Warriors

  

So much going on, so many questions, so many obvious answers, but many people ignore the realities of truth and instead replace them with their own misconceived notions.

Lately every time I write I try and make it a bit personal, this is a personal post, meant to raise questions within yourself and to shed some light on confusing topics.  This post is dedicated to the righteous warriors out there; you know who you are….

I have read throughout my life that we are all God’s children.  I differ with that, as I find it hard to believe that someone who has done nothing their whole life but raise hate and distraction, someone who murders in the name of God for unholy reasons, is a child of God.  They are not, they are born of the devil’s seed and are as far from the graces of God than you can imagine.

God has His warriors, and the devil has his.  Some may say all this angels and demon stuff is hogwash…well tell that to the herd of pigs who ran off a cliff.  We are all warriors of one kind or another.  First you must pick a side.  Are you a believer, or not?  Ultimately…there will be no middle ground…you must make a choice.  Then you must analyze your strength in that belief. 

There are many who are casual believers, they work their jobs, love their family and have a genuine belief in God, but their spiritual strength is weak.  Let me ask you this…if given the choice, renounce your belief in God or die at the swing of the executioner's axe, which would you choose?  Which choice would you make?  Remain steadfast in your resolve & beliefs & possibly perish from this world, knowing thru Faith death has no hold on your spirit…or continue down a godless path living in hell…forever!!!

Well, if you are truly one of God’s warriors you know this life is but a proving ground, a temporary home for learning souls, so death has no hold on us.  From my limited research I have found two sins that cannot ever be forgiven and result in eternal damnation.  Renouncing the Holy Ghost and doing unjustified harm to others in the name of God.  Do not be confused by these comments.  The first deadly sin is obvious, to stand firm in your belief there is no God and thus no Savior, no Holy Ghost, no blessed Trinity, then you have sealed your own fate.  Secondly, as warriors certainly we must defend ourselves from evil & if the death of our enemies is the result…then that is totally different than beheading missionaries in the name of Allah.  We must realize that there are those out there that would love nothing more than to have their misguided and corrupted ways infiltrate and influence an entire nation…it has been happening for years in ours.

So where do you stand...are you a child of God, or of demon seed? 

I can answer that for you…if you are reading this post than you are one of God’s children; demons do not read anything counter to their twisted ideals…as soon as they see the word God, they run like freighted swine…towards an awaiting cliff.  Why do you think those pigs, that inherited the demons that Jesus cast out from that man, ran off a cliff?  Because at that moment those evil spirits were horrified as they realized they had lost and rather than face the truth, rather than face the loving eyes of our Lord and the wrath of God…they took their own life in a failed effort to rid themselves of momentary pain and anguish that will haunt them forever. 

Such is the way… and the end of God’s enemies. 

Many people don’t believe in miracles.  Well not all miracles are miracles…some have reasonable and realistic explanations.  But one thing can’t be denied…the timing was impeccable.  God is the Master Time Keeper…He puts people in the right place at the right time with the right mindset to do incredible things.  People say show me a sign for me to believe!!!   Well, the signs have been all around and in you since the beginning of time…it is the doubters out there that choose to not hear or see.   

When the three men were cast into the furnace for their belief in God & their refusal to worship a false idol… they walked out unscathed…this was truly a miracle, but one with an unquestionable explanation.  The Book of Daniel tells us that these men were bound by the strongest men and ropes available and cast into a furnace heated seven times its normal temperature.  The account depicts the temperature being so hot the soldiers that cast them into the furnace were also burnt alive.  And what did the false king and his minions see but a fourth man also in the midst of the flames.  In those famous moments in time, no one knew except those three men of Faith...a Faith that assured their savior, be it in this body or the next.  God sent an Angel and put the thought in their head "come let's stand over here" as He guided them to their Salvation.  Thru this example, this miracle, they changed the hearts & souls of many in the kingdom…including the false king & his minions.  The Lord works in mysterious ways, but all mysteries are meant to be solved.  So, nothing should be considered unachievable when you are one of God’s warriors…He’s our steadfast protector & maker of miracles.

As one of God’s warriors you have a role to play.  Some are leaders, some are followers.  Some are teachers others are laborers.  Some rich others poor, our lot in life is not what matters…what matters is that you use that lot and you live that role in the faith of a triumphant Savior.  He will help you grow and become stronger in your beliefs…He will show you signs you cannot ignore.  He will make ready the path of your destiny, whatever you choose your legacy to be.  For in the end the truth will be told and when the scales of justice are balanced, it will always tilt towards God’s warriors.

So…now that you’ve read this much maybe you’re wondering what I feel my destiny is…truth is I don’t really know…do you know yours?  I know this much…the Lord uses His warriors in ways we do not always understand.  Over the years through prayer, study and observation I believe I know what the Lord wants me to do.  He has blessed me with some fantastic abilities and a truckload of memories…but most importantly He has given me hope and understanding that I try and relay thru my writing, music & daily actions & reactions.

On this Earth I am certainly no angel in the eyes of man…but I do not care what the common man thinks of me.  I am more dedicated to living up to what the Lord expects of me and using all my resources to accomplish a simple task…to be a messenger for God.  To be a conduit that connects the Heavens and the Earth.  Lofty goals and some may say conceited ideals, but that is the power of our Lord.  He makes you confident when all around you is weak and I am just one conduit in a whole system of warriors out there spreading a message of hope, encouragement and confidence.

When the Seven Thunders bellow their majestic call, who will hear?  The sound is unmistakable, but wisdom often falls on deaf ears, but His warriors will hear.  When the Book of Life is opened, will your name be there? If you are one of God’s Warriors, it most certainly will be.

As a whole we have done a decent job with what we were given to work with.  Our nation is a shining light of what others can be.  With churches on many corners and believers all around, you cannot deny there is good here to be found.  Just don’t let the bad drag you down.  Rise up from the ashes of your misfortunes and those of others, brush off the ash, and come out of that furnace with a smile on your face as you watch the unbelievers gape in awe.

Our Lord is a loving and mighty Lord and His second coming will be of love and might.  Love for His believers and the full wrath of His might against His doubters.  Be a believer…not a doubter.  

Luke Chapter 8:26-39, Daniel Chapter 3

Revelations Chapter 10: 1-4 & 20: 11-15 

Revelations 21:27, Acts Chapter 9: 1-31

 

As the hands of time spin…know this….

Those hands are attached to the arms 

Of the Master Time Keeper

All things in His due time, not yours, not mine

And certainly not those whose only desire

Is to stop time….so their own known fate

They may never know…but it is already too late.

On a strictly personal note, I will share this….

I believe in the four F’s.

Faith, Freedom, Family & Friendships 

In that order….so let there be no mistake where my Heart ultimately resides…In my Faith & in our Freedoms…if that means I lose family & friends because of my faith & defending our freedoms….

then so be it.

I have friends that I consider more family to me than much of my own family…strange but that’s how Faith works & that’s the power & privilege of Freedom.

10/20/22.   Bryan A. Stross.  4:20 AM EST

I hope your life is long & slow & your passing to the next, whenever that is, is short & fast.  All of Gods Graces to you my friend, now & forever more. 🐝

Go in Peace & Love will follow…especially to Tennessee via the Smokies.

Post Edits 6/26/2023  8:08 AM EST  

A Selfish Heart

The Lord blesses with a selfish heart.

He listens to those who are unselfish in wants but most hurting in their needs.

He comforts those who suffer for many needs, but want but little.

He opens His vast storehouse of treasures and bestows them to His faithful as unexpected gifts, to be received and cherished forever.

He makes rich the poor man and the rich He makes a generous heart and a philanthropic mind. 
You see He often blesses those most needy by the want of you and me to listen, comfort and open ourselves to the needs of others.

He surveys His faithful and brings them together to achieve the common good of each.

He is the master planner and time keeper.

He blesses with a graceful and meaningful heart and He blesses gratefully and charitably to those most and truly faithful, those with unselfish wants and unexpecting in needs.

For He already knows your needs and with a selfish heart He will deliver your wants, if in faith they are first formed.

The greedy and the hoarders will perish as the poor prosper in the delight of the Lord, He who answers the prayers He chooses.

All of our prayers can not be answered, life would be too easy.

Make your prayers simple ones, ones based on need rather than want.

It is true you don’t always get what you want but what you need.

And once you realize your needs are few, your wants will start to be answered.

As if like magic, your dreams can come true, if at first they are formed to serve the needs of the many and the faithful wants… of a selfish heart.

BAS    6/4/09  Revised 7/9/2018

  Proverbs Chapter 21 … Revelations 21

Pics, edits, reference. 4/27/2023. 11:30 PM EST

Freedom's Hill

Thru our dreams the Lord can do many things

Last night I had a dream that made my heart sing.

I was led down an old country road

The corn was at harvest ready to be sold.

As far as you could see stalks of green

With golden ears and seed, a sight to be seen.

We made a turn at an old missionary church

It was white with burnt tiles and a cannon perch.

Ahead lay a boulevard of magnolias and oak

The sight was so beautiful I let my mind soak.

Soon we walked that boulevard to a distant hill

Then the dream ended before I had my fill.

Hopefully it will continue when the night is still

For just a moment I saw a mansion on that hill.

A glimpse of the future or maybe the past

In either case our dreams are within our grasp.

I lie here in wait, no freedom do I see

But thru my dreams I can be all I want to be.

The days grow long as well as the sleepless nights

But I know one day soon I’ll see pleasant sights.

The Lord has shown me thru dreams like magic

How all that is around me is mine to have it.

While all around me is depression, boredom and pain

I must keep the faith and let my wisdom gain.

The mansion on the hill in a valley of corn

Is a vision no man can from my soul be torn.

So now I pray to God to guide and deliver me

In the hope that one day soon Freedom’s Hill I’ll see.

BAS  5/10/09  7:30 AM  revised 7/10/2018 
Isaiah Chapter 65

Dirty Memories

Isn’t it strange how a little controversy, a little dirty dirt, can stir up interest and emotions in many people.  Not satisfied with the apparent mundane life they lead, they look for pain and suffering to ease their own suffering.  They look for any example they can find of a life situation worse than their own.  They look to replace their own pains with that of others, in a feeble effort to find some level of peace.

Yesterday I posted my side of an unfortunate episode in my life.  The end result was a further separation of people who used to be friends.  I accomplished my goal of getting my side of the story out there to counter half- truths that are out there regarding this episode and my overall character.  I couldn’t see much of the reaction to my post and subsequent drivel by the haters out there, but I did see something.

I had 175 hits to my blog….a new daily record that pushed me ever closer to 10,000 views all time.  I should feel good about the number of views yesterday, but I don’t…because I know why most were visiting…to get some fresh dirt to add to their garden of pain and inequities.

But it’s Son Day, July 8^th 2018, and I am awake to a new day.  A day filled with promise, hope and adventure in the face of despair, divisiveness, protest and calamity.  I try not to dwell on the past, but I have a pretty good memory, so the past is always there, it’s what you do with those memories that matter now…because you certainly can’t change them…or can you?

Your memories may not change, but your perception and reaction to them can.  Think back to a life changing event you had that was not so pleasant.  Your feelings at the time and even now may be of hate, disgust and revenge.  Take a step back and really analyze all aspects of the situation.  Look at it from multiple views and angles and you may just see or hear something to change your reaction to the moment.  The memory won’t fade…but your emotions to it just might and that is a changed memory.

Now, do you really think you know everything there is to know about every situation in your life…if you think you do then you are short sighted and will be blind-sided when the truth hits.  I had no idea my post would result in lost friends…but it has.  Several times while drafting that post I had second thoughts of posting it and maybe I shouldn’t have…but I can’t change that now.  All I can do is react to it, which is what I am doing with this post and my reaction is a simple one.

It seems people would rather read about dirty dirt than life saving water.  The two posts that have gotten the most views on my blog are yesterdays and one from years ago about a local pastor in Jacksonville, Florida who was a friend and business partner.  His story is full of dirt too, so go figure.  The two posts with the most views…are about unfortunate circumstances that apparently draw more interest than a post about the beauty of nature or the meanings of life.  Why people would want to dumb themselves down with emotional distractions when there are many more positive energies out there to draw and learn from is beyond me…I left those immature emotions behind me long ago.

We live in a world today that in many ways is emotional instead of practical.  Where facts don’t matter and the truth often gets buried in efforts to establish and feed hidden agendas.  Well there’s no hiding from the truth and that is why we have so much divisiveness and lost friendships today…because many people would rather continue to believe their own lies, than face the truth that shatters their fragile and flawed reality.  Don’t live with ignorance and lies but rather wisdom and truth…fair memories my friend.    

2 Sides 2 Every Story

“My, My Rock and Roll is here to stay…my, my rock and roll will never die…there’s more to the story than meets the eye” famous lyrics by Neil Young that I just listened to on 95.7 The Ride here in Charlotte, one of the best FM stations I’ve ever listened to.

Been a long week…and now “Gypsy” by Stevie Nicks is playing…see what I mean bout this station?  Music has a way of reaching me in ways nothing else can…and after a long week some good tunes to uplift you and help you get your priorities straight is always a good thing. 

So in any given week I may mention my blog to someone and it is easy to say…just Google my name and it will come up in the top three or four selections…which it will, but now it seems it’s down a spot or two from where it usually is.  Oh crap sorry, just when I give someone a plug they play this damn Whogga Shocka song that drives me batty.  Fortunately I have several hundred CD’s (and other FM stations) to listen to…I think some Floyd is in order…maybe disc one of “The Wall”.

Ah that’s better, so you may recall several posts ago I mentioned I had a lot going on in my personal and private life…but there were so many more positive and more important things to talk about I decided to table it until the right time…well that time is now…if you care to hear about it anyway.

The day after my birthday, which is on April 20^th for those who don’t already know, my wife got hammered.  Not a fall down dizzy drunk…but an angry vengeful drunk.  Her anger got riled when I decided to go out alone for a couple hours.  Hang on…gotta take a break…”Mothers” on.

So anyway, we had been together on vacation in Nashville for five days and I needed a little break.  Unlike her I am more than self-sufficient and enjoy my alone time.  She got so mad while I was taking a shower she took the car and parked at the local Wal-Mart for an hour-and-a-half.  My truck was in the transmission shop (again) so I was stuck like Chuck. 

But like I said, I enjoy my alone time…so I went for a walk.  When I got back she was home…I had the spare keys…so I took the car.  Now she was really pissed and commenced to call or text me every ten minutes wanting to know where I was…I didn’t answer any of them…I was on a joy ride…alone.

I came home about 2:30 AM EST and she was drunk as a skunk and fit to be tied…which is what I should’ve done to her.  She starts swinging at me and I casually block her feeble attempts to injure me.  She’s so drunk she falls over backwards on the coffee table…the look in her eyes was priceless.

Her eyes got as big as saucers as she apparently just thought I pushed her…fat chance…if I pushed her she wouldn’t get back up.  So she storms out the duplex and starts banging on the neighbors door.  He’s home but is choosing to ignore her…so she goes to the next duplex and bangs on that door.  They’re scared and do nothing, but their neighbor opens her door and she bolts in and slams the door…keep in mind it’s like 3 in the morning.

I know where this is going so I call 911 and try to explain that my wife is drunk and that they’ll be getting a call that I pushed her.  Well sure enough they got the call; meanwhile I went back to our house and waited.  About 10 minutes later the officer knocks and I answer.  He interviews me and leaves.  About five minutes later the officer, his partner and my soon to be ex-wife come in and they tell us to stay in separate rooms…and if they have to come back someone’s going to jail.

Well my soon to be ex-wife still had the car keys…I had asked the cops to get them, but they didn’t.  She is already going through a DUI court case against her and the last thing needed was another DUI.  I had her phone and wouldn’t give it back til she gave me the keys; no go, the belligerent drunk assed bitch wasn’t having it, so back and forth we went until she finally got out of the house and again started banging on doors. 

Now I have been married to a functioning alcoholic for over five years.  She was drunk on our first date, which should have told me something.  My ex step-father was a functioning alcoholic and he was an angry drunk…with my mom or me being the recipient of that anger on numerous occasions.  So I have little tolerance for drunks.  So at 4:30 AM I’ve had just about enough of her drunk assed shit.

She’s at the other duplex banging on their door…the neighbor didn’t answer.  I walked up grabbed her by the bicep of one arm and the wrist of the other and led her home.  We got to the door which was partially open and she tripped on the door sill or couch and fell forward.  She laid there boo- hooing like I had just stabbed and shot her or something.  Meanwhile… the neighbors had called the cops again.

So at 5 AM I see the flashlights outside…and I know someone’s going to jail.  The two officers that showed up before were outside and in they came when she opened the door.  The young one who interviewed her earlier was for some reason asking the questions even though the other officer had seniority.  So at some point he looks down and sees she’s got a bloody toe…from where she stubbed it and fell earlier.  Well that’s all he needed to see and I don’t need to tell you who was off to jail.

I spent Sunday in jail, bailed myself out Monday afternoon and stayed with a good friend for a month- and- a- half while the legalities of all this got straightened out.  I was charged with assault on a female which is the primary reason I am making this entry on the blog.

You see now when my name is Googled this bullshit comes up, even though my blog has gotten thousands of hits these websites must pay good money to have server magic make something like this come up first.  That’s OK my life, unlike many in this world, is an open book.  I will share any bit of my past with almost anyone who asks, but the future is so much more important…isn’t it?

The beginning of June we had court.  I didn’t hire a lawyer…I had a court appointed attorney which unlike my Duval County Florida experience seemed more than competent.  There are a number of things that could have and should have been brought out in court that a paid attorney surely would have done.  We were banking on her drunkenness constituting her as an unreliable witness; which that played into the judge’s final decision…which was a reduced charge of simple assault, a $25 fine and 30 days suspended sentence.  A slap on the wrist I choose not to appeal, the future is much more important.

But the question needs to be asked, where do the rights and duties of a husband to protect his drunken wife from harm and embarrassment end and the law start?

Apparently that doesn’t matter…. but it should.  I rest my case…and these memories will never fade.

P.S. 

Since June I am back in the duplex and she is at her mother’s…where she belongs.  North Carolina has a one year waiting period on a divorce…I got 9 ½ more to go, but I am more free and independent now than I have been in a long, long time.

I wish her all the best because I’m telling you when she’s sober she’s a different person…a real southern charm… and I sincerely hope she gets some help with her many sorted problems.  Drinking is just one, her negativity and lack of faith was the final straw for me and unlike a camel I’d rather not have mine broken.

On this blog I repeatedly advise folks to surround themselves with positives, to shed themselves of anything or anyone dragging them down.  This is the only way to experience true happiness and reach your God given potential.

I have taken my own advice and refuse to have any contact with her what-so-ever.  I hope she finds what she’s looking for….cause to steal a line from Mr. Bob Dylan, “it ain’t me babe”.

Thanks for the memories Maline…well most of them anyway.