Aggression

I was reading a novel the other day in my spare time.
I like to read cop novels and about private detectives.
In this one I was reading the hero was helping a victim
and sought to remove her from danger by escaping with her in his car.

They were seeking to back out of a parking lot in his car
when someone rudely cut them off.

The author took the time here to comment
on people in general in our society describing their behaviour
as part of an epidemic of aggressiveness.

I immediately flashed on how I have seen this attribute
in all kinds of people: little kids, teens and adults.

Just the other day I was in the library and two woman clashed a little
about the use of a public computer.
They both decided to go outside to settle their differences.
I didn't follow them out to watch. I didn't want to see.
I considered how quick they were to go at it.

Back to writers. I read a lot and have noticed over the years
many different people bemoaning, in print,
the condition of the world.

Often its in the form of a question, " What is happening?"
Other times it's just a commentary, "The world is going to hell in a handbasket!"
Many seem to recognize, uncomfortably, that things are getting a lot worse.

The Bible warned, through the Apostle 2000 years ago,
that perilous times would come. Unspiritual men say that mankind is evolving.
Well, technology may be evolving but men are devolving.
They are going backward.
They are becoming beastly.
Jesus said " You generation of vipers."

Men as vipers. Hmnmm!

Instead of rising up towards God they go about on their bellies in the dust.

For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city,
he layeth it low ; he layeth it low , even to the ground;
he bringeth it even to the dust. Isaiah 26.5


And be careful, their bite is nasty.

The concept of civilization is being eclipsed.
The civilized societies and cultures were in fact civil
because of the influence of the Gospel which shone on the world
with a new spirit and truth.

The concept of the “gentleman” springs from the truth
that gentleness is born of temperance and grace and strength.
In this intemperate age the opposite is the result.
Aggression.
Meanness.
Mercilessness.

There are pitiful calls for a "kinder and gentler nation",
as the beast and his image influence the imagination of the hearts.
Please don't look for "him"with natural eyes.

But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed,
speak evil of the things that they understand not;
and shall utterly perish in their own corruption... 2 Peter 2.12

Now if your are not all that spiritual nor familiar with prophetic language,
you would look at some of these scriptures after the fashion of Nicodemus
who sought to interpret the words of Christ questioning,
"Shall we enter a second time into our mother's womb" to be born again?

In this same way men look and interpret with the natural mind
and they look for a very evil man to come someday.

In this mode of interpretation of spiritual truth thoughts are tending
toward an apprehension of only the outward like the husk of a seed,
instead of apprehending the valuable life deeper within.


This type of understanding is usually encouraged by literalists
who seem to forget how foolish Nicodemus looked in his manner of interpretation.

The spiritually minded are beginning to realize that this mystery of iniquity,
to which the Bible prophetically alludes, is manifest increasingly
in those who believe not and have pleasure in unrighteousness.


That they all might be damned who believed not the truth,
but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2Thessalonians 2.12


There is a great falling away taking place before our eyes.
Christian nations are Christian no more as 'beast' nations and rulers
only don the garments of a lamb.

If you believe the rhetoric they are one thing.
If you view the actions they are altogether another.

We understand from scripture that this must take place
before the Lords return so that the 'man of sin'
or in other words 'sin manifesting itself full blown in the collective body of the damned'
becomes apparent and stands in direct contrast to that man of righteousness
who is now seen in his body, the church of the living God.

Just as the 'man of righteousness' has a 'body' so too, the 'man of sin'.
Just as the people did not recognize Christ when he came
they do not recognize anti-Christ either but still look for his appearing.

...and this is that spirit of Antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 1 John 4.3


Yes, there is a collective body of Christ and there is also a collective body of sinners
that is prophetically referred to as the 'man of sin'.


Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed , the son of perdition... 2Thessalonians 2.3

You want proof. Take a look around you.

Without your wounds where would you be?

The very angels themselves cannot persuade
the wretched and blundering children of earth
as can one human being broken in the wheels of living.
In loves service only the wounded soldiers can serve.
Thornton Wilder

But faithful are the wounds of a friend, saith the Lord.
In faithfulness I have afflicted thee.
Have not I power over the vessel to shape it as I will-
with what means I deem right?

But know this that it is I that wound, and it is I that heal.
And precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Have you indeed been baptized into death
and has not this which is esteemed by others as nothing
and deemed foolishness and soemthing to be despised-
has not even this been the very avenue of the life
of the Son of Righteousness in you?

Yea, thus I lift you up-
thus are you healed-
and thus are you empowered-
through death and through the cross.

It is thus that you are now graced with newness of life.
Do you not know that those who do not choose to suffer with my son
will ever learn to reign with him.

This reigning life is manifested as through the Light of the World-
is not for those who choose to shun his pain.

It is those who refuse the way of the cross that will
paradoxically suffer greatly
and be pierced though with many sorrows.

But in choosing the way of the cross
my children find a way wherein the burden is made light.

Those who refuse
find themselves in a way that is unutterably hard
with thorns and snares
and fiery serpents multiplied.


And turn ye not aside : for then should ye go after vain things,
which cannot profit nor deliver ; for they are vain.
1Samuel 12.21


But my son has indeed taken to himself great power
and reigns through the victory of the cross
that he might be the author of salvation to those who believe.


For he must reign
with the power with which he is able
to subdue all things unto himself.
In his kingdom therefore he orders all things aright
and manifests all authority
to cause all things to work together to the good
of them that love God
and are called according to his purpose.


So fear not my little children as even your pains
both small and great
are taken into account
as the hairs of the head,
even the tribulations which are appointed you.


And consider that, like my servant Job,
after you are tried you shall come for as gold-
even as jewels that are formed through great pressure.
Upon such the Son shines to reveal glory and beauty
and the wounds that I have administered will be healed.

I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal. Deuteronomy 32:39


Only look not to the earth for witness
nor to those thing that are without,
but only look to that heavenly witness within-
even the Holy Spirit of God which is given you
and bears witness with your spirit.


And now do all things as unto God and not as unto men-
for it is of God that you receive your reward.
And know this that it is not in your ability-nor your understanding
through which my power is perfected in your life and being,
(for it is not by might and he that thinks
that he knows anything knows not yet as he ought to know),
no, it is not your power but your weakness
wherein my power and plan for you is perfected.


So lift up you heads this day my little ones-
my weak and afflicted ones-my chosen ones-for I Am!!!

What am I ?
I am your God and your are mine-
my jewels which I form for myself.


God hath made many cutting instruments
and rough files for the polishing of his jewels;
and those He especially loves and means to make most resplendent,
He hath oftenest his tools upon.
Bishop Leighton

Lead Me O God

Lead me O God
I do not know this way
It has been proved to me o’er and o’er


For when I have set my faith
my heart
my face like flint to seek you
to go on further still
even further than ever before
I’ve been surprised by opposition strange
and unexpected resistance
as though an enemy fears that I should enter into
such a place of abandonment with thee


Or is it you who tests my commitment
and through such circumstance say to me,
“Are you truly committed to my way my son?
will you indeed no longer turn my glory into shame?
will you indeed stand upright in this exalted place?
or will you allow yourself to be talked down once again?"


I know not O god
Thou knowest my heart has been so changeable
you alone have proved faithful

But this I have
that I know that I am blind
and that you alone can lead me in this way

Thou who at once dwellest in the midst of the thick darkness
and in the light that is unapproachable

lead me on
for you have said, “Who is blind as my servant?”

Is it that I have been so immersed in my weakness
and my blindness that I have a confidence that this shall be no work of my own
but only of thy grace and mercy
not any of my might or power
nor any of my willing...

...but a feeling after thee
who is in me both to will and to do

What is this strange confidence
where before there has only been failure?
Was my utter failure ...again and again....all this falling...
preparatory to my rising again?


Is it through my profound imperfection
that I now appreciate your perfection?
Is it the knowledge of my own weakness
that now helps me find this strength?

Is it my own profound blindness
through which I now see such glory?

After so great a death whence comes
this overflow of abundant life?

Did vanity and emptiness alone
prepare me for such wealth of spirit?


I only know now that without your sovereign discipline
your loving rebuke
I could never have been freed from much that held me.


What now can I do in this place
high above all rule and authority
This place you said you had prepared for me
that you promised to come and bring me to?


Seated together with you
in heavenly places I rest
work your work
my works shall follow
I will be still praising you

The Wound is Healed

Twas on the cross that serpent received
the wound to the head- yet he lived
And now that wound- it heals

Christianity was at the forefront of civilization
But civilization will cease as we know it
That which comes and now is
with the healing of that vile head
does not breed nor inspire a civilized man
but a beastly- unmerciful- implacable

Now comes not the age of Aquarius as it were
but the Age of Polarization
Extremism is the rule of the day
as the sheep are separated from the goats.

The beast riseth from the sea of imagery
and moveth surreptitious
especially at night

he is seen sneaking into homes unknowing
a strange blue glow signaling his presence
to those who stand without
And he poureth forth his blasphemies
waters flowing forth
into the souls of the sons and daughters of men
as he maketh his war
from the idol that doth both live and speak in the sight of men-
empowered by the power of lightnings
that crackle with might
as they course through the power of the air

And children most of all
demonstrate that awe that is felt
as the image appears in the sight
and hearts are bowed
before this abomination that causes desolation.

And he saith in his heart before those feasting at his table, “Who seeth me?”

The Parable of the Tall Ships

A wise Captain and owner of a fleet of ocean going vessels
went down to the docks to see a man who sold cargo ships:
large multi-mast vessels capable of commercial transport.

The owner of the marina explained that he only had two available.“One,” he said,
"just came from the builders-the other, just in from the storm.”

The captain knew what storm the man was talking about,
having lost ships that he was now trying to replace. He went on,
"The worst storm of the century some are sayin’!
That’s where this one here that’s all tore up just came in from.
She just limped in out of that storm like a beat dog.” He pointed ,
”You can see, two of ‘er masts are cracked near the base.
I’m surprised they didn’t break clean off like the main mast did.
She’s banged up all over as well. Need lots of repairs
and a good scrub and polish a ‘course, ‘fore she’s fit to sail again!”

And then excitedly he turned the master sailor to show him the brand new ship:
a grand and tall sailing vessel. The Captain had to squint his eyes
to shield them from the brightness reflected off the polished chrome
and brass and bronze that adorned the magnificent new vessel.
“Now this here’s a beauty. She’s a bit pricey, mind you, but worth every penny.
State of the art! and brand spankin’ new, she is!
She’s never been outside of this here jetty.
We just put her in the water the other day.”

“Aye, she’s a beauty that she is!” the wizened sea veteran agreed
but as he did he turned to the beat up and broken vessel that lay sorrowful
and bruised in the water and propositioned the seller,
“How much will ya take for that one?”

Shocked, the harbor master looked to the man pleadingly saying,
“If its money that’s the problem…” but the Captain cut him short,
“No! No! You know I run a large fleet and money is not the issue here!”

And the seller looked on still incredulous, for he himself was very impressed
with his new ship and had seen how the Captain had admired it as well.

But the fleet owner went on to explain: “In that devil of a storm,
I lost some ships and many men as well. And by God, if I can help it,
that’s not gonna happen again. You see, where many other ships failed
in that great tempest- this one came through.
A bit worse for the ware, tis obvious, but she made it;
and her men and all the cargo survived.
And now we know something about this here ship.
She’s been tested, tried in the fire as it were, and she’s survived.
That’s more than you can say for a lot of others which didn’t make it.
And who can say with this new one here. A fine looking ship she is,
I’ll grant you, but who would you trust the lives of your crew to-
this one here which has never been to sea, and may or may not be seaworthy,
or survive in great waters? or this one whose taken the worst
that ole sea can throw at her and survived intact to sail another day?
We know she can take the rough stuff!”

And so the sale was made and the Captain had a new ship.
The harbor master was disappointed that he didn’t sell the more expensive one,
but still he had to admire the wisdom of the Master’s choice.
So, ready to restore the broken vessel and add it to his fleet,
the Captain took his leave. As he departed he turned and said,
“And don’t worry, that other is a fine looking ship and most people
are overly impressed by outward appearance.
You should have no trouble selling her. And who knows
maybe she’ll prove to be a good bet after all.”

So, with a tip of the hat, a grin, and a sparkle in his eye,
the sage Captain climbed to shore and sauntered off,
confident in the vessel he had chosen, while the harbor master stood,
watching him leave, and scratching his head.

Like the wise Captain, God is choosing in this hour
based not on appearance but on survivability.

Jesus said, “I have prayed for you that your faith fail not.” Luke 22.32

Unless the Lord Almighty had left us some survivors,
we would have become like Sodom,
we would have been like Gomorrah.
Isaiah 1.9