Poema 115

Do I really need to tell you?
If God has made you awesomely, what is my mortal word?
The sun shines no less brightly if I wear the darkest shades.
And, liberty not taken, neither hinders nor affords
Vicissitudes regarding you and all your splendid charms imbued
Inherently with autumn hues and scent of ambergris,
Of pine, and moss, and morning dew upon a dale so green
And whispering, ever faintly.

In the background of pure minds
Are all the things you are to Him whose smile you satisfy.
So be not bored my love, my friend, for truth is not denied.
I’ll wait for you, forever now; this love I cannot hide.

For God has placed it deep within and thrown away the key.
No mountain, sea, or ocean shall prevent our wedding day.
Sleep on, sun shining brightly; burn on to meet the night.
I know I need not tell you this, my honest pure delight.

In Christ you live and move and have your being all in Him.
To me you are a dream come true, forgiven, new, and free.
And so I find myself now highly favored to the core, and
Existing in His mind with you, one flesh forevermore.

© 2009 Brian L Hunter 

www.ministryofwritinghelps.com

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Poema 113

Slipping, gripping, and dipping
Into the outer realms of sensuousness, you find
The honey-pot of enticing nastiness seems sweet
Until the bill comes due and you're left wanting wine.

But then, you say, your heart is good and sweet.
You're numb from being broken, lost, and crying.
You're dying breath by breath with no retreat.
And love, the dream, has left you deaf and blind.

But wait; your chariot is yet to come
And cart you off to lands before unseen,
Where you'll be safe from all your past mistakes
And love divine shall make you ever clean.

Oh sleep today, perchance to have this dream.
While dangers of the night predict your doom,
There is a Savior praying even now for you.
Accept and know He's right there in the room.

And so from wallowing in sinful pride,
The Lord's corrective lenses show the light.
Where thirsty travelers meet with living water,
And selfishness moves towards abundant life.

© 2009 Brian L Hunter 

www.anointedwritenow.com

#WritingHelps

To My Beloved Daughters #23

"Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug." (Isaiah 51:1 ESV)

To my beloved daughters, allow me to say this. No matter what anyone in this world communicates to you, never forget that you are as beautiful and desirable as the perfect and holy God who has created you in His image. Therefore, value yourself as we who are in Christ appraise that great and precious promise, the royal diadem (Isaiah 62:3) whose kingdom is without end (Luke 1:33) and of whom all the Law and the Prophets spake (Luke 16:16), aim and press to be high and lifted up (Isaiah 6:1) living and moving and having our being in Him (Acts 17:28). Hallelujah! May these temples be filled only with that which is holy, wholly imitating the Rock from whence we were hewn (Deuteronomy 32:4, Numbers 20:8, Psalms 95:1, Isaiah 28:16). Glory to our preeminently excellent El Elyon, our shield and our exceeding great reward (Genesis 15:1), The God Most High who laughs at those who would limit His infinite continuum of creative possibility to the dungeon of any one name! Hallelujah, oh great and mighty Father of all spirits, Earth, and all who dwell therein! Praise Him from whom all blessings flow! Praise Him all creatures here below! Praise Him above ye heavenly host! Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! 

© 2009 Brian L Hunter 

www.ministryofwritinghelps.com

#WritingHelps

Poema 49

Static, isolation in the afterglow of glory.

I've been with Him again and felt the flow of life’s purest perfection.

In the rain of effervescent joy, propelled to praise and bliss so intimate,
I'm gleaning in the fullness of the light. God's presence?

Worship? Who can fully comprehend the infinite measure of love's perfection (1 John 4:8)?

Exhaustively? Intrinsically? I know. Convinced there's only one presence that caresses every fiber of my being.

Who should I be? Who have I been? How can I persist when today is just tomorrow’s yesterday?
Renewed, transformed, I contemplate the manner in which this moment within encompasses eternity like a magnificent hologram.

He looks at me, His countenance brighter than a thousand infant eyes.
I’ll never understand just what He sees in me.

I could have been who I thought I was. But now, progressively more conformed to His image (Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18) despite myself, and looking desperately into the perfect law of liberty (James 1:5), I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, whose love has rescued me (2 Corinthians 5:21).

© 2009 Brian L Hunter 

www.anointedwritenow.com

#WritingHelps

Beware the Humanist, Hip Hop, "New Grace Flavor in Your Ear" Prosperity Gospel of the Princedom

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (Proverbs 18:21)

If you allow me to walk unwarned into clear and present danger, how does your silent indifference prove that you love me? Should liberty lead to a cessation of life? Nay! I have judged that Russian roulette endangers life and the giver of life has condemned suicide and all murderous acts from the beginning. Such reasoning makes me a legalistic preacher of the law in the eyes of new gospel wolves in sheep's clothing. However, by the compass of God’s Word I have judged and chosen this day whom I will serve (Joshua 24:15). http://www.anointedwritenow.com

I will not spare the rod and spoil the child of God (Proverbs 13:24). I would prefer that my hands remain free of innocent blood. And, lest I act ignorant of God’s will and His righteous ways, I would rather be counted among those who have trusted God’s benevolent fatherhood, stood upon His gracious Word, and decidedly obeyed His irrevocable command to be holy because He is holy (1 Peter 1:13-16). Go ahead and call me a hater if you will. Name calling is what people on the low road do first and foremost, and, hell is enlarging itself daily by way of people with a limited understanding of another gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). In all our getting of bestselling books, television ministries, and conferences, please let us get a full measure of the full gospel illustrated throughout sixty-six full books which facilitates mature understanding (Proverbs 4:7).

© 2013 Brian L Hunter

More On Preaching Politics

 “For while I was with you I resolved to know nothing except Jesus the Messiah, and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2 ISV)

Preaching politics from the pulpit reveals faithlessness and fear which, sowing unto the flesh (Galatians 6:8), shall continue to reap division and not the unity for which Jesus prayed in John 17. How is God glorified when the ignorance, prejudice, and fear concerning any social ill or political displeasure is preached instead of His love, omnipotence, and sovereignty? Satan comes as an angel of light to preach such things (2 Corinthians 11:14). God’s grace has not ceased to be sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9). When in chains and awaiting execution, Paul did not preach the need for political activism, civil disobedience, or different government to Timothy. Spiritual bigotry is no closer to exhibiting God’s righteousness now than it was during that recent era when, in America, we raped, whipped, and sold slaves on Sunday morning before heading to the local church for service. It would be easier to mix oil and water successfully than to mix faith and fear. The combining of lies with truth, however, has been Satan's modus operandi since the fall of mankind. Leaders of the first century visible church, following the lead of the apostles and also suffering vicious persecution under Nero throughout the Roman Empire, did not preach anti-establishment, political messages. No. They preached Christ crucified and the gospel spread exponentially, miraculously, and without the type of division that political preaching absolutely guarantees. Preaching politics from the pulpit is not completely unlike abusive fathers molesting their daughters since home and church should be the safest gathering places on earth. Let us, therefore, preach Jesus (and Him crucified, 1 Corinthians 2:2) rather than the wisdom of men, the gospel of peace rather than self-righteous condemnation of others, and the love of God rather than hypocrisy, bigotry, and hate. www.ministryofwritinghelps.com

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

There is a difference of opinion inherent in politics. All Tweets aside, America’s founding fathers had the foresight to mandate that voters be able to cast their vote in private to protect the secrecy of the ballot. Preaching politics from the pulpit is not unlike eating meat which has been sacrificed unto idols (1 Corinthians 10:29). William Shakespeare wrote in Julius Caesar 3/2, “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.” Please allow me now to write this; friends whose hearts and attitudes threaten to separate us from the way, the truth, and the life need to be expeditiously separated from our lives by the two-edged sword of God’s holy Word, who was and is and is to come. What does it profit a man to gain a flesh-driven political utopia and yet forfeit his soul in the process (Matthew 16:26)?

© 2013 Brian L Hunter

A Critical Analysis of "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" (1741) by Jonathan Edwards

Protestantism in the American Colonies had been steeped in Reformed Christian doctrine fueled by the systematic theology of Calvin. This era of heightened religious sensibility and evangelism, exposing such biblical realities as the equality of all men and Enlightenment principles of egalitarianism such as inalienable rights endowed by their Creator, helped formulate the democratic thinking that led to the American Revolution. Benjamin Franklin supported George Whitefield, perhaps the most famous of the evangelical preachers during this period in Colonial America, by printing his sermons in his Gazette. This sets the stage for Jonathan Edwards. Jonathan Edwards’ sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God is perhaps the best literary example of the style of preaching taking place during the Great Awakening. With vivid imagery and illustrative language, Edwards very emotionally addresses his congregation directly and makes an appeal for them to repent of the sin that will surely bring the deserved wrath of an angry God to bare upon them. “What are we, that we should think to stand before Him, at whose rebuke the earth trembles, and before whom the rocks are thrown down?”

With such questions as this, Edwards causes his audience to contrast and consider themselves in comparison to the terribleness and omnipotent, absolute judgement of God. That God’s power is absolute and His wrath justified against sin is very evident throughout Edwards’ sermon. He also aptly interjects Scripture passages to further illustrate the unfortunate position of sinful man. “John 3:18.” He that believeth not is condemned already." So that every unconverted man properly belongs to hell; that is his place; from thence he is, John 8:23. "Ye are from beneath:" And thither he is bound; it is the place that justice, and God's word, and the sentence of his unchangeable law assign to him.” Making clear the distinction between saints and sinners, Edwards brings Puritan beliefs into conversation with the rationalist and deist creators of the Enlightenment.

Ethics become a central issue in the social context of evangelical revivalism as well as provincial politics. Ethics and the issue of morality are the ballroom within which the old and new schools of thought in Colonial America find themselves dancing towards a revolution of ideas. Edwards seems to be somewhat of a preacher with a Reformed theological ideology who expressed Calvinist soteriology in more modern language than his predecessors. Edwards wanted his audience to know with certainty that Hell is a real place to be shunned and that God was, is, and ever would be an omnipotent God whose wrath and judgment are to be feared above all else. With vivid imagery in scenes such as, “There are the black clouds of God's wrath now hanging directly over your heads, full of the dreadful storm, and big with thunder; and were it not for the restraining hand of God, it would immediately burst forth upon you. The sovereign pleasure of God, for the present, stays his rough wind; otherwise it would come with fury, and your destruction would come like a whirlwind, and you would be like the chaff on the summer threshing floor.” The appeal Edwards makes in his conclusion is most compelling even today; for those currently out of Christ to come forth and surrender their lives and accept this momentary window of opportunity to avoid the tyranny of God’s wrath, damnation, and hellfire that is promised in Scripture. www.ministryofwritinghelps.com

Out of Order, or, In the Book?

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)

If you are upset because I have sent a message of scriptural exhortation and you do not know me personally, delete it, share it, or call your congressman. I am not in error. I am doing what I have been called to do. If “social media” can be used to promote everything from automobiles to pornography, then “social media” can certainly be used to share the Word of El Shaddai, The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Masons, Muslims, Democrats, Republicans, White Supremists, terrorists, human traffickers, and all manner of political lobbyists are using “social media” to share their ideology, recruit new adherents, or merely annoy the good, the bad, the ugly, and the indifferent world at large. Should “social media” be renamed “antisocial media?” Well, until the Federal Government votes to annul my right to encourage saints and lift up the name of Jesus (John 12:32), I shall continue to go ye therefore and do what I do with “social media” by any means necessary.

Here am I, Lord (Isaiah 6:8). Send me. I will go in an old jalopy, Jesus! I will go on the Internet. I will go using my US passport. I will go into the prisons. I will go where there is no honorarium and no offering to be raised. I’ll go, Almighty God. I’ll send the message through email. I will send Your message using Facebook. I will do it, Lord. No matter who despises me for it. I’ll go in Jesus’ mighty name without fear. I will say whatever You give me to say, Almighty God. I will say it loud. I will say it with at least a hint of ardor. And, as time winds to a close in the last days of the status quo, I will not hesitate to reach out and touch those you lead me to with some form of communication. Hallelujah! You are the only wise God who, throughout history, has been speaking, speaking, speaking to the universe created and upheld by the Word of Your power (Hebrews 1:3). Praise Your holy name forever, Almighty God! I will bless Your holy name forever and never cease to give You honor, glory, and praise. If I had ten thousand tongues, I could not praise You enough, Jehovah Shalom. Except I communicate Your magnificence and perfection, I could have no peace in my heart. I would be a liar if I failed to express Your infinite goodness and loving kindness. You have done too much for me and been too benevolent for me to keep silent and let others praise You, Lord. I declare war on the cat that once had my tongue. I rebuke the spirits of ignorance, prejudice, and fear that once suppressed my praise and worship in the holy name of Jesus. I am coming out. I am crying out and I am going to stay out of the silent cave which once kept me mute. If I am going to be despised by some no matter what I say or do, then let me be despised for too zealously proclaiming the Word of God under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Help me to wield skillfully the sword of Your Spirit, Lord (Ephesians 6:17). Hallelujah! This is my confident prayer today in the name of Jesus. Amen.

© 2013 Brian L Hunter

Mother

“For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb.” (Psalm 139:13 NASB)

For a good parent, a child’s needs come before any other duty or concern. Thank you, Mother, for being all things to me when I came into this world completely helpless, blind, and vulnerable. Hallelujah!

Before any outing with your husband or friends, before any scheduled appointment, came my every need and heart’s desire. Hallelujah! Before the checkbook could ever be balanced or the grocery list completed, you considered the needs of your baby boy. I have yet to see the face of Jesus as I shall someday. However, since before I was able to crawl, through it all, stand or fall, you have been here for me. I have said and done so many things unnecessarily. Yet, allow me to say now that I do recognize just how blessed and highly favored I have always been to have a mother who, next to God, placed my well being above all else in life. With exemplary devotion and love you have always been a testament to God’s perfect love.

Despite the many moments when I acted quite unlovable, you never failed to demonstrate the unconditional love and faithfulness of God to me clearly. Your acceptance and encouragement are the soil in which I have grown up to be the man I am today. Thank you, Mom, above all. I thank God Almighty for you and honor you today just because I can and I must. I love you! Praise God!

© 2013 Brian L Hunter

Thanksgiving 2012

“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” (Psalm 34:8)

Is life a bowl of cherries? Will people smile in our face while they rob us blind or urinate on our head while telling us with a straight face that it is raining? I would say absolutely, friend. And yet, despite the total depravity of man, millions of us will gather around dinner tables today and enjoy

countless blessings of the Lord until, engorged with the fat of the land, we literally exhaust ourselves consuming good things. Has God given us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair yet again (Isaiah 61:3)? I would say affirmative, good people. God is good and His mercy endures (Psalm 100:5) no matter how far we’ve fallen, no matter how horrendously we have treated His ‘other’ children, or how disobedient and self serving we can be at any given moment in these lives we owe to Him alone. We can only achieve relative goodness whereas God is infinitely, absolutely, and preeminently so. Sin only needs opportunity to be realized in us. If we do not well, sin lies at the door (Genesis 4:7). Therefore, I thank God He has made a way that we, being weak in the flesh (Romans 6:19), once we have confessed our sins and accepted His blood bought forgiveness, can be cleansed from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9) and even come boldly to His throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Hallelujah! Yes. I am indeed thankful today and every day for so great a salvation as God has wrought for me in, by, and through Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son (John 3:16). I think this is what I will meditate upon before I lose consciousness from Thanksgiving stuffing today. Pun intended.

© 2012 Brian L Hunter

Bitter Root 2012

“Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” (Hebrews 12:15)

In negotiating with my own pain, please do not allow me to overlook the needs of my brother, Almighty God. I pray this prayer not only for myself but also for the entire Body of Christ. Heavenly Father, forgive us for sin committed in word, thought, and deed. Lord, as Your humble servants, we beseech You for more grace to endure offense without any root of bitterness springing up (Hebrews 12:5), to continue to give when we are unappreciated, and to love our neighbor so perfectly that they will thereby learn to give more freely to all in their sphere of influence. Help us to teach by example the perfect love of our Everlasting Father once You have perfected it in us, oh Lord. Make us to be ten thousand times more of a blessing than we have ever known how to be. Let Your light shine so luminously in us that more of Christ is seen where we stand than can be seen of us. Be glorified in everything we say, and do, and think. Perfect that which concerns us as only You can. Reveal to us by Your Spirit what flesh and blood is incapable of revealing. Help us, Almighty God, to get over ourselves today and see that we equal all those who offend us in iniquity. We are the all who have sinned (Romans 3:23). Purge us all with hyssop, and we shall be clean: wash us, and we shall be whiter than snow (Psalm 51:7). We ask it all in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.

 © 2012 Brian L Hunter

Push Buttons

“For thou hast possessed [set up] my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.” (Psalm 139:13)

Our least favorite events are encounters with passive aggressive loved ones who delight in pressing all the right buttons necessary to create and sustain emotional conflicts. They have known us since we came into the world, hence, they know just how best to provoke us to wrath. While smirking nonchalantly and shrugging their shoulders, pretending to wonder why in the world we might possibly have cause to be annoyed or frustrated with them, they project blame and shut down any productive dialogue by absolutely denying even the remotest fraction of responsibility for the incident. Words at such times only lead us further down a path of unrighteousness, no matter how hushed or polite the tones. Given the sin sick condition of our hearts, it is quite easy for us to murder the esteem, the psyche, and the basic human dignity of our brother, sister, son, daughter, mother, or father with a polished Hollywood smile on our faces. Such is the depravity in this flesh…

Lord, please perfect that love and patience of which I am incapable without You, God the Holy Spirit. Please hold my hand and guide me out of darkness and into Your truth and life. I so desperately desire to live, and move, and have my being in Christ my Savior. Help me, Lord. You alone are my peace and I desperately need Thee every hour. Try my reigns, Lord! Be Thou my vision in this fiery furnace of family dysfunction and confusion. I ask it all in Jesus’ holy and mighty name. Amen.


“Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.” (Psalm 26:2)


“I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.” (Psalm 16:7)


© 2012 Brian L Hunter