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God and Coffee, Nathan Dooley, Semantics, Spiritual Insights, Therapy

Garden of Language

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I invite you to the place where I feel most free!

A place where God is the limit. A place where you know me.

It will feel like a dream, but it is a reality.

A place where language is a garden of spirituality.

This place is untainted by the world in which you know. The world you wake up in day after day and adapt to compromise for the excuses and lies. Here you’ll discover the version of yourself suppressed in darkness for fear of the light in everyone’s eyes.

There is a sound of music that speaks not what you’d expect. It’s a song that sings every genre, there is nothing quite like it. It will play without ceasing, we do not cease to exist.

A language of complete expression, there is no void, only the reality of your personality.

What is your mood?

Are you glad or sad?

There is a reason, there is a cause, but only for a season because there is a God.

See, in this language, we are a living symphony.

The decisions we have are not choices we make, but are a rhythm to the beat of loves’ sake.

It doesn’t take hearing to experience the wave of vibrations from the sound of listening.

Are you listening?

Can you hear?

There are tears… but not fear!

Listen…

Listen…

God is near.

When you think of the Garden of Eden, I ask that you don’t only think of it as a place that once existed in the past. But think of it as a spiritual language that has been passed on from generation to generation for all to hear and know the language of life found in Jesus Christ.

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Nathan Dooley, Semantics

Seeing The Future

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The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Revelation 1:1-3

Number your days!

I think on what the Psalmist said and—I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your doings; I muse on the work of Your hands (Psalm 143:5). The Psalmist could see and experience the journey of God and understand it in such a way that the future was seen. Moses prayed and requested; teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12). I’ve calculated the number of my days up to today and I’ve lived 11,781 days today (08/04/2020); well… that’s if I make it through today, Lord willing. My wife has lived 11,203 days. According to the CDC the average life expectancy is 28,689 days (78.6 years). Why is this important? As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away (Psalm 90:10). The truth is… we don’t have years to live, but days. And my question is… have you read the word of God and heard the testimony of truth?

What is truth?

This question is appropriate considering the time when Jesus was summoned before Pilate. Only it didn’t seem like a question then, but rather, mockery. Pilate *said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and *said to them, “I find no guilt in Him (John 18:38). Pilate didn’t seem to understand that he was being manipulated by the power of his position given to him through the grace of God our Father to crucify the Son of God by an authority he thought he had (John 19:11). Pilate was a misguided “President” of his time because of what evil existed in the world through the hearts of men and women captivated by sin. Pilate was dictated by fear for his life whereas Jesus was dictated by the love of God, His Father; Jesus testified to the truth, and “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” (John 18:37).

The truth is that we have a condition, and that condition is sin. Sin becomes manifest in death. Death is the last enemy to be abolished (1 Corinthians 15:26). We will either regard our lives to be without sin or we will regard our lives as dead in sin. If we regard our lives without sin we make Jesus out to be a liar: If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8). If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us (1 John 1:10). But if we regard ourselves as dead in sin… we are baptized in Jesus Christ. We, like the Psalmist, are looking ahead to the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay (Acts 2:31). You might think that I’m confused because David was looking ahead from the past to Christ whereas we are now looking back to Christ.

But I’m not confused because we are not looking back to Christ. We are looking ahead to the return of Christ. Therefore this saying went out among the brethren that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”(John 21:23). The apostle John is the one who heard and saw the book of this prophecy (Revelation 22:8). And I hope you are reading and listening with me because…“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done (Revelation 22:12).

Seeing the future!

When the people of God, Israel—at Pentecost heard the word of God preached—their hearts were pierced and asked the perfect question. “Brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). And the apostle Peter said, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” (Acts 2:38-39).

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Answering Hard Questions

Can Someone Embrace Homosexuality And Still Be Saved?

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I know this is a tough topic. There are a lot of emotions tied up in this subject. Some of us likely have gay friends or family. Some of us may even identify as LBGTQIAP ourselves.

Before we go any further I have to tell you something very important. God loves everyone. He loves the Lesbian the same as he loves the straight dude the same as he loves the asian little person. These labels are ours, not His. He loves you for you just as you are.

Also there are people who can do this message so much better than me. Check out this talk by Jonathan Pokluda or this one by David Marvin.

My Answer

I decided to breakdown this question in order to get a more unbiased look at it. As a result my two new questions will put the spotlight on all people not conforming to the standard of the bible, in other words… everyone.

This is tough so I’m going to start with a prayer.

Father, let the words that I’m typing be true and if they are not true would you encourage the readers to overlook them or to challenge me with scripture so that I may be sharpened in my understanding of you. Please help our defenses to go down and let your word cut its way into our life. Help me to yield Your Word with grace and mercy and please forgive me where/if I have misused it. I need you! Amen

A Breakdown

The question ‘can someone embrace homosexuality and still be saved’ can be split into two more generalized questions: 1) What does it take to be saved? 2) Can someone embracing sin still be saved?

What Does It Take To Be Saved?

There are several scriptures that lay out what is required in order to be saved. John 3:16 is world famous, but the another good verse is Romans 10:9 NIV: “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

You might ask, “don’t you need to repent and be saved?”

The interesting part about these verses is the absence of the term repentance. However, when we study the book of Acts particularly focusing on the narratives regarding people coming to salvation we start to notice a trend. Acts 2:38, 3:19, 11:18, 17:30; 20:21; 26:20. Do you see it? Where there was salvation there was repentance!

Therefore, I have come to conclusion that salvation and repentance are two side of the same coin. In order to get salvation you must have repentance. Thus, one is saved when they declare Jesus as Lord and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead and as a result of that salvation we should see some level, even a tiny amount, of repentances as evidence of one’s new faith.

Can Someone Embracing Sin Still Be Saved?

To embrace an idea is to believe something is true or make the concept one with us. For example, if we say Bryan has really embraced vulnerability we would mean that Bryan has taken the concept of vulnerability and applied it to his life. If Bryan did this well we would be able to say, “Bryan is a vulnerable person.” The embraced concept becomes a part of who he is, so to embrace sin is to make it part of our identity.

As stated at the beginning of this post I wanted to remove the focus on homosexuality and focus on how this question affects all people. When we generalize the original question we can turn it into a fill in the blank.

Can someone embracing (___INSERT SIN___) still be saved?

We need to really think about this question. How does this apply to us? Can I really keep embracing my disrespectful attitude toward my boss and still be saved? Can I continue pursuing these lustful fantasies and still be saved? Your questions could also look like the following?

  • Can someone embrace gossiping and still be saved?
  • Can someone embrace stealing time at work and still be saved?
  • Can someone embrace sex before marriage and still be saved?
  • Can someone embrace homosexuality and still be saved?
  • Can someone embrace coveting others possessions and still be saved?

Conclusion

When we believe in Jesus’ resurrection from the dead and declare Him as Lord we are instantly saved. We are made completely new in the eyes of God, but we still have many, if not all, of our flaws. We don’t just stop sinning the moment we are saved. We are continually convicted and shown our old and new sin in a process of sanctification. We are saved, but we continue to sin through moments of weakness/ignorance/disobedience. We live our lives and then when we are confronted with our sin we should confess it (sometimes over and over again) and find healing. We should not see our sin, justify its existence, then accept it as who we are. When we embrace sin we are declaring our desires as Lord, rather than Jesus.

However, if one can be ignorant to God’s teaching then maybe they can be saved while embracing their sin. However, I have deep concern for anyone’s salvation who knows they are sinning and chooses to keep sinning anyways. That reaction to Jesus seems like the response of a person who is choosing a life of what they want rather than surrendering to God’s wants for their life. In essence they believe in God, but they declare themselves as Lord.

~ Daniel F. Grey

MORE ANSWERING HARD QUESTIONS
Is My Unbelieving Loved One In Hell?
How Can A Good God Allow Suffering?
How Do You Admonish Someone Who Is Not A Believer?
How Do You Direct A Stranger Who Wants To Take The Next Step As A Believer?
Why Do Christians Obey Some OT Laws & Ignore Others?

OUTLINE

  1. What does it take to be saved?
    1. John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Romans 10:9 – If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
    2. What about repentance?
      1. Whenever I was looking through Acts on how people got saved I saw a trend – where there was salvation there was often repentance. Acts 2:38, 3:19, 11:18, 17:30; 20:21; 26:20.
      2. We also see that bible warns against unrepentance and the result of unrepentance. It also says that we are suppose to cut sin from our lives. Romans 6:1,12,15; 8:2; 1 Corinthians 6:18, 15:32; 2 Corinthians 12:21; 1 Timothy 3:20; Hebrews 10:26, 12:4
    3. Considering a and b together I have come to the conclusion that salvation and repentance are two sides of the same coin. In order to get salvation you must have repentance.
      1. Therefore one is saved when they declare Jesus as Lord and believe in their heart that God raised him from the dead and as a result of that salvation we should see some level, even a tiny amount, of repentance as evidence of their new faith.
  2. Can someone embrace sin and still be saved?
    1. I have now generalized the question so that we can apply this to everyone. So the new question might read as such 
      1. Can someone embrace gossiping and still be saved?
      2. Can someone embrace stealing time at work and still be saved?
      3. Can someone embrace sex before marriage and still be saved?
      4. Can someone embrace coveting others possessions and still be saved?
      5. Can someone embrace homosexuality and still be saved?
      6. Can someone embrace _____sin______ and still be saved?
        1. I’m not including addictions on this list on purpose because at the point when someone is addicted I don’t know if that person is capable of choosing what is right and what is wrong.
    2. To embrace an idea is to believe something is true or to make the concept one with us (for example if we were to say Bryan has really embraced vulnerability, we would mean that Bryan has taken the concept of vulnerability and applied it to his life so that one could easily say, “Bryan is such a vulnerable person” – the embraced concept becomes a part of who he is) so to embrace sin is to make it part of our identity.
    3. When we believe in Jesus resurrection from the dead and declare Him as Lord we are instantly saved. We are made completely new in the eyes of God, but we still have many if not all of our flaws. We don’t just stop sinning the moment we are saved. We are continually convicted and shown our old and new sin in a process of sanctification. We are saved, but we continue to sin through moments of weakness/ignorance/disobedience. We live our lives and then when we are confronted with our sin we confess it (sometimes over and over again) and find healing. We should not see our sin, justify its existence, then accept it as who we are. When we embrace sin we are declaring our desires as Lord rather than Jesus. However, if one can be ignorant to God’s teaching then maybe they can be saved while embracing their sin. I would have deep concern for someone’s salvation if they know they are sinning and choose to sin anyways. That response to Jesus seems like the response of a person who is choosing a life of what they want rather than surrendering to God. In essence they believe in God but they declare themselves as Lord.

SOURCES

The Bible (NIV)
Matthew 5:48
John 3:16
Romans 10:9
Acts 2:38,3:19,11:18,17:30,20:21,26:20
2 Corinthians 5:17
Romans 3:23, 6:1-2
James 5:16
1 John 1:8-10
https://www.theporch.live/messages/3066
https://www.theporch.live/messages/5610

Nathan Dooley

The Psychology Of A Spiritual Relationship | Spiritual Insight | #9

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Oh Lord, bless me with words you would find pleasing to read and that will reveal Yourself in them. It’s amazing to think about writing in a way that doesn’t just say something about me as your writer, but rather, the ‘Spirit’ giving utterance to inspire me to write with words that communicate information about what only the Spirit can know.  Do we understand the personal nature of the relationship between the Spirit, Writer, and Reader? Let’s find out, yes?

As your writer, I think of a question and way for me to relate to you (my reader). This can actually compromise the relationship because it depends upon the heart trying to figure out a way of gaining insight about information without the relationship of the Spirit, therefore not providing truth that builds trust, but an agenda which outcome is to be manipulative for personal gain.

Let us bear in mind that the Spirit is not of flesh and blood, so that changes the dynamic between us three. And if we understand the meaning of a relationship then we’ll know that there is a force of nature at work for a relationship to be possible. So… This is about to get interesting because there is an authority that governs between two different wills, of which gives us the freedom to choose who we are in a relationship with and why.

There is a ‘Spirit of Truth’ and a ‘spirit of lies’, now why did I capitalize the ‘S’ and ‘T’ and not the ‘s’ and ‘l’? This is a way of me (Nathan) as your writer, claiming to have a relationship with truth while identifying, in fact, that there are two different Spirit’s. Why? Because this is how we learn who we are in a relationship with although not seeing the “Who”. As a couple quick examples:

I’m not always with my wife (Laura), but when I’m away (not physically seeing her) can still hear her presence with me; such as driving, as I go above the speed limit her telling me to, “slow down”.

You are reading this with all that defines you. but not writing it, because there is a spiritual structure in place for us to have purpose and discern the who, what, when, where, why, and how the relationship is possible between us even though we don’t see each other.

It’s 3:32am, March 11, 2020! It’s crazy to think about so many years before leading up to these moments, expecting 3:45, then tomorrow, and then the rest of our lives… until the reality of death comes without even knocking. That is what keeps me up at night; the thought of my next moment to live when it’s someone else’s next moment to die, inspiring me to wonder about the reason why. This state of thought has me changing colors because the reason is life changing, and that reason is… Love!

It’s 3:45, the truth is in our relationship with Jesus Christ, the testimony about Jesus demonstrating the love of God for all people through His crucifixion on the cross is how we understand the relationship between Spirit, Writer, and Reader. I am called to tell you about the relationship because the spirit of lies is eventually going to be taken out of the way for the truth of salvation revealed in Jesus Christ at His coming. So here comes the conflict between us sense we’ve developed a relationship since the beginning of this post.

Are you in a relationship with the Son of God, Jesus Christ, through the Spirit of Truth? Or. Are you in a relationship with the Father of Lies, The Satan, through the spirit of lies?

What information would I learn about your heart that testifies to the relationship you have in truth, or, in lying?

God Speed.

Disclaimer: I (Nathan) am not a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Nathan Dooley, Spiritual Insights

Spiritual Insight | #8

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Do any of you learn by experience, also known as experiential learning (EXL) according to my quick google search? When asked how I learn, I’ve always just said, “I learn hands-on”. Click “hands-on learner” to see more about experiential education.

Capture

“Experiential learning at Cascades Academy is implemented at all levels of our curriculum and revolves around the central idea of learning by doing. The central tenets of this methodology include engaging students in a cycle of (1) activity/experience, (2) reflection, (3) conceptualization, and (4) application of desired learning outcomes. While the classroom affords many opportunities for students to engage in experiential education, the school also employs this learning methodology outside the traditional classroom.“

So apparently ‘hands-on learning‘ is a form of ‘experiential learning‘, but there is so much more information to delve deeper through the links provided above. Check’em out!

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Nathan Dooley

Spiritual Insight|#5

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I know what you’re thinking, “…skipped 4”. But I didn’t, that one actually turned out to be a very personal one that I may publish eventually…we’ll see. So I’m doing a study on the Holy Spirit of God, and I must say, it’s quite literally an enlightenment every step of the way. I was listening to my wife the other day in our little Toyota Corolla on the way to church criticizing the way I explain things sometimes; she was very encouraging, the fact is, I take leaps in logic when trying to transition two different forms of thought in my mind that are conflicted with feelings. It’s like my brain ‘short circuits’ thinking of the necessary transition for a proper explanation to the feeling and insight at hand, but skips the entire transition all together leaving the person scratching their head like…. “what just happened” (haha). All together, It’s frustrating.

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Nathan Dooley

Spiritual Insight | #2

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At the tick tock of 2:40 in the morning listening to the sound of rain gracefully hit our house and the deep steady breathing laying next to me… It’s peaceful. I reach over to get my phone to read some scripture from the famous YouVersion Bible app, but “where should I read?”, I wonder, and meditate as the options of New or Old are presented before me; I choose Old and land in Leviticus at first, but it seemed off of how I needed to be fed spiritually until I found myself in Deuteronomy 4 to get my nutrition, but why? Why here?

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Freewill is an interesting aspect of our reality and topic controversial. Why do we have a ‘will’ that’s “free” if grounded by gravity? I experience limitation and vulnerability. I’m taught and educated by a system that seems built on captivity, not freedom, but by the spiritual illness of greed and selfishness. Freedom…is perverted.

Speaking from experience. I lived a life where my will to be free was perverted. I idolized people and myself, and God. I’ve heard a true message or teaching from a false prophet or preacher. How can that be? The human heart is desperately wicked because of what it desires, it desires the will to be God. And so the human race works hard for this goal because of a teaching that dates back to the beginning of unrighteousness (Ezekiel 28:15).

When reality is so noisy it’s very easy to hear what gives you attention and fall prey to an evil deception. Preachers are as human as the humans receiving what is preached, but don’t be mistaken, false teachers will not go unpunished.

“Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.” James 3:1

If you come to recognize that you are in a bad spiritual environment, know there is hope, keep your faith. Truth is in the power of the Holy Spirit if you believe in Jesus Christ to understand salvation and the kingdom of God.

Nathan Dooley

Atheist Christian Entrapment

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Atheist Christian Entrapment

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So an Atheist and Christian walk into an elevator. The Atheist hits “6” while the Christian does not hit a number to indicate which floor. While the elevator is in transit the lights flicker, screen displays a red “•” dot where there should be a “#” number to indicate the passing floor’s, but the elevator continues to move to unknown floors eventually reaching a stopping point, possibly between floors. The Christian obnoxiously says to the Atheist, “Don’t worry, there’s a God!” And hits the “help” button to alert the elevator company of the entrapment while the Atheist rudely “rolls their eyes” and hits the “Alarm” button a few times to hopefully alert someone from outside the entrapment. But no button appears to be working for anyone to know about the entrapment, so the Atheist and Christian hug until they both die…

See that’s what happens when you construct and form a “bias” that projects on another person unfairly, you get a joke of an ending.

It is no simple or ordinary “task” when removing a background of experiential information including but not limited to (geographical location, education, influence, etc.) what you’re born into, for understanding someone else’s information. But in doing so will provide and establish equal ground for understanding a different perspective. You can read in the “elevator” scenario above two separate claims by the label’s “Atheist” and “Christian” to culminate war by a misunderstanding built on personal experience through (background, geographical location, education, influence, etc.).

The true and pure reason a person of belief aims at convincing a person of unbelief is because of a mysterious perspective to enlightenment that only comes by understanding the condition of the human heart. Acknowledging our present condition of illness means to yearn for and seek out the remedy. Here is where it gets interesting by conflict and clashing occurs between a difference in perspective’s; a true believer will understand illness represents a spiritual condition of the heart that only the Spiritual Creator or Life Giver (God), can remedy; Whereas the unbeliever reasons by logic and determines the remedy hopeless to eventually decide there is no remedy worth believing in, because there’s no evidence for one.

Both of the above perspectives are true, but one is superior in nature not because of the person, but divinity—believing and trusting in the “remedial cure” for a spiritual condition. Again, not the believer, the true believer acknowledges the same condition of illness as everyone else in the world. But by choosing to believe in the Spiritual Creator for yourself, “exercises faith”, that provides the remedy. The person that truly believes, is transmitting by the inspiration of the one who has the remedy, the Holy Spirit of God. The true believer’s wifi password is ____________?

If you learn about the “anointed cherub who covers” in the book of Ezekiel found in the Bible and understand the meaning, you’ll discover how freewill works (knowledge of good and evil) and trust that God is good (John 17). Because by choosing to be unreasonable and not understand this meaning, is willfully choosing to be given a spirit of ignorance that is consequential to eternal judgement. Don’t let “unrighteousness be found in you” (Ezekiel 28:15).

Trust that God is good through the Holy Spirit link in the wifi password “Jesus Christ”.

In love,

Nathan Dooley

P.S. choose an eternal perspective over your carnal reality (the elevator landed on the “7th” floor)

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Spiritual Engineering

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When I worked as an engineer was required to understand machinery and their systems of programming to maintain operation. It is very important to do routine maintenance and have an ability to discern your environment of operation to prevent malfunction of your machinery. It is a very personal experience, possibly, even…relationship, an engineer has with his “duty of service” to provide the right measure of care for harmony.

Salvation Engineering

The spirit of a person is infinitely more complex than a piece of machinery. But if you don’t know me, that there, is my passion, my gift, you might say. People are predictable, as predictable as a storm approaching from the west, it’s only a matter of time before you see the lightening, hear the thunder, smell the rain, and taste the water. It’s not hard to discern the spirit of a person as you experience them, but it is very hard to fix the spirit of a broken person—especially one that doesn’t want to be fixed.

There is a wide range of feelings, intellect, perception, expectation, and truth to navigate through when seeking out your care for a person to make sense of the business and relationship. There are an innumerable amount of questions to sift through:

* “Who exactly am I dealing with?”

* “What advantage do I have by our relationship?”

* “When do we make the deal?”

* “Where is this relationship going?”

* “Why do I care to deal with this person?”

* “How do I respect this relationship?”

Are but a few. And noticed those indirect questions within the network of people. And I wonder, are they happy or have true joy? It’s funny, I also wonder, if you saw a picture of me and imagined what kind of conversation we might have, what do you think it would be about, who do you think would start the conversation, and why? The close-to-near immediate place I go to is the heart because of what intent I have for knowing you. While you or I may start the conversation with “Hi, my name is…” or “Hi! How are you?” The real stuff we are both processing through is much deeper than that because of information that defines our characters and chemistry.

Spiritual Engineering

You and I are but two particles of energy that clash to make sense of this mysterious reality of constant symphony that makes up two different perspectives into one view (I see you). Keep in mind that energy is invisible until it’s given light. The intent I have for knowing you is to discover your light, because, it’s there, the question is whether you’re willing to reveal it?

The world in which we live is a very deceptive and untrustworthy place. You just don’t really know who you can trust when the closest people you thought you could trust betrays you. I wouldn’t be writing this if I didn’t have some personal experience and couldn’t somehow relate to the dark energy of this world masquerading itself as light. But when equipped with a spirit of truth, can discern the spirit of deception, and pray for salvation.

There is a group that has been recently created on facebook to exercise trust for your spirit. The group is called “Salvational Engineering”. It is a place where questions can be asked to a community of people that are also asking questions and learning about their spirits themselves in this dark and seemingly uncertain world. Come check it out. Here is a link.

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When I First Read The Gospel | 2

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You know, thinking back on it, I think I was baptized 4 times. But the point is I’d gone through the appropriate steps to be certified “Christian”. I remember making enough sense of the gospel to wonder “what’s the point of my education” if this life is meant to end for another to begin; it was more important for me to understand life after death than high school, but the reality of this life hits pretty hard when gravity throws a hook to the face a few times.

Next thing I know I’m well on my way in life with a good job working to get a “B” license at a waste water treatment plant in Wichita Fall Tx hoping to have a family of my own. I was ready baby, lets do it! At least, that was the appearance. The truth was, I wasn’t well on my way, issues within my personal life dealing with family consumed me. I was really ready for two things, death and taxes, okay not taxes, but was definitely ready to bounce up out of this life because no miracle of salvation happens for me. I didn’t experience the gift of power that would liberate me from sin and transform my life. I just got confused by what was expected of me by people who weren’t even practicing what they preached!

One thing did not change…my curiosity about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Somehow I knew it wasn’t this book’s fault for all the bad that’s happened, so one day in my early 20ies living in a duplex apartment with my step-brother, read through the gospels for myself and won’t forget the “ahhhh” moments as I read. But here is the thing, I’d already gone through what technically makes me “Christian”. Why was I now experiencing these “ahhhh” moments?

Oh just wait, this gets good!

These “ahhhh” moments reflected my heart ready to receive revelations for life change like seeds planted in fertile soil ready to germinate. But guess what, the testing of my faith began and it was ugly. There was opportunity after opportunity to experience so many different kinds of pleasures in the name of christianity because I didn’t understand the birth of my faith. It’s like, like a baby not understanding why he or she is screaming until milk shuts em the hell up [don’t tell me you hadn’t thought it you sinner] (humor recalibrated). But I didn’t have anyone to give me milk, so due to misunderstanding am ready to exit this life time and time again. Malnourished faith left me vulnerable to sin and desire for exiting life questioning my salvation.

While the testing of my faith is not over and am eating meat with my milk now, have the environment needed to grow and understand my service in this life. My service is you. You need to understand your salvation in Jesus Christ because if you don’t believe in God’s plan for salvation, you’ll find yourself ashamed that you didn’t listen nor seek after your own salvation given in believing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Do you believe in a life guards ability to save a person drowning? Do you have respect for life guards on duty prepared to save everyone willing to be saved? Then have respect for God by giving Him your full attention in reading the gospel of Jesus Christ  because He has saved you already if you’ll believe with faith.

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When I First Read The Gospel | 1

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I’d grown up in church and heard the gospel. I would say that a fearful understanding of hell occurred around the age of 8 and desired salvation every night asking Jesus into my heart just to make sure I was accounted for, because the sensation of burning alive felt real as the enlightenment of truth met my soul.

But was I saved?

I’ve been baptized 3 times just to make sure the appropriate steps were made for receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. I was baptized by two pastors one being my stepdad; to publicize my proclamation of faith, and last exclusively by my wife in the bathtub; turned out she was just trying to kill me, talk about literal death to resurrection (totally kidding).

But do I have the gift?

to be continued…

Semantics

The Shadow Of Death

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†The Shadow Of Death†

Why do we die? What happens when we die? †Wait, soooo…two people have not experienced death? Did we die at the beginning of mankind?

I take for granted this “blip” of life given me by God. It’s been quite a convicting ongoing study of death, key in on the “ongoing” because there are so many testimonials of this experience that it’s difficult not to get lost in confusion and fear of the unknown, to the point of just … giving up.

It is also difficult when finding the answer of consequence in relation to those not believing in Jesus Christ (The Word of God) to be that they are †destroyed in hell. To think about someone you love so deeply being in such a place. It just doesn’t seem plausible that a loving God would do that. The experience that surrounds the event of death can cause many to question their faith, or understanding of life, it’s traumatic.

From my search and study in Genesis of the Bible found that I die because of the warning †“…for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.” I live in a †“garment of skin” that testifies to the ground from which my father (Adam) was created; this ground I walk on, the dust that I am and will eventually return to, is cursed. Because the curse consequently … is death.

But that’s not the end.

The reason I believe Adam didn’t die as expectantly was because of the length of time that concludes 1 day. Adam lived to be †nearly 1000 years old after the consequence of his sin, but it says that God warned “…for in the day…” so what happened? Why didn’t he die in that day? And why don’t we die in a day?

The apostle Peter of Jesus Christ enlightens me to this truth †“that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.” so that explains the reason why Adam didn’t just die as expectantly. These forms of enlightenment are all throughout scripture.

Please don’t do yourself a disservice not to at least consider trusting God with your time in His Word to help you through very hard and difficult times and questions.

Ultimately my Lord God and Father in Heaven is sovereign in how life is governed. I can only hope that those who’ve heard or are hearing this gospel will believe in it’s message. Because the message will give warning and reward. To believe means you bear responsibility to the preaching of this Word that confirms your eternal salvation. To do so means to love, not only your family, but the entire world. Because my Lord and Savior did not die in vain, but so that the †world might be saved through Him. The gift of the Holy Spirit that †records your name in heaven is the reward.

I pray you will trust in the providence of God. Because none are without excuse, even the †dead have heard and are hearing the gospel.

LIVE

In love,

Nathan Dooley

P.S. Tell me who the “two people” are that have not experienced death.

  1. †”the shadow of death”† — Psalms 107:10, 14; Psalms 23:4; Luke 1:79
  2. † — Genesis 5:24, Hebrews 11:5, 2 Kings 2
  3. † — Matthew 10:28
  4. † — Genesis 2:17
  5. † — Genesis 3:21
  6. † — Genesis 5:5
  7. † — 2 Peter 3:7-9
  8. † — John 3:17
  9. † — Luke 10:20
  10. † — 1 Peter 4:6
Semantics

Broken | Coffee Cup

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Broken | Coffee Cup

Went to wash my coffee cup and it slipped right out of my hand with a failed attempt to hackysack that sucker. Boom! Broken. It’s interesting though, how that reflects me. I’m broken. Are you broken? I need some coffee…oh wait. That’s alright, I have the coffee cup my grandma gave me.

How am I broken?

I’m broken by the reality of sin. I understand my condition, prone to selfishness. my body is descending to a place of death. But why? And what does that mean? Being equipped with the Holy Spirit inspires to enlighten me with the truth.

I recognize that the condition of my body represents the decaying matter of my soul passed on through Adam and Eve at the time of their deception and disobedience. The ground from which man was made is †cursed because Adam listened to his wife by eating the fruit he knew not to eat.

The fruit Eve and Adam ate of was from the tree of the †knowledge of good and evil. So we now possess the knowledge of good and evil understanding our guilt and just †judgement of God.

↓But why didn’t we die?

The human intelligence has evolved to the point of creating simulations of ourselves with the intention of birthing an artificial soul or souls that can feel, think, and relate for it/themselves without human involvement; we will build a beast, the beast of revelation (mission complete). What next? The point is we want to determine for ourselves our time of death or to avoid the experience altogether.

↑We didn’t die because we don’t determine our time of death. God does. God created us. We didn’t create God. †There is a time of death I pray the person reading this will not experience, but it is determined by God. Don’t try and say you weren’t warned.

Would you like to know when that time of death is that God determines? Me to, join the club, but we are given signs of the times to watch for. Pay close attention, because the time is near.

Although in process of sanctification…

I’m broken.

In love,

Nathan Dooley

  1. †Genesis 3:17-19
  2. †Genesis 2:17
  3. †Genesis 3
  4. †Revelation 2:11, 20:6

 

Semantics

Divided

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Divided

It’s sad to reach a point in life when the thought of hell seems much more appealing than to remain in the skin of your flesh. When the thought of escape is your only option, but are petrified. When a call for help is not meant for saving.

I don’t hate my life. But that unreliable feeling of hate sure is poking and prodding. What I hate is being divided by the questions and doubts of people that presume to know me when they don’t have a clue; there is just not enough time in the world to be completely free with people that choose not to believe they can trust you unless you adhere to their “divine” perception for you, then they might believe. As long as you stay within their realm of interpretation and perception.

It’s incredible the amount of attention you will draw to demons when living for your faith “Jesus as Lord” by recognizing sin for what it is and how I’m in desperate need of salvation. It’s incredible the sirens and temptations in place just for you. It’s a constant crouching (Genesis 4:7):

“Those people see you as a tyrant. That woman wants you. That man desires you. Do this to get rich. Say that to make a difference. You’re a sexy beast, well endowed, who can resist. It feels good to be right. It feels good to have power. You’re a liar. You’re a fraud, poser, fake, and the list goes on because you’re unworthy. Don’t waste my time. You have our undivided attention. Look at him, he is better than you in every way. You’re smart and beautiful, but ugly and stupid too. I feel depressed. You’re unstable, unfit, unqualified. Here is your kingdom of heaven! No, there it is!”

I ask myself, “why is this happening?” But it only makes sense. Because…demons are taking the time the world does not have to get to know you and me. Whether the world or I want to believe that or not, the truth sets us free. I hate this spiritual war that divides my soul and blood into pieces as bread for demons and wine for their minions. If you are a believer in the gospel of Jesus Christ, you’ll understand this war, but if not then I hope this will prick at your conscience because you’re held captive thinking you’re free.

They are clever. The devil and his demons … but I see them. And they know that I see them. “It’s a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). I’m in hell learning the tips and tricks of insanity navigating my way through the crowd in hope to save some if not all, “have you heard…“.

It’s sad…

Nathan Dooley

Semantics

The “Bridge” Illustration (Part 1)|The Heart Of Lucifer|Self-Sustainability Self-Sufficiency

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Featured photo: Ben Jacobi www.bdjphoto.com (Natural Bridge)

The “Bridge” Illustration (Part 1)

The Heart Of Lucifer

I’m speaking to those of you who have heard and are still hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ, yet not believing.

I’m not speaking to those who claim they’ve not heard the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I think the lot of you not believing in this gospel is grounded on a profound question:

“Does that mean those who have not heard are going to Hell?”

My quick opinionated answer is “way above my pay grade” and a strong “depends” (potential future post) because wherever they are in their respective regions of the world are entirely entrusted to the providential care of God. (Romans 1:18-32) (Romans 2:12-16)

I need you only narrow your gaze in retrospect of your personal belief system. But widen your gaze in respect of what we are about to discover in the Bible together.

We are going to discover some spiritual clarity by this satellite view of the gospel.

BP1

You’ll find the same photo presented above in the previous (Introduction) post. But thisBefore the Beginning of Man time our view is not so disoriented as in the previous photo, because we could not perceive whether we’re looking skyward at the clouds, or a fog, maybe dense smoke in the wind?

But we now have some clarity. We have a satellite view of the Earth looking at clouds over the Indian Ocean with Indonesia and Malaysia to the east. 

If you are a person that does not believe in the God of the Bible, the testimony of Jesus Christ. Then my confrontation is that you have a disorienting view of your future that threatens the condition of your soul and place in eternity.

That confrontation has the potential to come across judgmental—as though the answer of my hypothetical is the gavel to your freedom. I’ll assure you that that is not the case.

I lived in a thought that I believed, but didn’t truly understand what that meant until realizing more and more, day after day, the process of sanctification. Mind you, it is still in process. So lets widen our gaze.

BP1.

The gospel instructs me to make disciples; the bible is my instruction manual, and the Spirit of God is bearing witness to all that is being written by me and read by you; it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God, so although humorous at times, do not take this lightly; my soul and spirit are distressed at the concern for those who can honestly say from within that they’ve heard the gospel, but are scared to trust in the message and or have turned away from the faith altogether.

Don’t be afraid. Come trust in this gospel of Jesus Christ. You’re being recruited for war against the evil oppressor of your soul and the souls of all nations.

The harvest is plenty, but the workers are few.

Stick with me! Because in case you didn’t notice by the plethora of distractions, we‘re on the verge of a misconception.

* self-sustainability *

How that ties, comes together, is actually the start of our revelation to the “bridge” illustration. It begins at the heart of Lucifer revealed in the 2nd and 3rd chapters of Genesis, the 14th chapter of Isaiah, 28th chapter of Ezekiel, and the 12th/13th chapters of Revelation.

Don’t misinterpret or misunderstand the use of the video above. I’m not “knocking it”. Technology is a useful tool when maintained in biblical context. That video is only meant to describe and enlighten how advanced we are and to alert the christian children growing up in this age to an inevitable prophecy. Don’t freak out!

Oh yeah. Time for some coffee!

053D4F5B-A5CA-4576-9639-8B5BFBEC6E05

[Part 2 is well on it’s way, “The Fall Of Unrighteousness To The Rise Of Satan”]

Semantics

The “Bridge” Illustration (Introduction)

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Featured photo: Ben Jacobi www.bdjphoto.com  (Natural Bridge)

 

The Bridge Illustration

(Introduction)

Let there be curiosity.

Do you ever wonder about your beginning?  Your parents’ parents, their parents, on and on? And how about your existence, living at this present time with a detailed conscience that defines who you are and whats more; a consciousness about yourself, others, and God? What about your end, when you die? Do you wonder about that? Or how about the future, the end of your children and their grandchildren? Are you wondering, will you wonder…?

Before the Beginning of Man

Moses of the Bible was a man who wondered. He wondered at the sight of a burning bush (Exodus 3) that would not be consumed. This bush changed Moses’ life! I can hear you christian critics now “it wasn’t the bush…” neh neh neh

 

 

 

 

 

tenor

 

Disclaimer: I (Nathan Dooley) am not an ordained minister…yet. It could happen one day. Just saying.

 

 

And I would agree with you…definitely not the “bush” that changed his life; it was the appropriate tangible object to use for the presence of God and His awareness to a specific problem which Moses’ gets insight, clarification, prophecy, and power to be a solution. He became the man [vessel, or instrument of God] to deliver his fellow Hebrew people, the people of God, Israel, from Egyptian slavery to a promised land of milk and honey. He brought forth what we are now dissecting in the 21st century (Exodus 34:27)—the first five books (Genesis—Deuteronomy) of the Pentateuch (Greek) or Torah (Hebrew) Bible. The scripture in the photo above gives me a bit of insight into what Moses discovered from God, the beginning before the beginning of man (Genesis 2:4-6). If you have not realized by now, this is not your typical “”the “bridge” illustration”” you’d find through research as shown below:

bridge ill research

Which is some awesome content worth looking into! But I want to go further and deeper because this bridge stretches “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12)…

…, from past to future, beginning…to end.

To get back where I’d left off. I think it’s important to note that Moses had a very important entrepreneurial trait, he was a risk taker. When realizing that the bush was not consumed by the fire could’ve reacted like “AWE HAIL NAW, NOPE, NOT HAPPEN-IN!” and ran away. But he didn’t do that; it was more like, “let me check this here awesome burning but not burnt bush out, mmm-kay.”. Funny aside, actually, and quite literally according to the NASB of Exodus 3:3—”I must turn aside now and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up.”

QUESTION:

WHAT IS A RISK YOU’VE TAKEN OR WOULD TAKE THAT HAS OR WOULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE? WRITE IT IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.

Take a risk with me now. For those of you who do not believe or are otherwise on the fence about believing in God, this is your burning bush moment. Your name is being called. Go meet God. Matter of fact, envision this:

You type “Go meet God” in your google maps (which could also be your nearest “Barnes & Noble” or “Half Price Books” that have Bibles available) and then hear my navigating voice upon your arrival at a Bible location, “you have arrived at your burning bush”. Get it, instead of “destinat…

weird face

Alright never-mind, that was weird, scratch that:

You type “Go meet God” in your google maps (which could also be your nearest “Barnes & Noble” or “Half Price Books” that have Bible’s available) and then hear my navigating voice upon your arrival at a Bible location, “you have arrived at your burning bush”. Get it, instead of “destinat…moving on.

 

But seriously. Take the risk to go meet God. Check out this link for the BibleGateway, or install the YouVersion bible app on your phone, find your nearest library or book store; it’s all at your finger tips, but read the Bible to hear the Word of God and listen with all that you are and everything you’ve got (heart, mind, soul, and strength). Why take the risk? You might ask. Because death pricks at the conscience of the living. Our life is an experience that feels on fire, yet not consumed. I believe that death bears testimony of a wrong doing in history where we as a created being of God missed the mark and are due justice. I also believe that God was completely prepared for such an event and that is where we’ll find Christ, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let this introduction of the bridge illustration peak your interest to discover your faith and take the risk to believe in the God of the Bible, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because without faith to believe, you will not understand what is to come. Thank you for reading the >introduction<! Now go meet God and I’ll hope your back for <part 1>!

Semantics

Chronological Bible Study-The Beginning of Beginnings

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img_4762-1.jpg
The Baker Book of Bible Charts, Maps, and Time Lines

Join me on Mt. Sinai with God and Moses to discover the beginning of our beginning. This is a very exhausting study but well worth the time and effort. In my Bible I learn that Moses is the author of the first five books also known as the Pentateuch. These books were more than likely written during the 40-year period of Israel’s wanderings in the desert: 1446—1406 BC

Note: the “BC” given after the calendar year (1446—1406 BC) means “Before Christ” but if you see “BCE” (nowadays), don’t be alarmed, it just means “Before Common Era“. (According to my research). The reasons surround appeasing those not Christian and an arguably inaccurate calculation of  Jesus’ birth. It’s believed that Jesus Christ was born around 6—4 BC, which is why these labels (BCE/CE) “CE” for “Common Era” are being used today by many publications rather than (BC/AD) “AD” meaning “the year of the Lord” as it references a Latin phrase: anno domini (“the year of the Lord”—after Jesus was born.)

So why Moses? “God… Why Moses?”—A prayer guiding me through a lot of scripture to uncover the context of that time. Moses was beautiful in the sight of his mother and lovely in the sight of God. God heard the outcry of the sons of Israel at the time of their oppression in Egypt and remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It’s time to organize the sons of Israel as God’s covenant people and Moses is the man God will be with to do it. It all points to Jesus Christ.

Semantics

Coffee At Midnight In The Giant City

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Featured photo: Ben Jacobi www.bdjphoto.com 

Have you ever discovered the moment you’re awake at midnight with some coffee looking at a photo that is talking to you? That is where I’m at. When I first encountered this photo the word “maze” came to mind describing my immediate perception, but learned that this maze is called “Giant City” in Illinois. But aside from that information. This photo that speaks is, actually, not the one talking.

The very Person in my mind I think about when looking into this photo is Jesus Christ. But I don’t claim to see an image of a person I’ve never seen, nor do I claim to hear His voice having never heard what it sounds like. I claim to perceive Him. There are a number of different ways this photo is interpreted for bearing meaning in my life, but there is only one that will make a difference. The meaning of Jesus Christ. When I look at this photo I experience a walk with the Holy Spirit of God teaching me the truth about myself within the maze of this world. No matter the path this world has to offer, it is a path to death just as you see the paths presented in the photo, but there is a path you won’t see unless you perceive it. That path, is a path of faith.

To experience faith is to place your confidence in a promise that someone gives you.

I promise you, follow me and we’ll get out of this maze.

The question is whether you’ll believe in the promise even if the person that promised dies. That is what Jesus Christ—being the image of God as the Son of God—promised. He promised that He would be raised from the dead and resurrected to the right hand of God. That is recorded to have happened in history past, but is still a living promise today. The promise is for those that believe to be resurrected with Him right now, having been baptized with Christ as a symbol of obedience by repentance. You’ve chosen to acknowledge that all born from the seed of Adam are guilty of sin (lust, idolatry, and pride) and so convicted to the point of death that you place your trust in the promise of God. The grace of God is given through that promise of faith, you have mercy, not wrath. But if you do not believe in that promise, you have His wrath, not mercy.

So my purpose in the maze of this world is to plant a seed, a seed of promise. The promise that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. Everyone is born into this life by the design of God, a design that was good corrupted by evil. So every person has had, has, and will have the opportunity to believe, ask the thief on the cross that died with Christ.

Semantics

I see you, you see Me

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Chemistry

“Whoa!”.  “What is this, I feel!?”.  “I didn’t like you, but now… It’s real!”.  “What is this… Chemistry?  ‘It’s foreign.'”.  “Where did it come from?”.  “I see you, you see me.”.  “Our mouths are not moving, but the truth ‘speaks’.”.  “I’m convicted, ‘flee!’.”.  “But the passion of my heart burns to see!”. “Who says ‘no’ to this ecstasy?”.  “So where is my ‘angle’?”.  “When is the time and how will I know?”.  “This ‘taste’, to be liked.”.  “I’m sought to be known!”.  “The venom is piercing from vein to bone!”.  “I’m losing control!”.  “Help me, God!”.  “There’s nowhere to go!”. 

Profile

Adolescence, doesn’t seem to fit the profile of it’ definition.  There is a period between puberty into maturity, but at what age is the point of maturity?  Although I didn’t reach puberty until a junior in high school.  I was educated by design that procreation was pleasure.  I was not educated about the spiritual meaning.  Marriage is a covenant.  The pleasures of this life are fleeting.  So I occupied myself with mischievous thoughts and fantasies of malpractice.  I think our adolescent profiles need to change, or rather, become educated about the spiritual aspect to our adolescence.  Reader, I’ll need your help if you agree.  If we had been educated about the spiritual aspect of our changing nature and desire during youth could have prevented a series of mistakes that effect everything.  But without you, Reader.  Can a spec of dust effect the vast universe of particles?  After all, that is all of what I am.  A spec of dust; vapor in the wind (if you will), amidst the cosmic order of creation.  So the purpose to influence a person or society with change is next to hitting the lottery, in comparison.  What is the protocol for telling people about their salvation by way of Jesus Christ sending the Holy Spirit into their life?  The “instruction manual” (Bible) for this procedure is very difficult to understand without someone to teach me the truth about my nature and desires.  I’ll need help.

Scenario

Have you ever been unexpectedly forgiven, loved and cherished after confessing certain truths about mistakes that were made?  Knowing already, that the answer to your own question is “undeserving of forgiveness and justifiably deemed unworthy of deliverance from whatever the consequence”?  I have been unexpectedly forgiven.  Reader, my prayer is that you’ll know for yourself, “…have mercy on me, a sinner.”.  My saint of a grandmother forgave me from what I deserved.  Why?  I didn’t deserve a place in her life.  She had every right to send me on my way.  But, she gave me life.  It has been difficult for me to make sense of this.  I’d taken advantage of her gift to care; shelter over my head, clothes on my back, food in my belly, and water to quench the flame.  I “snuck” a lesbian[?] stripper into her home.  And that is but one scenario among others to my shame.  In the processes of my weaknesses; God granted me mercy, forgiveness, and is still healing me to His glory.  I pray this post finds you in your struggle as not only telling you “I can relate”, but that Jesus related beyond relation to the extent of dying… experiencing this place of death although innocent.  Sin is not worth the troubled whispers of lies that only prove a fearful expectation.  There is an expected award for obedience which also means an expected consequence for disobedience.  No different than our prisons in this life, am confident of a prison in the next.  The church is the devils playground; salvation is the game, and vulnerability, his poise.  I see more and more teachers, leaders, and preachers pressed to the limit of their heart’ desires and pride as “untouched by sin because of grace”.  My spirit aches and mourns because of unconfessed sins.  People that fear their own reputation instead of God.  

Secretary

Will the King of a palace say to his trusted counsel, -“Help!  My ‘eye’ is on a woman that is not the Queen”-.  And will the counsel dare reply the King, -“We will pluck that woman out, my King! It is a sin against God; turn from it, and be healed.”-.  Now with the Spirit of God, the Secretary perceived the King’s desire and said to herself, -“God, how should I move, or should I? The King’s eye is upon me. What of my husband? ‘Would he listen or be willing to understand?’. And… what of our family?”-.  This Secretary is the “breadwinner” of her family and the husband a stay at home dad.  This King is good looking and could position this Secretary as Queen.  The Queen says, -“God, my God, thank you for leaving Your palace for the sake of my salvation. Please teach me how You are to be honored in my marriage and position to this throne. Give my Husband the wisdom to lead as You have served.”.  The palace of this kingdom has been compromised by lust but each character has a decision to be made.  Every character is at risk of having to sacrifice something; reputation (eye), life, wealth, and love.

Help

Reader, you are reading this post for a reason.  I’m thankful for the relationship we can have even in this connection of “words on screen”.  I’ve underestimated the power of escape that God provides through knowing His Son by way of the Holy Spirit.  There is always an escape from the desire of sinful practice luring beneath the surface of our skin.  There is a consequential experience (awakening) to a reality that was left covered for a reason.  The mystery to life beyond the grave is real.  My conscience has been torn and ripped apart too many times to sit around for a “well spoken of” reputation that remains enslaved to evil devices common to man.  There is an escape!  Because my God says so!

 

Semantics

Nathan’s Change of Course

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Featured photo: Ben Jacobi www.bdjphoto.com 

 

Hi, my name is Nathan. … “Since birth my life has been a winding river changing direction with no end in sight or ‘right’ turn to make.  That-about-sums-it-up.  Until next time.  Peace be with you.”—

 

 

 

It’s funny, I’ve felt that as being heavily the case for this blog site and especially my life here recently.  Thinking to myself, “How can a confused person write blogs about direction without direction?”.  If you’re laughing?  I’m “chuckling” with you in embarrassment, “brushing off the dust of my pride”.  I’ve changed course to a new direction or rather, “the direction of my river has changed course by no power of mine“.  If you’ve “stumbled” across this site as result of this post for the first time, it’s nice to meet you.  Don’t run off.  Consider exploring through the “menu”.  If you’re familiar with this site, please consider revisiting the “menu items” and prepare to be inspired by the changes only a real God influences!  We are seriously loved!

Reader, I have questions coming from way up high, “Left, no.. Right field! Right field”!  What river path of life are you on?  (You will get a glimpse of my path by investigating this site as an example but hope will discover my heart as true in the process?).  Do you know the spiritual direction of your life?  (I know that my spiritual direction has brought me to “here and now” writing to you.).  Why has our courses clashed?  (That is a theory that only one person in the world has proved.).

Are you willing to join me on a journey?  Please, invite your family and bring your friends to explore your answers to these questions.  Our journey will renew the mind and take us out of this world!

 

 

Semantics

Session 3 – An Interviewing by God

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Featured photo: Ben Jacobi www.bdjphoto.com 

9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (Job 2)

I understand Job to be an illustration of our present day global suffering to the individual adversities each of us share.  Just as Job had experienced the loss of nearly everything, it wasn’t finished.  Evil has a strategic agenda to confuse the truth with lies, and thereby, challenges our devotion to what is good and righteous.  As long as our hearts receives the approval of those we care so deeply for rather than receiving from the only One Who matters, we’re lost and without understanding; in danger of fearing the wrath of God at the coming of His Son.

Although the wife of Job insists to “Curse God and die!“.  Job is not manipulated by the love he has for his wife; because God supplied and took away what was necessary for this process of understanding the truth of God.  Someone tell me.

  • How did Job come to life?  – Was it not through suffering?

11 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, they came each one from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite; and they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him and comfort him. 12 When they lifted up their eyes at a distance and did not recognize him, they raised their voices and wept. And each of them tore his robe and they threw dust over their heads toward the sky. 13 Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great. (Job 2)

We will not find truth in succumbing to the flattery of friends, nor by believing the accusations against us by self-righteous friends.  However, as Job goes through the turmoil of Satan discovers the character of God and His immense power.  Don’t give up where you are and don’t make the mistake of being someone else’s “god” for the sake of easing their pain.  Live by the understanding that the grace given by God abounds the sins of your life.  Confess and contend with God, but understand this truth, Job repented in dust and ashes when God showed up!  Do you, or we, think, that our place is not the same as Job’s.  Or are you so arrogant as a son or daughter of Satan, to challenge the character of another based on what God has provided for them, and not you?  I pray this is not confused with partiality or being favored by what is given materially, for we all equally have the opportunity at receiving the gift of God.  What have you chosen over that gift?  

Semantics

Interviewed by God – Session 2

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Featured photo: Ben Jacobi www.bdjphoto.com 

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” 8 The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.” (Job 1)

Reader (listener), indulge me, you are the character of Job.  I, the writer, will entertain the character of Satan [….scary thought].

9 Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face.” 12 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord. (Job 1)

Take notice how “Satan” and “Jesus” refer to “God”.  What does it mean to fear God?

Satan:

•”Job, I see your potential and how the fruit of your integrity will produce a bountiful return.  Once dead; people will learn of this character you seem to possess, they will discover how God is good; the seed of your fruit will effect the world, but soon will become confused.”

20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” 22 Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God. (Job 1)

Satan:

•”Interesting, surely you must be experiencing the weight of a heavy depression.  At this point I’ve distorted the view of right and wrong; knowledge of good and evil is my heaven; yet you think, or seem to have thought to own the right of understanding what is impossible for man to understand.  After all, you were sacrificing for your kids, why, thinking what?  That they would have favor with God and not die in their sins?  What of you, Job?  Do you think you’ll find favor with God by maintaining your integrity?  Now to get you vulnerable; vulnerable enough, to set you up, for my success.  I’ll need access to your soul.  It’s time to present myself again, before Jesus.”

Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord. 2 The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” 3 The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.” 4 Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. 5 However, put forth Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh; he will curse You to Your face.” 6 So the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life.” (Job 2)

Satan:

•”Ah Job, you may believe your skin God has rapped you in, preserves your life for salvation, but the sting of death is sin, and the sin of your beginning is mine.  I so look forward to devouring you; to manipulate your emotions, confuse your psyche, and inflict what you fear.  The salvation of preservation is my advantage to use as a means to set the world up at my right hand in the place called, Hell.  Don’t worry, Job. ‘You’re so important to me’.”

 

[stay tuned…]