3 evils, 1 strategy

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And it snowed

I love snow. Its bears special meaning to me.

as a yung boy growing up in south texsas i dreamed of snow covered hills, snowmen, snowballs, but alas... not much snow in south texas. then i listened to my dad preaching about faith. 'if you ask god, believing, he will provide' (as long as what you ask is within his will). i decided i needed to know if this was true. so i prayed to see snow at my house. it wasnt just 'saying a prayer' it was praying from the heart. more than just snow i wanted to know if god listened to a sole young boy.

outcome?

it snowed one week later. not lightly, several inches. a proud snowman stood in my yard.

never doubt.





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The last days...

It seems quite popular to talk about the end of the world these days... But here are few facts to keep l mind....

We are indeed living in the last days... But this is not a new nor a recent thing. The "last days" officially began at Pentecost when the holy spirit was poured out on all mankind. The scriptures are clear on this. Therefore the. "last days" are for the last 2000years!.

Even so, we are 2000 years closer to the end of the world than when this age started. That's not insignificant! Much of history happened at 1000 or 2000 year increments

.

posted from Bloggeroid

The purpose of Jesus

Most religions have a beginning, a person, who spent their life creating or defining that religion. Before this person, the religion did not exist.  The focus of most of these religions is "how to have a better life".  Religion, all religions, are primarily about how to live here, now, in this world. Sometimes the goal of this living is to be worthy of heaven, or find a better place in heaven. Even so... the focus is on how to live here, not heaven.

Christianity (being "like christ") is fundamentally different from religion on both of these points.

First, Jesus did not start christianity. He did not spend his life creating a system of living, rules, beliefs, etc. He actually didnt start" anything. Instead, he came for one purpose and stayed focused on that purpose all his life.  He came to die... to live a perfect life and die in our place, paying the price that each of us earned as a result of our own sin. He came to die so that we can live.  Back in the beginning, it was decared "the wages of sin is death"...  "if you eat of it, you will surely die".  It is death that we deserve.  BUT... god had mercy He allowed a substitute for us. Jesus came as a man, lived as a god (perfect and sinless) but still died willingly under the curse of man. He did not deserve death, he could have lived forever, but he chose to die to pay our debt of his own free will.

All the other things jesus did, the miracles, the healings, were out of his own compassion. He had compasion on the people that were so sick and suffering and offered them health, wisdom, advice, etc. Unlike the prophets of other religions, Jesus did not set out to create a sstem of living here, on earth. He focused on making it possible for us to attain heaven.  Not by the deluded notion that we can ever be "good enough" to earn heaven on our own, but rather by paying the debt owed that legally seperated us from god.

Secondly, JEsus teachings focused much more on how heaven works than on anything pertaining to this earth. He focused his listeners on heaven itself, not a better life on earth. Unlike all the prophets of other religions, he was not focused on the "rules" nor the life of people. He knew that only through his payment for their sins would thye have any chance... so he focused on showing us what heaven is. His kindgom truly was not of this earth, as religion is.. his kingdom is of heaven where he invites us now.

So a fundamental difference between christiantiy and religion is that christianity is a drive from the inside out to be "like christ" and accept what he did as enough to get us back to God. We then have a desire to act as he did here on earth. Religion tries to force man to save himself... live better, be better, in order to please god.  They are, truly , opposite notions.

Jesus came that we might live in heaven instead of die for our sins... his compassion led him to give a better life here, but that was never the focus. The focus is on his kingdom, heaven.  Never let the substitute of religion, rules, self power,  decieve you into thinking that you can find your own way to heaven... nor that this life is the most important thing you have. It isnt. The most important thing is accepting jesus payment for our sins so that we can live forever with God, AFTER this life is over.  And yes, in the mean time, life here gets better and better... but again, that is not hte focus.  Keep your eyes on the prize... life forever with our creator...

Let's partner and make millions!

This story is one of the things that I respect most about my dad... His integrity. While so many in the late 70s fell prey to "prosperity" in the 80s and then failed.. He stood firm on his principles and died one of the wealthiest poor men alive.

There was a time, perhaps mid to late 70s, when things were going great... Good was pouring out his spirit and miracles left and right constantly. Everyone was riding this wave of goodness. Then came the test.

A well known big name preacher was at our house, probably for a series of teaching nights as was common then.  I do not know his name, but remember that he was very successful with a traveling world ministry. After a few nights, before he left, he made my dad an offer:

"Join my ministry... With my preaching and your gift of miracles and healing we can make millions!"

But you see... It had become "his ministry" and even though successful, that was a fatal flaw.  Ultimately dad turned him down. Good was not in it. Yes they would have reached millions of people, saved many, healed many, but... Wasnt gods will.  If god is not behind it... Don't do it. Simple.

So we stayed poor, struggling to get by  financially, but that one act planted my dad at a point of respect and authenticity that never faded. He was the real deal. That was a real offer, it would have worked. But... Dad said no because god was not in it.

Over the next decade many ministries failed with one scandal or another. Their heart had followed the money and they walked from God first. I do not judge then. Just relate what I observed. God pulled his protection from them when they pulled their heart from God first.

The moral here? Be real. Know that true success is not in cash or things, but in doing what god has for you. It's that simple, and that hard.

A most common miracle

Growing up I saw many many miracles.. Some I have described here. But one particular miracle of instant healing happens regularly, often, monthly and sometimes weekly.

It was simple... Back pain. Anyone complaining of back pain would receive this approach. I do not know where my dad saw or came up with this idea. But it worked 99% of the time.

He would have them sit straight in a hard chair. Like a folding chair. Tell then to relax. He would pick up both feet, holding then together, lightly pressing on the heels. Invariably the length of the legs would be of by an inch or more, one leg obviously longer. Then he would pray without moving. As he prayed, the short leg would instantly grow to the length of the other and within seconds be exactly the same. The person could then stand and find zero pain in their back.

Sometimes this was dramatic. Like a limp or a cripple healed instantly. Sometimes just s sore back. But it always worked, even to skeptics. Some tried to prove it was a scam, but were  ultimately healed against their expectations.

Scam? No. I personally watched this hundreds of times. I analyzed it as a skeptic, but no trickery here. Was it just relaxing muscles in the back that lengthened the leg? Probably... Was that a miracle? Definitely.  In the later years he didn't even pray, just pick up their feet, watch them grow to match, then thank Jesus for healing. He said as his own faith grew, god honored that in this way.

Simple, common, miraculous. Good care s about the little things!

Relearning old wisdom

Learning how to fight common diseases like colds and viruses is difficult, especially with so little wisdom still known. Yes, our society had majority "dumbded down" about simple healthcare over the last 2 to 3 generations and much wisdom has been lost. I remember a day when drs actually knew how to help s patient fight something without medicine. Today, drs are little more than pharmaceutical salesmen, matching a list of symptoms to medicine. It had been sad to watch the change.

There is huge advantage to relearning the old ways and wisdom, and with the internet and Facebook it is possible. Off in corners of the world are people that still know and are sharing wisdom that works. This wisdom strengthens there body with each attack instead of weakening it. In my case, I have gone from sick for a coupler weeks every month or two to sick for a day or two once out  twice a year. Sickness isn't nearly as deep nor as long. Is wonderful!

But how tempting it is in the thick of pain and suffering to just reach for that pill! Instant relief! But... It's all an illusion. Pulls do not remove the problem as much as hide symptoms. The symptoms are your body fighting the disease. So the pills largely stop your body's defenses! Anti biotics are s little different, but even they damage your immune system with each use. Making you more and more susceptible to disease.

Do yourself a favor, opt out of the crazy downward spiral of health caused by modern medicine. For major things... That's different. But for common ailments turn to the wisdom of old where health was a process, not a pill.

Ok, knock it down!

You spend minutes to hours building something...  A house of Cards,  string of dominoes,  blocks,  whatever...  And then "knock it down"  times comes with seconds of exhilarating destruction.  

Child's game

Human nature

Most adults still prefer to play this game,  but with real life.  The preference of human nature at all ages is to tear down over build up.  We tend to look for ways of tearing things down,  destroy,  in relationships,  society,  etc.  It's so much easier,  so much more fun to deal a blow and walk away.

I see this in politics....  So often we pass a law mandating a change in people's lives,  but don't follow through with then helping them actually build a new life.

I see this in the church....  Where sinners are scorned,  blamed,  complained about....  But little is done to actually lend a hand,  change lives,  build futures.

I see this in families....  Where members attack,  complain,  put down each other more often than help,  support,  love,  correct.

It's just more fun and easier to watch things fall.

The irony here is....  If we concentrated on building,  so much less destruction would be necessary.  In politics if we helped people see the light,  show them the benefits of a changed life,  teach them why and how,  there would be no need for laws against.  In families if we stopped complaining,  there would be less to complain about.  In church if we spread light instead of condemn the darkness,  there would be fewer sinners.

I say build.  Restore,  create.  That is our God,  our mission.  We are not made for destruction,  we are made to create.

Not by man but by god, so relax

http://bible.com/100/luk.12.11-12.nasb When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."


One of my favorite scriptures...

First  We will be given the opportunity to Speak in high places,  orchestrated by god himself. What many see as persecution is actually god given opportunity.

Second...  We will have the words to say in the moment,  if we trust.  The holy spirit will fill us with wisdom beyond ourself in the moment. 

Third...  Don't worry!  Don't fret over the exact words to say.  Don't memorize speeches,  don't plan.  Instead pray.  Don't lose sleep worrying,  instead relax and trust.  Therein is the secret of life.

Fourth...  Is not by our power nor wisdom we will succeed,  but by his.  Not by man's glory,  but by god.  Not by man's talent,  but by god.  Moses could not speak well but god intended him to speak to Pharoah.  We can speak if we pray and trust.

A major point here is one that my dad spoke of often...  Success is not add much about talent nor ability nor schooling at it is about gods actions.  Man tends to rely on man,  in ourself.  Wet think that we must improve to be successful,  that the power to do so is in our hands.  That is not true.  Sure we should strive to improve,  but realize that if god calls us to do something,  wet are also made able to do it.

An offshoot of this is...  This isn't about talent.  What gives more glory to God,  a person who naturally sings will that sings for God also,  or a person who can not sing well but when they sing for god,  lives change,  people are touched,  and compliments come.  The latter demonstrates god's power while the former is man's talent.

God will use the "Poor things of the earth"  to accomplish his will to show that it is him.  If you "can't do it"  but are called,  go.  He will give you the ability from his riches and you will succeed by his might,  not yours.

Only one sign

Jesus stated several times that he only will provide one sign to prove that he is the saviour.  Not healings,  not miracles,  not walking on water,  no...  The ombre sign was this...

He would rise on the third day.

That is it. Everything else he did and said was out of compassion for the people.  Only his resurrection,  of his own power  proves anything.

Why is this important?

Because many will come and have come working miracles...  That means nothing.

Many will come with wisdom,  teachings,  truths.  That means nothing

Many will come with claims and proofs...  They mean nothing.

Only death and resurrection has meaning.

This is why any religion that denied the physical death asks resurrection of Jesus is false.  History shows that he lived,  died,  and rose.  So all the deny that are expressly false. 

The empty grave,  the eye witnesses,  that is all the proof we will ever get....  Besides Meating Jesus himself.  He is,  after all,  alive and well today.

It's not what you know...

In life...  Is not what you know that's important   but who you know. 

If you can find an answer... If you know the source of truth,  you do not need to possess every answer to every question.  Facts are discoverable through many sources....  Do not commit the majority of your time in accumulating them.  Instead...  Concentrate on learning wisdom.

Wisdom is the application of facts to life,  a deep understand of the relationship and actions of facts.  Pursue wisdom ...  And the facts will be found as necessary.

Where did you go to school?

Apparently my grandpa was a very bright man.  The story goes...  He was often asked "where did you get your degree?"  because he demonstrated intelligence fat above normal.  His answer?

"I have a PhD from the school of hard knocks "

Grandpa learned from life,  using common sense and experience as the teacher and curriculum.  There  is no better teacher.

Intelligence does not come from school...  It comes from god.  School at best can bring facts (which are discoverable outside just as well)  and challenge you to think (which we should do always anywhere)  and at worst will destroy your ability to reason,  replacing that work blind acceptance of started facts based on source,  not truth.

The older you get

The older you get...  The more you realize how little you know.

In life questions accumulate faster than answers. But only time brings that realization.

The nature of Islam

I won't go into much supporting detail for now,  instead just make the statement that Islam is far beyond a false religion.  In comparing the "end of the world"  as prophesied by each of Islam and the Bible,  I have come to realize that Islam is a unique form of Satan worship.  It is in fact the polar opposite of Christianity.

Take a close look at the end time prophesy and you see that they match perfectly,  but ON OPPOSITE SIDES! Yep...  Islam perfectly describes the final showdown,  from the opposing side to the description of the Bible.  This is significant. 

There are 3 beings involved on the earth at the end in both versions of prophesy,  for the same stated reason. 

Bible version                Islam version
Antichrist                   Muslim world teach/ political leader
False prophet             one who claims to be Jesus but not son of god
The dragon(satan)     allah

So you see,,,,  Islam is not only the birth of the Antichrist,  but more importantly,  the analogy points to Allah as Satan himself!

This matches with the goals and nature of Islam.  Islam is all about setting up a worldly Kingdom (which is Satan's domain),  forcing people to live according to his "right"  (force is Satan's way),  and destroying the nonbelievers (Satan's goal).  I am more and more convinced that we are watching historic days played out,  with a final battle shaping up within the next few decades between Christianity plus Judaism against Islam. 

Of course we know who wins....

Work Ethic

My dad always had this sign, or one very similar to it, posted by the water cooler at the office. This is wisdom to remember.  Either be in, or get out.  Being in while wanting out destroys your own peace, and degrades everyone's view of you.  If you are to be in, then be in. Change what you can and accept the rest. If you cant.. leave.

Scientific Proof of God's Existence

There is often the notion that science and the bible are at odds. But that notion is just silly. The two are actually unrelated. Science seeks answers to explain the universe that God made for us.  That said, many attempt to use science to disprove God's existence.  This is sad.  Science should be used to find answers, truth, not to make proofs.

The video here presents one view of hte crossover between bible, God, and science. It takes what is commonly accepted modern scientific findings, and shows how they actually point to the necessary existence of a creator, commonly known as God. There are several point presented that are debatable as they are NOT facts (i.e. billions of years of time passing) but in general I agree with his conclusions. 

 

Easy as 1 2 3

A common phrase, "its as easy as 1 2 3"... but is it?

one of my biggest frustrations in life  is that the vast majority of people  we interact with... simply dont think. They have lost, or never had, the ability to reason, to truly understand concepts, to "know" things. Yet, they know many things... as remembered facts.

I was faced with a delimma in me microsoft days. After the acquisition of Datallegro,  the new microsoft owners asked me to embark on a mission, to teach the people at microsoft how to do what I do.  Of course, the first step was to understand how I do what I do so I could know what to try to relay.  Tht launched me on a jounrey of discovery.

This journey led me to a way of thinking about thinking.... Blooms taxonomy. It describd best  both the source of my frustration and the core of mission Microsoft called me to undertake.  This taxonomy providd the foundation. I share it here now as the basis of future posts.

Background:

In 1956, Benjamin Bloom headed a group of educational psychologists who developed a classification of levels of intellectual behavior important in learning. During the 1990's a new group of cognitive psychologists, lead by Lorin Anderson (a former student of Bloom), updated the taxonomy to reflect relevance to 21st century work. The two graphics show the revised and original Taxonomy. Note the change from nouns to verbs associated with each level.

I prefer the verbs version, as it is more explanatory in common language, but here are both the original and hte updated:

Booms Taxonomy Original

Blooms taxonomy updated

Here are the official definitions of the layers acording to the updated version:

Remembering: can the student recall or remember the information?	define, duplicate, list, memorize, recall, repeat, reproduce state
Understanding: can the student explain ideas or concepts?	classify, describe, discuss, explain, identify, locate, recognize, report, select, translate, paraphrase
Applying: can the student use the information in a new way?	choose, demonstrate, dramatize, employ, illustrate, interpret, operate, schedule, sketch, solve, use, write.
Analyzing: can the student distinguish between the different parts?	appraise, compare, contrast, criticize, differentiate, discriminate, distinguish, examine, experiment, question, test.
Evaluating: can the student justify a stand or decision?	appraise, argue, defend, judge, select, support, value, evaluate
Creating: can the student create new product or point of view?	assemble, construct, create, design, develop, formulate, write.

As you climb from the foundation (remembering or basic knowledge of facts) towards the top (the ability to create anew), you truly "learn' something. Not until you reach the top and can create using the thing known as raw materials that you can claim to "know" it. Before that you only "know about" it   The steps represent the necessary path from one to the other. No levels can be missed!  IF you sipe "create" withut climbinh through true understanding and analyzing... then yu siply create a new appraoch to facts, not a new understanding.

Unfortunately my mission at Microsoft mostly failed. And I understand why.

IT is a simple fact that for the vast majority of people, american education destroys the ability to climb this chart. The ability to learn is squashed through the approaches and methods of modern education. In its place is a full and sole embracing of facts... which is at the bottom of hte learning cycle. The student is recline to a life of remembering insted of understanding. The bible has a name for this... it is called "sheep".

At microsoft, the culture is much like higher education, squashing true understanding of concepts in favor of demonstrable facts.  I fact, within the culture there I clearly noticed that almost exclusively the higher the education of the person, the lower on the chart they lived.  So the microsoft culture went something like this:

the masses, the newcomers, fresh ut of school, little experience, lots of facts, some showed proomise, but few had the capacity to grasp. they became the busy workers for the first few years.

The middle men, after several years in, doing, working, experiencing, they learned... some were achieving true learning. They were the thinkers.. the ones that drove what little innovation there was.... until they either left for greener pastures or were promoted and schooled further...

The managers... higher ups, leaders... usually with more education credentials...  these were usually below the newcomers in ability to reason. They were numbers folks...  in fact the more letters they posessed behind their name, the less they could think.They spent their time mostly doing meaningless things and limiting the middle men who were actually creating.

The outsiders.. acquisitions.. these guys were good, knew how to think, but if so, they didnt fit into the culture and were quickly forced out. the few that stayed became.... managers.

I am not picking on microsoft... this iis the same patter I see in every walk of life, every profession, across america.  IT is rooted in the education system we run our children through. te education syste that was purposefully designed to rceate factory workers (non thinkers) from the american entrepreneur.

So back to the taxonomy... this is the key. facts have little value except to form a foundation. The true value in learning is in climbing the ladder and truly uderstanding relationshpips, the big picture, trenda, patterns, formulating cause and effect, building proposed scenerios, predicting the future.  Facts are only a small almost insignificant starting point. Sure.. important.. but only a sa starting point.

Sad is hte man who aims to build a house, lays a good foundation, but then praises the foundation so much so that... the house is never built. it woul cover his beautiful foundation! the house never appers, just a beautiful useful but useless foundation for all to see.

My point in all this is to express how true learning happens. You follow the levels to the top. You master something, not remember it.  And the amazing thing is... when you do this properly... you wll find that virtually all of life, all that matters, alings with the bible.  There is wisdom and technology within the bible that few find... becsue it is beyond the memorization. It is beyond verse and chapter boundaries. IT is in concepts... large clouds of thught that must be held in the comprehension in entireity to see the picture and grasp the beasuty.

More on this later.. that is the basics of sevral concepts I wish to share...

so for now.... 1 2 3 may be eay, but understanding 1 2 3  is... incredibly hard and immeasurably valuable.

The precepts of men

Dad made a profound observation one day...  This was around the time that "self esteem"  first rolled into the world as a major thought.  He said the following  (paraphrased)

When a sermon is based on truth it will be filled with scripture references to support the claims made....  But on certain topics those same preachers delivery a sermon that had only one or two half quotes scriptures. When there are only on our two individual verses to support a message,  is probably wrong."

I have watched this be true over and over.  When speaking about things like self esteem,  education,  etc...  There are a few quoted scriptures at best and then loss of the wisdom of man.  On basic points of doctrine there are lots of scripture used. 

The lesson here is,  when there are few scriptures,  be wary.  When one had to seek out versus to support what one thinks,  be careful.  When man is quoted more than god,  be skeptical.  To many use scripture as a"proof " of their own ideas instead of looking to scripture to find the truth.

Go to the bible to find truth in context.  Don't go to prove your beliefs.  Trust  messages that use multiple scriptures taken in context more than those that simply spout versus independently.  Check how many times the bible is used versus quotes from people.

An example is the classic "love your neighbor as you love yourself".  This is often used to claim that you must love yourself first in order to live your neighbor...  It is quoted to give proof thar man's biggest problem is not loving oneself enough. You can't give what you don't have.  Etc...  Etc.  Ironically though,  if you read this scripture in context and align with the bible message you find the exact opposite throughout.  Jesus is saying that everyone already lives themself,  we should love or neighbor that much.  Jesus taught that wet have to give up our own self,  die to self,  not cherish it.  Love of self is the problem,  not the solution.   Sermons and writings pushing the self love,  self esteem concepts have few scriptures to rely on ,  and they are taken without the context of scripture.

So be careful,  with the truth of god vs the precepts of man.  They usually clash.

Me

I once heard my dad say,  "I have been married to 4 different women"  confused by this,  I wondered,  but he continued,  "every decade she totally changed into someone new"

Now I can relate to that.  I wish to tell you the high level story of...  Me.  Sometimes people seem surprised or confused by the choices we make,  but we must all remember that life is a journey,  and what we think are destinations are really usually just milestones along the way

My journey has been a huge circle through many strange lands. 

I started life...  Different.  All up to my teenage years I was different.  I was also ridiculed,  criticized,  austricized,  laughed at,  attacked  because I was different,  but I was me.  I was intelligent,  wore glasses,  wore braces,  had strong conservative beliefs,  was living in a home / church where miracles happened weekly.  My dad was the biggest figure in town,  riding around on his tractor in our organic 1 acre garden in his brilliant white shirt with a iron on Jesus people patch on the back.

We were different,  and I loved it.  I was at peace.  I was me. I loved God,  I knew what I knew and stood for something true. 

Then high-school.  Somewhere along the way I made a turn.  I got tired of being different.  I remember a time thinking "I am done....  I just want to disappear into the crowd."  the particular circumstance escapes me,  but I remember the moment.  I prayed " God I still love you and will never reject you,  but I can't do this anymore".  And at that mile marker my journey changed.

Drinking,  sex,  rebellion,  women chasing,  part of me went crazy down that road.  I stayed away from drugs because I knew that my mind was all I had to earn a living and that could not be risked.

Other than that.  I started down a road I regret.

There were moments of wavering.  For a while I went back and tried to ge me,  but my heart was broken by the early years of ridicule.  I just wanted to be liked,  accepted.  So I wavered game and forth.  Preacher for a while,  rebel for a while.  Two people fighting inside me to be in control.

I married 3 women and divorced 2, and through that I lived 4 different lives.  Always searching to be who I thought I should,  but every mile marker I passed left me deeper into the world of the lost.

Yet I never rejected God,  not inside,  not verbally.

This journey travels through the strange lands of my life and drops me into the life I have today.  Through a string of deeply moving,  tormenting,  and life altering situations,  the Lord led me back...  To me.

So today I sit here as a ultra conservative,  semi Mormon,  ultra traditional usually poor farmer with too many kids to believe and a life that shocks anyone from my past.  They think "wow how you have changed" or " now dave really went off the deep end"  but no.  What they don't realize is that THIS IS ME.

It was only through years of pain that I realized it is going different that is the path.  As the bible says,  "narrow is the way and few are those who find it".  Peace and the resulting happiness comes only from being different.  Let the world be who it is,  let Satan rule,  but to be happy in this life,  we are called to be not of this world,  to be different. Ironically,  what I spent my life seeking,  the acceptance of this world,  sameness,  conformity,  is what brings pain,  suffering,  death.

Today I am who I was,  who I am,  and I am at total peace with it.  Fortunately the Lord brought me a wife that followed on this journey and accepts me.  The God of the universe,  and the woman God gave me accept me.  It is enough.

Be who you are,  and know that only if the world hates you,  will you find true peace. Don't spend a lifetime proving this simple Bible truth as I did.  Live your life,  be you.  Be the you that God created you to be.

The big picture

There are lots of moments,  events from memory to document here.  I do the best I can to pick out the ones that gave meaning to life.  However....  It is important to see the big picture.  My own childhood was not made of these moments in isolation.  There was a steady stream of miracles that far surpass anything seen today.

During the 70s, miracles of various sorts were weekly. Good moved constantly is a variety of ways.  Healings,  words of wisdom,  prophesy,  revelation,  exorcism,  angels,  the list is long.  The weekly question was not "will God work miracles this week",  it was "which miracles will we see this week"

I am not talking about little potential answer to prayers....  No...  I am referring to verifiable instant supernatural miracles. Things that are simply impossible,  happening almost daily.

That's how I grew up...  Exposed to so many miracles and shows of extreme power that they became commonplace,  expected, almost trivalized.  I can relate to the hebrews under moses lead that kept asking for bigger and bigger miracles,  never satisfied.  Miracles don't satisfy a rebellious heart like wealth doesn't satisfy a greedy soul.  We took gods power for granted.

But what days they were! I have seen more miracles in this few years as a teenager than most people see in a lifetime.  Those experiences are cemented inside me as a solid foundation that will never be shaken.  God is alive and well,  period.  Organized religion...  All of them...  Are wrong.  It's that simple.  I have personally meet Jesus,  seem enough of his work and his heart to never doubt. Of that i assure you.

Curiously...  I still walked away for a time.  I ignored god.  I never ever denied him...  Just ignored him, went my own way.  Add expected that ended in misery deeper than any imaginable...  But that's another story.  The thing is..  I know and have always known than god is alive and well today....  I saw first hand hundreds is examples of the supernatural.  Yet...  I went my own way for years.  Miracles,  signs,  wonders,  they do not change a person's heart. 

Bottom line is...  My teenage years were filed with miracles like today life can be filled with TV shows.  These few that I write about are but an example.

God is real.  Religions are wrong.