Mood:  a-ok

I think this a great song, and though it clearly points to the vets, I think it has some deep spiritual tones also . If you know of those that have fought for our rights as citizens....thanks them...they do not hear it enough I am sure!

Mood:  a-ok

Forgiveness.....not a "buzzword" but a "mustword"......

God requires it ....sorry it is what it is.......

Whatever the reason for you incurring the hurt , God has the remedy. It may take time even a lot to come to a point of releasing it into His hands... Even if it does take a lot of  God will teach you from it and make good come out of it when you reach that point. 

Matthew 6:

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Read the whole chapter of Matthew 6 in context it is one that deals with hypocrisy.....so if you look at unforgiveness in that light then it is meaning you are holding a grudge, unforgiving, going around acting so blessed, so holy  and all is well in Muddville....hypocrisy.......

Sometimes it is that way, but other times the hurt is deep within us and it takes the cleansing of the Holy Spirit to point it out to us.....

Proverbs 20:27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts. (esv)

I did not agree with my go-to modern translation God's Word which translated it soul instead of spirit because the hebrew word is "nashamah" spirit or breath,and I think spirit conveys it better. See the clarity comes from Romans:

Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

and

Roman 8: 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

In closing since He knows what's inside us He will bring it to our attention, so that we can give it to Him, and get the obstacle moved out of the way. 

Hebrews 12:

12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 

God just wants us in a more perfect communion with Him and his children, as you can see above! We are called to humble ourselves in His Hand. Blessings In Him, Brother Timothy

Mood:  a-ok

As I have stated in previous postings at times, that I have learned so much about God's Fatherly relationship with us with through my relationship as a Master to Buster. Buster is my ADHD 75lb. Golden Retriever....and since I am a bit ADD it makes for an interesting combination.....LOL!!!..when I am spending time with him and I drift...he is bouncing all over the place....usually there is never a dull moment.....

Tonight as we walked, he was tugging away, until I straightened him, and then he started to tug again..then after the first near half mile then he settled down ...to the point that he followed in and was a bit worn out when we got home. I have our route strategically set up as if he is not acting right then I quit battling him and just take him home....he knows if he goes home quickly he has done. Yet tonight as we reached past the 1/4 mile mark hes was starting to settle in so I took him for the long walk.....

Buster has an amazing memory...really....we walk in areas we have not walked in for over a year, yet he remembers where every cat lives, though he has not been there in front of that house in a year and looks for them...it is pretty amusing.

Though we are not dogs there is a good illustration in all this of how God deals with us....God keeps going to lead us and we tug and and try to lead ....then we get sent back to the patio of our life..... inactive and knowing we are corrected. Yet when we follow His leading , being submissive to what we know is His will, then His yoke is easy and His burden is light. The journey is very enjoyable and we grow.......

The children of Israel had that same problem which happens with us....they miraculously were delivered from bondage in Egypt yet because of their bucking God's leading they circled Mt. Sinai for forty years..... now they probably were like Buster is in his remembrance towards the cats....every so often they remembered what happened at a certain spot because they had been by there before...yep that's a truth there...they probably wondered how much longer will this keep going on....when will we get to that land He has promised??? Sadly many of the peoples that started out did not make it in..

1 Corinthians 10: 

1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 

Now I am not talking about losing one's salvation....what I am talking about is not being as profitable for God to use us, not bearing the fruit we should. Many of us including myself have missed out on a lot of peace and joy because we forgot! We wanted our way...........

Memory is a good thing...God wants us to remember the lessons we learn, so we follow Him and not make those same mistakes. He works with us. He is perfect in His ways, and His judgement is non arguable. Sometime we see a quick correction and other times it is delayed, yet when you look back and connect the dots so to say you see how far He has brought you, and hopefully how much you have grown....... 

James, Jesus' brother addressed that in encouraging us in our faith walk that we do not forget but to keep our focus.....not to be spiritually ADD so to say.....

James 1:

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,

10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.

11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.and

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.

24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.

25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. 

 You know when it is all over with I want to be like Buster was tonight, as I post this picture of him...it is just how he is when he has had an enjoyable long walk.......he plops down and I see that tail of his slowly wagging......I want to stand before God one day and say My Lord  Jesus, that was great!....

Blessings To You In Him, Brother Tim!

P.S. The Beauty of God is that He know we are bust dust, and His mercy is enduring, and He is long suffering beyond measure. His grace is so great and wonderful that we can start fresh in a split second if we are truly serious about it, just by asking and accepting His empowerment to change. here is a promise I have camped out on quite a bit in my life, and will stand on again...hopefully not too soon.......

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. 

Mood:  caffeinated

In my sharings which come from revelations I get from my everyday life...they just pop up and the word that comes with it...I guess you would call it a gifting..but I believe that God speaks to us all in such a personal way......

So today as I came home and I was hungry...I went to have my norm meal of late....You see I have no complaints, because of the last 10 of the last 11 weeks I have been living on half wages, due to having back surgery. Miraculously most would think I was bulling them if they met me, because of my recovery so far......but when you know God's ways then you understand His healing power..and I am thankful because it was a triple laminectomy, and I am still shaking my head about it, smiling and praising also...Buster my dog loves it because he gets long walks again!.

Well with my budgetary constraints, it did mean some adjustments, and being single it has meant that was not always an easy go....but do-able! I do admit that I am really tired of value menus, and canned dude food...like vienna sausages.....between that and rice...it is still sustenance, and you praise God for it and remember it when more desirable foods are more available ......

So it was today as I had a fresh pot of rice cooked and about a half scoop of the old rice in another pot......normally I  could be just as wasteful and chuck the half-scoop, yet as I looked at it the importance of that small amount and what it could do...I reached for the rice paddle and scooped it out. It also turned out to be about a scoop and a half, and after cleaning out the old pot....then I had my "Redneck Sushi" ...LOL! Yes thats what I call it. Vienna Sausages, white rice touched with some Tabasco sauce and rolled into nori...It is actually very tasty...and half-way good for you..

Now speaking of small things and why I mentioned every grain of rice... Here on Maui some years back a book was complied as a historical accounting of one of the Asian races and their influx, and influence here.cleverly named "Every Grain of Rice"..It was very well made and I am sure it took it's place on many Mauian's coffee tables. I am sure some of  the muckety mucks of that culture also use it as a bragging right possibly....yet for many it is an endearing account..and that is evident of a hard working generation that took nothing for granted, working hard and providing a support for the advancement of their children..That was really what the title inferred.... it represented that aforementioned accountability, and there as I looked at the leftover rice...that title came to mind.....

Our society has had a problem of not being accountable for the small things, yet it is those small minute things and details that build into large things. One tiny, tiny grain of sand multiplied a million times over seems like a shifting thing (no pun here) yet when a cementum is added it forms a bedrock concrete......yes every grain of rice adds up, and pennies make dollars.....

We have so overlooked the small things that books like "Don't Sweat The Small Stuff " have come out...being bestsellers... I agree not to sweat it but we are talking accountability and the importance of the minute....God is in the small things...meaning He is aware of them. Jesus said our Heavenly Father "knows" the amount of hairs on our head! Jesus also said not to needlessly worry, about what we should eat or wear etc etc. because God will supply! We take note of the small insignificant things because they add up, and wastefulness is not what believers are called to exhibit!

Businesses pay small fortunes for experts to come and consult with them on how to shave a few cents off on an item they manufacture or sale. Corporations have been turned around because of wisdom used in that area, yet with every change  there is a danger of short cutting, or greed. In the verses I have listed this also addressed as part of the accountability for what He has put in our hand~

Jesus addressed all the issues of accountability and possible dangers. He also showed us how to keep a balance here in attending to the things of God...  Luke 12: 

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to give me my share of the inheritance that our father left us."

14 Jesus said to him, "Who appointed me to be your judge or to divide [your inheritance]?"

15 He told the people, "Be careful to guard yourselves from every kind of greed. Life is not about having a lot of material possessions."

16 Then he used this illustration. He said, "A rich man had land that produced good crops.

17 He thought, 'What should I do? I don't have enough room to store my crops.'

18 He said, 'I know what I'll do. I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones so that I can store all my grain and goods in them.

19 Then I'll say to myself, "You've stored up a lot of good things for years to come. Take life easy, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself."'

20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! I will demand your life from you tonight! Now who will get what you've accumulated?'

21 That's how it is when a person has material riches but is not rich in his relationship with God."

22 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "So I tell you to stop worrying about what you will eat or wear.

23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes.

24 Consider the crows. They don't plant or harvest. They don't even have a storeroom or a barn. Yet, God feeds them. You are worth much more than birds.

25 "Can any of you add an hour to your life by worrying?

26 If you can't do a small thing like that, why worry about other things?

27 Consider how the flowers grow. They never work or spin yarn for clothes. But I say that not even Solomon in all his majesty was dressed like one of these flowers.

28 That's the way God clothes the grass in the field. Today it's alive, and tomorrow it's thrown into an incinerator. So how much more will he clothe you people who have so little faith?

29 "Don't concern yourself about what you will eat or drink, and quit worrying about these things.

30 Everyone in the world is concerned about these things, but your Father knows you need them.

31 Rather, be concerned about his kingdom. Then these things will be provided for you.

32 Don'  be afraid, little flock. Your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.

33 "Sell your material possessions, and give the money to the poor. Make yourselves wallets that don't wear out! Make a treasure for yourselves in heaven that never loses its value! In heaven thieves and moths can't get close enough to destroy your treasure.

34 Your heart will be where your treasure is.

35 "Be ready for action, and have your lamps burning.

36 Be like servants waiting to open the door at their master's knock when he returns from a wedding.

37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. I can guarantee this truth: He will change his clothes, make them sit down at the table, and serve them.

38 They will be blessed if he comes in the middle of the night or toward morning and finds them awake.

39 "Of course, you realize that if the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let him break into his house.

40 Be ready, because the Son of Man will return when you least expect him."

41 Peter asked, "Lord, did you use this illustration just for us or for everyone?"

42 The Lord asked, "Who, then, is the faithful, skilled manager that the master will put in 

charge of giving the other servants their share of food at the right time?

43 That servant will be blessed if his master finds him doing this job when he comes.

44 I can guarantee this truth: He will put that servant in charge of all his property.

45 On the other hand, that servant may think that his master is taking a long time to come 

home. The servant may begin to beat the other servants and to eat, drink, and get drunk.

46 His master will return at an unexpected time. Then his master will punish him severely 

and assign him a place with unfaithful people.

47 "The servant who knew what his master wanted but didn't get ready to do it will receive a hard beating.

48 But the servant who didn't know [what his master wanted] and did things for which he deserved punishment will receive a light beating. A lot will be expected from everyone who has been given a lot. More will be demanded from everyone who has been entrusted with a lot.  (God's Word Translation)

So in closing it is understandable to be accountable, a steward for God for what He puts in your hand, yet on the other hand whatever is a hindrance to you such a greed for riches or whatever it is that needs to be given to Him. those things foster worry, worry is fear, and fear motivates people to make the wrong decisions....it is all about seeking first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and He will give you what you need on a daily basis......not a storing up in an ungodly manner! Just know that the small amount in your hand He can at any moment multiply it to feed a multitude!

I can say that over this ten week period of convalescing I have eaten well, gained weight...lol....look healthier than I have been for years. It was all taken care of not the way I wanted them done and choreographed my plan, but how He took care of things in spite of me.

I know that God made the way for whatever need I had, and He gets the Glory and honor for it..no one else...even if it came down to the midnight hour for a bill to be paid or the need to be fulfilled....He did it..there were times he gave me wisdom on how to restructure things...... I  even had a bout with Buster and an ailment, and the money came through over what I needed for the vet...all I did was ask for prayer and was praying about it! God cares about your Dogs and Cats all the hairs on your head.......

Still I am human and still wrestle with Him at times, yet all in all , these times He is saying that why not try Him?......taste and see that He is good! For when He blesses you you will want to be accountable with it, because it is a special thing from Him! yet you know that He can and will provide abundantly!

Blessings,

Brother Tim 

Mood:  sharp

Aloha,

The more I have been getting back into, deeper study of the scriptures, the more I question some of the "Modern Translations" ...easily I do not endorse "the Message" anymore...I think that and when it is used it needs to be checked against the King James or The New King James, or The New American Standard Version with variant notes...(Variant notes list to the side what The scholars say is in another manuscript, but not in the on they used for a main reference.)...There were good translations of the Past like Becks...now God's Word To The Nations" , "CB Williams Translation" which was an excellent paraphrase now out of print and I would love to have a copy again....and Gerut Verkyls "Berkley Bible Translation"....the original and the revised version...which is good but softened by a team of scholars (sic)

I love the King James version yet your average person does not understand the archaic (outdated) words used in it, and by the way Jesus did not speak King James English ok?  The Modern King James or New King James are  excellent alternatives....The Message is a paraphrase, and that is what the translator "thinks" the word is saying...and there are some questionable "thoughts"in some of the scriptures. I am not knocking or questioning the author's faith here just his translation unless it is read side by side and checked with a literal translation....the same as the NIV which is not literal but more of a thought for thought, translation, and the ever popular "Living Translation".

I offer this advice as I know that I am accountable for what I share, and I want to share "The Truth"!

Blessings, Brother Timothy 

Mood:  surprised

Today's work was demanding...as usual. Nothing as far as the framing went well, yet there was a sensing in my spirit not to fret. I did very little...yes I am surprised. LOL!

I will not detail all that went on , but personally with several things with all Hell was seeming to break loose...distractors which I would recognize, and there was a peace, and joy.

As I was finishing up work and searching for a box for an oder that was finished, a peculiar  Holy Spirit moment happened, and I knew God had ordered my steps. I said and did as I felt led by Him  in this situation because His anointing was upon me......I was joyed to be used because that was my prayer earlier before I went to work it ties in to what I will share here.

The one thing if I can really drop into any believer's heart is this....God takes care of His Children...He really does, He just wants us to relax...IN HIM! It is not always easy in our human frailty, and He understands, and works around that more than we realize........

Now as  I left work I was energized and thankful...did my newly operated on back ache? Yes some,and  did my neck from the rear-ending I took back in May ache ? Yes! But were those aches and pains overwhelming.as they have been at times..no because I knew My Heavenly Father's joy and peace were resident within me....I did not mind being lonely as I usually am, and actually felt hopeful about that for a change...I felt hopeful knowing He will take care of all the other distractions in my life, and that my needs at hand are taken care of in Him.........

As I drove home He whispered to my spirit....... The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. from Psalm 37:23 ....I had to think on that....that God would call me good...He knows I delight in His ways..at times. There are times I wrestle with Him also.....still tonight He whispered  that into my heart, and it humbled me.yes He calls me good because of Jesus, and because of Jesus I am good in His sight the same as any believer.

I love Him so! He always knew that, and of late all of a sudden I understood what all had gone on with me, and since my operation. I understood the loneliness of going it alone, and of people not following up in a personal manner. I really wrestled with that, and had to pray much to put in the right perspective.

I now thank God for it because God gets the Glory and no one else for bringing me through. The whole scenario dug a deeper well within me as I knew what it was to not have anyone there after a major surgery. The one pre-op attendant was a minister and prayed God's anointing on me before the surgery, the nurse who inserted the IV was a Christian, and asked if I had met the attendant as he was a minister... :) I knew they would tip each other off so they could pray over the believers as they went for surgery...My Dr's. Phys. Asst was a Pastor's wife...:) Yet all thought it odd no one was there that knew me...yet I did not demand it of others. They do if they want to.

I later laid there in my room and found solice in the local Christian Music Channel as my TV stayed on the praise and worship channel the whole time....dozing in and out of the medicated sleep...I would awaken to praise of Him who was bringing me through! It still was not easy some of it but He had imparted something tenacious on the inside of me...the nurses were great...all married :(.....LOL!..yet I felt like I was walking through this surreal valley and felt out of place.

After my stay on a state holiday I was released and wheeled to the front door at the hospital left alone with taxi voucher in hand to be taken to the airport....there medicated yet still in pain, I was wheeled by an airport attendant, bumpety bump through the Honolulu airport and pat searched at security, and had to take off my own shoes...I cannot say I was very saintly in my verbage or actions though I managed to get my shoes off and as I held them up for scan I felt degraded as I looked at the double hospital bands on my wrist. I looked back at these elderly women in wheelchairs behind me waiting to go through the same thing, and my heart went out to them, and I wondered which one of those Tutu's they suspected had a bomb up their skirt.  (.-.)

I still knew that all this was part of what I had to do to get readied for whatever ministry God will use me in...that has been at the fore front of my thinking for sometime......

So today as I thought about some of these things....I prayed Lord  use me...use me to "be there" and to show your love....God ministers are too busy, and your children need to have assurance in a human form, I am only one person but use me to make a difference because I understand. Tonight at work He did, and I praise Him for answering my prayer.

I never realized, that some years back as a mental health worker , that a client I had worked  through a treatment plan and got him situated why he would be so appreciative...enough so, even years later to call me and thank me...I was doing my job yet I knew God had me there....This man was walking it alone were it not for me. I guess I was ADD and did not comprehend the depth of it all at the time, but I cared.....and this one knew it....now I do understand, and am thankful. 

We as ministers sometimes go through the motions, and we do this and that and it is functional. It's our calling, let me do it and get home a sit at the TV or at the computer etc etc.... We do it......Yet when Jesus is doing it through us, it is a wonderful thing, it is truly marvelous beyond description....I want that...all the time!.... Not just to do it because He says to which is enough to do it, but for The LORD show up. I want to be used in a glorious way...show me Your Glory Lord...show others Your Glory Lord!!! Lord never take that special something away from me! I never want to return to the norm, I have lived too much in the desert and I have returned to your rain.......use me as a bucket for Your Glory and to quench others! 

 Anyone that has ever walked with Him, can be assured He has never left them...even if they thought He had...He has not! Crazy as it seems He never let you get away, though you thought you did!  He will show His hand, yet we all have our season of preparation...for we all have our time of sojourn on this earth.....rest assured if you love Him, the rains are coming and you will not outrun those Heavenly Storm Clouds when they arrive, yet you will dance in the huge drops of His Presence as it falls upon you!

When He shows His purpose for you, then you will understand your reason He has you here...and it won't be because you read "Purpose Plan and Procedures" or "Purpose Driven Life" either, though both are excellent edifying books...you will understand because you have truly sought from Him, and you will understand! 

So when you think you have been left out of the loop, taken for granted, or become part of the wallpaper with the brethren....I can say count it all joy! Jesus is getting ready to show you, His preparation for you! 

Look at Joseph...sold by his brothers, wrongly accused by his bosses wife of sexual misconduct, and imprisoned for it , still used by God during that time, yet yearning for his purpose.....deep inside knowing there was something more...doing all he could to get out of his delima....he even told some of the Pharoah's stewards he had ministered to remeber him when they got out...yet time passed until God's timing...He had to line up His plan...and someone "remembered" and Joseph's "purpose" came into play!

The brothers that sold him off and thought he was dead were the ones Joseph ministered to, and was there source of salvation from the drought that brought them to Egypt where Joseph was now second only Pharaoh in rank.......Not bad for an ex-con huh? :)  His brothers thought he would seek vengeance and feared yet Joseph reminded them...no longer the cocky boy that was his father's favorite, and bragging about his dreams....but a honed , wise leader, with a humble spirit who said in Genesis 50:

15 And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.

16 And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,

17 So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.

18 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.

19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?

20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

There are Reasons to prepare you  for The Season of fulfilling your purpose of God in life!

Blessings In Him, Brother Tim 

P.S. Someone may be reading this and thinking...I want that what you are talking about. I go to church yet it is just being religious.....I want that personal relationship! You can have it "right now" just ask Him...if you are serious He is serious! He will show Himself real to you! Jesus was and is serious enough to die to give you the opportunity! Do you think He would do that and not answer your heartfelt desire?

Mood:  sharp

God has you where you are for a reason! (A three part posting))

Preface: 

I am posting a three part sharing from a year ago. It was a happening in my life that has made a great turn around within me. I invite you to read it all as I believe God will use it to show you of your importance and why He has you where you are at, and also how God used this person (Name changed) to bring a blessing to me. This has since been a year of God wrought change within me , a year of meeting things head on! A year of one serious medical treatment successfully applied, and healing brought. A total lossing of my car when I was rear-ended, and another medical correction and a major back surgery that many has looked at me in unbelief at to my recuperation...To God be the Glory..I personally believe this scenario last year was a prepping for me to look at God's calling on my life in a new manner.....God has you where you are for a reason!

(PART ONE) November 2008

I had a bit of an eye opener tonight at work.

I found myself frustrated because all these new customers kept coming in, and I have been solely running the shop that normally needed 2.5 people to get all the work done. About the time the rush subsided, I hurriedly started to work on a couple of orders that were long overdue.

I made myself take a day off yesterday and I knowing my workload would be tough tonight.

So here I was working away in the shop when I saw a fellow employee carrying this large frame for a sickly looking gentleman. I slapped my paper bone. (that I was using to burnish (apply) a paper frame backing) I threw it down hard and went to the front counter.

The gentleman I know saw my frustration and said “do you want to handle this for me?” My head throbbed slightly as I knew in my frustration my blood pressure was up, and beside this guy is coming off a bit gruff. I said a prayer for strength deep within myself and exhaled as I approached the counter.  “There are worse things you know!” he said. “If you got the news that I have just gotten….”  I motioned that I was all ears, as he told me he had just come from the Dr’s office and had been given up to four months to live.

I was emotionally floored, like I had been sparing and caught a sucker punch to the jaw. I had been in twenty years of ministry off and on and parallel with that …tens years of various social work. I thought I had worked or lived in just about every scenario…in the height of my work frustration, this truly popped my anxiety bubble…....

He spent several minutes telling me about it all, and I listened putting away my cares for the jobs at hand. I then went about checking the frame discussing what could be done, as I saw him take a nitro bottle out of his pocket and slip a pill or two into his mouth. He said he needed to sit down as he was shaky and I grabbed my bench by the work computer and offered it for him.

He sighed as he wearily sat down, and started to spill out his concern for his wife, and I told him that I was a former Pastor but still a good ear. He asked for my personal number and I told him I would be there for him, and he said he would call me. I was trained in that area, but still a tough thing to deal with, and as we chatted, I stated that at least he had the forewarning, because many do not. He readily agreed. As we chatted more it turned out that our own personal theological journeys were very similar.

He said he knows what he needs to do and I told him I would keep him in prayer. His concerns were still for his wife, of which I sated my admiration for in that area.

When I finished with that order he was placing for his wife, he reached out a trembling hand to shake mine, and thanked me.

I looked at him, and said to tell the truth I was a bit ticked because of seeing you with that big frame, and I have been trying for several hours to get this piece worked on. He said I figured so.

I looked him in the eye and said you know, I believe that God has brought you here today, and if you need me to do so, I will be there for you, as I know that is what He wants me to do.

He said I am not afraid to die, but just concerned for the well being of my wife.

After he left, I went back to my work and I thought to myself ....no use fretting over the orders, just relax and do my best, because there are things that matter more.

As I thought about that interaction, I thought hey this guy at least he has a mate to be there for him.

I am praying that he and his wife will have some of the most fruitful time to come in his waning days, and all things brought into line. He said he was ready to be in heaven and I was gladdened by that.

On of my favorite movies is “My Life” with Nicolle Kidman and Michael Keaton. This movie came to mind as I write this. If you have never seen it you can still find it as I still have a copy somewhere amongst my DVDs.

Have a blessed day and if you have someone to love with you....think of their good traits and tell them how much they mean to you, and love them, and cherish your time like it was your last day together!

Thanks for checking in and letting me share. Brother Tim

This Day! God has you where you are for a reason!

(PART TWO)

Today Sunday was my day off, and I wanted to go to church but I ditched out because I felt I needed to go to the workplace for a few moments and call a customer to let her know her orders would be ready another day later.

As I came in an approached the frame shop my boss was on the phone, and she asked me about an order. The order was the one placed by the dying man I had seen a couple of days earlier. I told my boss it would not be ready for a couple of weeks as I explained to him, and a deposit was needed for me to proceed and I noticed it had not been placed by his wife like he said she would do the next day. My boss handed me the phone and said you handle it Tim. I thought now why is she giving me the phone because she could easily tell her, but I was soon to find out that God wanted me to talk to her! 

I took the call and I explained it to her that she needed to make a deposit, and she explained that her husband died later on that night after dropping off the frame to me, and she was occupied with getting his situation settled. I again was floored, because I knew God was speaking to me in this situation. I told her not to worry about the deposit and to pay when it was done. 

She was holding herself together I could tell by the tone of her voice. I told her that her husband said he was not afraid of dying and that he would be with the Lord and that we had a long talk. I told that he was more concerned for her and voiced that several times. I also mentioned that he said he was a former Pastor also and he explained why he did not do so anymore. I also explained that he was concerned in getting the order done as it was special for her.

Now think about this...if you were just told you would die soon would you be doing something like placing an order for a framing of art??? Or....would your mind be reeling and you’d be off to yourself, questioning God why????

Here was this man in the midst of grave news caring for his wife’s concern and wanting to do this gift for her. I told her that I would keep her in prayer, and she said she would keep me in her prayers also. 

I got off the phone and sought out my boss because the paperwork was placed in the finished box instead of the to-do box. I told her the whole story and she said Tim you came at that exact time to take that call??? WOOOOOW! That is incredible, that gives me goose bumps. I looked at her that is the HOLY GHOST for you and it is HIS timing as I felt I needed to be at work. 

I am no different from you, and God has YOU where you are for a reason, even if for a short season. Make the best of it!

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 

Blessings upon you IN CHRIST JESUS’ NAME!!!

Brother Tim

P.S. Today I have had my burning bush experience, I have been many years in this desert experience...one of my own making and it is time for me to return to ministering. I ask for your prayers so that I will stay the course and fulfill HIS calling! Blessings again to you!

This Day! God has you where you are for a reason! 

PART THREE 

Today was my day off as the week so far was demanding, but I was approached by my boss to do Mr. Smith’s (Name Changed) order which was not due for almost a month. I explained that his now widow had asked to to rush it for his wake, but I could not in respect to all the other customer’s orders because being the only one doing the work I was backed up. He okay’ed for me to push it and I slotted to do the framing on this coming Saturday. 

As I was up this morning early, I watered the lawn and hosed Buster my dog down with the water hose....he loved it...LOL! I thought I guessed I could go in and do that order and get it done. I went in and broke down the old artwork in the frame and cleaned up the glass, and as I laid out the new poster print that James Smith wanted put in…. I was approached by my boss and he asked me about the artist’s work because it looked familiar. I told him what Mr. Smith had said. He told me that the man spent part-time here in Hawaii and they used to see him paint outdoors at a park near I guess where they lived. He did not used brushes but only his fingers. The print a beautiful vibrant landscape stated in bold letters at the title....”CELEBRATE LIFE!” I did not remember what the poster was titled when I took his order, as I was focused on his dilemma at the time.

I thought to myself James.....though you are dead now and you gave up pastoring , now that you are with the Lord, You are still ministering ..and eternally alive.....

I believe you get the whole gist of what God has spoken to me and to all in this story......”Celebrate Life!”....HIS LIFE in You!

In closing that whole story has caused no small stir at work as even a higher up came to talk with me about it, and I Pointed to the Lord and His timing for all of us.

We need not stand behind a pulpit at church to minister, but the most effective ministry for any of us is the pulpit we are assigned.....for me right now it is the frame shop counter....for you it maybe the pulpit of your desk at the office, for another the pulpit the counter at McDonalds. As John Wesley once said “The world is my pulpit!” He stood on gravestones and ministered in graveyards and old barrooms in off hours to hold church because he was ostracized for the cause of Christ! 

CELEBRATE LIFE IN CHRIST!!!

Mood:  sharp

The Headlines read today:

Army: 12 dead, 31 hurt in attack at Fort Hood...........

I thought within myself …oh Lord not again…as I sent up a sigh ….

This year I have lost some Dear, Dear Friends…some to natural cause, some to what I feel were cause brought on by fear, brought on by current affairs. This and I have a some I have seen the mental strain and I have become deeply concerned about, because I am seeing sides to them that as well as I know them, I have not seen before. It has been driving me to prayer as it should be….You see that the devil is truly walking about as a roaring lion…….as Peter states…

1 Peter 5:

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

We believers need to be sober, instead of seeking distraction in front of the boob tube, or whatever takes our eyes off of the Lord……

As I read on I am listing a quick synopsis of this article:

Army: 12 dead, 31 hurt in attack at Fort Hood...........

The attack happened just down the road from one of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history. On Oct. 16, 1991, George Hennard smashed his pickup truck through a Luby’s Cafeteria window in Killeen, Texas, and fired on the lunchtime crowd with a high-powered pistol, killing 22 people and wounding at least 20 others..........

Covering 339 square miles, Fort Hood is the largest active duty armored post in the United States. Home to about 52,000 troops as of earlier this year, it is located halfway between Austin and Waco.

This whole scenario above dawned on me , as I read it about the territories we battle in spiritually came to mind. As you can see the stats for this one area, from Ft. Hood to Waco……that area is nothing special to demonic domains the evil does have it strategies also. Everywhere a believer steps, is a step into warfare at times: Paul states that clearly:

Ephesians 6:

10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Jesus battled with satan in the desert in His time of being tempted:

Luke 4:

10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:

11 And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

13 And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. (The NASB says for an opportune time.)

Jesus had come to route the devil of his authority…yet upon failing the devil departed and waited again for an opportune time to get at Christ………..Jesus Taught of the demonic forces…those which we battle with today…

Matthew 12:

43 “When an evil spirit comes out of a person, it goes through dry places looking for a place to rest. But it doesn’t find any.

44 Then it says, ‘I’ll go back to the home I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean, and in order.

45 Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself. They enter and take up permanent residence there. In the end the condition of that person is worse than it was before. That is what will happen to the evil people of this day.”

Also in John,  Jesus speaks of His own mission and of the devils strategies and his wreckage.....

John 10:

9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

The Holy Spirit through Paul states that the non believers are blinded, yet as I see it some believers are also or in denial…many believers are dangerously hooked on horror movies..what are now , are a very far throw from the hokie horror movies of the forties and fifties, so graphic they torment or eventually cauterize the minds of the movie goers....

2Corinthians 4:

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Still as stated above in Ephesians there are principalities and powers as we see clearly pointed out in Daniel:

Daniel 10:

2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.

4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;

5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:

6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.

8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.

9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.

10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.

11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.

12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.

You see Daniel was in Babylon, and it was soon to be overtaken by Persia, yet there was a force a “Prince” of Persia that this angelic messenger battled and needed the help of the Arch Angel Micheal to get through to Daniel….See Daniel held fast and the word got through………

The fallen angels had strategic assignments….many in the time before Noah left there posts and cohabitated with the women…..

Genesis 6:

1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

It is not unlike today with all the world religions….many a rehashing “New Age” repackaging of  the religions of Babel…communing with the angelic beings and ascended masters.

God dealt with them then as Peter states:

2 Peter 2:

4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

Jude covered it also in his book:

Jude 1:5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

So you see that as the time gets closer to Christ Jesus’ return satan and his troops are out to do as much damage as they can 

Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

 ….We are not wrestling against flesh and blood as The Holy Spirit through Paul states in Ephesians, and we are told to put on The Full Armor of God…to be sober….to stand firm…to resist steadfast in our faith……….these thing do happen around you everyday…not in the Hood magnitude but we are not called to fear……..

I close with a story of someone I personally dealt with many years ago……Someone Dear to me was a nurse…she asked me about the demonic, as where she worked three people had died one after another all in the same hospital bed and the same room, all complained about the exact ailing area of pain.

She had said one was an elderly woman who when asked by her daughter and prayed for by a Christian staffer, that her mother turned vehement and cursed at the Minister……She shocked her daughter who said her mother had never acted that way…her mother passed away horribly shortly after that….

This nurse knew there was something resident there in that room. I explained about territorial spirits, and how they wait, and do continual damage…that she and the believing brother go and pray, taking authority over the spirit and binding it, in Jesus Name! They did and the repetitive damage stopped……

If these things seem scary…they should scare the living Hell out of you!!! Not to live in fear but in the comfort and deliverance Jesus gives us! I close with 1 John 4:

1 John 4:

1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Blessings, Brother Timothy

Mood:  caffeinated

In all that you do in HIS NAME, that if He decides to tarry....whatever you do in HIS NAME will not go unfruitful even if many generations are to come, but the seed you have sown will bring forth fruit from that which He has directed you to do; though you see it not at this moment.

Do it in Faith in HIM!