as i have traveled down many roads in this city, I have noticed a great variance of houses and people from one area to the next, quite diverse and often directly contrary, co-exsisting within the same city merely blocks appart from one another. I once saw a "House of Prayer for All Nations" near the center of a neighborhood. I stopped my walk and took a look at it. It was quite an edifice, yet barred and barricaded protectivly as if it stored some great treasure that the world would desire yet was not allowed to aquire. Then across the stree, and down approximately a half block, there was a "Mayor John F. Street Community Center." This building was quite a lot newer, yet had a completely opposite external makeup, plan and purpose. There were no iron bars protecting it, in fact the entire front entrance was glass, allowing even those who would pass by to see plainly all that was inside. Another time I saw a beautiful and majestic vacant church building with holes in its stained glass, plans living inside and out, and I was amazed wondering what happened to the community that met to worship in that building, where at one time even the very architect and building planner had the expressed purposed desire of building a building for people to meet in to bring glory to God. What force on this earth could cause such devastation? A small leak? a pursued desire to promote one's own glory? Teachings and preachings not founded in the bible itself, but based on some intellectual deduction to combat against some trend going on in society? hmm... i speak right now in vague terms as if I have something to say yet refuse to say it. I am careful and cautious to speak against my brothers and sisters in Christ when I am not 100% sure they need to be spoken against. Jesus says a kingdom divided against itself will fall. Jesus also says there will be many claiming to come in his name that are there to decieve his chosen ones, as if that were possible. Without anymore disclaimers or explainations... on Sunday I visisted the church I have recently left. It was communion Sunday, and as it was being described what communion is, how we should take it, and how we should not take it, I heard an advertisment that basically said 'God probably will only save you if you are in church.' The exact wording of what was said I do not recall, but that is the best recap of the few sentences that were added to the communion service at that church. And yes, I say added -- I have searched my heart and searched my mind, and never can I recall in the 10+? years I attended that church did I hear that comment. Looking at that incident, and comparing it with an incident someone else shared with me, what it looks like to me is that small comments and details are added in order to compel and command people to solve developing problems in various aspects at various times. i.e. church attendance has been low there -- as part of communion, you must be a member of a church; the example my friend shared with me that he noticed was, new biblestudy groups were being started and attendance there was low -- as part of becoming a member of the church, you commit in your vows to participate in the biblestudy groups (a detail/comment that was not always a part of the membership vows). is this the settling crack that brought the house down?


Other stuff on my mind to note:
The quest for the phoenix is longer than I expected, and more difficult, but I press on. The phoenix is going through stormy winds and I think some rain, so I am doing my best to help her by praying for her through it.
Within the next 2 hours, I should have seen at least 1 potential appartment for rent.
I still have 1 christmas present to get, 1 christmas present to make, all of them to wrap, and all of them to send.
even in a war with the victory won, battles are still lost... God's infinite love heals the battle wounds and continues to strengthen me to fight the next battle.