THANKS GIVING: How Would You Feel...?!

Dear Ones,

The Reason That There Are So MANY VERSES In The Bible 
Regarding Asking For Gifts 
AND 
Thanksgiving For Benefits Received
Is
To Remind Us 
To Remember 
Our Manners!

Think For Yourself:

How Would You Feel About A Child 
Whose Voice Only Extended To Cover Two Things :

"Give Me ...!"

AND

"I Want ...!"

How Would You Feel About A Child 
Who Ignores Your Rules 
AND
Directions 
But
ALWAYS 
Has A Hand In Your Wallet Or Pocket!

How Would You Feel About A Child 
Who Never 
Humbly Asked 
For Anything 
BUT
Always Aggressively 
Presumptuously 
DEMANDS
That You Provide For Him Her
BUT
Is NEVER Willing 
To Go On Even The Smallest Errand For You!

How Would You Feel About 
Your Child 
Who Never Blesses Your Faithful Giving 
BUT
Who Curses You 
For Not Giving Into Their Very Often 
Foolish 
AND
Dangerous
Wants?

How Would You Really Feel About 
The God Who Gives His Children
Only 
Party Food And Favors 
BUT
Never Life-Sustaining Food?

How Would You Honestly Feel About 
The God Who Would Give 
A Growing Child 
A Homestead In Candy Land 
With The Stipulation That 
That Child Never Go To 
Vegetable Village
Nor To 
Wise Water-Ways
Nor To 
Heaven-Sent Glades?

Think On This:

The Very God Who Desires
To Hear Our Humble Prayers 
AND 
Petitions
IS
The Very Same God
Who Desires To Hear
Our Glorious Praise 
AND
Joyful Words Of Thanksgiving 
Before
When 
AND
After 
He Blesses Us
With The Desires Of Our Hearts!

Almighty God
Is Also
The Same God
Who Desires To Hear Us Say:

"Thank You, Father!"

For His Saving Grace
Protecting Us
From Making The Biggest Mistakes
Of Our Lives
By His Withholding
That Which Was Not
To Our Blessing!

When We Request A Favor
From A Friend
Do We Not Say:

"Thanks ... In Advance!"

Is Not The Living God

Worth Much More

Than This!

Lest We Forget ...

In Highest Gratitude
We Should Also "Throw In!" 
A Little Something Extra Each
For The Blessings Of:

• Food
• Shelter
• Clothing
• Life
• Love
• Health
• Wealth
• Friends
• Family
• Trees
• Grass
• Air
• Sunshine
• Rain
• Exercise
• Peace
• Rest
• Belief
• Blessing
• Faith
• Living Hope
• Hope For Glory
• Etc., etc..

Saying "Thank You!" 
To Our Holy God 

AND

Praising Him 
For His Blessings Toward Us 

CANNOT 

Diminish Us 
In Neither 

Our Eyes Nor His! 

Praise Costs Us Nothing 

AND

Blesses Us Mightily 

In The Realm Of The Great Unknown!

Heaven's 
Unspeakable Glories 
Await!

Let Us Practice 
Our Praising
The Almighty God
For His Glorious Bounties
To Us

From 
All Like NOW!!

VESPERS AT THE END OF THE SABBATH: The International Mall Of Renown

The International Mall Of Renown
Is
Perpetually Open For Business
AND
Surprise And Shock
Has
Only Two Stores!

The Stores
Have Very Different Color Schemes:

One Store Is Painted Glorious White!

The Other Store Is Painted 
With A Cadenced Array Of 
The Colors Of The Rainbow 
AND ... Black Lit!

Strangely Enough ...

Every Product On Offer
In Each Store
- According To The Store's Brand Of Distinction -
Points The Client Buyer Purchaser To
Only 
One
Way!

The Stores Have
- As To Be Expected -
Totally Different Names:

One Store Is Called
"ANY WHICH WAY!"
AND
Sells A Mind-boggling Array Of
Terra Firma Knowledge Nuggets
AND
Nifty Niceties
Plus
Self-Made Sachets
AND
Self-Satisfaction Sorbets!

There Is A Darkly Hidden Price On Everything!

The Other Store Is Called
"GOD'S WAY!"
AND
Offers A Clearly-Marked
Simple Fruit Basket From The Spirit
Plus
Mustard Seeds Exposing Living Faith!
Solid Gold Belts Marked "Truth!"
Tiny Bulbs Giving "Living Light!"
A Book Called "We Have This Hope!"
AND
A Matchbook Called "Confession!" 
Which Contains One Reusable Match Called 
"Repentance!"

Everything Is Offered "FREE!"
Having Been Paid For
- In Advance -
By The Owner's Only Son!

In A Corner Of The Store
Is An Altar Of Unhewn Stones Called 
"Sacrifice!"
AND
The Only Offering Accepted Thereon Is:

"The Willing Self!"

Next To The Altar 
Is
He Who Is Called "The Door!"
He Through Whom
Is Available
All The Heavenly Delights!

All Living
Can Enter The Main Entrance Of The Mall
BUT
The Stores 
Have Decidedly Different Entrances:

One Store Has A Technicolor Broadway!

AND

One Store Has A Plainly Lit Narrow Pathway!

One Store Can Lie
AND
Enchantment And Enticement Use
BUT

The Other Store

Must Stick To The Gospel Truth!

"GOD'S WAY!" 
Can Only Be Entered
On The Right Side
AND
"ANY WHICH WAY!"
Can Only Be Entered
From The Left Side!

It Is Impossible
To Move From The Right Side To The Left Side 
And Enter From Your Right Side
AND
It Is Impossible To Move
From The Left Side
To The Right Side
And Enter From Your Left Side!

Got It?!

If Not  ...

Draw A Rectangular Box
Mark One Long Side As The Left Side
Mark One Long Side As The Right Side
- There Is No Atrium Nor Food Court -
Inscribe The Short Sides Of Your Box:

Right Door
Left Door

There Is An Impervious
Insulated
Party Wall
Dividing The Two Stores!

You Will Note That 
This Form Factor Produces 
An Act Of The Will
In The Decision Of Where One Will Shop!

There Is 
NEVER 
An Accidental Shopping Experience!

"ANY WHICH WAY!"
Is 
A Sensualist's Paradise
AND

There Is No Floor To Be Seen 

For It Is Covered In   
The Rolling Mist Of A Bayou!

Music Of The Outcast
In Myriad And Strange Beats 
Envelops One 
As A Warm And Welcoming Robe
Upon Entry!
Every Sense Is Assaulted 
Calmed
Teased
Tortured
Captured
AND
Bodily Satisfied!

"GOD'S WAY!"
Is 
A Haven Of Rest
Where Peace
Passes 
Human Understanding!

There Is Rest
For The Riven Soul!
Hope For The Broken Soul!
Love For The Heart Grown Cold!
Strength For He Who Is Not Bold!
There Is A Home
For He Who Has None
AND
Grace For All On The Run!
This Is Not A Place For Worldly Fun
BUT
A Haven
Whether You've Done The Partying 
Or
You're Answering The Call
To Sit Down To Dinner With God's Son!

Store Policies?

"ANY WHICH WAY!" Has:

No Limits!

No Lies!

We Have It!

Don't Cry!

You Don't See It?

Please Ask!

To Pander To You

Is 

Our Sworn Only Task!

The Mysteriously Provocative 
AND
Soul-Tantalizing Gifts On Offer Are:

• Strange Flesh
• Lusting Time
• Money
• Honey
• Wining
• Dining
• Most Toys
• Losing Ain't For Winners
• MADE - By Me!
• Top Shelf Derby
• Tail Tale Tally
• Touch This
• Hold That
• Tempter's Wild
• Snake Oil
• Snake Eyes
• Bamboozled 

And Absolutely Divinely Gorgeous 

• Devil Dancer Flowers!

Hand-Sum Deville
The Concierge Of "All That Delights!"
Personally Gives A Whiff Of 
"Wisdom Of The Ages!"
Mingled With 
"Forbidden Knowledge!"
To The Rabid Truth Seekers 
Seeking The Mastery 
Who
- With Evident Resolve -
Enter Therein!

"GOD'S WAY!" Store Policy Is:

Come In!

You Will Be 

By

Almighty God Blessed

AND

By The World 

Cruelly Tested And Tried

AND 

Enduring By Jesus' Faith

To The Bitter End

You Will Be 

Immortalized

Glorified

AND

Eternally Blessed!

Offered 
Simply And Plainly Wrapped
Are Gifts Of:

• Stand As One Atoned
• Sheep Oil
• Do Right
• Saving Grace
• Mercy For Me
• Shepherd's Care
• Victory In Jesus
• Prayer Is Power
• Spirit Of The Living God
• Never Alone

And 

• Good Fight Of Faith

Wisdom AND Understanding 
Were 
The Attending Teachers 
With 
Equity AND Judgment
Pointing The Right Way!


Foot Traffic ...

Is Off The Chain On One Side
At "ANY WHICH WAY!"

AND

A Mere Remnant Of That Amount 
Goes To 
"GOD'S WAY!"

It Should Be Noted Here That:

Upon Occasion
You Will See 
A Standard Bearer For The Light 
Exiting From The Left Side's
"ANY WHICH WAY!" 
AND
Regaining The Mall Entrance 
Make A Deliberate
Righteous Right Turn 
Straight 
Into The Light Store!

They Would Always Leave The Light
Invigorated 
BUT ...!

One Would Also 
Upon Occasion 
See 
A Dark-Lord Darling 
Escape 
From That Den Of Iniquity 
Screaming:

          "God Help Me!" 

                                          "God Save Me!" 

                                                                            "God Forgive Me My Sin!" 

Whereupon 
Bright Angels 
Excelling In Strength 
Surround 
The Fallen One 
AND
Fighting Off The Fiends Once Called "Friends!"
Guide Him 
Safely 
To The One Called
The Door!

The Door 
Makes Everyone Feel
Loved 
AND
Blessed
AND
Welcomed
AND

Safe!

The Bottom Line ...

The Two Stores
Represent 
The Two World-Dominating Opinions
On The Earth Planet!

Every Living Human Being
Must 
Pick A Store
- One Store -
From Which To Purchase
His Her Life-Affirming Goods!

Straddling The Fence Is Not Permitted
Even Though One 
May Seem By Both
To Have Been Outfitted!

You Will Love One Store
AND
Despise The Other
BUT 
Come Revelation's
Celebration's Big Day
"GOD'S WAY!"
Light Store's Enduring-Life 
Customers 
- Not The Casual Shoppers -
Living And Dead
Will Become
Eternally Blessed
Glory-Home Going
Immortal Flying Planet Hoppers!

Everybody Else
Along With The Vile Dragon
That Purveyor Of Lust Death Grief And Passion
At
"ANY WHICH WAY!"
Will Become
Eternally Accursed
Fire-Lake Diving Belly Floppers!

Shopping In The International Mall Of Renown
Is
A Life-Changing Event!
None Can Escape
A Purchase At The Mall
For
- Come Hell Or Heaven -
Every Human
Must Enter
That Mall
AND
By Uncoerced Personal Choice
With One Particular Store
In Love
Fall!

An Undeclared Love 
Is
- By Default -
Approval
For
"ANY WHICH WAY!"
Because
Entering Into
"GOD'S WAY!"
Must Be Publicly Declared!

REMEMBER THIS:

No One

Can

Force

You

To Shop

In Either

Of The Stores!

NO ONE!!

The Choice 

Is 

Ours

ALONE!!

Sitting Saint Or Working Warrior? + PRAYER: My Lord And My God!

Flawed!
Driven!
Standard Bearers For God
Jacob
David
AND
The Apostle Paul
Not Willing To Sit Still
To Let God's Glory Be Stained
These Men On Missions
Blessed God
AND
It Valiantly Proclaimed!

Usurper!
Birthright Thief!
Adulterer!
Murder!
Persecutor-In-Chief
Each Had A History
AND
None Seemed Worthy
BUT
All Had Great Faith
AND
Firm Belief In The Word!

Standing On The Promises Of The Father
None From Battle Turned Away
Each Willing To Be For God
BUT
Only After They Had To Him Prayed!

Not One
An Armchair Warrior!
Not One
Unwilling To Face Fate!
All Trusting
To The Lord God Almighty
Ready
Willing
Prepared To Face
The Lineman's Fate!

The Calls Are Heard:

                  Keep The Communication Lines Open!

                                                 Keep The Channel Clear!

Remove The Barriers To Safe Passage!

                   Make The Way Plain Lest The Weak Die!

No Sitting Saints These!
Working Warriors All
Approved
AND
Used
By The Master
Useful To God
After Each 
Did Into Sin Fall!

So ...

If You Love The Living God
BUT
You Have Been Led To Believe
That Your Besmirched Soul's Garment
Is Such That To It
Sin Doth Cleave
If You Want To Work For Jesus
If You Are Willing
Your Given Talents To Display
If You Believe Your God Can Use You
Humbly
- As A Child Willing -
Say:

I Am Thine, Lord!

I Am Willing To Work!

My Heart Is Yours,  Lord

Give Unto This Servant

A Mission Of Work!

I Don't Know The End From The Beginning

But

Lord, I Know You Do!

Use Me

So That I Don't Use Others!

Give Me A Battle Line

That By Your Mercy And Grace

I Will Willingly Hold For You!

I Am Learning!

I Love You, Lord!

I Am Done With Scheming!

I Am On You Leaning!

In Me, You Are First!

For Me, You Are Last!

Thank You, God, For Jesus Christ

In Whom My Lot Is Cast!

As Long As You Are With Me, Lord

Wherever You Place Me

Or Send Me

I Will Go!

I Do Love You

For

You Are My Lord And My God!

AMEN.

HAPPY SABBATH + A Word From The Word?!

That Sermon
Convinced Me
AND
Opened My Understanding
Today
BUT
Something Important Was Missing
For
I Didn't Feel The Need To Change 
Any Of My Old Ways!

That Sermon Was En Pointe!

I Tell You

My Conscience Was Seriously Aroused

BUT

Something Was Missing

For

My Head Is Still In The Cloud!

That Sermon Was Amazing!

It Surely Gave Me All The Feels!

It Excited All My Emotions

BUT

Get Me On My Knees?!

Oh, Puleeze!!

So, Brethren
Is The State Of Modern Christianity
Appealing To Heads
Dampening Hearts
AND
Tickling Senses!
No Jesus In Joy Is Found 
BUT
A Whole Lotta Satan
On The Go-To Chart Carts
That Seriously Freely Abound!

A Sermon That Leaves Your Senses Roiling
Is Seriously Lacking The Holy Spirit Of God!
It Lacks The Seasoning Of Reasoning Together
By Which God Calls
All ... To His Holy Heart!

"Come Let Us Reason Together!"
IS
A Call To Parlay!
God Will Show You
His Sure Certain Way
AND
He Will Prove To You
That Looking Out For You Is His Way!

But ...

A Sermon That Appeals
Only To Your Learned-Human Head 
AND
Your Excitable Skin
Is Not Going To Turn You Away
From Your Own Wicked Way!

Remember ...

God Said That
The Heart Of Man Is Deceitful
Desperately Wicked
AND
Beyond All Knowing
AND
If You Trust In Your Own Heart
With No Input From Him Who Died
You Should Know That For Your Sin
You, Yourself
Are Going To Have To Die!

So ...

Without A Convinced
Convicted Understanding
That "Good News!" Message
Will Fall Upon
A Very Hard Heart
The Stony Unproductive Ground
Where Not A Good Fruit Tree 
Will E'er Be Found!

And, So ...

We See - Here -
A Need For Renewal
Revival
Reformation 
A Need For The Under-Shepherds
To Invite The Holy Spirit
To Guide Them
In Preparing For The People
A Straight 
Two-Edged Sword Word!
A Word From The Word
Blessed Of Heaven
AND
Not From
The Downloads Of The Popularly Pious Of 
The TV-Land World!
A Word That Will Cull Believing Sheep 
From The Doubting Goat Herd
Causing Them To Change Their Ways
AND
Be Found Fit For Jesus Christ To Keep!

Jesus Said That
In His Kingdom
There Will Be A Congregation
Made Up Of 
Every Kindred
Every Nation
Every People
Every Tongue!
A People
With Heads And Hearts
In Alignment
With The Holy Spirit
Convinced
AND
Convicted
Not Emotionally Caught Up
AND
Swayed By Smooth Rhetoric
AND
The Devilish Dark Arts!

Are You Able To 
On The Good Word Heard To Stand
OR
Is Your Good Word Heard
Leaving You Flailing Around
In Sinking Sand?

Have You Heard 

Any

Convicting 
Convincing
Straight And Sure Word Sermons

Lately?

Has A Good Word
Recently
Caused Your Heart
To Leap With Joy In Jesus!

*********

God Is The God

Of

Full Disclosure!

God Lays His Love

On

Our Line!

God Lays Bare

His Character

For Our Inspection

And

Calls Us

To His Way

Where

Hope 
Help 
And
Healing

Are Off Of

The Heavenly Fruit Vine!

*********

Trust God's Words 
NOT
Your Preacher's!

PERSONAL PUZZLER: Why?

Why Is It
That My God To Me
Looks Nothing Like Your God To You?

Why Is It
That My Faith To Me
Is A Great Failing To You?

Why Is It
That Your Triumph To Me
Is My Trial To You?

Why Is It
That My Rest To Me
Is My Riot To You?

Why Is It
That My Calling To Me
Is Considered A Curse By You?

Why Is It
That My Caring For Criminals Is Christian
But My Caring For Christians Is Criminal Even To You?

Will YOU, Dear Christian
Answer And Tell Me The Answers To
Why?
Why?
And
Why?
For Some Of These Questions
Have Answers For Which
Even Certain Worldlings Are Willing To Die!

Please, Won't You Answer Me Why?