Friday, November 30, 2012

Counseling God


Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”
– Romans 11:33-34 (NIV)

I was reading the book of Romans last night. I read from 8th chapter til the 11th chapter. I love the book of Romans. I used to believe that the early church was somehow more spiritual than myself. They did seem to knew the power of God. I thought they may have even feared Him more than we do. I'm not so sure anymore. If they were so much wiser than us, why did Paul have to teach the things he taught. 

Last night I got to the 11th chapter and the 33rd and 34th verse, and I could imagine Paul with his eyes closed in awesome wonder at the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God. Reading Paul's wonder put me in that same awesome wonder. How unsearchable his judgments, and his path beyond searching out. Paul asked the Roman congregation two rhetorical questions. "Who has know the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?

I have tried on a number of occasions to be His counselor. That didn't work out very well! Never! You would think I would have enough sense not to try to counsel God. I didn't. I got told off every time. For those that may not be aware of it(wise people who don't offer him counsel) Jesus has no problem putting you in your place. You usually find out you have some gross, ugly, sin behind your counsel. Case in point:

The Holy Spirit really is a counselor. A few years back I had backslid in the worse way possible-all the way. I was lonely for Jesus, but unable to get back to him. All hell broke out in my life. I cried out with a sincere heart to be restored. I was, but I was still concerned about my ability to walk away from Jesus. So I prayed for him to fix the broken parts of me that would cause me to walk away from such a loving, and good God. I didn't know how broken I really was. It took years for him to heal me. I'm sure there still much more work to do. Our counsel session usually started with some deep hidden pain. Those were some really rough session that left me crying for days, and sometimes weeks. Opening those old wounds hurt as much coming out as they did going in, accept this time I didn't try to numb them or hide them in my fragile heart(He wouldn't let me).

Back than the Holy Spirit used to say to me, I need you to give me this or that, usually some painful experience I didn't want to relive. The Holy Spirit is a relentless counselor. He gets what he wants. I used to beg Him not to make me relive experiences, I'd ask for a week to think about it. Tell him to cut me some slack, I'm not ready. I was a horribly non-compliant patient, the kind that I would clench my teeth at so I wouldn't appear as impatient as I truly was. I would finally give in. I would write about it or tell Him, and let the waterfalls begin. Like I said those days were rough on me. I would go to work with watery, red eyes and walk around like a zombie. One day after a particularly painful counsel session, I decided to offer my own counsel. I told Jesus that his way of counsel wasn't so hot, cause it hurt too much. He should try a better approach. I told him that "when other people hurt you, it can stay with you for years laying dormant. I think free will is the real problem. Other people sins against you will eat at you like cancer." He simply told me, "The only thing eating at you like cancer is your unforgiving."

Boy, did that scare the hell out of me(literally). When he said that to me, I was ready for a session, but this time I wanted the grace to forgive ALL who every hurt or sinned against me. I wanted that cancer out of me. Years later I finally realized that God never once asked me for my counsel. I'm starting to believe he doesn't need my counsel.

Let me reiterate,  every time I decided to counsel God, I learned something horrible about me. I would not advise it, but if your brave enough to try. Be warned...

Fearless

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

The Lie

I didn't start out that particular morning to create racial tension in my community. It wasn't premeditated. I would have never thought that by early afternoon, I would be the poster child for racial discord. I was.

 It was the mid seventies, I was a freshman in high school. And like most freshman's I was walking on foreign ground and grappling to fit in. I was a teenager, yet still a very much a child. I had reached the rebellious stage of life. I didn't want to be a treated as a child, but I was to immature to be treated otherwise. There was also a fence that separated the races in our neighborhood. It was a fence of racial divide. I don't know when it came to be. I do know children on either side were allowed to cross the fence. By the time we got to Jr and Sr high we were in the same school, but the years of the fence made us alien to each other. Like random strangers in a crowded park. You can look on the outside, but never know each other on the inside. All we saw were each others differences.

The day of the lie started out like any other day. I woke up, had breakfast groomed myself, and was off to school before it was light outside. I went to my first four classes of the day, did my work. Nothing was amiss that day at all. By lunchtime my friend Cassandra and I decided not to have lunch in the cafeteria at school. We left the school ground. Because Cassandra and I were silly, childish, and very competitive, we started tussling. We were only playing, but we were both determined to get the upper-hand. Looking back on it I realize that we were very immature for our fourteen years. Somehow in the scuffle my blouse was torn, and I got a scratch on my face. To make matters worse we were both late for our next class. I know this is no accuse for what I did next, but it is the truth. My uncle Bill a strict disciplinarian, and the only black member of the school board, is the person called when we get in trouble in school. Even the teachers would call me Bill Morris's niece and tell on me if I did anything out of line. I would spend the weekend cleaning his walls and baseboards, and listening to his slow, wordy lectures on being a productive member of society. I used to prefer a spanking from my parents than a day with uncle Bill and the walls.

So, we came up with a quick lie for our tardiness, my ripped blouse, and scratched face. We decided to tell my older sister and brother. That way when or if I got in trouble they would be a witness that I did nothing wrong. I was a victim of circumstance, and not the disobedient kid I really was. I had an earlier lunch than my brother and sister, so by the time I got back, they were in the cafeteria having lunch. I proceeded to tell them how these two big white hippie looking boys beat Cassandra and I. We had crossed the fence, and our parents worse fear had happened. We were beat, and if that wasn't bad enough, for drama affect, (and unrehearsed), I added "and they called me the "N" word." I looked over at Cassandra and she nodded her head in agreement. That's the thing about lies, they grow and produce more lies. You have no control over them once they're out your mouth. Boy, did this one grow beyond my wildest imagination.

My sister and brother took the news a little harder than I thought they would. I figured they would reprimand me for leaving the school ground, tell me it's all my fault for being disobedient and let it go. It didn't play out the way I thought it would. I just wanted an accuse, I got far more. My siblings were furious, so much so that they told not only their friends, but the school principle. Before the day was out, I had told that same lie to several different people. Mostly by nodding my head yes or no at the proper time. I pretended to be to distressed to speak, but actually I didn't want to keep lying, so I let my sister talk. I listened as she inadvertently spread a lie.

The next thing I know the lie had become a dark hole of racial tension in our quiet neighborhood. Strangers(black and white) would walk up to me and quietly ask me how I was doing. I wanted to tell the truth, but the lie had spread to wild, had gone to far. Before long that fence of fear, and hatred reached a fever pitch. The older kids in our high school, the ones that wore big Afros, with the Afro- picks, African freedom flags, and free Angela Davis tee shirts were ready to fight. My grandmother picked us up from school armed with a thirty-eight Smith and Wesson. I became a prisoner of my lie. I imprisoned our neighborhoods. There were community meetings, on keeping the children safe. The lie brought forth the hate and fear that was hidden in that fence.

Cassandra's family were one of the few black families that lived on the other side of the fence. She didn't have to witness the community meeting, the anger and fear that I witnessed. When we were alone we did discuss the lie, in a hushed whisper. We didn't understand what was in the fence. We didn't mean to unleash that beast. We never expected the anger, hate, and threats of retaliation. We had no way of understanding what that fence actually represented. She was afraid for the neighbors she loved. I was afraid for both sides of the fence. I cried myself to sleep, and prayed that no one would get hurt. Yet, we didn't retract our lie, out of fear of getting beaten worse than my torn blouse, and our tardiness would have warranted. I couldn't eat or sleep, my own conscious hurt me worse than my parents spankings, or uncle Bill lectures ever could.

Our neighborhood made national news. We became the neighborhood with the racial tension, and looming violence. The day the newsman came to visit our side of the fence, I didn't want to speak to them. They set up cameras in the park across the street from our home. My oldest sister and the neighborhood radicals called me out the house. I told my grandmother I didn't feel well. I asked her to let them know. She refused to do that. I cried. I remember her looking at me really funny. She told me I had to go out, that it was my story. I remember my legs feeling wobbly, and weak as I made my way across the street with tears streaming down my face. By the time I got to the park, some of the bigger kids were talking to the newsman. They were the most out spoken. I stood between the captain of our high school, football and basketball teams. They were the popular kids, they had the voice. I just stood there, full of guilt, shame and relief that I didn't have to tell the whole nation, the lie. I never had to speak to the newsman that day.

Yes, I was the quiet, lying child with the tear stained face on the news. The lie finally fizzled out after a few weeks. The next year after many meeting between both sides of the fence, the elementary children in both neighborhoods started being bused to the other side of the fence.

I learned that year, that my conscious is more of a disciplinarian then my parents or uncle Bill. I also learned that you can't control a lie once it's out of your mouth, and innocent people could get hurt by them. I put the incident far behind me and just thought of it recently. I was in the car with my sister and niece and out of nowhere I told the story to them. This time I told the truth. They laughed even though they were appalled at my actions. My niece asked me if I ever told the truth, and my sister said "yes, just now." My sister is right. I finally let the light shine on the lie.

Two days later, a classmate from the neighborhood, who moved right before that incident asked about that fence. He remembered us not being allowed on the other side. He asked was the neighborhood still divided. I told him the division ended with our class. That somehow we got beyond that dreaded fence, and formed bonds and friendship that have lasted to this day. I told him about the lie, and the busing the following year, starting in kindergarten. I remember being glad my younger siblings didn't have to fear the fence. I'm not saying the lie had anything to do with what happened they next year. I didn't put it together before, but when I told my old classmate the story I realized that segregation ended the following year for the younger children. I don't know  why segregation ended the next year. I do know that God can use anything to break down those fallow grounds of our heart; those horrible fears, and hatred we teach our children. Maybe the fence got to thick and dark for the adults too. Or maybe I just want to believe something good can come out of my worse moments, and greatest sins.

Fearless

Sunday, November 25, 2012

The True Failure


Mar 16:15  Then he told them, "As you go into all the world, proclaim the gospel to everyone.
Mar 16:16  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever doesn't believe will be condemned.
Mar 16:17  "These are the signs that will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
Mar 16:18  they will pick up snakes with their hands; even if they drink any deadly poison it will not hurt them; and they will place their hands on the sick, and they will recover."

I've been thinking(oh, boy) about the noticeable decay in our society. I have been people watching lately. What I've noticed is the lifelessness. So many people looks like the walking dead to me. Their eyes are dull, and they just look soul weary. Even the surrounding scenery looks sad. The restaurants and stores glass doors are dirty, even in area that used to be beautiful. The children are dressing dark or in apparel made for the opposite sex. Girls are dressing like boys and boys are dressing like girls far more frequently. I used to blame the decay of society on wickedness and moral corruption. Families are breaking up, and children are being reared by latch key, the internet, and television(horrible combination).

However, as bad as all those things are, the real problem is the church. We have walked away from the true gospel of Jesus Christ, and have adopted a watered-down, feel-good gospel. Not to mention we have turned it into our very own get rich quick scheme with the message of prosperity. No one wants to preach about a Holy God that without holiness we will not see. Or we took on the attitude of conservative, self-righteousness and superiority. Then theirs the liberal gospel of God loves us, and Jesus died for our sins, so there's no longer a need to repent. Live the way you want you're still a child of God. The truth is, only those that walk by the Spirit of God are truly His sons and daughters. The wages of sin is still death. Jesus did die for our sins. He paid the price to free us from death. He took took our sins to the grave. The church has lost it's balance. We have to get back to being centered in Christ and stop being self-centered.

I also believe that we have forgotten how to cry out to Abba in sincere prayer. It's time to rend our hearts and not our garments. A sinful- prayer lacking church- is a weak and ailing church. The world is failing because the church is failing. Wickedness has been here since the fall of mankind. Redemption is only two thousand years old. Jesus left us with instructions, and power(His Spirit) to help fulfill our commission. We walked away from His righteousness in pursuit of our own. We have failed society. We have failed the children, but worse of all, we have failed our Father. I've heard people complain about a God that would let people suffer. I heard all kind of hate speech against God. They don't know Him, but we do. How could you not love a God that stepped down from Glory, wrapped himself in human flesh and suffered and died in our place.

Sin still stinks in his nostrils. Judgment begins in the house of the Lord. I understand that scripture now. When my son was a baby, I don't see myself changing the dirty diaper of the kid next door when my son's diaper need changing. It's time to get back in balance with Abba. It's time to tell the truth without condemnation or compromise. Lets go back to the gospel in all it's simplicity. All of creation is groaning waiting on the sons of God to be revealed. Don't you see it?

Fearless

Friday, November 16, 2012

Praying for Our President


1Tim 2:1  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1Tim 2:2  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
1Tim 2:3  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1Tim 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
1Tim 2:5  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1Tim 2:6  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
1Tim 2:7  Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
1Tim 2:8  I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

I have been ill lately. I had some kind of nasty virus that left me bedridden for a few days, and sick for at least two weeks. Today is the first day I feel like myself in two weeks. During the time that I was bedridden Abba started dealing with me concerning the election in the USA. I didn't have much I could do so, I listen to what was happening. It got really ugly. I noticed a lot of race baiting and down right ugliness. I have been in the midst of racial division and a riot before. Trust me no one wants to go through that. There are no winners in violence and destruction.

I prayed about the election; mainly who to vote for. My biggest dilemma has been Israel. In the last few elections I was more of a critical spectator than an actually participant. I had decided no one really had Jesus best interest at heart, Democrats or Republican. I know Republicans stood against abortion and same sex marriage, that seemed to appease a lot of Christians, even though 55 million babies have been killed since, Roe vs Wade. Abortions continued, and same sex marriage is legal in several states, no matter who's president. Some chose the moral high ground of Republicans, while others chose the high road of the Democrats, for their stance and care of the elderly, handicap and poor. I'm sure there are other issues as well, big business, health care reform, economy, etc. I have been on both sides a time or two. Several years ago I decided not to exercise my right to vote. I got too sanctified or at least I thought I was, but the real word is self-righteous. I bad-mouthed, and probably cursed our leaders. I thought politics was wicked and worldly, and for the most part they probably are. However, it's not my call to judge whom God put in place to lead. Yes, that's right he put's leaders in place.

Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar in Dan 4:17  "This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones, so that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He will, and sets up over it the lowest of men."

I listen to some Christian that were up in arms over giving to those in need. Even some people I know, at first it didn't bother me. I felt people should be able to voice their opinion, but after awhile it took on a dark undertone. It was said more time then I can count, how they didn't want their tax dollars going to the "lazy who refused to work and felt entitled." The word entitled was a key word in Romney's stance. I wondered to myself who feels the most entitled, the family with the low paying job, who may or may not get food stamps to supplement, and medical coverage for their children? Or the 1% of billionaires that feel entitled to make the 99% poorer? If Obama has tried to put things in place to help feed the poor, or take care of the sick. Does that really make him a socialist, or a fascist?  The craziness of it all, is the fact, that they're almost polar opposites. I'm not defending Obama or his politics, I'm just backing up and paying attention. Jesus set up funds for the poor, he even put Judas over it(the most worldly one). He healed the sick himself. How many of us are actually walking in the authority that he's given us to do the same?

What I have come to see is that the Western Church has gotten self-righteous and worldly. Jesus said render Caesar what is Caesar's, and God what is God. How much clearer could He be about taxes?. We're not of this world. The United States is not our home, we're sojourners. Called out, peculiar people that show forth the praise of our God.

After I had prayed and asked about the election, I had a dream about Obama. I knew he would win. Jesus also gave me the scripture to pray for kings and all in authority over us. I felt shame that I missed Abba's heart in this matter for so long. Paul said,  we should pray for kings and those in authority, that's it's good and acceptable to God our Savior. Paul went so far as to put his gift and calling as a preacher and apostle on the fact that he was speaking the truth in Christ and not a lie. I wonder if the early church was starting a revolt against the government, somehow I doubt it. Still the issue of government was addressed to the church.

I've even heard some talking of taking up arms and fighting another civil war. That may be right for the world, but Jesus never instructed His to followers to fight and kill. Who exactly is the enemy? The government? Obama? Romney? Blacks? Whites? Hispanics? Elderly? Poor? Women? Billionaires? Big business? I used to argue over who would get my tax dollars. I never begrudged the minority's(of which I belong), elderly, handicap or poor. My argument used to be, my tax dollars are going to a useless war that was slaughtering not only our sons, but innocent babies in the Middle East. I know some will say we went to nations and killed, to protect our freedom. What with the weapons of mass destruction and all. Are we really free? Our we a great nation or the police of the world? Don't we have enough blood shed on our hands? Now we want to kill each other. I'm guessing the rest of the world would love to see that.

Obama is re-elected and guns sales skyrocket. Really? Christians are living in fear and dread of the anti-Christ? News flash!.. the beast is coming and there's nothing we can do about it. The scriptures must be fulfilled, before Jesus can come back. Yes, some of us will be sent to prison and some will be beheaded, and Lord help us some will turn against God and worship the beast and his image. No matter what we go through we must remain steadfast in love to the end. Please people wake up, don't let anyone talk you into hate. Hate is not of GOD. In order to live quite, and peaceful we must pray for our leaders. Christian please get off your soap box and get on your knees. This is what Abba told me. I repented.... will you? This is Abba's will concerning us. Pray...Pray...Pray

Fearless
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Saturday, November 3, 2012

In His Presence




Gen 3:8  And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

I wrote a post earlier about His presence. As I was typing it just disappeared. I got irritated and laid down for a nap. I woke up with a crook in my neck. I decided to take a walk, I needed to clear my head. For one I couldn't remember what I had wrote. At first it felt like I was just typing letters hoping they would glide across the blank page; come together and make sense. Then I felt a real flow. His presence had come, then I lost it all.
This is what I can remember:

Lately I feel as if I go in and out of His presence. I'm searching for that abiding place. I guess I have been searching for that place most of my walk. My journey has lead me down many strange paths. I used to go from ministry to ministry chasing after a feeling. Hoping that this would be the big one; the one were genuine change would take place. Where there would be no more fighting my flesh. I looked for victory over sin's smelly embrace. No matter where I went or who laid their hands on me, I fought and most time lost the battle over my flesh. With ever loss I hid from his presence. I was the scared and ashamed to face my Abba.  I guess I wondered if each failure was the one that would make Him realize, that I'm a big disappointment.

That one never came. When I was a teen in my rebellious stage and no longer the perfect child that got straight A's and made the honor roll. My mom in her frustration over having to leave work to pick me up from school after another suspension, once called me a big disappointment. I guess those words cut deeper then I knew. One day Abba told me I will never be a disappointment to him. Those words dug into that old wound. They were the balm of Gilead to my wounded soul. I think I cried for a week after that conversation. That's the thing about wounds. Abba has to dig deep and cut out all the infection, then apply the balm. Still I searched in vain for that feeling of perfection. My mind knew I wouldn't find it on this side of eternity, my heart just didn't understand.

I would go anywhere I heard the presence of the Lord was. If a minster said run, I ran. If they said give to I couldn't pay my rent, I did. No price was to high to pay. I once searched around for hours on the ground looking for jewels from heaven( Don't judge me). I never found one. Things just seemed to go from abstruse to ridiculous. Nothing satisfied me. After awhile I would sit in services asking, is this it? Like Jason Upton says in this song, "somewhere on the journey I think I lost hold of the truth. Nothing really satisfies Like when you speak my name. So tell me that you'll never leave and everything will be ok. In your presence is where I belong." The more I searched with man the more frustrated I became. The more I cried out to God the more I realized he is inside of me.

He told me I need to stop relying on my feelings. My feelings are slick and greasy and change without warning. It's in his presence where the real change takes place; it's in our intimacy with Jesus. It all in Him. Christ in us, our hope of glory. He said we can come boldly to his throne of grace, to obtain mercy and receive grace in time of trouble. I don't have to try and hide like Adam and Eve did. I can come to him naked and unafraid. My victory is not in perfection it's in the blood of Jesus. I realized there's only two kind of people. Dead in sin or dead to sin. I choose the latter. The more you dwell in his presence the least you want to sin.

Okay, that's not what I wrote earlier, but it's close. I think it may contain one or two of the same words. In defense of my memory "It's the same video!" Enjoy it, enjoy His presence.

Fearless

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Worthy is the Lamb





Rev 5:7  He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who sits on the throne.
Rev 5:8  When the lamb had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders bowed down in front of him. Each held a harp and a gold bowl full of incense, the prayers of the saints.
Rev 5:9  They sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, because you were slaughtered. With your blood you purchased people for God from every tribe, language, people, and nation.

 I have been getting many small visions. I say small because they come without notification and leave just as quickly. Usually I only see one or two things. The first was of a black horse. It was grand and beautiful. I could see all of it's muscle tone. It's mane was the darkest, shiniest black I have ever saw. It was perfectly beautiful. All I could say when I saw it is, "What a beautiful creature, he's waiting to do your will isn't he Lord." By the time I could give it more thought the vision disappeared. I probably forgot more of the bible than I should have, but I did remember there's a black horse in The book of Revelation of Jesus Christ. So I went to the 6th chapter of Revelation. It's about the breaking of the Seven Seals. Only the lamb was worthy to break the Seals.The black horse represent famine. This scared me. I didn't know what to do with it. So I did what I normally do when faced with impossible situations. I got crazy and unbalanced. First I told some good Christian friends, they laughed me to scorn(my worse nightmare). Then after that didn't go over well. I started stacking weird groceries; can good and nonperishable items. Stuff like beef jerky, tuna, string beans, fruit cocktail and dry beans an rice. This was two years ago while I was still in Florida. I had to leave my stash with my sister when I moved.

The vision stayed with me, but I tried to act more stable. I had no desire to get laughed to scorn again. So I devised different methods of delivering the message. I used subtle hints, and scare tactics. Mostly I feared being called a fanatic. That's probably why I have been getting the message of carrying my cross for two years. I need to really get over what people think. That's the reason a whole generation of Israel didn't make it to the promise land. They thought the giants saw them as grasshoppers. I have spent to many years being a grasshopper. Like Joshua and Caleb I have to learn to trust God.

About a month ago I got another vision. This time it was the black horse and the pale horse. It appeared as if they were in a stable just waiting, together. This time I didn't get scared and crazy. Even though the pale horse riders is Death an Hades. You would think I would be more afraid of dying. I'm not, because I know to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. My greatest fear was watching the suffering of those around me. I don't want my love ones to suffer. I don't want to see the murderous beast that hunger can turn men into. It was all so overwhelming to me. I had to give my fear to the Lord. I handed over my burdens. He told me, he will never lose control. Nothing shall befall me that he hasn't allowed, and he will give me the grace needed to deal with every situation.

I went back and read The 5 chapter of Revelation today. This time I got the whole message. John was crying because no one on earth or in Heaven was worthy to open the Seals. The angel asked him why he was crying and he replied because none is worthy to open the Seals. A lamb came from the midst of the throne, looking as if he had been slaughtered. He took the scroll from the right hand of the One who sit on the throne. He was slaughtered. With His blood he purchased people to God from every tribe, language, people and nation. Today my heart no longer feels faint, but rejoices, because Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for you and me. We're to sing a new song. He's coming to get his bride soon and:

 Rom 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Okay, I've been playing this song all day. Thinking about that abused, scourged, rejected and laughed to scorn Lamb. I'm no longer afraid, but I still need to warn others. Laugh me to scorn if you want to. I'm in good company.

Fearless