Beware of Spiritual Suckers

October 14, 2020 by Leave a Comment

 

As I prepare to put my roses “to bed” for the coming winter by covering the root to protect it from freezing temperatures and pruning them back, it is also a time to examine the rose for suckers that must be yanked off least they drain the plant of its strength and nutrients. If not taking care of they will be doubled in number when the rose resurrects in the spring. What a vivid picture of suckers that our spiritual root structure may develop subtly if we don’t take time to examine our lives in the light of the Word and in His presence. My heart returned to a word of warning that my heavenly Papa inspired in my spirit in my intimate time with Him.

Dear Child,

They that wait upon Me and serve Me are renewed,  for while they are serving Me in the Holy Place they are dwelling under the shadow of My wings and the cloud of My presence! They shall be refreshed by the rain from heaven, that while rooted on earth something of heaven will blossom in their lives.

Spiritual seeds can only be watered in My presence, the water from the sweat of the flesh cannot produce life,  flesh can only begat flesh!

Spiritual roots can only be watered by the Holy Spirit otherwise the roots will develop * suckers, that will zap the true life , and the flower will only be a weaker, smaller version of the real thing and it will not produce fruit that is everlasting!

Do not try to water and refresh spiritual roots with the approval of man least the *sucker of pride drains the life of the roots.

Do not try to water and refresh spiritual roots by the sweat of the flesh and manipulation least the *sucker of “burn out” drains the life of the roots.

Walk humbly before Me and let your spiritual roots be watered from heaven!

The life is in the deep hidden roots! In due season those roots will produce an abundant harvest. After years of pruning the harvest will be abundant. The first appearance of blossom in the spring is only a small taste of the harvest to follow.

                                                                   Thus saith Papa

Isa 40:31  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

A sucker is a side shoot from the roots that does not bloom or grow on the true stem from the bud union of the plant. It grows independent of the true stem but its flowers are a mere imitation of the real flower, much smaller with no fragrance. A sucker will drain the strength and nutrients from the true plant and weaken its production, thereby making it more susceptible to disease.

Challenge: What sucker is draining your spiritual root structure?

Read more about spiritual suckers on Page 34 and Pages 196-197 in my book “Developing a Secret History with God”.

Available from Amazon/ Barnes&Noble/ Kindle/ Nook/ Ibooks or your local bookstore.

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What Influence Did Prince William of Orange Have on the USA?

July 12, 2020 by Leave a Comment

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Today in Belfast, Northern Ireland one of the world’s largest parades is taking place to commemorate the victory of Protestant Prince William of Orange over Catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, who had wanted to return England back to Roman Catholicism. Grand Lodges and parades are celebrated in Scotland, England, the United States of America, West Africa, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the largest parade being held in Belfast today with hundred of thousands marching.

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What has this to do with the USA?

William and his wife Mary signed the English Bill of Rights of 1689. This action both signaled the end of several centuries of tension and conflict between the crown and parliament, and the end of the idea that England would be restored to Roman Catholicism after the many years of blood being shed of so many martyrs to usher in the reformation. So Protestants herald King William as a champion of their faith and freedom.

What has this to do with the USA?

Well, this Bill of Rights was an Act of the Parliament of England requiring the monarch to rule based on “the laws and customs … of Rights, which in turn influenced the American Declaration of Independence almost verbatim.

The Declaration of Independence which was penned by the Scotch- Irish hand of Thomas Jefferson who was influenced and modeled that important historical document after that Bill of Rights of Prince William of Orange with reference to the Treaty of Arbroath signed in 1320 in Scotland. At least 27 of the signatures on the Declaration of Independence were Ulster Scottish Presbyterians.

King William’s supporters refer to him as King Billy. Since many Ulster Scots settled in Virginia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas, they became known as “Hill Billies” since they lived in the hills and sang songs about their hero King Billy.

Did you know that Williamsburg Virginia is named after King William?

Did you know that on February 8, 1693, King William III and Queen Mary II signed the royal charter for a “perpetual College of Divinity, Philosophy, Languages, and other good Arts and Sciences” to be founded in the Virginia Colony? And William & Mary College was born. Their names are lent to the second institution of higher learning in the United States,namely, the College of William and Mary.

Princeton New Jersey was originally named Prince Town after King William.

Ulster Scottish Presbyterians founded the College of New Jersey in 1746 in order to train ministers. The college was the educational and religious capital of Scots-Irish America. In 1756, the college moved to Princeton, New Jersey. Its home in Princeton was Nassau Hall, named for the royal House of Orange-Nassau of King William III.

Many highways, towns and at least 9 States have “Orange counties” named in honor of King William and the freedom he won for the followers of the reformation faith in 1690.

So now you know the rest of the story!

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Develop a Lasting Love in your Marriage

July 13, 2019 by Leave a Comment

As we celebrate our 55th wedding anniversary on July 18th this year

we rejoice at God’s blessing and grace on our years together.

 1964 AGAPE, PHILEO AND EROS LOVE led us to 2016

                We are brother and sister in the Lord, we are best friends and we are lovers.

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In the Greek language AGAPE – PHILEO – EROS –  are all words for love, yet each displaying a different character of love.

AGAPE – Displays the character of God for God is love. It’s the love that cannot be earned, an unconditional love with acceptance and  forgiveness.

Agape love is displayed in a marital union of two good forgivers who learn to seek forgiveness and offer forgiveness, accepting the shortcomings in each other. As both spouses move towards God they are also moving closer to each other as His character is formed in them.

It is available to us through the power of the Holy Spirit.

It is the power of being like-spirited as we pray together, minister together and serve one and other.

PHILEO – Displays the character of friendship. Unlike agape love phileo love has to be earned as it involves trust. It is earned as we learn to trust one another through communicating from the depths of our hearts. Trusting our spouses with our deep wounds, our aspirations, passions and dreams. Never leave your heart unspoken for it displays your heart to your spouse.

Your spouse should be your most trusted and best friend. A relationship where you laugh together, cry together, play together and support  each other’ dreams.

It has been said that “It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.”. Friedrich Nietzsche

It is the power of being like-minded as you have fun together sharing and supporting each others’ hobbies, passions and dreams.

EROS –   Displays the character of romantic and sexual love. Eros love is like a phileo friendship love caught on fire. Keep the fire lit in your marriage and your life will be filled with warmth.

“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.”  ~Mignon McLaughlin

The Eros love is the only love that makes your marriage different and unique than any other relationship, that is why it is so important to keep romance alive. Light the candles, turn on the music and keep that flame burning brightly.

It is the power of physical attraction and the consummation of body, soul and spirit.

“To keep the fire burning brightly there’s one easy rule:  Keep the two logs together, near enough to keep each other warm and far enough apart – about a finger’s breadth – for breathing room.  Good fire, good marriage, same rule.”  ~Marnie Reed Crowell

 A  successful marriage needs all three “loves” to hold it together. As we love God with our body, soul and spirit, likewise we need to love our spouses with our body, soul and spirit. Now we’re talking unity!  In fact the unity in our marriage is a witness to the world of the mystical union of Christ and His church according to Ephesians 5:23

CHALLENGE: “A marriage is not a noun. It isn’t something you are. It is a verb. It’s the way you love your partner everyday with AGAPE, PHILEO and EROS love.

 

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Appreciating my Heritage. 

July 12, 2019 by 1 Comment

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Celebrating the Orange Twelfth of July in the Braveheart Highland Pub in Hellertown Pa.

Remembering the great victory of Protestant Prince William of Orange over Catholic King James in 1690 at the Boyne.

Happy Twelfth of July to all my exile fellow Ulster Scots throughout the world and my family in Belfast.

Miss being with you all and the sounds of the Flute and Pipe Bands parading up Royal Avenue participating in one of the largest parades in the world.

Never take for granted the freedom of your faith. It is part of your heritage but was handed down to you at great price! No surrender!

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 Living Stones

September 19, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Luke 19:40 And He answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. 

May this stone remind you that you are not a cold stone without a heart. You are a living breathing stone. 1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Every stone is so unique in shape, size and color. Formed in various ways by the environment, habitat and weather. May this stone remind you that you are also so unique shaped by your life experiences and trials and victories. I wonder about the stories that  this stone could tell if only it had breath to speak. You also have a story but you also have breath to tell yours and proclaim His work in your life.

May this stone remind you to invest that breath which He has given you to cry out His praises lest this cold piece of stone cry out instead of you. Psalm 150:6 Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord!

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