Poem Edition "All original works"

The Cost of the Cross-of Christ

Being in eminence sorrow blood drips trickling around.

To think all this started in the Garden of Eden.

Now pleading for the lord to free him.

After the arrest he was brought before the Sanhedrin.

Stuck straight in face.

Only to stand in our place.

Angles stand battle ready but how can He choose. 

To stand in our shoes.

Now seeing the whips.

The ones with leather strips.

Each tears in to the skin.

Only to take on our sin.

Oozing out blood.

To bring fourth tears which resemble a flood.

Now praying on the ground.

For the second round.

The soldiers rashly ripped the robe off.

Along with the scabs.

As He walks waiting willfully for the Father.

Seeking others before Himself. 

As He lays there fighting not willing to quit.

The legionnaire pounds three nails.

Two hands and the feet just tight enough that He can’t breathe.

Imagine the blood.

Imagine the mess. 

With the nails in the smashed flesh.

The cross is raised up only for Him to rise up.

Excruciating pain in every nerve ending.

Out casted by the Father struck the heart.

Now Knobbing, throbbing the muscles give way.

The spirit is strong but the flesh is weak. 

But finding the strength to say.

“Father forgive them, they know not who they’re killing. 

Please don’t hold his charge here against them.”

Looking down at terror stricken mother listen.

“Looking up yells Father into thy hands I commit my spirit.”

Temporary Residents

This is the only hell I will know

For most here is the only heaven they will be shown

Why would I boast, no just make most

For He made the coast, stars, planets

Making all things new in due time

Foreknew all, Knows all 

Shows the full embodiment of Grace and Truth

Stand battle ready, who needs a sword, armies, when God is ever-present

Gates of hell cannot prosper

The enemy hides behind a gate, for his fate is sealed

Gates are defensive weapons, not offensive

To see death on the way, how much hate is in the heart to not say,

Climb that soapbox and speak life

Push, crawl, press onward, and endure

One day, the days will be over

It will seem like a faint dream

Fading away as a forgotten memory

But what is done for Love will last, and be remembered by Love

God is Love, what is not done for God is not in Love

Stand firm when the knees quake, the earth sakes 

The final day is ever near

Do not, do not fear, for God “Love” cast out fear

Those of us who are kingdom warriors 

Already the walls fell, For God is there, the one who was, is and is to come

War is already won.

Roll the Dice

Every moment is passing by

just left here why

filled with mixed emotions 

how to explain this void less notion

the risk of real reality is sinking in

the longevity of life is loosened everyday

yolo is only a myth yolf

you only live forever

highway to hell 

or stair way to heaven 

dont gamble that life away

realize that die can give you a chance 

follow the narrow road and die

to your self

fill the void-less notion and live with true emotion

Little Rant

Ranting On and on

Day by day

Life is wasting away

many will say 

just do it 

enjoy the moment

know He died for atonement 

not for enjoyment

He forgives, yes

many will say 

lord lord

I accepted Jesus

looking back he was not with us

follow for the sake of tomorrow 

day by day 

reap what is sown 

in the end all will be shown

peer pressure can not measure 

the extreme pleasure of 

loving one another

as sister and brother

day by day

now what will you say?

Weekend Performers 

What if Church attenders were more than pretenders?

Wearing a suit and tie while I got brethren willing to go die

Leaving service feeling just a little nervous

Enough to feel sad, but not sick to you’re stomach

So go fine dine, fill that stomach

Maybe someone will force feed you but not forcefully

Willingly, appearances is all that matters, as long as it Looks good

Is that why you go to church, to appear good

To get that fill of the weekend pill

Good for you, actor how will that factor 

When the show is over and the curtains fall

Lets get fired up, Open the Bible up

Dreamer

I am in a dream or am having a dream

In this dream there is a tree

Just waiting to be free, dried, wallowing, weak critical, fragile

The rain came down, not one drop of grace is refrained 

Life dwelling up the wallowing leaves blossom 

Strife like a knife, weeds proceed 

Sucking life form the veins of the tree

Returning to the old, a point of concede for the weeds to proceed 

Broken branches, rotted roots, lifeless leaves

Once again rain comes, the weeds squeeze tight with all its might 

Might this be the last night all in fright?

After mourning all night morning dawns out of the wood work

Vines sprout out unlike the weeds choke life out of the tree

Vines provided support through the hurt the weeds croaking 

Now facing death, once giver of death 

Life grants final deathblow forever more 

The rain brought a new

Rain brings forth life, allows death to creep in but rain also proves to send providing means of support in dire needs 

For even death dies

When life provides

The Beauty of the World

Looking longing lusting lying lovers

Thinking failed attempts of satisfaction will satisfy

Downward spiral, definition... Insanity

Therefore the walking wallowing world is truly insane

Who is to blame what cause when to begin

Fruit, falling into the hands into the mouths of Adam and Eve but in reality first into eve then into adam

Like Lighting falling down from heaven

Pride plummeting plotting pondering, fallen and forsaken 

Dead men acting alive killing themselves

Eyes see the beauty of the world

Eyes twist the beauty distorting an abstract world 

Is it the women for what they are wearing or lack of

15 years old masking as 21 year olds.

masking up with make up

Buying clothes at the strip mall only to strip and fall

dyeing batteries when no one is around

No women to blame adam, Just porneia pictographs, click, click

Hearts-full more like hurtful to the soul

Was the lamb a waste for your namesake 

No motive, action, or longing is new under the sun

Only over above beyond the sun can newness be found

Only in the Son is there freshness we call life

Freedom is not found, but given

No, paid for not by indulgences, 

Only blameless blood 

Hands down in the mud

Blind

Find sight by the light

Radical

Lets be Emphatical about being Radical

Every knee will Bow it is not a matter of How

When, Philosophical minds proven wrong by power that should not be crossed

The blood on the Cross that we should have Crossed

He Crossed the Cross for us

No Opinion, Our Only Option 

Follow like no tomorrow into...

Eternity, in Light there will be no Fight

We live, live as Kings 

Among the King of Kings 

Hear the rings, of people sing

Hope is Here

Look what do you see
How can this be
Fallin on my knees
I can hardly breathe
End is in sight
Inside of my heart cries out
Slowly losing sight, dying out
Fight with all your might
Day and night, a contrite soul
Broken, forsaken, stricken, forgotten
New, He makes all things new
Out of the blue
Earned Not, Explanation... unexplainable Grace
Look what do you see, the King of Kings
Fallin on my knees, for Emanuel is far greater than me
I can hardly breathe, for His Love is an overflowing raging sea
End is in sight, I will soon be with the Lord
Inside of my heart cries out, for no tears flow no more, not one.

Lamp Stand

Used to be a thievin’ heathen

Blinded to my Blindness

threw out my rear view mirror 

I ain’t never going back 

Now He is my clear view

All I can see is the blinding light that gives me true sight through and through 

In and out even when I doubt 

This ride has been hijacked full auto pilot 

hostile takeover, 

left empty handed cents and all

In one sense Ive been murdered on the other hand

Breath seems foreign

Look in wonder, Awe inspiring inspiration

Same God who spread the Red Sea, and did much more miracles than theses

Same God who spread His arms, Taking the punishment due to the accusers 

Continually staying the same

Creating but never Changing

Age to Age God is there, here, in the now

Entering into time, Wearing in the living flesh the Armor of God ;is God

Killed due to fear of rebellion

in result creating a revolution lasting 2000s now

Forever, not Forsaken 

Look at the cracks of the vase of life

The cracks allow the light to shine through

Went form Broken Useless Vase 

To Lamp of the True Light 

On The Light Do I Stand

Firm Faith Full To the Brim

Initiation Fees

In the beginning,…… God created the heavens and the earth.

Initiated time, heaven earth…all are the master piece of the Master

The stage set, the lights were on, all was set in to motion by Divine Notion

So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them.

Knowing  the cost far ahead of time, before time was created Dei knew that Night would befall the creation,” 

Man, Woman our forefathers the first, were casted as the first actors to be part of the over arching story, but being small part of the story was not enough for Adam and Eve

The director specifically allowed for improv with the play expect in one area, He has scripted, a portion that He wished to be censored form the life. 

But They went ahead and did what was forbidden, forsaken, but it was all for known and for His Glory it will serve the purpose. 

As one Man and Woman bit, casting the bid that sin is worth separation and disfiguration of the likeness of God.

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

Fools, foolin in fleshly fondness, becoming feeding thieving heathens. 

A single bite launched a battle that is still being fought to this very day.

But God would not take flight on this fight. He would not let the beloved slip away.

Centuries Years, flew by, each one is only a drop in the hat,

God ignited the initiation of his Glory among men,  yet people ignored Him and wallowed in common knowledge 

Some followed, in awe. but those men are Gone with the dust of the wind

Theses men exemplified the glory amongst our folly. realizing no one not one can return or match the volley, in how much Even though we are cursed we are blessed with breath that is used to curse. 

Civilization remained dope, withdrawing and trying cope. Darkness consumes the stage and all who are on it. All were left to to grope in utter despair with lame hands cuffed with chains 

Living in a dungeon for so long it became home, yet in the darkness of the mind more was wanted and expected. 

But Hope was Near 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

In the End the Word End has not meaning Birth, Life, Death…is not the end but only the beginning of what is planned, We may think we are in the final act but the play has just begun 

The Show Must go on

Time for Preparation

Timing is everything

Throughout all of High School I desired to date someone, I wanted to have a girl around my arm, something (That sickens me to think I thought something not someone) to add to my status, I had the desire, the desire is boyish. To wanted something when it is not my time to want, to entertain the desire. To feed the desire, that desire is what drove me into youth group, to church, it played a part in why I did sports, I controlled me from time to time. Honestly I did not have the desire to get in a girls pants (but not saying that I could not be tempted to do so, especially in this part of the story I am not a Christ Follower), I just desired to be in a relationship. Here is some more honesty that I tried to use Christ as a way to get a girlfriend, I was not living in Christ I was not pursuing Christ, I was using Faith to pursue a woman actually not a woman a (girl) (I say girl because a woman is someone who is reflecting Christ, and I was not pursuing that) I remember a quote from The Dark Knight Joker says "I'm a dog chasing cars. I wouldn't know what to do with one if I caught one. I just DO things". That right there sums up who I was, I just did things, I had no idea what a Biblical relationship looked like, what it entailed, what it would cost. Most boys (close to all) have the desire to be in a relationship, but have no idea how to, or what the purpose of a relationship is. A Biblical relationship is not, to be happy, for self affection and gratifaction I think not, not even for the sake of finding your "soul mate". Relationships are twofold, first off for Marriage, and then to become more like Christ.  If boys would pursue God the way they lust and chase after girls they would not be boys for long, but become Men.

When to ACT (1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.)

Notice the desire aspect, it is real, but just because someone has the desire does not mean they act on it, but when the desire for relationship, courtship, dating is in the heart of the individual that is when they know it is time to prepare for a relationship. 
(Song of Solomon 8:4 not to awaken love until the time is right) Just like some may have the desire to squat 500lbs...ok it may just be my desire... but that does not mean I attempt to lift 500lbs on the spot, no I have to train, train, and buffet and prepare myself, and any good lifter knows that when He attempts to squat the 500lbs he has others around him to correct his form, spot him to make sure he does not fall, and above all a lifters has water on him to keep his body hydrated along with a protein shake. The break down this parable goes like this, The Lifter is a young man who wants to pursue a relationship with a woman, and the woman is the prize the 500lbs the 500lbs is a standard it is a woman who is hard to get and is worth the preparation. The spotters are the lifters accountability brothers they keep the lifter in check, they push him, they make sure the lifter does not fall in temptations, and are around to council, now the water and protein is the lifter's constantly intake of the Word of God that fuels his life (Matthew 4:4 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD)I'm not ready for a relationship but one day I will be ready,Lord willing.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

When I was in Haiti last summer for a mission trip, I was with one of the kids (the one in the pic)  just sitting on the beach and enjoying the water as it would rise up against us, I realized I'm not ready for a family, for a relationship. As I had a small child in my arms I came to terms with how much I need to grow to take on this challenge and to serve God. Naturally I would not stay true to this conviction, and I was in two swift dating relationships, one right after another, only proving the fact that I am not ready for this stage in life. I want to use this year as a year of equipping myself, it is a time of preparation, of concise preparation. In the aspect of preparation I am pursuing a relationship, one that does not exist yet, I am pursuing preparation so that I am able to lead a woman when the time comes, I want to be fully satisfied in Christ and be confident in that, Devotion to preparation will strengthen me and shape me into the right man, which is more important that finding the right woman because I have to be the right man in order to truly cherish the right woman. Some may respond to me and say, Taylor you can date, you should date how else will you know what you want in a woman, you need experience... That is so so Biblically wrong.

But She's Hot!.Well So is Hell Mark Driscoll 

(Proverbs 31:10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.) Young men realize that just like a jewel that is considered precious and has out word beauty and shine, does not mean that it may not be the most valuable "jewel" out there. There is more in worth than shine and outward beauty, for if you are only looking at outward beauty/attraction  you will overlook the the true treasure inside a treasure chest, that it takes looking every nook and cranny  to search for a woman who is worth more than jewels. So dont just pick up every jewel out there that you see but search diligently for that one woman who is more precious than a mere stone. What are "Jewels" sensiual women sexualy putting themselves out there, a immature woman, a quarrelsome woman, a lustful woman, a drama queen. If your hands are full of other jewels you will not be able to catch her or find her the one who is worth More.Why would I waste my time with many Jewels when I'm out to find the most precious stone, I'm out to find the hidden treasure, in reality I am out to find someone who wants to be Holy... a woman who will drive me to Christ, who wants to go on this adventure of Following Christ, to the end. But first I need to make sure I'm fully equipped for this expedition. 

It takes only a moment to make memories so be careful who you make memories with- Andy Mineo.

When talking about a woman of God, that is one of the most dangerous things a man can pursue, here is why. That woman is a Daughter of God, so tread carefully to hurt one of God's daughters will not rest well on that man. And when someone is dating for experience that is one of the most boyish things I have heard of, you are basically saying to that person I want to get to know you really well, I want to be romantic with you, to get our lives involved with each other, and then one day I will break your heart. Plus most people do not even think of asking a pastor for advice to purse a woman, or even ask the father of that woman if you can pursue courtship with his daughter, even if the father is a decent man you should ask him for permission, because his daughter is his joy, his treasure. Imagine you own your own car, it is a very valuable and precious possession to you. And one day you head out to your driveway and see that your car is gone! you start pacing back and forth and a few minutes go by and a young man whips around the corner and slams on the brakes pulling in your driveway. The young man steps out of the car and says I hope you did not mind that I took your car out for a spin, I hope you did not care about the condition of your car, I may have hit another car returning it, and without the slightest blink  he throws you the keys and walks off.... That is what dating is is without the intent of marriage and without the permission of the parents. To answer the question from earlier "Taylor you can date, you should date how else will you know what you want in a woman, you need experience". Hmm easy, but often overlooked put yourself under the authority of Godly men and observe their marriage ask them questions and dig deep in the word of God take note of the numerous failures of men in the bible who were married (examples Abraham pimped out his wife not once but twice, had an affair with her, but from time to time Abraham did truly cherish Sara, David was a man after God's own heart, yet fell in to sin and committed adultery, you got Jacob who did not see the worth of his wife, Samson was a man whore, you have Gomer what not to seek but also what a great example of how when a man loves his wife it is not a response to her love for him) The Bible is full of examples of all failures and their poor discussions affected not just them but their legacy of the future generations. King David lost his son because of his adulterous marriage, Solomon was left empty after chasing after the pleasure of sensuality, Samson was left weak, blind because of the type of woman he chose. What are good examples of marriage in the Bible, would it be too obvious to just answer Jesus, look how Christ pursues His Church, look to the lengths He goes for her salvation. As a man who is preparing for a Marriage, I need to make sure I know what I am looking for so that I am not drawn to the wrong things in a person. This is why I am taking a step away from even entertaining a relationship, I would not even know where to start. Right now I am in school, leading a ministry, I have sports. I am just learning to balance all theses plates along with earnestly growing and refining myself to the likeness of Christ, to add another plate to the ones that I am already spinning would just cause me to be unbalance for a plate that I am not ready for. Because I see the value of that plate I will wait till the proper time.
(Psalm 27:14 Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.) 

Thank you for reading this and remember I am expressing thoughts that have come acrossed my mind. I am a man who needs renewal each day. May Grace and Peace be with you all your days.  Pray for me that I can prepare to be a future Husband, Father, and that I finish this time of preparation with focus on Christ and not to be distracted from this goal.



Resources

http://www.amazon.com/What-Expect-Paperback-Edition-Redesign/dp/1433530783

Should Humor be put over Holiness

Man has a endless ability to justify his actions.

  A lesson that I have been convicted of over Christmas break is that as Christians we are called to a higher way of living. I had my eyes opened to my folly, in that I should protect myself from what I take into my soul, and where I take Jesus. Where we go in our lives we take Jesus there with us. Think about it, Jesus Lord over all indwells himself "the Holy Spirit" with in us. (Let it sink in)

So just a few weeks ago I was invited to watch a movie with a group of Christian friends, It was great night to just connect with friends that I will not see for most of the year. So I ask what movie we were going to watch, and the answer was Anchorman. My response was couldn't we watch a cleaner movie, and the rebuttal I was given was, " but it is supposed to be funny". So the movie starts playing and it is not long before sexual jokes start to be rattled off. The movie goes on and on, and more degrading of women happens. The movie did have some genuinely hilarious funny scenes in it, but that should not outweigh the horrible content that is in the movie. I felt a discernment in my soul that I should not be watching this movie, it was the same discernment that I get when I'm with a group of people at school and raunchy conversations start picking up, and in these situations I separate myself from the group. I do that because I have nothing to add to the conversation at that point," if the people are talking about another person I will strongly try to make the people stop talking about that person (it is mostly girls that are talked about) Here is what I am getting at if I would not be apart of a conversation that is like the ones movie have or even the "visual content" that is in movies, then why would I sit through that movie. The reason is easy is because I was with other believers and non of them were saying anything so I tried to brush it off. One point in the movie (Anchorman) there was something that was shown that just floored me, and I said we should turn this movie off, but the response I got was well the scene is over so no big deal. At that moment a thought came into my mind, "Should Humor be put over Holiness" and the answer I knew was right was NO!.. Just because something is funny does not mean we should go see it, or need to see it. The crude "jokes" the sexual agenda in movies, are not something we should settle for, It is evil and it is sin. I absolutly hate when men degrade women, if there is one way to want to make me "pound you" it is treating human beings like dirt.  On the record I have never pounded any one, but I have gotten the faces of people about it, It is okey to be angry and hate sin, just do not sin in your anger. That is the tricky part.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God- Matthew 5:8 ESV

I want to see God, I do not want anything to get in the way of that, I want to keep myself pure. The excuse well its supposed to be funny should not even compare to our holiness. What a person feeds their body impacts what they look like, their health, and how well they can do activities. The same goes for what we feed our soul, It will flow into our actions, in our thoughts. "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,- 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV. I don't want anything to get my thoughts away from Christ and cause me to stumble. I often have to remind myself I am not as strong as I think I am. My closeness and fellowship with God should actually want me to be repealed or appalled at "worldliness"

Where we go Jesus goes with us

What we put in our minds we subject Jesus to that. So when I watched a movie like Anchorman, I subject Jesus to what My eyes see. I need to be Holy as God is holy. There is no excuse why I would sit through a movie like Anchorman, I was weak and did not act as my convictions were telling me to. People in the Bible died never receiving the promise of the Holy Spirit dwelling with in them, yet we have Him and we live such worldly lives. It is even worse when I catch myself snickering at the crude or sexual jokes, the Spirit instantly gut checks me and it shows the motives of my heart in that moment. Many times I do not see the blessing of the Holy Spirit and I am not thankful as I ought to be for Him in my life.

If I must forgo certain tv, movies.. ect in order to not cause my self to fall and cause other to fall as well. Where we go and what we do is essentially putting our approval on it, I said essentially, this is not true all the time.

Matthew 18:6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea....

I do not want to be a slave to legalism, I want to find the truth of the life that Jesus gives us. I remember many times when I tell myself that I am strong enough to not be affected by the conversations and movies that I subject myself to, yet I see theses things rub off on me, it translates into my relationships with people and it leads me to compromise and brush off my faults.

Just because it is culturally acceptable to do something does not mean it is ok. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.

Steve Downes- All things not of Christ, When we are in heaven will be nothing but a fleeting memory. 

I ask this question generally and with a concerned heart.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday....Someday

Someday is better than Today

  



The idea of "someday" seems so innocent. Our lives are often consumed with the troubles of today. Media continues to bombard us with fear, making us conscious of world crisis, as well personal issues (Chemical Weapons in Syria, Government Shut Down, Oil Prices Rising, Paper Due in 3 Hours, School Loans, Job Lost, Best Friend Dies). Every day has its own problems, and everywhere we see conflict that affects our daily walk. Here's what is interesting: when we dream of "someday", we quickly forget that someday will have struggles of it's own. "The someday house does not have a mortgage payment on it, the someday job is stable, the someday world is at peace"... Truth is, the someday will always seem more appealing that life today. This is because in our minds we want to believe we will have it all together. We often accept the lie that life will not be stressful and won't be falling apart. 


Reality “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.” ― A.W. Tozer

Just looking back and ahead in the overarching story of what my life has become, someday never turns out like you expected. Growing up I never thought Travis (my brother) at age 13 would have Thyroid cancer. The end of my Junior year of high school, the first day of summer, did not turn out like I anticipated. Finding out my dad cheated on my mother and leading to my parents divorce, (now that part of my life is better and God is working) My someday dorm room never had a scenario where my laptop would be stolen. I did not foresee my car dieing over Christmas break this year. The struggle with lustful passions all throughout high school, always thinking I should be stronger than what I really am. Being benched my entire Junior year of football after putting my all in every practice and workout was not on my agenda.  But I did not imagine how close I would be to God in the hard times of my somedays. That peace has consumed me. The turn of the tables is that I did not anticipate how good God would be to me. I could not have imagined the blessings I have seen in the Somedays of life, a family friend replaces my laptop for me, my car dies and someone decides to give my family their old car. My parents are divorced but my father is making steps to find God and that relationship is ten times better than I thought it would ever be. I am currently playing college football at Eureka College and swimming as well, and through sport I am a living testimony to my teammates. I did not think so much goodness could happen to me out of tragedy. I was not blessed because I am such a swell guy, no I am blessed so that I can give God all the credit and tell others about all He has done in my life and how much my relationship to Him means to me. I am blessed because God is good not because I am good by any means. I am glad I was put through various trials in my life because it has refined me into something greater, that I have become a more usable tool for God to use. It is my trust In Christ and His perfection that I can have the strength to face the Somedays of life. 

1 Peter 5:7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Someday the Messiah will come
The Jews were waiting for someday for the Messiah to come and save them, and when Jesus did come they were so focused on Someday that they did not see Jesus when He was here.

Luke 4:16-30

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,


18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph's son?” 23 And he said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Physician, heal yourself.’ What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.” 24 And he said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. 25 But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, 26 and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27 And there were many lepers[a] in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” 28 When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. 29 And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. 30 But passing through their midst, he went away.

Scripture was written in the Old Testament telling of the coming King from the line of David, and when Jesus started his public ministry the people denied him because Jesus did not fit in the the Someday scenario that the Jews had planned for Messiah to be. God already knows all the days of your life, none of the events of your story are surprising to Him or catch Him off guard. Do not be so bent on your will for "someday" that when God leads you in another direction you say to God my will be done. I have noticed the more plans I put up in my life the more God is app to tear them down. 

Dealing with God's will

Let me lay it out God is for God, that means the will of God is for God. It is not about your passions to succeed at business, sports, school, that girl friend or boy friend. The will of God is not mystical but it is found in the Bible. Man can not go off of gut feelings and emotions and then connect these feelings to be God's will. The Bible will not have a mapped out step by step plan of your life, but on how to live your life is a different story entirely. God cares about transforming you into the image of Jesus Christ His beloved son. God cares how you treat people and love them. Above all God's will is that He wants you to devote your life to be a living sacrifice. Not what job to take, where to live, the important thing is are you pursuing God in everyday life. Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.  If that is what you are doing it does not matter what you are doing as long as you are living a Godly life and being transformed in Christ's image. realize there will be no point when you say I have arrived, I am exactly who God wants me to be, the only time that will be said is when you go to heaven. How does this tie into "Someday" well if start seeing God as in complete control and see each day as a day to chase after God more and more, and that hard times are actually a blessing for us because we can find peace in knowing and experiencing  God through it all. Live life with God for it is the only way to truly live.  John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 

When the Someday's of life happen have faith, John 16: 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Jesus has already won the war, and every battle of our lives, Chaos may arise in our lives but we have peace. Many times we praise God once we have made it through the valley of the shadow of death, because afterward we see his Glory and power and praise. We need to start praising during our walk through the valley of the shadow of death, because He is on the throne over all, all the time. Death has died and Jesus Christ has won. What the world plans for evil God uses for good, the best reversal of all time is when God crushed His one and only Son, causing us who are called to be saved. God killed Jesus, and Jesus sacrificed Himself for all who believe, in one fell swoop with the resurrection of Christ Jesus it annihilated Death. By the death of Jesus death also died with Him, but Jesus rose from the grave so now all who repent and trust Jesus for there source of purpose and livelihood now will never truly die, but have life forever. 

“There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, in the end, "Thy will be done."- C.S Lewis 

Author-Taylor Huber
Editor- Dan Murphy

War War Never Changes- Fallout 3

I make war! Cause sin never sleeps It's got me in a trance You can see it in my dreams I make war! Man I beat my flesh
To the death, every breath Like I beat my chest I make war

Spiritual Warfare

Christmas break almost over, which means I will return to Eureka College. The long Christmas break has become a cease-fire or retreat from the "War" that takes place on campus each day. Some may happen weep for their classmates out of the pain and heartbreaking love that they have for them. Personally the thought of people, who I go to school with day in and day out that do not follow Christos 
(2Corinthians 5: 14-15) "For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."). keeps me up at night from time to time. The truth is, that War never changes, whether it is on the battlefield of campus/job, or to when everybody goes home. War, War follows you home. We have all heard the stories of men who went out to battle and come home with traumatic stress. Out in War the soldiers  sometimes see their best friends blown up in front of them. Some warriors are captured and are held prisoner for years. Battle scars are created from the events from what is seen in war. War can change a man, but War the very event itself never changes. The warrior returns home thinking the war is over, but the war in the mind has just begun. When you fall asleep and the events play back in your head over and over only to haunt you. Fallout 3 was right, "War Never Changes"Evil never changes, lets be honest.  

Ephesians 6:12 (NASB) For our struggle (war) is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

The war we fight as Christians is not just an external war but also an internal of the soul. Our struggle is against darkness, spiritual forces, wickedness. Our struggle is not against people, the lost or thoses who are considered enemies of the Gospel, (" Romans 11:28 From the standpoint of the Gospel "the lost" are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God's choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers")

Instead of seeing people as enemies in War, we need to see them as potential family members of the body of Christ. That we want to see our friends and family, classmates, teachers, all who are around us in our lives...ect in heaven to know the love that we have with Christ and In Christ. Matthew 25:40“And the King (God) will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’(Think about it) Who can be lower than those who are not enriched in Christ and known by Christ. This is a whole new perspective of how to see who are "the least of theses" in our lives. Because the way we treat others should be the same way we would treat Jesus. When we care the the weak and the lost and our enemies that is how Jesus cared for us when we were in darkness. Make War, because War Never Changes, evil never rests, but be encouraged God never changes  (Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.) and He to never rests, and one day He will put evil to rest and then the world will be at peace.

Revelation 21:3-4

And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."

War Never Changes but war will cease to exist, and be nothing but a memory.

Take the words I have wrote, think and test it with Scripture for I need to hear this message just as much as the reader does, for I am just man. Be Humble, May Grace and Truth be with you always.

We've been blinded to our blindness.- Gandalf

     

We've been blinded to our blindness.- Gandalf

Background of the Hobbit
The Lord of the Rings books and movies have Biblical truth and ideas fluttered throughout the series. From the over arching story of Good vs. Evil, the over the top characters, and the wisdom and in-depth development of the lore. A humorous story about The Lord of the Rings, is that it almost did not exist at all. C.S Lewis took a gander at J.R.R Tolkien's manuscript for The Hobbit and Lewis pleaded for Tolkien to publish the book. But Tolkien said that his stories were just stories he wrote to read to his children and it would be past down generation after generation. Lewis decided to "barrow" Tolkien's copy of The Hobbit and Lewis forged Tolkien's signature and started the publishing processes of The Hobbit. So basically if Tolkien did not help lead C.S Lewis to Christ and Lewis did not commit forgery to publish The Hobbit, it is very likely the The Lord of the Rings would not even exist. So it is by the Grace of God that C.S Lewis started following Christ and that we have The Lord of the Rings, and oh how different the world would be if Lewis did not became a Christian and if we did not have Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. God is good all the time.

       

The Real Content

 Kurios Chirstos- Jesus is Sovereign or Jesus Christ is Lord  

"We've been blinded to our blindness" When watching the movie,"and I saw it twice", this quote sparked a dwelling thought in my head, the gears started turning.

I looked back the years before I decided to proclaim Kurios Christos, I thought I was a believer, but in the reality of my situation I was a enemy of the Gospel. I was blind to my hatred. I was a porn addict and the deeper I gave my self to sin the more I tried to cover it up and hide in darkness. But because I went to church, I knew the right answers, and could play the part. I thought I was fooling God. I even fooled my self. (God has conquered all remnant lusts of my heart and I am free from my old way of living and sin, Amen.)

 John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 
Romans 1:24-25 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. 
 
Sin is deceitful and lures the lost even farther away form the Light. Man cannot overcome Sin (To be clear only Christos defeated Sin) and receive sight till they know the position that they are in. That fooling your self and thinking you are fooling God will be passed by on judgement day. Knowing you are blind is the first step to being able to See. Only by the power of The Holy Spirit can make the Initiative to even make it known to man how blind we truly are without Christos.

"The Prayer" leads more people to hell than every brothel in America 
 Paul Washer
  
Luke 6:39-40 He (Jesus) also told them a parable: " Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. 

When blind lead the blind it is never in the right direction. We have a common belief that if we get people to say a "prayer" they are saved. the so called sacred prayer in not even in the Bible. The Prayer has become the number one way to lead people to Christos, but it does not lead people to proclaim Kurios Christos. The sinners prayer does lead people it leads them to become deceived and leads them down a broad road to Hell. (you the reader are probably all fired up, just keep reading) Jesus calls us to people to Him and he will do the saving. When the sinners prayer is preformed it is the preachers way to briskly wrap up a sermon in a timely fashion, and not take the time to see that extreme care should be taken when sharing the Gospel. Let me rebuttal you the reader.

• The verse you are probable going to use is Romans 10:9 because if you confess mouth that Jesus is Lord and Believe in you heart that God raised him from the Dead you will be saved. 

             The cost of Believing in Jesus is Lord came with a cost, do you not know, only Caesar could be Lord. That in the Roman Empire to call anyone but Caesar Lord was to be hailed as Lord, to say other wise meant death. Think why would the Romans persecute Christians. They severed the poor, loved all people, Christians were persecuted for Believing for living out Jesus is Lord = Kurios Christos. The term Christian was originally a insult to followers of Christ. The prayer takes away from people the Lordship of Christ, and that life will be easy once you "accept Jesus in your heart". Man can't make Jesus Lord of your Life, I'm sorry, Jesus is Lord of your Life weather you think He is or not. Jesus is Lord weather you like it or not. 

• The sinners prayer portrays Jesus as a beggar who is just pleading with you to accept him, that Jesus need man's acceptance. When Blind men lead other Blind men it just causes others to stumble. How about instead of Jesus being the beggar, realize that you should be begging him to accept you, we are lost, hopeless, dead people without Jesus in our lives and leading our Lives.  When preaching the Gospel preach the whole Gospel, to short hand people is dangerous and actually damning. The overflow of your very being crying out for God to save you, and turing away from evil is how we are saved by His Grace. The driving force for God to save his enemies is His unconditional Love. Jesus saves not a prayer. Eternity is a long time to remain Blind forever and not know it. 

Take the words I have wrote, think and test it with Scripture for I need to hear this message just as much as the reader does, for I am just man. Be Humble, May Grace and Truth be with you always.