I have had the honor of being featured in ON WORD magazine, Winter 2008/2009 edition, with
a narrative titled Puppeteer which you can find in the Moody Bible Institute box in the site
directory.  This magazine is circulated to alumni world wide.


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I have had the honor of being featured in ON WORD magazine, Winter 2008/2009
edition, with a narrative titled Puppeteer which you can find in the Moody Bible
Institute box in the site directory.  This magazine is circulated to alumni world wide.

_________________________________________________________________________________

































A NEW THING
    
"Every person has sinned, and therefore cannot measure up to God's standard"
Romans 3:23


The staggering truth of the verse above is what each one of us has had to deal with, and at the moment
of that realization we understood the absolute need to trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior; the only
One capable and worthy to redeem us from our fallen condition.  It's a pretty simple concept,
for once you get it – you get it.  Now the question is this: do we live as though we've been set free?  
Can anyone else tell – anyone at all?  

The Bible presents some bloody accounts.  In its pages there are scores of grossly descriptive tales of
individual slayings as well as morbid battles with consequences which make us shudder at the thought.  
And it began from the git go.  

Adam and Eve succumbed to a simple pleasure of eating an apple and were suddenly susceptible to
death, a previous unknown conclusion.  Their sin was one of disobedience.  

Noah's generation got wiped off the face of the earth because the people became oblivious to their
Creator; thus wicked.  Death by drowning – another previous unknown.  

The flourishing cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because God couldn't find but a handful
of righteous people within their walls.  They were so self-absorbed that they were inhospitable to
God's angels (it was not a mandate against homosexual people by the way).  That resulted in an
earthquake of such magnitude that it was well off the Richter Scale.

So, was God laughing all the time?  No, quite the opposite.  This new thing – death – was the result of
our corporate sin.  We all, by osmosis, share the responsibility.  Death was not necessarily God's
original intent.  Not that God didn't know it was coming.  Of course God knew.  God knows everything
that was and everything that will be.  

It comes full circle to God's only begotten Son Jesus.  He is the one who redeems us from ultimate
death.  If any one of us were in God's place…..not a reasonable scenario I know, but just pretend…..
would we have given up our only child to die a gruesome death for a bunch of disobedient people?  
I doubt it.   




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Incognito

"Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John"
Matthew 3:13


Something was different about this Nazarene. He wasn't big and burly.  He was neither precious nor
rugged.  But something in his deep greenish brown eyes humbled John like no other.  There was no
debate that this was the man he had been preaching about: the One who was greater than all.

But the time was not yet right when everyone would understand.  With Jesus standing before him,
John the Baptist suddenly lacked words and could proclaim nothing in this moment.  No one paid
attention to the man who hailed from Nazareth as he began to kneel in the river before John.  
His body descending, the water of the Jordan rose quickly to his neck.  He was then briefly immersed
as John baptized him.  John felt unworthy to do this, but the Nazarene told him he must.  

It was done.  Something strange, peculiar, had just happened, but no one except John could fully
comprehend the scope of it.  Some saw a light flash before them in the form of a dove.  Others did not,
assuming it to be lightening and thus moving back from the river bank, lest they be struck.  Some
thought they heard the voice from heaven.  Others heard nothing.  The Nazarene, soaked and dripping,
slowly walked away in the same manner as he had first appeared.  Few noticed except Jesus' cousins
who were watching from afar, confused and questioning.

It would be a number of weeks later when the mysterious man would return.  John was again busy
baptizing and calling for repentance, when he looked up and saw the man approaching incognito from
the direction of the desert.  His olive toned skin was darker, sunburned.  When he came closer, John
asked him his name.  "Jesus", he said reassuringly.

Proclaiming in a loud voice, bellowing as he was known to do, John hailed Jesus as the Messiah, the
fulfillment of prophetic utterances of generations.  Again only a few took notice.  There were more
pressing concerns than the ranting and ravings of John, the strange one who lived on locusts and
honey.  This man before him was not the image of the messiah that they were prepared to embrace.  
Surely John was mistaken.

And so it had begun.          




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LOST IN PRAISE

"From the ends of the earth we'll hear singing,
GLORY TO THE RIGHTEOUS ONE"
Isaiah 24:16


God always has saints who are faithful, regardless of what the state of affairs is.  The heart of the true
believer rejoices in the glory of God, perceives the beauty in apparent ugliness, believes the best in
people even when they aren't doing what is right, and longs to do none other than to bow before God's
holy and majestic presence.  In the midst of chaos and tremendous loss, Haitians who had lost
everything they had, including loved ones, were parading in the street singing praises to the Holy One.  
Some literally lost themselves in praise.

Have you ever been in a huge gathering where hundreds, even thousands of hands were lifted high in
unconditional praise?  The singing becomes a glorious thing to behold and you want nothing other than
to praise and worship your Creator.  You don't want it to ever end.  

Worshipful heartfelt singing when you're alone driving in your car or by yourself anywhere, blesses your
Creator.  It never goes unheeded or unappreciated.  Listening to inspirational Christian music brings
you to a place of praise and worship again and again.  Whether solitary without the masses of people,
or in the midst of hundreds, it's just as meaningful.  The Holy Spirit embraces you and in the presence of
holiness you again find yourself in that familiar aura of praise.  Isaiah, David, and Anna knew this well.   
It's okay to lose yourself in praising God.  Give glory to your Creator.  You will draw nigh into God's
presence.





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PREPARING TO FLY

One day soon I too will fly away.  I
offer this web site because you
need to know that there are other
ways of looking at things.  I am
born-again and baptized in the
Holy Spirit.  Jesus is my best
friend, and I'm not just saying that
because it sounds appropriate.  I
lean right wing in my Biblical
beliefs and left wing in my politics.  
Background - Word Of Life, Bob
Jones U, Moody Bible Institute,
Samaritan Bible Seminary, MCC,
Shekinah Fellowship.....not exactly
in that order, and yes I'm well
beyond my youth.  Once I did a
minuscule bit with Campus
Crusade, briefly pastored two
churches, have had writings
featured, and have been a word of
knowledge minister.  I speak in
tongues and sometimes when I
pray with people God chooses to
slay them in the Holy Spirit.  

I have thoughts, inspiration from
the Lord.  I'm a thinker, often way
out of the box, and will offer
writings which some of you will
love, while others of you will need
to tighten your seat belts, but they
will make you think about things
you may not have considered ever
before.  That's a good thing, right?  
I'm working on two books.  The first
book is almost completed and the
second is not far behind.  I don't
want to fly away without making a
difference.

___________________________
IN REMEMBRANCE

My mother went to heaven in June
of 2007 year at age 93,  joining my
father.  She and I were closer than
many knew.  She was a saint.  I
think of her all the time and miss
her so much.  I have a lot of her
books, and the one which I read
and re-read constantly is a daily
devotional by CH Spurgeon.  She
underlined things that meant a lot
to her, and with my adding my own
underscoring, there's a lot of
penciling going on.  Good for us!  
She was Baptist, but God called
me to go deeper and I became
charismatic.  Mother and I had
some meaningful talks and a good
mother-son bond.  We had some
conversations that I will never
share with anyone else.  She told
me she loved her gay son.  She
approved of my writings; said she
loved them.  That's good enough
for me.
_____________________

I HONOR THOSE
PROGRESSIVE IN
THOUGHT, NAMELY...

Dr Sanjay Gupta
Joy Hartwell
Pres Barak Obama
Rev Don Pederson
Brigid de Jong
Hillary Clinton
Rev Dr Sherry Kennedy
Rev Lee Carlton
Anne Hume
Anderson Cooper
Susie Dixon
Archives
________________________________________________
DEER   FORCE
I take heart and gain strength
I run like a deer
I feel like I'm king of the mountain
HABAKKUK  3:19    From The Message
Comments
________________________________________________

You hooked me right off – Pat M  

I love the feel of the site. It feels
tranquil, relaxing and inviting –
Karen M

I was quite inspired by the writings
and the real way you bring it all to
life – Liz B

We can expect great things from
you – Tom S

Liked your intro and description of
who you are – Rev Dan Nagel

You should read some of the
things my wise and gifted cousin
has written - and you will Believe!
- Wendy K

Great website and wounderfull
messages.  After days of writer's
block, your writings gave me the
inspiration I needed for the
devotionals I send to my
congregation in the Dominican
Republic.  Thank you -
Rev Tania Guzman

Beautiful site…you are a talented
writer – Ray G

Your inspirational words are
something I will return to - Bobbi B

Enjoyed all of your vignettes--much
wisdom, delightful reading -
David C

Awesome writings - Keith G

Inspirational and challenging
for those who desire
a deeper walk with our Savior -
Rev Lee Carlton

Wow! Very inspirational - Jeff C

Makes you look at life
and everything in a different way -
Barbara A

Your ability to understand and
quote scriptures is very impressive,
a natural wordsmith - Donna A

Thank you for reminding me that
the margins are where God does
His best work - Toni W

A real accomplishment, I look
forward to more - Victoria B

Attractive and meaningful website,
will attract anyone who is
hungering to grow - Sharon K

You have found a way to share
something good and pure,
embraceable, & provocative.  
Feels good to stretch those
boundaries - Dana W

You have done wonders -
writings are engrossing and
lovely to read - Chris K

Your website is wonderful - Mary P

I feel God's spirit speaking through
you and we are all benefiting -
a WONDERFUL expression of
God's gift to you - Susan C

Simply told yet powerful stories
which convey your deep beliefs - I
enjoy reading them; although not
a Christian - Stephanie E

Love your website.  I plan on going
back to it to continue reading,
thank you - Theresa W

Am truly very impressed.  The
content is easy to navigate. It's a
great site - Andrew K

A nice looking site - Jeff L

To say I'm impressed or that I was
truly moved would be an under-
statement.  The words touched the
deepest part of me and I know
without a doubt that those words
will touch the hearts of all who read
them - Wayne O

Chock full of all sorts of thought-
provoking and inspiring prose
- Joy H

I appreciate that it centers on
Christian spirituality, centering on
Christ. The most mportant thing is
what happens in our hearts - Ed N

I have enjoyed looking at the web
site and love the tribute to your
mother - Patty W

Not too right, not too left,
but right on! - Rod H

So  uplifting.  I will visit often
- Paulette H

Your writings are a real comfort
- Brigid D
candid  narratives.....  from  richard  lydiard  white
Be sure to visit the Archives and other sections.
                  
The directory will give you many options -

just click on "Site Directory" link above
________________________

RECENTLY SEEN
BUMPER STICKERS
667
neighbor of the beast!
Who would Jesus  bomb?
The real supreme court
meets up here  -  GOD
Your contribution can
help maintain this site
_____________________
Comments

Wow! What a website! - Barry A

I saw so much joy of life and the
Lord's joy in those pics, and then it
all ended in the softest and
saddest of sentences.  I'm glad
you are sharing this side of Brant
-Caryn L

Thank you for sharing all of those
pictures, they bring a certain
comfort, seeing Brant in such a
relaxed and easy manner.  My
heart just sunk knowing these
vibrant
faces have died of AIDS
- Elaine S

Thank you so much for being so
open about yourself and Brant. It
means a lot to me - Hanna T

This is one of the finest web sites
on the net - something for every
level of spirituality and common
sense.  Outrageous, fun, &
informative photos in the site
directory - Darren K

All encompassing and inspiring,
and with great photos - Bob F

Anxious to know more about your
ministries and can't wait for your
books to come out - Dave F

Definitely a premier site on the Net
for inspiration.  Certainly is mine -
Paul K

Wow - I have a lot more digesting
to do - David K

Where has this site been hiding?  
It's incredible.....minstered to me.....
really hit the spot - Tim J

I love that picture of you and Brant.
You totally melted my heart.
Your website is truly wonderful
- David S

Thank you for sharing your web-
site.....inspiring writings.  re:
Brant.....
we shared the same friend at one
time - Jud H

I am very impressed with the site's
comprehensiveness.  Seems like
you have a portal to many different
parts of your life - Russ H

I followed the link to your web
page, and I am blown away by the  
things you have there - Brigid D

The pictures are wonderful.  What
a fantastic treat.  Wonderful website
- Rev Don Pederson

Good work and ministry on your site
- Rev Lee Carlton

Love all the pics of the family!
- Casey G

I enjoyed the insights your web
page provided for me spiritually
- L Saint John

Great stuff, brings back lots of
memories - L Hill

I read your entire web site and
think it is marvelous.  God has
blessed you with quite a gift
- Hazel M  

I keep checking your website –
continues to get more amazing
- Wendy K

Lovely readings on your site
- Marsha Stevens, Balm Ministries

Your website is fantastic, and so
are your writings - Michele M

Very interesting and would
probably take me a year to go
through it all
- Diane S

The site is great - informative,
sensitive and peaceful
- Susie D

What an amazing gift you have with
words - Dorothy B

Soulful, insightful and very spiritual
- Rita H
___________________________

RECENT SERMON
QUOTE:

"Some of the best gifts
don't look like them
when they come to you"

(Reverend Sherry Kennedy)
You have the right to keep silent
USE IT

Member of