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Clue #3: He does this, EVEN when you’re not around!

He will take actions that ensure your well-being in the long term, whether that means making financial decisions with you in mind, considering your needs in his career choices, or simply making sure that the life you build together is one of stability and security. A man who is reckless with his future is also reckless with yours, and that is not a sign of love. It is a sign of immaturity.

But here’s the thing; protection is a two-way street. A relationship is not a scenario where one person does all the shielding, while the other remains passive. A woman who is truly worthy of this of kind of love will also offer protection in return, not in the same physical sense perhaps, but in the way she nurtures his mind, his emotions, and his Spirit. She will create a safe space for him to express himself without fear of judgment. She will protect his confidence, just as he protects hers. She will stand by him when he faces the inevitable hardships of life rather than retreating at the first sign of trouble.

At the core of it, love is about having each other’s backs. It’s about making the conscious choice to be a source of strength rather than a source of stress. If a man loves you, you will feel safe, not just physically, but in every way that matters. You will not have to question whether he will be there for you in moments of weakness. You will not have to wonder if he will shield you from unnecessary pain, and that is what real love looks like.

It is not just merely passion or attraction. It is the willingness to stand beside someone to bear some of their burdens to ensure that, no matter what life brings they never have to face it alone. When a man loves and adores a woman, it manifests not only in his words, but in his consistency, his unwavering presence, his reliability, his ability to be counted on, even in the smallest moments.

This is one of the most overlooked, yet most telling aspects of true love. It’s easy to be affectionate when emotions are high, when passion is burning, when everything is smooth but love, real love is demonstrated in the steady commitment to show up again and again, regardless of the circumstances. Consistency is a form of devotion. It signals that a man is not just emotionally invested in a passing moment but rather in the long-term stability of the relationship, and what does that look like?

It means he keeps his word. If he says he’ll call, he calls; if he promises to be there, he is. There is no ambiguity, no last-minute changes that leave you wondering where you stand. A man who truly adores you doesn’t leave you in a perpetual state of uncertainty. He makes it clear through his actions, not just his words, that you are a priority, not an afterthought.

This kind of consistency provides a woman with something invaluable; security. And not just in the obvious sense. Yes, there is security in knowing that someone will be there when they say they will, but there is also emotional security, the kind that allows a woman to open up fully, to trust deeply, to love without hesitation. A man who is inconsistent, who is there one moment and distant the next, creates an emotional environment filled with doubt.

A woman in that position is left questioning, analyzing, second guessing; that is not love! That is emotional chaos and love in its truest form, does not create chaos. It creates stability, but consistency goes beyond just being present.

It is also about emotional reliability. Does he react to conflict with the same level of respect and composure each time, or does his temperament and level of affection shift unpredictably conditional on how the day is going for him. A man who truly loves and adores you, will not be emotionally erratic. He will not make you feel like his love depends on whether things are easy or difficult. He will make it clear that he is committed, no matter what.

And it’s not just about the big moments; anyone can be consistent in the grand gestures; anniversaries, birthdays, celebrations, but true consistency shows up in the every-day in the simple habits that signal love and commitment. The text message to check in, not because he has to, but because he genuinely wants to know how your day is going. The way he remembers the small things, your favorite drink, the way you like your coffee, the song that always makes you smile, the way he asks about the details of your life, not as a formality, but because he truly cares.

A man’s consistency is a reflection of his Integrity. A man who is consistent in his love is a man who understands responsibility, who does not take relationships lightly, who recognizes that love is not about grandiose words but about showing up every single day. He does not withdraw his affection when things become difficult. He does not retreat when life becomes stressful. He remains steady because he understands that love is a foundation, not a fleeting emotion, and perhaps most importantly, consistency is the antidote to insecurity.

When a woman knows with absolute certainty that her man is there for her, not just when it’s convenient, but always, she is freed from the need to constantly seek reassurance. She does not have to wonder if he will leave when things get hard. She does not have to question if he truly cares. She knows, because he has shown her repeatedly through his actions. This is what separates a fleeting connection from a lasting bond. It’s what allows relationships to deepen, to grow, to evolve into something unbreakable, because at the end of the day, love is not just about feelings, it’s about action.

It’s about the daily choice to be there to care to remain steady in a world that is anything but. And so, if a man loves and adores you, you will not have to question his presence in your life. He will not be a mystery, a puzzle you are constantly trying to solve. He will be there, again and again, without question, without hesitation, without fail, because love, real love is not uncertain. It is sure steady and unwavering.

NEXT UP: Clue #4 The Most Powerful Way He Shows His Love – Truly Unguarded Vulnerability!

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CLUE TWO: His Unexpected Action, Consistency,  Proves His Love

But it’s not just about the long term, it’s about the everyday. Love is not built in moments of passion alone. It’s built in consistency. Does he make an effort to check in on you, not just when he wants something, but simply because he cares? Does he listen when you speak truly absorbing what you say rather than waiting for his turn to respond? Does he make space for you in his schedule, even when he’s busy? A man who prioritizes you will make sure that you feel valued in his presence.

He won’t leave you guessing about where you stand. He won’t make you feel like you’re fighting for scraps of his attention. And if you find yourself constantly questioning whether you’re important to him, that itself is an answer.

Many people fall into the trap of excusing neglect in relationships. They rationalize it telling themselves, he’s just bad at communication or going through a lot right now. And while it’s true that life can be complicated and people have different ways of expressing love, there is one fundamental truth that remains.

When a man values something, he takes care of it. He protects it. He nurtures it, and he does not allow it to feel neglected. Now, here’s where this becomes even more critical. A man’s willingness to prioritize you is directly linked to his respect for you. Love without respect is. unsustainable. If a man sees you as truly valuable, he will treat you as such, he won’t take you for granted. He won’t expect you to always be available while he remains distant and detached. Instead, he will ensure that his actions reflect his appreciation for you, not just in words, but in how he structures his life around the relationship.

And this is why self-respect is crucial on your end as well. If you allow yourself to accept a position of constant secondary importance in someone’s life, you are reinforcing the idea that it is acceptable. If you tolerate inconsistent effort, you are teaching him that minimal effort is sufficient. Love cannot thrive in an environment where one person is always compromising, and the other is always benefiting.

So, what’s the takeaway here? It’s simple. If a man loves and adores you, you won’t have to question whether you matter to him. He will show you day in and day out through his actions, his presence, and his choices. And if you find yourself constantly having to convince him to make space for you in his life, then you’re not his priority. You’re an option, and you should never settle for being an option.

 One of the most telling signs that a man truly loves and adores you is the way he protects you, not just physically but emotionally, psychologically, and even spiritually. Protection in its deepest sense is not about dominance or control. It’s about care. It’s about the conscious effort to shield you from harm; to create an environment where you feel safe, valued and supported.

This instinct to protect is deeply wired into men. Historically, men have been the guardians of the tribe, the defenders of the home, the ones who stood between danger and those they loved. And while the threats may look different in the modern world; no wild animals, no enemy tribes at the gates, the instinct remains.  A man who loves you will not be indifferent to your suffering. He will not allow you to face life’s battles alone while he remains passive; he will be invested in your well-being, in your emotional security, in the quality of your life.

But let’s make something clear. This kind of protection is not about solving all of your problems for you. A good man doesn’t see his woman as helpless. He sees her as capable. He doesn’t take away her autonomy or make her dependent on him. Instead, he stands beside her ready to bear some of the burden when the weight of the world becomes too much. He is there, not to rescue her, but to support her.

This is evident in how he responds when you’re in distress. When life throw’s challenges your way, whether it’s stress at work, difficulties with friends or family, or internal struggles with self-doubt, does he show up for you? Does he take the time to listen to understand to reassure you that you’re not alone? Or does he dismiss your concerns, minimize your emotions, or make you feel as though your struggles are an inconvenience to him? A man who loves you will not let you suffer in silence. He will notice when you’re in pain, even when you try to hide it, and he will do what he can to make things easier for you.

And let’s not forget emotional protection. This is where many men fail without realizing it. A man who truly adores you will not play with your emotions. He will not manipulate you, make you feel insecure, or engage in mind games that leave you questioning his commitment.

Instead, he will offer you stability. He will communicate with honesty and clarity. He will not make you feel like love is something you have to earn more that his affection is conditional on your ability to please him. This emotional protection also means safeguarding your confidence and self-worth. A loving man does not belittle the woman he adores. He does not make cruel jokes at her expense. He does not criticize her in a way that erodes her self-esteem.

On the contrary, he lifts her up. He speaks to her with respect. He acknowledges her strength and even when he has to address a problem or conflict, he does in a way that is constructive, not destructive.

And then there’s the social aspect of protection. When a man loves a woman, he will not tolerate disrespect toward her. He won’t stand by while others demean her; whether it’s friends, family members, or even strangers. He will make it clear through both words and actions that she is someone he values deeply and that he expects others to treat her with the same respect.

A man’s protective nature is also evident in the way he plans for the future. If he truly sees you as his partner, he will think beyond the present moment.

NEXT UP:

CLUE #3: He does This EVEN WHEN YOU’RE NOT AROUND

PRAYER REMINDERS:

Post 4/19/25: Aron Lee Ralston; that Aron hears Christ’s call & fulfills his life’s destinies for himself, his children – Leon & Elisabetta, as well as his life’s motto, “There are possibilities in our problems, transformation in our trauma, and blessings in our boulders” and the His best for them is yet to come!

Post 04/21/25: Glendon, Simon and the persecuted Christians in Nigeria, Africa, and Asia..

THANK YOU

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CLUE # 1: His Priorities Shift Exclusively To You

This is the second post in a five post series on The Intracasies of Male Female Relationships. FYI, this “wordy” document is a 6400 words in length, averaging 1280 words per post; some longer, some shorter. And yes, I’m sure it could be powerfully condensed, but I have not the time, inclination and especially, the skill to spiritually mesh the missing spiritual dimensions. Any volunteers? It possesses a worthy start for someone to build on…

Love isn’t about occasional intensity. It’s about sustained commitment, and that means showing up when it’s difficult, not just when it’s easy. This is where so many relationships falter. People mistake intensity for love. They mistake desire for devotion, but real love doesn’t manifest in dramatic moments alone. It’s in the quiet, unremarkable acts of care and attention, the way he checks in on you after a stressful day; the way he supports you in your ambitions, the way he listens not just to the words you say, but to the emotions behind them.

And here’s something else to consider. A man who truly loves you doesn’t just align his actions with his words when things are good. He does it when challenges arise. He doesn’t withdraw when you need him most. He doesn’t become defensive or dismissive when you express your concerns. Instead, he engages. He takes responsibility. He recognizes that love isn’t just about feeling good. It’s about doing the work required to make the relationship strong. Love in its healthiest form requires integrity, and integrity is the alignment of words and actions. If a man tells you he loves you, but his behavior causes you to feel uncertain, confused, or undervalued, then his words are meaningless.

Love should not be a source of deep anxiety. It should not leave you in a constant state of questioning. When a man truly adores you, you will know it, not because he says it, but because everything he does affirms it. At the end of the day, love isn’t just about attraction or chemistry. It’s about trust. And trust is built through reliability through the certainty that a person means what they say and follows through on it; that’s the foundation of any meaningful relationship when you can trust, not just a person’s words, but their commitment to those words. That’s when you know love is real.

So, ask yourself, are his actions telling the same story as his words? If they are, then you are with a man who truly loves you. If they aren’t, then it’s time to stop listening to what he says and start believing what he shows you.

When a man truly loves and adores a woman, one of the clearest indicators is his willingness to prioritize her, not just in the grand, sweeping gestures that society romanticizes, but in the daily, often mundane aspects of life. Love in its most meaningful form isn’t a fleeting feeling or a dramatic proclamation. It’s a continual act of choosing someone over and over again, even when it’s inconvenient. People often misunderstand what prioritization really means in a relationship. It’s not about grandiosity. It’s not about constant attention or unhealthy dependence.

It’s about where he chooses to invest his energy, his time, and his presence. A man who adores you isn’t just physically present. He is mentally and emotionally engaged, and that engagement isn’t conditional. It doesn’t disappear when life becomes stressful, or when distractions arise. It remains because he sees you as an essential part of his world. Think about it. We always make time for what we truly value. If something is important to us, whether it’s our career, our health, or a deeply held personal goal, we structure our lives around it. We don’t let it become an afterthought. We don’t engage with it only when it is convenient.

The same principle applies to love if a man consistently makes excuses for why he can’t show up, if he repeatedly allows work, hobbies, or external pressures to take precedence over his commitment to you. Then you are not his priority, and that is something you need to recognize before you invest any deeper.

Now, there’s an important distinction to make here. Prioritization doesn’t mean obsession. It doesn’t mean abandoning everything else in life. A strong man, a man who is truly capable of loving deeply, still has his own goals, his own aspirations, his own purpose beyond the relationship. In fact, that’s what makes him worth being with in the first place. But when he loves you, he integrates you into that purpose. He considers your needs, your desires, your well-being, not as an afterthought, but as a crucial part of his decision-making process, you see this in the way he plans for the future. Does he include you in his long-term vision? Does he seek your input when making big decisions? Does he make an effort to align his path with yours in a way that allows both of you to grow. These are the questions that truly reveal where you stand in his life.

NEXT UP: Clue Two: This Unexpected Action, Consistency, Proves His Love

PRAYER REMINDERS:

Post 4/19/25: Aron Lee Raltston; that Aron hears Christ’s call & fulfills his life’s destinies for himself, his children – Leon & Elisabetta, as well as his life’s motto, “There are possibilities in our problems, transformation in our trauma, and blessings in our boulders” and the His best for them is yet to come!

Post 04/21/25: Glendon, Simon and the persecuted Christians in Nigeria, Africa, and Asia..

THANK YOU

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THE INTRACASIES OF MALE / FEMALE RELATIONSHIPS

This is the first in a series of five posts that I received a week after the original READ WEEP PRINT & KEEP of the Orlando FL editorial posted Saturday April 5 . Such outstanding documents are indeed rare and I do hope you readers will forward me any such that you think qualify for this distinction. I’ll reveal its author with the fifth post. I am in awe of its commonsense content even though I find not a shred of scriptural influence or reference. Enjoy.

If you want to truly know if a man really loves you, listen to what he says. Watch what he does. Words are easy. They can be crafted, manipulated, and delivered with precision, often without any real substance behind them.

Actions, on the other hand, tell a story that words alone never could. A man who loves you doesn’t leave you wondering about his feelings because his behavior consistently aligns with his words. And that’s a critical distinction. People often talk about love as if it’s this grand mysterious emotion that suddenly overtakes you, something you feel deeply but can’t quite explain.

But love in its most functional and healthy form is far more practical than that. It’s a pattern of behavior, an ongoing commitment, a set of choices made over and over again. A man who loves you is a man who acts in accordance with that love. He doesn’t just declare that he cares. He demonstrates it in ways that are tangible, observable, and consistent.

Consider this! When someone is truly invested in something, they don’t neglect it. You can see it in the way they prioritize their time, and the way they handle conflict, and the way they take responsibility. If a man claims to love you but repeatedly cancels plans, avoids difficult conversations, or fails to support you in moments of need, then his actions contradict his words and contradictions and behavior are revealing. They indicate a lack of Integrity in the emotional foundation of the relationship. A man who genuinely adores you, makes an effort to please you by remembering those important small details, not because he’s required to, but because he longs to. If something is important to you, it becomes important to him. He takes note of your preferences, your struggles, your dreams, and he engages with them in a way that demonstrates genuine care.

Now that doesn’t mean he has to be perfect, but it does mean that his love is evident in the way he shows up, not just when it’s convenient, but consistently. Consistency, in fact, is one of the strongest indicators of love. It’s easy to make a grand gesture every-once-in-a- while to plan an elaborate date to say something deeply romantic in a moment of passion, but none of that matters if the exotic events, are not backed up by quiet meaningful everyday efforts.

NEXT UP: His Priorities Shift Exclusively To You

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 Strictly FYI & YPS! (Your Prayer Support)

I received an email April 10 from a friend I’ve named anonymously Glendon, who has been a faithful mentor to me for going on three decades. He has frequently been Jesus in “real skin” for me over the years and I marvel at how God has both protected and prospered this elderly gentleman throughout his numerous trying times. Early on, Glendon had confided in me the details of a mission tour he joined in Nigeria, and how his first visit there coincided with a group of Muslims attacking Christians the day before he arrived!

The next day after the attack my friend Glendon accompanied Simon, a young native Christian, to the hospital witnessing a young woman sitting at the entrance with her hand cut off at the wrist being bandaged up by the hospital doctors. Inside the hospital beds were filled with the wounded from machete attack! Arms and hands were cut off, deep wounds across their backs, chests and even some legs. Of course, Glendon had never witnessed anything like this on any prior mission trips, but this time he had, and as a consequence, his life was never the same.

Later that week when the mission tour personnel learned Glendon had toured the hospital, they scolded him and said it was wrong for him to have visited there. In fact, he was told to never report anything that he had seen at the hospital! And for 30 plus years, up until the April 10th email, he has been as he says, shamefully silent, except for sharing earlier on with me, the events details  

He was told then people do not understand Muslims and drawing attention to this event would not be good. The tour personnel tried to explain away the prior day’s event as just being a land problem that had little or nothing to do with religion, being Muslim or Christian. Glendon having already discussed with Simon the situation, knew the tour personnel representing worldwide Christian Churches were lying, and for the decades since, nothing has been said, but Glendon reports neither are those worldwide churches or their mission works prospering.

The good news about this dark Nigerian event in Glendon’s life was that spiritually, it was a turning point for developing in him an awareness to look beyond the obvious to discern God’s truths in the world’s chaos, such as we are increasingly encountering during these last days. And equally important, it was on this tour trip Glendon first met Simon.

At that time, Simon was a young Nigerian man searching to find his place to serve God in his home community and had just recently married. His wife was a school teacher with a salary of $300.00 dollars a year, but often, she did not even get paid. Simon wanted more Bible education in order to teach others. So Glendon with his connections arranged for him to attend and graduate from Bible college. But then he still had no income, and the American mission agency that had arranged the tour Glendon had joined had no interest in helping Simon spread the gospel.

Long story short, Glendon to this day is still arranging support for Simon and his family. He began early on sending Simon money from time to time and he began buying roofing tin and eventually built a small two room cement block building. His home is without electricity and no plumbing that works. The last time Glendon stayed with Glendon he bathed from a bucket of water which came from a cistern while standing in a tub.

Today his wife has diabetes and often suffers from bouts with malaria. Simon’s oldest son is married with 2 children. His other five dependents are now either in school or university. Glendon over the years has remained knowledgeable of their names, ages, and the schools they are attending. Beginning now in April, the Nigerian government requires that two of his daughters must drop out of university and become soldiers for two years. Recently robbers broke into the girl’s dorm and stole their rice, beans and clothing. Life there is very difficult.

Until now when Glendon just gave me permission to share Simon’s last email with you readers of this blog post, no one else except I, had an inkling of this situation, remaining only between God, Glendon & Simon.

Simon now is an evangelist preacher who travels around his area teaching and preaching. A few weeks ago, he estimated once there were over 600 in his audience. As Simon continues to minister to his Christian brothers and sisters in and about his community, he comes and goes with little to spare, but still gives to others who are starving, sick or widows, out of what Glendon provides him. Glendon prays daily and requests you blog readers do the same for this little mission enclave thanking God that Simon can so function there because God is still blessing Glendon as he is soon entering his nineties with good health and the financial means to share with Simon.

Here is part of Simon’s April 10th email

The herdsmen here behave like wild animals
The Muslims are using them in disguise to fight their jihad
This is one of their strategies to wipe out Christianity, just so you know what happened in Afghanistan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Lebanon and the rest.
That is also their strategies against America as they have captured Europe, especially Great Britain
The want to Islamize the whole world.
Yemen, Iran etc. are their sponsors who are sponsoring the terrorists.
Christians must be wise but innocent as a doves.
We must watch out very carefully
There are several places in Nigeria that are captured and now are under their control whereby before were Christian controlled areas
They have expanded their territories very fast in Nigeria.
Recently in one of the local government area in plateau state is under serious attack and siege.
Last week they attacked and killed hundreds of people.
Dead bodies are still being recovered
Only God knows the mission and evil they have against Christians.
You on your end may not know how much evil is planned against Christians.
Only God can help.
We are fine
I’m grateful to God to hear that you people are doing good
Praise to God for who He is
Praise God I was able to extend hands to about 5 people of various needs
Thanks so very much Glendon
Remain ever blessed under the Fire of God.
Thanks for praying for me always
It means a lot for me and our ministry.
Greetings to your beloved wife and children.

The new clip below was sent me by my mentor friend Glendon taken from opendoorsuk.org/news 12:30 pm April 20, 2025

Christians among 113 killed in latest spate of attacks in Nigeria

A devastating spate of attacks in Nigeria has killed around 113 people, including Christians. With Easter approaching, believers in Nigeria are even more vulnerable to attack. Please pray for their protection and for other believers worldwide as they mark Holy Week….. Tim   Open Doors Team

            Christian communities in Nigeria have again been devastated by militant attacks. Around 113 people, including some Christians, have been killed in another spate of horrific attacks in Plateau State, Nigeria, with thousands more displaced. Since the end of March, Fulani militants attacked at least eight communities in the local government associations of Bokkos and Bassa. Alongside those killed (and the number could be higher), a further six are missing and many others injured. Over 300 homes have been destroyed, leaving more than 3,000 people displaced.

            The most recent attack was on Sunday night (13 April) in a Christian community in Bassa. “Forty-three people were killed, several houses were burnt down with people inside,” says a local contact. Amongst the other attacks, three Christian farmers were cultivating their land on 24 March when they were killed. Three days later, the militants killed 11 Christians who had gathered for a funeral, including a pregnant woman and ten-year-old girl. On 2 April, at least five Christian women were killed as they gathered for fellowship.

            The attacks in Bokkos come as Christian communities continue to recover from a series of attacks in 2023, including one on Christmas Eve in which around 200 believers were killed. A coordinated security response is in place to tackle the ongoing spate of attacks in affected communities.

            “Our people are living in fear,” says Titus Ayuba Alams, who serves as a special adviser to the local authorities on workers’ welfare and corporate affairs. “Children no longer go to school, even worship in churches you can’t do it, because you are running for your life.”

Why are the attacks happening now?

            The attacks come at the onset of the rainy season, which lasts until October. It’s a crucial time for subsistence farmers, who need to get crops in the ground in preparation for the dry season. Many of those attacked and now displaced rely on their farms for survival, and with many men amongst those killed, women and children have lost their breadwinner, leaving them especially vulnerable. Attacks like these are often tactical and targeted, aimed at crippling families and communities in the long-term. When Christian villages are attacked, it is often intended to fatally undermine and destroy the local church. “Children no longer go to school, even worship in churches you can’t do it, because you are running for your life”

            Those displaced are now among the millions of Christians displaced by violence and conflict, not just in Nigeria but throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Many end up at displacement camps that are dangerously ill-equipped to care for people. Through the Arise Africa campaign, your gifts are lifeline to so many of our brothers and sisters, but the need remains acute.

            “Let’s pray that the Lord will make provision, because we have four IDP [internally displaced person] camps: one in Bokkos, one in Gombe and two in Hurti. And in Bokkos, we have more than 2,000 IDPs. In Hurti, we have more than 4,000 and the same in Gonde,” says Reverend Arum, the CAN (Christian Association of Nigeria) chairman of Bokkos lower government authority. “Let’s pray that the Lord will make provision, and the body of Christ will support the church through prayers and, if they can, support them financially.”

Petition and prayer

The Arise Africa campaign is not only about raising money and prayers – it’s also about raising your voice. If you haven’t already, please sign and share the petition. The aim is to take this to the UK government, United Nations, European Union and African Union, calling for protection, justice and restoration for our brothers and sisters affected by rising violence in sub-Saharan Africa – including those whose lives have been rocked by this latest spate of attacks. Go to opendoorsuk.org for details

            And with Holy Week underway, please remember believers across the world as they mark Easter under the heightened risk of pressure and persecution. The attack on Christians in Bokkos during Christmas 2023 is a sobering reminder that Christian celebrations can be targeted by militant groups. Meanwhile, those who attend services can face hostility from their own communities and families. Please pray for God’s peace and presence to surround our persecuted family at this time.

Please pray:

 For God’s unsurpassing love, comfort and peace to engulf all those affected by these   attacks, and that the forthcoming Easter weekend will breathe precious hope into their hearts.

For the provision of food, shelter safety for the displaced.

For the protection of all gatherings in Nigeria, and elsewhere worldwide, during Holy Week.

Taken from opendoorsuk.org/news 12:30 pm April 20, 2025

Strictly FYI & YPS! (Your Prayer Support)

Post 4/19/25: Aron Lee Raltston; that Aron hears Christ’s call & fulfills his life’s destinies for himself, his children – Leon & Elisabetta, as well as his life’s motto, “There are possibilities in our problems, transformation in our trauma, and blessings in our boulders” and the His best for them is yet to come!

Post 04/21/25: Glendon, Simon and the persecuted Christians in Nigeria, Africa, and Asia…

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These Two IFL Videos Certainly Weren’t Planned, But…

Late Thursday afternoon my sister Verla told me about Swindoll’s Insight For Living using the facts of the Aron Lee Ralston brush with death in his Thursday/Friday segments. Immediately, I was compelled to send you both Part I & II, even though I’d earlier suggested you do some reflective spiritual analysis/discernment. Hopefully this will fuel that process, as we continually strive to be vigilantly alert living in the moments of the opportunities He graciously provides us.

HIS BOTTOM LINE:

Claim the Facts!

Transcend the Fiction!

Experience His Risen Reality!

An In-The-Moment After Thought:

I’m compelled to share with you readers what I believe will some day be a Paul Harvey type “The Rest of The Story” written about this Aron Lee Ralston. The Wiki bio in the After the Accident section in the 6th paragraph states “He later noted that surviving being trapped in the canyon had given him sense of invincibility, at a time that it should have humbled him.”Elsewhere I learned three of his friends committed suicide within weeks in 2006. On May 4, 2007 he appeared at the Swiss Economic Forum and gave a speech about how he “lost his hand, but gained his life back.”

Deseret News in April 9, 2009 published an article on Aron stating the year prior by his own estimate he was home five days per month between speaking engagements, climbs, races and hikes. Though strength and courage remain a focus of his speeches, Aron said, “Now I’ve identified what that source is, and it’s love. We’re tapping into that source of strength and courage when we feel love …. those opportunities are out there all the time and hopefully we’re doing it for that instead of just our own egos.” At that time, it was estimated Aron had encountered over 500 such worldwide speaking engagements concluding with standing ovations at $20-$30K per event, indeed a notable achievement!

Aron will turn 50 October 27, 2025, likely now assuredly knowing he’s not invincible, as well as being humbled daily by his two teenage children, nearing their twenties, named Leon and Elisabetta. His life’s motto, as of now is, “There are possibilities in our problems, transformation in our trauma, and blessings in our boulders.”

Fast forward I believe when “The Rest of the Story” will be published explaining how the Cross of Jesus bridged the insurmountable canyon separating a sinful Aron from Holy God, after all his attempts of Good Works, Religion, Philosophy, Morality, etc., proved futile in freeing his spirit, soul and body, heart, mind, and will from his “boulder bondage” preventing Aron from “crossing over” the canyon to freely receive Jesus’ forgiveness, repentance, transformation and empowerment. Join me in praying that Aron hears Christ’s call and fulfills his life’s destinies sooner than later. I am reminded of James 4:2 where summarized it states “You have not because you ask not!”

In this boulder bondage Aron experienced, I can’t help but think of Jesus entering Jerusalem being praised by the multitudes such that some of the Pharisees said to Jesus in Luke 19: 39-40, “Master, rebuke thy disciples” to which He replied “I tell you that, if these shall hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” Imagine, inanimate rocks praising God when those created in His image refuse to thank and praise Holy God! I also am reminded that Aron, as are all of us, someday at the time of our choosing, contently grazing His pastures as revealed in John 10:9 “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

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In Remembrance of Pastor Carl’s 4th Point, DETERMINATION, And In Our Preparation For Resurrection Sunday, May I Suggest the Facts Lest We Lose Our Perspective ….

4:39 minutes into this video after the Scripture from Matt 28 in is the most amazing account of determination of choosing life over death that I’ve heard recently (the movie was made 14 years ago – I don’t get out much…) of 27 yr old Aaron Lee Ralston, while mountain canyoneering alone through Bluejohn Canyon, in eastern Wayne Co. Wikipedia.

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Spiritual Vision Through Personal Character

My Utmost For His Highest Mar 27

Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place… Revelation 4:1

A higher state of mind and spiritual vision can only be achieved through the higher practice of personal character.

If you live up to the highest and best that you know in the outer level of your life, God will continually say to you, “Friend, come up even higher.” There is also a continuing rule in temptation which calls you to go higher; but when you do, you only encounter other temptations and character traits.

Both God and Satan use the strategy of elevation, but Satan uses it in temptation, and the effect is quite different.

For example, when the devil elevates you to a certain place, he causes you to fasten your idea of what holiness is far beyond what flesh and blood could ever bear or achieve. Your life becomes a spiritual acrobatic performance high atop a steeple. You cling to it, trying to maintain your balance and daring not to move. (Anyone relate?)

But when God elevates you by His grace into heavenly places, you find a vast plateau where you can move about with ease. (What a joy to be so thus surrounded with such freedom?)

I suggest you invest a few minutes today sometime to reflect and compare your spiritual acuity, depth, and satisfaction this Holy Week with your Holy Week memories of last year, to see how God now has called you to a higher level, enjoying a broad spacious plateau in which to operate. We are all continually being encouraged to elevate His perspective through us beyond our comfort zone, and incidentally, never allow God to show you a truth which you do not instantly begin to live up to, applying it to your life. Always work through it, staying in its light.

I’m recalling Carl’s 4 D’s this past Sunday; our destination, its distance, our decision, and of course, all without a doubt, OUR (it’s gotta be our, His & I, otherwise I’ll surely fail!) all-out DETERMINATION, in order to vibrantly declare, IT IS FINISHED after which we’ll hear, “well done thou good and faithful servant.” Perhaps use a Post-It Note to remember your 4-D’s?

Your growth in grace is not measured by the fact that you haven’t yet turned back, but that you have an insight and understanding into where you are today spiritually! We’re not merely performing or increasing our workout repetitions in the gym here! Have you heard God say, “Come up higher,” not audibly on the outer level, but to the innermost part of your character? “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing…?” (Genesis 18:17). Understand here, God has to hide from us what He does, until, due to the growth of our personal character, we get to the level where He is then able to reveal it. Oh, the wonder of it all! Praise His Holy Name!

POWERFUL WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS: You must comprehend the remarkable fact about fearing God is that when you fear God you fear nothing else; WHEREAS, if you do not fear God you fear everything else! “Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord.

Sustaining Encouragement for Further Reflection: Colossians 2:6-23 NIV

[6]So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him,

[7] rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

[8] See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

[9] For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,

[10] and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.

[11] In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ,

[12] having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

[13] When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,

[14] having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.

[15] And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

[16] Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.

[17] These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

[18] Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.

[19] They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

[20] Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:

[21] “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”?

[22] These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.

[23] Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

NEXT UP: You’re on your own to personally reflect on your spiritual journey to date, as encouraged in this and prior posts. Happy Easter my friend!

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Sowing Mercy Into The Lives Of Others

Perhaps it is helpful first to remember the Great Commission (Matt 28:19) NIV stated “therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing… teaching…  Whereas the Message reads “Go out and train every one you meet, far and near, in this way of life, making them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in all that I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”

I find this above verse interesting in the fact that traditional public evangelical religious communication is now possibly so polarized, by the public hate speech and media demonstrations, that the evangelical community is effectively being silenced. Rural hamlets or cloistered communities may be the exception, which prompts me to contemplate that sewing mercy into the hateful fabric of our culture, or sowing the seeds of mercy into the hard barren soils now intolerant to scriptural truths or impenetrable to showers of blessings, is possibly preparing us to return to such as the Dark Ages like after the fall of Rome.

I am wondering as Christ Followers and Ambassadors, is the Holy Spirit NOW prompting us to be “upping our game” to expressions of mercy with far fewer words via overtly public preaching and teaching, but with many more under the public radar, heartfelt lingering knowingly loving glances of our eyes accompanied by tender touches, hugs, reassurances and prayers that we understand their pain, whatever the source. I am observing these interactions are being performed quietly and privately building on past events and understandings, regardless their duration.

Actually, such tactics were always to be implemented and utilized in the church, but we in the western church over the years became industrialized, then institutionalized, then enlightened, and now in the last century, educated beyond our competency until too often, we have sadly simply lost our Christian moorings. Now it’s anyone’s guess how our trivially concocted understanding of the end times may sorely refuse to mesh with His, as actually revealed in Scripture.

As Christ Followers, we must be explicitly clear about our mandate of extending mercy as put forth in the first paragraph, as well as the past several posts in preparing us to live victoriously while our chaotic culture and subsequent “off-the-vine-churches” must gasp for air from the worldly system of hospice care for their daily sustenance and even their pain medications. Rather sad, indeed gruesome, and in Christ’s eyes, entirely unnecessary!

Yes, everyone needs mercy because everyone has messed up. We’ve all hurt other people and made mistakes. We’ve all sinned and we all have hurts, habits, and hang-ups as a result of the mistakes we’ve made. Mercy changes the lives of people who have made mistakes, and we who have received mercy freely can change the world around us by showing mercy to others.

Here are four reasons we must keep sowing mercy. Though perhaps a trivial point, I am suggesting “sowing” may slightly elevate the action’s intensity over merely just showing mercy to others. Scripture uses them interchangeably.

1. Sow mercy in others because God has been merciful to you.
The Bible says that God is merciful. It is emphasized all throughout the Bible. There are literally hundreds and hundreds of verses that talk about God’s mercy and his love, his compassion, and his grace.

Ephesians 2:4-5 says, “God’s mercy is so abundant, and his love for us is so great, that while we were spiritually dead in dis-obedience he brought us to life with Christ. It is by God’s grace you have been saved” (GNT).

The point of that Scripture is this: God wants me to act in the same way to other people.

2. Sow mercy in others because God commands you.
In Micah 6:8, God speaks through the prophet to give us three big instructions for our lives. “The LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (NLT).

God says if you want a summary of what life’s all about, and if you’re going to be in his family, this is what’s required of you: You need to do what is right with others, to love being merciful to others, and to live humbly in fellowship with God. One third of God’s requirement for you on this planet is to love mercy. Why? Because God is merciful.

3. Sow mercy because you’re going to need more mercy in the future.
You’re not going to be perfect between now and when you get to Heaven. The Bible tells us we cannot receive what we are unwilling to give.

James 2:13 says, “You must show mercy to others, or God won’t show mercy to you . . . But the person who sows mercy can stand without fear at the judgment” (NCV).

Don’t you want to be able to do that on judgment day? To be able to stand without fear on judgment day? It says the person who shows mercy can stand without fear on the judgment day.

It isn’t the people who have kept more rules than anyone else who get to face their eternity with the greatest confidence. It is believers who have shown mercy to other people.

4. Sow mercy because it produces happiness.
The more merciful I am, the happier I’m going to be.

Proverbs 14:21 says, “If you want to be happy, be kind to the poor; it is a sin to despise anyone” (GNT). Remember, before that can be shouted from the rooftops, it needs to be lived in our spirit, soul, & body; heart, mind, and will.

Being kind to other people actually blesses you and makes you happier in life. And sowing mercy certainly produces greater joy in those to whom you’ve sown it. Would you rather live in a world that is harsh or a world where the people around you value mercy? That is rather plain today!

BOTTOM LINE: You get to help shape a world of mercy around you and allow more people to find freedom from their past when you’re willing to sow mercy.

Note the above italicized four reasons to sow mercy to others was taken from blog.pastors.com/articles/4-reasons-to show-mercy

NEXT UP: Spiritual Vision Through Personal Character

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Finger Pointing 101 and your bill just came due!

When we point our fingers in judgement at somebody in life and say that’s what they get, we have just negated and rejected all of God’s Mercy and Grace in our own life.

And if there’s one thing in life we should know by now, is that our “life choices bill” will always come due. In other words, there’s coming a time to we’ll need to “settle up”, or pay our own bill, and that time is quickly approaching. And when it comes, you cannot help pay somebody else’s bill. They’re going to need to pay their own bill. And their bill will come. As will yours.

Realize now for those of you who sowed Mercy during your life, when your bill comes due, you’ll discover somebody else already paid it, and although you will perceive what you deserve is coming, it never does. What you deserve will never come to you, for you reaped mercy from the mercy you sowed earlier.

Right now, in your life, this level of peace that you’re enjoying is a testament or a witness to the way you’ve been living with and among those in your circles of influence. If you don’t like the level of your life’s peace right now, then make some changes; sow mercy.

For example, has anybody ever heard a person say, “I know this is going to end badly, but let me go ahead and do it anyway.” You ever heard a person say something like that? They already know the outcome. And it will, probably end terribly. But they go ahead and do it. And maybe, even keep doing it!

Which really is not much different than when somebody says “I just can’t seem to make the necessary changes to get out of this rut!”

You see, that’s the problem right there in a nutshell! When you admit to and confirm with your adversary like that, it is game over!

NEXT UP: Practically speaking, how can I begin NOW to sow mercy into the lives of others?

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