‘The Awareness’

More Thoughts
Loved of The LORD, continuing on from a previous post where I wrote, “yet exercises, as writing this Post helps me along the way” and immediately after finishing it , I found myself very aware of “Being In HIS Presence”! With other things still on my plate, the phone rings and I am having a mentoring conversation, and wisdom flowing as if it was coming through another vessel.

Soon after hanging up, and as I was reflecting in amazement on that call, the phone rings again and it is a long time friend, who sounds frustrated, and wants to go to breakfast in the next week on his day off. While on the phone setting up the appointment, still aware of “Being In HIS Presence” I was also aware that it was going to be an interesting breakfast. It turned out to be a stretching (and growing) time for him personally and even in the relationship, I have with him.

This morning after seeing that I have not posted for a while and reflecting on how fast moving and complicated things have been, I needed to stop Everything and write myself back into HIS Presence again. Funny how these things happen!

Now what is so significant about this? It was not the need ‘Of Being In His Presence’, because in retrospect, I am always in His Presence, (You and I have known this, almost from the beginning.) it was and is The continual “Awareness” of being there! Now I know I said that, yet this is where I will hone in on that being the status quo.

Just as driving a car after a time, goes from being the priority of every thought and action to being a second nature, as multitasking enters the scene. e.g. Wow, I am smoothly going down this street, I will slowly and carefully reach over and turn on the radio; Soon turns into driving while reading the newspaper or putting on makeup. (I will skip over talking on a cell phone!)

Now this goes on till we see or get into a wreak, or even a ‘Near Miss’ where we start paying attention again to what is going on. … … … For a spell.

This is “How Good My GOD Is”! When the multitasking gets to be the priority of our Mundane and Spiritual thoughts and actions, I become … … … ‘sloppy’ in my practicing ‘The Awareness’, just like driving the car, I cause something to happen that gets me straighten out.

Whether this means anything to anyone, but me, I still want to write it (here) because it is working! ‘The Happening’ this time was ‘The Near Miss’ of posting this Blog regularly. AND, as always HE is meeting my need, i.e. Right this moment I am so ‘Aware’ of Being In HIS Presence! And it is sweet!

Be Blessed, 1 aka DP ©2008

Have You Twenty-six Minutes For Jesus?

The Heart of the Matter

A moving compilation of messages that speak to the heart of the matter.

Loved of The Lord,
Even after writing what I did in the previous post and needing to address my morning disciplines, and then look to the mundane activities for today.
I have to confess that I wrestled with, "was I going to take The 26 minutes to watch this?"
I am glad I did! Thanks Keith!


NOW! Are Not You Glad You Did Too?
Click Here to go to GodTube site.
Click Here To go to RU4One

“My Need To Be In HIS Presence More Of The Time!”

More Thoughts!

Loved of the LORD, I have been giving thought to what are some of the more Important things that should be evident on my plate. Not just to have something to write here in this Blog, yet for my attention on a regular basis.

As believers we all want to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks us a reason for the hope that is in us, with meekness and fear; ( 1 Peter 3:15) As well as, to Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. (2 Tim. 4:2) every chance we get.

Nevertheless, while I am all involved with what is going on in front of me, especially to go through a door when it opens, regardless of being spiritual or mundane, I want to be ‘aware’ of being in HIS Presence.

Allow me to address the mundane from my perspective, having no doubt others will differ. Call me an opportunist you may, yet I have not received a morsel of nourishment from a raven, while in my need. (1 Kings 17:6;) Not that I have any doubt, that that may still be the case. So I believe I still need to be scratching while I am able, (Matthew 6:26;) unless directed otherwise.

As far as the spiritual aspects, most of you have a good understanding of those kinds of things, though if you do not; leave a comment below desiring to know the same.

I am not able to think of anything that may be on one’s plate that is not either Spiritual or Mundane, so allow me to move on. Nevertheless, feel free to jump in with comments at any time. Contributions are really appreciated!

SO! Back to the plate and taking care of those thing! Unless you are a hermit, we are always with people somewhere around us. How many times have you been right in the middle of something and you are presented with someone with a need? Several examples come to mind.

So many times, I am busy, as I am right now and my wife or another member of the family wants me to do something or give them something. How about the panhandler on the off ramp of the freeway with that proverbial sign, ‘Will Work For Food’? What about on the job?

I do not know about you, yet I seem to respond (or at times, not respond,) with past experiences and (What I think,) what other people would think that I should do and apply what will take care of the situation at hand. Getting on with dealing with the plate in front of me is primarily the cause my action (Or lack of action), hardly ever seeking what God would prefer me to do in each situation.

Now not that I have attained, (Philip. 3:12;) yet I have tasted the blessing of being aware of being in HIS Presence and doing what ‘I Know’ HE is preferring, regardless of what anyone else would think that "I Should Do” and letting the chips fall were they may.

Now, cutting to the chase; my need is, “To Be There More Of The Time”, hoping for the completion that I will have at HIS coming. I am gaining though it is not as fast as I would like it to be, yet exercises, as writing this Post helps me along the way.

My prayer is that this has been a help to others … … … and to afford others the opportunity to suggest how I may excel even more, by commenting below!

Be Blessed my brethren! I shall return, DP aka 1

APRIL FOOL'S DAY!

There will be other posts here that might be more your fancy tho I could not pass up a good place to 'Place' A Thought!



There have been many explanations why April 1st is called "April Fool's Day", so allow me to speculate an 'Idea', 'Concept', 'Image', 'Impression', &/or 'Intellection' that I have had for many a moon now!



Passover is in the Spring tho the day changes because of the Jewish Calendar based on The Lunar Month. In fact it is not very often that What is Generally called 'Easter' Which is a mistranslation has come this early and separated so far from 'Passover'.



Nevertheless, Resurrection Day is tied to Passover and we, as believers, readily accept that Jesus is our "Passover Lamb"!



Most 'Ordinary Potatoes' (Common tators) agree that Jesus was not born in The Winter. numerous experts believe HE was born in the Autumn, for various reasons.



Now for a moment stop and think about a passover lamb and knowing it was a year old when it was sacrificed and that it was born in the Spring when the sheep lambed, ... ... ...



Well let me 'Cut To The Chase' ... ... ...






Would not a lot of people be "FOOLED" should we find out that Jesus was born in the Spring and that year, ... That HE Was, ... Was Born on April First?



Just a Thought! (For April Fool's Day'!)


... But What Do I Know?


There! I feel better! I have made my contribution to The Atheist's Most Holy Holiday!


Be Blessed, 1

Freedom Or Bondage

I passed by a Blog this morning, belonging to who is now a good friend of ours and had to stop and make a comment and to encourage her to continue to write more. What I will do here is to copy a piece of it here and then follow up with my comments to her post. Some of you will be informed and some may take difference. Either way tell us what you think!

From: Tsaneen

living together in harmony

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Paul's "traditions" and church liturgy - Are they the same?

How is it when you begin looking into a subject your search takes you down many rabbit trails. I was reading II Thessalonians Chapter 2 when I came across verse 15

“Stand firm, and hold to the traditions which you were taught,
whether by word of mouth, or by letter from us.” (NASV)

The question arose “What are the traditions Paul is referring to here?”

This question occurred around about six weeks prior to a conversation with a friend who announced that he and his wife had become proponents of the liturgical practice of the Anglican Church. I was stunned by this news as previously they had been staunch participants in a close knit home church with no ritual or connection with the institutional church.

So my line of enquiry was broadened to cover more in depth searching of early church history. This process is taking some time – I’m not a fast reader. ... ... ... (Katch)

I see this has been posted for a while and wanting to encourage you to continue in penning your thoughts, I will add this belated comment.

>>>“What are the traditions Paul is referring to here?” <<<>

Rabbit Trails can be misleading. As I perused your post, and that as there is no way to research ‘Word Of Mouth’ that your observations from the well marked paths, i.e. In The Word appear to be valid.

No doubt, you were stunned by the extreme change in your friends approach to Worship. What is exciting to me is that The Living God has a unique relationship with each individual believer that is continually developing. Let me give you another example of this bizarre change seemingly going in what appears to be bondage to those of us that think we have been set free.

Two or three decades ago, fellowshipping in a Traditional Charismatic Assembly, a couple who we became friends with over the years, were having a rough time with marital communications. I, along with several others in leadership endeavored to help them along to no avail. After several years they had stopped fellowshipping with us and the next time we came across them they had found a Seventh Day Assembly and both of them were rejoicing in how it had really put their marriage together. Most of us in the TCA were incredulous, as the SDAs are very legalistic. Yet here was where God was meeting them in their need.

AnyHOO, pick your pen back up and make your God Ordain Contributions, so the rest of us may continue to benefit! But what do I know? 1 www.wonpreacher.com

Spiritual Revelation!

Loved Of The LORD, Whether it is 'Spiritual' or not, one must face the fact whether they are 'Trucking Down That Desirable Path' or not. I have been so wrapped up in my other sites and to get some projects up and running that I have let this love, kinda ... sorta ... fall to the side. Please do not give up on me and a little (Bunch if you got time) prayer to keep all things lined up, moving and giving GOD Glory! Here are a Couple other sites, should you not have found them on your own.

BOOKS Seniors Humorous Sarcasm.

The last posts will be alike, yet you can scroll down to get the jest and/or direction of each one. Leave a comment when you get there, it will be greatly appreciated!

Oh BTW! Take the SURVEY when you get to it or pick it up here: Click Here to take survey

Enough for now! Stay Blessed and I shall return!

Book review: 'Pagan Christianity?'

Since I am writing The Book, I would have you know that it is just not words that I enjoy writing down, yet also where the rubber meets the road. Here is one that I have read. Tell me what you think!

I read the first edition of ‘Pagan Christianity?’ several years ago on a recommendation of a long time colleague, friend and biz partner finding the information interesting and answering some long time Qs for myself.

Frank wrote then with what appeared to be a hatchet, tho I found it hard to disagree with him on many issues.

Reading this the 2008 edition now with a co-author, George Barna, it is less antagonistic, yet with no holds barred showing no Scriptural basis for they way we all hold Church today. It still maintains the Frank Viola flavor, though having never read Mr. Barna, I do not know if I would recognize his contributions.

My friend ‘Down Under’ who introduced me to Frank Viola, Gave me a ‘Heads Up’ that Frank and his current edition was drawing some fire, even to the point of rumors of ‘Book Burning’ in the air!

Frank begins with the premise that our church services today do not resemble what first century assembles looked like recorded in the New Testament. I have to say that with only three decades of partaking of Traditional Church and being extremely active in the service of the same most of that time, I had my questions about what went on. No doubt, a majority of my inquiry to what was going on was a reflection of my character. e.g I questioned why there was a need to turn down the lights for a time of waiting for The Spirit to move. I would respond with, “I thought we were ‘Children Of Light!”

Although I maintain that there is not preacher and/or theologian that I will agree with down the line, yet Frank comes closest to having a similar perspective. Nevertheless, I will endeavor to give an un-biased review.

The documentation is scholarly and no doubt abridged from a complete work, yet enough information submitted to slow me down from a fast read. Some pages made up with half in footnotes!

To be honest, even though the word pagan is part of the title, the over use becomes depreciative in itself to those church practices that are the issue of discussion. Some times where it is used is not applicable.

Chapter Two is the issue of the Church Building and today’s believers having a fixation even need for the structure itself. Emphasis is made on the word Church meaning the building itself. Referring to the meaning of the original word in the Greek being ekklesia meaning a group assembled. From there to building on those assemblies held in homes that through the centuries found them selves in Cathedrals.

Time and words describing the development of Holy Places and things that became important parts of these magnificent edifices. Then to Constantine Whether he was, a Christian has been the subject of many discourses over the centuries, giving legitimacy to the Christians along with promoting and funding these grand displays of architecture.

A lot of history is on review as the Eucharist, clothing, music, architecture, thrones, steeples, even the pulpit, pews and balcony, borrowed from the cultures and customs through those centuries to today.

Chapter Three brings us to the order of Worship with Sunday mornings set in concrete of Tradition. Frank points out that the standard order is held in the same way in all of the churches today with only minute differences. Viola writes,

You can scour your Bible from beginning to end, and you will never find anything that remotely resembles our order of worship.

He then goes on and describes the contributions to that order made by an impressive group of historical Church leaders. He includes well-known personalities, as Luther, Zwingli, Calvin and company, the Puritans, D. L. Moody, and the Pentecostals.

Chapter Four and we come to “The Sermon”, he dubs ‘Protestantism’s Most Sacred Cow!’ Granting that people preached all through the Bible, yet he contends, not like it is done today giving a thorough explanation of the differences. Naming the contributors to the development and how sermonizing harms the assembly of believers. Frank then wraps it up with the focus of the early church not being the sermon, but the gathering and functioning of Christ’s Body Jesus being its Head.

Chapter Five Frank hones in on The Pastor and being the obstacle to every member functioning. The fundamental figure of The Protestant Church, the Pastor …

is often better known, more highly praised, and more heavily relied on than Jesus Christ Himself!

Pointing out that the word ‘Pastor’ is used one time, in Ephesians 4:11;

a scanty piece of evidence on which to hang the Protestant Faith. In this regard there seems to be more biblical authority for snake handling, (See Mark 16:18 and Acts 28:3-6) than there is for the present-day pastor.

Continuing to the word ‘Priest’ used three times in the New Testament and the same error The Catholic Church makes, with every reference to all Christians.

The word Pastor is a function not a title and Frank goes on to explain where the title came from. He takes you through Constantine, the Reformation, From Presbyter to Priest and then from Priest to pastor, in a detailed history, with all the ramifications.

Chapter Six and we have Sunday Morning Costumes. It is a brief Chapter on Dressing Up for Church and the why or why not to. Then describes the ‘what and why’ of Clergy Dress.

Chapter Seven and how the Music Ministry originates and another hierarchy of Clergy.

Chapter Eight speaks to Tithing and how it is not spelled out for Christians in the New Testament, Clergy Compensation and how both hurt the pocketbook. Giving is from the heart and many times not limited to ‘Just A Tithe’.

Chapter Nine and looking to The Diluting of The Sacraments, specifically Baptism and The Lord’s Supper. An explanation how “The Sinner’s Prayer’ Replaced Baptism employed only recently by D. L. Moody. The Lord’s Supper originated as a festive banquet alive and joyful and lost was the concrete picture of The Body and Blood, which developed into study, and debate of abstract and metaphysical thought.

Chapter Ten brings us to the Education and being the Qualification to Minister the Gospel with the Scriptural examples showed each one learning the essentials of Christian Ministry by living a shared life in the Body and being tutored by seasoned believers. Viola takes the tour through the Four Stages of Theological Education and Aquinas’s contributions and influence.

Chapter Eleven ‘Re-approaches’ the New Testament systematically with order and understanding from Viola’s Perspective and in Chapter Twelve is a second Glance at The Savior, introducing Jesus, The Revolutionary.

Frank finishes with an Afterword: The next Step, Final Thoughts: Q & A with Frank Viola and George Barna, Summary of Origins, Key Figures in Church History and Bibliography.

Again I have to say that it was not an easy and/or fast read for me. Many areas that I would not endorse one hundred percent, as I have found no one that I see eye to eye in all arenas, yet I recommend a thorough perusing, should you have any questions about the way Church is held today!

D. P. Gatten, D. Min. ©2008