“…take me when you must, but heal me till the day you do…” ~Joey

God is healing every aspect of my life . God is so big for our tiny minds to really understand .

A little over a year ago before I got sick, I was preaching about love and forgiveness, and the Lord dropped in my spirit ” you hypocrite ” . Then Boom, the brakes were slammed and I realized that I had not even forgiven my own Father . Now this is another story for another time but in short I allowed God to restore that relationship.  ” meanwhile back at the bat cave ” I ended up sick as a dog and in code blue several times, most of you know this, you all have been a great support system for me in my time of need .

Anyway, so while I am sick, and learning that my Dad is not quite the monster that I was brainwashed into believing , it was starting to look like I may or may not make it through the summer . Blah, blah, blah, most of you know this already . So I said Lord, I am at peace, I submit to your will, what so ever that may be.

He dropped in my spirit to make peace with everyone I had hurt in the past, and to inform the mothers of my children of my medical issues so they could be prepared in case my other children should start having similar symptoms. I was preparing for death . My relatives were making trips to see me , my Father was going to fly down , but something told me to hold off on that one . Some of you were there for me, saw me sicker than a dog, for that I thank you, others of you, I did not want you to see me, ” Sorry Miss Majors ” I was to contagious at the time, even know I wanted the robot.  HEHE

The point I am trying to make is Cori one of my baby’s mother decided she was going to let me be in my daughters life, not only one natural, but another precious Angel that called me Daddy when she was a baby, and she has never stopped being my daughter in my heart anyway . She also has a newborn that my wife and I have spiritually adopted, which is fun because we can no longer get pregnant .

So going back to my Father, he did come down a few weeks ago, which was perfect timing, because he got to meet five of his grand kids as well .

God healed me from the inside first . And I praise him for it ! Now he is healing my body from every aspect . Even my right ear, which is so trivial, but it has been giving me issues, a huge ball of wax the size of a rabbit pellet was just waiting for me to pull out.

Our bodies are temples, His spirit Dwells within us, He does not want to dwell in an unclean sickly temple. So I said God, I rebuke this sickness in your name, take me when you must, but heal me till the day you do, and my health has been improving every since.

I am starting all over, yes, I may have lost the big bucks, the house, and all the things society sees as success . But I have God, my wife, my children and my life. I have my family and all of you . To me, I am the richest man on earth . And I praise God for just being God. I wish you all a wonderful day.

Love,

Joey

“Is is sad but natural to cut, whack and trim God until your god fits in a box.” ~priest

God created the world and everything in it.  That is big, but not big enough.  It is impossible to describe God.  How can words describe something with no bounds and is limitless in dimension.  There is no limit to the depth, width or height of God.  He is not two dimensional or three or even four dimensional.  He is ALL dimensional.

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But that creates a problem for a man with limited thinking.  For how shall we understand something that is not totally understandable.  In our pride or ignorance, we must objectively cut away the parts of God we don’t understand and come to grips with the parts we think we do understand.  When the cutting is complete, we have a God that will easily and we think rightfully fit in a box.

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We feel good about the god we have created and eagerly share our god with those that will listen.  We may even be willing to die for the god created and maybe even our converts will die for the god in the box. But sadly in the cutting, trimming and distorting of our god, we likely have killed off the opportunity to experience the richest qualities of the ever encompassing real God.

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“Ever wonder what your god might look like if you let Him out of the box?” ~priest

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“I say that creeds, dogmas, and theologies are inventions of the mind. It is the nature of the mind to make sense out of experience, to reduce the conglomerates of experience to units of comprehension which we call principles, or ideologies, or concepts. Religious experience is dynamic, fluid, effervescent, yeasty. But the mind can’t handle these so it has to imprison religious experience in some way, get it bottled up.

Then, when the experience quiets down, the mind draws a bead on it and extracts concepts, notions, dogmas, so that religious experience can make sense to the mind. Meanwhile religious experience goes on experiencing, so that by the time I get my dogma stated so that I can think about it, the religious experience becomes an object of thought.”

Howard Thurman

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“Suppose 20000 believers instead of 20000 troops were sent to Haiti? Any difference?”~priest

Vickie Deppe a facebook friend says…

American soldiers have been doing things like clearing the bay and reopening the airport so aid can come directly into Port-au-Prince instead of through the DR followed by a 5 hour truck ride through the mountains. They are also helping to maintain social order so that the many Christian aid workers there can do what they came to do.

The AP is reporting:
“‘The Americans are our friends,’ said Jean Rony Doudou, a 28-year-old jobseeker. ‘They are here to help us.’ Many Haitians—at least for now—share that sentiment as they see U.S. troops bandaging the wounded, clearing debris, handing out food and water and even directing traffic. The soldiers are generating goodwill and are given a large degree of credit for keeping Haiti relatively peaceful during these worst of circumstances.”

I don’t think it has to be either/or.

Click on Comments to see the full thread….

“You don’t believe God will supply all your needs!”~priest

As I was coming out of a migraine stupor, I began pondering if I really believed God will supply all my needs.  When your head hurts like hell, you really think you have needs.  Right?

If you believe something, the faith of belief is in the doing.  I once prayed with a guy, that said he had an employee that was unproductive because he prayed too much when he was suppose to be working.  I can understand that line of reasoning, but I don't believe it.  I believe God will honor the prayer and consciousness toward God and bless the business far beyond anything the employee could have done in his own power.  I really believe that.  Do you?  Not likely.

I once was fired for pointing out the sexual harassment one employee was directing at another.  I think about school teachers who choose to not talk of Jesus, because they might be fired.  True.  You might be fired.  So what.  I thought you just said, you believed God will supply all your needs.  I suppose you meant God would supply all your needs as long as you didn't need anything.  Right?

Then I think about the employer who consciously separates his faith from his business.  After all, it is important to not create confusion in the work place.  The attitude is to get your job done and then you can let God act in your life.  It is kinda like, check your gifts in at the door and get to work.  I know what is best for you and the business.  Maybe so.  I don't think so.  I think a business would benefit knowing where your gifts and passions are.  Then, you are best able to bless the profitability of the business.

I'm just sayin',,,

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“You can’t add grace to the law”~Stacey Robbins

Enjoyed this thought in facebook.  Original post by:

Stacey Robbins You can’t ADD grace to the law. If the new law we’re living under isn’t ‘grace’ then, we’re still in the old legal system and the ‘reward’ and ‘punishment’ thing is eventually going to rear it’s ugly head. It’s not about adding grace to our existing theological ‘to-do’ list, it’s about living in grace. That’s a very different thing.

My comment follows:

Archie Rhines Much of the richness of God seems to be tough in that one can’t do it on their own. Knowledge of grace is not enough. It has to get from the head to the heart. Only God blesses us with His grace at the heart level…

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This is really a pretty awesome thought. There are no shortcuts or cheaters in the area of grace. You can’t be a wicked person with knowledge of grace and expect to experience it.

It is enjoyed by membership in a closed club, called “Believers United”. I formed the club. Any joiners?

Not: Full dialog can be followed Click here:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php? v=feed&story_fbid=282082471282&id=100000615714050

“Today if you dare, tell me how a worm infested hungry aids child in Africa experiences abundant life.”~priest

Jamie Longoria

ouch Archie!!  You have just inspired my prayers with a new purpose…just a thought, according to your definition of abundance “God’s perfect will and purpose in one’s life” is it possible that their illness and starvation is part of the abundant life..in that it calls the attention, breaks hearts and motivates God’s people into action so that we can be transformed by the impact. In this case, it wouls seem, dispite human logic, that abundant life really has nothing to do with happiness. Still contemplating though..thanks for the food..

I posted this comment to my status in Facebook and in wonderment received these replies.  Click on comments and enjoy the dialog…

“It’s Friday. Think I will swing by the convent and see who is ready to party.” ~priest

It is Friday and I am feeling happy for life.  I am happy for the family and friends I have.  I am happy for the odd sense of humor God has given me.  I am happy Jesus loves me.

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Do you find this a bit upsetting?  ”It’s Friday. Think I will swing by the convent and see who is ready to party.” ~priest

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Why is that? Why is it we as human beings get our shorts in a knot when people on a pedestal are poked at.

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The only person who ever lived and deserved to be on a pedestal was Jesus. He was King of Kings, Lord of Lords. He was the beginning and the end. Everyone else is just people.

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So my advice for you is… pick any person you see on a pedestal and start poking. It will feel good and it is Friday! Live a little! Love a lot! Peace.

~the priest

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“Today I choose to love Jesus. All things are possible…” ~priest

"In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine. I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day."–ISA.27:2,3

"What an answer from the mouth of God Himself to the question so often asked: Is it possible for the believer always to abide in Jesus? Is a life of unbroken fellowship with the Son of God indeed attainable here in this earthly life? 

Truly not, if the abiding is our work, to be done in our strength. But the things that are impossible with men are possible with God. If the Lord Himself will keep the soul night and day, yea, will watch and water it every moment, then surely the uninterrupted communion with Jesus becomes a blessed possibility to those who can trust God to mean and to do what He says. 

Then surely the abiding of the branch of the vine day and night, summer and winter, in a never-ceasing life-fellowship, is nothing less than the simple but certain promise of your abiding in your Lord." ~Andrew Murray

Read the entire inspirational message here… Enjoy!

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“Are you running like a three legged dog?” ~priest

Recently Cora and I drove past a nature hike and bike trail.  On the trail, Cora pointed out a three legged dog.  In my warped sense of humor I wondered if a three legged dog really enjoyed being taken for a walk?

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My Bim friend the bajanpoet recently was reunited with his wife and God, after his infidelity.  He is earnestly chasing after God and repentant for stepping into the trap he found himself.  It is truly a miracle of God’s grace that they find themselves once again running the race for God, equipped to win.

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In their worship service he says, “The sermon used the analogy of needing two legs to walk, with the two legs being the fear of the Lord AND the comfort of the Spirit.”  I think this analogy speaks to the three legged dog.

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It is tough running on one leg.  The best you can do is hop.  If we fear God and have no comfort from the Holy Spirit, we will tire quickly and the world will laugh.  Are we not blessed that as we fear God and run the race He sets before us, God responds with a knowledge of the presence of the Holy Spirit which brings comfort and power.

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God bless you and the runners of the world.

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“Thank you Jesus! Show me more!” ~priest

There have been times in my Christian walk when I have asked the question, "Is that all there is?"  You probably remember the popular song with this thought in its lyrics…

And when I was 12 years old, my father took me to a circus, the greatest show on earth.
There were clowns and elephants and dancing bears.
And a beautiful lady in pink tights flew high above our heads.
And so I sat there watching the marvelous spectacle.
I had the feeling that something was missing.
I don't know what, but when it was over,
I said to myself, "is that all there is to a circus?

Is that all there is, is that all there is
If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing
Let's break out the booze and have a ball
If that's all there is

Recently I was at a church meeting with a group of church planters and I asked the leader, why is it at some point one asks the question, "Is that all there is?"  I know I have asked the question more times than I can remember.  His thought was for some our Spirit walk toward maturity is much like becoming middle age.  We have experienced it all and the new is no longer new.  I think that is true for many.  I also think it is a mean trap with a strong jaw and rusty teeth.

Internalizing the question, "Is that all there is to my relationship with God?" always comes at a time in my life when I don't really need God.  The going is smooth.  I'm getting my ticket punched at church.  Everyone sees me as Spiritually significant.  My bills are paid.  Everyone is healthy.  My career path looks solid.  My kids soccer team is winner.  My wife loves me and my dog adores me.  Life is good.  

Contrast "Life is good" with a terminal illness, my wife has run off with another man and I have lost my job.  Suddenly, I need God.  I need a deeper relationship.  Now my line is, "God.  Is that all there is?  If so, I am going to die.  Please God.  Help me!  Show me your power.  Revive me oh God!"  God becomes very significant, but His ear might not be significantly inclined toward me.  He might be leading me toward that place of realizing there is more to my walk and He desires to answer the question, "Is that all there is?"

I think it is natural to ask the question, "Is that all there is?"  I think it is SUPERNATURAL to appreciate there is always more and to thank God when He allows circumstance in your life that brings more of Him to you.  

So I sincerely mean it when I say, the next time you receive a beating, say, "Thank you Jesus!  Show me more!"  I believe that is the attitude and words Paul would have cried out!  I also believe the depth of your love for God and the original question, "Is that all there is?" will seem foolish…

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