THE CONVERSATION: Take The Hand!

I Was In The Sin-By-Rote Work Camp!
I Did Not Know How I Had Gotten There!
Then ...
I Remembered!
I Had Had An Affair With Minor N. Miniscule-Wrongdoing
Reclining Often
In His Plush Plump Lounge Chair!

I Did Not Know
That Minor N. Miniscule-Wrongdoing
Had Passed The Word Along About Me
That I Was An Easy Target
Until
Liberty Is License
Untoward Behavior
Ignorance Is Bliss
AND
Do What-Thou Wilt
Started Baying
All Wanting
Their Own Piece Of Me!

The Days Were Long!
The Nights Were Hard!
Somebody Was Forever Calling For Me
AND
I
- Thinking I Could Handle The Traffic -
Blazed Around Town
Well ... Right Loftily!

I Got A Warning Citation From Conscience!
Then I Got Real Tickets
Three And Then Came
No. 4

AND
No. 5
AND
I LAUGHED!

Yes, I Laughed
For I Wittingly Chose
To Ignore
My Fair Conscience
Because
I Was Doing Obeisance
At
- Of All Places -
The Golden Calf
The All Things Idolatrous Store!

I Had Gotten In Deep
With The "In" Crowd
You Know
Those Who Know Not God
AND
I Also Ran Valiantly
With The One Known As The Fraud
Who Took Pride
In Decimating
Men
Minds
Manners
AND
Matters
As He Saw Fit
AND
Felt

So Inclined!

I Was In The Position Supine
AND 
To Sin
I Had Become A Walk Over!
I Had Been Ignoring
The Call Of The Divine
AND HERE 
Now
Was Make Or Break!

Everything Was On the Line!

I Could See Life!
My Life!
I Was Nearing
The Jordan Cross Over

AND
I Was Facing
- Surely For Ill -
The Separation From God's Forever Life
Line!

Long Story Short ...

There Was The Tale Of Two Kitties

Brush Me
AND
Wipe Me Out
AND
Sufficed To Say
I Lost Out Big
One Rainy Day ...!

Oh ...

I Remember Now!
I Had Stopped
Saying My Prayers
Preferring
To Haste The Day
AND
Play The Play!

I Was Boss!

I Called The Toss!

Not Long Thereafter ...

I Heard Myself Crying!
- I Had Been In A Deep Sleep -

And Then ...

Then ...

I Was Listening!

HE
Was Talking To Me
AND
Before Long
For My Life I Was Bawling:

Father, Dear Father
Have Mercy On Me!
This Present Life

Is Not What I Want To Be Living!

I Have Been
Am
A Sin-Slave!
I Am Shackled!
I Desire Escape!
Please Help Me
I Am Facing The Lonely Grave!

Child,

I Love You!

This Is Why I Keep Calling You

Desiring Your Answer

And

Pleading With You

That You Turn Away From Sin!

Sin Is A Grave!

With Your Own Hand

The Ground You Claved

And Only You

Can Stop The Digging

That You Substantially Craved!

You Have Called Out

And

I Am Here!

Hold My Hand

Even When You Cannot

See

Or Feel Me!

Know Of A Surety

That

I Am Here!

I Lift You Up When You Call!

I Lift You Out When You Fall!

I Provide For You

So Don't Look Back

And

Don't Look About!

You Have Confessed! 

And

You Have Repented! 

So, Be Thou Clean

For

You Are Forgiven!

Now

From Sin

Forever

Walk Away!

Go

And

Sin No More!

Abide In Me

Even As I Abide In You!

Let Not Your Eyes

Make Your Life A Revolving Door

For It Will Be Worse For You

Until, Finally

My Voice

You Will Hear No More!

Know

And

Remember This ...

Call On Me

And

I Will Always Answer Thee!

Father,
Lead Me!
Guide Me!
Please Show Me Your Way!
Teach Me The Way To Life

And Protect Me
Through The Strife!

Lord, 

I Am Scared

And
I Am Weary

And
I Need Your Peace And Your Rest! 

Thank You For Not Giving Up On Me!
Thank You, Lord!
I Now Know That I Am Truly Blessed!

Beloved,

Accept This Grace

I Give To You - 

Mercy Is Her Always Available Companion!

Accept This Measure Of Faith I Give To You -

Holy Angels Are Your Attending Companions!

My Holy Spirit

Is Your Comforter -

Trust In His Chiding

His Correction

His Direction!

  

I Beseech, Beloved

Trust Not The Voice

That Calls You

To Live Right In Your Own Eyes! 

Instead,

Trust Me Who - Alone -

Keeps You Alive

And

In The Fulness Of Time

When I Shall Return

You Will To Paradise Arise!

Brethren,
My Eyes - By Faith -
Now See
The God Of All Grace
The God Who Paid For Salvation For Me!

I Am Free - I Left The Damnation Horde!
I Am Truly Alive -
I Walk With Those
Who For Heaven Do Strive
AND
Praise God
- In The Day -
I'll Cross The Jordan
Dry-Shod
Rejoicing
Blessed To Receive The Kingdom
For
I Have The Light
- Heavenly Light -
That Lights My Way
To Eternal Life!

I Like The Sound!
I Love The Song!
I  Am Heading Toward
Eternal Life
The Life That Is
Forever Long!

The Devil Is A Liar
AND
Sin Is The Saliva
He Is Ever Spitting
Besmirching All
Upon Whom It Lands
So, Please
Call Jesus
AND
Get The Umbrella Of Christ's Faith
So That The Defiling Excrement Of Satan
Cannot
Upon Your Mind Land

Pushing You Into Defiling Disgrace!

Hold To God's Unchanging Hand!

Take The Hand!

Take The Hand!

TAKE THE HAND!!

And Walk

- Unwearied -

To The Promised, Promised Land

Where Only Those

Victorious ... Over Sin

Can

- SHALL -

Stand!

Take The Hand!

Reach The Land!

Eternally Stand!

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!

SECULAR SELF-LOVE + A Prayer Against It!

The Day Was No Different From Any Other!

In The Old People's Vernacular
I Awakened
Said My Prayers
And Brushed My Two Teeth!
After Bathroom Detail
I Had Me Some Dry Oats
And A Warm To Hot Libation
AND
Looked To Start The Day
Without
Getting Into A Nasty Fight
With. My. Self

The Old Peace-Thief!!

Too Late!

Here They Come
Polished As Can Be
Secular Self-Love
AND
Temptation ... To Sin -
Wow!
They Are Wearing
The White Gloves!

Oh, Brother!

I Know What That Means -
They're Going To Try To Finesse Me
AND
Try To Make Me Want
To My Heavenly Father
To ... Lie?!

Yup!
Here It Comes!

I Can Feel The Urge A-coming To Say:

I Love Me!

I Love Me The Best!

The World's My Oyster!

I Am No Ice-Chest!

Oh, Boy!
Today Was Getting Off To 

Another Lousy Start!

I Will Not Submit!

I Will Not Submit!

Lord, Help Me!

PRAYER:

Father,

I Need You!

Have Mercy On Me!

I Didn't Do It When I Woke Up

But

I Am Doing It Now!

I'm Freely

Willingly

Eagerly

Giving My Self To Thee!

Lord,

Save Me From My Self!

Save Me!

Save Me, Now!

My Heart Before I Humbly Bow!

Lord,

My Self Is Trying

Of Me To Take Control

And

I Want No Part Of It

So, I Am Asking You, Please

Of My Life Take Control

For

I Want Willful Self

Outside

Of My Heart's Door!

This Secular Self-Love Has For Me

Been A Total Bug-Bear

And

A Really Grand Lie

For It Pit's One Against One's Maker

Encouraging One

The Love Of God To Deny!

When Secular Self-Love

Loves My Sinful Self

I Cannot

Your Voice Hear

And

When That Happens

Temptation-To-Sin

Screams Loudly

Unashamedly

In My Poor Ear

Urging Me To Willfully Ignore You

And

To Depart From Holding You

In The Necessary Godly Fear!

This, Lord, I Can No Longer Bear!

I Hate It!

Father,

I Have Battle Scars

And

I Desire None New

So

In The Faith Of Jesus Christ

I Give Also

My Will

And

My Way Unto You!

I Am Glad To Do This, My Father

For

I Know That You Will Take Care

And

With You In Control Of My Life, Lord

I Will Not End Up

Worthless

Useless

Hard

And

To Your Blessed Kingdom

Damned-For-Eternity Discard!

Thanks, In Advance

For The Save, Lord!

I No Longer Wish To Be

To Sin

A Trussed-Up Slave

And

I Totally Accept The Salvation Purchased

When Your Beloved Son Died

So That Me And My Kind

May Be Saved!

In Jesus' Name

I Make My Humble Plea

For

I Desire

In Peace

To See Thee

On The Great And Glorious Day!

I Love You, Lord!

AMEN.

HAPPY SABBATH: The Storm + The Prayer

Good Morning, Foolish Man!

Good Morning, Man Wise!

How Is Your Building Progressing?! 

I'm Moving Apace
But The Supplies
Their Price Is Giving My Stomach

Mucho Butterflies!

What About You!

I Have Built On The Rock Of Salvation!
I Have Used The Plan
Designed By The Heavenly Store!
I Have The Hand Of The Master Builder
AND
The Cleft Of The Rock
Marks The Beginning 

AND

The End Of My Property!
That's For Sure!

Wow!
You've Really Gone Against Tradition!
Not Me - I Want All That's Out There
And Truth Be Told
Much More!
That's Why I'm Getting Stomach Butterflies
For
I Didn't Dig Too Deep
And Now
I'm Not Sure
If My House Can Carry
The Heavy Weight Of My Ever-Increasing

Acquired Load!

You'd Better Think Seriously
About What You Are Doing!
The Storms Of Life
Are Just Up Ahead!
This Is The Season Of Trial
Affliction
AND
Tribulation
AND
All Need True Shelter
Real Comfort

AND
Trusted Safety
Or One Will Be Harmed
Or Worse
One Can Be Killed!

Dead! Dead!

No, My Brother!
You're Thinking Too Deep!
Talk To You Later!

It Has Been A Long Night

And I'm Off To Catch Up On My Sleep!

Not Even Two Days Later ...

Rumble Rumble!!                            Swish! Swoooosh!!            Swish! Swoooosh!!

              Rumble Rumble!!        Crack Crack Craack!!

Swish! Swoooosh!!                                        Pip Pip Tip!                                                          Crack Crack Craack!!                 Rumble Rumble!!

Swish Swish Swiiiiish!             Crack Crack Craack!!     Top Pop Plop!           Plop Dop Dop!

Man Wise Was Comfortable!
He Is Saying His Prayers!
He Is Thanking The Lord For His Blessings!
AND
Jesus Christ Is Comforting His Fears!

He Is Also Praying
For Foolish Man
His Neighbor
Across The Way
Whose House
Built On The Sands
On Public Opinion
The Theories Of Man
The Lust Of The Eye
The Pride Of Life
AND
A Gargantuan Serving
Of The Lust Of The Flesh
Is Being Torn Apart
By The Prevailing Winds
Of
The Turbulent Storm
Which Had Been Predicted
By The Author Of Life
Who Alone Can Save
The Children Of Man!

Lord, Please Spare His Life!

Suddenly ... 

There Is A Loud Thump Thump
AND
Upon Man Wise Answering

AND
Opening
Foolish Man
Fell In Through
Man Wise's Solid, Solid, Door!

Thank You, Lord
For Saving Foolish Man's Life!!

Foolish Man?!
Foolish Man!
Open Your Eyes!

Man Wise?!
Man Wise!!
I'm Still Alive?!
I Thought I Was Done For!
I Was Sure I Would Die!

The Storm
The Storm ... It Was Awful!
I Will Not Tell A Lie!
I Built My House On Shifting Sand
And The Storm Gave It
A Strenuous Buffeting
And When The Rain Of Trial
And Tribulation Started To Pour
It Was Not Very Long Before
My Roof Blew Off
And, Soon

All I Had Left

And Was Left Holding
Was The Fancy Knob Of The Expensive Door
Of The Perfect House That Was No More!

You Should Have Heard
The Scream Of Ripping Siding
The Screech Of Torn Out Nails
The Roar Of Blown Out Windows
The Sad Keening Of My Wails!

I Begged God To Save Me!
You Know  ...
The Very God
You Warned Not To Ignore!
The Very God
That Rock
You Told Me To Build Upon!
The Very God
In Whom I Had No Stock!!

It Was Terrible!
It Was Awful!
I Now Know Fear
And
I Am Asking You, Dear Brother
Could You Put Me Up?!
Can I Rest On You Spare Chair?!

Sure, Sure, Sure!
Take A Load Off!
You Are Welcome To Stay Here
BUTJust Know
That The Lord Of Life

Is The Head Of This Household
AND
I Don't Cotton To Those Pet Theories
That You Idolize!

Pet Theories?!

Pet Theories!!
Those Pet Theories
Practically Near Killed Me!

Look At Me Now
I Don't Even A Pot Of My Own
Too Pee In
Nor A Window To Throw It Through
So, Please
Do Not Speak To Me Ever Again
About Man Practice Nor Theory!!

Don't Do It - I Caution You!

You May, However

Tell Me Everything
That You Know
About The God You Built Upon
The God Who Guides And Protected You
And Surely Saved Me Today, Too!!

Foolish Man ...
Foolish Man!
You Need A New Name
For
You've Come To Your Senses
AND

That Is Quite Plain!

The God Who Is My Rock
Possesses
AND
Can Provide
Salvation To All
But Those Who Receive It
See Their Need
AND

To Him
Reach For It!

You Trusted In Self!
You Trusted On Man!

ANDYou Leaned On A Weak Arm
That Placed You
In The Path Of Harm!

Our God ...
- He's Yours Now -
Is Safe To Lean On!
He Strong To Uphold You!
He's Faithful To Console You!
He's Steady In All Ways!
He's Unchanging
Be It Day Or Night!
His Word Is His Character
ANDYou Need Him
Be It Dark Days
Or Light!

If You Will Let Go
AND
Let God
Be To You
Your All In All
He Will Lead You
Guide You
Teach You
Feed You
Lift You Up Ever You Fall!

He'll Never Abandon You -
It's Not His Way!

ANDHe'll Never Chaste You Away
For A Mistake
BUT
Take Heed Unto Yourself
And Do Not
Let Presumption
Cause You
From His Safety
To Turn Away!

You Have Been Given

A Chance At New Life!
Please Do Not From It Turn Away!
Deny The Liar
AND

Those Who Work For Him
Who Tell You
For Things Temporal
To Reach Higher And Higher!

Things Are Replaceable!
A Soul Lost Is Not
So, Please
Use This Golden Opportunity
To Claim Your Soul's Salvation
On

In

From

The Rock!

And, In Deep Contrition

Foolish Man

Turning Wise

Uttered This

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, 

I Thank You

For Saving My Soul

For

Without Your Salvation

You Know That I Would Be

A Duppy Quite Cold!

Forgive Me, Lord, My Folly

My Willingness To Presumptuous Sin

My Penchant For Shiny Objects

That Cluttered My Life

But Did Not My Soul Thrill!

Father,

I Invite You

To Fill The Void In My Heart

The Void In My Life

So, Please

Can You Make The Way Clear

To Help Me From Sinning To Depart!

Lord,

I No Longer Want

What Others May Have!

I Now Want What You Have For Me

And

I Desire From You

Through You

And

In You

The Blessed, Blessed, New Start!

Teach Me Your Way, Lord

And Help Me To Walk In It

For

I Know Now

- Of A Surety -

That Life Without You

Is A Bottomless

Handleless

Holey Rusted Bucket!

Lord, I Was Living In The Dark!

Hear, Oh, Lord

My Prayer

For

Father Most True

I Sincerely Need You

And

Will To Trust You

And, So I Give 

My Self

My Will

And

My Way

- In My New Faith -

Unto You!

Teach Me To Love You, Lord!

AMEN.

Welcome To The Family, Brother!

Welcome To The Family!

Take Your Place, Satan!

I Believe God!

Do You?!

If You Believe ... Walk!

If You Walk ... Trust!
If You Trust ... Live!

If You Hope ... Reach Up And Reach Out!
If You Love ... Share And Care!
If You Think On Jesus Christ ... Talk About Jesus Christ!
If You Worship God ... Say Your Prayers!
If You Pray ... Plead!
If You Plead ... Believe!

AND
If You Really Believe In God

In Jesus Christ's Name ... Stand Firm In His Faith!

If You Are Standing Firm In The Faith
Keep The Promises Of God
As Your Comfort Every Day!
Take Pleasure In The Comfort
As You Walk Along Life's Way

For
Your Adversary Satan
Will Attempt To Strip You Bare
BUT
Believe And Trust
The Word Of God
AND
Plainly You Can Say:

Get Thee Behind Me Satan!
You Have No Part In Me!
My Master Is The Lord Jesus Christ
AND
Thank God
He Is Carrying Me!

Get Out Of My Way!

My Path Is By Christ Marked!
My Way Is Sure!
Jesus Christ Knocked On My Heart
AND
I Opened For Him
My Door
AND
He Sups With Me
AND
I With Him
AND
Sorry - Not Sorry
My Heart Is No More
Your Welcome Inn
So
Let Your Sorry Back
Reverence The Jesus-Is-Mine Door!

No Credit For You Today
AND
There Is Definitely None Tomorrow
For
I Am Now Walking
Saved And Forgiven
With God Almighty
The Very Highest Power!

Get Away From Me, Satan
You're An Unregenerate Liar!
I Am Going Home With My Jesus
AND
You
You Shall Eat The Banquet
Of Your Own Preparing!
You Shall Eat
God's Holy Fire
So
Take Your Place
AND
From Me - In Jesus' Name
Accept The Rejection
AND
Retire
Liar!

I Am Bound For The Promised Land
AND

You May Put Up A Balaam To Curse Me

BUT

I'm Jesus Christ's To Command!

I Will Know Affliction
- My Jesus Says So -

BUT

With God's Grace
In Jesus Christ I'll Stand

For He Has Covenanted
To Protect Me
Shield Me
Teach Me
Lead Me 
Feed Me

AND
Take Me Safely

To The Glorious Land!

I'm Going Home With My Jesus!

Great's The Day!

I'm Going Home With My Jesus

Come What May!

I Have No Hold On The Temporal!

I've Seized On Eternity!

I'm Going Home With My Jesus

Lord, Haste The Day!

Haste The Day!