settingatthepoolofgrace

Every good cook knows a perfect dish begins with the right recipe, ingredients, and cooking time. Room temperature eggs will make your cake rise better, good sweet apples make the best pies and buttermilk makes a better cornbread. The recipe is the foundation for a great meal. Following the directions in the recipe will give even the novice cook the opportunity to create something appetizing and delicious. Life also has a recipe of sorts that if followed we have the opportunity to create beautiful long lasting relationships.

The recipe requires these ingredients: knowledge of self, a kind heart, the spirit of forgiveness, patience, understanding, a listening ear, compassion and a sense of justice. Now that you have the right ingredients, what do you do with them becomes the question? Each ingredient has a specific order in the recipe to accomplish the desired outcome. In life we are given the basic understanding of who we should be by our parents, as life continues we grow into a knowledge of self; what we like and what we don’t like. What is important to us, the things we treasure and our concept of happiness.

On this journey we meet many travelers along the way, through these interactions we discover kind hearts, compassion and forgiveness. From those experiences we learn patience, understanding and a sense of justice as we give a listening ear to the stories of their journey. We realize we are not alone as we walk this journey, however; our journey is impacted for good or bad by how we present ourselves to those we meet. These two recipe instructions create in us the sources to have the perfect relationship, “Love your God with all your heart, mind and soul and your neighbor as yourself”.

When LOVE reigns in our lives we become meek, patient, kind, understanding, compassionate, and forgiving. 1st Corinthian 13: 4-7 teaches us loves recipe for a good life; love is patient and kind; it does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way, it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong doings, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things. LOVE NEVER ENDS.

When time exits the stage of life and is no more, the Son of God will return; ONLY the heart filled with love will be able to stand in His presence, for He is LOVE.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace.

On this journey of life we meet many souls traveling along the way, sometimes; if we are fortunate we can have a David and Jonathan experience. We meet a kindred spirit, two hearts traveling the same path; melding together in love for each other. When I was a child this was a committment that was sealed with blood mingeled together.

One person would peirce the finger to draw blood, the other person would follow suit; the two would then join their blood peirced fingers together declaring a bond for ife. In some cases that bond became stronger than the family bond with siblings. We seldom think about it, but; blood is one part of the body that is the same color for all people. No matter the gender, ethnicity or country of origin, we all bleed red.

Blood is essential for life and when shared allows life to continue. For many donating blood to others is a priviledge, but for some it is a necessity. While giving blood sounds simply, it is a very intricate procedure; athough we all bleed red we have different blood types. One could have type A(+ or -), B(+ or -), AB( + or -) or type O blood; those in need of blood must be matched with the most compatable type to generate a successful healing process.

I guess you can say blood is a very valueable commodity. It is important to Doctors, Patients, Movie directors, and authors of muder mysteries. There is another catgory in which we all fall, doesn’t matter who we are; we are all SINNERS. Not little sinners or big sinners, just sinners needing to be cleansed. It is written the penaty for sin is death. We have been indicted and all face death. Is there a remedy for us? Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. Where can we find blood that can erase the stain of sin?

Is there a doner available to save us from death? The search began from east to west and north to south, yet; no doner could be found. Is there no hope for a dying world? Through the portals of time the answer came, I’m here; mankind to save said the innocent Lamb. My blood I will shed on Calvery’s tree, so mankind can be sin free. The universe was silent as the sacrifice was made, the sinless Son of God; His life He gave. His blood ran down the tree for you and me, if we Choose to be SIN FREE.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

How dark is dark? Have you ever considered there are varying shades of darkness? To some a grey cloud foretelling the coming of rain is considered darkness; the massive loss of life, vicious acts against children, and cataclysmic natural disaster; all darkness. Homelessness, loneliness, and hopelessness are a different type of darkness; but, no less devastating for those who are caught in its cycle. We all experience darkness at sometime in our lives, we live in a world that is deeply influenced by the creator of darkness; it is said” if you sit long enough by the water, you will eventually get wet”.

We never realized how the darkness had infected our behavior until light comes into the corner where our darkness lives. Before glimmers of light penetrated our darkness we looked at our world through shaded sight. We do what everyone else is doing, what we think is considered normal. We fail to see how wrong it is to hate those who are different, to abuse the weak, to profit from those less fortunate or to exercise power over them. As light begins to penetrate, we become aware of the evil in our hearts; the scales fall from our eyes and we see the truth of who we have become.

The light causes reflection, reflection the need for forgiveness, forgiveness the need to be redeemed and redemption requires a redeemer. The darkness will not allow us to exit stage left, it holds fast to it’s victims; every enticements available will be used to entangle the weak in its grasp. We must not be complacent with our circumstances, when the blinders are removed we must move steadily toward the light; when we move from our dark corner the brighter the light will be with each step we take.

The light brings hope, forgiveness, joy, redemption, freedom, peace, and above all these unconditional love. Love that radiates from the Heart of God. There is no darkness to deep that He will not seek to shed His light of love on it. To open closed eyes, melt hearts of stone and reclaim His children to Himself. He will not force His way into our darkness, we must be willing to surrender our will to Him; we must desire to walk in newness of life and freedom from sin. Where there is light, darkness can not dwell; JESUS the Christ is that light.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

The mouth speaks, the ears hear; but, there are times when what is said is not what is heard. Words are weighty and carry impact, sometimes small; sometimes great. They can build up or tare down the self esteem of others. It is said “the tongue is a small member, but; it has the power of life or death in it.” Seldom do we consider this before we speak. I saw something recently I would like to share, a piece of paper was crumbled up and then it was requested to be made as it was before; I hope you got the visual. Our words are like that paper, when we speak in haste or anger; we crush the spirit.

Many times the effects of ill spoken words last a lifetime. Once spoken it can take a lifetime to repair the breach caused by our failure to stop and take a breath before we speak. Just a simple breath is time to think about what we are about to say. We must consider there is a unseen presence at all times waiting for the opportunity to use our words to create havoc, distrust, and even violence. It doesn’t care who gets hurt, it just wants to cause pain and suffering. By it we are inflicted with a you hurt me, I need to hurt you attitude; which leads to losing sight of the price paid by the blood of Christ for both.

I know it’s easy to say, but; in the midst of the storm it seems so hard to control our anger or the words we speak. Those of us who profess to know the Christ and His redemptive love must remember on our own we have no power over the dark forces that invade our words when we allow anger to take root. The love of Christ must always be the center of our lives, we know that a soft answer turns away wrath; sometimes silence speaks the loudest. As human beings we all fall short of our Heavenly Fathers expectations, He desires His children to walk in love because He is love; His sun shines on the good and the bad.

He knows that we will fall on life’s journey, He has given us the gift of forgiveness and restoration when we ask for it. However, we must be willing to grant the same to those who ask it from us. Remember unforgiveness is a chain that weighs heavy on the heart. Let us remember our words are as impactful as our actions. When they cause injury to others we must step up to the plate and take responsibility for what we have said, then do the work to bring forgiveness and restoration. The love of Christ will empower those willing to be lead by the Holy Spirit to humble themselves and repair the breach.

It is important to forgive because judgement will come to all, what do you want to hear? “Well done my good and faithful servant” or “depart from Me you evildoers”.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

As a child I was uniquely different from my siblings, they had a running joke that I was found at the river front. Rarely do we think about the importance of the river in the history of mankind. In the beginning there were four rivers that flowed from the Garden of Eden, the Pishon, Gihon, the Hiddekel(Tigris) and the Ehipat(Euphrates); it was one great river that became four spreading out in different directions. Rivers have been immortalized in songs like “Take me to the river to be baptized” or “I want to cross over Jordan to see my Lord”, while these may not be the correct titles I’m sure most of us have heard these words and know the melody.

The children of Israel found deliverance at the river when being perused by the Pharaohs army, they crossed over Jordan on dry land by the mighty hand of God. Many of the disciples of Christ were fisherman, they found sustenance at the river to provide for their families. Elijah smote the river with his mantle and it parted allowing him and Elisha to cross on dry land. For many the river is a place of relaxation and reflection, to look into the face of God and smile; for we were created in His image. Some find this to be a special treat, to withdraw from the toils of life and find peace at the river.

Our redeemer found acknowledgement at the river; a Dove came down from Heaven and rested on Him, a voice came from Heaven saying “this is my beloved Son in whom I’m well pleased”. Have you ever considered visiting the river? Seeking the solitude of a quiet stream, communing with nature, or simply reflecting on the beauty of the world that surrounds you. What is missing from your life? What do you struggle with daily? Peace of mind can be found at the river; The Father and the Son can be found at the river. We just need to come aside from our daily routine, find our quite place, and open our hearts to the Holy Spirit.

What can be found at the river can be anywhere we are willing to seek the Face of the Father through opening our hearts to the sacrifice and love of the Son. He has said ” let him who thirst come unto Me, I will give you living water”. All that can be found at the river we can find in Jesus the Christ, the ONLY begotten Son of the Most High God. Take a seat at His feet and allow the river of life to flow through you from the heart of the Savior.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

Have you ever been lost? When you were a small child your parents taught you how important it was to know your full name and address. They would say “just in case you get lost”, go to a policeman and tell him who you are; he will get you back home. We were sure we could trust the police, they were the guardians of the neighborhood. Respected by everyone and feared by those who chose to break the law. Funny how when we think back, you were lost anytime you were in an unfamiliar place and your mom or dad couldn’t be seen. It could be in a department or grocery store, you in one isle them in another; can you hear yourself calling out their name?

You were to busy searching for your favorite things to notice they had moved to another place. There are so many ways in this life we become lost, struggle to find our way home, but; with no success. We can get physically lost when in a new location and not knowing how to get back to our starting point. We lose our way in relationships when we forget they require compromise and forgiveness between the parties involved in the relationship. Then there are those who lose their way when they fall into the pit of sin. Engulfed in darkness we can’t see a way out of the pit, we struggle just to find home.

The burden of sin becomes to much to bear, we look for relief from our heavy load; we want the chains of shame and guilt broken off our lives, peace restored, and the path home clear. We have realized just how lost we really are. This realization causes the search for light to begin, that light is found in the Son of the Most High who gave Himself for the redemption of the lost. He bids us to give Him our heavy burdens in exchange for His, His burdens are lite. Only His light can dissolve the darkness and reveal the way home. Home is in the house of the Father and the only way to the Father is through the Son, Jesus the Christ; Gods anointed one.

Are you seeking a way out of the darkness of this world? Are you lost, just trying to get home? If so, Jesus is waiting for you, are you ready?

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

History teaches this land was founded by those who braved the unknown to escape suppression from King and church, to exercise their God given right to live and worship as they chose. There were people already occupying the land and the oppressed became the oppressor, they laid stake to what was not theirs to claim. A new world they created welcoming all who looked to be free, but; that freedom didn’t apply to all. In principle they believed all men were Created to be free, yet; that was not meant to be.

Throughout history the flag of contention has waved. Mans inhumanity to man inflames the land, no one seeks to understand; separation is what men seek, you be you; let me be me. That was not the Masters plan when He placed His breath in every man. The enemy is real, though some fail to believe; he is still the cause of all men’s grief. The shadow of darkness covers everything he touches as he tries to destroy all of Gods creation. Our God had a master plan for the redemption of fallen man.

Sinless blood must be spilled to erase all humanity’s ills, a new flag of love must wave over the land covered in the blood of the sinless lamb. A cleansing has begun putting evil on the run, the opportunity to be free is offered to you and me. Now is the time for every man to make his choice, take a stand. The redeemer is waiting for all to decide if under the flag of love they wish to reside. To be cleansed and given a new heart, eyes to see the enemy and strength to over come his temptations

To escape the darkness and walk in the light, accept the love that forgives a multitude of faults; that we might wave a new flag, a flag of love stained by the blood of the crucified ONE.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace.

It has been said, “it’s darkest before the dawn”, however; there are times in our lives the sun is shining brightly, yet; all you see is darkness. The pain of the past keeps your mind in bondage, it seems you just can’t get a break, no one understands the hardships you’re enduring, and there is no relief in sight. Many of us live in darkness, there is no light or hope in our hearts.

We are constantly fighting just to survive the night as we await the new day and the beginning of a new struggle. Some think it would be better to just remove ourselves from the landscape of time. Once upon a time I was one of those, but; I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. When we seek Him with all our hearts we will find Him.

When we allow Him a place in our hearts, we will walk in light as He is in the light; there is no darkness at all in Him. The spirit of darkness that holds us captive will lose it’s power as light penetrates every fiber of our being. This is not to be taken as a easy process, darkness will not submit without a fight; it will remind you of all the wrongs and reasons you are unworthy of living in the light. How unworthy of forgiveness you may be.

It wants you to doubt the love that is searching for you. It knows if you do not ask, you can’t receive and if you don’t seek, you will not find. You must block out the voice that says you are hopeless, unlovable, not worthy, or unforgiveable. Only when you fail to accept the power of loves light will you experience the darkest hour. When all hope is gone and your heart is void of light, darkness will rule.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

Listen, listen can you hear them? Echo’s from the past, the trees are whispering their hidden secrets of times long ago; of crowds, flames in the night and swinging ropes. Listen, listen clear your ears it seems things have changed, but; have they? The night cries same, same, still the same. Hidden in the corners of the heart the evil that still try’s to hid it’s face in a different time and a different place.

Yet, the past still sings it’s song in the tears that a mother cries each time a child needlessly dies. How do we erase the hate when the cause is so unclear. We must find a way to stop losing the ones we hold dear. It is time to stop and think, although it was them ; it could’ve been me. Time to walk in the shoes of the other man and you will know it’s time to take a stand.

Fear is the enemy that must be erased so the world can be a better place. Evil has had it’s reign much to long causing everything to go wrong, lies are accepted as truth and lust mistaken for love; hate walks boldly in the light for all to see with no concern for you or me. There is no rhyme or reason, it hates because it can; the spirit that lives in it has no love for man.

This spirit is on a mission to destroy everything it can, everything that was created by the Masters hand. You and me it hates the most, it wants to be sure we are lost; cut off from the mercy of God and cast into ever lasting darkness. In the soil of doubt within the heart he plants his seeds of hate, then waters them with our differences until they began to bloom.

Only the sacrificial blood of Christ can conquer mans hate, wipe away the tears from weeping eyes and create new hope. Fear will have no dominion over him who is covered by loves blood, one heart will speak to another; then wounds of the past will heal. The night wind blowing through the trees will sing, No more tears. Hate will be eradicated, evil banished from the land; every man will walk hand in hand with another man.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace.

I wonder if you can remember the games played as a kid which required teams? Each team captain had to choose the members he or she wanted on their team. No matter what the game, it was important to choose the best players for your team; whoever got the strongest players was in the best position to win, at least that was the concept.

Yet; that was not always the case, sometimes the team thought to be the weakest would come out on top. In life we make choices, many times the consequences for which we are not prepared. We align ourselves with the wrong people, we pay Peter when we should’ve paid Paul, we say yes when the answer should’ve been no and we turn right instead of left when left was the right direction.

So many times we choose to go against the grain, we don’t concern ourselves with the results of our choices until we are faced with them. It is then we realize how devastating our circumstance could be to our well being. We find ourselves in a hole with no way out and no one to rescue us. There will come a time when each of us will be faced with a decision that will lead to eternal life or eternal destruction.

It is written “choose ye this day whom ye shall serve”, this choice will have to be made by all; there is no middle ground, no straddle the fence, and no one foot in and the other foot out. Our commitment must be total to whatever side we choose. There will be some who choose the way of destruction unaware and find themselves in a pit of despair, they have been beguiled by the deceptive one. However, the opportunity for rescue is available; the Father of Light is constantly searching for those who have gone astray.

Soon and very soon the time will be at hand, the question asked;” whom will you serve”? Will it Be God or will it be man? Are you ready to choose?