Upside Down

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On the road to Emmaus two fellows entered fellowship with God.
'Did not our hearts burn within us...'
These fellows of the fellowship of the upper room journeyed:
Sorrow? Fear? Is it over? Dead!
Joy? Courage? Just begun? Alive!
Turn the world upside down.
He turns hearts upside down.
The work is finished, but just begun. 

Follower of Jesus, non-conformist, preacher, poet, blogger, graduate of Highland Theological College, Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Friend, Learning Assistant (ASN) Outdoors. Late diagnosed Autistic.

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This Weeks Top of the Posts

The souls conflict and deliverance

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"Objection [To quieting the spirit in the soul's conflicts].  But I have often relapsed and fallen into the same sin again and again. Answer.  If Christ will have us pardon our brother seventy-seven times, can we think that he will enjoin us more than he will be ready to do himself, when in cases of showing mercy he would have us think his thoughts to be far above ours?" (From: The Soul's Conflict With Itself - Richard Sibbes) There is a worship song that has a line ' 1000 times I fail yet your mercy remains .' Of course like Paul we must ask: "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" (Romans 6:1,2) However, note that being a Christian does not suddenly mean we are completely perfect and won't make any mistakes along the way. Paul also admits: “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do
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Essential

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Written in the depth of the Pandemic: "I am essential!"    The preacher roars in his hundred dollar suit.  His hundreds strong holy huddle of pew warmers burst into an applause of rapture as they prepare for the second offering.  The TV channel switches to pre-recorded "Tele-Evangelist mode".  The cheers echoe through the giant money making machine.  Like an idol his image flashes across giant screens in the auditorium.    As he speaks he suddenly remembers his brother across town.    In an old tin tabernacle the gentle shepherd speaks to his flock.  "I am not essential... Except the Lord builds the house the builders build in vain."  He says this while ministering in a soup kitchen as he serves the needy.  Later that day he plans to do food drops and work in a care home.  At evening prayers his prayer would be as he helped refugees at the docks and prisoners in the cells.  Then at night he would minister on the streets as a practical pastor to the needy a
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Spurgeon for Peace!

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"If there is anyone who should be opposed to strife and bloodshed it is the man that names the name of Christ. Spurgeon considered the spirit of war to be absolutely foreign to the spirit of Christianity…. Modern conservative, fundamentalist, and evangelical Christians, all of whom might claim him as one of their own, have much to learn from Spurgeon, not only for his example of an uncompromising and successful Christian minister, but also for his consistent opposition to war and Christian war fever." - Laurence M. Vance  “We are up to the hilt advocates for peace, and we earnestly war against war. I wish that Christian men would insist more and more on the unrighteousness of war, believing that Christianity means no sword, no cannon, no bloodshed, and that, if a nation is driven to fight in its own defence, Christianity stands by to weep and to intervene as soon as possible, and not to join in the cruel shouts which celebrate an enemy’s slaughter. . . . Today, then, my bret
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Martin Luther King Jr Day 2024 - We Shall Overcome

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"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." - John 16:33 Sometimes I despair. I find it so hard to find hope. Shall violent Godless rulers and terrorist/revolutionaries hold our world to ransom forever? Shall poverty and disease be left unchecked in this age of advanced everything? Shall life always be a struggle? Thankfully whatever happens if we follow Jesus we know He has overcome the world and we shall be overcomers! Martin Luther King Jr seems to have referenced this wonderful hymn numerous times in his ministry. It links nicely to our text: We Shall Overcome  We shall overcome, we shall overcome, we shall overcome someday! Refrain: Oh, deep in my heart I do believe we shall overcome someday! We’ll walk hand in hand … some day! We shall live in peace … some day! We are not afraid … today! God will see us through … today! (The hymn is Public Domain - via Hy
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Suffering

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Who has all answers?  The faithful answer is that  I just don't know?  Free Will and The Light All pilgrims suffer daily Worship God anyway Not a twisted king   Absolute power hungry Micro managing  Free will is our choice Humans, angels, and demons Creatures and nature  Yes, troubles will come  Not all use free will for good   Lasting negatives World variables  There are good things and bad War: light and darkness Troubles since the Fall Freely, wilfully humans sin Treking east of Eden It's not all judgement Who sinned, man or parents? Born blind for His work Tool of redemption  Not suffering judgement  Jesus eye opener  Light of the world Miraculously heals a man.  Was blind, but now I see. Who has all answers?  The faithful answer is that  Only He surely does *** This poem is based on the following article that I wrote: I don't have all the answers. In fact, the truly faithful answer to some questions is "I just don't know," and that is the faithful answer.
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Coronation Day Blog Post: May We Lead A Quiet Peaceable Life

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I'm not a royalist, but I do desire that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life. So yes, God save the King, his subjects, allies, and enemies. God save the collective kingdoms of earth. Let them be engulfed by a new and more peaceable kingdom. Whose King came meek and lowly, and is now crowned King of Kings and Lord of Lords. "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."  (1 Timothy 2:1-4 KJV) ~ Pax Et Bonum ~
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Collateral Damage

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You are someones baby, someones child; But they call you collateral damage. You are someones son, someones daughter; But they call you collateral damage. You are someones brother, someones sister; But they call you collateral damage. You are someones father, someones mother; But they call you collateral damage. They call you collateral damage. For they know not what spirit they are of. 
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Some Thoughts on The Miraculous

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I was given a challenge to look at scripture, not through the eyes of a cessationist (someone who feels the supernatural gifts were only for biblical times), but as someone who thinks the Holy Spirit is still active in that area today. So after reading some scriptures in this way I discovered three things - Suffering is expected. I am not a cessationist. It is OK to ask why. This is the notes from a presentation I was asked to give on that very topic: IT IS OK TO ASK WHY Never stop asking. Rebekah, Moses, Israel, Gideon, Naomi, Nehemiah, Job, The Psalmists, David, Asaph, Heman, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Habakkuk, The Disciples and Jesus all asked why. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" SUFFERING IS EXPECTED  Smooth seas do not make skilful sailors. Equally true is that faith anchors the soul. If we get that miracle or not, it is up to God. Our job is to be faithful in the little things. God dispenses miracles as He sees fit for His own glorious purposes. Sometimes miracles
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