GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING ALL
Religion
AUTHETICATING JESUS
Authenticating Jesus
From: 1-20-2005
Why is there such a need to authenticate Jesus for us to love?
I watch the TV shows on the religious channels. I listen to the pastoral speeches and sermons, especially at Christmas. We open our Bibles and stress all the prophecies that Jesus fulfilled, the Old Testament this and that, ‘And in the book of….. it says….’
And it is nice to be able to find reference to Jesus in scripture, but is it necessary to authenticate Jesus for us to love?
Sometimes I believe we expend more energy in trying to authenticate the messenger than we expend in living the message.
Would the message loose its value if it was given by an itinerant Rabbi, or a Buddha or a Shaman? Is it less important if given by a steeplejack or a cab driver?
Is ‘Love One Another’ a more powerful charge coming from GOD’S son, or GOD’S servant, or simply one of GOD’S children? Is ‘Love One Another’ an empty request coming from a Muslim or a Jew, or an agnostic or an atheist? Is it a message to be idly dismissed as an empty dream not worthy of attention when issued by ‘just’ one of GOD’S children?
To the other extent, now that we have authenticated Jesus as the messenger, when will we implement the message? When the time is right for us? When Jesus calls us on the phone? The week before He ‘returns’? Now that we have accepted the mantle of Christian will we demand an end to aggression, whether in defense of, or in spite of?
Authenticating the messenger is of no value until we choose to implement the message. Our lives will not change until we live the message. Our only chance for heaven on earth will pass us by if we wait to meet Jesus in heaven. Jesus is in the humblest of messengers, the one we just walked by because he wore a turban, or hadn’t shaved this week, or smelled, or wore a ‘biker’ shirt. The one who doesn’t attend church each week because no church would accept his or her lifestyle. We walk by Jesus daily. Until we stop and get to know Him, we will never find, nor have a hope of seeing, heaven on earth.
It is not necessary to ignore the messenger, it is humbling to realize how committed Jesus was to the cause. It is necessary to implement the message, not to whom we would wish, but to whom Jesus would wish. Everyone.
Heaven, Hereafter, or hereNOW
Heaven, Hereafter, or hereNOW
From 5-30-2006
I have heard a great many sermons in my life that are to tell me what heaven and the hereafter are like. I have heard so many that I now know one thing for certain; no one has a clue.
Hereafter
I do know that if I do not choose Jesus as my Lord and savior I am doomed to eternal damnation and life in Sheol (whatever that is). I do know that I cannot be saved if I am not Baptist, (or Mormon, or Methodist, or Presbyterian, Evangelical or Episcopalian and certainly I don’t have a prayer of heaven if I am not Catholic). This causes a substantial dilemma since I cannot be all of the above at the time of my death. Of course, I will also spend a life in eternal damnation if I am not Jewish, or Sunni or Sikh, or Moslem or Hindu or Buddhist or any of dozens of other religions that inhabit the Earth.
I guess that means that I may resign myself to the “bad” place.
Then again:
ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN
Jesus, as a teacher or Rabbi or preacher or philosopher or son of GOD, holds forth in his hand the ultimate carrot, “Why wait?”
I do not believe that Jesus came and sacrificed himself on a cross to merely extend promises of a fancy divine hereafter. Most religions seem to offer up Nirvana in some shape or form.
What Jesus did was to come and offer us insights as to how we can positively impact the here and now. Jesus taught us how to impact the heaven that lies within our grasp right now, daily, not the after.
Whether Heaven has mansions or refers to new bodies in different times as the Hindu believe (reincarnation) is irrelevant to me. Whether we sing in a divine chorus 24/7 (or whatever time-frame is the physics of heaven) is not as relevant to my living as the promise that I can experience heaven now, as Dennis, as me. It is equally important that you can live it as you.
Is it no wonder that Jesus’ teaching was so radical that most, not even those closest to him, could comprehend His meaning? The Heaven that Jesus prayed for is within our grasp daily. ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN, what a radical and impossible dream. LOVE ONE ANOTHER, another impossible dream.
Daily? A fantasy for sure. Jesus has been the object of great debate since the beginning. Those who do not wish to change much look forward to the end of their lives firm in the knowledge (or belief) that the hereafter has the mansion they couldn’t charge here. They look toward a magic place where grace takes them and places upon them a robe of authority or position and extends divine preference based on the sign in front of the building they visited on Sunday morning or Saturday afternoon for an hour or two out their week.
And yet no one can tell me what they will do all day, every day, for eternity. More than that, they wish me to believe that they can perform this function for eternity when they get fidgity now after 60 minutes out of each week in GOD’S own house, which they built with their own money. How do they expect to be satisfied with that heavenly life when a half hour of prayer daily is a challenge. How will they adore GOD every day, all day when they can not accept the Muslim on their knees 5 times daily when they are reluctant to extend thanks at the dinner table with GOD’S blessing of food to eat before them daily.
I do not believe Jesus was about hereafter. All kinds of religion handle the hereafter. What was unique about Jesus was his preaching about the hereNOW.
Jesus did not say to the blind man, “Your sight will be restored in the hereafter”.
Jesus did not say to the lame man, “You will walk on the heavenly shore”.
Jesus did not say, “Kill your neighbor and you will be great in heaven”.
Jesus did not stand before the tomb of Lazarus and yell “Lazarus, have a great time.”
Jesus did ask of his spiritual father, “On Earth as it is in heaven”.
Jesus was about the hereNOW.
The great teachers teach us how to live the here and now. They teach us how to make the best of who we are, appreciate what we’ve been given, share the blessings of our wealth be it physical or spiritual, and enjoy the journey of our living. Jesus says to me, appreciate, share, and enjoy for the Father has tomorrow handled. Whether I play a harp for eternity, or return to this place again and again and again is GOD’S venue, what Dennis Wheeler does with His appointed days is mine. I can live an example of a Jesus or Jimmy Hoffa. I can appreciate all I’ve been given or be driven to power and it’s ultimate corruption. I can share what I’ve been given or horde it until that day when it lies in a yard sale weeks after my passing, or worse yet, is tossed into a dumpster and becomes buried with countless other lives under tons of dirt fill.
The reality of life is the hereNOW, the speculation is the hereAfter.
If GOD was less concerned for us He would not have utilized Jesus to promote a better hereNow. GOD would have left us to the Jewish law, or paganism, or mythology. We would be eternal passers by, the bad Samaritan, the righteous priest or the self focused CEO or CFO.
What if I’m in Heaven now? Do I help its dream, or hinder it? Am I promoter of it, or a thief? Am I an encourager of living or a prospector of dying? What do I feel that Jesus would have me do? If I call myself a Christian, to be true to my Jesus and myself, I should be living the best hereNOW I am capable of. I should appreciate it, share it, and enjoy it as the gift that it is.
Amen.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN GOD
DO YOU BELIEVE IN GOD? 
The Pandemic has changed us a great deal. There have been other pandemics prior to this one. There was one in 1957-1958. It did not happen as a political discussion. It did occur when most households had TV, some nightly news. It did not happen with Facebook, or TIK TOK, or IPHONES, or GOOGLE. It wasn’t broadcast on international television or regulated by the CDC. It closed schools. There was no social media to tell us how to behave, how free we were to make decisions for ourselves or whether Republicans were right or wrong or the Democrats were right or wrong. We were well or sick. The numbers from 1918 had been huge. We knew to respect it.
Today’s pandemic has affected millions. An enormous number of people have died from it and we have debated if it was real or not. When I got the Asian Flu in 1957, I slept for a week. I knew it was real. I was real sick. I survived that time. For the current pandemic I took the vaccination in it’s due course this year and have survived. I wore a mask everyday. I still do at work. Other things can make me sick now. It is called older age, Arthritis, High Blood Pressure, Cancer. There have been more debates about reality or fake news than ever before.
A question comes to mind.
If I write and tell you to Believe in GOD because GOD knows what is right or wrong what should I say to you? What will you say to me? Will you say I believe in GOD. Will I take GOD’s side when people ask me if I believe in GOD? Is your question “Is there such a thing as GOD? Is GOD fake news?
These are real questions.
Do you believe in GOD in much the same way as I believed in Santa Claus?
I used to get Christmas presents from Santa Claus, I did not attribute any Christmas gifts as coming from GOD. I new the story about Jesus and Mary, and I knew that I would get some gifts from Santa Claus. I didn’t get a card from GOD. Come to think about it I haven’t gotten a birthday card from GOD. Or did I. Maybe, just maybe, GOD had to send it via a friend, or neighbor or relative. Maybe the gifts I got from my Aunt Vera came via GOD. A world of books to read and study. Maybe Aunt Vera was an angel.
What is GOD to you? GOD never called me “Buddy”. My daughter calls me “Buddy”. I call my daughter “Budette”. I never told MOM that I got beat up by a Bully when I got off the school bus one day with a classmate in fifth grade who proceeded to beat me up because I was a skinny kid and consequently easier to beat up and then brag about it. Did I question where GOD was? Did I ask GOD for help? The book department at the local pharmacy was having a sale on self defense books the day I wandered into the department in 1962. Front and Center. My dad bought me a couple of books I asked for. GOD taught me how to defend myself. GOD encouraged me to be diligent and practice. I studied and I learned and I practiced over the next 40 some years. I’m the Sunday School kid who asked the teacher “Why doesn’t GOD just make good people”?
Do I believe in GOD? I have been told and have heard preachers say that GOD will remand me to hell if I don’t do what GOD tells me to do. If GOD told you to drive the speed limit would you drive the speed limit? If GOD told you to Love one Another would you Love One Another? Why should I believe in a GOD who threatens me like the BULLY threatened me?
GOD, through Jesus, tells me that “A Father had two sons…” and the youngest left home and squandered a fortune yet was welcome back home by his father. (Luke 15: 11-32 The Prodigal Son). I believe in that GOD.
Do you question politics? What is right and what is wrong? Do you question justice and fairness? Do you debate GOD about just what does Love One Another mean? Who does one another consist of? Do you question GOD? Do you believe in GOD? Do you want to believe in GOD? Have you talked to GOD about it? What has GOD done for you?
GOD utilizes people to implement your future. GOD spreads the messages of life throughout your life. The difficult part is recognizing them. And admitting that you recognize and appreciate them. That we all make mistakes is not news. It is what and how GOD talks to us that counts. Look over your life and see just how GOD has been there. See how GOD plans your future when you haven’t even told GOD you could use a bit of help. You have no idea what GOD has planned for you and your future so always give GOD a chance. Our present day society is questioning all things. We are debating the discussions of social media and what is real and what is fake. At some point the question will come to you.
Do you believe in GOD? Why is it important? Is GOD more like Santa Claus or does GOD have a purpose? Does GOD have a purpose for you? Just who sent my Christmas card for what purpose? Santa Claus? OR mom? Or Aunt Vera?
Ask GOD. You will discover a conversationalist beyond compare.
COINCIDENCE
GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING ALL
What an appropriate Word for today. Prayers can be singled out for all of us for different reasons today and we can help each other with a simple enough prayer to remind us that GOD watches out for each one of us. Even when our prayer concerns overlap each other our prayers are each addressed individually. It may be a response from within our spirits. It may be a call from a co-worker, or a neighbor, or a relative or friend. It may come from a stranger we do not know with the right thing to say, and I am sure each of us has had that day when a TV show causes us to say “I sure did need that message today”. Coincidence is GOD’s norm. That said, enjoy today, the gifts it offers, and the opportunities it represents.
Our CARES and PRAYERS.
ME, Mack and Jake
THE BODHI TREE
The Tree
Tamo was a wise master. He was acknowledged to be the wisest of the old masters. He lived as somewhat of a recluse, and often traveled alone. One day the young student approached Tamo and asked:
“Master, I have seen and had many relationships, but none made me ‘Happy”. What makes for a successful relationship between people?”
The wise man sat quietly for some time pondering the young disciple’s question and then pointed to a tree nearby.
“The Bodhi tree is your example. To grow it requires water, and sunlight and air to breathe. If any of the elements are missing, the tree cannot grow and will whither and die.”
The young man then asked: “Why do you live, then, as a recluse?”
The master replied: “Because I have yet to find all four elements present in any relationship I have come across.”
The young man asked: “I do not understand. You listed three elements and now speak of four.”
The master replied: “Among people, relationships require the nurturing of a constant spring of water to feed their roots. They require the warmth of a passion that takes the chill from their leaves when the air is cool and will carry them through the difficult times of growth and aging. And they require the air that is an understanding that recognizes the need to supply the other two in abundance.”
The young man replied: “If all these elements are present, will the relationship then be successful?”
The master replied: “Only if given equally without measure to each, by each.”
The young man replied: “What then is the fourth element?”
The master replied: “Among people, for a relationship to exist as a successful and happy and fulfilling relationship one extra element needs to be present among both that I have found to be indeed a rare pearl in the world of human interaction. In fact, I have found it to be so elusive that I as yet live as a hermit in search of it.”
“And what would that fourth element be?”
“Agape Love.”
In my life I have had relationships where just one element is present, passion will not sustain a relationship. Nurturing from one to another and not returned will not sustain a happy, fulfilling relationship, space to be independent will not guarantee a successful relationship. And Agape Love alone, the spiritual connection, will not sustain a relationship where the other elements are missing. To connect spiritually is indeed rare, but that alone is not enough to bring two distinct physical beings together who have not developed their personal relationship in their present incarnation.
(Originally written in 3-27-2003)
So much happens in our lives over the years that feeding the relationship of one another is a great challenge. Our communication built around our social media has become as much a distraction as a help to the building of and maintenance of happy and successful relationships. There seems to be more against than for. We are trying, as a people, to strengthen the relationships of the disenfranchised and I witness it in the diversity of people that watch out for one another. Love One Another is the greatest of challenges.
This Easter Season is the time to remember what happens tomorrow. A sacrifice that took a group of people to another dimension, One beyond our comprehension and belief. They didn’t see it in a movie or a TV show or streaming to their phone. One may debate the story, but the sacrifice of Jesus’ death and his visible Resurrection to the group who followed him for years has only survived and grown because of their belief in Love One Another. They sacrificed their own lives to share the truth of Jesus Resurrection because they lived it as impossible as it was to believe. No other single person has impacted the world as much. I believe because the sacrifice the disciples made was not to honor some king, or a Pharaoh or because of a Mount Rushmore built in the year 0000, it was only because a few people sacrificed their lives to spread the story of an itinerant Rabbi who was crucified for preaching LOVE ONE ANOTHER. That is the forth element. I believe because of their example which would never have existed without it.
AGAPE.
TIME FLIES – ASK
Time Flies – ASK
Unorthodox Christianity
I have been quiet lately. Have you ever stumbled over writer’s cramps. Your mind is for it yet your heart is a question. When I began writing my website Unorthodox Christianity 20 years ago it wasn’t meant to be a blog. It formatted itself as a book of writings to be acknowledged as a book of writings. Over the years it developed into a blog format. It became writings, or poems, or songs. It became tidbits, those little pet phrases that people have come across as sayings of others, each in their own category. Sometimes too much is on my mind and I find myself a bit lost.
It is time for an update.
The Internet has expanded the scope of ideas and the approaches it has presented. I originally called it, and have returned to it, “For The Disenfranchised”.
So many choices and so much knowledge and discovery that more people are struggling what to believe now more than ever. There are many people who preach a vengeful GOD.
There are many who believe in forever HELL.
When asked once The Dali Llama was asked what celebration he had planned for his birthday. “Why would I celebrate the Birth of my sufferings day?”
So many see the nature of life and feel “What did I do to deserve this?”
Many who have searched for a religious home have felt unwanted, unwelcome or unappreciated. Many have turned away from their spiritual roots in favor of something that makes them feel “I belong”. I noticed a lot of things in the background of my friends growing up. They got into trouble and it was as though they would do anything to simply get their parents attention.
Many wanderers have not discovered The Bible, or any other Religious writings for the sake of new age activity, or because the many messages of life have gotten all tangled up depending on what channel you are watching. Looking for something else you land on a religious channel and listen for a few minutes or your friends are watching, or the last message was not positive, or was negative when blended with others. The questions jump at you on social media and you are now more confused than ever.
When I was young and going to Christian Sunday school as was our culture back then, in the second grade I asked a simple question of my teacher. “If GOD made everything, why didn’t GOD just make good people? I immediately felt a bit unwanted. As my life progressed and I read more of the family culture of the New Testament, I came across Matthew 7.
In Matthew, chapter 7 verse 7 of the New Testament
Jesus said: “Ask, and it will be given to you; search and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to them. Is there one among you who would hand your child a stone when asked for a fish? If you, then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will your “Father” in Heaven give good things to those who ask.
As you read the above passage do something new. Read it this way:
“Ask, and it will be given to you; search and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to them. Is there one among you who would hand your child a stone when asked for a fish? If you, then, who are separated from your message know how to give your children what is good, how much more will you be able to give good things to those who ask a similar question”. That which carries the stigma of “Religion” is full of common sense.
Whenever I have talked to someone that I ASK a question of, I have received an answer in the now conversation. The answers have been given from their perspective. My personal preferential question answerer has been GOD. I have yet to really put my finger on how what many call GOD performs that function as a spirit. Big world, all things created by something. If someone says “Big Bang” theory I ask “Where did the “Big Bang” come from, let alone a baby anything, or a flower, or a snowfall. Most major religions have a simple code of behavior, a Golden Rule, “commandments”, whatever…..Because a mother somewhere said to a child, “Don’t touch the oven it is hot”. And the child learns why.
The answer to curiosity begins by asking WHY. Just ASK. If I could tell you how it works I would have to learn more than my brain has the capacity to hold.
Unorthodox Christianity has to think outside the box. Buddhism, Hinduism, any one of 30,000 denominations of Christianity can answer. How to behave to enjoy your stay on earth in spite of nature, bad people, greed, Success AT ANothers Success or warm, caring, loving and prayerful people by the Billions.
Whether we say “Why should I celebrate the birth of my sufferings day” or “Thank you for the opportunity to smell the roses” Enjoying life must have some importance to something for LIFE IS HERE AMONG US. You do not have to be disenfranchised. There is a world to attend to. As a five year old grand-friend suggested: “Have a question? ASK the INTERNET.
Have a wonderful day and keep an open mind. LIFE IS ON EARTH, take it in while you are here.
IT TAKES MORE THAN LIP SERVICE
IT TAKES MORE THAN LIP SERVICE
Matthew 10: 12 Jesus speaking to His Apostles:
Whatever town or village you go into, ask for someone trustworthy and stay with him before you leave. As you enter his house salute it, and if the house deserves it, let your peace descend upon it; if it does not, let your peace come back to you. And if anyone does not welcome or listen to what you have to say, as you walk out of the house or town, shake the dust from your feet. I tell you solemnly, on the day of Judgment it will not go as hard with the land of Sodom and Gomorrah as with that town. Remember, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be cunning as serpents and yet as harmless as doves.
Beware of men: they will hand you over to the Sanhedrins and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and pagans. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say: what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes; because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your father will be speaking in you.
“Brother will betray brother to death, and father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name; but the man who stands firm to the end will be saved. If they persecute you in one town, take refuge in the next; and if they persecute you in that, take refuge in another. I tell you solemnly, you will not have gone the round of the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
America has reached an apex over the last week. Our beliefs and our behaviors have been challenged as a people unlike ever before.
I have mentioned before in my writings, that you may be the only Jesus that many will ever meet.
The passage, above, that I have attached to this writing was not necessarily written for yesterday. It was written for today. It was not written as much solely for America as it was written for the whole world of today. The challenges of today are no different than the above message was written for the world of 2,000 years ago. The religious leaders of those days were frightened of Jesus’ one message.
The primary message of Jesus, to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER means to love the people next to us, the people around us, the family we share with, the people that mean the most to us. Love the neighbor as yourself. The text from Matthew is about the challenge of the message to all of us. The message of Jesus when He spoke to His apostles dealt with how difficult the message was to be absorbed by others.
Make no mistake, Jesus set in motion a new standard that was accepted by so many that it threatened so many of those whose power was based on a whole different standard than loving and caring for one another.
Many segments of the world are still afraid of losing power to LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Many segments of the world have learned over the years that those unlike them are people to be afraid of. LOVE ONE ANOTHER threatened their own security.
In our country our democracy is based on our forefathers and their declaration of Independence and their Constitution.
“All Men are created equal”.
“With Liberty and Justice for ALL”.
The years have shown that “All men are created equal” and “Liberty and Justice for All” seems to be more of Lip Service than reality. The events of this last year have proven that the sacrifices of many to LOVE ONE ANOTHER, over many years, have been challenged again. Our country has proven that a majority of America believes in the message of Jesus. Everywhere one turns the first responders, the doctors and nurses and care givers and food providers have risked their lives for one another.
But there have also been those for whom “Shake the dust from your feet” is applicable to those afraid of LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
It takes more than LIP SERVICE to be the hands of JESUS. Whether we approach Jesus as the son of GOD, or as a very wise man spreading a message of hope from a Cross.
Jesus encapsulated a personal message from the Cross. “Forgive them Father for they know not what they do”. Much of what has occurred this last year has brought the Jesus challenge to the forefront and a great many of the people embrace it. 2,000 years ago Jesus said it would not be easy. Jesus lived the challenge of His ministry 2,000 years ago, and today that challenge remains waiting for you to be the hands of Jesus, the mouthpiece of LOVE ONE ANOTHER and a home that Jesus shares time with.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER takes more than LIP SERVICE. Hundreds of thousand’s of people can attest that LOVER ONE ANOTHER does not belong to one church, or one nation or one race or one anything. Get to know that Jesus, not as a historical figure, but as your friend.
AMEN
AS WE FORGIVE THOSE 1-6-2021
AS WE FORGIVE.. 1- 6 – 2021
Yesterday in America was a day we shall never forget. I remember on 9-11-2001 I was leaving a bit late to work, so I called the office to let them know I would be a few minutes late. The secretary replied, obviously upset, “Turn on your TV NOW”. I did so just in time to see an airplane fly into Tower 2 of the World Trade Center.
Yesterday I received a call to turn on my TV right now. I saw AMERICA attacked again, not by some unknown entity but by Americans, at the behest of The President of The United States to be strong.
Just what do I write? What do I say. Through Unorthodox Christianity what do I say when people will ask why? My friends voted for Donald Trump. My friends families voted for Trump. People said that Trump was a no-brainer to vote into the Presidency.
He was universally accepted as a great Christian and a potentially great leader. Today when asked, what do I say? The following is what I have chosen to write. You have to judge for yourselves where you go from here.
Matthew 24: 5
And Jesus answered them, “Take care that no one deceives you; because many will come using my name and saying, “I am the Christ,”and they will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars; do not be alarmed, for this is something that must happen, but the end will not be yet. For nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes here and there. All this is only the beginning of the birth pangs…..
Luke 21: 8
“Take care not to be deceived he said, because many will come using my name and saying ‘I am he” and, ‘The time is near at hand.’ Refuse to join them”.
Luke 11: 1-13
The disciples asked of Jesus: “How do we pray?”
Jesus responded “Pray like this:
Our Father (GOD) which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name,
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done
ON EARTH, as it is in HEAVEN.
Give us this day our daily bread
And Forgive us our trespasses
AS WE FORGIVE THOSE who have trespassed against us.
Lead us not into temptation, and deliver us from evil.
For THINE is the KINGDOM and THINE is the POWER
And THINE is the GLORY
FOREVER and FOREVER..
RESTORES MY SOUL
RESTORES MY SOUL
The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures,
He leadeth me beside still waters
He restoreth my soul.
He leadeth me in the paths of right-eousness for His name’s sake.
(Psalms 23 kjv)
Years ago I read the 23rd Psalm over and over again and felt it was talking to me. I just couldn’t seem to relate. For me it was missing a few things for me to relate to. What was it saying to me. The above is just a part of the 23rd Psalm, but it will apply for this discussion.
The Lord is my Saviour and my guide. I shall have all that I require. (Not all that I want, what I require. I will still have more than many do).
(When the fields that I have been tilling have become brown and barren), He bids me to lie down in green pastures.
(When my Faith has been sorely tested and I am ready to give up) He restores my Faith (and my Soul to me).
He leads me along the right paths, (those of your own choosing, that I may serve you there).
At some point in time, every day, I offer this prayer up to GOD (and the rest of Psalm 23) Whoever, whatever, and However GOD happens.
(When my Faith has been sorely tested and I am ready to give up), He restores my Faith (and my Soul to me).
The accumulation of writings called the BIBLE is so much more than a “Religious” writing. The Psalms are in the history of the Jewish faith. For me they are the story of life is. I chose it for today because I have seen much in my life but none that compares to 2020. It is a book that teaches a history lesson of a people struggling, as many do, of what is the purpose of GOD. GOD has been a creator, fighter of wars, a judge, a jury, and you name it. But here in 2020, WHEN MY FAITH HAS BEEN SORELY TESTED AND I AM READY TO GIVE UP HE RESTORES MY FAITH AND MY SOUL TO ME.
FAITH believes that there is something greater than the times. There is hope. There is LOVE. There is caring. There are thousands around the world who put their lives at risk so that I can have (ALL THAT I REQUIRE). HE RESTORES MY SOUL that my FAITH is on solid ground. GOD does not require a church, GOD does not require follow the leader. Your own choices determine your own locations.
GOD does RESTORE FAITH which RESTORES MY SOUL. It may be In the smile of someone passing by. In the “Can I Help you”, at the store. In that feeling when you yell “GOD” And GOD whispers, “I’ve got your back”. 2020 has made many of us wonder where the world has gone. 2020 instills a risk of pain, loss and change for sure. All of us know someone whose future is changing dramatically. Know one thing from GOD. You ask, and GOD will RESTORE YOUR FAITH and your SOUL.
AMEN