I want to offer my apologies to the readers as I haven’t written much of my own thoughts over the past month. I’ve been distracted by a few things and didn’t really have a lot to write about. The latter most likely a result, in part, to slacking in a regular Bible reading and study time. Hopefully the “sluggard” phase is behind me and I’ll be able to resume with more posts and thoughts on a regular basis. 
With that out of the way…
A few weeks ago, I came across a Pyromaniacs post (by Dan Phillips) that critiqued a chapter of How Then Should We Choose?. I haven’t read the book, and most likely won’t; though not as a result Phillips’ critique. I mention all of this because the author(s) of the chapter in question are Richard and Henry Blackaby, writers of most of the devotionals posted on “ Got Fruit? ”. I won’t go into in-depth personal commentary of Phillips’ assessment; partly because I think he sincerely makes a valid argument to be discerning and, Phillips’ critique isn’t the gist of today’s post. Furthermore, I’ve not taken any of the Blackaby devotionals in the same context that Phillips uses in his critique, which he does explain as limited to the 1 chapter of the book.
1st Thessalonians 5:19—24
19Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 20do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22Avoid every kind of evil.
23May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
Of the points and critiques that Dan Phillips makes in his post, the one that’s continued to roll over in my mind for the past two or so weeks has been the idea of experiencing God.For the record. I’ve never had an experience whereby God audibly spoke to 
me. No booming voice with a subtle English accent like that from the Ten Commandments; no burning bushes nor burning furniture in my apartment for that matter. Now could God reveal Himself to me or to whomever He desires to in such a manner? Well, He is God, so I suppose that it is within the realm of possibilities; if God chooses to do so. Oh yeah, no out of body experiences, teleportation or projection of my inner self to some other worldly realm either. At least none that I can recall; though my medications have been producing some very trippy dreams of late, but that’s another story.
I recall the early days of “my rededication” walk to the Lord; being spiritually immature at the time I made the short-lived mistake of buying into some experience based philosophy from a book I picked up at a “Christian” book store. By experienced based, I mean books, seminars, conferences,manuals and whatever else propaganda that claims to “teach” one how to experience God and or His presence in a physical manifestation. By God’s grace and His Word, He saved me from going down what I fear would have been a spiritually corrupt road.
“God is not a genie in a bottle that we can conjure up out of our will.”
When it comes to “experiencing” God, I’ve come to understand that particular phrase using the following examples…
When someone reaches out to you, be it spiritual uplifting, a shoulder to lean on, an ear to listen or the provision of physical needs ie; food, clothing and shelter;consider that you might just be experiencing God as He works His will through them by way of their actions/responsiveness to His Holy Spirit. To use God’s words though…
Matthew 25:31-46
”…37"Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40"The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’…”
Jeremiah 31:3
3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:
"I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with loving-kindness.
It would seem that too often our mindsets can become such that we are in expectation of The Lord manifesting Himself to us ala Moses on Mt. Sinai with the burning bush, that we overlook the “not so spectacular” ways that He might express Himself to us. Maybe it’s through something as “silly” as an archaic book written by primitive folk ages ago? Perhaps it’s through the compassion one expresses while doing volunteer work for the needy, or just giving of one’s material wealth for the sake of others?
1st John 4:8;16
8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
Grace and peace be with you.
determine right from wrong. God’s Word is that plumb line. Spiritual laws, like physical laws, are meant to protect you, not restrict you. You may exercise your freedom to challenge the laws of electricity, but to do so can bring you death. Likewise, you will not break God’s laws, they will break you. God established absolute moral and spiritual laws that we are free to ignore, but we do so at our own peril. These laws are timeless. Culture does not supersede them. Circumstances do not abrogate them. God’s laws are eternal, and they will save you from death if you follow them.
You may feel that God’s laws restrict and bind you. On the contrary, God’s Word protects you from death (Romans 6:23). For example, when God said that you are not to commit adultery, He wanted to free you to experience the fullest pleasure of a marriage relationship. Furthermore, He knew the devastating heartache that would come to you, your spouse, your children, your relatives, your friends, and your church family if you broke this law. How important the laws of God are for your life! Without them, you would be robbed of the delights God has in store for you.
