THE TESTING

YOU SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH

AND THE TRUTH WILL MAKE YOU FREE.

John - 8-32

When earthly parents fail you.

When earthly love vanishes suddenly into the mists of time. 

When children abandon those who gave so much to a faceless state machine.

HIS ARMS ARE THERE.

HIS SPIRIT COMFORTS AND UPHOLDS YOU.

YOUR FUTURE SECURE WITH HIM.

When you stare poverty in the face in a world that chases materialism at any cost its there you find the greatest pearl and you are rich beyond your wildest dream.   HIS pure unconditional love.  You face the facts, stock take and realise the past carnage was of your own making choosing to drift in the wilderness, feeding your own desires, your compass wildly girating going nowhere, round and round in circles.   But that was your choice, your journey, some blame everyone else for their failure.

It is said as you approach the winter of your years you become aware of your mortality.    Wasps that usually lay splattered on the window cill are now carefully herded into a glass and tipped out of the window, at any moment your life could be snuffed out.   The bumble bee you gently combed from your daughter's hair as she screamed in fright now flies safely back to base a lesser threat, only stinging as a last resort.   The snail you carefully lift to safe pasture remembering the many times you accidentally crushed, crunched and obliterated the little creature steadily carrying its house in your frantic rush to where ever.  The baby snails, shells so soft that they can get crushed in your desire to help them.

Spiders, bugs and flies the undertakers and bringer of disease.  All part of the amazing kaleidoscope of life on this earth.   Wisdom brings a clear vision of the path many walk and their destination.  Their much celebrated believer's baptism now a thing of the past their actions revealing a callous disregard for any truth outside their opinion.  They have simply lost the plot and become entangled in their own righteousness. 

Yeshua knew this would happen. 

Matthew 4 - 14

Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

We have a holy God and only the Holy will enter in, the rest awaiting the final Judgement.

Those who refuse to accept responsibility for their own actions blaming everyone but themselves need to seriously stock take.   God is not going to listen to their narcissistic rhetoric, He sees every action from the thief with his hand in the till, to the predators manipulating their victims, and the appalling abuse of His Word, every action of every person, from cradle to grave.   

Some years ago I had an encounter with a young woman in a small village church.   The pastor encouraged "no one is beyond the reach of a merciful and forgiving God"  The young woman turned to look at me and I felt an urgency to repeat the message "Jesus loves you"   She replied sadly "but you don't know what I've done"   I replied "No, but it can't be as bad as what I did.   I denied the existence of God for five cold empty years on the run from my mother's wrath and headed straight for the wastelands.   I didn't blame my parents, they raised me a strict Catholic, no, it was simply a matter of making my own decision marrying an atheist against their wishes and the resultant fallout the consequences.

Later I would learn that the young woman was the daughter of notorious serial killers and she had witnessed their evil deeds.   She had to move from her home town and take up a new identity to protect her from revenge attacks.   She was just a kid at the time.   I often wonder what I would have said if I had known the truth at that point.   Even today I still say rejecting God is about as serious as it gets.   God hates liars - and lying by omission is just as serious as the actual spoken lie.   As a young teenager my uncle commented "the trouble with you Lisa is that you are too truthful" and being truthful can lead to opposition and the necessary correction.   Spare the rod - spoil the child syndrome far better to fess up.

Our actions reflect where we stand in our faith walk, sadly it makes little difference to the 'old man' in many.   They take what they want and cover it with a religious umbrella hiding their dark side.   Their witness is damming to those who may have been otherwise inspired to give their lives to Christ.

Jesus can drag you free from the slime, bog and quick sand of this world.   His light penetrates the darkness and the clean up begins.  Often rescued souls are the most passionate witness of God's touch on their lives.   They accept responsibility for their own actions, pick up their cross and move on.    

It is a lonely walk.   Friends and family back off and you will find yourself being accused of anything from plain religious to an extremist or just plain bonkers.   But it will be worth it all to hear His welcoming words:

Matthew 25 - 34
Then the King will say to those on His right hand 'Come you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 

Life for the christian should never be about image, or special place, but an almighty struggle to keep on the narrow path.   It is all about self examination realising that every justification of wrong doing and sin will lead you to the devil's scoreboard.    God gave us Free Will, most chose to justify their actions and sadly live with the consequences.   For those who have not received the precious gift of faith - conscience is a powerful guide.

Christians are all prone to fall off the narrow path at times and scramble back.  Dropping their cross is a popular euphemism in the modern church.   I know when the testing began I fell at the first hurdle, but I also knew my Father in heaven knew my past and my future.   God never abandons His children, nevertheless He gave us Free Will and WE chose.   I seriously doubt he will listen to those who blame their insecurities and mistakes on others.

At the end of the day, like the thief on the cross, we can only acknowledge we deserve His punishment.   We are not worthy of His love failing even the simplest command to "love our neighbour as ourselves"

Like the thief on the cross who acknowledged his guilt and the innocence of Jesus we can only pray "remember me Lord when you come into your Kingdom"  or perhaps.   "Forgive my human weakness -  Lord can I please come in.

Recommendation:

Jesus Safe Tender Extreme by Adrian Plass - Zondervan books.   This man is honest not only with his own doubts and fears but colours his writing with humour having a pot shot at the religious establishment that leaves the hypocrites offended but encourages so many crippled and abandoned sheep who saw through the lies and deceit.   May our Shepherd King return soon.

SHALOM

  

    

      

JUSTIFICATION

Whom He justified, them He also glorified.

Romans 8:30

Here a precious truth for you, believer.   You may be poor, suffering, unknown, but for your encouragement take a review of your 'calling' and the consequences that flow from it, and especially that blessed result.  AS SURELY AS YOU ARE GOD'S CHILD TODAY, so surely shall all your trials soon be at an end.   Wait just a little while longer and your weary head shall wear the crown of glory and your hand of labour grasp the palm branch of victory.   Rejoice soon you will be where there is neither sorrow, or crying or pain.   The everlasting song on your lips as the portals of heaven open for you. 

Words of encouragement from C.H. Spurgeon (paraphrased) but hard to understand if you stand in disbelief and despair unable to understand this life is the trial.   This is hell on earth for many.

Exodus 20 - 3 - 4

You shall have no other gods before Me.

Squeals of protests from many, even christians.   "I don't do that"    Yes you do, anything that takes the place of God in your heart is an idol.   Imagine standing in a field with absolutely nothing.   No family, possessions, no home, no food and no hope, that is the scenario for many in the Middle East and soon arriving on your doorstep.  Punishment is coming on disobedient nations that have carefully placed GOD in a box, closed the lid considering God doesn't see their heart, their desires and their sin.

Psalm 94 - 7
Yet they say the Lord does not see

It's time to kneel and pray RACHEM (Mercy) Adonai (Lord) and beg forgiveness for a country that placates the Word of God and stands silent in the face of creeping corruption.

When you touch 'little children' with sick policies and destroy their innocence then God raises His Mighty Hand.   If Britain were a christian country, WHICH IT ISNT, the people would rise against the policy of any party in government other than the Christian Party and where are their representatives, non existent in my neck of the woods.  

A recent publication by a respected christian organisation suggested you ask the doorstep canvasser various questions and if they agree to defend your views should they get your vote, then you can hold them to their promise if elected.   REALLY, what world does the author inhabit?

Every politician that has held office in recent years both in Britain and the U.K.  has been a 'blinding example' of quite the reverse.   They may sincerely agree and vote on your preference (but know your enemy) they will be out voted by those who are determined to pollute both the baby bath and the kids paddling pool.   Open your mouth and speak His Truth and persecution inevitably follows.  They arrest christian public speakers in Manchester - just one example of subjugation.    You lose friends and relations but that price is more than worth paying with your sights fixed on eternity.  This life passes all too quickly, eternity is forever.     

Corruption is alive and well at every level of society.   The horse has bolted and its an unholy free for all - the end result - read the bible - it does suggest incineration.   Read the historical bible, see how God dealt with a disobedient nation, raising up their enemy and finally when the people got down on their knees crying 'Rachem, Rachem, Rachem' (Mercy, Mercy, Mercy) He dealt with their enemy and restored peace to the land.

Any child of God who doesn't realise where this is going and who has been absorbed into the Church of Appeasement needs to get back on track.   We need a Job mentality.   God allowed Satan to torment Job and all but crush him.   Be prepared to suffer.    It's not about denomination, it's all about preachers who twist teaching and put their slant on the written word in an attempt to fill empty pews.

The Lord your creator God is everywhere and should be first and foremost in any area of your life,  invisible but as necessary as air.   Satan inhabits many beautiful old church buildings, the foundations of which are rotten and crumbling.  While children starve in the third world punters follow every commentary and photograph of celebrity weddings that are said to cost millions.   That's how truly sick this society is.   

The shining remnant of God are called to love the sinner, but hate the sin and they must swim against the current tide of permissiveness regardless of humiliation, persecution and even death knowing the last breath in this world will lead them home.   They must carry their cross to the threshold of eternity knowing they have earned the right to pass through and they leave the rest in His Hands.   We won't remember the pain inflicted by others - we will be a new creation.   

A.W. Tozer gets straight to the point in his book Attributes of God.

If there is anything necessary to your eternal happiness but God, you're not the kind of Christian that you ought to be.

In his book 'God tells the man who cares' Tozer writes "Loyalty to God, faithfulness to Truth and preservation of good conscience are jewels more precious than gold of Ophir or diamonds from the mine.   For these jewels men have suffered loss of property, imprisonment and even death; for them, even in recent times, behind various curtains, followers of Christ have paid the last full measure of devotion and quietly died, unknown to and unsung by the great world, but known to God and dear to his Father's heart.   

SHALOM

ELECTION FEVER

The law of the Lord is perfect,

converting the soul;

The testimony of the Lord is sure,

making wise the simple;

Psalm 19 - 7

It's never about shutting the door in the face of the prostitute, homosexual, adulteress or murderer.

Their door is always open, their mantra 'everyone is welcome here' and judging by the party policies flooding through our mail boxes I am sure the 'Church of Appeasement' will blend in nicely.

The only party any genuine christian could vote for (and sadly their numbers are greatly depleted) is the Christian Party.   ukchristianparty.org but Lord where are their candidates?.   Certainly not on my conservative turf - their followers may well return T. May to her throne, God help us all, the choice is between the devil and the deep blue sea.   My vote will be wasted as it was in the last election.   On the other hand whilst I consider J.C.  (that's Jeremy Corbyn - we have to wait a little longer for the return of our Lord) an honest and peaceable contender the Labour Party Policies are as far away from our so called 'Christian Country' status as one can get.

Sadly, biblical history reveals a country gets the leaders it deserves so its a case of God help us all.   

Truth is dead in the water and presiding powers will crush any dissent as quickly as it rises.

One can't help noticing the lack of policy regarding Sharia Law - "Okay - we'll tiptoe around that one"   This is a very serious problem in less desirable areas of London and who cares what happens in cities and towns north of the Watford Gap.

Why hasn't the issue been raised regarding the new test available from 2018 on the National Health for detecting Down's Syndrome.  (What Nazi tactic is festering under that label).   Down's syndrome children are earthbound angels, simply beautiful and their place in heaven is assured.

All parties rattle on about prostitution, gambling, pornography.   Fallen angel stuff and as old as the book of Enoch.  As long as men walk the earth they will dip their toes in the devil's pool.

Where are the policies for free education.   Or any of the issues surrounding explicit sex education.

The devil is in the detail.

What about our precious NHS - quiet on that one as well.   Of course you can march with a placard saying "Hands off our NHS" but the grubby money making hands have other plans.   

Assisted suicide - with another conservative government we won't need to worry about that, just drive off Beachy Head or Land's End its a fantastic idea for getting rid of the elderly.   Now - hands up those who watched and were inspired by 'Logan's Run.'   

Our presiding Prime Minister has said the UK must address the persecution of christians around the world.   Might I politely suggest you can't be a christian unless you accept the words of Christ and follow Him.   It's all hype and easy to say when you are surrounded by 24 hour surveillance.   Would she have offered her neck to save Lee Rigby.    Jesus offered his neck for all mankind.  I doubt any politician would stand in the firing line and yet they are the very cause of the hatred and revenge festering in the terrorist heart.   Their hands are soaked in the blood of innocent people but out of reach of retribution until they stand before the throne of God.

There is only one government that can be trusted, that of our Saviour God.    His the judgement and its approaching fast.

In this world my vote will not count.   My heart tells me that is irrelevant because what is written in scripture will come to pass as surely as night follows day.

Revelation 3 - 10 is surely encouragement for those who face persecution at the hands of the adversary.

"Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

And should any sneer at the fact that Coptic christians in the Middle East haven't been able to avoid their untimely end perhaps they should understand that for any child of God death is merely the fast track to His Kingdom.   They are home.    It is those left behind who struggle unable to accept that  earthly relationships are momentary, we don't belong here - we are aliens.   We have a Saviour and He died that we might live.   Hopefully they will turn to Him.      

Revelation 22 - 13-14

I am the Alpha and the Omega, 

the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.

Blessed are those who do His commandments,

that they may have the right to the tree of life,

and may enter through the gates into the city.

My heartfelt pity is for those who clutch desperately at their earthly possessions ever fearful that tomorrow might bring disaster and loss on a scale unimaginable - their worst nightmare.

Thank you Lord for the most precious gift any mortal could receive, Your compassion and love for  just one lost sheep and the amazing glimpse of your Kingdom to come.

Todah Yeshua

Baruch ha ba b'shem Adonai.

SHALOM.

THE LUNATIC FRINGE

When the wheel turns, those who are lowest rise,

and the highest sink.

Patience, then, believer, 

eternity will right the wrongs of time.

C.H. Spurgeon.

Rising at dawn there was a hint of the coming day.   Thick mist covered the hills and fields.   In the east the sun was rising illuminating the high clouds edged in gold.   The sun continued it assent rolling back the pure white eiderdown.    Bird song filled the air and for a moment heaven touched earth.

Precious moments in a sad, sick world, perhaps a fleeting glimpse of Your Kingdom to come, when Your Mighty Hand will sweep away the dross and deal with the ugly face of evil and injustice.   Finally there will be peace for those who chose love, not war.

Sometimes I struggle to see God's hand in a world full of pain.   Where evil men and women devise their merciless agenda and bow at Satan's altar.  Their time is now but it is fast running out.   They greedily snatch every advantage and prepare for every possible scenario but the smell of death chases after them and when the lights finally go out they will follow their Dark Lord into the abyss.

The world is upside down and therefore the first are last and the last first.   See how the servile sons of Satan lord it in the earth.   What a high horse they ride. * 

The martyrs are restless their number has yet to be completed.  Little has changed in this stinking soup of humanity.   Speak TRUTH and they crucify you.   Expose their dirty dealings and they eliminate you, the only difference it may be quicker.   Lethal injection, a poisoned prawn cocktail, a nudge under the on.coming train.   

The martyrs are restless, how many more truth seekers will bite the bullet at the hands of the oppressors.   There ARE many  'real nut jobs'  in this world** and at the moment they are dancing around he of duck fame.   All governments need to focus and release the good guys.   Round and round we go - produce the evidence, provide the proof, it is rapidly becoming a circus of lunatics but they wriggle in their death throes.

Both Snowdon and Julian Assange are without doubt the real heros of this age, exposing the nasties that feed off the poor and underprivileged those unable to use the might of an equally corrupt expensive legal system.

Matthew 13 - 30 

Yeshua warned us the wheat and the tares have to grow side by side until the harvest.    We can only pray we finish up in the right bundle - safely stored in our Father's barn.  The tares will carry the label.   "BURN IN THE FIRE"

And the beautiful start to a perfect day ends with torrential rain.   Would that it could wash away the filth of this sinful world.   

RACHEM, RACHEM RACHEM ELOHIM.

SHALOM   

* C.H. Spurgeon
** Donald Trump

LITTLE ACORNS

There are three effects of nearness to Jesus

Humility, Happiness and Holiness.

C.H. Spurgeon

Simply put things that offend a Holy God offend His children.   Spiritual discernment a most essential gifting when observing humanity.

There's something reassuring about a writer who gets his message across without hyperbole or verbal gymnastics and inspires in the reader "Hallelujah" planting a colourful flower of encouragement against the dark stormy clouds of propaganda and media hype.

There's something to be dreaded in my over enthusiasm for a particular author or C.D. and the need to bless another christian with the experience.  Way down the line, too late, I realise something is missing from my bookshelf.   Unable to remember its recipient I decide, well bless whoever has it and perhaps I can get another copy from Amazon.

As fate would have it, it is usually out of print and rogue traders are in their with first edition or just merely a paper back at the staggering sums of £199 - and that is a lower figure.   Not quite sure what the christian author would think of this blatant exploitation considering the original book was around £8.99 and clearly within the reach of the masses.   But then when you really know Jesus its never about money.   Yes you need to cover printing costs and countless cups of coffee researching His Word but the challenge is to reach those in the wilderness.    In the case of this particular blogger speed is of the essence, time is short,  so it is offered to the Lord and anyone who stumbles across my blog site F.O.C.  to hopefully edify but failing that pollute their "trash box"

Perhaps that is why my hero is Adrian Plass.   His humanity and easy read style makes comfortable - or uncomfortable (depending which side you are on) reading for the simple sheep stumbling onwards towards the Knackers Yard and finally His En Gedi pasture and the Good Shepherd.

***************************

Waterside

"Wow, am I exhausted" said the woman hiker to her flushed companion  "how many miles have we done?  I am surely out of condition but then it is Spring, by mid summer I will hopefully be in my stride."

"We've only just started" said her companion laughing "a couple of cakes and a tray of tea will put your sugar levels up.   Ordering from the man behind the counter they moved to a table near the window which overlooked the rambling moors.

"Weird about that field we passed wasn't it"  she commented "all those kids just sitting around a rather scruffy looking individual "quiet as I've ever seen them, I wonder if he could drop in on one of my classes" she suggested "even one session would be a blessing in disguise".

Isaiah 53 - 2 - 3

He has no form or comeliness;

And when we see Him,

There is no beauty that we should desire Him.

He is despised and rejected by men,

A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.

And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him.

He was despised and we did not esteem him.

A waitress approached the table with their order.   Overhearing their conversation she said "That was Dan you saw in the field.   He's regarded as suspicious by those in the luxury houses around here.   It's said he is homeless and sleeps rough but he is attracting quite a following of young people."

"Well" replied the man busily pouring the tea and moving the plates around "he must have something these kids need, we are both teachers and I for one am lucky if I can hold their attention for five minutes."

"My daughter is usually among the crowd" said the waitress "I worry about her because she tends to go "off-piste" every once in a while but then she's back at his feet accepting his correction and instruction to stay focused."

"Let's hope it contagious" said the man laughing "after all if you can find a field of followers without screaming, sex and drugs and loud music I can only say he must be exceptionally charismatic"

"Oh he is" said the waitress smiling at the couple as she walked through the kitchen door.

"Ready to tackle Skiddaw" enquired the man of his companion.

"Not today" replied the woman smiling "but I will go a little further and then call it a day."

The man headed toward the till to settle his bill. 

"There's a tip for the waitress" he said smiling at the stocky man behind the till.

"What waitress" said the man "it's self service here pal - don't forget to drop in next time you pass."

"Well that was rather peculiar" said the woman to her companion as they headed towards the next hill.  "What do you make of that?  We just ordered and sat down shouldn't we have been informed it was self service.?"

Later that evening they sat in their local pub recounting the experience with their friends.   

"Just get's you here doesn't it" said the woman hand on her heart  "the way the Education System is attempting to fill the kids with junk.  Permissiveness and every disgusting perversion and those kids were just sitting on the grass listening with obvious respect to a man whom society in general has labelled a tramp.   You know our children are the future of our country.   God help us all.

"It reminds me of the poem by David Everett - an American Poet (1769 - 1813) it was my Nan's favourite saying "tall oaks from little acorns grow"

The poem goes like this:

You'd scarce expect one of my age

To speak in public on the stage;

And if I chance to fall below,

Demosthenes or Cicero.

Don't view me with a critics eye,

But pass my imperfection by,

Large streams from little fountains flow,

Tall oaks trees from little acorns grow.

Can't remember it all but it continues

These thoughts inspire my youthful mind,
To be the greatest of mankind,
Great, not like Caesar, stained with blood,
But only great as I am good.

Written for a school Declamation.

"Perhaps we can creep to the end of the crowd next time and listen to what he is saying, whatever he has I could do with a bucket full to reach my unruly mob and that includes my own kids"

"Never mind" said her companion "half term at the end of next week - thank God.

He shall gather the lambs with His arm,

and carry them in His bosom.

Isaiah - 40 - 11 

    

IN A NUTSHELL - TIME TO BOW DOWN

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

The sighs, the ignorance, the feebleness of the little ones of His flock

draw forth His compassion.

C.H. Spurgeon

LET EACH COUNTRY GET IT'S OWN HOUSE IN ORDER - then join with others, respecting different cultures, it should not be the strong crucifying the weak - there in lies world war.

In Luke's gospel 5 - 27 Yeshua teaches:

"But I say to you who hear *Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you."

In Matthew 5 - 38 Yeshua teaches:

"You have heard it was said "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.  But I tell you not to resist an evil person.   But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also."

Small wonder the Sanhedrin found Him a threat to their preaching.   Was Moses a tad over zealous - but hey leading a flock of sheep is not an easy job.   One bag of sheep food and they are "off to trot" in another direction - even the wrong direction.

Yeshua was born into this world and His mission was predestined.   He knew exactly what would happen when he taught his disciples the ways of a loving God.   The same destination awaits those who speak out against cruel and oppressive governments.   

He kept it simple.   Keep the commandments - and if the world listened there would be no KILLING.   LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR AS YOURSELF.    We all love self - but if treat our neighbours with that same love of self we would not steal or covert or wish any harm to another human being.    As it is the covetous eyes are everywhere.   Moral decay is rampant, we are listening to the devil and our destruction is close at hand. 

It is appalling when a so called "Knight of the Realm" sits in supreme judgement on other countries.   There is no way Britain or any other country can eliminate ISIS simply because it thrives on individual suicides and can activate cells virtually around the globe.   Unfortunately the assassins don't mind who they kill or where, even to the point of using their own people as "human shields"

In reality continuing wars fill the coffers of the government, perhaps it's the only thing keeping Britain rolling at the moment.  Observe the labels on clothing.   Designer labels - MADE IN PERU - the less expensive - MADE IN TURKEY.   WHY!!!   No one is saying "I will not buy that - I won't support the companies that make millions out of slave labour. "  

One particular Hawk and Knight of the Realm proudly declares Britain as a christian country with all the arrogance of a supremacist.   The Bride of Christ is sick - truly sick - and only the simplest of lambs hiding out on the mountains will see the return of their King.   

Perhaps the faintest glimmer of hope lay in the actions of one Andrew Watson, Bishop of Guildford who has actually sacked Stephen Sizer.    Well done Bishop.   Now follow the commandments of your Holy God and clear His house of the abominations that dwell therein - then the sheep will beat down the door to His Sanctuary. 

ALMIGHTY GOD WILL DEAL WITH ISIS when human kind finally acknowledges the ONLY JUDGE AND HIS POWER AND GLORY.

Until then the merciless bombing will continue and innocents will be sacrificed at the altar of those who consider their agenda first and their coffers foremost.  

As for his sheep -  frequently He carries them by giving them a very simple faith, which takes the Promise just as it stands, and they run with every persecution straight to Him.    Todah Yeshua.  
   

RACHEM, RACHEM, RACHEM

ADONAI.

    

ENDURANCE

The best of God's saints must drink the wormwood;

the dearest of His children must bear the cross.

C.H.Spurgeon

Something happens in the spring.   As the flowers open and the birds sing I thaw out and my old friend pain gathers momentum determined to blight my day and remind me that I have to struggle on regardless.   Perhaps its the chill winds that suddenly bite when the sun goes behind a cloud and you've mistakenly stepped out in a tee shirt.     Thanks to the vagaries of our present weather systems you can get a heat wave in February then suddenly biting winds and a cold snap, the last defiant gesture in an otherwise mild winter. 

Back to the G.P. for a top-up prescription of the tablets that have wrecked my digestive system for over forty years and act like concrete on my elementary canal as the degenerative disease slowly increases it grip.

Sorrowful brown eyes meet mine.   Lovely boy!!!!!  He hands me a card which informs me there is  a "healing ministry" at a sister practice in another town.   Now did he have faith or what?   Incredulously I enquire "can this condition be healed" he replies "yes" his brown eyes still firmly focused on the doubting Thomas.   Lord knows I am a member of the 'missing parts club' and would have preferred healing any time rather than surgery given a choice, but having finally reached the stage when the remaining bits are essential to life it is very much a question of 'Thy Will be done' and I'm going home.  

Now the stress and strain of daily activity pushes me to an afternoon nap which is quite refreshing and then a 'sleepless in the city' night or is it just that I am waiting for the 'thief in the night' and don't want to be caught napping when my Lord turns up.

Back comes the usual condemnation.   "Your faith isn't strong enough"  I reply "Oh yes it is" perhaps my prayer would be "forget about me Lord save that little child with cancer or the young mother with leukaemia after all what is the point of keeping an old duck alive.  I have christian friends who have been through open heart surgery and then found they had cancer.   Please don't tell me they don't have faith, they work tirelessly to reach lost souls.     

Some are healed and they don't believe in anything other than their consultant who tells them "we are going to beat this"   How does the Lord choose between one child and another?     Looking on the bright side I would have to consider He is taking them home, saving them from something much worse down the line,  that seriously challenges the faith of a desperate mother.        

My faith gets stronger by the second as I see bible prophecy playing out knowing that I am rapidly approaching the summit and need more than an oil change.   Of course a touch of luxury might help.   The odd cruise or a couple of weeks on the Costa del Sol but if it comes to sin or poverty, I'll take poverty.   I just couldn't live with a guilty conscience or grab the lion's share in a world where there is so much injustice and many are starving.   I am certainly not a prosperity christian.   Yes, you can bless me Lord,  I'll just give it away.   The Lord said "blessed are the poor in spirit"  Well I am poor and am blessed with His Spirit, and certainly don't want the embarrassment of trying to get my camel through the eye of a needle.

I'll pop a few pain killers and take it easy for a few days after all it can't be long until I hear those blessed words "Time's up" or "come yea blessed of My Father"   The battle will be over and my little boat will finally beach on heaven's shore and the real adventure begins.

Meanwhile sickness will continue because the global powers are polluting the very air we breath,    the food and water we drink.   Our love affair with the car continues and pesticides are still sprayed on the land.   

Liza McKenzie (she of the pink hair) commented on "Going Underground" R.T.  apparently it is considered 'if you are not valued - you need to go'  suggesting that the film 'I Daniel Blake' is just the  tip of the iceberg.   With an ageing population how long before euthanasia creeps in the back door disguised as just another flu jab. 

We are called to carry our cross whatever that may be to the finish line.   We know without a shadow of doubt that when our eyes close on this world we open them in His Kingdom.

We need winds and tempests to exercise our faith,

to tear off the rotten branch of self-dependence,

and to root us more firmly in Christ.

The day of evil reveals to us the value of our glorious hope.

C.H. Spurgeon