The Refinery

Good Day

  

   Engineers, scientists and vast numbers of professionals are employed around the globe by the largest and most powerful organizations on the planet. They are tasked with refining petroleum and other products for use in the global economy. Oil refineries and pump stations are a familiar sight here in El Paso and most of Texas. Oil is still the lifeblood of the economy, large scale mining is another a source of immense power and wealth on earth. There are a few striking similarities and parallels between the kingdoms of the earth and our fathers Heavenly Kingdom.

  

  Human souls, for the sake of making my point, can be equated to crude petrol or unrefined precious metals and minerals. There are vast amounts of us, several billions of us on earth and many of us are literally crude in our behavior and attitudes. 1st Peter 2:5 Peter refers to us as "living stones": Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Coincidentally oil shale is a form of rock that can be processed to reveal petroleum.

  

  So how do we go from being crude minerals and hidden gems to becoming well lit lamps and solid rocks in the foundation of His Holy Temple? Zechariah 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.
Amen, we must be refined!

  

  Peter refers to the "spiritual sacrifices" and in Zachariah the context is in relation to end times and references the book of Revelations. God has been speaking to my inner man over the past few weeks regarding the refining going on in my heart and in my own life. There is coming a great purification by fire, there are several biblical references to this coinciding with the return of the our Messiah Y'shua Hamashiach.

  What are spiritual sacrifices? Here's a fairly succinct explanation: http://www.ucg.org/christian-living/treasure-digest-qa-what-are-spiritual-sacrifices/. So what does this all mean in relation to current events? In my opinion and many experts will agree; The greatest test we have yet to experience is one involving, what we perceive, as our own physical life and when it is threatened by an outside force. Truthfully, the only way God can know we will choose him over our own self is a test of life and death.

  When we are tested it will be the real deal. There is no avoiding the test either, everyone will be tested by fire and according to his word only a 1/3 will make the grade. We are left to wonder whether the statistic is based on humanity as a whole or if it is only 1/3 of those who claim to be followers of "The Way". I am led to believe the latter given humanities current situation. Let us use our short time we have left in this realm to help others become aware of the coming tests. Let us use this short time we have left to reaffirm our dedication to our Holy God the Father, his Son, Jesus and The Comforter the Holy Ghost.

 

 

Amen

Family Time

Good day

   I am blessed to have been raised by a wonderful and loving family. I am always reminded of how blessed I have been to be born into this family. We have a plethora of challenges, many would categorize as dilemmas. I see it this way myself sometimes and need some reminding of just how fallen of a creation we are no matter how much we like ourselves.

  My mother attended an all girl catholic school in El Paso, she was raised by an Irishman from Brooklyn and a teacher from Aguas Calientes, MX along with her brother and 2 sisters. Her childhood was challenging but she was extremely intelligent and graduated high school early and registered for college at only 16 years old. My mom currently spends much of her time raising my nephew, hopefully he will turn out like a better version of me. My mother has acquired an undying devotion to God and his son Jesus, through the impartation of studying the Word and the anointing of the Holy Ghost.

  My father has so many stories to tell, I wish there was a way to document them all, somebody really should do a biography on the man. His early years of "sheep camp" sound like the most miserable existence one could imagine especially for a child of his young age. Those years consisted of spending summers in the northern New Mexico wilderness, along with a random immigrant charged with shepherding several heads of sheep. They would stay out at "camp" for a few months or until the sheep were fat enough to be sold, sheered or slaughtered. My father was just a child and this could be considered neglect in todays climate. 

  Later in life, my father experienced a series of life changing events that would challenge anyone to question the direction his life was headed, thank God, he came out a new man in Jesus. He was always talented and capable, and has long been a born-agian Christian. Now he is a well known expert in construction consultation in southern New Mexico. He is remarried now, he and Cathy compliment each other very well. He was contracted by Ted Turner (TNT, Braves, Hawks) to manage the Ladder Ranch renovation project for the homes and cabins on the billionaires property.

  My siblings are both interesting and talented, each in their own right. The eldest, half-sister, Laura is the most technically accomplished individual in our family. Laura is a practicing doctor of family medicine in southern New Mexico. Her daughter Jade is a beautiful and intelligent. Sean is my eldest half-brother. Sean is busy in Denver creating a name for himself in music, art and metal fabrication.  I whole -heartedly hope and pray for Sean to come back into the fold of the faith in our father God.

  Myself along with my half-brother Brendan make up the middle segment of siblings. Brendan is who I aspired to be as a teenager, he was 4 years older, skateboarded, surfed and lived in Santa Barbara California for much of his adolescence. Brendan is a much cooler, better looking version of me. He chooses to live on the island of Kauai, HI with his girlfriend. Earlier this year, along with my dad, I went to Kauai to see Brendan. We had a great time, obviously, but we were also able to pray with Brendan and help him commit his life to our savior, Jesus

  The 2 younger sisters are Bonnie and Christian. On a side-note; Brendan, myself, Bonnie and Christian were each born within a 4 year sequence of the previous. Bonnie is the most head-strong and confident of the 2. Bonnie is the mother of Michael. Christian  is an independent free-spirit looking for success in Seattle. Bonnie is climbing the social ladder in El Paso. Both Chrissy and Bonnie are exceedingly capable individuals with glowing personalities and beautiful features. I consistently pray for both; for the redemption of their souls and for loving relationships with our savior, Jesus Christ.

Unfortunately, it is a rarity to have the entire family completely assembled for any events or gatherings. Mostly, we do our best to keep in touch and keep each other up to date on any family drama. I hope and pray; In the future my family is able to congregate and enjoy family time with increased inclusion, regularity and happiness.

  God Bless