Strong Coffee

Who's got the wheel

2019-10-14T12:22:00.001-05:00

There’s a stunning scene in Steven Spielberg's movie “Lincoln.” He is in the war room with his

cabinet re-emphasizing his insistence of passage regarding the 13th amendment, the

abolition of slavery. His cabinet is in disarray. Congress is divided. In frustration of the malaise

from his own secretary’s inability to lobby congress signaled the likelihood of failure in the legislature.

Lincoln saw the beacon of righteous light dim in their eyes. This impasse had reached it’s fevered pitch.

What Abraham Lincoln did in this moment altered the history of the world.

In the drawn sunlight of edens day, President Lincoln slaps his palms firmly on the table

as he rises from his seat. With his Secretary's and Congressional leaders impaled by his shadow,

a solemness enveloped the room as Lincoln spoke with the voice of thunder.

I am the President of these United States of America clothed with

IMMENSE Power!

You Will get me these votes. You Will pass this amendment. And I want it NOW NOW NOW.

Immense power... It’s hard to fathom. Even harder to define or explain. Who can posses such

power today? Power...belongs to The Lord God Almighty. He is a terror of IMMENSE Power

For The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.

2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation
of his throne. 3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. 4 His lightnings
enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. 5 The hills melted like wax at the presence
of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. 6 The heavens declare his righteousness,
and all the people see his glory. 7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast
themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods. 8 Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of
Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O Lord. 9 For thou, Lord, art high above all the earth:

thou art exalted far above all gods. 10 Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth

the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. 11 Light is sown

for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. 12 Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous;

and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness Psalm 97

In the perspective of now. The world we see today all around us, is there a place on earth where there

is no ugliness caused by the dark path we have chosen? Within our cities, communities, our homes,

there is no family insulated from the consequence of some really really bad and horrible choices.

Consequences of sin? Is it not a messed up world? Have you really ever asked yourself

“Please tell me that somebody's at the wheel of this ship?”
So many lives enslaved, truly in prisons created by our own wicked transgressions.
Ravaged by hatred, overcome with greed, sick in evil., blinded by pride.

The shame of NOW is so dark; beyond description.

Every day, we hear or read of a new low. Turn your attention to this Psalm 97

Almighty God. What prevents Him from just running his hand right straight through

the middle of the earth and blast us all back into tiny atoms?

Is He not disgusted with us? One may ask, “Doesn’t He see ” ...oh He sees.

What holds him back?

“God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you.

Holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space

and time to change.” 2 Peter 3:9 MSG

Close your mouth. You read it correctly. The Lord above still has Hope? The God who sees

all things, our hearts, the world, the darkness. remains hopeful of change. “Hopeful in what?”

Does God know something we don't? This hope of God arises from the authority of the

only one who whispers in his ear.

20 he exerted (power) when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand

in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and EVERY NAME

that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all

things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church , 23 which is his
body the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Ephesians 1

The one on God's right side, the only one that bends the Almighty’s ear and whispers...

is the one who has all authority, dominion, and power over every name spoken., and

He is clothed with... I M M E N S E Power

God has more confidence in us than we do in ourselves. Perhaps He knows His Son better than us.

He’s is personally, utterly, Godsmacked at the victory His own son over sin and death.

The Son whispers, “Father, I know him, and I know her too...I got this Father”

Rejoice, for unto you a savior has been born unto you; He is Jesus Christ the Lord.

Perhaps God even hums the tune of His angelic chorus.

God made us. Gave us life. Saw us sold and enslaved in sin. He loved us so much that

He bought us back. He purchased our pardon with the precious blood of His only son. The Lamb of God

who takes away the sin of the world.

He's Got our back !

L O V E

2018-07-06T16:29:00.001-05:00

On love

There are two kinds of love: we love wise and kind and beautiful people because we need them, but we love (or try to love) stupid and disagreeable people because they need us. This second kind is the more divine because that is how God loves us: not because we are lovable but because He is love, not because He needs to receive but He delights to give

Clive Staples Lewis

1950

I'm sure I fit in the 2nd category of the stupid. It's good to be loved 😎

Pastor / Chaplain

John Mark Thomas

iPhone

A Thousand Points of Light

2018-07-06T16:07:00.001-05:00

"You ask about The Pursuit of Happiness at a good time in my life. I have pursued life itself over many years now and with varying degrees of happiness. Some of my happiness still comes form trying to be in my own small way a true 'point of light.' I believe I was right when I said, as President, there can be no definition of a successful life that does not include service to others. SO I do that now, and I gain happiness. I do not seek a Pulitzer Prize. I do not want press attention. I don't crave sitting at the head table or winning one of the many coveted awards Offered by the many organizations across the land. I have found happiness. I no longer pursue it, for it is mine."

President George H W Bush

Pastor / Chaplain

John Mark Thomas

iPhone

Gods Love

2018-06-19T13:18:00.001-05:00

"...Man does not exist for his own sake. 'Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created' [Revelation 4:11]. We were made not primarily that we may love God (though we were made for that too) but that God may love us, that we may become objects in which the Divine love may rest 'well pleased'..."

- Clive Staples Lewis

1940

Pastor / Chaplain

John Mark Thomas

iPhone

In our house .pdf

2017-11-27T13:07:00.001-06:00

Nobody's Fool

2017-10-31T00:00:00.000-05:00

1 John 2:13 I am writing to you fathers because you know Him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. Conservative author, radio host, and occasional politician William Bennett has written a new book titled, "The Book of Man". The book brings to light the issue of manhood in today's culture.

With the shifting climate in today's world such as the genderless-asexual movement, it's not surprising that many of today's young men are unaware of what true manhood means. Secretary Bennett's book takes an insightful, urgent, and critical look into the lives of men at work, men at play, worship, war, and even at home.

Without the example of men....real men, our world becomes a lopsided culture wobbling out of sync. A place that is out of step and purpose set forth by our Creator. If we are not prudent and careful as a country we could find ourselves in a social experiment that has gone rocky horror wrong. History has proven this fact for centuries and millenniums.

There is the tendency to blame politicos for this sort of crisis. But the truth is that with the absence of Godly men; the lack or willingness of men who's desire it is to serve God and their neighbor will adversely affect every layer of our society. Marriage, family, the church, and even our governments future relies upon the faithfulness and truth of God fearing...

Men & Women

Young men...Honor your Father!
Fathers...Train up your young men in the way that they should go! (Mothers and Young Women too)

The novel Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo became an award winning movie released in the late 90's. The movie featured Paul Newman in his last leading role. His character is a salty and tough retiree named Sully. A sub-plot in the story is that Sully finally awakens to his failings as a father and as a man. After a lifetime of neglect he reacquaints himself with his son and 10 year old grandson. Although a misfit, he tries hard to correct his mistakes.

On one occasion, his grandson is with him on a job site and Sully momentarily forgets about him. When he returns to his grandson he's whimpering, thinking he's been abandoned. The father shows up and blast Sully for resuming what he calls his "old antics".

Later that night, Sully goes to see his grandson who is still upset. Sully apologizes for the scary episode.

What he does next is...a manly thing.

He says to his grandson, "you know what I used to do when I was scared as a little boy? I would try and be brave for one minute. A whole minute. And then the next time, I would try and be brave for two minutes. It seemed to work for me."

Sully reaches in his pocket and gives his grandson an old stopwatch so he can time his bravery.

Later...it proved to be a small but powerful gesture.

Afterwards, Sully's son who overheard the touching conversation says to him, "you was never a father to me, why after all these years are you trying to be one with your grandson?"

Sully pauses and calmly replies, "a mans gotta start sometime".

Man up

Worldly Shame & Godly Shame

2017-04-15T09:15:00.000-05:00

Self-Preservation is an aspect of unhealthy shame that defines itself. The extent of preserving "you" means you will go to great lengths to justify the most heinous sin or act, by saying, "I know what I did was wrong but it was your projection upon me as a person that made me do it." Its understandable, in theory; the human instinct of needing to blame others for your own personal failure, crimes, infidelities etc.. It's an inherent default setting.

To appease the conscience of Unhealthy Shame, the human mind will subconsciously seek out co-conspirators which enable the self-preservationist to transfer blame. This is a key aspect of the fight or flight syndrome. Enablers assist in sedating the shame, numbing guilt, and transferring responsibility. Everything becomes a target of the"unjust" argument. The home environment, the workplace, the classroom; practically anything one is tied to, becomes the target of - "everything is their fault." In this state of mind, one is half witted enough to know that this is propaganda, all the while being dumb witted enough to buy ones own lie.

    This aspect of unhealthy shame, or worldly sorry is very toxic. Anything convenient can be a target of transference; "It's my job, my stress, this house, the home life."
This is a spiritual sickness. Forgiveness of transgression and cleansing from God cannot occur as long as one plays the blame game. This stoic position can go on for years, making one a very unpleasant and bitter person. At the very moment we confess our transgressions, He is faithful and just to forgive is of all sin. Unhealthy shame cannot continue where Gods grace abounds

       Their is another kind of unhealthy shame called The Insulated-Self. This is a prideful infused lifestyle; without a moral compass. The insulated self hides behind position, achievements, and authority causing one to feel insulated from any wrong.

..."you have been set unto liberty....only use not your liberty as an occasion of the flesh."

              Its encouraging to all when talented, gifted, and skilled people reveal their weaknesses and frailties; resisting the temptation to say to oneself, "go on, have a run at the whole yard, after all , everyone knows your value; no ones is watching."
This is The Insulated-Self. It is the perception that one has earned the right...to do wrong.
It's frightening when leaders and people in authority mistakenly perceive their liberty as an insulation from what is right and wrong

Liberty is not license

       In this broken world with many falling victim to it; avoiding or in ignorance to God's love and forgiveness, so many people find themselves facing...
The Diabolical Self. This is a spiral effect. After any such wrongdoing or lapses of judgment, or colossal failure, one begins to accept brokenness and failure as a right of passage. A fact of life. This is what I Am; It becomes a love for oneself. This too is the double whammy of our adversary. Don't be deceived in thinking that this is healthy shame.

"I'm just going to...Love Me...through this."

         This position is merely the other side of the coin of worldly sorrow or unhealthy shame. You begin to defend your actions as being human, sexual, needing to be appreciated, lacking attention, a need for acceptance; I deserve to be loved and be ME !!!     This all comes from the same lair of the enemy. The wormwood knows that now that he has made a fool of you, and he, as your adversary, can't afford to be blamed. In turn he suggests to you that others caused this, and perhaps even God Himself drove you to it? This is the slippery slope to a much darker hidden shame, led by worldly standards (it's a broad road and many are going DOWN it). This acceleration of action is constantly pushing (derived by your adversary who seeks to kill) a mentality that speaks to your soul, saying, "You know that in reality it's your failure which defines you. Everybody sees you as a liability. You have made a fool of yourself. You are worthless. You're a misfit. You are a handicap"

      This diabolical-self opens the Pandora box of destruction. Basically, the thief of Joy says, "I didn't bring you to the clefts for the view. I'm here to throw you off"
You feel your mask, cover up, or denial, has called in the loan and says, "now its payday"
Behold your sins have found you out.

      In turn, our enemy continues to taunt and hound. This has been his end game from the beginning. When spotlighted by ones own web of denial and deceit, the reaction is, "If I'm to wear the scarlet letter, then let's run full steam ahead and make a big bang." This is the nature and end game of the diabolical-self. You will literally do anything to inebriate your "Shame & Pain". This place of unhealthy shame or worldly sorrow can lead to irreversible personal harm, abuse, addictions,....and even death.

I have been at this precipice; as a healer and as a transgressor.

       Godly sorrow, healthy shame, is a completely different monolithic thing. It's a one dimensional single sided principle. The aspects of worldly sorrow or unhealthy shame, versus Godly sorrow or healthy shame has everything to do with spiritual principalities and powers that are unseen. God is an unseen spirit at work in the world even so are the unseen powers of wickedness.

When any broken soul has a dawning, by way of many prayers of Godly friends and family; the dawning appears at the very second you realize that all the beauty, talent, blessings, goodness, gifts, opportunities; every rich and perfect blessing, in spite of your frailties, is bestowed upon you by a great and wonderful God. The Father blesses us far more than we deserve (It would be nice if children recognized their parental protection and blessings when young). He has become the Holy Father He promised to be. He has never once abandoned you. His love has (as in the poem, Footprints In The Sand) carried you, guarded you, supplied goodness and favor unto you even when you were at the lowest points of your pilgrimage.

     Once you've reached that rung on life's ladder, going down or up, by Gods mercy, one can see His grace that has already forgiven.

It's a breakthrough, but this is not easy.

To be set free and at liberty.... requires repentance and a healthy dose of humility; to bone up to your unworthiness and filthy rags (few enjoy airing out their dirty laundry).

Look at the parable of the wayward son in the Gospel of Luke...his dawning occurred while feeding the hogs. "I will return to my father and ask to be a servant". Can you imagine the bold step that it took for him to return home? Think about it; all the pride and ignorance he had to acknowledge. He left smelling of fine perfume, aloes, and myrrh. He returned smelling like a pig sty. The step forward can be very difficult for some; like the apostle Paul and CS Lewis who went in kicking and screaming. That's because they had succeeded without God and the Cross. Or so they thought. They struggled letting go. Perhaps they thought...

"This is implausible""He ask too much."
"I can't admit sin."

Each of His chosen respond differently to His call; for many reasons, but usually pride is among them. This is the work that the Holy Spirit must do. To actually have the scales fall from your eyes and see oneself and sin...only then can our chains be broken. Of course It's frightening to walk in a court of law and say, I'm guilty. Yet, In response you hear His voice tenderly saying..."you are pardoned and released from guilt".

I will never forget when Dr. Dewey Dunn called me out in a prayer meeting. (A 6am prayer mtg. by the way. I had to get up at 4 am to meet him at the hospital). On arrival I found a room filled with Godly physicians. In the pray group Dr. Dunn asked me why I was so quiet. He startled me at first. I had been meditating on God's word and at that moment was broken by Isaiah 6:1. As I began my response, tears began to flow. I said humbly...

"I am in awe this morning that the God of heaven has invited me, a shameful sinner, to see His royal train and sit at His table as a child of God".

All the men in the room fell to their knees.

To have the chains broken and to be set free is indeed...Liberty. This gift is granted to all who call upon Him saying...."God, I need your help." Finally to breath the air of Gods love and forgiveness. The ability to confess without any shame or slander. At first, each grace filled child feels lighter than air! It emerges as an eagerness to serve. Once forgiven one begins looking for others; those less gifted, talented, or those still in the mire where you once were.

Be advised...abusing this newfound liberty, which was granted to you by His mercy, can become a vice if not revered....becoming a disgrace to grace;
e.g. were not ten cleansed...where are the other nine?

The virtue of freedom and the cleansing of guilt is all about serving others.

Tucked within the greatest commandment is...loving as you have been loved.

         When released from the fetters of sin one discovers the principle that only Gods children enjoy...

His opinion, His judgment, His value, His love for YOU is all that matters.
After all, it's all formed, made, shaped, and bestowed to you by Him....through the sinless crucified Christ.

The judge of YOU in this broken world should never rests in the hands or on the tongue of other broken people. The God that made you is the one that says, "I saw you in your brokenness and I chose YOU." You're to be conformed to the likeness of His son. God, in His mysterious wisdom knows how to weave your experience and make everything beautiful in His time. This heaping dose of human depravity, He in turn makes something beautiful. Godly sorrow or repentance gives life by revealing your deepest and daily need of HIM.

          Who is it that condemns you? No one. Is it Jesus? No....He died on the cross for your condemnation!!! Then who shall lay charge to "God's elect". For I am convinced that NOTHING shall separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Neither shame, famine, nakedness, peril, nor sword. Romans 8

        All these verbal descriptions above have to do with a healthy perception of YOU and God. Seeing that only His judgment matters, it renders all others judgments meaningless. When life smacks you in the face, it's all about YOU and GOD. That's all that matters. It's similar to when my middle daughter Hailey struggled with her subjects in 3rd grade. Her teacher Ms Phillips said to us... "that's ok. That's why she needs a teacher."
The realization that Godly sorrow is about your relief in hearing God say to you, "that's ok, that's why You need a Savior."

       Imagine being set free like a wild beast released from the cage. Liberty by grace allows you to live life in its fullness; helping others, those stuck in failure, helping them reach your advantage point of GRACE. Make it no concern of yours the broken worlds litmus test of whether or not you're worthy of liberty. It's not up to them. If you're free in Him to fail and get back up and try living again then you are free indeed. Jacobs ladder had only a down or up.

                     I chose.....Up and Up

         Having said all this, to begin the process of paternal affirmation or seeking affirmation from others is to be enslaved again. In another words, the cycle of bad healing (or non-healing) is whenever you succumb to letting others evaluation of YOU determine your worth.

NEVER let them or your inner self tell you how to perceive yourself.
This takes discipline.
It means ownership.
It requires maturity.
Always take ownership of your mistakes and shortcomings.
Never blame your closest beloved or your friends for why you did wrong. This holds not up in mans court. Why should we even expect it to hold up in God's ?

      Further up the ladder you can rest; hidden in the shadow of His wings; convinced that "God alone is my judge, my portion, my deliverer". His sustaining grace toward you; learned through miserable failure; is proven sufficient.

This grace has conformed me; Teflon resistant to any attack. Going down I knew my failure; when I looked up at Him I saw my penance; experienced His forgiveness; all cast in the sea of forgetfulness.

      A man can say what he says; a woman may say what she says, others might throw stones and wag their heads, but the only voice that matters is, "...what does my Heavenly Father say?"

This is Godly sorrow that every child of God MUST learn; overcoming our self and our sin.

2 Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

NO REGRET !!
Ultimately it all boils down to You and God.
You must forgive yourself...and forgive others as you are forgiven.

This is what I've come to know and grasp. It has made me.

Personally, I had no other choice but to keep climbing up and up Jacob's ladder.
Going down...was miserable!

What our adversary meant for harm, shame, labeled...God has used for good.

Feelings

2016-11-05T09:27:00.000-05:00

I think the thrill of the Pagan stories and of romance may be due to the fact that they are mere beginnings—the first, faint whisper of the wind from beyond the world—while Christianity is the thing itself: and no thing, when you have really started on it, can have for you then and there just the same thrill as the first hint. For example, the experience of being married and bringing up a family cannot have the old bittersweet of first falling in love.

This next part struck me as a great inspiration and mature realization for many that I counsel; myself included. jmt

But it is futile (and, I think, wicked) to go on trying to get the old thrill again: you must go forward and not backward. Any real advance will in its turn be ushered in by a new thrill, different from the old: doomed in its turn to disappear and to become in its turn a temptation to retrogression.

Delight is a bell that rings as you set your foot on the first step of a new flight of stairs leading upwards. Once you have started climbing you will notice only the hard work: it is when you have reached the landing and catch sight of the new stair that you may expect the bell again. This is only an idea, and may be all rot: but it seems to fit in pretty well with the general law (thrills also must die to live) of autumn & spring, sleep and waking, death and resurrection, and "Whosoever loseth his life, shall save it."

The Collected Letters

C.S. Lewis, Volume II

Show gratitude and thankfulness to a veteran today and all of next week.
Ciao John Mark

A New Work...

2016-10-12T15:52:00.003-05:00

"This age is peculiarly the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, in which Jesus cheers us, not by his personal presence, as he shall do by-and-by, but by the indwelling and constant abiding of the Holy Ghost, who is evermore the Comforter of the church."

"The Holy Spirit consoles, but Christ is the consolation. If we may use the figure, the Holy Spirit is the Physician, but Jesus is the medicine. He heals the wound, but it is by applying the holy ointment of Christ’s name and grace. He takes not of his own things, but of the things of Christ. So if we give to the Holy Spirit the Greek name of Paraclete, as we sometimes do, then our heart confers on our blessed Lord Jesus the title of Paraclesis. If the one be the Comforter, the other is the comfort."

- CH Spurgeon

John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Public Faith

2016-10-10T10:06:00.002-05:00

In our own age the idea that religion belongs to our private life— that it is, in fact, an occupation for the individual’s hour of leisure—is at once paradoxical, dangerous, and natural. It is paradoxical because this exaltation of the individual in the religious field springs up in an age when collectivism is ruthlessly defeating the individual in every other field. . . . . There is a crowd of busybodies, self-appointed masters of ceremonies, whose life is devoted to destroying solitude wherever solitude still exists.
... We live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence, and privacy, and therefore starved for meditation and true friendsh - CS Lewis

TheGrove fellowship

2016-10-06T10:43:00.002-05:00

TheGrove fellowship is about relationships.

I'm asked about how many come in attendance, how many did you have last week; numbers related questions.

That's not our mission.

TheGrove is about reaching others. The most that many of you will never see on earth.

Dustin- a Mont. Co. fugitive on the run who interrupted our service. As Angie extended the worship music, I went to the back of the cafe and listened to his story. He asked for me to pray for him. He buried his tear stained eyes on my shoulder and we cried out to God. One week later authorities pulled his lifeless body out of the Cumberland.

Michael- who was pulled literally out of the dumpster where he searched for aluminum cans; among the stench and filth, to pay his rent. He was brought into TheGrove to warm up, before going back out again to his work. A year later Michael, wife, and son gave their lives to Christ. TheGrove found Mike a steady reliable job with a godly contractor.

Matthew- an autistic 17 year old who attends TheGrove with his mother was picked on and shamed at high school for his slow speech and appearance that he resorted to violence striking students and teachers. This landed him in a psychiatric facility. I went there and prayed with him. He hugged so hard I thought I was about to have my 5th back surgery. TheGrove met with his mother and CMCSS and found a home school program suited for Matt which included an hour bible class. They are thriving; and the work keeps his mom sober who for years could never break free from addiction.

Paul- an agnostic who would come to hear my wife sing but always leave before my message. Just this week he asked to visit my home and talk about his views. After listening endlessly to his views of a higher power, I was finally given the opportunity to introduce Paul to the lowest power. The son of God who humbled himself to come here and purchase our pardon.

Jason-who randomly came to TheGrove with his father. My pal Gary was able to visit with them before worship. During prayer time, Gary introduced Jason to us all by saying this young man leaves at 4:45am tomorrow for basic training. I know we've never met them before but I would like for us all to huddle around Jason and pray for him. As a result, Jason gave his life to Christ. The weeping tears of JOY lasted so long I had to eventually leave for another appt.

Myles-a young man who wandered into TheGrove during my early prayers. He asked if he was disturbing me. I said of course not. Come talk to me. Myles had stayed to finish his Sr year here and then rejoin his family that had moved to Raleigh NC. Instead of obeying his parents he decided to play the wayward son for awhile. See what it felt like to call his own shots. About 45 minutes later this young man was shouting out for Christ to enter his life. After worship that Sunday, TheGrove bought him a bus ticket to Raleigh NC. But he returned home with a robe on his back a signet ring as a child of God

For everyone of these testimonies, there are scores more.

Mark 9:33-35. ...Jesus asked, "What were you arguing about on the road?” 34but they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

35sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

TheGrove is not about size. It's about relationships....leading others to God's grace in Christ Jesus

JMT

Up At The Villa

2016-02-08T12:38:00.001-06:00

The novel Up At The Villa by W Somerset Maugham is a love story set in early 1940, during Nazi occupation, of a sleepy Italian village in Florence. An aristocratic widow, Mary Panton has her future and wealth sealed upon the death of her abusive, womanizing, yet extremely wealthy husband, an Italian diplomat. In a short time, her heart and love is intrigued for an enigmatic Rowley Flint. An American with with a mysterious past. She falls for him but her aristocratic pride will or would not accept his advances.

Flint has truly fallen madly in love with her but soon realizes she has her nose stuck up to high to be associated with him. He deals with his un-requited love and begins to fall into a sense of sadness. As the novel continues, and skipping to the meat of the story, Mary Patton murders a man, after a one night stand, over a senseless and reckless mistake.

Mary resorts to the only man that could help her with this conundrum, The American, Rowley Flint. He assess the situation. He knows all to well the ruthlessness of the Italian justice, the Nazi regime, and their desire to charge her with murder in order to seize her wealth.

Flint arrives at her villa and begins to arrange the murder scene making it very difficult for the authorities to see that she was the murderer.

The cat and mouse game with police left little room for the love of Panton and Flint to ignite but it was evidently growing in passion. As the investigation begins, the shrewd authorities realize the scene and situation was staged and are set to arrest Mary Panton for murder.

Unbeknownst to Mary, If things began to progress unfavorable for Mary, Rowley secretly planted his own revolver in her bed room and arranged an alibi for her. As they closed in on Mary Panton, Rowley Flint went to the authorities and confessed to the murder. They didn't believe him. He told them where to look for his revolver and to ask a concierge (whom he paid handsomely) to say that he saw Rowley Flint leave the room after the gunshot on the night of the murder.

Flint was arrested for the murder and Mary Panton was set free. Before boarding the train to leave Florence, Mary goes to the jail to visit Flint and asked why he did this for her. When she arrives at his cell, she discovers that Flint has been beaten within an inch of his life, and is awaiting execution. Mary looks at Flint to her own shame and asked Rowley Flint why? Why did you take the blame for what I did, why, why? Flints response to her was only four words, "because I love YOU."

When You read John 3:16, you don't see that God loved the world; you discover that He...SO... loved the world. He so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. This is how God demonstrated His love for us: while we were the perpetrators, we were the guilty sinners, the blood was on our hands, we were the ones who deserved punishment and death; but instead, Christ DIED FOR US.

This is LOVE...not that we loved God; maybe had our nose stuck up too high to even acknowledge God; not that any of us even cared about God of what His son did; HE LOVED US still...and sent His son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Our penalty as sinners; our judgment from the broken and fallen world we live in, is death; eternal separation from God. So one might ask, "why did God allow His son to die?" Because Jesus was God's sinless sacrificial lamb, who took the penalty of sin, death, and hell; all that WE deserve, and He died for us.

Why...Why...Why would He do that? Four words...Because I LOVE you! He conquered, defeated, and demolished our sin debt and then in three days... He rose from the grave and lives forevermore. And, because He lives...we too can live.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us...1 John 3:16

JMT

Kaliedoscope

2015-12-11T04:59:00.000-06:00

"When we pray the heart of God and man align."

Because of our humanity we are not shielded nor able to escape the issues of pain, hardship, and suffering that awaits every mortal being. The beauty of our relationship with God, and I would even say the purpose, is how His grace and power works through the frailties of our life; displaying His manifold power in the deepest and darkest valley's of our human experience.

People who live outside of this alignment constitutes the majority of mankind. It is among the masses in which we derive a vocabulary of words with seemingly universal application. For example; the word bad, in the sense of badness, is the opposite of good. Bad is bad. If I say to you that I am good you would not think bad. Good is good; bad is bad. However, the carnal words; used by man; often universal in use; are irrelevant and pale to a spiritual lexicon and perspective. Only in alignment with God; through the lens of faith; do we regard our life and circumstances differently. In Christ we trust in a broader picture; not judged by what is happening but rather in what He is making; thus receiving all things in sanctity and accordance; conforming to His will and purpose.

In other words...If my neighbor, a non-believer, reached out to God only after suffering a near fatal accident, then what was bad...was actually good. Better to enter heaven with one eye than into hell with two.

Kaleidoscope by definition is a complex pattern of constantly changing colors and shapes.
God is never changing...but we are ever-changing...through the inescapable impact of life. In this journey of our faith we discover that our God is greater than all of our sin and shame, fears and failures. When aligned with Him, the kaleidoscope of our life is constantly changing; refined; conformed; renewed.

As Andre Crouch would sing,
"if I never had a problem... I would never know that God could solve them"

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
I have known crises in my life...as have many of you. Most by my own doing and at other times blindsided. In frailty and fear you want to give up and quit. When life and its mysteries comes crashing in it leaves you feeling hopeless and helpless...then...deep calls unto deep. Your faith says...

"A festering thorn can break you...
but with God...IT CAN MAKE YOU ."

You may be encircled this very moment with the adversities of life; pitiful; bewildered; loathing you're very self. Others; with their carnal eyes; fleshy thoughts; simple minds; will tell you how to feel, what to do, how to act.
In that moment you must remember, at your worst He found you and now; in your state; your rightful place at His table; you must align to His ever-changing design for your life.

When God has surrounded you, even in the presence of your enemies, your cup will overflow. You learn that indeed...He works all things together for good; conforming you to His image. What some meant for evil or the enemy as defeat, God meant for good; to be transformed; renewed; changed.

As vessels of clay we can't hide our cracks, blemishes, and scars...rather we are to reveal His grace within; the treasure of His children; showing that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
JMT
Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/MN-uFHB05DQ

The Great Room

2015-11-09T15:03:00.001-06:00

I hope no reader will suppose that 'mere' Christianity is here put for- ward as an alternative to the creeds of the existing communions. . . . . It is more like a hall out of which doors open into several rooms. If I can bring anyone into that hall I shall have done what I attempted. But it is in the rooms, not in the hall, that there are fires and chairs and meals. The hall is a place to wait in, a place from which to try the various doors, not a place to live in. For that purpose the worst of the rooms (whichever that may be) is, I think, preferable. It is true that some people may find they have to wait in the hall for a considerable time, while others feel certain almost at once which door they must knock at. I do not know why there is this difference, but I am sure God keeps no one waiting unless He sees that it is good for him to wait. When you do get into your room you will find that the long wait has done you some kind of good which you would not have had otherwise. But you must regard it as waiting, not as camping. You must keep on praying for light: and, of course, even in the hall, you must begin trying to obey the rules which are common to the whole house. And above all you must be asking which door is the true one; not which pleases you best by its paint and panelling. In plain language, the question should never be: 'Do I like that kind of service?' but 'Are these doctrines true: Is holiness here? Does my conscience move me towards this? Is my reluctance to knock at this door due to my pride, or my mere taste, or my personal dislike of this particular door-keeper?'

When you have reached your own room, be kind to those who have chosen different doors and to those who are still in the hall. If they are wrong they need your prayers all the more; and if they are your enemies, then you are under orders to pray for them. That is one of the rules common to the whole house.

Charity

2015-11-02T08:07:00.000-06:00

Some writers use the word charity to describe not only Christian love between human beings, but also God's love for man and man's love for God. About the second of these two, people are often worried. They are told they ought to love God. They cannot find any such feeling in themselves. What are they to do? The answer is the same as before. Act as if you did. Do not sit trying to manufacture feelings. Ask your- self, 'If I were sure that I loved God, what would I do?' When you have found the answer, go and do it.

On the whole, God's love for us is a much safer subject to think about than our love for Him. Nobody can always have devout feelings: and even if we could, feelings are not what God principally cares about. Christian Love, either towards God or towards man, is an affair of the will. If we are trying to do His will we are obeying the commandment, 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God.' He will give us feelings of love if He pleases. We cannot create them for ourselves, and we must not demand them as a right. But the great thing to remember is that, though our feelings come and go, His love for us does not. It is not wearied by our sins, or our indifference; and, therefore, it is quite relentless in its determination that we shall be cured of those sins, at whatever cost to us, at whatever cost to Him.

From Mere Christianity
Compiled in A Year with C.S. Lewis

A visit with a patient who just learned he had terminal brain cancer

2015-09-30T19:00:00.000-05:00

As I entered the room there was a deafening silence. For a hospital...
this was out of the norm. At any other time there are nurses
shuffling in and out, IV's chirping, TV's blaring, custodians
rattling carts. Here, there was a erie quietness that made me stop
and wonder what was missing.
James was lying in his bed. His sheets were pulled over his head.
Only his fingers... holding the corners were visible. The linens
outlined his body like a cadaver.

I called his name
"James"
He lowered the sheet to his chin
"Why do you have the sheet over your head?" I asked.
"The light is bothering my eyes"

The room was dark. Only a faint light strained through drawn blinds.
His eyes were moist.

"Im chaplain Thomas here at the VA. I came by to see how you are
doing".

"Not too good....
I have a tumor on my brain. They're going to operate
tomorrow and try to relieve this pressure in my head".

Tears began to flow down his cheeks. I reached out and placed my
hand on his.

"Yes, I said, I read this in your chart.
Do you have any family here."

"Not right now. My wife and my son are on there way here from
out of town. She had to stay home to bury her mother. She lived
with us. She had to deal with that...before she could come here."

James' face was soaked with tears. However his weeping was not
without control. It was more of sadness. Steady streams of grief.
He continued.
"I don't know how they're going to deal with this.
First her mother...now this. I just don't know what she's going to do."

Immediately I felt a tremendous sense of inadequacy.

In my world of me... if all is well with me.... then all is well with the world,
fell flat.
My tongue knotted between my lips. Eventually I spoke.

"James, do you believe God is in control?"

"Yes I do",
he said.

"Then his grace will be sufficient. "

"I believe so" he said.

"When is your wife and son coming?" I asked.

"Tonight"

James finally released my hand to wipe his tear stained face.
"They're going to operate tomorrow and try and get rid of this
headache. But...but... it's just not good chap.... It's not good."

I reached for his hand again and prayed a prayer for James.

I felt his trembling body beneath my grasp. He gripped my hands
tightly as we both said " amen.

" I look forward to seeing you again James. There will be a chaplain
here to meet your wife tomorrow. I'll see to it.
I'm praying for you"

" Thank you"

As I backed out of his soundless room, the hustle of 2north
engulfed me. I drifted blindly back down toward the office with only
my feet guiding me on the path. In my heart I thought of my wife, my
children...church tonight...inadequacy... and grattitude.

Let us draw near

2015-08-27T11:54:00.001-05:00

Awareness of God...fellowship with Him...communion with Him is not an issue of hard or easy.

Dwelling beneath the shadow of His wings is simply the surrendering of your consciousness and stillness to the Almighty God.

Tuning your frequency to capture His voice as He shouts and thunders His majesty in all creation.

Capture the aura as the train of His robe fills your temple (Isa 6:1).

He is with you; near you; in you.

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;

I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me

Easy Rider

2015-08-04T01:00:00.000-05:00

ⓙⓐⓜⓔⓢ ➃:➃

...Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Worldly ease is a great foe to faith; it loosens the joints of holy valour, and snaps the sinews of sacred courage.
- Charles Spurgeon

Friendship with the world is when we choose to make an unholy alliance with carnal things over and above our relationship with God. To be entangled with the trappings of this life at the expense of our fellowship with God is an unfruitful and dangerous place to reside. All followers of Christ are vunerable to this trap simply because we are in this world...but not of it.

ⓐⓜⓞⓢ ➅:➀

woe to you who are at ease in Zion...

The only benefit that I can see from the accumulation of worldy goods, wealth, and treasure is to have more to give for the cause of Christ. Otherwise...padding our life with earthly comforts can lead to pride and rebellion. Striving for DEPENDENCE is more suited for serving Him. Dependent on the help of God; the Holy Spirit of God; the grace of God and dependent upon the word of God. Faith and trust in anything or anyone outside of the Holy Trinity weakens our trust in the LORD.

To be at ease in today's world is to be out of touch spiritually. Surrounded by darkness and with the enemy on the prowl we fall prostrate before Jehovah seeking His guidance and protection. Herein is inward peace; at ease only when sheltered in the shadow of His wings.

✞ iPhone

Chosen

2015-07-14T00:30:00.000-05:00

AMONG THE MULTITUDE

Among the men and women the multitude,

I perceive one picking me out by secret and divine signs,

Acknowledging none else, not parent, wife, husband, brother, child, any nearer than I am,

Some are baffled, but that one is not--that one knows me.

Ah lover and perfect equal, I meant that you should discover me so by faint indirections,

And I when I meet you mean to discover you by the like in you.

-Walt Whitman

A seeking sinner...A seeking Savior. The twain will surely meet

He entered the back of the chapel seeking counsel.

He was uncertain of the reason he stopped by here...now...today.

He was driven by hunger.

Hunger for something deeply satisfying and driven by a hatred of his offenses.

He fain would have filled his stomach with the husk that the swine did eat.

But he arose and said I will return to my father...

A simple request. Can I help you?

First...the hunger. Have you any bread?

Then...the thirst. Have you drawn from Emmanuel's fountain?

When new life enters, the old is passed away, behold all things are made new!

There is no refurbish...

No retread...

No restart...

He will turn their heart of stone into a heart of flesh!

The difference in once born and twice born is...Behold, all things are made NEW.

New wine can't abide in old wineskin's.

He came as a child. In simple faith the Spirit gave birth.

He shone like the radiance of the Son. Darkness gave way to the dawn. Beauty for ashes. The oil of gladness for mourning.

The seekers...met! Out of the multitudes called the lover of his soul.

Ah...a pearl...of great price.

A robe on his back.

A ring on his finger.

Chosen

...Nor Shifted Sphere Confuse Thy Brain

2015-07-05T16:30:00.000-05:00

Words failing...fawning about...grasping at syllables. Pointing to his

head... his heart. Hoping in some magical way I understood his internal war. A heavy heart buckles under the torrent of tears.
At last an audible sentence that clarifies his struggle. "I've seen things. It keeps me awake."

Sleep was a stranger to him. Rest was replaced with a dread of ghostly images. Fear had looted his soul. The weight of exhaustion was heavy on his eyes.

"It was an IED. It killed the lieutenant outright. My buddy behind me
lost his eye. I got shrapnel in my shoulder and stomach. It should have been me that died."

Regret...sorrow...loathing...the sum of his fears. Emotions were wild and unpredictable. The uncertainty of each moment was evident in his composure. Compassion mixed with sympathy gave me the urge to embrace him, to grasp him like a mighty oak if only for a moment...to give him a sense of anchor.

We sat for long periods of silence.

In short words I learned of his home...

his folks...

his girl...

I awkwardly eased my way into his pain.
"I can't begin to comprehend what your experiencing.
Why me...
Why him...
Why now...
Questions that may never be satisfied. I can tell you that Jesus said,
Consider the lilies, how they grow, they toil not, neither do they spin. Yet Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. How much more valuable are you than they? Do not worry. God knows your need. You must believe this."

"Be patient with yourself. Never surrender hope.
You may feel sadness, grief, and fear. But you have an advantage over most. You are getting the help you need."

"With Gods help and hard work we will get you through this son. Never give up"

Thank you chaplain. Will you come back tomorrow?
"You can count on it"

In the slightest...hope appeared on his countenance. Peace hovered above like a garment ready to be worn.
A light...
ever so faint...
an ember...
a flame.

The body sluggish, aged, cold...
the embers left from earlier fires,
the light in the eye grown dim
shall duly flame again.
- Walt Whitman

(The Agony of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD)
iPhone

Strong Coffee: ...Nor Shifted Sphere Confuse Thy Brain

2015-07-05T16:09:00.001-05:00

Strong Coffee: ...Nor Shifted Sphere Confuse Thy Brain: Words failing...fawning about...grasping at syllables. Pointing to his head... his heart. Hoping in some magical way I understood his ...

t̲̅h̲̅e̲̅ s̲̅u̲̅i̲̅c̲̅i̲̅d̲̅e̲̅ o̲̅f̲̅ h̲̅e̲̅l̲̅l̲̅

2015-06-21T12:06:00.000-05:00

To deny the existence of hell upsets the entire balance of Scripture.

For there to be no hell there would have to be no freewill. If there is no freewill then there would be no transgression. If there is no transgression there is no law. If there is no law then there is no sin. If there is no sin there is no punishment. If there is no punishment then there is no death. If there is no death, there is no need of salvation. If there is no need of salvation; there is no Jesus. If there is no Jesus there is no righteousness. If there is no righteousness then there is no God. If there is no God ... There is no heaven. If there is no heaven it is still the abyss

Kaleidoscope

2015-01-31T20:08:00.001-06:00

My precious wife shared with me a quote that she had heard.

"When we pray the heart of God and man align."

Because of our humanity we are not shielded nor able to escape the issues of pain, hardship, and suffering that awaits every mortal being. The beauty of our relationship with God, and I would even say the purpose, is how His grace and power works through the frailties of our life; displaying His manifold power in the deepest and darkest valley's of our human experience.

People who live outside of this alignment constitutes the majority of mankind. It is among the masses in which we derive a vocabulary of words with seemingly universal application. For example; the word bad, in the sense of badness, is the opposite of good. Bad is bad. If I say to you that I am good you would not think bad. Good is good; bad is bad. However, the carnal words; used by man; cosmopolitan in use; are irrelevant and pale to a spiritual lexicon and perspective. Only in alignment with God; through the lens of faith; do we regard our life and circumstances differently. In Christ we trust in a broader picture; not judged by what is happening but rather in what He is making; thus receiving all things in sanctity and accordance; conforming to His will and purpose.

In other words...If my neighbor, a non-believer, reached out to God only after suffering a near fatal accident, then what was bad...was actually good. Better to enter heaven with one eye than into hell with two.

Kaleidoscope by definition is a complex pattern of constantly changing colors and shapes.
God is never changing...but we are ever-changing...through the inescapable impact of life. In this journey of our faith we discover that our God is greater than all of our sin and shame, fears and failures. When aligned with Him, the kaleidoscope of our life is constantly changing; refined; conformed; renewed.

As Andre Crouch would sing,
"if I never had a problem... I would never know that God could solve them"

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
I have known crises in my life...as have many of you. Most by my own doing and at other times blindsided. In frailty and fear you want to give up and quit. When life and its mysteries comes crashing in it leaves you feeling hopeless and helpless...then...deep calls unto deep. Your faith says...

"A festering thorn can break you...
but with God...IT CAN MAKE YOU ."

You may be encircled this very moment with the adversities of life; pitiful; bewildered; loathing you're very self. Others; with their carnal eyes; fleshy thoughts; simple minds; will tell you how to feel, what to do, how to act.
In that moment you must remember, at your worst He found you and now; in your state; your rightful place at His table; you must align to His ever-changing design for your life.

When God has surrounded you, even in the presence of your enemies, your cup will overflow. You learn that indeed...He works all things together for good; conforming you to His image. What some meant for evil or the enemy as defeat, God meant for good; to be transformed; renewed; changed.

As vessels of clay we can't hide our cracks, blemishes, and scars...rather we are to reveal His grace within; the treasure of His children; showing that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
JMT

Life Is Precious

2014-11-06T10:44:00.001-06:00

We've all heard that before. Like most wise sayings...their's a reason why they stick.

When you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ the meaning and purpose of life becomes clearer. He doesn't hide His will from us; but it is enveloped within His presence. Walking with Him daily is about knowing Him and doing His will...with my life vessel or instrument that He's created...in me.

One day...His work on earth for me will be done. My day, my moment under the sun, my time on the stage of life is NOW.
When the curtain falls and the lights grow dim...I will exit this life. Death is all that separates me from my immortal-heavenly dwelling.

Isn't it awesome to have the fullness of Christ; in this life. Daily I must be confident of His work being done in and through me. My present mortal life, just as my imperishable eternity, rests in His hands. Every day...every moment counts.

Imagine a what if with me...Suppose an angel of the Lord appeared to you tonight with an urgent and confidential message from above. Without any shadow of doubt Gods messenger said to you...

"The Lord will be calling you home exactly one year from tonight. He wants you to set your priorities in order and be extremely wise with your time."

If that happened...what would you do differently for a year? Love more; listen...give... forgive...all the more?

I believe at the end of that year, you would look back and say that it was the best 12 months of your entire life!

Even through the tough times, our life of faith and hope teaches us grace and humility. This we in turn use in life as a living testimony that strengthens others in their life struggles.

1 Peter 1:7
that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

Faith is also called precious and it makes life even more precious. Take hold of today and live bold for the Lord. He will meet you at every turn.

John Mark Thomas has shared a video with you on YouTube

Coldplay - Life Is For Living HIDDEN SONG - (Audio)

by ColdplayOnline

http://www.coldplayism.com - "Life Is For Living" is a hidden song that comes after "Everything's Not Lost" on Coldplay's debut album "Parachutes".

LYRICS:

Now I never meant
To do you wrong
Thats what I came here to say

But if I was wrong
Then Im sorry
I dont let it stand in our way

As my head just aches
When I think of
The things that I shouldnt have done

But, life is for living
We all know
And I dont wanna live it alone

Sing
Ah, ah, oh
Sing
Ah, ah, oh
And just think
Ah, ah, oh

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Gifted

2014-10-30T16:00:00.000-05:00

1 Timothy 4:14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

You have a gift. It is a unique gift that no other person on earth has. This talent is exclusive because YOU are special. The gifts of God are distributed among His children but just as you are unique...so is your gift.

Talents of encouragement or service; gifts of teaching or giving; physical talents from singing to athletics; from healing arts to photography every believer has one...or several...God given gifts and..."to whom much is given, much is required."

Let me encourage you to fan your gifts into flame; hone your craft and refine your talents for the blessing and benefit of others. Sharing your gift(s) is the most Christlike thing you can do.

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

It was to the joy of Jesus Christ to share with all the ultimate gift of eternal life...to all who believe in Him.

I firmly believe that when believers are engaged in the working and sharing of their God given gifts...only then do they experience the fullness of joy.

Many hide their gifts or neglect it. The devil and his surrogates feed us a line about how insignificant we are; how silly we look; or how lame our gift is compared to others. As the result we neglect our special talent; the amazing gift(s) God entrusted unto us to serve the body of Christ and the lost world.

Now just as your special gift is from God...along with His Holy Spirit that works in you; when you display your gift, the mighty awesome power of God is released through you. Those who receive the blessing of your gift have an awestruck- supernatural experience that is nothing short of angelic...bringing glory to God.

1 Peter 4:10-11. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

Discover the gift. It may be subtle...it may be obvious.

Ask for spiritual confirmation of your gift(s) then get busy with it. The display of Gods power awaits through the working of your special, unique, and exclusive gift. Do not deny the world the blessing of something they've never ever seen before...God at work...in You...and ME.