Smiling feathers flew past me on a blissful day as I lay on fluffy green sheets of grass

Oh, my thoughts are neither near nor far and there is only perfect peace

As the smiling feathers fall all around from Keleki’s Womb!

I wish I could have snapped a photo, it’s just that I was driving at 80 km at the time, on a busy Hwy 99… right in the middle of the fast lane of Hwy 99 was an upside down fruit/vegetable cardboard box… and it looked worried😆

The “handle hole” like a wide open mouth-frown, and the air holes like wide eyed stare of a horrified animal

As I pondered a certain thought, I saw them there in the casket,

Those clothes

Arms folded on the chest, shoulders bunched a little bit close to each other,

Buttoned up, empty, and clean, yet nonetheless bore the marks of having been worn before

As I peered in at them, I leaned in to put them on,

But they would not yield to my touch,

They would not allow me to grasp them

But I did feel a pull

As though they would pull me into them!

I felt them pulling me down into the grave

I pulled away…

Meanwhile my life passed me by, with all of its demands that I at times obeyed, at times resisted, and at times succumbed to

Then, one day, as though awakened from a dreamy sleep, I found myself dressed in those same clothes I once tried to grasp, and once tried to allude

These clothes are now on my shoulders, their creases are my creases, their folds rippling along my arms, chest and legs

It’s me, we’re one and the same, every bit me, yet not at all

My eye caught the sight of the casket… and to my calm surprise I saw my past resemblance laying there

How I could be two, how I could be laying there, and standing here, that alludes me still

But you will excuse me now… I have dragons to slay, and horses to ride…

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,”

Hebrews 10:24

There’s a difference between “spur one another on” and minding each other’s business

David Guzik:

Forsaking the assembling of ourselves together: Forsaking fellowship is a sure way to give place to discouragement. This festers where God’s people are not exhorting one another.

i. Many go to church if they feel they “need it” at the time. But our motivation for fellowship must be to obey God and to give to others. We can go to church looking to encourage someone who needs to hang in there against a tide of discouragement.

ii. “Christian exhortation means the expression of our hearts to others to urge them to continue on the Christian path. It may include testimony, and often will necessitate warning.” (Newell)

c. So much the more as you see the Day approaching: As the Day of Jesus’ return draws nearer, we should be more committed to the fellowship of God’s people, the assembling of ourselves together.

This what I want to say this morning…

But as I wrote, I kept getting interrupted with Scripture! So wonderful!

I know God is speaking to me, when he backs up what he is saying through his well established written word, being brought to my mind.

Today’s message came to me as I was meditating on the message and scriptures quoted in a little book published by Pastor H H Barber, “Comfort”

In the text commentaries available in the Blue Letter Bible App, there is one fellow I’ve come to really appreciate, his name is David Guzik. The following is part of his commentary on 1 Corinthians 15.

Most of us are so concerned about living comfortable lives here on earth that our lives give no evidence of the resurrection.

David Guzik

This word about seeking comfortable lives caught my attention because of a word my wife received during our virtual home group Bible study. About not being satisfied with being comfortable.

God, I pray that you will help me to tie all of these scriptures (quoted below) into one coherent message.

The underlying bedrock fact is that God’s word is The Authority. The not so obvious is that hearing the word not only puts me in a position to be saved from the blindness that comes from complacency, but it also stands on its own as a witness of God’s faithfulness to each and everyone of us who hear it.

“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.”

John 12:46-48

Think of the scenario where I awaken in a dark cave, seeking to escape. I need light! God’s word is that light, given through obedient, loving brothers and sisters in Christ! The light being turned on, I now have the choice to consider my steps. I can ignore this message, and stay in the cave, or I can submit to this message, allowing God lead me out!

One day I will be standing in God’s presence, and held accountable. God’s faithfulness is absolute to us all! None of us can say, “nobody told me?!?”

How can that be? The Message of the gospel is alive! Jesus is alive, The Holy Spirit is our teacher and reminder!

Let’s break out of the imagery of poetry into the open air of the real world! Our response to God’s word to us is always, prayer. The opposite of hardening my heart, is to listen, and obey it,

[words of Jesus] “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

John 14:26

“So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness,”

Hebrews 3:7-8

“God I hear you, I know your word is true, I know that since I hear this message, it’s to save me! Oh, Father God, forgive me, Lord, heal me, open my eyes, in Jesus name I pray, Amen”

To walk away from this message I receive today, I will be like the dog returning I his vomit, like the fool who returns to his folly.

“Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly. Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”

Proverbs 26:11-12

Is ours a society of narcissists? Are we not in love with ourselves. Surely the best way to “sell” anything is to appeal to how it will benefit the buyer.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”

Proverbs 14:12 ESV

In Revelation 12 we read about the Dragon, the poetic image is of Satan, and the scenario is that he is seeking to destroy, but “they” triumphed over him! Who are THEY do you think?

“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”

Revelation 12:11 NIV

They defeated him through the blood of the Lamb and the bold word of their witness. They weren’t in love with themselves; they were willing to die for Christ.

Revelation 12:11 The Message

Are you complacent? Are you comfortable? Or is there a gnawing anxiety inside of you? Could that anxiety be nothing less than God’s Holy Spirit calling out to you?

What is complacency?

What do you have to lose? Call out to God!

“Oh, God, I need your clarity! I need you to teach me in a way that I can understand! I need you Lord to shred these ropes that have me bound, and helpless. Save me, in the name of Jesus Christ, your son, Amen

Brutally aware of what codependency is all about, I need to contend with what the following two quotes DO NOT mean, so that those who would benefit from them won’t go astray. The counterfeit and the true currency are nearly identical. One is worth the whole, the other wholly worthless.

A river doesn’t need water, and others benefiting from its wet, do not deplete it. When a tree casts its fruit, the consumption of it does nothing to deplete the tree.

If your gift to the world depletes you, is it good? If you give away what you yourself need to survive, then soon you and the one you are ‘helping’ will both be in need of help.

But also, my wife and children, and parents, are my primary responsibility. The needs of others are blessed by the overflow. My wife, Cheryl and my son, Ashton, reach out the world around us united in our hearts and effort.

The one who suffers the consequences of their own actions are said to be ‘paying their own price’ and they will therefore tally up the credits and debits and learn to be frugal. No need to be frugal with the resources of another person, for their are millions of people to leach from.

Abraham Maslow “Towards a Psychology of Being” says that only one who has truly come to know and understand themselves. You have to be selfish before you can transcend that same self.

The Bible says,

“And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ That is Matthew chapter 22 verse 39, the verses before it holds the vital key,

“Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”

That’s what Bonhoeffer and Pope Francis are talking about.

Nothing in nature lives for itself. The rivers do not drink their own water; the trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We are all born to help each other. No matter how difficult it is…Life is good when you are happy; but much better when others are happy because of you.

Pope Francis

Fruit is always the miraculous, the created; it is never the result of willing, but always a growth. The fruit of the Spirit is a gift of God, and only He can produce it. They who bear it know as little about it as the tree knows of its fruit. They know only the power of Him on whom their life depends —

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “The Cost of Discipleship”

Expectations:

1) To know him

2) To take hold of THAT

– “that” is that which he took a hold of me for

I have the “gift or curse” of musing disconnected from my cognitive ability to understand and to be deeply impacted by the overall ministry of the Holy Spirit.

John 2:1-5

The miracle of the water to wine. Jesus made a choice that day, he knew the road he was put on earth to walk. He referred to this when he answered his mother,

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:1-5

There is a series available on YouTube called, The Chosen. This first miracle of Jesus is depicted in Episode 5. There is an introduction to the video that you can fast forward through if you want, but watch it.

The jars that are to be used to make the wine, are the ceremonial washing Jars. Wine is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Also, it is a symbol of the Blood of Christ. Washing with water alludes to the law.

When Jesus chose to turn that water into wine, he chose to begin his “time” on earth.

Try reading the Gospel of John and make note of the choices Jesus made. The reason ‘why’ he did what he did. What are those reasons, if there is more than one? Why did Jesus behave the way he did?

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 5:7-10

So this part of the verse is what I must grapple with: “Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered”

Really? Jesus learned obedience?!?

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 1 Peter 4:1.

I’ve enjoyed talking with an honest thinker today.

My response is to cease sounding like I’ve got it all figured out, and admit my own spiritual and moral poverty instead. But these scriptures are clues the message God has put on my heart. These scriptures I present to you, to ponder, and pray about.

¹¹ And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Revelation 12:11

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man. John 2:23-25

What does it mean, “ But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them” ?

Back to John’s Gospel, 

How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? John 5:44

I struggled for quite a while with this notion that it’s OK to seek the Glory that comes from God. What is pleasing to God?

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

1) believes that he exists

2) that he is a rewarder

of them that earnestly (diligently) seek him

The following scripture tells me what to do with worries about my needs on earth. The whole chapter is summed up in the final two verses.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:33-34

This quote came to mind:

Abraham Maslow “Towards a Psychology of Being”

I go much further, and am convinced that knowledge and action are frequently synonymous, even identical in the Socratic fashion. Where we know fully and completely, suitable action follows automatically and reflexly. Choices are then made without conflict and with full spontaneity.

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Philippians 3:12 NIV

In the movie, “The Last Picture Show” religion is depicted accurately, I think. But let’s not get that mixed up with God’s relationship with his creation through Jesus Christ.

The town as depicted is void of the perspective that comes from seeking God’s kingdom. The emptiness is excruciating.

The photo above is a scene with the two characters, Ruth and Sonny. Ruth is a 40 year old, lady who’s husband is the High school basketball and football coach, Sonny is one of the players on those teams, probably 18. If you don’t know the movie, here’s the details pertinent to my comment.

Sonny dumps Ruth without explanation or ceremony. He is confronted with the affair in a few different ways.

One in particular is Jacy’s Mom, Lois, who softly urges that Sonny did wrong in the way he ended things with Ruth.

In the photo above the forlorn Sonny is sullen, and discontent. Sorry for ill treating Ruth, and one or two deaths that have occurred during the timeline also.

The moral lesson is there. But what a sad lesson.

If you believe in a true conscience, and I do, this scene is an example of a culturally imposed conscience. The true wound is infidelity, adultery, betrayal…

If you take this movie’s message to heart, and “do things right” you will have your sexual affairs, and end them honourably. You will seize the moment, without regrets.

And you will be just empty and lost in the end as any and all depicted.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

Matthew 5:4

I feel like those soldiers

After the battle, safe at home

They miss the days gone by with their comrades

They have a hollow place that wonders why they were spared

They have a bitter sweet waiting to join them, as life plods on

There’s a Joy waiting just beyond this mourning

But for now I’ll wait at this table, across from all of these

And Bless God for the times I’ve shared

…today, I will muse, and miss and mourn.

And look to God, who holds my tomorrow, just around the bend