SEARCHING for AUTHENTICITY

 1 Timothy 4:1

King James Version

4 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, 

that in the latter times 

some shall depart from the faith, 

giving heed to seducing spirits, 

and doctrines of devils;

I know you want to believe in something real.

I know you, too, search for authenticity.

You want to know who to trust.

And what to believe in.

That was the path I took, as well.

And I'm glad I did, and stuck to it.

I hope you do, too.

The journey will be worth it.

There was a time I got into new age.

That was in 1995 until mid-2019.

Only because I had been searching for truth.

I even had a shop, to explore and share my findings.

But I've always gravitated to books.

Preferring to do my own research.

I read all the books I can find, study, and buy.

But nothing really gave me ABSOLUTE truth.

There was always a part missing, remaining elusive.

Until such time there was no more money for books.

I searched self, trying to see what I wasn't getting right.

So, one day in April 2019, I stepped back from books, and sin.

I couldn't bear to sin anymore.

My soul had been in the wilderness since 1997.

That's 22 long years of going around in circles.

But I suppose, I was tenacious enough.

I just prayed, and waited.

Surrendering all answers to GOD.

What wasn't I seeing?

What was I doing wrong?

What was being withheld from me?

Why have funds dried up?

What work was I supposed to do?

FIVE months after, on 6 September 2019, I finally got an answer.

In the most unusual, and direct way.

GOD led me to Bible prophecy, specifically on America.

She was in GREAT danger, from her own willful ways.

That very day, GOD made me born again, and led me to Scripture.

Using the two Reagan videos on America as foundation.

By November, GOD's SPIRIT inspired me to write 22 books on spiritual warfare.

This, we did for a period of 36 days.

Strangely, there was no exhaustion at all.

Only a desire to finally share with you the decades-old dreams.

It had to be fictionalized, for the dreams were too strange.

It didn't matter if people bought my e-books on Amazon.

My "findings" simply had to be shared, and documented.

Strangely, everything matched what's happening to the world since the global health crisis.

I was given that 36-day "window period" to document my dreams.

And to fictionalize it, before the covid crisis hit in 2020.

Somehow, GOD prepared me for things to come.

We had much work to do.

Before 2019 ended, Dr. David R. Reagan, the very minister GOD led me to regarding Bible prophecy on America, surprisingly invited me to write my own testimony for their January to February 2020 edition of their long-running newsletter, "The Lamplighter".

As editor, Dr. Reagan introduced the "A Voice From the Philippines" article this way.

"Last September I received an email message from a young lady in the Philippines that really touched my heart. She was literally bubbling over with excitement because of her discovery of Bible prophecy through this ministry’s website. It was a discovery that quickly changed her life. She was born and raised in Baguio City, which is a resort city located in the mountains about 150 miles north of Manila. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture and has worked in many different professional capacities in both Baguio and Manila."

It took over four years before I rediscovered that 2020 article.

Did SPIRIT "plant" it upon my path?

As born again, you can be sure nothing is by accident.

Everything is always by GOD's design.

Apparently, I had saved it on Google Drive.

I had completely forgotten I even saved it.

Today is an opportune time to share that article with you.

Where there is a huge "Voice of America", I realized there was also a tiny "Voice from the Philippines" -- mine.

I asked Dr. Nathan E. Jones, Internet Evangelist of Lamb & Lion Ministries, if I may use the material, and he graciously said the material is mine to "republish", and there was no need to ask permission.

Dear friends, here is my testimony.

The path I took, the mistakes I made, the research I did, before GOD rescued me:

"I grew up in the Catholic Church surrounded by pious relatives, yet I could never seem to embrace their religious rituals. 

I have always been a person searching for knowledge, and I have always needed to test what I learned so it would become one with me. Otherwise, I’d feel it was counterfeit, and I would not share it with anyone. So I grew up yearning for authenticity. I was not one to rock the boat, so if I did not agree with people, I merely kept it to myself. 

My life-long search led me in 1997 to esoteric stuff. It was a time when my life had taken a nose-dive, and I was beginning to have heavy dreams. I began reading books on mysticism, healing, channeling, psychic phenomena and dreams. 

I had a close friend who was a pastor. He was a good Bible teacher, and he would gently question me about my blog posts based on these books. Every so often, he would share a Bible verse or two to enlighten my thinking. 

In my quest for knowledge, I learned about reiki (energy healing), crystals, channeling, angels, Buddhism, Hinduism, Shamanism, aromatherapy, herbs, aliens, incarnation and many other esoteric things, but I must admit I never fully embraced any of these compared to my friends and the customers at my book store. I was guilty of one big thing, though. I must have read and sold hundreds of books, but I never really touched the Bible. I knew it was supposed to be the “Ultimate Book,” but perhaps I was wary because I learned there were so many different versions. Also, I became cautious when I learned that something may have been “lost in the translation.” Furthermore, I didn't know whom to trust — the Catholics or the Protestants? 

On the deepest level, I knew the Bible was sacred, but I kept wondering if there were some books missing from it? Had the Catholic Church left out or added some writings? Had they perhaps distorted some truth in it? 

I began to ask myself questions about my Catholic background. I wondered why my church conducted itself the way it did, in what appeared to me to be arrogance over its wealth and influence. Christ was humble, but my church was hardly humble at all. It had great riches which it flaunted in magnificent buildings around the world. 

In the midst of all this confusion, I began to pay attention to my dreams because I started having beautiful dreams about Jesus. Never mind that my father had told me when I was a child, “Don't trust anyone, not even yourself!” To a child’s mind, or at least to my mind, that was confusing. If I couldn’t trust myself, who could I trust? 

When I started having those heavy dreams in 1997, I bought a dream book that I hoped would help me to better understand dreams. Little did I know that one book would lead me to more mystical books. 

Finally, something very unusual occurred on the 6th of September 2019. I got on the Internet to post some blogs, something I did often. But nothing materialized — another strange thing, for I write easily — so I decided to call it a day. 

Later, as I was coming home from the grocery store, I decided to take a cab, and before I could even close the door, the driver started talking about the Bible, Jesus and the supernatural. I hardly had time to pitch in a word or two through the 15-minute ride. Then, that very night as I was surfing the Internet, I was “led” to two videos created by Lamb & Lion Ministries featuring Dr. David Reagan speaking about Bible prophecy. Dr. Reagan’s teachings led me to many more videos of him and other teachers like Nathan Jones, Billy Crone, Jan Markell and Mike Gendron. I began thanking God for YouTube, something I didn’t normally touch because I was more into books. 

Oh! How these wonderful ministers opened my mind and heart to new Bible knowledge. They made sense, and they backed up everything they taught with the Scriptures. I began to realize how little I knew about God’s Word. 

When I was introduced to John 3:3, I realized that I must become “born again” because that was the only way to Christ. I was also convicted by the truth expressed in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 where we are told “. . . that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” 

This time, there was no turning down God’s invitation to accept His Son as my Lord and Savior and to spend my time reading His Book and drop ALL the other books I had gotten involved with. 

God had waited long enough for this erring child. Now, my focus is Jesus — knowing more about Him and becoming more like Him. 

I am so grateful to Lamb & Lion Ministries and Dr. Reagan for introducing me to Bible prophecy. I am also thankful for all the videos and articles that the ministry’s Internet Evangelist, Nathan Jones, has made available through their website at www.lamblion.com." ✜ 

-- "The Lamplighter"

January to February 2020

Suffice it to say, GOD allowed my new age research.

Which became contrasting material for my Bible studies.

From heavy dreams in 1997, I got into new age.

With the desire to understand my dreams.

Now, I know what to believe in.

Now, I know what the "other side" presented.

Now, I know only Scripture can be trusted.

Now, I truly feel authentic.

Now, I can share GOD's truth with you.

Never again do I need to read other books.

GOD's HOLY BIBLE suffices.

JESUS led me to GOD's TRUTH.

I stick by the LORD's side.

Until He calls me home.

Related material:

Honored to be Featured on "The Lamplighter"

Biblical PROPHECY You Will Want To LISTEN To

27 years AFTER

AMERICA in DANGER

PRAYING for AMERICA

FORMER new agers

GOD's GLORY blogs

BORN AGAIN classics

SCRIPTURE guidance through Joseph

BLOOKS

The STAR dream

 

1 Corinthians 15:40-41

King James Version

40 There are also celestial bodies, 

and bodies terrestrial: 

but the glory of the celestial is one, 

and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

41 There is one glory of the sun, 

and another glory of the moon, 

and another glory of the stars: 

for one star differeth from another star 

in glory.

That was a dream about 20 years ago.

Wherein I found myself at a hardware, in the market.

There was a cardboard cutout of the HOLY family.

And their "shed".

Like those Christmas cardboard ones we used to have.

Except this one was all dusty.

Hidden.

Forgotten.

Baby JESUS, Joseph, and Mary were in place.

I was "tasked" to hold up the star.

Now, why was that significant then?

FIRST, I wasn't even born again yet.

SECOND, what holiness have I got?

THIRD, what was GOD trying to tell me?

As with every other dream -- for there were many -- I took notes.

And set it aside, for a time, until I could review it.

The memories of the dream came up again this morning.

Of course, having been schooled by Catholic nuns, and priests, I knew that star.

The STAR of BETHLEHEM:

Matthew 2:1-12

King James Version

2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea 

in the days of Herod the king, 

behold, 

there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, 

Where is he that is born King of the Jews? 

for we have seen his star in the east, 

and are come to worship him.

3 When Herod the king had heard these things, 

he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4 And when he had gathered 

all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, 

he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

5 And they said unto him, 

In Bethlehem of Judaea: 

for thus it is written by the prophet,

6 And thou Bethlehem, 

in the land of Juda, 

art not the least among the princes of Juda: 

for out of thee shall come a Governor, 

that shall rule my people Israel.

7 Then Herod, 

when he had privily called the wise men, 

enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, 

Go and search diligently for the young child; 

and when ye have found him, bring me word again, 

that I may come and worship him also.

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; 

and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, 

went before them, till it came 

and stood over where the young child was.

10 When they saw the star, 

they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 And when they were come into the house, 

they saw the young child with Mary his mother, 

and fell down, and worshipped him: 

and when they had opened their treasures, 

they presented unto him gifts; 

gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

12 And being warned of God in a dream 

that they should not return to Herod, 

they departed into their own country 

another way.

From the verses above, we learn of "his star in the east".

The LORD's star.

And if you were a baby, you'd probably say the "lodestar".

Same idea, really.

JESUS was the STAR.

That lights our way.

Matthew 7:13-14

King James Version

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: 

for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, 

that leadeth to destruction, 

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate, 

and narrow is the way, 

which leadeth unto life, 

and few there be that find it.

John 8:12

King James Version

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, 

saying, 

I am the light of the world: 

he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, 

but shall have the light of life.

John 14:6

King James Version

6 Jesus saith unto him, 

I am the way, the truth, and the life: 

no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

JESUS was the prophesied STAR:

Numbers 24:17-19

King James Version

17 I shall see him, but not now: 

I shall behold him, but not nigh: 

there shall come a Star out of Jacob, 

and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, 

and shall smite the corners of Moab, 

and destroy all the children of Sheth.

18 And Edom shall be a possession, 

Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; 

and Israel shall do valiantly.

19 Out of Jacob shall come 

he that shall have dominion, 

and shall destroy him 

that remaineth of the city.

JESUS spoke of the "morning star", too.

Revelation 2:26-29

King James Version

26 And he that overcometh, 

and keepeth my works unto the end, 

to him will I give power over the nations:

27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; 

as the vessels of a potter 

shall they be broken to shivers: 

even as I received of my Father.

28 And I will give him the morning star.

29 He that hath an ear, 

let him hear what the Spirit saith 

unto the churches.

JESUS confirms He is that MORNING STAR.

Revelation 22:16

King James Version

16 I Jesus have sent mine angel 

to testify unto you these things in the churches. 

I am the root and the offspring of David, 

and the bright and morning star.

What have I got to do with the star?

Why was it manifested in my dream 20 years ago?

Why was I shown I had to "hold up" that drooping star in my dream?

In a hardware yet?

I was also searching for a light bulb in that dream.

An incandescent bulb, not today's LED.

Obviously, I had a job to do.

Then, I didn't know "what" yet.

It took a VERY LONG time to know.

All I knew was the dream was significant.

Now, I have an idea what it was all about.

I needed to get my own "house" in order.

And have the LIGHT of CHRIST shine upon my soul.

For it was in a very derelict state.

GOD made me born again over four years ago. 

Then, SPIRIT got me writing.

Searching, and studying Scripture.

Connecting the dots.

Non-stop.

Daily.

Night, and day.

Every moment SPIRIT alerts me to.

I am where I need to be.

Right where GOD re-planted me.

Back with my family.

Back with His family.

Honoring the STAR that is JESUS.

Holding up that light, through Scripture.

If you are born again, you will marvel at the life GOD will give you.

In complete service to the LORD.

With a usefulness that will never pale.

How can it?

We have the LIGHT of CHRIST to shine upon us.

We have SPIRIT to teach us.

We have GOD to love.

We have you to share the gospel with.

We have you to think about.

GOD merely gave me the dreams.

To wake me up.

To alert me.

To save me.

To get me to write.

To make me study the Bible.

To gather all my material.

To know, "It's time!"

To share the gospel.

To tell you about JESUS.

To tell you about the Rapture.

And to honor the LORD.

Every moment.

Of every day.

Related material:

PRIEST from JUDA

GOD's GLORY blogs

BORN AGAIN classics

Image: Clipart Library

The WRITING continues

 

Hebrews 11:6

King James Version

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: 

for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, 

and that he is a rewarder of them 

that diligently seek him.

Laptop finally conked out.

For good.

After 54 months of non-stop writing, it heaved its last sigh.

Two days before it did, I heard a strange sound coming from it.

Whoops...

But laptop kept faithfully on.

Somehow, I was always able to troubleshoot it.

Somehow, it always responded to periodic reformatting.

Up until the 13th, it worked just fine.

Thinking I'd be able to sell it for something, I was wrong.

No one wanted to take it, except for one who gave a tiny token.

But that's not enough to buy a decent used one.

Of course, I can't go off course.

SPIRIT gave me 17 articles to work on.

At the internet shop, I could only muster one article.

"Something" was giving me an especially hard time at the shop.

It was painstaking working from the desktop.

What with loose keys from all the gamers who used it.

And something "heavy" was bearing down upon me.

As if something was hindering all my efforts.

I got a neck ache, and headache, from trying to work.

By the time I got home, I felt literally sick, and depleted.

But we got one article out.

Only to find I had a lot of typos, and jumbled thoughts.

We were able to fix that article.

And today, this is the first real article I'm writing again.

All because help came from heaven.

As my laptop heaved its last sigh, I didn't know if I'd have another laptop.

I didn't have the funds for a replacement.

But GOD gave me what I needed, asap.

My pastor-friend said GOD "urged" him to help me "right away".

So he made it happen this morning.

This morning, I got that laptop I was eyeing yesterday.

And boy, did it work real fast!

GOD gave me the "upgrade" I needed.

All those articles on my heart "dancing", must have pleased the LORD.

He knew I was on to something.

He gave me faster stuff to work with.

I'm still in awe at how fast everything transpired.

My friend also knows how important my work is.

He knows of my travails.

He also reads my posts regularly.

He's very Berean in his approach.

If my work pleases him, then I must be doing something right.

We both are sticklers for accuracy in handling GOD's WORD.

All I learned early on, I learned from my pastor-friend.

Interestingly, that old laptop was also a gift in 2019.

I had been working from internet shops.

But one day, I got into a "dead" zone.

Nothing worked that day.

Turned out, GOD had a surprise for me.

My mom's friends, a kind couple, gifted me with their old gamers laptop.

As you can imagine, it had TONS of memory, and was pretty fast.

That's how GOD works -- through people who care.

That laptop served me for 54 months.

SPIRIT and I got to create over 100 blogs, and 24 ebooks from it.

And now, I was gifted with funds to buy another used one.

My work for GOD continues.

GOD always makes things possible.

And all I did was just leave everything up to GOD.

I merely surrendered to His will.

Apparently, His will was for me to have upgraded tools.

That's why He retired the old laptop.

He knows I'm grateful for anything that comes from Him.

And I sure know when things come from the LORD.

My constant prayer is that I remain aligned with GOD's WLL.

As born again, I don't know any other way but that.

Related material:

MINISTRY of CONSISTENCY

Image: Clipart Library

CUSP of something

 

Habakkuk 2:3

King James Version

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, 

but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: 

though it tarry, wait for it; 

because it will surely come, 

it will not tarry.

You know that saying, "being in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing"?

Well, in my case, I seem to be in the right place, listening to the right thing, from the right person, about the right event, and then something happens.

Let me explain, through SEVEN separate instances:

I was just about to graduate from Architecture in 1984.

The university was just getting into computers.

I left, wondering why it skipped our batch.

Then the Internet age happened.

I was technical designer at an export processing zone in 1985.

Somehow, I was happier being in the assembly line.

I left, because I wasn't allowed to.

Five years after, a devastating 1990 earthquake hit my city*.

I was managing editor for the American chamber in 1989.

One tech manager excitedly spoke of "fiber optics".

How it would revolutionize communications.

Fiber-optic communication technology boomed, as I left.

I resigned from the chamber in 1990.

My replacement was excited about using computers for editing.

When I left, she did just that, for she was adept.

The whole office succumbed to the Internet age, as I left.

My friends and I were in Thailand in 1997.

Saw lots of new condominiums by the highway.

Units were vacant, and I wondered why.

The Asian financial crisis hit in 1997.

I had been out of sorts in the big city from 1998 until 2001.

I struggled to stay on, despite personal crisis, dwindling work, and disturbing dreams.

On to my last penny, I was forced to go back to my smaller city.

A family health issue hit in 2002, showing I was badly needed at home.

I was in the U.S. in 2008.

Again, lots of new condos and townhouses.

Mostly vacant, and again, I wondered why.

The Global Financial Crisis (GFC) occurred between 2007 to 2008.

Now, those couldn't just be coincidences.

A pattern has been set.

Wherein, just as I was about to leave, something important was about to happen.

Or something was already in the works.

But not immediately apparent, UNTIL I left.

Then, what was being contained, or restrained, gave out.

But GOD "plucked" me out, on time.

I can say that now, as I review those events.

For, like I said, there seemed to be a pattern.

Did I miss out on those?

You know, like leaving, when it's just about to happen?

Hardly.

I was "plucked" at just the right time.

Even as I wasn't born again then, some things seemed clear --

GOD definitely doesn't want me going ga-ga over tech.

Neither does He want me caught up in the things of the world.

You know, stuff like trends, materialism, greed, pride, vanity.

Understandably so:

Matthew 6:24

King James Version

24 No man can serve two masters: 

for either he will hate the one, and love the other; 

or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. 

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Luke 16:15

King James Version

15 And he said unto them, 

Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; 

but God knoweth your hearts: 

for that which is highly esteemed among men 

is abomination in the sight of God.

1 John 2:16

King James Version

16 For all that is in the world, 

the lust of the flesh, 

and the lust of the eyes, 

and the pride of life, 

is not of the Father, 

but is of the world.

Look, I don't plant myself anywhere.

I just do what I need to do normally, leisurely, or work-wise.

And things happen.

GOD makes me notice, then He plucks me out -- right at that point.

JUST when everything was on the CUSP of "something".

"Cusp" simply means:

a point of transition (as from one historical period to the next) : TURNING POINT

also : EDGE, VERGE

   -- Merriam-Webster

A synonym for cusp could also be "inflection point":

a moment when significant change occurs or may occur : TURNING POINT

mathematics : a point on a curve that separates an arc concave upward from one concave downward and vice versa

   -- Merriam-Webster

GOD's plans were clear.

He wanted me to write.

He wanted my testimony.

That's why He made me a curious cat.

A tenacious researcher.

A voracious reader.

A perpetual note-taker.

He knew I'd file away all my observations, and experiences.

He knew I would piece it all together, one day.

Well, that's what GOD created me for.

As He created you, for a specific purpose.

Do you know that purpose yet?

I've always said I don't want to miss out on a thing.

Especially things that matter.

I'd grieve if I was asleep at the wheel.

And something important happened.

So I kept awake, aware, alert.

All this paying attention seemed to please the LORD.

The more I listened, the more He gave me stuff to listen to.

The more I observed, the more He gave me stuff to observe.

The more I studied, the more He gave me stuff to study.

The more I hungered for truth, the more He gave me clues.

The more I asked questions, the more He gave me answers.

The more I prayed, the more He gave answers to my prayers.

The more I wrote, the more He gave me stuff to write.

Isn't our GOD, a MAGNIFICENT GOD?

I guess I was just hungry for truth.

All that listening, studying, and observing paid off.

GOD likes people who pay attention.

GOD likes those who keep track of things.

Especially those who literally take down notes.

And try to make sense of things.

Turning things over in their heart.

And praying for His will.

For He does give us TONS of clues.

Through SPIRIT, and Scripture, I'm now able to piece them all together.

And found THREE important things to pay attention to.

Especially right this moment:

The REDEEMER.

Matthew 17:5

King James Version

5 While he yet spake, 

behold, 

a bright cloud overshadowed them: 

and behold a voice out of the cloud, 

which said, 

This is my beloved Son, 

in whom I am well pleased; 

hear ye him.

John 14:6

King James Version

6 Jesus saith unto him, 

I am the way, the truth, and the life: 

no man cometh unto the Father, 

but by me.

The RAPTURE.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

King James Version

16 For the Lord himself 

shall descend from heaven 

with a shout, 

with the voice of the archangel, 

and with the trump of God: 

and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain 

shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, 

to meet the Lord in the air: 

and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

And REPENTANCE.

Mark 1:15

King James Version

15 And saying, 

The time is fulfilled, 

and the kingdom of God is at hand: 

repent ye, 

and believe the gospel.

Remember all three:

The REDEEMER.

The RAPTURE.

REPENTANCE.

Lastly, for sometime now, I've noticed the wickedness of the world.

I've taken down notes, 97 blogs, to be sure.

Giving warnings, and all.

Will I be "plucked" out, and things will happen?

Am I on the "verge" of something, again?

I did say a pattern has been set in my life.

Well, I sure am paying attention.

More than ever.

JESUS did say:

Mark 13:32

King James Version

32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, 

no, not the angels which are in heaven, 

neither the Son, but the Father.

Mark 13:33-34

King James Version

33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: 

for ye know not when the time is.

34 For the Son of Man 

is as a man taking a far journey, 

who left his house, 

and gave authority to his servants, 

and to every man his work, 

and commanded the porter to watch.

Mark 13:35-37

King James Version

35 Watch ye therefore: 

for ye know not 

when the master of the house cometh, 

at even, or at midnight, 

or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, 

Watch.

JESUS always has the LAST WORD.

Amen.

*Note: While it took another five years, in 1990, for the terrible earthquake to occur, the building I used to work in at the processing zone was flattened like a rectangular cake, as with the rest in the area.

One of the owners, the wife, perished.

Related material:

The DAY I KNEW

I Used To Wear Many Hats Once

URGENT event to LOOK OUT FOR

The RAPTURE

END times

REPENTANCE

HOLINESS

Image: Clipart Library

52-month review

 

B-52 in flight

It is a habit with me.

To stop, and review, before a birthday.

To stop, and review, as we face a new year.

Well it's 2024.

Time for a review.

Of self, work, and direction.

Not on accomplishments, for it's not about that.

Scripture humbles me.

At how little I know.

Save for SPIRIT, I'd be lost.

He does all the leading, guidance, and direction.

That this writer may be pure, perfect, and precise.

The ideal, of which I have a long way to go.

Nevertheless, I'm on track.

What have I learned these past 52 months as born again?

All that, you can find from over 90 blogs.

I can't produce that much, unless SPIRIT guided me.

As it is, we have burgeoning blogs.

Not that I'm burping, for there's still tons to learn.

Some days, I feel like we're just warming up.

And maybe, we are.

The WORD of GOD is magnificent.

It's rich with GOD's story.

Rich with man's fallible ways.

Rich with GOD's mercy.

Rich with His promises.

Rich with His TRUTH.

That was what I was searching for anyway.

Right from the start -- only ABSOLUTE truth.

For the world presented me with half-truths.

Diluted truths, corrupted truths, manipulated truths.

Would that be truth at all?

So, I kept searching.

And this I must say.

If you really want truth, there's something you need to do.

LEAVE the old self behind.

DROP all previous knowledge.

That old self has been programmed.

HUMBLE yourself, and accept you're lost.

That you know nothing.

That you're sick of sin.

That you want real change.

Those are the things GOD wants to see, hear, and witness.

No pride, no vanity, no sense of self-importance, no baggage.

I went through that 57 months ago.

And I lived to tell the most wonderful tale.

But it starts with one thing:

GOD wants to HEAR your declaration to self.

That you're sick of self.

Sick of sin.

Sick of your old ways.

Then, He waits for you around the corner.

(He showed up five months after my April 2019 declaration.)

As you reach that corner, these things occur:

He doesn't laugh at you.

Okay, maybe He hugs you tight.

Smiling at His funny, lost child, rumpling your hair.

He doesn't blame you.

He knows you kept trying.

Even as you listen to anyone BUT Him.

He doesn't say, "I told you so."

He knows you'll come around, at His own perfect time.

When you've lost everything.

He doesn't show you a displeased frown.

Your abject self is enough.

He knows you got the message.

He doesn't make you feel bad, period.

How can a WONDERFUL FATHER ever do that?

He just hugs His long-lost prodigal child.

First thing He does is give you a sense of peace.

And then you become frantic, wanting to take hold of a Bible.

Which you devour, hungry as a starved child.

And you really begin to understand His WORD.

Marveling at the simplicity of it all.

His SPIRIT makes sure you do.

That's the process.

That's how it works.

Consider the tone, and conversation:

First, pride: "I can do it. Leave me alone!"

Second, humility: "I can't seem to do it. What am I doing wrong?"

Third, delight: "You mean, You've been there all along, and I didn't know it?"

(And then, you silently kick yourself.)

Now you see why there's laughter in the end.

Both you and GOD laugh at your foolishness.

Relieved, that all is well.

The mark of a true convert?

You laugh at yourself, the hardest.

You remember your foolish ways, and laugh.

You remember your foolish ways, and cringe.

You remember your foolish ways, and cry.

But you smile, too.

You smile at others, knowing they'll come around, too.

At GOD's own perfect time.

Like GOD, you don't laugh at them.

The true born again has lost all cruelty.

You just do your best to be a witness for the LORD.

Yes, there are tons of pain, too.

You grieve at how you've hurt others.

You grieve at how you've hurt yourself.

You grieve at how you've displeased GOD.

You grieve at how ignorant you were.

Sure, you didn't know Him then.

But once you know Him, you can't have enough of your GOD.

You want Him to teach you, night and day.

You never want to stray again.

You stay close by His side.

You hang on His EVERY word.

You watch His face, all the time.

And you're relieved to be saved, on time.

Lastly?

You can't wait to share His WORD.

That's what I've been doing.

All 52 months of it.

Four years, and four months.

Non-stop writing, and sharing.

Sure, I had a five-month waiting period.

After the declaration, a period of waiting.

That waiting period was necessary.

GOD wants to make sure your heart is right.

That you have firm resolve.

That you want REAL change.

That you're ready to hear about His Son, JESUS.

And if you are, and you do, boy, get ready!

GOD knows it, too.

And He's on it.

Proverbs 13:10

King James Version

10 Only by pride cometh contention: 

but with the well advised is wisdom.

P.S.

In looking for an image for this post, first thing that comes to mind is the word B-52. 

Of course, I knew what it was.

But I didn't know it was also called the "Stratofortress".

Yup, that's the humongous bomber. 

Curiously, it also had all the "52s" in it. 

The design number, and first tested on 15 April 1952.

Had to be it.

Related material:

GOD's GLORY blogs

BORN AGAIN articles

BORN AGAIN classics

Image: processocreativo on Pxhere