I am working on both secular and non-secular weblogs at this time, and it seems that they all show up in my Google+ profile. Much of the technical work that I do is likely of little interest for those who read Ransom of Love. In fact, I likely went a little overboard on some of the science references, but I am hoping that I might reach a few of those with science educations who hope that they can understand that which might be best left as a mystery.
As a younger man, I would frequently daydream. Often, I would think about spiritual concepts such as justice, peace, longsuffering, joy, and etc. But, many times I would find my mind drifting away from this higher plane of thought and settling on female friends. In fact, fond memories of old acquaintance often inspired some of my early technical work during my teens and twenties. In the arts, I believe that they are called muses.
But, a muse is not the Author and Finisher of my faith. As I matured some in my late twenties and read through the scriptures which I was given as a child, my mental focus changed. I started spending more time in scripture reading. prayer, and meditation. I discarded all of my secular music and began playing only music with a message consistent with scripture. I found a better Inspiration.
This Inspiration carried me through my tortuous experience at a graduate school that did not want me on its campus. It brought me the best dream of my life after reading scripture all day. This I outlined in an earlier note. It has brought me peace in the midst of many of life's storms. They say that on occasion the Lord will calm the storm; At other times, He simply calms His child. That lyric was from one of my favorite contempory Christian songs over the past couple of decades.
The God-fearing life is a great one. This is also true when one slightly misses the mark of being truly God-fearing. Being near that narrow road which ends in a life eternal brings hope. Despite the popular message of material prosperity for His children, spiritual prosperity is a greater gift. Simply read James 2.
Besides, wealth can be a curse. An abundance can attract those who have little interest in one's well-being. I have found during my life's experiences while being part of a minority group which has not always been welcome in this country, I often was ignored unless it was deemed that I had monetary value. Lucre buys peoplehood in my home country. It is a blessing having enough that one does not steal and not so much that one forgets who the real Provider of one's resources is. Furthermore, it is a blessing seeing the reality of how others view an individual. It can be rather eye-opening. Life has taught that one should only be concerned with who one is in his Father's Eyes. If one can be comfortable with His Perspective, and one make an honest assessments of who he is and what he must do for self-improvement, it does not much matter about those who feel that they control the universe, since they often have trouble controlling themselves.
Please forgive any typos. This was done hastily in the wee-hours of them morning after wrapping up a day's work.
Stay Blessed.
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Monday, January 16, 2017
Great for the Soul | Bad for the Reputation
A brother beloved who is the pastor of a local Christian church has often said from the pulpit that "Confession is great for the soul, but bad for the reputation!" This is often followed by his admittance of a common human failing on which he is working on improving or one that he had in his years of youthful indiscretions. One must admit that it is refreshing seeing someone who the community holds in such high esteem and has focused his life on serving the Lord acknowledging that he has made some of the same type of mistakes so many others have.
The Book of Job which outlines the life of a truly righteous man states the even old faithful Job was guilty of "foolishness in his youth".
Although I lack the faithfulness, righteousness, or long-suffering of Job and do not come near the Christian walk of my friend who is a pastor, I must admit that I have one thing in common. I have been very foolish at times in my life.
Like many in the developed world, I rarely if ever have a problems with the laws of the civil jurisdiction which I live under. Only God's Word sheds light on my blemishes. My sins most likely will not get me placed in a city, county, state, or federal prison. But, in contrast, based upon His Word, an unpleasant place awaits me in the after-life if I do not straighten up and fly right.
For many, we do not struggle with sins such as theft, assault, murder, rape, and other violation of civil codes. But, we do struggle with addiction which center around that which society says we can freely consume as adults.
But, Christ said that we should "be perfect as our Father in heaven is Perfect." If he said it is possible, it must be so.
In four decades plus of living, I can remember only one near perfect day when my life had been free of addictive behaviors for a few years. I awoke on a Saturday, did my household chores, and paid bills by noon. At high noon, I began reading my NIV Bible, the scriptures which I was given as a child for governing my life and behavior. It only seemed that a couple of hours had passed, but when I looked out of my window the sun was setting. I glanced at the clock at it was past eight in the evening on a summer's day.
That night I had the most wonderful dream one could imagine on this side of eternity. I saw myself drifting on a cloud with doves flying overhead and the gospel song God of Wonders being sung by FFH. It seemed that the night lasted for months or possibly years.
This day was quite a blessed respite from the struggles of my life circumstances at the time.
A beauty and reward exists in Godly living. Do not let someone convince you that His Blessing are material prosperity. Do not be beguiled. Material prosperity without spiritual prosperity is a curse. And, spiritual prosperity alone is worth more than a fortune in precious stones, gems, and metals.
May we all find freedom from the sin which besets us and those who try marginalizing our relationship with He who created the heavens and the earth.
Stay Richly and Eternally Blessed.
The Book of Job which outlines the life of a truly righteous man states the even old faithful Job was guilty of "foolishness in his youth".
Although I lack the faithfulness, righteousness, or long-suffering of Job and do not come near the Christian walk of my friend who is a pastor, I must admit that I have one thing in common. I have been very foolish at times in my life.
Like many in the developed world, I rarely if ever have a problems with the laws of the civil jurisdiction which I live under. Only God's Word sheds light on my blemishes. My sins most likely will not get me placed in a city, county, state, or federal prison. But, in contrast, based upon His Word, an unpleasant place awaits me in the after-life if I do not straighten up and fly right.
For many, we do not struggle with sins such as theft, assault, murder, rape, and other violation of civil codes. But, we do struggle with addiction which center around that which society says we can freely consume as adults.
But, Christ said that we should "be perfect as our Father in heaven is Perfect." If he said it is possible, it must be so.
In four decades plus of living, I can remember only one near perfect day when my life had been free of addictive behaviors for a few years. I awoke on a Saturday, did my household chores, and paid bills by noon. At high noon, I began reading my NIV Bible, the scriptures which I was given as a child for governing my life and behavior. It only seemed that a couple of hours had passed, but when I looked out of my window the sun was setting. I glanced at the clock at it was past eight in the evening on a summer's day.
That night I had the most wonderful dream one could imagine on this side of eternity. I saw myself drifting on a cloud with doves flying overhead and the gospel song God of Wonders being sung by FFH. It seemed that the night lasted for months or possibly years.
This day was quite a blessed respite from the struggles of my life circumstances at the time.
A beauty and reward exists in Godly living. Do not let someone convince you that His Blessing are material prosperity. Do not be beguiled. Material prosperity without spiritual prosperity is a curse. And, spiritual prosperity alone is worth more than a fortune in precious stones, gems, and metals.
May we all find freedom from the sin which besets us and those who try marginalizing our relationship with He who created the heavens and the earth.
Stay Richly and Eternally Blessed.
Monday, January 2, 2017
Be Blessed | Reaching Your Goals
Be blessed in the city, be blessed in the field, be blessed when you come, and when you go....Be blessed. If one looks for beauty, one will find it. Our lives' journey ends at the point of our focus. Focus on Godly things.
Philippians 4:8 (KJV)
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Why is their fighting within social groups such as religious groups and families?
James 4:1-2 (KJV)
From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
James 1:3-8 (KJV)
Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double-minded man [is] unstable in all his ways.
When life is burdensome and it seems that you are not reaching your goals, stop and ask:
0. Pray for wisdom, then ask yourself the following questions:
1. What do I really want?
2. Is what I am doing helping me reach my goal?
3. What will help me reach my goal?
4. What should I do differently or how should I adjust my strategy next time.
Hopefully, these insights will help with your resolutions for this year.
May the Lord Richly Bless Your Community In The Upcoming Year.
Philippians 4:8 (KJV)
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Why is their fighting within social groups such as religious groups and families?
James 4:1-2 (KJV)
From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
James 1:3-8 (KJV)
Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double-minded man [is] unstable in all his ways.
When life is burdensome and it seems that you are not reaching your goals, stop and ask:
0. Pray for wisdom, then ask yourself the following questions:
1. What do I really want?
2. Is what I am doing helping me reach my goal?
3. What will help me reach my goal?
4. What should I do differently or how should I adjust my strategy next time.
Hopefully, these insights will help with your resolutions for this year.
May the Lord Richly Bless Your Community In The Upcoming Year.
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