Is There a Bomb in Gilead

IS THERE A BOMB IN GILEAD?

LIGHTNING,

          THUNDER,

                  EARTHQUAKES...

A third of the stars fall from the sky, God who sits high and mighty on His throne in heaven gave the order. Michael the Arc Angel led the troops into battle. Cast from heaven they are all on Earth, which is now their dwelling place. Sin was found in their leader. All of his followers were in rebellion against God almighty. Planted in the battle field, placed on earth is mankind created and dwells there too, the third heaven for some of us and hell for others. These are the fallen Angels and Satan once called Lucifer. Lost forever is his name and his place in heaven. Who can hope to survive in this terrible environment?

They talk to me all the time telling me negative things. I know now these thoughts are not my own. The mind is the battle field. The enemies of God want to reign on this planet. And the only way to control man is through his mind. Take control of the mind and mastery of the body will follow. They try to discourage me. They tell me the things I ought not to do. I know better though. Sometimes I don't know if what I do is right or wrong. I have to fight my own battle in my head. I know I'm forgiven. Jesus took care of that, but I can't forget my past. Only God can forget. All my sins have been cast into the sea of forgetfulness. I spend time in Gods word, which is my only refuge.

There is no quality time for study. I must do it all the time. There are no time outs in the study of Gods word. Sometimes as the battle rages in me and around me, I have to rely on the word that is buried in my heart. No time to find the book of righteousness. Warring makes study difficult at times. That is why I must study all the time to be ready for the next battle. There is a time for study, and there is a time for warfare.

Lord have mercy on me I pray. Deliver me from this torment. I have begun to discern the things of the Spirit. The thoughts that come into my mind I try to divide from my own. Some thoughts I know I would not think of by exercise, by taking time out to sort through the many thoughts going through my head. I go to that secret place and listen. Then I think a thought. Yes, that one is mine. No, that one is not. Do I hear from the Lord and the angels that minister to me?

There are times I hear encouragement. I feel comforted. I meditate on what I have read in Gods word. I even do sermons in my head. Oh how I wish I could share these sermons with others, but time passes and there is no one to hear them. I can't even remember them the way I developed them in my head. Great sermons I think! Maybe they are just for me. Perhaps during these trials my spirit prepares them just for me, and they come to my conscious mind.

Who is the greatest preacher in the world today? I, am. We all need to feel that way. No one can preach the gospel like I can. No one has gone through the things I have. No one is going through the things I'm going through today. God has prepared me, and each of us to deliver the gospel to the world. The most effective way is one on one. Pulpit ministries are good, but for the most part people come there prepared to hear the gospel.

We have to bring Church to the streets. To those who are waiting for God to come to them instead. For what ever reason. You have to prove yourself before they are ready to listen to you. They also have the opportunity to question everything you say and confront you at any time. There are many times opportunities present themselves. Perhaps these battles are turned into opportunities to prepare myself for a one on one encounter. When they present themselves I am ready.

Is there a balm to ease my aching mind? Is there a soothing cool ointment? Jesus is a balm in Gil e add and with him is a host of Angels, the other two thirds who did not fall. They come to minister to me and others. There is a war in the heavens, a constant battle for our soul salvation. Cast down from heaven the fallen Angels are our foes. Led by Satan once called Lucifer, he wants to kill, steal and destroy our mortal bodies. He wants us to join him in the Lake of Fire.

He wants to use us, this planet and all its inhabitants. He wants to be like God. That is his problem. There is only one God, King of kings, Lord of all, over all dominion's, principalities, and powers in heaven and earth. He allows Satan to continue. But to Satan's dismay God is magnified and exhalted throughout the land in God's children, who are a witness to his grace and power, and by his other angels who stand fast.

Even the Angels who were spared God's wrath marvel at man. How God continues to use them and save them. One at a time we come forth and the Angels rejoice. I imagine there is a constant roar in heaven as the Angels praise God when each one comes forth to know Christ as their Personal Savior. How long do they rejoice over a lost soul being found I don't know?

They probably rejoice for themselves as well. They could have been cast down from heaven as well. But God elected them, and his children on earth before the foundation, the solar systems were even made. Oh how magnificent are his ways and thoughts far above what we can even hope to imagine. That he would even think to save me and you.

How can I a mortal man defeat such an enemy as Satan. He has been around a long time, since the beginning of time warring against the saints. He has been accusing the saints even though we have been forgiven Jesus having paid the price for our souls. He has had a lot of practice. His army of evil: Powers, Principalities, Rulers of darkness, and Spiritual Wickedness in high places, like an army are all in place. Angels from heaven have to pass through this wall of intrusion to minister to us.

It is amazing how some people are so quick to accuse others when that is one of the tools of Satan. He is the accuser of the brethren. Should they not instead offer forgiveness and reconciliation? You know God has given us, the Church, the ministry of reconciliation. We are therefore reconciled unto Christ for all of our sins. Let us be reconciled with our brothers and sisters. Let us move on to the greater things in him. At judgment day Christ will hold us all accountable for the works we do here on earth. Let Him be the judge.

Sometimes I have to wait on my help, some how I endure. Many others are not even aware of their presence, the bomb in Gil e add. Pawns they are to the whims of the Devil. All I can do is wait until my help comes, until they stop pursuing me. My victory is in the Lord. He delivers me every time.

What do they want from me, to stop serving God? To stop being a COG in His wheel, and become a CLOG in his drain? No way! What greater calling is there than to be a Child Of God? To be submitted to the will of God no matter where it may take you, or how it affects your life, and the lives of others? God is a mystery. His mysteries are revealed to his children alone.

                   

For what purpose did God place man in this predicament? Does this battle help lead to my perfection? Am I being transformed into a spirit? Has my spirit man been awakened in me? Has my Spirit become strong enough to come forth and fight my battle, while my fleshly body pertains to the things of this world? We are spirit, mind and body. Can all three operate independently as well as together, separate but one?

We are to separate ourselves from this world. We are to live in it as well. As Paul said, "Fleeing all fornications and adulteries so that we could do that what we would. Fornication means idolatry." How many of us are willing to find out, that what we would, when we don't know what that is, that we would do? We are so busy mimicking the world system, in pursuit of, or worrying about, what we would not be able to do, instead of looking forward to, what we would be able to do.

That which is a mystery and has to be revealed to us by God. Finding solace in the Comfort Zone, and fearing the Twilight Zone, they won't pursue the Would Zone. There is no growth in the Comfort Zone. The Twilight Zone is fear which by the way is not of God but of the Devil, and they are not even aware of the Would Zone which is revealed by walking with God.

His Kingdom is not of this world. They don't study the Bible enough. They rely on what they hear only, and only remember in part. The key to remembering much is to study the same thing over and over again until you know it well for yourself. If you forget, look it up. So when you do hear you can add to what you already know, instead of review.

The only way we can find out what we would, is to flee these things. That means leaving the security of what we know, the things of the flesh, to that which we don't know, the things of the Spirit. How many are willing to take that risk into the unknown?

The things of the Spirit cannot be understood by those who are walking in the flesh. So who can explain it to them? A spiritual man understands the things of the flesh as well, but the things of the Spirit can not be received by those who do not desire to take a walk in the Spirit. They have to step out in faith, and experience it for themselves.

How can two walk together unless they agree? So they look at others, and see their gifts in operation and say things like, "I wish I had your gift." But do they really? Or they say, "They don't teach that in my church." Then they go back to their Comfort Zone. Among others that won't venture out either.

They go back to the world trying to compete with it and maintain some sense of Spirituality. Buying a new car on credit thinking that is how God blesses. What about purchasing a library of Bible study aids? Why not enroll in a Bible College or Seminary?

                   

It never ceases to amaze me when preachers preach against a formal Bible education, and instead encourage people to get a secular education so they can make money, money, money. Why not Bible, Bible, Bible? Can't you trust God to lead you in your studies? Where do you think the God gifted teachers of Ephesians chapter 4 verse 11 are?

Doesn't it occur to them that they might be teaching in schools? That the Sunday school curriculum might be too elementary? That there are perhaps deeper studies in God's word? They might even discover the verse that say's

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Second Timothy Chapter 2 verse 15 .

There were schools for prophets in the Old Testament. Elijah stopped by one and picked up Elisha his successor. Guess who got the mantle and a double anointing? The Old and New Testament fathers were well studied men, scholars of the law and the prophets. Paul who wrote most of the epistles to the churches studied under Gamaliel, a Pharisee and celebrated doctor of the law. After he was born again God brought understanding to Paul of that which he had studied, as well as revelation. After much study comes inspiration, illumination, and revelation.

You should never be satisfied with your level of spirituality. Elisha wanted a double portion. To become comfortable is to stop the development of your spirituality. You must leave all things behind and press on towards the higher callings in Christ Jesus. It is a total faith walk. It is a forward momentum not a stopping place.

And there is no turning back. I believe that is what scares people the most. If they go too far they can't come back to that old Comfort Zone. They remember what it cost them just to get where they are. Now they just want to enjoy the earth and the fullness there of which by the way is misinterpreting what God is trying to tell us.

It is not of meat, drink, cars and homes, but a oneness with God and above all spirituality, for God is a Spirit and those who worship him must do so in spirit and truth. God’s word is the truth. When Christ comes we will be like him; perfected. It takes all of Gods gifts to the Church to perfect the saints.

My weapons against the powers of darkness are not the weapons devised by man. No they don't work against Spiritual forces. I have to pray. I have to read Gods word and meditate day and night on what I have read. The gifts of the Spirit must be in operation and exercised. The more I know of God's word, the truth the stronger more self-assured I become. The more I battle against the enemy, the more I exercise my gifts, the stronger I become.

I have to be clean, way down on the inside. So far down the enemy forces can't reach me there. The forces coming against me decrease in number to just a few, and then even those have to retreat. God will make you clean inside. Defeat is imminent for the enemy of both God and man. His time is short according to God. But for me a thousand years is just one day in Gods time. I don't have that long to live here on earth. But during this time I have work to do. And I'm not talking about an eight hour a day job.

Long suffering: Some try to call this word patience, but I saw in Scripture where both words were used in the same sentence. Jesus suffered long in His 32 years of life as a man, but also when He was separated from the Father when He became sin for us. Took it away, therefore taking away the sting of death for those who believe on His name. That must have been an eternity for Him, and facing the Devil alone. But He is God, and I am not. I have no desire to become God.

The battle rages. During the breaks I spend time with God. I know He's always there but I miss Him. His personal, secure touch is always there. He watches over me. I hope he says this is my son. Watch him I know he will endure. If I can just endure I know there is salvation at the end.

God rescues me all the time. That is when he is most truly real to me! Sometimes at the point of giving up, he throws a life preserver. I get that phone call I was waiting for after several failed attempts on my part. Somebody comes by and talks to me and gives me words of encouragement at just the right time. Or I minister to someone that ministers to me as well. I could go on and on about his salvation.

Once I even felt as if someone was giving me a push. Like a hand would periodically press against my backpack as I walked down the street urging me to continue walking, prodding me along. I could not help but giggle.

I believe that is the meaning of salvation that the Lord brings into a believers life. Romans then talks about how Israel needs to be saved, but they must be born again first, receive the righteousness that only comes from Christ, and faith in Him. Then they could be part of the *whosoever* call's on the name of Jesus shall be saved. I call on that great name all the time. But first you have to believe on whom you call. Hey, people call the police all the time. They believe in them and the authority behind them. Jesus on earth got His authority from God in heaven, but now all power is in His name. Call on Him.

The prophets and preachers sent could not convince Israel about Christ. Preachers today can't do it. They would not listen to them. People today won't listen. So in Romans chapter eleven, God said that he saved a remnant of them. That is how all Israel is saved, a remnant through election Gods sovereign choice of whom he wants in his kingdom. God saves us that way too.

God calls a people unto Himself all by Himself. Somehow we are part of the process of bringing others to Christ. Are you part of that remnant that God elected and saves? Ask God. Seek His face with all your mind body and soul. Receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

                   

Salvation is nothing short of a miracle. The world is in search of a miracle. Blind to all those miracles around them that have become common place. I bet if I could go back in time, drive up and pick up Jesus in a Lexus, People would think it a miracle. Fortunately Jesus only asked for an ass to ride into town. I don't think Jesus presented anymore than the people were ready for. Salvation is the greatest of all miracles. Just think God would take time out just to save me and you.

I have my own observation about the miracles or creations devised by man, such as the Lexus automobile. I call it the sand box theory. Remember when we were kids? We would build castles in the sand and we thought we really did something. But who provided the sand? Or who took us to the beach?

God has created a sand box called Earth for us to play in. Anything we create is made from its substance provided by God. How can we then take credit for it? How then can we throw our creations in the face of God and say, "Look what we did! We don't need you!" Kind of stupid don't you think?

There is a final place for the fallen Angels the Lake of Fire. Satan is destined to be there too. So many people will join him there. Why do they submit their will to Satan and fallen Angels? Why don't they believe God or even try to?

Satan and the fallen Angels are liars. Tempting people to desire things that they can see, feel, hear, smell, wear, buy, etc. All these things will pass away but God's word will always be the same.

People will always be the same. In fact we are really doing no more than we've ever done as people: eat, drink work, sleep, reproduce, and party. For some reason we think a $50,000 Lexus to take you a hundred miles to work every day is better than riding an ass into town. It probably took less time and was less stressful riding an ass.

Maybe that is why we demand cars that are fully loaded with features we don't even use. I think it is funny that someone would by a $50,000 four wheel drive car with a luxury paint job. Right, they really want to drive off road, and come back muddy with dings in the door panels!

Repent, be baptized, and be filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter preached on the day of Pentecost. The words of and after Jesus' life are contained in the New Testament that live on and on. They are instructions in righteousness through faith. Not righteousness that comes from the law that can't save you. It was never intended to save you but bring the recognition of how sinful we really are.

In the law are written things you are to do, and things you are not to do. The Pharisees added even more to the law seeking their perfection that way. That is not possible.

Being deceived they missed the point. The promises made to Abraham will be fulfilled just like the law was fulfilled by Jesus Christ. Who putting an end to the law, would have us moving on to perfection through faith.

The promises of God will be fulfilled and are part of the present day believer’s hope as well. Abraham believed in the promises, yet he never received them. That is true faith. Even the Old Testament saints were saved by grace through faith and not of the law; not of works.

The Pharisees sought to take control of the people for their own purposes. Not just in religion. Likewise many people desire and do control the lives of others. Satan, Gods enemy takes control of people, building his kingdom here on earth. Man does have a will of his own, but he must choose who he will serve, God or money, position or submission. The Bible speaks of serving your masters, but not to serve Satan or money.

It is not just the rich who serve money, but in context that is who God is talking about. Those who are rich and those who seek to become rich. Here is the proof text: How do you spend your money? I sure see a lot of poor people being passed, by people who drive a Lexus and those who don't.

The law was fulfilled by the one righteous one Jesus Christ. Not one jot or tittle of the law will pass away until it is fulfilled. Well, Jesus fulfilled it. Now the law is dead writes Paul. Now is the time to seek righteousness just as Abraham did. By faith in God. His faith was counted as righteousness, faith in the living God that could and did deliver him. Our faith now is in Jesus Christ who is our righteousness. We have to believe in Him for our righteousness. That righteousness is imputed or given to us and works in us.

But the battle continues. Satan can't believe he has already been defeated. Many a person does not believe it, whether they acknowledge Satan's presence or not. Some feel they are seeking their own righteousness by their good works, or just refusing to do any good works, enjoying the evil.

Unless you are in the will of God, submitted, your works count as unrighteousness, filthy rags. These works however noble do not please God. He seeks our obedience to Him alone. He is Lord of our lives, and all that we do regardless. One day all will have to confess it. That He is Lord of all.

The word say's that some think not to do evil is an abomination. Imagine that! What a terrible state to be in. Reprobate, haters of God and all he stands for, filled with envy's, strife, hatred of God Himself.

The law was fulfilled by the one righteous one Jesus Christ. Not one jot or tittle of the law will pass away until it is fulfilled. Well, Jesus fulfilled it. Now the law is dead writes Paul. Now is the time to seek righteousness, just as Abraham did. By faith in God. His faith was counted as righteousness faith in the living God that could and did deliver him. Our faith now is in Jesus Christ who is our righteousness. We have to believe in Him for our righteousness. That righteousness is imputed or given to us and works in us.

But the battle continues. Satan can't believe he has already been defeated. Many a person does not believe it, whether they acknowledge Satan's presence or not. Some feel they are seeking their own righteousness by their good works, or just refusing to do any good works, enjoying the evil.

Unless you are in the will of God, submitted, your works count as unrighteousness. These works however noble do not please God. He seeks our obedience to Him alone. He is Lord of our lives, and all that we do regardless. One day all will have to confess it. That He is Lord of all.

The word say's that some think not to do evil is an abomination. Imagine that! What a terrible state to be in. Reprobate, haters of God and all he stands for. Being filled with envy's, strife, and hatred of God Himself. Perhaps they are even being filled with a legion of fallen Angels who direct their every move.

Thinking the imaginations in their minds are their own thoughts, when in fact their own thoughts are lost in the mire of their captured minds. Not even aware of it because of constant use of the evil Spirits cast down from heaven. And they take council from other ungodly people under the same dominion, Satan's.

Who will deliver them? Is it our responsibility? Do they watch us and marvel as we overcome the world through our    faith? Does it anger them? I think so. As we speak the word of faith delivered to the saints? I think so.

Study, and study, and study, the fruits of this labor have everlasting effects on your life and the lives of others. The words that come out of your mouth will be prophetic as you speak the prophecies of God. You talk to the spirit man in every one you come in contact with. Wherever you are is your mission field.

These signs will follow you. Legions will begin to fall apart, become disarrayed, and confused. They cannot stand against the word of God, God’s word, will not, does not can not fail.

Do not give up the battle. Dismantle the bomb in Gil e add. The world is at stake. And as children of God we are responsible for their salvation. With Jesus the head of the Church we will not fail. We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus who strengthens us. No weapons formed against us will prosper. By the will of the father all that are called by him will come unto him.

There are many sheep that belong in his pasture. We have to round them up and bring them into the presence of the Lord. There is a bomb in Gil e add, Satan and the fallen angels. But thanks be to God we have a Savior, Jesus the Christ who is our balm in Gil e add, our healer and deliverer.

It’s not a coincidence that my writings come out like this. for I look through the looking glasses of the King James Version of the Bible.

I thank God for the technology that enables me to produce, Copyright, publish and distribute my writings, In this most least expensive way, and without having to kill any trees.

The greatest benefit of all is that there is no one else having to alter what I have penned. Nor do I have to have their permission to be published! Nor do I have to produce what they demand. And best of all I can produce according to my own schedule.

I am truly an

                    entrepreneur.

Chaplain Winston T. Muldrew

God Uses Ordinary People

GOD USES ORDINARY PEOPLE!

When I listen to Bible expositor's on TV, radio, in person, or on the phone, I use my critical ear. I can usually count on them to talk about traditional or popular interpretations of Scripture, most of which I know quite well so I can think and listen at the same time. I usually know the verses they refer to quite well. So I listen to see if there is anything they left out, or if anything is revealed that I don't know already, or if their analysis is complete or correct. Sometimes when I listen to the same-o-same-o something will dawn on me I never thought of before. If I can reach someone I can dialog with I point it out to them and we discuss it.

Today I came up with an understanding of Jesus' first miracle that I never heard anyone preach before. That is the miracle of water being changed into wine. And it is based strictly on Scripture. Words that I glossed over before were suddenly revealed to me. When I saw them I thought, "Hey there is something else going on here!" So I began to dig into the passages a lot deeper to see what else I could uncover.

Some preachers I have heard like to stress how by being a servant of the LORD you can receive a blessing. In this case they say the wine was the blessing. It was better than any of the wine that was served previously at the wedding festival.  But we need to look closely at the servants in this miracle. Who are the servants, what did they receive, and what was the servants blessing?

A lot of the ministering I hear is to ask of God and receive a physical blessing, to be in the will of God and receive a physical blessing. But let's get spiritual for a change! OK, let’s follow the flow of the Spirit at this event. Jesus, his mother, and the disciple's were invited to a wedding festival. Mary was observing what was going on and noticed they were out of wine. So she told Jesus, and He replied, "Woman, what have I to with you, it is not my time."

To me this first miracle was an act of faith and obedience, prompted by the Holy Spirit. The intent, purpose, and desire were to provide more wine for the wedding festival by the working of the Spirit through Jesus Christ. The initial movement of the Spirit was through Mary. After she said those words to Jesus she told the servants to do as Jesus instructs them. Jesus who is the living Word of God instructed the servants to fill six water pots to the brim with water. A miracle was about to take place in their midst. The water pots held about thirty gallons apiece. That is about 180 gallons in total.

The servants did as they were instructed to do. He then instructed them to give the governor a portion. In order to do so, they had to transfer the wine into smaller vessels, probably of silver, to serve the governor and other honored guests. At some point in time in their service to Christ the water turned into wine. What greater blessing can a Christian have than to see a miracle take place right before their eyes!

Somehow the servants had the composure to serve the governor as Jesus instructed them to do. The Spirit of God was in control as they flowed in the Spirit. Most of us would have wanted to run around the room, jump up and down, and tell everyone what happened after witnessing something like that. With Jesus in their midst, it seems like they would have at least fallen down at His feet and worshiped Him. But in this case the Spirit of God would not allow them to. They just went about calmly doing what was required of them as servants at a wedding festival!

Some might say well miracles don't happen anymore, that was just during the Apostolic age. Well the governor, bridegroom and guests may have felt that miracle's don't happen anymore as well. After all, the last time they heard from God was through the prophet Malachi. Here they were in Jesus presence, God in the flesh. And yes, they were served wine better than any in the house. OK, let's make it more contemporary.

Yes, they own the biggest house on the block. Yes, they own the newest and most expensive car available. Yes, they wear the finest of clothes. Yes, they get served the best wine available. But hear me when I say, "Let's get Spiritual!" They missed the best blessing of all. They had no idea that a miracle had just taken place! With all their pomp and circumstance they were focusing on the wrong things, and were not allowed to be privy to the workings of the Holy Spirit through Mary, Christ, and the servants.

Now I ask you, who are the real servants in this gospel writing? The governor serves. No not him. The bridegroom serves. No not him. The honored guests serve. No not them. The servants were the ones that God used to participate in Jesus first miracle recorded in Scripture. And they were just little people. They were there only to serve. They had no political connections. They did not know the right people. They were not part of the in-crowd. They were not part of the who's-who. They did not even get any recognition nor honor for the type of work they did. They would not even

been invited to the wedding festival if they were not there as servants! But God allowed them to see and participate in the miracle while they were serving by the way. The others only got wine. Perhaps they started to whine later after they found out what happened in their midst that they missed.

The real servants received a spiritual blessing the others received a physical blessing. Do I have to ask you which blessing was greater? Which blessing you would rather witness, experience or receive every day? A glass of wine can't be compared to the blessings of the Kingdom which are new and manifold all the time. A glass of wine will always be a glass of wine.

The real servants got the real blessing, and it doesn't say they told anyone. They were privileged to see privately the first awesome display of the power of God in over four hundred years! And because of the power and control of the Holy Spirit they could not talk about it. By the same Holy Spirit they could not jump up and down. By the same Holy Spirit they just calmly walked around and served the governor, bridegroom and his guests as if this was an every day experience.

Think about Mary. What prompted her to even suggest to Jesus to do something about the lack of wine? I don't think she expected him to head to the market place with his disciple's, and bring back wineskins full of wine. The initial movement of the Spirit moved her to prompt Jesus into action. She did not tell him specifically what to do. But she knew to tell him, and what to tell the servants. And Jesus knew what to tell the servants. Mean while the married couple are enjoying themselves. I did not know that fact until I read the book of Tob, Tobias, Toby. I finally read a book from the Apocrypha. A teacher said after I graduated from Bible that I could read anything now. I graduated in 1993. I chose to read that book first because my middle name is Tobias and my nickname is Toby. The root word is Tob. The Apocrypha has been removed since the 1611 version of the King James. 

Jesus said time and time again in the New Testament that He was there to do the will of the Father only. At His baptism by John the Baptist the Spirit of God descended upon Him as a dove and He was filled. Jesus operated in the power of the Holy Spirit. Situations always presented themselves at the predetermined time and place of God, and Jesus was there to do the will of the Father. People were always participants, willingly and unwillingly, for and against Him, knowing and unknowing, understanding and not understanding, aware and not aware.

At this first miracle of Jesus, the disciples were there as God's silent witnesses. They were to later testify of what God did in their presence, and to record it for our edification. Jesus told His mother that it was not His time. Perhaps this is what He meant. At the marriage feast He received no recognition for this miracle. It was not time for Him to be seen as a miracle worker nor to go public with His ministry.

Now I am not saying that physical pleasure's, and what we deem to be necessities are not to be sought after in this life, but for what purpose do you desire them? What purpose do they serve? Are you just enjoying the party or being obedient to God and His word, or are you doing both? Have you considered Is there something else you should be doing?

Samuel told Saul obedience is better than sacrifice. Saul had spared the king and some animals, etc., when God had instructed him to kill everything. God demonstrated to David that obedience is better than praise when Uzzah died trying to steady the Ark of the Covenant. He wasn't supposed to touch it. There was something else both of them should have been doing. Saul lost his kingdom. I wonder what Uzzah missed out on. Perhaps the governor and bridegroom, and guests weren't servants. They missed out on the miracle. The same Holy Spirit could have contained them as well.

I believe that there is a message here for the church. We have to be mindful to do the will of the LORD even in our work, in our praise, in our worship, in our sacrifice, in our pleasure, in our everything. We have to be prepared at all times to stop what we are doing, and do what God would have us do being sensitive to the move of the Spirit just like Mary, Jesus, and the servants were at the wedding festival. Also we should not think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. Keep in mind, "It's the little people" who not only witnessed his miracles, but also believed unto salvation.

Think about Gideon's three hundred soldiers’s who defeated a mighty army by just blowing on trumpets, breaking pitcher's, and lighting lantern's. They were selected from among thousands, because not only did they have no fear, while satisfying their physical needs (drinking water), they were found to still be working (ever watching). These were the true warriors and servants of God. They knew what to do by the Spirit of God. God showed Gideon how to identify them. In battle they were obedient, and calmly went about doing just what the LORD instructed them to do. They were able to participate in a miracle.

Some preachers say that everyone got blessed by the consuming of the wine that was brought about by a miracle of God, from the governor, to the bridegroom, to the guests, to the servants. However, I don't think the servants imbibed to the extent of the others if at all they had work to do. However, I'm sure they enjoyed the wedding as much, well actually, more than everyone else there.

Are you willing to be a servant of the LORD and do a great work sight unseen? Or would you rather hang out with the Mucky-mucks? Keep in mind that Jesus told the seventy when they came back to not rejoice in their great works, but rejoice because their names are written in heaven. To God be the glory.

Jonah Does Not Really Take a Detour!

Jonah Does Not Really Take a Detour!

Or

Which Way Is Up…

       

I'm starting to sound like one of our old Presidents. He used to say when people kept bringing up the same old topic with a smile on his face, and with I don't consider myself on par with President Ronald Reagan. He was known as the great communicator. However, I do find myself saying, "Well, here I go again."

Oh by the way that was the President's  reply every time the reporters asked him if he died his hair.  He was about 70 years old at the time and the reporters could not figure out if the President died his hair. I can understand their confusion. Every President hair turns gray during his term. President Obama hair is turning gray and he is forty something! I was expecting his hair to turn to gray also so I was not disappointed.

I have not heard Jonah's experience explained quite this way before. What makes him unique is that he does not want to do the job, he has attitude problems, he does not want to cooperate, he try's to avoid the job, he argues with God, he is a fuss pot, he is set upon doing things his way, and he is certainly against saving his enemy's. That was God used him. That is what made him uniquely qualified for this particular task! God needed person like that. He could say God made me do it and every one would believe him.

Jonah is a chosen vessel of God, commissioned to go to Ninevah to preach the message of repentance unto salvation for God wanted to save these people. However Jonah had a personal problem with this idea. He did not want God to save these people. These people were enemies of Israel and he wanted God to destroy them not save them. He did not want these people to be his people. So when God instructed him about the task he was to perform he thought he could shuck his responsibility by getting out of town heading in the wrong direction.

One thing we have to keep in mind is that no one is one of God's people except by His grace. Paul finally understood this after his conversion to Christianity. He said that not even all of Israel were God's people. It took an act of God called election to save those who were.

Before Jesus came, died and rose again, they were the ones who believed in the promise of the soon coming Messiah. After Jesus came, ascended to sit at the right hand of the Father, and sent the Holy Spirit they are the ones who believe He is the son of God, God who came in the flesh and the soon returning Messiah.

It is interesting how God works. What really took place here is exactly what God planned from the beginning. For he had a few other things Jonah had to do before he got to Ninevah.  Keep in mind that people will say things that do not reflect the reality of the situation. You can sit there and complain about what God is doing or going to with you, and it does not alter the circumstances one iota because God has a purpose to fulfill.

It seems like some people can adjust their attitude and just go with the flow. Some go kicking and screaming. Some just fuss the whole time. I guess whatever works for you. So OK, Jonah fusses but Jonah was still going. Some think that Jonah took off in the wrong direction. I beg to differ. God purpose for Jonah had a few other details to take care of before Jonah would arrive in Ninevah.

So Jonah, perhaps thinking he is getting away from God or perhaps not. Perhaps he feels something about this trip that compels him to go this way. He heads down to Joppa and ends up on a boat with a crew headed for Tarshish. Again, this is not only where he is supposed to be, but the boat was to take him to the transfer point of the other vehicle that would take him the rest of the way to the final destination God had in mind for Jonah, Ninevah.

God does not always send his people on a bee line to their destination. It took them 40 years to get out of the wilderness. They had to cross the Jordan River on dry land too which reminded them about the Red Sea and what happened to all the dissenters. They thought twice, thrice about being rebellious that time, "Well, here we go again!"

God has reasons for Jonah being on that boat one, to let him know that God was with him. Like Jesus on the boat during a great storm Jonah is fast asleep below with not a care in the world. He had the peace that passes understanding down in his heart, of God, was upon him. He had a beautiful rest in the arms of the LORD before it was time to transfer to the other mode of transportation. They were almost at the transfer point. That is why he had to go that route.

A mighty storm signaled its soon arrival. Somehow Jonah new and he was ready to go. The other boatmen were moved to go and wake Jonah. Everybody was praying to their god. They wanted Jonah to pray to his. Jonah got up, went above deck, and prayed. He told them to throw him over board and everything would be alright. They actually did it and it everything was okay again. At the end I will my Jonah testimony but everything was not alright where I came from. Did God have a make a way of escape for Jonah he wasn't aware of and could not find out in Nineveh? Were they planning his death. The KJV says they killed the prophets all the day long. What a mighty God he serves. Jonah by faith was transferred to the other mode of transportation which turned out to be a huge fish.

Can you imagine the fear of Jonah's God that came upon the crew as they witnessed all this? They knew he was a Hebrew. Wherever they went stories of Jehovah had preceded them from their time of deliverance from Pharaoh of Egypt after 430 years along with other Africans and before then. Often times their enemy's were sore afraid of their God yet still fought against Gods people and lost.

Some people don't respect the control of mankind the power of God has either because of their ignorance or incapability. Now that the transfer was complete Jonah left behind witnesses of Gods power. They witnessed Jonah being swallowed by a great fish. Jonah could now complete his trip to Nineveh. The ground floor had been laid. All the pieces would come together in the minds of the people over the years.

There would be more talk about the God of the Hebrews. I can hear them saying, Oh yea, I heard these boatmen saw Jonah swallowed by a great fish. Somebody else said he ended up in Ninevah. Yakkity yack, Yada, Yada, and so on and so on.

This fish had been predestined and prepared to receive Jonah at this particular time and place, in these particular waters and to deliver him safely to Nineveh in three and night days specifically. Jesus was to use this as an analogy to His like manner of being three days in the earth after He hung Himself on the cross at Calvary.

After being in the belly of this great fish for three days and nights what affect do you think that had on Jonah who had attitude problems to begin with? What affect do you think it had on the clothes he was wearing? What about his hair, his body odor, his walk, his talk? No wonder they repented when they saw and heard the likes of Him. Look what God did to His own prophet! To this fuss pot!

The silence is killing me that which is not written. It does not say that Jonah suddenly had a change of heart. On the contrary God had to deal with him under a tree where he was still fussing with God and resting. God caused it to wither to illustrate to Jonah His point in saving Nineveh God was still trying to get Jonah to get it, God's program. But he was the man for the job anyway. Nineveh got it. And that was what God purposed to accomplish.

Jonah was already in the kingdom. God wanted to bring some more in. Kingdom people have issues like everyone else, but maybe a little different. We love God. And like any father he deals with the issues. Being the heavenly Father He does it right every time. Some call that fellowship with God.

So perhaps not only did Jonah do the work of the LORD he got his needs met as well. Imagine the testimony he alone had. The experience unlike anything else he could have even imagined. The memories (if he recovered) he could recall and relive. Jonah, with a bad attitude was used mightily of God. And I don't know if his attitude ever changed.

It did not matter then. Besides as a child of God you can have a bad attitude, cry, fuss, etc. and still feel the presence of the LORD and be joyful in your heart. Your outward appearance at the time may be necessary to get the job done. I decided not give my testimony after edit this writing. God said enough to me.

What I Have Been Called

Charlie Chaplin

This is an excerpt from one of my ten books entitled,” I Can’t Write Left Handed.”

Copyright 2004 Certificate of Registration TXu1-193-104
By Chaplain Winston T. Muldrew, Drunken Profit-double anointing


Supported by: Drunken Prophet Ron Hovland, Fireman, IRS retired 
Prophet Benjamin & Tashi


I would like to share a few words if you don’t mind about my Ministry call.

What I have been called

  
  Like I said in another SHORT, I have been called a lot of things over the years since I came to be in ministry. People of God have viewed me and defined me in many ministry terms. I myself having never pursued or even desired a ministry had no idea what to become or what the job entailed. I just do things and people tell me what I am. 


  To this day I can’t find and adequate job description for what I do in the Bible or from how others define their roles. 


  I don’t come from a ministry family that had a place for me in their church. I don’t have anyone in my family that can instruct or advise me about ministry. I have to rely on people who come into my life. But they always fall short. When I can’t believe them I have to trust my Bible alone. That is why I went to Bible college.


  I stopped going to church at about 13 years old, however I did go back to be baptized in my early 20’s. Then at age 30 I got hit real hard by a God and I ain’t been the same since. That was in 1980. 


  When people call me by these titles  I generally ignore them. I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what prompted them to say it in the first place. They just seem to blurt it out.


  I started keeping a list one day, not only because of the number times this happened, but I kept getting new titles. I thought I would look back at them one day in wonder. I decided to include them in this book.


Minister, Priest  (Sonya told her daughter I was a priest now in Concord) Preacher, Mister Preacher, Are you the Pope? Chaplain (Rev. Dr. Chaplain Steve Shannon), Pastor, Apostle, Bishop, Elder, Prophet, Helps, Pastor's aide, Biblical Scholar, Missionary, Christian TV Producer, Some kind of Elder (Octavia), Ordained (Pastors Dr. Raymond and Octavia Dorrough after graduation from Bible College), Teacher, Peacemaker (Dad), Big time politician, Supervisor/Overseer, Judge, Reverend, Counselor, God's Psychiatrist (women on bus), You're not staff (at the Hamilton Apts where I live - Nelton aka Preacher),  Deacon, Friend (Ralph he is in ministry and I have known him since I was 4 years old. He says two years old), You don't sin (Stephanie), Administrator (computer lab at the Hamilton), Playboy (Laverne, Clair & Dad), Servant of the LORD, I have a good heart, Are you the assistant Pastor at that place?, Does that school teach only Evangelists?, sinner  (Derek) The LORD has exhalted you (Derek), Whoremonger (someone on this bulletin board).


We are Earth Angels sent from heaven (Roman Catholic woman in wheel chair), Witness (We do and we are a), Ram in the bush (C. Redmond), Evangelist, You are really Ecumenical (by some Computer Technician on the phone), and as of late my new babe called me a Therapist. It has been several years since someone called me something new.


  I had previously thought Ecumenical to be a bad word and not to be used around Christians. There is an Ecumenical movement today, but to me that has the sound of restrictions and politics. That is what usually happens when people agree to agree. Did I say “compromise” just to be apart of a movement? I have seen this happen too many times. 


  I said I am? I was surprised that he thought it was a good thing to be. Perhaps because I like to minister to anyone, who has an ear from a Christian perspective, he used this word. He first asked me if I was Catholic. I thought I better look up the word Ecumenical, and I came up with this definition as I see how the word applies to me.


  I am one who’s Christian view is worldwide or general in scope. I like to influence others and make Christianity applicable to every day life. And I like to participate as part of the community not as one who shows up and then goes home as if they were a hireling.


  I am not denominationally dependent, isolated or stagnated by church doctrine that is written in stone, but I am instead steadily expanding through biblical Christian faith that comes about by studying all of Scripture. 


  I am one who is a representative of the Bible, and relates to the whole of a body of believers. I am one who promotes worldwide Christian unity and cooperation through the gifts and leading of the Holy Spirit.


  In other words I am bold, will go at it alone, and I will not follow anyone that denies the truth of the Bible or is not willing to address the Scriptures. 


  I will admit it if you can prove me wrong by Scripture, in fact that is an open invitation. How else can I learn unless I study Scripture and be tested as well.


  It is interesting how different people see me differently. These are
unsolicited responses or impression's I've received. I don't have to tell people I'm a minister.  I remember while I was in Bible College I met this minister, Jacob. He asked me, "Didn't I know I was called?" I did not know what he meant by that. I remember my Bishop Pastor Dr. Raymond Dorrough said I was going to be a Pastor and it takes twelve years. I remember his wife Pastor Octavia saying after I graduated from Bible College that I had become ordained. 


  Sometimes I think that being called means I just need to be in a certain place at a certain time. God provides the means and directs my path. I show up and do what ever it is I do. I don't quite understand what that is.  Sometimes I speak, sometimes I don't. I just operate in my Spiritual gifts. I don't even know how to operate them.  Sometimes I wait for the spirit to move me before I go anywhere. Sometimes I take the initiative and the Spirit takes over.


Now these are titles I like and have come to call myself:


  I am what someone needs me to be, Steward (Stewardship), Spiritual Warrior, Chaplain, Urban Missionary, A Living Sacrifice, Apologist. It is funny or maybe not. Virtually no one wants to call me Chaplain! The only ones I know are Charlie Chaplin from the silent movie era, jocular, jocular, jocular the Chaplain from the Army Medics series Mash, and from Clinical Pastoral Education C.P.E. the Reverend Dr. Steve Shannon Chaplain. 

What my big sister said about me:


 Vivian laid another word on me. "WIT." She said women like me because I have wit. She said she is going to think of an acronym for it. I told her I had trouble with "Dense" for forty years. Now I have to deal with wit? I guess It means something to you.


  In this computer thesaurus, wit has several synonyms: mind reason sense sanity lucidity soundness saneness senses.  In my dictionary of synonyms, wit is listed with humor, irony, satire, repartee, which together mean a mode of expression intended to arouse amused interest or evoke laughter.  Wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity (an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful) or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the inconsistent.


  Humor implies an ability to perceive the ludicrous, the comical, and the absurd in human life and to express these usually with keen insight and sympathetic understanding and without bitterness.  Irony applies to a manner of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of the expressed meaning.  Satire applies to writing that exposes or ridicules conduct, doctrines, or institutions either by direct criticism or more often through irony, parody, or caricature.


  Repartee implies the power or art of answering quickly, pointedly, or wittily or to an interchange of such responses.  As I look at these definitions I see that it takes wit to be an Apologist.  I still don't know why my big sister said that about me. I guess I will never get it. Maybe I am dense.


What a woman said in church:


  For some reason one Sunday I told her I was a minister. On another Sunday she said so you are minister. She said I needed to join the others up front. I held my finger to my lips and said, "Shhh!"  I told her I'm not that kind of a minister. She asked me what did I do? I said, "No telling!" I said I have a long list but it is not about me. I then ministered to a couple of people, and she said she liked the way I minister.

Jesus Christ is Lord

Chapter ix from Moby Dick - A Chaplain's Sermon?

Melville, Herman, 1819-1891. Moby-Dick, or, The Whale Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia Library

 Freely available for non-commercial use provided that this header is included in its entirety with any copy distributed

1993 
Note: (OTA 1993)This text of Melville's Moby-Dick is based on the Hendricks House edition. It was prepared by Professor Eugene F. Irey at the University of Colorado. Any subsequent copies of this data must include this notice and any publications resulting from analysis of this data must include reference to Professor Irey's work. 
Note: (UVA 1996) The electronic text does not follow the Hendricks House edition exactly. The source for a biographical note which has been added to the front matter is unclear. Pagination is consistent with the Hendricks House Edition.

http://etext.virginia.edu/etcbin/toccer-new2?id=Mel2Mob.sgm&images=images/modeng&data=/texts/english/modeng/parsed&tag=public&part=9&division=div1

Being a Chaplain, I am quite certain Father Mapple is a Chaplain. A Chaplain wrote this not Herman Melville. I continue to have my Jonah experiences as well as Pauline experiences. When I read it I cried and could not finish the book. I can't even watch the movie anymore. I had to put this sermon on my blog. I couldn't say it better. You know like some songs?

THE SERMON

Father Mapple rose, and in a mild voice of unassuming authority ordered the scattered people to condense. "Starboard gangway, there! side away to larboard - larboard gangway to starboard! Midships! midships!"

There was a low rumbling of heavy sea-boots among the benches, and a still slighter shuffling of women's shoes, and all was quiet again, and every eye on the preacher.

He paused a little; then kneeling in the pulpit's bows, folded his large brown hands across his chest, uplifted his closed eyes, and offered a prayer so deeply devout that he seemed kneeling and praying at the bottom of the sea.

This ended, in prolonged solemn tones, like the continual tolling of a bell in a ship that is foundering at sea in a fog - in such tones he commenced reading the following hymn; but changing his manner towards the concluding stanzas, burst forth with a pealing exultation and joy -

"The ribs and terrors in the whale,

Arched over me a dismal gloom,

While all God's sun-lit waves rolled by,

And lift me deepening down to doom.

"I saw the opening maw of hell,

With endless pains and sorrows there;

Which none but they that feel can tell -

Oh, I was plunging to despair.

"In black distress, I called my God,

When I could scarce believe him mine,

He bowed his ear to my complaints -

No more the whale did me confine.

With speed he flew to my relief,

As on a radiant dolphin borne;

Awful, yet bright, as lightning shone

The face of my Deliverer God.

"My song for ever shall record

That terrible, that joyful hour;

I give the glory to my God,

His all the mercy and the power."

Nearly all joined in singing this hymn, which swelled high above the howling of the storm. A brief pause ensued; the preacher slowly turned over the leaves of the Bible, and at last, folding his hand down upon the proper page, said: "Beloved shipmates, clinch the last verse of the first chapter of Jonah - "And God had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah."

"Shipmates, this book, containing only four chapters - four yarns - is one of the smallest strands in the mighty cable of the Scriptures. Yet what depths of the soul does Jonah's deep sealine sound! what a pregnant lesson to us is this prophet! What a noble thing is that canticle in the fish's belly! How billow- like and boisterously grand! We feel the floods surging over us; we sound with him to the kelpy bottom of the waters; sea-weed and all the slime of the sea is about us! But what is this lesson that the book of Jonah teaches? Shipmates, it is a two- stranded lesson; a lesson to us all as sinful men, and a lesson to me as a pilot of the living God. As sinful men, it is a lesson to us all, because it is a story of the sin, hard-heartedness, suddenly awakened fears, the swift punishment, repentance, prayers, and finally the deliverance and joy of Jonah. As with all sinners among men, the sin of this son of Amittai was in his wilful disobedience of the command of God - never mind now what that command was, or how conveyed - which he found a hard command. But all the things that God would have us do are hard for us to do - remember that - and hence, he oftener commands us than endeavors to persuade. And if we obey God, we must disobey ourselves; and it is in this disobeying ourselves, wherein the hardness of obeying God consists.

"With this sin of disobedience in him, Jonah still further flouts at God, by seeking to flee from Him. He thinks that a ship made by men, will carry him into countries where God does not reign, but only the Captains of this earth. He skulks about the wharves of Joppa, and seeks a ship that's bound for Tarshish. There lurks, perhaps, a hitherto unheeded meaning here. By all accounts Tarshish could have been no other city than the modern Cadiz. That's the opinion of learned men. And where is Cadiz, shipmates? Cadiz is in Spain; as far by water, from Joppa, as Jonah could possibly have sailed in those ancient days, when the Atlantic was an almost unknown sea. Because Joppa, the modern Jaffa, shipmates, is on the most easterly coast of the Mediterranean, the Syrian; and Tarshish or Cadiz more than two thousand miles to the westward from that, just outside the Straits of Gibraltar. See ye not then, shipmates, that Jonah sought to flee world-wide from God? Miserable man! Oh! most contemptible and worthy of all scorn; with slouched hat and guilty eye, skulking from his God; prowling among the shipping like a vile burglar hastening to cross the seas. So disordered, self-condemning is his look, that had there been policemen in

those days, Jonah, on the mere suspicion of something wrong, had been arrested ere he touched a deck. How plainly he's a fugitive! no baggage, not a hat-box, valise, or carpet-bag, - no friends accompany him to the wharf with their adieux. At last, after much dodging search, he finds the Tarshish ship receiving the last items of her cargo; and as he steps on board to see its Captain in the cabin, all the sailors for the moment desist from hoisting in the goods, to mark the stranger's evil eye. Jonah sees this; but in vain he tries to look all ease and confidence; in vain essays his wretched smile. Strong intuitions of the man assure the mariners he can be no innocent. In their gamesome but still serious way, one whispers to the other - "Jack, he's robbed a widow;" or,"Joe, do you mark him; he's a bigamist;" or,"Harry lad, I guess he's the adulterer that broke jail in old Gomorrah, or belike, one of the missing murderers from Sodom." Another runs to read the bill that's stuck against the spile upon the wharf to which the ship is moored, offering five hundred gold coins for the apprehension of a parricide, and containing a description of his person. He reads, and looks from Jonah to the bill; while all his sympathetic shipmates now crowd round Jonah, prepared to lay their hands upon him. Frighted Jonah trembles, and summoning all his boldness to his face, only looks so much the more a coward. He will not confess himself suspected; but that itself is strong suspicion. So he makes the best of it; and when the sailors find him not to be the man that is advertised, they let him pass, and he descends into the cabin.

""Who's there?" cries the Captain at his busy desk, hurriedly making out his papers for the Customs - "Who's there?" Oh! how that harmless question mangles Jonah! For the instant he almost turns to flee again. But he rallies. "I seek a passage in this ship to Tarshish; how soon sail ye, sir?" Thus far the busy captain had not looked up to Jonah, though the man now stands before him; but no sooner does he hear that hollow voice, than he darts a scrutinizing glance. "We sail with the next coming tide," at last he slowly answered, still intently eyeing him. "No sooner, sir?" - "Soon enough for any honest man that goes a passenger." Ha! Jonah, that's another stab. But he swiftly calls away the Captain from that scent. "I'll sail with ye," - he says, - "the passage money, how much is that, - I'll pay now." For it is particularly written, shipmates, as if it were a thing not to be overlooked in this history,"that he paid the fare thereof" ere the craft did sail. And taken with the context, this is full of meaning.

"Now Jonah's Captain, shipmates, was one whose discernment detects crime in any, but whose cupidity exposes it only in the penniless. In this world, shipmates, sin that pays its way can travel freely, and without a passport; whereas Virtue, if a pauper, is stopped at all frontiers. So Jonah's Captain prepares to test the length of Jonah's purse, ere he judge him openly. He charges him thrice the usual sum; and it's assented to. Then the Captain knows that Jonah is a fugitive; but at the same time resolves to help a flight that paves its rear with gold. Yet when Jonah fairly takes out his purse, prudent suspicions still molest the Captain. He rings every coin to find a counterfeit. Not a forger, any way, he mutters; and Jonah is put down for his passage. "Point out my state-room, Sir," says Jonah now. "I'm travel-weary; I need sleep." "Thou look'st like it," says the Captain, "there's thy room." Jonah enters, and would lock the door, but the lock contains no key. Hearing him foolishly fumbling there, the Captain laughs lowly to himself, and mutters something about the doors of convicts' cells being never allowed to be locked within. All dressed and dusty as he is, Jonah throws himself into his berth, and finds the little state-room ceiling almost resting on his forehead. The air is close, and Jonah gasps. then, in that contracted hole, sunk, too, beneath the ship's water-line, Jonah feels the heralding presentiment of that stifling hour, when the whale shall hold him in the smallest of his bowel's wards.

"Screwed at its axis against the side, a swinging lamp slightly oscillates in Jonah's room; and the ship, heeling over towards the wharf with the weight of the last bales received, the lamp, flame and all, though in slight motion, still maintains a permanent obliquity with reference to the room; though, in truth, infallibly straight itself, it but made obvious the false, lying levels among which it hung. The lamp alarms and frightens Jonah; as lying in his berth his tormented eyes roll round the place, and this thus far successful fugitive finds no refuge for his restless glance. But that contradiction in the lamp more and more appals him. The floor, the ceiling, and the side, are all awry. "Oh! so my conscience hangs in me!" he groans, "straight upward, so it burns; but the chambers of my soul are all in crookedness!"

"Like one who after a night of drunken revelry hies to his bed, still reeling, but with conscience yet pricking him, as the plungings of the Roman race- horse but so much the more strike his steel tags into him; as one who in that miserable plight still turns and turns in giddy anguish, praying God for annihilation until the fit be passed; and at last amid the whirl of woe he feels, a deep stupor steals over him, as over the man who bleeds to death, for conscience is the wound, and there's naught to staunch it; so, after sore wrestlings in his berth, Jonah's prodigy of ponderous misery drags him drowning down to sleep.

"And now the time of tide has come; the ship casts off her cables; and from the deserted wharf the uncheered ship for Tarshish, all careening, glides to sea. That ship, my friends, was the first of recorded smugglers! the contraband was Jonah. but the sea rebels; he will not bear the wicked burden. A dreadful storm comes on, the ship is like to break. But now when the boatswain calls all hands to lighten her; when boxes, bales, and jars are clattering overboard; when the wind is shrieking, and the men are yelling, and every plank thunders with trampling feet right over Jonah's head; in all this raging tumult, Jonah sleeps his hideous sleep. He sees no black sky and raging sea, feels not the reeling timbers, and little hears he or heeds he the far rush of the mighty whale, which even now with open mouth is cleaving the seas after him. Aye, shipmates, Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship - a berth in the cabin as I have taken it, and was fast asleep. But the frightened master comes to him, and shrieks in his dead ear, "What meanest thou, O sleeper! arise!" Startled from his lethargy by that direful cry, Jonah staggers to his feet, and stumbling to the deck, grasps a shroud, to look out upon the sea. But at that moment he is sprung upon by a panther billow leaping over the bulwarks. Wave after wave thus leaps into the ship, and finding no speedy vent runs roaring fore and aft, till the mariners come nigh to drowning while yet afloat. And ever, as the white moon shows her affrighted face from the steep gullies in the blackness overhead, aghast Jonah sees the rearing bowsprit pointing high upward, but soon beat downward again towards the tormented deep.

"Terrors upon terrors run shouting through his soul. In all his cringing attitudes, the God-fugitive is now too plainly known. The sailors mark him; more and more certain grow their suspicions of him, and at last, fully to test the truth, by referring the whole matter to high Heaven, they fall to casting lots, to see for whose cause this great tempest was upon them. The lot is Jonah's; that discovered, then how furiously they mob him with their questions. "What is thine occupation? whence comest thou? thy country? what people?" but mark now, my shipmates, the behavior of poor Jonah. The eager mariners but ask him who he is, and where from; whereas, they not only receive an answer to those questions, but likewise another answer to a question not put by them, but the unsolicited answer is forced from Jonah by the hard hand of God that is upon him.

""I am a Hebrew," he cries - and then - "I fear the Lord the God of Heaven who hath made the sea and the dry land!" Fear him, O Jonah? Aye, well mightest thou fear the Lord God then! Straightway, he now goes on to make a full confession; whereupon the mariners became more and more appalled, but still are pitiful. For when Jonah, not yet supplicating God for mercy, since he but too well knew the darkness of his deserts, - when wretched Jonah cries out to them to take him and cast him forth into the sea, for he knew that for his sake this great tempest was upon them; they mercifully turn from him, and seek by other means to save the ship. But all in vain; the indignant gale howls louder; then, with one hand raised invokingly to God, with the other they not unreluctantly lay hold of Jonah.

"And now behold Jonah taken up as an anchor and dropped into the sea; when instantly an oily calmness floats out from the east, and the sea is still, as Jonah carries down the gale with him, leaving smooth water behind. He goes down in the whirling heart of such a masterless commotion that he scarce heeds the moment when he drops seething into the yawning jaws awaiting him; and the whale shoots-to all his ivory teeth, like the Lord out of the fish's belly. But observe his prayer, and so many white bolts, upon his prison. Then Jonah prayed unto learn a weighty lesson. For sinful as he is, Jonah does not weep and wail for direct deliverance. He feels that his dreadful punishment is just. He leaves all his deliverance to God, contenting himself with this, that spite of all his pains and pangs, he will still look towards His holy temple. And here, shipmates, is true and faithful repentance; not clamorous for pardon, but grateful for punishment. And how pleasing to God was this conduct in Jonah, is shown in the eventual deliverance of him from the sea and the whale. Shipmates, I do not place Jonah before you to be copied for his sin but I do place him before you as a model for repentance. Sin not; but if you do, take heed to repent of it like Jonah."

While he was speaking these words, the howling of the shrieking, slanting storm without seemed to add new power to the preacher, who, when describing Jonah's sea-storm, seemed tossed by a storm himself. His deep chest heaved as with a ground-swell; his tossed arms seemed the warring elements at work; and the thunders that rolled away from off his swarthy brow, and the light leaping from his eye, made all his simple hearers look on him with a quick fear that was strange to them.

There now came a lull in his look, as he silently turned over the leaves of the Book once more; and, at last, standing motionless, with closed eyes, for the moment, seemed communing with God and himself.

But again he leaned over towards the people, and bowing his head lowly, with an aspect of the deepest yet manliest humility, he spake these words: "Shipmates, God has laid but one hand upon you; both his hands press upon me. I have read ye by what murky light may be mine the lesson that Jonah teaches to all sinners; and therefore to ye, and still more to me, for I am a greater sinner than ye. And now how gladly would I come down from this mast-head and sit on the hatches there where you sit, and listen as you listen, while some one of you reads me that other and more awful lesson which Jonah teaches to me as a pilot of the living God. How being an anointed pilot-prophet, or speaker of true things, and bidden by the Lord to sound those unwelcome truths in the ears of a wicked Nineveh, Jonah, appalled at the hostility he should raise, fled from his mission, and sought to escape his duty and his God by taking ship at Joppa. But God is everywhere; Tarshish he never reached. As we have seen, God came upon him in the whale, and swallowed him down to living gulfs of doom, and with swift slantings tore him along"into the midst of the seas," where the eddying depths sucked him ten thousand fathoms down, and"the weeds were wrapped about his head," and all the watery world of woe bowled over him. Yet even then beyond the reach of any plummet - "out of the belly of hell" - when the whale grounded upon the ocean's utmost bones, even then, God heard the engulphed, repenting prophet when he cried. Then God spake unto the fish; and from the shuddering cold and blackness of the sea, the whale came breeching up towards the warm and pleasant sun, and all the delights of air and earth; and"vomited out Jonah upon the dry land;" when the word of the Lord came a second time; and Jonah, bruised and beaten - his ears, like two sea-shells, still multitudinously murmuring of the ocean - Jonah did the Almighty's bidding. And what was that, shipmates? To preach the Truth to the face of Falsehood! That was it!

"This, shipmates, this is that other lesson; and woe to that pilot of the living God who slights it. Woe to him whom this world charms from Gospel duty! Woe to him who seeks to pour oil upon the waters when God has brewed them into a gale! Woe to him who seeks to please rather than to appal! Woe to him whose good name is more to him than goodness! Woe to him who, in this world, courts not dishonor! Woe to him who would not be true, even though to be false were salvation! Yea, woe to him who, as the great Pilot Paul has it, while preaching to others is himself a castaway!"

He drooped and fell away from himself for a moment; then lifting his face to them again, showed a deep joy in his eyes, as he cried out with a heavenly enthusiasm, - "But oh! shipmates! on the starboard hand of every woe, there is a sure delight; and higher the top of that delight, than the bottom of the woe is deep. Is not the main-truck higher than the kelson is low? Delight is to him - a far, far upward, and inward delight - who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self. Delight is to him whose strong arms yet support him, when the ship of this base treacherous world has gone down beneath him. Delight is to him, who gives no quarter in the truth, and kills, burns, and destroys all sin though he pluck it out from under the robes of Senators and Judges. Delight, - top-gallant delight is to him, who acknowledges no law or lord, but the Lord his God, and is only a patriot to heaven. Delight is to him, whom all the waves of the billows of the seas of the boisterous mob can never shake from this sure Keel of the Ages. And eternal delight and deliciousness will be his, who coming to lay him down, can say with his final breath - O Father! - chiefly known to me by Thy rod - mortal or immortal, here I die. I have striven to be Thine, more than to be this world's, or mine own. Yet this is nothing; I leave eternity to Thee; for what is man that he should live out the lifetime of his God?"

He said no more, but slowly waving a benediction, covered his face with his hands, and so remained kneeling, till all the people had departed, and he was left alone in the place.