May You Enjoy Many Well-Timed Blessings This And Every Week. Do you know that you can know something and not know that you know it! This is the wonderful marvel of intuition. Being that the author has read through the Bible, the scriptures which he was given as a child, at least once in order, over many decades of Sunday School, and randomly as part of regular scripture reading, it is embedded deeply in his thoughts and memories. As such, upon reading Ecclesiastes 1, he had an unction that meaning must exist in a seemingly vain and meaningless world. And, what do you know, when he awoke this morning, a still small voice said, "re-read the end of Ecclesiastes."
And here is Solomon's conclusion,
[Ecc 12:8-14 NIV]
8 "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Everything is meaningless!"
9 Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.
10 The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.
11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails--given by one shepherd.
12 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.
13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
Notice the conclusion:
What did Christ say was the Greatest Commandment? The one on which all of the Law and the Prophets hung? Search for it on Google if you do not know, and check a few sources looking for a consistent message.
Also, does not scripture record that "the student is not greater than the Teacher." Notice the capitalization. This suggests Divinity. Some translations of this scripture uses lowercasing when uppercasing is appropriate. This can cause confusion.
And, this scripture when written as, "the student is not greater than the teacher" can give earthly teachers what is affectionately known as the "big head". These men assume that a student should not question or challenge any statement which they make. This sets an "unhealthy ceiling" on human learning, especially scripture. It should be the goal of every teacher, in the author's opinion, that his students excel beyond his understanding, at least in some areas, if not all. A good teacher would desire that his pupils dig deeper, rise higher, and go further than he, especially in their scriptural faith walk. Yet, none will ever be greater than the Teacher. Interestingly, the Teacher, Christ at the guidance of the Father and His Spirit, is recorded as saying, "greater things than this you shall do." when talking of His Miracles. Would not a a crowd of Galileans have been amazed if an elderly woman resting in her bed at night clapped her hands and filled the room with marvelous white light. Then, did the same and the light vanished. Clap on.... Clap off.... This allusion describes an old novelty sold in the 1970s as a light-switch for the whippersnappers reading this note. It might seem irreverent, but the essence of the statement is that much which we hold as commonplace in our era would be ever-so wonderful and miraculous in the time of Christ. Not saying that He did not have this ability but saying that He was not recorded as performing such a miracle.
Whether by the Lord's Will, the exertion of humans' own freewill, or a combination or conflict of both, the modern era provides many devices that operate on the harnessed flow of physical light, which is electro-magnetic energy. The Lord pronounced its existence and eternal flow and has permitted our use of it over the past century or so. The author believes that he might have read in a translation of scripture that exerting one's free-will against the Lord's is the equivalent of witchcraft; however he cannot locate this verse at this time. And, it should be noted that the Good Shepherd only permits wandering from His Way for so long. He has let us harness physical light; yet few seek the mysteries which surround prayer and fasting which harness Spiritual Light and can set one free from the bondage of sin arising from demonic possession.
Most of us, who can communicate on this modern marvel the World Wide Web, have myriad of comforts in comparison with mankind only a couple of centuries ago. In the country in which the author lives, we can produce more food than the the individuals in this country can eat. Yet, children are starving in cities where the overflowing capacity of supermarkets exceeds the need for the communities' inhabitants by many times, especially, with the proliferation of the Wal-Mart super centers, neighborhood stores, and other Bentonville, Arkansas ventures.
Most of us are not minimalists when considering our consumer items. And, of course, they must have a respectable and current insignia. Why do wars wage among us? Not only, because we do not ask God. We ask amiss so me might amass more than what we need. We lord over one another based on logos and scoff at those who might be angels of whom we are not aware simply because they lack "a mark of physical wealth".
Many of us, can travel hundreds of miles within a day simply so we can enjoy recreation and leisure.
What a world, we would have if we could negotiate some "community-mindedness". But many Americans, would call a world with an economy such as that found in the Days of the Pentecost communist. And, most likely, if a single person received an "allotment" in the wrong order, the whole system would deteriorate as it did shortly after the time of Christ.
The author's life's journey has been wonderful, challenging at times, but such a joy. He has wondered if it is nothing more than an illusion. Remember that old rhyme, "life is but a dream". As a child, he often heard it as, "life is butter dream's" being a pudgy little fellow who loved fattening foods, such as chicken cooked in lard.
A distant memory, during the Spring after his second birthday, rekindled by his mother in his thirties replays in his mind on occasion. While playing on a stoop with a small child who was sharing his erector set, trouble arose. One of the child's relatives offered him a wintergreen lifesaver. Within a few moments, the child started choking, and the author bolted for help. Bigger than usual for his age, yet the size of a toddler, he took a pair of steps at a time as he bounded up the staircase. Banging on his family's apartment door, he exclaimed that his playmate could not breathe. His mother who had a great partial education at an historically Black college and university in this country and had some basic training in medicine, ran down the stairs, righted the child whom his relative was holding upside down and shaking, and gently put pressure under his diaphragm. He coughed it up.
A few days later, another relative of this playmate, a lady, stopped by and said that her family was very thankful. She said that her family was hoping that they could return the favor. We said that it was not necessary. But, she said that she had worked in a circus entertainer as a ventriloquist and illusionist. She asked if the author would be interested in experiencing an illusion. She said that she was paid quite well for them, but would grant him one for free. So, he might experience a world that a little wooley-haired character might not ever see in the wake of the Civil Right Struggle. A tot whose parents were married a couple of days after King's assassination in the midst of the Chicago Riots, he often wonders if he is still sitting on his twin bed in yellow pajamas with Bugs Bunny on his leg and smelling somewhat malodorous being that is was a day or so before his weekly bath. She and his mother talked and discussed what he might do as a profession. His mother said that his grandfather's vocation was as a pastor of a couple of small rural churches, and the lady said that his playmate's grandfather was a physician.
Interestingly enough, he has had a small impact on both vocations. First, while in eight grade, he ran across a few antiquated agricultural terms in the KJV which his church used. He wondered if a newer translation could be produced which was written on an eight grade level as the common newspaper is. He mentioned this a few times. It might be a coincidence, but the NIV has arisen in a number of languages written so those whose first language is not the language of that Bible can read it. Knowing the English NIV, the author can translate verses in the Spanish NIV with limited knowledge of that language. Second, also while in junior high, with a casual understanding of medicine based upon what his mother had taught him as a researcher in physiology at a local medical center, he wondered if one could taper individuals nicotine usage by using the supposed "oral fixation" associated with it and graduated dosages of this substance in chewing gum. Sound familiar? Unfortunately, some physicians misuse these treatments and simply "hook" clients on the chewing gum. Sad as it sounds, all physicians are not honest. Some of the best cheats and most dishonest of students in your high-school used those skills so they might make it through medical school. As the Proverb states, "men will be dishonest for a morsel of bread" what more will they do for physical wealth. Exceptionally honest and bright physicians who believe that they should seek the well-being of their clients over their own are extremely rare. Such are those who feel that they should seek the well-being of others above their own in this "me" generation. Altruism is almost considered a profane word in a lassez-faire capitalist economy.
The author's life has been so incredibly wonderful that he would be surprised beyond measure if it a true reality. He was told by the lady that he should help "people". Occasionally, assisting others has required learning other's propensities so one might. The author shared an insight with his mother during his junior high years that certain people among us trust a "expert" source which is of Anglo origin above others in this country. As a result, he would record ideas under aliases of fictitious Anglo scientists in an idea journal which he had as a child, one being "Helga Morgenstern". Interestingly enough, while he was blessed with a position at a local medical research while in high school performing the tasks of most research technicians, he shared this with one of the PhDs with which he was working in cancer biology this same fact. He grinned and said, "I suppose we found Helga Morgenstern....Would you like your Nobel Prize now." The author does not know what idea his mother slipped through research channels using this approach and is wondering if it might have truly merited that type of honor. As he said, this existence makes him wonder if it is naught more than a fantastic illusion. He has been blessed beyond measure.
Helping "people" is quite a challenge. That is what Christ did throughout His ministry and the physical toll on Him was high. Unfortunately, this word, "people" has differing connotations in American society. As the Bible records, the ant, the coney, and the locust are peoples. Being that a "people" is a "society". The author is one who only attaches an adjective descriptor on "people" when it is absolutely necessary for clear delineation of whom one is speaking. This is not the case for all Americans. And, he is taking a chance at saying this, especially since it can be taken out of context, but, "colored-people" confuse him whether they be White, Black, Brown, Tan, Yellow, Red, or any other shade of the human rainbow's spectrum. People are simply people. He has been blessed by any and all shades at times and harmed by the same.
And this provides a pleasant segue for the next paragraph which ties in the importance of unity and the need for community. The author has had at least three shelter experiences in his life. Homelessness is not an end in life. In ways, it can be a beginning. For Christ said, "bird have nest and foxes have holes, but the Son of man has no place where he can lay his head..." And, as the lilies of the field and the birds of the air, we have been promised clothing and food in Christian scripture but not housing. In fact, when He started His ministry it was not recorded that He had stable housing. One of the most beautiful things which the author has seen was while volunteering at a shelter. People are people when life gets really challenging, and we must unite as one or completely perish apart. Color is a non-issue at a local shelter where the author has served meals. Children are served first, then women, and men last based on the order at which they arrive at the table. He discovered how much showing the slightest preference based on skin tone can bring a harsh rebuke from shelter residents when he served an African American who wanted special consideration ahead of a European American. It is the author's prayer that the Lord does not send so many burdens upon this country that we must unite for basic survival.
With all this said, one might feel that the author is a really great person. He is human with many human failings. One of his greater ones was physically injuring another person severely. The person's life hung in the balance for a few days. Thankfully, he survived. This mishap was mostly the direct result of years of mistreatment, and a person who was in the wrong place at the wrong time felt the brunt of something which he did not deserve. But, he learned a valuable lesson about the verse describing King David's scripture, "harming someone such that it brings about one's own hurt". Life changed in an unimaginable way, briefly. And, when the world which he had always known returned, he remembered what he saw on a evening newscast with a famous actor from the 1970s, Robert Blake. The actor's demeanor had drastically changed after he murdered his second wife. The author had been told by the attorney handling his personal case that a man will change after spending time incarcerated, which was less than a couple of days for the author. A number of mitigating factors existed in the situation. But, he should share that he has spoken with another person who had much greater liability in a violent act. This person with whom he spoke said that his world changed, he adjusted, life gradually became better, but it was never quite the way it was before. So, the author is supposing that King David experienced a similar transformation in that this might have been his first unjust act of violence. Trust me. It can be very ugly. So, only become violent as a last resort. This the author has always done.
But, small vices become bigger vices. And, if it will save a soul, the author prays that he will be bold, and share what must be told. Many joke about a behavior which is incredibly unhealthy and frequently coupled with pornography. Adults often tell children that if they behave in this way, they shall go blind. Unfortunately, this behavior is found among ninety-five percent of Americans. Many years ago, individuals who did such things were labeled clumsy and awkward. And, one would only encourage another in this behavior if he hated that person. Ironically, many folks these days call this "figuring out life". Truth be told, when one does this, they cease being the natural-born geniuses that children are. It is truly an unnatural act, although it is commonplace in this world. As such, these next few sentences will most likely bring much ridicule.
Unfortunately, when the author first fell and lost any hope at living the life of a genius in his mid-teens, he noticed that his vision dimmed slightly. Light left his eyes. Also, he noticed that his scriptures read differently in some places. Most notably, the wages of sin which he had always known as being "sickness" before this mishap were now listed as "death" in his Bible. They were also listed as "death" in the KJV Bible from ABE publishers which he mother read him when he was young. And, he distinctly remembers them being "sickness". Before you snicker and guffaw our opportunity at everlasting life away, the author should share that through the Mercy of the Lord he rose above this lawlessness in his late twenties with a devoted Christian lifestyle. And, as scripture instructs, he had the nightly emissions that an adult male who is unmarried should experience occasionally when his bodily fluids naturally release themselves. This continued for well over a decade. He noticed that his vision became brighter. much brighter.
He also noticed that he would naturally move away from danger. The Lord orders a good man's steps. He had trouble hearing obscenities. And, would always walk out of a room before sexually charged content came on televisions. He could hear the lawless behavior, but could not see it. Remember that proverb, "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil". He remembers being around his father who would grow angry and say he should not be that "sweet" for his age. Also, many others said that he was "sweet." He fully did not grasp what they were saying. But, the most remarkable experience was that his Bible read differently. The wages of sin were "sickness" again. It might have been the verses which he read, but he believes that his old ABE KJV read that the wages of sin were "sickness" once again instead of death. He does not know how extreme the wages of sin can be set. And, he must say that a "sweet" life is a great life.
He is hoping that he can live it again, and he forgives those who drew him away from it. In particular, one young woman who was his co-worker and had such a wonderful fascination with a peanut butter sandwich. As she relished her sandwich, saying, "Mmmm, I love peanut butter" and stared at him, he wondered if she knew what she was doing. Being that it was the season of the year when birds and bees proliferate, he found ignoring her difficult. Based upon her comments on how he was built when his body responded, he knew that she was doing it intentionally. He grabbed his Bible out of his messenger's bag and read a few verse and the "sickness" subsided. She commented "What a nice guy. I have never seen a man handle things that way." Unfortunately, a few more rounds with other demons resulted in a fall.
All this has been said, so the author might say, living a life of Godly sweetness is incredibly wonderful. More adults should live life this way. Then, we might see life and its situations differently. Thinking, understanding, and speaking as an adult is interpreted differently when one is "sweet" and has Christian maturity versus worldly maturity and carnal experiences. Chaste celibacy is a great way of living. Unfortunately, those in our community who live this way are often misunderstood and disliked, in part, because they are living a life which is considered "noble" by Christian standards. This grates on those who feel that they might be seen as lesser as a result of their behaviors when one has never called them such. We all have sinned in ways and fallen short of His Glory. Yet, before all is done, try this life; it is magnificent. The author has few if any regrets from his years of chaste celibacy. The other years are not so.
He must finally add that breaking free of sin is not easy, and, although considered superstitious by some, demonic spiritual activity is quite real and can be physically manifested. During the roughest night of his life, he like many "men" felt tears flowing continually as he fought off the demons that beset him. He heard the sounds of a cat growling and felt scratching on his neck and upper arms. He thought that it was all only a nightmare, but when he arose many fine scratches were on his shoulders. At least one person that days asked him how those marks ended up on him and if he had been in a fight. For those who are hoping that they can be set free, stay steadfast and keep the course. The journey might grow challenging at times, but it is truly worth it.
Stay Blessed. Stay Steadfast and Stay The Course.
Also, this was written hastily.
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