Holy Spirit, Take A Break

Did you ever wish the Holy Spirit would just take a break? Tonight at work was one of those days. One of the other drivers got in my way while I was pulling an order, blocking my way so he could get his. It really made me mad (or aggravated, I seldom get mad). I was forced to leave the area before I said something I would regret. Luckily I needed to change the battery in my lift. I really wanted to get mad and tell the boy what I thought. I think some of them are taking advantage of my loving nature. {LOL} But the Holy Spirit softly spoke those Oh familiar words, "get over it". So I went back and finished my load after he was out of the way. I had finished my order way before some of the others so I was told to help some of them with there's since it was almost time to knock off. Sooo while I was looking, guess who was the first one I came across?. You guessed it. Big Boy himself. He was stacking a pallet load. A real pesky part of the job. I paused to help him and could not help but "get over it".
And again while I was helping another driver with his load I noticed a couple of damaged cases on the pallet. I cleverly shifted them to face the damaged part inside so they would not show. It was 5 minutes until time to leave. But that Holy Spirit softly spoke those Oh familiar words," If you were the customer would you want those? and if Jesus was loading that pallet would He let that go?". So I fixed the pallet and replaced the case.
Some times you just want to tell Him to take a break. But as I felt later. I did the right things and the Lord was pleased. And that is what it is all about. Now I'll take the break.
Oct 2009 Working at Bremner Foods

An Allegory of the Body, Soul and Spirit

I have just finished the book, “If I Perish I Perish” by Major W. Ian Thomas. It revealed an allegory of the Body, Soul and Soul in the Book of Ester.
I will show here the allegory but first I would like to share this quote from Mr. Thomas.

“I'm tired of religion - and to be entirely honest I know of nothing quite so boring as Christianity without Christ.
Have you ever tried to start a car without fuel, until there wasn't a spark left in the battery? Then you will know exactly what I mean, for there are few things more frustrating than a car that will not go. Everything is nicely greased and in its rightful place, and all the working parts move dutifully, but try as you may, there isn’t the suspicion of a kick, nor the tiniest evidence of life in the engine. You might as well dump the thing, for all the chance you have of getting it on the move!
Countless people have stopped going to a place of worship simply because they are sick of going through the motions of a dead religion. They are tired of trying to start a car on an empty tank!
What a pity it is that there are not a few more people around to tell them that Jesus Christ is alive. I spoke of nothing more boring than Christianity without Christ, but I know of nothing so utterly exciting as being a Christian-sharing the very life of Jesus Christ on earth right here and now, and being caught up with Him into the relentless, invisible purposes of an almighty God, and with all the limitless resources of deity available for the job.”

“If I Perish I Perish”by Major W. Ian Thomas, c. 1967-1972 ; Zondervan Publishing; used without permission

The whole story of Ester is an exciting tale of God’s work in a people. Also in allegory it shows His work in us as individuals.
The main charcators are:
Queen Vasti
King Ahasuerus
Haman the Agagite
Mordecai the Jew
Ester the Maiden to be Queen

Ian Thomas wrote that the King symbolized the human Soul sitting of the throne of power. Haman is the carnal nature of man. Mordecai is the Holy Spirit and Ester as the human “Born again Spirit”. I will say that Queen Vasti is the fallen human spirit we are all born with although Mr. Thomas does not mention her in the allegory setup.

At the start of the story Queen Vasti (human spirit of disobedience) fails to do as the King (human soul says to do) The King puts away Vasti and gains a new queen, Ester (Born again Spirit). The king is Ok until he puts his trust in Haman (the enemy of God the flesh) and gives him power. Meanwhile Mordecai is kept out of the picture. He is Esters cousin who adopts her at an early age. Showing the work of the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Adoption (Romans 8:14,15). But Mordecai has no power over the King while Haman is in charge and who wishes to destroy Mordecai. To make this short, through Mordecai’s relationship with Ester, He reveals the evil of Haman (the flesh) and Haman is Hung and Mordecai is put in power. Now I simplified this, but you must read the book. And Thomas recommends that you read his book, “The Saving Life of Christ”, first.

I recommend this and other books by Major Thomas

For info on Major Thomas and were to get his books go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_W._Ian_Thomas

On Being A New Testament Church Part 4: Fellowship

Continuing from my previous post on Being A New Testament Church I would like to take up were I left off. Verse 42 of the Second Chapter of Acts states that, "And they continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine and fellowship, in breaking of bread and in prayers".
In my opinion their actions are centered on "fellowship". We could say it this way,” And they did not give up fellowshipping around the apostle's teachings with communion and prayer".
First, they did not give up fellowship. Not because of a busy schedule and not because they did not like someone in the church.
Second, they fellowshipped around Bible study. The lecture type of preaching is good for individual growth. Bible study around fellowship is good for the spiritual growth of the church group. Not just the teachings of the original apostles, but contempary apostles mentioned in Ephesians 4:11 in which there is not reason to mention that these will teach according to the scriptures.
Third, they fellowshipped around meals, which included the "Breaking of Bread" or communion. This service is invaluable in the spiritual growth of the Church. As the early Christians shared there meals together, this observance helped them to stay focused on the whole purpose of being together.
And fourth, they fellowshipped around prayer. More than just having a small prayer time during a service, but fellowshipping around the prayer time; sharing, uplifting each other in prayer.
These four focuses in fellowship are all part of the "becoming a New Testament Church". The verses after 2:42 shows the fruits that define a NTC.
In truth the fruits do not define us when we meet, but when we as a Church operate as individuals and as a part of the Body of Christ on Earth. Have you ever met a person that lived like a non-believer and then found out that they attended a church? It is hard not to judge the Church by those individuals and the Bible teaches that we should not do so, but we see the fruits of the Church. And I believe that if the principles in 2:41-42 are lived, then the Church will not have to worry about being judged by non-believers. And we can truly believe that we are New Testament Christians therefore making up a New Testament Church.
In conclusion I must admit that no group of scriptures in themselves will point out a formula for building a New Testament Church, but only a group of people who love Jesus and are committed to serving Him together, lead by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God will ever become what the New Testament Church was and did.
Or better still will become to Latter-day Church

Epistle of Temp #43

The new job is going well. I am Temp #43. As mentioned before I am employed with a temp agency and assigned to a snack foods production plant were we make snack foods of peanuts, almonds and cashews. Forget the peanut scare. That was across the Al-Ga. border.
I have a one hour lunch which I am not used to, were I can read. I'm in the process of reading "100 Days in the Arena by David Winter. I is divided in to 100 days of reading using quotes and writings from the early church fathers. (example: Polycarp...etc.)
Here is one that is good,"When I put off the old, that I had longed to lose, then I put on the new, the Lord Christ, whom I had longed to find..." Day 43 Augustine of Hippo (The readings are longer centered around the quotes)
I printed a copy of the letter of Polycarp to the Philippians. It is mostly quotes from other scriptures, but it is a valuable link to the early teachings of the Disciples.
We are studying in Church the Holy Spirit and how to be Baptized, Filled and lead-by Him.
I hope to write soon on these issues as used in the workplace. Your comments are needed.