Glimpses of My Life Journey (A Trailer)

Late in Life

These late years (2016 thru 2020) have been hard times for me—not the best of times—experiencing the happenings in our nation and then the covid thing worldwide. Going through these days in my aloneness hasn’t helped much either in relieving the tension, as well as cloudy rainy days. (I’m looking forward to my move back into Pine View apartments on the campus of Columbia International University.)

 

Through these years it seems like we’ve all been trekking along the bumpy rough 2016 highway; for four years plus the nation has been experiencing that impeachment sham, and then the covid pandemic worldwide,  then the stolen election, and all that has been built up by the previous administration for the "Making America Great Again", is now being torn down by the illegitimate executive administration to attempt to make us something different other than as we were founded on biblical principles. No wonder I sense, as difficult as that may be humanly thinking, that the end of this mortal time is nearer than ever before. I don’t think others see it as I. And even it’s interesting to me how I see things these days—from an eternal perspective. As I drive about, noticing all the structures and such—buildings, highways, etc.—it all comes across to me as MANufractured artifices, nothing that will last. (Consider 2 Peter 3:6-8.) And trash is thrown everywhere seemingly moreso than ever before.

And I can’t help it, the realization of the end times. Two worlds (roads, realities) crossed my path, and praise God, I chose the one less traveled by, and that made all the difference. To live life simply for the frivolousness of this temporal time—career seeking, fortune building, etc.—is meaningless. (Consider Ecclesiastes 1:1-11.) I’m sure glad there is more to life than this mortal temporal time. Come, Lord Jesus.

 

Early in Life

Some years before I’d experienced the “highway 2016” roughness, I ventured out West to begin my “employment” (in ministry) with the then U.S. for World Mission. On very little support I went—just $50 a month—nevertheless I guess I was sent anyway with the church’s blessing. I went out by bus and came back by bus 15 years later.

 

Back in Columbia, I was employed until mid-2008 and then unemployed. And then what was termed “retirement,” even though I haven’t been ready (financially) to do such a thing. (Other employment still is necessary, at least part-time.)

 

Possibly another misstep

Nevertheless, considering retirement, what is the average amount of savings one should have to do such a thing? I guess that depends on the individual how much he/she wants when they’re ready to relax and give up their laboring days. But I’m sure, certainly more than $5000, eh? To my shame, I guess, but I have less than $5000 in savings. Not good I think. How can that be enough for me to enjoy those so-called “golden years”? 

Ah, for me, I had been unfaithful, I think, in handling God’s finances (His treasure) with which He entrusted me. (Consider Mark 12:41-44. The Life Application Study Bible notes, [brackets mine] "... As believers, we should consider increasing our giving--whether money [treasure], time, or talents--to a point beyond convenience or calculation.")

 

The lessons learned

That being said, in handling it all now, finances are tight, but I am somewhat managing better (and I do give). But I’m not doing so well particularly in grocery shopping--not a favorite activity of mine--not having enough for groceries to last sufficiently through a month. Not interested in cooking just for myself, I just do the simplest thing and primarily microwaveable. (Perhaps my “mealtimes” can be termed simply as “nibbling,” just a bit here and a bit there.)

 

 

My being transient most of my life, I never had a home of my own—always renting somewhere. I never had an abundance of anything of much value—possessions or wealth—growing up and even now. (And some of what I do have or did, have been given to me.) As I put it: I have very little of nothing and not much of everything. In visiting others' homes I’m awed (but not envious) of the stuff/furnishings they have. Wow! But in not having lots of stuff, my moving out, and moving into another place makes it that much easier. And thus, having little is possibly a blessing, as it keeps me conscious that God is my provider—as “He so feeds the birds,” Matthew 6:26. As God says, “Do not worry [nor be anxious],” Matthew 6:25-34,  even with my little. Yet, how easy it is for one, with an abundance of wealth and possessions not to worry than for one with not so much wealth or possessions.

 

And yet, as mentioned, I’ll soon be moving again back into Pine View Apartments, being once again on the C.I.U. campus and desirably to remain until my upper taking. Pine View is better for me I believe.  And then perhaps once settled in maybe God will/still/could have some other even part-time employment for me; I trust God for that to be if He so wills.

 

 

Summing up

From Ohio, God brought me out of my old life (a wilderness without Jesus), and roundabout my transient life, God brought me to Columbia, South Carolina, particularly to Bible college where my life has been transformed. Perhaps I can consider my coming to Bible college my mortal  “Promised Land,” anticipating my upper taking “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,” (1 Corinthians 15:51-53). What will that be like? 

Come, Lord Jesus. Until then, as mentioned, I can’t see how I can live my life now simply for the frivolousness of this temporal time; I’m mortally here (as all of God’s children) as a salt-spreader and light bearer of God’s eternal truth,  through whatever employment God may yet have for me. (Consider Matthew 5:12-14.)

Read the full feature at My Life Story.

A Worthy Occupation

 God's Word is precious, like nuggets of pure gold (See Proverbs 2:1-5). Through the Word of God, we can understand where we have come from, why we are here, and where we are going. Through God's Word also we can understand God's will for our lives in this time and for all the 'nations' (peoples) of planet Earth.

Through imagination travel back with me now before time was when nothing existed except God alone. God then spoke, and the universe and its vast array came into being, and thus also began time.

Then God made man, sculpturing them, male and female, from the dust of the ground. God breathed into them the breath of life; man became a living soul, created in God's own image. God commanded the man to "be fruitful and increase in number." He also gave man dominion over the rest of creation (See Genesis 1:28).

God then entrusted man with the responsibility of caring for His creation, placing the man and the woman in the Garden of Eden (somewhere between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, present-day Iraq) to work it and take care of it (See Genesis 2:15).

But the serpent was also in the Garden, filled with all the evil intents of that one who was cast out of Heaven because of arrogance and pride, desirous to exalt himself even above its Creator (See Isaiah 14:12-14).

Being deceived by that serpent, man betrayed God and shunned his responsibility (See Genesis 3), plunging the entire human race into rebellion against God. As a result, a great gulf was fixed, separating God and mankind to this day, that gulf incapable of being bridged through any human effort whatsoever.

God still loved His human creatures, however (See Genesis 3:21), and began His work -- His one pursuit -- to woo them back to Himself. Eventually, God would give them a second chance with the coming of the second Adam, Jesus (Yeshua), the Christ (Messiah), the only "bridge" capable of spanning that "great divide." (See Romans 5:10-21; 1 Corinthians 15:12-34.)



Fast-forwarding, we come to the New Testament era, where we see Jesus at Jericho (in the nation of Israel north of the Dead Sea, east of Jerusalem and Bethany). Through one of His parables, Jesus teaches us that God has once again given man a trust. (See Luke 19:11-27; Matthew 25:14-30; John 9:4, 5.) As it is with God, so it is to be our one pursuit -- faithfully laboring at it until Christ returns -- that the 'nations' may be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth (See 1 Timothy 2:4)

It's our heavenly work on Earth, more precious than gold, or any earthly ambition, not merely "wood, hay, and straw" (See 1 Corinthians 3:12). Such will all perish with the perishing of time. It is, therefore, "required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:2).

We once more fast-forward, to the year of our Lord, A.D. 1900, and meet one such faithful steward -- Amy Carmichael. Her obedience to God's command led to the founding of Dohnavur Fellowship in southern India.

At Dohnavur Amy saw the need: young girls were sold as temple prostitutes to be "married to the gods," and later made available to Hindu men frequently appearing at the temple.

Moved with compassion at what she saw, Amy embraced her calling ("putting her hand to the plow," Luke 9:62) and never looked back. Laboring faithfully for over 50 years, children were rescued from an empty life (See 1 Peter 1:18-21) and led to a new life of purpose in Jesus Christ. (See John 10:10b)

By twelve years into Amy's work, 130 children were cared for at Dohnavur. Amy faithfully pursued her God-given trust.


Today God waits for other "Amys," and "Aarons," to realize their precious labor -- that one occupation worthy of their lifelong pursuit. He listens for that sincere cry of the heart, answering the call of Isaiah, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8).


Coming next month A More Secure Trust

Impressions From The Heart is a self-employed endeavor for the glory of God. If readers of these posts are blessed, challenged, and encouraged to share their faith, thank you for your support via PayPal. 

A Tarnished Crown, A Bloody Cross, An Empty Grave

 

Man: the crown of God's creation (see Genesis 1:26-27). But the serpent was crafty and sly. In his deceptive ploy, he came to the woman and caused her to question God's word.

"You will not surely die," he hissed. "Rather, you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

Eyeing the fruit, it looked pleasing to the woman. She saw that it was good for food, pleasant to behold, and desirable to gain wisdom (see Genesis 3:6; 2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 2:14; James 1:14-15; 1 John 2:16). She took it and ate it, and gave it to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. All of a sudden, shame attacked their very souls. They sewed (perishable) fig leaves together covering their nakedness (see Genesis 3:1-7).

Hearing the LORD God walking in the Garden, they hid from him (but quickly learned the impossibility of such an attempt.  See Jeremiah 23:24; Psalm 139). They were deceived, desiring worldly pleasures more than God's purposes for them.

As disobedient children, God disciplined them. Creation's crown now tarnished, they were put out of that Garden to manage their way; they had chosen to live a life, struggling to "make ends meet."

A gulf was fixed between God and humankind, invoking misconduct, immorality, and terror throughout the earth. It continues today, humans still with that rebellious nature inherited from the "first Adam," the sentence of death being the final payment (see Genesis 3:22-24).

Even still God loved his human creatures. He provided for their physical need, a more durable covering  (see Genesis 3:21).

But then the time had fully come when God sent His one and only Son, Jesus (Yeshua), the Christ (Messiah); He was born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, and adopted as His children. (See Galatians 4:4-5; cf. Mark 1:15; Romans 5:6; Ephesians 1:10).

He had been born to die, however, from the manger to the cross, paying the price in full for all humanity– from the poor as the shepherds to the wealthy as the Magi. He bloodied a rugged cross on a hill, effective to those who believe, receiving Jesus as Lord.

Buried in a borrowed grave, but he didn't stay there. On the third day, as the Scriptures had promised, he rose from the dead. With the tomb empty (of Jesus' body, the clothes that wrapped Him remained) He appeared first to Peter, then to the Twelve, and then to more than 500 others at the same time — evidence indeed of Jesus' resurrection from the dead.

Then, as his disciples stood watching Him ascend into the sky, returning to his Father, two men in white apparel appeared with them, and spoke, "This same Jesus, as you see him go into the heavens, will so come again in like manner, at the Father's will."

Until then, as Jesus has commanded his disciples (and us), we're to proclaim this Good News, like a shining beacon of God's glorious truth to all peoples of the earth.

For further reflection, consider –

Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 2:8-20; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1-5

Impressions From The Heart is a self-employed endeavor for the glory of God. If readers of these posts are blessed, challenged, and encouraged to share their faith, thank you for your support via PayPal. 

Lead On, O King Eternal

  Wake up Church, through these ever-darkening days trusting in our King eternal through the greater hysterical days that are ahead...

1. Lead on, O King eternal:

the day of march has come;

henceforth in fields of battle

thy tents shall be our home:

through days of preparation

thy grace has made us strong,

and now, O King eternal,

we lift our battle song.

2. Lead on, O King eternal,

till sin's fierce war shall cease,

and holiness shall whisper

the sweet Amen of peace;

for not with swords' loud clashing

nor roll of stirring drum,

but deeds of love and mercy,

thy reign of peace shall come.

3. Lead on, O King eternal:

we follow, not with fears,

for gladness breaks like morning

where'er thy face appears:

thy cross is lifted o'er us;

we journey in its light;

the crown awaits the conquest;

lead on, O God of might.

The Decade That Was

Another year has come and gone; what a year it was. But for me, not just another year, but another decade it was (plus 2 1/2 years) from mid-2007 to 2020.

Following are major events (in my life) of that past decade:

2007:

            Mid-September I had to move from a previous residence, on 5310 Two Notch Road, Forest Acres area of Columbia, South Carolina, due to the property being sold and the mobile home in which I was then living could not be moved. I then lived in what was Crossroads apartments on Zimalcrest Drive, Columbia, South Carolina. (There, made aware of it by a Narnia fan, down a path outside my front door was “a lamppost in the middle of the wood.”)

            My previous car, which was given to me, “gave up the ghost.” I had a chance then to learn of the city bus system.

2008:

            I became unemployed on 07/11/2008.

            Eventually, I was given another car. (The person who gave it to me was going overseas in Christian mission work, so I paid something for the car for her support.)

2011:

Custodial employment with Columbia International University (C.I.U.) mid-May 2011 thru August 2014—not desiring custodial work, but needing a job I thought I would give it a try, at least then I had a job for a time.

I had another custodial job for a time at Baptist Parkridge hospital in Columbia. I enjoyed working for a hospital, but again not so much custodial work

May 2014 thru June 2018:

            Lived in C.I.U.’s Pine View apartments

2016 Presidential election:

            God brought President Trump into the White House for “such a time as this,” I’m sure of it, surprising us all particularly winning over those Democrats and the fake news media

2016 thru 2020:

            Impeachment proceedings of President Trump took center stage, but to no avail, however, it was simply a conspiracy act and a waste of taxpayer dollars.

July 2018 thru March 2019:

            Lived eight months in Ohio. (Perhaps a benefit: I realized greater the two worlds.)

2020:

            Covid pandemic

            General election. An overwhelmingly red wave, although the Democrats trying to steal it.

 

And so what is the impact of it all on my life:

I think how I would like to tear out of my life story that past decade. But of course, I can not. History is God’s story, and as is all of humanity, we’re characters in His story; guided along by the Good Shephard or going our way as a prodigal—doing our own thing, living the “I did my way,” the “Que sera, sera” misguided philosophy.

As it seems,  how difficult it is for me to live these days as I had done before 2007. Before then, doing things simply for fun and pleasure was a favorite thing to do—a favorite pastime. Now, it’s all not so much fun anymore. (Watching TV doesn’t even hold much of my interest, nor sports, nor movies. Neither giving much attention to the fast becoming unreliable news reporting.)

I have come to realize to a greater extent the end times. My going about these days, my mind now being more set on the immortal eternal reality, noticing the temporal works of humankind—those “towers of Babel” (Genesis 11:1-9 cf. 1 John 2:16)—I realize as the apostle Peter has written that it’s all going to burn (see 2 Peter 3:1-7; 1 John 2:16-17).

Hence, I can’t live these days as if everything in the world is a-okay, hunkey-dorey, or “it’s all just fine.” Not so, these times had not been “the best of times,” and continues not to be so.

Even though people say, “Relax, enjoy life, we’ll all get over it,” uh, I can’t see that.  As mentioned, I can’t live now for the pleasures of this temporal time. I’ve realized the end of this time is coming—it’s nearer than ever before. I’m eager and looking forward to the upper taker, whenever that will be as the Lord so wills (see 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10). Strange as it may sound, I’ve been sensing that throughout that decade that was. Maybe the result of the 2020 election is evidence of that sensing.

For me, the coming of my unemployment and then forward from the year 2016 has been moreso than ever the "defining moment" of my life. I have come to realize the greater pleasure for my mortal existence is Jesus—my joy, provider, purpose, and meaning for life (Matthew 6:25-34). My rock, fortress, and deliverer (Psalm 18:2)

 

Conclusion: as in my previous writings, so here too, the prayer of my heart these days seems to be, as the apostle John expressed it recorded at Revelation 22:20, “Come, Lord Jesus.” Until then, my continued prayer and fight for my native mortal homeland continues to be: Restore us, heavenly Father, to our founding upon biblical principles and conservative values, that we for a time may be a light-bearer and salt-spreader to the world of Your grace, peace, and love, as You would have us to be until that day of Your return, Lord Jesus (Adonai Yeshua). Awaken Your Church, heavenly Father, throughout America that we would have a greater impact on the governing affairs of our land—“from sea to shining sea”—as so did our founding fathers, that we would know our being as “one nation under God.”  In Your precious name, Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Sojourners in a Foreign Land

Time travel with me once again, this time back to those biblical days of Abram (later known as Abraham). From the Old Testament, we read of Terah residing in Ur of the Chaldeans. 

The day came when Terah left Ur with his son Abram, daughter-in-law Sarai and grandson Lot. Together they set out for Canaan, but they settled in Haran (about 600 miles north of Ur). See Genesis 11:31.

After Terah died God commanded Abram to leave Haran and "... go ... where I will show you." God also gave Abram a promise, "... all peoples on earth will be blessed through you," (Genesis 12:1-3). 

Abram left as "the LORD had told him," not knowing where he was going, simply taking God at His word. He arrived in Canaan and became a "stranger (sojourner) in a foreign country," (Genesis 12:4-5). 

God was with Abram as he traveled throughout Canaan. One day as Abram was scanning Canaan's vast horizon, God revealed to him: "To your offspring, I will give this land," (Genesis 12:7). 

Abram built an altar at Shechem and worshiped the LORD there, he then moved on towards Bethel. Between Bethel and Ai, he built another altar and then moved on further towards the Negev (desert in southern Canaan). See Genesis 12:8-9.

And at this point, we, too, move on further through time, centuries beyond the days of Abram, and step into New Testament times to the days of Jesus. There on the shores of Lake Galilee (in modern-day Israel; Old Testament days, Canaan), we see Jesus challenging some fishermen, "Launch out into the deep water." 

"But Master," they responded wearily, "We labored all last night and caught nothing." Nevertheless, trusting Jesus' words they did as He told them, and were astonished at their great catch.

Smiling broadly at their trusting stance, Jesus challenged them again, "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching people" 

Accepting the challenge, they left their nets and their boats and followed Jesus. As Jesus taught his disciples then, so He teaches us today how to pass on the blessing of Abraham to all peoples, confidently trusting in God's command to "Go," …  (See Luke 5:1-11; Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; John 1:40-42.) 

We now soar further through time. We arrive at the year A.D. 1858. We find ourselves viewing John G. Paton and his newly wedded wife, Mary Ann, leaving their native Scotland behind, being "launched out" to the South Pacific. During his 10 years of city mission work in Glasgow, Scotland, God so pained John Paton's heart with the thought of the New Hebrides islanders entering a Christless eternity.

In the New Hebrides on the island of Tanna, the Patons labored zealously for the cause of Christ. But it wasn't without struggles and hardships, including the death of Mary Ann just one year after they were married, and, at John's count, at least 50 times of imminent threat to his life.

Only after decades of hard labor and during a second term in the New Hebrides (today Vanuatuon is the island of Aniwa), did God show His handiwork through Paton's labor: two orphanages were built, a thriving church established, and schools set up; one was a girl's school where Paton's second wife, Margaret, taught. John G. Paton genuinely loved the people to whom God had sent him, serving wholeheartedly in his God-given task. He realized no other cause more worthy of his lifelong pursuit.

God continues to call other "John Patons" today, to give up their smaller ambitions for the greater -- to become fishers of people. He looks for those who are willing to become sojourners in a foreign land. Consider 1 Peter 2:10-12.


Coming next month A Tarnished Crown, A Bloody Cross, an Empty Grave

Impressions From The Heart is a self-employed endeavor for the glory of God. If readers of these posts are blessed, challenged, and encouraged to share their faith, thank you for your support via PayPal. 

I'm Tired

 

I’m tired…

-         Not just sleepy where a good night’s rest would/should appease the tiredness,

But I’m tired…

 

-         of these days, of trekking through this mortal time seeing the disruption, corruption,

 

-         and the filth even of mortal humanity’s seeming unconcern where they throw their trash

 

-         of mortal humanity’s seemingly breaking the law (with no concern) moreso than ever before.

 

-         of seeing the living of life simply for this mortal timeline, seemingly, having gone through wars, fires, earthquakes, famines, and such, when all gets straightened out and settled down, all humanity goes back to that “normal” way as if nothing tragic had happened. (Should we not learn from such?)

 

-         Of these dark days, not of the darkness that routinely/regularly “happens” at sunset, but of the darkness igniting the rise of evil at sunset. (“People  love darkness more than the light…” John 3:19.)

 

“Que sera sera” (whatever will be will be) the future’s not ours to see…” Maybe not, but we who know the truth, when we see evil coming in to wipe the truth away, shouldn’t we stand up and speak out that it will not happen; keep on the way of the truth. Until our eternal home going, let us live now to proclaim the truth. (See John 14:6.)

 

Tired of it all. For myself, I have realized the better way of living is for the immortal. I’m ready to see the brilliance of the new day of Christ’s return and the entrance of the Father’s eternal immortal Kingdom, where tiredness will be no more.

 

²¹ For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better,” 

Philippians 1:21.