I Am Always With You

Here is hoping that everyone's day went off well today, with a minimum of drama, stress, or bullcorn.

My day was spent mostly in bed, unfortunately. I can feel a fog of depression surrounding me, trying to get in, and I need to keep that demon at bay. I'm on the edge of crashing and burning as it is, and I don't need that as well.

I thought a Faith post would be appropriate today, especially since I am convinced that only a miracle from God will save me at this point.

I believe that I have mentioned before that I have/had a friend who believes she receives messages from God when there is a great need. I haven't seen her in a year and a half, and I believe it is because she is trying to put distance between me. You know, because who wants to be friends with a sexual predator, right? And that is what I am battling against at the moment.

Well, the following message was received on my behalf on April 27, 2008.

*****

Where are you in your search for me? Don't you now I am always with you, I, God, your Father. You not only seek me but I too seek you, for I will not leave you now or ever.

You are close to Me now and more than ever before. I do not offer promises that simply fade away; rather I grant them at My will. Let Me work unto those that need Me the most, for obedience does not often come to those who seek. But for you, it did.

Know that I hear you, I love you, I seek you. My will is upon you and I say unto you to continue to be obedient in your search for Me, for I will not fail you in times of  despair, desperation, or anger. It is during those times my presence is abundantly with you.

I am always with you.

*****

The Touch of the Master's Hand

"Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer

Thought it scarcely worth his while

To waste much time on the old violin,

But he held it up with a smile.

"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,

"Who'll start bidding for me?

A dollar, a dollar - now who"ll make it two -

Two dollars, and who"ll make it three?

"Three dollars once, three dollars twice,

Going for three". . . but no!

From the room far back a gray-haired man

Came forward and picked up the bow;

Then wiping the dust from the old violin,

And tightening up the strings,

He played a melody,pure and sweet,

As sweet as an angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer

With a voice that was quiet and low,

Said: "What am I bidden for the old violin?"

And he held it up with the bow;

"A thousand dollars - and who'll make it two?

Two thousand - and who'll make it three?

Three thousand once, three thousand twice

And going - and gone," said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,

"We do not quite understand -

What changed its worth?" The man replied:

"The touch of the Master's hand."

And many a man with life out of tune,

And battered and torn with sin,

Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd.

Much like the old violin.

A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine,

A game and he travels on,

He's going once, and going twice -

He's going - and almost gone!

But the MASTER comes, and the foolish crowd,

Never can quite understand,

The worth of a soul, and the change that's wrought

By the touch of the MASTER'S hand.

Myra B. Welch

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How many of us are covered in dust and feel discarded by life? How many of us are beaten down by circumstances, by errors in judgement, by the disdain of society? How many of us see each new day not as a blessing, but as a burden?

The motivational speakers tell us that we are the pilots of our lives, that we make the choice to be happy or to be sad, to be positive or to be bitter.

I disagree.

If we were able to fix everything ourselves, then don't you think everything would be fixed? We would need no doctors, no therapists, no medications, no spiraling thoughts dragging us down into darkness. But we can't, and so there are.

For those with faith, though, there will always be someone to watch over us, to dust us off, tighten our strings, and make sure that we know our worth again, make certain that our heart is perfectly tuned, to make us whole and soulful again, no matter how worn we may be.

The Master is there if you choose to acknowledge him.

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Ye of little faith will be engulfed with faith when your mountain of a burden becomes a mere pile of dust that will then be carried away on the wind, and makes a fool of the man that thinks faith exists only when it is tested.

Practice patience for My WILL can be revealed in due time. Until then, My son, allow your spirit to rejoice and your heart to feel My presence. For I dwell within you. Do not fret on the day's events, but rather embrace them as they are a part of My plan to make you one with Me.

Be happy, be free.

Allow your spirit to connect with others that lead you to Me. Be at peace, my son, for I am always with you.

The Word of God as delivered to me by a prophet

I Am Your Friend

I am your friend. The Companion of the dreary ways of life.

I rob those ways of their grayness and horror. I transform them. Even in earthly friendships the common way, the steep way may seem a way to Heaven if the presence of some loved human friend transforms them.

Let the Sabbath calm enfold your mind and heart. Let it be a rest from the worry and fret of life.

Have you ever realized the wonder of the friendship you can have with Me? Have you ever thought what it means to be able to summon at will the God of the World?

Even with a privileged visitor to an earthly king there is the palace antechamber, and the time must be at the pleasure of the king.

But to My subjects I have given the right to enter into my Presence when they will, nay, more, they can summon Me to bedside, to workshop-and I am there.

When men seek to worship Me they think of the worlds I rule over, of creation, of mighty law and order-and then they feel the awe that precedes worship.

To you I say feel awe, feel the desire to worship Me in wondering amazement. But think too of the mighty, tender, humble condescension of my Friendship. Think of Me in the little things of everyday life.

The Words of God

Excerpt from God Calling

Edited by A.J. Russell

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I must admit that I have been in a dark and lonesome place for the last couple of weeks. My health has been affected, my mood seriously dropping into an abyss, I've even lost a few pounds form not eating. In short, the depression has been hitting my mental shields very hard and they were rapidly failing.

That is, until I connected with one of my internet chat buddies. Now normally, our conversations are about nothing in particular. He talks about his life as an 18 year old surfer, swimmer, volleyball, baseball player while I make inane remarks to make him laugh. Today, though, our conversation went from watersport/scat pornography to the mysteries of God within a couple of Messenger paragraphs.

Now, as some of you may be aware, I have very strong beliefs about God though I never shove them down people's throats, nor do I bring them up to just anybody. I completely respect everyone's right to hold their own beliefs and to keep them private. However, I am fairly well versed in the Bible as well as in other supplemental books that are probably not condoned by any religion. Well, as I said, my conversation with my friend, James, got fairly serious about what we each thought God expected from each of us, about the nature of evil and the pitfalls it causes, and about faith.

My faith, of late, has taken a bit of a beating with all of the negative things happening and that have happened in my life the last year and a half. I think that is what has been weighing my thoughts down recently. Well, talking to this 18 year old who, it turns out, has a powerful faith, helped to drag some of those thoughts away from my mental/spiritual windows and let some light in. I told him that he was the wisest young man I've ever met. He responded that we all have wisdom of one sort or another.

After we logged off, I must say that I am feeling better than I have in weeks. I have a lightness in my heart and feel hopeful once again. You know, I was told once by my friend, the prophet, that God was going to bring people into my life who would help me follow a path of goodness, faith, and strength. Me being me, I nodded in acknowledgement but scoffed inwardly at her words. Well, it seems she was right.

Over the last few weeks, in particular, I've made good friends with Cody, my buddy who inspired The Psalm of Life post and who discussed God with me also, and now James. James in particular told me that he had never discussed those topics with anyone ever before, that almost no one knew of how strong his faith was, that he kept it private. And yet, here he and I were, talking about things neither of us share easily. And now, I am beginning to feel a buoyancy of hope in my soul and sense the possibility that my current difficulties will, indeed, be handled by God. There is also a lightness in my mind that has sadly been lacking for months.

God has wonders in store for each of us, I believe, blessings and love and guidance. We simply have to open the door for Him when he knocks and maintain faith.

Peace Shall Be Granted

In the days that you seek Me, know that I am there with you.

And the days in which you do not seek Me, know that I am here.

I am always with you.

I hear your every cry, your every worry, everything that troubles you.

And I still say to you: Fear not, my beautiful children, for when you come to me in peace, peace shall be granted in those times of worry, fear, and doubt. Be one with my Will, for my Will is filled with an abundance of happiness and victory.

So, do not fret about unnecessary worries. All your fears are surrounded by My loving hand and resolved easily by your faith, a faith that is growing into obedience to My will.

Amen.

The Words of God as spoken to me by a prophet

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Does God talk to you? And if He did, would you even hear it above the noise in your life? We worry about money, our health, whether our favorite sports team will be victorious this afternoon, if our friend is still mad about what happened yesterday, etc. etc. etc. until all else is drowned out over the noise of our own internal chatter. We allow our problems, real and imagined, to take over our thoughts.

I'm not saying that God expects us to pretend that our problems don't exist, or that we should go about the day blissfully unaware of the world around us. What I am saying is that God is with us every second of every day, and that He has the ability and the power to help us. It is our responsibility to ask for help, to trust that His help will be given to us, and to be patient and filled with faith.

Notice that I am not talking about a specific faith or a specific denomination. God is beyond man's attempts to categorize Him into a a rule-bound religion. Religion was created by humans, faith and love were created by God.

So, where will you find solace? Will you go to church on your designated day, sit there looking at your watch, and then rush out to deal with the rest of your week by yelling, getting frustrated, taking medications for the stress and anxiety? Or will you pause and talk to God when things start getting stressful, asking him for strength and guidance, and knowing that it will be granted?

I can't tell you what to do. We each have a choice to make, we each have our own perspective on the world. My belief, though, is that we all have someone on our side who wants to do good things for us if we would just learn to talk and listen.

God is knocking. What are you going to do?

Rejoice!

I have a friend who receives messages from time to time from beyond. There are a couple of spirits, she tells me, who hang around her and deliver news, encouragements, and hints of the future. Just a little over a year ago, she began to receive messages from who she believes to be God.

It started when I lost my job and was hit with some very serious problems. I was very scared and anxious ( and still am) and despondent. She would come by where I was staying to keep me company, deliver messages from friends, and to pray with me. One day as I was silently asking God questions, she grabbed a pen and paper and started to write something down. I could see that she seemed to be listening to something and would write down a few words, then a few words more, and so on.

When she finished, she handed me the paper and said that she had received that message on my behalf and that it wasn't from her usual spirits. She said it was from God.

I really didn't know what to make of her assertion. My friend is not the joking sort, and neither is she one to make up stuff. After I read the message, I realized it was obviously a response to my questions, the ones I had been asking God just a few moments ago, questions she did not hear me say aloud. There was no way she had invented this response to make me feel better.

Because of this, and several other messages I've been given, I am convinced she hears the words of God. Why I am worthy of His attention, I have no idea, except to say that, ultimately, none of us are worthy of God's attention. We receive it anyway, though, by His grace, in His time, for His purpose.

I've posted a couple of the messages already here on the blog. It seems to me that His words shouldn't be hoarded by me, but should be read by anyone in need of encouragement. And here is another.

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Be patient, My son, for I am always with you. I delivered you from evil. Find shelter in my arms; my embrace will protect you in times of desperation and despair. Seek only Me and I will show you a new way to find peace, joy, and love. Ask of Me what you will for it has already been granted.

Be calm, be still, and be quiet, and you will find Me in the sound of every breath you take and every beat of your heart. Don't you know, My son, we are one, and My love for you is much greater than the universe I created just for you.

So do not fear the unknown for it is already known to Me. Rejoice in Me as I rejoice in you!

The Word of God as delivered to me by a prophet

Seek and Ye Shall Find

My son, My son. I have not forgotten you, and I will not forsake you. I carry you in the palm of My hand. Does the unknown help you to seek Me more than what is known to you? Does it?

Allow yourself to turn to Me, Me and only Me. Man cannot provide for you what you seek from Me. For I am God, your Father, your Everlasting, your Divine Eternity. For no man shall keep us apart. For no man will stop your search for Me.

When you seek me, all wisdom [and] decisions come from Me. You are now My disciple and you allow the world to interrupt the work you do for Me. Let the world be the world, but let Me be God, your Father. Now and always, so be it that I am the Lord, your God.

The Word of the God as delivered to me by a prophet

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I really dislike hearing stories about people using the name of God to defend their phobias and prejudices. The white Southern plantation owners used to point to the Bible and say that it was clear their Negro slaves were descended from Cain, who the Bible describes as being marked by God for his murder of Able, and so they were deserving of their treatment. People today point to single sentences in the Bible for their reason for hating homosexuals, which is nonsense.

You can't point to one sentence in a book that size and say it is obvious God hates fags. Please. The sentence must be put in context with the whole passage, and what is the message of the whole passage? To despise others? To lord your self-proclaimed righteousness over others?

God does not hate. God does not encourage Crusades of any sort. God has made it abundantly clear that he expects two things from us. He wants us to love Him, and love our neighbors as much as we love Him. That's it.

It is not our place to judge. It is not our place to condemn. It is not our place to profess to being 'born again" and yet continue looking down upon others. If that's all the Christian community can do, then they aren't listening. They are wrapping themselves up in a cloak of piety while still rotting within.

Keep your opinions and condemnations to yourselves, please, and reflect upon what the words of God are saying to you. He is talking. Are you listening?

The Faith of a Child

What man calls conversion is often only the discovery of the Great Friend. What man calls religion is the knowledge of the Great Friend. What man calls holiness is the imitation of the Great Friend.

I am your Friend. Think again of all that means-Friend and Savior. A friend is ready to help, anticipating every want, hand outstretched to help and encourage, or to ward off danger, voice of tenderness to soothe tired nerves and speak peace to restlessness and fear.

Think of what, to you, your friend is and then from that, try to see a little of what the Perfect Friend, the tireless, selfless, all-conquering, all miracle-working Friend would be. That Friend, and more even than your heart can imagine, that Friend am I.

Were I to read My Kingdom, My Kingdom of Child Hearts, the doctrines of your churches, so often there would be no response. But the simple rules I gave My followers are known, loved, and lived by them all.

In all things seek simplicity.

The Words of God

Excerpt from God Calling

Edited by A.J. Russell

No Amount of Darkness Can Overtake the Light

Why do you fear?

What do you fear?

Isn't it I who brought you to knowledge of Me? Isn't it I who carries your crosses without complaint? Why do you search for knowledge that is not of Me?

Your fears are from your world, not from My home, Heaven. Your faith in Me will wash away all of your fears. Set aside today's, tomorrow's, and your lifetime of fears for they have no room or place in your journey to find Me.

Rest in Me and claim only Me as the one who is carrying your crosses and you through trials and tribulations. Rest assured that your prayers for My will to be done have already been granted. Do not allow the world to interfere with your journey to seek Me

Rather, cast your fears aside with no second thought, and know, My son, your obedience, love, [and] joy for Me is opening doors for you that is leading you to a path that is filled with spiritual brothers and sisters which will allow you to celebrate Me.

Rest in Me, love Me, be at peace with Me.

All is well with Me.

Amen, and give glory to God always.

The Words of God as spoken to me by a prophet

Faith, Hope, and Charity

Remember now, abideth [in] these three. Faith, Hope, and Charity. Faith is your attitude towards Me. Charity your attitude towards your fellow man but, as necessity, is Hope, which is confidence in yourself to succeed.

The Word of God

Excerpt from God Calling

Edited by A.J. Russell

God encourages us to build up our faith. He wants us to know that He is with us, and that He is willing to clear a path for us to walk in His Glory, provided that we believe in His power and love.

He also expects us to show love and compassion for our fellow man, and by this He means all of our neighbors, not just family. How much of an effort does it take to love those who already love you back?

But a third piece to his expectations is that we believe in ourselves, we believe that He is listening and answering our prayers. If you go around praying, but not really believing that you will be granted his Grace, then that is prayer without faith. Prayer without Hope. So then, what kind of prayer is that?

Have Faith in God, Faith in yourself, and Hope for His grace to be visited upon you and those you love.

Dr Mandragora

Philosiphizer