CONFIDENTIAL

"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish things."   I Corinthians 13:11

These few pages herein contain views, things I have personally found of interest, placed upon my heart to share, many regarding some vital questions of life which, though I often tried, I could not down. They persisted in presenting themselves for solution. The size of this site does not indicate all the reflection, thought or prayer spent on it. Personal experiences can usually have value to others, especially when those experiences can be of help, their company in some way. What a dreary experience it might be to finding yourself obliged doing battle single-handed! Sharing the knowledge that others have passed through similar experiences can be a positive comfort. From here within these United States of America, Jefferson City, Missouri I bring to you my very first website effort of which I am very excited in being blessed to share via the World Wide Web. Surely nothing can be lost by an intelligent, searching discussion of personal views or ideas, particularly those cherished. It would only serve to make clearer the thoughts and help expose whatever error may be in them, thus open way for such modification of conceptions as logic or facts may necessitate. No true ideas ever have anything to fear from the most rigid analysis or critical examinations of anyone, on or off this World Wide Web.

"This little site of mine, I'm just gonna let it shine," as you might find it to be addictive-- maybe your visit here will help you to smile, laugh, or just to think. Sometimes it might move you. But I hope it will always try to be of inspiration.

The people of these United States, in amending the Constitution to prohibit the establishment of religion by the government, took great stride forward in the establishment of soul liberty...truly the essence of all freedom. May this site help to reflect from the soul that love only God can give us all.

Since our relationship with God is a spiritual act, not a formal one; consisting of the right attitudes of the heart, not genuflection of the body. It is in that relationship sustained directly and immediately with our Maker that there can, by no possibility, be any intermediary. The moment our so-called relationship is controlled by a third person, or influenced by any object, it ceases as a relationship and becomes mere form. We as spiritual beings are closely allied to the Spirit that made us and find our highest privilege in a spiritual relationship with our Father in heaven. Nothing can take place of our personal communion between the spiritual man and Divine Spirit. The act of a relationship, in order to be genuine, must be free; for when it ceases to be free, it ceases to be a relationship. Unless it is spontaneous and correctly represents the man's individual religious experience, his own deep-seated convictions, hopes, and aspirations, it loses its significance. God is a spirit, and they that relate to him must do so in "spirit and truth."

God only can forgive us of our sins. God alone is the one in whom inheres divine attributes. He only is worthy to be adored. He only can both hear our prayers and answer them-- he that made and redeemed us, who feed, clothes, and sustains us, "in whom we live, move, and have our being." God is to be feared and related to individually for ourselves. We must relate to him for ourselves, make our confession to him; pay vows to him and him only.

Our right to do this, according to the dictates of our own consciences, is one of the most sacred prerogatives we have, and the abridgment of such right is likely to cause irreparable injury to us as individuals, for whatever tends to mar the reality of or substitute for our own spontaneous spiritual outgoing to a lifeless form prescribed by another, to which we conform by stress, is a violent interference with our inestimable blessing of coming directly, personally, sincerely, into religious relationship with our Maker.

The Church Jesus Christ established here upon this earth, was not just some physical building made with earthy hands, or simply an organization of human beings in the flesh! His Church had more to do with an association of Spiritual Beings, who through a belief in the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, having repented of their past sins, accepted Jesus Christ as a Spiritual Life within them. By the Grace of God, a free gift of His love, that is to be manifested in our hearts and our souls, through the Christ within us, we crucify Satan and Sin, upon the cross of Calvary, and through the leaven of the Holy Ghost, the Spirit Life within us is made free to become our life, and never again to be quenched in bondage of the sin of the flesh. Thus we go forth as new creatures, in Jesus Christ, and walk not after that of the flesh, but after that of the Spirit-- which is God.

There remain few, even today; who preach the word of God unmixed with human tradition. While some men may have the Bible in their hands, it does not always mean they are receiving the blessing that God has placed in it for them. God's word must be given to those who are perishing in their sins.

Simply to take the sayings of others for the truth, leaning on human theories and speculation because we are too indolent to check it out for ourselves, will never lead us to a personal understanding of God's holy word.

 Mark 7:5-8 (James Moffatt Translation) - Then the Pharisees and scribes put this question to him, "Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders? Why do they take their food with 'common' (that is, unwashed) hands?" He said to them, "Yes, it was about you hypocrites indeed that Isaiah prophesied!-- as it is written,

This people honours me with their lips,
but their heart is far away from me:
vain is their worship of me,
for the doctrines they teach
are but human precepts.

You drop what God commands and hold to human tradition.

The Scriptures need not be read by the dim light of any tradition or human speculation. As we might try to give light to the sun with a torch as to explain the Scriptures by human tradition or imagination. God's holy word needs not the torchlight glimmer of earth to make its glories distinguishable. It is light in itself, -- the glory of God revealed; and beside it every other light is dim.

Therefore, by ones own personal, experimental knowledge one has with God, along with their desire as doers of His word comes with the deep conviction of the Holy Spirit whereby souls may be saved, lives changed within us and others around us.

 But instead there are yet many today that receive the gospel only as some escape from suffering, rather than deliverance from sin. Rejoicing for a season, for they may think that religion will free them from difficulty and trial. While life is moving smoothly with them, they may appear to be consistent as Christians. But beneath the fiery test of temptation, they faint. They are not able to bear reproach for Christ's sake. When the word of God points out some cherished sin, or requires self-denial, sacrifice, or their simply taking some personal responsibility, they are many times instead left feeling offended. It would cost too much of an effort on their part, they choose not to have time to make a radical change in their life. More focused on the present inconvenience and trail, forgetting the eternal realities. Much like the disciples who left Jesus, they are ready to say, 

"This is hard to take in! Who can listen to talk like this?"

Jesus, inwardly conscious that his disciples were murmuring at it, said to them, "So this upsets you?" Then what if you were to see the Son of man ascending to where he formally existed? What gives life is the Spirit: flesh is of no avail at all. The words I have uttered to you are spirit and life. And yet there are some of you who do not believe" (for Jesus knew from the very first who was to betray him; that was why* he said, 'I tell you that no one is able to come to me unless he is allowed by the Father'). After that, many of his disciples drew back and would not associate with him any longer. John 6:60-66 (James Moffatt Translation)

Every soul is surrounded by some atmosphere of it's own, -- this atmosphere, may be, charged with the life-giving power of faith, courage, hope, and sweet with the fragrance of love. Or may be heavy and chill with the gloom of discontent and selfishness, or perhaps poisonous with the deadly taint of some cherished sin. By the atmosphere surrounding us, every person with whom we come in contact is consciously or unconsciously affected. This is a responsibility from which we cannot free ourselves. Our own words, acts, dress, deportment, even the expression of the countenance, has some influence on others. The impression thus made there hang results for good or evil, which no man can possibly measure. Every impulse imparted is some seed being sown which will produce its harvest. It is a link in the long chain of human events, extending we know whither. If by our very example we offer to share a sort of aid to others in the development of good principles, we by revealing in our own life a Christ-like character help to do well. In turn someone else may exert a similar influence upon others, and they upon still others. Thus by our own unconscious influences thousands may be blessed and blessed.

In this world many stand high and proud for their education, wealth, or calling while seldom being addressed personally concerning interest of the soul (they say seemly, "My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth)." Their riches, instead of awakening gratitude to God, seem to lead more toward the exaltation of self. "Why are so many Christian workers hesitating to approach these classes?" " If a man were drowning, would we stand by and watch him perish because he was a lawyer, a merchant, or judge?" I would surely hope not, nor should we hesitate to warn men of the peril to their souls.

 None should be neglected because of their apparent devotion to worldly things. "The cares of this world." No class is free from the temptation to worldly care. To the poor; toil and deprivation and fear of want bring perplexities and its share of burdens. To the rich come fear of loss and a multitude of anxious cares associated with that. Many would possibly receive help if the Lord's workers would just take the time and the effort to approach them personally, with a kind manner, a heart made tender by the love of Christ.

The teacher of any sacred truth can impart only that which he himself knows by his own experience. Christ taught the truth because He was true, in His thought, character, and His whole life experience was embodied in His teaching. So with His servants: those who would teach the word are to make it their own by a personal experience.

Second Peter 1:16 (James Moffatt Translation) - For it was no fabricated fables that we followed when we reported to you the power and advent of our Lord Jesus Christ.

First John 1:2-7 (James Moffatt Translation) - Life (the Life has appeared; we saw it, we testify to it, we bring you word of that eternal Life which existed with the Father and was disclosed to us)-- it is of what we saw and heard that we bring you word, so that you may share our fellowship; and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing this to you that our joy may be complete. Here is the message we learned from him and announce to you: 'God is light and in him there is no darkness, none.' If we say, 'We have fellowship with him,' when we live and move in darkness, then we are lying, we are not practising the truth; but if we live and move within the light, as he is within the light, then we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from every sin.