INTRODUCTION
This is a more refined version of “Q & A”, which involves a fictitious discussion between a more devoutly religious person [The Minister] and myself [The Crackerhead] that is based upon true events.
Now, there is much about it that can appear to be rather cryptic at times; but this is not the way it is meant. For our Heavenly Father is well-pleased to personally reveal what is actually being said; and the reference verses given provide written confirmation.
CHAPTER I
[The Minister] “GOOD MORNING!”
[The Crackerhead] “Mornin’.”
[The Minster] “Perhaps better for some than others?”
[The Crackerhead] “Perhaps.”
[The Minister] “Come on now. Surely this is a day that the Lord has made for us to rejoice and be glad in—especially after the kind of winter that we have just endured{1}.”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, this is certainly a day that our Heavenly Father has made; and I really do appreciate it being such a beautiful one. More than most—be assured. For I have been afflicted with rather poor health for quite some time now{2}…”
[The Minister] “But?”
[The Crackerhead] “There is more than just the weather to consider{3}.”
[The Minister] “Yes, I suppose there is; and from what I’ve heard: you’ve had an awful lot on your mind.”
[The Crackerhead] “Really?”
[The Minister] “Some have even gone as far as to say that you claim to know what the true meaning of life is.”
[The Crackerhead] “Whoa, what all did they say?”
[The Minster] “That was about it.”
[The Crackerhead] “Well, at least it is something.”
[The Minister] “You sound surprised.”
[The Crackerhead] “To put it mildly.”
[The Minister] “What? Isn’t it true?”
[The Crackerhead] “True enough.”
[The Minister] “So, what’s with all of the surprise?”
[The Crackerhead] “That you have heard anything at all about what I have been given to say.”
[The Minister] “I don’t understand.”
[The Crackerhead] “It has to do with feeling like I have been almost completely trapped in a vacuum.”
[The Minister] “A vacuum?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, a vacuum. For it has been as if nothing had ever been said at all almost everytime I have tried to speak unto someone about some part of it.”
[The Minister] “In space: no one can hear you scream?”
[The Crackerhead] “Something like that.”
[The Minister] “In other words: you haven’t received the kind of response that you feel like you deserve to.”
[The Crackerhead] “It has nothing to do with being deserving.”
[The Minister] “But it has been very upsetting to you—right?”
[The Crackerhead] “Much unto my own chagrin: I must admit that it has felt much more like a curse than the great blessing that I know that it is{4}.”
[The Minster] “What credentials do you have to present?”
[The Crackerhead] “None that would be recognizable in the eyes of this world as qualifying me to speak with any authority about anything truly meaningful{5}."
[The Minister] “Wow, that was some answer. Just how long have you have been working on it?”
[The Crackerhead] “It has been with me for a while.”
[The Minister] “And yet you still expect to be heard.”
[The Crackerhead] “The contents of the message are more than sufficient in, and of, themselves.”
[The Minister] “You must be an only child.”
[The Crackerhead] “No, I have a younger brother.”
[The Minister] “And I bet you are still very resentful of losing the full attention of your parents after he came along.”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that I would have greatly appreciated losing a lot more of their attention than I did at the time. For they were very strict; but my attitude towards them has been softened considerably since{6}."
[The Minister] “It’s not easy raising a problem child.”
[The Crackerhead] “No, it is not; but they did as good of a job as they could{7}.”
[The Minister] “Did they happen to mention something or another about it being better to not say anything at all whenever you feel like you can’t say anything nice{8}?”
[The Crackerhead] “They did.”
[The Minister] “Couldn’t that explain a lot?”
[The Crackerhead] “A lot more than what most are willing to even consider—let alone actually accept. For what could be nicer than trying to help someone find the error of their ways before it is too late{9}?”
[The Minister] “Too late for what?”
[The Crackerhead] “Eternal damnation{10}.”
[The Minister] “You must’ve missed the lesson on what happens when you assume things.”
[The Crackerhead] “The depths of the silence that surrounds me testifies loudly unto there being a great consensus of opinion{11}.”
[The Minister] “Nothing like having a flair for the dramatic.”
[The Crackerhead] “Matters of eternal spiritual life and eternal spiritual death are dramatic.”
[The Minister] “And with such an active imagination added to the mix: deeply disturbed hardly seems like an adequate diagnosis.”
[The Crackerhead] “All the more of a reason for why what I have been given to say compels a response.”
[The Minister] “Everyone would be a lot better-off if they just focused all of their attention upon taking care of their own business.”
[The Crackerhead] “If depraved indifference can be accepted as being a criminal offense in the eyes of this world: how much more must it be an abomination in the eyes of our Heavenly Father{12}?”
[The Minister] “It is written: Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him{13}.”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, that would be Proverbs 26:4 in the King James 1611 Authorized Version of our Heavenly Father’s Holy Bible (KJV); and the meaning certainly appears to be quite clear. That is: until you come unto the very next verse of that very same version. For it is also written: Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit{14}.”
[The Minister] “What are you getting at?”
[The Crackerhead] “That the passage is meant to encourage as many as will to want to deal with those who have been deceived with foolish ideas—just not on their lowered level{15}.”
[The Minister] “Anyone can get the Bible to support their own agendas if they are willing to twist things out of context enough{16}!”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, that is all too painfully true; but one would be hard-pressed to misuse the meaning of James 5:19-20. That is: at least not in regards unto its encouragement of our desires to be of help unto those in need. For it is written: Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins{17}.”
[The Minister] “How can you be so sure that others believe that you are in error?”
[The Crackerhead] “Well, if anything about what I have been given to say was considered to truly be of our Heavenly Father: would not anyone in their right-mind want to know and understand everything that they possibly could about it?”
[The Minister] “Do you have any idea just how many there are out there claiming to have special messages from God?”
[The Crackerhead] “Far too many; but does this preclude anyone from actually having such a wonder{18}?”
[The Minister] “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book{19}.”
[The Crackerhead] “What about the two witnesses who will come during the time of the antichrist{20}?”
[The Minister] “What about them?”
[The Crackerhead] “Will not what they are given to say truly be of our Heavenly Father?”
[The Minister] “Absolutely; but there will not be anything about it that will add anything to, nor take anything away from, what we have been already given in His Word!”
[The Crackerhead] “Neither is there anything about what I have been given to say at this time that is meant to add anything unto, nor take anything away from, what we have been already given{21}.”
[The Minister] “Maybe you’ve just not met the right people? Not everyone is equipped to handle such things—don’t you know?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, not everything about what I have been given to say is meant for everybody at this time{22}. In fact: it will not be until the time for the reign of the antichrist before it will be fully appreciated. Nonetheless: there is really no excuse for how much what I have been given to say has been ignored—albeit only in regards unto sincere offers of help. For it is meant for the more spiritually mature; and a lot of my attempted contacts have been with many of the most highly respected leaders of the American Christian community{23}.”
[The Minister] “Such as?”
[The Crackerhead] “Heads of different denominations and independent ministries{24}.”
[The Minister] “But those are some very busy people!”
[The Crackerhead] “Undoubtedly.”
[The Minister] “Come on now: surely you can’t expect them to put all of the stuff that they are doing on hold just so they can minister to little ol’ you?”
[The Crackerhead] “Whatever expectations I may have are irrelevant.”
[The Minister] “I suppose it is God who expects this of them then?”
[The Crackerhead] “It is actually much more of a desire of His than any sort of expectation. For He already knows who will and who will not{25}.”
[The Minister] “Okay, I stand corrected; but I am also still waiting on an answer.”
[The Crackerhead] “Is this not what the parable of shepherd with the hundred sheep is all about{26}? In all fairness, however: just a tempered relationship with one of their staff, or a trusted member of their congregation, would be plenty good enough at first.”
Chapter II
[The Minister] “Well, I don’t know what to tell you.”
[The Crackerhead] “What about yourself?”
[The Minister] “What about me?”
[The Crackerhead] “Can you honestly say that you are not the least bit curious about what I have been given to say about anything?”
[The Minister] “I don’t know. I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that your feelings are quite natural; and not at all unfounded. For there is much about what I have been given to say that will taste rather bitter unto most; but after some time for digestion: it will become ever more sweet unto those who are willing to accept what they have been allowed and enabled to.”
[The Minister] “Hmm, just the opposite of what the Apostle John experienced{27}.”
[The Crackerhead] “As well as the Prophet Ezekiel{28}; and in all honesty: the same can be said of myself. For in the beginning it all seemed oh so very sweet. For what I was receiving provided answers unto a great many questions; but after I came to realize that the hardness of far too many hearts really were exceedingly great: bitterness soured my enthusiasm{29}.”
[The Minister] “Oh yeah, I feel a lot better about it now.”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that my stomach has settled quite a bit.”
[The Minister] “Why do you keep saying: be assured?”
[The Crackerhead] “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid. There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is valid{30}. This applies unto everything that I have been given to say about anything. For it is truly of Him{31}; and not of myself{32}—be assured.”
[The Minister] “Oh man, this just keeps getting better and better.”
[The Crackerhead] “So?”
[The Minister] “Okay, I must admit that I am rather curious. Probably in the same kind of way as being curious about seeing people jump from the tenth story of a burning building. That always makes me feel real good about myself; but I’ll go ahead and bite.”
[The Crackerhead] “Where would you like to start?”
[The Minister] “Let’s start with the meaning of life.”
[The Crackerhead] “In order to put the meaning of life in its proper context: it would be helpful to think of it in terms of value. For even the most apparently worthless of lives in the eyes of this world is of great value in the eyes of our Creator{33}. For all of us were, and will be, created to be His children by faith in order to give Himself opportunities to receive love that is freely given{34}.”
[The Minister] “Certainly seems simple enough.”
[The Crackerhead] “Too simple for far too many.”
[The Minister] “Define: all of us.”
[The Crackerhead] “All of mankind.”
[The Minister] “Each and every one of us?”
[The Crackerhead] “Each and every one of us{35}.”
[The Minister] “And what’s with the: were and will be?”
[The Crackerhead] “The were pertains unto those who have already came into existence: both in the past and in the present; and the will be pertains unto those who are yet to come: both in the present and in the future. For we are all personally created by our Heavenly Father to be His children by faith{36}.”
[The Minister] “How far into the future?”
[The Crackerhead] “At least until the end of this world.”
[The Minister] “Nothing personal—right?”
[The Crackerhead] “Oh no, it is very personal. For it truly is as it is written: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them{37}.”
[The Minister] “I suppose it all depends upon which side of the tracks you come from.”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, considering what a mess this world has almost always been in: it does seem much more likely that most, if not, all of us were created to be the objects of our Heavenly Father’s wrath—certainly not His affections; and if what is of this world was all that there will ever be unto our lives: then there would be good reason to look elsewhere for someone, or something, to believe in. For even the most blessed of lives in this world is as nothing in comparison unto the least of lives in our Heavenly Father’s Kingdom of Heaven{38}. Nonetheless: the point that keeps getting missed is that the end of our time as a part of this world is not the end of us. In fact: this world was never meant to last but for a little while in comparison unto the whole of eternity{39}. Furthermore: our Heavenly Father will more than make-up for all of the terrible, terrible suffering of this world in the world that is yet to come{40}. Therefore: should this not be what we look forward unto{41}?”
[The Minister] “Not a very evolved way of thinking.”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, more and more have become rather comfortable with the idea of there possibly being a monkey or two hanging from their family tree; but I would think that most would want believe otherwise. For if some of our earliest ancestors really were amoebas swimming around in a pond full of primordial ooze: what more is there for us after our time as a part of this world comes unto an end?”
[The Minister] “Couldn’t we have it both ways?”
[The Crackerhead] “No. For we were created as we are; and the same goes for everything else{42}.”
[The Minister] “What about the fossil record?”
[The Crackerhead] “What about it?”
[The Minister] “Doesn’t it indicate an evolution of the species?”
[The Crackerhead] “No. For what may appear to be an earlier ancestor of something is usually just another type; and in some cases: another species altogether.”
[The Minister] “So: you believe that the world was really created in six days then?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes{43}.”
[The Minister] “And all of the scientific data proving otherwise is what?”
[The Crackerhead] “Misunderstood{44}.”
[The Minister] “I suppose there is no way that we could have originated in a galaxy far, far way—is there?”
[The Crackerhead] “No.”
[The Minister] “How disappointing. For I was really hoping to finally meet some of my more distant cousins before too long.”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that whatever our Heavenly Father may have done somewhere else has nothing to do with the plans that He has made for us{45}.”
[The Minister] “Are you saying that there is life elsewhere?”
[The Crackerhead] “No; but neither can I say that there is not anything like what we naturally consider as being life anywhere else. For nothing has been revealed unto me about the subject except for what has been already said.”
[The Minister] “What would you say to those who believe that there cannot be life anywhere else because of Eve being the mother of all the living{46}?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, Adam and Eve are at the root of every family tree in this world; but does this extent unto the spiritual realm? Besides: if our Heavenly Father truly is the Creator of us all—would not Adam and Eve’s contribution be for appearances only{47}?”
[The Minister] “Well, the door may be closed; but it appears to be left unlocked.”
[The Crackerhead] “Just being honest.”
[The Minister] “Talking about being honest: aren’t you being a tad disingenuous about making things sound so personal?”
[The Crackerhead] “No.”
[The Minister] “Come one now: I know that many would applaud the effort anyway; but the rest of us have come too far to embrace such an archaic belief.”
[The Crackerhead] “I certainly hope not. For it truly is as it is written: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be{48}.”
[The Minister] “Oh yeah, that will score a lot of points with the scientific community.”
[The Crackerhead] “Alas, it is indeed tragic that there is so much conflict with them. For what science is really all about is a pursuit of knowledge and understanding about what our Heavenly Father has done, and is doing.”
[The Minister] “Maybe it would be helpful if more were more realistic about us being a product of the natural order of things?”
[The Crackerhead] “In what way am I failing to do so?”
[The Minister] “By insisting that we are still being individually created.”
[The Crackerhead] “Could this not be a part of the natural order of things?”
[The Minister] “NO!”
[The Crackerhead] “How could it not be if our Heavenly Father is truly all-powerful{49}?” For who, or what, could exist if He did not want it to{50}?”
[The Minister] “There is a big difference between Him just allowing someone, or something, to exist and Him specifically creating them to do so.”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, there is; and I would think that most would want to believe that they were specifically created to exist.”
[The Minister] “Whatever we may want to believe has nothing to do with the truth.”
[The Crackerhead] “No, it most certainly does not. For the truth is what it absolutely is—regardless of whether we want to believe it or not{51}; but then there is a matter of the reasons for why we may want to believe that something is true or false that needs to be addressed{52}.”
[The Minister] “And I suppose that you would have us to believe that acts of God really are acts of God?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes. For there is no such thing as Mother Nature{53}.”
[The Minister] “Well, in this case: biological science has taken all of the mystery out of the conception of human life.”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, it would appear that it is just the result of a chemical process; but appearances can be deceiving—be assured{54}.”
[The Minister] “Maybe so; but I do know of at least one thing that we can all be sure of.”
[The Crackerhead] “And what would that be?”
[The Minister] “That the scientific community is plumb religious about seeing is believing.”
[The Crackerhead] “Blessed are those who can see what cannot be naturally seen{55}.”
[The Minister] "Yes, blind faith would be required in the absence of empirical proof.”
[The Crackerhead] “Not as much as what we have been so strongly encouraged to believe.”
[The Minister] “What are you talking about?”
[The Crackerhead] “That the kind of faith that truly is of our Heavenly Father is not blind, nor is it deaf{56}; but this is a discussion for another time.”
[The Minister] “You’re making this stuff up as you go along—aren’t you?”
[The Crackerhead] “Truly you are a God who hides Himself, Oh God and Savior of Israel{57}.”
[The Minister] “Where did that come from?”
[The Crackerhead] “Our Heavenly Father{58}.”
[The Minister] “But of course!”
[The Crackerhead] “It was a quote of Isaiah 45:15 in the New International Version (NIV) of His Holy Bible.”
[The Minister] “Man, talk about mysterious ways{59}. I wonder why He would do that?”
[The Crackerhead] “In order to make it easier to recognize His voice{60}.”
[The Minister] “Huh? What are you talking about?”
[The Crackerhead] “The reason why our Heavenly Father will often directly quote what He had written about Himself in His Holy Scriptures{61}.”
[The Minister] “By quoting the New International Version?”
[The Crackerhead] “Along with several other reputable versions—depending upon the personal familiarity of the individual at hand{62}.”
[The Minister] “Many (if not: most) Protestants would argue that the King James 1611 Authorized Version (KJV) is the only reputable version of the Holy Bible; and then there are all of those Catholics, Orthodox and others who also have their Apocrypha.”
[The Crackerhead] “Since even the earliest of the texts that were employed to compile all of the reputable versions of our Heavenly Father’s Holy Bible—including the King James 1611 Authorized Version, are probably copies of copies of copies of the original texts: how can anyone have any confidence in any of them without the witness of His Holy Spirit?”
[The Minister] “Well, all of that sounds very interesting; but I was actually wondering about why He would want to hide Himself?”
[The Crackerhead] “In order to truly receive love that is freely given from us{63}.”
[The Minister] “What?”
[The Crackerhead] “It is in order to truly receive love that is freely given from us that is the reason for why our Heavenly Father chooses to hide Himself{64}.”
[The Minister] “What about Him being too holy to be in the presence of sin{65}?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, it has been widely taught that it is because of sin entering into this world that our Heavenly Father had to leave; but there is really nothing unto it.”
[The Minister] “It must be lonely at the top.”
[The Crackerhead] “What do you mean?”
[The Minister] “You being right; and everyone else being wrong.”
[The Crackerhead] “No, it is not like that; but even if it was: it would not be the first time for such an occurrence. Take Noah for an example{66}.”
[The Minister] “Hardly enough people to count.”
[The Crackerhead] “Not that it should matter; but be assured that the same cannot be said of what happened with the Prophet Jeremiah.”
[The Minister] “Refresh my memory.”
[The Crackerhead] “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city. Although they say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives,’ still they are swearing falsely.” O Lord, do not your eyes look for truth? You struck them, but they felt no pain; you crushed them, but they refused correction. They made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent. I thought, “These are only the poor; they are foolish, for they do not know the way of the Lord, the requirements of their God. So I will go to the leaders and speak to them; surely they know the way of the Lord, the requirements of their God.” But with one accord they too had broken off the yoke and torn off the bonds{67}.”
[The Minister] “Then what happened?”
[The Crackerhead] “The land and the people were delivered into the hands of King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon; and the city of Jerusalem was laid waste{68}.”
[The Minister] “Hmm, not so different from Abraham and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.”
[The Crackerhead] “Alas, is not the story of Jeremiah and Jerusalem even more compelling? For with the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah: the number went from fifty down to ten{69}; and those cities were truly dens of iniquity{70}. Whereas: with the city of Jerusalem the number was only one{71}; and it was supposed to be a center of righteousness{72}.”
[The Minister] “Okay, maybe there have been some situations when only one person was in the right while everyone else were in the wrong; but I still don’t see how you can say that there is really nothing to what has been so widely taught about God being too holy to be in the presence of sin?”
[The Crackerhead] “How could there be? For if it is possible for Satan, the devil himself, to enter into our Heavenly Father’s presence—even while He is sitting upon His throne in His Kingdom of Heaven{73}: how could it ever be impossible for any of us to enter into His very presence?”
[The Minister] “Maybe Heaven serves as some sort of neutral ground?”
[The Crackerhead] “Come on now.”
[The Minister] “I assume that you are referring to the account recorded in the Book of Job of a couple of times when God called all of the angels to appear before Him and Satan was also in attendance{74}?”
[The Crackerhead] “I am.”
[The Minister] “Perhaps it had something to do with it being a special day?”
[The Crackerhead] “I would think that any day in our Heavenly Father’s presence would be a special day.”
[The Minister] “Get back to me on that when Judgment Day rolls around{75}.”
[The Crackerhead] “All who are truly in Christ will not be judged{76}.”
[The Minister] “Didn’t your parents also teach you that no one really likes a know-it-all?”
[The Crackerhead] “I seem to recall them saying something or another about the subject a few thousand times.”
[The Minister] “And yet you still insist upon presenting yourself as having an answer for everything.”
[The Crackerhead] “Only unto the extent of the knowledge and understanding that I have been given{77}.”
[The Minister] “And you say that the reason for why the Lord God Almighty hides Himself is in order to truly receive love that is freely given from us?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes.”
[The Minister] “That doesn’t make any sense to me.”
[The Crackerhead] “Being as honest as you can possibly be: how do you think you would react unto seeing our Heavenly Father if He appeared before you in all of His most awesome glory?”
[The Minister] “Honestly?”
[The Crackerhead] “As much as you can possibly be.”
[The Minister] “I would probably be scared stiff!”
[The Crackerhead] “And after the initial shock wore off?”
[The Minister] “That would probably take awhile.”
[The Crackerhead] “Try to stretch your imagination.”
[The Minister] “Quite awhile.”
[The Crackerhead] “Try harder.”
[The Minister] “Okay, to tell you the truth: I can’t imagine doing anything—except for maybe planting my face in the dirt and hoping for the best{78}.”
[The Crackerhead] “Whereas: there would be others who would only want to bow down before our Heavenly Father for their own personal gain{79}.”
[The Minister] “So?”
[The Crackerhead] “Anything that comes from fear{80} or greed{81} is really nothing to have and to hold{82}.”
[The Minister] “Certainly a matter of opinion.”
[The Crackerhead] “A good one—I trust.”
[The Minister] “Not everyone sees things as you do.”
[The Crackerhead] “Now would be a good time to discuss the kind of faith that truly is of our Heavenly Father.”
[The Minister] “The kind that is not blind, nor deaf?”
[The Crackerhead] “That would be the kind—be assured.”
[The Minister] “Surely you jest.”
[The Crackerhead] “Not about this!”
[The Minister] “Oh, I’ve got to hear this.”
[The Crackerhead] “For it truly is as it is written: Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a Faith as precious as ours: grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires{83}.”
[The Minister] “I’m not following you.”
[The Crackerhead] “The absolute truth of the matter truly is that the kind of faith that truly comes from our Heavenly Father is based upon knowledge and understanding—not mere belief{84}.”
[The Minister] “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but everlasting life{85}.”
[The Crackerhead] “And who can believe in Him without the help of His Holy Spirit{86}?”
[The Minister] “So: believing is seeing after-all?”
[The Crackerhead] “No, this is not to say that everything is always right out in the open. For if we can clearly see what we hope for: the need for hope is greatly diminished; and it is in this hope that we are saved from eternal damnation{87}.”
[The Minister] “What was that?”
[The Crackerhead] “What was what?”
[The Minister] “What you said about hope.”
[The Crackerhead] “That if we can clearly see what we hope for: the need for hope is greatly diminished?”
[The Minister] “No, the other thing that you said about hope.”
[The Crackerhead] “That it is in this hope that we are saved from eternal damnation?”
[The Minister] “I thought it is supposed to be that we are saved by grace through faith?”
[The Crackerhead] “It is{88}; but that does not change anything. For the true definition of faith truly is as it is written: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen{89}. Therefore: it is by our Heavenly Father’s grace that we are saved from having to face the penalty for our sins; but it is also through our having full and complete faith in Him that keeps us safe and secure in His arms forever and ever{90}. AMEN!!!”
[The Minister] “Huh?”
[The Crackerhead] “As it is with our marriage vows{91}, and the way they are meant to be followed{92}: so is it also with our relationship with our Heavenly Father{93}.”
[The Minister] “Now: I am not one to necessarily agree with the doctrine of once saved/always saved; but when it comes to eternity: I don’t even want to think about the possibility of being involved in some sort of a divorce!”
[The Crackerhead] “Without that{94}: all that our Heavenly Father has subjected Himself{95}—and us{96}, unto in this world would be rather meaningless.”
[The Minister] “Hey, as long as I’m kept out of Hell, I couldn’t care less about what particular details may be involved.”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that our Heavenly Father does. For He wants more than mere co-existence with us.”
[The Minister] “How much more can He want?”
[The Crackerhead] “He wants our hearts, and our souls, and our minds{97}.”
[The Minister] “But aren’t we created to be His children by faith?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes{98}.”
[The Minister] “And doesn’t the Bible say something or another about a son being a part of the family forever, which could be construed as saying that a child of His is His child forever?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes{99}; and great will be our Heavenly Father’s joy when the time comes for Him to gather all of His children by faith unto Himself—be assured{100}. Nonetheless: be also assured that there is a rest of the story unto this. For it would not fulfill His purposes to force anyone to spend all of eternity with Him in His Kingdom of Heaven as an heir unto all that is His in glory. Therefore: only those who want to truly be one of His children by faith will be welcome to do so{101}.”
[The Minister] “Who in their right-mind wouldn’t?”
[The Crackerhead] “I would think that no one in their right-mind would; but the gates must still be left open in order to maintain the integrity of the relationship between us and our Heavenly Father.”
[The Minister] “The integrity of the relationship?”
[The Crackerhead] “One based upon love and affection{102}: not upon an inherent right{103}, nor some sort of a rite of passage{104}.”
Chapter III
[The Minister] “You know, I can hear you talking; but there are times when I don’t have a clue about what you are really saying.”
[The Crackerhead] “Hence: the reality of speaking in tongues{105}.”
[The Minister] “Have you been speaking Greek?”
[The Crackerhead] “No.”
[The Minister] “An obscure Sumerian dialect—perhaps?”
[The Crackerhead] “Hardly.”
[The Minister] “But I thought speaking in tongues involved a miraculous ability to speak in an unknown language?”
[The Crackerhead] “It can{106}; but it actually has much more to do with what you have been hearing than anything else{107}.”
[The Minister] “Just a bunch of foolish jibber-jabber—huh?”
[The Crackerhead] “This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned{108}.”
[The Minister] “Was I just insulted?”
[The Crackerhead] “It was not meant to be as such.”
[The Minister] “It sure sounded like an insult!”
[The Crackerhead] “Only if you are refusing to accept what you have been allowed and enabled to{109}.”
[The Minister] “There you go again.”
[The Crackerhead] “To put it more simply: knowledge and understanding are not really the result of personal intelligence, level of education, nor even hours of diligent study. For it all depends upon what our Heavenly Father wants to accomplish in and through someone that determines when, and unto what extent, they are allowed and enabled to come into the knowledge and understanding of His absolute truth{110}.”
[The Minister] “Oh yeah, that cleared it right up.”
[The Crackerhead] “In other words: our Heavenly Father is in full control of what we can know and understand about things; and this includes what is of the physical (or natural) realm, as well as what is of the spiritual realm.”
[The Minister] “OUTRAGEOUS!!! Absolutely outrageous!”
[The Crackerhead] “How can this be? For if our Creator truly is all-powerful: how could He not have everything to do with what we come to know and understand about Himself, and what He has done, is doing, and will do forevermore?”
[The Minister] “No, there has to be more to it than that.”
[The Crackerhead] “Perhaps it would be helpful to hear the entire passage. For it truly is as it is written: My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him’—but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment: ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ{111}.”
[The Minister] “Are you saying that it is a waste of time to go to school?”
[The Crackerhead] “No, not at all. For our educational systems are also a work of His hands; but it should not be thought that a high level of education—whether it be from a formal process or self-teaching, is absolutely necessary for a high level of knowledge and understanding about things{112}. Take the Apostle Peter and the Apostle John for example. For it truly is as it is written: Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were marveling, and begun to recognize them as having been with Jesus{113}.”
[The Minister] “Surely diligent study of the Bible is a necessity?”
[The Crackerhead] “Familiarity with the contents of our Heavenly Father’s Holy Bible would be most helpful. For His Holy Scriptures were given to serve as written confirmation of what He wants to personally reveal unto each and everyone of us{114}. Nonetheless: our Heavenly Father’s Holy Bible should not be thought of as a book of instruction—certainly not in the same way as a school textbook on science, mathematics, or even history normally would be. For it is truly a book full of spiritual truths that only the spiritually-minded can correctly discern{115}.”
[The Minister] “HERETIC!!! For it is written: But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works{116}.”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, that was a good point—certainly not one that I would dispute. For the absolute truth of the matter truly is that our Heavenly Father’s Holy Scriptures really are good for all of those things; but here is a counter-point that should make it clear that His Holy Bible is really just a book without the help of His Holy Spirit. For it truly is as it is also written: And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. I do not accept praise from men, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God? But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?{117}.”
[The Minister] “BLASPHEMER!!!”
[The Crackerhead] “Surely you know and understand that the previous passage was of and about my own personal Savior: the Lord Jesus Christ—certainly not about me?”
[The Minister] “All I know is that faith comes from hearing the Bible being preached.”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, that is something that has been widely taught. It is based upon Romans 10:17, which truly is as it is written in the King James 1611 Authorized Version: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God{118}. For many have been led to believe that the Word of God is His Holy Bible. Therein lies the confusion. For the true Word of God is actually the Lord Jesus Christ{119}—not the book that He had written about Himself and the righteousness of all of His most awesome ways{120}. Therefore: instead of it being that faith comes from hearing the Bible being preached, the true meaning of Romans 10:17 is that faith comes from hearing, and hearing comes from the work of the Lord Jesus Christ—albeit from His Holy Spirit.”
[The Minister] “Haven’t you left something out?”
[The Crackerhead] “The part about how can someone hear without a preacher{121}?”
[The Minister] “That would be it.”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, that is something that needs to be addressed. For many have been led to believe that it is the responsibility of the Christian community to led souls unto Christ{122}—which is a perversion of what is commonly called: The Great Commission{123}. Some even go so far as to believe that it is their duty to actually win souls for Him{124}; and in all fairness: it is indeed true that our Heavenly Father’s children by faith are called upon to testify about Him and the righteousness of all of His most awesome ways unto the extent that they have been allowed and enabled to{125}. Nonetheless: let it be widely known and clearly understood that it is really the sole responsibility of our Heavenly Father’s Holy Spirit to seek and to save{126} the lost and confused{127}. For who can truly save themselves{128}—let alone someone else{129}?”
[The Minister] “What about what you said about turning a sinner from the error of their ways and saving them from a multitude of sins?”
[The Crackerhead] “That goes along with what was just said about our Heavenly Father’s children by faith being called to testify about Him and the righteousness of all of His most awesome ways. Furthermore: they are also called to do other great and wonderful things{130}—just not in their own strength. For the absolute truth of the matter truly is that it is our Heavenly Father who is at work in and through them{131}; and this applies unto us all{132} .”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, unto us all{133}.”
[The Minister] “The good, the bad, and the ugly?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, unto all above—be assured. For our Heavenly Father is well pleased to do His work through those who appear to be unworthy{134}; and through even those who are reluctant to accept their place in His plan. After all: does He not refer unto King Nebuchadnezzar as His servant{135}; and yet: does not the king greatly desire to take full credit for the glory of his kingdom later on{136}?”
[The Minister] “There still has to be more to it than that.”
[The Crackerhead] “Why? For it is not like our Heavenly Father needs any of us to do anything for Him{137}!”
[The Minister] “What about proving ourselves worthy?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, that is another thing that needs to be addressed. For it has been widely taught that it is expected of us to prove ourselves as being worthy of our Heavenly Father’s favor; and in all fairness: there are passages in His Holy Bible that seem to support such a doctrine. Take 2 Timothy 2:20-21 for example: In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work{138}. Nonetheless: a close examination of just who our Heavenly Father truly is should make it rather easy to see that whatever someone may have to prove{139} has more to do with providing proof of what our Heavenly Father has done, and is doing, in and through them{140} unto a world deeply steeped in the darkness of spiritual ignorance{141} than it does with putting whatever minuscule part they may have had to play in the process on display{142}. After all: is He not the potter; and are we not the clay{143}?” Besides: how is it possible to prove anything unto the One who already knows everything that there will be to ever know about everyone—anyway{144}?”
[The Minister] “But there is at least something to prove to others—right?”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that pride leads unto destruction{145}.”
[The Minister] “What is that supposed to mean?”
[The Crackerhead] “That it would do us all well not to want to think more highly of ourselves than we should{146} . For there is nothing good about us apart from our Heavenly Father{147}.”
[The Minister] “Perhaps; but I just can’t accept that we are really nothing more than merely puppets on His string.”
[The Crackerhead] “Nor should you. For we do have a certain amount of freewill{148}. For it would not fulfill our Heavenly Father’s purposes to deny us the freedom to choose. It is, however, extremely limited{149}. In fact: it is only in regards unto the choice that we are given to make about whether or not we want to accept our Creator as truly being our Heavenly Father that we can be confident of there not being any divine intervention involved—certainly not unto the extent that there could be{150}.”
[The Minister] “I thought the choice that we have to make involves the acceptance of Jesus Christ as truly being our own personal Lord and Savior?”
[The Crackerhead] “It is. For no one can accept the Son without accepting the Father{151}. Neither can anyone accept the Father without accepting the Son{152}. Furthermore: all of this also applies unto His Holy Spirit{153}—be assured.”
[The Minister] “Disturbing, most disturbing.”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, there is much about what I have been given to say that many will find most disturbing—especially amongst the more devoutly religious; but be assured that no one is without recourse.”
[The Minister] “How so?”
[The Crackerhead] “Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it, the Lord is His name, Call to Me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know{154}.”
[The Minister] “That was then. This is now.”
[The Crackerhead] “If it is indeed true that our Heavenly Father does not change{155}: how could He not still do things like He always has{156}?”
[The Minister] “Seen any burning bushes lately{157}?”
[The Crackerhead] “No; but I have heard His audible voice on a number of occasions over the years{158}.”
[The Minister] “His audible voice?”
[The Crackerhead] “Out loud: like I am hearing your voice{159}.”
[The Minister] “And whose voice was it?”
[The Crackerhead] “Our Heavenly Father’s.”
[The Minister] “Are you sure it wasn’t an angel?”
[The Crackerhead] “It wouldn’t matter even if it was an angel. For they would only speak what He had given them to say{160}.”
[The Minister] “Then is it a waste of time to pray to angels?”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that it is something far worse—especially when worship is involved. For it truly is as it is written: Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind{161}.”
[The Minister] “And that was in no way a description of yourself—was it?”
[The Crackerhead] “Not even close.”
[The Minister] “Well, it’s a good thing He hasn’t told you to kill anyone yet. He hasn’t—has He?”
[The Crackerhead] “No; and do not expect that He ever will. For what He has given me to say is meant to help clear-up much of the confusion that now exists concerning Him and the righteousness of all of His most awesome ways in order to make it easier for as many as will to want to accept Him as truly being their own Heavenly Father.”
[The Minister] “You’re serious—aren’t you?”
[The Crackerhead] “Very much so.”
[The Minister] “You’ve actually heard a voice coming out of cloud?”
[The Crackerhead] “Much, much closer{162}.”
[The Minister] “What was said?”
[The Crackerhead] “On the first occasion He said: ‘Introduce Me.’”
[The Minister] “What else?”
[The Crackerhead] “Mostly just calling me by name{163}.”
[The Minister] “Over and over again?”
[The Crackerhead] “I have had many doubts.”
[The Minister] “You?”
[The Crackerhead] “Oh yes, there have been times when I have been quite unfaithful. In fact: I have spent most of my born-again life feeling more like a spiritual crash-test dummy than any sort of a conquering hero of the faith.”
[The Minister] “And yet: the Lord God Almighty still speaks to you.”
[The Crackerhead] “His mercy endureth forever{164}.”
[The Minister] “And from that you have come up with all of this stuff?”
[The Crackerhead] “No, some of it has also come from visions that occurred while I was asleep{165}; but the vast majority of it has come to me through my thoughts{166}.”
[The Minister] “Through your thoughts?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, it has been the same for me as it has been for everyone else{167}.”
[The Minister] “What?”
[The Crackerhead] “Have you ever wondered where certain thoughts may have came from?”
[The Minister] “Well, yes; but I would never think that they could have come from anywhere other than the inner recesses of my mind.”
[The Crackerhead] “Tragically: you are very much not alone in that. In fact: very few ever give it more than a second thought—let alone take the time to actually consider the possibility that there is more going on than mere serendipity{168}. Hence: one of the things that I am called to help with.”
[The Minister] “God speaks to us?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes; and it includes more than just what we would naturally consider to be strictly spiritual matters{169}.”
[The Minister] “No, I don’t even want to go there.”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, it would do us all well not to take too much for granted. For the devil and his demons are also allowed and enabled to whisper sweet nothings in our ears{170}; but aside from that: be assured that it is entirely possible to have a discussion with our Heavenly Father about something as trivial as what to fix for dinner.”
[The Minister] “A discussion?”
[The Crackerhead] “Unto a certain extent.”
[The Minister] “Doesn’t He have better things to do?”
[The Crackerhead] “No, not really. For we are of the utmost importance unto Him.”
[The Minister] “Surely He is quite selective?”
[The Crackerhead] “That He is. In fact: our Heavenly Father only seeks to communicate with those from amongst us whom He loves.”
[The Minister] “And I suppose that they would be us all?”
[The Crackerhead] “Hey, you are starting to catch-on.”
[The Minister] “What’s next—seizures?”
[The Crackerhead] “No, I do not believe that it would ever get that violent; but if you experience anything like I have: you can expect to tremble—as if sorely afraid{171}.”
[The Minister] “What are you talking about?”
[The Crackerhead] “Truly being in the fear of the Lord{172}.”
[The Minister] “Isn’t that about having a healthy fear of God’s wrath?”
[The Crackerhead] “Alas, that is what has been so widely taught; and in all fairness: there is a semblance of wisdom unto it. For it would do us all well not to take our Heavenly Father’s grace for granted{173}; but the absolute truth of the matter truly is something to behold. For it involves being made acutely aware of just how so very near our Heavenly Father truly is unto us all{174}; and there have been times when I have actually felt Him holding me in His arms.”
[The Minister] “Maybe it would do you well to start being actually afraid of Him after saying such silly things?”
[The Crackerhead] “There is no fear in love; because perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love{175}.”
[The Minister] “Man, talk about having an active imagination.”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, I can certainly appreciate your reluctance. For I would have a lot of trouble with these things if I had of not experienced them myself; but be assured that they are very real—not imagined.”
[The Minister] “No, I’m not buying it.”
Chapter IV
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that everyone who reaches their own age of accountability must be born-again{176}.”
[The Minister] “What does that have anything to do with this?”
[The Crackerhead] “Acceptance of what we have been allowed and enabled to know and understand about our Heavenly Father’s active participation in our daily lives is one of the main things unto truly being born-again in His only-begotten Son{177}.”
[The Minister] “That’s convenient.”
[The Crackerhead] “If the whole reason for our existence is to have fellowship with our Heavenly Father: would He not want to start a relationship with us as soon as righteously possible{178}?”
[The Minister] “Faith based on thoughts and feelings is surely built upon shifting sands{179}!”
[The Crackerhead] “It would all depend upon how it is supported{180}; and in my case: it has been reinforced to the max{181}.”
[The Minister] “Well, isn’t that special.”
[The Crackerhead] “It is. For it has been though my experiences that I have come to know and understand that what it means to hide His Word in my heart{182} is to thankfully embrace the presence of His Holy Spirit within me{183}.”
[The Minister] “Good for you.”
[The Crackerhead] “It has also been through my experiences that I have come to know and understand that what it means to be constantly in prayer{184} is to be in constant contact with our Heavenly Father{185}.”
[The Minister] “Woo hoo.”
[The Crackerhead] “Nonetheless: let it be widely known and well understood that it is not the same for everyone. For it all depends upon what our Heavenly Father wants to accomplish in and through someone that determines when, and unto what extent, He will allow and enable them to become ever more increasingly aware of just how near He truly is unto us all{186}.”
[The Minister] “I just knew that there had to be a catch somewhere.”
[The Crackerhead] “Case in point.”
[The Minister] “What?”
[The Crackerhead] “How would you know something like that if it was not for our Heavenly Father’s Holy Spirit?”
[The Minister] “Cute.”
[The Crackerhead] “No, I am being serious. For that is how it works most of the time.”
[The Minister] “We’re incapable of just thinking of stuff on our own?”
[The Crackerhead] “Not necessarily; but that would be missing the point.”
[The Minister] “What is the point?”
[The Crackerhead] “Where we want the line drawn.”
[The Minister] “What line?”
[The Crackerhead] “The line between where our Heavenly Father begins and we end{187}.”
[The Minister] “Yeah, like we would really have any say in the matter.”
[The Crackerhead] “No, not really; but in regards unto perception: we do have some. For our Heavenly Father will do as He pleases{188}; and is this not as it should be? After all: does He not have the right to do with what He has created for His own good pleasure as He likes{189}? More importantly: should this be of any concern unto us{190}? Subsequently: it is in this that we do have some say in the matter. For this is what the line is really all about{191}.”
[The Minister] “Are you speaking in tongues again?”
[The Crackerhead] “No more than usual.”
[The Minister] “It’s giving me a headache.”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, there is much about our Heavenly Father’s absolute truth that can be quite overwhelming—especially when it is so contrary unto what we have been so strongly encouraged to believe. Nonetheless: it is actually quite simple in this case. For it all comes down unto who we want to trust: ourselves or our Heavenly Father{192}?”
[The Minister] “Couldn’t it be some for both?”
[The Crackerhead] “No.”
[The Minister] “Why not?”
[The Crackerhead] “The more we want to have faith in ourselves: the less we can want to truly have full and complete faith in our Heavenly Father.”
[The Minister] “Well, depending on the circumstances…”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that the less we can want to truly have full and complete faith in our Heavenly Father: the more in danger of eternal damnation we become. For it truly is as it is written: This is what the Lord says: Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord{193}.”
[The Minister] “Okay, when you put it like that: it would do us all well to want to truly have full and complete faith in our Heavenly Father.”
[The Crackerhead] “One would think; but has it not been widely taught that faith without works is dead?”
[The Minister] “It’s Biblical.”
[The Crackerhead] “James 2:17{194}; and the associated passage sure makes it look like there is little to doubt{195}.”
[The Minister] “Tell me something I don’t know.”
[The Crackerhead] “Well, if it is indeed true that all of our good works are like filthy rags{196}: should it not be made abundantly clear that whatever good we may be involved in is strictly of our Heavenly Father—certainly not of ourselves{197}?”
[The Minister] “Hey, I hear people giving God all of the glory all of the time{198}!”
[The Crackerhead] “And yet: are we not strongly encouraged to accept that nothing will get done if we do not do it ourselves; and are not many applauded for their own efforts{199}?”
[The Minister] “Don’t we have a part to play?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, we do; but it is a very, very small one—if any at all.”
[The Minister] “What are we supposed to do: sit on our hands and wait for manna to fall from Heaven into our mouths{200}?”
[The Crackerhead] “No. For there are lives to be lived{201}; and there is most definitely work to be done{202}. Nonetheless: it would do us all well to want to be thankful for being allowed and enabled to be involved in the doing of good whenever we are allowed and enabled to{203}.”
[The Minister] “My head is really pounding.”
[The Crackerhead] “This is about perception. For instead of honoring someone for their many years of unselfish service unto others: it is the good that our Heavenly Father has done in and through them that is what should be celebrated. For the only thing that we can really do that can be considered as being good is to want to do good; and even in that: we would do well to truly give our Heavenly Father full credit for allowing and enabling us to have such an attitude like that{204}.”
[The Minister] “Isn’t that just encouraging irresponsibility?”
[The Crackerhead] “Which would you rather be doing: good or bad?”
[The Minister] “Good.”
[The Crackerhead] “And if good was not being done in and through you: would you not want that to change?”
[The Minister] “Yes.”
[The Crackerhead] “And if a change did not occur: would you not keep praying for it until it did?”
[The Minister] “I suppose.”
[The Crackerhead] “You would do well to do so. For this is well-pleasing in our Heavenly Father’s sight{205}.”
[The Minister] “So much for the road to Hell being paved with good intentions.”
[The Crackerhead] “Hence: one of Satan’s cleverly-disguised schemes{206}.”
[The Minister] “Yeah, what’s the deal with him?”
[The Crackerhead] “He is the devil{207}.”
[The Minister] “That much I do understand. What I don’t understand is why he is still around.”
[The Crackerhead] “He and his horde of rogue angels, which are also referred unto as being demons and devils, are still useful{208}.”
[The Minister] “In what way?”
[The Crackerhead] “In some cases: it is their job to encourage repentance{209}.”
[The Minister] “How do they do that?”
[The Crackerhead] “By making our sinfulness all the more egregious{210}.”
[The Minister] “Is there more?”
[The Crackerhead] “Lots; but in most cases: it is their job to help make the kind of love that our Heavenly Father can receive from us all the more satisfying unto Him.”
[The Minister] “And how do they do that?”
[The Crackerhead] “By making it harder for us to give our Heavenly Father the benefit of our doubts. After all: is it not rather hard to really love someone who does not always protect you from harm—even if it is nothing permanent{211}?”
[The Minister] “You make it sound like they are under contract.”
[The Crackerhead] “Under full and complete control would be a much more accurate assessment.”
[The Minister] “Our Heavenly Father?”
[The Crackerhead] “The One and Only{212}.”
[The Minister] “I suppose the next thing you’ll want me to believe is that there is not a battle going on between the forces of good and evil for the salvation of our souls?”
[The Crackerhead] “No, I would not. For there is a battle going on; but it is a much more personal one between belief and disbelief—not warring factions in the way that this sort of thing is generally considered as being in the eyes of this world.”
[The Minister] “Don’t they want souls to torment, flesh to devour, and whatever else the devil and his demons may do down there in Hell?”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that Satan and his horde of rogue angels will be too busy being tormented themselves to care about tormenting others{213}.”
[The Minister] “Do you have any idea just how ridiculous all of that sounds?”
[The Crackerhead] “Not as ridiculous as the alternative. For how could our Heavenly Father not be in full and complete control of the devil and his demons if He truly is all that He actually says that He absolutely is?”
[The Minister] “So: was the incident in the Garden of Eden just a farce?”
[The Crackerhead] “No, not at all. For Satan really did take the form of a serpent; and he really did trick Eve into eating of the forbidden fruit{214}. It was, however, by design—certainly not unexpected!”
[The Minister] “Unbelievable.”
[The Crackerhead] “How could it be otherwise? For if our Heavenly Father is truly all-powerful{215}: how could Satan have gotten anywhere near Eve without being allowed and enabled to; and if our Heavenly Father truly is all-knowing{216}: would He not have known all about Satan’s treachery long before it happened? Furthermore: there is the matter of our Heavenly Father truly being always-present{217}. For if this is indeed true: would He not have been actually there when it all came to pass?”
[The Minister] “I don’t have the words to express what I’m feeling right now.”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, it all came as quite a shock unto me as well. Hence: the drop of the other shoe.”
[The Minister] “What shoe? What drop?”
[The Crackerhead] “The remark was made in reference unto the expression: waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
[The Minister] “What does that have anything to do with any of this?”
[The Crackerhead] “Coming into a fuller understanding of the reality of our situation in this world: which is also a large part of what it really means to be truly born-again in Christ. For it cannot be accepted that our Heavenly Father is truly in full and complete control of everything without accepting that He is truly in full and complete control of even what we would naturally consider to be the bad stuff.”
[The Minister] “I think I’m about to have an aneurysm.”
[The Crackerhead] “You should not be. For it is really very simple.”
[The Minister] “Right.”
[The Crackerhead] “It has to do with helping to make the kind of love that our Heavenly Father can receive from us all the more satisfying. For it is rather easy to want to love someone who always does what you would like for them to do; but it takes a very special kind of love to want to love someone who is ultimately responsible for all that you consider to be bad about life in this world{218}.”
[The Minister] “Was Satan created to be the devil?”
[The Crackerhead] “No, he was originally created to be a guardian cherub; but then he rebelled{219}. It was soon after that he became the devil{220}.”
[The Minister] “Is there any truth to what I’ve heard about him rebelling because of being upset about us?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, I have also heard as much; and I must admit that it naturally makes a great deal of sense unto me. For there he was: the greatest of all angels; and then he found out that he was to be subordinate unto those who were to be created vastly inferior unto himself and his fellow angels. Nonetheless: I cannot say for sure. For the absolute truth of the matter has not been personally revealed unto me.”
[The Minister] “I must admit that I would have preferred to have never heard any of this.”
[The Crackerhead] “Alas, such is the essence of faith.”
[The Minister] “What about demonic possession?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, the absolute truth of the matter truly is that there is such a thing as demonic possession; and there are times when it comes relatively close unto how it has been depicted by the entertainment industry. For it truly is as it is written: They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won’t torture me!’ For Jesus had said to him, ‘Come out of this man, you evil spirit!’ Then Jesus asked him, ‘What is your name?’ ‘My name is Legion,’ he replied, ‘for we are many.’ And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, ‘Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.’ He gave them permission and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned{221}.”
[The Minister] “Mental illness is really a form of demonic possession?”
[The Crackerhead] “Not always. For it is true that much of it is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain; but even in those cases: there is the matter of what caused the imbalance in the first place to consider.”
[The Minister] “Genetics? Environmental factors?”
[The Crackerhead] “And what would be the root cause of those things?”
[The Minister] “Around and around we go.”
[The Crackerhead] “Which attests unto the most common kind of demonic possession.”
[The Minister] “Which is what?”
[The Crackerhead] “A loss of faculties. Take the plight of Judas Iscariot for an example: Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present{222}.”
[The Minister] “No, you are not going to blame his treachery on demonic possession!”
[The Crackerhead] “Is it not made clear for all with eyes that can see to see?”
[The Minister] “But wasn’t it said that it would be better for him if he had not been born{223}?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, it most definitely was; but that was in reference unto his response unto what he had done after being restored unto his own right-mind—be assured{224}. For unlike the Apostle Peter{225}, and the Apostle Paul{226}: Judas Iscariot refused to accept the amount of grace that was afforded unto him{227}.”
[The Minister] “But aren’t the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ given power over the devil and his demons{228}?”
[The Crackerhead] “Unto a certain extent{229}; but since all power comes from our Heavenly Father{230}, and that it only comes when He wants to accomplish something in and through someone{231}: be assured that our Heavenly Father is our only protection against Satan and his horde of rogue angels{232}.”
[The Minister] “Methinks that thou art possessed.”
[The Crackerhead] “Who is so blind as the one who does not want to see?”
[The Minister] “Yeah, someone would have to be blind to miss seeing what you’re shoveling—with it being all glowing in the dark and whatnot. Man, talk about being toxic. This stuff is absolutely radioactive!”
[The Crackerhead] “How so?”
[The Minister] “Well, for one thing: it detracts from the Message Of The Cross.”
[The Crackerhead] “If anything: it greatly enhances it. For instead of just being about paying a price that needed to be paid: the true Message Of The Cross is much more about our Heavenly Father wanting to prove Himself as being absolutely worthy of being loved and trusted by us{233}.”
[The Minister] “If that isn’t adding something to it: I don’t know what could be!”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that what I have been given to say is nothing new. For this is what the Apostle Paul was referring unto when he talked about going beyond the elemental things about the Lord Jesus Christ{234}.”
[The Minister] “But that just confuses the issue!”
[The Crackerhead] “Hardly. For nothing has changed since this was first given: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus{235}.”
[The Minister] “But it loses so much of its luster.”
[The Crackerhead] “Only if you want to keep your eyes closed. For instead of just saying that He loves us enough to die for us: our Heavenly Father went ahead and actually did it by sending a full and equal part of Himself to suffer and die upon that cruel, cruel Roman cross at Calvary{236}.”
[The Minister] “But it wasn’t real because He already knew all about the resurrection to take place three days after{237}!”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that it was very real for our Heavenly Father. In fact: it was more real than what any of us can even start to naturally comprehend. For the Lord Jesus Christ had to spiritually die in order to truly pay the price for our sins{238}; and for the few moments that our Heavenly Father and His Holy Spirit were actually separated from His only-begotten Son: they were all in absolute agony{239}.”
[The Minister] “Couldn’t He have just waived the fee?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes; but by doing so: our Heavenly Father would have been (in effect) declaring that His Law was not worth upholding{240}.”
[The Minister] “By the way: didn’t Jesus go down into Hell and stay there until the time for His resurrection came to pass?”
[The Crackerhead] “No.”
[The Minister] “What about what is written in First Peter?”
[The Crackerhead] “For it truly is as it is written: For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit; by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a-preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water{241}.”
[The Minister] “Yeah, that’s it.”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that what is really being conveyed through that passage is that it was the Lord Jesus Christ who actually preached unto the people through Noah during the days leading up unto the flood{242}. After all: did He not tell the thief on the cross that today he would be with Him in Paradise{243}; and I cannot imagine anyone confusing Paradise with Hell if they knew anything about it—can you{244}?”
[The Minister] “Okay, let’s talk about God’s wrath{245}.”
[The Crackerhead] “If we must.”
[The Minister] “Surely it’s feigned?”
[The Crackerhead] “ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!”
[The Minister] “But if even our sins are part of His plan: how could He be all that mad at us?”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that it is only at the unpardonable sin that our Heavenly Father’s wrath is directed{246}.”
[The Minister] “And what is the unpardonable sin?”
[The Crackerhead] “Rejection of Him truly being our own Heavenly Father{247}; and if you have ever endured the unrelenting torture of having your heart shattered into a million pieces by someone you loved more than life itself: you can start to understand just how justified our Heavenly Father’s wrath is.”
[The Minister] “Surely He wouldn’t be so petty?”
[The Crackerhead] “Obviously: you have never experienced the like.”
[The Minister] “As a matter of fact: I have; but then I got over it!”
[The Crackerhead] “I still feel the pain of heartbreaks decades old.”
[The Minister] “Sounds like a personal problem to me.”
[The Crackerhead] “As it is for our Heavenly Father. A very, very personal one—be assured{248}. For even in the case of parents who desperately wanted their child: they had no control over just who they got, nor who they would become. Whereas: our Heavenly Father has known everything that there would be to ever know about each and every one of us since before He laid the foundation of this world{249}.”
[The Minister] “Isn’t there a difference between parental love and romantic love?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes. For parental love is generally more longsuffering; and romantic love is generally more passionate.”
[The Minister] “Aren’t you confusing the two when it comes to what our Heavenly Father feels for us?”
[The Crackerhead] “No. For the absolute truth of the matter truly is that we are all created to be our Heavenly Father’s children by faith; but of what true and lasting satisfaction could any of us really be unto Him if we did not want to truly be His? Therefore: all who reach their own age of accountability before their time as a part of this world comes unto an end are given a choice of who they want to be; and it is in this that the kind of love between us and our Heavenly Father becomes much more romantic in nature.”
[The Minister] “Says you!”
[The Crackerhead] “Says our Heavenly Father! For He refers unto His church as being the bride of Christ{250}; and there is also the message that was delivered through Hosea{251}—just to name a couple of instances.”
[The Minister] “What about those who do not reach their own age of accountability before their time as a part of this world comes to an end?”
[The Crackerhead] “Since we are all created to be our Heavenly Father’s children by faith: all who physically die before they reach their own age of accountability will be welcome to spend all of eternity with Him in His Kingdom of Heaven as heirs unto all that is His in glory{252}!”
[The Minister] “Then what?”
[The Crackerhead] “Since it has not been personally revealed unto me unto any great extent: I cannot tell you just how it will actually be in our Heavenly Father’s Kingdom of Heaven; but I can tell you that no one will be forced to stay there against their will.”
[The Minister] “How could a little baby really make a decision about anything?”
[The Crackerhead] “Like I said: I cannot tell you just how it will actually be in our Heavenly Father’s Kingdom of Heaven.”
[The Minister] “What about aborted babies? Do they count as having existed?”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that they do.”
[The Minister] “So: they will be also welcome to spend all of eternity with our Heavenly Father in His Kingdom of Heaven as heirs unto all that is His in glory?”
[The Crackerhead] “Very much so.”
[The Minister] “Then: are all of the Right To Life supporters full of it for claiming that aborting babies is wasting lives?”
[The Crackerhead] “Not necessarily. For an abortion is murder—regardless of the circumstances involved; but it is the ones who see nothing wrong with the practice who are in need of rescuing—not the babies!”
[The Minister] “What do you mean?”
[The Crackerhead] “Murder is a sin{253}; and all who do not repent of the sins that they are held accountable for will be cast into the Lake of Fire—come Judgment Day{254}. Whereas: all of those aborted babies will go straight into the loving arms of our Heavenly Father.”
[The Minister] “Some would say that they will be permitted to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but they will not be able to be in the very presence of God because of not being baptized into the church.”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that they are considered to be as much our Heavenly Father’s heirs as anyone is.”
[The Minister] “Is the Lake of Fire Hell?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes{255}.”
[The Minister] “Tell me about it.”
[The Crackerhead] “As it is with Heaven: so is it also with Hell. For it has not been personally revealed unto me just how it will actually be there; but I can tell you that it is more terrible than what any of us can even start to naturally comprehend.”
[The Minister] “What about Purgatory?”
[The Crackerhead] “No such place exists—be assured.”
[The Minister] “Many would beg to differ.”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, many have been led to believe that there is such a place; but how could there be? For if we are truly saved by grace through faith: we cannot be saved by works{256}. For the true definition of grace is: unmerited favor{257}. Therefore: there would not be any need for such a place as Purgatory to exist. For it is supposed to be a place where the eligible can go to finish what is required of them to gain entrance into our Heavenly Father’s Kingdom of Heaven{258}.”
[The Minister] “Well, I think that there is more to it than that?”
[The Crackerhead] “Regardless of whatever that may be: there is just one thing to consider. For either our Heavenly Father paid the price in full by sending His only begotten Son as a sacrifice for our sins or He did not; and woe be it unto us all if He did not. For that would prove Him to be a liar{259}; and that would mean that there would not be any eternal security for any of us—regardless of where we may want to believe we are going after our time as a part of this world comes to an end! After all: who could stop Him from doing whatever He pleases{260}?”
[The Minister] “That certainly limits our options.”
[The Crackerhead] “Hardly. For who in their right-mind would rather go to place like Purgatory for even a little while instead going directly into our Heavenly Father’s Kingdom of Heaven to spend all of eternity with Him as an heir unto all that is His in glory?”
[The Minister] “Maybe a bad decision here or there was just the result of a big misunderstanding?”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that no one will be able to honestly say that they did not fully understand everything that our Heavenly Father wanted them to—come Judgment Day. For this is something that He will make sure of Himself{261}.”
[The Minister] “So: can it be said that jealousy is at the root of God’s wrath?”
[The Crackerhead] “It can. For it truly is as it is written: Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land{262}.”
[The Minister] “Isn’t that a sin?”
[The Crackerhead] “Only for us. For our lives are not really our own{263}.”
[The Minister] “I don’t understand.”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that we will be given all that our Heavenly Father wants us to have{264}—which is often an abundance far over what we actually need{265}. Therefore: it is a sin to needlessly want for more{266}.”
[The Minister] “Does that count for those who are born into abject poverty—with all roads leading out of it blocked; or someone born with some sort of an handicap in a place where that is a death sentence?”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that our Heavenly Father will spend all of eternity pouring out His gratitude upon all who truly wanted to be one of His children by faith; and that will more than make-up for any lack of anything experienced during our very short time as a part of this world{267}.”
[The Minister] “Some lives last longer than others.”
[The Crackerhead] “What is even the 969 years of Methuselah{268} in comparison unto the whole of eternity?”
[The Minister] “Tell that to someone who has spent years watching their loved ones suffer from unbearable pain and die horrible deaths.”
[The Crackerhead] “Such is the essence of faith; and since even the tormented are created to be of our Heavenly Father’s children by faith: we can be confident of the absolute truth of the matter truly being that they will not be given more than they can bear{269}.”
[The Minister] “Easy to say.”
[The Crackerhead] “And even harder to do.”
[The Minister] “What do you know about it?”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that I am no stranger unto suffering{270}.”
[The Minister] “Can you really compare whatever you may have experienced with the horror of being the parents of a severely handicapped child, or one who is slowly starving to death?”
[The Crackerhead] “No; nor would I dare to. For I have been made well aware of the absolute truth of the matter truly being that suffering is relative; and that what is as nothing unto one is a tragedy beyond belief unto another. Nonetheless: what I have been enduring has helped to make me much more understanding of the plight of others—including even those who appear to have brought all of their troubles upon themselves{271}.”
Chapter V
[The Minister] “It’s hard to imagine Him creating people whom He knew would break His heart. That is: if that is really the way it is, of course.”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, since none of us would purposely subject ourselves unto all that our Heavenly Father truly has: it is naturally incomprehensible unto us that the Creator of all that exists apart from Himself would; but unless we are willing to doubt that He truly is perfect in all of His most awesome ways (Holy and Righteous){272}: it must be accepted that He knows what He is doing, and that it will be as it should be in the end{273}.”
[The Minister] “I’ve heard it taught that He created the damned to make the blessed better appreciate their position.”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that our Heavenly Father has never wanted to see the loss of even one soul{274}.”
[The Minister] “But isn’t there something in the Bible that implies that He did create some for destruction?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes; and I have been made well aware of just how easily it could be interpreted to say as much. For it truly is as it is written: What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory{275}? Nonetheless: be assured that what is being said through the Apostle Paul is meant to be a rhetorical question about a hypothetical situation{276}. Besides: who from amongst us is qualified to judge what our Heavenly Father does with what He has created for His own good pleasure{277}?”
[The Minister] “What would you say to those who believe in reincarnation?”
[The Crackerhead] “That if it was really necessary to perfect ourselves before moving-on to some higher plain of existence that there would be good reason to want to believe in reincarnation. For it would provide us with a lot more opportunities to do what needed to be done; but since it is not necessary to perfect anything about ourselves: I cannot imagine why anyone would want to spend anymore time as a part of this world than what our Heavenly Father wants them to.”
[The Minister] “Spending more time with our loved ones would be nice.”
[The Crackerhead] “Is it not taught that reincarnated souls are generally cast(e) into completely different circumstances; and that they rarely remember anything about their past lives?”
[The Minister] “Maybe so: but I was also talking about in our normal lives.”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, that is a very special sentiment; but since even the most wonderful of lives recognizable in the eyes of this world is absolutely hideous in comparison unto the least of lives in our Heavenly Father’s Kingdom of Heaven: I would hope that no one who truly loved another would want them to stick-around any longer that they absolutely had to. Besides: we will have all of eternity to spend with our loved ones in glory. That is: unless some are not a part of His family, of course.”
[The Minister] “I suppose that it would not be that much of a comfort to see a friendly face in Hell.”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that there will not be any friendly faces in Hell—regardless of what kind of a relationship someone may have had in this world with someone else down there.”
[The Minister] “By the way: what would you say to those who believe in other gods?”
[The Crackerhead] “I would beseech them to honestly compare what they now want to believe in with what our Heavenly Father has to offer.”
[The Minister] “Oh yeah, isn’t there also something in the Bible about telling us to ask and it will be given to us?”
[The Crackerhead] “Whoa, where did that come from?”
[The Minister] “It just came to me?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes; but from where?”
[The Minister] “Again: can’t I have an original thought on my own—even if only every once in a while?”
[The Crackerhead] “That was hardly an original thought.”
[The Minister] “Okay, I’ll rephrase: can’t I ever just remember stuff on my own?”
[The Crackerhead] “Would it not be better to want to give our Heavenly Father full credit for services rendered{278}—even under questionable circumstances{279}?”
[The Minister] “I still think He has better things to do than talk to us on a regular basis.”
[The Crackerhead] “Which could lead unto a big misunderstanding.”
[The Minister] “You need to answer the question.”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, Matthew 7:7-8 clearly encourages us to believe that if we ask: it will be given unto us{280}; and the absolute truth of the matter truly is that there is really nothing wrong with asking for things{281}—just as long as it is done properly. For we should ask for things in accordance unto our Heavenly Father’s will{282}; and we must be willing to humbly accept the answer—whether favorable or not{283}.”
[The Minister] “A fairly great many have become convinced that it is God’s will for us to be healthy, wealthy, and wise; and that it is because of a lack of faith that someone is not.”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, that is something that has been widely taught{284}; and there is a certain amount of truth unto it. For our Heavenly Father does want us to enjoy good health{285}, great prosperity{286}, and an abundance of wisdom{287}. Nonetheless: all it takes is a close examination of the lives of saints long past to see that not everything that He wants for us will be given while we are still a part of this world{288}; and this also applies unto any question about a lack of faith being the cause of hardships. For who can righteously accuse any of them of being lacking{289}? There is also this to consider: Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?{290}."
[The Minister] “Speaking of making accusations about being lacking: is there anything about what is now being taught that you don’t want to find fault with?”
[The Crackerhead] “What I have been given to say is not of me.”
[The Minister] “Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. It’s of our Heavenly Father.”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, it most definitely is: and has He not placed lots of signs for all with eyes that can see to see that changes are obviously needed?”
[The Minister] “What do you mean?”
[The Crackerhead] “For it truly is as it is written: Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites, because the Lord has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: ‘There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgement of God in the land. There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. Because of this the land mourns, and all who live in it waste away; but let no man bring a charge, let no man accuse another, for your people are like those who bring charges against a priest. You stumble day and night, and the prophets stumble with you. So I will destroy your mother—my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children. The more the priests increased, the more they sinned against me; they exchanged their Glory for something disgraceful. They feed on the sins of my people and relish their wickedness. And it will be: Like people, like priests. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds. They will eat but not have enough; they will engage in prostitution but not increase, because they have deserted the Lord to give themselves to prostitution, to old wine and new, which take away the understanding of my people. They consult a wooden idol and are answered by a stick of wood. A spirit of prostitution leads them astray; they are unfaithful to their God. They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar and terebinth, where the shade is pleasant. Therefore your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery. I will not punish your daughters when they turn to prostitution, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery, because the men themselves consort with harlots and sacrifice with shrine prostitutes—a people without understanding will come to ruin!’{291}”
[The Minister] “That passage has always troubled me—especially the part about the abandonment of the children.”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, I used to feel the same way about it; but then it was personally revealed unto me that the passage is self-explanatory. For the absolute truth of the matter truly is that the children will have to suffer the consequences of the lives that they will be living in this world; but they will not be held accountable for their actions—come Judgment Day.”
[The Minister] “Just pawns of the plan—huh?”
[The Crackerhead] “Such is the essence of faith.”
[The Minister] “Not that it has anything to really do with things in this day and age—right?”
[The Crackerhead] “The particulars are somewhat different; but the message remains the same.”
[The Minister] “What particulars?”
[The Crackerhead] “Suicidal bombers, unnecessary warfare, school massacres, rampage murders, a proliferation of gang-related activities, ethnic genocide, white supremacy, rampant drug abuse, political corruption, a complete misinterpretation of the principle of separation of church and state, religious extremism, excessive corporate greed, child abuse, widespread sexual promiscuity, child rapes, homosexuality, AIDS, pandemics, a sharp increase in cases of autism, unconscionable abortions, devastating earthquakes, tsunamis, killer storms, and drought-stricken crop-lands. Need I go on some more?”
[The Minister] “Come on now: there is nothing new about most of that stuff; nor is there all that much unusual about them neither!”
[The Crackerhead] “For it truly is as it written: What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, ‘Look! This is something new?’ It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time{292} . Nonetheless: it this any reason to just ignore it?”
[The Minister] “Well, if it true that no eternal damage is done: what is there to be concerned about?”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that it is indeed true that the afflicted in this will not be held responsible for their actions; but who would want to suffer the consequences of being a homosexual dying a slow and very painful death from AIDS if it could be avoided?”
[The Minister] “Isn’t there something in the Bible about homosexuality being a result of God giving-up on someone?”
[The Crackerhead] “For it truly is as it is written: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and, although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them{293}. Nonetheless: it is not for us to judge{294}. For it may very well be that it is not their fault{295}.”
[The Minister] “Surely you’re not suggesting that homosexuals are actually born that way?”
[The Crackerhead] “Not in the way that many want to believe. For the absolute truth of the matter truly is that homosexuality is a sin{296}; and our Heavenly Father does not create, nor tempt, people to sin—be assured{297}. Nonetheless: be also assured that even the most vile of sinners can be saved{298}; and many have been{299}!”
[The Minister] “Talk about a slippery slope!”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, it is most definitely a sensitive issue.”
[The Minister] “And you wouldn’t be exploiting such matters in order to gain more notoriety for yourself—would you?”
[The Crackerhead] “Absolutely not{300}. Besides: it is really not such a sensitive matter if you would be willing to look at it through our Heavenly Father’s eyes{301}. For everything that is not done (or even just considered) just exactly as He would: is wrongdoing; and all wrongdoing is a sin{302}. Therefore: it is really no more of a problem than any other sin{303}. For the wages of all sinful activities is eternal spiritual death unto those who refuse to utilize the way of escape that has been provided unto us{304}.”
[The Minister] “Nothing like making things seem to be a lot worse than they really are to generate a lot of attention.”
[The Crackerhead] “Woe be it unto all who would rather stay in the darkness of spiritual ignorance than walk in the Light of our Heavenly Father’s absolute truth{305}.”
[The Minister] “Wars and rumors of wars, a total collapse of civilized society, and misery beyond compare: aren’t these things to expect during the last days?”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that we are not as close unto the reign of the antichrist as what far too many have been led to believe{306}.”
[The Minister] “How long do we have?”
[The Crackerhead] “Several years ago: I was allowed and enabled to calculate that the end of this world as we know it would occur somewhere around the year 2152; but I am perfectly willing to accept that I may be woefully deceived about this. Either way: it will be at the end of this world as we know it that the 1,000 year reign of Christ over this world will begin{307}; and since very few really know when their own end of this world will come to pass{308}: who from amongst us can afford to procrastinate about anything important—let alone about our spiritual well-being{309}?”
[The Minister] “Will there be a rapture?”
[The Crackerhead] “I used to believe that there would be such an event in the way that has been widely taught about it; but now I am not so sure.”
[The Minister] “What about: ‘Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, the other left.’{310}?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, there appears to be prophetic evidence of a rapture during the time of the antichrist{311}; but since nothing has been personally revealed unto me about the subject: I cannot say for sure—either way.”
[The Minister] “So: where do we go from here?”
[The Crackerhead] “For it truly is as it is written: If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land{312}.”
[The Minister] “Just exactly: what does that mean for us?”
[The Crackerhead] “Well, one of the main things is an elimination of all traces of theological humanism from our pulpits and any other venue from which it can be taught.”
[The Minister] “Theological humanism?”
[The Crackerhead] “Do you know what secular humanism is?”
[The Minister] “Yes, it is a philosophy that generally denies that there is any divine intervention in our daily lives.”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that it is no different with theological humanism{313}.”
[The Minister] “In what way?”
[The Crackerhead] “What do you think we have been talking about?”
[The Minister] “To tell you the truth: I’ve been just playing along.”
[The Crackerhead] “Not always.”
[The Minister] “Anyway: I don’t have a clue about what we have been talking about.”
[The Crackerhead] “Who is so deaf as the one who does not want to hear{314}?”
[The Minister] “Hey, insults aren’t helpful!”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that it was not meant to be as such; but even if it was: what is an insult in comparison unto eternal damnation{315}?”
[The Minister] “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again{316}.”
[The Crackerhead] “Well, well, you have been listening after all—albeit only a little bit.”
[The Minister] “That is something I’ve known for a long, long time.”
[The Crackerhead] “Ah yes, I am reminded of a time not so very long ago. For I used to quote Matthew 7:1-2 quite often before our Heavenly Father became oh so very real unto me; and nothing has been the same ever since{317}.”
[The Minister] “Have you been given the right to judge others?”
[The Crackerhead] “ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! For that is something that only our Heavenly Father is qualified to do. Nonetheless: warnings are sometimes given through me; and this is what anything that sounds judgmental is really all about{318}.”
[The Minister] “I thought Jesus is supposed to be the Judge of the quick and the dead{319}?”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that everything that I have been given to say about our Heavenly Father and the righteousness of all of His most awesome ways is also about His only-begotten Son—who truly is the Lord Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit. For the absolute truth of the matter truly is that they are One and the Same with each other{320}.”
[The Minister] “How in the world can they do that?”
[The Crackerhead] “Nothing of this world can do that.”
[The Minister] “Okay, how in any world can they do that?”
[The Crackerhead] “I do not know. For that has not been personally revealed unto me; but I do know that it is indeed true because of what has{321}.”
[The Minister] “Come on now: what is this really all about—the establishment of another Christian denomination, or maybe even a different religion altogether?”
[The Crackerhead] “MAY IT NEVER BE!!! For the last thing we need is some more confusion.”
[The Minister] “What then?”
[The Crackerhead] “The introduction of what is to be called: Refined Theology—which should be preached from every Christian pulpit. For our Heavenly Father does not really care about what name is on the sign out front—just as long as the members of each congregation are of One mind{322}. His mind—to be exact{323}.”
[The Minister] “Refined Theology?”
[The Crackerhead] “As in: a refinement of the Reformation, which is meant to bridge the gap between Calvinism and Arminianism.”
[The Minister] “The Catholics aren’t going like the sound of that.”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, there is much about what I have been given to say that the Catholics will find most distasteful; and that also goes for others not so unlike them. For most of their fundamental doctrines are based upon the premise that Jesus only opened the door unto salvation; and that we must earn the right to enter into our Heavenly Father’s Kingdom of Heaven by faithful observance of their sacraments, which includes the doing of good works in service unto others.”
[The Minister] “Hey, that doesn’t sound so bad—especially not the part about doing good works in service unto others.”
[The Crackerhead] “Except for the absolute truth of the matter truly being as it is written: For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them{324}.”
[The Minister] “Yeah, I remember hearing something about Martin Luther having something to say about that; but they still do a lot of good—don’t they?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, it is good to feed, clothe, and shelter the needy; but since what they do is ultimately for the salvation of their own souls: be assured that whatever help they may render is actually spiritually worthless. For our Heavenly Father cares more about the reason why we want to do things than what we want to actually do{325}.”
[The Minister] “Isn’t there a rather lengthy passage in the Bible about feeding the hungry is the same as feeding the Lord Jesus Christ?”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, it truly is as it is written: ‘”But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, “Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.” Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, “Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?” And the King will answer and say to them, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” Then He will also say to those on His left, “Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.” Then they themselves also will answer, saying, “Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?” Then He will answer them, saying, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.” And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”’{326} Nonetheless: be assured that this passage is about revealing ourselves unto this world as truly being our Heavenly Father’s children by faith by being willing participants in the work that He wants to do in and through us—work that we were chosen to be participants in{327}!”
[The Minister] “Even the ex-communicated?”
[The Crackerhead] “What our Heavenly Father puts together; let no man attempt to tear asunder. For it truly is as it is written: For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord{328}.”
[The Minister] “Okay, you’ve said a lot about works; but what about observance of the sacraments?”
[The Crackerhead] “Be assured that attending church services{329}, tithing{330}, being baptized{331}, and participating in what is commonly referred unto as the Lord’s Supper, or communion{332}, are all strongly recommended. For it is quite pleasing unto our Heavenly Father for us to be involved in these things; but be also assured that none of them are required for salvation.”
[The Minister] “Oh boy, you are going to upset an awful lot of people with that!”
[The Crackerhead] “Yes, it is has been widely taught that observance of the sacraments are most definitely required for salvation—both on the Catholic and the Protestant sides of aisle{333}; but the absolute truth of the matter should be quite clear unto all who have eyes that can see. For the true definition of grace is still: unmerited favor—which means that there is nothing that can be done to earn it; and nothing certainly includes observance of the sacraments.”
[The Minister] “Well, I’m fresh out of questions.”
[The Crackerhead] “You have asked more than most.”
[The Minister] “How much more have you got?”
[The Crackerhead] “Stay tuned.”
[The Minister] “So: is that it?”
[The Crackerhead] “For now.”
[The Minister] “Thank God!”
[The Crackerhead] “Indeed.”
[{1}Psalms 118:24; {2}Ecclesiastes 1:18; {3}Colossians 3:2; {4}Galatians 2:2; {5}John 16:1-3; {6}Colossians 3:20; {7}Proverbs 23:13-14; {8}Proverbs 12:18; {9}Galatians 6:1-2; {10}Ezekiel 18:4; {11}Matthew 7:15-20; {12}James 4:17; {13}Proverbs 26:4 KJV; {14}Proverbs 26:5 KJV; {15}2 Timothy 2:24-26; {16}2 Timothy 4:2-4; {17}James 5:19-20 KJV; {18}Acts 17:11; {19}Revelation 22:18-19 KJV; {20}Revelation 11:3-12; {21}Ecclesiastes 12:11; {22}1 Corinthians 3:1-4; {23}Hebrews 5:11-14; {24}Acts 17:1-2; {25}Luke 16:15; {26}Luke 15:1-7; {27}Revelation 10:8-11; {28}Ezekiel 2:8-3:11; {29}Jeremiah 5:3-5; {30}John 5:31-32 NIV; {31}Jeremiah 1:9; {32}John 14:26; {33}Psalms 72:11-14; {34}Isaiah 43:21; {35}Ezekiel 18:4; {36}John 1:12-13; {37}Genesis 1:27 NIV; {38}Matthew 11:11; {39}1 Corinthians 7:31; {40}Romans 8:18; {41}2 Peter 3:10-14; {42}Genesis 1:31; {43}Exodus 31:17; {44}Hebrews 11:3; {45}Jeremiah 29:11; {46}Genesis 3:20; {47}Isaiah 43:7; {48}Psalms 139:13-16 NIV; {49}Job 12:13-25; {50}Colossians 1:16-17; {51}2 Corinthians 13:8; {52}John 3:19-21; {53}Zechariah 10:1; {54}Isaiah 42:20; {55}John 14:15-17; {56}Matthew 13:11-17; {57}Isaiah 45:15 NIV; {58}John 3:34; {59}Job 11:7-9; {60}John 10:1-10; {61}2 Peter 1:20-21; {62}Hebrews 4:12-13; {63}1 Chronicles 16:10-12; {64}Proverbs 8:17; {65}Genesis 4:8-14; {66}Genesis 6:5-8; {67}Jeremiah 5:1-5 NIV; {68}Jeremiah 21:1-10; {69}Genesis 18:23-32; {70}Genesis 18:20-21; {71}Jeremiah 5:1; {72}2 Kings 21:4; {73}Job 1:6-12; {74}Job 2:1-7; {75}Matthew 12:36-37; {76}John 3:18; {77}1 Corinthians 4:6; {78}Exodus 3:6; {79}Revelation 3:17; {80}1 John 3:18-20; {81}Deuteronomy 10:17; {82}1 Corinthians 13:1-3; {83}2 Peter 1:1-4 NIV; {84}Ephesians 1:14; {85}John 3:16 KJV; {86}1 Corinthians 12:3; {87}Romans 8:22-25; {88}Ephesians 2:8-9; {89}Hebrews 11:1 KJV; {90}John 10:25-30; {91}Genesis 2:21-24; {92}Colossians 3:18-19; {93}Ephesians 5:22-32; {94}Hebrews 6:4-8; {95}Matthew 23:37; {96}Romans 8:19-21; {97}Matthew 22:37-40; {98}Galatians 3:26-29; {99}John 8:35 ; {100}Revelation 21:2-5; {101}Revelation 21:6-8; {102}1 John 4:7-19; {103}Romans 3:29; {104}Romans 3:19-20; {105}Mark 16:17; {106}Acts 2:7-11; {107}John 8:43; {108}1 Corinthians 2:13-14 NIV; {109}Isaiah 42:20; {110}1 Corinthians 12:7-11; {111}1 Corinthians 2:4-16 NIV; {112}Psalms 8:2; {113}Acts 4:13 NAS; {114}Romans 15:4; {115}Luke 24:45; {116}2 Timothy 3:14-17 KJV; {117}John 5:37-47 NIV; {118}Romans 10:17 KJV; {119}Revelation 19:11-16; {120}Luke 24:44; {121}Romans 10:13-15; {122}2 Peter 2:1-3; {123}Matthew 28:18-20; {124}Proverbs 11:30; {125}John 15:26-27; {126}Luke 19:10; {127}John 16:8-13; {128}Job 40:14; {129}Psalms 49:7; {130}John 14:10-12; {131}Philippians 2:13; {132}Ephesians 2:10; {133}Isaiah 64:8; {134}Judges 6:14-15; {135}Jeremiah 25:8-9; {136}Daniel 4:30-31; {137}Acts 17:24-25; {138}2 Timothy 2:20-21 NIV; {139}Matthew 13:49-50; {140}2 Corinthians 9:13-15; {141}Matthew 5:14-16; {142}1 Corinthians 4:7; {143}Jeremiah 18:5-6; {144}Jeremiah 1:5; {145}Proverbs 16:18; {146}Proverbs 16:25; {147}Psalms 16:2; {148}Isaiah 48:17-19; {149}Proverbs 16:33; {150}Joshua 24:15; {151}John 6:44-45; {152}John 14:6; {153}John 14:15-16; {154}Jeremiah 33:2-3 NAS; {155}Malachi 3:6; {156}Isaiah 48:3; {157}Exodus 3:1-6; {158}Hebrews 3:7-8; {159}2 Peter 2:15-16; {160}Hebrews 1:14; {161}Colossians 2:18 NAS; {162}Isaiah 30:21; {163}1 Samuel 3:4-10; {164}Psalms 136:1; {165}Job 33:15; {166}Romans 8:16; {167}Job 33:16-18; {168}Isaiah 65:1-2; {169}Job 33:14; {170}1 John 4:1; {171}Isaiah 66:5; {172}Proverbs 1:7; {173}1 Corinthians 10:9; {174}Acts17:27; {175}1 John 4:18 NAS; {176}John 3:3; {177}John 3:5-8; {178}Genesis 4:6-7; {179}Matthew 7:26-27; {180}1 Corinthians 3:11; {181}Matthew 7:24-25; {182}Psalms 119:11; {183}2 Corinthians 1:21-22; {184}1Thessalonians 5:17; {185}John 14:16; {186}Colossians 4:12; {187}Proverbs 3:5-6; {188}Isaiah 46:8-10; {189}Romans 9:21; {190}Isaiah 45:9; {191}Proverbs 19:21; {192}Psalms 119:105; {193}Jeremiah 17:5 NIV; {194}James 2:17; {195}James 2:14-26; {196}Isaiah 64:6; {197}2 Corinthians 4:7; {198}Matthew 7:21-23; {199}2 Timothy 3:5; {200}Psalms 78:23-24; {201}Ecclesiastes 2:24-25; {202}Matthew 9:37-38; {203}Ephesians 2:10; {204}Philippians 1:6; {205}1 Corinthians 12:31; {206}2 Corinthians 2:11; {207}Revelation 12:9; {208}Luke 22:31; {209}1 Corinthians 5:5; {210}John 13:27; {211}Matthew 6:13; {212}Job 12:16; {213}Revelation 20:10; {214}Genesis 3:1-6; {215}Psalms 33:6-9; {216}Psalms 94:11; {217}Psalms 139:7; {218}Romans 11:32; {219}Ezekiel 28:11-17; {220}Ezekiel 28:18-19; {221}Mark 5:1-13 NIV; {222}Luke 22:1-6 NIV; {223}Matthew 26:24-25; {224}Matthew 27:3-5; {225}John 21:15-19; {226}1 Timothy 1:12-16; {227}Psalms 103:8-14; {228}Luke 9:1; {229}Acts 19:13-16; {230}Ephesians 6:10-11; {231}1 Corinthians 12:11; {232}Mark 14:38; {233}John 3:16; {234}Hebrews 6:1-3; {235}Romans 3:23-26 NAS; {236}Romans 5:8; {237}Luke 24:6-8; {238}Hebrews 10:10; {239}Matthew 27:45-51; {240}1 Timothy 1:8-11; {241}1 Peter 3:18-20 KJV; {242}2 Peter 3:9; {243}Luke 23:39-43; {244}Matthew 13:40-43; {245}Psalms 7:11; {246}Mark 3:28-30; {247}Mark 8:38; {248}Isaiah 43:4; {249}Psalms 139:16; {250}Ephesians 5:31-32; {251}Hosea 1:2; {252}2 Samuel 12:22-23; {253}Exodus 20:13; {254}Revelation 21:8; {255}Revelation 20:14; {256}Romans 11:6; {257}Romans 11:5; {258}Romans 3:20; {259}1 John 2:2; {260}Job 23:13; {261}Romans 1:18-20; {262}Deuteronomy 6:13-15 NIV; {263}Proverbs 20:24; {264}Matthew 6:31-34; {265}John 10:10; {266}Matthew 6:7-8; {267}Romans 8:18; {268}Genesis 5:27; {269}1 Corinthians 10:13; {270}2 Corinthians 12:7; {271}1 Peter 5:6-10; {272}Psalms 18:30-31; {273}Job 34:12-15; {274}Ezekiel 18:32; {275}Romans 9:22-23 NIV; {276}Romans 9:14-16; {277}Romans 11:33-36; {278}Proverbs 3:6; {279}Proverbs 3:7; {280}Matthew 7:7-8; {281}John 16:23-24; {282}James 4:3; {283}Romans 8:28; {284}1 Timothy 6:9-10; {285}Matthew 9:20-22; {286}Job 42:12-13; {287}James 1:5; {288}2 Corinthians 4:8-12; {289}Philippians 4:13; {290}James 2:5 NIV; {291}Hosea 4:1-14 NIV; {292}Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 NIV; {293}Romans 1:18-32 NAS; {294}John 7:24; {295}John 9:1-3 NIV; {296}Leviticus 18:22; {297}James 1:13; {298}Isaiah 59:1; {299}1 Corinthians 6:9-11; {300}2 Corinthians 4:5-6; {301}2 Corinthians 5:16; {302}1 John 5:17; {303}James 2:10; {304}Romans 6:23; {305}John 3:19-21; {306}Matthew 24:6; {307}Revelation 20:6; {308}Luke 2:25-26; {309}Matthew 25:1-13; {310}Matthew 24:40-41 KJV; {311}1 Corinthians 15:51-53; {312}2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV; {313}Isaiah 29:13; {314}Mark 4:23-24; {315}Mark 4:25; {316}Matthew 7:1-2 KJV; {317}2 Corinthians 5:17; {318}2 Corinthians 10:3-6; {319}2 Timothy 4:13; {320}1 John 5:8; {321}2 Peter 4:1-4; {322}Philippians 2:2; {323}1 Corinthians 2:16; {324}Ephesians 2:8-10 NAS; {325}Matthew 6:1-4; {326}Matthew 25:31-46 NAS; {327}John 15:16; {328}Romans 8:38-39 NAS; {329}Hebrews 10:24-25; {330}Malachi 3:10; {331}Matthew 3:16-17; {332}Luke 22:19-20; {333}1 Timothy 1:5-7]
