Ok. Ok. I know. I know. I am not a preacher any more. At least professionally. But being a preacher has never been about profession for me, any way. It has always been about a powerful relationship with a living God, Who for some reason chooses at times to reveal Himself to me. So, even though I may not be a straight-laced, on the job preacher. I certainly have Devotional thoughts.  God allows me to see His heart at times. How can I help but have devotional thoughts?  

     So why the article??? The purpose of this BEAM is to remind you that God is interested in YOU; not your religion. I have to be His messenger in this matter. It is important to Him that I let you know this. And it is important to your spiritual well-being that You Get it!

     Yes, I know I am a professional man. But why can’t a professional man have a deeply spiritual side? I guess he can. I do. Why can’t a professional woman have a deeply spiritual side. I guess she can. I know others that do. I have found that God can make the whole of life more meaningful. God’s Spirit will breath life, joy, peace, satisfaction and release into your life; when you dwell in His fellowship. #TakeTimeDailyToPray

     I always wanted to have a secret spiritual dimension. You know, the Star Wars Force thing. To be connected to some special power that others do not tap into. I guess I have that today. But I have discovered that it is available to anyone that wants it. But that few are willing to pay the price to obtain it. Deep Devotion is most often a lonely road. If you find it; you will know what I mean.  Others may see that you have it but it is only shared & deepened in earnest communication with God. It is not a public matter, though it may at times be plain in public. It is a deeply private matter only found in places of worship and intimacy with God. Places that you learn the way to but places that yield their treasures only to you. There is room for only one in the most holy, sacred rooms of God’s glory. You can go there but you can not take anyone else with you. These places really are secret and they really are private. You can only find them, when you accept that those are the terms to discovering them.

     I love people of most backgrounds and cultures, even when they are not my own. Yet, my heart is totally Christian. I am a disciple of Christ.  When He was alive on earth, Jesus offered to make His Father real to His followers. He still does that today but it is not well-known or popular. As opposed to being something that you can find through church membership or creed; I have found that discovering The Father; is by design a private matter of worship.  You may celebrate this discovery in fellowship with others; but to deeply drink of its refreshing reality; you must discover it One-On-One, in your prayer closet.

     Don’t get me wrong. I AM NOT Prescribing Religiosity. Jesus loves the down to earth, real & vibrant. He has -0- interest in religious formality. He wants full rich lives offered to Him freely; yours and mine.

     There is a deeper union that God wants but most will never go there, because they do not spend time letting God disclose His heart to them.  God is at times shrouded in secrecy, not because He hides from us but because He saves His most glorious treasures for those who fiercely seek Him.  The intimacy of prayer is a windy-mysterious place not to be taken lightly. Many only look on the surface. So they never find this holy place. And this is OK. It is not to be taken lightly and it is not for everyone. There is a great price to be paid for the mark of the cross on your life.

     But the price can never equal the beauty of the treasure to be found in this place of holy worship.  When you rest your soul in the portal of God’s care, He can take you to a place of Assurance; where you are SURE of His Guidance. This is not weird or way out. It is spiritual and dynamic.

     I have a close friend, who is dying as I write this article. I would have very little consolation had I not spent time in this place of mystic reality. For now I know, that when the shell of this flesh stops working; the spirit will continue to be. So this has given me courage about the prospects of death. I am now sure that in this moment, I can exercise this blessed hope of faith; and leap to my Father’s arms in majestic union and mystery. #IPraiseHimforThisHope for me and my friend.

     I do not know what I will leave behind, when I leave this realm. But one hope I have is that when I leave this realm that people will be sure that I was a reverent, sincere soul.  I hope you will remember that it was I that told you: You do not have to be straight-laced or religious to be profoundly connected to God. He is not interested in religion. He is interested in U!

     For today, the joys that I have by belonging to this mystic union with my Creator make me one strange duck, to the rest of the world.  When God’s Holy Spirit comes on me, it is like an overshadowing. I am there but He is all over me! #LikeADivineCloudHeMovesWhereHeWill 

     Memories, training, friends and family long gone still influence me in this magical soup of prayer directed to the glory of Jesus. For instance lessons I should have learned long ago are still working on me today. Lessons taught by my father are a good example. My dad was the ultimate tough man but his heart was full of faith and humility. #SometimeIstillHearHisWhispers

     My father would rarely talk about matters of faith but when he did; he shared with me about His inner sanctuary; where God dwelled with Him.  I suspect that he had this deeper, inner life that I speak of. I know my mother did. She would wet the side of her bed with her tears, before going to bed at night. She walked in a realm before she left earth that few ever discover.

     Which brings me back to my primary topic. God has allowed many influences in your life. He uses these influences to teach us. Often,  God may use the words of others. But He wants to bring you to a place where He can deal with you directly Himself. That is the essence of spiritual life! Your own direct relationship to God!

     Its amazing really! God can give u His fullest capacity with no division of interest; while He offers the same to all His children. #ItsUp2U to make yourself available. God will draw you to a place of worship that is so special that though you want it for others; you can share it with no one but Him! It will be your own place of devotion & worship.  Moments when my spirit is drawn to the special holy intimacy available to me in prayer are the best moments of my life. I long for you to find this significance of meaning as well.

     Settling firmly & completely the issue of identification with Christ is the deepest comfort U can find. God abides in this deep fellowship.

     I know it would be easier not to speak of Him but I have to. My heart is drawn to my Lord like a moth to a flame. I am thankfully His! God’s holy love is like a spiritual membrane that coats everything I do with deeper reality & meaning and satisfaction.

     Though my mind may be full of diverse projects; my heart is simple and serene, when trust in Christ is really present and prevailing in my life. It is simple really:  The tissue of a true relationship with God is made of love, joy and peace.

     Faith is not meant to be a dry dogma but a living energy. God is interested in U! Open your heart and mind. Dare to spend moments alone with Him. If you really dare, try this worship on your knees. If you will submit yourself to this kind of seeking of God for 30 days, morning & night. I guarantee you that your life will never be the same.

Your friend,

“SLAM”