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Madam Darkshade Continued

Dear Marah, You have proved to be quite the clever temptress. Naturally, this is because you have followed through with all that I have told you to do. I heard how tensions rise during their meetings and that the grungy who prided himself in being vital to the health of the ecclessia is now planning to present himself as the bishop. It is to be expected that there will be some resistance, but this is good. Conflict always yields the most rottenness of fruit. As I mentioned before in the previous letter, this useful tool must be toyed with the idea that everything he is doing is for the ecclessia. Have him feel a slight pride in the way he abases himself. If you need an example, just look to that enemy's own scripture! Did not Simon the Magician feel like it was his moral obligation and humble duty to pursue a higher power? Who do you think planted that notion in him? I have been dancing in the world's ballad for a long time. I know what I am talking about. Fo

Madam Darkshade Continued

These letters are   written in a similar tone as Screwtape letters. In no way do they bear the same wonderful wit and style that only came from C.S. Lewis, but my attempt is to portray how spiritual wickedness in high places can infect the church.  If you are not familiar with the Screwtape letters, then know that the backdrop of these writings is about a demon writing to her granddaughter on how to tempt a local church that is going through the fallout of their pastor  shipwrecking  his ministry.  My most despicable Marah,             Dibbah, your sister, has just informed me that over fifty grungies have left the ecclesia. I know how thrilled you are over this, and I am glad that you took my advice, as you should, but don’t think that for one second your mission is complete! One grungy wholly committed to that enemy is something to be reckoned with. Luckily, because of our advances, very few grungies ever come to that place of revolution .                        

Madam Darkshade

Just a little intro. Lord willing, I am going to post each week a letter that is written by one named "Madam Darkshade." The style of these letters are very similar to C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters. The Backdrop is different and obviously my wit, writing skill, and intelligence, will never even graze the surface of his writings. My intention is solely to bring to light inward battles that churches face across this world. May it be a blessing. My most despicable Marah, You are thriving in the ways of your father, not like his foolish brother, who will never be missed. I must warn you though not to get complacent in your duties. Indeed, this beautiful poison seeps deep into the hearts of many of those vile grungies, but your mission requires the utmost belligerence. I am assigning you Moloch’s previous task for he is moving up in rank and will soon be part of the glorious elite. There have been countless successes much like your mission, but be vig

THANKFULNESS

1 Thessalonians 5:18 states,  “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  Again, Paul writes in Ephesians 5:20 , “ Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  It is undoubtedly much easier to offer up a word of praise to God, when the sun is shining and you are on the mountain top, but what about the times of pain? The times when it seems that instead of being  on top of the world , the world is crushing you. It appears rather pointless to thank God in everything  when everything seems to be all wrong. We must realize that thankfulness, in the midst of suffering, is vital for every Christian. Why? Because, it shifts our focus back to the Sovereign ruler and it settles our hearts in His love. You see, it is recorded in the gospel of Mark that the disciples were on a ship crossing the Sea of Galilee. A storm would come up and begin to beat down the ship until it appeared that the s

After God's Own Heart

When He chose David to be king over His people, God said of him , “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will (Acts 13:22).”   We often use such terms in day to day life. For example, if a man finds out that another man has similar traits, likes, & dislikes he will often say, “Well there is a guy after my own heart!”   However,   what does it really mean to be one “ after God’s own heart ?” To answer this, I want to focus on two factors found in the life of David. You see, David wrote in Psalms 62:5-6 , 8, “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved….   Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah . ”   Many of His Psalms reveal his spiritual longing and passion for God. Psalm 62 was written by David during a time of great distress. It is not clear whether he wrote this wh

New Book: 40 Thrive

This new book I have published is listed on amazon.com, kindle stores, and createspace.com. I do not claim to be some grand prolific writer, but these devotions are simply from a pastor's heart. There are morning, noon, and night readings given after each devotion. Along with questions to encourage the reader to dig deeper into the Word of God. It is my hope that those who read this book grow and thrive in their walk with Christ.  God bless.

A Refreshing Witness

Proverbs 25:25 states,  “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.”  Most Americans do not realize the privilege in simply having clean, cold water accessible in their home. When I fill a glass of water, to my shame, I hardly ever think about the millions of people who have died because they have no reliable source of water. Of course, in verse 25, Solomon was illustrating a bigger point than just quenching someone’s physical thirst. He revealed that “good news” can be refreshing and reviving to one’s soul. Do you remember what Jesus said to the Samaritan woman by the well? He declared, “ But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life  (John 4:14).” There are millions of lives spiritually thirsty. They are destitute of  the water of everlasting life.  They need the love and light of Jesus to quench their dry spirits

Just another Sunday

Not long ago, I watched a video on Youtube that was about a special “sunday service” for professed atheists. It was called Sunday Assembly . The oddity of such a gathering came when I realized that almost every aspect of the service was a direct “look-alike” to the average Sunday morning worship programs held in churches across America. There was singing. In fact one of the songs was about “keeping your head up” (Of course, my thoughts are why you would need your head to be “up”, if there is no hope written on the stars). There was a special speaker who used various anecdotes which rehashed the atheistic “creed” that you only live once and then death, so you are to make the most out of life (Again, quandaries abound when one realizes that the path of “making the most out of life” is always relative to people's perception of what gives life meaning.) Also, during the service, there was a time of giving in which certain individuals would pass out a donation box. Of course, I

THE UNCONVENTIONAL CHRISTMAS POEM

Though Christmas was over a week ago, I found this poem I had written a while back that, to me, is still a needed reminder as we make “preparations” for the next Christmas. Once a year, they sing “Peace on earth” Once a year, they celebrate my birth Presents under the tree, Lights around the yard Just for me, they max out their credit cards Once a year, they remind people that I’m the reason Why they are to celebrate this most joyous season But why in the summer, do they not say a word Daily the number grows of people who have not heard Once a year they remind each other to freely give Yet everyday there are ones struggling to live I did not come for a day of observance But to seek and to save that I might take up residence To transform lives into new creations That they might bear fruit and share the hope of salvation So go buy gifts and go hang lights Go plan a party for Christmas Eve night Yet, know that I’ll not

IN THE STILLNESS

Psalms 46:10  Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Much can be heard, when you are standing still simply to listen to what is around you.  I recall one incident, while in a park waiting for someone to arrive; I began to notice the sights and sounds around me more distinctly. The jumbled mass of people turned out to be different faces with specific features. The muffled noise of nature slowly became many diverse, yet unique sounds. I heard the trees rustling in the wind. I saw the children playing near the street. I heard people laughing and dogs barking. The park came alive, as I sat still simply waiting for a friend to arrive. This is because our stillness magnifies our surroundings. In a sense, this is why God commands His children to “Be still.” Oh, if Christians would only stop their busy routine for one moment and “be still” in prayer, then God would be magnified, in their own hearts, as who He truly is!