There's something about which I need to expound

 but please, dear reader, don't spread it around  -

 When my wife's not home,

 I leave the toilet seat up!

 I drink straight from the carton -

 I don't use a cup!

 I might go two days without a shower!

I do as I please - I feel so empowered!

 But as soon as she gets home,

 it's yes dear! No dear! Your welcome!

 So don't tell my secrets, 

 would you please?

 Let's keep this little poem

 between you and me....

 Today I'm reminiscing about my student's T-shirts when i was teaching English in South Korea. God often ministered to me through their shirts in powerful ways  - often speaking directly to me. In a single class one day, my students walked in wearing these shirts/sweaters -

"You may feel the great joy of your victory"

"He's very unusual"

"Love will save me"

"Make a change"

"Being with you FRIENDLY"

"You have to expect things of yourself before you do them"

"Now or never"

And the next day -

"Patients is the art of hoping"

See what i mean? Really amazing! Here are some more examples of things i saw written on shirts in South Korea  - Enjoy!

"Stay free"

"Jump out of the box to go higher"

"Run like never before"

"Change your mind - don't worry"

"Don't quit - you're one of a kind"

"You're brave"

"Put off   something"

"Sometimes it's better to react with no reaction"

"I'm happier than a duck with bread"

"Post your love"

"You are what you listen to"

"Keep Sabbath"

"Explore new ways"

"Believe your wings already exist"

"Grace is Greater"

"There is a light that never goes out"

"Thank Jesus"

"Meow back at cats"

"Victory begins here ♡"

"Could be Sweet escape"

"Do what is right not what is easy"

"Always be sunshine"

"Love your rivers to spend a happy life"

    The early mornings 

           in the Fall

 when i can first see my breath

 are the mornings i like best.

 The crisp, cool air

 The light jacket 

 I have to wear

 The coloured leaves

 that catch (and hold) my stare

 all combine to make Fall's delights

 my favorite of all the year's days and nights.....

That first cup of hot cocoa 

 or apple cider - hey let's go!

Let's spend as much time

  as we can outside 

 Knowing this one thing -

 it'll soon be too cold

 to be outdoors till Spring.....

Hold my hand, dear -

  Heed my call -

     come, enjoy with me

          my favorite season of all.

 You know, most of us can't handle being "cool" - that is to say, we can't handle being popular in the eyes and hearts of others. We can't handle being exalted in any way above our brethren.  This is one of the reasons why the modern day church's concept of the pastor being over the people in his congregation is so insidious.  The Body of Christ isn't meant to have superstars in it. The only "superstars" in the Body are those who lower themselves, not exalt themselves over their fellow brethren.  Those who studiously avoid the platform  - who avoid any glory directed to them - who desire no self- exaltation at all but rather desire Christ and Christ alone to receive praise and honor from people.  We should never seek to exalt or promote ourselves mainly because our flesh can't handle it. We may start out humble in a day of "small beginnings" but pride will subtly enter in the more people that choose to sit at our feet and learn from us. Over and over we are warned "let nothing be done through strife or vainglory (excessive elation or pride over one's own achievements; abilities, etc. - boastful vanity) but in lowliness of mind LET EACH ESTEEM OTHERS BETTER THAN THEMSELVES. Look not every man on his own things but each esteem others better than themselves". Want to drive a stake through the heart of Babylon? This scripture will do it - "Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth". This is the complete opposite of prosperity teaching's thrust - which is "give in order to get". They teach people to seek material wealth as a means to justify their own greedy,  self-centered, carnal lifestyle.  Indeed, in modern Christianity "all seek their own (glory, wealth, fame and fortune) not the things which are Jesus Christ's" - churches exist to service and support the pastor and his ministry  - the opposite of what God has instructed us to do. Christ "made Himself of no reputation". Yes, he ministered publicly  - but not to draw attention to draw attention to himself but rather to reveal the Father. He didn't stay in any one place long enough to establish a church and a congregation  - rather, only those who were willing to leave their families and jobs (comfort zones) could become his disciples.  None of his disciples remained stationery  - in one place - all became mobile  - going where Christ,  then the Spirit, led them. Even when the apostles stayed in one city - they met "house to house" as well as in the Synagogue (they ministered to believers as well as to those who thought they were believers but were not). If we make ourselves "of no reputation" - God will promote us - but when he does - our hearts must remain as they were before we were known, especially in this day when fame can happen overnight via the Worldwide Web. 

He who will be great among you must lower himself and become the servant of all. Serving what to all? Christ's flesh and his blood - giving our flesh and blood which are now his - Holy, consecrated unto Him. By giving ourselves away for others to consume  - by seeking their good, their blessing  - their wealth and not our own - we save our lives not lose them.

 People plagiarize my love all the time, saith The Lord.  They love in their own name or in the name of their false gods. The very idea of love is Mine I invented it! I created you to love but pnly through Me! I alone can teach you to love properly.  You pervert the blessing I intended when you do not submit to and honur Me. I am the source of love for I am love - yet many in their pride ascribe their love to themselves  - to their own goodness and righteousness.  My children  - you have no goodness of your own, you are corrupt thru and thru. Even when you do "good works", even when you "love one another" you do not do it as I have loved you - For I loved you without expecting or desiring your love in return  - I love you unselfishly - I do not love to bring glory to Myself  - I love because to do it not would be to deny  My own existence,  My own nature - I love because without Me you will perish  - you, the crown of My creation, the dawn of My desire, the perfume My soul covets - though you left Me, I never stopped desiring you, and redeem you I shall - from every false love that buffets your heart - love of self, love of prestige and position,  love of money and love of carnal, worldly comforts. Do not plagiarize,  do not copy My love without ascribing it to it's author - in this way you'll keep your heart healthy - acknowledge Me in all you do and I will direct your paths.

You will indeed love perfectly as I have perfectly loved you - you will indeed be the children of My Father  - shining brightly in the deep darkness of this Age - ablaze with My Father's glory  - for it is always darkest just before the dawn. You will glorify Me with your good works, not yourselves. 

All love originates (and ends) with God. Brotherly live - "let brotherly live continue" (Heb:13:1). Jesus is called our older brother and loves us as such. Love between a husband and wife  - "For thy Maker is thine Husband" (Is:54:5) " husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved Church, and gave Himself for it" (Ep:5:25). The love between friends  - "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  You are My friends." (John 15:,14). The love of a parent for a child, both a mother's "as one whom a mother comforts, so will I comfort you" (Is:66:17) and Father's "behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us" (1 John 3:1).

Doesn't it make perfect sense that a God as great as He would create a variety of expressions for His love? All the relationships mentioned above are simply different ways HE loves us. Different channels for HIS love to flow through  - yet all have one source  - HIM! We cannot love apart from Him.

The Devil is incapable of love. Once he rebelled against love (God) and was cast out of fellowship with God's presence  - his ability to love was severed. He only knows love of self. He and his disciples practice a hatred disguised as "love". Their form of is superficial at best. It discriminates and chooses who to love and whom not to love. It's a love rooted in pride. Even many church programs are there to show outwardly they are indeed of God - are we not feeding and clothing the poor? They feel good about themselves because they're doing good works yet if it is all done to be seen of men it's all for nought. Many will say to Him "did we not do all these things in Your name?" And He will reply "depart from ME for I never knew you" - LOVE never knew them! They never knew the author of love! They ministered not out of love but out of pride. Look at me! See how good I am! 

Oh Lord, please help all ministers,  including myself,  to see areas in our ministries that are not aligned with You - that do not please You - that do not glorify You - and You alone! 

You shall know the Truth (Jesus) and the Truth (Jesus) shall set you free! Not head knowledge but the spirit man Jesus - setting free your captive spirit man - breaking those chains from inside the prison you're held captive in.