S.O.S.?

Why?

My children and now my grand children are still asking the same simple question we all asked as children. The WHY question. One of my sons always thought he didn't need to ask why very often because he seem to know the answer to everything at a very early age. We called him "Ford", it was when Ford Motor Company's slogan was "we've got a better idea". The other son asked but usually pondered on whatever it was till he knew he didn't have the answer.

I am not questioning God and His sovereignty but as of late I seem to be asking Him why more than usual. Here are just a few of my reoccurring whys.

1. Why is it so hard to love just because we were created to do so?
2. Why is it so difficult to give just because we love instead of waiting for needs?
3. Why would anyone choose eternal separation from God when it is fully their decision?
4. Why do we promote diversity over unity?
5. Why does the body of Christ (the church) intentionally divide it's self?
6. Why is it such a difficult decision to follow Christ?
Enough of the why's, I think I know the answers but that doesn't seem to keep from asking.

Answers to the whys. Cause...just kidding.

1. We have become selfish and prideful because of the spiritual suicide committed by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The only solution is the rebirth of our spirit which was provided by the decision made in the Garden of Gethsemane and carried out on the cross by Jesus. Then deal with the flesh.  
2. If we wait for a need we then get to scratch one of our selfish and prideful itches. When we wait it puts us in a position of being over who or what need we are giving to. Jesus told us not to be as the world system that promotes an "over" each other mentality. (paraphrased)
3. Blinded and deceived by the enemy of their minds. We often blame the blinding and the deception 100% on the old devil but those of us who call ourselves "Christian" are responsible for a great deal of the problem. We display a system not a savior, we display a program not His power, we sing and dance and proclaim it worship, we build buildings to keep people in debt so they are unable to tend to the things of God. Yes we are blinding their minds with our traditions and economic schemes. If I didn't know Jesus I wouldn't want to be a Christian, we seem to present everything but HIM and His body available on earth today!
4. I don't know. I'm still asking this one. History tells us that any nation or empire that promoted diversity over unity collapsed. It is just a politically correct way of saying we are letting you divide yourself into fragments of what you could be.
5. It's the system of the world...divide and conquer. No one wants to be on a level playing field where everybody has enough. Surely God didn't make a mistake and not provide enough for His crowning creation of humanity. Have you ever thought it may be easier to control smaller groups than a united one. I have some friends who have a slogan, "I may not have it all together but together we have it all". Divided we are weakened and lacking.
6. Contrary to popular belief it will COST you everything because you are no longer your own you have been bought with a price. However we have been taught a happy prosperous gospel that does not line up with reality of the life God has given us. Because of these false gospels when people see or face the hardships of life, well we have convinced them by our piety that they surely are not following Christ if everything isn't a Halleluiah and thank you Jesus situation. Life is hard but it's good, and some days ONLY because God says it is.

Why did I write this blog, uh now there's another one.

i am,
Babu Lonnie
       

Sin, God Forbid!

Kate, I apologize in advance of the length and lack of writing skills, but what the heck, maybe folks will get the point and hear HIS voice.

I have been discussing some things on my Facebook page that I thought I may need to share with those of you who read my blog. The discussion has turned to the subject of sin. By the way I ain't for it, I'm against it. However I have participated. It seems to be one of the most difficult subject for most to talk about or understand. I don't mind talking about it and I believe I understand it.

The scripture says our answers should be kept to a simple yes or no. In other words our opinion is not the point, the point is what the Spirit of God says to us through scripture. I want to start with six JUST yes or no questions.
1. Do you believe receiving the gift of God Himself is the only way to gain eternal life?
2. Do you believe rejecting the gift of God Himself will eternally separate you for God?
3. Do you believe morality or immorality determines your eternal destiny?
4. Is sin an act of your spirit?
5. Is sin an act of your flesh?
6. Do you believe that sin will keep you from an eternally destiny with God? 

Let me give you my answers to the questions and as briefly as possible my scriptural basis.
1. Yes...do I need to explain?
2. Yes...a no would contradict my answer to #1
3. No...see answer #1. It will hinder our ability to see people drawn into deeper relationships with God because of our influence or lack of influence. Sin is the stumbling block to believers and non believers alike, and we will suffer like a big rock put around our necks and thrown into deep water. Ever feel like you're drowning?
4. No...if your spirit has been born again by the reception of God Himself, (see Q&A #1) God cannot sin and "it is no longer you that lives but God that lives in you". If your spirit remains dead, has no life it still does not have the ability to sin.
5. No...it is an act of your soul or your will and mind and it will try and tempt the flesh to partake. Sin is birthed in the mind. Remember it is the seat of the knowledge of good and evil. There was no sin until the knowledge of it was revealed to the mind of man. Before the garden incident everything had been proclaimed "good" by God Himself. Nothing changed but the mind of man.
6. No...see Q & A #1. Sin separates us from the eyes of God while living in this present state. God cannot look on sin. In eternity God there will be no sin because there will be no flesh there. In eternity without God there will be no sin because the price of eternal death is being paid. If sin could separate us from God in eternity then His death would be in vain.

On question #6 I am convinced being out of the site of God is the reason so many Born Again Believers have such difficult times here on earth. I believe we've looked at sin as a control mechanism instead of the part of life believers have been set free; from it's penalty, but not it's affect.

When I came to the place in my life I began to listen for HIS voice and not the voice of the commentators I began to hear pure, plain simple truth. Read Romans chapter 5. Verse 9 says Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. I understand His wrath will be eternity without Him. The last part of verse 20 and all of verse 21 says But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Sin separates in this life but rejecting the gift that God provided as payment for you will separate you for eternity. God forbid that we would chose to be separated from Him either here or in time eternal.

i am,
Babu Lonnie

Another Wonderful Day Awaits

With my morning bowl of shredded Wheat and a glass of orange juice under my belt It is time to go out into the masses of the greater metroplex. (Beaver Dam/Hartford Kentucky) With a bustling population of about 2,300 (both cities combined) it is a hotbed of excitement.

With close to 300 of our counties population of about 22,000 in rest homes or in jail that just leaves me about 1,900 lives to impact for the causes that are important to me. Why my causes you may ask, you may but the only answer is because they are my causes and as everyone knows I'm always right.

Someone asked if I really thought I was right all the time. The answer is what kind of idiot do you think I'd be if I argued for things I didn't think was right....wait that would make me a lawyer!

The cause that I have chosen to dedicate my existence to is, drum roll please, LIFE. I mean life, not just living but life the way God intended it. I plan on today tomorrow and everyday following to give my existence over to life and live it just as who I am. The plan is openness and honesty without the false faces that seem to be standard issue for this world and it's system.

My new mantra, If you don't want to know, don't ask. It's my life and it was given to me. I have been placed in charge of it and will be held responsible for everything that is done in this body. My life is to encourage others to live their lives as close to it's full potential as humanly possible. Wish I'd discovered LIFE much earlier. All I was concerned with with death. The standard operating system of traditional Christianity. What if you were to die today? Where will you spend eternity? Death to self!!!

The truth is I should have been asking these questions. What are you gonna do if you live today? and what about you will influence anyone to follow you into eternity? Oh yes they are following! The cry should have been death to the system that rules this world. We are told as followers of Christ NOT to be a part of that system.

Well truth is I can't change any of the past but from today forward I can. There are some wonderful days awaiting. I will impact those I come into contact with by living my life with the purpose of letting others see the reality of God in flesh and walking (temporarily waddling due to weight) among men women and children.

i am
Babu Lonnie   

Welcome to "TAINT"

I use this familiar Kentucky term, "taint", to describe this period between the two major winter holidays. You know that in between time when it "taint" Thanksgiving and it "taint" Christmas.

The time we are given a break to fall back into our lives of unthankfulness and just hope we can survive till time comes for our next selfish endeavor of gluttony. But next time we'll add the selfish treat of gift giving. This next season of over abundance we blame on the birth of Baby Jesus.

The fact is this special time that we set aside to celebrate the birth of Jesus, (who was the man God choose to come to earth in), has become just another holiday instead of the Holy Day it was intended. But why fret the same is true with the beloved Sabbath, (whatever day your day of rest maybe), as well as the day the resurrection of Christ should be celebrated. 

So for the next 29 days we can return to screwing our neighbors, killing our brothers and sisters, choosing not to love, loving not to be publicly responsible to be thankful or show love to our fellowman. Yes we can return to life as usual in the rat race we call life.

I have come to the awareness, just this morning that what we have called life is not life at all. It is mere existence. Existing until the next occasion presents itself and we put on the faces we are supposed to wear year round. Funny isn't it? Most of us enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas and the really cool part is...they can be lived everyday. Oh but the limits we place on the good or shall I say the God that lives in us.

Think I may experiment, live a life of thankfulness and remembering the coming of God to earth in the form of man (ME & YOU) everyday. I think I'll try just being ungrateful and self centered on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Happy Day After Thanksgiving,
"i am",
Babu Lonnie

YES "i am"

My last post I was in quite a quandary over the "i am" thing, but now I got it and am on my way to a life of bliss...

"i am" a member of the body of Christ on earth today. "i am" filled with the same God that Jesus was filled with while He was here on earth. "i am" a human being not a human doing. "i am" only part of the body of Christ not the whole body, therefore "i am" responsible for  only the things my particular part of the body was created to do.

In times past I have been taught and taught each individual had to "DO IT" all or they were something less than what God wanted or expected of them. But over the last few days sitting in my comfortable Lazy Boy recliner being thankful for what I have, I begin to see that I should be thankful for the part I have been ordained to be in His Body.

The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen United States of America said in the opening sentence of the second paragraph, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

I believe the independence we gain by declaring our allegiance to God and independence from the bondage of religion also insures us the right of equality in God's sight but here's the rub, we aren't all created to do or be the same member or part of His Body.

"i am" what i am by the power of the creator. However "i am" what I should be by knowing my place or part in The Body and making choices to be the best at what I have been created to be. God's Kingdom is not a welfare state it is a work state. You don't work your way into the Kingdom but you work your way INTO Him while serving in the Kingdom.

Depending on the conditions surrounding me I will adapt my part and BE applicable to the world around me so they may get a glimpse of the God that lives in me. HE IS LIFE...LIBERTY... and better than happiness...HE IS MY JOY. His Life, Liberty and Joy can never be taken by anything or anyone. For that I am eternally thankful

This year "i am" still thankful for family and stuff but "i am" most thankful that I have discovered the GREAT I AM gives me the privilege and responsibility of being (Him in me and me in Him) just cause "i am".

Happy Thanksgiving, 
"i am"
Babu Lonnie 

Got Pumpkin?

 I really thought I could wait till closer to Halloween to share this post but, (no pun intended), I can’t wait any longer. I want as many folks as possible to enjoy this holiday treat.

Not much else to be said, no it’s not me before you ask! Wish I’d thought of it though!

This may be why I never liked Halloween, it’s scary!!! Pumpkin pie anyone?

Babu Lonnie

“The Voice” In My Head & Heart

“The Voice” comes and goes as it seems to somewhere out in front of me calling and encouraging me to come and see what is ahead for me. I am often fearful because of lack of knowledge of what lies ahead. But I am so thankful I recognize “The Voice”. Without it I would surely be led astray, even farther than I wander on my own. Being the dumb sheep that I am, if I fail to hear “The Voice” of the Good Shepherd I could be poisoned by my enemies, fall into a snare of a trapper or worse yet I could lead other sheep to their hurt or even destruction.

There is “The Voice” crying in the wilderness yet today. The cry is the cry of old, REPENT (have a change of mind) and be BAPTIZED (immersed into Him, His body on earth today).

May I be so bold and tell you what I’m hearing? It’s nothing new, in fact I believe it was the first thing said about Our Good Shepherd after His resurrection. Mary said it to the other disciples in John Chapter 20. Paraphrasing a bit she said, “They have taken His body and we don’t know where they have put Him”.

I believe I heard the Good Shepherd Himself make that statement to my spirit…they have taken my body and I don’t know where they have put it. They have tried to moved me from grave to grave to grave over the centuries and all I wanted was to have flesh that would be up and about the Fathers dwelling among men.

He was talking about those folks who were trying to move Him from grave to grave to grave when He said “come out from among them and be separate”.

I have repented (changed my mind) and been baptized (become an alive moving member in His Body). If have have hurt or harmed any of my readers in the past by my spiritual grave hopping, I ask your forgiveness. 

If you listen closely for yourself you can hear “The Voice” calling…Follow Me…Come and See!!!

Babu Lonnie

What Are Friends For?

Have you ever had anybody ask the question, “what are friends for”? Usually it is after they have done something for you that actually makes them look good. But maybe the Lord showed me what a true, real friend is. Let me briefly explain.

I have a friend who does very little “stuff” for me but loves me unconditionally and vice versa. He was tell me about another person he knows that is having a bit of difficulty and needed some help. He explained he really didn’t know the folks very well but deep down inside he felt he needed to do something to alleviate his new friends hurt. By the way the cost of friendship is not always dollars and cents. Friendship is made up of far more valuable things like caring, listening, visiting and of course unconditional love that can only be found through a relationship with The Lord Jesus Christ. And sometimes it does boil down to money.

My friend called me for advice as how to proceed and together we decided how to best express our love for my friends new friend. My point on friendship is this: you may not be able to be what another person needs at a certain time or under specific circumstances but true, real friends have shown themselves friendly to others that can be called on to fill in the gap and make the cycle of friendship expand. By the way it cost my friend something to be a friend, it cost me something to be my friends friend and it will, at some point cost our new friend something to be our friend. I read something recently that said “I may not have it all together but together we have it all.

Geographically the three of us are miles apart but we are together because of this bond of friendship. The bond of true friendship is built on just one thing, or shall I say just one God who took of the form of man in the person of The Lord Jesus Christ who was conceived of God, crucified and rose from the dead to pay the price of His precious blood to buy back the relationship mankind forfeited through disobedience. Now here is the good news He lives to give us life, He is now taking on the form of man once again and is looking for a few good men and women who are willing to be a friend the sticks closer than a brother to his fellow human beings whatever the cost.

You can have brother and sister biologically and even spiritually that are not your friends but oh baby when the combination of friendship and relationship happens…you are without question willing to lay down your life for that person. Thanks for another lesson in life, you are da man!!!

Trying to be a true friend,
Babu Lonnie

Covenant or Contract

I have been doing some serious thinking for the last couple months. It stated came out in our national officers meeting for SFC. The subject was stimulated even more by my friends Mike & Linda Jones. Here are my thoughts in a nutshell.

We seem to prefer contracts over covenants since they can be made or broken without applying or shedding of blood. We seem to prefer law over love. It appears to me we have applied contract law to covenant activities and wonder why they fail. The reason you make a contract is insurance or self-preservation when someone or something fails. It also produces motivation to accomplish a task using selfish incentives.  Oh but a covenant is made of love and sealed with grace and mercy knowing the failure before it even occurs. Covenant provides a selfless motivation knowing the price has already been paid!

We have applied contracts to our labor force and selfishly priced ourselves out of the market. We have applied contracts to our sports and recreations and turned games into cut throat industries. We have contractually agreed to the rules of religion and took Jesus out of the equation. We have contracted for spouses and when when we grow tired of one we break the contract, pay a penalty and contract another spouse.

Can you imagine providing labor out of love for your neighbor and pride in a job well done. Think about sporting events and recreational areas you could afford and not be fearful  to take your family. Just sit back and be amazed at covenant giving and worship in lieu of tithes and spiritual manipulation. What about God joining a man and a woman in the Holy Bonds of Marriage, Relationships built on “His” holiness, bound together by “His” unconditional love, married to the point that what God has joined together do not participate in tearing it apart.

Oh well there I go again off in another world…, wish I could stay. You know I  thought I heard God say that to my spirit just the other day!!! Surely not.

Living in and under a “New & Better”Covenant”,
Babu Lonnie     

You Choose….

Jeff McKeown and I have been talking about “choices” for several years. Here are the conclusions I’ve come to:

1.  Life is just one choice after another.
2. We make choices without having all the information God has.
3. Those choices without any God info come back to bite us.
4. There are always consequences for any choice we make.
5. The choices we make concerning brothers and sisters in the faith are based on love with boundaries or guidelines.
6. The choices we make concerning those outside the household of faith must be based simply on unconditional love.

I apparently suck at making “the right” choices, seems the choices I’m faced with….well, no excuses….as my friend Icky Rick says to me at every opportunity, “YOU SUCK”. I’m beginning to think the little tick turd may be right.

Choosing to BE,
Babu Lonnie