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.

Lamenting Lent

Lent is the season beginning Ash Wednesday and lasting until Easter when many of us Christians give up something in order to illuminate Christ’s suffering and crucifixion.  I have to be honest and say that I do not recall a single season of Lent that I successfully abstained from my sacrificial token.

I decided this year was going to be different!  My first thought was to give up sarcasm, yea right.  I work with middle school students day in and day out; I wouldn’t last long with out tool.  What’s next on the list, tipple?  Did I mention I work with middle school aged kiddos……so it  is on to the next sacrificial offering.  Decadent desserts, that’s it!  No, my lovely wife has us both basking on the dreary dietary South Beach.  Drats!  I’ve got it now, I can abstain from Facebook.  Who am I kidding, how would I keep up with all my close friends; you know the ones I haven’t seen in 30+ years.  Community is biblical, right?

So here I am in the first leg of Lent with no offering.  Maybe I should take something up for Lent rather than giving it up.  Any ideas?

I guess I will just rely on grace, RT.