Happy denial..............

Sometimes a short trip thru fantasy land when life is making you feel like a train-wreck is equivalent to a therapeutic vacation. Sometimes refocusing onto something really beautiful is much healthier than dwelling on the ugly. Sometimes living in denial can actually help you live. It's one of God's cheap tools you can use when life gangs up on you.

Of course you can't live there, but then some of the best places on earth are great places to visit; but not to live at.


Ace out...............

Just like Me?

I was privelidged to hear a conversation between a radical Islamic middle easterner and a U.S. citizen. The question that left such an impact on me was "What's it like being muslim?" his answer; "We're no different from you. We just want riches, power and prestige."

I don't know why, but I've never yearned for riches, power or prestige. I've always wanted to be a great guitarist. And from the feedback I've gotten from guitarists that I esteem to be great, I've accomplished that. But I'm only semi famous, not rich by any means and only have power over my self.

But what will riches, power and prestige do for me in 100 years? As for riches, I suggest you read the book of ecclesiastes. Solomon, who was the richest by biblical standards said it was all vanities. And where is Willie the pimp going in his "Caddilac coffin"?

As for power and prestige; God is quoted as dispising one thing in particular...... pride. James writes in the 4th chaper and 6th verse of his book "God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble.

I would not be telling the truth if I said I never wanted to be famous for my musicianship, but fame is not power nor prestige. Yet having read James 4:6, fame no longer motivates me. What motivates me at this stage of my life is trying to live a Godly life. Everything else is vanity.

Ace's Sunday Sermon - Pain

Elijah after working one of the most spectacular miracles in God's name at mount Carmel, a day later cried out to God to "take his life". He wanted to die. Just the day before, acting in the name of God, Elijah challenged the people of the false god Baal to summons their god's presence.
The true God of Israel in the end showered fire upon Elijah's altar while while the god Baal was a no show. He was simply an idol god. After this amazind display Elijah commanded the the prophets of Baal be put to death at the end of a sword.

This motivated Jezabel to put a price on Elijah's head and Elijah, who had just witnessed the power of God, ran for his life, then asked God to take him. Find the above in 1 Kings 18 and 19.

Jonah, was a prophet of God who was asked to do one thing for God; preach to the sinful city of Nenevah. But Jonah had other plans and headed by ship to the city of Tarshish. God whipped up the ocean and the non-believers pretty much said to Jonah, "Bro, you're bad luck; you gots to go". So they flung him into the ocean where he was swallowed by a fish ala pinnochio. In the fish he prayed to God and repented. The fish spit him out on the beach where Jonah proceeded with God's will. Afterwards, because of his poor attitude, Jonah asked God to take him. God responded "Jonah, what right do you have to be angry?"

God allows pain to the point of the want of death. He even allows death to make his point (see John 11) as such was the case in the death of Lazarus. I've found 4 reasons that God allows pain in the believer's life. We'll examine them.

1. Correction. This is the easiest to understand. This is like letting a child burn their finger on the stove. You learn your lesson. Such was the case with Jonah. Such was the case many times with King David. His affair with Bathsheeba and the mortal coverup did not go un punished. Neither did his "census" go unpunished. And of course anyone that wasn't part of the 8 in the ark of Noah felt the wrath of God. The principal being, "ye shall reep what ye sow" Galatitians 6:7.

2. Protection. I can give a personal example of this. I was 3rd in line at an intersection. The woman that was first in line was either on her cell phone having a good time or she just fell asleep until the cars behind her started blowing their horns. The delay was about 10 seconds and we just barely made it thru the intersection. Coming in the opposite direction was a garbage truck that had deployed it's lift which grabbed a power line that pulled down a power pole which landed on the woman that was holding up traffic. Now I know it wasn't for the sake of correction that this woman was crushed like a pancake, but had she proceeded in a timely fashion, it would have been MY VAN that took the power pole. Needless to say, it was easy to surmise that the delay albeit a pain at the time, saved our lives.

In Joseph's life, his brothers wanted to kill him and leave him for dead. One of his brothers said, naw, let's sell him and get some money for him. So, although the pain of being sold into slavery was a pain, God spared his life for a greater cause. He protected him by making him a slave.

3. Perfection. Sometimes God uses pain to bring you into his will. Joseph as mentioned above spent 13 years in slavery, but God had blessed him with a dream of greatness and the ability to interpret dreams. When it was finally time for Joseph to manifested and freed from his bondage, God set up a situation in Egypt where Joseph's gift of interpretation was called on by Pharoah. Because of the interpretation of the dreams Pharoah was having, Joseph was freed from prison and made the prime minister of Egypt. In essence, the 2nd most powerful man in Egypt.

Job had his righteous life turned upside down and inside out, just so God could show Satan what a righteous man Job was. With the exception of Christ Jesus himself; you will probably not find another human who suffered more in the name God than Job. The sad part of the story is that Job never got his children back. He got more children, but I guess God felt Job would be blessed in reunion in heaven with his original children.

4. Man's free will. Sin. The fall in of Adam in Genesis. The 18 crushed by the Tower of Siloam in Luke 13.

It's the price of Free Will. God will repay you in heaven. As Jesus says in Luke 13:5 repent or you will all persih.

COLD FRONT HITS MONTEREY

It is currently 69.9 degrees and foggy at Del Monte Beach in Monterey.

HEATWAVE ON DEL MONTE BEACH

The temperature at Del Monte Beach in Monterey is currently 73 degrees and sunny.

The Weather from Del Monte Beach

The current temperature at Del Monte Beach in Monterey is currently 70 degrees and Sunny.

Nationalism

In the 1960's, America was the world leader in export products. Our quality was inferior to none. In 2006, America sadly has become a sevice oriented country that buys it's toasters and car parts from China and Japan. In the 1960's "made in Japan" was an insult. Today Americans stand in long lines to wait for their Lexus or Acuras. As much as you may hate Walmart for the demise of the mom and pop stores, I would beg that you refocus your anger and Peking. Not only Peking but the Bush administration. It was 14 years ago that Ross Parrot talked about that loud sucking noise of Jobs being sent to Mexico. Little did he anticipate that not only would the American dollar invest in Mexico, but in China, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, and you name it. The disgusting truth is; most of these countries kill Christians with impunity.

The time will come, and the time is now when we need to elect politicians that will lock our borders, Tax the over-producing slave states overseas and give American workers a chance to regain their digniy.

Can you drop the shovel?

Sometimes in life we dig ourselves into a hole. The shovel we use may be gambling, pornography, anger, alcohol, adultery, etc... But the more we practice this vice, the deeper a hole we dig.

Drop the Shovel.

If it's drugs, drop the syringe. If it's sex, drop the prostitute. You can't get out of the whole until you stop digging a deeper whole. Climbing out of the hole will take a while. But you can't climb out and dig the hole at the same time.

I know I'm not one to be talking as I have my own shovels. But brothers and sisters, if you can drop yours; be a better Christian than me.



Ace out..............

Ace's Sunday Sermon..... Hearing from God

Sometimes you get to the point in life when you just cry out to God and expect to hear a response. Why do modern day believers have to rely on their own intuition to decide if a thought is a "word from God"?

In Genesis, God spoke to almost everyone in an auditory voice. Adam and Eve recieved instructions in the garden of Eden. Noah was given instructions on how to build the ark. Abraham was told his name was no longer Abrahm and that he would recieve a child that would be called Isaac.

In Exodus, Moses went up on Mt.Zion and heard the voice of God. He instructed Moses to lead His people out of the bondage of Egypt and into the promise land. This too was an auditory voice.

Jonah spoke directly to God and is listed as one of the few survivors to disagree with God and get away with it. Although it took being swallowed by a fish ala pinnochio for 3 days.

Joseph got his words from God thru dreams. Not only was he blessed with a dream of greatness, but he was given the gift of interpreting dreams.

Joshua and Caleb had a direct line to God via audio contact. In fact, Joshua was punished for not checking with God before attacking AI the first time and 36 warriors were lost. In those days, you had to listen for the words of God.

Then the prophets became the beacons for God's word. Nathan spoke for God in King David's reign.

The prophets Elijah and Elisha both had verbal interchange with God. Elijah known mostly for his showdown on Mt.Carmel.

Then in the new testament; we find God himself walking the earth in the form of Christ Jesus. God made himself available to his apostles, the Pharisees, the Sadusees and even the gentiles. After his death burial and resurrection, he made himself available through visions to Saul, later to become Paul the apostle while on the road to Demascus.

We have various examples of God using "Angels" to speak to Simon also known as Cephus which means Peter.

And finally we have God giving a revalation to John on the Island of Patmos.

But what about today????? Does God speak verbally anymore to anyone?

Here's my experience. Take it for what it's worth.

1. At the end of a 3 day fast; God spoke to me telepathically. Part of the message was leading me to focus on James 4:6. The second part of the message was an Idea planted in my head as an extra "tag". It's interesting because the first two days yielded nothing. Then on the third day; it seemed like the weaker I felt, the more in God's hands I was delivered.

10 years ago, I had 2 telepathic messages while sitting in church. I was in tremendous emotional pain then and God spoke to my soul saying, "Stay within yourself". (which I translated "now is not the time to be dating or trying new things", and " I will be with you through the pain". Those 2 messages got me through some very hard times. I also remember the first time I got a really big income tax refund. I asked myself the question, can I really afford to give 10 percent of this back to God? A telepathic voice said to my soul; "Can you afford NOT to give it back"? My best advice on that subject is "Never short change the Lord". Also, at times when you get the "feeling" to call someone, that's often God using you to help that person. So don't fight your own intuition. Most of the time, it's not yours.

2. The word of God in the Bible. Many times I have prayed ferociously about an issue. After doing so, I would casually go to my computer and click on a podcast sermon from someone like Paul Shepheard or John McArthur, only to here the exact information from the versus that I needed to know. Out of my computer speakers would come soothing versus that would quinch my needs or sooth my pain. Mostly in the form of an explanation to a question WHY? Yet when you here a repetitive theme coming at you, you might want to consider God wants you to think about how that theme is affecting your behavior; lifestyle or walk.

3. Actions. The most common communication from God usually comes in an action. Let's say you really are struggling to survive financially, then you recieve an unexpected windfall in the mail. Things like that are common in God's world.

Those are my experiences. I've never had a lucid dream instructing me to do something. Or if I have, I'm to stupid to understand what it was. I've refrained from going to prophets as the new testament sees them mostly as evil and admonishes you to stay away from sorccerers. I've not challenged God with a fleece yet and don't think that I'm very fond of the Idea. If you've gotten results, please email me and share with the class.


Ace out........................

Comfort contact ~ Rhesus Monkeys ~ and Ace

Many of you regular readers may have figured out that your host is going thru a personal hell. I wouldn't wish this hell on Kim jong Il, Amadnajadine or my exwife. The truth is; I can count on one hand, the number of tears I cried after my last spanking as a kid.

Up until March of last year that is.

Many of you may remember the emotional trauma I faced when Max (my German Shepherd companion of 9 years) died the same time they starved Terri Schiavo to death. It was an unexpected "hemangiocarcoma" (cancer) of the spleen. Many of you didn't know that we had gotten a companion for Max named Buffy. She was an American bloodline GSD that we rescued from the Olympia national forest. Buffy survived Max only to die suddenly in December of an Optic Neuroma (brain/eye cancer). I guess they say that when human couples lose a mate, the other dies on the average of 2 to 7 years later. Well in dog years, that was about right. I loved both Max and Buffy dearly.

In August of 2003, Corrine and I rescued Chipper. (a brown tabby) who was, after Max died, our favorite pet. Chipper bonded with Max as his only parent, then with us as make do surrogates. When Max died, Chipper bonded with Buffy. In between Max's death and Buffy's death, we got Wolfgang. A world class AKC inter-continental champion. Chipper tried bonding with Wolf after Buffy died, but Wolf was too young and just wanted to play tackle.

On September 28th, Chipper left and hasn't been seen since. I've gotten to be on a first name basis with all of the Animal techs at the San Jose animal care center, the Santa Clara humane society, and the Saint Martin, Santa Clara county animal control shelter.

I drive 200 plus miles a day from Monterey to look for Chipper. If you've seen this handsome little critter, please email me.

In addition to losing the 3 pets, other chaos that I can't talk about is reigning in my life. It all seems so "surreal" as I now live in beautiful Monterey Bay in a beach condo, WITH a view and audio of the waves crashing against the beach. Yet I've failed twice at attempts to end it all thanks to a dull knife and weak generic pills. Thoughts of Kurt Cobain keep haunting me in my sleep. I've been crying daily since August 12th. A day has not gone by without these eyes burning with tears. The crying is like a stuck record. It's suppose to get better the more you cry; but I don't see an end. Perhaps like Kurt Cobain, maybe a Glock is the answer.

But back to the topic. In the mid 20th century, a scientist named Harry Israel Harlow, did experiments with Rhesus monkeys involving surrogate mothers. He gave young babies 2 mothers to choose from; a terry clothed mother with no food and a Wire mother with a feeding bottle. Overwhelmingly, the babies clung to the terry cloth mother. I guess they would go to the nipple to feed off of the wire mother, then hurry back to the soft and fuzzy TC mother.

Harlow concluded that the monkeys had an inherent desire for "Contact Comfort". Even after the monkeys were old enough to eat solid foods, they still "clung" to the soft TC mother.

Does this give you a deeper understanding for the parentless children in this country? Can you imagine the impact it has when divorce separates parents when a child is at a young age, and the mother has to go to work leaving the child in "day care". All FOR THE AMERICAN DREAM OF 2 CARS and A HOUSE IN THE BURBS.

My mom died when I was 11. She was an olympic alcoholic that drank herself to death in a period of 6 months. In addition to painfully abandoning her children (me being the youngest) She slammed the door on any chance of reasoning with her. Not only did alcohol end her miseries, but it created a whole new batch of new ones for the living she left behind. Me in particular. Do you know what denial is? "My mom is dead" is not something you share with the kids on the monkey bars. I remember being sent to the office for "acting out", only to have the secratery ask me "Is your mom at home? Wait til she hears about this." I was demoralized.

9 years later my dad died of natural causes. So before I was old enough to drink alcohol, I was already orphaned. Nobody to hold me. No "comfort contact". No warmth. No one to say it'll be better. No one to kiss it and make it feel better. No one to tell me "That's a stupid Idea".

Not even a damn piece of Terry Cloth.


Ace out.........................

Dead People I want to meet in Heaven.............

My Parents
Elvis
Ronald Reagan
John Lennon
Buddy Holly
Carl Perkins
Dean Martin
Jackie Robinson
Martin Luther King
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Lou Gehrig
Babe Ruth
Jimi Hendrix
Glenn Miller
Marilyn Monroe
King David
Moses
The Apostle Paul
Sam Phillips of Sun records
Simon Peter
Micky Mantle
Jerry Orbach
John Wayne
Humphry Bogart
Ingrid Bergman
Roberto Clemente
James Dean
Eddie Cochrane
Gene Vincent
Ethan Allen
Paul Revere
Mozart
Walt Disney
Ritchie Valens
Henry Ford
Christopher Columbus
Louie Armstrong
Danny Kaye
Bing Crosby
Fred Astaire
Harry James
Frank Sinatra
Max, Buffy and Aldo

Can you live in paradise?

On September 28th, 2006, I moved to a place I've long considered paradise; Monterey. I specifically moved to Del Monte Beach and have an ocean view from my windows.

But ever since the late 1980's when I first came to the majestically city by the bay, I've been blessed with a natural love for the nature and ocean. I love Star Trek and of course the Monterey Bay aquarium was featured in Star Trek IV "The journey Home". So it's not only majestic, but magical. I hope to someday run into fellow rocker Eric Burton. (of the Animals) I understand he lives here somewhere.

But the question that is on my mind is; Can you move to paradise? After a while will it quit being paradise. Is there a novelty factor that will wear off? So far my answer is no. This is the real thing. Every night when I get home, I'm welcomed by the sound of crashing waves against the beach. If I'm really stressed (as is the case constantly) I fall asleep on the couch in the living room that faces the ocean with the windows cracked.

In the dark of the morning when I leave my condo, I get to see the lights of the city reflecting off of the beautiful bay. Having lived in the San Francisco Bay area most of my life, I can authoritatively say that it can't hold a candle to the great awe that is the Monterey Bay.

I'm in love again. Only this time it's with my neighborhood. The people are very cool also.

The next time you visit Monterey California; email me. We'll have lunch at Bubba Gump's down on Cannery Row.



Ace out.......................

Women I truly loved.....................

Women I truly loved:

1. Sandy 4th -5th grade. A Blonde with a frog voice. She was a smart teacher's pet and wanted nothing to do with me. But I would have taken a bullet for her. (Albeit a Nerf bullet)

2. Kathryn, 6th - 7th grade. We exchanged notes on the bus. "do you like me? I like you." She gave me her class picture. Then the school district re-structured and love came to an end. Yes, I would have taken a bullet for Kathryn.

3. Sue . College sweetheart. We did everything together. (everything) I almost got in a fight backstage at a "Y&T" concert over her. Not sure I would have taken a bullet for her, but I would have gotten a broken nose for her. I still have the Kiss "Lightening Bolt ear ring she bought me for my birthday. It was a tumultuous relationship,yet at the same time It was a great relationship. We had great times and I was the one that ruined it by getting serious. Sometimes a relationship needs to be remembered for what it was and let what could have been remain a healthy fantasy. Ya, I guess I would have taken a bullet for her but only if it were a flesh wound and a small .22 caliber.

4.Dawn. Young rebound fling after first marriage. She was a 28 year old version of Vanna White. Vanna is special in my life. A completely irrational affair that had much to do with being middle aged and stupid. Reminds me of the fabulous movie L.A. story where Steve Martin's romantic partner says:"Why didn't you tell me you had just broken up with someone. Middle aged men always date women that are much too young for them after a break up".

5. Mary. (excuse spelling) Mary was one of the smartest/beautiful women I ever dated. I would have continued the relationship with Mary but her divorce was not even final when we dated. It was a rebound affair for her. The whole time I told her it was never going to work. She didn't want to believe me. I did my best to keep her from getting hurt, (especially from me). I hope she is making some lucky guy a good wife. Sometimes it's just a matter of timing.

6. Elaine. Maybe the most destructive person to my heart that I've ever met. I met Elaine in 1988. I feared for her safety in the 1989 earthquake. We keep in touch every decade. I didn't like her at first. I was forced to work with her as "punishment". But we had much in common and she was very attractive. I grew tremendously fond of her. All I will say is, I will take many bullets for Elaine. Then get back up and take some more. In fact, I think I've got quite a collection of coronary bullet wounds.

7. Finally; Corrine. I met Corrine at Music Unlimited December 21st 2000. I didn't consider her a future spouse, but after a year of having the greatest time of my life, we married on December 31st 2001. During our 12 month courtship, it was her companionship that won my heart. We had such a great time. I was blind to anything that could have swayed me away from her.

I would endure personal torture and bullets for her. I would throw myself in front of a speeding car for her. I would give her both of my kidneys if she needed them. I would lie in court for her. I would let them transplant my heart into her body because without her, my heart would be useless.


Ace out.............................

Ace's Sunday Sermon - Divorce

I Corinthians 7:10
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord Jesus): A wife
must not separate from her husband. 11But if she does, she must remain
unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not
divorce his wife.

I Corinthians 7:27
Are you married? Do not seek a divorce.

Mark 10:11
He answered, "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman
commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries
another man, she commits adultery."

Matthew 5:31
"It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a
certificate of divorce. But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife,
except for marital unfaithfulness(Adultery), causes her to become an
adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.

Matthew 19:9
I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital
unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery."

Luke 16:18
"Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery,
and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.



Malachi 2:16
"I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel, "

Walter A. Mayer wrote back in the 1930's that in 1990, the divorce rate would be 50%. He had to defend his claims back then. As it turned out the divorce rate hit 50% in 1977. 13 years ahead of his prediction. The divorce rate doubled between 1967 and 1977.

But the true seriousness of divorce mostly effects the believer. Non-believers are bound for Hell so it matters not how many times they stand at an altar and insult each other and God. However the true believer stands before God and swears an oath of a life long committment. Not just to the future mate but to God and his glory.

As you have read in the above Bible verses, God hates divorce. And Jesus went on to say that if a couple divorces in the absence of adultery by one of the mates, they force their mate to go out and commit adultery if they remarry another person AND they themselves commit adultery when they have sex with another human.

Upon hearing this the disciples said, wouldn't it be better then not to marry? And Jesus responded: "It's a consideration" (i'm parapharasing). Christians are divorcing at a slightly higher rate than non-believers. In the book of Malachi. (last book of theold testament) Malachi scorns the priests saying you're watering down the word of God. The liberal clergy put the feelings of man ahead of the word of God. If you think about it. There isn't a more important vow that you will ever take than to promise to take another human in marriage forever in the sight of God, with the exception of your confession to Christ for forgiveness of your sins and salvation in the Lord almighty.

So why do Christians divorce in the absence of adultery? They are counting on the grace of God for forgiveness. But let grace not be an excuse for disgrace. And just so you know; in the old testament, there was no type of offering for a "premeditated sin". You can't decide to commit murder and say, well, God forgives all. Then go commit your evil deed. God does not condone sin. And how many things in the Bible does God go on record as claiming to HATE. He hates Sin and loves the sinner. But outside of Malichi 2:16, he rarely uses the "H" word.

Let's examine the plan to divorce while counting on God's grace for forgiveness. Jesus said, that if adultery is not involved, both divorced parties are pretty much cast into a life of adultry unless they remarry each other. Go ahead and re-read the introductory verses.
If then we become adulterers (forgiven for the act of divorce) We have only 3 options. And remember; the requirements for forgiveness is confession (1 John 1:9) Repentence (which means you would have to re-marry the person you divorced) Repenting means to change course with contrition. So instead of continuing in a sinful life of singleness, you need to reconcile and make things right.

1.Reconciliation. If the couple reconciles their marriage, God is pleased and sin is cut short.

2. Lifelong Celibacy . This keeps you from causing others to commit adultery as well as keeping yourself free from adultery. However God Himself said, "It is not good for man to be alone". This is why God takes marriage so seriously.

3. Apostasy. Hellbound. No holds barred. You're going to hell. WHY? Because you will become an adulterer. Not just a Christian that slips into adultery like King David did with Bathsheba, but knowing that if you have sex with ANYONE, it's adultery. And what does the Bible say about adultery?

I Corinthians 6:9-10
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,
nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

So if you're planning to divorce fellow Christian; either reconcile, become celibate or go to hell.

One more thing. Suppose you remarry another Christian and you both are committing adultery yet worshipping every week and trying to keep God's will.......

Remember Matthew 7:22
"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you;DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'

Health tip of the DAy...............

Never try to wash down your pain meds with tequila......

Quote of the Day..............

Weak people need loud strong boundries. (I'll explain it another day)

Weekend of the Harvest Moon

Friday morning, on my way to Starbucks, I was pulling out of my parking area which enters onto the front of Del Monte Beach, and I was stunned by a huge orange moon setting over Monterey Bay. The moon was reflecting on most of the bay (which is pretty big). So I set my alarm for Saturday morning to wake up at 5:00am. ON A SATURDAY, as Saturday was the real Harvest moon.

So I wake up at 5, grab my tripod, my digital camera and my Nikon analog camera and head down to the beach.

One word................ FOG

Subsequently, I had to sleep in this morning and the Bay was just crytal clear.


Ace out.......................

Ace's Sunday Sermon- Lazarus

One of the most painful yet powerful and beyond all, profound stories in the Bible occurs in the Gospesl of John.

John 11 The death of Lazarus.

Lazarus was a close friend of Jesus and when Jesus was on the road preaching Lazarus became deathly ill. (literally) Mary had sent a messenger to tell Jesus of Lazarus' illness and condition. When the message got to Jesus he acknoledged it and kept preaching.

Fast forward. Lazarus is "graveyard dead". By the time Jesus got to Mary, Lazarus had been dead four days. Mary greeted Jesus with quite an attitude. She said "Lord, if you would have come in time you could have saved Lazarus" This is true. But think about it. Jesus knew, and took his time.

In John 11:35, it reads "Christ wept". I believe Jesus wept not just for Lazarus, but also for the grievers that prayed for Lazarus. Jesus let Lazarus die, so he could raise him. As the story continues, Jesus goes to the tomb, commands those there to "remove the stone", then calls to Lazarus " Lazarus come out". And Lazarus obeys. He is ressurrected to life and comes walking out of the tomb.

But think about how painful it was for everyone including Jesus, to let the situation worsen so Jesus could show the power of God.

Things still work that way. God let's you suffer to the point of unbelievable pain before he sends and answer. In doing so, He draws you closer to Him in dependence.

The other profound statement in this story is when Jesus called out, "remove the stone". Jesus couldn't work his miracle until the stone was removed. Often our stubborn hearts are referred to as "hardened" hearts. Hardened like stone. When we want God to work miracles in our lives, we need to remove the stone. It could be a stone of pride. It could be a stone of betrayal. It could be a "chip" on your shoulder. GET RID OF IT. Then allow God to come into your heart and work His will that the adversity was designed for.

Ace Out........................