Trick OR Treat? Halloween Is NOT All Hallows' Eve

It's Halloween...Trick or Treat?

Fisherguys and Fishergal

TRICK.

Kid at the Macchu Picchu hike in Peru Halloween is a trick word...the word hallow means to make or set apart as holy; to respect or honor greatly; revere.

Historically, All Saints' Day was introduced on May 13 (7th century), but later changed to November 1 in 834 AD, which is the day to honor the saints and martyrs who died for CHRISTianity. The night before is October 31; therefore, All Saint's Eve or All Hallows' Eve (hallows meaning saints).

Kristika, my friend Lata's daughter in Taveuni, FijiToday we observe All Hallows' Eve as Halloween, a festival for the dead which has its roots from pagan tradition -- the Celtic celebration of Samhain. Halloween is certainly NOT about hallowing the dead saints and martyrs.

All Hallows' Eve, a time to commemorate saints and martyrs, is instead marked by wild parties celebrating the wicked dead -- those dead in spirit who delve in the occult, witchcraft, sorcery, devil worship, darkness, wantonness, sexual immorality...

Monique, my niece, in Zambales, PhilippinesSo Halloween has become a time for all of us to be tricked deeper into believing it's just another fun thing to do with the kids...they get the treats...the sweets...who doesn't want free candies?

But we provide the trick...we trick them into believing Halloween is just for fun...just another innocent activity for the young at heart and the young in years. We introduce the sense of the occult to their sponge-like minds...we think nothing's wrong with all this "fun stuff" that's garbed in darkness...dressing up, pretending to be witches and dragons and Harry Potter and monsters and ghosts and goblins...

Little New Yorkers from Long IslandBefore you label me a party-pooper, check out Halloween Origins and Customs by Vic Bilson of Jeremiah Project. As adults we can discern and decide for ourselves what trick or treat with which to feed ourselves...but very young children have not yet learned to discern what is spiritually healthy. They'll eat this trick laced with arsenic if adults show them that it's a sweet treat.

Kid watching a volleyball match in Aitutaki, Cook IslandsAll children are gifts of GOD. JESUS said, It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. (Luke 17:2)

PRIDE -- Lethal Weapon of the Fallen Angel

Pride is so wily, more wily than Wiley Coyote.

Pride is so subtle, under radar like a stealth bomber.
Pride is deadly and satanic...it's of Lucifer -- the angel of light who fell from Heaven.
Pride will keep the lost, lost; the prisoner, shackled; the sinner, forever condemned.

On Rapture Alert, Ron Graham details the truth about pride in his essay: For Every Man. May the SPIRIT of GOD cause the reader's heart to be pierced with the liberating Truth. May the chosen people of GOD, the Jews, and all Gentiles of the world, come to the awesome revelation of GOD...that Messiah has come. And will come again!

Ron Graham (twotug@embarqmail.com) also wrote:

Jeremiah records the words of God, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13).

The Jewish Scriptures (The Torah, The Prophets, and The Writings, which make up the Tanakh or the Jewish Bible) paint a very clear picture of who the Mashiach (Messiah) will be when He eventually comes to the nation of Israel. In fact, there are over 300 prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures, which detail many facts about this coming Messiah/King.

Here is just a sampling (and remember, all these verses come from the Jewish Bible):

Messiah was to be born at Bethlehem: Micah 5:1.

Messiah would be from the tribe of Judah: Genesis 49:10.

Messiah would present himself by riding on an ass: Zechariah 9:9.

Messiah would be tortured to death: Psalm 22.

Messiah would arrive before the destruction of the Second Temple: Daniel 9:24-27.

Messiah's life would match a particular description, including suffering, silence at his arrest and trial, death and burial in a rich man's tomb, and resurrection: Isaiah 52:13-53:12.

Prophecy is remarkably specific. In detail as to lineage, birthplace, time and lifestyle, Jesus matched the Messianic expectations of the Hebrew Scriptures. The record of this fulfillment is to be found in the pages of the New Testament.

Interestingly, the Jewish Scriptures paint seemingly two different pictures about the Messiah to come. For one, they talk about the Messiah who will come as the reigning King, who will usher in a period of unprecedented peace on earth. But many verses talk about the Mashiach who will be a suffering Servant, who will suffer and die for the sins of the people. For many hundreds of years the rabbis believed that there would be two Messiahs, the King Mashiach ben David, and the suffering servant Mashiach ben Joseph. The rabbis, unfortunately, were not able to see that one Messiah would accomplish both missions.

Prophecy was indeed fulfilled in the Jewish Messiah. Yeshua came to the "lost sheep of the House of Israel" 2,000 years ago. He came as Isaiah chapter 53 so clearly states, to die and "suffer" for the sins of the Jewish people. He came to the nation of Israel, but was rejected.

If the Jews would have accepted His "once for all" (Hebrews 10:10) atonement for sins, Yeshua would have ushered in the Kingdom of Heaven at that point in history. But the Jews did not recognize Him. Even though they had the Word of God in their own Hebrew Scriptures, and more than 300 descriptions of who He would be when He comes, they missed Him.

As a result, the Good News of God's Kingdom went forth to the Gentile world, and for 2,000 years now, both Jew and Gentile have come together in Mashiach, looking forward to His soon return as reigning King, just as the rabbis have always expected.

Although the nation of Jews rejected Yeshua when He came, God has always, through the last 2,000 years, kept a "remnant" of believing Jews for Himself. Many thousands of Jews alive today, have received Yeshua as their Lord, and Savior, and Mashiach. They have been blessed with "new life" in Him, and they look forward to eternal life with Him in God's heavenly Kingdom.

i've shared the above for Jewish friends, those who may be part of the Remnant, on the cusp of receiving the Way, the Truth, and the Life. May the deadly pride in all of us be blasted to smithereens(!) by the purifying Light of CHRIST JESUS.

(Note: art illustrating pride is not mine, but "life" above is.)

MErlin To rLn -- Personal TESTIMONY

When i woke up this morning, i began my day as usual...large cup of coffee, the day's lesson of Our Daily Bread; then into The Word of GOD, prayers, and a journal entry. As i wrote, my heart warmed towards FatherGOD IN CHRIST -- and encouraged by His SPIRIT withIN, i began to write my personal testimony of GOD's incredible workmanship of a NEW and transformed Life that HE Himself has begun in me:

As is written in Mark 4:21-23, JESUS said, "Would ANYone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand,where its light will shine. For EVERYthing that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and EVERY secret WILL be brought to LIGHT. ANYone with ears to hear should listen and understand."
The LORD GOD, Who is LOVE, is The ONE who lit up my Life, Who put The LIGHT in me. HE is also The ONE Who places me wherever HE desires, so that HE may shine HIS LIGHT through me. i am but the candle -- HE is the Flame. i am but the wick to be burned up -- HE is the fiery LIGHT that illumines the Darkness.

The LORD's ALL-mighty righteous Right Hand, by His Holy SPIRIT, engineers ALL my circumstances and environment to where HIS LIGHT will shine best. i am but the willing wax, standing firm in His WORD, cooperating with Him to be burned up to the very last so that HE may shine HIS LIGHT in the Darkness.

i was once IN Darkness and even Darkness withIN. The Life i lived was centered on SELF -- gratifying the LUST of the Flesh (being IMmoral, satisfying my EGO -- the seat of my GREED -- with NO thought of others in need, who were in literal hunger, starving physically or spiritually). i was PUFFED UP with the PRIDE of Life -- wearing VAIN-glorious masks to hide INsecurities -- wanting to bring focus on Me, mySELF, and I. i LUSTed with my eyes, COVETing what i saw and thought to be better -- not being content with my lot.
The Life i lived had NO LIGHT, NO real JOY. i stumbled and fell repeatedly; i tripped and got bruised black and blue (once literally); i banged my head against many SELF-made walls -- i was BLINDed by the world system of "Work hard enough and long enough and you will get your dream house, dream car, dream partner in life, and live happily ever after." Or "JUST DO IT! -- satisfy your lust NOW -- whatever it is...get happy NOW! Why wait?"

i wandered in my SELF-created Wilderness -- hungry and thirsty for something UNexplainable. And in that process of wandering like the PRODIGAL son, i splattered DESTRUCTION on those around me with my ANGER, DECEIT, PRIDE, SELF-Righteousness, sexual IMmorality, IMpatience, JUDGMENTALness, BITTERness and UNforgiveness. i was a mess on the INside, but looked oh-so-normal on the OUTside.

i delved in the world's RELIGIONs -- toyed with Taoism, Buddhism, and other "isms" -- but leaned most towards the New Age SUPERFICIAL feel-good spirituality, whose foundation is built on shifting sand. i traveled here and there and all over, using experiences garnered in these travels to FEED that hunger and thirst for deeper knowledge of -- WHAT?!!! i felt EMPTY inside...it seemed that Life was SUPERFICIAL and SHALLOW -- was there ANYthing IN the depths of me?Not much depth...nor much PEACE.

TOday, in hindsight, i realize that i was indeed SO very superficial and shallow -- a Walking Dead trying so hard to be filled with quickened Life! i did this, i did that -- i traveled from country to country, jumped from relationship to relationship, diving in and out of one marriage into another -- straining and striving to find Life and meaning -- grabbing at Life, being filled with this or that experience, believing it will satisfy what it was i had such yearning. i longed to be FULLY alive, not just walking the routine treadmill of Life like a zombie from the Twilight Zone...i wanted more than anything to live Life! -- life with an exclamation point.

Why did it take SO long for me to find The Way, The Truth, and The Life!? This Life with the exclamation point?

Because my heart was so hardened from lack of good soil -- raised in a dysfunctional and GOD-less family. Because i was so full of PRIDE -- Me, mySELF and I allways on center stage, the drama queen star of this super-melodramatic, soap opera Life. Because i was blinded by the world's array of tempting but EMPTY goodies -- sweets that were in reality POISON to my very soul.

But THANKS be to GOD, Who was ever patient and abundant with His Grace and Mercy! He permitted my heart's desire and passion for world travel; and He used that passion to teach me about people less advantaged materially, yet richer than i in the deepest way -- rich in GOD amidst sometimes near-poverty conditions.
Though i've lunched atop the Eiffel Tower, the experience of sharing Sopa de Lengua at a local eatery in Cuzco with "my" two orphans (whose attitude towards la gringa was one of marked PATIENCE), touched my heart more deeply. Though i've slept in 5-star hotels in London and Paris, the hard floor shared with a family with 4 kids in Manila, and the cramped rear quarters of my Bronco as i drove solo for six weeks to Vancouver Island, are more memorable today. i've seen Cats! in London, Chicago in New York, Porgy and Bess in San Diego; flown by Cessna to Catalina Island to eat ice-cream, and around Alaska to view wildlife and icebergs; sat bareback on an elephant's hairy neck, and on a put-put motorcycle on the muddy roads of Phuket -- all these were wonderful diversions , but EMPTY VANITY...showing me today that good is the enemy of Best.

The various and sometimes hair-raising adventures in my life, which were allowed by GOD, do not even compare with the exhilaration of being moved emotionally, mentally and spiritually by His Creation. He has gifted me with hands-on experience -- dazzling full moon and a gazillion stars unobstructed by city heights or lights, shimmering rainbows (partial or circular, single or double arcs, and even upside down -- in Belize), driving rain and wild winds, crashing waves and colorful schools of fish beneath, silent fog and soft showers, verdant rain- and cloud-forests and steamy jungles, volcanoes and total-blackout caves...i can rave on and on and on about GOD's Creation, teeming with life, on land, in the seas...and how about the mind-boggling expanse of galaxies where even the Hubbell has not penetrated? Who can exhaust and imagine all of GOD's handiwork? i get exhausted when i try to imagine it all!

And what human artist can ever eclipse GOD's awesome art...His ever-changing, blazing sunsets or glorious sunrises?

Can i ever say, "Been there, done that"? No way, jose! Not in this lifetime...nor in the next.

Forty-seven years of my 54, i walked as a Living Dead -- BLIND and IGNORANT (an arrogant ignoramus) to The ONE Who provided pulse and adventure to that superficial life. In 2003 -- GOD stepped in and put the scattered pieces together so that i may have direction and purpose. He took me out of my mindless wandering in the Wilderness. He opened my eyes -- literally -- to "The Purpose Driven Life." i thought it was just another SELF-help book -- another candy to gorge myself with in my quest to fill my hunger for that elusive mystery i've searched for all my life.
But i know TOday, that the Holy SPIRIT at work in the world, with tender KINDNESS, orchestrated EVERYthing, even directing my attention to that particular page which spoke TRUTH in my heart, causing that spark to LIGHT my soul. The SPIRIT drew me and led me to GOD's Word -- the Bible, the Holy Scriptures.

Then i understood at last! My search for knowledge and TRUE SPIRITuality, the need to be filled with something truly satisfying to the soul -- the Word of GOD was the Key which unlocked the barrenness of 47 years of SELF-idolatry. GOD switched on the light bulb in my mind -- all the SELF-help books, religions, philosophies were EMPTY calories for my hungry soul. The TRUE nourishment for which my spirit hungered -- the answers to my questions, my quest for depth, for wisdom, for LIFE's meaning -- were contained in the Holy Bible: GOD's very Word.

And when the SPIRIT of GOD, ALL-mighty and INfinitely wise and loving, led me to the Word -- He led me straight to The WORD made flesh, The LORD JESUS. "CHRIST is the Bible's grand Subject, our GOOD the design, and the Glory of GOD its end." (Gideon's Bible foreword)
But in my New Age-fed flesh, i stubbornly held on to PRIDE. i didn't receive JESUS with the honor due Him. i didn't call Him by His TRUE Name, The CHRIST (Messiah, Savior, Redeemer, Whose nature and character is pure GOODNESS). Ignorantly i labeled Him "Hero," rather than rightfully calling Him LORD and GOD. Was i soundly saved then? Only GOD knows. i thought yes...that i was forever reconciled to GOD, forgiven of all my sins, by the Cross of JESUS -- i was enthusiastic in my profession of Faith IN CHRIST as the risen Savior, publicly and joyfully announcing it with a full-immersion baptism at Midway Baptist Church, with my family, friends, and the congregation as witnesses of my heartfelt intention of living a NEW Life for CHRIST. But i did not truly comprehend the magnitude of His LOVE, nor what it cost The FATHER to SACRIFICE His ONLY Begotten SON, so that i may receive the most precious Gift of SALVATION.

i continued in the flesh, acting outwardly like a "newbie" Believer of CHRIST, doing good works (for family and church), but with motives like filthy rags -- demonstrating by outward actions my CHRISTianity, my new Religion (versus MErlinism) -- yet inwardly, still motivated by PRIDE and fleshly desires. i had put on Salvation like an outer garment...it hadn't yet penetrated my heart.

i read the Bible like a novel, front to back, -- touched inwardly but little by the Old Testament (with the exception of Genesis and Psalms), but profoundly moved by the New Testament -- especially by the Gospel of John and his first epistle. The Bible became my personal number one and only best seller, the security blanket that traveled with me everywhere i went. Oswald Chambers' My Utmost For His Highest became my daily devotional.
And though i still(!) continued in the flesh, i began to perceive that i was genuinely SAVED, yet still acting shallow and superficial. i continued in my SINs (pride, SELF-righteousness, judging, gossip, controlling, UNforgiveness), reciting Bible verses, not understanding GOD's principles and their righteous application to my NEW Life. i constantly leaned on my OWN understanding and used His Word to suit my needs and justify my choices. i even discounted my pastor's warning, "Do not be unequally yoked." i went my OWN way anyway. Reluctant, but foolish, FAITHFULNESS to the old MErlin negatively impacted my decisions, my witness for CHRIST, my credibility as a Believer.

Yet my most wonderful and gracious GOD, my FATHER in Heaven, did not allow me to continue as a babe in CHRIST. He gave me REAL food, TRUE Bread, which nourished the seed of Faith He had planted in me. He grew my spirit as i experienced trials such as common to man. i travailed shadowed valleys of death (Jazmyn's), deep rejection, blatant abandonment, wrenching loneliness, unsettling fear of being alone again and no money in the bank for that rainy day...

GOD revealed Himself to me as Sovereign -- in control of His Creation, including ALL minute details like myself...that He is indeed Faithful and True, my Good Shepherd, the generous Provider that He promised to be to those who are His children. i got to know GOD's unlimited Mercy, Compassion, and tender Lovingkindnesses as He walked with me through these dark valleys. He tested my Faith, strengthened it, by burning off what impeded His LIGHT from shining forth through me. He brought me low so that i may reach for His hand, extended in loving comfort and providential POWER. Through tears and fears, loneliness and uncertainty -- i realized that He will indeed never ever leave me.

i cannot pinpoint when the REALITY of my Redemption became a CONFIDENT Assurance that i was indeed soundly SAVED, but i know! deep in my very soul that today, i am on ROCK-solid ground. i feel the loving presence of the Almighty GOD in my day-to-day existence, i realize the SPIRIT nurturing and growing me, and i am comforted by The LORD JESUS Himself, through a very PERSONAL Fellowship with Him, through answered prayers and countless blessings.
i am not yet fully sanctified, for that is a lifetime process as defined by GOD's will. Being the ultimate Perfectionist and Craftsman, He is STILL shaping and molding me. HE is the INfinitely gifted Potter, and i am but the now pliable clay. i am no longer that body of death, consisting of the old MErlin -- hardhearted and stiff-necked and hard of hearing and stony grounded. (i am not sinless...but i sin less.)

As the Potter, His hands on me and my circumstances are sure, with firm GENTLENESS, loving and patient. When He detects an "air bubble" in this clay that i am (Pride or superficiality or hypocrisy), He stops the wheel of my growth process and checks me. My part is to be still and yield to His correction. He removes that flaw, for that pocket of noxious hot air will surely cause weakness in the finished vessel.

When GOD finds a "stone" in the clay that i am (a stronghold not of His making), He will check my growth and remove that unwanted gunk which does not glorify His handiwork. My part is to SUBMIT, to honestly say, "Thank You, FATHER!" and be grateful for His cleansing work.

TOday as CHRIST's fully devoted follower, SPIRIT-filled and controlled (for daily, i surrender SELF-CONTROL to Him Who is in PERFECT control), i stand at the ready -- waiting to be used as His instrument, a channel for the blessing of others -- perhaps as a cup, filled from the fountain of Life so that others may drink of Him; or maybe as a plate, used to serve Bread for those who hunger; or as a simple vase, to hold sweet-smelling flowers so that others may be gladdened by His beauty.
Or maybe as just a plain and ordinary candle -- lit up with HIS Fire, burning brightly, waiting for His hand to carry me wherever HE desires, according to HIS purpose(s) and perfect wisdom, so that HE may shine HIS LIGHT in the Darkness.

Wherever my FATHER puts me, is where HE intends for me to be burned up to the last...to the nub, 'til all that's left is but a glob of melted wax...all used up. i want to meet my Beloved LORD JESUS with a clear and JOYful heart, saying, "i used up ALL You gave me!"
My heart's deepest desire is for JESUS, my CHRIST, LORD and Savior, and Ultimate Hero -- to welcome me Home, saying, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Well done indeed, rln!"
To me, this would be the happiest ending of this very short lifetime, but just the beginning of the EVERlasting LIFE, filled with TRUE JOY and irrepressible DELIGHT, which is GOD's Promise of ETERNAL bliss found only in the Presence of CHRIST JESUS.

But for now, one day at a time, i am confident that the abiding SPIRIT of GOD will continue to grow and mature in me the FRUIT He has imparted: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.

PSALM 19

The heavens declare the glory of GOD.
And the firmament shows His handiwork.

Day after day utters speech,

And night unto night reveals knowledge.

There is no speech nor language

Where their voice is not heard

Their line has gone out through all the earth,

And their words to the end of the world.

In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
Its rising is from one end of heaven,
and its circuit to the other end;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat. The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the LORD is is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold,

Yea, than much fine gold;

Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Moreover by them Your servant is warned,

And in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.

Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;

Let them not have dominion over me.

Then i shall be innocent of great transgression.Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

(Photos taken in Fiji, Cook Islands, Hawaii)

GOOD -- The Enemy Of BEST

Remember the Italian spaghetti western with squinting, gun-toting, tough guy, Clint Eastwood -- "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly"? And how the Good Guy won out over the Bad and Ugly? Well, most times, i need to rethink what is "good" and i must be careful that my Good does not win out over GOD's Best.

Because my mind is finite, my perception of what is Good will always be just Good Enough. But when i submit my perceived Good to GOD's laser beam scrutiny, His infinite wisdom -- He will always show me what is His Best, according to His Word. When i surrender my self-focused way to His all-knowing Way, then my merely Good Enough is transformed into His Ultimate Best, for His almighty power, as engineered by the Holy SPIRIT, will move heaven and earth and all of creation to enable me to do what He desires to do through me.

Here are some Good that may not be Best in GOD's scheme of things:

GOOD -- Remorse...feeling sorry for one's sin. It's saying I'm sorry and even making amends, but without true repentance.

Remorse is an emotion experienced by one who feels that he has committed an action contrary to his moral code. It is characterised by feelings of regret, self-hatred and a desire to make the wrong thing right.

Sometimes, from remorse, a sinner will do some form of penance, thinking to balance out the wrong committed, in the false hope that GOD will forgive the sin in this area because he or she has done good in another area. That is negotiating with the Holy Judge...and He cannot be manipulated with good works, shadowed by ulterior motives. But GOD is faithful and will forgive when i confess my sin, turn from it, and turn to Him in restored fellowship.BEST -- Repentance...confession of sin to GOD Himself, agreeing with GOD's view point about that confessed sin, turning away from that sin, and turning to GOD.

Repentance is a change of thought and action to correct a wrong and gain forgiveness from a person who is wronged. It is confession to GOD, ceasing sin against God, and resolving to live according to His laws. It includes an admission of guilt, a promise or resolve not to repeat the offense; an attempt to make restitution for the wrong, or in some way to reverse the harmful effects of the wrong where possible. True repentance involves the heart (emotions: true sorrow), the mind (beliefs: agreeing with GOD about the sin), the soul (the will: turning to GOD), and the body (physical: self-control).

GOOD -- Reformation...obeying the Mosaic Law -- the Ten Commandments -- conforming to societal laws, striving to live a righteous life. A reformed person (i.e., an ex-alcoholic or ex-addict, lives a better life because he/she has implemented in his/her life:

1. A change for the better; an improvement.
2. Correction of evils, abuses, or errors.
3. Action to improve social or economic conditions without radical or revolutionary change.

4. Reclamation: rescuing from error and returning to a rightful course.

BEST -- Regeneration...being truly good because the abiding Holy SPIRIT of GOD changes the person from within, so that the change is inward and real and permanent, not just outward or temporary. Though that person still sins, makes mistakes, his inner nature is changed forever -- he is a new creature altogether. This regeneration is GOD's gift to those who receive His Son JESUS as Messiah, as the CHRIST.

Regeneration is an act of God whereby He bestows upon the believing sinner new life. This life is God’s own Life, the impartation of His own nature. God Himself is the Source and Bestower of His Life, so that believers are said to be “partakers of the Divine nature” (II Peter 1:4), “created in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:10), “born of God” (John 1:13), “born again” (John 3:3, 7), “a new creation” (II Corinthians 5:17).

GOOD -- Love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 19:19). Living the Golden Rule -- do unto others as you would have them do unto you.BEST -- Love one another as I (JESUS) have loved you (John 15:12). Sacrificial love -- agape -- laying down one's life for the brethren, brothers and sisters In CHRIST. Forsaking self for the sake of the other. Loving as JESUS did...all the way to the Cross at Calvary.

GOOD -- Good works in the name of JESUS...pursuing a righteous cause in His name. Giving tithes, volunteering in church ministries, giving up personal time to help those in need.BEST -- A deeply intimate and personal relationship with CHRIST Himself -- being sensitive and receptive, then obedient, to His quiet, still voice. Realizing that He is my all, confident that He is in all ways, always more than enough. It is enough that He abides in me and i in Him.

The closer my fellowship with JESUS, the more i do the things which please the Father. When i make my relationship with the Son the passion of my life, then my whole being -- body, heart, mind and soul -- are laid at His feet, and i am the clay beneath His hands to do whatever, whenever, and wherever He desires to use me, according to His good purpose(s).

BEST is my old nature obliterated by the Life of JESUS.

BEST is when those around me no longer see me, but rather the reflection of His nature.

(All photos: Muri Beach, adjacent to Vara's Beach House, a popular backpacker hostel in Rarotonga, Cook Islands)