Winter Death

My Blog is basically focused on what my God tells me to write. And, if any manifestations take place in our human existence, then it is totally by and for Christ Jesus and not by my efforts. For many years now we have been serving the military hurting soldiers and their families and also the homeless people in the North Country of San Diego, CA. with free counseling, food, and clothing. There are some very good organizations already doing this. But, we as Christians need to get more involved in Action, in any way we can, to support them, especially during the cold winter months ahead. In our small way, we give a lot to provide warm clothing and counsel for Jesus. But, it is never enough. So, again this year we are asking our Christian Brethren to donate just $5.00 to buy a blanket or warm cap to a Child of God on the street who WILL die without it. May God get the Glory in our work with Him! And, please do reply to us IF you CARE to SAVE even one life. Join our Blog! Following is an example from my experience: I had a humbling experience on the streets of San Diego this winter with a homeless man. I and my friends were attending a concert in downtown San Diego one evening and I saw a homeless man across the street from the concert hall bedding down for the night. He was laying out his bed of old newspapers and had covered himself with them in a nearby store doorway. So, when I noticed him doing it, I crossed the street and approached him. I greeted him and offered him a $20.00 Bill. He immediately said, “I don’t want your money.” So, I asked him what he did need. His response was, “I need to be warm tonight.” I then asked him if he would like to be VERY warm tonight. He said, “And how can I do that!” I replied, “If you take some of your newspaper blanket down the street and give it to another person trying to stay warm, then I promise you that you will feel warmer tonight.” He looked at me and said, “But if I do that I will be colder!” I said, “No, I promise that if you do that you will be warmer tonight because you will help your suffering homeless brother or sister.” The man said, “Yeah, my friends are all cold, I guess I can give a couple sheets of paper to one of them.” Then the man walked down the street and gave two pieces of newspaper to an elderly guy, then returned to me and lay down again. “Well, he said, how does that make me feel warmer?” I said, “Do you care for that person at all?” He said, “Yeah, they are like me, cold!” I said, do you know that you have just made yourself warmer by doing that?” He replied, “You know mister, I do feel a little warmer knowing I can do something and that made me feel nice.” In reply, I said, well if you don’t want my money, then will you accept your reward?” He replied, “What reward?” I said, your reward was that you felt nice, but in addition, you just did some work that earned you a reward and it is this wool blanket.” (I had gone to my car and got a blanket while he was over giving his papers to the other person). He said, “Well now, that is what I call service!” I had to laugh, but knew he had made a start toward Jesus. Homeless people do not need charity. They need to know that they have some VALUE to others! But, we more fortunate should provide them with a fair reward for their labor toward others. Only then, will they accept it.

Social Misfits?

I have sometimes been described as, a “Social Misfit” by some fellow Christians. And, I am proud to say that, that label has been placed on me. Even Jesus and His Disciples have always been criticized by the masses and establishment in such similar terms or worse. There is a tendency today (As in all previous generations) for some so called Christian leaders and misinformed followers to focus attention, out of FEAR, and then criticize anyone trying to enlighten others to Christ Jesus if the message of the true Gospel conflicts with their own agenda, the Cultural practices of the current times or their own material gain. So many so called Church Pastors, Elders, Deacons, Evangelists or others claiming to be members of Christianity believe in falsehood. Many believe that to “Serve Christ” means to “DO” something or “Have” something to enlarge Christ’s Ministry (e.g., bigger buildings, more members, more “Tithes”, more “Leading people to Christ”, etc.). This is all missing the Real Truth demonstrated by Jesus when He was on Earth two thousand years ago as God in the flesh. Jesus did not come to please people or to build big congregations. He came to SAVE us evil people from ourselves and change our ideas about religion and life. I remain my own man with my God. I will not try to build on another’s ministry, only the Ministry of Christ Crucified and Risen from the Cross of Calvary. So, you may criticize me, because it gives me great joy knowing that I will suffer one with Christ and am a son of God and one of His creations like everyone trying to live right. I am also only a man with many faults. So, may the true seeker look only to Christ Jesus and the Cross for Freedom. All answers come from there and are to be found only there. The words that I speak or write are really not mine alone. They belong to and come from The Holy Spirit of my Father and Brother Jesus. As for the True Church of Christ; it is NOT in the World as a place materially, like a building. It is within a person’s soul. No congregation can replace that. True Christians live every moment with Jesus in their Heart (Their deep inner being). And, if one ever hopes to have Eternal life by acting religious you probably will fail. Jesus talked, Jesus walked against all establishments and Cultural beliefs and Customs or traditions made up by mankind. If you want to really help the World, then slow down and LISTEN to Him. Then, you will know what and how to serve God and others. You Must Suffer in a similar way as Jesus did if you expect to know the Joy of His presence. Activity is not always the right action!

A Soldier's Story from a Client

This story was passed to me from one of my clients with permission. I think it is marvelous! His story is as follows: "I am an alcoholic and have grave mental, emotional and physical issues. However, I have found a way to live well in spite of all these maladies. I first came to AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) in 1984 when I realized that alcohol was causing my failures and terrible troubles my whole life ever since I was an adolescent when I began drinking to try and fit in with society. At first, it seemed to work well for me, but after many years it led me to the point of considering suicide. Then I came to AA and after many years had what I thought was a normal and successful life; until I had a complete mental breakdown after over 12 years sober! At that me, I was an active duty military Non‐Commissioned Officer rapidly moving up in rank and responsibilities as a leader and also as a veteran soldier of several wars. Suddenly, and sober, all came falling down unexpectedly! I was taken to the psychiatric ward three times within two years! A total "Basket Case". And it was in hospital that I learned that I also was suffering from mental disorders caused by combat in wars. The doctors told me it was "PTSD" (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and also, "Major Chronic Depression" along with "Degenerative Disk Disease" (from military injury) and several other mental and emotional disorders, all combined! For three years I was so ill that I often wished I could just die. I was Honorably Discharged from the military, lost my home, lost my wife and son to divorce and lost all my money (except my military pension). Most times I lay in bed or on the couch or chair and just could not believe that my God would let this all happen. I wanted to die. I just could not even see "my part" in causing this. After three years of again drinking and getting sicker and alone, I desperately prayed out to my God and soon thereafter, I finally returned to AA, got a sponsor and again worked the 12 Step Program as best I could. Things again began to get worse (cleaning up all the legal and financial wreckage), but after a few months I was digging out of that hole. I still had many mental, emotional and physical problems that often regularly tortured me, but I inwardly knew that I was on the right track again with life. And, so it proved to be as the many years have passed since. Oh yes, I had a few short "binges" even after, but my God always helped me get sober me and again and keep "trudging the road to happy destiny" as the AA Big Book of AA says. Now, I am still sober, am a 100% Disabled Veteran and can't work and still suffer from bouts of mental health issues. Yet, my God has not only led me onward to seek help from medical professionals, but also has given me a new wife, new house we own, and income and benefits equal to a military retired General in rank! Another series of Miracles! Which to my way of thinking proves that God not only exists, but as an AA passage I read long ago says, "God will do for you what you can't do for yourself." and now I get it! Today I TRY to stay as close to my God as possible and TRY to listen for the "intuition, hunch or decision" from my God and also TRY to do the right thing for the right reason and TRY to help others as best as I can, whenever I can despite my ongoing sufferings daily with my mental health issues. And no, I am not always successful in this because also I am a "recovering perfectionist and control freak" and have a hard me being patient and tolerant or even sometimes trusting my God or others. However, my God keeps loving me slowly and gently anyway in His loving way and in His timing, not mine. Believing this, I can and do have HOPE for today and even my future as long as I remain sober and seek my God's will and not my own constantly. I hope and pray that anyone suffering like me will come to believe that in spite of your mental health issues, you too can, if you choose, have a beer life and learn how to accept suffering as a good thing even if you remain ill with these issues. I know that I have! I have since been trying my best to follow my early Christian upbringing and put it into ACTION for Jesus. I have no idea what I am doing! But, God does! It all seems to be related to trying to learn and do the right thing for the right reason, and the right reason is always about Love of God and others. I’m still a mess in many ways, but I Believe that Christ is with me anyway. That takes the guilt and shame away and allows me to just be Human, faulty and effective. The secret is to Pray and then Act and let the “Chips fall where they may.” God is Big enough to Control All. Thank God! And thanks AA!"

Happiness and Joy

Happiness and Joy are NOT what many people think it is. As Humans, we believe it is solely an emotional response to events in our worldly life. But, it is much more than that to the Christian Mature in Faith. The real Joy and happiness as described in the Bible is a Gift given Only to those who are chosen by God. It is a “Gift” in that, it comes only from The Holy Spirit (Ghost) and is far Above what we human’s consider it to be. If you study the Scriptures you may find that in every “Decree of God” that there is a Promise of Joy and Happiness to be found ONLY for those people who accept God as Father, His Son Jesus and who have His Holy Spirit within them. That Joy and Happiness is NOT of this World. The Truth is that it is an awareness given from The Father of a Future time to come when God, through Jesus Christ, will return and establish His Eternal Kingdom here on the NEW Earth He re-creates. As Christian’s we can NOW experience some of that Joy and Happiness, but mostly as we look Forward to the NEW World government under God. Joy and Happiness then rises above our present Earthly experience of it (Which mostly is sensual) and redirects our Heart’s and minds focused toward a better future yet to come. And, that Future is also here and now, and will be complete and finished completely as both Spiritual and Physical reality. So, cast aside the “Feelings” of purely human joy or happiness in Earthly human experience for something Better. Look to the Higher Vision of what God has prepared for you who Love Him. It is soon to come! Now you can be really Joyous and Happy in spite of the present sorrows you may feel or the false feelings of these human emotions we associate with purely human experience. God does Grant us believer’s some of that now. But, there is a Higher experience yet to come. That is what we Christian’s MUST ALWAYS remember! That is what keeps us trudging the road toward happy destiny!

On America And Israel

It seems that our current Administration in America (As well as some past ones since President Harry Truman) have been bent on abandoning the State of Israel gradually since it’s inception after WW2. This is the WORST policy that America and our Allies (Or any Nation) can take! We American’s made an Oath for Israel’s support long ago and we MUST continue to support them if we will ever hope to continue as a “Nation Under God” as we claim. We American’s owe our great prosperity and might, directly linked to our deep belief and much sacrifice to the cause of Liberty and Freedom. Our Nation began with Christian beliefs. And, these very beliefs (Although, now being quickly eroded) directly stem from the Ancient Oracles of God given to us through the Bible and Holy Scriptures of God’s own chosen people Israel. All History has proven that any Nation or peoples that do not treat the Jews favorably will ultimately fall into oblivion. It does not matter if some individuals of Jewish or Israeli do not follow the Christian belief. The ultimate fact is that they are our Elder Brother’s and that God will always be on their side (And any Nation supporting them) despite their long and terrible persecutions and horrible sufferings. We American’s dare not desert them, at the risk of our own peril! Pray for them. Do anything you can to continue to support them! If we fail in our Commitment then we will fail as a Nation!

Veteran's Day

Read 2Chronicles 20:1-20 and 2 Samuel 22:29-43 "He teaches my hands to make war (For the war), so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze." (2 Sam. 22:35, NKJV(. At first reading, this passage seems contradictory to what many believer's in Christ might think. But, as a career Soldier and Veteran of many wars as an American Soldier, I get it! As a MAN, war appalls me. I have personally experienced first hand the Horrors of war and the Terrible consequences that remain long after the fighting is over. There are NO winners in a Human sense, only victims, all lose. However, these verses from the Holy Bible, written through two Kings of Israel loved by God, speak of an aspect of God's Character SPIRITUALLY that reveal along side His Love that there is also His Vengeance and Protection for those who will choose to Trust Him. It also reveals His Sovereign and Miraculous intervention to fight for His Own Honor and for ours who stand prepared for His Victory; so that, all we have to do is show up and watch what His outcome will be. The battles and wars, as horribly mysterious as they are, are for His Divine and ultimate purposes. And one purpose (As hard as it is for us humans to accept or understand) is to show how evil and wicked all of mankind is. And, hopefully even after the wars, we will come to realize that we humans have not ever been good. In that, IF we accept this fact, therein lies our Salvation. Ever since Cain murdered his brother Able all humanity since then has been in perpetual rebellion against God, both Physically and Spiritually. Jesus solved the SPIRITUAL problem for mankind, but we have not as yet reached the end of our Human PHYSICAL problem (At least, not on Earth). War is just another EFFECT of our remaining Sinfulness (Sin = missing the mark of God's Heart). To me as a Veteran Soldier, I realize now that God IS MY God and was and IS always fighting for me and my Soul. I am a survivor and I am really a true Soldier of the "Heavenly Armies of God." I still do not understand well Why I and many other Soldier's have been allowed to survive the battles of war and live on to an old age. Whatever the reason, God knows. Yet, there is something I can still do. I can tell the story of how My God and His Son Jesus Christ still fight for those who dare to Trust Him. Trust Him regardless of any Earthly physical victory or defeat. He IS God Almighty and Sovereign over all the Nations of the World. He Alone does whatever pleases Himself, even if we do not. So, Soldier's and Veterans take Heart! Follow hard after Him and although you may still be suffering, know that it is a necessary part of your being drawn closer to God in the process. The great war for our Eternal Life and Freedom has already been Won long ago, Won SPIRITUALLY. Soon, the Physical will join the Spiritual when The LORD returns again. To be a Soldier is necessary for some and it is a great Honor to be used by God to help serve His purposes. Do not worry about the EFFECTS of your human experience. Look FORWARD, Watch what Jesus will do! Be content that YOU are an important tool and person in God's Final plan of Salvation and Peace to come. Keep fighting the Good fight of FAITH!

He humbled Himself (Philippians 2:6-8)

When I was in College I had to support my Family while working a full-time job that did not meet our needs. So, I took a second job as a janitor to help supplement our needs. Being a janitor has no prestige. But, I knew it was an honorable job for God and our Family. I often felt like a person who was looked down upon. But, I did what I could and tried to be cheerful. When I read in Philippians how much Paul suffered then I regret ever complaining or feeling less than anyone. There is no mention on Jesus being a janitor while He was on Earth, but He did come to teach us to serve with Humility. Now, I am willing to do any task if it serves The Master and try not to complain. Recently, I was asked to cook some few meals for our needy member’s in our congregation. At first I balked, but then I understood, that even a disabled old man like me can cook! So, I volunteered. Is not that what our LORD is doing? And Has done for us beyond measure? He left His Heavenly Home to come down to Earth and try to save us from ourselves! That is worth remembering when you get an opportunity to be of service.