Faith — Warrior of The Presence

Worry? It’s Not Even about What We Think We Really Want! Oct 26, 2023 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that…

The Crisis Questions of Our Faith Jan 9, 2023 Have you ever had a crisis in your life in which you deliberately, earnestly, and recklessly abandoned everything? It is a crisis of the will. You may come to that point many times externally, but it…

A Warrior’s Crisis at Christmas Dec 27, 2020 Hold my faith for me! I cannot grasp it right now!~ An African mother in travail of childbirth, to her attendants. “I have cut off nations;their battlements are in ruins;I have laid waste their streetsso that…

Simeon-Sized Faith Feb 15, 2020 Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand.~ Augustine of Hippo (354-430) “Oh, that the words I now speak were written! Oh, that…

Faithful Wanderers Jan 1, 2019 No matter how much we may study, it is not possible to come to know God unless we live according to His commandments, for God is not know by science, but by the Holy Spirit. Many…

Spent unto Strength Sep 14, 2018 Heaven is not a resting place, where men may sleep out an eternity; there they rest not day nor night, but their work is their rest and continual recreation, and toil and weariness have no place…

Creative Tension: Knowing Feelings from Thought Apr 23, 2018 Never can father or mother embrace their child, nor any person embrace another with so much love as God Almighty embraces the rational soul. ~Angela of Foligno (c. 1248-1309) As a deer pants for flowing streams,…

Whistling in The Dark: Too Much Trust Is Not Possible with G_d Feb 26, 2018 Temptations come so that hidden passions may be revealed and so that it will be possible to fight them, and so that the soul may be rid of them. They are also a sign of God’s…

Oh Billy! Thanks for The Memories Feb 25, 2018 Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion – it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ…. The cross shows us the seriousness of our sin—but it…

The Future: Calling The Ball Feb 23, 2018 One person walking with God is in the majority. ~Graham Cooke For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of…

Consecration: No Hedging Our Bets Feb 22, 2018 With complete consecration comes perfect peace. ~Watchman Nee So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along…

Heaviness Before Lightness Feb 19, 2018 Depend upon it, if you are bent on prayer, the devil will not leave you alone. He will molest you, tantalize you, block you, and will surely find some hindrances, big or little or both. And…

You Are A King, You Know Jan 22, 2018 The truth that we are kings and queens in Christ is not some idea conjured up to boost our self-esteem but a present reality that we will enjoy in its fullness at the resurrection of the…

Battle-Softened Warrior Aug 18, 2017 …I thank Thee that Thou art risen from the dead, that at this very moment Thou dost indwell me in the person and power of Thy divine Spirit; that Thou hast never expected of me anything…

Just Passing Through Aug 17, 2017 The immutability of God appears in its most perfect beauty when viewed against the mutability of men. In God no change is possible; in men change is impossible to escape. Neither the man is fixed nor…

Fighting The Unbelief within Us Aug 14, 2017 When my sense of self depends on what others say of me, anger is a quite natural reaction to a critical word. And when my sense of self depends on what I can acquire, greed flares…

The Only Power to Change: Goodness And Kindness Aug 13, 2017 Like faith and hope, trust cannot be self-generated. I cannot simply will myself to trust. What outrageous irony: the one thing that I am responsible for throughout my life I cannot generate. The one thing I…

Our Fear of His Healing Mar 28, 2017 It would be hard to believe God too much: it is dreadfully common to believe him too little. ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to…

Dance Like Nobody Is Watching Mar 19, 2017 “Way! Way! Way!” came the voice. “Way for the White Barbarian King, the guest of the Tisroc (may he live forever)! Way for the Narnian lords.”. . . It was quite unlike any other party they…

Anxiety: Put it Down Child Mar 6, 2017 God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things which should be changed, and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other. Living one day…

Eternally Done: The Nature of Our Salvation Feb 17, 2017 So, are you worried about whether G_d has changed His mind about you? Or, are you concerned about the pressing circumstances of life? He hasn’t, and the circumstances (though real) are hardly overwhelming in light of…

Misdirected Fear Jan 29, 2017 Listen to no man who fails to listen to God. ~ Unknown I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am…

Discipline: Wider Bore And Deeper Stroke Jan 12, 2017 To endure is greater than to dare; to tire out hostile fortune; to be daunted by no difficulty; to keep heart when all have lost it; to go through intrigue spotless; to forego even ambition when…

God Heals Because of Who He Is Jan 9, 2017 Faith means being grasped by a power that is greater than we are, a power that shakes us and turns us, and transforms and heals us. Surrender to this power is faith. ~Paul Johannes Oskar Tillich…

The Weather Outside Is Frightful Dec 27, 2016 The first thing that Jesus promises is suffering: “I tell you… you will be weeping and wailing… and you will be sorrowful.” But he calls these pains birth pains. And so, what seems a hindrance becomes…

The Tearing Away of The Old Man Dec 18, 2016 “You will have to let me undress you,” says Aslan the Lion… So desperate was Eustace, even his fear of Aslan’s claws was not enough to stop him from laying down flat on his back. Laying…

The Poverty of Sin vs. Stronghold of His Presence Dec 17, 2016 What if the biggest problem in America is not drugs, or pornography, or abortion, or poverty, or low education, or terrorism, or crime? What if the biggest problem in America is simply the lack of goodness?…

Wobbly Warrior Nov 20, 2016 Henri Nouwen wrote of the spiritual work of gratitude: To be grateful for the good things that happen in our lives is easy, but to be grateful for all of our lives—the good as well as…

Temptation’s Great Lie Nov 5, 2016 He must have iron nails that scratches a bear. ~Russian Proverb Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God…

Living An Ascended Lifestyle Oct 28, 2016 Worldy people imagine that the saints must find it difficult to live with so many restrictions, but the bondage is with the world, not with the saints. There is no such thing as freedom in the…

Understanding Our Confession of The Trinity Oct 9, 2016 In Christianity God is not a static thing—not even a person—but a dynamic, pulsating activity, a life, almost a kind of drama. Almost, if you will not think me irreverent, a kind of dance. The union…

Buffeted into Belief Sep 7, 2016 matters because of what he brought and what he still brings to ordinary human beings, living their ordinary lives and coping daily with their surroundings. He promises wholeness for their lives. In sharing our weaknesses he…

Co-heirs, Co-sufferers, Co-glorified Aug 30, 2016 Co-heirs—co-sufferers—co-glorified with Christ—that is really the word here. We are side by side with Christ. We are sons of God, even as He is the Son of God—not in His eternal Sonship, but in the place…

Part 1 of 2: Time to Let Go: Wreckless Abandon Jul 3, 2016 The great word of Jesus to His disciples is Abandon. When God has brought us into the relationship of disciples, we have to venture on His word; trust entirely to Him and watch that when He…

Losing Our Mind to Gain His Jun 22, 2016 Conversion is a deep work—a heart work. It goes throughout the man, throughout the mind, throughout the members, throughout the entire life.~Joseph Alleine (1634-1663)Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way…

Just Doin’ My Job Jun 19, 2016 Really great men have a curious feeling that the greatness is not in them but through them.~John Ruskin (1819-1900)The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith like…

Relentless Battles for The Believer Jun 13, 2016 I shall not fear the battleIf thou art by my side,Nor wander from the pathwayIf thou wilt be my guide.~John E. BodeThe Lord your God Himself will go over before you. He will destroy these nations…

Fruit Under Pressure May 31, 2016 Fascist architecture of my own design, too long been keeping my love confined, You tore me out of myself alive… Those fingers drawing out blood like sweat, while the magnificent facades crumble and burn. The billion…

112 – Real Time Prophesy Apr 29, 2016 It is easy to say we believe in God as long as we remain in the little world we choose to live in; but get out into the great world of facts, the noisy world where…

Utterly Convinced Apr 27, 2016 Speculations? I have none. I am resting certainties. I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which have committed unto him against that day.~ Michael Faraday Therefore do…

UltraFaith Apr 25, 2016 Faith: The ability God gives us to look through the crashing waves and straight into His wonderful eyes. Additionally, this faith is an inner buoyancy growing into something that enables us to believe and engage the…

Digging A New Well Apr 10, 2016 Trust involves letting go and knowing God will catch you.James C. Dobson (1936- )And Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. The Lord blessed him, and the man became rich,…

Swing for The Fence Feb 10, 2016 I shall not fear the battleIf Thou art by my side,Nor wander from the pathwayIf Thou wilt be my guide.~John E. Bode I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God,…

Married to Another – Forever Feb 6, 2016 To please God… to be a real ingredient in the divine happiness… to be loved by God, not merely pitied, but delighted in as an artist delights in his work or a father in a son-…

Utterly, Completely Done Jan 23, 2016 Hope knows that if great trials are avoided great deeds remain undone and the possibility of growth into greatness of soul is aborted.~ Brennan Manning It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is…

Without Context, Faith Falters Jan 1, 2016 “Whatever past achievements might bring us honor, whatever past disgraces might make us blush, all have been crucified with Christ and exist no more except in the deep recesses of eternity, where “good is enhanced into…

Stack Overflow Stress: A Re-post on Change Management Oct 28, 2015 To lie down in the time of grief, to be quiet under the stroke of adverse fortune, implies a great strength. But I know of something that implies a strength greater still. It is the power…

Re-Entry Sep 7, 2015 A re-post as this writer goes into his third cultural transition in a little over three years… We contradict the Lord to his face when we say: It is hard, it is difficult; we cannot, we…

Fools in Exile Aug 23, 2015 Our Life in Christ. It’s not an easy thing to grasp. Maybe you understand it only by living it. And maybe Augustine was right on the money when he wrote: ‘Give me someone who loves and…

Wobbly-Hearted Courage Aug 12, 2015 Hold my faith for me! I cannot grasp it right now!~ An African mother in travail of childbirth, to her attendants. The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, calling two of…

His Heart Aug 12, 2015 Hold my faith for me! I cannot grasp it right now.~ An African mother in travail of childbirth, to her attendants. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek…

Sitting on Go – Again Aug 8, 2015 The greatest proof of Christianity for others is not how far a man can logically analyze his reasons for believing, but how far in practice he will stake his life on his belief.~ T. S. Eliot…

Full-Throttle Faith Aug 6, 2015 We’re going in full throttle. That ought to keep those fighters off our back. – Right with you Boss!~ Wedge to Luke Skywalker, in Star Wars, Episode IV All the men of Israel, when they saw…

Eternally Adored Jul 28, 2015 Nothing lasts here. Storms come, people die, hearts break and sin abounds. And two weeks (or two years) is not enough to kill the pain. Nothing is able to meet our heart’s most desperate desire for…

Out of The Muck May 25, 2015 Jesus is the foundation of my whole life. He is my strength. If you have Jesus in your life, you know it, you feel it. He’s the solid rock you can stand on every day. There’s…

When Dreams Come True May 14, 2015 Our heart oft times wakes when we sleep, and God can speak to that, either by words, by proverbs, by signs and similitudes, as well as if one was awake.~John Bunyan (1628-1688) I want to be…

The Certainty of G_d’s Love Apr 30, 2015 It is not certain that everything is uncertain.~ Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)We start to see that His mind is really amazing; that the idea of God being smarter than us is not a matter of degree. He…

Faith: Flying Fast And Blind Mar 24, 2015 Absolute surrender requires that one abandon the right to know the specific will of G_d. There are moments of abject waiting on Him.~ Makala Barnabas Doulos “Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, And looks to God…

Deeper Than We Know Mar 11, 2015 The gospel is absurd and the life of Jesus is meaningless unless we believe that He lived, died, and rose again with but one purpose in mind: to make brand-new creation. Not to make people with…

Aiming for Eternity Mar 9, 2015 As the mother’s womb holds us for nine months, making us ready, not for the womb itself, but for life, just so, through our lives, we are making ourselves ready for another birth…. Therefore, look forward…

Warrior Living Feb 23, 2015 The certainty that he who went through death, who restored the connection between nature and the spiritual world, changes death to win a triumph, a triumph that is; awaiting us like the warrior who is going…

Tough Faith in A Tough Jesus Feb 22, 2015 Faith is blind—except upward. It is blind to impossibilities and deaf to doubt. It listens only to God.~Samuel Dickey Gordon (1859-1936) And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling…

To Stand And Not Be Moved Feb 9, 2015 So let it be in God’s own might We gird us for the coming fight, And, strong in him whose cause is ours, In conflict with unholy powers, We grasp the weapons he has given, The…

Faith Requires Disbelief Feb 5, 2015 We need to fearlessly step out and activate His promises. It is intimacy that gives us the grace and strength we need to push through suffering, pain, and inconvenience.~Heidi Baker My son, do not forget my…

Overload Feb 3, 2015 From a couple years ago…. Drop thy still dews of quietness,Till all our strivings cease;Take from our souls the strain and stress,And let our ordered lives confessThe beauty of thy peace.~John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892)for “‘In Him…

Beyond Care: Perfect Faith Jan 29, 2015 I will never forget the day I realized that both God and the devil wanted me to die but for different reasons. Satan wanted to destroy me through slander while God wanted to use these same…

Standing Against All The Attacks of The Enemy Dec 19, 2014 The devil wrestles with God, and the field of battle is the human heart.~Fyodor Mikhaylovich Dostoyevski (1821-1881)Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ~ from 2 Timothy 2The Lord will rescue me from…

Just One Moment in Battle: Instant Failure Nov 27, 2014 And all is well, tho faith and form Be sundered in the night of fear; Well roars the storm to those that hear A deeper voice across the storm. ~Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–1892) above all, taking…

Big Faith Nov 25, 2014 Little faith will bring your soul to heaven; great faith will bring heaven to your soul.~Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a…

Dust in The Wind: The Futility of Ministry Nov 6, 2014 And all your money, won’t another minute buy.~ Kansas, Dust in The Wind We live less than the time it takes to blink an eye, if we measure our lives against eternity…. I learned a long…

Crushed for His glory – Are We Good with That? Oct 31, 2014 God may crush us for His glory – are we willing? Do we actually trust His economy? If not, there is still a problem. ~Makala Barnabas Doulos The power of God is that ability and strength…

Fools Rush in Where Angels Fear to Tread Sep 4, 2014 Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.~Alexander Pope (1688-1744)And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every…

Egypt and Victory Today Sep 2, 2014 Recently had a student approach this teacher and ask a few questions…Deuteronomy 31:8 says: “He is the LORD that goes before you, He will be with you, He will not fail you, He will not forsake…

Life on A Very Narrow Way Aug 3, 2014 Consecration is the narrow, lonely way to overflowing love. We are not called upon to live long on this planet, but we are called upon to be holy at any and every cost. If obedience costs…

When History Drops onto Our Shoulders Jul 11, 2014 God of our life, there are days when the burdens we carry chafe our shoulders and weigh us down; when the road seems dreary and endless, the skies grey and threatening; when our lives have no…

Faith: Walking The Path Apr 1, 2014 Dark as my path may seem to others, I carry a magic light in my heart. Faith, the spiritual strong searchlight, illumines the way, and although sinister doubts lurk in the shadow, I walk unafraid toward…

Just Like Jesus Jan 28, 2014 Look in, and see Christ’s chosen saint In triumph wear his Christlike chain; No fear lest he should swerve or faint; His life is Christ, his death is gain.~John Keble (1792-1866)My God, My God, why have…

How The Mighty Fall Jan 27, 2014 The Crucifixion, however else we may interpret it, accuses human nature, accuses all of us in the very things that we think are our righteousness…. Our attitude to the Crucifixion must be that of self-identification with…

The Experience of Knowledge Jan 21, 2014 He who has not believed will not experience, and he who has not experienced will not understand; for just as experiencing a thing is better than hearing about it, so knowledge that stems from experience outweighs…

Growing An Enormous Faith in An Even Bigger God Dec 18, 2013 Faith and sight are set in opposition to each other in Scripture, but not faith and reason…. True faith is essentially reasonable because it trusts in the character and the promises of God. A believing Christian…

Pain: The Universal Solvent Dec 4, 2013 We are immortals dreaming the terrible dream of mere mortality. ~Peter Kreeft Any reader who has visited here more than a few times has probably picked up on the fact that this writer is an irredeemable…

Bringing Belief to The Stillness of Knowledge Nov 18, 2013 He that is made in the image of God must know him or be desolate.~George Macdonald (1824-1905)For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom,…

Always Time to Pray Nov 12, 2013 The potency of prayer has subdued the strength of fire; it has bridled the rage of lions,; hushed anarchy to rest,; extinguished wars; appeased the elements, expelled demons, burst the chains of death, expanded the gates…

Going Over The Edge Oct 20, 2013 From a writer who simply told G_d: “Just do whatever you gotta do.”Simply having good theology, without willingness to obey, is like putting a case of oil in the trunk of our car and calling it…

Redemption And Lift Oct 13, 2013 You have much to learn…. Life will not be long enough to learn all, but you are gaining that Spirit-Vision which replaces the eyes of your mortal body when you enter into a life of fuller…

HyperJoy Sep 7, 2013 True joy is not a thing of moods, not a capricious emotion, tied to fluctuating experiences. It is a state and condition of the soul. It survives through pain and sorrow and, like a subterranean spring,…

Freed by The Anchor of Our Soul Aug 14, 2013 Oh G_d, i’ve let you down so many times. And He says, you can’t let me down because you don’t hold Me up. Neither did you hold Me on the cross. My Love and Righteousness held…

One Year with Princess Sarah Jun 6, 2013 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but…

Dead Reckoning May 8, 2013 This act of surrender and this reckoning of faith are recognized in the New Testament as marking a very definite crisis in the spiritual life. It does not mean that we are expected to be going…

Fear Is An Option May 1, 2013 The wicked is a coward, and is afraid of everything; of God, because he is his enemy; of Satan, because he is his tormentor; of God’s creatures, because they, joining with their Maker, fight against him;…

Straight to The Bottom Line Apr 29, 2013 Banquet your faith upon God’s own word, and whatever your fears or wants, repair to the Bank of Faith with your Father’s note of hand, saying, “Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast…

A Night in The Light – A True Story Apr 2, 2013 Dark as my path may seem to others, I carry a magic light in my heart. Faith, the spiritual strong searchlight, illumines the way, and although sinister doubts lurk in the shadow, I walk unafraid toward…

The Currency of Relationship Mar 19, 2013 Faith is a reasoning trust, a trust which reckons thoughtfully and confidently upon the trustworthiness of God.John R. W. Stott (1921- )Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are…

The Catalyst of His Grace… Faith Mar 4, 2013 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. יְהֹוָה Faith is not some weak and pitiful emotion, but is strong and vigorous confidence built on the fact that God…

Outside The Box Jan 26, 2013 It is not certain that everything is uncertain.~ Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) We start to see that His mind is really amazing; that the idea of God being smarter than us is not a matter of degree.…

Earnestly Contending Oct 25, 2012 Time’s glory is to calm contending kings,To unmask falsehood and bring truth to light,To stamp the seal of time in aged things,To wake the morn and sentinel the night,To wrong the wronger till he render right,To…

Who Defies? Sep 24, 2012 “Oh, it’s just you.” ~ Smith Wigglesworth, upon having a confrontation with the devil in his living room. (Smith turned around and went to bed.)For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies…

Resting on The Launchpad Jun 6, 2012 “Let’s light this candle!”~ Alan Shepard (Waiting inside his Mercury capsule for the command that would start the countdown and make him the first American in space) And without faith it is impossible to please Him,…

He Brings It To Pass May 24, 2012 A Re-Post on Listening to G_d.But what I would like to say is that the spiritual life is a life in which you gradually learn to listen to a voice that says something else, that says,…

Buddies May 9, 2012 The wicked is a coward, and is afraid of everything; of God, because he is his enemy; of Satan, because he is his tormentor; of God’s creatures, because they, joining with their Maker, fight against him;…

The Healing Disconnect Feb 10, 2012 Those who are the happiest are not necessarily those for whom life has been easiest. Emotional stability is an attitude. It is refusing to yield to depression and fear, even when black clouds float overhead. ~…

No Shortcuts Available Jan 31, 2012 Updated post on Endurance… Patient endurance is the perfection of charity.~Saint Ambrose (c. 340-397)You will not stroll into Christlikeness with your hands in your pockets, shoving the door open with a careless shoulder. This is no…

The Final Push towards The Upward Call Jan 23, 2012 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8 Oh man, is earthly life short. Oh my, eternity is forever. There is a woman i know. She is…

strength’s Strength Dec 20, 2011 Bloody nose and burning eyesRaised in laughter to the skiesI’ve been in trouble but I’m okBeen through the wringer but I’m okWalls are falling and I’m okUnder the mercy and I’m ok ~ Bruce Cockburn, Fascist…

Faith’s Flow Dec 3, 2011 Faith instructs us in the depths of God. Faith stands above any human system, no matter how valid; it is concerned with the revealed data, with that glory which cannot be named by any human name,…

Don’t Block The Flow Jul 30, 2011 As for that which is beyond your strength, be absolutely certain that our Lord loves you, devotedly and individually, loves you just as you are. . . . Accustom yourself to the wonderful thought that God…