Rage -- Get it to the Maker, He needs all that you have

[PHOTO Credit UNKNOWN]
by Pat Darnell

Rage is the observable pace and speed of the Spirit of God the Father Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth.... so I say.

Why say that? Simple: it is too easy to skip over unless one is "slowed down" and able to see better.

It is said that rabbi's practice three-day fasts, having only water, to cleanse themselves for an important event. And it is also done when important decisions must be made. How are we to judge others if we are not some how transformed into a better judge?

So it is with seeing the blinding, raging, speeding works of God. Think it over.

Clues are all over the Bible; in both books. The old testaments suggest a seven spirited God, whose name cannot be said. The new testaments, especially Revelations of John, repeat the same seven spirits of God, seven heads, seven seals. It is a pretty important number; so must be number three, but I have heard rabbi's sometimes have seven day fasts when confronted with enormous decisions.

This is what I want to say: if you have rage ... and almost everyone does ... then point it directly to God through Jesus Christ. That is the crux of this post. God in his infinite conservation of all things will use your rage. Where you fail in emotional upheaval, He creates and puts everything to good use.

Would you ever say "the volcano flows calmly in bows of gentle turns" ? No you are more likely to say "the volcano rages." God, in one of His "seven" spirits creates, controls and, recycles, volcanoes in raging speed.

Restoration Churches in America

An Explanation
Retrieved verbatim by Pat Darnell  |  McTavish, TJM. c2005. A Theological Miscellany

[Page 89 ...]
The term restoration churches refers to groups that have formed to restore what they believe to be the practice of the New Testament church, renouncing all creeds and holding only to the Bible as their authority. The movement began in North America in the early 1800's and is also called the "Christians-only-movement." It had two main thrusts

1. emulating the New Testament church
2. restoring the unity of the Church by avoiding denominational structures

Over time the movement divided between these two aims. Those stressing early Christian practices largely withdrew from contact with other churches while those who sought unity other churches lost many of the "primitive" or early Christian traits.

In the process, the movement to end denominational-ism resulted in the formation of many new denominations, though. [M]ost restorations groups refuse to be considered denominations and avoid organizations and avoid organizations that officially link their local churches.

Because many of these churches call themselves "Christian" or "Churches of Christ" it is often hard to tell which branch of the movement they belong to.

Thus:
Groups stemming from the "Christians Only" movement include:

• Christian Church -- Disciples of Christ
• Christian Churches and Churches of Christ -- Independent
• Churches of Christ -- Non-instrumental
• International Churches of Christ -- "Crossroads" or "Boston" movement

(McTavish, TJM. c2005. page 89. A Theological Miscellany)

The Rhetoric of Tiger Woods -- Buddhist Golf Man

See entire Transcript and Video HERE

[Video at 13:25] BUDDHISM ? -- YIKES !!

[Excerpts]  “ ... I recognize I have brought this on myself. And I know, above all, I am the one who needs to change. I owe it to my family to become a better person. I owe it to those closest to me to become a better man. That's where my focus will be. I have a lot of work to do. I tend to dedicate myself to doing it. Part of following this path for me is Buddhism which my mother taught me at a young age. People probably don't realize it but I was raised a Buddhist and practiced my faith until I drifted away from it. This teaches me to stop following every impulse and to learn restraint. Obviously, I lost track of what I was taught."

[ ... ]

Therapy, Rehab ? -- Double YIKES !!

“ ... As I move forward, I will continue to receive help because I have learned that's how people really do change. Starting tomorrow, I will leave for more treatment and more therapy. I would like to thank my friends at Accenture and the players in the field this week for understanding why I am making these remarks today. In therapy, I have learned the importance of looking at my spiritual life and keeping in balance with my professional life. I need to regain my balance and be centered so I can save the things most important to me, my marriage and my children. That also means relying on others for help. I have learned to seek support from my peers in therapy and someday hope to return that support to others who are seeking help ... " (Woods, T. Excerpts retrieved today by PD)

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My Carpenter Prayer

by Pat Darnell

Make my tools true
and strong
My hands to never tremble
construct never wrong

Make this house
a dwelling of peace
on foundation of rock

Walls square, plumb
with roof that
sheds tears
from the world

Walls that allow
peaceful slumber
... no makeshift doors
no rotten lumber

Make only doors
hinged for my
Prince of Peace

Plane blessingson
this dwelling
with hope, charity
and a garden of faith surround
Amen.
[pd. 2000]

Go Ahead

by Pat Darnell

Go ahead, blame God
for knowing
all the eventualities

Blame God
for putting ban
on human contact
Blame God
for planting
seed of choice

Blame God
for putting His
face upon you

Blame God
for leavening
of Man

Blame God
for the understatement
that is Christ

Go ahead, blame God
if you must
but do it
with all you are

I say, do it
with your all.