S.O.S.?

The Gifts of Christmas

As we all prepare for the big day. It's the day we celebrate every year with bright lights, festive parties and extravagantly give gifts to each other. From the day after Thanksgiving, here in the U.S., till the first week of the new year we put on our colorful clothing and go about greeting each other with cheerful slogans with smiles on our faces.

I have often wondered why folks can be so different for that 6 or 7 week period. It dawned on me just this year. The whole time period I've noted is all about BLACK FRIDAY and the cash cow that follows. This whole Holy Day season has become nothing less than a money making, getting out of the red, tax break time for our world system to try and right it's self on the back of religion.

I was reminded of the lack of true gifts of love as I read my friend Kate Brooks post this morning. I realized the greatest gift that we have ever received is the gift of life it's self. Without it we would never be afforded the opportunity to receive the gift of eternal life or interact with others who are created in His image.

I have not yet physically held, kissed and cried with Eowyn Grey Brooks but I have a love for her that is beyond words. All the other kids who call me Babu (grandfather) there in Nakuru I love them very much as well.

I said all that to say this. If you are looking for a place to put some end of the year tax deductible funds that will make a difference in the lives of those receiving, PLEASE consider the orphans and the people who take care of them in Nakuru Kenya.

There is now a community of about 30 people who depend of our generosity to enjoy their life in an impoverished country. 100% of your gift will be sent directly to them. Please help them have a joyous time with the life God has given them to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

One time gifts and regular monthly support is needed and appreciated. If you can please send your year end tax deductible donations to:
Kenya Fund
713 West First Street
Beaver Dam, KY. 42320

i am,
Babu Lonnie

Just An Update

Got into some theological stuff on the other post and forgot to report in to the parts of His body God has attached me to through this blog.

I have journeyed one full week in my "New Life" and all is extremely well in my world.

Living, loving and enjoying life like never before.

Jesus said He was "The Way", "The Truth" and "The Life". He has set me a course on the way, invited me to seek more truth and set me free to love life as best i can with the tools He's given me to work with.

i am,
Babu Lonnie

Sin, God Forbid!

Kate, I apologize in advance of the length and lack of writing skills, but what the heck, maybe folks will get the point and hear HIS voice.

I have been discussing some things on my Facebook page that I thought I may need to share with those of you who read my blog. The discussion has turned to the subject of sin. By the way I ain't for it, I'm against it. However I have participated. It seems to be one of the most difficult subject for most to talk about or understand. I don't mind talking about it and I believe I understand it.

The scripture says our answers should be kept to a simple yes or no. In other words our opinion is not the point, the point is what the Spirit of God says to us through scripture. I want to start with six JUST yes or no questions.
1. Do you believe receiving the gift of God Himself is the only way to gain eternal life?
2. Do you believe rejecting the gift of God Himself will eternally separate you for God?
3. Do you believe morality or immorality determines your eternal destiny?
4. Is sin an act of your spirit?
5. Is sin an act of your flesh?
6. Do you believe that sin will keep you from an eternally destiny with God? 

Let me give you my answers to the questions and as briefly as possible my scriptural basis.
1. Yes...do I need to explain?
2. Yes...a no would contradict my answer to #1
3. No...see answer #1. It will hinder our ability to see people drawn into deeper relationships with God because of our influence or lack of influence. Sin is the stumbling block to believers and non believers alike, and we will suffer like a big rock put around our necks and thrown into deep water. Ever feel like you're drowning?
4. No...if your spirit has been born again by the reception of God Himself, (see Q&A #1) God cannot sin and "it is no longer you that lives but God that lives in you". If your spirit remains dead, has no life it still does not have the ability to sin.
5. No...it is an act of your soul or your will and mind and it will try and tempt the flesh to partake. Sin is birthed in the mind. Remember it is the seat of the knowledge of good and evil. There was no sin until the knowledge of it was revealed to the mind of man. Before the garden incident everything had been proclaimed "good" by God Himself. Nothing changed but the mind of man.
6. No...see Q & A #1. Sin separates us from the eyes of God while living in this present state. God cannot look on sin. In eternity God there will be no sin because there will be no flesh there. In eternity without God there will be no sin because the price of eternal death is being paid. If sin could separate us from God in eternity then His death would be in vain.

On question #6 I am convinced being out of the site of God is the reason so many Born Again Believers have such difficult times here on earth. I believe we've looked at sin as a control mechanism instead of the part of life believers have been set free; from it's penalty, but not it's affect.

When I came to the place in my life I began to listen for HIS voice and not the voice of the commentators I began to hear pure, plain simple truth. Read Romans chapter 5. Verse 9 says Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. I understand His wrath will be eternity without Him. The last part of verse 20 and all of verse 21 says But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Sin separates in this life but rejecting the gift that God provided as payment for you will separate you for eternity. God forbid that we would chose to be separated from Him either here or in time eternal.

i am,
Babu Lonnie

Just Thinkin' Outloud

The following is the copy of a comment one of my last post that I want to address on the larger forum of this blog, not just hidden away as a comment. Do most people even read the comments?

It is from a man in a neighboring town. We know each other but never really saw eye to eye on theological and ideological issues. Since it was a public post I felt I should give him a little large platform on which to speak.

Billy Douglas  said What if you were to die today? Where would you spend eternity? If dont have the right answers to these question what you do with your life really doesnt matter...first things first

(couldn't figure out how to fill this space)

Here is my response. Please feel free to comment.
Billy,

If I were to die today I would spend eternity in the presence of God. Life always matters. It is a gift that God gives us, even before we have the ability to chose our eternal destination.

The major reason Christianity has become the power hungry embarrassment it is is because all we teach and seem to be concerned with is "where will we spend eternity". We have become so caught up with ourselves and eternity that we overlook the impact our "lives" have on those God places in our paths. If you don't have the right answer to the question, "what are you gonna do if you live today?", your dying is pretty meaningless in the scope of who you will impact for the Kingdom of God.

We've tried to provide, no force feed, the answer before there was even a question posed. And that is not the way we are to present "the gospel" of the Kingdom of God. Billy you've always seemed so defensive? Sorry but personal holiness won't get you or anybody else to the place they need in order to live life and then die with any positive influence.

I refuse to be part of something that is not and has not been what it is supposed to be and do. Christianity is supposed to influence people to be followers of Christ but look around, we have nothing to blame for the mess this planet is in but the way we live our lives. Christianity in it's present form and for that part for the last several centuries has been counter productive in it's efforts.

We are reaping our come to the meeting, come to the altar, pray this prayer, pay your tithe formula...you really do reap what you sow and yes you do reproduce what you are. It is obvious you don't understand the freedom and liberty Jesus came to bring, it was freedom from religion and all the bondage that it demands. That freedom is not just from eternity without Him. It is a freedom of and from....well you decide.

Because HE IS i am,
Babu Lonnie

Another Wonderful Day Awaits

With my morning bowl of shredded Wheat and a glass of orange juice under my belt It is time to go out into the masses of the greater metroplex. (Beaver Dam/Hartford Kentucky) With a bustling population of about 2,300 (both cities combined) it is a hotbed of excitement.

With close to 300 of our counties population of about 22,000 in rest homes or in jail that just leaves me about 1,900 lives to impact for the causes that are important to me. Why my causes you may ask, you may but the only answer is because they are my causes and as everyone knows I'm always right.

Someone asked if I really thought I was right all the time. The answer is what kind of idiot do you think I'd be if I argued for things I didn't think was right....wait that would make me a lawyer!

The cause that I have chosen to dedicate my existence to is, drum roll please, LIFE. I mean life, not just living but life the way God intended it. I plan on today tomorrow and everyday following to give my existence over to life and live it just as who I am. The plan is openness and honesty without the false faces that seem to be standard issue for this world and it's system.

My new mantra, If you don't want to know, don't ask. It's my life and it was given to me. I have been placed in charge of it and will be held responsible for everything that is done in this body. My life is to encourage others to live their lives as close to it's full potential as humanly possible. Wish I'd discovered LIFE much earlier. All I was concerned with with death. The standard operating system of traditional Christianity. What if you were to die today? Where will you spend eternity? Death to self!!!

The truth is I should have been asking these questions. What are you gonna do if you live today? and what about you will influence anyone to follow you into eternity? Oh yes they are following! The cry should have been death to the system that rules this world. We are told as followers of Christ NOT to be a part of that system.

Well truth is I can't change any of the past but from today forward I can. There are some wonderful days awaiting. I will impact those I come into contact with by living my life with the purpose of letting others see the reality of God in flesh and walking (temporarily waddling due to weight) among men women and children.

i am
Babu Lonnie   

Day # 2 of my New Life

The first day of my new life went almost too good to be true. I had my bowl of shredded wheat with a cup of black coffee for breakfast, 2 small bananas for lunch and 2 small homemade cheeseburgers with about a half cup of Mac & Cheese for dinner. I did no snacking all day.

Some of the reasons for such a wonderful day:
1. The prayers and encouraging words I received in response to yesterdays post via comments, emails, phone calls and even some face to face encouragement.
2. I spent the day with friends and family. After taking my father in law for a visit with his friends at the senior citizens complex I visited with some great friends named Darrell & Karon. Can't leave out Winney, Karon's mom. We sat in their garage and listen to  live concert by another friend, Dale Griffin.
3. I spent a couple hours with my mother and helped her with her dinner meal. For those of you who don't know my mother is permanatley in a rehab center due to a major stroke.
4. Spent an enjoyable evening with my wife watching TV.
5. Finally I am just sick and tired of being sick and tired and realized there is something I can do about it.

I know this sounds crazy but even on this 2nd day of my new life I feel like I've finally realized an opportunity to be responsible instead of playing the blame game. You know what I'm talking about! It's someone else's fault I weigh over 300 lbs. I have blamed it on genetics, my own health conditions, (diabetes to name just 1). I have blamed my wife for not cooking what I needed to lose weight. I blamed Patti and all of our friends and family for not making me eat right. And I have even blamed agriculture for using steroids in meat production and pesticides and herbicides and miracle grow in vegetables that promote my weight gain.

As true as some of my complaints maybe, they are just smoke screens to cover up the real problem of ME. I am a semi-intelligent man and I have a choice in matters of my life including what, when and what quantities of caloric laden morsel I cram into my pie hole. I have seen the enemy and it's me.

I will keep you posted from time to time about my journey into my promised land. My Spirit and my Mind are both doing extremely well, (at least I think so), so now I see it as time to have my body do the same.

i am,
Babu Lonnie

P.S. I had planned to start a regiment of supplements this morning but no milk to mix them with. I mentioned them yesterday but the folks at Herbalife make great products. 

Today is "The" day!

December first two thousand and nine. I have decided just this morning that I will start a "new life" today. I have had my fill of  my feet hurting, tired and just generally feeling like crap. especially when I can do something about it.

A vast majority of my physical problems are weight related. Earlier in the year while in Africa I lost about fifty pounds in about three months. I felt so much better. It was not because there was nothing for me to eat, Johnny and Kate provided plenty of nutritious food for me and the whole family. The key was Kate made me eat right. Well made me the way Kate makes anybody do anything. Not mean (most of the time) she would remind me how much better this or that would be for me.

I ate lots of fresh fruit, drank a lot of water and I actually had to walk some. I also drank supplements from a company called Herbalife once or twice a day as a meal replacement. It seems so simple but yet I have not been able to discipline myself to follow the same regiment here in Kentucky so far. But today is the day I begin a new like of disciplined health care starting with my weight.

This morning buck naked, (sorry about that), I weighted three hundred and twenty nine pounds. If I can lose about a half pound a day in Africa there is no reason I can't do it here. I will not wait till after the holidays, I will not wait to start on Monday, I will not wait for anyone to join me or give their consent...today is "the" day!

My blood pressure will be better, my sugar will be better, my joints will feel better, my mind will be clearer and I will enjoy the life that God has given me so much more. I am asking all the readers of this blog to help keep me on track by asking questions and making comments to remind me on a regular basis of the goal I've set and the prize that is before me.

My goal between December first two thousand and nine and June first two thousand and ten is to have my blood pressure and sugar levels in the normal range by eating right, exercise, (a little) and weight loss down from this three hundred twenty nine pounds to a slim trim two hundred and fifty pounds. Please help me, I'm killing myself. I have decided to put all my other hopes, dreams and desires on hold until I am closer to being what God wants me to be.

You know what started all this? I prayed for healing from an all powerful God...and this was His answer. He is a God of the impossible, if it is possible for me to accomplish something He will not do it. He only works in areas that are impossible for man. I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGENTHENS ME. He didn't say I could do the impossible just the possible things. Today is "THE" day!!! Let's get this show on the road.

i am,
Babu Lonnie

Welcome to "TAINT"

I use this familiar Kentucky term, "taint", to describe this period between the two major winter holidays. You know that in between time when it "taint" Thanksgiving and it "taint" Christmas.

The time we are given a break to fall back into our lives of unthankfulness and just hope we can survive till time comes for our next selfish endeavor of gluttony. But next time we'll add the selfish treat of gift giving. This next season of over abundance we blame on the birth of Baby Jesus.

The fact is this special time that we set aside to celebrate the birth of Jesus, (who was the man God choose to come to earth in), has become just another holiday instead of the Holy Day it was intended. But why fret the same is true with the beloved Sabbath, (whatever day your day of rest maybe), as well as the day the resurrection of Christ should be celebrated. 

So for the next 29 days we can return to screwing our neighbors, killing our brothers and sisters, choosing not to love, loving not to be publicly responsible to be thankful or show love to our fellowman. Yes we can return to life as usual in the rat race we call life.

I have come to the awareness, just this morning that what we have called life is not life at all. It is mere existence. Existing until the next occasion presents itself and we put on the faces we are supposed to wear year round. Funny isn't it? Most of us enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas and the really cool part is...they can be lived everyday. Oh but the limits we place on the good or shall I say the God that lives in us.

Think I may experiment, live a life of thankfulness and remembering the coming of God to earth in the form of man (ME & YOU) everyday. I think I'll try just being ungrateful and self centered on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Happy Day After Thanksgiving,
"i am",
Babu Lonnie

Happy Thanksgiving

Today is the day that we who live in the United States celebrate what we call thanksgiving. I am excited about spending time with some family and friends but it is historically one of the most self centered days of the year for most of us. We consume enough food at one table to feed a village, no wait we throw away enough food to feed a village. We use resources to decorated, buy trivial things to satisfy our selves. 

We call ourselves recreating the first day of celebration that our forefathers shared with the Native Americans. But we prepare a feast and share mostly with only our families. I discovered something very disturbing about life on our planet. We feast with each other then steal from our fellowman his right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Sorry I forgot that's just for US!

We have been told that the United States of America has six percent (6%) of the worlds population and ninety two percent (92%) of the worlds wealth. Not being a rocket scientist or even a semi smart guy I did the math. Ninety four percent (94%) of the worlds population lives on eight percent (8%) of the worlds wealth.

What we proclaim as thankfulness is nothing more than greed. When a minimum wage worker in the U.S. ranks as wealthy by a vast majority of the worlds standard, I'm thinking something is wrong. Here is what I see as wrong. We have ceased to care for and love our fellow man, we have elected politicians to ease our conscience and buffer our lives from the reality of personal responsibility.

We have bitched and moaned ourselves into a corner and now there is no one out there to help or even would help if they could. We have paraded around the world as the superpower and now we seem to neither be super or powerful. We are on the fast track from the head to the tail, from the lender to the borrower, from the steward to the one being managed.

I am thankful that God is still God and we just guests in His universe, but He will someday say that's enough raping and pillaging of my planet and my crowning creation called man. This life will close it's doors and we will step into a new life, that life will be an eternal one with God or an eternal life without Him.

I am truly thankful that I know where and with whom I will spend eternity. It is determined in part by how we serve our fellow man. Please read Mathew chapter 25 verses 31 through 46. It's about receiving HIM.

"i am"
Babu Lonnie 

YES "i am"

My last post I was in quite a quandary over the "i am" thing, but now I got it and am on my way to a life of bliss...

"i am" a member of the body of Christ on earth today. "i am" filled with the same God that Jesus was filled with while He was here on earth. "i am" a human being not a human doing. "i am" only part of the body of Christ not the whole body, therefore "i am" responsible for  only the things my particular part of the body was created to do.

In times past I have been taught and taught each individual had to "DO IT" all or they were something less than what God wanted or expected of them. But over the last few days sitting in my comfortable Lazy Boy recliner being thankful for what I have, I begin to see that I should be thankful for the part I have been ordained to be in His Body.

The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen United States of America said in the opening sentence of the second paragraph, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

I believe the independence we gain by declaring our allegiance to God and independence from the bondage of religion also insures us the right of equality in God's sight but here's the rub, we aren't all created to do or be the same member or part of His Body.

"i am" what i am by the power of the creator. However "i am" what I should be by knowing my place or part in The Body and making choices to be the best at what I have been created to be. God's Kingdom is not a welfare state it is a work state. You don't work your way into the Kingdom but you work your way INTO Him while serving in the Kingdom.

Depending on the conditions surrounding me I will adapt my part and BE applicable to the world around me so they may get a glimpse of the God that lives in me. HE IS LIFE...LIBERTY... and better than happiness...HE IS MY JOY. His Life, Liberty and Joy can never be taken by anything or anyone. For that I am eternally thankful

This year "i am" still thankful for family and stuff but "i am" most thankful that I have discovered the GREAT I AM gives me the privilege and responsibility of being (Him in me and me in Him) just cause "i am".

Happy Thanksgiving, 
"i am"
Babu Lonnie