SEASON OF INCREASE FOR DIVINE ENCOUNTERS

When Holy Spirit releases revelation to The Sons and Daughters of God it is not just for enlightenment to access a higher plain of knowings or understandings. The encounter is not about accessing more or better ideas. Stopping there is like a mother entering labor to birth her baby but decides she should talk and think some more about the process of birthing before she continues.  

When Holy Spirit opens what was before clouded eyes to see, blocked ears to hear, hard and calloused hearts to the wonders of Uncreated One, it is for empowerment to experience the many facets of wonder of I Am. To gain and hold an idea from an encounter only makes for good conversations about impacting lives including our own. To gain and hold an experience from an encounter is life changing for self and all with whom shared. This is where an encounter should lead, for then, and only then, one is alive.

Consider This

Consider this, a flower, while in darkest cover of shade seeks even the smallest amount of the sun's available light. The flower, while in shade, light, or total darkness, strives not to be a flower,  for the flower never looses it's identity. The flower, intricately aware of the shadows that may surround it,  will strive to be in the light as much as possible for it needs, it must have, light to survive. It's striving is to be in the light! However, truly, the shade shapes the flower as it strives to be in the light. The end of the flower's encounter with shade and shadow reveals a facet of beauty added to the stature of the flower that would not be there otherwise. It's shape does not make obscure the flowers identity. Oh, how much it is shaped by the shadows that cause its struggles to stay in light. Psalm 38:5-22

How I Celebrated My 67th Birthday

Well, I have decided to write about my birthday experience for 2017. On my Birthday this year I spent the day doing what I normally do. Not being a huge fan of making a big deal out of my birthdays I carried on with my regular routine on the 28th. Routine and i get along fairly well and have for as long as I can remember … and those go back to when I was two years old. Yes, I do have memories of when I was two. But those would be for another story.

So, Denise, my wife of 47 years, says to me Wednesday evening just before retiring for the day, “Roger, wouldn’t you like to do something special for your birthday this year Perhaps go out to eat at a nice restaurant … or a show … something that you would like to do for yourself.” This made me stop and think … and I realized that I would like to do something special for my birthday! So we discussed our option of when and determined that Friday, tonight the 30th, would be the date but what to do was still a bit fuzzy. Earlier this afternoon I decided to go out for a steak. Birthday 67 celebration was on like Donkey Kong! 

Now mind you, I am talking not just an ordinary steak. But a real nice, mouth watering, thick, juicy rib eye, seasoned and cooked to perfection! Done so in not your ordinary eatery offering steaks but a real nice place with servers dressed in black and white, serving you from a cart kind of place. A place that has soft music playing in the back ground in a setting that says CLASS A DIGS HERE! 

A place that does not have peanut hulls and Lord only knows what else scattered about on the floor. And Music that has you wanting to linger at the table and enjoy the dinner’s fare; not jump up and Boot Scoot your partner across that peanut hull ladened floor. 

Before you get the wrong idea let me quickly say I do my share to keep those places in business and please do not take me wrong I am not slamming those places as to quality of food, or property. I have my favorite among them that I frequent and I enjoy the food at a reasonable price in an atmosphere that is exciting … well it sets a rhythm to chew by for sure even if it is not all that healthy for the normal digestive system or safe from choking hazards! And yes I do my part as to adding peanut hulls to that floor! But still I go there for good food and servers friendly and motivated to do a good job. 

But tonight, For my 67th birthday I wanted nice restaurant, awesome steak, with casual dress. And it happened!

As I discussed the possibilities with Denise we began to name places that we might visit. Several are good but not pushing the right button in the Birthday Boy until Denise said there Is George’s in Sheffield. Did you hear that ring??? I did!!

So off to Georges Steak Pit we went. First of all let me warn you that if you wish to try this for yourself be sure to not do what we did and go to George’s downtown Sheffield. You will be disappointed unless you have called ahead and have a private party / sitting arranged. Thank God there was no such party there when we walked up to the door cause if there had been one we would not have been properly dressed, not on the list, but would have been totally embarrassed. NOT how I would have wanted this adventure to end.

So walking back to our parked car just up the block Denise and I began to research where the Steak I so desperately longed for was actually located.

Finding the address and getting the app opened to direct us we ventured out of our parking space onto the main road for just a short drive to the actual location of George’s Steak Pit. 

Now here I have to confess that I and Siri, Goggle Maps Gal in this case, do not always see eye to eye. You see, Siri and her Google counter part are AI and I … well I am a man. Ladies, you know how we men are we just will not ask directions! AND, if offered we will adapt those directions to how it works out within the male thinking process. 

That said, I made not just one but at least three wrong turns! Once we arrived, that is according to Google Map Gal, I parked the car in the first available parking space, and getting out  went several yards up an alley way on foot to confirm what I was being told! 

Once I had visual confirmation we were indeed at the restaurant and not a doctors office or admin office for the hospital that was all around the restaurant, I motion to Denise to exit the car and join me. 

Now we had heard how good the steaks are at our chosen destination. We know up front that this is suppose to be a nice place. It lived up to what we heard. 

The hostess greeted us then lead us back through narrow halls passing rooms for private parties, then into a well decorated and charming dinning room. Our table was perfect.

Our server, dressed in black and white, greeted us with menus, took our drink orders, and gave us ample time but not too long to look over the menu to make our decisions. Several steak choices were offered. I finally stuck to my original idea and formulated the rest of the plan for my meal … a glass of Merlot (not the kind from a box or the bottle with a kangaroo), French Onion soup (not from a mix), the Rib Eye Special, 12oz of perfection according to the menu, and a desert ( we would later choose Strawberry Cake), and also an after dinner coffee for me, not just any coffee, an Irish Coffee! My plan complete I then patiently waited for the server to return cause I was ready to execute. Not the server, the plan.

The soup came out and it was totally delicious! Now I usually will not leave any cheese on the side of the bowl … you know ... when the the cheese topping melts and sitting top of the soup and kind of drapes over the edges of the bowl and down the sides … Cheese is cheese! However, Being on my best behavior in this fine restaurant and wishing not to embarrass Denise or myself I refrained from scraping the cheese of the sides of the bowl.

Now when the steak came out … I honestly wanted to applaud!  It looked and smelled marvelous! Now, when I ordered I explained to server when she asked how I would like my steak cooked that I like my steak somewhere between medium rare and medium. I knew I was in a real fine restaurant by her response … “We can handle that.” and they did. This was hands down the best steak I have ever eaten. I do not lie. I do not jest! THE. BEST. STEAK. EVER! I told Denise, “Honey, get your phone out and take a picture of me and this steak together cause I want to frame it and hang it up on my office wall to remember it by!” It was that good!

The merlot was perfectly paired to the steak! It reminded me of why I like wine with a meal. 

Then desert. As to having desert or not Denise mentioned it was my birthday so I should choose as to having desert or not … I was not leaving with out desert! And that after dinner Irish Coffee … must stick to the plan!

As I said earlier, strawberry cake was our choice out of at least five different choices. My mom always made me a strawberry cake for my birthday cause it was my favorite. When I took that first bite I admit I teared up a bit. It was very much like mom’s. Oh, and the server had placed a candle and lit it up when she served the cake to us. I got to make a wish and blow out the candle. Later we learned the server’s mom would bake a strawberry cake for the server’s birthday as it was her favorite.  Did I mention that our server was a delightful person and fantastic at serving! 

I just had to write about how I celebrated my 67th birthday! Thanks for reading. 

My Praise Belongs To You

I can testify of your faithfulness from generation to generation. 

Evident in all my days you've graciously made away.

For me, my wife, my daughters and sons and my grandchildren, the little ones, who are not so little now. 

You show me your goodness, your kindness in so many miracles, and how! 

In the face of all your tender mercies I bask in your light glorious, always covered by covenant, under the shadow of your wings. 

Here is the thing, I can not be silent, for this is who I am,

My praise belongs to you. My praise belongs to you! 

From the lifting of my hands, to my bowing down, or a dance before your throne.

 My praise belongs to you. My praise belongs to you! 

From the shout of joy, a strum’n my guitar, or in total silent awe. 

My praise belongs to you. My praise belongs to you!

- By Roger Humphreys

I HAVE A QUESTION: WOULD JESUS VOTE?

I Have A Question: Would Jesus Vote?

I have had a serious question rolling over in my thoughts now for several days. Actually this question arose the night of the Last Presidential debate almost immediately upon my walking out of my own living room about mid debate.

I really see no use in the debates. They give us, the voters, nothing to sink our teeth into. If the debates were lemon meringue pie there would be only meringue, no lemon pie. 

The commentators are the winners, in my opinion, because they go home satisfied. All be it via their own pompous egos so bloated on their own self worth gorging themselves upon the idea they are actually contributing something worthwhile by presenting questions regarding subjects they claim are the issues the public wishes to hear about and learn more about when in truth their questions are regarding nothing more than what they the commentator believes to be important and that has absolutely nothing to do with which one of the candidates will be a better President. It has everything to do with the commentator taking advantage of a public stage so their presence before the camera can go out to all the world spewing words from their so called intelligence only to be about hawking their own agenda which is nothing short of manipulating public opinion in favor of the commentator’s own candidate or more likely their personal favored political platform.

The media will argue their guild is above reproach when it comes to politics. This is what I think about that, for the most part, members of the media are a Haman building a gallows for a Mordecai in the street while at the same time blowing his own horn before the King’s court trying to gain control of the kingdom by persuading the King to do Haman’s biding. Meanwhile the whole time there is a backroom agenda to do away with any thought, deed, person, or people that stand in the path of a Haman’s lust for power. 

I am sick and tired and completely fed up with the pompous, arrogant, and self glorifying, self serving media that wish to manipulate the out come of our national elections, campaign after campaign.

Ok, now that my rant is over, here is my question: Would Jesus vote? Next question. Would Jesus vote for Donald or Hillary? Remember WWJD? I really would like to have an honest and qualified answer to my questions. 

Now before any reader of this begins to try to answer let me reiterate that I seek an honest answer from a qualified expert. I know of no one, sorry friends and family, alive that can honestly answer as a qualified expert my questions therefore I do not seek nor expect any reader to try. 

But honestly, my questions are real and born out of my own frustration in the process that has become smoke and mirrors keeping the real issues out of sight of the voting public which is nothing more than total disrespect for the American People! Politicians think the American public are wimps and exist only to serve the Politicians’ agendas which are more like schemes to get more money and power for themselves rather than to serve the American People.  Members of Media are no better in a open attempt to strong arm voters into seeing things the Media’s way!

Bottom line, I need and I want an answer to my questions. I read this morning of a move in Israel to elect a High Priest. Let him who has ears hear. I also read that recently coming to surface is a unique gem stone that no expert can explain just how it exist. Speculation is the gem stone could belong to the legendary Urim and Thummim used in Bible times to determine God's will (Ex. 28:30, 1 Sam 28:16). 

Now I do not wish to insult Holy Spirit who has been given as a helper and comforter, teacher, and guide. However, at this point, I have to confess I am a bit interested, and yes weak for that, in having access to the Urim and Thummim to light up and spell out the answer to my questions.  Problem is more than my not having access to that stone … the stones answered by lighting up and spelling out in ancient Hebrew the answer from God. Well, I do not have the ability to read Ancient Hebrew, nor modern day Hebrew … although FB will translate modern day Hebrew. Anyway, I am having to depend upon my only resource when I have questions like this. That resource I have already mentioned, Holy Spirit. 

Over the years I have never had a question that was not completely answered with complete honesty and from one completely qualified to answer. Sometimes it was what I hoped and wanted to hear too. More often than not, Holy Spirt led me to other questions, questions I had to answer myself, for I was the only one qualified to answer.  Honestly, I had to think for myself. I had to listen to my own opinion. I had to take my own advice. I had to trust me. Taking into consideration not so much what others opinion might be, nor what their thoughts or feelings were. Man’s heart is just too deceptive even to the point of deceiving his own self. Nope, the only one I could ever depend on has me chewing on some other insights that come out of having access to the panorama of life experience of those who lived before my time. Putting politics aside. Putting personal comfort aside. Putting on a cloak of humility and listening for the servant’s heart not the self serving heart. It is a tough call through all the smoke and noise but interesting enough when I quieted myself before the Ancient of Days, while looking at the circumstances that perplex and trouble me, within my view I see the answer lighting up … and I did not even have to know ancient Hebrew.

By the way, the important question and by that also its answer, is not so much WWJD, as wonderful a platform that is to stand on and launch out from, but in reality, it is this, what will I do in these circumstances, and what is my motivation in the doing. In Faith I will vote for the servant heart not the self serving heart.  I give unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar and I will give to Uncreated One what is His.

The Face Of Honest Humility

This morning my wife and I trekked to the local Farmer’s Market that is not far from our apartment’s location here in Florence, AL. I was not expecting to receive anything there but some really fresh and yummy vegetables grown locally. We got those but something more weighty.

We had walked the length of the bazaar and had returned to the first stand upon our entering. Here I was going to purchase some of the best looking corn I had seen all season, I wanted to wait until we were on our way out before picking up the heavy load so I would not have to carry it far to our parked vehicle.

At the stand was a farmer, his wife, and their son. Based on their age I would say the young boy that eagerly stood to wait on us as I approached would have been the youngest son of this middle aged couple. I was instantly impressed with the lad as he took our order and immediately began to work it up. He paused briefly to politely ask his father to bring the necessary bag needed to place our order in. The dad was already in the process of getting more bags, never said a word but came to the lad with the requested bag, turn nodded and offered a smile our way. The mother had taken payment and was returning my change, smiled and cheerfully said thank you. At that point the lad handed me our bagged purchase saying “thank you” as he did. 

In that moment I discerned here before me was the face of honest humility. I also saw the dilemma of our nation in that same moment as well as discerned the solution. 

The dilemma: I fear that those who are the most qualified to lead America are too humble to step into the role. That leaves a void. A void that is going to be filled. It has been with those who are foolish, greedy, and lusting for power! The most qualified are so honestly humble they choose to not seek leadership roles, at least in the most public positions such as representatives of and for the people. Our government is based on a Republic forum, one that should have every person, not special interest groups, fully, honestly, and humbly represented. Our house is no longer there. It is been filled with something different. Something not balanced. There is little honesty and far less humility than was originally intended.

The solution: Placed securely in the hands of the Ecclesia is the solution: An honest and humble appeal to Heaven. This is our only hope of the house being cleaned and then refilled with honest humility. 

We need those like this hard working farmer and his family to step up into public leadership roles. Honest. Humble. Heroes. For in hard times they hold together, continue to work hard, are truly thankful for what they have, genuinely care for their fellow man and willing to share what they have. With Honest Humility they trust God. That is the person I want to lead me. 

We need to grasp that the solution is not in our voting as important as that is and I am not advocating to stop voting. It is not in debate. It is not in learned lectures. It is not in another inspirational book. It is within individual and corporate appeal to the only one who can do something to change the core of a man and a woman. To cut a seared conscious. Turn a stiff neck. Soften a harden heart. Set at liberty a possessed spirit. 

Dark Time

There is a coming darkness to America the Nation. This darkness will not prevail even though it will cover and cloud over the people. The darkness will not prevail because of the lights that will shine in and out of the darkness. These lights will not be hidden but set upon hills … like Mount Zion … though surrounded by the darkness the lights can not and will not be contained by darkness. For the lights will be as signals drawing many out of the covering cloud of darkness; these drawn out ones will then join in the shining forth of light … there will be thousands times tens of thousands shining from Mt Zion. It will be as though darkness never existed.