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"Prayer is a Relationship"
So many have questions about Prayer and How to Pray. Prayer is about a relationship, building a relationship with our Maker. He seeks us each out and tells us He blesses us as we also seek Him with our whole heart and mind. He truly Loves us as no one else could. He will leave the 99 to seek just us (our one being). When we sin, we grieve the Spirit, and can feel distant. He is our most important "relationship", He knows us like know one else, so much better than we even know ourselves. "Nothing" is a surprise to Him. And He loves us still. When we feel distant, it is we who need to repent, "accept" His forgiveness and draw nearer to Him. He is developing our hearts, each individually as we need. We each have equal access and He loves us each "especially"! He is no "respector of persons" He love us each. It was a woman living in adultery who had had many men, that He first revealed Himself to, ... because He loved her just the same as us each. He does call us out of our lives of sin, but it is a process. He loves us through it all. It is His expressed love in our hearts that actually gives us victory in the battles of our minds. We have direct access to Him through it all. No one can fight those battles for us. While it is good to pray for each other and hold each other up. No one can do this better for us than ourselves and the Holy Spirit interceding for us and on our behalf where we fall short. It is He (the Spirit within) that make all the difference, where it matters. It is a relationship we are each developing. We each have the same direct access right from the start. He talks to us especially through the Holy Spirit within us as we learn to listen and follow His guidance. The Spirit will guide you and give you focus as you follow that guidance. It's a relationship. We become more focused and genuine in heart as He works with us. He searches our heart, knows it inside out and develops it. Our Spiritual well-being will always be more important than our physical, but He loves us and wants good for us in the physical as His purpose for us each allows for. When we speak/pray to God we need to speak our heart and we need to ask for the Spirit to intercede where we believe we fall short. That's prayer, it's a relationship, not a wish list. Although we do need to ask and appreciate and praise -it's a relationship with our God, our maker, our perfector, and protector. It's our personal story with God. There are things only we can do for ourselves as is our relationship with our Great God. May your/our prayers be answered. May God Bless! With God's Great Love, Henry.
"Biblically Remarried"
Biblically Remarried is Godly also. It's a hot topic, much hotter than I realized. One must separate what the world says, what we want to believe, and what the Bible actually says. We all know what the world says, in my case, yes, I was married to an unbeliever. I was in an unequally yoked marriage, the "Church", I had grown up in, and been baptized in, actually indorsed. I think everyone was just happy to save the "damsel in distress". I was young and for some reason completely ignorant on the issue. I trusted the church maybe too much. After everything was said and done, I have been perhaps a little bitter, for a time. I know we are all just human beings. Everything she had put out to catch me was false. She had been successful/accomplished a bit of an over achiever, but the daughter of two alcoholics. The moment the "I do" was said she broke, she couldn't keep up the image anymore. She barely spoke more than a handful of words for 6 months. We started and ran a business together. That helped. But there was no help from anyone in and out of the Church. I don't believe she actually had any kind of relationship with God. I had to keep my relationship with God pretty much secret in order to have some sense of peace in the home. 3 1/2 years in, I realized I needed to find anyway possible to build her up. In 6 months she was feeling confident in herself and filed for divorce. Since, she's remarried and with kids and she bares no ill will toward me. Always appreciative of me standing by her. Now the question is "is it OK in God's sight" for me to remarry. It took me years to recover, but now some would like to completely shatter my hope once again. Jesus brought a new Covenant where the Holy Spirit lives within. He writes and instills His powerful law of love, faith, and a new life of forgiveness within. I love God with my whole heart, that is the reason I haven't, yet, remarried. She needs to also be God centered, not perfect, God centered. The possibilities in a relationship are incredible with God first. The Holy Spirit leads us to love as God does, to our very core. What does the Bible actually say? We know as a whole, divorce is not at all encouraged or supported. The marriage union or bond represents Christ and the Church, but we are human beings in a fallen and very imperfect world, with two paths in life, God's and the devils. Matt. 5:31-32 says for marital unfaithfulness or adultery it is permitted to divorce. Matt. 19:3-9 Again for marital unfaithfulness. Luke 16:18 Where divorce is not permitted it is also not permitted to remarry. 1Cor. 7:15 Where an unbeliever chooses to leave, a believing husband or wife is no longer bound. ...if not bound then you are free to remarry. As a widow is also no longer bound in marriage and free to remarry. Romans 7:2-3 And of course in our hearts we need to be at peace with it, having faith in God's guidance to us each. Romans 14:22+23 As with everything, if after we receive God's guidance we still believe it to be a sin, even if it actually isn't, then to us it would still be a sin. We do also have to "educate" our convictions, and make sure they are square with God and not our own obsession or based on false teaching. The Bible is the Word of God. Also, if a divorced, remarried and it wasn't lawful. The remaining spouse is actually now released from the former bond because of the former partners infidelity. The Bible doesn't say a lot on the subject, but it is actually quite clear. Let's not make bonds where they don't exist. There is also "whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Matt. 18:18 Marriage is to be a Blessing. My hope remains strong, and I only see marriage as the Blessing God created it to be. It is for the physical realm, the here and now, one of the greatest blessings He gives us if we also make it so. God centered, with our relationship with Him always first. God does hold to the sanctity and importance of the marriage Covenant with great regard, but it is an institution of the physical realm and He does allow for it's dissolution under specific circumstances. In my case, she was an unbeliever, she did choose to leave, and she did remarry. Both unfortunately and thankfully. It was heart-rending. My heart is bare before God. I am covered! And always Blessed! Henry Hopefully this will give others some clarity also.
"Desire or Lust"
On the subject of "lust." Firstly, it is in the mind and eye of the beholder and no ones fault! Don't throw the "baby out with the bathwater!" God created man and women, and created them to desire each other. And said it was good!(Genesis 1:31) Having said that, He does not endorse us desiring every man or woman. But as all/most experience, at least to some or more degree (hormones raging), desiring is undeniable as we mature. It is as it is intended to be. As much as we don't want to admit, we were all created in "heats of passion" -by design!! Passion and desire is not necessarily lust. Lust is the "illicit" form. Sorry, but no guy is going to be able to "perform" without passion and desire -or woman for that matter. God does deliver us, at times, from "temptation", but it is usually, temporary. And be honest! you don't want to be "Cured" forever from desire and passion! Rather, the perversion of it. We are called to run a race, to battle the good fight! To be the "Mighty Men" and "Mighty Women" of God. And that involves denying ourselves at times. We gain self-respect, discipline, self-control, and a very real power and strength within our inner core, "Character." Now we do need to continually call on/and "rest in God" to do so successfully. That is our walk with God. There are times we Must "run" from temptation, quite often, though, God will not take a challenge from us but require us to go through it -he will make a way, he Never leaves us, but if we fail we will most likely feel distant from Him. Being reborn-in-Christ, the Spirit lives in us and as we become more intune to listening and responding to that conviction and voice within us we "Will" become successful. All women respect and desire a man with self-discipline. This will get me in trouble! All men, in-their-core, want to be desired and are created to be self-displined and lead lovingly "their woman" (not all women!). All women in-their-core want to be desired, and appreciate, admire, and desire, wise, powerful, loving leadership... And a discerning man who knows what he wants and goes or works hard for it. God works all things for good(Romans 8:28)! And blesses us full and overflowing, so that we could not contain it! ...in love, iron sharpens iron. Be Blessed!!
"Desire vs Eunuchs?"
Desire vs Eunuchs? There appears to be a movement and determination among some of the "young in Christ" that we must be eunuchs. That we are somehow more holy, that God actually calls us to reject healthy "desire" as "sin." That singles must destroy the desire to procreate or to even find the opposite sex attractive or to be physically attractive oneself. They pull out the scripture like Eph 2:3 and Galatians 5:13-21, referring to evil desires which we each have had from an evil world view, and completely ignor the whole body of scripture admonitioning procreation and celebrating the beauty of God's plan and design for billions of potential children of God. Now, we have desire, tempered and guided, and beautifully qualified by the Holy Spirit. Now read again, Galatians 5:13-26 It's amazing how differently the scripture reads when we don't cherry-pick and try to interpret it according to some faulty predisposition. The whole body of scripture qualifies the individual parts of scripture. The whole Bible affects the individual parts. The death of humanity has been the goal of the devil since Creation when God Commanded mankind to multiply and fill the earth, and said all He created was "Very Good!" Genesis 1:28+31, Genesis 2:24-25 "and they will become one flesh. The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame." Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. ...it's kind of hard to grant us our desires if we don't have any! Song of Solomon 7:10 "I belong to my beloved, and his desire is for me." It's in the "little details" or a twist of the details, that the devil usually leads us astray. For some, the devil has "stolen" through twisted reasoning and bad experiences the most beautiful, intimate, and profound physical/spiritual, yes, sexual experience, bond, and blessing God has given us in this physical realm, believing it's actually a sin if we don't as singles become eunuchs or for those married... to become "desireless" couples. Check out the antonyms of desire ...they're definitely not the fruits of the spirit! ...but they are the fruits of the devil. Check! Google it! The devil is at work all around us.
"Shocker"
I'm calling this one "shocker", (edited) but it needs to be said. Some serious introspection today. Bringing every thought into subjection. I, for some reason, appear to be getting bombarded today, but I can very clearly recognize each one as they hit. It's so much easier to reject them before they have a chance to root! The realization how each thought can affect me, the power they each can have over me, each in their own way. The importance to guard from each. We can choose the good ones! Love covers each other, reveals, gives us power, and desire to bring "All" thought into subjection and allows us to choose which we keep and which we reject -that's the Power of Love, for our Great God, and those He has given us to love. Who knew? I didn't comprehend with any consequential affect ...I knew, but now I KNOW. AWESOME. God is Good! A bold conversation, intended to bring healing and clarity to those that need. This will get a little on the explicit, just saying... it has been a very real "stumbling block" for some... It occurs to me there's a very common misconception among "Christian" women. In particular, those that come into the church having first experienced the world. They think that a "man of God" "won't", at times, want to have Hot and Heavy, Steamy sex. Yes, I said it! ...I am trying to choose my words very carefully! It needs to be said! They think the only way they can be Satisfied is out in the World. The opposite is, actually true. A true "Red Blooded" MAN WILL want to go there! God made us that way, and said it was good! He'll be thinking of "You" though, and will switch it up from time to time dependent on his mate. A huge difference is you won't be left feeling empty and a whole lot of other things. You will feel fulfilled and exilerated and want only more. And he'll want it more as he enjoys fulfilling you! That's the way it's meant to be. Now that's only that one type of love that you women like from time to time. Men too. Sorry, someone in the Church should have said this long ago. It may have prevented a lot of issues and hurt among some. Just keeping it real! Again someone meaningful, to make good memories with. And yes, he will have the time of his life giving you the time of yours. There could be no greater pleasure for him. God made it so! "Man of God" yes, God did make us this too, as we apply ourselves and love on purpose. He will want more and it will actually mean something ..."a Whole Lot" between you. Something really deep and emotionally satisfying. The other is a trick of the devil. There are some women that actually think, as a "Christian" you won't even, really, want it or that it would be sinful to want that connection. "Shocking" ...and it has no relation to porn, it just is ...as God made and blessed. Yes, this was "Spirit" led, enjoy! Men of God have the same fear about women of God. Now, ...some men of God may be different -I don't know. You women will have to figure that out for yourselves! So, I did say this, did I knock your socks off? or did you fall off your chair? It just is! I have never heard it said, and God said it was "very good". Men of God are/can be full service ...I'm really getting myself in deep, and somewhat deeper! We're not talking impropriety here. Before anyone jumps on me about this or views it as a slip, lapse in judgement, weakness of charactor, etc. it is said for those that need to hear it. Not said to be salacious or crude, etc. This is intended for its value in healing a "soul" that needs to be healed. I know its a bold conversation, one that no one is having! Some women actually think a man of God won't really even want to have sex. They couldn't be more wrong. They'll want to give to you when and how you want it on any given day, time, or hour. With a true man of God you "will" be satisfied with a deep meaningful, emotional connection and you will know to your core that you are truly loved -no games! ...All said with only God's Great Love, Henry. Hopefully it can help lessen that pull or issue for those dealing with it. The devil is cunning!
"Precious Treasure"
Our Most Precious Treasure is our connection with our All Loving, All Mighty, All Merciful, All Knowing God! He always cares for us Deeply, He always wants to lead us if we will follow, He gives us choice. He will take us to all sorts of wondrous places. He fills our minds with beauty, for us to know Him more deeply, His love more deeply. The Spirit Blesses us each, God wonderfully makes it so. Romans 8:33-35 "...it is God who justifies... and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" 1John 4:18 "perfect love drives out fear" Isaiah 45:3 "I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, ...who summons you by name." Col 2:2-3 "...encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding...May know the mystery of God... in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" Matt 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." A thought, Henry
"Exceptional"
Just relaxing and thinking deeply. I've always asked God to make me more. I know that of myself I truly, am nothing. I surrender to Him, and ask that He make me the person He wants me to be, but I don't want to settle for the minimums. I ask, make me who you want me to be and more, who you need me to be and more, to do all that you want me to do and more. That I can do all that and more. Yes, I want to excel and be exceptional for Him and all whom He Blesses me with, to love, to give, to support, to hold up, to enrich, to enlighten, to inspire, to edify, and yes to humble myself to, too, to come before Him, to understand, to grow together, to join together with in humility, in grace, in love, in Heart, in Spirit, in desire, in passion, in motivation, in strength and in weakness before our Great and Awesome God, again that we may do all things together, in, through, and for Him, and to love Him. To grow in that heart of God! He richly, Blesses, with all the wisdom and discernment to do so. I want be all He created and planned me to be and then a little or actually a lot more according to His will, and yes, all in a state of peace and rest that He gives. In my mind, the minimums just aren't good enough. I know that if we ask in faith we will receive and He will richly reward those who diligently seek Him. He is giving and will give us, our hearts desire and all we ask! As the Spirit leads! And intercedes on our behalf with groaning unimaginable(Romans 8:26). I know, yes, we need to be content, and follow His lead in everything. But we can ask for the exceptional! May blessing upon blessing flow and pour your way, full and overflowing! With God's Great and Awesome Love, Henry.
"Extra" rules or laws
"Extra" rules or laws God "Never" gave us. They preach alcohol as sin, when it's not alcohol, but drunkenness that is sin(Romans 13:13). Just like food isn't sin, but gluttony is. Sex isn't sin, but lusting and sex with someone other than your wife or husband is. Rules that God had never intended only create doubt, confusion, and stumbling blocks, drive people away and prevent people, outright, from even considering there is a better life and way of living. Romans 14:12-23 (about stumbling blocks). It actually prevents sound, healthy, foundations. We are each the temple of the Holy Spirit apon repentance and receiving Christ's sacrifice and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. "Trust" the Holy Spirit. How come don't we?! Please bare with me, hear me out. New converts need to know that the Spirit will lead them. To deny them that? We seem to think we know better. We are called to develop character, self-control, and the fruits of the Holy Spirit. To get in the way of people's potential, we will answer for it. Trust God to have His Perfect work, teach people to walk in the Spirit. We could be isolated from all evil, all negative and "bad things." ...We want to protect them, but is that what actually happens? ...Denying them of character, self-control, the fruits of the Spirit. How would we get along in the Kingdom, ...of what use would we be, ...we'd have to remain in isolation. Man's wisdom is faulty. God already gave us His Perfect Law, Luke 10:27 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and Love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus Himself, said that was the "entire" Law. Matt. 22:37-40 Let's not try to add to it or pervert it. We seem to think that we know better than God. Everyone misses the mark here. God meets us where we each are at and teaches and develops us, lets trust His Spirit to develop, grow, shape us each. He can do all things. Only in God's Great Love, Henry.
"You on my mind"
I awoke early, with you on my mind. Every "Good" leader knows he "cannot" do it all himself. He brings together, he delegates, he defers to others, he respects, appreciates, values, and trusts. He's about team. Anyways, I have accomplished much, but it's always at a price of time, and there's only so much, and never enough. Wisdom usually goes, hand-in-hand, with experience, as well as, knowledge and understanding. God usually gives us or allows us experiences (sometimes He just teaches, inspires, and sometimes, it's through anothers experiences), but then He uses it all to mature, develop, and teach us more. Pondering ...how many hard lessons and how deep the hurt has a wise person incurred or had done to them? ...The experiences give us depth, purpose, passion. "truly" Always be yourself. Not being true to who "you" are destroys a person. I've seen, probably the most extreme example you could ever find, it completely tore her apart inside. She successfully hid herself until she no longer could. She portrayed a persona that didn't exist. The six months of self-hate and psychological torment that resulted all but destroyed her. Never feel like you need to be someone else. God meets us where we are. Just, Always be yourself, you'll be surprised how much You "are" liked! It's likely the rest of us that need to learn to understand. There are no wrong questions. Fear ...just throw it out the window! Again, God meets us each, where we are each at, and He just "Loves us". What we believe at one point in life quite often changes or has less importance at another, with wisdom and understanding. Just be yourself, You don't need to be concerned, ever, about living up to someone else's expectations, standards, etc. Love the "real" You! God leads, loves, and develops you! "You are" just a Big Awesome Blessing! Psalm 23 He is our shepherd. 1John 4:16 "as so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them"
"My Heart wants to dance"
As it turns out ... When it comes to massages, you can have too much of a good thing. I went on a cruise from San Diego, California. The Fog horn Blasted ...straight into My room. I was on the fifth floor right across from the cruise ship dock. The glass front doors were slid open to the balcony. The air was so tropically beautiful and perfectly warm, I left them open so I could soak it up all night. It was the break of day, the Fog Horn Blasted! I blew up out of bed. Instantly realizing, I needed cover. My ship had come in and it felt like it's bow was pointed straight into my room. It was So close and I was So naked, I grabbed the blanket and dove behind the bed! I felt like I was completely exposed and like, well, that happened! A beautiful place, a tropical lounge out front, a cocktail in the beautiful night air. Yes, I do have an occasional drink, there have been alcoholics in the family, I'm not one. I don't have to have it, but it's like a cheese cake, a little on occasion can be beautiful, enjoyable, enhance an experience. God does want us to enjoy life too. I have never been drunk, never want to be, and never any drugs. Just watch the coconut drinks at Xcaret, they're made for two, and they do make you wait for your meal ...that was too close, fortunately, I assimilate quickly. No one makes Mint Mojitos like Miami, it's my favorite. My Grandfather made Everything. My father made good strawberry, concord grape, dandelion, and chokecherry wines. You can almost, always, improve on what they sell in the stores and so I have. And I have no interest in drinking alone, and actually have no need to drink, so usually I don't. It's "Amazing" how the World has managed to So pollute everything that was meant to be good and beautiful. Anyway, I had to get across to boarding. Well, things had gotten busy, traffic jams and crowds of people. I stepped off the sidewalk with my suitcase. Suddenly, a rickshaw pulled up, half-price, he'll get me there! I thought, well, it's just across the street. But, I was the only one there, I said yes, I figured, I'll help him with a little income. We loaded up, and he pedaled all he could, weaving through and cutting in and around all the traffic and crowds. ...5 minutes, I gave him full pay and a really good tip, thanked him profusely. Another 5 minutes and I was boarded. I could tell you countless stories, I have been Truly Blessed! This kind of favor just seems to follow me everywhere! We were about set to sail, it's a really festive atmosphere. They were highlighting the Spa before sail. I was the last one there, thousands were checking it out. They had run out of ballet tickets for the free spa experience, so the girls grabbed a scrap of paper, put my name on it. I walked into the room, they were already calling out my name. I had won! A lot of very jealous women around who continually reminded me throughout the cruise. Everything, the full massage, the stones between your toes, seaweed wrap, hot stones laid up and down your back. She said I was too tense. So I bought another treatment a couple days later. You know they actually walk on you! She was petite, and asked if it felt good. I told her, she could really dig in there. She said my shoulder muscles were a little notted and tight. So, with her heels she really dug in! The cruise was over. I needed a car for a few days and to get back to Los Angeles. They were turning people away, they were out of cars. I stepped forward, she said, do we "Ever" have a car for you! A fully loaded, beautiful convertible that needed to get back to Los Angeles, and I was to have it for a few days. As I drove away, top down, in the perfect, beautiful California weather, I realized I couldn't shoulder-check! My neck felt broken. I did drive around, but this lasted days, I couldn't get out of bed, I was in so much pain. God did protect me. You have to watch those massages! Been to many places, always looking for ...my better-half! It's been fun, but always, incredibly empty without someone special to share it with! Been to Miami many times, the best is in the fall, juring the Latin music festival, good food, lots of song, and lots of dancing! Yes, my Heart wants to dance.
"Emotions"
"Emotions" How beautiful they are! I'm so thankful for them. We need each other, the Body of Christ, even if we aren't totally in sync. Sometimes "because" we aren't totally in sync. -we can never quite know how God is working. Iron sharpens iron. We are a community, no one stands alone. We need the Body of Christ no matter how strong we think we are. Love washes and covers. No matter how we may feel, He, God, declares us white as snow. We are "enough", Jesus and the Holy Spirit makes it so. Emotions, we do need to discern, yes, rule, deny at times, and embrace them too. They edify and enrich, immensely. They are a window to our soul, our heart. I can't imagine life without them. They bring meaning, give us reason, and beauty. And God made them, they are just plain beautiful! I wouldn't want to live in a world without them, they are Awesome, they are heart-food and enhance everything about life. Sorry, Seattle, (bad experience) everything was fine, no one was upset, no one was happy, no one had fire, it was like no one cared about anything -maybe that's how you deal with all the rain? But I couldn't leave fast enough. Up until that point, I thought I liked peace and solitude. A few years ago now, I left there "Craving" to see someone show me they actually care deeply about "Anything". I, like most everyone, don't like to be the recipient of negative emotions. When in a world devoid of any emotion, you actually do crave that too. I want to "know" people care about something or what point is there in "Anything". I "love" to see emotions. It tells you So much good about another. -what could be more beautiful! I'd rather not be too "safe" and deal with it, than have just nothingness. God is absolutely full of "Powerful emotions". Not wanting us to be lukewarm -he'd rather us be cold. I can't imagine worse regret than not showing and receiving emotions. It's one of the "Beautifuls" of life! Jesus sweat blood. How "deeply" does He feel for us each?! Jer 29:13 ...when you search with "All" your heart" -that's emotions! Men and Women of God are sometimes completely overwhelmed by emotions ...And God said it was "Very Good".Prov 8:17 ...I love those who love me, and diligently seek me -that's Passion! A woman can take us through Shock, Awe, and Bliss in turn And at the Same time! And you just know, God made you that way! And we are So Blessed for it! I'd rather error on the side of "Real Passion" and Deep Feelings! Safe is dull, boring, and bland. And just a plain waste of "Precious" time. Be "Passionately" Blessed! Henry "Love on Purpose"
"The Church"
I grew up in a church that functionally, disbanded, shortly after it realized and corrected fundamental errors in belief. It had considered itself the exclusive, one true Church. But I have been to many since, and incredibly, they leave So much to be desired. There appears to be a very real disconnect between the "Church" many of God's called, begotten, or potentially begotten. There's very solid and not so solid roadblocks. I want to bring some light and encourage unity, harmony, and depth. The "church" (in this case, a physical gathering), for a single is an awkward, depressing place. In most cases, the men/husbands were busy squabbling over who's in charge or trying to show each other up, talking sports, or just disengaged. I never had the time or interest in someone chasing a ball or puck. That's I think, just me, a million interests. The women/wives "loved" to talk to me, which then tended to bring out the jealousy of their husbands. The "few" singles that I've come across ...were not going to go there. Maybe, it's just that they had no "better half" to sort each other out. All have to learn somehow. Most churches were so incredibly judgemental and controlling of future prospects. Not sure how they expected to win anyone over to Christ, except for those that come to them completely broken and in dire need. They came across as dysfunctional social clubs. For a lot, all it seems to be is a social club. The messages lacking depth and always riddled with errors. Having said all this, I was asked, by the men of a large segment of a congregation, to Pastor them in starting a new church. I was honored, but distraught, horrified, that I may have caused division. I had just been divorced (unequally yoked -I thought I was rescuing her?!). I didn't believe I was up to filling that role as a single. I've always attempted to be a cordial and unifying force, and to enhance or deepen understanding. I've never wanted to be the cause of division. God's called me to unite, enhance, clarify, and edify. I know sometimes that means to challenge. I'm not always right. God appears to always reveal, in short order, when and where I'm wrong. I'm Always, somewhat, horrified when that happens and promptly make changes. God gives us calling, requires us to proclaim His word, He opens minds, and brings in the harvest. And we are called to grow in depth, character, and in His love. God has blessed me always, only Greatly, may His will be done! I aim to be only "genuine," always. Brother in Christ, anchored in God's love, Henry.
"Modesty, Desire and Lust"
Desire, lust, what is or are they?! We need to check ourselves on this. Most of us are wrong. It's a passionate topic and a downfall of most. Let's honestly, analyze. It will free us to work so much more effectively with the Spirit. We can have the strength afforded to us and not be crippled by improperly assigned guilt that so unnecessarily, riddles so many. Everyone is focused almost entirely, on the woman's responsibility to be modest and entirely missing the point. A point for thought: Some women are drop-dead gorgeous no matter what they do and sometimes it's their personality in combination with their looks that makes them so. What do they do? Bare with me. God creates beauty and says in Genesis 1:31, "it was very good." It's not wrong for a woman to be and want to be beautiful and desired. It was required for the success of the human race. Now somehow, we're supposed to believe that God's design for the success of humanity is actually, evil and sin. That's not right! You can't honestly argue that. God created this and its only a blessing to a man and woman as they bring every thought into subjection(2Cor 10:5). The right view on this only brings beauty and makes the heart sing in a man or woman of God. It doesn't cause him to sin. It brings more joy than a beautiful artwork or a majestic landscape. It's the devil that tries to besmirch the beauty and good that God creates. It is entirely, the mind and heart that are the issue. There are religious groups that demand women to dress in frumpy, ankle covering, unattractive, dresses to prevent their men from sinning in their minds. Does it work? I dare you to find out! What I see, is if anything, they actually have even more issues. Does it somehow, cause them to bring every thought into subjection? Absolutely not. If we're honest about this, ... if we're going to confront the problem and be among those in which He is well please, we need to address this in ourselves. We are trying to deal with a Spiritual issue in the heart by putting physical constraints in place. The only way to deal and grow in the Spirit is to deal with what is deep in our own heart. The "environment" should be largely, irrelevant. Everyone does have times when they are more susceptible to the "environment." But a man or woman of God will recognize those times and take appropriate action, such as fleeing temptation. A woman of God can be physically beautiful without being an "alluring" downfall. Just be your beautiful self! Blaming women is really oppression of women because a man refuses to properly address and reign in his thoughts. The devil weasels his way into everything to destroy it. God created beauty and said it was "Very Good." He's Awesome! We men have the ability and responsibility to bring "All" thought into subjection. The Spirit works in the Heart to bring spiritual wellness, maturity, and wholeness. It is a matter of the heart. Children also need to be taught to reign in their thoughts, not being ruled by feelings. Does are mind follow our feelings or do are feelings follow our mind and heart, it is a choice. But please, also, read all that I've written in topics on "desire." It may have a big, very good, positive, impact, not expected.
"Emotion, a women fired up!"
Love to see you fired up! -speaking what's in your heart. Emotions were created by God. They create an impact like not much else can. It's emotion that both powerfully reveals and anchors what is in our hearts. It's the emotion of another that helps us focus and get real. A godly man can't help but be concerned of what is laid on the Heart of a godly woman. A woman has great influence to inspire and encourage, yes, in effect, nurture. A woman can either truely make or break a man. No matter how immune and strong we "macho" men think we are -in the end we can be "just" putty! We need to learn how to show emotion better, more. Four years of being "unequally yoked" with a contentious woman will eventually brake both of you and drive in these realizations. A woman can make a man's heart sing and do most anything or can cause him to break into pieces in utter defeat. Behind a "good" man there usually lies a "great" woman -God made it so! You women are much more powerful than you know. It can be a truely God Blessed Team. God is the foundation and cornerstone and she is the treasured jem, honored jewel or diamond in his eye -he will give his life for her to the very end! Don't ever apologize for speaking your heart. It's there for a reason! Love Always, Be Blessed, Henry. "Simply Beauty"
"Choices"
Everything in life is a choice. Making the right ones. It's about building character, none of us can escape that! We shouldn't want to, it can be a never ending blessing. Live life, don't fear life, love it, it's a journey. Fear is the enemy of a long, well lived, awesome life, rooted in God! Loving and being loved in all it's forms. God created and said that all He created was "very good." We need to understand scripture as the Spirit leads, and not cherry pick one over another because it suits us. The Bible doesn't contradict itself, it clarifies. We must always consider the history, the time it was written in, who it was speaking to at the time, for what purpose, what the context is, and the whole text of the entire Bible for understanding. And so, understand, how it applies today. He, the Spirit, can be very faithful to guide if we follow Him, and not our own biases. He is Awesome and life is Awesome if we live it to the fullest. He will teach us, guide us, bless and use us, as He sees fit. We have sound choices, as we seek Him first. My personal desire and prayer has always been to be all I have been meant to be, and then some. The bare minimum is never good enough and He faithfully Blesses, Abundantly! Always with the deepest of love, Henry.
"Absolute Statements"
It's pretty hard to make definitive, absolute statements on anything. We try. It seems to be the way to simplify and give guidance. But just when you come up with an absolute standard or statement, another consideration comes into the mix. When married, I was accused of changing my stance on issues, and for the life of me, didn't understand. The complexities of life just preclude this. God is our absolute standard. The entire law, to Love God with our Everything (all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength) and our neighbor as ourselves. That's a rock solid Absolute! Mark 12:30-31
"Healthy Relationships"
The importance of maintaining healthy relationships, husband/wife. The power of a healthy relationship is so incredibly important to the taking down of the strongholds that can show up. The love between husband and wife, who deeply care for each other is a truly Awesome tool God has given us. God is enough, but God in that relationship makes it so much more incredible. It is so unappreciated and the devil makes it so and brings all sort of distraction to bring their downfall. Husbands and wives really need to be faithful to resolve quarrels and differences, apologize, forgive, forget, and love ...treasure the blessings. Holding fast to God and each other like your life depends on it. It is that important. "That your prayers be not hindered" (1Peter 2:19-21 + 3:7 + Matt 5:24 ) It's dynamic, and so unappreciated. A husband/wife relationship is their priority next to their relationship with God. Why is it that we put so much into a relationship before marriage? That's only be the beginning ...the prize is not yet won. There is no end to what a commited couple can do, but so often, they get mired in complications. The solution starts with the love of God. It's a gift and so many have really no idea of the value of that love in their relationship, and so, in their walk with God. Everyone is way too proud. Humility and the love of God are the key. That's how the devil loses. Coming together in "Humility" and "Love", before God is the "Key." It is a question of how badly do we want it. "We do" and "God does." That's living Faith. All is Surmountable. -with coming together, expressing God's love, in Humility, bringing His love into the center. -most do not understand what He can do with that. The power of the Holy Spirit makes it all possible. Rekindling the first love and build it in humility with God's love. Hurts can run incredibly deep. Our shortcomings and failures must only drive us to do so much more. He can turn anything for good, and so does. Romans 8:28. Again, that's how the devil loses. God in His Grace has given me an all-encompassing Hope in Him, His Love. It's "humbling" and "Beautiful"! The "Church", the "Bride prepares Herself for her marriage with the "Lamb"(Rev 19:7) May God have His Perfect Work ...as we seek Him on our knees. We are nothing, God is everything! Iron sharpens Iron. God is Powerful and All-knowing. His ways are so much higher and better than ours. He doesn't fit in a box. God shows the way. God's grace, His Love is huge and He never leaves us!
"Desire sin?"
If Desire is just outright sin, then a husband and wife have entered into a sinful relationship. So, are singles to be free of desire? Are they to have the mindset of a eunuch until marriage? If so do you think they can just turn it on when they marry. He for one would have a serious case of ED. He's not going to be able to get it up! And so the doom of the whole human race! Exactly what the devil has wanted from the Beginning of Creation! So who is the father of that idea? If we have a mind to think, a "heart" to listen, the Spirit tells us "which desire" is sin. We really pretty much, need to know the whole Bible to understand it's individual instruction. And it doesn't jeopardize the human race ... it grows it, it develops it, promotes it, and gives it Spiritual maturity, and a super strong, super neat, intimate and beautiful, mighty bond, God centered, God blessed, between a husband and wife that, yes, sizzles too! I would say that pornography shouldn't be a part of it. Accept, that some would consider a short dress or bare shoulders as pornography. The Spirit guides as we listen, Trust Him! God created us, depth of joy for us, and develops all aspects of the good life He orchestrates for us each, for His purpose, as He Blesses. There is so much more to be said on this topic. Desire is an often used term in the Bible.
"Our Purpose"
We all come into our calling with a different background, different experiences, abilities, talents, gifts, and purposes. We have received the Holy Spirit within us. We are learning and growing in our walk as we more fully submit and seek knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. Being led by the Spirit our sound-minded thinking, judgment, and discernment in our relationships and all our interactions mature. We become solid in our expression of love to our God and truly loving our "neighbor" as ourselves, as the second Covenant admonishes. The second Covenant only enhances and clarifies. It allows God's love in our minds and hearts to mature far beyond what the first Covenant only eluded to. We now must use our minds, and search our hearts, to determine where of we speak and act. And what truly is in our heart and core. Together with the Spirit living within, we temper and form our actions and reactions and lay the foundation where of they come. God gives us purposes that also change with His reasons, seasons, and purposes, ... His work for us each. The more we mature in the Spirit, the more soundly and confidently we live our lives for Him. This all means so much more as we progress in our walk or run. While wisdom will come with time, God Blesses and works with us each as we have an ear and heart to hear and do. All Christianity has error because we get in our own way. My aim is to challenge, gently and lovingly, of course, bring clarity and change so that stumbling blocks to salvation and growth can be removed. Our purpose apart from our personal development, character growth, must also be to work towards unity and harmony in the Body of Christ, and to deepen understand and strengthen the Saints in preparation for the "marriage of the Lamb," Rev 19:7. We are whom God uses to call so many more to Him, God forbid we are actually, a hinderence to anyone. We are all truly in this together, to fight the "good fight" and be the Mighty of God, in whom He is well pleased! Hebrews 13:21 "equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. 1 Timothy 6:11 flee evil... "and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called..." That we may say as Paul... 2 Timothy 4:7-8 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day --and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing." Only with the Greatest Love, Henry. Ps. We need to push through and past our own convictions to what the "Spirit" truly convicts us of. Not what we through our own feelings and desires want.
"Lukewarm?"
"Lukewarmness" and being around that pervasive attitude has always driven me a little nuts. My Dad was the ultimate in a "man of Peace". He was strong and solid, yet I never saw him mad. I always admired that. While I was not so blessed, he was an inspiration. "more and more" Philippians 1:9-11 Are we on fire? We're admonished to be either hot or cold and not lukewarm. Be on fire! Through the Power and Strength of the Almighty, all can be done. Have a wonderful day! Love Always, Be Blessed! A brother in Christ, Henry. "All Power" Luke 10:18-19 "I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."
"Attacked"
We Love you! We are called to support our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. In Romans, we are seriously admonished to not be argumentative, and to not cause another to sin by causing them to act contrary to their convictions. We are commanded to live as we have been convicted. We are servants, each of God. In Romans 14:12-23 we are "especially" admonished to not possibly cause a fellow brother or sister in Christ to stumble, lose their faith, to doubt, or live contrary to their conviction or faith. We are actually told to live contrary to our own understanding, if it would not be sin, in order to preserve someone else's faith. We are each in the place, in our understanding, we are meant to be at a given time and God meets us where we are each at. We are called to support each other. Only Loving you, Henry.
"Do we keep the Sabbath?"
I've been wrestling with this for awhile. I have prayed about it but, I've been stalling, delaying, procrastinating, somethings just come with a little apprehension. 30 minutes later, this is what I have. I'll have a bite, have a second look, clean it up a bit. And hopefully, it's "only" a Blessing to you! The new Covenant didn't do away with the ten commandments. It expanded them and gave more depth and clarity. Loving in Spirit, it took away the legalistic, example, animal sacrifice, etc. to be more comprehensive and definitive, living in the Spirit. Not all things are as apparently absolute, compared to the legalistic first Covenant. As with, just for example, gay, we don't stone them, we love them, but we don't condone the lifestyle or mindset. Now we have to use our minds, be led by the Spirit and think things through, it's not spelled out for us.They are still potential children of God, if He calls, as repentance and Christ's sacrifice allows for. The lifestyle is of course contrary to God's order of life. The Festivals of the Bible, which I had observed growing up, gave great blessings. In school, I received a lot of push-back, condemnation and judgement. I even had an instructor try to control my mind with witchcraft to supposedly correct my direction in life. Of course, the Spirit revealed how to fight it and the instructor left furious and defeated! In college, I was called into Administration, told I was doomed to failure, due to time I would miss, observing the Festivals. With a quick glance at the textbook materials, I Aced the exams and the instructors evaluations and ended up with honors. There still is blessing in keeping the Festivals of the Bible, although no longer required. They reveal and decode God's Great Plan for us all and give clarity to Prophecy. This was their "Whole" purpose. The true Sabbath is a memorial for all time, a rest for which we are enormously blessed for keeping! It gives great health and well-being, even if kept under adversity. It physically and spiritually refreshes and restores us and is good to observe. Having said that though, I am controversial to most of Christianity, but now I will possibly become even more controversial. The lamb offerings were the fore-shadow of Christ's sacrifice and so done away with upon the second Covenant, Jesus's sacrifice being so superior having taken place. The lamb sacrifices were only to show what was coming and had to be continually done because they were so inferior and could not truly take the place of Christ's sacrifice. Please only have good feelings about this ... I can ask? ... The Sabbath, on the seventh day, foretold of God's plan of salvation for humanity. That can be decoded perhaps in a couple ways including in Prophecy. But my focus is our daily life. Those of us whom are called, saved, received the Holy Spirit within have entered a Sabbath rest with God, we have been freed from the carnal and futile. Mankind for the most part, has been exiled and toiling hard for 6000 years (6 days), Prophecy opens up in all sorts of ways with the seventh day. But having received God's Spirit we are also, now, in a rest with God. "I will give you rest. You will find rest. My yoke is easy and my burden is light" Matt 11:28-30 And we are more fully in this "Sabbath" rest with God as we more fully submit in every area to Him and devote our lives more fully to Him in Spirit and Truth, all that that encompasses, including His love. The second Covenant (Matt. 22:36-40) to Love God first with our whole mind and heart and to Love our fellow man as ourselves. In so doing we are actually fulfilling His admonition to worship in Spirit and Truth. And He Blesses us for it. While it is still a very real blessing to rest and not work on the Sabbath, it is also So freeing to know that I'm not sinning if I accidentally or for some reason do, because under the second Covenant, Spiritually, I'm in that rest with God daily. The challenge is to make every day count, Spiritually. He does also admonition us to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Which wasn't actually, done on the Sabbath, either. I think this here counts, somewhat, because all this communication is also "Iron sharpens Iron" (Prov 27:17) I don't recall ever having as deep spiritual conversations at "church." I'd love it if you have a mind to consider. Only in Love! Henry. Be Only Blessed! Thank you for your ear to hear! When I had my eyes opened to this, it took awhile for me to fully except it. I wanted to and I didn't at the same time, but eventually, I couldn't refute it. However it strikes you, is OK. If God has this for you, in time you will see it. That's of course, if you don't already. We no doubt, have conflicting differences in belief, but everyone does if they look deep enough. We may not always agree on everything.
The Power of God's Love, Within Our Hearts and for All the Saints
Ephesians 3:14 "...I kneel before the Father,... I Pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge --that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." and Amen and Amen, Indeed!