Giving Thanks ... For Sorrow And Pain!?!

When You Can't See God, Believe!
When You Can't Hear God, Hope!
When All You Can Do Is Cry, Sing

And
Pray For The Promised Perfect Peace
And
Rest In Christ Jesus:
Give Him Control Of 

Satan's Intending-To-Hang-You Rope
And
Give Grateful Thanks And Praise!

Pervis!?!

Yes, Clancy!?!

Pervis, Do You Smell Smoke!?!

Can't Say That I Do, Clancy!

Pity, Because You're Blowing Smoke In My Face 

With That Remark!

Would You Care To Elaborate On That Derider!?!

I'll Be Glad To!

Who, But A Regulation Idiot

Would Be Thankful To God
For Satan Trying To Kill Them
And With, Of All Things
A Strangulation Rope!?!

Oh, I Thought You Were Coming At Me Hard!
That's A Real Soft Ball Pitch!

Excuuuuse Me!?!

You're Not Excused, My Friend
Because
I'm Now Gonna Preach To You!

I'm Listening 

And You May Preach All You Want
But Rest Assured, Old Friend O'Mine
You Ain't Getting No Offering

And I Ain't Answering No Altar Call!

Very Well!
It's Your Ears That I'm A-needing!

The Child
The Student
The Servant
The Fool For Christ
The Regenerated Christian
The One Who Reads ... Who Hears
Who Believes:

KJV 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Is 

The One Who Will Willingly, Wisely, Give Thanks To God
Through Tests, Trials, Torments ... Tribulation!

It Can Be Very Difficult
To Give Thanks To The Living God
In The Midst Of Sorrow, Shame, Emotional Hurt
And
Physical Pain
But
By The Grace Of The Eternal God ... We Must!

Giving Thanks When Times Are Terrific Is Easy
But
In Tough Times ... Not So Much! 

The Lord Desires Us To Be Thankful 

Because
We Are His Peculiar Treasure
And
We Are Under His Guardianship
And As Such 

We Are Never, Ever, Alone!

Our Thanks 

Is 

An Indicator Of Our Trust
And
Our Belief In His Love
His Care, Help, Healing
Leading, Provision
And
His All-Around Ability 

To Bless Us Even When We Don't See Him
Or The Day's Light!

We Are Not Forgotten
- Neither Are We Forsaken -
So We Can More Than Afford
To Give Almighty God Thanks
All Day ... Every Day!

You Should Be Aware ...

When The Provider And Guarantor Of Your Peace
Is 

The Creator Of The Universe
Who Laid Down His Life
To Purchase You A Get-Home-Safe
Ticket To Paradise
To Inhabit A Place In One Of The Mansions Of The Blessed
To Eat From The Tree Of Life
To Drink Of The Water From The River Of Life
To Wear The Robe Of Christ's Righteousness
To Wear The Victor's Crown
To Range To Worlds Unknown
And
Tell Our Unfallen Brethren ...  From Experience
The Story Of Salvation
You Can Boldly, Bluntly, Tell Satan ...!

... Bite Me Twice In Three Places!
I'm Giving God Praise
And I'm Thankful For Grace! 

Jesus Christ Is The Captain Of My Ship

And I'm Going Home To Glory With Him Soon
Where, For You, Satan
There Will Never Again Be A Place!

Hmmm! 

You Learn Real Quick!
Your Comment Is Not Strictly Biblical 

With The Bite Me Thing
But
Otherwise ... It's Perfect! 

Good!

What's For Lunch!?!

WILLFUL DISOBEDIENCE: Where's The Peace!?!

We Who Call Ourselves The People Of God
Who Swear By Our Parents' Faith
Who Have Found Our Own Faith
Who Dare To Speak ... By Agenda  ... Influencing Others
Would Greatly Benefit Self ... And Others
If
We Would Talk Less And Pray More!

Falling Away ...

I Am Appalled!

One Mommy Said That 

She Gave Up Her Faith In God 

To Protect Her Child In Their Chosen Lifestyle!

One Child Said That 

Her Mother Has More Faith In Her 

Than She Has In Any God!

One Pastor Gave Up His Decades-Long Christian Ministry 

To Be An Ally, An Advocate

A Help For And To His Son In His Preferred Lifestyle!

Several Ministers, Professors In Academia

And 

Several "Christian" Physicians Agreed 

And 

Decided That
The Immutable Word Of God Is Erroneous 

Existing Out Of Touch And Time

And 

Certain Texts

Offensive To Sensitive, Fallen, Man's Sensibilities

"Needed" To Be Erased From The Canon!

Isn't The Creator God Still Seated On His Throne!?!

Aren't We Creatures Still Subject To The Will

The Sovereign Will Of 

The Eternal God ... Alone!?!

 Suprise: No Surprise ...

Our Feet Dance 

To The Rhythm That Our Engaged Heart Beats! 

Doubt In The Goodness, The Blessings
The Benefits From Almighty God

 Causes Us To Look Around ... Left, Right, And Behind

To See Who Has What

And
To See Who Is Apparently "Prospering"
Even Though We Know It Is From Known-Evil Activity!

In This Light

We Would Do Well To Remember Lot's Wife
Who Looked Back ... After Having Experienced 

The Visibly-Plain Salvation Of The Lord! 

Mrs. Lot Dearly Cherished What Could Be Replaced
And
Boldly, Willfully, Despised
The Blessing Of God ... Which Makes One Truly Rich
And
As Warned

Perished For Her Gross Folly!

She Is Damned Forever!
She Will Be Consumed In The Lake Of Fire!

Pointed Questions Must Be Asked ...

How Does Enabling Known-Sin 

Benefit The Willful-Sinner And The Complicit Enabler

And

Where Will They Spend Their "Profits!?!"

What Makes This Behavior Different
From What Lucifer The Liar Did In Heaven!?!

Why Would We Even Dare To Believe That
The Almighty God Glorious
Will Handle This Bold Treachery
Any Less Firmly That He Did Lucifer's!?!

Know The Right ...

He Who Is Not Sowing With The Lord Christ
Is
Plucking Up That Which Was Planted!
He Is A Destroyer!

He Who Is Not Willing To Give Up

All Things

- Relationships, Associations

Houses, Lands -

For The Love Of The Lord

Shall Not Enter Into Eternal Life!

We, All, As Regenerated Christians
Must Reach The One-Way Path 

And 

Make The Final Decision
To Commit To The Lord Christ Completely
And
Willingly Let Go Of People

- The Silken Cords Of Affection -

Husbands, Wives, Brothers, Sisters,
Children, Friends, Relations
Well-Wishers And Even Beloved Naysayers
And
Head To Zion ... No Looking Back
No Doubting The Will
Nor The Way

Nor The Ways Of The Lord!

It Is Hard
But
Assuredly Doable

Because

We Will Be Equipped For The Fray!

Do We Desire Sure Salvation For Our Loved Ones!?!

Of Course!

Since We Do

Are We To Be Willing To Give Up Eternal Prosperity
For Fleeting, Temporal, Tawdry, Emotionalism 

And 

Unprofitable Gain!?!

No! A Thousand Times, No!

A Personal Note ...

I Am Encouraging The Child Of My Loins
To Make His Decision For Christ
So That We Will Meet Up In The Eternal City!

I've Also Made It "Rabidly" Plain That
Whether He Chooses To Get To Heaven ... Or Not
I Intend, By God's Grace, To Get There! 

If He Chooses Not To Make The Journey

- It Is A Choice -

I Will Miss Him During That Period Before The Lord
Wipes Away All Tears From Our Eyes
And
After That
"I Don't Want To Be You!"

Brethren,

Every Single, Solitary, Thing, Emotion, Desire
On Planet Earth
That Excludes The Lord Christ
Is 

A Waste Of Time, Talent, Energy, Life
And
Not Worthy Of Our Acceptance!

The Lord Doesn't Sleep
Is Not Blind
Is Not Unfeeling
And
Doesn't Stutter!

The Lord Is Not A Man
And
He Cannot Lie!

The Lord Asks Us To Pray ... Always
- Unceasingly -
And
In The Instant The Need Arises!

You Know Its Name ...

All Lawlessness Is Sin!
All Willful Sin Is Presumptuousness

And

If You, For A Moment, Doubted It
Check Judge Samson, King Saul,
Ananias And Sapphira, Disciple Judas

And Hophni And Phineas!

All Unrepented Of Sin

Is

Sin Unforgiven! 

Disobedience 

Is 

As The Sin Of Witchcraft
And
Witchcraft Is An Abomination
In The Holy Sight Of The Eternal God!

No One Boldly, Willfully, Living An Abominable Lifestyle
Shall See The Lord Christ In Peace
Or Enter Into Eternal Life!

And, Furthermore ...

There Will Not Be Any Immortal Sinners
No Matter Which Religious Denomination 

Deceitfully Dares Say Otherwise!

Immortality Is The Domain Of The Divine God
And
Only Those Who Adhere To His Particulars
Will Enjoy The Gift Promised
To His Faithful, Obedient, Enduring
Aka Self-Denying Children
To Be Given!

Trust God Wholeheartedly

And
Diligently, Importunately, Pray For People
And
Choose To Live By Faith
Not Unholy, Immoral, Changeable
Fickle Eye-Sight!

Omniscience Is Always Better For Us!

I, Praying

Know That We, Willing, Faithful

- Obedient Unto Death -
Shall See Our Jesus In Perfect Peace!

I Pray That You Will See It The Same Way!

REMEMBER:

Anything The Lord Asks Us To Do
Is 

Achievable
Because
He Equips Us With The Means
To Gain Success
Aka The Blessing!

When You Know The Right

You Must Not Neglect

To Do The Will Of God

Or

To Walk In The Ways Of Righteousness

Else

You Become The Same As The One

Who Knew To Do Right

And

Chose To Do Wrong:

Punishment Is Meted Out

For

Sins Of Commission

And

Sins Of Omission

For Willful Sin

And

For Facilitating Sinning!

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

Jesus Christ Cannot Make Mistakes

And

Obedience To His Will

Pays Off Eternally Gloriously!!

Impressed With The Creature!?!

I Was Impressed With The Creature
Until
I Came To Personally Know The Creator!

I Was Impressed With The Sight Of Earthly Mansions
Until 
I Learned Of And Then Couldn't Get My Mind Around
The Thought Of The Father's Many Mansions In Glory!
I Can't Even Visualize Glory!

I Was Impressed With The Idea Of Earthly Riches
Until 
I Realized That In Heaven 
I Shall Walk On Streets Of Gold!

I Was Impressed With The Pleasures Of Earth
Until 
I Understood That
The Things God Has Prepared For His People
Eye Has Not Seen
Ear Has Not Heard
And
To Put It Plainly
The Half Has Never Been Told!

When I Consider The Gift Of Eternity
Time On Earth Is Not Even A Jot!

When I Consider Life Eternal
The Life Of Sin Is Not Worth A Tittle!

When I Consider That I Shall Have Wings
Like The Eagle
The Jet-Setting Class Really Looks Shallow 
And 
Their Efforts To Impress Are, Indeed, Feeble!

I Am No Longer Impressed With Airs And Graces!
I Am Humbled That Jesus Christ Left Heavenly Places
To Come To Earth
To Live As I Live
To Show Me The Way To Righteously Live
So That I May Live In Eternity With Him!

I Have Sure And Secure Goals
And
If I Have To Walk On Coals
Go Down To The Depths Of The Sea
Cross The Desert Of Despair
And
Off My Head, Lose Every Hair
And
Ultimately Surrender The Only Life I Have To Give
At The Time Appointed
Eternity With Christ 
Is 
Where The Brethren Shall See Me!
The Lord's Gifts Are Not Given In A Sieve!

By His Grace, I Shall Not The Lord's Dear Name Disgrace!
I Am Choosing With Him To Take My Place!
I Am A Child, A Student, A Servant
And
I Am Laying Claim To My Gift Of Life Eternal
And
The Treasures That Lead Me Safely There
I Am Eagerly Unwrapping And Unpacking
And
To Get Known Sin Out Of My Life
Selfish, Self-Serving, Self, I Am Attacking
Because
With Jesus As My Help, My Hope
My Guardian, Guide, And Stay
No Gift Of Love
For My Good
For His Glory
Will I Ever By Lacking!

I Have Peace, Perfect Peace, With The Master 
Who Does Not Stint On The Blessings
Who Is Willing The Repentant Sinner To Forgive
Who Extends The Helping, Holy, Hand
To The Child Who Sees His Need
And
Who To, And Through, Green Pastures
His Obedient Sheep He Gently Leads!

Truth Be Now Told
I Am No Longer Impressed With Fallen Man Bold
Because
I Know ... For Real
The Holy Son Of God
The Creator
My God
The Soon-Returning King
The Loving Son Of Man!

Let's Walk Together, Brethren
To The Heavenly Land!

TRAVEL BAGS: Heading For Heaven!

It Is Almost Time 

To Leave For The One Journey

To The Eternal Home! 

We Pack For Every Other Journey

But

For This Journey

We Must Strenuously Unpack

Or We Will Never Get Home!

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

What's In Your Travel Bag!?!

What Travel Bag!?!
I'm Not Going Anywhere!

Suit Yourself!

What Do You Mean By That Remark!?!

Nothing! Nothing At All!

Oh, No, You Don't!
Your Nothing At All Is Always Something!
I Know You, So Out With It!

Since You Asked So Nicely, I'll Tell You!

When "You" Are Going Away
You Pack Pants, Shirts, Dresses
Underwear, Toothbrush, Toothpaste

Shoes, Socks, Stockings

Coat, Jackets 

All According To Gender

All According To Season 

And
Fancy Attire As Befits The Reason

And

If You Are So Inclined
You Even Pack Craft Supplies
Reading Material
Cross-Word Puzzles And The Like
And
For All Your Trouble Making Sure
Not To Forget Anything "Important"
You End  Up With Too Many Items

Engendering Outsize Baggage

And 
Overweight Charges

Or

You End Up With Too Few Items

And 
Find You Have Forgotten A Necessary Item

And

Then Have To Make An Unexpected Purchase

Which You Did Not Factor Into Your Trip Expense

And

Thereby Causing A Debit Or Credit Card Charge

And

Then You're Angry, Upset 

Unsettled, Unfocused, Anxious 

Off Your Game, Unhappy, Unproductive

No Fun To Be Around! 

Okaaay! I Feel You!

Now ... When Going To Heaven

We Must Unpack Our Brand-Name

Mortal-Man Exclusive-To-The-Race

Stained-By-Sin
Compliments Of Satan, Bags! 

If We Are To Meet 
The Restricted Character Requirement
We Must Cast Away Pride, Lust, Envy, Greed

Self, Sin, Pet Sin, Besetting Sin

Vainglory, Gainsaying, Doubt, Disbelief

Selfish Desire, Self-Satisfaction

Murder, Hate, Hopelessness

Covetousness, Idol Worship

Swearing Falsely, Cursing Your Brethren

And The Like! 

Good Gracious! 

I've Never Considered That Side Of Life! 

Maybe You Should! 

I Most Certainly Will! 

Let Me Ask You A Question Though, Fergus!?!

Go Ahead, Bram!

You've Got Me Seriously Thinking
And Now I Want To Know
What Are You, Personally
Are Putting Into You Heaven-Bound Baggage! 

I'm Putting All Things That Will Withstand Fire
All Things That Are Intangible!
Mind You, It's A Work In Progress
But 
I'm Puting My Name ... My Character 

- My Life In Christ -
Self-Denial

Faith, Hope, Obedience 

Confessed And Repented-Of Sin

My Willing Work To Help Further The Gospel

My Acceptance Of The Truth As Found It In Jesus

My Enduring All Things For Jesus
My Trust In The Promises Of God

Love For And Service To My Fellow Man

My Longing To Be With Jesus 

My Footprint On The Rock Of Ages

Upon Which, Upon Whom I, On Faith 

Believing 

Willingly, Eagerly, Stand! 

Let's Just Understand One Thing:

Nothing That Reeks Of Sin

Shall Enter The Heavenly Realm! 

So, I Guess ... I Shall Say

- In Shorthand Version -

Clean I Came ... And Clean I Shall Go! 

I Couldn't Have Said It Better!

HEARTACHE-HEARTBREAK: Do You Know Jesus Christ The Lord!?!

Intense Craving
No Back-Bone
Lucy Look-Back
And
No Discernment Were Doing The "Usual"
Carping, Complaining
Crying And Cursing
And
In Their Hearts
They Were Suffering From That Devilish Disease
"To Egypt Crawl-Back!"

They Were Into "Let's Have A Lack Attack!" 

They Were Strangers To Truth ... To Undisputed Facts! 
The Lord God Almighty
Just, Faithful, Kind And True
Had Drawn Them Out Of The Cesspit Of Sin
And
Had Them Headed To The Promised Land
And ... Yet ...! 

Let's Backtrack To Go Forward ...

Their Lord Is Holy!

He Is Faithful To His Living Word! 

He Is Jealous Of His Name!

He Judges Righteously! 

He Is The King, Kind!

He Gives Perfect Peace

And

Provides Peaceful Rest!

He Listens. 

He Loves Them ... Sacrificially!

He Gives Good Gifts ... Exponentially!

He Is Near

And

For Each Purchased Soul

He Diligently Cares

And

He Forgets Not His Own

And, Yet ... !?!

Ingratitude Abounds ...

Many Of His Children Called
Distrust His Word 

Doubt His Promises

Gainsay His Law

And

They Even Impugn His Good Name! 

Time For Introspection ...

Do They Know Him ... For Real!?! 

The Question Is On The Table:

How Can YOU Worship

How Do YOU Reverence

The God Of All Grace

The King Of Earth And Glory

The Master Of The Wind And The Waves

The Judge Of All Flesh

If You Don't Personally Know

Who He Is!?! 

As The World Turns ...

If The Lord Christ Were A Pop Star

You Would Know His Bona Fides! 

You Would Know Every Song In His Catalog

His Every Hit

His Every Miss

The Food He Eats

The Clothes He Wears

The Brands He Purveys

Every Quotable Quote He Says

What He Drinks

What He Thinks

What He Drives

How He In The High-Stakes Poker Game Survives! 

By Your High-Level Presence 

By Your Financial Support

You Would Cause His Bottom Line To Substantially Thrive! 

You Would Defend His Name

His Honor 

His Character!

You Would Wear Your "Love" For Him

On Your Tongue 

On Your Head

In Your Heart 

On Your Back

On Your Bottom 

On Your Feet

And

On Your Well-Fitting 

In Fashion, Ever-Current Sleeve!

As The Stomach Churns ... 

The Pop Star Doesn't Know You Personally

Doesn't Care Whether You Live, Thrive Or Die

Cares Only For Your Coin Spent In His Behalf
And

Does Not Call Your Name And Mourn Over You

When From Sin You Refuse To Depart! 

The Pop Singer Cannot Guide You

Into Eternal Truth!

He Will Not Prepare A Personal Place For You 
In His Or His Father's Palatial Home!

The Pop Star Is Not Instantly Or Ever Available To You 

On His Not-Dedicated To You Telephone

And

He Gives Not One Whit Whether You Call Him At Home!

Depart From Idolatry ... 

It's Sad, Really! 

Pop Star Proud Gets Almighty God's Glory: 

You Can Tell In Detail 
The Pop Star's Personal Life And Times' Story! 

You Sing Of Him

With Him
And

You Pine For Him

But, Beloved 

You Will Never Receive A Personal Invitation

With Custom-Made To Fit You Clothing

Transportation

Protective Detail

To Dine Exclusively With Him

Where He Will Serve You His Dinner!

Let Reality Bite ...

Jesus Christ, Alone
Is 
Able To Save You Utterly

But

You Know And Crave The One

Who Enslaves You Utterly

With Flights Of Folly, Foolishness 

Fancy And Fantasy! 

It's Time To Reorder Our Steps

By The Grace Of The Eternal God

And

Start Really Praying For Rain! 

Don't Know What To Say!?! 

Not Knowing What To Say 

Isn't A Good Reason To Cease Praying!

Prayer 

Is 

Two-Way Communication 

With The Friend Who Is Almighty God

Who Understands

And 

Who Always Accepts The Prayer Of Faith! 

Not Getting Whatever You Want!?! 

Accept Almighty God's Answers With Gratitude 

Especially When The Answer Is No, Or Wait! 

His Response Is Always What Is Good For You
And 
For His Glory! 

Heads Up ...

The Lord Loves You Personally: Believe It!

Reach Out And Touch The Hand Of Love 

Presently Extended You 

In This The Time Of Probation! 

The Living Make Decisions For Life

Or For Death ... No Coercion! 

The Dead Man's Decision-Making Ability

Ceases

In The Instant He Ceased From Having

The Breath Of Life

From Our Creator God

Jesus Christ The Lord! 

It Is We, Living, Who Can Decide
What Our Reward Will Be
By Our Personal Decision-Making
And
Nobody But Christ Can Deliver The Goods!

Isn't It Time That He Becomes To You
Your Forever And True Friend!?!

Brethren, 

It Is Time

To Lovingly, Intimately, Know The True Friend Personally

Who Really Does Well And Truly Know You
Knows Your Name
Knows Your Frame!