Finally ... I Was Listening!

The Rock Of Ages
Cleft For Me
When I Beheld The Lamb Of God
Crucified
Riven
Broken
On Calvary!

I Looked
AND
I Saw
Jesus ... Besmirched
Looking Like Me
AND
Saving Me
By Taking My Place
AND
Hanging
Accursed
On That Cruel Death-Tree!

"Faith Changes Things!"
I Heard My Own Voice Say
As I Acknowledged
AND
Accepted That
The Lamb Of God Died
To Take My Sin Away!

Glory Came Down
To Give Me And My Kind Glory
BUT
- Instead -
By My Sinful Kind
Ended Up
All Beaten
Spat Upon
Nailed Up
Pierced Through
Lifted Up
AND
Vile-Looking Gory!

What A Fellowship!
What A Joy
Now
Is Mine
That I Am Leaning
On The Everlasting Arms!

My Lord Arose!
My Lord Rose Up!
My Lord Is In The Most Holy Place
Of The Heavenly Sanctuary
Reconciling Me To The Father God
Fixing My Title
For I Am Redeemed
AND
That Makes Me
- In Jesus -
Clear
On The Father's Books!
In Jesus
I Have No Devil-Attached Hooks!

I Caused The Holy Christ Pain!
I Brought To His Heart Shame!
For I Long Before
Had Ignored His Call
To Take Hold Of The Lifeline
Needed For Salvation
Because Of Satanic Deception
AND
Willful Sin
AND
Willful Sinning Man's ... Fall!

I Had Looked Back!
I Had Fallen Behind!
I Had Turned Away From Light!
I Had Chosen
Satan
And
Had Gotten Carried Away
Until
That Great And Glorious Day
On The Dusty Road
When I Heard That Voice ...

How Long Has It Been

Since You Talked With The Lord?

How Far From Home Will You Run

Hoping

To Break The Ties-That-Bind Cord?

When Will You Acknowledge

That You Are One Weary?

When Will You Call The Father

And

Beseech Him

To Let You Come Home

Even As You

Acknowledge That

You Are A Child Of The Dust

Rolling Around In

And

Covered With Sin

As A Hard-Shell Crust?

Why Don't You Call Out

To Him Now

And

Plead With Him

To Save You

From You Own Self?

I Heard The Voice Of Jesus Say:

Come Unto Me ... And Rest!

I Cried:

Father, Lead Me
Day By Day
For
This Land Is Not My Land
And
I Do Not Want
For My Own Sin
At The Appointed Time
To Have To Personally Pay!

Furthermore,

I Reached Out My Hand
AND
I Touched The Hand Of The Man
Who Stilled Waters
Who Healed Disease
Who Raised The Dead
AND
Who Prayed Daily
Constantly
- On His Knees -
- To His Own Father -
For Strength
In The Garden
Alone!

Suddenly ...

It Was Heaven In My Heart
For I Found Jesus
Who Had Been Calling For
Seeking After
Wayward Me!

In The Sorrow Of My Weary Soul
I Cried ...

Dear Lord And Father Of Mankind
Forgive My Foolish Ways!
Please, I Beseech You
Henceforth And Forever
Help Me To Give Of My Best
To My Master!

AND ...

Standing On The Promises
Which Cannot Fail
I Shouted ...

I Am Delivered!
No More Night!
Praise The Lord!

I Heard My Jesus Say ...

Hold The Fort

For I Am Coming To Earth Again!

Cast Now Away Your Confidence!

Give Your Burdens Unto Me

And Leave Them There

For

I Am Just A Prayer Away!

Brethren ...

I Walk Through Life's Storms
AND
I Hold My Head Up High!
I Am No Longer Afraid
Of Sin's Dark
For
The Light Of The World
IS
The Light Of My Life
AND
The Lies Of The Devil
No Longer Have Power
To Make Me Want
My Eternal Holy God
To Flagrantly Defy!

I Walk Today Where Jesus Walked!
I Am Tempted
AND
I Am Tried
BUT
The Promise Is Given
To All Who Believe
To All Who By Sin Are Oppressed
AND
Still Love
AND
Still Trust
AND
Are Still Looking For The Coming
Of The King Of Love
Who Jesus Christ My Shepherd Is
That
There Is Glory In The Cross!

The Marvellous Grace
Of
The Loving Lord
IS
Sufficient For Me
- No Matter What -
For I Am Running This Race
For The Win
Confident
Of The Great Day Of God's Reward
For
All Day
AND
All Night
God's Angels Are Watching Over Me!

I Have A Mansion!
I Have A Crown!
I Have A New Name
For
I Know That He Who Has Promised
Will
With The Glory Of The Father
The Angels
AND
Himself
From Heaven
- Split Open -
For Me And All The Faithful
Soon To Earth
Be Coming Down!

I Sing ...!
I Raise The Song Of Jubilee ...

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!

For
I Have Laid My Burden Down!

I Sing Praises To God!
I See The Promise
In The Flowers That Grow!
I See Renewal
In All The Changing Scenes Of Life
AND
I Say ...

When He Cometh!
When HE Cometh
To Take Up His Jewels
By God's Grace
I'll Be A Bright One
For I Am Beloved
AND
I Am His Own!

I Will See Jesus
Just As He Is
For
The Strife Is O'er
All To The Formalities
When Christ Comes To Claim His Own!

I Have Victory In Jesus!
I Have The Blessed Assurance!
I Have Hope For Today
AND
Faith
To Face Tomorrow!

I Say To My Soul
Be Still And Know
That He Is God!
He Is The God That Feedeth Thee!
He Holds The Whole World Is His Hand
AND, YET
He Lives In The Heart Of Me
For
His Indwelling Spirit
Comforts Guides And Chides
AND
Because I Am Listening
He In Me Abides!

All My Other Helpers Failed
AND
All My Creature Comforts Did Flee
BUT
Faith First
The Lord ... Being My Vision
I Am Telling The World
That
Jesus My Savior
Now Pilots Me!

I Know That My Redeemer Lives
AND
For This
I Utter
A Joyful Allelujah!
AND
The Seven-Fold

Amen! Amen! Amen!
Amen! Amen! Amen!
AMEN!

SUMMATION: Man's Life ...!

Man's Life
Is Summed Up
In 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Six (6) Words:

Trial!
Probation!
Reflection!
Expectation!
Recompense!
AND
Retribution!

If We Are On TRIAL
It Means We Are Presumed To Be Guilty Of Sin!

Actually ... 

There Is No Presumption -
All Have Sinned!
We Do Not Attain
Reach To God's Glory!

If We Are On PROBATION
We Have Been Proved Guilty
BUT GODThrough Christ's Merits
Is Giving Us The Opportunity
To Be Rendered
To Be Made Clean!

We Must Live Up To "The Trust!"
We Must Stick To The Bargain
Or Feel
The Full Weight Of The Law
Because We Reject
Free Grace
AND
Presently Available Mercy!

In Probation
We Reflect On
Where Why We Went Wrong
AND
With Risen Understanding
We Have The EXPECTATION
Of Full Release
Upon Fulfillment Of The Obligations
Of The Gracefilled Probation!

With Probation Ceased
AND
Final Judgment Arrived
We Have Before Us
RECOMPENSE
Payment Of Achieved Compensation
Elevation To The Hallowed Estate
Past Record Expunged
Entrance Into The Witness Protection Program
With
Assigned New Name
New Home
A Completely New Identity
AND
The Overcomers' Transport Plan!

If We Failed Probation
As Evidenced By Heaven's Records
Buttressed By
Our Own Self-Incriminating
Can't-Be-False Witness
We Can
- In The Judgment Hour
On The Day Of God's Wrath -
Expect A Full Cup Of God's Justice
Unmingled With God's Mercy
In The Aspect Called

RETRIBUTION!

RETRIBUTIVE

JUDGMENT:

Rejected!

Bound Hands And Feet

And

Cast Into Outer Darkness

To Be Eternally Separated

From God

In The Second Death 

From Whence

There Is No Recall!

Ever!

Those In Retributive Justice

Are Completely Consumed!

I Was Born In Sin
AND
Shapened In Iniquity
Aka Planned Sin!

On Trial
I Was Convicted
BUT
In Mercy
The Judge
Did Me
A Probationary Term Give!

I Had Time To Reflect
On Past Deeds
To Confess
AND
To Repent
To Turn Over The Old Man
AND
To Attire Myself
In Redemption Song's New "Shirt And Pants!"

In Truth
I Desire The Expectation
Which Says
"He Knows The Thoughts He Thinks Towards Me
To Give Me An Expected End ..."
Which Includes
Soul Peace!

AND

The Promise That
Eyes Have Not Seen
Nor Ears Heard
The Things That God
Has Prepared
For Them That Love Him!

I Should Note Here That
The "Love" We Have For God
Must Be Love Unto Death
Which Leads The Faithful
To Eternal Life!
We Cannot Fool God!

I Should Clearly State Here
That
With Expectation Embodying Love For
AND
Faith In
The Lord Christ
I Look Forward To The Recompense Of
Sure Reward
For
Having Determined
By Grace Through Working Faith
Because Of Love For My Lord
Be It Known
That Satan Has No Part In Me
AND
He Can Take My Share Of Retribution
AND
All Of His Own

On His Own!

I Can See The Nail Prints!
I Can See The Gash In Christ's Side!
I Can See The Scars Left By The Crown Of Thorns
AND
I Can See The Look Of Love
That Hides The Depth Of The Sacrifice Made
To Get Me Into
God's Safe Haven
In Heaven

The Forever Home!

I Desire To Have My Faith Made Sight!
I Desire To Live In The Land Of No Night!
I Desire The Private Audience
With The Redeemer
The Prince Of Peace
AND
I Desire To Travel
To World's Unknown
To Tell Of The Love Of
The Lover Of My Soul

Who Died
To Save A Wretch
A Bold Sinner Such As I Had Been
So That I Could Walk With Him
On The Golden Shores
No Longer Separated
No Longer Needing
A Way To Call
To Get Into
The Father's House
My Forever Home!

I Have Accepted Christ's Offer!

Do You?

Will YOU?!

WHAT ARE YOU EATING: WHAT'S EATING YOU?!

I Had A Little Taste Bud
Which Knew
That Little - With God In It -
Brought The Soul To The Land Of
Contentment!

My Lil' Taste Bud Was Quite Happy
Until The Day He Met Wide Eyes
And From Then
My Lil' Taste Bud Thought Contentment
Was Just Lack Of Enough
Being Self-Satisfying
Through No-Further-Prospect's
Eyes!

I Couldn't Convince Him!
He Would Not Be Pacified 
So
I Gave Him Free Reign
AND THEN
Woe!
Lord Have Mercy!
Lil' Taste Bud
Was Suffering From
Over-Indulgence
AND
Cast Resist Temptation
AND
Get More
Butterflies!

But, Then

One Fateful Day
I Met
Resist The Devil!
Take What You Want!
AND
Pay For It
AND
The Scales Fell From My Eyes
AND
I Knew - Without A Single Doubt -
That Obese Lil' Taste Bud Big
Was Going On "The Diet!"
No Matter How Much He Wailed 
AND
Cried!
He Was Getting A Fig Dried!

Take What You Want!
AND
Pay For It!
Indulged In The Pleasure Principle
AND
They Did Not Give A Flying Fat Farm
If You Ended Up In The Hospital
... Or Dead!

These Awful, Awful Creatures
Practiced Not What They Preached
For
Present Death Was Not Yet Their's To Hold
For
They Worked For That
Undead, Dying, Murdering
Lying, Infelicitous Creep Satan
Who Was
The God Of The Earth
But Was A
The God-Of-All Wannabe!
Only God - Not Appetite - Could Kill Them!

I Listened Well
To Their Contrived Stories
Of Feelings
AND
Tastes
- Vile And Glorious -
Until They  Lauded Chocolate Cockroach
(I Started Changing Skin Color)
BUT
When They Spoke Of
Eating Hu-Man
I Threw Up
AND
Looked Up
AND
Called Out Loudly
For The Holy Son Of Man!

Lord Jesus,
Please Save Me
From Outrageous
Raging Appetite!
Make My Appetite Tight
For
It Is Now Slack
And
Satan And His Minions
Are Riding Herd On
My Poor Breaking Back!
My Stomach Hurts!
Help Me Win This Unequal Fight!

Close Your Eyes!

Say Your Grace!

And

Back Away From The Plate!

Little With Contentment

Is Great Gain

But

Greed Is A Wide Open Gate!

Eat For Strength

And

Not For Drunkenness

And

By Grace

Know When Enough Is Enough

And

Stop Letting Your Eyes

Fill Your Plate

For

Your Bad Habits

Did Your Eyes Habituate!

I Understood
AND
I Did
From That Great Plate
Walk Away
For
It Was Filled To Overflowing
AND
Had Not A Fruit
A Vegetable
Not Even A Sweet Date!

I Thought Of Eve!
I Thought On The Garden Of Eden!
All The Fruit In The Garden Was Good For The Eating
BUT
The Fruit Of The Tree Of Good And Evil Was Not!

I Thought On The Tempter
Vile Creature He
Who Stills Tempts
AND
Torments
Trying Valiantly
To Create Many And More Eve's!

I Thought On The Savior!
I Thought On The Cross!
I Thought Of The Bruise On Christ's Heel
AND
I Rejoiced In The Knowledge That
Jesus Christ Crushed Satan's Covetous Head
AND
I Repented Of The Evil
AND
Praying
Went To
- For A First Time In A Long Time -
A Contented In Christ Soul's Bed!

We Are What We Eat!
We Become Like Where We Choose To Sleep!
We Fill A Half-Pound Stomach
With
Two Gallons Three Four
Full Of Food
Unnourishing
Unsavory
Indigestible
And Still Ask
When's The Next Meal?!
When Are We Going To Eat?!

Lil' Pidgeon's Got Wide Ear Holes!
So
Be The Pidgeon
AND
Hear What Your Real Stomach Says
AND
You Will Not
Over The Porcelain Goddess
Have To Preach A Sermon
AND
Then Have To Beseech The Living God
To Take Your Rebuke Away!

Some Live For Clothes!
Some Live For Food!
Some Live For Sex
Lies
AND
Unsavory Ties
AND
Some Live For Love Of Other
Than He Who For Us Died
On The Cross!
Check Your Self
So That You Don't
- By Self-Indulgence -
Suffer
The Eternal Loss!

VESPERS AT THE END OF THE SABBATH - BEHOLDING: Changed!

I Beheld A Crochet Hook
AND
Knitting Needles A Pair
Next Thing I Knew
I Was Hooking And Knitting
In My Comfy, Comfy, Chair!

I Beheld A Sailor
AND
Before Long
Everyone I Knew
Knew
That I Was A-Swearing
Using A Vocabulary Askew
One That God's Faithful
Should Severely Eschew!

I Beheld A King James Bible
AND
Before Long
My Friends Knew
That I Was With Jesus
For Out Of My Mouth
The Sailor Language Flew
For
I Had Taken The Blood-Purchased Clue!

If One Fraternizes With Jack-Asses
Inevitably
One Will Bray!
If One Walks With The Devil
He Won't Want Jesus
Near His Fun Day
AND
From Salvation
He Will Determinedly Walk Away!

When We Walk With Jesus
- As In All Things -
We Become What We Behold
AND
As We Wittingly
Wilfully
Wonderingly
Wisely
Behold Our Master
We Become Fit Pillars
To Inhabit Glory
With The Father
The Spirit
AND
The King Of Glory
God's Son!

Let's Not Be Witless
Nor Worthless
Wasteful
Wrong-Headed
Vessels Unclean!
Let Us Draw Near
To The One
Who Gives Us Title
To Heaven Clear
AND
Let Us Esteem Him
With Love And Godly Fear!

Immerse Yourself In Good!
Don't Curse Yourself By Beholding Bad
For
It Is Appointed
Once
For Man To Die
AND
There Is No Do-Ever
No Matter What The Priestly Charlatans Cry!

Man-Money May Munchies Buy

But

Man-Money Cannot For Salvation Escry!

PRAYER: Oh, Lord, Haste The Day!

Father,
As A Child
I Come Before Thee
Confessing And Repentant
And Beseech You, Please

Pardon Me From My Sin!

Please Give Unto Me

The Power To Deny The Liar
And
In The Name Of Jesus, Lord
Please Grant Me Your Peace Today

Even Though At My Poor Feet

Satan Lit Himself

A Raging Bonfire!

Father,

I Have Been Foolish!

Teach Me To Be Wise!

Grant Me Wisdom's Understanding

To Use The Knowledge

That For Me

You Did Provide!

Help Me To Not Yield
To The Terror Seen Of My Eyes
So That I
From You In Fleshly Fear
Do Not Backslide!
Blind My Carnal Eyesight
And Grant Unto Me
True, Seeing, Spiritual Eyes!

Father,

Please Let My Knowledge Of You

Be Not Theoretic!

Teach Me
And

Grant Me The Telling Experience, Lord

So That I Can Truly Testify
Without Fear Of Contradiction

That I Personally Know You!

Father,

I Desire To Walk

In The Faith Of My Jesus!

I Eagerly Accept Daily Grace And Faith!

Grant Me Courage

For My Long Journey

And

Strength

So That I Will Go The Distance

And

Not Turn Back

Half Way
Nor Almost There!

Oh, Lord
With The Believer's Heart
Christ's Faith
And
Hope For Your Glory

I Fully Expect The Holy Angels

To Be My Cherished Companions
And

I Totally Look To The Holy Spirit

In Me To Abide!

I Am Mere Dust

Prone

To Falls Into Folly

But

In The Name Of Jesus

With My Mustard Seed In My Heart

With Hope For Glory My Tide

With Joy In The Lord

My Marching Song

Oh, God, Most Holy

Haste The Day

For

I Long To See My Jesus

With My Own Two

No Longer Cloudy

But Bright

Eyes!

I Love You, Lord!

AMEN.

HAPPY SABBATH + Friend!? How Come You Thus Here?!

Wedding Invitations Had Been Issued
AND
To No One's Surprise Or Shock
Wedding Garments Had Been Handed Out
So
The Guests Had Only
- Fitly Attired -
To Present Themselves
For Self-Supplied Garments
Were Ruled Out
Must Be Left Out!

The Guests All Assembled!
The King Did Appear
AND
Then There Was A Pregnant Pause
And All
Leaned In To Hear
The King Say:

Friend?!

How Come Ye

Attired Thus Here?

Friend-Guest
Looked At Himself
AND
Silent
He Remained
For
He Had No Excuse
For
He Knew Right From Wrong
AND
He Was In The Wrong
That Much Was Evidently Clear!

The King
In Sad Ire
Called To Him Entourage:

Bind Him

Hand And Foot

And
Cast Him

Into The Darkness

Out There!

Those Who Remained
Looked At The King
And
Looked At Themselves Happily
For
They Were Quite Pleased To See
They Were Attired Just Like Him!
They Looked Presentable
Fit To Appear Before
The King
Holy Gracious Lord God Divine!

The King Said:

Rejoice With Me!

My Son Has Taken His Wife

And

This Is The Time For Glorious Celebration

Not For Looking Back

At The Life That Caused Strife!

There Was Laughter!
There Was Singing!
There Was Feasting!
There Was Rejoicing
By All Who Remained
AND
The King
AND
His Only Son
Loved On Each Other
AND
The Gathered Throng
Pleased At The Bride's Coming!
'Twas Oft' Heard:

"Beloved! Well Done!"

Brethren ...

The King Is Our Father In Heaven!
The Only Son Our Lord Jesus Christ!
The Guests Are Those Who Believed
AND
Trusted In The Living Word
AND
The False Friend
Represents Those In The Church
Who Could Not Be Bothered
To Exit
- By God's Grace -
The Sin-Embracing
Self-Indulgent
Self-Directed Life!

A Friend Of Christ
Is The Who Betrayed Him To The World!
A Friend Of Christ
Is The One Who Ate Of His Bread!
A Friend Of Christ
Is The One Who Accepted His Words
- Theoretically -
BUT
Could Not Be Bothered
To Stop
Living
Loving
Enjoying The Ways Of The Ungodly
AND
Their Wicked High Science 
My-Way's The Right-Way Life!

The Wedding Garment
Is The Righteousness Of Christ
Given To All Who
Desire The New Life
AND
Willingly
- Through Faith -
Do All That Is Necessary
- By The Grace Of The Glorious God
With The Comfort Of The Holy Spirit
AND
Aided By The Protection Of The Holy Angels -
To Claim The New Life Aka Salvation
AND
To Accept The Provisions
Parameters
Prohibitions
Promises Provided
To Follow Their Lord
Into The Ceaseless Ages
Of God's Eternity!
They Give Up The Loosey-Goosey Life With The Fraud!

Victory Over Sin
Is Not Some Theological
Perhaps
Maybe
What If?
Victory Over Sin
Is A Definite
A Gift
From Our Eternal King
Who
- In The Godhead -
Made Provision For Our Rescue
AND
All That We Need To Do
Is To Believe
Love
Trust
Obey
AND
Do The Jesus-Like-Life Do!

Don't Be A False Friend!
Don't Bow Down To Your Self!
Don't Lift Up Your Imperfect Intellect!
Don't Denigrate The King!

Raise Your Faith 
By Love Of The Master!
Bless The Lord
By Walking In The Light!
Give The Lord
The Gift Of Your True Obedience
AND
Through Jesus
Get Yourself Out Of
Strobing Satan's Dark-Mood Lava-Light!

Wearing Club Clothes To An Earth Wedding

May Be A Cool Thing To Many

B U T

Wearing Sin-Stained Clothes

To The King Of Love And Life's Son's Wedding

Is A Sure Sign

That A Part Of God's Eternity

You Have Wittingly Decided That

Of That

You Don't Want Any!

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

Own-Way

Gets

Thrown Away!