Constance

The aim of my blog is to create and communicate what God has given me. The truth about my motives is that I have constantly gone back and forth in my mind about how I will be received. God has been patiently blessing me with all these years of living and learning. I am unremarkable ,but yet have a testimony. The fear of being judged by God led me to confess my sins and place my faith in Jesus years ago. I confessed with my mouth and believed in my heart that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God.

Maybe you reading this have heard me say this before but maybe you haven’t come into the same faith In Jesus. Friend if you have come to believe in Jesus, you may have thought of the Judgement Seat. God has judged the world. God is near. He plainly states in John 12:48, “There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.”

I challenge all who read this get saved! Repent, change direction. Trust Jesus for your life. Confess and believe! Now! The troubles in the world and your world are asking you each moment how will you respond to God’s invitation to be His? Whatever it is you plan on doing do it quickly.

” Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” John 3:18

Condemned already? That’s hard to take. If you find yourself pondering the judgement to come, please consider this word. The judgement doesn’t come haphazardly. God is not fretting over the judgement of unbelief. He has accurately judged correctly and intentionally. His right judgement stands forever. God is perfect in justice and motive. He didn’t intend for his right judgement to cover all of humanity but sin once it entered the world made the judgement of all a reality. God however, being a responsible parent with love for His wayward children made a way for His right judgement to be fulfilled and the children come to His feast of forever joy and love.

The privilege of being born into the Rich family was lost to me until I started to grow and visit friends households. I had the great experience of siblings that I loved and they loved me. My parents were exemplary. I reminisce the most about a Rich tradition of eating at the table together most every evening. We laughed and argued and sometimes sat in relative silence, but we were together. I may have rose colored glasses on as I think of my childhood, but I do remember wishing some of my friends could experience the joy in our home, especially during holiday dinners. It was so good. The great thing was many friends did have similar households, but when ever I did think someone was void of joy at home I would hope they would share in my joy some how. I had that hope and I didn’t think of the responsibilities and roles my parents fulfilled in order to have the home we shared. Even as I write I am getting misty eyed thinking of how good it all seemed. Of course now as I have lived for a while I see the responsibilities of adulthood and realize, the home my parents provided cost them everything ; time, money, energy and everything. The work and cost for a happy safe childhood falls on the parents.

Jesus called the God His Father. I am fascinated on how often the parental nature of God. He calls us, “children of God” John 1:12. As a grown man, I am still looking at the household I belong to and desire others to know the joy of God. Calling people, “The children of God “, is appropriate because much like natural born children we are not the ones responsible for our home. God is. He made His household available to any who chose to trust Jesus, John 3:16. Just like my childhood home God is preparing a feast of joy for all who would come to Him and receive Him like a child. The thing about my great childhood is that my parents let it be known that they did not have unlimited funds. They made it crystal clear I was not to be careless with our possessions. The cleanliness and order we had in our house came as a result of our following house rules and roles. I was born into the Rich household and therefore I conducted my self like a Rich and even if I didn’t behave my looks and actions would reveal my family identity. You see my parents had not only passed on traits of the Rich household but they identified with me intimate and profound ways. This is what families do.

Friend, you may think of the title of this blog and it may turn you off, but before you dismiss it. Think God about the judgement to come. You may have similar experiences with family or you may not, but God has made a way for you to enter the joy of His family. He paid for your whole life not just education and food but the whole deal. Jesus was not an after thought. “…who was slain from the creation of the world.” Revelation 13:8b NIV. Get it? Our rebellion along side the devil’s rebellion didn’t catch Daddy by surprise. He handled it and used the occasion to adopt more sons and daughters. I am now looking forward to the banquet of God. Join us?

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” John 3:36

This quote from the Gospel of John contrast the feast depicted in the above photo and the hell awaiting unbelievers. The harsh reality of God’s judgement does not need time to come into existence it is on the unbeliever right now. The gift of God is available right this moment. The invitation is present and available now. If you were hungry and found yourself without any means to get feed would you reject an invitation free food that is accompanied with a festival of love and care?

“Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb! And he added, ‘these are the true words of God.” Revelation 19:9

“Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes” Jim Carey ,Liar ,Liar movie.

The higher you think of someone or something is giving honor. The person of whom causes us to think in terms of their greatness and influence receives honor. Honor defined as high respect , as for worth, merit, or rank. I know that respect for people who receive honors is relative. The majority of people who honor others often desire to be also held in high honor. We studied a book in which challenges wives to respect their husbands unconditionally. The title of the book is Love and Respect written by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. The basis for the book is coming from the bible verse in Ephesians 5:33. The unconditional aspect of the respect that the author challenges the wives with is novel. I can not think I have every heard of anyone challenging people to give unconditional respect. This verse of scripture is showing the power the Bible has when it is read with the intent of following the commands and principles within it. I have come to agree with the author that this need for respect men have is a great secret that if used virtuously is powerful and effective. The need for honor or respect is universal for women and men, however the point of how important respect and honor are to a man’s intimate life is significantly more profound. The honor and respect subject is familiar to everyone. The challenge is finding one worthy. The “give respect where respect is due”, statement is widely used and understood. The problem many in our time of twitter and lack of privacy many are finding there ain’t not place to give honor. The wife who is privy to her husbands faults and her own needs find that the unconditional respect or honor to a flawed husband can be a great challenge. This is why the above quote of Jim Carey is relatable and funny. Let’s be honest once our lives are shared down to the most private and minuscule detail no one would really be due honor. The result of observation of ourselves leads us to a place where our need to respect and honor others is met with skeptical and negative thinking.

The odd thing is when someone who is found worthy of honor and respect is given respect and honor we are over joyed to have participated in giving the honor and respect due. Think , we all love our winning teams and many sports fans give respect and honor to their rivals should they see characteristics in them worthy. The study of war fare and war this same respect and honor due enemies is found in abundance. This shows the will to respect starts with a persons mind or decision. The supreme honor and respect one can give is to worship. The critical and skeptical are not allowed to enter in worship since they have found or are trying to find fault negates pure and true worship. I often have been disappointed with God and the results of situations upon which I prayed and asked Him to change. in spite of my disappointment I worshiped God, because I believed He still has a worthiness and a position of highest honor.

The desire for honor and respect is a natural human need. The respect and honor given to God however, is not a need for God. He demands the respect and honor because His being is so surpassing of the creation. The only way to approach the very maker of all things and people is to honor and respect. The issue then becomes who is God to us? The Messiah Jesus of Nazereth has been called Emanuel which the Bible interprets as God with us. God the creator walked with man the created. This is what life of Jesus means. The fact that we Christians worship Jesus ought not seem odd or out of place. The sinless life and miracle recorded of Jesus only reemphasizes the worthiness of Jesus. The good news is God is not wanting to destroy us just because we didn’t honor or respect Him in the past. The disrespect we showed Him was not the end of the story. God forgave our sins because the penalty for our sins was paid in full on the cross by Jesus ,and He wants us to believe in Jesus. He is worthy of honor because he didn’t leave us in our ignorance of His worthiness. He reintroduces His greatness in the life of Jesus, and continues to reintroduce Him to the world.

The worthiness of someone is not always evident by the natural eye. The person who deserves honor because of what he has done often proves this point. The person being honored in a banquet is often very evident. They often sit at the most visible table. Often are given honors and gifts that point out their honors. The irony is many of them honor others who made their honor a possibility. The secret guest can be parents ,co-workers, friends ect. The hour in which those who have been honored turn the spot light on how the honored give honor to the unsung among the crowd. There have been plenty of times where to the shame of those around them , they were not noticed or treated with the dignity and honor the honoree. God has known all along who honors and worships him. He even knows those who haven’t but will soon worship Him.

My beloved do you not see that all of creation is screaming out honor God and worship Him. You need not be embarrassed to realizing that God has honored Jesus and given Him the name that is above all names,(a place of honor). You may believe in a God, but do you know and honor the true God who wants you to be recognized as an honoree during the time of his honor banquet,( His second coming). The anticipation of His appearing is why I discuss His honor. I celebrate more and respect more in my old age because I realize time is short and I will be face to face with Jesus soon. I challenge you to read the end of the Bible and think of how great the banquet of God will be. Join like others have done. Give honor where honor is due. AMEN.

The comfort we find under an umbrella is refreshing ,but is not the only way to stay dry. Watching rain and preparing for it are strangely familiar and troublesome. Years ago ,I would play in the warm rain of summer ,manning my make shift boats in the swelling run off rivers of my neighborhood street. Once I got caught on the banks of a normally harmless creek. I slip off the muddy bank and fell headlong in the abnormally deep creek. I survived the creek water but almost didn’t survive the punishment for being drenched. The rain and my playtime have always carried this duality. The tropical rain could cancel a Little League baseball game and also make a football game a fun challenge. This is how I learned being safe in my parents care would not always coincide with my playful ambitions. The safety and security of the Rich household was predictable and consistent ,thank God. The familiarity of my safety and comfort led to my contempt for the predictability of it all. I had always fancied myself tough as a nail ,and admire the strength of ,”real men”. Despite my point of view ,I was under the watch and care of my mother. We can be under someone else’s care and not appreciated it or recognized it. This is an juvenile response to leadership and organization.

God’s providence placed me in a loving and safe family. You may or may not have had such an experience ,but life is sustained by care and safety. Let’s agree that the degree of safety and care can vary from neglect to spoiling. Ultimately, God is the giver of life and all living beings are in His care regardless of their attitude toward the family our great Care Giver allows us to experience.

My youthful rebellion ain’t go viral or making a best sellers list. Nonetheless ,I did act out many sinful impulses as child. I would ignore my parents lead when it came to my conduct outside of the household. Juvenile brains and behavior have been studied and explained many times and ways. It’s immature contempt for good safe mature decisions and actions of parents and those who care. The bible is full of many stories about how the people who had physically benefited from their relationship with God ,yet proceed to violate His law and subsequently go out from under his umbrella of protection. Look at Genesis and the story of Adam and Eve. Imagine Adam and Eve as juveniles under the care of a great King who is also their father. These juveniles had everything! Listen to the snake! The tempter sounds much like people I encountered who were successfully influenced my rebellion. How bout you? Replace the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil with what may have been a life changing youthful decision. Adam places the blame on everyone else making his conversation sound like a child. God provided salvation ,but not absolution. The cost was so heavy that we still can see the ramifications his disobedience today. Remembering my parents reactions during my childhood ,saved me ,but didn’t keep me from punishments.

The umbrella of God’s care in a rainy wicked world consist of bible and prayer and worship in obedience! The truth is youthful energy and inexperience are not excuses for our rebellion. Obedience in a life of faith in Jesus keeps us from entertaining flesh and sin. The bore of safety and comfort looks great to those who don’t have it. The comedian Sinbad gave a great story about safety and obedience. He reminisced about childhood and the street light curfew many households put on their children during his childhood. Once the street lights came on most of us had to go home and be in the house. Sinbad pointed out some children either didn’t go in or were not required to be home once the street lights came on. The anguish of looking outside and seeing someone still out doing what they wanted to do was a funny thought. The story had a moral to it. He pointed out that those same children who were out after the street lights came on are now inside looking at us outside through prison bars. This cautionary tell helps to change my view on what God commands do for us as we obey. The consequences of our actions often last longer then it took to do them. The umbrella work just like obedience to the commands of God. Make God known by your conduct faith and attitude. Worship and obey Him. Sure we could walk into the rain without His umbrella, but why?

Do you believe in generational curses? Curse definition; the expression of a wish that misfortune ,evil ,doom befall a person, group ect. I have often wondered why people talking about generational curses speak with conviction, I never felt. I have come to the conclusion there is no such curse pronounced in heaven. Children often make the same mistakes as their parents. The chances of me repeating some of my paternal sins are high ,but not inevitable. God is not a purveyor of injustice. God is just. A passage of scripture that seems to give me assurance that even if there is a curse for the generations. There is hope for those who desire righteousness

. “The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.” Ezekiel 18:20 NIV

“In those days people will no longer say, ‘ The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’. Instead, everyone will die for their own sin; whoever eats sour grapes-their own teeth will be set on edge. Jeremiah 31:29-30

The result of sin does shift outcomes of people who yet born, but we don’t need to give advantage to the devil by acting like the Israelites of antiquity. Professing curses on people just because of the sins of their forefathers and mothers. The subject of generational curse often comes up when talking in African-American culture. God does promise to punish sin: (Exodus 34:7) God desires repentance. The children who are part of this passage are not doomed just because of the sins. The sin is when they give into the sins of the past generations and thus are judged. This means everyone is going to have to give an account for their own actions even though they were born into sinful families and society.

We all are born in and inclined to sin. The advent of Jesus the Christ was preceded with a message of repentance by John the Baptist. God is not cruel ,but He is just. The fallen nature of mankind fails to execute justice because of unrighteousness. This does not excuse our willingness to rebel against heaven. The generational curse excuse appears to give us excuses for wicked and unrighteous behavior. The emphasis of repentance can help sinners be more receptive to the good news of Jesus Christ. Repentance can also enhance the spiritual life of believers. The black man in America has always been discussed from human view points. Speaking about his brokenness ,and lack ,or of the black community disadvantages moves the focus away from the good news of the Gospel. The tendency to focus on family and society issues can and do inform ,(sinners), black man, but the information is starved without the wisdom of God. Repentance means to change direction and thinking and behavior. God’s will is to draw near to those who repent and draw near the cross of Christ Jesus.

Many black men throughout our history from the least to the greatest have come to know Jesus and his saving power. The living God used them mightily to save others and themselves. The divine power of God’s message does not transfer simply by proximity or relationship. The vessel must be ready to be filled with the new life. How? The vessel must be emptied by repentance and then it can be filled. The family and societal thinking must be emptied so God can fill us with his wisdom.

This emptying or repentance is an process that can be of great benefit to anyone ready to make Jesus their master. God is not going to force us to be filled with His spirit we must empty ourselves and cooperate in being filled with God’s spirit. Many commentary on how to get rid of bad habits and how to change your thought life use the concept of replacing. Many black men will agree with their issues or problems, but making changes once knowledgeable has proven difficult. The knowledge of problems and hinderances must be accompanied with an earnest effort to replace thoughts and behavior that has hindered the change desired.

This is just how our mind(soul) works. What we focus on will be embedded in our subconscious and this becomes a hard wired thought and actions as a result. This can be positive but it often used in unproductive ways. The conversations focus on the negative nearly 3 times more than the positive or practical. Think of your focus like an crab in a barrel. Your focus is just one crab among many in the barrel. You want to get out of the barrel but you see how every time some crab gets on top the others drag him down just before he gets out. You see the problem and you even know the solution but since you are in the barrel with the all the crabs who keep yanking you out you fail to execute your escape. This is what I think talk of generational curse brings. The self evident issues have supernatural solutions. God is asking us will we look to Him for our release from the pot. The crab is acting out of instinct and this is how we are able to keep him in the pot with the rest of his family so we cook him in a well seasoned pot. The natural man is not willing to replace his instinct(worldly thinking ,self reliance), with God’s wisdom, and so he remains a delicacy of the devil and the world. I did see a crab get out of the pot once. Cooking crabs can be tricky. I was dutifully using long tongs to remove the last few crabs from my catch into the pot my Aunt had provided for our feast. I made the mistake of allowing a crab grab hold of my tongs and he managed to get a good enough hold that he was able to get out of the pot. He grabbed hold of the stove and he dragged himself and one other crab clean out the pot. Our focus is much like that crab. We can be aware of our problems and even be aware of how to solve them but until heaven’s wisdom takes preeminence; we will remain bound and shackled to our issues(crabs in a bucket).

Mankind is not a mere animal like a crab, but I think crabs in a pot convey some of our thinking. The crabs holding on to the crabs closest to the top might be cruel, or ignorant but both are operating on instinct. If we keep harping on generational curses, we might be acting just like the crabs holding each other down.

His ways are not our ways,(Isaiah 55:8).

If we only apply our limited human nature to our life we will be much life a crab in the pot. Crabs use their strong claws to live a common crab life. I have caught a few big crabs and marveled at their strength and size but they were eaten along with the rest of the smaller unremarkable crabs. The success of outstanding men in our community is much like the big crabs I eat. They suffer the same fate. The black men who share their insights and successes are needed. The mentors in our community who do share their lives with mentees are second to no one. However, the wisdom needed to guide and set sinners(black men), free must not be tied to any earthly wisdom. The threat of a divinely inspired slave revolt is much more menacing to the slavers than any other inspiration. The issue is generational curse talk indirectly advocates irresponsibility. The focus of our minds must be on freedom and obedience to the wisdom of God in Jesus. The world’s wealth and wisdom can only offer temporary freedom. The Gospel is offering more than happiness in the hereafter. God has made us free indeed. Hallelujah!

“because through Christ Jesus the law of the spirit who gives life has set you free from the power of sin and death.” Romans 8:2 NIV

The above verse has changed my thoughts on how our faith in Jesus ought affect our life. There are many verses that tell of the power in which believers have in Jesus. I have often avoided adopting this promise in practical ways into my life. The Lord God helped me grow into what the promise means. My struggles with my sin nature seemed to be always a losing proposal. I grew into a new strength,(over many years)that kept me moving forward in my, (sanctification), becoming Holy process. the strength came from a simple letting go and believing I was helpless without God doing it for me. I know it may seem to simple ,but that is what a new mind and spirit make happen. There are still struggles and I have often gone back to pick up what I left for God to carry, but He is gracious and gives me many more chances. The reason I pick them up is because I lose focus on my life’s purpose. We are here to worship and serve God. The deliverance in Jesus name ought resemble what the Holy Spirit empowers believers with ,(“power over sin and death”).

Black men and all sinners look to Jesus! The curses of the world and the world system are no match to the cross of Jesus Christ. We might find ourselves pulled in all directions but choose the narrow way. Choose obedience to Him. The narrow path can be full of crabs but the voice of the Spirit is trust worthy. He brings true deliverance.

Our politicians and social media have polarized America. My African-American heritage causes me to challenge all American political views. The Black man’s history in America has given me a great deal of healthy yet skeptical view of American politics. The health of my skeptical view is of course a matter of what you the reader might consider healthy, but I consider it healthy. The naivete of past generations reveal truth the truth of America’s hypocrisy. Our divided nation is not beyond repair. American history teaches us the impossible is possible. The unity we share in our country came at a great price. The price of unifying America was paid with the lives of generations before us. The story of America is not a fairy tale where all the people involved were righteous and pure. Many were like us with issues that blinded them. People do good and bad everyday. People on the left and right have agreed that in spite of the politicians and media use of negative and divisive energy has successfully derived power and influence appear boundless. Hopes of politics turn into more civil and constructive discourse look bleak.

“Hope springs eternal”, my mother use to say when we found ourselves in a disappointing predicament . Her quote from Alexander Pope a English poet of late 17th and early 18th century. The irony is he wrote his poetry during a time when my family would have been forbid to read and write because of slavery. The hope he wrote about did not extend to my enslaved black ancestor, because he spoke to free white European audience. The irony of a decedent of slaves quoting a white author from the time when his ancestors weren’t even considered human is big. These words were of the yearning and pleads of white folk. I don’t know the political view of Mr. Alexander Pope, but I suspect even if he was an abolitionist, many who read his poetry were not. I like the fact that my mother had been educated about this poet, but I dislike the history of his time. The memory of her using this quote during those times keeps me centered on the fact that through many terrible times, the USA has somehow grown into the mighty nation we see today. The might our nation wrought did not come without sins. The lies of manifest destiny and slavery have haunted our nation. The divide makes our history and today’s issues have opposite viewpoints yet intertwine us. Our nation that has been big enough to accommodate both. The accommodation I speak of is not peace among the people, but we all must admit the progress and prosperity has created a complacent people. The self interest god has hampered our community from changing for the better. The problems of the USA are no longer a personal thing to us. No, we would much rather keep our comfort level instead of working on all our interest. The politics of our nation have devolved into a giant daycare facility where no one seems to be adult enough to run it. Our,( daycare) country is full of cries. The question, ” who will pacify the children?”, is not the only issue. Who will stop being childish? Is the right question. America, we must take responsibility for our divisions. The issues of our neighbors needs to be met with actions that are responsible and mature. One adult with proper perspective can lead children into being responsible adults. Do our actions match that of an responsible and mature adult or do we show our irresponsibility and immaturity by our actions? My parents would investigate my troubles by asking me about what I did, and were quick to let me know they had no desire to hear about what others did. Whatever side of the aisle you may find your politics please add maturity and responsibility to their platform. America is in short supply of both maturity and responsible rhetoric. Jesus was not popular with the politics of His time because He challenged His disciples to live out their lives with good character being the politics of His Kingdom as they lived on this earth as sojourners. The world needs good responsible disciples with the maturity to allow heaven’s wisdom and love rule the day. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Mathew 6:33 NIV God bless you.

Do you have joy? I wonder if we can share our joy in our deepest connections? The sharing of life is joy. I think of the family and friends I have shared with through the years make me think of shared joy in the deeps. The joy I have in life are a result of how thought of events and relationships. Those that bring you greater joy cause even deeper pain. I wonder how many people think they are not able to experience deep abiding joy due to the pains related in their experiences and relationships. It is possible by some miracle my thoughts on joy in this blog are reaching one such joyless persons. If that is the case I would humbly ask you to read on. The lack of joy is not because of you are doomed to stay in the grips of a harsh reality griping your soul in it’s inescapable prison. I honestly relate with this type of incarceration. The pain of my depression and sadness feels more like a twin to my joy.

Twins are a good example of how great joy can be so closely related to our pain. The twins often have affinities for the same things, but can also be very distinct in taste and personalities. The difference between their physical makeup is hidden to people unfamiliar. Those familiar have less of a challenge. The twins can cooperate with each other through adulthood in clothing and style making their distinguishing features veiled. However, the distinctions do exist , and under the right circumstances the individuality of the twins will be either compelled voluntarily on involuntarily.

Friends we are all carrying with us our joys and sorrows. These are often below the surface, until we are challenged with life’s ebbs. The challenge is what kind of joy do we have? Learning something new is always a challenge that is uncomfortable. Leaning and comfort are not bedfellows. The joy of learning does not make a student smile and laugh through the process of learning. No, often the fear of new surroundings and the unknown have a different affect on one’s emotional being. Joy is so deep that it can help us move beyond our fears. Time has often robbed me of wide eyed joy of going beyond my fears. How about you? My wife taught me about learning and comfort. She took swimming lessons as an adult. She was determined to be able to swim in the deep waters of the pool with family as we vacationed. Her swimming instructor was out for a day and she was instructed by a different instructor. Watching form the side, I noticed my wife swimming along with her instructor walking alongside the pool. This was not familiar formula for my wife’s swimming career. She wanted the instructor to get in the pool alongside her as her regular instructor did. She would swim a along and suddenly stop. ” I need you to guide me in the water”, she would splash wiping water off her face. The instructor would calmly say you are doing fine keep going. This same conversation went on throughout the swimming lesson. The instructor was quite right she was swimming in almost perfect form, but when her fear over came her she would jump up pleading for more assistance. I couldn’t help laughing. I realized in those moments that of course she is anxious. She was learning. God shows us that our discomfort does not release us from learning and serving Him. God knows we live in unfamiliar waters of faith flailing along ,looking to feel his steady hand of assurance in the water next to us. Her instructor did a very wise thing she spoke to her with assurance ,”You are doing fine. I am right here.”

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Our joy is on our inward person, and is independent of our outward experience. Yes, I have found joy to be enhanced once I learned something new or had a victory. We often mistake our happiness for joy. God can get glory and we can get the advantage or be blessed, once we have decided to think on His goodness and His mercy despite not experiencing a “happy , or fun” situation. Much like in swimming lessons, life lessons can teach us to press on because joy can fuel our will into overdrive. Once in overdrive we can now withstand the negative or energy draining situations because He is coaching us to keep on going. He has not left us to drown in the pool.

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the Joy set before Him he endured the cross, scorning it’s shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:3

God endured the worst so we could join Him in the New Covenant made possible through the cross of Jesus. You are not far from your joy just keep in mind “The Pioneer” not only is with you and encouraging you, but He can relate to your situations and struggles. Invite Him and keep on inviting Him into your life.

Today, I am reattempting to write a blog that reflects my experiences and thoughts. Gratitude is my attitude since you are reading this today. I am ready to share stories and opinions. The reason I titled this “Start with the End”, is because I know one day the last blog will be posted and I will have expressed my last script. The title is not original. Dr. E. Dewey Smith Jr. my Pastor always reminds us, in his powerful preacher voice, ” God starts at the end and then backs up to the beginning.” The point is ;God has not only seen our tomorrow ,but He is present with us as we discover His love from our beginning to our end. My new start makes me wonder how my endeavor will end up, but I do find comfort in knowing the same God that loves us and will love and provide in the end.

I am married and with grown children. The married life has been a sincere joy. The world comes crashing down on marriages with avalanches of issues and concerns. Sometimes the avalanche will have me falling on her ,and her on me. You could be atop the highest mountain and still have stuff falling on you. God has prepared us to go on in His grace despite the adversity and loss we all experience.

Asking questions and voicing my thoughts is what I will attempt to write. I love a good story and have not read enough good stories, to claim expertise. Your recommendations and input will not be discouraged. I have seen the end of enough stories and expectations in my life to know that I have issues with paying attention to wisdom, your patience is appreciated. The view from the end is comforting and energizing. Inspiration from the Spirit of God often gives us glimpses of the path ahead like an eagle perched high. Eagles have tremendous vision but this does them no good if they are in a low position. Therefore, I am seeking a high position in God from which I can please Him as I go. This is the wisdom I am seeking and hope you would enjoy my attempts to do so in this forum.

“If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31b NIV. The story of mankind and God is such a interesting and baffling story. I am bewildered as soon as I forget the Bible is to be my guide to seeing how God in His perfection sees and operates in our lives. The mistake we often make is to look at the Bible from mankind’s point of view and this leads to missing out on the wisdom that comes from Heaven. We forget that the end is out of sight and we must trust and believe God is leading and loving along the path. The moment we lose focus on our higher eagle views we set our minds on the animal instincts and forget we are first and foremost spiritual beings. I hope you imagine the eagles beautiful view point and appreciate his relentless focus and tenacity. Bald Eagles have a great many tools for hunting, but ironically they were almost wiped-out. The skills and talent was not enough to keep them from possible extinction. The invisible world of pesticides and the encroaching humanity were enemies of this magnificent creature. We are much like the bald eagle. The humans made in the image of God have enemy that are invisible and more powerful than us. It took people who studied and had a higher much clearer view on the dilemma of the bald eagles survival to keep their extinction from happening in this age. God in His omnipotence and omnipresence came to our rescue and is asking us will we receive his help,(salvation), ? I know I am raising my hand for help from the Great Teacher and King. Will you join me?

“Yet a time is coming and now has come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” John 4:23 NIV.

Do you desire truth and to worship God? If you do put faith in Jesus and lets testify to God’s goodness and holiness.