When Recognition Truly Dawns ... In Prayer!

A Prayer Is The Cry Of The Soul

AND

Because The Holy Spirit

Is There To Bless And Teach

And

Groan In Intercession

In Our Stead

And Chide And Guide

We Learn ... Even As We Pray!

I Was Saying My Prayers One Morning ...

Lord,

Please Grant The Officers

Wisdom And Understanding

And

Protection And Direction

And

Grant To The Soul In Mortal Distress

Care And Comfort

And

Help And Healing

All Accordingly To Your Will

And

In Your Way!

Pity Us All, Lord

And

Do For Us What None

But

A Holy God Can Do! ...

And ... I Stopped

For I
In That Short Moment
Honestly Realized
AND
Recognized Suddenly
AND
Appreciated Thoroughly
That There Is
No Other Being aka Satan
Wannabe God
Mere Man
False God
Idol
Holy Man
Man Thinking Himself As God
Priest Acting As If He Is God
That Can Deliver On The Stated Request
For Blessings
As I Had Just Put Forth
In My Prayer!

How Shocked
Totally Not Shocked
I Am!

Grace And Mercy
Are Met Together
In Our Father's Hands!

Pitying Love
AND
Gentle Caring
Reigns Down Upon Us
From Grand Heaven Above!

Peace And Rest
Combine To Give Us
Respite
From The World
AND
Truth And Light
Combine To Give Us
Ammunition
With Which To Fight The Churl!

Sanctification
Justification
Sustenance
AND
Provision, Too
All Come From The Heart
Of Him Who Made Us
Along With
Forgiveness
Salvation
AND
Redemption, True!

And ...

To Top It All Off
Our Creator
AND
Redeemer
Designates Himself
Our Very Best Friend
The Friend Who Sticks Closer Than Any Brother
The Friend Who Can Our Sickness Unto Death Mend
AND
Raise Us Unto Eternal Life
In The Day
That The End Of The Beginning Shall Cease
AND
The Beginning Of No End
Unto Us
Shall Be Released!

My Heart
In This Is Well Satisfied
AND
So I Say ...

Lord,

Thank You

For Truly Showing Us

Who Is The Real God!

Thank You

For Truly Exposing To Us

Who Is

The Real God-Fraud!

Praise You, Lord

For Being Holy

And

Faithful

And

The Real Father

And

The Eternal God

That No One Can Truly Challenge

Or Ask

Why

How

What For

Do You Do

What You Do?!

Thank You, God

For Being You

For We Know That

Trusting You

Will See Us To The Great Day

When The Celebration Of New Life

Starts ... In Truth!

Bless You, Lord!

We Love You

And

In Jesus Christ's Holy Name

We, Committed, Plea And Stand!

AMEN.

VESPERS AT THE END OF THE SABBATH: CHRISTIAN: - Tofu!

A Week Ago Last Tuesday
I Met A Good Christian!
He Said That His Name Is Tofu!
Thyme And Parsley Were His Coverings
AND
Powdered Seasonings Were His Shoes!

Three Days Later
I Saw A Good Christian!
He Said That I Knew Him! - His Name Was Tofu!
He Looked Different!
Barbecue Sauce Was His Covering!
AND
Pepper Flakes And Garlic Were His Shoes!

Hmmmm ...!

Today
I Met Up With A Good Christian
Calling Himself ... You Guessed It
Tofu!
AND
I Became A Bit Perplexed
For
His Clothing ... Again
Was New!

I Wondered ...
Is This A Chameleon?!

Clothed In
Potatoes Carrots
Sweet Pepper Thyme Onion
Scallions
Apple Cider Vinegar
Garlic Clove
Paprika
Hot Pepper Sauce
His Clothing Was Best Called A Melange!
His Fragrance Was Quite Aromatic
BUT
Fresh Thyme Sticks Were Between His Toes!
He Was Not Wearing Any Shoes!

I Asked:
Christian? Who Are You?

He Said: 
I Am Just Bland Tofu!

I Replied:
Tofu? Who Are You?
You Seem To Roll With The Times!

He Said:
Of Course!
I'm Bland By Myself
BUT
Put Me With Flavor-Full
AND
I Absorb Their Contents!
I Adapt To My Surroundings
So
My Host Is With Me
Ever Content!

I Gasped!
My Eyes Flared!
My Ears Burned!
My Stomach Churned!
I Closed My Eyes!
I Groaned
AND
I Shook My Head!

Tofu!
Don't You Know Whose You Are?!
Have You No Head?

Not Really!
You See
I Am A Pale Crushed-Pea Block
Organic 'Tis True - That Makes Me Special
But
I Am Not Much Of A Chew
Until
Someone Squeezes My Guts
And All The Water Comes Out
And They Slice Me
And They Dice Me
And They Sear Me On A Hot Dry Pan
Until A Tan On Me Sides Show Through!
I Don't Like It When They Do That
So
When They Put Me With Nice Things
I Hurriedly Grab Hold
So That Someone Would Take Me In
Laying Me Out On Plate
Or
In A Bowl!

But ...

Tofu!
You Are A Christian!
You Belong To The One!
The Creator Of The Aromatics
So
You Should Not Be Running Around
With Sriracha And Ground Black Pepper Corns!

The Master Has Called You!
Be Wise
AND
Accept The Offered Place
For It Comes With Mercy's Clothing
AND
Love
Manufactured By Available Grace!
You Get An Infusion Of Hope
AND
Oil Of The Holy Spirit
AND
You Get Influenced By Holy Angels
To Walk In The Truth
Spreading Light!

Really!? Truly?!

Yes!
Did You Not Know?

No!
I Though I Had To Act
According To My Nature
AND
Run With Whomever
Invited Me With Them To Go!

No, Tofu! No!
You May Have Been Bland Tofu - A Christian
But Now
You ... REBORN!
You Are
Last Name: CHRISTIAN
First Name: Tofu

Wear Your Last Name Proudly!
Respond To Christian Loudly!
Speak What The Master Gave To You -
It Is Your Reborn Birth-Right!
AND
Dismiss All Those Hangers-On
AND
Live Right 
In God's Eyesight!

If You Are Going To Be Eaten
Make Sure That Whoever Eats You
Knows
You True Flavor's Taste!
Absorb The Good
AND
Perfect Gift Of Blessings Of 
The Master
AND
Leave The World On A High Note
Making All Regret
That There Is No More Of You Left
For Another Sweet Mouth Taste!

Take The Grace!
Don't Be A Tasteless Disgrace!

Thanks For The Tip!
Time To Turn Me!
Give Me A Gentle Flip!

Tofuuu!

HAPPY SABBATH + PRAYER: A Hope To Hold!

Father,
I Truly Love Your Artistry
Displayed In The Amazing
Simply Awesome
Soul-Stirring
Works Of Your Hand!

I Remember
Even As A Child
Gazing Upward
And Seeing A Cloud Drawing
And Becoming Hopelessly
Awestruck And Inspired
And Calling Out To All:

Did You See What I Just Saw!

I Saw Over There An Elephant
Over Yonder A Floppy-Eared Puppy Dog
To My Right A Racing Dragon
Dead Ahead A Shoal Of Fishes Floating
And
Even To My Then Child's Mind
Child-Sized Angels Floating, Floating!
Father!
You Do Thrilling Work
And I Am Blessed!

But, Then, Lord
I Grew Up
And Stopped Looking Up
And Started Looking In
And Gazing Instead
Around And Down
And Became So Obsessively Consumed
With Man's Vain Work
And
Striving For Daily Bread
That I Practically Forgot
That Life Is Not All Work!
I Forgot To Commune!
I Forgot To Stop And Just Breathe!
I Forgot To Sincerely Worship!
I Just Did That With Which I Was Pleased!
Forgive Me!

Life Changed ... Again
And, Then
I Finally Realized That
You Did Not Stop Painting
Drawing Or Coloring!
It Was I Who Stopped Gazing
And
In A Starkly Clear Awareness
A Benevolent Act Of The Will
I Could Again See
And
I Again Started Looking Up To The Sky
Blue 
Grey
Cloudy
Stormy
Starry
Cloudless
And Also Looking 
- Even If Only At Second-Hand Pictures -
And Enjoying Again
The Bounty From The Hand Of The Master
The Creator Of All
The Sustainer Of All
Who
For My Personal Upliftment
Paints Pastoral Scenes
Sea Scapes
Mountain Ranges
Raging Storms
Windswept Plains
Portraits Of
A Child New Born
A Rugged Face Of A Weary Worker
A Gnarled Old Hand
A Warm Embrace
A Dewey Eye
A Racing Tear
A Smiling Face
A Serene Display
Not Every Picture In The Distance
Some ... Up Close
Some Pictures ... A Scent
A Noise
A Touch
A Hope
From Love ... Everlasting
My Blessed Hope
A Hope To Have
To Hold
From This Day Onward
Until I Shall Die
Or
You Shall Come
And, Then
For All Eternity
My Hope Realized
With My Own Eyes ... To Behold!

Thank You, Father!
Your Gift To Me
It Does Not Float
For It Is Anchored
In My Heart ... So Solidly
That I Look Up
And I See The Distant Shore
Just Within Sight
So Far ... Yet So Near!

I Can See The Lightning!
I Can Hear And Feel The Thunder!
I Can Hear The Trumpet!
I Can Hear ... I Can Hear ...!
My Lord ... Is Oh, So, Near ...!
That Which Is Now Distant
Is Coming For Me ... Right Here!

Thank You For The Works Of Heart
For Through Them
I Know That I Have Nothing
From This Life To Fear
Because ... Because
My Father Is Still Sitting Upon His Throne
Sending Me Messages
Holding My Hand
Telling Me Clearly
That He Is Still In Command!

I Love You, Lord!
Please Come Soon!
AMEN.

PRAYER : Oh, Lord, You Are My God!

Father,

I Have No Other God But You!

I Come Before You Because

It Is Your Love

And
Blessing

That I Humbly Seek!

I Am Weak -  You Are Strength!

I Am Blind - You Are Sight!

I Am Hungry - You Are The Daily Bread

Without Which

I Choose Not To The Table To Be Led!

I Have Mortal Needs - You Are Supply!

I Have Jesus' Faith

So Protect Me

E'er I Die!

I Hope!

Lord, Please Help!

Satan Is Setting Up His Roadblocks

But

I Know You Already Gained For Me

The Victory

Against That Wicked Whelp!

I Trust In You For Provision

For Sustenance

For Salvation

For Sanity

And

I Lean On You

Great God Of All That You Survey

And

I Plead, Dear Lord

That You Help Me

Never Again To Stray

From The Holy Pathway!

My Eyes Have Not Seen

Neither Have My Ears

Nor Yet Has My Being Experienced

What You Have For Your Beloved Prepared!
I Long To See!
I Long To Be!
I Long, Lord, To Live With Thee!

Lord,

Please Grant Unto Me

The Earthly Experience

That Positions Me

To Grasp
And
To Hold
All That Is Heavenly

When

After Enduring

My Tests And My Trials

I Shall My Loving

Redeeming Savior

In All His Glory

Behold!

Let Not Pride Fall Me!

Let Not Faith Fail Me!

Let Not Mine Heart

Become Entangled

With The Things That Cost

But Let Me

Be Cleansed Of All Things

Feelings

Desires
Hopes

That Are Nothing But Burdening Dross!
Lord, I Willingly, Daily, Bear My Cross
For I Have No Desire To Suffer
Eternal Loss!

You Are My God!

I Praise And Worship You!

You Are My Song

And
Today And Forever

From This Moment On

I Shall Sing

As Unto You I - Committed - Cling!

I Love You, Lord!

And I Lift My Voice...!

Amen.

CONFIDENCE: Not By Man's Might!

I Know What I Was!
AND
I Know What I Am!
I Know Not What I Shall Be
BUT
I Know That I Shall Be Like
The Captain
Of The Ship Of State
That Is Docked
In The Land Where
There Is The Tideless Sea!

I Walk By Faith!
I Don't Trust My Eyesight
For I Follow The Master
Whose Word Says
All Is Done By His Spirit
AND
Not By Power
Nor By Manly Might!

I Am Learning!
I Am Leaning!
I Am Trusting!
AND
I Am Praying
That The Lord
Will Help Me Ever To Be Obedient
To Do What He Says
AND
I Am Looking
Longingly
Toward The Land Where
Flesh Does Not Decay!

I Hear The Still Voice Of The Holy Spirit!
AND
I Hear The Clamoring Voice
Of The One Damned Who Will The Soul
Cause To Disobey
AND
I Pray That The God Of Heaven
Will Tune My Ears To Follow The Direction
That Leads To The Solid Rock
Whereupon My Faith In Jesus Christ
Shall Securely Stand!

I See Good!
I See Bad!
AND
I Pray That The Lord
Will Help Me To Choose To Do The Good
So That I Shall Be Able To
In The Day Of Final Award
Sing A Joyful Hallelujah
Before The Conquering King
The Then Returned
Holy Son Of Man!

I Live In Hope
Blessed Of Dear Grace
AND
I Believe
- With Confidence -
That Jesus Christ
Has Prepared For Me
- In His Father's House -
An Eternal Resting Place
Where Glorying In Jesus
Finds Fullest Expression
Not Devil-inspired Disgrace!

Friend,
I Desire That You Know
That Jesus Christ IS Soon Returning
AND
We All Should Give
Running To Sin
The Old Heave Ho!
It Will Not Be Easy!
It Shall Indeed Be Hard
BUT
The God Who Says To Do It
Has Given Unto All
A Measure Of The Faith
Of Jesus Christ
Who Walks With All
Who Would In Peace See
His Kingly
Gloriously
Shining Face!
What A Blessed Relief That Will Be!

The Spirit Of The Lord
Abides
AND
Guides
AND
Chides!
The Spirit Also Comforts
All Who Would
Their Eternal Destiny
In Jesus Christ
Commit And Confide!
Ask God For His Holy Spirit!

Pray  ... Without Ceasing!
Trust God  ... We Shall Soon Be Earth Leaving!
AND
Trust Not  ... In Your Own Understanding For
THEN
Satan - BY GOD'S GRACE -
Won't You Ever Be Deceiving!

Holiness Is Unto The Lord!

COSTLY THINGS: Flee From Sin And ... Be Free!

Committing Sin
Is Never An Accident!
Committing Sin
Is A Natural Act Of The Will!
Committing Sin
- For Want Of A Better Explanation -
Is Man Doing
What He Thinks
Will
His Lustful Heart
Substantially Fill!

I Can Speak
With Authority
On The Issue Of Sin
For
I'm A Part Of Man!
I Have Sinned!
I Have Fallen Short
Of The Glory Of God
AND
I Can See
That Sin Costs
Even Though
It Temporarily Thrills!

Sin ...!
A Mere Thought Of ...!
A Moment To Blink And ...!
A Moment To Consider If ...!
A Selfish Moment Because ...!

And ... Then

A Selfish Moment
Becomes
A Cruel Choice 
Made ... In The Moment
That Will Impact The Very Soul
Becoming
An Act Of Besmirchment
AND
A Denial Of Christ's Right
To Completely
Our Created Being Fill!

We Were Made By Jesus Christ!
He Created Us For His Pleasure!
He Desires Our Love!
He Gives Us A Plain Choice In The Matter!
He Gave Each Human A Will!
He Gave Each Human A Way!
He Gave Unto Each Person
Free Stock In Life
- Now And Later -
To Be Bought By The Will For
Free
OR
Free
To Pay For
Costly!

Come On, Man!?!
How Do You Pay Costly
For What Is Sold For Free?!

You Are Free To Not Sin, Right?
Yes!
You Are Free To Sin Freely, Right?
Yes!
You Are Free To Accept Free Salvation, Right?
Yes!
You Are Free To Accept Free Damnation, Right?
Yes!

But ... Why Would Anyone Freely Accept Damnation?!
I Don't Get It!

Me Neither!
But That Is What Free Will
Free Choice
AND
Freedom
Does For Us!

Jesus Christ Is Fair!
Jesus Christ Is Clear:

Freely Accept Free AND Sure Salvation
AND
You Are In The Clear
For He Will Your Burdens Bear
OR
Deny Free Salvation
Carry Your Own Load
AND
Sure Damnation Is Your Share!

Toe The Line
OR
Cross The Line!
This Is The Word Of The Lord!
Accept It!
OR
Decline!

Upfront

Jesus Christ Makes It Plain That

Two Roads For Life

Are Always Available

To A Man Who

- By God-Given Right -

Is Born Free!

Put Another Way ...

One Road Is Being Obedient
Following Christ
Denying The Liar
AND
Foreswearing Not-Nice Vice
AND
Walking Truly Free
Getting Assured Victory Over Sin
AND
Yielding Up Self
AND
Self-Will
To Walk In The Right Way
That Will A Weak Human Being's
Seeking Soul
Thoroughly Fill!

OR ....

Taking The Easy Road
To Broad Street
AND
Accepting Man's Fallen Nature
As A Fait Accompli
AND
Following Natural Inclination
AND
Walking Willfully Wild
AND
Living As One Ungodly
AND
Casting One's Lot
With The Soiled Doves Of The Ages
AND
Consciously Sinning
Denying Conscience
AND
Boldly Saying:

After My Death
There Are No More Stages!
There Is Nothing Else To Come!
So ... I Am Going To Live Fast
And
I Shall Die Young
Because
I Will Not Be Confined
By That Sky God's Gilded Cages!
I Am Exercising My Free Will!
I Am Walking Wild!
I Am Turning All Of This Book Of Life's Pages
For
I See No Good Reason
To Deny My Self
Full Participation In
All Of This Wonderful Life's
Amazing Rages!

Self-Will

Walks Along

Care-Less Way!

Sin Is An Act Of Will!
Sin Will Never Satisfy
Nor Fill!
Sin Is Like A Burning Fire
A Parched Earth
A Barren Womb
A Cold Tomb
Never Satisfied
Until
Complete Destruction Comes
AND
The Recipient Cries:

Too Soon! Too Soon!

Sin And Self!
AND
Self And Sin!
Are Sides Of The Same Coin
Separated
By The Fine Edge Of 
Reality
Just Awaiting A Spin
That Leads
- Inevitably -
To A Screaming ...
Finality!

There Is No Escape From Sin
Unless
Jesus The Christ
By The Spirit Of Truth
Is Invited Into The Life
To Show One How
To Live True!

To Sin Is Natural!
To Not Sin
Is To Acknowledge
Truthfully
That We Are Sinners
In Need Of Christ's Salvation
AND
Willingly
Giving Up Self To The Savior
AND
Accepting Free Grace
AND
Trusting By Christ's Faith
In The Faithfulness Of Jesus Christ
To Lead His Dear Children
Along A Right Path
Of Self-Denial
Temperance
AND
Prayer
Sheltered
Protected
In The Holy God's Care
Dependent Upon Our Father
AND
Walking In Wise Ways
Surrounded By Holy Angels
- God's Minister's Spirits -
Distrusting Of One's Own Personal Care
Because
Self-Reliance
Is A Lie
AND
A Lie
Is Sin
AND
Sin Is Of The Devil
AND
We Know That The Devil Can't
Against A Holy God
Win!

I Hear That!!

Flee From Sin

AND

Be Free!