VESPERS AT THE END OF THE SABBATH: Saving Grace!

I Don't Want To Be A Man Smart ... And Abused!
I Desire To Be A Man By Almighty God Blessed
AND
In His Service
Used!
Can't You SEE the Difference!

Sure, I Can!
I SEE That You're An Idiot!
Who Cares About Being "Abused"
When One Is Getting Rich, Rich, Rich!?!

Fellows, I Get The Impression That
You Two Are Speaking About Different Things!

Indeed, We Are!

I, Samuel Petty Cash Steele, Want To Be Rich ... Now!
I Work Hard ... Now!
I Live ... Now!
AND, FURTHERMORE
I Ain't Got No Tomorrow Put Down
Like Certain Unnamed People!

Hear, Hear!
I'm With You!

Well ... Since You're So Emphatic
I, Garrulous Field Saint Saved
Desire With My Whole Heart
To Be Rich IN Christ Jesus!

Momentary Temporal Riches
Will Be Lost, Stolen
AND
Will Eventually Burn!

I Can Totally Do Without That Heat
AND
I Will
Because Jesus Christ Is My Shield!

Preach, Brother! Preach!

Yada, Yada! Garrie Got An Upstairs Father!

You May Scoff All You Want!
The Truth Is The Truth!
I Learned It At My Mother's Knee
AND
It Has Stayed Me!

I Choose
I Chose
To Experience Jesus Christ For Myself
AND
I Know Of A Surety
That He Is No Xmas Elf!

Anyone Feel A Sermon Coming On?!

Yes, I Do And I'm Glad For It!

Say On, Saint!

My Mum Taught Me About Jesus
But, Then
I Ran Around With The Hip Crowd
AND, SOONI Was In Soul Trouble
For
Of My Press I Was Very Proud
Until ...!

... One Day!

Yup!
One Fateful Day!

We Know!
The Date With Destiny!
Your Mortality Showed That
Your Lived Life Was A Bold Lie!

You Telling Me!!

Been There! Done That!
Got The Experience
The Scars
The Tee Shirt
AND
The Story To Tell To The Nation!

Heyyyy!
What's With You Christians?!
Do You All Always Have A Story To Tell
About Your Jesus
About Your Life
Your Salvation
Your Hope
The Truth For The Ages
Your Blessings
Your Peace
Your "Glorious" Heavenly Home
Your Joy In Jesus!?!

All Together Now ...

YESSS!!!

Wow!!

How Do You People Survive
Swimming Against The Prevailing Tide?!
Don't You Want To Be Rich Now!

We Are Rich Now!
We Have An Inheritance ... To Look Forward To
A Mission To Accomplish
A Crucible To Get Through
A Hope
A Help
Mercy
Grace
Faith
AND
Salvation In The Beloved Son!

We Are Never Alone
AND
For The Record
This Earth Is Not Our Home!
It Is Our School!

Now, That's Rich!!

We Know!!!

No, You Don't!
I Was Being Sarcastic!!

We Know!!!

Lord, I Give Up On These People!

I Didn't Realize You Knew The Lord!?!

I Don't!

So Why Did You Call His Name?!

I Didn't! It's Just A Word!

No, It Isn't!

Jesus Christ, The Lord
IS
Our Maker
Our Savior
Our Redeemer
Our Friend! 

He Is The Almighty God
AND
It Is He Who Knows All Hearts
Be Ye Humble Saint Or Proud Sinner!

You Just Said All Hearts!

All Hearts!
Jesus Christ Knows
All The Thoughts
AND
All The Intents Of Man's Heart!

All?!

All!!!

I Think I'm Going To Be Sick?!

Why?!
What Did You?!
What Are You Doing?!
What Were You Planning To Do?!

You DON'T Want To Know!

You Can Tell Jesus!
He Sacrificially Cares You!

I Know THAT!!

So, What IS The Problem!?!

I Planned And Plotted
Schemed And Connived
Swindled And Back-Raised
AND
I Have A Boat-Load Of Money
AND
Toys And Pleasures Beyond All Reason
AND
I Am Miserable And Miserly
AND
My Soul Is About To Be Char-Baked
AND YET
Everything Truly Worth Buying
Even Begging For ...!

... IS FREE!!!

... And Free Just By Praying And Believing!

... And Loving And Trusting!

Let's Not Forget Faith And Obedience ...!

... The Deal-Breaker!

The Deal-Breaker That Always Plagued Me!

Steele, Without Faith
It Is Impossible To Obey
AND
Please The Living God!

I Know That, Too!
Full Circle I Have Come!

Jesus Christ Cares
And He Also Truly Saves, 'Tis True ..!

So
Isn't It About Time
That You Depart Rebellion
And To His Desires
With Finality
Now Cave?!

I Know That!
Problem Is
I Am Ashamed
For
To Sin
I Have Been The Willing, Perfect, Slave!

Shall We Tell Him?!

Yes, Let's!

All That The Lord Does
For Us And In Us
IS
Well Done!

OUR RESPONSE 
Should Be:

Yes, Lord! 

Thank You, Lord!

Amen!

I'm Telling The World!

Just So!?!

Just So!!!

You Know What?!

What?!

I Want In On That Deal!!

Thank You, Jesus!!!

Yes!
I Believe A Spot Just Opened
On My Formerly Busy Schedule
AND
I Have Time To Have A Lil' Talk With Jesus!

He Makes Wrong Things Right!

PRAYER:

Jesus, Savior

Pilot Me!

From Sin To Salvation

Please Direct Me!

I Have Been A Wastrel

Vile And Lost!

Please Forgive Me For Forgetting

The Great Price To You

That My Sin Cost!

....

I Believe He's Going To Make It!

Indeed, Brother!

Indeed!

Finding God ... Again!

Living N. Handmade Hell
IS
In A Very Peculiar Position!
He Knows Of The Goodness Of Almighty God!
He Has Experienced ... Mightily
The Giving God's Love And Personal Favor!
He Is Living Large Off Of The Blessing God's Bounty
AND
He Daily Tells All Who Patronize
His Very Prosperous Establishment
AND
Visit His Great House
To Trust The Almighty God And Keep His Commandments
EVEN AS HE, HIMSELF
- Having Purchased A Membership In
Wise In Your Own Eyes
AND
Seems To
Appears To Be
Looks Like -
IS
Systematically Rewriting The Law Of God
To Suit Himself
To Make The Law Modern
To Make Serving The Eternal God Relevant

AND

To Cause His Own Mind To Rest Easy
Over Things That
Do Not Comport With His Present Position
His Powerful Personality
His Innate Pride
His Peculiar Penchants
His Perfidious Predilections
His Purchased Praise!

To All Intents And Purposes
Living N. Handmade Hell Is A Pompous Poseur
Who
When He Was Poor
Was Peaceful And Polite
Who Prayed Passionately
Purposefully
Lovingly
Joyfully
Thankfully
AND
Often!

He Obeyed
He Loved
He Trusted
He Served
He Cared
He Was Blessed
AND
He Was A Blessing
AND
He Deliberately Walked With God
Because 
He Truly Believed The Living Words Of Life!

Yuh Can't Seh Dat Now, Though!

Buh Looka Muh Crosses!
Tha' Is De Same Man
That Pointedly Pointed Me
To De Cross Of Christ!

He Should Be Shame Ah 'eself!

Yuh Telling Me!!

Brethren!
Let's Not Be Fair Weather Christians!
Let's Pray For Our Brother!

How Do You Pray For Someone
Who CHOOSES ... WILLINGLY
To Be The Enemy Of God?!

You Pray Very, Very, Carefully!

Christ Died To Save Mankind!
Christ Did Not Die To Encourage Man
To Continue In Sin
Just Because Jesus Christ Is Savior!

You Cannot Mock God And Prosper!

When You Come Out Of Egypt
Aka Unbelief
When You Come Out Of Babylon
Aka Confusion
When You Come Out Of Sin
Aka Death
You Must Not Do A Lot's Wife Performance!

Whoever Out ... Stop, Stay, Stand Out!

When You Have Tasted The Blessed Fruit Of
Sure Salvation
AND
Turn Back To The Dark Paths
All That Is Left
Is A Fearful Waiting For Sure Destruction!

Lord, Help Me Not To Bless Myself
Saying
I Have
I Shall Have Peace
When Disobedience Is Leading Me
To Add The Destruction Of Drunkenness  To Thirst
Because I Walk In The Vain Imaginings Of 
My Known Deceitful Man's Heart!

I Got Four Words Fuh He En 'e Kind:

Who. Can. Best. God?!

Wait! Wait A Minute!
What Is This Thirst You're Talking About?!

As I Understand It
Sin Is A Desert!
Man In The Desert Of Sin ... Thirsts!
Man's Thirst Is For Water!
Water, To Man, Is Life!
The Water Of Life Is Christ
So, Therefore
Man's Thirst IS For Christ! 

Everything Else That Man Drinks
Imbibes
Swallows
Is
Sugar ... Alcohol ... Drunk Man Water
Destruction.

Lord,
Have Mercy
On Living N. Handmade Hell's Soul!

Alright, Then!
You Just Prayed For Him!

He Surely Needs It
Because
There Is No Man
No Created Being
Who Can Change God's Laws
Challenge Almighty God's Authority
Set Aside God
AND
Make A Fallen Man
A Cast Out Angel, A God
Who
- Being Unrepentant -
Will Prosper To Live Eternally!

It Ain't Never No Way Going To Happen ...!

... Tell That To The Big Man Walking In Our Direction!

REPENT!

And

Be Baptized Every One Of You

For The Salvation Of Your Souls!

Are You Dropping Remarks To Me!?!

Brother Living,
You Know Very Well That Only Those Who Go
A-Whoring Drop Remarks
And Swine, The Scavengers Of The Earth
Pick Them Up!

Yes, Yes, Yes!
So What Were You Saying About 
Everybody Repenting!

Welllll,
Since YOU Plainly Asked The Question
I Will Plainly Answer Your Question
With Another Question!

Living N. Handmade Hell
Why Don't You Love The Living God Anymore!?!

Excuse Me!?!

Answer The Question!

Ah, Well ...!

If That Question Is Too Hard To Answer
I'll Make It Easier For You:

Why Do You No Longer Love The Lord Our God
Our Known Creator
The Maker Of Heaven And Earth
Our Perfect Provider
Our Able Sustainer
Our Certain Hope
Our Ever-Present Help
Our Sure Salvation
Our Life's Beginning
Our Constant Blessing
Our Perfect Peace
Our Comfortable Rest
Our Glorification
At The Faithful Life's End!?!

Lord Jesus!!
Help Me!

You Do Well To Call Upon Him!

I Knew This Day Was Coming ...!

Every Long Day Got A Four O'Clock!

Suddenly
Brother Loving Was On His Knees ...

Damascus Road ...!

Jesus Left Heaven For Me ...!

... Take Up My Cross ...!

... Not Worthy ...!

... Man Of Sorrows ...!

... TRUTH In The Inward Parts!

What's Happening To Him!

This IS His Waterloo!

It's Between His Soul And His Savior!

Take Up My Cross And Follow ...!

Bless The Lord ...!

Take Me Back, Lord ...!

... To Where I First Believed!!

Praise God!

Praise God!

PRAISE GOD!

Brethren,
Let's Leave Him Alone!

Indeed!

He Is Wrestling With His God!

A Man Can Only Run So Far
Before He Meets Himself ...

... And The Eternal God!

HONEST MEN: Guilty ... As Charged!

If The Load Of Sin

Is Off Your Back

Why Are You Still Bending?!

I Have A Friend
Who Is My Companion!
I Have For A Champion
He Who Is My God!
I Have The Savior
Who Is My Redeemer
AND
The Giver Of My Life
Is My Rock
Against My Accuser
The Foul-Minded Fraud!

IF

We, As Honest Men
Would Daily Think Upon The Divine Sacrifice
We Would Not Walk Around Behaving
Like Angry Bloodsucking Hog Lice!

We Would Say 

- Without Fear Of Contradiction -

With All Power And Might
That We Are Legitimate Children
Of The Great King
BUT
Sorry To Say

It Is Oft Quite Plain
That We Do Not Know

The One
Of Whom We Are Speaking!

I, Myself
IF 

I Am Honest 

This Day Must Utter:

Guilty ... As Charged!

For I, Too
Have Often Forgotten My New Pedigree
AND
Have Gladly Permitted
The Old Man
To Triumphantly Lead 

AND

Squeeze Me

Making Feel Yesterday's Shed Load!

I Agree With You
For I Am Guilty Of That, Too
But What Do You Offer Up
For A Solution?!

In All Honesty

I Say That We Could All Do

With A Daily Dose Of

I Am Thine, Oh, Lord! 

And A Daily Dose
Of Confess And Repent
BUT
All Done Without It Being A Hair Shirt
AND

Walking About Looking Grieved
AND

Being Morose!

Really?!
Why Do You Say That!

If You Are Happy

For Free Salvation

Praise The Lord!

Hallelujah!

If You Have Accepted

The Gift

Walk About In The Wrapping!

Thank You, Jesus!

The Living Word Says ...!

The Living Word Says
That All Men Sin
AND
All Men Sin
By Thought
By Word
By Deed
AND
Paul The Apostle
Said That He
- A Totally Surrendered
Soldier For Christ -
Died Daily
For He Wanted Nothing Between His Soul
AND
His Savior!
He Lived For His Lord
AND
Everything Else
Was ... Dung!

I Hear That!

Can You Imagine
A Man Like That
Who Had Met The Savior
AND
Had Committed His Life
Saying:

The Thing I Should Do I Don't
And The Thing I Shouldn't Do I Do?!

And Exclaiming:

Oh, Wretched Man That I Am!

Believe You Me
I Can Totally Relate!

I Am Right There With You!

You Know
There Was Much
- And Still Is -
In The Idea Of
The Daily Sacrifice
BUT

Without All The Blood
AND

The Burnings!

Type Met Antitype
In The Ultimate Sacrifice 

On The Cruel Cross
Which Sacrifice
Pays
For Our Confession And Repentance
Giving Us The Free Offer Of Salvation!

I Don't Understand ...!

Okay!
Would You Crucify Christ Afresh?!

Whaaat?!
What For?!
No!

Who Would Do Such A Thing?!

You!

Me?!

Me!
You?!Yes ... Us!

But, How?!

You Are Forgetting Already!
By Thought!
By Word!
By Deed!

Let's Come From A Different Direction:

What Is Sin?

Sin Is The Transgression Of God's Law!

What Did Jesus Come To Do?!

To Die For Our Sin - Once For All!

To Reconcile Us To The Father!

What Put Christ On The Cross?

God's Love For Sinners!

Who Is A Sinner?

I I Am Am!!

Man, We Really Need To Change!

Yes, We Do!

We Really, Really, Need To Up Our Game!

We Need To Look Up!

IF

Salvation Is Free!

Pardon For Sin Is Free!

Faith Is Free!

Grace Is Free!

Mercy Is Free!

And

Heaven Is Free!

And

You Have Accepted The Gift

DROP THE EXCESS BAGGAGE

And

Walk In The Confidence Of Christ

For

You Are Free Indeed!

VESPERS AT THE END OF THE SABBATH: Some And Piece Cannot Make One Whole!

Some O'This
AND
Piece A'Dat
Are Patchwork Christians
AND
Proud To Be

"Willing Workers For Our Lord
Praise His Holy Name
Come For Your World, Jesus!"

Prob ... LEM!!!

These Two
Are Selfish
Self-Righteous
Self-Centered
AND
To Top It All Off
They Put Their Personal Interests

AND
Personal Prosperity
Up Front And Way Before
The Interests Of The Heavenly But Soon Coming King
AND
DEEEMAND
That All The Other Brethren
In All That They Do
Or Contemplate Doing
Must Put God
AND
Others
First!

Their Behavior Is Appalling!

Their Hubris Lacks Shame!
Their Consciences Were Prickless
AND
They Think Simple Christians
Are Vain!

They Are Completely Useless
To Be Honest
But
No One Will Tell Them That
Because
Telling Ain't Hearing
AND
Of Understanding 

They Show Lack!

Don't Get Me Wrong ...

They Are Useful ...
When They Are Sleeping!
They Are Useful ...
When You Can See Their Backs
For Then
The Business Of The Kingdom
Proceeds Apace
When Some O'This
AND
Piece A'Dat
Are Not Around
To Give Willing Workers Flack!

This State Of Affairs Is Dreadful
BUT

It Does Not Have To Be So!
Patchwork Christians Are An Abomination
Misrepresenting The Lord Christ
With Their Acts Wholly Ungodly

AND

To The World

Putting On The Fine Show!

Christ Is Not Selfish!
Christ Jesus
For The Welfare Of Others
Does Daily Work
BUT
Patchworkers
Are All Over The Place
Leaning Into
Whatever Wherever
Whoever
AND
Whenever
If It Will Cause Them

To The Public
To Show Their Face!

Christ In Us
The Hope Of Glory
Is
To Them
A Phrase
Not The Way To Life!
AND
New Wine In New Bottles
Seems To Be A Trigger
Not The Call To New Life!

Old Man - Sinful Self
Old Wine - Unrighteous Doctrines And Philosophies
Old Bottles - Old Ways Of Being Seeing Doing

In These
They See No Wrong
For

To Please Themselves
Creed Is Speed

AND

They Know Therewith

They Can Do No Wrong

For

The Money Keeps Rolling Along!

They See No Reason To Change!
They Love The Status Quo!
Up With Self

AND

Down With

Down Upon 

Others
Is The Only Way To Grow

ANDTo Show
You're In The Know!

Those Are The Seeds They Sow!

Disgraceful!

Don't They Know ...

Put Off Self!
Throw Away Old Habits!
Dismiss Old Thoughts!
Put On Christ!
Take In His Light!
Walk In His Way

AND
Then The Devil You Can Fight!?

If You Look At A Patchwork Quilt
You'll See Lots Of Disparate Pieces
Cobbled

Sewn

Stuck Together!
They Come From Different Garments
Have Different Histories Of Use
AND
Color Persuasions
AND
Many Of The Pieces
Have Fraught History

AND

Often Unbeknownst To The Cobbler

Have Suffered 

Dreadful 

Damaging

Abuse!

To Keep The Disparate Together
One Must Make Many Seams!
One Must Provide A Backing Plain

AND
Faces Together
Patch AND Back
Are Joined Together
BUT

One Must Leave A Hole
For
Once Joined On The Four Sides
Back And Patch
Must Be Turned Out
To Show
A Different Face To The World!

BUT, And Still ...

The Transformation Is Not Finished!

Patch Must Be Irrevocably Tied
To Whatever Is His Back
AND
A Cobweb Of A Million Stitches
Going Every Which Way But Loose
Draws
Paints
Ascribes A New Persona
That Only God
Through Christ Jesus
Can Make New

AND
Suitable
For Heaven's Use!

As In The World
So In The Church!

If You Follow Jesus

You Must Give Up Self
In All Its Iterations
For
You Cannot Save Your Self!

Self Is A Bold Sinner
AND
Will Never Be A Saint!

The Saint Has Given Self
To The Savior
AND
Has Been Purged Of
Sinful Self's Taint!

If You Desire Salvation
Give The Patch And Back The Boot!
Jesus Will Give You
The Treatment
- His Cleansing -
AND
You Will Be Made Brand New!

Don't Settle For
Some O'This

AND
Piece O'That
When In Christ Jesus
You Can Have All
Of What Heaven Provides
For Those Who Will
From Death Arise

Because

They Have Accepted

The Salvation Call!

Come To Jesus Now!

He Negates The Effects Of The Fall!

IN CHRIST ... We Never Walk Alone!

ONE. MORE. TIME.... (sigh)

Instead Of Suicide
Or
Suicide By Cop
How About Man Choosing
Life Through Christ
For An Eternity Spot!

Wherever You Turn
All You Are Hearing
Reading
Are Instances Of Self-Inflicted Death
AKA
Death Without Hope
For Many Are Our Sons And Daughters
Who
- With Life -
Know Not How To Cope!

Bullying
Friendlessness
Helplessness
Feelings Of Uselessness
Unfaithfulness
Rejection
No Visible Hope
Are All Calling Forth Death-Whispers
From Satan 
AND
His Kind
Urging All Who Will
To Leave Life
AND
Clean, Contented-In-Christ Living
Behind!

Brother!
Sister!
Please!
There Is A Way!
A Way To Salvation!
A Way Away From Self
To The Living Holy Way
With Jesus Christ
Who Is Our Salvation
Our Way To Eternal Life
Our Way Out Of Planned Destruction
Our Only Way To Survive 
This Life's Bitter Strife!

Jesus Saves!
Is No Catch Prase!
Jesus Christ Is The Way
Whereby All 
Who Seek To Have Their Soul's Fed
May Freely Do So
For He Is
The King Of Love
The Truth
Our Way To Life!

AND ...?

All Who Seek Life
May Seek Life
Without Fear Of Christ's Condemnation
AND
Without Man's Projected And Anticipated Regret
AND
Without The Ball And Chain Of Sin
Dragging The Soul Down
For
Jesus Christ Offers Hope
Which Will Be Satisfied
AND
With Hope Springing Eternal
He Welcomes All Home
Who Reach Out 
AND
Touch
The Holy Hand
Which Conquered Sin
Death
AND
Hell!
A Child Of The Heavenly Father
Is Never Friendless
Never Loveless
Never Useless
Never Comfortless
AND
NEVER, EVER
Walks Alone!

So ... What?

Jesus Christ
Is Our Priest
AND
Our Intercessor
IF
We Will Trust His Word
AND
His Love
AND
Accept His Grace
AND
His Mercy
AND
Call On Him
To Receive Us
AND
Welcome Us
Into His Heart
The Family Home!

Sin Brings Despair To Life!
Salvation Brings Life To Living Amidst Strife!
Life In Christ Now
AND
Eternal Life With Christ Later
IS
What The Desperate Sinner Needs
IF
He Wills To Stop Satan
From Upon His Sorrowing 
Malignantly
To Feed!

Trust God ... And Go!
Trust God ... And Grow!
Grow In Grace Through Faith
AND
No Matter What That Hellish Fiend Throws At You
Give It To Emmanuel
- Christ With Us -
AND
Walk In Confidence
Knowing That Eternal Life
With The Friend
That Sticks Closer To Us Than Any Brother
Is Laid Out
AND
IS
Before Us
AND
IS
Waiting
For Us!

When You Walk Through Your Storm

Hold Your Head Up High

And Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark

For He Who Made The Dark

Is The Creator Of Us All

And

He Wills To Take Us All To His Home!

Walk On! Hold His Hand!

Walk On! He Died So That You Can!

Walk On! Fear Not Satan's Whispered Words!

Listen To God's Holy Spirit

The Comforter Of Your Soul!

Good Angels Will Surround You!

Get Out From Among The Hell-Bound Herd

AND

You'll Never, Ever, Ever, Walk Alone!

**--**--**--**--**

Make A Plan To Live

For

Making A Plan To Die

Because Someone

Something

Made You Cry

Is

A Trick Of The Lost One

That Satan

Who Is

The Father Of Lies!

Call Upon Jesus Instead!

He Is The King Of Life

And

In Him

Your Soul Is Ever Fed!