinated awed

glimpses of another realm

daily marching pass

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth.” And that is what happened.

Genesis 1:15

You will succeed in whatever you choose to do, and light will shine on the road ahead of you.

Job 22:28

From Mount Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines in glorious radiance.

Psalm 50:2

small lone man at ocean: a haiku

nothing to declare

even footprints are awashed

erased without trace

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. Our heart has not turned back, Nor have our steps departed from Your way; But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.

(Quotes from Psalms Psalm 17:5; Psalm 40:2; Psalm 44:18; Psalm 73:2; Psalm 119:133; Psalm 37:23)

small things do matter: a haiku

one day he looked down

a whole new fresh world revealed

small things do matter

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The ants are a people not strong, Yet they prepare their food in the summer;

(Proverbs 30:25)

a perfect day’s haiku

Not coincidence

seeing Light in brilliant spray

His perfect presence

“““““““““““““““““

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

(James 1:17)

Here is traveler’s rest: a haiku

Here is traveler’s rest

right spot  right foot at its best

shady cozy nest

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[ Promised Rest for God’s People ] God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God. For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said, “In my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest,’” even though this rest has been ready since he made the world. …(Hebrews 4 [Full Chapter])

A dictionary for navigators on spiritual rough waters 37: words for hard times

I decided to resume writing this unusual word dictionary for spiritual navigators. Today we look at some positive words to be used in hard times. Unlike many may think, these are not cliches. They are for the believers. Let’s ride this rough waters together! (Note: in summary, the following words are all neutral words which require your input to add value.)

A: Abundance. A very large quantity of something. This is a neutral word. If just gives you a measure of stuff. You need to fill in the blank or a substitute for the stuff. It matters what you fill into your life if you want an abundant life. Jesus actually promised His believers abundant life in goodness (richness and wellness in every aspect of the good life that God has originally designed for man). But many have not received. Two things are required: believe in Jesus. Be careful what you input into your life’s data base. Yes, today is our life’s PC/Mobile phone data base total cleansing and re-formatting day.

B: Behold.Similarly, behold is a neutral word. Its value and outcome depend on the content and object of your beholding. If you apply your vision on evil and enjoys watching it, you will be inputting into your soul evil which outcome will of course be evil. If you behold goodness (matters that please the good Lord) you will of course reap good. What you saw and what you input into your own soul (through the window of your soul –your eyes) is what you will reap.

C. Control. This is a bad word for those out of control. This is not necessarily a good word for those who are obsessed with control. It becomes a good word with the right input from the person who uses it. When used on one-self, it becomes a good word, self-control. This comes with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in a believer. The Holy Spirit in us is a Spirit of power, love (God’s kind), and self-control (or sound-mind). It becomes a bad word when the person (presumably a leader) uses it to Lord over others (in the Christian scenario). Jesus warned the disciples (and apostles) not to exercise their authorities this way.

D. Demand. This is neither a good nor a bad word. It depends on who you are and the contents of your demand. Demand is a strong word which is backed by some forms of authority. A superior may be in a position to demand his or her subordinate to complete an assignment within that person’s job description. On the  other hand, a superior may not be empowered to demand an unpaid voluntary worker the same way. The authority may ideally be imbued on or delegated to the person in charge but the ability to exercise that authority is another matter. It takes a lot of factors to exercise an demand effectively. In a Christian organization, one essential key is the true knowledge of God and His word and the practice of being led by the Holy Spirit. There is no short cut. In practice, those who know God and walk in His spiritual great light do not need to use the word ‘demand’ on one another. The assignment still gets done perfectly and on time according to God’s will. How marvelous!

E. Evangelize. This is the only word that says something substantial and of significant value. To preach the gospel. In the Greek New Testament, gospel is the translation of the Greek noun euangelion (occurring 76 times) “good news,” and the verb euangelizo (occurring 54 times), meaning “to bring or announce good news.”

Bible verses:1 Corinthians 15:1-8 New King James Version (NKJV) The Risen Christ, Faith’s Reality

15 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, ² by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

³ For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, ⁵ and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. ⁶ After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. ⁷ After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. ⁸ Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

spiritual traveler’s confession: walking free

This traveler decided to live with one of the poorest people groups for awhile. One finding is there is relevance in the following words of wisdom today which is the 30th of June. The verse are taken from Proverbs 30:5-9 in two translations. There is a heavenly allotment of this world’s goods for each of us on earth. I find that even though I may have plenty if I had wanted to, I could not possibly use or consume all. I would have wasted the surplus precious resources for no purpose except to gratify my eyes and a false sense of self-esteem. So I have practiced a just-enough lifestyle for years and really enjoyed my liberated life. I have reduced excessive harmful weight and increased sharpness and discernment in my mental faculty. I look at life in a different and much wider and deeper perspective walking this life’s journey in a new freedom. My body and my soul become youthful and ageless. I can pursue spiritual reality more accurately. Living free of excesses is a blessing. It takes self-will and self-control. I could not have done it consistently by myself. thank God I have very good friends who have made the same decisions and we have walked this new life journey together cheering and encouraging each other. It’s a wonderful life!

The following verses reveal that the purpose of everyone’s life is to give glory to God.

Traveler’s observation: Take note the link between richness and pride (to the extent of denying God’s reality in one’s life) and poverty (to the extent that stealing becomes a norm in life). Both cases do not honor or glorify God. Any other explanation or excuse become a lie. A life of lies and deceptions is not worth living for. (Revelation 22:15)

Proverbs 30:5-9 (NLT)

Every word of God proves true.
    He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.
⁶ Do not add to his words,
    or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.

⁷ O God, I beg two favors from you;
    let me have them before I die.
⁸ First, help me never to tell a lie.
    Second, give me neither poverty nor riches!
    Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.
⁹ For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?”
    And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.

Proverbs 30:5-9 (NKJV)

Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
⁶ Do not add to His words,
Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.

⁷ Two things I request of You
(Deprive me not before I die):
⁸ Remove falsehood and lies far from me;
Give me neither poverty nor riches—
Feed me with the food allotted to me;
⁹ Lest I be full and deny You,
And say, “Who is the Lord?”
Or lest I be poor and steal,
And profane the name of my God.

Christian Philosophy? Pure Philosophy?

Has anyone heard of Christians having philosophy? what is Christian Philosophy? Is it the same as psychology? Or Greek philosophy? Chinese philosophy? Western philosophy? Eastern philosophy? Here is a good teaching. I quote in full an article from Andrew Wommack.

Every person views their life through a filter. For example, optimists see opportunity in every situation they face, while pessimists can only see defeat and failure. Both could be facing the same circumstances, but their filter determines how they respond. That filter could also be called their philosophy.

A philosophy is simply a way of thinking. And whether you know it or not, the direction that your life is going has been influenced and controlled by your personal philosophy or your dominant way of thinking. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” If that is true—and it is—then it makes sense to be sure that you are viewing your life through the right filter.

Colossians 2:8 says, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”

In this scripture, Paul was giving the believers in Colosse a warning. The word “beware” is being used in the sense of a sentry on guard duty. It’s a military term talking about being on guard, being on the lookout. And the word “spoil” is not talking about food; it’s talking about the spoils of war that go to the victor—the gold and silver and land.

Paul was saying to be on guard lest you be overcome by an Enemy that will strip you of your treasure, which is the truth that God has placed in your heart. That Enemy, the devil, wants to steal what God has given to you, using the world’s philosophies and the religious traditions of man.

Jesus referred to this in Matthew 15:8-9, which say, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”

The people believed the commandments of men more than the Word of God. They maintained a form of godliness but denied the power of the Gospel of Jesus (2 Tim. 3:5). Jewish leaders were saying that Jesus was not enough, that the people still needed to observe rituals and ceremony, and those requirements were making the Word of God of no effect in their lives: “Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition” (Matt. 15:6).

They were operating according to a philosophy, but the wrong one. Many Christians are doing the same thing today. They have bits and pieces of the Word of God filed away in their brains, but they have not meditated on them enough to change their core beliefs. When the pressures of life come, they are able to quote dozens of scriptures claiming God’s promises, but they act according to their heart values.

A good example of this can be seen in the life of one of our recent Bible college students. She’s in her sixties and a really great woman of God. She had listened to my teachings on prosperity and could quote all the related verses. Intellectually, she understood everything I taught. But at the heart level, she still had a poverty mentality, or you could say a poverty philosophy. She had been raised by parents who went through the Depression and had successfully indoctrinated her with the fear of lack. She was so fearful that she stored and hoarded everything, even keeping her money at home, not trusting banks. Although she had accumulated some money with her philosophy, she still saw herself as poor, and it affected all of her decision making. Her philosophy, or way of thinking, was actually holding her captive and limiting what God could do through her life.

If at your core, you have a philosophy—a way of thinking—that is negative, it will manifest in your life. If you see yourself as broke, sick, or a failure, it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy. On the other hand, if at your core you see yourself as prosperous, healthy, and successful, that will be what manifests in your life. So, it’s important that your philosophy is based on the truth of God’s Word.

It’s through the subtle deception of human philosophy that Satan tries to deceive us. The first example of that can be found in Genesis 3:1-5.

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Now think about this: It says that the serpent was more subtle. The word subtle means crafty, sly, cunning, and deceptive. He wasn’t using a frontal attack to overpower Adam and Eve; he was attempting to change their way of thinking, their philosophy.

Adam and Eve began with a pure philosophy. They were completely dependent upon God and never questioned His wisdom and goodness. Satan first caused them to question God’s word, and then he caused them to question God’s goodness. He beguiled them, which is what Paul was writing about in 2 Corinthians 11:3 – “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

Satan has never changed his tactics. He is at work through our society and culture trying to create a philosophy that is contrary to God’s Word. He is always trying to devalue the finished work of Jesus and His Word. Sad to say, it’s working. Even most Christians today do not have their belief systems firmly in place. They are influenced more by culture, motion pictures, their upbringing, or the opinions of others than by the Word of God.

Many of you reading this letter know what the Scripture says. You have read that God wants you to prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers. You have read that by His stripes, you were healed and that Jesus came to give you life and life more abundantly. Yet when you look in the mirror, you see a failure, a loser, or a sick and defeated person. Why is that?

It’s because of your core philosophy. Maybe your parents told you that you would never amount to anything, or a previous mate convinced you that you were worthless. Or perhaps a religious leader told you that you were cursed because of your behavior, and you believed him or her. Whatever the root cause for your belief (philosophy), you are being spoiled, and your treasure is being stolen.

If that is you, then begin changing the way you think. Study and meditate in the Word of God, and change your basic core beliefs. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12).

In my own life, as I began to change the way I thought, it opened the door to the blessings that God had for me all along. I was actually limiting God by my small thinking; i.e., my philosophy. You may be doing the same thing. If you are, don’t waste any more time—change your mind.

Every believer needs to have a clear biblical philosophy, and it must be based solely on the Word of God. Without it, you will be tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine.

(the above is quoted from Andrew Wommack at this link: http://www.awmi.net/extra/article/christian_philosophy)

audio download: http://www.awmi.net/extra/audio/1079

watch TV: https://www.awmi.net/video/tv-archives/?yn=2009&wn=34&dn=1

Book Description

Have you ever asked yourself what changed when you were “born again”? You look in the mirror and see the same reflection – your body hasn’t changed. You find yourself acting the same and yielding to those same old temptations – that didn’t seem to change either. So you wonder, Has anything really changed?

The correct answer to that question is foundational for receiving from God. If you lack this basic understanding, you’ll forever ask yourself doubt-filled questions like: “How could God love somebody like me?” and “How can I possibly expect to receive anything from the Lord? I don’t deserve it, I’m not good enough!”

Spirit, Soul & Body will help you to eliminate those and other doubt-filled questions that destroy your faith. If you have trouble receiving from God, this is a must-read!

You can purchase from this link: https://store.awmi.net/p-196-christian-philosophy.aspx 

For the sea we did not cross

We watched hand in hand

this span of water across

yet we did not cross

traveler’s year in review : abundance

Sunshine and blue sky

lovingkindness and mercy

follow him all way

traveller’s mirror reflects: a haiku on Day One (with notes)

~a haiku on Day One~

somewhere before time

existence took sight and life

day one began here.

_____________________

Spiritual explanatory notes for the two latest haiku on the subject of ‘royalty’ and ‘day one’. I am a spiritual blogger and write mostly from spiritual perspectives. The royal color does not refer to the colors we normally see and associate with in the physical world. Race and skins mean nothing in the spiritual. God sees spirits (which we refer to as ‘hearts’). When we are born again in our spirit we become royal -as the children of God. We are who we are not because of our external physical presentations. We are created to bear the image of God (our Father in heaven). Our brief journey on earth is a journey home.

Genesis 1:1 New Life Version (NLV)

The Beginning

1 In the beginning God made from nothing the heavens and the earth.

Revelation 5:10

And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”

John 3:5-7 New King James Version (NKJV)⁵ Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

“A dictionary for navigators on spiritual rough waters” chapter 27 – power of “praise”

Recently this traveler discovered the power of another word, “PRAISE”. This is a word not generally taken seriously. It is often misused and even abused when the user does not mean what he says or say what he means.

In spiritual reality it is one of the most powerful words. It is not just for defensive purpose. It can be a piece of effective offensive weapon in itself. In the history of crucial national wars between kingdoms, the effective use of praise had won wars without even losing one soldier on the winning side.

The only requirement of using this amazing weapon is : praising the right target. In this dictionary the praise target is the Almighty God. What are the prerequisites to carry out this life and death task for a nation? Faith in action.

Here is  an amazing historical example from 2 Chronicles 20.

King Jehoshaphat of Judah ordered his priests to sing praises to God and God caused his enemy (armies from three nations) to be destroyed supernaturally. When Jehoshaphat asked his people to fast with him and seek God for help, God replied through a prophet, “You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you.” It was recorded that, “ And when he [the king] had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army  and were saying:

“Praise the Lord,
For His mercy endures forever.”

²² Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated. ”  The enemy armies killed and destroyed each other. All that King Jehoshaphat of Judah and his people needed to do was to gather the spoils of valuables and they were three days gathering the spoil because there was so much!

Summary: Praise God (the rightful worthy object of praise). By faith. Witness the mighty works of God and give thanks.

power of praise

Singing in the Spirit on higher ground

1 I’m pressing on the upward way, New heights I’m gaining every day; Still praying as I onward bound, “Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Lord, lift me up, and let me stand By faith on Canaan’s tableland; A higher plane than I have found, Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

2 My heart has no desire to stay Where doubts arise and fears dismay; Though some may dwell where these abound, My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

3 I want to live above the world, Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled; For faith has caught the joyful sound, The song of saints on higher ground.

4 I want to scale the utmost height And catch a gleam of glory bright; But still I’ll pray till rest I’ve found, “Lord, lead me on to higher ground.”

http://hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/396

– power of “confess”

Today we come to the powerful positive word: “confess”. Take note that this is a verb and not a noun. The word has often been associated with fear. No one wants to make public his or her deepest secret. The word “confess” intrudes. However, today we look at the positive side of this word which is in truth a key to opening the door to victory in life!

Here are some powerful and real life and death matters on positive confessions in the Bible:

Jesus ‘confesses’ good reports about believers to God in heaven, for recording purposes! (Praise God for such a system of positive record – the Book of life !)

Matthew 10:32[ Confess Christ Before Men ] “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:31-33 (in Context)

Revelation 3:5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. Revelation 3:4-6 (in Context)

Apostle Peter ‘confesses’ correctly (as led by the Holy Spirit) and is commended instantly by Jesus:

Matthew 16:15-17

¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

Confessing rightly with our mouths bring us to salvation!

Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  Romans 10:8-10 (in Context)

When one confesses, God is listening. Each individual confesses to the Almighty God.

Romans 14:10-12

¹⁰ But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.^{[a] 11} For it is written:

“As I live, says the Lord,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.”^[b]

¹² So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

When one confesses, one is giving glory to God. The name of Jesus is exalted. it has to come from the heart and not mere lip service. God knows. 

Philippians 2:10-12

¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

One confesses to God for sins. Why? Because God wants to forgive you.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-10 (in Context)

I confesses who Jesus is, to me. Why? Because God wants to live in me.

1 John 4:15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 1 John 4:14-16 (in Context)

What shall I do, after confessing Who Jesus is to me? Hold fast to my confession.

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-13 (in Context)

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:22-24 (in Context)

A prayer for travellers who are fearful and sleepless

Dear Abba Father: thank you for giving me this sweet time of rest in You.

I praise You and thank You for Your goodness and mercy and grace-undeserved favor for me through out the day. You are my shelter and my strength. Your truth is my shield and my buckler. I continue to take refuge under Your wings. You are my dwelling place. No evil shall come upon me. Nor any plagues shall come near my dwelling. Thank You so much !

In the mighty name of Jesus (Yeshua) I now forbid the unclean spirits from entering my mind, my thought, my vision and my dream.

In the name of Jesus I invite the Holy Spirit to fill my mind, my thought, my dream and my vision. Flood me with Your light and refreshing presence.

Thank you so much, my heavenly Father, for Your great love for me.

In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

sweet sleep under the safest wings

“A dictionary for navigators on spiritual rough waters” chapter 24 – meaning of “return”

return to the Lord

The word is “return”. It does not mean what you think it will mean. Why? When we use this word, we tend to mean we are going back to where we had been. In a physical journey it means going back to where we have first embarked or the port from which we first set sail.

But in a spiritual journey, the Bible, the word “return” when defined by God means “not going back to where you had been” but going away from it and go to where God has purposed you to be. The place and situation will no longer be the same as the one you had left previously. It is like going further in a journey of no return. For many, it is a journey to the unknown. All you have is the promises of God.

The place and situation the Lord wants you to “return” to are entirely new and far more superior and even ideal as God has designed and prepared them to be, just for you! Why? Because of the goodness of God. Here are some verses as examples:

Isaiah 30:15 For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” But you would not,

Isaiah 35:10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

Jeremiah 3:22 “Return, you backsliding children, And I will heal your backslidings.” “Indeed we do come to You, For You are the Lord our God.

Jeremiah 24:7 Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.

Hosea 12:6 So you, by the help of your God, return; Observe mercy and justice, And wait on your God continually.

Joel 2:13 So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.

Zechariah 1:3 Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts.

Jesus Foretells the Future: the first of the birth pains, with more to come.

Mark 13

New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Foretells the Future

13 As Jesus was leaving the Temple that day, one of his disciples said, “Teacher, look at these magnificent buildings! Look at the impressive stones in the walls.”

² Jesus replied, “Yes, look at these great buildings. But they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”

³ Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives across the valley from the Temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to him privately and asked him, ⁴ “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to be fulfilled?”

⁵ Jesus replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, ⁶ for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’^[a] They will deceive many. ⁷ And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. ⁸ Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.

⁹ “When these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.^{[b] 10} For the Good News must first be preached to all nations.^{[c] 11} But when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

¹² “A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. ¹³ And everyone will hate you because you are my followers.^[d] But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

¹⁴ “The day is coming when you will see the sacrilegious object that causes desecration^[e] standing where he^[f] should not be.” (Reader, pay attention!) “Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. ¹⁵ A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. ¹⁶ A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat. ¹⁷ How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. ¹⁸ And pray that your flight will not be in winter. ¹⁹ For there will be greater anguish in those days than at any time since God created the world. And it will never be so great again. ²⁰ In fact, unless the Lord shortens that time of calamity, not a single person will survive. But for the sake of his chosen ones he has shortened those days.

²¹ “Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. ²² For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. ²³ Watch out! I have warned you about this ahead of time!

²⁴ “At that time, after the anguish of those days,

the sun will be darkened,     the moon will give no light, ²⁵ the stars will fall from the sky,     and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.^[g]

²⁶ Then everyone will see the Son of Man^[h] coming on the clouds with great power and glory.^{[i] 27} And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world^[j]—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

²⁸ “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. ²⁹ In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that his return is very near, right at the door. ³⁰ I tell you the truth, this generation^[k] will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. ³¹ Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

³² “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. ³³ And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert^[l]!

³⁴ “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. ³⁵ You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. ³⁶ Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. ³⁷ I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!”

Footnotes:

1. 13:6 Greek claiming, ‘I am.’
2. 13:9 Or But this will be your testimony against them.
3. 13:10 Or all peoples.
4. 13:13 Greek on account of my name.
5. 13:14a Greek the abomination of desolation. See Dan 9:27; 11:31; 12:11.
6. 13:14b Or it.
7. 13:24-25 See Isa 13:10; 34:4; Joel 2:10.
8. 13:26a “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.
9. 13:26b See Dan 7:13.
10. 13:27 Greek from the four winds.
11. 13:30 Or this age, or this nation.
12. 13:33 Some manuscripts add and pray.

The Poet’s 24 reasons to cry “Joy” to the world!

this is my Christmas gift to those who are still celebrating this day. Rejoice. For a real good reason. from the poet of all ages.

• Psalm 5:11
  But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.

  Psalm 5:10-12 (in Context) Psalm 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

• Psalm 16:11
  You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

  Psalm 16:10-11 (in Context) Psalm 16 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

• Psalm 21:1
  [ Joy in the Salvation of the Lord ] [ To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. ] The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord; And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!

  Psalm 21:1-3 (in Context) Psalm 21 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

• Psalm 27:6
  And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

  Psalm 27:5-7 (in Context) Psalm 27 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

• Psalm 30:5
  For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.

  Psalm 30:4-6 (in Context) Psalm 30 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

• Psalm 32:1
  [ The Joy of Forgiveness ] [ A Psalm of David. A Contemplation. ] Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.

  Psalm 32:1-3 (in Context) Psalm 32 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

• Psalm 32:11
  Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

  Psalm 32:10-11 (in Context) Psalm 32 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

• Psalm 33:3
  Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.

  Psalm 33:2-4 (in Context) Psalm 33 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

• Psalm 35:27
  Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”

  Psalm 35:26-28 (in Context) Psalm 35 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

• Psalm 42:4
  When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.

  Psalm 42:3-5 (in Context) Psalm 42 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

• Psalm 43:4
  Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God.

  Psalm 43:3-5 (in Context) Psalm 43 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

• Psalm 48:2
  Beautiful in elevation, The joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, The city of the great King.

  Psalm 48:1-3 (in Context) Psalm 48 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

• Psalm 51:8
  Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.

  Psalm 51:7-9 (in Context) Psalm 51 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

• Psalm 51:12
  Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

  Psalm 51:11-13 (in Context) Psalm 51 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

• Psalm 63:1
  [ Joy in the Fellowship of God ] [ A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah. ] O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.

  Psalm 63:1-3 (in Context) Psalm 63 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

• Psalm 65:13
  The pastures are clothed with flocks; The valleys also are covered with grain; They shout for joy, they also sing.

  Psalm 65:12-13 (in Context) Psalm 65 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

• Psalm 67:4
  Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You shall judge the people righteously, And govern the nations on earth. Selah

  Psalm 67:3-5 (in Context) Psalm 67 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

• Psalm 105:43
  He brought out His people with joy, His chosen ones with gladness.

  Psalm 105:42-44 (in Context) Psalm 105 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

• Psalm 106:1
  [ Joy in Forgiveness of Israel’s Sins ] Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

  Psalm 106:1-3 (in Context) Psalm 106 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

• Psalm 122:1
  [ The Joy of Going to the House of the Lord ] [ A Song of Ascents. Of David. ] I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.”

  Psalm 122:1-3 (in Context) Psalm 122 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

• Psalm 126:5
  Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy.

  Psalm 126:4-6 (in Context) Psalm 126 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

• Psalm 132:9
  Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, And let Your saints shout for joy.

  Psalm 132:8-10 (in Context) Psalm 132 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

• Psalm 132:16
  I will also clothe her priests with salvation, And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

  Psalm 132:15-17 (in Context) Psalm 132 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

• Psalm 137:6
  If I do not remember you, Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth— If I do not exalt Jerusalem Above my chief joy.

  Psalm 137:5-7 (in Context) Psalm 137 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

rejoice!

 

My real life: the mind is a habit

Daily Practice makes a habit

It takes time and patience to experience a renewal of your mind if you try to use your own efforts. The mindman has discovered. The mind is a habit forming thing. It has taken on years of practices to accumulate a lot of stuff which, unlike physical stuff, cannot be cleaned out by mere physical spring cleaning.

Try as you may, you will still find cobwebs and junks in the forms of thoughts, attitudes, patterns and ways of: perceptions, approaching issues, assessing, valuing, and functioning. All these hamper your decision making.

The modern society has developed clever commercial ways out. Trends and styles and fads. constant changes and increase in varieties and variations have deceived a mind to think that this is renewal or worse, new creation.

Looking behind every change in fashion and fad will see clearly the empty and vain hope without any real substance and depth in terms of change.

Why? Because human mind is just human. The fickleness of the mind has made commercial marketing a thriving viable profession.

The real change does not lie in the commercials.

The real pool of deep water with stagnant stuff needs to be cleaned out and needs deep ‘surgery’ beyond the human mind.

Where? The mindman has discovered that the real change starts deep within, in one’s spirit.

When your spirit is reborn, you become new. The habits in the mind can be removed by the constant washing of water by the Word of God. The habits are of the natural human man and cannot stand the Word which is of the power of the supernatural God. Real transformational power is from God. He is the Creator. He can recreate and form new creation in anything, including all life forms. Life is from God.

Thus, God’s words are life and spirit, just as Jesus had declared. Those who believe can read His words and be transformed by the renewing of the mind, even in areas of deep set habits.

What are mere human habits compared to the creation of many universes? God spoke and they came into being.

“By faith we understand the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” (Hebrews 11:3)

Read Philippians 4:8 [Full Chapter]

[ Meditate on These Things ] Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.