Author: Merlin Erb

The last half of the this chapter, “Hindrances to Multiplication,” portrays fear from a scriptural perspective. Being a popular word today both in our culture and the Church, I believe it is especially misunderstood in the church and therefore perhaps pertinent to finishing the chapter. John Bevere released a book in 2006 titled “The Fear of The Lord” with its enormously long sub-title (18 words perhaps because “fear” by itself is not a buzz word that invites potential buyers to browse its pages) wherein the sub-title states four distinct advantages  provided the believer who possesses a scriptural functional definitive clarity of the word fear. These advantages are as follows:

Positions your heart to receive answers,

Promises divine protection,

Provides clarity and direction,

Produces riches, honor and life.

I refer to this book frequently for the basic key scriptural texts and its applications on fear that even I can easily understand.

The following is largely verbatim.

Holy Fear

A biblical phrase describes our discussion thus far: the fear of the Lord. Due to all the fear that abounds, especially in this day and hour, we shy away from this statement. However, there are two fears and they are totally opposite of each other. One is the “spirit of fear,” and the other is the “fear of the Lord.” Scripture distinguishes between the two. Moses said to God’s people just after they drew back from God’s presence:

“Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was. (Exodus 20:20-21 NKJV)

At first glance, it seems Moses contradicts himself. Let me paraphrase his statement to make it clear: “Do not fear because God has come to see if His fear is in you.” His declaration is not a contradiction, rather a differentiating between being “scared of God” and “the fear of the Lord” – there is a difference. The person who is scared of God has something to hide. Recall how Adam hid from the presence of the Lord after he sinned against Him. (see Genesis 3:8) On the other hand, the person who fears God has nothing to hide. He or she is actually afraid to be away from the presence of God.

So up front, allow me to make a firm point: The fear of the Lord is not to be scared of God. How can we have an intimate relationship with Someone we are afraid of? As already stated, true holy fear is to be terrified to be away from God. You don’t want to be anywhere other than in his presence, care, and love. You’re immovable, no matter the circumstances or how bleak things appear; you know there’s no place better than being close to Him. This is evident by your obedience to Him.

To fear God is to venerate, revere, honor, and respect Him more than anyone or anything else. It is to hold Him in the highest esteem, to embrace His heart’s desires as more precious and valuable than our own. We love what He loves and we hate what He hates. What is important to Him becomes important to us; what is not so important to Him is not so important to us.

We operate appropriately in the fear of the Lord when we obey Him instantly; even if it doesn’t make sense, there’s no apparent benefit, and perhaps even appears harmful to our well-being. We know His character, and thus are convinced. Even though something may appear detrimental, it will never be so when obeying God.

Lastly, walking in the fear of the Lord manifests by obeying Him to completion. Abraham did exactly this when God told him to let go of what was most important to him – what he’d waited twenty-five years for – to surrender the one he loved more than any other person or any possession – his son Isaac. He left early in the morning and made a three day journey in order to do what God asked of him. God hadn’t given him a “why,” and it appeared that this sacrifice would ruin all Abraham had lived for. It appeared detrimental. But he implicitly trusted the character of God (the very antithesis of how the lazy steward acted).

Once Abraham had the knife raised to execute Isaac, the angel of the Lord stopped him and declared, “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son” (Genesis 22:12). This kind of love, trust, and faith is the heart of one who truly fears God.

We are told, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs1:7 NKJV). What knowledge? We find the answer shortly afterward, but let’s also examine what leads up to the answer afterward – putting His Word above all, which is no different than what Abraham did:

My son, if you receive My words, and treasure My commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:1-5 NKJV)  

 The answer is quite clear; the fear of the Lord is the beginning of the knowledge of God. Today we would phrase it slightly differently. We might say, “You will understand the fear of the Lord, and begin to know God intimately.” Now we understand the root error of the lazy steward. He lacked holy fear, which was evident by his lack of action and his final response. Just as Israel at times saw God as a tyrant, this steward saw his master no differently. He was blind to his leaders character as evidenced by his statement to his master in Matthew 25:24, “Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate…”

Holy fear is the starting place of knowing God. The psalmist confirms this by declaring :”The Lord is a friend to those who fear Him” (Psalm 25:14). Friends are those we know on an intimate level. Jesus makes a startling statement, “You show that you are My intimate friends when you obey all that I command you” (John 15:14TPT).

Many of us often say we “love” Jesus in the same way we say we love a famous movie star, athlete, or any publicly known figure. Nearly a year ago when Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna were killed in a tragic helicopter accident, the entire nation mourned and many wept. People placed an abundance of balloons, cards, and flowers near the Staples Center where he’d played basketball. I also mourned the tragedy and thought quite a bit about it.

But most of us who mourned didn’t know Kobe like his wife, family, and close friends did. If he’d seen us on the street, he would have had no idea who we were. I’d never spent time with him, yet I grieved his passing as if I did have a relationship with him. Just as Kobe would not have known me when he was alive, there will be a multitude of men and women claiming to know Jesus because they attended church, spoke of Him on social media, listened to music about Him, did things in his name, and even professed His Lordship. But Jesus’s reply will be, “I never knew you.” And this is why:

Not everyone who calls out to me, “Lord! Lord!” will enter the kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of My Father in heaven will enter. On judgement day many will say to me, “Lord! Lord! We prophesied in Your name and cast out demons in Your name and performed many miracles in Your name.” But I will reply, “I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.” (Matthew 7:21-23)

We don’t ever want this said to us by the Master. If you examine this Scripture passage closely, these people were confident in their relationship with Jesus, even emotional about it. Kobe would have said to me, “Who are you? Where are you from? What’s your name?” In this way, Jesus will say to many claiming to know Him, “I don’t know you or where you come from” (Luke 13:25)

Spend (Invest) Time With Him

The fear of the Lord is the starting place of knowing Him intimately, but why camp at the starting place? Go deeper in your relationship, because He’s calling you to come closer. We are told, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you” (James 4:8) Amazingly, we ultimately determine the level of our relationship with Him.

It surprises me how so many people who are professing believers are not much different than the woman I met at the pool in Hawaii. They get their “knowledge of God” from social media, worship music, blogs, conversations with friends, and their pastor speaking about Him once a week, provided they attend. But seldom do they  spend personal time with Him.

The latest statistics show that people between the ages of 15-25 spend 53.7 hours a week in front of screens – smartphones , tablets, computers, and television. A recent survey of 1000 British parents found that the average parent spends less than five hours per week communicating face-to-face with their children. In contrast, I wonder, how much time is spent in the Word of God by either parents or the older children?

I’ve been reading my Bible now for over forty years, and it is still one of my favorite things to do. Before reading, I always ask the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to me in a fresh way. I’ve  spent years getting up early and spend time pacing around my basement, or outside in a remote place, or in my hotel room – just reading, praying and listening. I don’t want to be one of those who preached the gospel all over the world by relying solely on my gift and never getting to know the Gift-giver.

God sought us out, loved, and died for us long before we knew Him. He initiated this magnificent relationship. He is for you. He longs to know you intimately. However, and this is hard for many of us to grasp, He loves you so deeply that He refuses to force you into a relationship with Him.

Merlin writing now.  Continuing in that vein, we are always free agents either to accept or reject God’s offer of adoption into His family. We as believers, especially during these dysfunctional emotional historical moments, need to offer the same courtesy of free choice to friends and family as God does us. Leaders do not force others to follow them. Rather, they “invite” them to “join them” on their journey to Glory. Historically leaders become great leaders, not because of their power of persuasion, BUT because of their ability to spiritually model, invite, and empower others!

So today, choose life as He offers you to live life to the “fullest” right now assured that your choice will also secure your access to “eternal life” with Him in Glory.

Vibrant Continued Blessings to you as we go forth visibly transformed and empowered by our obedience to Him having identified all of our excuses and leaving them at the foot of the Cross >>>> merlin

Recently I listened to John Bevere’s newest book, “X – Multiply Your God-Given Potential” and now I’m reading it through. I just finished Chapter Thirteen; Hindrances To Multiplication and I want to share it with you. I’m finding this book is pushing me out of my comfort zones, beyond my skill levels, further into His realm of grace, so I can rise above my complacency and more boldly discover and pursue my destiny. The words below are virtually verbatim from John. I may summarize the last half of the chapter in the next post. merlin

First, we’ll dive into the motives and thoughts of the lazy steward of Jesus’s parable. Why did the other two servants each double their talents (5 to 10, 2 to 4) and the third only maintained? Why were servants one and two identified as “good and faithful,” while he was referred to as “wicked and lazy”?

Before continuing, let’s take some time to first establish a truth: When someone stands in the presence of Jesus, it is impossible to lie. Why am I mentioning this here? Let me explain with a trivial illustration. Have you ever watched an espionage movie and at one point during an interrogation, a “truth serum” is administered to expose hidden realities? The spy or double agent then reveals what he was sworn to conceal; the truth is uncovered.

Let’s turn to a real-life situation. In our early years of marriage, I was immature and insecure. There were incidents in which I behaved in a way that seemed acceptable at the time, until Lisa confronted me. In our discussions, I strongly defended my actions and motives. Often in these discussions, I’d boldly defend the accuracy of my statements! Later, while in prayer and in the presence of God, I’d realize she was spot on. I would return to Lisa in humility and admit my error.

The point: Deception, dishonesty, trickery, duplicity, and other similar behaviors cannot exist in the royal presence of God. Jesus states:

The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you whispered behind closed doors, will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear! (Luke 12:2-3)

Jesus is speaking specifically of the judgement when it will be impossible to think or speak in a deceiving manner, truth will permeate the atmosphere and no lie or deceitful word will be uttered. The very fact that our stewardship parable represents the judgement means that we can be confident that the answer given by the lazy servant is accurate. He exposes himself, even when it accuses him.

There are two major factors behind why he didn’t eternally multiply:

            He did not know the heart and character of His Master.

            He was afraid.

 These two reasons are given in order. The second is often, but not always, precipitated by the first, as ignorance of the heart and character of God easily arouses fear. This will be made clear as we continue to unpack both errors.

What I Believe

As we unpack the first error, let me tell you a story. I had just flown eight hours to Hawaii for a conference. Still in my travel clothes, waiting for my hotel room to be ready, I’d found a spot to rest under a poolside umbrella. It just so happened that a businesswoman was also waiting – she was attending a different conference. We got to talking, and once she discovered I was a Christian author and minister, she began to elaborate on her relationship with God.

It didn’t take more than a minute or two to realize that she did not know God. She kept confidently stating what she believed and very little corresponded to what Scripture reveals. While she was still expounding further on her beliefs, I asked the Holy Spirit for wisdom, and He showed me what to say.

When the woman finished her discourse, I asked, “Do you see the man sitting across the pool?”

“Why yes,” she responded.

“Allow me to tell you about him,” I said. “He’s a strict vegan – he doesn’t eat anything from an animal, not even honey. His dream is to be on the US Olympic Swim Team. He works out and practices nine hours a day. His hobbies are racquetball, tennis, skydiving, and painting. He’s married to that woman over there by the hot tub, and she’s ten years younger than he.”

The woman was intrigued but also a little confused as to why I would change the subject so abruptly. She had just shared her deep thoughts of God and, in turn, suddenly I am describing a man across the pool. Her curiosity got the best of her, so she asked, “Is he to attend the conference with you?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Well, how do you know him?” she asked even more curious.

“I’ve never met him.”

Now looking confused and concerned, she asked how I knew so much about him. I have no idea if this is correct, but by the look on her face, I’m guessing she might have thought I was CIA operative, an FBI agent, a detective, or even a stalker. Her curiosity had been piqued.

I paused, and then said to her, “That’s what I believe about him.”

She was speechless.

“You just spoke with such confidence of your belief of who God is,” I continued. “But almost everything you just said about Him is not true. I know this because I know Him.”

Then I turned, looked her straight in the eyes, and said, “What I just did with that man who I’ve never met before is no different than what you just did with God. I told you what I believe about the man across the pool, and I sounded quite convincing. But chances are that most of what I said isn’t, and the reason is, I’ve never taken the time to get to know him.”

The woman was listening and understandably, appeared slightly shaken.

“God gave us His Word, recorded on the pages of the Bible, that reveal who He is,” I said calmly. “He also sent His Spirit to reveal Jesus to us, who in turn shows us God Almighty, because He is God manifested in the flesh.”

I paused, and then said gently, “Do you think you may have made up an imaginary God in your mind, one who actually doesn’t exist?”

Sadly, either she was not ready to confront her lack of knowing God or she was scared to face the reality of meeting Him. We chatted for a few more minutes and soon afterwards parted ways.

You may or may not be smiling as you read my account, as you think, I know God, I go to church, and I have read the Bible. However, before any of us get too comfortable in that vein of thinking, we must remember the plight of the Pharisees. They had perfect church attendance, prayed and fasted regularly, and could quote the first five books of the Bible. Yet, they couldn’t recognize God manifested in the flesh – Jesus, standing right before them.

Knowing God

So, who does get the privilege of knowing God? All are invited, but there are established parameters. The door is open for an authentic relationship when we, from the core of our being, make the decision to give our life fully to Him. Not in pretense, but accompanied with corresponding actions. We don’t come to know God by attending church, surrounding ourselves with Christian friends, reading books, listening to worship music, repeating a “salvation” prayer, or even by doing good works.

I personally believe one of the greatest obstacles we’ve created to knowing God is the introduction of the “sinner’s prayer.” Our tradition typically looks like this: We sell a relationship with God almost as if we were marketing a product to a consumer. After a message or conversation, we say, “Do you want to know God? Do you want a relationship with your Creator? Then just pray this prayer: “Jesus, come into my life. I repent of my sins. I receive you as my Savior. Thank You for  forgiving me and now making me a child of God.”

Next we announce the happy news to all present inviting them into fellowship. However, we’ve said nothing significant about repentance – their need to walk away permanently from a self-seeking lifestyle and lay their life down for Him. Listen to Jesus’s full statement as found in Matt. 16:24-24 from The Passion Translation (TPT):

“If you truly want to follow me, you should at once completely reject and disown your own life. And you must be willing to share My cross and experience it as your own, as you continually surrender to My ways. For if you choose self-sacrifice and lose your lives for My glory, you will continually discover true life. But if you choose to keep your lives for yourselves, you will forfeit what you try to keep.”

Knowing God is not a one-time event, but a firm decision to submit to his ways over what you think is best for you. The apostle James writes, “But don’t just listen to God’s Word. You must do what it says.. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves” (James 1:22). The person who hears God’s Word, yet is unresponsive in thought, word, and action, has fooled himself. The Passion Translation calls this “self-deception,” which I think accurately describes the third steward, the Pharisees, the woman at the pool in Hawaii, and many others I’ve encountered, who fully believe they are in relationship with God because they are in the “system” but living contrary to His Word. They are sadly misled. It is self-deception.

May I quickly make one important point. Lisa will tell you that she has made many mistakes in our marriage (I’ve made more but here I am focusing on her), but she has never purposefully sought her own desires at the expense of our marriage covenant. Her behavior has not been perfect, but her heart has never departed from steadfast loyalty.

Likewise, in our relationship with God, if we periodically disobey, He forgives. This is no different than a husband and wife not breaking their covenant relationship when a mistake is made. A relationship with our Creator is true loyalty from the heart, not lip service without authentic, corresponding actions.

Jesus makes the most remarkable statement: If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know…” (John7:17 NKJV). It begins in the core of our being; when we deeply desire to act on, not just hear. We do whatever He says and then we know. We recognize and know God and His Word. John 7:17 in TPT renders it beautifully: “First be passionate to do God’s will, and then you will be able to discern if my teachings are from the heart of God.”

In the parable of the talents, all three stewards heard the exact same instructions before the departure of their lord. Two put into action his instructions and one did nothing. It’s no coincidence that the third steward really didn’t know his master, so he regarded the importance of the instructions lightly. This steward was self-deceived, and was referred to as “wicked and lazy” rather than “good and faithful,” quite an explicit and unforgettable contrast!  

I offer to you a rough summary of this outstanding book’s principal points after their page numbers for quick reference. I do have copies available for $3. This book written and released two years ago is now quite cunningly and very candidly appropriately focused spot-on discerning the state of the union for Christianity as practiced the past several decades in North America and Western Europe, especially now as many of us are living in a “lock-down” mode, that terminology reflecting multiple possible  definitions for Jesus followers as detailed by the author.

I refrained from editorial liberty or license as the book speaks clearly and simply. The exceptions to that are on page 73 where I reworded a sentence for clarity. Numerous times I added comments in parentheses, like adding the adjective “authentic” to the word “Christian” near the end of the book to distinguish such from merely “culturally practicing” or perhaps better understood, as “exhibiting a form of Christianity though perhaps not possessing the substance of the faith. See II Tim 3: 5 “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” I also added nine Biblical passages supporting our admonition to living in holiness in the P 52 section after which I included the words to the hymn “Take Time to be Holy” and the unique accounts of two men being faithful in their holy moments.

Please understand highlighting the key points from this book’s 113 pages to merely seven typewritten is not without editing perils. I trust my chosen key points may encourage you to read the book for yourself! Thanks for the opportunity to share this with you but the real thanks goes to Matthew Kelly who was obedient in his holy moment to share his revelations on paper with us.

I also must share with you that I purchased this book nearly a year ago and it stood in my bookcase until this past Sunday (Actually this was written in May 2020) and when Loretta went to get it, she couldn’t see it. But it was on my library list so the second look revealed it was hidden behind the bookcase trim strip because it was so thin.  I must admit I’ve been nudged for the past month or two that I really needed to read this book. Finally, Saturday while working in the garden, I just spoke out loud and said “OK OK then, I will read it tomorrow!” And so after church Sunday, and a luxurious hour nap, I began the journey and three hours later, finished The Biggest Lie In The History Of Christianity. Simply timing; for indeed such a time, or Holy Moment as this! And as Matthew Kelly believes, our “transformation” to authenticity to institute our “Holy Moments” will transform us, as well as those in our sphere of influence, eventually the Church and indeed, the world… again even!

Perhaps now Matthew should write a sequel about “Fear not” since fear is escalating among so many today. After all, it is said the KJV has 103 “Fear nots” and the word “fear” is used over 500 times. In the event Matthew Kelly passes on writing the “fear book,” may I recommend you then read John Bevere’s “The Fear of the Lord: Discover the Key to Intimately Knowing God” by positioning your heart to receive answers, by promising divine protection, by providing clarity and direction, and by producing legacies, honor and a fulfilled life.

It is past time we begin! (And now on New Years Eve 2020, it is remarkable that I found my two draft posts from last May. Just yesterday I commented to my cousin Loretta that I had four posts ready but I was not sure the time was right yet for their release! And just now I discovered I had two more draft posts ready to publish! And when I read them, I was compelled to release Part One tonight on the eve of 2021 and Part Two soon thereafter)

Here is my attempt to condense a great book, “The Biggest Lie….

P 12: the foundational question is how long do you want to be happy for? If only for a couple hours, take a nap…. We yearn for long term happiness, a lasting happiness, and when it really comes down to it, that itch is a yearning for JOY, which transcends simple happiness.

P 15: …the authentic person acknowledges that he is not perfect. He is open, honest, and vulnerable about his imperfections and is certainly not using them as excuses to engage in self-destructive behavior or behavior that negatively impacts others.

P 16: I am never happy when I pretend to be someone I’m not… The birth of social media has put this pretending on steroids!

P21: The five biggest lies in the history of Christianity to provide the context for the biggest single lie are 1.) Jesus didn’t exist; 2.) The Resurrection is a Myth; 3.) Christianity Preys on the Weak & Ignorant; 4.) Christianity is Anti-Intellectual and Anti-Scientific & 5.) Christianity is Anti-Sex.

P 32: The biggest lie of all is that “Holiness is not possible.” This lie is diabolical and evil, but brilliant nonetheless. It is astounding that just one lie can neutralize the majority of Christians. This one lie is largely, if not primarily responsible, for ushering in the post-Christian modern era throughout Western civilization. The fact the word holiness has disappeared from out dialogue is proof we consider it either irrelevant or unattainable.

P36: “A Holy Moment (HM) is a moment when you are being the person God created you to be, and you are doing what you believe God is calling you to do in that moment”. It is an instance where you set aside self-interest, personal desire, and what you feel like doing or would rather be doing, and embrace what you believe will bring the most good to the most people in that moment.”

P 38: John Keats points out: “A thing of beauty is a joy forever: Its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness.” So it is with one single Holy Moment (HM)! One single HM is a thing of beauty. Its loveliness increases. It will never pass into nothingness.

P40: God’s grace is needed to create a HM. This is not a self-empowerment thing. HM’s are created with God’s grace. God will never deny you the grace needed to create a HM.

P 52: Holy Moments are possible. Holiness is possible. This is a beautiful truth and truth animates us. This is also the very will of God, In Thessalonians 4:3 we read “This is the will of God, that you be holy.” Don’t let yourself be neutralized by the biggest lie in the history of Christianity. Reject that lie every day, and embrace every Holy Moment that comes your way.  

I Cor 3:16-17 “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God…..for the temple of God is holy , which temple ye are.”

Eph 1:4 “Accordingly as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.

Col 1:21-22 “..yet hath he now reconciled ….through death to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in his sight:”

Col 3:12 “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;”

II Tim 1:9 “Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace..”

Luke 1:74-75 “..that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.”

Rom 6: 22 “But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”

II Cor 7:1 “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Eph 4:23-24 “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

I am finding this 2020 Advent providing me a unique perspective with a depth not usually associated with this season, being perhaps the only positive influence possibly exerted by the pandemic and the election. After listening to the Advent message today, I realize it is now considerably easier to identify with the plight of the children of Israel who certainly had their fill of tyranny under Roman rule while dreaming of being delivered from their present and future continuing oppression. But at least they clearly knew who their oppressors were! Which is more than many of us tonight either know or are willing to admit.  

But never fear. This is the very season that Christians have for centuries throughout all sorts of unrest, calamities, disasters, uprisings, wars, depressions, etc., simply set aside all the bad news seeking to over whelm them, and choose rather to concentrate on the birth of Jesus, the Jewish Messiah and Savior to the Gentiles.

Recently in a letter to two young intellectuals quite comfortable with the globalists agenda to perform a Re-Set, I took the time to write out Chapter Three from II Peter from the Message version.

“My dear friends, this is now the second time I’ve written to you, both letters reminders to hold your minds in a state of undistracted attention. Keep in mind what the holy prophets said, and the command of  our Master and Savior that was passed by your apostles.

First off, you need to know that in the last days, mockers are going to have a heyday. Reducing everything to the level of their puny feelings, they’ll mock, “So what’s happening to the promise of his Coming? Our ancestors are dead and buried, and everything is going on just as it has from the first day of creation. Nothing’s changed.”

They conveniently forget that long ago all the galaxies and this very planet were brought into existence out of watery chaos by God’s word. Then God’s word brought back the chaos in a flood that destroyed the world. The current galaxies and earth are fuel for the final fire. God is poised, ready to speak his word again, ready to the give the signal for the judgement and destruction of the desecrating skeptics.

The Day the Sky Will Collapse

But when the Day of God’s Judgement does come, it will be unannounced, like a thief. The sky will collapse with a thunderous bang, everything disintegrating in a huge conflagration, earth, and all its works exposed to the scrutiny of Judgement.

Since everything here today might be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life? Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day – but we’ll barely notice. We’ll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness.

So, my dear friends, since this is what you have to look forward to, do your very best to be found living at your best, in purity and peace. Interpret our Master’s patient restraint for what it is: Salvation. Our good brother Paul, who was given much wisdom on these matters, refers to this in all his letters, and has written you essentially the same thing. Some things Paul writes are difficult to understand. Irresponsible people who don’t know what they are talking about twist them every which way. They do it to the rest of the Scriptures, too, destroying themselves as they do it.

But you, friends, are well warned. Be on guard lest you lose your footing, and get swept off your feet by these lawless loose-talking teachers. Grow in grace and understanding of our master and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

II Peter 3:1-I8

“Graphic? Perhaps. But the demographics of the North American 501 (c) 3 churches are continuing their projected demise. I take encouragement historically that the “apostolic remnant of mostly underground believers” for the 1000 years following Constantine survived and thrived during both the invading barbarians and the gothic cathedral establishment until the Renaissance “spring” emerged and the Reformation bloomed but, ultimately, actually withered. Realistically though, may I suggest, on the basis of Martyr’s Mirror accounts, those believers were much better prepared both spiritually and physically than we are today for the rigors of such turmoil.

And so now to a large extent, perhaps your parents, and others of my generation, often can’t debate with you the specific truths convincingly, but I propose we with decades of experiential Holy Spirit savvy know deep in our hearts, minds and souls, that something is dreadfully amiss in this current narrative and that we indeed are being “schnookered” down-stream toward certain disaster ….. Some of my generation refer to this current conflict of rebellion and lawlessness as possibly  having even higher stakes for our country than the Revolutionary War with the British. And perhaps so!

So may I submit to you that times now are not so very different from when Jesus was born. The Roman political, economic, and social undercurrents were similar to those today and religiously, there were many gods versus the One and Only True God who is about to offer his only Son as the final sacrifice for our pardons. True, the instant hype and drama as is visible today on screens everywhere, were then, noticeably absent. Perhaps we need to mimic the shepherds the historic night of our Savior’s birth and simply wait for the “real deal in the skies” to occur and until then, totally tune out today’s fear mongering media and focus only on God’s message to us from the Bethlehem gospel narrative. I challenge you to read the Christmas story. Then ponder as did Mary, the “real miraculous narrative” from the Bible as foretold in OT prophecy. I find these truths indeed  permanently put to rest the “chatter” and media “noise” that is so counterproductive for today’s believers.

I am hoping if perchance Christmas’s prior were merely a “Hallmark” event for you to enjoy family during the holidays, that today’s “uncertainties” accosting our culture and Christianity will provide you the impetus to closely examine your life to that of eternity, while you possibly replay your withering incriminating self-centered narrative. May this be the Best Christmas you have ever experienced! Thank God for the 2020 uncertainty and adversity! And for the Biblical “narrative” that ultimately points to securing our eternal life providing us internal peace. So, whether this be your first time “Christmas” experience or a renewal, who are you going to tell first?

See, therein lies the evidence of our biggest problem!

Blessings  AS YOU GO FORTH>>>>> Or not… merlin

So just where do I begin to explain my absence from merlinsmustache.com since April 12 when you last received an email announcing a new post?

Basically, I was convinced then that for me to continue writing in the veins as I was earlier, was no longer a priority as the national and world events were so rapidly unfolding. Rather, Loretta and I decided we were to become much more intentional in our efforts to prepare for our immediate future on many fronts; and since it was spring, gardening took center stage more than ever prior. It has been richly rewarding though we do have much work ahead of us.

In addition to gardening, I felt compelled to prepare three years of firewood for our outside wood burner as I was questioning whether it would be a good idea for me to be in the woods much after this summer with my chain saws, especially with the dangerous dead ash trees frequently dropping limbs unannounced if their trunks were disturbed by a chainsaw, my saw not being exempt! Never prior had I prayed so earnestly for His protection when about to drop a tree. I told someone recently that when I go the woods with a 8 inch hand  mirror in my tool bucket with wedges and wrenches, just to see more easily what is “up there” because of being so stooped, it is past time to stop dropping trees.

And then there was the “gentle, or the not so gentle, inner gnawing” prompting us to prepare for this uncertain future which is likely subconsciously unsettling. We increasingly realized we were living very dependent on other people, fixed conditions and supplies that may well no longer be available in the manner my generation and younger, have so taken for granted during our lifetimes. Those born in the ‘20’s and living through the Great Depression certainly have the advantage here. We began examining where we were vulnerable, whether for power and energy, general supplies and repairs, water, seeds, and staples. Fortunately, we have been considering some of these issues since we first remodeled in ’93 and during the addition in ’02, as well as the purpose of purchases since.

Fortunately, the You Tube how-to videos have proven invaluable for jump starting our learning curves in getting up to speed on virtually every front. I keep wondering how we would ever make it if the internet and cell phones go down! FYI, after buying many books on Kindle in recent years, I now am purchasing hard copy of those books I prefer to absolutely not be without in my work. Kindle books have so many unique advantages BUT if they are ever unavailable, an important book on the shelf will be priceless. Somewhat comparable to memorized scripture.

Now, to take all the above to new level, or the “new uncertain normal”, imagine you have examined your lifestyle with its strengths and weaknesses, and you are accomplishing the goals you have identified when one of you (I’m speaking of a married couple such as Loretta and myself, but I’m also thinking of so many other couples in our church family as I write this) are suddenly permanently removed or severely disabled cancelling out all plans. And that is exactly where Loretta and I are situated rather uniquely this very evening. But but first, a gardening story before I explain further.  

Back in April, I wanted to plow up our two acre previously ignored field to plant potatoes, partially just because now I could.  Truthfully, I wanted to do something more creative with it than merely bush hog it. Inaccessible now to the big equipment used by my neighbors, and because last fall I acquired my father’s first new tractor, a small MF 35 purchased in ’61 when I was 13. Dad sold it 28 years ago to a neighbor who sold it again 10 years ago to a person who knew we wanted it back. When the last owner desired more bells and whistles, he offered it to me last fall for merely $750 more than Dad paid originally. So this spring I was really hankering to try it out and since a neighbor to the west loaned me a plow and a neighbor to the east loaned me a disk, I was in business.

Only problem was I am now so far removed from the practicalities of agriculture, would you believe I initially wanted to plow up the entire two acre field and plant potatoes but my wise master gardener friend Jon F suggested I only attempt a quarter acre of spuds this year. So I complied. And then to make sure I might at least get my seed back, he came over with his father’s homemade tractor and helped me plant my 200 pounds of seed.  And very soon I realized just how much I appreciated his advice to keep the patch small.

Actually the spuds are doing well, in bloom and appears now we just may get more than our seed back. Part of our thinking with the spuds may be termed stewardship. I believe we each need to invest our resources creatively as we are enabled. Truthfully, merely paying taxes to look at productive land with 5-6 earthworms in each spade of dirt that needs to mowed is a huge waste. And with food shortages predicted, potatoes may be in demand so we are thinking we will offer them for free for picking them up after the digger to friends and family in need of them this winter. It certainly does not pay the taxes yet but it is a start. We are hoping that walking by faith through this small door may open more service opportunities and accrued wisdom. I share this story because I believe it lends credibility to the tension within the hearts and minds of believers today during these “devastating media consumptive” days as we all struggle to seek meaningful spiritual and relational relevance.

It was during gardening and in the woods this spring that I became aware of a fullness in my chest that caused me to sit down a minute or two to rest; I had no pain, no discomfort, no shortness of breath, etc.; just an awareness I really knew I needed to rest and so I would. After all, I am retired and though I always have plans, seldom am I tightly scheduled. Eventually I told Loretta and later called my doctor and got an appointment that I later needed to cancel and the rescheduling pushed me out to July. Several days later during prayer time seeking my days priorities, I felt compelled to call in and place my name on the call list if they had cancellations. And sure enough, my doctor had just had a cancellation the next day so I took it and explained my “chest-fullness.” Examining the EKG, he promptly scheduled an echo stress test at Wooster Community on June 30 at 1:30 PM that I flunked miserably. I thought I was doing quite well but what they saw on their screens brought Dr Moodispaw running and soon saying he wanted to admit me immediately. I begged him to let me go home for the evening to finish up the month end reports for my major client and he agreed provided I did nothing except desk work. Mission accomplished!

True to my promise, we returned for my heart cath at 7AM July 1. The experience was amazing as many of you can likely attest. However, Dr Moodinspaw soon confirmed his suspicions that my condition was indeed the “widow-maker (WM).” I faintly recall having heard the term prior somewhere, when suddenly with the force of a runaway Mack truck, the term WM was now my personal property and the taxes were past due. WM was clearly about to dictate the remainder of this year for Loretta and I, were we so fortunate to escape its clutches until my open heart surgery could be performed. This time there was no returning home to pack prior to being transferred to Aultman; Room 217 was secured and Dr. David Brown was expecting me as initially there was talk the surgery may even be done yet that afternoon. By noon, I was being driven east on Rt 30 where I viewed P Graham Dunn, the Haasz Automall and the  Dairette  through the rear window of a rough riding ambulance contemplating once again the fragility of my life and why against all odds, I have to date survived. It was only 77 days less than 2 years that I had my 9/18/18 life changing accident on Rt 30 at S Cochran St. I took a picture this time as I uneventfully passed over the hallowed ground where I was perhaps less than five feet from death.

Such events during my life have caused me considerable introspection and duress because I have the tendency to ask God “Why is my life continually being spared? For what purpose?” Why are we frequently so negative rather than rejoicing after such profound miracles? Sometimes I believe I create more dissonance than actual deliverance. Can anyone else relate to this? I really do not believe we as believers comprehend the depth of the deception that has have been “seeded” into our psyche this year covertly designed to undermine our faith! Personally, I have learned I must continually be seeking and sharing His guidance by reading and listening multiple times daily when possible from wisdom books beginning first with such as perhaps the One Year Bible, “Utmost for His Highest” and the multitude of resources available as never prior in history clearly detailing the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our salvation with focus and clarity.

And so this afternoon Loretta and I were told by the surgeon the surgery is scheduled for Tuesday July 7 at 1:30 depending…..  Tomorrow I shall wash up (no showers as I’m not allowed to interfere with the heart monitor process) and put on civilian clothes and enjoy 4.5 days of making new friends among other patients and staff in this 5 star hotel without a pool which I couldn’t use anyway. Soon my activity will be limited to lifting no more than a gallon of milk  and not twisting turning or straining appreciably (as if I could endure the pain to even try) for at least six weeks (Aug 25) to be followed by three months of cardio rehab (Nov 25).

We all understand how one big event during a normal day, as experienced by me and many of you, has forever changed our life’s trajectory. But much more significant than one major event such as even death, is that I’m convinced we are not comprehending at all how the narrative being prepared for decades is now being implemented undetectably upon us daily; virtually continually in small sound bytes through our media literally from everywhere.

This morning I read from “Heavens Declare” Day 65 and I hope this encourages you as it did me and I quote “You are living a destiny-driven life instead of a desolation-driven life….. (Wow, isn’t that truth?) I have created you to produce and to become a reproducer of reproducers. (again, Matt 28:19 says “make disciples,” not merely converts. Review the parable of the sower!) There is a seed of multiplication that I have placed within you to bring about a plentiful harvest. (now this is the type of gardening that really excites me!) Your survival is based on the seed of creativity and life placed within you. What you desire is lodged in the fiber of your bones. I desire to unlock the hidden potential that will birth a wealth of ideas, concepts, and thoughts that will pave the way for personal breakthroughs in your life.”(You really need to read that last sentence several times. Unfortunately, the above truth’s are so foreign to and beyond our culture’s comprehension, they are usually considered to be total foolishness.)

I also offer you these passages from Proverbs for your comfort and consolation. First from 3: 7-8  Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. V 25: Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the Lord will be your confidence… V 31-35  Do not envy the oppressor, and choose none of his ways; For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, but His secrete counsel is with the upright. The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked , but He blesses the home of the just. Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble. The wise shall inherit glory, but shame shall be the legacy of fools. Proverbs 4: 20-23  My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence , for out of it spring the issues of life. (The Message paraphrases the latter as: “That’s where life starts.”)

Do you desire greater clarity and focus about where life starts? I challenge you to read the Gospel of John soon. Also, slowly read and reflect on a chapter from Proverbs each day for several months since Proverbs contains 31 chapters, one for each day.

If you are seeking greater clarity and focus for investing your interests, time, talents, and resources, I suggest you browse my coaching website at www:breakfreeenterprises.net, especially the Home and About pages and if that proves interesting, you may enjoy reading the blog titled “Why as a Believer I Encourage Life Coaching.”

Blessings as you go forth in these CERTAINLY uncertain TIMES.. Personally, I prefer living a DESTINY-DRIVEN life rather than being a DESOLATION-DRIVEN DISASTER! How about you?>>>>>merlin….

I believe one of the greatest problems in relationships today is caused by  a simple modern fallacy. In our age, understanding is posed as the foundation of relationship. It is not. The foundation of relationship is acceptance.

It is great wisdom to accept people where they are on the journey of life. Acceptance is the welcoming open arms of relationship.

The eighth of the Ten Principles of Excellence in Matthew Kelly’s book, The Rhythm of Life is “People deserve to be cherished.”

In order to cherish people, we must look beyond our personal preferences, prejudices, and judgmental inclinations to discover and reverence the wonder and marvel of the individual.

It is helpful to remember that we are all at different points along the path of life. Our ability to love and cherish people increases infinitely as we learn to accept people for who they are and where they are on their journey. Some people are at places we ourselves have been before, others are in places we have not yet been. It is a journey of trust that the same God who is moving you toward your purpose and dreams is moving them toward theirs. Even when you cannot understand people; accept them, cherish them.

Along the way, you will meet many people. Some of them you will help, assist, and advise. Others will help, assist and advise you. It has been my experience that when you think you are there to help someone else, chances are they are really there to help you. Our students make the best teachers.

Without the help of others, you will never make the journey. It is simply part of the divine plan that we make this journey together.

It is a funny thing that I have observed about life – mistakes are almost always and inevitably one’s own responsibility, but one’s successes, triumphs, and worthwhile achievements are rarely accomplished without the help of others.

The greatest barrier to loving people, to cherishing people, and to accepting people is our inability to see ourselves in them. Take a closer look. We are one. To see ourselves in others, (perhaps even our enemies) and others in ourselves; that is truly acceptance and perhaps the precursor of wisdom.

My father always told me that the key to success in business is personal relationships. My mother always told me that the key to a rich and rewarding personal life is personal relationships. I have discovered that the key to an abundant spiritual life is best served by developing first the vertical relationship with the Trinity before attempting all the horizontal personal relationships in our daily lives.

Life is relationship.

How are you relating? How are your relationships? Positively memorable I hope!

People indeed are a gift. Each person who crosses through your life is a chance to love, an opportunity to really live. Cherish people.

 Blessings as you pass through the gateway to the summer and beyond of 2020.

The above is verbatim from the book except for the italicized words added by merlin

 The one devotional since 1990 I have returned to repeatedly far more than any other, is Oswald Chambers “My Utmost For His Highest”(Revised Edition). This year the Holy Week calendar happens to match these Easter readings. Simply google “Utmost for His Highest” and hit subscribe to receive it daily. Or by specific date by googling MUFHH April 7.

                Monday April 6: The Collision of God and Sin…”Never associate the idea of martyrdom with the Cross of Christ. It was the supreme triumph, and it shook the very foundations of hell…”

            Tuesday April 7: Why We Lack Understanding…. “We must bear a oneness with His risen life before we are prepared to bear (hear) any particular truth from Him… God cannot reveal anything to us if we don’t have His Spirit…”

            Wednesday April 8: His Resurrection Destiny…. “but we can know here and now the power and effectiveness of His resurrection and can “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Paul’s determined purpose was to “know Him and the power of His resurrection” (Phil 3:10).

            Thursday April 9: Have You Seen Jesus?  …”If you see only what God has done for you, your God is not big enough. But if you had a vision, seeing Jesus as He really is, experiences may come and go, yet you will endure “as seeing Him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27).

            Friday April 10: Complete & Effective Decision About Sin …. “Have you made the following decision about sin – that it must be completely killed in you? ….. You cannot “reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin (Rom 6:11) unless you have radically dealt with the issue of your will before God.”

            Saturday April 11: Complete & Effective Divinity  …. “The Holy Spirit cannot be accepted as a guest in merely one room of your house—he invades all of it…. Just as there is only one kind of humanity, there is only one kind of holiness, the holiness of Jesus. And it is His holiness that has been given to us. God puts the holiness of His Son into us, and we belong to a new spiritual order.

            Sunday April 12: Complete & Effective Dominion…. IF it is difficult to get right with God, it is because we refuse to make a moral decision about SIN! BUT ONCE WE DO, the full life of God comes in immediately. Jesus came to give us an endless supply of life …”that you may be filled with ALL THE FULLNESS OF GOD” (Eph 3:19).