Service Engine Soon

Monday morning while driving to work I received that annoying warning that all car owners hate to get. The dreaded "Service Engine Soon" light came on. Although I drive a company truck and any repairs needed will be taken care of, there is still that feeling of the unknown; when and where will I break down. Now if this was my own personal vehicle, I would really be worried because of the the other unknown - the cost.

Now lets go back ten hours to Sunday night. I like to think of myself and I'm sure others also think of me as the "gap-filler". If there is someone who is absent for any reason, or you just need someone to do something, ask me, I always say yes. Until Sunday night.

The co-leader of our Youth Ministry asked me if I was ready to speak again in their upcoming service, and I told her I would rather not, and that I thought she should ask the younger men, giving them more experience. I thought my reasoning was right on. After all, I am comfortable "stepping out of the boat", and speaking in front of this smaller group could be a stepping stone to bigger audiences for one or all of these younger men. WRONG!

Needless to say, I tossed and turned all night, not going to sleep at all until 1:30am or so. I had planted a seed of doubt in this young ladies mind. The next time she needs a speaker for her service, will she automatically think of me next time?

Back to Monday and the dreaded light. I knew what I had to do. This is my own personal vessel, no one else is going to pay for this. I had to fix it my self. So I called her and apologized, again stating my reasoning, but also assuring her that anytime she needs me, just ask.

Praise God that when we have something going wrong in our vessels and we aren't hitting on all cylinders he warns us with his "Service Engine Soon" light!

Total Surrender

I spent the most part of last week reading and searching God's word in order to debate a doctrinal issue with a fellow Christian. I really felt like I was doing the right thing, after all, I knew I was right. Then I stopped and listened to the still small voice in my head. "Why are you wasting your time discussing My words with your brother? If you are so determined to tell someone what you believe, tell your unsaved friends and family!"

That brings me to Sunday School. We had a very good lesson on King Josiah. Josiah was doing right, trying to change the wrong doings of the past sixty years. I'm sure he thought he was doing all he could. Then someone handed him the Word of God. The scripture says that after he read the TRUTH, he rent his clothes. I began to think, how many Christians today "feel" like they are doing all they can or need to do. It's when we get into the Word, that we realize our shortcomings.

Our teacher made the comment that Josiah wanted to serve God one hundred percent, and asked the question how could this be done. The first thought that came to my mind was total surrender, and I suggested it. This of course raised more questions of what is "total surrender".

So, the past few days I have not wasted my time worrying about proving to a friend that I believe that I am right, instead I have been searching and praying for divine revelation of a word that I can't seem to get out of my head. Surrender.

I read some of Oswald Chambers writings on this subject, and I think he nailed it on the head. (He always does!) When we can get to the point where we no longer want God's blessings, but God Himself, we have surrendered. Let me put it in my words. If our spouse, or child, or parent went away and said that they would come back soon, would we not watch every day with great excitement and anticipation? Would we not wake up each day and pray and hope that this is the day that they return? And each day that they didn't would we not be sad, and when we lay our heads on our pillows at night would we not cry a little?

That's the thought I had. Total Surrender. Being emotionally wrapped up in God that every word, thought, and deed is centered on my love for Him.

Is this attainable? I can't answer for anyone but myself. I do know that once I'm there, a debate over doctrine will not even enter my mind.

By What Authority?

I had a very interesting week. It all started last Sunday morning when a broken mother requested prayer for her daughter. This request continued into Sunday school class as the sister also requested prayer for her sister. As class was ending, one lady felt that we as a class, should meet early that day and have a special prayer for this family that Satan is trying to destroy. So we did.

Those who were able gathered together, and in one mind and one accord, arms interlocked, we prayed. It was an amazing experience for me as I felt the Holy Spirit right there in our midst, just as he promised.

Monday morning while driving to work, I was still praising God for the obedience of the one who said to pray, for the prayer itself, and for the answer to the prayer which is to come.

And that's when it happened. Out of nowhere I was blindsided by the adversary with the question, "By what authority doest thou these things?" Yeah, crazy huh? That's when I remembered what one of the elders who was present with us said. "We have to claim it now".

So my mind began racing and I began quoting scripture and claimed the promises of God. It was almost too easy as the Holy Spirit directed me and assured me that the same voice who said "stretch forth thine hand", also said "let there be light". The same voice who said "Arise, take up thy bed and walk" also "...called his twelve disciples together, and gave them Power and Authority over all devils, and to cure diseases".

A few days later I stopped by a bible book store that I had seen and when I walked in, there was a table of hundreds of books marked fifty percent off. I reached for the middle of the pile and moved the top book to see in bold letters, "AUTHORITY IN PRAYER- Praying with Power and Purpose"!!! Coincidence? I don't think so. Of course I bought the book.

By what authority? We do these things by the authority of the Author himself! The one who started everything, and will finish it.

I pray that each of his disciples will claim this power and authority, and when we here his voice say "who will go?", we can boldly say "here am I, send me!"

FOLLOW THE LEADER

Hello my friends. I know, I know, its been a long time. I apoligize to those of you who kept looking for something new, but I have been using what time I have to search and study about a ministry I feel very strong about. I believe that God is leading me this way.

My only explanation for all the poems etc... God was showing me that if I stop and listen to his voice, he will tell me what to write, when and what to speak, and where to go. You could call it an apprenticeship class! Well, now I know. And thats what I'm doing.

I am very excited about getting things started, but I still have a little studying to do, and a lot of praying!

Please continue to read The Candid Chrsitian blog. Its getting better and better everyday. (it was outstanding already)


Will I ever post any more poems, parables, or songs? I dont know. Im just following the leader!

CARL'S SONG

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord , the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. II Timothy 4:7-8

The fight is over. The race is run. Our friend has received his crown, and I know he has laid it at the feet of Jesus, where he is kissing them now. He has waited so long to do that!

Although we will miss him, we can rejoice in knowing where he is.

This song is so appropriate. I don't have the technology to post the music, so here are the words. When I first heard it months ago, my wife and I called it "Papa's Song", because it reminded us of her Grandfather. Today however, its "Carl's Song"

His trembling hands, held the church pew that day,
struggling to stand, when they asked him to pray,
with wisdom and strength his words were spoken,
but his body grew weary, for his wings were broken

But he will fly once again
he will soar, with his wings unfolded
hear the angels applaud
as he rides on the wind
to the arms of God
and he will fly, he will fly again

And on that day, when he left for the sky,
I saw him smile, as he told me goodbye,
no more would he weep for missed tomorrows,
no more would he suffer in this land of sorrow

But he will fly once again
he will soar, with his wings unfolded
hear the angels applaud
as he rides on the wind
to the arms of God
and he will fly, he will fly,

I know that he's in a better place,
I still dream of a day, when I'll see his face
then we'll embrace,

And WE will fly once again
we will soar, with our wings unfolded
hear the angels applaud
as we ride on the wind
to the arms of God
and we will fly, we will fly,
WE will fly again.

WAKE UP

It seems that the poems have stopped, for now anyway. I find myself searching now, not for stories and rhymes, but for the truth. Not the truth of tobacco, disease, or the homeless, which are all very important, but the truth of God's word and his will.

I watched this video and was shocked at the truth of the words. Peter said that "the devil walks about as a roaring lion", which most of us should be able to recognize, but its when he takes the form of a snail, a slimy slug, that he very slowly, almost unnoticeable, creeps in and accomplishes his goal.

Watch for yourself and see if you recognize the truth.

IT'S OUR TURN

And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 2 Kings 2:9

As a very old (92) and very wise saint unfortunately spends his time at home and hospitals instead of his place on the front pew at church, his nephew has filled the void with the most graceful of transitions that only God could have prepared. There is no replacement, for we can never take the place of those who have done mighty works for God, but a continuation.

Jesus taught and prepared the disciples. The disciples taught and prepared the early church. The early church taught and prepared, and this cycle has continued through each generation. Now it is our turn, not just to teach and prepare, but to be ready to accept the responsibility of carrying the gospel torch that our elders pass down.

I wrote this poem back in May, but was never drawn to post it until now. If we could live our lives as this old saint, perhaps forty years from now someone will write about us!

The first time that I saw him,

I didn't know his name,

to hear him talk of Jesus,

he didn't show any shame.

Standing in the front of me,

jumping up and down,

lifting his hands to heaven,

the world would see a clown.

But if you listen to his words,

the love he holds inside,

was put there by the Holy Ghost,

and ever will abide.

I saw him first so long ago,

today he's still the same,

praising God forever more,

Carl is his name.