Howdy Neighbor!"

So, yesterday, I went to a weekly men's meeting for a local church that I attend for the summer, while Martha and I are in NH. As always, I share as appropriate when the discussion moves along. I do my best not to dominate the conversation, though it is hard.

No, it is not hard because I like to hear myself talk. I just get excited talking about God and biblical matters. That should be obvious to anyone who knows me at all. Still, God has placed this "fog" over people, so they just barely consider what I say. Still, I have seen over and over how a tidbit of something I shared gets repeated to another in a conversation that I overhear, but they do not remember where they heard it.

"Why would God do that?"

Why would He talk through a donkey? Why would He make one guy incredibly strong, because he has long hair? Why would He make Himself a man only to be executed in the most horrible way ever invented? Why, when He could part the clouds and introduce Himself, would He make getting to know Him so...subtle and personal?

God does what He wants, when He wants, and for reasons we cannot possibly fathom.

Either way, yesterday, the pastor, as we discussed the Apostle Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus, asked if anyone there had experienced a "major event" conversion like that.

I was the only one who raised my hand.

I didn't offer any details as I would have had to talk for the rest of the hour-long meeting...and nobody asked.

Here is the rub. No one ever asks. I have a rather large list of events where God has done the dramatic. Events where anyone who saw it or believed it happened, would not doubt the existence of God or His interest in His children. I write about these events, talk about them, and still, no one seems to take them seriously.

I sit often, listening to someone speak of a guy or girl on YouTube, or one of those stupid short videos, that say they have experienced some profound action from God. As I listen to the tale, their event is more of a "feeling" based experience where God supposedly moved in such a way as to change their life forever. They didn't see anything. They didn't watch miraculous things. No, they just felt a feeling that was profound.

I'm not saying God doesn't do that, but what follows their "experience" is generally telling on whether it was God at all...and it usually isn't.

"God wants me to minister to rich people on a beach! Send me money to partner with God!"

Yet, these people, who hear this person speak, raise them up to a place of honor and respect, without meeting or knowing them!

How do they know that the person is telling the truth? How many supposed conversions are out there of great things God has supposedly done, yet disagree with basic scriptures? This is why I take every video of a "testimony" with a very small grain of salt.

I know God does miraculous things. It is obvious as He has for me many times, including the "fog" everyone seems to have regarding what I share. I find it fascinating...and irritating.

I figure there are others out there who are being raised by God like I am. You know God has a grand purpose for all He does for His children. Just remember that HE is the one doing it. It's not your personality, presentation, or attitude. I have checked those for years and still watch the "fog" cover the minds and hearts of those I talk to. I have hoped it would change, but now, in my 60's, I figure it won't.

It's not my problem.

It's not! It is God's doing, as everything that happens good or bad is His to command.

So, am I favored or not?

OH, YES!

"How do you know then?"

Easy, it's because of the intimate things God has revealed about Himself to me. The very things others can't seem to hear about. That, and the expressive way He goes about communicating. This shows a closeness, that most do not have.

Consider a neighbor you barely know. Does he call you, or come to your house to tell you what is going on in his life? Does he confide in you things he is planning to do in business?

Or

Does he only smile and wave as you pass him on the street? Do you only know his "business" only by the word of other neighbors?

It's all about relationship.

This, being He is such a great neighbor, has a lot to do with you. Are you visiting Him? Do you ask Him questions? Do you want to hang out, or go somewhere as a tag along with Him?

No?

Well, that's OK, but maybe, when you ask the other neighbors about Him, find out first if that person REALLY knows Him.

Yeah, that would be a good idea.