Tag: Nature

“Night Watcher” #6 / Skypeople.

Path Without End

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Sunday again, already? Yes indeed. We were having church last night with some people and we got into our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount. What is this higher place Jesus wants to take us? We follow Him into the Infinite, and away from finite.

Somehow, as we pondered the Beatitudes, I found myself sharing the name I have chosen for this little house of ours that is currently in such disarray as we are remodeling it into a House Church. We use to call it “The Little Blue Bungalow”, but in the journey of this transformation, things have taken a distinct turn towards a theme of “Birds”! And I shared last night I have nicknamed this place, “God’s Bird House”. People actually chuckled about that.

When we found a beautiful set of French Doors at a Habitat for Humanity store, and it was actually in our price range, (cheap!), as a bird would say, but we purchased it with great delight and dismay, loaded it in our old truck, and once it was installed, our room suddenly opened up into our small, private, backyard area. And when it did, we got inspired to create a bird sanctuary. It has been a delight. It is still in progress also, and has become the theme of this house.

This should be no surprise to me. Birds and I go way back. I’ve always had a thing about them. I even wrote the story of “Flapless”, which you can access for free in the side bar. And now, I find our ministry being used to inspire God’s people to live by your wings more than your feet! Stop running, slow down, and soar!

“I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Gal. 5: 16 KJV)

“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. “ (Gal. 5: 16 NLT)

We are called to live by our wings!

When you look out our French Doors you see this >

It is amazing to me what a small area can be turned into. I’ve seen Jesus turn plain old water into wine so many times! Here’s another example. Our basement on this old house leaks like a cracked tub, so we have always had a sump pump. But where was the water to go? The city has allowed our front ditch to fill in and be of little use, and we’re not on city sewer, so I dug a hole! Just a basic pit for the water from our basement to go into and evaporate or sink back into ground. It was just meant to be a holding place. Well.. it turned into a beautiful small pond!

20200823_101002The city has checked it and it is clean. The water has filtered through the ground and that is all it is. Our basement pumps it into my hole and it became part of our bird sanctuary. It became an ecosystem of its own and the birds love it! But why am I sharing all this? People of God, we’re meant to live “higher”. And some of you immediately think dollar signs $ when I say that, and you reveal your lack of Spirit!

Remember where this message started? We we’re looking at the Sermon on the Mount, and the Beatitudes. Would the real Jesus please stand up! Because I don’t see many modern churches teaching what Jesus really said and did.  Everyone says they love the Beatitudes, but I don’t see many people living them, which tells me they speak with forked tongue, like a snake, not a bird.

Birds are used so often in scripture in describing the Christian life, the life of following Jesus, like a bird on the wing, riding the wind. Of course we all think of Isaiah 40:31… They that wait upon the Lord… and the eagle.

Birds are called to live in the high places. They are the skypeople, and so are we, unless we’re not. Why live as the ground dwellers when you can live by a different set of laws superseding the natural. We are called to soar!

We are in a season of great turmoil and who is to say how long this may be, or where it is going, but are you skypeople or ground dweller? You’re going to need your wings! In our Lord’s Sermon he challenges us with these words… “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they?” (Matt. 6:26) And I’m one of those people who love feeding them.

We love the Sermon on the Mount, the real Jesus, don’t we? But does this describe our life? So much fear today. So little real faith and peacefulness of soul. So much anger and politics.  So much “want” of money and material things. This message actually “begins” with our Lord declaring blessed are the poor! Less is more? Wow. Is it any wonder as we opened these words last night, I found myself sharing the theme and nickname of our little home… “God’s Bird House”? And the transformation slowly continues.

I wanted to share something a bit more inspiring and light of heart today in the midst of all this doom and gloom. Never forget our Kingdom is above! And we but passing through this place. Do we care about the ground dwellers? Yes we do, but we can only do so much. Just like Jesus, we teach the truth of the finite verses Infinite, but we can force no one to believe, receive, and be transformed.

In the end, I watch the turmoil of earthly people who live in flesh rather than Spirit, and I praise God again, over and over, for my wings. I catch the Wind and know peace. I invite others to believe. My wings were freely given and I seek to freely give. But true skypeople are still the minority in this post Christian nation.

Do not follow Esau. Do not trade your birthright for a pot of dirt. Do not live earth bound by fear and lack of peace when you are birthed to soar! Be of good cheer, little bird! Your heavenly father knows what you have need of! Peace be unto you.

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This is my chair and my spot right by the French Doors looking out on the pond, the feeders, our 2 hummingbirds (such a delight), and other birds and small critters, as I pray, ponder, listen, and write.

Finding your “Why”? #1 /God

Path Without End

936f717ef2b27bbf975776c3907e40e3--good-morning-coffee-morning-bed Imagine you’ve set yourself aside from the world and isolated yourself on a sailboat with all the coffee you could need and a good book. The sound of the water against the hull and the wind in the sails are your only distractions. You are surrounded by beauty and nature. You find your favorite reading spot, got your coffee in hand and now for the book! A real mind-twister! A murder mystery! A real “Who-Done-It”?

He was a rich man, found dead. In a high-rise building. Security cameras. No one had a clue, but there he was dead, shot through the head. His body lay on the floor along with the pool of his blood. The police were baffled and Detectives were called in; even an FBI Agent showed up.

No fingerprints. Somehow the cameras had been evaded. No clues had been found to follow. So what are they left with? There is one thing none of us can escape. One thing of utmost importance in every crime… “MOTIVE”! What could be the motive behind the act? The motivation driving the action?

It is human nature. It is how we function. We live and breathe by what motivates us, or a lack of motivation. Who might have a reason to murder this man? Our true MOTIVES can be hard to hide, but some do it well. We are especially good at hiding the truth from ourself, but not God. WHY might we want to hide our true MOTIVES even from ourself? Even from God if we could? And especially if we’ve murdered someone and don’t want to end up in jail! The “WHY’s” of our life can be very revealing, but also very helpful if we are wise enough to heed them.

As the investigation progresses, more than a few are found to have potential “MOTIVE” for the murder. Like I said, he was a rich man. A lot can happen climbing that ladder of success. So how to narrow down the suspects? Who has strong alibis and who do not? But still…no proof has been found and the police are baffled.

A few days later another man is shot dead in the same manner, and he worked in the same company as the first victim. He was even a suspect! The waters become murkier as the plot thickens, but there is one potential new clue. Both murder victims were shot dead at the exact same time! 10:44 p.m.! A coincidence? 

You lift your eyes from the pages of the book. Staring out at the horizon sparkling before you, you ponder the clues. Taking a slow sip of your coffee, you think, “Surely this 10:44 p.m. execution time is more than a coincidence, it is a clue to the motivation of the killer!” Congratulations, Sherlock! You’re on your way to solving the mystery! But what could it be? What is the evidence revealing about the MOTIVE of this executioner? What is the “WHY” in the mind of the killer?

Every good Detective, and every student of human nature always looks for a person’s MOTIVE. It is a basic element to understanding everything we do. What are the “WHY’s” in your own mind? A study of “WHY’s” is always very revealing, and can be very rewarding.

“The Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1st Samuel 16: 7b)

If the previous story sounds familiar, yes, it is some movie I saw some where, but it is proven fact we are driven by our motives. Our “WHY” factor. But do we take time to examine our “WHY” in any given target of our own personal living? The Lord does not see as mortals see! And WHY should we? Do we not have an immortal soul? WHY live in flesh rather than spirit?

As a person fascinated by human nature, the question of how we got here, and where we go after this, the subject of a “Creator”, and a supernatural spiritual world is big with me. And this brings me to the real MOTIVES behind this web of thought I have woven thus far >>>>>>>

“What is the real MOTIVE, or ‘WHY’ behind your Christianity?”

If you have read this far and now know the real subject of this series, will you honestly face the question, or run from it? And if you short-cut this question and give it a quick shallow answer simply to make your escape, then WHY? What is causing you to do that? What is the reason behind your action? What was the “reason” someone was murdering certain people at 10:44 p.m.! (There were more yet to die.)

We will examine some of the different MOTIVES that are being pushed from the pulpits these days, as to “WHY” someone should be motivated to follow Christ. That is basic Christianity in its purest form, Jesus speaking to us, “Follow Me.”

There is a new wine flowing that has challenged me to be more missionary in my Christianity, in my following of Jesus, because that is what Jesus did and taught. I now have a team of 3 people in this vision to use rescued dogs to rescue people who may have “issues” they need help with. If we succeed, this will be my missionary path into the lives of special people God will lead us to.

These dogs have been abandoned. We have too many abandoned dogs! If they find no home, they are “put down”. I believe the Spirit of God led me to a special lady who has been saving dogs and finding them homes out of the pure “LOVE” of her heart. MOTIVATION! We visited this “4 Legged Ranch” and met a few dogs they currently have. We would be a volunteer foster home and trainers for the dogs. Once the dog has healed of their issues, they are ready for a good home. This Dog Ranch never puts a dog down.

I went to meet this lady and check her MOTIVES, her “WHY” for doing what she does. The evidence I saw showed no sign of a “love for money” connected in any way, not even her helpers. This is a lot of work, sacrifice, and if anything a loss of money.

After enjoying the place for a spell, and getting to know her more, I said, “This is a ‘calling’ for you, isn’t it.” She smiled. “You’re certainly not doing it for the money,” I said, and both her and her helper broke into laughter.

So…this is the beginning of another series. In October you will likely be seeing dog pictures popping up here. These dogs will all have a story, and a future! We will work with them. Eventually we hope to use these dogs to help people who will also have a story and a future. But what is “our” story? What is the “WHY” of why we personally follow Christ? Is it because we want to be a “King’s Kid”? Or a Servant of Love? Hhmmm. Good question. Now we have the mystery of our own heart to solve. Should we get to know our own self?

Our Creator knows the answer in our heart. And if we have chosen Christ so we can “have our best life now”, well…it all depends on what you mean by that? Who are these prosperity churches when Jesus taught minimalism? He chose a donkey over a fancy stallion. I must admit, I really don’t understand you, or your churches.

I’m just beginning to search this mystery of spiritual motives. What was the “WHY” when you got baptized? Has your “WHY” changed over the years? “WHY” are you following Jesus? What is your “WHY”? And as His disciple, His follower, what do you see your holy task from Him to be? And “WHY” do you go to whatever type of Church you go to? Are they really challenging you to be all you can be for Christ? Or to have your own best life now? Is it all about YOU? Exactly what do those words mean?

“We need to know our “WHY’s” in life. This is a very good skill to develop in all we do, the asking of the question of what is my true “WHY” here? If I give that 10%, why am I giving it, really? Is it because I think I have to, like a law? Is it because I want more back than I am giving? Is it like a spiritual stock market? I’m giving more so I can have more? What are our true motives?

What is God’s “WHY” when it comes to His relationship with man and all He has instructed us to do? The Bible very plainly states it. God is very “upfront” about His “WHY’s”. He knows them well.

There is much we need to consider when it comes to “human nature”, “how we got here”, and “where are we going”? Let’s look deeper into the “WHY’s” of the mysteries of this life, together. May our compass read true.

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“A Small Footprint” #1 / Microchurch

Path Without End

portland-protests-2 “Burning Ancient Foundations”

Is there still an American dream? How have we gotten to such a place, that a significant number of our people no longer see America as the Land of Opportunity? They burn our Flag and Bibles. They add a pig to the mix to show their disgust. They set fire to our ancient foundations, those that have been proven by time, history, facts, stats, and God’s Word…but let it burn! Who are these people? Is this the definition of a Progressive?

I must admit, a lot of greedy and materialistic people live in America. For those who love money, the Capitalistic system is ideal. This new generation loves nature, and wants to leave a “small footprint” as they say. In this I agree with them. I am very much of this same nature. Jesus lived a life of the small footprint. I follow Christ, but the modern church seems to be lovers of material and money just like the world, and so…this new generation has no respect for them. Can you blame them?

I see it now. This hate and disgust is rooted in a righteous cause. If the church has become like the world, if there is no bright city upon a hill to inspire a righteous standard, then violence grows in many forms. Disgust grows in many forms.

Jesus warned against materialism and called us to be servants, but we would be kings. Kings do not desire a small footprint. Some of these preachers even have personal jets and live in mansions. Wow…Jesus rode a donkey. How is it a large portion of the American church fails to understand this? They cling to the Old Testament and reject the New. They desire New Testament grace, but refuse taking up their own cross!

Once upon a time, the American dream was mainly about Freedom, but as the church became more worldly, so has the world. Sounds odd, does it not? More and more the American dream became about money, and the Capitalistic system became the perfect vehicle for power and greed. It’s hard to reason with people who feel they have a righteous cause, even though they be not righteous themselves, nor in their methods.

Jesus warned us about greed and the love of money. He gave us an example of keeping things simple. I’m not a Progressive, but I left the modern church system for many of the same reasons Progressives now burn the American Flag and Bibles. I see no hope for America, unless the church gets back to what Jesus actually did and taught.

More greed and love of money will fill this land, and it makes some of us sick to our stomach to the point of disgust! God’s Word says a form of Elijah would return in the last days. Elijah had no interest in material things. He left a very small footprint. The Old Testament closed with this promise of a return of Elijah, and then came many years of silence… until John the Baptist…of the spirit of Elijah…living in the desert and leaving a small footprint…but also challenging the religious leaders and government of his time!

“Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. His preaching will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse.” (Malachi 4: 5-6)

Is that a threat? Is God threatening us? Was it not Elijah who prayed for a curse upon the land in his time, and God granted it? Did not Elijah pray for no rain? Did he not pray for drought, leading to famine, no prosperity, and a curse? What would prosperity preachers say of this? Is not Elijah speaking to us again?

I think Micro church is also a form of getting back to the “small footprint” our Lord exemplified himself. I believe God’s Anointing is upon this new wine of simple ways. And if the church fails to wake up and listen to the message of Elijah and John the Baptist, then the curse continues, and it grows, until the church finally humbles itself once again, seeks God’s face, repents of her sin, and prays, like Jonah finally prayed.

Jonah was the source of the storm. These pagan sailors did not want to throw him overboard. They fought hard to save him. But the storm continued growing until they had no other choice but throw the prophet, the man of God, overboard, into the raging sea.

It is my hope and prayer that the new wine, missional movement, Micro church, is a return of a form of Elijah, and the Anointing that was upon him, and even the greater Anointing of our Lord. I hope we take this message to heart.

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“The New World?”

Path Without End

20190820_115546 What do you want in life? What does your heart truly desire? Are you willing to pay the price?

“And when the man found the treasure in the field, he sold all that he had and bought that field.” (Matt. 13:44-46)

We have entered a window of time. Hearts are going to be tested. One might say they already are, but I believe the greater tests are yet to come.

We are entering a new world, things will not be the same. Are you ready for life in hyper-drive? You thought things were fast and hectic before? Have you enjoyed your slow down? This one was forced on us. What have you done with it? How have you spent it? Have you discovered the beauty of slowing down and hearing God, or are you anxious to race back into the world and all it has to offer?

COVID 19 has been a fork in the road forced on us. But there are more forks coming that we will choose of our own free will. And what will we choose?

I’ve always been one to enjoy the quiet places with God, such as sitting under the beautiful willow. During this time I have been able to enjoy even more of what I treasure. God has purposed  it for me, whatever my calling is, that in this time I’m almost 65, in the danger zone, but I’m also retired! I’m able to stay in this quiet if I choose, for a purpose, a purpose God has set.

I was working part-time when all this erupted. My wife and I have talked and she agrees I’m meant to focus totally on remodeling this old house into the House Church I believe God has tasked me with. There is also much reading, writing, study, and prayer I need to do. We want to be part of God’s current fresh move. There is a new wine skin, but… EVERY PATH HAS ITS’ PRICE.

What are you working hard every day to pay the price for? Someone once said, show me what a person spends their money on and I’ll show you what they love. God has so much he is offering mankind, but those unwilling to pay a price he will deny. God intentionally designed it that way.

God has offered most of his treasures only to those willing to climb a mountain, or seek training, mastery, discipleship. He does not offer his treasures to the complacent, the lazy, those who have no fire, no desire for HIM. You will not accidentally stumble into the treasures of God, or win them by scratching a lottery ticket. And some of us thrive on that! We love it that way! God designed us that way! And Hollywood knows it! They make many movies of it in one form or another. It’s a plot line that’s always a winner.

I watched a movie last night called: “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”. It’s a Walt Disney show. I’m always looking for movies that parallel reality in an imaginative way to inspire us to see the reality it parallels. I really enjoyed this movie because you have a master sorcerer trained by Merlin himself. (Please know I’m not recommending sorcery! I want you to see what God offers that the world is always trying to create counterfeit imitations of. If we can take the “desire” the world is so good at creating, and apply it to God’s reality, it can be powerful!) Jesus said if his people did not praise him in spirit and truth, then the rocks would cry out. I have found many rocks singing these days.

So this master sorcerer paid a price, (of course), to gain such mastery. Through discipline, love for Merlin, dedication to the art, self-sacrifice, study of ancient writings, etc, he has entered a world few others know. Now this master sorcerer takes on an apprentice to train in these same arts, but does the apprentice really want it? There are no short cuts the teacher truthfully declares.

At first the student doesn’t want it. Then he gets a taste of it and decides he does. He asks the sorcerer to teach him more, to train him, disciple him, into this bigger world and this different way of living, but is he really ready to pay the price to walk this path? The master sorcerer expects him to pay the same price he had to. There are no short cuts or easy paths up the highest mountains.

I must admit, I have a weakness for such shows, and the world loves them too. They have a multitude of forms. “Ramen Girl” is such a show. “Whale Rider”, Karate Kid, King Arthur, so many movies based on this God-given desire to seek a thing and achieve a level of mastery. But what will you choose in this coming new world?

We are entering a new reality. The gates are starting to open and we do not know exactly what to expect, but change has come! In all this change, in what the new world will offer, how many will still choose God, his Presence and his ways as their treasure? How many prodigals have come back to the Father’s House to stay in the “old man’s” “old ways”? And how many are about to rush right back out into the world for all they can grab? It will be interesting to watch.

I spend a lot of time in this room of mine, pondering, watching, praying, and seeking to read the tea leaves. It just seems to be my nature.  I hope I’ve given you something to think about today. I pray a fire burns in you towards God. Let that fire grow! Let it warm your bones and your heart to climb whatever mountain there be into the strong Presence of God, and let us be real medicine men in the earth offering the healing leaves of God!

On that note: I heard on news that the demand for anti-anxiety meds have spiked by something like 34%! People don’t like to admit it, but there is always a real need for real medicine men walking in the anti-anxiety message of God! But you must be REAL! The world doesn’t need Christians using worldly methods. They can get that from the world. The world still wants to know if God is REAL. We must be REAL if we expect to make any REAL difference in this coming new world. Are you called to be such a one?

“And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” (Ist Cor. 9:25)

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Is there a peace passing all understanding? God says there is, and no pills required.

 

“Willow Tree Wisdom” #1

Path Without End

20190709_133833 “Our Father’s House is alive!”

Outside my house things are coming alive, spring has come, rebirth; but my house is a dead thing in which I live.

Mother Nature is very big and strong. She does not realize when she steps on us, like perhaps now. Outside my house are dangers of every kind, but also tremendous life, so much so we must be careful lest we fail to survive.

Man is a living being who builds his shelter from the dead, and lives within, but also must go out to drink in that great life of outside.

The Indian teepee made from fallen trees and dead skins. The Eskimo igloo, ice so cold to the touch. Shelters and houses of every kind, and yet they are dead in themselves. We are the life within. And there is life without, trees not yet fallen and animals not yet dead. Life so strong and bold we dare not be foolish in our adventures.

My house is such a comfort zone of death; made from dead lumber, drywall, nails, cement, glass, plastic, wires, and paints. This dead thing in which I live, so I can go out, and come in again.

But I must go out. Should this house cease to be a house and become a prison? Even at this moment a live bird, outside, manages to penetrate these dead walls with his song announcing the rising sun, and I hear it…outside…life…sun…wind…song. This bird confirming my every word.

But some are in prison at home. Do they even know? Their lack of adventure, lack of love of nature, fear of discomfort zones and hardships, bugs and dirt, sweat and strain. They stay inside… a lot!!! They run from box to box. Boxes of every kind. Dead boxes of every kind, even unto the coffin. Big boxes and small. Boxes on wheels and boxes in malls. Doctor boxes and money boxes but so little time in the simplicity of “no box”, just open sky.

But not I. Like the wolf, the bird, the tree, the flower… I need some wind, some sun, some green grass and blue sky, some wet leaves and rain, a mountain stream and quiet lake. I need some sweat and strain, a bug or two, a sudden view to surprise my soul, perhaps even a little cold to make me whole. Only then can I go back inside and be the life of the dead thing I live within.

But God is different. He does not live in the dead. My Father has a living house. I am that House. Easter cometh. Selah.

20190708_172612 The above article and others like it can be found at “Sitting Under the Willow Tree”. We invite you to the wisdom of the willow tree. willowtreewisdom.home.blog

Sitting Under the Willow Tree

Path Without End

I discovered a treasure hidden away in the midst of congested streets, traffic jams, stress, and rising blood pressure. Its been there for years and I never knew, it is so well hidden. Evidently few people have found it because every time I go there, it is void of people! I enjoy it all to myself. Whoever owns it must be always working and never able to enjoy his hidden treasure. It is as a Garden of Eden in the midst of a concrete jungle.

This place inspired me to start a second blog site. “Path Without End” has always been a place to go deep into God’s Word, and we’re about to start a series called “Covenant of Darkness”. However, the new site is meant to be more light-hearted and fun. A place about dreams, and for dreamers. It is meant to inspire a life full of the joy of the Lord, peace, and spirit. It has a subtitle of “Simplicity, Serenity, Spirit, – and growing older”.

One of my dreams is to travel America (on the cheap) and ride my bike in many places while visiting Salt Churches. I have a plan and it is already in operation. We write of these things on the other site I named: “Sitting Under the Willow Tree”. I hope you will visit under the willow tree. Here is a link to the site, followed by a few pictures:

willowtreewisdom.home.blog

The wind still blows under the willow tree, but who today ever takes the time to sit and listen? Let us be one of the few.

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Journey to Micro-Church – #2

Path Without End

Black_elkHoF Black Elk > Oglala Sioux Medicine man.

“But now that I can see it all as from a lonely hilltop, I know it was the story of a mighty vision given to a man to weak to use it;…”

As I shared in episode #1 the great vision set before me, my mountain to climb in my old age, I so feel the words of this Indian wise man. I am so excited about the growing move of God in this spiritual wave we have given a label of “Micro-Church”. I see a growing wave still far out at sea but rolling this way, and I want to be a part of it! It’s building as it rolls. It’s growing into a fresh move of God. It can be called a 2nd Reformation for surely that is how it feels to us who have become sickened with a prosperity message, a “king theology”, and traditions of man! We’re coming out!

But at the age of almost 64, how much of this wave can I still ride? Is this a vision given to a man to weak? And yet, I have to believe, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD!

As I write these words we just got very bad news on my sister who is three years younger than I. It was only supposed to be one artery 70% blocked. A simple stint was supposed to fix it. She would be out of hospital next day. But as we drove to visit her and celebrate a successful procedure, my phone rang. Her husband gave me the new report. 5 blockages! Main artery 90%. Another artery 70%. Transferring to a different hospital. Major open heart surgery. We wait for a doctor and surgery date.

I’ve been aware my whole life how heart disease, diabetes, and colitis runs in my family tree in a big way. We do seem to escape the “C” word for the most part. My only sibling developed the type 1 diabetes very young. And now the heart disease. I’ve had the colitis most my life, but very mild compared to my mom. Still… our days are numbered and how well we know. Most my grandparents died in their sixties. We do not live in denial, but we trust God in all things. So yes, at my age the vision God has given me looks quite large, like a huge mountain, but life would be so much less interesting without it!

I was 61 as I hiked that mountain path that day, the one now called Black Elk Trail, and I didn’t even know who he was, but I knew I was going to find out. I had been 41 when I hiked it before, twenty years ago, and believe me, I noticed a slight difference, but the joy was just as great!

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It was just me and the Lord that whole day. I asked him how his Church had become such a place about money, and more business like than family oriented, when He had been so against hoarding money, and was totally non-materialistic! How do rich pastors preach from luxurious platforms about the man who had nothing, and called us to lay aside our kingship for a time, and be servants!? To live a life rich in love and sacrifice! How do we justify all this? I could make no sense of it.

I hiked all the way up Black Elk Trail to that small mountain fortress at the top. I was there earlier than the normal tourist season and had the whole place to myself. The weather was awesome! It was a shifting swirling thing! Bright sunshine and warmth for a few minutes, then clouds and snow blowing for a few! It was totally inspiring as I ate my food at the top, shared some of it with 2 ground squirrels and a Jaybird of some sort. And God spoke to me as only he does, and gave me a strange phrase: “The path of the white feather.” I have kept those words in my heart ever since. I pondered those words as the elements shifted back and forth around me.

I spent an hour or so at the top. Offered up prayer and worship. Came down out of the mountain and drove back to town where I found an old bookstore. They had a very nice copy of “Black Elk Speaks”. I was very excited as I bought it!

When I got back to the hotel I did not waste any time opening it up, and soon found this man before my time, speaking of the “darkness in men’s eyes”. I was amazed at how simple and true his words were, and wondered why our preachers today seem to lack that? The words of Jesus are simple and true, too. The path of the white feather. I had come to South Dakota to get away in nature, seek simplicity, hear God, and God was showing me a path I would never leave.

I may have left the Black Hills, but my feet had been set to a spiritual path leading to a move of God I was unaware of. Little have I known. (To be continued.)

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Journey to Micro-Church – #1

Path Without End

Black_elkHoF It’s strange how my story of Church would go back to this guy, Black Elk. I mentioned in my last article how “once upon a time” I left the modern Church system in spiritual frustration at the complexity of it all and took a nine day vacation to the Black Hills to pray and listen for the leading of God. I needed clarity and direction. I needed some answers from God.

I did not know what to expect on that trip, as to how God would give me those answers. But now, what I received there, has led to a vision I began pursuing then, and still pursue today. That vision has become development of a Micro-Church, this Blog site, a prayer garden and free laundry mat from my home, a spiritual retreat in the country, and now the challenge of developing a Podcast to share our Fellowship.

In this continued journey, many words of a native Indian I never knew, or knew of, until those nine days, has become more and more meaningful to me. Today I would like to share this quote from him, from a book called: “Black Elk Speaks”. It is a “partial” quote because I want to focus on a certain “point” of his statement, and I wonder how many of you might feel the same way he did, in the words he spoke. I know I do.

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“But now that I can see it all as from a lonely hilltop, I know it was the story of a mighty vision given to a man to weak to use it;…” Partial quote from Black Elk.

“But now that I can see it all as from a lonely hilltop, I know it was the story of a mighty vision given to a man too weak to use it;…” Black Elk

We may slowly share the rest of his words eventually, for they are so rich, and fit our spiritual drama of this modern day. When I left the religious system to go searching, I knew nothing of Micro-Churches, but my soul was very hungry for something, and as I sought God for answers, I began following those answers one step at a time. Soon we developed a small Fellowship around what we began to see as obvious in God’s Word, and early Church history. Then further down the road I began hearing of Micro-Churches and discovered that was basically what we had already become, without even knowing!

How God led me to the book containing the words of this man is interesting, and as I look back on it, it happened just the way I have learned to be aware of God’s voice. Our nine day trip to South Dakota only had time for so many things, as it is in this mortal world. I had a rough idea of places I wanted to go, as we had vacationed there once before, like twenty years before. I wanted to revisit some places, and explore some new. But one place that was special to me did not fit the schedule, no matter how I tried to work it.

It is called “Harney Peak”. The highest point in South Dakota. A beautiful trail climbing into the mountain leads to that peak. I went there twenty years ago and wanted to do so again, but there was no time if my wife and I were going to reach a point farther west we had picked out. I can’t even remember the name of it now.

We never reached that westward point, because we revisited “Crazy Horse Monument”, only planning on spending a couple hours, but got so caught up there that we both did not want to leave! We spent several hours there, and a town close to it. We both realized we were sacrificing our plan, but we also realized God had a plan and that was the real reason we were there! God was speaking!

So as it were we gained an extra day in the Black Hills and I suddenly realized I could use that day to go alone, up that lonely path, to the highest peak east of the Rocky Mountains. It’s elevation is 7,244 feet. But the weird thing was, every time I tried to find information on the path leading to the peak, I kept finding something called “Black Elk Trail”. This is not what it had been called twenty years ago. As a matter of fact, I learned the name had been changed just before I got there! And who was Black Elk? Why did God have this trail name changed just before I would arrive seeking answers? My brain began whirling with possibilities. And I knew early the next day, I was headed to hike that trail and relive a climb I made twenty years before, but what would that path speak to me now? And continues to speak more and more loudly each day?

I want to do justice to who Black Elk was, and also my experience that day, and where it leads me today. So we will continue our story next episode. To be continued.

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“Yinney” Chapter 35

Path Without End

tmg-article_tall It had been a while since Yinney had entered the lagoon in which he had the vision. But on this day after morning prayers and his morning song, that is exactly what he found himself doing. He couldn’t help but wonder what might happen this time?

Visions were not a normal thing in his life, but he had never meditated underwater before either. Would it happen again? Stroke by stroke he steadily swam through the water towards the sunken tree.

Since that day he had adjusted his life in the direction of the vision, calling for a “Kingdom of God Community of Unity”. The best way he knew to do this was by keeping an emphasis on “Fellowship”. And, as it had become common place for him to say: “You can’t have fellowship with someone that wants to eat you.” True fellowship is a good test for true Christianity, or not! It tends to eliminate the false and fake in a very natural way.

“Predators”… he pondered as he swam. Being a predator was not the way of Christ. Predators don’t like for you to see them coming. So they disguise themself, try to blend in, make you think they are your friend, one of you, family, but they are out to get something from you, to eat you. Hhmmm. You can’t have fellowship with someone who wants to eat you.

Yinney thought about II Peter 2:3… “In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money.”

Of course, as a sloth, Yinney didn’t have money, but the kingdom of man did, and the name of Christ was slandered every day by false prophets manipulating vulnerable people to get their money, causing the heathens to hate the church and slander God’s name. Even many good churches had fallen prey to much greed and become predatorial in practice.

Under the New Covenant of Christ, the only time a tithe is ever mentioned is related to Pharisees still under the law. Two examples can be found in the Gospels, but what Christian wants to be known as a Pharisee? And yet somehow we still hang on to that one law, and it just happens to relate to money? Uh-huh. Predators come in many shapes and forms. We must be careful, lest we become one ourself, and do not even know, Yinney warned himself.

Actually, we surrender everything to God now, not just ten percent, his thoughts continued. And the freedom in the Spirit leads us to give as God directs. God is not a program. God is like an eagle soaring, not a sparrow flap flap flapping. And with that thought Yinney took a deep breath and began his decent to the rotting tree on the lagoon floor, where he would latch hold, as if suspended between two dimensions, begin slowing his heart rate, and meditate. A sloth can stay underwater for as long as forty minutes.

Yinney was no longer thinking about predators as he drifted in place, suspended. Thoughts of the fellowship at his 7th Day Tree filled his heart with joy. Lu-Lu, Me-Me, and Jo-Jo, had done a fine job of coming up the the name of “Fellowship of the 7th Day”, for much of what Yinney taught was about entering into God’s REST, as described in Hebrews, and other places, such as Jesus describing his yoke. Which he explained as “good”, and “light weight”, not heavy. Yinney pondered what those words meant, and the fact Jesus chose them. “Why those two words? What was Jesus emphasising?” he pondered.

He was so lost in deep thought about all the implications of those two words that he did not see a shadowy form propelling through the jade green hue around him. It passed him by once, then again, and finally a third time ever closer! Finally it bumped its nose right into him!

Yinney found himself suddenly staring wide-eyed into the wide-eyes of another creature, nose to nose! It so startled him that he belched a bunch of air from his lungs into the face of the creature! At which point, both Yinney and creature began stroking towards the surface! Yinney needed air, and the creature? He did not know. He only knew it was after him!

Breaking the surface he gulped some air as he searched the waters. Where did it go? He did not know until a voice popped up behind him, “Are you a sloth?” the creature asked and kept talking, “I heard sloths could go underwater, but I never saw it before! I thought you got stuck to that tree and was dead! I was so hoping you were not dead. I did not want to find a dead sloth stuck to a rotting tree, know what I mean?”

Yinney tried to turn quickly, but of course it was slowly, and discovered the creature was a box turtle! What a relief, he thought.

“So how do you do that?” the turtle continued. “My kind practically live in the water. We’re in it every day. But you guys, not so much. I’ve always hoped I would see this one day, and now I have! Yaa! I’m Tornado, by the way. Glad to meet you!”

Yinney was amazed at the speed of this turtle, because turtles are very slow creatures, even as he, but this one was in hyper-speed as far as turtles go. “Tornado?” he finally repeated, not sure he heard that right. What kind of name is that? Especially for a turtle? And a female turtle at that. His questioned to himself.

“Yes! That’s right. It’s sort of a nickname. They call me Tornado Turtle because I’m not very organized. They say I cause a lot of chaos and probably will die young.”

“Oh, that’s sad. My name is Yinney, and I live in that tree at the end of this lagoon. Glad to meet you, Tornado. Please visit me sometime, if you like.”

“Oh, that would be nice, to visit someone. I’m a treasure hunter, you know.”

“No, I didn’t know.”

“Oh yes. You’d be surprised how much stuff I got in this house of mine. Sometimes things fall out. I’m trying to add on, you know. Expand the shell so I have room for more stuff. You got any idea how to do that?”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t.”

“Yeah, that’s what everyone says. But I know there has got to be a way.”

“I can ask around,” Yinney said, “We have a Fellowship at the tree. Maybe Lu-LU, Me-Me, or Jo-Jo have heard of something. They get around a lot more than I do.”

“A Fellowship?” Tornado asked.”

“Yes. We call it ‘Fellowship of the 7th Day’. Let’s swim over to the bank under my tree, and I will tell you all about it.”

“Well… I would… but what about all my stuff?”

“I don’t understand,” Yinney said.

“I unloaded some stuff before I entered the water. I hid it real good. If I go in the water with all the stuff, I sink like a rock!” she said and began laughing so hard. “Tell you what, I’ll try to stop by in a few days and you can explain to me this ‘Fellowship’ thing. Can I fit one in my shell?”

“Well…I believe you could, Tornado. I believe you could.”

And with that they said good-bye for now and see you soon. As Yinney slowly swam back to his tree, he considered now how both times in the lagoon had produced unexpected events. And yes, Tornado Turtle certainly was an event, even a force of nature. But what a heavy load she put on herself with all that stuff.

Soak

 

 

 

 

“Yinneythought” for the day.

Path Without End

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I came across this photo of myself the other day, and it blew my mind. It was stuck away in a bunch of other photos as so often happens. I’m 63 now, and I was around 29 at this time and doing 4 years in the Army. I’m not sure if I was in Georgia or Maryland for this picture. I think it was Maryland.

When I saw it, I couldn’t help but be struck by the similarity of the sloth picture I have been using, and the picture of myself! Figure the odds! How in the world? And something like 34 years ago?

Jesus spoke in parables that the Pharisees hated and would have refused to read. The spiritual meaning of his stories went right over the head of others, but then there were also those who loved them. The simple story of a sloth named Yinney in the Amazon jungle is much the same way. The God we love is a gardener, but many people live lives of the jungle instead of letting God do his work. Our God also is peace-loving, but many live lives of being a predator. I love the unique perspective on God and what it means to be a Christian this story offers.

I am amazed at the simplicity and spiritual depth found in a story of a sloth. I hope we’re not to busy to take the time to slow down and hear God in a simple story. If I was ever so sure of anything I have written, Yinney has stolen my heart. The beauty of slow is not appreciated in our modern times, but God says gardens are slow grow, and weeds love speed. Think about it.

Chapter One of “Yinney the Sloth who needed to Poo” starts on January 20, 2019. Simply go to archives and find January to begin your forward journey with Yinney.

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