Tag Archives: Hope

Nathan Dooley

12/31/2022: Sin’s Cycle Concluded

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Originally my idea for concluding Sin’s Cycle was discovering how sin originated and then to investigate the matter of whether you, I or someone we know remains in unbelief to the gospel—by which the Christian knows to be the power of God to salvation (Rom. 1:16)—and is presently condemned to the eternal consequence. It turned out that that was going to be a lot more work than I had planned, so now I’m working off the idea of all things in our present state of being leading to one conclusion: The Coming of The Lord!

When I think about this world I share with you, but without the gospel, it’s natural to conform to what the world is up to no matter where you are located; we awake, we ache, we eat, we work, we play, we sleep into the entertainment of agendas today. Lets go see a movie, smoke some weed, watch some reels—or porn, drink something new, rewrite the constitution, ‘how about dem Cowboys?!’. The distractions from the burden of disciples made are relentless.

Diagram – 6

Ultimately, I think human’s consciousness of this world—our world that is passing away and the lust its of—has ‘hit the roof’. It’s a game of risk. Every move on the chess board a person makes is to checkmate their own soul in hell for the sake of being king rather than subjecting to their King of God’s will, Jesus Christ. When the boundaries to what this world has to offer has been discovered a question is proposed: Will you escape? Because being a “good” person does not grant salvation.

1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Christian Soapbox, Nathan Dooley

MY GREAT AUNT FAITH

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Good morning, I’m at my third office off the road and have abstained from coffee although I had a hostess cupcake for breakfast… don’t judge me *said with a subtle laugh.

I received some heavy but celebratory news yesterday, my great aunt passed. It’s heavy because this great aunt is one I’ve had time with when visiting my grandma, and my grandma is an anchor to my life’s story. That’s why it’s heavy, but “how is it celebratory?” I’m excited to tell you about this part!

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed the rest of mankind do, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. 15 For we say this to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore, comfort one another with these words.

If my great aunt has fallen asleep believing that Jesus died and rose from the dead—and I believe she has—so also God will bring my [great aunt] with Him [her] who has fallen asleep through Jesus! THAT… is exciting news!

Trying not to get emotional as I write this with a good crowd of people in front of me I can see the sun rising where the first day here is a vapor of smoke in the wind compared to the day my great aunt Faith is already having (considering the time difference between waking up from a dream here on earth to that of a life now in heaven). Therefore, comfort one another with these words.

However, my writing and your reading indicates we’re still here, “…we who are alive,” Paul said, “who remain…”. Ouch! Yep… still here. That’s what happens when you pinch yourself, don’t do that.

Christian Soapbox, Nathan Dooley

MY DILEMMA

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Sitting here at my office again with a stack of books and gingerbread flavored coffee; I just finished another chapter of the book I’m reading; my goal is to have 6 books read by the end of this month. And without going into detail, it’s not likely I’ll finish, nor that simple, but it’s a good goal to aim for. Although this goal is not something I can take credit for, it was inspired through a friend, mentor, and writing coach; thank you Neizan.

My office happens to be outside this time, same coffee spot, and the weather is perfect for our story although bound to change according to the wind advisory notification prompted earlier from my phone, and a friend telling me their Google Nest reported a typhoon today. That’s alright, a little rain never hurt anyone… 

You might be able to help me solve my dilemma to this overwhelming desire to travel and see the world for a twofold purpose, (1) the pleasure and experience of it, and (2) christian evangelism—not in that order of course.
I think it might be more for the pleasure of it than for evangelism because you and I can reach the world through modern day technology, but let’s go a bit deeper by exploring the psychological element.

… Laura’s awake …

Time to leave the office, but I look forward to writing to you from home, Lord willing.