Inked Pen:

Parables of a Born Again

Rabbit
Me: God.. why have you brought me to this point; to love you this deeply, wanting to be pure and rid of my evils? You took me out from what I knew. And introduced me into a world of desire. Why have you chosen me? Why me Lord? God: Rabbit. Me: I don't understand? God: You were trapped in darkness; your forest, with the things you've made to call home. Before a rabbit steps out into the open field, it must source the danger that is abound. It must ensure that what it is coming from is of no equal danger. Reluctant to the reason why you ask. Once the Rabbit is assured that there is no Danger it will step into the light and accept the goodness therein which it has to offer. Rabbits are no fools. They know the darkness of the forest which they've come from and will be aware of the potential evil that may try to step into the light and lure it within its clutches. Me: But don't Rabbit's still have to return to that dark forest? God: Is it no wonder that living in the world is dark, manipulative and deceptive? Who better to return to the darkness and tell of a glorious light to those whom are willing to listen than one whom is familiar and readied with response? Who better than one when in the light can watch for deception; than when carrying the word of the light can watch for it the more? Who better would know then to return back to what the light has to offer? Knowing full well of the goodness that cannot be found elsewhere within that darkness? Who better than a rabbit of the forest who desires the goodness which is in the light? Note: The rabbit's alertness and speed made it a Christian symbol of vigilance and the need to flee from sin and temptation.

2 Sticks & an Island

"We come across individuals who declare that they need never to read the bible. Across individuals who rarely see the necessity of the bible. And individuals who know the importance of the bible." The people shifted in their seats before exclaiming "The parable of the sower". I smiled and forwarded the conversation. "For people who never see much use of faith or the bible they are like individuals trapped on an island with two sticks. They cannot make a house out of the sticks. It cannot radio for help and to their awareness they are but two mere sticks. They sleep with their back turned to the sticks. They use the sticks to entertain themselves with music and art but when they are done using the sticks for useless things they throw them behind them onto the ground caring no less for where they land. The individual trapped on the island from time to time mocks the relevance of the sticks. To their submission with frustration they say the sticks are of no use to them, until. A storm passes by and the rain leaves them shivering. The next few days they are cold and ailing. They set their eyes upon the 2 sticks and begin to hope. They begin to search, their instincts to survive kick in. They begin to gather twigs and small shrubs in hopes to use those two sticks to make a fire. Unlearned but very careful not to break the sticks, they try many different ways to understand the process in building a fire with the little resources they have until finally.. They build a fire. They delight, they cry and shout 'Thank you God'.", "But what happened to the sticks?" they ask. "Now that they realized the usefulness of the sticks they no longer sleep with their back turned to them. They curl in their slumber holding safely yet tight to the sticks. They cleanse them and place them in safe areas. The music and art is no longer useless, but is vibrant and meaningful. On some days they worry where they may have misplaced the sticks, their source of fire and signal. They would search the entire island for them until retrieving them. And yes, they would check for intrusions, abrasions and the like to ensure the capability of their sticks. They would be sure to be more mindful as to where they put them. But lets say because of the fire that they do get rescued.. what happens to the sticks then? One could easily leave them on the island.

Another could bring them onto the ship but if they misplaced it; wouldn't dare bother search the ship as they would the island since they are now saved (get it?). Another after hearing the mockeries of others would toss them overboard into the very sea. But another would cling onto the sticks despite the rumors of foolishness and delusion that surrounded him. He would learn and teach what he had learned from the sticks to ensure the safety and love of others, never to lose those sticks. Could you blame such a man then? For understanding the power of two sticks? For understanding his faith and his bible and never wanting to depart?" Job 22:30 He shall deliver the innocent man: and he is delivered by the pureness of your hands. Corinthians 4:6-7 6 Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, Do not go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over against another. 7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? Matthew 13:19-23 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away 22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23 But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

The Lumberjacks Splinter

What does it mean, they ask, that if one should simply ask God for forgiveness that God shall forgive and also use them? Its for this reason that many do not believe in God. Isnt it strange that if God gave you a talent, that it should only belong to someone pure otherwise that talent be tainted and of no good use?, Pride is what blinds the blessings of God In a small town of toothpick makers there lived a terrible and rich man who made toothpicks with small tools which cost a lot of money for purchase. He made the toothpicks so well that if they were picked up they would give splinters into the hands of others. He would charge an extra fee for the splinter to be removed. He did such a good job of removal that lumberjacks in the city which neighbored them came to his aide asking for a free charge of the removal of their splinters. He refused and sent them away, he only cared about his money. One day while this man was marveling at his money down the road he slipped and stumbled and fell. He had a bag of toothpicks that fell out and a splinter landed in each one of his eyes. He became blind and pleaded for help. Some of the toothpick makers said it served him right. Some others who were jealous of his fortune laughed and said nothing. The rich toothpick maker was covered in dirt and looked like a beggar. A voice came to him which calmed down the pain and said, If you want these splinters removed go to your neighbor at the next village; to the lumberjacks. Tell them you are waiting for work. The man still blind went to the lumberjacks town and simply said, I am waiting to work. The lumber jacks laughed with their massive tools as they looked upon the half-blind and crooked toothpick maker with his small wood cutting tools. Trees were chopping down by the multitude; logs being sent down with a loud crashing. Then came a horrible storm which shook the logs and sent splinters flying everywhere. Many had splinters caught in their eyes and one had his hand caught in the storm by a log. When the storm was over that man was crying in pain. If he dared to remove the log his hand would be covered in splinters. The blind men knew not what to do. The toothpick maker asked him to remove the log so that He in turn could use the small tools to remove his splinters from his eyes. He

would in turn help the lumberjack with his splinters and help to remove the splinters from everyone elses eye. The lumberjack at first laughed, called him crazy and mocked him until he could no longer take the pain. He removed the Log which covered his hand with splinters. He was taught how to remove the splinters from the toothpick makers eye. Sticking to his promise the toothpick maker helped take out the splinters from the lumberjacks hand. The blind men who could not see doubted the ability of the toothpick maker. They tried to heal themselves instead with their massive tools and large hands. The splinters drove deeper into their eyes and they became blind forever. Matthew 7:4-5 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brothers eye. Luke 6:39 And he spoke a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? Luke 10: 29 29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, And who is my neighbor? Mark 12:31 The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.

The Paralytic
Mark 2:9 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? "Such a strange question," they began, "what could Jesus have possibly meant by it?" I started, "Jesus was demonstrating to these men the source of their supposed power. They had none, for which ever one they deemed easy to say it would still fall short of a miracle. Here's a perfect example then, for us. Which is easier for us to do if we see a starving man, or a homeless man or a beggar in the streets which is very much like a paralytic. A man who cannot go anywhere on his own feet. Is it easier to tell that man his sins are forgiven? His sins which we do not know of nor are sure we have the authority to give? And if we did, how often is it done? Or is it easier to say, "Come with me. I will help you on your feet?" The question was never just for the scribes but for us as well for Christ has also said in Matthew 5:20 "For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven." Never question the opportunity to help a man or woman or child onto their feet. And even if you did know their sin, supposing it were a sin against even you- to act as one who has forgiven them, otherwise Christ has mentioned in Luke 6:37 ""Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.".. .. Indeed it's quite simple. Never lose the opportunity to help a man on his feet. Without judgment and with forgiveness in your heart which you yourself would wish to gain in such a dire circumstance."

Blessed Apple Tree

Matthew 12:33 33 Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. "A farmer had two apple trees which indeed grew apples. One tree hated the farmer and became deceptive towards the apples. It told them, "The farmer is evil" and "He is a make believer of pretend things" as well as "He doesn't love you." The neighboring tree also spoke to its own apples and said, "The farmer does love you" and "He believes in faith and prosperity for all" as well as "There is no need to fear Him". It was pretty clear that one tree had a loving perspective while the other had an evil one. One day a freak snow storm happened and the farmer came running out to his trees. He carried a basket and sled along a ladder intending to pluck away the apples. The first tree, because he feared to endure the storm by himself, said, "Quickly, you must hide! He is not here to save us but to take you away forever!" As the farmer tried to pluck the apples, they would scatter.. they would hide.. they would even make demands for what they desired even in that time of ill circumstance. The farmer had to ignore their defiance and ill timed demands and went to the other tree. "Go quickly," said the second tree, "He is here to save you. To bring you to warmth and good shelter!", "But what of you?" asked one of the apples. "go and be safe and all I ask is that you remember me." When the storm was over the farmer came back with an axe and saw to the first tree. All the apples had rotted away or had been thrust out of the farmland hedge to the other side of the fence where he could not go. He attempted to chop down the tree but it fell over in one strike because it lacked roots. The farmer then looked at the second tree and chopped at the roots to bring it closer to his home where he could keep it safer from freak storms."

"But what does this answer mean to the parable?" they asked. "It means, that as parents we must be sure to teach the truth of our God. It means as teachers we must be sure to be kind and loving. It means that as a pastor to his congregation he must be willing to teach the word of God without selfish desires. Willing to give his followers mercy over a choice of sacrifice. It means that the apples which are good come from a tree that cares to fill it with good tiding. It means, keep Christ as your root to all things." Mark 4:17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

A Turtle of a Parable
"What's the point of a parable? To make you think? To make you wonder? To give you hope and encourage faith? But of all these things why not just speak plainly.. could a man not gain from such as well?" I remembered an old philosophy and expanded upon it, "If you have a turtle without a shell is it still a turtle?", "I'd assume so, why?", "I ask because I want to know in your mind and from your heart what makes a turtle a turtle and not a fox or lamb.", "Well.. I suppose.. well..", "And if we look to another turtle and see it has a shell, then we can call that turtle a turtle?", "Why yes, of course! The shell of a turtle is its home after all", "But what if in that turtles mind it were a fox or a lamb and ignored its shell?", "Well.. no matter what it thought of itself it'd still be a turtle.", "Because of it's shell?", "Yes, why?", "Well if that turtle with the shell that thought it was a fox or lamb had lost its shell was more able to act more like a fox or lamb then would you still call it a turtle?" , "I suppose I would..because I knew it had a shell. But then I suppose I wouldn't if it did eat, sleep and walk like a fox or lamb..depends on what it looks like without the shell.", "Very good," I continued, "Now if that turtle without a shell that acted like a fox or a lamb became fearful of the world and found a new shell.. would it thus be a turtle once more?", "It depends", "on what?", "If it wants to be a turtle..", "Good. But lets say that the turtle stayed in its shell and never went anywhere.. would it matter if that turtle were a turtle or a fox or a lamb?", "I think what would matter is if it were dead" I smiled, "Indeed. Parables are just that. They help us to discover our self, our perspectives, our perceptions of truth and activity. They help us to grow in wisdom and understanding of other things based upon a paradoxical divinity. What matters is allowing a parable to transform you into a being that no one can understand, that no one would dare agree to its change in transformation. People will call you crazy, people will say you are missing a shell.. but by becoming transformed you live and act new in the body of Christ. What happens if you leave that body and decide to rely on that shell again? People will place you in preconceived judgment. They will stereotype you and

have you be afraid of the world around you. And what happens if you do live in that shell and never let a parable take you away? People of faith who know better will assume you dead." James 2:26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Song of Solomon 2:12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land;

Worry & Track Stars

"What is your philosophy on worry?" they ask. "Track stars and hurdlers" I responded. "That doesn't make a blink of any sense they said and began to laugh in mockery. "You ever see a 400 m race?" I asked. "No, why?","The racers have two types of worry. The start of the race which begins by the firing of the gun. If they fault, they must redo. and if they fault again they become disqualified. If they manage not to be disqualified their every step is either of worry or confidence. Which one would you believe should win the race then? the one who worries or the one which is confident?" They agreed that the more confident individual should win and thus I continued, "Now have you ever seen a hurdle race? They not only must worry about the firing of the gun but as well as the hurdle posts that mark their lane. Now which one do you believe will overcome each obstacle and remain victorious? The one who worries about each upcoming obstacle or the one which is confident towards the end?" Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. 1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

The Nature of Judgment

"Alright then, what is your position on Atheists in the world? Don't they upset you, bother you and course your spirit into anger?", "Ha" I began, "And why should they do such a thing to me? Many of them are living a life that God has placed for those of us in law. And for those of us who agree to that law even then we tend to fall short. It is already written that many will follow the goodness of God without knowing it. Those who don't lie, who don't steal.. who don't murder or take after another spouse. Individuals who rather live as God intended us to live that discount Him because of those of us who refuse to live in the way which He expresses.", "Are you saying you support atheism?" they accused. "No, I support the belief of God. Even when that belief is an indirect example of God's love. As long as they are living their lives and not being hateful towards God, which is impossible to hate a thing, person or being that you have no belief in, then it is all mere things of fishes and things of birds.", "Things of fishes and things of birds? But they try to tell us how we should live our lives. That belief in God is fairy tale!, "Yes" I said with a smile, "A fish, no matter how often it looks into the sky and observes the birds could never tell them how to fly. Likewise, a bird could never look down into a river or sea and tell a fish how to swim. As long as that nature doesn't try to defy itself then that nature is expressive to its existence. God's divinity, love and law are placed not just in books but within the nature of man. Let God judge the nature in which we choose to live; if it is of God's will or against it." Romans 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Romans 2:14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law

Bought With a Price

Spiritually speaking, sin is of a high price. Our sins are the cost of evil's influences. We can't buy our faith which is why the term "You can't take money with you" is understood in Acts 8:20, "Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!" The only sure way of grace in this case is to be bought by faith. A price that costs much more than we could ever afford by our loving Savior Jesus Christ. It says in 1 Corinthians 7:23, "You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men." This price is gained from the Death and Resurrection of Christ. It is expensive and should be held in the strictest regard. I suppose now I understand why He was angry with the temple in Matthew 21:12-13, "Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. "It is written," he said to them, "My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers." He was angry at the church for selling a lie; that souls could be won by worldly purchases and profits - the same kind of profit that brings us right back to the differences between money and faith in 1 Timothy 6:10, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." After Christ drove them out of the temple we see another thing happen, "The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them." He heals those who were under the misfortune of false prophets. He gives them a new way to stand and a new strength to pursue. He allows them to see with a difference of perception towards God and to walk in faith."

Matthew 11:29-30, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." 1 Corinthians 6:20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

The Elder Woman's fur Coat

Again began Inked Pen, I can show you just how significant and purposeful Gods word is within connection. An elder woman had an expensive fur coat and took it to 3 cleaners. She told them to hold that expensive coat for a month after cleaning and at any wish or desire they may wear it at any given time. The fur coat would allow them entry into any venue or high end leisure for their choosing. At the end of the month she returned to the first in rags and dirty hands and feet intending to repay them for their compassion. She begged for the coat to be returned and the first exclaimed, But you didnt pay for it and turned away to enjoy the company and prestige the fur coat brought. Heart broken she paid for the coat and went her way leaving the first with nothing. The second did the same but only after lending it to the elder for a few minutes until realizing his glamour was fading. The third however felt bad but sent her away you see, and the elder woman was so heart broken that she sat and cried. A child was near and saw what transpired and told her, Who needs that dirty fur coat anyway? Here, take mine! The listeners asked, But what could an elder woman do with a childs coat? Inked Pen did smile, Its not the love of a coat the elder was after but the love of a human being willing to love beyond the need for wealth. Someone with the heart of a child who is ignorant to compare the worth and difference between a person and something so small as a fur coat James 2:13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! Matthew 18:3 And he said: I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

A Blind Bird Teaches Faith

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. "How can one hope for what is not seen? Must we not first be able to see what lies ahead, in front of us in order for us to truly be comforted by its substance?" they asked me. "There were 2 birds and between the two one were blind and the other fit to see. The blind bird preached to the young birds about having faith and how their wings were made for such purposes hoping that one day they would be able to fly. The one who could see had just about enough of the lectures and decided against flying; he would hope to find his own path against the dribble of a blind bird in the world. He chose to walk the grounds, resenting the lectures of faith every step of the way and eventually forgot the use of his wings. One day there was a terrible storm and all the young birds were in fear. The blind bird simply said, "Worry not. It is time for you to trust in what you cannot see." The young birds relied on that faith and took flight escaping the storm and yes even the blind bird was able to fly. The one bird who turned away to hope in the world had forgotten the use of his wings and feared what he could not see.. he feared the air around him.", "But how does this explain faith?" they asked. "Faith," I continued, "is using what God has given you to prove the purpose of His plan. The blind bird could never see what he hoped for but his faith was evidence in the unseen.", "And what of the bird who could see?" they asked. "That bird had left his hope into a world. A world filled with troubles, with trials.. with storms. He could never use those to fly when the time of flight were required, now could he?"

Sand & Waves

Mark 10:25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Matthew 13:18-23 18Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Matthew 5:1-10 1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The word of God has a divine connection, began Inked Pen, a connection that reveals how much more intelligent and relevant Gods word is over man., Prove it! countered

a listener. Inked Pen took a moment to refrain himself from kicking the jaw off that Samsons lion.. Inked Pen began, There is a city and within this city along a dark road lay the homeless. The downtown sector held a raffle where 3 men had won its lottery of a thousand dollars conveniently held beside a store that sold blankets for $10 without tax. One were rich in all things from head to toe and journeys pleasure. The other were slightly rich who desired to be like the former fellow. And the third was a man in flip flops and a carry on bag named Sand&Waves, Why was he called that? asked the pest. He was called that because on that lonely road of flip flops and carry on bags he imagined himself on a beach at all times.. and the cars that passed by held the sound of the seas waves, I see.. he was a nut job, more like a Gods Job said Inked Pen, anyway.. the first man after leaving the lottery with his winnings ignored the men on the street.. he hopped into his ride and took off eager to spend his winnings. The second saw the men on the street and he bought a blanket. He saw another and bought another blanket. On his third return he saw another but he also saw the rich man.. He then doubted if hed ever be like him and able himself to enjoy the finer things in life. He sniffed his head high and ignored the rest. Sand&Waves however, with his winnings.. Bought blanket after blanket until he ran out of money. The audience held their quiet until finally, So.. He remained poor.. is that it?, No.. He thought himself to be richly fulfilled while sharing a bit of his Sand and Waves... Matthew 7:26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. Matthew 8:24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.

Put together by: Nathaniel Smickle Contact: NateSmickle84@hotmail.ca God Bless.