Section 1

Section 1

SPINACH

Bein' Jeniece's husband taught me many things: life is a journey, not a destination...sometimes she doesn't want me to 'fix it', just understand it...how to enter into her world...'fine' is a grade of sandpaper, not a feeling...it's okay to cry. Well, I've learned those-n-lot's more from this little ray of Sonshine. I think when you love someone completely...everything about that person...ya just flat love 'em. She thanks me daily for helping her walk, reading to her, washing and drying her hair, encouraging her, loving her. I keep reminding her I'm just returning what she's always given me...that pure, sweet love she's dished out freely throughout our lives together. Marriage...what a blessing!

I suppose most of you remember those ol' Popeye cartoons with Bluto and OliveOil and that rotund fella with the hamburger diet...good ol’ Wimpy. Anyway...have you ever had a Popeye day? Where's that can o' spinach when you need it? I was thinkin' about that this morning since, like you, I too want Jeniece's pain to end and her healing to manifest. I want to give her that spiritual-spinach and presto-zingo no more pain. She's so innocent, and caring, and kind, and wonderful...here in this dadburn whirlpool of pain that can be so disenchanting at times, I want to scream to my King ‘it's all I can stands, I can’t stands no more!’ That’s when I reach for our can of spinach...you know, the Book of Life that answers all our questions, ends our doubt, drives away fear, gives us peace, provides hope, heals us all and lives in us. I open it up and El Shaddai sends manna on the wings of angels..."My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth...from now and forever" (Isaiah 59:21)..."arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you" (Isaiah 60:1)..."then you will call, and the Lord will answer...You will cry, and He will say, Here I am" (Isaiah 58:9)..."and the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail" (Isaiah 58:11)..."You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them, Your manna You did not withhold from their mouth, And You gave them water for their thirst" (Nehemiah 9:20)..."He gave them bread out of heaven to eat" (John 6:31)..."this is the way, walk in it" Isaiah 30:21). Spinach anyone?

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SWEET POTATO PIE

Thanksgiving and Christmas are the two days of the year when I eat whatever I want. Just to clarify...if it's homemade it's gonna get deposited. My favorite cheatin' pie is a buttermilk pie...if there's one within a two block area of where I am on those two holidays I'll find that dude! But I'm not gonna look a gift horse in the mouth...a friend brought a homemade Sweet Potato Pie this morning, filled with everything in it that you'd want...but nothing I eat during the year.

At this hour that pie is about half gone and I have a sugar high that has my head ready to pop off my shoulders! I seem to need a spoonful or two each time I go to the kitchen...I think I'm addicted! Sorta like the Word...I need a spoonful or two each time I breathe...I know I'm addicted! Okay...it's an odd analogy I know, but think about it...the King of Kings gives us "the bread of life" (John 6:48) and we can’t live without it. I can live without sweet potato pie--did I mention it's homemade?!?--but I can’t exist for one single second without His 'homemade' Word..."man shall not live by" sweet potato pie?...nope..."bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). The Father tells us "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). And now...through the gift of grace...that Word...Jesus…lives 'in' us. Yessirree y’all…Sweet Potato Pie-n-Jesus!...there's always somethin' to be thankful for.

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QUACKERY

Ya know?...nothing creates an atmosphere for healing like a body that wants to be healed...a mind that wants to be renewed...a child that wants to be taught...a spirit that wants to follow. Jeniece is all of that-n-more...she not only wants healing she believes in healing...and there's a big difference. Since '96 we’ve been on her unique pathway to healing filled with all sorts of what the world would call 'quackery'...you know, those counter-culture, earth-muffin, el-naturale modalities that we're supposed to be afraid of and can’t possibly work because the establishment says they don't. It's an interesting journey this pathway...the only one's that really know if it accomplishes anything are the people fortunate enough to be on the trip.

We’ve been told by every medical professional except one, and almost all our friends, that we're wasting our time and resources on hopelessness. We know in our hearts that these folks care for and love us...we love them too. Here's the way we see it...if our hope is in Christ and His resources...if everything is created by Him...if we are indeed His children...if He has given us everything we need for life...if He gives us the desires of our hearts...we believe that includes the unknown realm of His revelations as it relates to each of us...individually and collectively...as we're led up the pathway of healing...including the fruits-n-nuts He's created...even those with hands and feet. It's true I think...even for His own children...sometimes our pathway leads to "absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8)...we all eventually die. We also believe its true that the pathway always leads to healing. This is such a remarkable journey...it’s actually encouraging to trust Him to bring compassions "new every morning" (Lamentations 3:23) for us to look at, and sometimes try. So our hope-n-prayer is that y'all will continue to support our efforts for healing. Yes they seem weird at times...even for us...and yes, they can be quite expensive. But He has always made provision...and He always will..."when we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself" (2 Timothy 2:13).

Believing in this "In the beginning God created" (Genesis 1:1)—"the Word became flesh" (John 1:14)—"This is my Son" (Luke 9:35)—"I and the Father are One" (John 10:30)—"I am the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25)—"Everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened" (Matthew 7:8)—"He who has found his life shall lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake shall find it" (Matthew 10:39)—"I am the bread of life" (John 6:35)—"By His stripes you were healed" (1 Peter 2:24)—"I will come again" (John 14:3) stuff? Living by faith and not by sight?...shoot y'all, it can’t be true...there's no proof...no scientific evidence...no documentation...nobody's ever seen it...it's quackery!!

Everybody dies y’all...not everybody lives. “Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed” (John 20:29). Quack that!!!

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YOU'RE WELCOME

On a personal note, I'm having the time of my life! Y'all are allowing me to spend all my time with my most favorite person in the world. I'm somewhat prejudiced when it comes to that little girl...my Dad calls it 'henpecked'. If that's what loving your wife means then henpecked it is! I don't honestly think I truly knew how much I meant to Jeniece until all this happened. I may have told you this but I'll risk bein’ redundant...Jeniece has never been a real lovey-dovey person...you know, all the 'ooey-gooey' stuff. Well git back fellas I think it's a gusher!!...she is so in love with me I'm about to bust from all this attention. It is such a rush to see her light up when I come in the room or help her exercise or raise her up out of bed...all those things you and I sometimes take for granted. Anyway...she tells me a hundred times a day ‘I love you’...ain't that a hoot? It dang sure is to me and I'm all over it! How can anyone honestly love someone this much?...Mercy!

I was thanking God today for the blessin’ of being the recipient of feelin’ and knowin’ my wife loves me. In my spirit it was as if He replied ‘you're welcome’. I was thinking about that reply during chair-time. Ya know?...I've thanked Him many times for Jeniece...emphatically with a ‘thank you that she's still here Lord’...as well as, in a 'round about way, with a ‘I way out-kicked my coverage Lord...please don't reveal that to her just yet’...dumb remarks like that. But I don't think I've ever heard Him affirm her as His gift to me until today. The Creator of my favorite gift just wanted to remind me that He not only gave me Jeniece He's also giving me all things in life...even life itself. I think I'm the one out there getting this done or achieving that or opening this door or what have you...nah, it's all a gift given by God Who loves me euphorically...enough to remind me with ‘you're welcome’.

Anyway...this is a far cry from a word from Him, but I just wanted y'all to know that your kindness to us is the perfect manifestation of the King of kings saying ‘you're welcome’. I pray your sacrifice for us is returned to you a thousand fold. More than that, I pray you actually experience the depth of your love for your spouse...their love for you...the "love never failsl" (1 Corinthians 13:8) of the Holy Scriptures...and the Giver of it all's ‘you're welcome’. Stay close...the whisper is soft.

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Dud

My momma's second daddy's name was Dud 'don't call me Grandpa' Burns. He was a bone-a-fide farmer too, complete with a big ol' barn, tractors, combines, plows, chickens, dogs, cats, rats, mice, horses, pigs, goats, donkeys, cattle...the whole kit-n-kabootle. I have seven cousins-n-every one of 'em, me included, spent time helpin' out on the farm. There's one big difference between those fellas-n-me...they can plow a field. Now I can drive a tractor y'all...but I can’t plow a straight line for nothin'. I'd ride next to Dud-n-he'd tell me to keep my eyes on a point on the horizon, never look away, keep the wheel pointed thataway...so that's what I did. Then he'd jump off at the turnrow-n-turn me out. I tried-n-tried-n-tried but all my rows came out wavy. Dud figured I was too 'cityfied'...he finally just gave up. What's the big deal about a straight row anyhow? I never did get the hang of it...plowin' just ain't me...at all!

We went out to his place after church one Sunday. I headed to the barn where he was workin' on one of the ol' tractors...let me tell ya it was a belcher too...duck tape wouldn't even help this scrap pile...but there he was so there I was. He put me under the front end...had me hold a wrench on some gizmo while he scooted up top-n-went to poundin' on some other contraption with his favorite tool, a ballpeen hammer...and he was whackin' that dude somethin' ferocious! Anyway...he gave it a good hard shot-n-that hammer come outta his hand...did a few curlicues, and smacked me right square on the noggin'. After that thing dang-near knocked me out...after it hit me between the eyes...after!...Dud hollered 'watch out!'. When my eyes got uncrossed I asked him why he didn't holler somethin' before that hammer made it's landin’...the ol' coot never did give me an answer...he couldn’t talk-n-laugh at the same time. I think he was gettin' back at me for all those crooked rows he had to do over.

Today I was thinkin'...sometimes that's exactly how I feel...I get hammered by somethin' outta nowhere-n-afterwards God says 'watch out'. Ever felt that way?...could just be a cityfied thing I guess. But I got a truth today that pretty much settles the issue for me...the issue of feelin' as though the Creator of all things sneezes ever once in a while...He never does though...regardless of how we feel.

A lot of times we do get the cars on the Glory Train out of order don't we...there's only three cars see...the first is truth (fact)...then faith...then feeling...in that order. Truth pulls faith...truth-n-faith pull feelings...not the other way around. Got truth?..."He who planted the ear, does He not hear? He who formed the eye, does He not see?" (Psalms 94:9). God sees our crooked rows...even hears our hammers...he sees-n-hears it all! Got faith?..."I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last" (Revelation 22:13)...oh yeh, God's got it all under control. Got feelings?..."Through Him, then, let us continually lay on the altar a sacrifice of praise to God, namely, the utterance of lips that give thanks to His Name" (Hebrews 13:15)...even for all our crooked rows-n-hammers! "Listen to this secret truth: we shall not all die, but when the last trumpet sounds, we shall all be changed in an instant, as quickly as the blinking of an eye. For when the trumpet sounds, the dead will be raised, never to die again, and we shall all be changed" (1 Corinthians 15:51)...WATCH OUT!!

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FiSHIN'

Hopped in the chair today ready for some listenin'...fell flat asleep! But I did wake up in time to read-n-hear a few things. Ever had someone give you their opinion?...sorta like 'you shoulda done it like this'...'I would've done it this way'...here's the stinkbug though...'this way--my way--is right'!! Really?...well what part of the throne do you occupy mister high pockets? Ooh, I get all bug-eyed when I catch myself givin' someone my opinion...how the fat do I know what's best for someone else anyway? I don't...'cept for salvation...and that ain't my responsibility.

I've been studyin' a little about opinions...here's my take on 'em...they're all a bunch of hoorah...especially mine. I think opinion is divisive at best...but we throw ours around like it's rain for a thirsty world...and it's not! It's akin to sprinklin' habenero pepper drops on a moonpie...somethin's outta whack y'all! I know a little bit about this opinion stuff cause for years, in dang-near all of my conversations, people's eyes would fog over. I'd be drivin' home some worthless point--(Jeniece calls 'em 'those mini-sermons; no one likes to be sermonized Bobby'...to which I try to justify by replyin’ 'well I's just givin'--my--opinion'...yep, drove away another listener)—and the expression on their face would look like I was impalin' their earhole with a ten-penny nail!

I'm not too keen on hearin' opinions either...I'm more into hearin' God's Word. For instance...which one of these gives you hope?...this one?...'hey bud, you’re not ever gonna make it'...or this one?..."Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). Know the answer?...I didn't then...but I do now. Those are actual examples from the life of a fella I know all too well...me. (Can you believe I let that pompous pot call me 'bud'?) Anyway...I thought those opinions were correct...for years-n-years I valued the words of the so called 'successful' people more than the truths God says about me. 'Well, they're right,' I'd tell myself, 'cause I'm so broke I can’t pay attention'! Then, outta His great love, He took me to the only place where I could understand His absolute commitment to, and Life through, us all...the cross...the moment that endures forever because it's timeless...the place of our own crucifixion...the place where sin-n-death were defeated-n-God's elect were finally able to realize the only true life purpose...fishin'. Fishin’?...yep. God revealed this...in every relationship He's the hook, line-n-sinker...the rod-n-reel...the net...the boat...the who-what-where-when-why-n-how...the fish...the water...all of it. And us saints?...we're the instruments of delivery...the chosen...the followers...the "go ye therefore" (Matthew 28:19). We’re the fishers of men...He's the Fisherman.

"Lord my God, you have done many miracles. Your plans for us are many. If I tried to tell them all, there would be too many to count" (Psalms 40:5)..."the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind" (Matthew 13:47)..."When Jesus had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Take the boat into deep water, and put your nets in the water to catch some fish’. Simon answered, ‘Master, we worked hard all night trying to catch fish, and we caught nothing. But you say to put the nets in the water, so I will’. When the fishers of men did as Jesus told them they caught so many fish the nets began to break. They called to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats so full they were almost sinking. When Simon Peter saw what had happened, he bowed down before Jesus and said, 'Go away from me, Lord. I am a sinful man!' He and the other fishermen were amazed at the many fish they caught, as were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Jesus said to Simon, 'Don't be afraid. From now on you will fish for people'." (Luke 5:4-11)

Lots of fish...lots of fishers...one Fisherman, Jesus...

Simon and Andrew I say follow me

And I'll make you fishers of men

James, brother John, leave your nets, follow me

Our journey's about to begin

Matthew I call you and Philip you come

Take these words that I've given you

To the hearts of your brothers don't lead them astray

For I will return for you one day

All hail the Fisherman, He's there by the sea

A light in the skies over Galilee

All hail the Fisherman, He's comin' to see

If you want a home in eternity

No more opinions please...from me or for me...I'm usin' the Truth...Gone fishin'!!

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NO REGRETS

I'm completely whacked about this National Champion Texas Longhorn title I'll be wearin' very soon on every stitch of clothing I have. Seriously, it's fun as heck to experience it for the third time...yep, I was here for the 69-n-70 championships too...even played a little football in the ol’ Southwest Conference...’hos-’tile, a-gile and mo-bile’...that was me...right smack dab in the middle of where I was supposed to be...the life of the party...a joke waitin' to tell...headin' thataway. I didn't know come-here-from-sic'em back then...but I did know this...I was saved. You couldn't see that in my actions...most of ‘em that is...but I knew I was ‘in the fold’. Now...I did do a bunch of 'christian' things too...you know the ones...went to church occasionally...attended FCA meetins...went to camps...read the Bible when I could find it...prayed real good in front of folks...said all the right things at all the right times in all the right places...I was a walkin' talkin' line of bullroar! Outside, all appeared "without fault"...inside, all was..."without fault" (Philippians 2:15)?

If it's true that for God's saints the work of the cross was and is complete...and I believe it was-n-is...then this outside/inside apparent conflict is just another part of dyin' to self...dyin' to me...dyin' to flesh. While 'all this' is goin' on in my life...while it's goin' on in the lives of all His children...we tend to forget that our adoption is complete...that we have all the blessings of abundant life...they are all part of His unchanging plan...this plan: "that we should be holy and blameless before Him" (Ephesians 1:4)...and that is what we are! This'll flip you’re pancake right here...Scripture says 'all this'...all of it!...gives our Father pleasure. Is that crazy-soundin' or what?...well, not accordin' to "the word of our God stands forever" (Isaiah 40:8) I'm readin'! See?...it's God's Word that stands forever, not you-n-me...well, we do sorta...but it's in the spiritual realm...’til His plan becomes manifest.

Anyway...if His Word says we're in the right place then by golly that's exactly where we are...'this' is just another step in God "bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 1:5). All those experiences of life are the right place for us...they're part of His plan. Some’re fun...some aren't...some’re painful...some’re soothing...but every cottonpickin' one of 'em are right for us. As "fellow heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:17), from now until that great gettin' up mornin' gets here...and forever after too...we have the gifted privilege to continue on with the journey He set for us "before He made the world" (Ephesians 1:4) We get to live with no regrets...because...when it comes to you-n-me, His children, God sure doesn't have any. See..."His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave Him great pleasure" (Ephesians 1:5). Now read this little ditty...it's from a letter written to you-n-me by the King of kings..."But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and made us sit with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:4-7). I don't know about you but that sure doesn't sound like a God with any regrets when it comes to those He loves. Know what?...livin' this and every moment...livin' in the "free gift" (Romans 6:23) that He created specially for the "among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ" (Romans 1:6)...well shoot, it gives me pleasure too! You?

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WORDS

I've written to you so many times now...just a bunch a words I guess...tryin' to convey 'thank you' for this privilege to share our journey with you, our Family of faith. "And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:28). Ever wondered which one we've been appointed as?...me too. Ya know?...I've never found 'songwriter' in Scripture...I found these though..."Sing new songs of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp and sing with joy" (Psalms 33:3)..."Through each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life" (Psalms 42:8)..."I will praise you with songs of joy" (Psalms 63:5)...and my all time favorite..."I will sing of your love and justice. I will praise you, Lord, with songs" (Psalms 101:1).

I love to write songs...I call ’em the Songs of Life. Don't know if it's an appointment...maybe it's a gift...or a talent...it's just my way of expressin' my love for Jesus-n-His children. Anyway...I can’t just sit down any ol' time and pen somethin'...somehow though, through the mystery of grace, God brings words to His children...even me. Some of us speak 'em, some write 'em, some sing 'em...but they’re all His inspirations. I was thankin' God for eternity today...started writin'-n-singin'...

It won't be a mystery...when we see the light

Be no ambiguity when Jesus ends the fight

All will be in harmony...then there'll come a sound

Like no other we have heard when He comes back around

There will be a majesty...there will be a shout

But no animosity remains where there's no doubt

No recall...that's all been covered by this one command

Finally He reaches out and takes us by the hand

None can sway that wedding day

Where He will take His bride

One man's way...no other way

Jump in arms open wide

That will be a banner day...I believe it's true

We will join in God's parade...I believe don't you

Let's all live the victory...’til we get our wings

Let's all lift up His story in thanks for everything

Y'all Come...Y'all Come...Come Follow Me

Just words I suppose...inspired?...nah...simply a song written for Him that I hope to sing for y’all someday if the Lord says the same. Regardless, one day we're gonna have a front row seat for the arrival..."And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, 'KING of KINGS, AND LORD of LORDS'." (Revelation 19:16). Those are more than just a bunch of words...they're His Words...inspired!...like these..."Come to Me" (Matthew 11:28). Comin'?

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BEAN COOKER

Life is an incredible journey y'all!! I mean...would you’ve ever thought that no matter where we are...mentally, spiritually, physically, emotionally...we're all right where we're supposed to be...right where God wants us to be...the exact piece of clay...for this very moment? I do...I believe God is now-n-for always will be leadin' the band. There is such diversity in you and me...His 'chosen'..."It is God who saved us and chose us to live a holy life. He did this not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan long before the world began – to show his love and kindness to us through Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 1:9). Not one of us is the same though...individuality is quite unique huh...at least the exteriors are. We look different to each other but the same to God...I think we look like His Son...to Him. We experience different trials...different tribulations...but collectively He's removin' our subjective state...this 'me-ism' mentality...this opinion/reasonin' realm where self lives in deceptive comfort.

When I first heard the diagnosis back in October I was completely and totally disappointed. For almost ten years I had done all the 'right things' to assist my bride through the combat zone...eat this, don't eat that, take this-n-some of those, these'll help too...and she actually did ‘em...and this is the answer we get!?!? I mean, ‘c'mon God, we're bustin' our butts down here-n-you haven' hit a lick!’. Ever had a thought like that? I got some more...doozies too...‘where's that 'hedge of protection' we been prayin' for and believin' in?’...’what about that 'no weapon formed against us' we been claimin'?’...‘is this how you love your kids?’...‘can ya shoot a little lower cowboy some of us are ridin' a shetland?’. It's bad enough to dig up 'the dead man'...my rotten flesh...but shoot y’all, I even make him the lead dog! Dadgum it's hard to die ain't it folks!?! This 'let go-n-let God' stuff is rough on a fella...it’s impossible really. Truthfully...I think it's inevitable.

Today in the chair I just floated...spiritually I mean...no, I didn't levitate or nothin' like that...I just felt as though I was suspended sorta...like the Father lifted me up real high and shouted 'I love you'! I wondered if that's the reality of our true existence...lifted by the King to the highest of highest...showered with love. It has to be doesn't it? Think about it...He sacrificed His Son thousands of years ago...redeemed His church thousands of years ago...declared us holy and righteous and blameless thousands of years ago...and "in our union with Christ Jesus He raised us up with Him to rule with Him in the heavenly world" (Ephesians 2:6) right now...can’t get much higher than that can we!

But what about all these problems down here?...you know, all the aches-n-pains-n-disappointments? What about 'that awful' and 'this bad' and 'those terrible' and 'these horrible'...mercyme y'all, can you believe all the hoorah we throw back in His face? I'm the worst at it you've ever seen! I've told you 'bout my pity parties-n-diaper tantrums in my chair...and yet, each moment of life reveals the true diagnosis...the truth about this supplied abundant life we have in Christ..."Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?" (Romans 9:21). Did ya catch that 'same lump' deal there?...we're cut from the same clay...individually unique...yet the same. I like this translation of that same verse..."Isn't it obvious that a potter has a perfect right to shape one lump of clay into a vase for holding flowers and another into a pot for cooking beans?"...that was always my desire...I wanted to grow up to be a bean cooker!!...PLEASE!!!

When I finally realized...by His revelation...that I'm a very special part of God's eternal plan for regeneration...that Jeniece is too...that we all are...there was a peace about this ‘live in the world but don't be of it’ earth tent I’m currently residin’ in...and I was humbled. No, I didn't like lettin' go...I didn't like Jeniece's pain and sufferin'...I didn't like the uncertainty...I didn't like what the doctors said...I didn't like what some people thought the outcome would be...I didn't like bein’ the clay...I didn't like cookin' the beans! All-in-all I flat out didn't like October's diagnosis one eye-ota!!...but I sure do love God's..."Now I would have you know, brethren, that what I have gone through has turned out to the furtherance of the Good News rather than otherwise" (Philippians 1:12). I think the truth is we're all unique expressions of the Gospel! Okey-doke then..."I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are your works, and my soul knows it very well" (Psalms 139:14). Want some beans?

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SPEWIN'

There used to be a black light poster when I was in college...it was a paintin' of two skinny ol’ vultures sittin' on a cactus in the blazin' sun with slobber drippin' off their mouths and heads hangin' well below their necks. The caption relayed the following: patience hell, I'm gonna kill somethin'. You might not've seen it...I'll betcha somethin' shiney you've felt that way though...'gonna do this myself'! Waitin' around...bein’ still...sometimes I just want to take things in my own hands...I wanna be a vulture...go make 'whatever' happen myself...over it, under it, around it, through it...I don't care!...but I’m gonna get passed this dad-blame wall! And that's exactly what I used to do too...runnin' from one mess to another, spreadin' the stink. Not any more! Today I had to sit on one hand-n-cover my mouth with the other while I was in the chair...kept gettin' the urge to shake my fist-n-spew some ignorance. In my flesh I was hollerin' 'I gotta do somethin' here!'...'git with it God!'...’Jeniece is hurtin' and I'm not helpin' a bit!'…'come ahead on with it will ya!?'. I was doin’ some of those 'what I don't wanna do' things Scripture talks about...dead things. There was Jesus hollerin' right back..."Shall I not drink from the cup the Father has given me?" (John 18:11)...tightens the ol' spew cap doesn't it?...did mine.

Many years ago I found an ol' German proverb that says 'patience is a bitter plant but it bears sweet fruit'. At the post-spewin' ceremony God put it on my lips. Let's see here..."love, joy, peace, patience"...yep, it's in there...one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). I used to think my 'bull-in-a-china-closet' personality was a detriment ‘til I realized it was given to me for His glory. He knows I'm impatient when it comes to Jeniece and He knows bein’ still is just what I need right now...He gives me the freedom to use my personality for Him. So I just started actin' out the 'bull'...freedom was bubblin' out of my stillness and I was tearin' up the terrain with praise-n-thanksgivin'-n-adoration. Know what?...it got real sweet in here...there was a presence...a presence that's always with God's beloved...with you-n-me...the presence of the Holy Spirit. There's always fruit y’all! We can spew all we want in the Spirit...cause we're spewin' truth. The deception is 'I gotta! I'm gonna! I'll do it myself!'. The truth is "apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

I think that kind of spewin' is God's way of exposin' and allowin' us to release deceptions. There's no doubt we're tempted...but only so far...spew long enough and truth will prevail..."No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able" (1 Corinthians 10:13)...and y’all, we're only 'able' in Christ. I believe He loves us too much to let us stay in the dungheaps of deception..."but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." We win again!! Look here!..."In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1:13)...the promise of His fruit. I believe it's always in us too...the fruit that is...has to be...Scripture says we're "sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory" (Ephesians 1:13-14)...gair-rown-teed by the incorruptible seed!..."having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever" (1 Peter 1:23). If that right there is true...and you-n-I know it is...then that livin' and abidin' forever fruit of the Spirit makes praisin' in the patience good stuff y’all...especially when we think we're vultures.

Sharing the Journey...

I believe God's gift of life is a free gift...as is this ministry...any longevity will be proven by His blessings. With that as our premise, friends have inquired how they might encourage Music Mountain Ministries: first of all, the Bible tells us prayer is always effective--if God says the same, pray for us...secondly, purchase one or all the songs and the books...thirdly, invite us to come share our gifts and talents with you...finally, you may send a monetary contribution--please know, however, since your contribution is not tax-deductible at this time, we will receive it believing it comes at His urging.

Visit as often as you'd like...read and listen to all you want for as long as you want. We're honored you come.

''There is a fountain, on Music Mountain, where that living water flows

On Music Mountain, from God's own fountain, the blood of Jesus, it overflows'

Blessings.

Bobby