Between the Extremes

Snowdrifts...I used to get all bundled up and go out walking in rural South Dakota, USA during blizzards. I have followed fence lines and telephone poles to try to keep some kind of track of where I was, for it was dangerous. If one got lost, and blindly wandered into a field, a person could freeze to death. I enjoyed the walk because there was no person that would interrupt while I was talking to God, and there were no distractions that would fight against my attention either.

There are a lot of things I have done in my life I would not recommend for someone else to do. Seeking God is wisdom, doing so in a blizzard isn't probably the wisest method.


All of us have strengths and weaknesses, and it is possible for our strengths to be weaknesses sometimes. An ability to concentrate can help a person stay focused on something, but if a person walks out in front of a traveling bus while in deep concentration, they might just get run over. Concentration is good, but so is paying attention.


Several times in my lifetime, while concentrating on one thing, I have failed to see the bus before it hit me, and have suffered some things that should have been able to be avoided had I paid better attention. It is good to put on the armor before you go to battle, it is bad to walk off the end of the dock and plunge to the lake bottom quickly due to the weight of the armor.


So we must operate somewhere between the extremes, concentrating but also paying attention.


The job of a watchman on the wall is such a good example. Standing at night looking out into the night, scanning for movement but not focusing on a spot so intensely as to miss the overall picture.

Isa 21:6 For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth. Isa 21:7 And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed: Isa 21:8 And he cried, A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights: Isa 21:9 And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground. Isa 21:10 O my threshing, and the corn of my floor: that which I have heard of the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you.

Full Quiver and the enemies

Psa 127:1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. Psa 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Psa 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psa 127:4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Psa 127:5

God has graciously granted me to have a wonderful wife that still loves me, many children, and these days many grandchildren.

Although verse 2 says it is vain, I do confess that there were many times I would rise up early, sit up late, and eat the bread of sorrows, often lacking sleep. I wanted to be for them the perfect dad, and I was not. Yet I was so greatly blessed to have them given of God into my life.

I want to stress the last verse, and actually the last part of that verse.

they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

We that call upon the name of Jesus Christ have enemies, that is just a fact. These enemies are evil spirits, headed by the devil himself, and whether you fight them or not, they fight against you.

When your children are small, you teach them to pray, hoping that when they are grown, they will have the ability to fight the good fight of faith for their own spouse and children. Also, when they are strong, you hope that they will be ready to agree with you in prayer and take authority over the enemies.

Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Pray and you will be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. As my children grow strong and mature, and as my grandchildren do the same, they will speak (take authority over and bring judgment upon) the enemies in the gate.

This is a promise from the Lord that watches over His Word to preform it. Trust Him, pray, and speak out loud to Him concerning His promises, for He loves to hear His word spoken by His children, and we need to remind ourselves while being in the Spirit, this exercises our faith.
Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Highly Recommended

I want to recommend to you seeking Jesus Christ, giving your life to Him, and doing everything you ever do in the name of Jesus Christ. He loves you more than I could ever properly express, and He wants the best for you, especially in the conclusion of this natural life, He wants that you will inherit eternal life with Him.


Concerning being taught anything from anyone about the bible and it's contents, I highly recommend that you search the scriptures yourself, to establish truth and to root out error. There are many fine Christians that are your brothers and sisters, that will love you, and help you, and teach you what they have. There are also liars and deceivers that will try to milk you like a milk cow, wanting only to use you and possess whatever they can get from you that God has given you.


Have I ever been deceived and milked? Mooo! Thankfully, the Lord will help you through whatever you go through, and He will give you the Holy Ghost to lead and guide you into all truth.

My greatest interest

Since I was a small boy, my greatest interest has been wanting to know God, what or who He is, and things that are unseen, but still real. I always looked for an angel to brilliantly appear suddenly, or to be transformed into the spiritual realm to see and hear amazing things, and I still look for that to happen every day.


Does that happen every day? No Has that ever happened (as described above)? No Do I still expect that it will happen? Yes


I have read the bible over and over in various translations, researched the words in the original languages, and studied the history of the church from the words of long dead writers and modern commentators.


If you are not interested in God, this probably will not be an interesting blog for you to read, as I almost can't talk about anything without bringing Him up, comparing things with scriptures, or considering shadows, types, and parables. This is something that I hope and pray only gets further interwoven into my makeup, so the only changes I am expecting in this area is more of the same.

Wandering the world

As a child I can remember climbing out the 2nd story window into deep snow and shoveling down to the door in order to open it and allow our family to go in and out after the blizzard. I have also swam in the warm Caribbean waters, and I must admit I liked that better than the snow.