Runnin Wild!

For some time now I've been chewing on this verse

Proverbs 29:18 "Where there is no vision, the people perish....."

For so long I read this verse and with the onset of the “mega church gurus”, believed in order to be a good leader, Father, husband, Pastor etc it was about designing and dreaming big dreams, then making them a reality, “Vision Casting.” I even have a plaque that says "Lead with Vision"! It all had to be generated by me! I thought it was about getting people to see the dreams I developed, especially of a church or church program. While there is truth in this partially, I've only recently discovered the root and more accurate truth of the verse. I would be the first to say it's not about church programs and getting people to see and attend, but it is about getting people to see and hear clearly God and his plans, for their lives and His kingdom.

Let me show you what I mean. The verse is literally talking about prophets having visions from God! This was a manner God often used to reveal his mind and plan to the prophets. So, where there is no revelation from God, where God is not communicating to people or being communicated with, people looking for answers to their appetites, drives and needs, end up perishing! Literally (again) casting off restraint and running wild resulting in death, like a train throwing away its tracks, out of control.

So, no revelation from God means; no direction or understanding and everything is up for grabs, relationships, sex, lying, cheating, stealing, hatred, gossip. You name it! Nothing is off limits! I, not hearing Gods voice declaring truth, cast off restraint running to my death, as I try and satisfy every appetite I have, my own way, looking to everything under the sun.
So here is where it has been taking me. My own need to hear God daily in the voice of the scripture, my families need for the same, and even more, the glaring commentary on why many people I love have experienced the casting off of restraint, and it's resulting heartache. They have not heard, do not hear, the voice of God. I share this to challenge, beg, implore you; do not shut out His voice, seek his revelation or you will, in your pursuit of life and the feeding of your desires, destroy your life. Your pursuits will be empty and you will DIE!

"Come on Home"

The wood siding is warn and faded but still solid. The double front door with the matching screens hung with well oiled springs cause a familiar bang of wood and metal adding a low but unmistakable harmony to the their melody. There are no words to their song but they sing their message clear and loud: “Come on in …You’re home!” The thick and pungent smell of wood smoke hangs over the entrance embracing you like the stout but loving arms of your grandpa. Real or imaginary they hold you with the security most long for but find so evasive. You find yourself drawn, compelled, to place your feet on those well worn grooves, in steps where countless others have done the same pulling you up the porch past the swing and rocker through those doors and into a world that feels as warm and safe as the pile of grandma’s quilts you lay under on a clear cold morning, the smell of breakfast: eggs, bacon, pancakes, and coffee warming you inside while the quilts snuggle you as tightly as one of your grandma’s hugs. “You’re Home …Stay.”

The world outside melts away like snow in the warmth of spring and your cares trickle off your back like the small rivers such a scene creates. Inside you find all manner of things to occupy your time and attention from the smell of the pantry with all the food stores, to the treasures in the room under the stairs complete with candy, gum and the aroma of pipe tobacco. It is a carefree kingdom a place where problems are adventures; dragons to be slain, and the sound of the family carries the ring of “Excalibur” fending of all who would assail you. “You’re home …Rest.”

In the living room you find yourself under the strange anesthetic of the wood stove complete with water pan on top as makeshift humidifier. The chair you’re in clings to you issuing its challenge; “I dare you to move!” You cannot, you don’t want to. Your eyes grow heavy drugged by the heat of the stove almost unbearable. It works its magic and caresses your senses. Life becomes dreamy as you drift into the arms of peace there is no desire to wake. Nothing is pressing you, time has ceased. It is like the lullaby of a long car ride you never want to end as it rocks you gently only to be interrupted late in the night as your dad carries you to the warmth of your bed. The chair feels as secure as both. “Your home …Don’t worry.”

You search the recesses of your memories and try to locate the last time you felt like this; The snow storm, it completely shut everything down and the world stopped at least for a time, that had helped, but there was something else. As you close your eyes and drift off full of comfort like a big Sunday meal your mind is flooded with the faces of those who have and do, challenge, encourage, and hold you with a love unbreakable that finds it’s source in an unchanging uncompromising standard that is the “same, yesterday, today and forever” it is divine. “You’re home ….they are here.” They are after all, “home”. Some are blood, some are friends, some are memories having left us either by distance or death but they, by a standard so divine, so patient, full of joy, peace and truth are our “home”. Come on in maybe you’ll find it familiar or maybe for the first time you too will be home.

What's in your field?

A farmer went to the field excited to eat the fruit of his labor at harvest. To his dismay expecting a feast of corn, beans, potatoes, peas, and carrots, he found only thistle, crab grass, and dandelions. He sat on a pile of rocks and bowed his head in sorrow not really understanding what had happened. A friend passing by on his way home noticed the farmer and his sad state. "What is wrong my friend said the man to the farmer?" With a quiver in his voice and a tear on his cheek, the Farmer told him of his hopes and their demise. The Friend in innocence said; “how could this be, certainly you planted the desires of your heart so you could eat well didn't you?” Beginning to answer the farmer stopped short and in great turmoil remained silent. Then slowly deliberately he spoke; “It was my intent in the beginning to plant all those good things. My harvest does not lie for intents do not grow you see by my field what went into my ground and the fruit it has yielded.” The farmer went away empty and sad. The friend went away much wiser, determined to make sure his planted seed was good. As I look on the landscape of my garden the concern for a "good" yield lays heavy on my heart. My sons your lives are my garden and your actions the yield of my seed. It is up to you to work your land now for a good harvest in future generations.

here you go

It appears someone reads this after all! As I said before give me some idea what you think might happen. You might get to direct the story line or maybe you are the story line!

The Immortals; continued part V

That evening, in the shadows of the bleachers “he” moved quietly watching the team. Mike new something was up but was able to keep his mind and heart moving with the constant attention of his friends and the group of “ladies” he found himself in,

The door opened and “he” was greeted warmly. The well lit room revealed several students chatting and laughing though showing purpose in their meeting. “Hey” Scott, responded one of the group. “He” nodded a hello as he moved toward a lone figure standing by some refreshments. Hey man what’s up? Dave looked up at Scott and Scott leaned over and quietly responded to Dave. Dave’s look while revealing didn’t tell the whole story but when both He and Scott moved toward the door instead of joining the group at the table they all knew something was up. Dave the leader of the group as identified not by position but by activity was the oldest and most would admit one of the most passionate about morphing. It had been Dave that had taught so many how to take note of those who were well on their way to morphing. Tall, athletic and winsome he commanded people’s attention easily. Rumor had it he was one of the first to morph in the school in a long time. Tales of his prowess and immortality still lingered on the lips of those who longed to achieve not just immortality but notoriety in the inner circle, something the team was well on the way to doing themselves. To hear people talk you’d think the only thing that could have taken this guy down, would have been kryptonite. To look at him now one could only imagine, good looking as he was there was none of the swagger of the immortals and never did he speak about the feats of the immortals with any hint of envy or marvel. In fact it was just the opposite he would often upon hearing the tales of their recent events reveal a look of deep pain and sorrow. Dave unlike the immortals was genuinely concerned with those around him. You could see it in all his relationships especially with Scott.

Scott now there was one for the books. He had been the rising star in the circle of the immortals. Every one knew he would be legendary and renowned, until the day he met Dave. Even as an immortal Scott seemed drawn to Dave which is unheard of, once someone morph’s it’s as if they no longer exist. In the eyes of the immortals they are simply gone. In fact when you’re in their company it’s as if they look right through you; you’re just not there. That is what was so weird about Scott it was like from the first day Dave was even near Scott, Scott had not just noticed him, but taken no small bit of harassment for having left some of the antics of the “team” in order to talk with Dave. You have to understand those things just do not happen!

Scott and Dave turned to the group as they exited the room and said it’s time. We think tonight could be the night. The group murmured their agreement and the pair left headed to the party after the game and Mike.

“He”, Scott hadn’t been the only one watching Mike. Several meant to keep the way of the immortals going and protect people from the horrors of morphing were headed to the same place vowing to do whatever it took to spare Mike the pain of becoming mortal and losing all he (they)had and would gain.

More to come

It just might be possible that you're waiting for the next installment ......I'm working on it! the others had been done for a long time with the rest still ramblin around in my brain. O the basic outline is done just gotta fill it in so be paitent! in the mean time tell me what you think might be happening and lets see if you're right!

The Immortals part IV

No one caught it not even Matt, but he had.

The quick look up, eyes locking on the speaker, his weight shifting to the front of the seat, Mike had responded and he would be watching this one more now. He could tell, though it was small, it was the beginning and this quite, unassuming, almost invisible one, knew all to well the process. Yes he would be watching and proactive. The bell rang and everyone began to move out the door to their next class. Quietly he fell in behind Matt and Mike unnoticed so close his movements looked synchronized with the pair. Just as “The Team” was turning into their next class, just as Mike lifted his hand to let it slide across the rounded corner of the hallway into the room, he reached up and touched Mike’s hand; “Something about Ron last night wasn’t it?” He said and then he was gone. A chill ran up Mike’s spine and he almost lost the Timbit’s he had eaten; “How’d he know? Who was he? Why isn’t it bothering anyone else?” The rest of the day was uneventful. To take his mind off Ron and the mystery man, Mike worked hard at staying in the middle of as many conversations and activities as he could and by lunch it was turning into a good day. The plans were set for the game tonight, and then there was a new movie a bunch of them were heading to see and by the time they got out of it, they all would be ready to drop into a blissful state of uninterrupted sleep. He had almost made it through his last period when he caught something from the corner of his eye. It was only the briefest of moments but he had seen him and he wasn’t alone. There was no mistaking they were in the hall way pointing at and whispering toward Mike, then they were gone! As the bell rang Mike searched the hallway as He followed Matt out to the car. He tossed the keys to Matt and said “here you drive, I’m tired!” Matt gladly jumped behind the wheel and as they raced out of the parking lot Mike began to scan the landscape looking for his mystery man, the real reason he chose not to drive. As they passed the side street next to the school, a mass of student and parent vehicles waited impatiently, with horns blaring, engines revving, cars rocking back and forth alternating between the gas and the brake to get out. A car exploded into Matt and Mikes view spraying gravel and running the stop sign as it passed cars on the right shoulder, heading right for the side of Mike’s car. Stunned Mike glared out the window, Matt in an evasive maneuver first slammed on the brakes then hit the gas. The oncoming car would have broadsided Mike and Matt had Matt not reacted so quickly. The other car locked its brakes just long enough to avoid the accident and for Mike to get a good look at the passenger. “You idiot!” Matt yelled. He glanced at Mike. “Man what gives, they could’ve killed us! Well not really, but if we could die, that would‘ve been close. Hey you okay Mike? “Did you see him Matt? The passenger I mean, it was him!” “Him who?” “Him, the guy outside of 2nd hour.” “I don’t know what you’re talking about man!”