May the Lord make a way in your life! The most wonderful revelation occurred in the author's life in the late 1990s or early 2000s while watching a national news broadcast. He had been plagued with a problematic and destructive acquaintance since his freshman year of high-school. This deeply troubled character learned a few lessons in a backward manner when he was young. He believed that any task which netted money was worth his time. The author would often tell him that "a man should support himself by any means necessary". But, his acquaintance could not discern that this meant "any honest and honorable means". As such, he asked the author in the early 1990s if any method exited for obscuring one's identity in an electronic image. The author mentioned one. His acquaintance asked if the process was irreversible. The author said, "I suppose." This was a classic catch phrase of old "General You", along with "okey-doke" which is usually followed by a "rope-a-dope". One might say that the author is crafty. It is more the case that he strives for being as "wise as a serpent and as gentle as a dove." But, beauty of the moment was the "Urkel-like" naiveté which is a God-given gift. The Lord blessed this moment, and the news reported that one the most notorious child pornographers and rapist traveling across Asia had been exposed. Interpol had simply reversed what this character had "assumed" was irreversible.
The Lord had used the author when he was far from regular worship, scriptural study, and a life of godly-discipline. Wherever you might be, pray, "Lord use me as I struggle for a path which will place me on the narrow road which end in eternal life."
The author made himself a couple of promises early in life. He vowed that he would not smoke nor drink. This acquaintance pushed him passed both of these boundaries. And, had he not been an honest person who would tell on himself first and others second, the author might have some more burdensome addictions this day. Lesson for the youth who might read this. Anyone who pushed you passed a "healthy boundary" in not in your corner. This a difficult saying, in that, those who breach your walls of well-being might be as close as family, and, in truth, they do not love (philia or agape) you.
If one ever questions the quality of love which he has in his heart for others or the quality of love that he is receiving, the standard is below:
[1Co 13:1-13 KJV]
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor], and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity.
This should be read daily by the young person who has fallen "deeply in love". It shall help remove the blinders.
May the Lord Bless You From His Heavens With A Fount Of His Peace.
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