Worthy or unworthy of the name.

Have you ever picked up a book and been convicted before you have even finished the 2-page foreword?  That is exactly what happened to me when I read Chris Tomlin’s foreword to Crazy Love by Francis Chin.  Let me cite it from the book: “Acts 11, at the end of the verse 26, it says, ‘The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”  What I find interesting is the simple thought that the Christians didn’t name themselves.  But rather, they were called (named) Christians by those watching their lives.”  So, I thought to myself, what would people watching me 24/7 call me?  Hypocrite comes to mind.

Then I did what any self-professing Christian would do…I tossed the book on a shelf and tried to forget about it.  Key word here is tried.  The Holy Spirit is relentless in Its pursuit when it comes to matters of your very soul.  (And thank God… I mean Himself…. this Trinity thing is confusing, anyway I am thankful.)  With the tenacity of a bloodhound on a fresh trail those words kept coming to my mind.  If I desire to be called a Christian by others, not just myself, shouldn’t there be a tangible difference in my attitude, actions, and heart when compared to those of the world’s.

Well, long story short…I picked the book up off the shelf and I am reading it again filtering it through the Word.  This time I hope to get past the foreword.

Thankfully, RT.

Slaying the Beast

I was amazed at the  intensity and how easily the fury of a 31-year-old grudge returned to life last night after bumping into an old acquaintance. In retrospect maybe I should not have been so surprised by the ferocity of this beast since it had been feasting on my soul for all that time. I was already in a less than joyous mood at the time due to dealing with parental health issues, so that may have heightened the experience.  However, I am pleased to report that through maturity I was able to show great personal restraint (with a little divine intervention I am sure) and that no one was injured or went to jail.

For the past twenty four hours I have been wondering what other beast are laying in wait in the depths of my spirit.  Furthermore, thinking about what damage they are doing even while in hibernation which brings me to this:  The first step in beast slaying is to recognize the beast as such.  Beast can be very deceptive and evasive.   More often than not they are posing as something else entirely, sometimes even a virtue.  Esau held a grudge against his brother Jacob and look what happened to him.  The Lord turned his mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.  Not a fate I want to share.  I need some knee time.

Slaying the beast, RT

A Haunting Tale

Disclaimer:  Those of you who suppect I might be crazy, this could comfirm it.  Those who think I am sane, this may cause you to doubt your assumption.

We are part of a society searching for life’s and death’s answers under every stone, in the bottom of every glass of tea, and even from our deceased relatives.  If you don’t beleive me just take a look at our media, it is awash in the paranormal.  From movies and television to the printed page….paranormal sells!  Research it yourself…I’ll wait.

I am ashamed to admit that I bought into this paranormal pitch lock, stock and barrel.  My interest was peaked when I moved into a new home in 2002.  Immediately after moving in odd things began to happen.  Without going into distracting detail, we experienced unexplained voices, shadow figures, things being moved, and the trademark bumps in the night.  We prayed,  researched, fasted, and contacted someone experienced in spiritual warfare.  After a Christian cleansing and blessing of the home, the activity ceased for approximately one month.  After that month passed, Katy bar the door!  It came back with a fury.  This time with an increase in the frequency and severity.  At times it would actually call us by name!

At this point, much to my shame, I contacted two “paranormal research” groups.  They came with cameras, audio recorders, meters, thermometers and left with a strong “evidence” and a belief that our house was haunted by ghosts of  numerous Native Americans who were attached to the land. 

It is now seven years later and the activity is much deminished, but not completely gone.  But what is completely deminished is my belief in the paranormal and ghost.  Through my growth in the Word over the past few years I am convinced that what we were being duped into beleiving was a lingering departed human spirit is actually a non-human demon spirit.  I am not talking Hollywoods version of a demon, but rather a biblical version of a demon whose sole purpose is to deceive.  And deceive they did. 

If you are a Christian and find yourself drawn to the paranormal please research for yourself what the Word says about it.  The following link might be a place to start: http://www.gotquestions.org/ghosts-hauntings.html  Don’t take my word for it, prayerfully search the Word for yourself.

Living in the Light, RT

Friend or Foe?

“Christians don’t tell lies they just go to church and sing them.”  A.W. Tozer   (Thanks BMOC)

Who am I that You are mindful of me?
That You hear me when I call
Is it true that You are thinking of me?
How you Love me
It’s Amazing

I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend

Everytime I sing this song in church I have to ask myself; am I really and does He really?   Is it biblically based that God calls me friend?  I have absolutely no doubt that God is mindful of me, but am I bold enough to say that He calls me friend.  God called Abraham friend: ‘and the Scripture was fulfilled that says,”Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.’  James 2:23

John 15:14 says  ‘You are my friends if you do what I command.’ Well, there are a whole lot of people singing and believing that song without doing what He commands.  And I count myself in that group more often than not, unfortunately I fail miserably at keeping His commands.  I think that it is extremely hard living in the United States to live a life that is truly pleasing to God.  There are so many distractions that deceive us and lead us in the wrong direction.

Parents know that quite often they can not be their child’s friend if they truly love them and expect them to grow.  I believe it is the same way with our heavenly Father.  Hopefully, as I mature as a Christian, at some point in time He will be able to call me friend. 

Through the bible I have come to know Abraham friend of God, and I sir am no Abraham!  My prayer is for discernment of deception and to be able to live a life that is pleasing to the God of Abraham.

Thinking praying out loud, RT.