Ok, so it's been awhile. But here's an amazing bunch of factoids.
If, after reading this, you still don't believe that the Bible is the inspired and only true Word of Yahwey, then I release you.
SHORT EXPLANATION OF NUMERICS
What is so important about the Numeric New Testament? The perfect divine
inspiration of the original Scriptures are scientifically obtainable through numerics. Let
me tell you a little of the awesome story.
Ivan Panin was forced to leave Russia during the
Bolshevik Revolution and come to the United States. He became a Harvard Scholar,
professor, and mathematician, who once tutored Albert Einstein. His training, devotion to
Christ and the Scriptures well-equipped him for his future work. Here he found his life’s
work in scientifically proving the divine inspiration of Scriptures. For fifty years, Dr. Panin
devoted twelve to eighteen hours a day to this work. The basis for his revelation, which
he called numerics, was the ancient Hebrew Old Testament and Greek New Testament
Scriptures. The Hebrews and Greeks used their letters also for their numbers. In other
words, the whole Bible was actually written in numbers also. What Dr. Panin discovered
is that when he used the numbers, the 66 books of the Bible showed a pattern of numbers
and divisibility that no other writing had. He diligently researched other Hebrew and
Greek writings and found no pattern. This included the apocryphal books added in the
Catholic and other early Protestant Bibles, including the original King James Version
before its many revisions.
I have read Dr. Panin’s works for many years and am totally impressed that God
ordained him to bring us back to the original text. Below is a small sample of his volumes
of work from a pamphlet titled Astounding New Discoveries © 1941 by a disciple of his,
Karl G. Sabiers, M.A. The number seven is by far the most common number used in the
surface text of the Bible, used in Revelation alone more than fifty times, but it is also
common beneath the surface of the whole Bible.
In GENESIS CHAPTER ONE, VERSE ONE we read, “In the beginning God created the
heavens and the earth.”
FEATURE ONE
The number of Hebrew words in this verse is exactly seven.
FEATURE TWO
The number of letters in the seven words is exactly twenty-eight, or four sevens.
FEATURE THREE
The first three of these seven Hebrew words contain the subject and predicate of the
sentence. These three words are translated–“In the beginning God created.” The
number of letters in these first three Hebrew words is exactly fourteen, or two sevens.
The last four of these seven words contain the object of the sentence. These four words
are translated–“the heavens and the earth.” The number of letters in these last four
Hebrew words is fourteen, or two sevens.
FEATURE FOUR
These last four Hebrew words consist of two objects. The first is “the heavens,” and the
second is “and the earth.” The number of letters in the first object is exactly seven. The
number of letters in the second object is seven.
FEATURE FIVE
The three leading words in this verse of seven words are God–the subject –and heavens
and earth–the objects. The number of letters in these three Hebrew words is exactly
fourteen, or two sevens. The number of letters in the other four words of the verse is
fourteen, or two sevens.
FEATURE SIX
The shortest word is in the middle. The number of letters in this word and the word to its
left is exactly seven.
FEATURE SEVEN
The number of letters in the middle word and the word to its right is exactly seven.
These are only a few examples of the many amazing numeric facts, which have
been discovered in the structure of this first verse of only seven Hebrew words. Literally
dozens of other phenomenal numeric features strangely underlie the structure of this
verse.
Thus, according to the law of chances, for twenty-four features to occur in a
passage accidentally, there is only one chance in 191,581,231,380,566,414,401–only
one chance in one-hundred-ninety-one quintillion, five-hundred-eighty-one quadrillion,
two-hundred-thirty-one trillion, three-hundred-eighty-billion, five-hundred sixty-six million,
four-hundred-fourteen-thousand, four-hundred-one. (The nomenclature herein used is
the American, not the British.)
Many brief Bible passages have as many as seventy or one hundred or more
amazing numeric features in the very structure of their text. If there is only one chance in
quintillions that twenty-four features could occur together accidentally, what would the
chance be for seventy features to occur together accidentally?
When there is only one chance in thousands for something to happen accidentally,
it is already considered highly improbable that it will occur at all. When there is only one
chance in hundreds of thousands, it is considered practically impossible. But here there
is one chance in not only millions, but billions, and trillions, and quadrillions, and
quintillions, that merely twenty-four features could occur together in a passage
accidentally.
If that is not enough to convince any sane man, there are patterns of eight, eleven,
thirteen, seventeen, nineteen, twenty-three, thirty-seven, forty-three, etc., on top of the
sevens throughout the Word. Larger patterns connect book to book, Old Testament to
New Testament and show the correct order of the books. What all this proves is that one
divine, brilliant mind wrote the Bible rather than thirty-three simple men, with relatively no
schooling, who lived in different countries over a span of 1,600 years. If men wrote the
Bible, they would have all had to live at the same time and place and all been
mathematical geniuses. Then they would have each had to write their book last with the
knowledge of the numeric pattern in all the other books. Men have tried to write a simple
numeric text with very few features and failed miserably.
The Hebrews had extremely stringent rules for the scribes to follow in copying the ancient
manuscripts. God did this through them in order to preserve this pattern of perfection in
the Scriptures that we might have the “God-breathed” Word of God. If a Greek or Hebrew
letter is added, removed, or changed, the pattern breaks in that text. The main problem
today in publishing Bibles is deciding which manuscript to use. It makes common sense
to use only ancient manuscripts, which were close to the original with less likelihood of
human mistake. Using a copy of a copy of a copy, etc. makes no sense, and yet, because
of prejudices or lack of availability of ancient manuscripts, some have published Bibles
from these. Needless to say, the ancient manuscripts proved to be much more numeric.
What God has done through numerics is to give us a method by which we can find out
which manuscript is right and where each one is right or wrong. Then of course Ivan used
only the numeric texts for an original copy. Numerics has made searching multiple
translations obsolete. It also makes it possible to find out which translation is the most
accurate. In comparing the Bibles up through the early 1900s, Dr. Panin rated the
American Revised Version in English, now called the American Standard Version
(starbible.com), to be the most accurate. However, his Numeric New Testament exceeds
that because there are no disputed references of slight differences in ancient manuscripts
since Numerics proves every text to the letter.
Publisher’s Note: The reader will notice a few rare occasions where verses are skipped. This is in keeping with Dr. Panin’s original work. Over time, men have added verses that do not have a numeric pattern and are not a part of the original Greek.
Important Note: Dr. Ivan Panin’s original work has not been changed except for a few
typographical errors and a few select words where the spelling was modernized and
standardized. This upgraded only the spelling and did not change the numeric Greek
pattern behind it. Since few know the value of the numeric blank spaces sometimes found
between chapters and verses, which are explained in Paper I, they have been left out in
favor of readability, easier typesetting, and lower printing costs. These can be found in the
original NENT. A very few Notes were left out because they had already been
incorporated into the text of the Second Edition making them unnecessary. Dr. Panin's
numeric materials may be found on our website at UnleavenedBreadMinistries.org.
Your servants at UBM
Hey? Hey?! Is that not amazing? And that's just one example! The entire Bible, both old and Most importantly, the New Testament, is one giant numbers game! No other writing on earth has this! None!
I believed in God by faith many years ago and He just keeps rewarding my trust with evidences like this. To not believe in Jesus Christ after reading his stuff is just pure satanic rebellion at this point, and unless you repent of your sin and change you ways, there's not much hope for you. I'm so sorry for anyone who could reject the only hope we have in this world.
May God richly bless you, Hidden Mountain
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
A history lesson
It was a conundrum. A situation for which the law was not going to work as intended, at least not for the general public anyway.
A little more than 100 years ago, the Motor Truck was invented. It was a noisy, smelly beast that scared the horses and upset the ladies. But it moved goods, cheaply and efficiently. As farmers started to realize the great advantage of these machines, they bought them. But, in between seed time and harvest, they sat parked. More than one enterprising young lad borrowed the family truck and moved goods for others during these times. Some even went into full time trucking, leaving the farm for "greener pastures", so to speak. It was a great opportunity, a service was needed and it was provided. United Parcel Service was started in just this way. The young entrepreneur took the family truck to the train station and moved peoples luggage. That was the humble birth of the biggest transportation company in the world!
It was all smooth sailing until...
It seems that using public roads for private gain was not sitting too well with some folks. Those machines were destroying the roads and doing it for free! The owner/operators were gaining from the labor of the community at large without paying anything in return. It was a public outrage! Legislators were contacted and told of this "legal loophole" and their constituents demanded that they "do something". These "monsters" had to be banned. Of course, the railroads would have loved that! But it was the golden age of the industrial revolution, industry had become dependent on the truck's generally reliable, cheap services. The boost in productivity was substantial, and, just like today, not everyone has the luxury of having a rail siding at their backdoor. To top it all off, there was a constitutional edict stating that it was illegal to use public property for private gain.
This was a serious problem!
Many ideas were bandied about, but one idea seamed to be the answer, licensing the trucks and their drivers. Essentially, what was proposed was that an admission of guilt for the crime of public trespassing was required. Then, the person or persons in question would be automatically found guilty of said trespass. They would be convicted of this "crime" and sentenced. Their sentence? They were to be released on there own recognizance and had to report "regularly" for inspection. Their "convict number" would be used as an identifying number and they would then be free to do business, a long as the obeyed the conditions specified on their "licenses". Their convict number became their drivers license number!
This, boys and girls, is how the "drivers license" came into being. It seemed like a good idea at the time anyway.....
Now let me ask you, do you engage in the transportation of others goods for profit on "Her Majesties Highways"? If you are "going to or from the market to do trade" that is altogether different and has always been quite legal. If you are using your motor vehicle, of any size, for personal use only, then you are exempted as well. But try to do it without a "convict number" and see how far you get.
But wait a minute, you aren't a convict, are you?
Tell me, what rights do convicts have?
None.
They get "privileges".
Have you ever heard that "driving is a privilege, not a right"? Well, they were wrong. Did you know that you can get on a horse and ride it anywhere you want without any kind of license or training? There are no license plate brackets on horses the last time I checked. (I had better not give them any ideas!)
This brings me to something I just read tonight. In the US of A, where communism seems to be literally taking over, they are proposing that, when the health care bill passes, you will be able to get your health care "legalities" taken care of at your local Dept. of Motor Vehicles office!
Hello? Did you get that? In my way of thinking, they are making you, the convict, get their "permission" to be healthy!!! Now I may be stretching things a bit here, but stop and think about it. If they can turn something as simple as movement, ie: driving, into a "privilege", then why not your health?
This is just another of the myriad of frightening and dangerous "laws" that the powers that be are seeking to shackle us with.
As a Believer in Yeshua Messiah, aka Jesus the Christ, I struggle with these things. He told me in His Word that He would lead me into "ALL TRUTH", and boy, has He. The curtain has been lifted and laid bare. I can see right through the lies and deceptions that have we have all been hypnotized into believing as the "way it is". From the usury system that we call "money", to property taxes that prove we are slaves to the government, I have been given the ability to see right through it all. The question is, since Jesus told us to "submit unto the authorities", and to "do good to those who despitefully use you", how far do we let this go? I mean, some say that if we do nothing at all, it will hasten the return of Jesus, since the wickedness will grow exponentially and He'll "have to" come back and sort it all out.
Well , what about the scriptures that instruct us to stand up for truth and righteousness. To defend widows and orphans. To defend the helpless and feed the poor, to love our neighbors as ourselves!
Which is it?
Go see the movie "Amazing Grace". It's about one Christian man, William Wilberforce, who single handedly abolished slavery in the British Commonwealth. Why? Because it was the right thing to do!
Read about Haralaan Popov, Richard Wurmbrand, or the millions of others who have been martyred for they're faith and belief in Yeshua Messiah. They didn't sign their "confessions". That was against the law though! They were rebels! They were convicts! They were not conforming to the world or it's ways and they were tortured and killed for it!
These truly are the last days. We are about to enter into the most terrifying time in our planet's existence.
Are you ready?
A little more than 100 years ago, the Motor Truck was invented. It was a noisy, smelly beast that scared the horses and upset the ladies. But it moved goods, cheaply and efficiently. As farmers started to realize the great advantage of these machines, they bought them. But, in between seed time and harvest, they sat parked. More than one enterprising young lad borrowed the family truck and moved goods for others during these times. Some even went into full time trucking, leaving the farm for "greener pastures", so to speak. It was a great opportunity, a service was needed and it was provided. United Parcel Service was started in just this way. The young entrepreneur took the family truck to the train station and moved peoples luggage. That was the humble birth of the biggest transportation company in the world!
It was all smooth sailing until...
It seems that using public roads for private gain was not sitting too well with some folks. Those machines were destroying the roads and doing it for free! The owner/operators were gaining from the labor of the community at large without paying anything in return. It was a public outrage! Legislators were contacted and told of this "legal loophole" and their constituents demanded that they "do something". These "monsters" had to be banned. Of course, the railroads would have loved that! But it was the golden age of the industrial revolution, industry had become dependent on the truck's generally reliable, cheap services. The boost in productivity was substantial, and, just like today, not everyone has the luxury of having a rail siding at their backdoor. To top it all off, there was a constitutional edict stating that it was illegal to use public property for private gain.
This was a serious problem!
Many ideas were bandied about, but one idea seamed to be the answer, licensing the trucks and their drivers. Essentially, what was proposed was that an admission of guilt for the crime of public trespassing was required. Then, the person or persons in question would be automatically found guilty of said trespass. They would be convicted of this "crime" and sentenced. Their sentence? They were to be released on there own recognizance and had to report "regularly" for inspection. Their "convict number" would be used as an identifying number and they would then be free to do business, a long as the obeyed the conditions specified on their "licenses". Their convict number became their drivers license number!
This, boys and girls, is how the "drivers license" came into being. It seemed like a good idea at the time anyway.....
Now let me ask you, do you engage in the transportation of others goods for profit on "Her Majesties Highways"? If you are "going to or from the market to do trade" that is altogether different and has always been quite legal. If you are using your motor vehicle, of any size, for personal use only, then you are exempted as well. But try to do it without a "convict number" and see how far you get.
But wait a minute, you aren't a convict, are you?
Tell me, what rights do convicts have?
None.
They get "privileges".
Have you ever heard that "driving is a privilege, not a right"? Well, they were wrong. Did you know that you can get on a horse and ride it anywhere you want without any kind of license or training? There are no license plate brackets on horses the last time I checked. (I had better not give them any ideas!)
This brings me to something I just read tonight. In the US of A, where communism seems to be literally taking over, they are proposing that, when the health care bill passes, you will be able to get your health care "legalities" taken care of at your local Dept. of Motor Vehicles office!
Hello? Did you get that? In my way of thinking, they are making you, the convict, get their "permission" to be healthy!!! Now I may be stretching things a bit here, but stop and think about it. If they can turn something as simple as movement, ie: driving, into a "privilege", then why not your health?
This is just another of the myriad of frightening and dangerous "laws" that the powers that be are seeking to shackle us with.
As a Believer in Yeshua Messiah, aka Jesus the Christ, I struggle with these things. He told me in His Word that He would lead me into "ALL TRUTH", and boy, has He. The curtain has been lifted and laid bare. I can see right through the lies and deceptions that have we have all been hypnotized into believing as the "way it is". From the usury system that we call "money", to property taxes that prove we are slaves to the government, I have been given the ability to see right through it all. The question is, since Jesus told us to "submit unto the authorities", and to "do good to those who despitefully use you", how far do we let this go? I mean, some say that if we do nothing at all, it will hasten the return of Jesus, since the wickedness will grow exponentially and He'll "have to" come back and sort it all out.
Well , what about the scriptures that instruct us to stand up for truth and righteousness. To defend widows and orphans. To defend the helpless and feed the poor, to love our neighbors as ourselves!
Which is it?
Go see the movie "Amazing Grace". It's about one Christian man, William Wilberforce, who single handedly abolished slavery in the British Commonwealth. Why? Because it was the right thing to do!
Read about Haralaan Popov, Richard Wurmbrand, or the millions of others who have been martyred for they're faith and belief in Yeshua Messiah. They didn't sign their "confessions". That was against the law though! They were rebels! They were convicts! They were not conforming to the world or it's ways and they were tortured and killed for it!
These truly are the last days. We are about to enter into the most terrifying time in our planet's existence.
Are you ready?
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Too crazy for the Christians.....
Too Christian for the crazies...
What a flippin conundrum.
Do you really know what The Grace Of God is?
Do you understand that being in a personal relationship with Yahovey, aka God, is NOT a religion?
Do you think you have to dress a certain way in order to be "one of us"?
Do you follow the Word of God or the "party line"?
It's strange to be free in Messiah. I mean, he took me from my delusional ambition to be a millionaire, complete with short hair and kakhi shorts, too being a long haired big bearded "pioneer of the land".
Before moving out here to TMON, (my new acronym for The Middle Of Nowhere), I was becoming thee stereo-typical Bible totin Jesus lovin jerk. I thought I knew all there was to know about it. I went to the Christian restaurants. I was surrounded by Christians, nary a heathen among em. I "did church" Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night and Bible studies on Thursday nights. My "Home group" met on Tuesday nights and Saturday morning was the men's prayer breakfast.
To those of the "street crowd" variety, I was a target for hate and derision. Street evangelism wasn't even on my screen. I knew that I had come from the bottom and wanted to stay as far away from it as possible.
I was, in short, a jerk. A very clean cut jerk.
But then God.....
I really was sincere in my desire to get to know the Lord better. I had been hearing lots about Him and all, but it just wasn't there, ya know? I had decided that once the ship came in, I was going to Bible College, to find out what the Book really said.
Well, it's amazing just how fast a house of cards can come tumbling down. My dreams of financial security went "poof", just like that. The goose that was laying Golden Eggs left the country, taking many folks investment funds with him. I heard he's living like a king in Manilla, but frankly, who cares.
"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." It's NOT the other way around if you're serious about getting to know the big guy! He will not take a back seat! As a matter of fact, He really hates that "God is my co-pilot" bumper sticker! He's the freekin PILOT, let Him fly the thing!
Ok, so enough about that.
There I was, suddenly on the street. When you have a $5000 per month nut to crack and no income, the trip to the sidewalk is swift. That's when I found myself totally having to rely on God, for real, no faking it this time. I found myself living in my pup tent on the back forty of the land I'm still on now. I had a Bible, a sleeping bag and all of my stuff that I could fit into 30 gallon barrels. It was kind of like going camping only there was no return date. I had a few dollars but that was used up pretty quickly and I had no choice but to trust God to provide. On the side of a mountain. In the woods. 25 kms from the nearest town. With winter fast approaching.
Funny thing about hair, it just keeps coming out of my face and scalp. I have some strong genes or something because it grows incredibly fast and thick. I was also thrown into "fellowship" with some "unconventional" folks. Christians, sort of. Smoking tobacco and "the other stuff" was commonplace. As a matter of fact, I held out for six months before succumbing to the temptation. Yep, I said temptation... But the amazing thing was, God was providing for me. I never once went without a meal that I needed. I always had a warm dry place to sleep. I was spending hours every day reading and studying Gods Word, with signs and wonders following. Not to mention the tests! One such test was getting a little thing called Osteo Osteoma. Basically, it was a tumor growing just above my right knee, on the bone. It hurt, alot. I like to think of myself as tough, not much can make me knuckle under and give up, but this thing was something else. I prayed like crazy for it to be removed but it just got worse. I knew God was there, His provision for all the basics was always covered, but for reasons only He knew, He let that dang tumor get the best of me!
It's a long walk to town on two good legs, try it on one that hurts so bad that you have to tie a tourniquet around it to numb it enough to walk, for 25 km's. Then having to hitch-hike another 150 or so miles to where I might be able to find a doctor to look at this thing.
I made it by the grace of God, and ended up at an old couples house, folks I knew from my previous life, and they let me sleep in their spare room and made an appointment for me to see their doctor the next day. Did I mention that the hair was exploding from my head? And that working really hard without running water can leave one a little ripe? My jeans were held together with duct tape, I had a big old leather hat on, a scarf tied around my leg, and a black leather jacket. Buddy, I wouldn't have picked me up!
The experience at the doctor was a real wake up though. I guess I didn't look like a "christian" anymore, even though I had never been so alive in all of my life. Long story short, he figured I was just trying to get free drugs off of him and basically showed me out of his office.
It was a few days later that the Lord led me to another doctor, this one actually believed me. He ordered some x-rays so I had to hang around town for a few days. While I was there, the Lord led me downtown. Step drag, step drag, step drag, all while looking like a total freak. It was great! The street folks accepted me right away, after all, I was "one of them". At least on the outside anyway. You've heard of wolves in sheep's clothing? I was a sheep in wolves clothing, haha. I could get right in tight with someone, bum a smoke or give them a light, whatever, then BOOM! Do you know Jesus? Ha ha ha, man they either ran or dropped to their knees right there. Ok, some wanted to fight but there is power in the name above all names and guess what? It works! I have seen demons flee, the devil cower and souls saved. All because I had spent a little time with God and was "walkin the walk, not just talkin the talk".
Then it happened, I bumped into a brother I knew from church. Of course I recognized him right away, he hadn't changed a bit, but he had to focus real hard to recognize me. And when he finally realized it was me under all of that hair and stuff, he was suddenly very awkward. He didn't know what to say. All I could do was tell him about how cool it was to be so intimate with God and how He was using me and blessing me in ways I never could have dreamed of. I was excited about my new relationship with Jesus and wanted to tell him how he could have a deeper more exciting relationship with Him too, all he ha to do was "let go an let God". For some reason, he didn't seem too thrilled. He said nice to see you again and couldn't get away from me fast enough. I felt so sorry for him. Unfortunately, this has been a bit of a pattern for me. There are a few of my old brothers and sisters who don't judge me based on my appearance, and God bless them. But there are a few who want nothing to do with me now. I'm a "backslider" you see.
Well then there's the other side of the coin. I know lots of people now who are not only not believers, they are either into "alternative modalities" or are just plain atheists. They see me coming and then cringe because I'm a "Jesus freak". Not all mind you, but most of them.
It comes with the territory. When Yeshua lives inside of you, the folks you come in contact with will react to you the same way they would react to Him, love Him or hate Him. This little thing called conviction comes upon them and they get really uncomfortable around you but they don't know why. I had one guy tell me he really liked me but that he couldn't stand to be around me too long. When I tried to explain that it wasn't me he was having a problem with but Jesus in me, he flatly refused to believe it, confirming for me that he was indeed under conviction of sin. Oh well. Lord, there's another one, bless him and bring him home.
So that's my blog for today. If anyone is actually reading these things, forgive me for being so sporadic in my posts. This thing called life keeps happening and it keeps taking all of my time.
May God bless you and keep you,
Peace out, boom shaka laka.....
What a flippin conundrum.
Do you really know what The Grace Of God is?
Do you understand that being in a personal relationship with Yahovey, aka God, is NOT a religion?
Do you think you have to dress a certain way in order to be "one of us"?
Do you follow the Word of God or the "party line"?
It's strange to be free in Messiah. I mean, he took me from my delusional ambition to be a millionaire, complete with short hair and kakhi shorts, too being a long haired big bearded "pioneer of the land".
Before moving out here to TMON, (my new acronym for The Middle Of Nowhere), I was becoming thee stereo-typical Bible totin Jesus lovin jerk. I thought I knew all there was to know about it. I went to the Christian restaurants. I was surrounded by Christians, nary a heathen among em. I "did church" Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night and Bible studies on Thursday nights. My "Home group" met on Tuesday nights and Saturday morning was the men's prayer breakfast.
To those of the "street crowd" variety, I was a target for hate and derision. Street evangelism wasn't even on my screen. I knew that I had come from the bottom and wanted to stay as far away from it as possible.
I was, in short, a jerk. A very clean cut jerk.
But then God.....
I really was sincere in my desire to get to know the Lord better. I had been hearing lots about Him and all, but it just wasn't there, ya know? I had decided that once the ship came in, I was going to Bible College, to find out what the Book really said.
Well, it's amazing just how fast a house of cards can come tumbling down. My dreams of financial security went "poof", just like that. The goose that was laying Golden Eggs left the country, taking many folks investment funds with him. I heard he's living like a king in Manilla, but frankly, who cares.
"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." It's NOT the other way around if you're serious about getting to know the big guy! He will not take a back seat! As a matter of fact, He really hates that "God is my co-pilot" bumper sticker! He's the freekin PILOT, let Him fly the thing!
Ok, so enough about that.
There I was, suddenly on the street. When you have a $5000 per month nut to crack and no income, the trip to the sidewalk is swift. That's when I found myself totally having to rely on God, for real, no faking it this time. I found myself living in my pup tent on the back forty of the land I'm still on now. I had a Bible, a sleeping bag and all of my stuff that I could fit into 30 gallon barrels. It was kind of like going camping only there was no return date. I had a few dollars but that was used up pretty quickly and I had no choice but to trust God to provide. On the side of a mountain. In the woods. 25 kms from the nearest town. With winter fast approaching.
Funny thing about hair, it just keeps coming out of my face and scalp. I have some strong genes or something because it grows incredibly fast and thick. I was also thrown into "fellowship" with some "unconventional" folks. Christians, sort of. Smoking tobacco and "the other stuff" was commonplace. As a matter of fact, I held out for six months before succumbing to the temptation. Yep, I said temptation... But the amazing thing was, God was providing for me. I never once went without a meal that I needed. I always had a warm dry place to sleep. I was spending hours every day reading and studying Gods Word, with signs and wonders following. Not to mention the tests! One such test was getting a little thing called Osteo Osteoma. Basically, it was a tumor growing just above my right knee, on the bone. It hurt, alot. I like to think of myself as tough, not much can make me knuckle under and give up, but this thing was something else. I prayed like crazy for it to be removed but it just got worse. I knew God was there, His provision for all the basics was always covered, but for reasons only He knew, He let that dang tumor get the best of me!
It's a long walk to town on two good legs, try it on one that hurts so bad that you have to tie a tourniquet around it to numb it enough to walk, for 25 km's. Then having to hitch-hike another 150 or so miles to where I might be able to find a doctor to look at this thing.
I made it by the grace of God, and ended up at an old couples house, folks I knew from my previous life, and they let me sleep in their spare room and made an appointment for me to see their doctor the next day. Did I mention that the hair was exploding from my head? And that working really hard without running water can leave one a little ripe? My jeans were held together with duct tape, I had a big old leather hat on, a scarf tied around my leg, and a black leather jacket. Buddy, I wouldn't have picked me up!
The experience at the doctor was a real wake up though. I guess I didn't look like a "christian" anymore, even though I had never been so alive in all of my life. Long story short, he figured I was just trying to get free drugs off of him and basically showed me out of his office.
It was a few days later that the Lord led me to another doctor, this one actually believed me. He ordered some x-rays so I had to hang around town for a few days. While I was there, the Lord led me downtown. Step drag, step drag, step drag, all while looking like a total freak. It was great! The street folks accepted me right away, after all, I was "one of them". At least on the outside anyway. You've heard of wolves in sheep's clothing? I was a sheep in wolves clothing, haha. I could get right in tight with someone, bum a smoke or give them a light, whatever, then BOOM! Do you know Jesus? Ha ha ha, man they either ran or dropped to their knees right there. Ok, some wanted to fight but there is power in the name above all names and guess what? It works! I have seen demons flee, the devil cower and souls saved. All because I had spent a little time with God and was "walkin the walk, not just talkin the talk".
Then it happened, I bumped into a brother I knew from church. Of course I recognized him right away, he hadn't changed a bit, but he had to focus real hard to recognize me. And when he finally realized it was me under all of that hair and stuff, he was suddenly very awkward. He didn't know what to say. All I could do was tell him about how cool it was to be so intimate with God and how He was using me and blessing me in ways I never could have dreamed of. I was excited about my new relationship with Jesus and wanted to tell him how he could have a deeper more exciting relationship with Him too, all he ha to do was "let go an let God". For some reason, he didn't seem too thrilled. He said nice to see you again and couldn't get away from me fast enough. I felt so sorry for him. Unfortunately, this has been a bit of a pattern for me. There are a few of my old brothers and sisters who don't judge me based on my appearance, and God bless them. But there are a few who want nothing to do with me now. I'm a "backslider" you see.
Well then there's the other side of the coin. I know lots of people now who are not only not believers, they are either into "alternative modalities" or are just plain atheists. They see me coming and then cringe because I'm a "Jesus freak". Not all mind you, but most of them.
It comes with the territory. When Yeshua lives inside of you, the folks you come in contact with will react to you the same way they would react to Him, love Him or hate Him. This little thing called conviction comes upon them and they get really uncomfortable around you but they don't know why. I had one guy tell me he really liked me but that he couldn't stand to be around me too long. When I tried to explain that it wasn't me he was having a problem with but Jesus in me, he flatly refused to believe it, confirming for me that he was indeed under conviction of sin. Oh well. Lord, there's another one, bless him and bring him home.
So that's my blog for today. If anyone is actually reading these things, forgive me for being so sporadic in my posts. This thing called life keeps happening and it keeps taking all of my time.
May God bless you and keep you,
Peace out, boom shaka laka.....
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