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And what such a great gift of love it is.
It is a love that is perfect, unconditional and without reservation. It is the love that took our Lord Jesus Christ to the cross. A love that knows no sacrifice. Unconditional without reservation and without prejudice.
In December of 2001 in a small trailer in Newark, AR. I felt God's great love. And what a great love it is. Many of the saints and yes the lost as well, have no concept of just how great a love it is. But I do.
"Saved" accepting Jesus Christ at the age of 19, I spent a few years with Youth for Christ in their local Youth Guidance program. Blessed by God with a wife two years later at 21, it was just one year later that our daughter Amber Marie was born. Born with a birth defect, she survived just thirty six hours. Upon her death, due to a vast misunderstanding and injustice let's say, we had a severe falling out with the church. It was not until some 20 years later that I would set my foot back into a church again.
Severely back slid for most of those 20 years, I never realized that one could fall out of fellowship with God. Never really raised in church as a youth, I am to this day quite amazed as I look back, and yes with "hindsight", see the work of God in my life. Trust, I have been through quite a bit. For as He has taught me well these past few years, "all things happen for a reason". You see with "hindsight" it was perfect. From a "saved" state, to lost in the world, the prodigal returns. "the Phoenix" a "witness" not only to Jesus Christ and divine love, but to the modern day prodigal, and to those racked with complacency within the church. And yes to the "lukewarm". It is "Perfect".
Three years ago, after an very emotional breakup, it was then with His hand that I was guided to that small house trailer on East 7th St. in Newark. "Beset" with not only the emotional breakup, but one after another vehicle and housing "malfunctions"; it was on one night in mid December 2001 that the supernatural happened: and I felt His great love. All total, everything taking it's toll, hitting my knees sobbing in the middle of the living room floor; I cried out to God "I can't take anymore".
At that time, most would believe that either nothing would have happened, or perhaps I might have been left with a feeling that everything would be alright. But what happened the next moment was truly supernatural; of the God kind. At that next moment His great love "flowed" through me. Flowed is the best word that I can come up with for there is really no mere words that can describe it. And yes, at the same time my faith "soared". The saints and lost have no idea to the great extent of God's great love: But I do.
I have always had faith, but as I have many times since that night given thanks for increase. To those that are now reading this and know not the love of God or Jesus Christ, I implore you to accept and follow Him today. Glorify Him. He is real. "All things happen for a reason", just as you are reading this now.
I would like to add at this time for you readers, this thought: If God will lead you to it; He will lead and carry you through it.
As to "His plan", I spent just three short months in that small house trailer on East 7th St., and that "hallowed ground". The hallowed ground of a repentant heart.
"Isolated from the world" many things happened in that small trailer during those three months. Many of which shall always remain between God, our Lord Jesus Christ and myself. It was during this time that "the Phoenix" was born. And it was then that I promised Him that I would always testify to love. One of the moments with God, I will describe in detail a bit later.
It was also during this timeframe that I rededicated my life to Him and "surrendered" to preach the full gospel. I use the term "surrender" a Baptist term, that I always found most curious. To use a term as "surrender" to something that I welcomed with open arms; or shall I say "wings opened wide". With wings opened wide. And all things happen for a reason. As it turned out, I received my "license to preach the Gospel" on the 17th day of the 7th month, July 2002. Glory to Our Lord, Jesus Christ.
"The "Phoenix", a legendary bird that burned itself on it's nest, only to arise once more from the pyre, or ashes anew. A symbol adopted by early Christianity, the Phoenix represented a true symbol of the death, and resurrection; and the change or rebirth that can take place in a man.
The past three years, God has taught me well. I have walked a journey that has not only given me my ministers license but one that has led me from church to church. God showing me the true state of the "Body of Christ". Many plagued with heresy. But then again God is the best teacher, isn't he?
I have "ran the gauntlet" from "Baptist Landmark secularism" through "the Calvinistic elect", through a Baptist Minister that feeds the "itching ears" (and I use the word Minister only for a bit of color, for He is anything but); and the last, a Pentecostal Church of God assembly with a heart for God, but an appetite to abuse their spiritual gifts.
And of the pastor of this Pentecostal church? I wish only now for him to see and turn from the error of his ways. He has the qualities to be an outstanding pastor. I strongly urge him to contact his bishop for guidance. If only he would get it together, oh and yes, remember these verses, and lay aside his fear:
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? - Psalms 27:1
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. - Hebrews 13:2
Oh and one last thing. A pastor is a Shepard. And a Shepard goes after lost sheep. And a pastor that neglects the "Lord's Supper" commits spiritual infidelity. Remember that the Apostles took it daily. And once a year is travesty; and that was only at my constant prompting. The "channel" of the faith is being broken, an err from the faith and it is the Body that suffers. Once again, I strongly urge this pastor to contact his bishop for guidance. I am only but speaking the truth in Love.
For at what great cost, if my lips shall be silent? God has instructed me that it is time to say what I mean and mean what I say. Or I would be guilty of infidelity as well. Wouldn't I? And that… unlike some, I will not allow. Time is precious and quickly becoming an enemy. Boldly speak the truth in love. Amen.
I have gained "abundant" insight and yes discernment. And yes even of and into myself; I am truly last and least of all saints. Yes, God is the most excellent of all teachers, and "all things happen for a reason".
Now, one of the moments with God on East 7th St.
If you browse our site, on our Gallery "Reflections" page, you will find a copy of "Storm". I always have enjoyed writing, and "Storm" is a product of that so to speak. Originally published in 1998, it was originally published with just the first two stanzas. Published in the prose collection the "Promise of Tomorrow", I always felt it incomplete, and a little inappropriate for a collection of that title. An ending with no real promise.
It was during one of the evenings on East 7th St, mid December 2001, that I felt that God had for me "a task at hand". First of all let's say I am not perfect. It took me lets say a little over seven hours to figure out what it was. I tried scripture study, prayer, even raising a "joyful noise" to the Lord. And trust, I emphasize "noise".
But after it all, I still had the feeling. It wasn't until 7 hours later I paused a moment for "reflection". I went over to my computer and opened Wordpad. Some twenty minutes later the feeling of "a task at hand" was gone and "Storm" was complete and appears as you see it today.
Three years, 7 hours and 20 minutes to Final Storm. And the real promise of tomorrow. And at the onset of the evening, "Storm" was the farthest thing from my mind.
Roughly a year ago, God granted me insight from Him, into those that have been sexually abused, and victims of incest. My wife an incest survivor helped, as at times perhaps, "I could feel" her pain and anguish. And the raging battle within. That insight is the "Uncommon Ground", here again available in our online gallery. Dedicated to those survivors of incest and sexual abuse, and the "Uncommon Ground" that they share.
If we as a race, and great nation, could only increase our capacity love… and extend that love to all. To love divinely. It is possible. Jesus Christ instructed us to love one another as He loved us. God will not ask you to do something if it where not possible. But then again… from my own personal experience, I know it is possible. Pray for your increase… not for wealth as the televangelists preach. But pray for increased capacity to love. Please trust.. When it is granted, at times you will find it perhaps a bit overwhelming… at first.
Many of you are most likely wondering why I used the image of the street lamp at the top of this page. It was during my journey that a brother and I at church where discussing what I felt in God's love that night in that house trailer, on East 7th St. How it felt. As I have stated before just mere words cannot describe it. But as I relayed to him, use this thought, this word picture: If there where a storm and power outage; and the wires of the power lines laid bare. And if I grasped those power lines. What I felt that night, the love that flowed through me: Would illuminate a church. And light it from within….
Praise to God and Our Lord Jesus Christ; may all the glory be yours, Amen. And Amen.
Through His continual guidance, I remain, His Servant,
Reverend Jeffrey Jackson
"the Phoenix"
"Who will, can; Who tries, does; and Who loves, lives".- Anne McCaffrey
Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful;
it is not arrogant or rude.
Love does not insist on its own way;
it is not irritable or resentful;
it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right
"There is a wind blowing throughout the land… and a revival is upon the wind". - "the Phoenix"
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"There is a wind blowing throughout the land… and a revival is upon the wind". - "the Phoenix".
"Revival". Of a Holy Nation. Revival. Vital "ReBreath". The order of the day.
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