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Tag: Faith

Nightmares In The Daytime

Nightmares In The Daytime

As a child I suffered from occasional nightmares.  And for a period of time after each, I’d be anxious about falling asleep, for fear of having another.  This was not a clinical condition, but an experience common among children of a certain age.  I’m talking garden variety, “there’s a monster under my bed”-type stuff.  Problems, worries, a scary film, an encounter with a barking dog that suddenly lunges, all can manifest themselves in the visions produced in the subconscious, as we sleep. These nocturnal…

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Awaiting Your Answer

Awaiting Your Answer

We live in perilous times.  If you are a sentient being you know this and do not need it explained to you.  Evil, corruption, violence and chaos swirl around us. The rising tide of darkness, madness and hysteria threatens to overwhelm us, engulf us, drag us down.    The world is changing rapidly and radically, but definitely not for the better. All except those in deepest denial recognize that something supernatural is at work here.  The demons are industrious, laboring incessantly, to steal, kill and…

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Arrested Development

Arrested Development

Detainee 756 was well and truly terrified.  He had been awakened out of a sound sleep by a booming crash, as his front door was kicked in.  Three men burst through the splintered opening and made straight for him, as he rose from his bed and crept down the hall to investigate.  His arms were seized and pinned painfully behind him, while a black hood was forced down over his head.  Before he could protest or ask any questions, he was hustled downstairs to…

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The Joys Of Small-Mindedness

The Joys Of Small-Mindedness

We live in a world in which credulity (a pre-disposition to believe without substantive evidence) has become a virtue, and uncritical acceptance a sign of intelligence.  It is a world in which naivete is a mark of noble character, and gullibility is morally superior to critical thinking (whatever that was).  Full disclosure: this is not a world in which I feel comfortable or into which I readily fit.  I blame my parents first and foremost. Let’s face it—they were not particularly broad-minded people.  To start with,…

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Greetings—From God

Greetings—From God

I’m no scholar, but if I were, I might tell you that it was customary in the ancient Near East to begin personal correspondence by stating the letter writer’s identity up front.  The format might begin with the author’s name, add a bit of distinctive information to differentiate the sender from others with similar names, and cap it off with a special greeting to the intended recipient(s).  A brief introduction, summarizing the subject of the missive was not uncommon. The great apostle…

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Learning To See Double

Learning To See Double

“Seeing double” is the colloquial term ascribed to a phenomenon in which a particular kind of visual impairment causes the person experiencing it to perceive two images when only one is actually present.  The scientific designation for this is, “diplopia.” Films and television programs often portray double vision as the comical result of illegal drug use or excessive drinking.  But it is no laughing matter.  Persistent or repeated diplopia warrants prompt medical attention to determine the cause(s) of the disorder—not an easy task,…

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Knowing and Being Known

Knowing and Being Known

If I did not know Jesus Christ and did not expect Him to return for me and for all who trust in Him, I would not, could not know love, peace, joy and hope.  I would know crushing disappointment, seething hatred, suffocating panic, and utter despair. Think about a Christ-less world for two minutes.  What do you see? Your very existence the result of an inexplicable series of accidents, a product of random chance, without meaning, purpose or intrinsic value.   No answer to existential…

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Wishes, Dreams And Substance

Wishes, Dreams And Substance

At special times such as celebrating one’s birthday or favorite holidays, the subject of wishes arises of itself.  Those close to us are suddenly keen to know what would please us—what we might like, feel want of or desire.  Some ask our preferences because they are interested in our thoughts on how to enhance the pleasure of the whole family or group on the occasion at hand.  Such curiosity is somewhat rare.  Human beings as a rule, are not often asked for their wishes…

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Bedtime Story For Grownups

Bedtime Story For Grownups

What follows is a bedtime story of a different kind—a bedtime story for grownups.  It is a true story, though the events occurred long ago. Background: history records that ten of the Hebrews’ twelve tribes had split into a northern kingdom, which called itself Israel.  The remaining two tribes comprised the southern kingdom of Judah, after the patriarch of the same name.  Judah’s homeland was called Judea and his descendants were known as “Jews.”  The great city of Jerusalem, in which stood the fabulous…

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That Which Survives

That Which Survives

Down through the centuries opinions have differed as to the best way to nurture, care for and protect the human soul. One tragic sign of the times in which we live is that the care and feeding of a healthy human soul is neglected or ignored across broad swathes of the populace, all around the globe.  Some would not even agree that a human being has a soul.  Others argue over when a new human life acquires its soul. Still others, intent on pushing moral,…

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