tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42429392737147629482024-03-08T01:05:44.069-08:00Recovery DogsDramaking55http://www.blogger.com/profile/01763224233722068972noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4242939273714762948.post-42699895362345998172013-05-24T08:36:00.000-07:002013-05-31T14:10:11.121-07:00W.W.G.S. What Would God Say?<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(What
Would God Say?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I really wish that I had
a nickel for every time that I asked that question. The short answer
is that for me and my life, any form of cross-dressing is wrong. As is
drunkeness, fighting, cursing etc. etc etc. Now if I had a huge following on
this blog then certainly I will have a number of comments that will either say
that I am wrong or bigoted, homo-phobic or my favorite, a hater. Isn't it sad
that we can no longer put out there to the world that we feel something is
wrong, something that the world has put it's stamp of approval on. I
myself have been recovery for cross-dressing but I also have other character
defects as well such as co-dependency and fear of failure or success to name
just a few. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I really think that it
has more to do with whose ox is being gored. Personally I struggle with the
transgendered community because I do know what it is like to question whether I
was born the right gender but I don't hate any one of those with that struggle.
I just disagree and would really prefer not to have to be told that I MUST
accept it as a normal and acceptable lifestyle. I just say that it is all about
choice, it is a choice that is made to go in those directions and away from
God. There I said it! You are going against God when you engage in those
activities, whether it is cross-dressing, or any of the above, just place your
sin in the blank________. Many people that I have conversed with have stated
that they don't really think that God gives a rip about whether they
cross-dress and some have even stated that it is "morally neutral" as
after all it is all about expressing oneself in ones true identity. But how
could God not care? How could a loving God that is everywhere, knows everything
and has been there since the beginning, not care what His creatures do with the
life that He has given them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What if God came down
for to earth for an informal chat with us? What if He gave us His opinion about
whether cross-dressing was a neutral thing. I believe that this question goes
far deeper than Deuteronomy 22:5. I believe that God cares about whether a man
cross-dresses or permits any kind of sin in his life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is my attempt to
examine what God might say to all of us about this most perplexing topic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Time:2013<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Place: An office in
Chicago<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Recently, I have noticed
an increase in the subject of cross-dressing and the entire spectrum of gender
confusion. It would also seem that there are many in society today that are
embracing this lifestyle as normative and acceptable. There are a few fringe
organizations and groups that are also fighting this acceptance claiming that
God would not approve of this kind of life. So, I made some calls and was lucky
enough to have God come down to speak to us where we might finally get the
answer to this most perplexing of questions. This then is the result of that
meeting for your perusal:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My children,
I am letting you know that I really don't like many of the choices many of you
have made over the years. You want to interpret what I said in the bible? What
isn't clear about what I have written through the men that I hand-picked? Like
my prophet Isaiah <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fffefd; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: '', sans-serif, '', serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">"What sorrow awaits those who argue with
their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with
the one who shapes it, saying, 'Stop, you're doing it wrong!' Does the pot
exclaim, 'How clumsy can you be?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do you truly understand
the price that I have paid just to have you with me? Do you understand the deep
love that I have had for all my children since the time of the first one? I am
your father and as your father I guide you and direct you and when you veer
from the path I have laid out for you, that which is the best path, then I must
out of love help you to find the way back by your very choices. Choice is
everything and my choice has always been out of love for you. Why do you feel
that every time you hear or think of the word discipline, the
corresponding word to you is punishment? Discipline is nothing more than
training or correction. Have you forgotten my servant David? Did I withdraw my
love or condemn him? What about my people the Jews? Did I punish them? Forget
them? No, I love them and my love never fails! I correct and train up and teach
all of my children that which will create in them the strength that is needed
to arrive at the perfect place that I have planned. Do I say one thing and yet
do another? How could I be perfect and want perfection and yet change my mind
or be capricious?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When you ask for chapter
and verse from my word to determine whether something is acceptable or not I
weep. I gave you all you need in my book but you must read it with My help and
not try to figure it out on your own. My desire is your perfection and what you
wear is just a covering. The fact that it is termed as male or female will make
no difference to me; but what I will hold you to is your intentions, your
heart. I know that you all have "A Thorn" in your side but that thorn
is there to let you know that you can't do this life on your own.
Perhaps what you need to look at is why you have those desires? Has it
ever dawned on you that I did not create you to live this life alone. I want
you to choose me and the great life that I have planned for your life. I
created a desire in you to perform good works and I wanted it to be a gift that
you would use for my glory, not yours. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Maybe I wanted you to be
an artist or a designer and when you were young those kids you were with didn't
understand the gift that I gave you and they hurt you. Maybe those lines that I
created between boys and girls got really faded because of something
that happened to you as a child and you didn't feel comfortable as a boy so you
went the other way. You all have your stories and they all break my heart.
Remember that for every story I have provided a way out so you don't sin. Can
you ask for me to show you the way out? Remember to choose me and I will make
all things right for you. I want you to need ME, not some inanimate
object! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I really love the song
"You Are My All In All" I want my children to get their relaxation in
me. I want your need to overcome fears to be fulfilled through me. I want all
your struggles and pain and victories and joy to be in me and about me! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If in your heart you
know that there is no "hook" in it when you want to wear the clothes,
in other words, there is absolutely no feeling either mental or physical when
you don an article of clothing, then why would it matter what covers your body?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Perhaps you should also
ask yourself is this thing something that I would tell you is the
"best" I have planned for you? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Paul was one of the
great apostles, take a look at what I said through him in Romans:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Romans 12:1,2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/12-1.htm"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0092f2; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt; text-decoration: none;">1</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/3767.htm" title="οὖν c- 3767"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;">Therefore</span></a></span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/80.htm" title="ἀδελφός n- -vpm- 80"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0092f2; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt; text-decoration: none;">•</span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;">brothers</span></a></span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/1223.htm" title="διά p- 1223"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;">by</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/3588.htm" title="ὁ ra -gpm- 3588"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> the</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/3628.htm" title="οἰκτιρμός n- -gpm- 3628"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> mercies</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/2316.htm" title="θεός n- -gsm- 2316"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> of God</span></a></span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/3870.htm" title="παρακαλέω v- 1-s--pai 3870"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;">I urge</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/5209.htm" title="σύ rp -ap-- 5209"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> you</span></a><a href="http://biblehub.com/hcsb/romans/12.htm#ftn" title="1Co 1:10; 2Co 10:2; Eph 4:1; 1Pt 2:11"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0092f2; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt; text-decoration: none;">a</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/3936.htm" title="παρίστημι v- -----aan 3936"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> to present</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/5216.htm" title="σύ rp -gp-- 5216"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> your</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/4983.htm" title="σῶμα n- -apn- 4983"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> bodies</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/2198.htm" title="ζάω v- -asf-pap 2198"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> as a living</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/2378.htm" title="θυσία n- -asf- 2378"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> sacrifice</span></a></span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hcsb/romans/12.htm#ftn" title="Rm 6:13,16,19; 1Co 6:20; Heb 13:15; 1Pt 2:5"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0092f2; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt; text-decoration: none;">b</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/40.htm" title="ἅγιος a- -asf- 40"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> holy</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/2101.htm" title="εὐάρεστος a- -asf- 2101"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> and pleasing</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/2316.htm" title="θεός n- -dsm- 2316"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> to God</span></a></span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">; </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/5216.htm" title="σύ rp -gp-- 5216"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;">this
is your</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/3050.htm" title="λογικός a- -asf- 3050"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #99d6ff; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> spiritual</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/2999.htm" title="λατρεία n- -asf- 2999"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> worship</span></a></span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hcsb/romans/12.htm#ftn" title="Or your reasonable service"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0092f2; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt; text-decoration: none;">c</span></a></span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/12-2.htm"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0092f2; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt; text-decoration: none;">2</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/3361.htm" title="μή d- 3361"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;">Do not</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/4964.htm" title="συσχηματίζομαι v- 2-p--pmd 4964"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> be conformed</span></a><a href="http://biblehub.com/hcsb/romans/12.htm#ftn" title="1Pt 1:14"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0092f2; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt; text-decoration: none;">d</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/5129.htm" title="οὗτος rd -dsm- 5129"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> to this</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/165.htm" title="αἰών n- -dsm- 165"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> age</span></a></span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hcsb/romans/12.htm#ftn" title="Mt 13:22; Gl 1:4; 1Jn 2:15"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0092f2; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt; text-decoration: none;">e</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/235.htm" title="ἀλλά c- 235"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> but</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/3339.htm" title="μεταμορφόομαι v- 2-p--ppd 3339"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> be transformed</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/3588.htm" title="ὁ ra -dsf- 3588"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> by the</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/342.htm" title="ἀνακαίνωσις n- -dsf- 342"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> renewing</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/3588.htm" title="ὁ ra -gsm- 3588"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> of your</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/3563.htm" title="νοῦς n- -gsm- 3563"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> mind</span></a></span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hcsb/romans/12.htm#ftn" title="Eph 4:23; Ti 3:5"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0092f2; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt; text-decoration: none;">f</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/1519.htm" title="εἰς p- 1519"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> so that</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/5209.htm" title="σύ rp -ap-- 5209"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> you</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/1381.htm" title="δοκιμάζω v- -----pan 1381"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> may discern</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/5101.htm" title="τίς ri -nsn- 5101"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> what</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/3588.htm" title="ὁ ra -nsn- 3588"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> is the</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/18.htm" title="ἀγαθός a- -nsn- 18"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> good</span></a></span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/2101.htm" title="εὐάρεστος a- -nsn- 2101"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;">pleasing</span></a></span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/2532.htm" title="καί c- 2532"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;">and</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/5046.htm" title="τέλειος a- -nsn- 5046"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> perfect</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/2307.htm" title="θέλημα n- -nsn- 2307"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> will</span></a><a href="http://biblehub.com/hcsb/romans/12.htm#ftn" title="Eph 5:10,17; Col 1:9"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0092f2; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt; text-decoration: none;">g</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/greek/2316.htm" title="θεός n- -gsm- 2316"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-decoration: none;"> of God</span></a></span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Is this how you might
define what you do with your body? That it is a living sacrifice? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If, you are doing what
you are doing to "get" something out of it, then my child you are
trading that something for what I would gladly give you. You are choosing some
thing other than Me. How could I want that? What if your child found something
to replace you and your love and grace? How would you feel?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I gave you the gift of
choice because I want you to want to be with me, not forced or coerced to do
something just because you think I might be pleased. When I said heart, soul
and mind and strength, these were not empty words. I meant it and if anything
is taking the place of me in your life, then you must look at that through the
whole of the Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mark 12:30 says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://biblehub.com/niv/mark/12.htm"><span style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><br />
</span></a>Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Don't depend on one
verse to define or redefine your behavior, just follow Me and keep learning. I
did not make man and woman to be interchangeable beings; I gave you each
specific gifts that are yours and yours alone. Be honest with yourself as you
go through your days here. Does it even make sense that if everything I have
created is perfect that I have now in 2013 changed my mind about the sexes you
were created to be? I am your potter, I am your gardener and I am your God! I
make no mistakes and you cannot "figure" me out. Just live your lives
in my light and in my word and in my love and be with others so that you don't
beat yourself up so much. In your day all will be explained to you on that day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I want you to trust me
that I know all that you need and all that you require.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Trust Me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Proverbs 3:5&6 says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-5.htm"><span style="color: #0092f2; font-size: 8.5pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">5</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/hebrew/982.htm" title="בטח_1 vqvms 982"><span style="color: #001320; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Trust</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/hebrew/413.htm" title="אֶל Pp 413"><span style="color: #001320; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> in</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/hebrew/3068.htm" title="יהוה np 3068"><span style="color: #001320; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span></span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/strongs.htm" title="בְּ Pp"><span style="color: #001320; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> with</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/hebrew/3605.htm" title="כֹּל ncmsc 3605"><span style="color: #001320; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> all</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/strongs.htm" title="ְכָ psn2ms"><span style="color: #001320; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> your</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/hebrew/3820.htm" title="לֵב ncmsc 3820"><span style="color: #001320; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> heart</span></a>,<a href="http://biblehub.com/hcsb/proverbs/3.htm#ftn" title="Ps 37:3,5"><span style="color: #0092f2; font-size: 8.5pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">g</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a href="http://concordances.org/strongs.htm" title="וְ Pc"><span style="color: #001320; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">and</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/hebrew/408.htm" title="אַל Pd 408"><span style="color: #001320; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> do not</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/hebrew/8172.htm" title="שׁען vni2ms{1}Jm 8172"><span style="color: #001320; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> rely</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/hebrew/413.htm" title="אֶל Pp 413"><span style="color: #001320; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> on</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/strongs.htm" title="ְכָ psn2ms"><span style="color: #99d6ff; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> your own</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/hebrew/998.htm" title="בִּינָה ncfsc 998"><span style="color: #001320; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> understanding</span></a>;<a href="http://biblehub.com/hcsb/proverbs/3.htm#ftn" title="Jr 9:23"><span style="color: #0092f2; font-size: 8.5pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">h</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-6.htm"><span style="color: #0092f2; font-size: 8.5pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">6</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/hebrew/3045.htm" title="ידע vqvms 3045"><span style="color: #001320; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">think about</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/strongs.htm" title="ֹו psv3ms"><span style="color: #001320; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> Him</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/strongs.htm" title="בְּ Pp"><span style="color: #001320; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> in</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/hebrew/3605.htm" title="כֹּל ncmsc 3605"><span style="color: #001320; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> all</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/strongs.htm" title="ְכָ psn2ms"><span style="color: #001320; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> your</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/hebrew/1870.htm" title="דֶּרֶךְ ncbpc 1870"><span style="color: #001320; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> ways</span></a>,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a href="http://concordances.org/strongs.htm" title="וְ Pc"><span style="color: #001320; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">and</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/hebrew/1931.htm" title="הוּא pi3ms 1931"><span style="color: #001320; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> He</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/hebrew/3474.htm" title="ישׁר vpi3ms 3474"><span style="color: #001320; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> will guide
you on the right</span></a><a href="http://concordances.org/hebrew/734.htm" title="אֹרַח ncbpc 734"><span style="color: #001320; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> paths</span></a>.<a href="http://biblehub.com/hcsb/proverbs/3.htm#ftn" title="Lit will make your paths straight"><span style="color: #0092f2; font-size: 8.5pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">i, </span></a><a href="http://biblehub.com/hcsb/proverbs/3.htm#ftn" title="Pr 11:5"><span style="color: #0092f2; font-size: 8.5pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">j</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Dramaking55http://www.blogger.com/profile/01763224233722068972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4242939273714762948.post-72158509204401822092012-02-10T20:38:00.000-08:002012-02-10T20:38:04.820-08:00A Frightening ProspectYou know, there are so many good blogs out there and I enjoy writing to a lot of them. So much in fact that I don't find the time to write much on my own blog. Partly because I find it difficult to believe that anyone would read what I write. My wife is my biggest fan and so I do enjoy once in while just writing as my thoughts go. I have been moved lately to write to the hurting men out there that struggle with sexual impurity and transgender issues. I don't have any easy answers but what I can do is to just tell my story and pray that God might use some of what I write for his glory and purpose.<br />
I am writing tonight as I listen to the great apologist for my faith, Ravi Zacharias. He is speaking at Founders week at Moody Church here in Chicago and for those who might not know one of things that Ravi is known for is explaining not just truth but how it is relevant as well. As a writer I wish that I could explain things as he does but all I am left with is the ability to explain the truth as it relates to my story.<br />
<br />
In August of 2011 I had a dream that shook me to my core.<br />
I don't know about the rest of you but I know that science tells us that we all dream every night and in my 56 years here on earth I am sure that is what has happened within the realm of my sleep cycle as well. The biggest question though is this? Out of all the dreams we dream, can we remember but a very few? I know that I can't remember what I had for dinner last night much less my dreams.Sometimes I have had dreams that were personal but could not remember upon waking anything but a few choice bits of information, then when regaling my wife with my dream very often can't put any of it back together in any cohesive way. I feel like a madman trying to explain why is there air. They come and they go night in and night out and like sudden storms come in leave a few bits in their wake and they are gone. Such is my history of dreams.<br />
This night, however would be different because for the first time in my life, God reached in to my psyche and gave me a dream that was so vivid and memorable that I know that I will carry it's contents to heaven with me. At some point in REM I began to dream:<br />
<br />
I am hearing voices, voices from my past and in fact voices so crystal clear that I think I am actually there participating in the story unfolding. I hear my mom and step-father and they are fighting again and she is about to be beat again. I can feel the tension building in me and I am in pain over it all, then there is another scene from my past and that is when it hits me. I am hearing these voices and seeing what is going on in my mind like some sort of all encompassing TV screen that is showing me my life in total, everything, the good, the bad, and the ugly, the pain and hurt and sorrow. With every scene I am feeling the emotions I had when those things happened but they are stronger by a thousand percent and I come to the sad realization that I am seeing this in my mind because I am dead. I cannot move, I cannot speak or open my lifeless eyes because I am stone cold gone. Yet I am alive emotionally and I feel that which I never felt before and the intensity of these emotions is so great that I am in physical pain. When the pain that I did experience while alive does come, it feels like the worst pain imaginable. I can't cry and there is no solace but only the constant play of my life over and over again. Then in another corner of this huge picture in my mind I see names scrolling vertically and I am reading the names and they are the names of all the people in my life that I had met, all the people in my life who were close to me and even acquaintances that were in my life for a season. As the names scroll past a voice comes to me and tells me "you didn't make it!" I am seeing in my life's story all the events, all the people, all the choices and it dawns on me after I see Pastor Burkey's name pass me and Don Schoff's name and others who influenced my life to make decisions for Christ, that Jesus or God were NOT on my list. I am in HELL and that thought comes into my mind like a brick smashing into a plate glass window. That is what he meant when he said I didn't make it, I was dead all right but out of the body present with the Lord right? Not me, I was a christian wasn't I? I had the golden ticket, I said the words and I believed, didn't I? How could I not have made it as the voice told me? The onslaught of emotions came again and now I was in agony. I realized that my eternity was this, the constant playing and replaying of my life over and over again with no breaks, no respite, no END to the torment that I was going through. Sadly all I saw was a nominal man living a nominal life and never fully trusting God for anything. I had intellectual assent but nothing from the heart and now after having all those chances to make decisions for Christ and the Kingdom I was doomed to an eternity without him. My Lord had died for me and taken all my sins on his back at Calvary, everything I had ever done or even thought of doing and I never fully put my trust in him. I wanted to cry out and couldn't. I wanted to scream and couldn't, I wanted to tell God how sorry I was for taking his grace for granted and I couldn't. I had made my decision in life. A decision to have a casual relationship with the all-mighty and I was shown that my Father didn't do casual relationships.In my agony I now knew what "all or nothing" really means. I longed for Jesus and his comfort and I could not feel it. I only felt the emptiness and sorrow without end that comes from taking for granted all that God had given me.<br />
The voice came back to me and said"did you really think my son's death would be so cheap?" I knew then that God was speaking to me and I knew at my core that it would be the last time for all eternity that I would hear his voice. Words cannot express how much pain I was in and how much I wanted to speak to yell to scream NOOOOOOOOOOOO!<br />
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Mercifully, I awoke, and as I came to consciousness, I saw my alarm clock and my the light on my bedstand and realized with a start that I was in my bedroom. I immediately fell to my knees and just cried out "I am so sorry Lord I just didn't know, I just didn't know, I am so sorry for everything. I kept trying to get lower and lower and if I could have I would have gotten under the very floorboards because at that moment I was in front of a merciful, Holy and Loving God and I knew it. I was a filthy sinner in front of a Holy God. I never thought that I was taking Him for granted but that is what I had done and God showed me how very much he cares about me that night. He let me know how much He really loves me and loves all of us with a love that we cannot fathom this side of Heaven.<br />
My wife was yelling at me, "Andrew what is it? What is going on? are you all right?" I replied " you wouldn't understand, you wouldn't understand as I buried myself into the floor. I was crying so hard, tears of relief, tears of life, tears of joy.<br />
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I went back to sleep after that and slept in a way that I will never sleep again, comforted in my Father's arms and resting in the knowledge that I was loved.<br />
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Dramaking55http://www.blogger.com/profile/01763224233722068972noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4242939273714762948.post-44882954262235807202012-01-13T15:51:00.000-08:002012-01-13T15:52:51.724-08:00Rosie's LightThis is something I have been meaning to write for a while but I also wanted to wait a little while because when the loved one passes everyone comes in droves to support the living. I have also had the experience of knowing that after a month or so the visits become less and the phone rings less often. This is my way of sharing with Rosie's husband how her light affected me. I just hope he likes it. Blessings my friend.<br />
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Rosie's Light</div>
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By Michael F. Anderson</div>
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01/13/2012</div>
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I lost a good friend today
while on my appointed rounds</div>
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I didn't know her well but
she was a bright light in an otherwise dim day.</div>
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Delivering mail allows one
to see people in all light
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and dark.</div>
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But the highlight of my day
came when Rosie would come to the door.</div>
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Struggling as always with
the lock on the door but I always knew she would have that smile.</div>
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That smile of a million
candlepower coming right from her inner soul
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the smile that let you know
that told you without words you have just made her day.
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A smile that came from a joy
unspeakable, not happiness, but pure joy</div>
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That let me know she was a
believer in the one that blesses us with that light that we never get
to keep.</div>
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That light that we get to
give away.
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The light that lets others
know that we are different in a way that
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arouses a curiosity about
us.</div>
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Rosie was indeed walking
with God and her spirit shone like a beacon when we spoke.
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Nothing deep, nothing really
profound, just a comfortable exchange that friends engage in amidst
the dullness that is our life.</div>
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But Rosie left me feeling
hungry for more, more of the non-verbal touch, more friendship</div>
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more life!</div>
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The angels met her at the
gates I am sure the day she left this world and she took the light
with her, to give away once more on a different plane of existence
that I long for one day.</div>
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I will see her again to be
sure,</div>
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she will be the one over
there
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with the light.</div>Dramaking55http://www.blogger.com/profile/01763224233722068972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4242939273714762948.post-38826883022987028812011-12-14T09:28:00.000-08:002011-12-14T09:28:28.428-08:00Fragility revisitedWow I can't hardly believe that a year has gone by already. I also can hardly believe how God has changed me in that same period. As it has been a year since writing how fragile I am I think I want to revise that post by stating that I am still a fragile being but that is only if I do life by myself. I am finding that as I put more trust in God to handle my hurts, habits, and hangups whatever they may be , He is able to make me stronger for it. I am looking for him far more than ever before and He is faithful and showing up to be the strength that I am not.<br />
I spoke of my music and the instruments I want to learn to play. I started lessons on the dulcimer a week ago Monday. I need to develop my discipline muscle and that is something that I avoided like the plague. Well, God has a way of getting hold of us and telling us point blank that "enough is enough" so this will be the year that I learned at a heart level that I am not alone.<br />
My struggles with cross-dressing have diminished significantly over this last year, am I over it so to speak? Like Paul who spoke of a thorn in his flesh I think that I will always carry this "thorn" till I am taken home but thanks be to God I have been able to trust others to come along side and join me on this journey.<br />
I have a friend that I spoke to today who is in the hospital. We were at bible study last night and he just did not look to good towards the end when our facilitator tried to engage him in conversation. All of a sudden he stated that he didn't feel well and up and left. I have since found out that he was struggling to inhale for the past two days. TWO DAYS! What, you don't notice that inhaling breath, which the last time I noticed was pretty much an automatic thing, is difficult and red flags and warning bells didn't go off in your head telling you that something is amiss? Excuse me sir, but I seem to be having difficulty inhaling air that is needed to keep me in an upright position, do you think you could possibly help me to figure out how I might achieve a more satisfactory way of life? Or HELP ME I AM NOT BREATHING I NEED HELP!<br />
I think in many ways I was like my friend who thought that I could do it myself. I knew I needed help but didn't ask for a lot of it. I told a friend recently "I want accountability but I don't want accountability, I want you to ask me the hard questions but I really don't want you to ask me the hard questions. It is indeed a double edged sword, much like life, life, death, yes, no, accountability or isolation. If I don't get the help I need, like my friend I could have died spiritually speaking (my friend is fine btw) and it is my choice. I chose life, I chose to get involved more with my Celebrate Recovery group, I chose to get help from my wife, and last but not least I decided to trust God and the men that he put in my life.<br />
I am not as fragile as I was a year ago and that is because the Holy Spirit has shown me that I don't have to be. I don't have to take everything so personally. I don't have to think that it is always about me. I don't have to be so concerned with how others see me or if they see me, and if they do then how do I appear? He is teaching me that I am a child of the King and the King loves me just for who he made me. I am a compassionate warrior.<br />
So the journey goes on from here. I have found other men that are struggling with the same thorn as I have and it is refreshing to be able to communicate with persons on that same exact journey. It is also a blessing to be able to see the truth that it is not what God wants as the "best" for us. I think that all to often we want everything in a neat box where we can say that is bad and that is wrong but God gives us so much blessed freedom to come to those decisions ourselves. I welcome any disagreement with any position I hold because I am called to love others even in disagreement. I want to share my story with others so that maybe something will resonate within that person to turn toward or back toward the real Healer and that is Jesus Christ. I want to be able to say Merry Christmas because for me it is just that and not have take offense to it. I want to be accepted as one who will hear others stories and find a resonance within them. The church has not done a great job in coming alongside those that are hurting but I want to be different and say that all are welcome here whatever your hurts, habits, or your hangups and that everyone know that here you are not judged, but loved for who you are in Christ.<br />
Merry Christmas to All who come here!Dramaking55http://www.blogger.com/profile/01763224233722068972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4242939273714762948.post-77488546311366511332010-12-09T21:23:00.000-08:002010-12-09T21:23:42.937-08:00I'm Fragile and I Didn't Even Know It!I am fragile.<br />
I never really looked at that until just recently when I was thinking why am I so angry at K? Why do I constantly shut down or want to shut everyone out? I am fragile, there is pain yet to be uncovered and I WANT TO THINK THERE IS NO MORE. If SO WHERE COULD IT HAVE BEEN FOR THE LAST 55 YEARS OF MY EXISTENCE HERE ON EARTH? I have been a co-dependent my whole life. If I do something, give something, be someone else, then maybe you will like me. It works the other way as well if I don't do something you don't want me to, then maybe I will be OK. Maybe if someone reads these words they will be helped or maybe they will see the light in their own life and then maybe they will like me.Can you see how this pervasive way of running my life has messed me up so badly? <br />
OK so I had a rotten childhood and was beat and molested and all that but now the pain I deal with is me. Will I ever be worthy of love? Of happiness? Of just existing without the need to perform like some trained seal? You would never know it to look at me but those are the games going on in my psyche. All the time, or at least most of the time. Oh God I wish it were different but wishing it away won't work and unfortunately I know that and wish I didn't. I wish that I didn't crumble when someone is critical of me in any way. Here is a little taste of what has come to me recently. <br />
Maybe 3 years ago I decided that I wanted an Appalachian dulcimer. One because it was supposed to be easier to learn that a Hammered Dulcimer which I also own. Now first you have to know that when I begin what I shall term "the hunt" I am obsessive with finding just the right thing the perfect item and all at the right price. It is sad to say that my life has consisted of many hunts and kills but not much follows after the adrenaline rush is over. I am actually all about the rush of obtaining and little about the follow through. So I began the hunt and lo and behold I spotted my quarry. I was able to make the purchase as a Christmas gift from my wife. I found a man in Texas that hand made dulcimers and would make them out of any wood you might desire. Well here was an opportunity to score a real prized possession. I mean I could pick the wood and the design for the holes and practically pick everything I wanted to design and Tom would make it that way in about 12 or so weeks for about $650.00. Something so beautiful that it could be passed down from generation to generation. (besides being obsessive and compulsive I am a bit of a romantic)<br />
May 2007 came and lo and behold that was the month my instrument arrived. It was beautiful, in fact it was everything that I could have hoped it would be and as I showed it to my family, I got the oh it's nice honey and looks real pretty, what are we having for dinner? BLOW 1 When I recovered I went to play it and of course I know the basics but not enough to sound good and sure enough I got OH MY GOD IT IS NOT GOING TO SOUND LIKE THAT IS IT? Well BLOW 2. To my own shame I tell you this probably did not happen nearly as I have portrayed it but that is the way my soul heard it. I quietly packed it up and haven't picked it up again. It is a thing of beauty and I am so fragile that I could not take what was probably a throw-away line and meant nothing but to me it was like a poker as hot as hades entering my heart. I am fragile and I still don't know how to deal with life on life's terms. Any healthy person would have shrugged it off and said something like well that's your opinion now but just wait till I learn how to play. But I lost.<br />
Recently my wife and I were at a show, (we sell at arts and crafts shows) , and my wife commented on a pair of earrings that I purchased there. She said something like You are getting back into your feminine streak again. Well I blew a gasket at her, how dare she say something like that to me, why i have been working hard at keeping myself clean and sober, holding those cross dressing demons away from my door, and she could say something so cruel? How could she? I was devastated. Have I mentioned that I am fragile? Another opinion and yet the pain was to much to bear so I lashed out at her and shut down everything. All I felt was the pain and I know she really didn't mean it the exact way I took it but the damage was done. No more would I let her in like that! Close the fortress doors and do not open them for any reason. I'm fragile and I didn't even know it! Dramaking55http://www.blogger.com/profile/01763224233722068972noreply@blogger.com1