Stand My Watch

I happened to watch three similar videos on Facebook recently about sheep. In each video the sheep have fallen into a hole, a crack in the earth, or in a mud pit. Without being rescued, each would have probably died.

In the Passion Translation of John 21, Jesus is speaking with His disciple, Peter. He asks Peter if he “burns with love for Him?” When Peter answers, Jesus then tells him to take care of My lambs. Jesus again asks Peter “do you burn with love for me?” Peter answers as he did the first time and says “Yes, Lord, I have great affection for you.” Jesus then tells him to take care of His sheep. Finally Jesus asks Peter if he has great affection for Him. Peter finally answers, “Lord, You know everything. You know that I burn with love for You!” Jesus finally says, “Then feed My lambs.” In the Aramaic, it says Jesus is referring to the male, female and the young sheep. This command that Jesus gave Peter is also given to all who are in a position of shepherd, be it apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher. No matter what your position may be, the responsibility is the same.

Sheep can be quite stupid, as evidenced by the one sheep in a hole so deep only its back feet were visible. It was forcibly pulled out. The baby lamb was gently taken out and the sheep stuck in the mud pit took great effort to extricate. To me, this appeared analogous to what I STILL see with what Christians are speaking and writing, especially on social media, and they have run full steam into a pit of confusion and anger. It is unrelenting. And many Christian leaders are right there with them. Stuck in a pit of anger, being stirred up by a political and religious spirit. The blind leading the blind and both fall into the ditch. Are you aware of the spirit connected to all of this? Hate is hate. And what it breeds only brings destruction. This has been going on for over a year and it is not abating but is getting stronger.

You don’t shake a baby. That is shaken child syndrome. But those mature enough to know what the Word says need to be. Shaken sheep syndrome. And that includes many religious leaders. Who are you following? What kingdom are you building? Do you truly Burn with Love for the Lord? Do you know the awesome responsibility of caring for His sheep? If yes, then where are these words of continued division coming from? It says in Hebrews 12 that there will be a removal of things that can be shaken but that we have a Kingdom that cannot be shaken. Better for you to shake those things that have no business around you then be holding onto them when things are shaken by Him. Even Paul said in 1 Corinthians 4:21, “should I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?” Sheep are being led to places where many can fall in a pit. We need to test ourselves to see if we are walking as He directs us.

Pursue peace. Walk in holiness the best that you can. Stay on the right path regardless of the  path the world chooses. Or even if Christians follow that worldly path.  Ask Him, for He will give you understanding in all things. There is anger everywhere. We need to walk away from it as it will only pull us into a dangerous place. Blessings.

Predictions of what the future will bring, near or down the road, are as ubiquitous on the internet and facebook as cat and dog videos. And many of them are just as insightful. The discord of disagreeing opinions is unrelenting. Church leaders are still trying to show how their constant and repetitive predictions were correct and are adding attachments to their forecasting. Those who disagreed with these sentiments are saying why doom is imminent because of the outcome. Yet in the midst of all these messages of gloom and bright shiny days simultaneously, one thing is still missing. The church has yet to see the role it played in adding to the hate, division, and now this bitter animosity we see, and it continues to throw gasoline onto an already raging fire. Too much of “my side won” rather than prayer for His peace. Many say that they are not saying those things, but if you stand idly by with no response when others say hurtful and divisive things, then you’re part of the problem. I know that people on both sides of the issue are making polarizing statements, but the Church is supposed to be seen as a light in this world.

This is much like the practice of fracking. People want to get oil and gas out of the ground as quickly and cheaply as they can. So they force a mixture of water, sand, and dangerous chemicals into a crack in the earth’s structure. They get their oil and gas, but in the process they pollute drinking water, and the waste water from this has no place to go. Pressure builds up and seismic activity is induced, eventually causing an earthquake. Some areas have had drastic increases in earthquakes as well as an increase in the magnitude. This is analogous to what we see some are doing in the evangelical community. They are so intent on getting their message through that they pay no heed to the measures they use to be heard and of the consequences of their methods. Christ is usually absent from the ways many have chosen to align themselves to hate and discord. The ways justify the means. They celebrate what they feel is a victory, but the way in which this has been done has brought dishonor to Him. They have listened for the voice of God in the great wind that can tear apart mountains and feel they heard Him speak in the earthquake. They saw and heard directions in the fire of chaos, but they missed what He said in that still small voice. And He is still saying things in that still small voice for what may still come. But they’re listening to the storm, not to Him.

So the forecast says there is no lull after the storm. It still rages. There will be all types of inclement weather. It will be like watching the different tracks of computer models for a hurricane and the forecaster having no idea which one is correct. They will say a weather satellite is no longer in orbit so it’s just too hard to predict what this storm will do. Try speaking to it! Tell it to dissipate! Christians need to believe and show who He is in them. Quit following those who speak great swelling words of emptiness. They are like clouds without water. Behavior contrary to the teachings of Christ produces only division and ill will. Again, come out from among them and be separate. Quit fretting over every new thing you hear. As it so profoundly says in Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Blessings.

The Passion Translation in Ephesians 4:21, 26-27 and 29 says “If you have really experienced the Anointed One, and have heard His truth, it will be seen in your life, for we know that the ultimate reality is embodied in Jesus. So be passionate! But don’t let the passion of your emotions lead you to sin! Don’t let anger control you or be fuel for revenge, not even for a day. Don’t give the slanderous accuser, the Devil, an opportunity to manipulate you. And guard your speech—never let ugly or hateful words come from your mouth, but instead let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others; do this by speaking words of grace to help them.” And in Hebrews 12: 14-15 it says, “In every relationship be swift to choose peace over competition and run swiftly towards holiness…. and make sure no one lives with a root of bitterness sprouting within them which will only cause trouble and poison the hearts of many.”

 I’ve watched, read, and listened very closely to what Christians have been saying and writing for the last year. More and more, it just about became impossible to tell I was witnessing the words of those who were believers in Christ. I pray you take some time and reflect after this election cycle and see if there is anything you’d like to change in how you represented Him. We are supposed to walk as children of light. We will hopefully know tonight who our next President will be. We need healing. It’s up to us to pray.

 When I lived in Jupiter, FL, I had a place dedicated and bathed in prayer. As soon as I would sit there, both my dog and cat would immediately get as close as they could to the loveseat I always sat on. The presence of God would be there so quickly and they would not move no matter how long I sat there. They’d close their eyes and any external stimuli that would normally get their attention, was ignored. I’d spend time there each day. It became a place consecrated to the Lord and I’ve had trouble being able to recapture that since moving. There are things that have happened in my life that have caused me to lose focus, but this is still incumbent on me to recapture. I press on.

 In Genesis chapters 13 and 18, Abraham has an encounter with God by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron. He built an altar to the Lord at that place in dedication to Him. Abraham ministered to the Lord by bringing water to wash the feet of the Lord and the feet of the angels, and provided food and offering. We need a place that is just ours where we meet with the Lord. Dedicated to Him. In our hearts of course, but also a physical place where we wait in prayer. The terebinth tree was known for being a symbol of strength and power. One tradition, according to Josephus, says the tree was as old as the world itself. Angels came there. The terebinth tree had an extensive root system allowing it to remain green even in drought. All of this reflects Christ. We need to sit in His presence and listen to what He is saying. We need to be healed and refreshed from this season of ugliness. We need to repent. We need to be like that tree as it says in Psalm 1:3 “That is planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does will prosper.” We cannot prosper or do anything of worth for the Kingdom remaining like this. Find that place of solitude with Him. Plant your terebinth tree.  See how deep your roots will go.

Walk in the wisdom of God and make it your duty to make Him known. Let every word you speak be drenched with grace and tempered with truth and clarity. I pray peace and renewing in all of us. Blessings.

Pastors and prophets have for months now been telling you what they will do regarding this election. It has become commonplace to call evil good, and good evil. They cite a couple of examples of how the person lines up with what a Christian should believe but disregard so many other glaring faults that should disqualify that person. They choose to compromise contrary to God. Many of these well known pastors have brought a wolf into their congregations to fellowship with them under the pretense of introducing them to the congregation. Sheep usually follow the shepherd. They see a wolf on a leash and think maybe they are safe. He’s the shepherd, so why would he put them in harm’s way? They follow aimlessly, but a sense of unease is starting to take root. They argue with some of their fellow sheep and some walk off on their own. Usually, to their demise. Something is off but they are not able to recognize what it is with any discernment. Too much discord causes stress. Soon their wool loses its sheen and thickness. They’re still looking to the shepherd, but he is self-absorbed, and because he has stepped into an arena that caters to his own self-interest and not the flock, he is now unable to see the danger he has loosed within his own flock. Now the sheep head in different directions, as the voice of the shepherd no longer is one of truth and right standing authority. Some people look upon all of this and shake their heads in dismay. What shepherd, aware of his standing before the one who entrusted these sheep to him, would lead their sheep to drink from bitter and polluted waters? These shepherds thought they tamed this wolf, but they set him loose among the unsuspecting. For the wolf, it is now mealtime.

Still, these men who purport to serve God and look after His sheep, come up with so many reasons why they are right. I’ve spoken to quite a few people that are either on the fence regarding belief in Christ or are even agnostic or atheist.  They see this as a good reason to remain where they are. I am thankful He allowed me to speak to them in the hope something might resonate. The Lord did not tell me that His choice was Trump or Clinton. He did point me to His word and I know it did not change. He likened this to Genesis 11, when the people listened not to God but went off united on their own path. But the Lord told me that it was His mercy displayed when He confused their language so that they would not be able to understand one another. But He is not doing that now. He is leaving us to our own devices. We already do not understand each other, yet continue to rail against every precept He has set before us in an uncommon unity. When we follow things that appeal to the most vile and visceral parts of our nature, how can we expect to hear Him with clarity? Something in my spirit has been in a state of continual unrest and agitation for too long. My prayer time, for this especially, has increased. If people could truly look to see what they have willfully followed, and the hate and discord it has wrought, would they stop and realize the destruction they have brought upon the Kingdom? I’m speaking to those who say they are Christians. What have you done with the teachings of Jesus? Are you aware that this same hatred you voice against so many you openly disagree with has such a negative but forceful power to cause lasting damage? Are you aware that this same hate-spewed venom is tapped into the main root of that same spirit of hate that said to Pilate of Christ, “CRUCIFY HIM!”?  Are you no more enlightened then they were that day? As I keep saying, come out from among them!

It is said that if God’s people will humble themselves and pray, seek Him, and repent, He will forgive and heal this land. It is never too late. I pray as Paul did in Rom. 15:13 “that the God of hope will fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Blessings.

I have been receiving messages on Facebook, constantly reading Christian views on what they feel I’m required as a believer to do, or having people start conversations as to why I must vote a certain way. The fate of the world is hinged on this election. I opt out of their conversations. Yet the closer we get to Nov 8, the more I hear from others that I must cast my vote for Trump to protect the 2^nd amendment or free speech or state’s rights. Please someone get a copy of an 8^th grade civics book to find out what measures one has to take to change an amendment. As to religious leaders being worried about losing their tax exempt status if they say the “wrong” thing, try preaching the kingdom and see if that produces different results. Quit trying to align yourselves with people of power no matter who they are. Come out from among these people who will say anything to get your support, and be separate. (more on this in a future post) When I tell the few people I share my views with that I am writing in a candidate,  I’m harshly met with how I will be responsible for the future balance of the Supreme Court.  You’re trying to put that on me? When that clown car drove up to the circus tent and they kept getting out, you had 16 choices. But the 17^th clown got out and he was the one with the bucket, threatening to throw water on everyone. You all laughed. But it turned out to be toxic waste. And instead of being horrified, you followed him and ate up every horrible thing he said and did.

Now you say I must choose the lesser of two evils, and for evangelicals, that is Trump. That’s not scriptural. Duet 30:19 says, “I set before you life and death, choose life.” Josh 25:15 says “choose who you will serve. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” Gal 6:8 says “sow to the flesh and reap corruption or to the Spirit and reap eternal life.” We can follow Christ or not. We can believe or not. We are not to believe that choosing the lesser of two evils is right. Rom 3:8 says, “And why do evil that good may come from it as people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.” And it says in 1Thess 5:22, “we are to abstain from every form of evil.” I cannot profess one thing and follow another path set by man. I have enough trouble doing what is right to consciously follow a lie.

Please do not mistake this for a partisan rant. I’m an independent and always have been. I supported both Reagan and Bush41. I try to follow what I believe is right and I am in deep prayer on this. But when those who identify themselves as Christians and support a person who denigrates a war hero like Senator McCain, or a hero who died for this country but happened to be of the wrong faith according to some, who encourages violence, is comfortable maligning anyone who disagrees with him, is racist, hateful, arrogant, xenophobic, has a history of cheating contractors he agreed to pay, refuses to commit himself to learning what is necessary to know as a leader of the U.S. , or has the temperament of a spoiled brat, then you need to step away from a person like that. And though politicians are known for lying, he has made it a new art form. But even with all of this, his treatment of women from things he has been heard saying, to name calling, to threatening to sue those who have testified publically to what they said he did, to a lascivious look at a little girl and saying he’d be dating her in ten years, is more than I can stomach. I’d rather see the Republican party implode and learn from its mistakes.

A pastor I know wrote, “We the church have a much higher call than one presidential election. We have to stand for righteousness no matter the cost.” He also asked, “Church, what happens if you gain the Supreme Court but lose your soul?” I know this is a troubling time, but we still have to show who we are in Christ. The Lord said through his prophet Micah in 6:8, “What does the Lord require of you but that you do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with the Lord your God.” We have to follow His precepts no matter what is going on around us. Trust Him no matter the intensity of the storm. Just like Abraham, “contrary to hope, in hope he believed.” Blessings.

I have never been more disheartened with what I see from fellow Christians that are involved in the terrible state of affairs over this current political cycle. The vitriolic spouting of words filled with hate and anger amaze me. Each election gets worse. Granted the shape of the world is also deteriorating at a seemingly breakneck speed, but as Christians, your light is supposed to shine rather than be extinguished by a miasma of political vapors. You are to guard your heart for out of it springs all the issues of life. We who are spiritual should judge all things but we are told by the apostle Paul to imitate Christ. I do not see that. Your faith should be in God not the wisdom of men. At what point do we stop and say, “Is this who I am, is this the person that represents my beliefs?” I hear demonic and sensual dialogue masquerading as wisdom. Words fueled by anger, wrath, malice, filthy language, hatred, dissension, jealousy, backbiting, and selfish ambitions. And Evangelicals rally around these sentiments raising their voices in support! Come out from among them and be separate! You are to show Christ in you and your love for your fellow man. I am not professing an exaggerated example of turning the other cheek as if all will work out. But I am saying that you have the mind of Christ and with that you should expect to be led in the Way you should go and not be led by man. There is a way that seems right to man but in the end is the way of death. The words of their mouth seem smoother than butter in how they entice but war and division is in their heart. I find it astonishing that the same people that purport to follow the teachings of Christ and have the word readily available to them and supposedly within them, fall prey to those who easily lead them away. Who has bewitched you!!! The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells within you. Yet you are enticed by clouds carried by a tempest spouting great swelling words of emptiness and with promises that you know will not be delivered and are fueled by jingoistic fervor all the while saying this will lead to liberty but is actually leading you into bondage. We are to be examples of whom we serve. When hate, anger, lies and dissension reign, then that is what enters us. We become what we behold. And with that this is how we are seen by those who already step back from Christ. We are the first thing people see when they look to Christ. Is it any wonder that Ghandi said “I could believe in this Christ if it wasn’t for you Christians.” There is more at stake here than just who wins this coming election. Your very essence is involved. Again, guard your hearts. And gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

When I was about eight years old, my mom took my sisters and me by train, from Norfolk, Va. To Kinston, NC. If I remember correctly, my youngest sister was just a baby. They were all in one row and it was too crowded for me to fit in. So I sat in the row directly behind them. The rows held about three people each. Sitting in my row next to the window was a young black lady probably about 30 years of age. She seemed to keep her focus on what she saw from the window view and not on who she just saw sit in the same row as her. At this particular time in our nation, especially in these states, this was not usually done. The oldest of my sisters asked my mom if I had to sit there. She was only four but knew enough as to how the social mores worked. I told her and my mom that I was fine. When she started to say something to my mom a second time, I repeated what I had just said, but this time harsher and showing a look of anger. My mom said it was fine.

 The young lady, though, had a different look. She had a look of controlled defiance, but also looked genuinely upset. I’m sure, looking back on this, that this was not the first time this had happened to her, but now with a little boy! All because I was white, she could have been forced to change her seat. She sat in that seat until her stop without a word or a glance. I, on the other hand, was embarrassed to the point that my face was flushed and hot. I didn’t do anything wrong, but I was ashamed. The fact that anyone had that kind of power, especially just because of the color of your skin, should cause you to feel shame. As she got up to walk past me when she got off, she glanced at me. The look on her face had not changed. Impassive. Stoic. Yet her eyes betrayed the hurt she was hiding. How long would injustice like this continue?

 I never forgot this episode in my life. Maybe, and hopefully, God was using this to instill something in me that I’d never forget. If you can’t show Christ in you, how can you effectively represent Him in any way? I, and all of us, fall short of His glory and can so easily be terrible examples of a God that says we are all His children. It does not take someone to preach a prophetic message to get people to realize what is happening in our world today. Turn on the TV. Read a paper. Listen to some of the vile things said by people within earshot or just spouting an opinion and finding nothing offensive in what they say even though it is littered with filth. Colossians 3:8 says “put off all anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language from your mouth.” But it also says in Matthew 12:34, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” If wrong thoughts are in you, they will eventually come out. Guard your heart with all diligence for out of it springs all the issues of life.

On April 4, 1968, I was riding in a car with a couple of friends going to get a cup of coffee at Walls Dairy in East Hampton, Ct. It was starting to get dark, and as we approached the intersection of N. Maple St. and W. High St., we saw someone in the middle of the road. He looked distraught and angry. He was pacing back and forth and appeared to be talking. We slowed down, for in order to go past we would have had to go out of our lane to do so. I then recognized him and said “ Stop and let me out. It’s Craig.” He not only appeared to be emotionally hurting, but angry. He wanted to release some of his justified anger on the first person who might yell at him to get out of the middle of the road. I walked up to him and put my hand on his shoulder. His eyes were filled with rage, but when he saw me he quieted a bit. I asked him what was wrong. He replied, “They killed Dr. King.”

I knew what the word “they” meant. I asked him to walk with me to the side of the road and we then walked down the back road to Wall’s Dairy while we talked. No matter how bad I felt, or how bad I felt for him, there was no way I could truly feel the depth of his pain. I am white and Craig was a black man. But we were friends, and there was a degree of trust between us. We talked for quite awhile and shared stories. I asked him to come with me and get a cup of coffee, but he said he just wanted to go home. I gave him a hug at a point in my life when guys didn’t hug other guys. I so felt his anguish. We always remained friends and he was by my house many times for poker night.

I realized the importance of Dr. King ~ not because of what I read, or watching the news, or especially from adults in my early formative years ~ but from my interest in this good man. I had heard him speak on TV, but in actuality I may have heard but didn’t understand the depth and significance of what he was really saying. My best friend before moving to East Hampton, Ct from N. Kingstown, RI was Kenny. A black man. At the time it didn’t set well with my father. But he was my friend so end of story. It was often Kenny, Dana, JB and I together and we were more than just friends. We were brothers. My family came to love him. And when Kenny and I got in a fight once, he gave me quite a black eye and I cut his lip. Thought he’d be mad at me for a time. But he went by my house, unbeknownst to me, and talked with my mom, telling her we had a fight and he gave me a shiner. He figured they’d obviously see it and wonder what fight I got into this time. She answered him that if he felt he had to hit me, then I obviously deserved it! Kenny was part of the family.

It was through Kenny that I truly learned about Dr. King. I was standing in his living room and his parents were watching a clip on the news of a speech Dr. King had given. Though I had heard Dr. King before, this was the first time I actually heard him where it resonated into the center of me. I listened to Kenny’s dad speak over Dr. King’s words. I felt, as much as I could, how his heart was touched. The hope that was in him for things to change and get better. This was the day I really first heard and listened to Dr. King. I saw years of pain visible on the face of Kenny’s dad and saw tears in his eyes. Kenny’s mom sat quietly and nodded her agreement periodically. I started to see and learn. Prior to that day, I was just a bystander. Some head knowledge, but no heart knowledge. I’m still trying to learn.

The world is coming unraveled and all people of good conscience, especially those who say they’ve given their heart to Christ, must take stock of where we are at this point in our lives and in this country. Hate is becoming more insidious. People try to disguise it as pointing out what is wrong with a particular person, ethnic group, race, sex and so on, but it is an evil that is here to rob, kill, and destroy. Do not be taken in by these lies. Yes, there is wrong everywhere, but remedying this starts with each one of us. No one can opt out. Racism is rampant and growing. You can listen to pundits saying it is not, but they are wrong and often part of the problem. Open your spiritual eyes and ears. Take a serious look around. Be a part of the solution. It’s a heart issue. This is not in Christ’s heart. Light dispels darkness.

Blessings.

I’m sharing a dream the Lord gave me in October, 2012 because it’s so pertinent to what is going on and what is present in what we see every day. What was shown to me has such important implications regarding the state of relations between races, especially black/white, that we must recognize that if it is not addressed, and if healing does not come, then this state of unrest may be irrevocably broken.

This dream was the most vivid, Technicolor dream I’ve ever had. It is still as intense today as it was four years ago when I first had it. In this dream I am sitting on a lawn, not sure where, with perfect green grass. I’m talking with some unidentified people, presumably about scriptural matters, as my bible is with me and I have paper and notes in front of me. Not sure if I was teaching, but that’s usually how I have things arranged when I do. Suddenly someone came up behind me on my left side and as I looked up it was President Obama. I did not get up but just looked up and said, “Hello, Barack.” Immediately, the Spirit of the Lord convicted me for my lack of respect. I stood at once and apologized and then said, “Hello Mr. President.” He was wearing a dark blue colored suit, with a brilliant and resplendent white shirt with gold Presidential marked cufflinks, a light blue tie with matching clasp, and black three eyelet shoes.

When I first spoke to him with disrespect, the President looked a bit hurt as if I had inflicted a wound with my attitude, but he still remained as if he knew I had something to say. I did. I then shared prophetically the deep and abiding love God had for him. I told him that God had so many things to say to him and that he must believe and expect to hear from the Lord in dreams, audible words from Him, from reading the Word, and from counsel that would be sent to him. The closer he got to the Lord, the easier it would be for him to discern what was from God and what was from man. I told him I would pray for him daily and that I would tell others of this so that they would also. I could see the depths in his eyes of the weight he was carrying in his position and from not being lifted up as he should be in prayer. They stay with me still. His countenance was different than when I first encountered him.

The dream then shifted to a new scene. I was now walking and suddenly, Michele Obama came running up to me and gave me a hug. She had tears in her eyes. She said I had no idea how much the prayers have helped. She thanked me and asked that I would continue. I said I would but was blown away that the prayers had already made a difference. Then in the same dream the Lord showed me a vision. It seemed like silky strands, multiple and increasing and impossible to count, but on closer investigation it was like a large spider web. The kind that you don’t really see clear enough to avoid until it’s stuck to you. You’ve walked in it and you try to quickly get if off and hope no spider is in with the parts of the web stuck to you. I then asked the Lord what is this? He responds, “this is a spirit of racism. It is very insidious and is only getting worse. It doesn’t have to be seen first to stick to you.” End of dream.

I awoke and wrote this down. I realized of course that I was a representation of the church that should be praying and that the church has dropped the ball on praying for those in leadership unless it is someone they voted for. That is not scriptural and it cannot go well for you when you work contrary to the word of God. Each day since that dream, I’ve seen things get worse with how people interact and the hatred that is endemic in our society. I realize this President has been publically disrespected more than any other in too many ways that are totally undeserved. This has nothing to do with agreeing with this man’s policies or his political party affiliation. It goes deeper. For my part, I pray daily for him as I did for the past president. These are troubling times and people of faith need to stand up and take their place in prayer. It is written that people will know you are followers of and believers in Christ by the love you show to one another. Your actions and words dictate who you serve. Follow the only true path.