2 Thessalonians 3:13 “But as for you, brethren, don’t grow weary in doing good.” i know we all understand how hard it is to do the right thing especially when it seems justice would be better served by doing the … Continue reading →

More people than we can imagine can hear the roots of loneliness creeping through them when the world is hushed at four o’clock in the morning. When it is just you and no one else is around, the room is … Continue reading →

His name is Jesus. He is the tree planted in living water, He is the one who yields fruit in season and out and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does … prospers. Can there be any seed God … Continue reading →

i remember, when i was very small, waking up one winter morning and looking out the window. It was very early, just in the edge of daylight, and as i looked around at the world outside, from the inside looking … Continue reading →

?What if we talked to God first, and asked Him His advice, His wisdom and counsel before all others, putting the counsel of our friends, neighbors, and paid advisors last? We declare God as reigning supreme in our lives, and … Continue reading →

A friend of mine told me this story, he said: “In the morning, every morning, at the moment my eyes open, i try to make God the first person i speak to. i’ve got this idea in my head to … Continue reading →

C’mon friends, let’s get to the bottom of what it is which holds you back. The Lord has indeed called you, so why are you so tethered to this earth, like someone with no connections to eternity? Maybe you don’t … Continue reading →

When you spend time on a river, you get almost every imaginable condition – heat and rain, high and low, hot and cold.  Any given day can be a challenge, but on average: every day is beautiful! In the evening … Continue reading →

What has the Lord got in His cubbards? One of His commodities is: mercy, a blessing that is an act of divine favor and compassion, and includes the compassionate treatment of those in distress, and forbearance. i like the meaning … Continue reading →

You know, someone said to me once that when we sincerely forgive, we only have to forgive once, but when we’re offended, we have to keep living the offence over and over in order to continue to perpetuate the hurt, … Continue reading →

Have you ever felt the Lord was challenging your priorities, all the way from your idea of what was most important to what you think is least important? In Matt6:33, when Jesus said “seek first the kingdom of God and … Continue reading →

Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” To “renew” something … Continue reading →

Our view of God is too small. i think most of us, as a whole, have not really given ourselves to God’s process of transforming our lives as much as we might think. Regardless of what we like to dream … Continue reading →

One of the first things i was told after i called on the Lord for salvation was that Jesus is coming back. i used to sit outside and watch the sky, wondering if today was the day. The ever present … Continue reading →

i am absolutely convinced beyond all doubt that we are born, all of us, with the knowledge of basic right and wrong embedded in us by God. We are also born with a rebellious nature whose intent is to always … Continue reading →

Today’s program was written by Jerry Price. Did you watch any of the Republican or Democratic National Convention stuff a while back? I’m not going to weigh in on which political party is right or wrong, but my observation centers … Continue reading →

i think so many people want to find a place where God can not see so they can sin in peace, but no such place exists, there is no shelter from such a storm. Truly, there is no such place … Continue reading →

It’s a beautiful evening and i thought i’d go outside on the deck which overlooks the beautiful river below. i’m Social Porter and you’re listening to Outposts, cool jazz and contemplative conversation, broadcast semi-live from the deck of a rural … Continue reading →

This was written by Jerry Price. Today we’re talking about how you can’t take God and the Bible out of the schools and expect that humanity without God has a better way. In December of 2012 the headlines read, “Such … Continue reading →

This was written by Jerry Price. The topic today is, “Me Games”. Without getting into a big word like narcissism, how about let’s give a simple definition of me games? “Me games” means “I outshine others, especially you, and my … Continue reading →

Wees outentiek, geloofwaardig, eerlik en opreg. “Titus 2:1 “Maar jy moet die dinge onderrig wat ooreenstem met gesonde onderrig, wat die karakter en regte lewe behels wat ware gelowiges identifiseer.” Paulus het vir Titus opdrag gegee om gesonde onderrig toe … Continue reading →

Of the three C’s, character is the last, and quite probably the most important, it being the engine which drives our conduct and conversation. Across history many have spoken about the value and importance of being upright in our character, … Continue reading →

Of the three high points of leadership which i call the three C’s … conduct, conversation, and character, and our conversation, like our conduct, is a big indicator of our character. Most of us probably just talk along, and may … Continue reading →

Being a good leader is about having such exemplary conduct, character, and conversation others want to be like you. As a leader, you are the example, and as an example all that you are is contagious, even the hidden stuff … Continue reading →

This week has been like every other week in that there have been extraordinary moments, a very few low moments, but by far and large time has passed in the everyday doings of life, just like everyone else. On a … Continue reading →

Today’s program was written by Jerry Price. If there’s anything that sets up twisted games, it’s the Overconfident game. i find it interesting that confidence and arrogance often look very similar, except overconfidence is quite glaring and tells another story … Continue reading →

Hey. Come stand outside with me for a minute. Imagine yourself standing on the deck of a rural diner, overlooking a river. It’s seriously overcast and evening seems to have come early. Oh…it’s beginning to rain. First a few drops … Continue reading →

 Saved, but saved from who or what, and if we are saved “from” we must be saved “to”. After he prayed, the man declared, “I’ve been saved!” Everyone clapped and cheered amid encouragers to the man about his new life … Continue reading →

With And Together…. It’s summer finally, and the days are warm, vivid and green. The vegetable and fruit guy in his make shift hut is going full blast selling fruit, flowers, and berries. Some days it’s just so hot and … Continue reading →

Nahum 1: “Look! Striding across the mountains— a messenger bringing the latest good news: peace! Celebrate, worship and recommit to God! No more worries about this enemy. This one is history. Close the books.” Psalms 35: “But let me run … Continue reading →

Luke 10:25-35 is an interesting story of how we view other people and their needs. In the Biblical account, there are 8 characters:  Jesus, who tells the story, an expert in the law, a man who made a trip to … Continue reading →

“Always”, and “Never” are, what i call, ultimate words. There are very few things in this life we live which are “always”, and “never”, but yet in the Bible there are ultimate words used, and i believe the Lord wants … Continue reading →

Have you noticed or experienced how Christmas seems to tap into the soul’s emptiness for many, if not all of us? We are living in troubled times, world-wide! Something happened to our nation’s thinking facility because, partly, of what happened … Continue reading →

Jeremiah 9:23-24, “Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands … Continue reading →

My house stands with an air of confidence that is most noticeable in it’s situational serenity. My house is confident because God is confident. My house, from property line to property line is my Shalom place and even includes our … Continue reading →

Intellectual honesty, is when we know the truth and tell the truth, but along with our being honest, everyday, we must deal with the contrary nature of our body, the skin we wear, or what i call, our “skin talk”. … Continue reading →

God forgave Israel at their darkest moment, but it did not let them off the hook for their actions. We must find a balance here. Just because we forgive, everything is not suddenly “fine, just fine,” neither is it right … Continue reading →

Good evening! Here we are again, on the cusp of the close of the day, pondering what the occurrences or non-occurrences of things in our life, and looking forward to the developments of tomorrow. i’m Social Porter and this is … Continue reading →

Now this is serious, no satire or funny stuff. Way too commonly, i meet believers who “put on a face” just to get along, but underneath, it’s simply not what’s really going on. By saying “put on a face” i … Continue reading →

When i was a boy, more than a few times, in frustration, i would hear my dad say, “Boy, i tell you what, when i get to Heaven, i’ve got some questions for God. My entire life all i’ve heard … Continue reading →

i realize this is a story previously spoken of, but the Lord has illuminated to me the value of it again. A little definition is necessary to set the stage here. A moral is “concerned with the principles of right … Continue reading →

After reading a Charisma Magazine article about how many pastors leave the church every month, which is approximately 1500, I think I’m beginning to realize, from what I can hear and have read, that they’re leaving probably because they had … Continue reading →

Now, i’m not going to go down the longest list you ever heard concerning examples of heroes, the list would go around the earth several times. But what i do want to convey is that you, yes you, are a … Continue reading →

When i first met Jesus and went to church, i remember the story of Israel crossing the Red Sea and spending 40 years in the wilderness more than most other stories from the Bible. It’s a story of great deliverance, … Continue reading →

Synthesis of Nine Fruits of the Spirit At about program number 52 i began to notice a phenomenon within myself…it was the growing realization that i didn’t know what i thought i knew. You’ve heard the phrase, “Out on a … Continue reading →

The tragedy involving the Kansas City Chiefs and linebacker Jovan Belcher stirred up a number of emotions and thoughts for me. We know that after the shooting and killing of his girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins, Belcher drove to a location near … Continue reading →

Common Sense, if you’ve got, use it, and if you need some, God’s got it. On February 18, 2003, I remember hearing the disturbing news that Robert Hanssen, a 25-year veteran of the FBI and expert in counterintelligence, had been … Continue reading →

Let’s step off the dock here and jump right in: What will it take for you to be OK with yourself? We say, “If they’d just …”, “If i could only …”, “If everyone would …”. Shoulda’, woulda’, might’ve … … Continue reading →

This evening is another beautiful evening on the banks of the beautiful Ockluhwahhah River, which flows south from here until it joins the French Broad many miles from the end of Old Field Road. For the sake of trivia, i … Continue reading →

My alarm was set for 6:30 A.M. i had been awake off and on during the night but at 6:30am i was absolutely dead to this world asleep. Amazingly, i should have heard the automatic “click” of the alarm kicking … Continue reading →

We hide, we are hiding, and often remain hidden. Hide, hiding, and hidden. i think, these days, many of us are hiding from God, but, you know, it’s not a childs game, and there’s no laughing and giggling to it … Continue reading →

Where are you on the “at rest” scale, with ten being at total rest, and zero, of course, being completely unnerved, twitchy, can’t settle your thoughts in one place, and restless? How about the “peace scale”? Are you feeling a … Continue reading →

Ever been in a relationship with someone where you felt if a new model came along, they’d gladly trade you in for a new one? I often hear from married couples how one partner or the other thinks and feels … Continue reading →

I won’t accept when things go wrong and to someone else, the blame belongs. That’s the blame game by choosing to be a victim for reasons of an agenda. When conflict comes our way, for those who play the “blame … Continue reading →

11.06.2024 Let the vision play. See this… Imagine yourself on a long stretch of highway and you’re driving. It’s a two-lane black top road. See yourself driving across mountains and valleys, wide places and desert places. One day, as you’re … Continue reading →

Sometimes examples of communication can be ridiculously funny. The Massachusetts Bar Association Journal printed the following questions that were actually asked of witnesses during a trial. Were you alone or by yourself? Was it you or your younger brother who … Continue reading →

Philippians 3:13-16, My friends, i’d like you to know that, although i have left and am definitely on my way, i don’t count myself as having arrived, nor do i think of myself as being at such level of spiritual … Continue reading →

We love to say, “We are living in a culture of honor at our church,” and it’s highly likely, at least on some level, that’s true. But after having spoken to quite a few people about what their idea of … Continue reading →

Our adversary, the merchandiser, is the one whose will is fully set against God and ourselves, now and forever. It’s important to know something of who it is that constantly grieves the nations as a whole and us as individuals. … Continue reading →

There are not many things as uncomfortable as someone scowling and aiming their finger at you. It is possible to inspire feelings of guilt in other people simply by scowling and aiming our bony finger at them. There is a … Continue reading →

Kindness  Kindness is not only what we do, but how we are and why we do what we do. As example, it is a kindness to listen, and a kindness to bury the dead. It’s the kind of virtue which … Continue reading →

The sky is clear, i mean not a cloud in the sky this evening, just blue and blue as far as you can see in any direction; as to God’s brilliance about His color – blue – it’s the color … Continue reading →

In this life, there are very few things which are always. Unless we’re speaking about strict identities, like man, woman, up, down, etc, most everything else can change it seems. i realize we’ve spoken of the words “always” and “never” … Continue reading →

Never. Just as there are several important things for us to know of the Lord which are always, there are several important things which are “never”, meaning at no time in the past or future; on no occasion; not ever. … Continue reading →

In another room in the house is a blue metal box with a small lockable latch, though the key is long gone. i’ve had it for years now. In it are things from when i was a boy, memento’s, little … Continue reading →

During a pressing need to sound spiritual among other spiritually knowledgeable people, i’ve used the word “purpose”, as in praying out loud, “Lord, help us that we would be more involved with your purposes.” But, here lately, the Lord has … Continue reading →

Hey now. i want to talk to you for a minute. We men seem to often have a really tangled idea in our heads about our wives. As if you couldn’t have guessed, this is mostly directed to men, but … Continue reading →

There comes a time in the lifespan of any believer when there seems to be no wind, no inspiration, no motivation, we don’t know what to pray, and maybe even all purpose for praying is a vacuum of sorts. Oh … Continue reading →

Jesus said, “The poor will always be with us.” My idea of poor and God’s idea of poor don’t line up well many times. Somehow, i’ve gotten it in my head that to say someone is poor, immediately into my … Continue reading →

Recently, a man says to me, “Why do we so often defer to anyone and everyone except God?” You know, that’s a real good question. Why do we do that? National Geographic has published several articles in the last year … Continue reading →

Church – an essay What is this thing we do? Not too long ago, someone in a group conversation asked, “Do I really, truly, have to go to church?”

Counsel And Exhortation (the doctrine of Instruction)            Proverbs 12:20, “Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy.” It seems these days there’s a lot of people who like to offer lots … Continue reading →

We’ve been pursuing a better view of the King of Kings whom we love and serve, to understand His character which would be to know His values, that we would be like Him, from beginning to end in honor of … Continue reading →

          Transitions can be very tough and if they’re not made in today’s world, it’s called an adjustment disorder. James writes as a Jewish man who knows something about transitions. There he was, a half-brother of Jesus, learning to get over … Continue reading →

If – If Only (or Might Have Been), in the world of “If Only” and “What might have been”. Almost, pretty much, just about, for the most part, if, maybe, might have been…yea but, yea but if… …if …if only … Continue reading →

A few years ago, there were several declarations saying God was going to increase the harvest and His people in an unprecedented way. There was coming increase in answered prayer as had never been charted in the history of Christianity; … Continue reading →

          Romans 15:14, “Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.” The Lord is the personification of perfect choosing, and His heart … Continue reading →

Hey! The phone is ringing! Aren’t you going to answer it? i’d recognize that ring tone anywhere, i guarantee you it’s Jesus calling and He wants to talk to you. That phone has rung everyday of your life, just answer … Continue reading →

Set and Bearing Or Application And Provision In our beautiful Savior is justice based on accurate scales, He IS the perfect and just weight by which all standards of righteousness are based. He, himself, IS the Prince of Shalom, and Shayim, … Continue reading →

          In the early 1970’s Luther Ingram and Mack Rice, who were song writers for Stax Records wrote a song released by the Staple Singers titled, “Respect Yourself”. The lyrics were, If you disrespect everybody that you run into, how … Continue reading →

Intentions and inclinations. i believe anyone with a prophetic gift struggles with where God’s word to them ends and their imagination begins and it is hard won wisdom and maturity to sort those things out to do our gifting well. … Continue reading →

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall be saved.” – OR – God sent the world an invitation to come to His house, live and eat … Continue reading →

As the sun sets low and evening settles in until morning, the sky is absolutely hypnotic with its midnight blue directly overhead then fading to deep azure, and blazing pink and orange at the horizon. The world’s edge is so … Continue reading →

When God says “ALL”, He means what He says, All means all and nothing less than all. How often to we re-think God’s “all things” into being most things, some things, and a few things? We often seem to re-think … Continue reading →

We are all moving in the direction of our expectations, that for which we hope. Hope is always future-looking and is a type of “che’sed”, “that you may know I AM the Lord”. Do we have an anticipation that the … Continue reading →

As i woke up this morning, my eyes opened as they usually do, thank you Lord, to see the ceiling above my bed. In my house i’m glad their are ceilings. That means there’s a roof defending us from wind, … Continue reading →

                    Ting! Did you hear that? Listen again, “Ting!” That’s the sound in the Spirit when the Lord gives us ideas. “Ting!” Ah, there it is again. It’s not big, it’s not a boulder in your living room, but … Continue reading →

          Draw close to Him and He’ll draw close to you. Test Him. Phil 3:12 “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus … Continue reading →

……the date is today, and the time is now. i’m Social Porter and this is Outposts, contemplative conversation, just for you in this season, at this time, where ever you are, be it grieving at home alone, or in the … Continue reading →

Let’s get right to the topic this evening – my guess is there are a lot of people who incur offense at the hands of others, mostly from family, friends, and the occasional stranger – probably, the worst of offenses … Continue reading →

          Wisdom. We won’t get far without it.           Wisdom is a deep understanding and realization resulting in the ability to choose to produce the optimum results, it is the comprehension of what is true and right coupled with right … Continue reading →

There is a strange stillness and subtle rippling of the Ockluhwahhah River this evening with it’s subtle greens and grays in the twilight of the day, as if time worries no one and the freedom of the water is at … Continue reading →

Love  In a 1985 Grammy award-winning song written by Terry Britten and Lyle Graham, as performed by Tina Turner, took the airwaves by storm… “What’s love got to do, got to do, got to do with it? What’s love but … Continue reading →

          i had a dream where i went to a friends house. As i pulled into his driveway the first thing i noticed was that his house was surrounded by a tall wooden fence, high enough that you couldn’t hardly … Continue reading →

Honesty is like a magnet radiating a strong magnetic force; in the heart of God’s people it is a clear bell set on a hill; like a clarion call it draws truth-hungry people to engage. Honesty should be one of … Continue reading →

Joy Nehemiah 8:10, “Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD. Do not sorrow, for the … Continue reading →

Goodness           Goodness is intrinsic and essential to good works. From God’s perspective, doing good things is not His definition of “good works”. In order to have “good works”, the foundational element of our character must be … Continue reading →

Gentleness              i heard a story of a corporal at Valley Forge who was directing three men as they tried to lift a log into place. It was too heavy, but the corporal commanded again and again, “All right, men, … Continue reading →

Self-Control           Oh my gosh! In this country do we even have any self-control, which literally means that our thinking is on a level path? One group thinks the other is on a downhill skid, the second group is absolutely … Continue reading →

From the desk of Larry Foldoe The trusted delegates and scholars were in a struggle.  There was so much disagreement, clashes of opinion and heated discussion with little resolution to their task.  After more than three weeks of closed-door meetings, … Continue reading →

Peace i find the Lord often uses contrasts to teach us about Himself, and how to conduct ourselves worthy of our calling in Christ. Frequently the best way to understand God’s perspective about Shalom peace is to also investigate the … Continue reading →

Longsuffering            And there i sat, day after day … the sun came up and the sun went down … the seasons came and went … days went by …  waiting to hear from the Lord. Three years and not … Continue reading →

Among all of the things we all do, everyone does a good thing here and there, obviously some more than others, even the worst of people do something good from time to time, and i suppose it also depends on … Continue reading →

Why study the Attributes of God? Daniel 11:32 says that “the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.” Omnipotent Omnipresent Omniscient Immutable Eternal Faithfulness Love Goodness Holy Impartial Incomprehensible Infinite Jealous Justice Longsuffering Mercy Righteous … Continue reading →

          Don’t give up, we’re too close to going home and now is not a good time to quit.           The news media reports so much discouragement, it’s seems difficult for most to escape the landslide of bad news. Sometimes … Continue reading →

                 Millions of people, mill around, go to work, talk on their cell phones (or at least pretend to), are married, and have children. Many are living in neighborhoods around the world, communities where everyone is surrounded by everyone … Continue reading →

We typically think in concepts, and one key concept in scripture today is the idea of what to keep and what to toss out. That may seem like a simple thing, but consider carefully the world of a hoarder. To … Continue reading →

Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness             Isaiah 25:1, “Yahweh, You are my God; I will exalt You. I will praise Your name, for You have accomplished wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.” An attribute of God is His … Continue reading →

          Sin, what is it? We use that word in many ways, but i do believe we’ve got an odd twist on what it is, how it came to be there, and why, oh why, is it a big deal? … Continue reading →

The idea of right expectations is such a big deal, the Lord directed me to also point out scriptural expectations that are the product of God’s heart, righteous expectations, and lifegiving expectations. A little of this program is a bit … Continue reading →

Many years ago i entered into a business relationship with two other people. We created LLC rules, wrote checks to the business, and it seemed all things were good. i had been warned about being in business with one of … Continue reading →

Yes, another beautiful evening as the sun sets low on the horizon. Spring has sprung, flowers are pushing their way thru last year’s rubble and ground cover to start the yearly cycle of spring, summer, fall, and winter … round … Continue reading →

There is no doubt as to who the listening audience is for these broadcasts. The programs are meant to encourage the body of Christ and to inspire us all to put our thinking caps on and think. Use your God … Continue reading →

There is no way to know what we could achieve in life if we made more of the right choices. Of course, someone a long the line is probably going to ask, “Right choices according to who?”  Learning to do … Continue reading →

            If i could want anything for you, what would i want? In Romans 12 & 13, Paul lays out for us a list of good things we should want for ourselves and others. It would seem that … Continue reading →

Epictetus was a Greek speaking Stoic philosopher, born a slave at Hierapolis, Phrygia, and lived in Rome until his banishment, when he went to Nicopolis in north-western Greece for the rest of his life. He wrote what is likely the … Continue reading →

Faith is not having conclusions. Faith is not being qualified. In our Western version of Christianity we are, basically, fed a line of thinking which says “If you have faith, you will have answers and conclusions. If you have faith … Continue reading →

Accents. Life is bright more often than we think. The glow of fellowship after a meal, the warmth of coming home to a friendly place, going to sleep knowing God has got your back and things are well with you.  … Continue reading →

          Recently, a man says to me, “Why do we so often defer to anyone and everyone except God?” You know, that’s a real good question. Why do we do that? National Geographic has published several articles in the last … Continue reading →

Pondering….what a pondersome thing to ponder upon. Pondering is powerful stuff. When i was a kid i was told to let my mind wander to imagine life from a different angle, then, by another adult, i was told to stop … Continue reading →

          Today the idea of prosperity is on the table. i know what i think it is, but what does the Lord say about it? So much of my life has been spent struggling to keep my head above water … Continue reading →

Prayer is the breath of our spiritual life. A Christian life without prayer is like not breathing and expecting to continue to live. Prayer is our lifeline to God, it is something we, as Christians, must do regularly, even as … Continue reading →

Many people today say they have no visions to speak of, but i’ve got this idea rolling around in my head that says just because we don’t recognize them doesn’t mean they aren’t there. i believe if God didn’t give … Continue reading →

         In much of scripture the word “imagine” is used in reference to the wrong which men dream of. If we were honest, i believe most of us imagine domination, manipulation, we imagine control, seduction, surrender and … Continue reading →

Thanks for tuning in. i’m Social Porter and this is Outposts, it is no accident that, as you were channel surfing, you stopped here. Hopefully you’ll sit a while with me to look a little deeper into the word of … Continue reading →

Purity is one of God’s attributes, and concerns the necessity, and power of living a consistent and repeatable life of being unmixed and undiluted with the world… a life of our being the same in private as we are in … Continue reading →

i think for most of my life, i didn’t know words to communicate with. i often left people wondering what in the world i was talking about, not to mention my own frustration at wondering why i felt so misunderstood. … Continue reading →

In your prayer time, do you practice to plead the case of another? Not hyperventilating with many words, but advocating their cause before the Lord? Proverbs 23:10-11, “Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless, … Continue reading →

i met a young man the other day, covered in tatoos, quiet, life in turmoil and chaos … in trouble. Across his neck he had the words “Expect No Mercy”. The tattoo reminded me of the words of someone who … Continue reading →

Isaiah 61:1-3, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and … Continue reading →

1 John 2:27, “But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as … Continue reading →

Another fellow and i were doing church at the local jail one Saturday morning, and in walked a guy who appeared so far down he couldn’t see up. Upon inquiry, he said he couldn’t even begin to fathom how his … Continue reading →

John 8 Jesus was in the temple teaching, as usual, and then came the Pharisees with a woman who was taken in adultery (where was the man? Also, how is it they just “happen” to be there to catch her?). … Continue reading →

Why do we study God’s word? Is it to gain information so we’ll know about Him? Maybe we do it so we can truly know our Redeemer. Is it so we can say we read the Bible? Is it for … Continue reading →

When i was growing up, my mother made almost all of our clothes for the entire family. i saw with my own eyes, that there were times when what she made didn’t work out …  i remember walking into her … Continue reading →

Ahhh, yea … it’s another of those hypnotic evenings with the sun having settled down to a rosey glow at the horizon and the clouds are parceled out across the sky, looking like the porches at the entrance to Heaven’s … Continue reading →

Even if it seems like the whole world is against us, even when our eyes see nothing but dark clouds all around, as believers, God is on our side, and we have the strength to come out winners. As believers, … Continue reading →

          What do all the following words have in common? Crossroad, intersection, cloverleaf, crosswalk, crossway, exchange, grade crossing, gridiron, interchange, junction, traversal, underpass.  They are all places where paths or roads meet and a decision must be made. True, we … Continue reading →

        What are you doing for no other reason than because you love Jesus? AND, what have you ceased doing for no other reason than His love for you? Jack Miller asked that question of his congregation when he served … Continue reading →

          “Am i ok?” “Will i be alright?” We are often so, so worried about our own welfare. i believe we spend untold hours being concerned if our money will work out, if our health will hold up, if we’ll … Continue reading →

Shadows Shadows….soft and rarely detailed and defined. They catch an outline enough to identify a silhouette, but never a lot of detail, at least not like the light. Shadows speak softly, in demure tones, whispering to each other, and to … Continue reading →

It is such a nice evening out i feel like i’m living in a postcard picture. There’s not a cloud in the sky except over towards the horizon… all those sky colors, singing, as if they were calling to something … Continue reading →

As the day is passing away and the sun fades from the sky, all the regular friends have gathered at the deck area and pulled up a comfortable chair for some cool jazz and contemplative conversation. Thank you for joining … Continue reading →

Romans 1:18-21, “For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it … Continue reading →

Jesus, You did it! You changed my regret and overwhelming sorrow, You ripped off my black mourning band. You didn’t leave. You gave me room to breathe. Jesus pulled me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud and … Continue reading →

i visit the jail often, often enough over the last years to see patterns among those incarcerated. Most who are incarcerated are not only physically imprisoned, but also mental and spiritual prisoners too, many times, if not most times, in … Continue reading →

        There, at the end of my pencil point were letters and words, notes to myself and pictures of visions i had made to remind myself of what the Lord was saying or showing me. It was a very small … Continue reading →

i thought i would come to the cafe a little prevenient this evening, considering it’s getting dark earlier, i wanted to enjoy the fading light of the day with all the colors of the setting sun. i’m Social Porter and … Continue reading →

          The following is a compilation from The Message Bible: Did you know God is a safe house? The moment you arrive, you relax, and you’re never sorry you knocked on God’s door. When God speaks to victims, real victims, … Continue reading →

Having set through more than a few sessions of listening to someone attempt to resolve a conflict with someone else, one significant thing i have noticed more often than not, was both people displayed an amazingly distinct lack of listening. … Continue reading →

When we see Jesus face to face His presence will govern and light Heaven the same way the sun illuminates the sky, the glory of the Lord allows no shadows in all of Heaven. In my imagination, i can see … Continue reading →

          John 17:17-19 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified … Continue reading →

On a side note and then a fore note, we should be ever so careful what we profess. Palms up – confession, palms out – profession. Are you a typical promise maker and promise breaker? If you tend to break … Continue reading →

There was the grandest of all grand parades right down the middle of Glory Land! The endless crowd of the redeemed of the Lord were waving banners, people were jubilant and laughing, confetti of some sort filled the air, horns … Continue reading →

Be authentic, credible, genuine and true. Titus 2:1 “But as for you, teach what is fitting and becoming to sound wholesome doctrine, possessing the character and right living which identifies true believers.” Paul instructed Titus to teach good sound doctrine … Continue reading →

Ps147:3 “Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.”  Ps68:4 “Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name Yah!”   Who is this King?  Isaiah (12:2) said, “I will trust and not … Continue reading →

I’ve asked myself the question, “If I could relay one thing to people, what would I tell them?” I have considered this a good while now, I have walked far, met a lot of people, and witnessed many things, and … Continue reading →

What to do on a sinking ship? Here is wisdom: If you can’t get out of the storm with Jesus, then be in the storm with Jesus. Mark 4:35 “On the same day, when evening had come, He said to … Continue reading →

          Nahum 1: “Look! Striding across the mountains— a messenger bringing the latest good news: peace! Celebrate, worship and recommit to God! No more worries about this enemy. This one is history. Close the books.” Psalms 35: “But let me … Continue reading →

“Always”, and “Never” are, what i call, ultimate words. There are very few things in this life we live which are “always”, and “never”, but yet in the Bible there are ultimate words used, and i believe the Lord wants … Continue reading →

When i got married, i told my wife i would bring her coffee in bed, and that i would never lie or steal from her. i vowed i would always be where i said i was, and that if she … Continue reading →

The Lord has many attributes, all of them holy, righteous and true. Some examples of His attributes are knowledge, mercy, dependability, wisdom, vision, and compassion, to name a few. i’ve made a list of 94 and i’m sure that is … Continue reading →

As believers in Christ we are a peculiar lot… we go forward in life on written phrases in scripture, resonant words from a friend, a vibrant dream or vision which is often no more than an audible or visual whisper. … Continue reading →

It is by the intense, persistent pursuit of Christ we come into the call and anointing to heal, prophecy, and raise the dead; not by our incessant surrounding ourselves with people who have something we want. Christ alone is our source, … Continue reading →

Not too long ago, a man called asking me if i thought he was a failure. It was absolutely heart breaking to me, not for my sake, but for his. Through my eyes, i didn’t see a failure, i saw … Continue reading →

Life, for me, has radically changed over the last 46 years of walking with Jesus. In these years God has taught me so many things. i’ve learned to not be angry about everything and for a guy who was easily … Continue reading →

i had a dream several years ago. In the dream i had driven through deep woods, up through the mountains, down into the long view of endless flat land, and eventually to a very arid climate when suddenly the road … Continue reading →

Some wounds clear up pretty quickly, but there are wounds of the heart and soul which take time, introspection, insight, and understanding to resolve. When a friend is surprisingly brutal or your left with a cruel betrayal, it leaves a … Continue reading →

Have you ever tried to find the picture hidden in a picture? It’s like, the more you try and see “in” the picture, the more you only see your first impression. A picture in a picture is called a stereogram, … Continue reading →

i’m Social Porter and this is Outposts, a semi-live broadcast from the late evening, cascading banks of the Ockluhwahhah River, where the trees gently lean over the river’s edge and every evening is pleasant. Our topic is about getting old … Continue reading →

What is silence? Is it good or bad? Sometimes both, sometimes neither, it depends on why. Is it a something or a nothing?          So many times we expect an answer from God, our spouse, a child, … Continue reading →

Decent, middling, ordinary, second-rate, so-so, undistinguished, uninspired, characterless, colorless, common, conventional, fair to middling, humdrum, intermediate, medium, moderate, no great shakes, passable, run-of-the-mill, standard, tolerable, unexceptional, vanilla… Many years ago, on a whim, i called a friend one day…  when … Continue reading →

Some topics are a bit expansive, some are a challenge to get a grip on, yet others speak to attitudes or the intricacies of relationships, yet all have the common thread of always pointing to Jesus, who is the answer, … Continue reading →

When my son was very small we used to play hide & seek. i would hide my eyes and count to ten, very slowly, so he would have time to hide. i would hear him laughing and giggling as he … Continue reading →

Jesus is coming back, and when the righteous are removed… the world will be left with nothing but the sound of their own breath and what remains of the world around them… how will it all look if there are … Continue reading →

In a published article written by J. Blake Brown, he writes, “In 1516 M. Luther was reading Romans 1, and when he got to verse 17he was struck by Paul’s quote from Habakkuk 2:4, “The righteous will live by faith.” Those … Continue reading →

i sometimes catch myself wishing others weren’t the way they are. How often we have said to ourselves in a moment of anguish, “Gahh! i wish so-and-so was different! Why do they have to be that way?” It’s easy to … Continue reading →

Luke 10:25-35 is an interesting story of how we view other people and their needs. In the Biblical account there are 8 characters:  Jesus, who tells the story, an expert in the law, a man who made a trip to … Continue reading →

i really love the tune, Moon River. i’ve been completely taken with it since i was a child and my dad would play the Henry Mancini version on our family’s little turntable stereo. i played it over and over… there’s … Continue reading →

          Contrary to popular belief, we all really do need a mediator. We have a conflict within us between life and death and there needs to be a judge and peacemaker to help resolve our conflicted … Continue reading →

Ugh! Mammon! What a word… the more i say it the more the word feels like something very unpleasant in my mouth. The way it is used in scripture speaks of more than just money, which is what most of … Continue reading →

On a side note, it seems so much of our time is spent on things of lesser importance, sort of like the anxiety about sanctuary carpet color, knowing the 25 little-known Harry Potter facts, or maybe doing a study on … Continue reading →

             i fully believe the Lord is talking to us, one way or another, all the time. Sometimes it’s in whispers and dreams, maybe a few resonant words in the middle of a conversation or a song lyric…. other times … Continue reading →

In 2013, the Lord gave me some insight into what He had built into the morning, why daybreak was so valuable, and sunrise speaks of His glory, it became Outposts #92: “The Song Of The Morning”. i wondered at the … Continue reading →

i think servants make great leaders! If we are sitting at home studying our scripture, not moving out to where we can give away what we’ve got, what good is the work God does in our heart? What good are … Continue reading →

 God has given Jesus a crown of glory and honor and a good name, and having put everything under the feet of the Son, Jesus has dominion over all the works of His hands, including all animals, creatures, all birds … Continue reading →

i don’t know about you, but sometimes…sometimes i am just so very tired of struggling. Oh and how often it just seems my days are filled with one little struggle after another….. just tedious …. so many things in a … Continue reading →

A few years ago, in our home fellowship, a continuing topic of discussion for a while was about the attributes of God, why we need them, and how they are a life-giving imperative in the lives of all Christians everywhere … Continue reading →

Faith vs Risk Faith is the eternal optimist, risk is the eternal pessimist. Today, the word “risk” is used in everyday speech to describe the probability of loss, or maybe the likelihood of accidents of some type. Risk has everything … Continue reading →

Stewardship is a “touchy” subject …. many seem to resent any mention of money from church leadership, even though scripture does discuss it in plain words. Also, i’ve noticed, almost anytime stewardship is mentioned, among the very first thoughts in … Continue reading →

It’s a beautiful evening and i thought i’d go outside on the deck which overlooks the beautiful river below. i’m Social Porter with Cletus Iaomi and you’re listening to Outposts, cool jazz and contemplative conversation, broadcast semi-live from the deck … Continue reading →

Rainy day, dream away. There’s a casual drizzle this evening, everything is wet…. it’s an nice all day drip from the sky. It’s just been one of those days, you know, not too warm, not too cool, the wind picks … Continue reading →

God has woven the need for justice into the very fabric of creation. Like all ideals however, justice has its greatest value when it is lived out in daily life. Justice is not served only when it suits our whim, … Continue reading →

Good evening friends, this is Outposts, a semi-live broadcast from the late evening, cascading banks of the Ockluhwahhah River, where the trees gently lean over the rivers edge and every evening is pleasant. It’s a gentle establishment at the end … Continue reading →

Justice and judgment are built into the Name of the Lord. They are only two of many Holy attributes which comprise His character. In the Lord alone is the capacity to render to everyone their due with unbiased scales, i … Continue reading →

          Deuteronomy 31:8 “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” To what or whom do you turn when you’re in … Continue reading →

How is it we can do so many things God asks us to do and yet, for many, we have seemingly no clue about who He really is? i mean, we say we do, and of course we actually do … Continue reading →

Ephesians 2:1-5 “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who … Continue reading →

Psalm 37:11 “But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.” Psalm 37:34 “Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land.” Inheritance from God is a privilege, not something we … Continue reading →

After four years of a man pursuing the Lord for a vision of what He, the Lord wanted to do, it finally happened and God gave him a vision and multiple confirmation as to the new direction. So the man … Continue reading →

Time slips away everyday for all of us. As we sit under the stars on the deck of a wonderful cafe at the end of Old Field Road, time is ticking, the sun rises and sets, the days come and … Continue reading →

Proverbs 4:5 “Get wisdom! Get understanding!”, and again in 7, “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” The Lord calls us in the beginning and in the end to get from Him … Continue reading →

It’s acoustic jazz night, it being the fourth Friday of the month. Sit back, relax, let the smoky mood and soft rhythm settle into your ears. ?Can you see the vision as it’s cast in your mind? Trust God to … Continue reading →

Everyone in the world, and….i suppose every living thing in the world, is always choosing, as was mentioned in a previous program. But our ability to choose is based on our ability to discern the differences between our choices. That … Continue reading →

If i’m not mistaken the last topic was about Peacemakers, those who do more than just keep the peace, but actually step into the fray and make peace with themselves and others. There is a difference, you know, between keeping … Continue reading →

Good evening and welcome back to another, hot off the digital press, Outposts, a semi-live broadcast from the late night, cascading banks of the Ockluhwahhah River. The stars are out in full force tonight, singing glorious melodies to God …. … Continue reading →

Have you ever heard God say something to you that seemed to make no sense? And you knew it was something excellent but His words didn’t seem to connect to anything you understood? That happened to me many years ago, … Continue reading →

Persistence Calvin Coolidge said: “Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world … Continue reading →

In the late night quiet of our minds, how many of us go through the following emotional and mental back flips? Jesus said “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Yet, in our thoughts we … Continue reading →

Whew, what a week! Going here, going there. Mrs. Smith fell again but with nothing broken, unlike 7 years ago which put her needing a walker to get around, but i’d also like to add that she lives out an … Continue reading →

It would appear summer has set it’s sights on us with the break out of wild flowers, honey bees, boaters on the river, and my personal favorites, the fireflies, the crickets, and the frogs who make the evening seem surreal … Continue reading →

The church invisible “is made up of the summation of the whole, meaning everyone who belongs to God who ever was, presently is, or in the future shall be gathered into one body under Christ, who is the head.” i … Continue reading →

Standing on the deck of a ship in Puerto Rico in 1974, i looked out over the bay area of a literal paradise. It was warm, green trees, blue sky and bright sun, i can still almost smell the amazing … Continue reading →

To look at a tree as it stands in the woods, tall, majestic, alive, it isn’t very evident as to the beautiful music inside, or how would anyone know what to do with the wood or how it would be … Continue reading →

Visiting It’s the end of the week here… i trust you have walked all the way to the end of another week with a heart full of peace. If you haven’t, ask yourself, “what can i do about that?” Don’t … Continue reading →

Here at the Outposts cafe, lately, we’ve been on a tangent of discussing appetites, what are our appetites which need to come under our personal authority, and who or what governs those appetites? Of course this too could be another … Continue reading →

“Scaredy Cat”, by Carolyn Warvel, is a child’s story of a lion cub who meets Daniel in the lion’s den. God shut the mouths of the hungry lions when Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den in Daniel 6, the … Continue reading →

An astounding thing God gave me this morning during prayer was the glimpse into hearing as He hears. It took me a moment to get my bearings, i’m sure grace braced me, but how do i describe this? It was … Continue reading →

Life is often very inconvenient, sometimes for the reason that more than a few things really do take a long time, and others feel inconvenient because, well, we just have a heart full of “don’t want to wait” unless circumstances … Continue reading →

Hey. Come stand outside with me for a minute. Imagine yourself standing on the deck of a rural diner, overlooking a river. It’s seriously overcast and evening seems to have come early. Oh…it’s beginning to rain. First a few drops … Continue reading →

There are things which are worthwhile. A man spends his life walking in faith towards God. He fears God, and walks after His commandments. He makes no notable success according to the world’s rating. He is even spoken of by … Continue reading →

Home: a place of residence or refuge. For believers, home may mean not only the place we live while here on earth, the physical place as in “Home is where you hang your hat”, but Heaven, our end place with … Continue reading →

          1Cor12:7, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” Rom12:6-8, “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if ministry, … Continue reading →

Bigger Many years ago, down beyond my house near an old tobacco barn was a large spreading Mulberry tree. i never cared much for Mulberry’s but the birds were absolutely crazy over them in the season of the tree bearing … Continue reading →

          The storm is raging, i mean the ocean spray across the deck is being blown so hard it stings your skin and eyes and there is nowhere to hide from the pounding, the thunder and … Continue reading →

Lately i’ve had many things on my mind which i’ve been discussing, on and off with the Lord, like “the value of church”. Think about it, we go to a central location with other people whom we suppose are somewhat … Continue reading →

Living Like Jesus And they all sang, “i just want to be like Jesus.” It was a glorious thing to sing, and i believe everyone was truly sincere. Yet, i’m certain if we want to live like Jesus, we’ve actually … Continue reading →

  Isaiah29 uses the word “frame” in reference to the potter who shapes the clay. A little recap from Part I is that the idea of “framing of the seasons”, means God squeezed into shape & formed the seasons which … Continue reading →

The Law of Seasons Part I              We the people have the advantage of being in the position of voluntary submission to leadership, but when the transparency of leadership is clouded, and policy is made in the back room with … Continue reading →

         Isaiah 2:4-5  He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall … Continue reading →

          Ahhh, yea … it’s another of those hypnotic evenings with the sun having settled down to a rosey glow at the horizon and the clouds are parceled out across the sky, looking like the porches at the entrance to … Continue reading →

We’ve GOT to stand up. Stand up church, get to your feet and let the goodness of God loose in the world around you. Rare-back and let it fly! C’mon people, stand up church, stand up in life, stand up … Continue reading →

The Lord is offering us His Face to gaze into like a Father looks into the eyes of His children that we would see Him and He would see us. Kelly Koshatka of Denton, Texas wrote that, “God’s heart is … Continue reading →

A face, be it human, or otherwise, tells us a story, short or long. What is it about faces which seem to get in our hearts so quickly? Numbers 6:25-26 , “The LORD make His face shine upon you, And … Continue reading →

Though the thunder has rolled across the years, sometimes shaking me to the core, and lightening has struck my house a few times, though the storm has pounded in my head and outside circumstances have nearly ripped me apart, i … Continue reading →

There is none beyond the name of Jesus. He alone is the focus and end point to all our thinking and breathing. There is not another way into the presence of God but by Jesus the door. There is not … Continue reading →

My dad was a WWII veteran. He didn’t talk too much about the action he saw, but occasionally he’d let a little something out, and my brother and i were always fascinated. One little story i remember him telling about … Continue reading →

Isaiah 61:1-3, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and … Continue reading →

The gifts of the Spirit are as important to the functioning of the Body of Christ as are the fruits of the Spirit. The gifts and fruit are like the primary feathers on a dove, if you remove any of … Continue reading →

“Always expect the worst, then you’ll never be disappointed.” You ever heard that? It almost makes sense doesn’t it? Almost, but not quite, there’s something wrong with it, and most of us feel it in our bones. For me, there … Continue reading →

The counsel and exhortation of the world, even when it looks positive and encouraging, due to it’s unrelenting vacuum and void of God, eventually leads us down to the pit. With the counsel and exhortation of the Lord we gain … Continue reading →

Today, the word “risk” is used in everyday speech to describe the probability of loss, or maybe the likelihood of accidents of some type. Risk has everything to do with actions, investments, or attitudes which could result in a negative … Continue reading →

One of my favorites among unsung hero’s is found in 2 Samuel 17, when David had gathered his people and left town because his treacherous son Absalom decided to take over and was looking to take David’s life. King David … Continue reading →

We assume so, so much about everything. We assume loved ones will still be here, we assume our health will remain good, we assume others are telling the truth, we assume the gov’t will take care of us. We assume … Continue reading →

Have you ever felt the Lord was challenging your priorities, all the way from your idea of what was most important to what you think is least important? In Matt6:33, when Jesus said “seek first the kingdom of God and … Continue reading →

Joseph Ivimey in 1821commented on a section of John Bunyan’s book,  Pilgrim’s Progress written in 1678: he wrote, “Our author intimates that God sometimes communicates spiritual knowledge and heavenly joy by “dreams and visions of the night.” The Holy One … Continue reading →

As to getting your bearing, your direction, or heading…. Arriving at our bearing requires we have a reference point of some sort. How do you get a reference point so you can draw out your bearings? Everyone has ideas, but … Continue reading →

  “God’s standard of love, for the whomsoever’s, applies across the board. His directing us to address our subjective doctrines is a mercy and  kindness and reflects his heart for us to, “come up here”, come up to a higher … Continue reading →

When God’s face is in our face, and His voice is in our voice, even the least attractive of our efforts can go around the world, touching lives everywhere. You may not be a world leader, or a national leader, … Continue reading →

        There, at the end of my pencil point were letters and words, notes to myself and pictures of visions i had made to remind myself of what the Lord was saying or showing me. It was a very small … Continue reading →

i met a man who said he had a dream of going to God’s house. He said he walked through a beautiful green wood where the trees whispered goodness, and the little flowers softly trilled at him in their tiny … Continue reading →

In my dreams, i see through windows with earth eyes, but sometimes i feel as though i’m seeing thru the Eyes of God looking out the windows of Heaven. i see beauty beyond compare. Seeing as He sees, my heart … Continue reading →

i never knew that my eyes needed to be opened, until my eyes were opened. i didn’t know i was searching, yet i was searching i needed something but didn’t know what that something was until i found the most … Continue reading →

It is an odd thing these days. Everyday i am glad to walk 3 miles round trip, and everyday at the half way point, i am momentarily irritated that i have walked way out here, and now i must walk … Continue reading →

DALET: When i was young i dreamed of doors and windows of all different kinds. Dreams of doors in black and white, often in color fuzzy and clear sometimes faded, seemingly saturated, and over-pixilated. Most of the time i was … Continue reading →

In the last years there has arisen a resurgence in interest concerning the supernatural. Kids cartoons are no longer kids cartoons….watch and see for yourself….most of the “cartoons” involve superpowers being used or invoked somehow with the implication that it … Continue reading →

Without Christ in our lives, we are like once beautiful stars which are no longer part of the sky, eclipsed by the movement of time and a world which doesn’t care. Without Christ in our lives it’s as if we … Continue reading →

Be kind to yourself…..the Lord not only calls us to be kind to our neighbor, but also to ourselves. Think about it: if you had a friend who spoke to you the same way you speak to yourself, how long … Continue reading →

Jesus is the completion of redemption, and the balance of reconciliation, He has been speaking to you before you knew it was Him speaking to you. He is the One who gives us images to familiarize us with Himself. He … Continue reading →

Even in all our mundane ways, we shall know God. His whispers invite us in closer to Him, hearing with greater exactness, to not be satisfied sitting at a distance from Him….He whispers, words low to the ground which are … Continue reading →

Both “joy” and “happy” have a fire in them. Happy is a blessedness in our head, meaning it is a subjective word. Happy has to do with intent and posture, and depends on external circumstances. “Joy” also has a flame, … Continue reading →

When arrogance and pride step in the room, it’s like saying someone armed and willing to draw blood is in our company. Withing the main Hebrew word for pride is that it comes to the table weaponized and willing to … Continue reading →

10.22.2015. To be aged and elderly, from God’s perspective, paints a picture of someone who is nearing their vanishing point. “Old” as a Hebrew verb, denotes a state or condition. The word for “old age”, in the scripture of first … Continue reading →

Within the Hebrew spelling of purity, twice there occurs the idea of choice: the choice to be free or not, the choice to return or not, the choice between greatness and degradation. In the same spelling there is guaranteed redemption … Continue reading →

5.12.2015 It is the motivation of Love to lift the burden of those who hoist the white flag of surrender, and persuade those who have not yet abdicated their fortifications to come home singing the songs of returning to God. … Continue reading →

Titus 2:11-15 (NIV) “11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present … Continue reading →

“Pay more”. And we circle on the wings of guilt, paying and paying and paying. When will we have bled enough to have paid enough? If we think, through the eyes of our guilt and depression, that Christ didn’t quite … Continue reading →

We hear the world around us, even people who are hearing impaired have a sense of hearing in a way, they may interpret it differently than those of us who hear, but it is a perception of sound in some … Continue reading →

To “press hard after God” is to follow him closely, like someone who is afraid of losing sight of something very valuable, following Him in season and out, whether it’s convenient or not. To “press hard after God” means we’re … Continue reading →

Matthew 22:39, “And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself”; as read from Leviticus 19:18, “… but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” How do we love ourselves? i don’t … Continue reading →

By looking forward i mean not living hypnotized by the past, a life-style of always looking back. God had some hard things to say to Israel for pining about their past, whining about “what was” so much that it dictated … Continue reading →

In Matthew 25 there is a parable about talents (or gifts) and what three servants did with their talents. Rev. R. R. Belter wrote, “The man in Matthew 25:26 said, “I went and hid my talent in the ground,”, and … Continue reading →

Like any Father, the Lord carries real concerns for our welfare, but He does not come at us with a hurricane, storm-cloud posture of tooth gritting rage, and ground shaking judgment. His heart is for us to stop hiding, to … Continue reading →

A friend of mine won the West coast 500 Pro Class Motocross many years ago so he seemed like a good candidate for a deeper discussion of faith and risk. In our discussion of the topic at hand, along with … Continue reading →

Faith is the opposite of fear. Hope is the forerunner of faith. When we find faith we can believe hope was there first. Hope generates a vision of transformation. Hope is the expectation of becoming and overcoming, and every believer … Continue reading →

Jonathan Edwards wrote of Heaven: “No inhabitants of that blessed world will ever be grieved with the thought that they are slighted by those whom they love, or that their love is not fully and fondly returned …. There shall … Continue reading →

There are many, many stories and characters in the Bible at crossroads – places of decision. Joel 3:14 speaks of the sea of mankind who are in a difficult place, desperately in need of a decision, “Multitudes, multitudes in the … Continue reading →

Hey…..listen, before you plant those seeds, consider (ponder to resolve) carefully if it is going to be a harvest you’re willing for? Really? There is no such thing as an “unsend” button for email, there is no such thing as … Continue reading →

In our lives, at every crossroad, at every intersection where we must choose either the Lord or the world, the potential for divine intervention is astounding. In the Hebrew word for “purity” the letters themselves carry the idea of choosing, … Continue reading →

When i was growing up my sister had an old Brownie camera, and then one Christmas she got a Polaroid. You know, the one which, after you take a picture, it slides out the film that develops right in front … Continue reading →

His name is Jesus. He is the tree planted in living water, He is the one who yields fruit in season and out and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does … prospers. Can there be any seed God … Continue reading →

According to God, accomplishment is not good character, accomplishment does not make us “a good person”. Being measurably productive does not constitute high character or being “a good person”. It is not in how many houses we build, how many … Continue reading →

Sometimes i feel like this dance we do with God is like a giant waltz, three feet off the ground and it’s a clear, starry sky’d night….stepping and spinning with the Lord, His eyes looking courage into us to follow … Continue reading →

Pretense. People seem to love, i say, love personal titles. We love qualifiers and titles which, hopefully, cause the world around us to highly esteem us and think we are worthy of being listened to – maybe even so we … Continue reading →

Romans 1:18-21, “For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it … Continue reading →

Inspirations for the daily life…may you be uplifted and filled with the peace and comfort from the Lord Jesus always.

Let us retire from self-care … self-medicating, self-satisfying, self-indulgent, self-navigating, self-determining, self-promoting, self-declaring, self-righteousness, etc. These are the kind of things we “die” to ourselves about, for as long as we wear flesh and there is a devil, there are … Continue reading →