Origin of a Lively Stone

I was in Vancouver, WA back in 2006 and went to a small Pentecostal church. As events unfolded and the pastor was speaking on one occasion I was somewhere else. It was my custom to carry a note book along with my bible into every meeting and kept a pencil handy to record any impending epiphany. Questions ensued and the Lord caused me to keep track of prophecies, visions and spontaneous interpretations. I will say that in the early days of understanding the gospel I would indulge in the moment and would prophecy with standard notions, empty speech and verses that came to mind. It would often become a cliché festival among the “prophets” in the service and confusion often resulted. It took a while but I soon learned that the spirit of the prophetically inclined is subject to the person who thinks he’s called to speak on behalf of the Lord. I also learned that the Lord has spoken through the written word and needs no improvement by a clever Charismatic. On one of these occasions later in my exhortation, edification and comfort years I was privileged to be used of God. I wrote the “word” I received that day and asked to speak just prior to the benediction. Such a spontaneous request was not on the menu. Allow me to pass this along to you now as the Lord is the same yesterday, today and even now. As for me I could be gone in a heartbeat.
“As in the moving of a mighty rushing flow, it will not be the large rocks that will be dislodged ( slightly, maybe ) but the small and the light. The smooth stones and pebbles will be moved from their old place to a new place which in and of itself may be permanent or temporary. So remain still and small and light before the Lord. No matter what kind of shape you are in, you will be moved. And to him that overcomes,the Lord will write a new name on a white stone as in Revelation 2:17" 2-23-2006 I didn’t use the standard, “thus sayeth the Lord” routine for effect so please judge this by Paul’s prescription. In time as I pondered the words I had jogged down I asked the Lord for additional insight. I’m not a geologist and can prove very little of what I came to assume but I will list what I came to understand. 1. Flooding causes major change in the environment. Erosion breaks loose new stones that join the flow. Interpretation: The Lord will introduce the otherwise uninitiated into the stream in due time by a flash event or an upheaval in the comfort zone. 2. Stones with rough or sharp edges will begin a smoothing process. Being transformed is inevitable. Interpretation: Obvious. 3. Even a mountain that is removed and cast into the sea can be displaced little by little. The washing of the water by the Word causes time to do wonders with stubborn issues. 4. The white stone in Revelation 2:17 may have been made pure and smooth via hard knocks against other stones. Without stretching an interpretation beyond reason let me add that a stone like that would be more than a token of honor. 5. When a little stone gets stuck it will still be worn smooth due to the rushing power of the flow and will be moved again. Saul was small in his own eyes at first but became an obstacle in the stream later. Eventually, as we lay aside every weight and the sin that does so easily beset us we will be moved by His Spirit, at His leisure and in His time.
I will leave you to search the scripture from here. We have all had enough of placebo prophecies.. I went to see Kim Clement and was cured in a moment as I left the ”worship service.” It was a miracle. I was not infected again by the mega church virus and I was healed on the spot from chasing after signs and wonders.

Postscript: It was Bill Cooper who said; read everything, believe nothing
except what you can prove by honest research and thorough investigation.

Blessings, T.LaVigne

Will Work For Food Franchises Available

WILL WORK FOR FOOD FRANCHISES AVAILABLE

With little or no investment you too can operate a successful branch office in thee panhandle industry. With every new order you will receive easy directions on how to turn those useless food stamps into valuable booze & tobacco coupons. You’ll learn techniques in loitering, scamming & how to avoid the job interview ordeal. We include tips on milking the welfare system along with new gimmicks for creating a convincing cardboard sign.

Explained in detail are the most commercially applied & accepted excuses for not having a job. Here are just a few. “My back hurts.” “Work interferes with my ability to enjoy my detox medication.” “I can only lift about 12 to 40 ounces at a time.” Call now & we’ll send complete instructions on how to use an inactivated cell phone to actually talk to yourself without raising suspicion. Ask about deodorant therapy for maintaining minimal hygiene and tips on never doing laundry again..

SAY GOODBYE TO THAT DEAD END JOB! AN ACORN OPERATOR IS STANDING BY! ACT NOW.. OR LATER.. OR WHENEVER!

Write this number down in case you’re too drunk to remember..
1-800-LAZY-DOE
FOR THOSE WHO SLEEP THROUGH OFFERS LIKE THIS, IT’S NOT TOO LATE!!
CALL 1-800-DOZY-DOE

* Offer not available to those who are chronically employed or given to a sound work ethic!!

The Art of Being Attentive

Several years ago I read a book entitled the Art of Being. I don’t recall the author and I can’t say that I recommend it but I found it in the bargain bin. I quickly concluded that it in part it had to do with being in the right place at the right time. After reading the book I came up with an observation as follows. I’ve learned to call it an observation while among certain believers so at to not let imagination get the best of an obvious lesson. I wonder how long Jeremiah sat at the potter’s house watching the potter before the pieces came together. Chapter 18:2 says that there, observing, the Lord would cause Jeremiah to hear His words. I was quiet before the Lord the day I wrote these things in my journal.
When I began my journey with Christ I was given a sheet of paper at the start of the class and given the task of writing my life story. I wasted some time as I looked out the window in wonder. While others got busy with their assignment I looked into the school yard with playtime on my mind. I drooled and scribbled on my work folding it, smudging it and got it wet in a lunchroom staining incident. It became dog eared, crumpled erased and quite undone. Are you sensing my ADD testimony evolving? When it came time to turn it in a creative streak began to appear as I came up with some of my best excuses. When asked to read it to the class I was embarrassed and asked to be excused. Show and Tell didn’t go well that day and now I must reckon with God Almighty. As I stand before Him on that awesome day I will hide my homework behind my back and say that the devil, being the dog he is, ate it. I was assuming I’d do well on the finals as I recalled cheating on several tests before and relied on crib notes in the past. I failed on most all the domestic and social issues and even my understanding of geography is all over the grid. I know I’m not where I should be in the Lord, but I’m not where I was. On the oral portion of the exam I suppose I’ll have some brief statements like; I know in whom I have believed and forgive me Lord I’m a sinner. My personal non-favorite response would be; I wasn’t paying that close attention and I’m just plain guilty!
The art of being spontaneous in a moment like that will produce an honest exhibition and a blue ribbon is not necessarily in the outcome. The wood, hay and stubble of this may be all that remains for some of us in a similar scenario. To make it through those final exams and go to graduate into eternity is the goal of any disciple who studies to show himself approved unto God. To rightly divide the word a student must give his undivided attention to getting right with and staying current with God. Any comparison to any person living or dead is strictly likely so let’s not fool our selves. Because of the cross we are handed the diploma in the end and then only if we endure to the end. I was always watching the clock in school and now at last it is late and the bell is about to ring.

Be blessed. Class dismissed. Timothy LaVigne
ltmstudios.blogspot.com 3-16-2010

Blessed Obscurity

A little flower grows on a mountain side
On the lone frontier and way up high
No one knows how it survives
How it grows then withers and dies

You don't see that flower on that far hill
It will never sit on your window sill
That flower will stay up there until
It turn's to seed. That is God's will*

*In a distant place, unseen, unknown
Among the rocks I found a home

With no reputation, no name or size
Not to be admired by human eyes
It was born alone and alone it dies
As God broods over His obscure prize*

The wind it came and the wind it went
Back to the place from where it was sent
My stem didn't break though severely bent
And I remain alive in the storm content

Some grow together in fields like wheat
Dressed up like people on a crowded street
As we were sown, we will all be reaped
In the great bouquet at the judgement seat*

..And the Books Were Opened

I heard the message several times about casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. I did an inventory of a few of the “things” that need attention in my life. There have been many distractions that fit into that very category and if you would indulge me I will attempt to elaborate with an imagination of my own that needs sorting out. In Revelation 20:12 there is a line I will pull from the verse to make my observation. And the books were opened. This is of course is a very serious verse and I hope not to take away from the full context but only to support some concerns about which books of record may be in question. Please allow me to run by you the list that applies to me when I stand before the Lord in my final court appearance.
1. The Bible.. How often did I read it, rightly divide it, practice and live like I believed the truth contained in that book? How often did I misinterpret or neglect to apply even the basic principles in my everyday life?
2. My prayer book.. How much time did I spend in effectual and fervent petition before the Lord? What types of request did I make and for what reason? How long did I wait quietly listening for an answer?
3. My journal.. What did I have to say that was so important and why did I think that such things were noteworthy? Would I mind having the whole world know my deepest anger, frustrations, curiosities and the substance of my vain imaginative faculty?
4. My appointment book.. Who were the people I met and where were did I go? When that schedule is opened before God, will I be embarrassed by the manipulation of events?
5. My check book.. What would this line of inquiry produce? I may be pleased with my 10% but would I be counted responsible when the other 90% was examined. The problem is not giving money. In the end faithful attention to stewardship will survive the fire.
6. My date book.. Like the appointments above this book differs in that it applies to the spare time industry. What kind of people did I enjoy being around? Perhaps, like in my case certain musicians and writers apply. Others lean to the sports oriented crowd or maybe you’re a bingo monger. I won’t play the bingo card here but what about your social life outside of the gospel? I don’t imagine there is anything on the outside of the gospel.
7. The TV Guide.. Just what are in those entertainment files? How dedicated were you?
8. The Song Book.. . .to him that hath, more shall be given.. That involves ears. If you are getting mixed signals you’ll develop a variety of opinions that will impair your ability to believe the truth when uncertain sounds are present. What was your favorite tune? One of my favorites is, was and will be Psalm 91.
9. My phone book.. Who did I talk to? What did I talk about? How long did I indulge my-self in meaningless conversations, holding up the progress of the poor sap on the other end with my foolish notions, weather reports and ball scores? While neglecting, I might add, Jesus on the mainline now.
10. Last of all let me mention the devotional. That would be My Daily Bread or a similar five minute spiritual fix for the day. It’s like the patch for those who are attempting to solidify that already waning lukewarm walk with God. You know, for those who are close to being totally free of the addiction to Christ. There’s nothing wrong with a few minutes with Jesus, it’s just that they may potentially become fewer & fewer. One can’t afford to spend less time with the Lord these days
Allow me to close with the final words of the book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon nailed it in these closings lines. Chapter 12 and verse 12 begins the conclusion of the whole matter by saying that the making of many books there is no end; and much study is weariness to the flesh. In the end the Lord will bring every work into judgment, along with every secret thing; whether it be good, or evil. Since we must all give account of the things that we now give our attention to, may we be found examining ourselves from the books that are at our disposal in this lifetime. Many of us will not be at this last judgment which I draw attention to here but we will be examined just the same at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Rev 20:12

Have you read a good book lately?
Blessings, T. LaVigne

Homeless Chronicles the Sequel

My Life with Al K. Hall*

Al K. Hall and I were the best of friends for several years. Our conversations consisted of Al doing the talking and me not paying attention to detail or accuracy. Al would often boast of great feats of strength and had the best of intentions but without me he was nothing. We would often wander uninspired down Any St. of Any Town America where loitering was considered a serious business and our unkempt lifestyle preserved our poverty.
Al and I were a team and we were going places, although when you are going nowhere in particular, any road will get you there. Al K. Hall and I went down that road together. We dwelled in the alleys and abandoned buildings strewn with broken dreams, rotting vitality and lost ambition. Our world was void of imagination and purpose, so I only wonder now what I could have done without Al K. Hall.
Al managed to escape going to jail. I of course stayed there occasionally because of some trouble he started. He was always faithful to wait for me outside until I did our time.
Al was always busy in an unproductive sort of way. He managed to tear a family apart and killed a couple teenagers on the highway. I wasn't with Al that time but I could have been. I’m sure I was vertically inconsistent and less than ambulatory. Al K. Hall helped me lose my job that very day. I heard Al was the featured attraction at a funeral, a brutal domestic violence incident and a prison sentence, all at the same time on the same day and at several places at once. He really gets around and the police know him by name. He seems to be a great influence in the community. Some of us just can't get enough of Al K. Hall. He's so entertaining, infamous and full of it. You know, taste and variety.
Al was such an inspiration to me. He encouraged me to gamble, steal and start arguments. I owe all my debts and failures to Al K. Hall. I spent the money I didn't have on people I didn't really know to pay for an experience that I don't clearly recall having. Everyone assured me that I had a good time.
I lost a fortune investing myself in his company. Al helped himself to most of my potential, and soaked up my creativity while all the warning signs or common sense went neglected. He often caused me to break down and weep like a child but as soon as we were back on speaking terms he assured me that nothing was going right, that life was meaningless and frequently made a suggestion that I find a gun and terminate my existence. He always mentioned he would be willing to stay until I obtained the nerve to complete the chore. He didn't say anything about who was going to clean up afterward. He only promised to remain close, right up to the end. I mentioned that Al did most of the talking in those days. It should be clearly obvious that Al K. Hall did most of the thinking too.
Al and I went to Hard Knox University in the mid to late 90's. We did our undergraduate studies at the Curbside Annex in Any Town. Al enrolled us in Hell 101 and our school colors were black and blue. I was short by a few days of completing a minor in DUI and almost graduated with a DOA. Although some people never learn from their mistakes, I on the other hand have earned a certifiable education that any liberal college professor could appreciate.
I haven't seen Al for some time now since we went our separate ways. We had an inevitable disagreement over that sobriety thing. We went to church together some but Al got real uncomfortable when he saw that a change was coming and just got up and left. With God’s help I don’t expect to be seen with Al ever again. I don't imagine there's any way for Al K. Hall to get right with God. I still see Al around from time to time in magazines or on television. I know he will most likely be here in Any Town until the judgment day. I know there's a case pending against him. I believe I can testify to that.

*My Life with Alcohol.. 6/22/2005 T. LaVigne

A Classic Deposition

I don’t remember the day or the hour that I first saw the light and the burden of my heart rolled away. I was a young man void of a life at the time. Confused, irresponsible and totally deluded. Growing up with behavioral problems is not something I appreciate talking about but it’s a fact just the same. My parents sent me down the street to the Mennonite Church every Sunday morning which was a blessing to my parents and gave the church folks a reason to rejoice when the service was over. As time passed I found myself in a Pentecostal Church across the alley from the house where we lived in Toledo. I mention all of this because I don’t think I was really paying attention during any phase of these encounters.
When I was 21 I met an old acquaintance from the Miami Children’s Home while I was driving a cab. He invited me to his church and I was driven to go after reading a few Hal Lindsey type books and was becoming scared to death about missing the Rapture. That night I went to The First Apostolic United Pentecostal Church and my world changed forever. I remember the alter call and very little about the actual message but when I left that night everything was different and nothing was the same. I was baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Ghost that next week.
So now let me share the rest of the story; the story seen from the angle of the classic car that you see on the road from time to time. The day I was set apart unto God was the best day of my life. What follows is an allegory of my salvation as it relates to a brand new automobile. My experience with the Lord on the day I was saved was in showroom condition. It looked great; it shined and had that new car smell that was pleasant to breathe. The Lord handed me the keys and gave me the title to an awesome responsibility and to tell the truth I was proud of it in an innocent sort of way. It came with a full tank of gas and an owner’s manual. There were limitations and maintenance requirements and I was given charge of a powerful new vehicle. At first I kept it washed and shined it often. I changed the oil and rotated the tires just like the service agreements specified. I was careful in the traffic and kept my speed to a minimum, well, to some degree. Then time began to have its way and the novelty started to wear thin. After a good season of learning about what was required of me as an owner and manager of such a wonderful gift, I began to get a bit lazy. I didn’t wash it as often and I ran a few stop signs. I got pulled over once or twice for some infraction or a busted tail light. I became lax about taking care of the basic business and soon I began to hear a noise in the transmission. A tire went bad and the dent wasn’t my fault. A car must have backed into me at a shopping mall or a local tavern. It couldn’t have been at church or an auto parts store because I hadn’t parked close to one of those for some time. Little by little and day by day my blessing began to fall apart and I stayed parked for lack fuel and maintenance. It wasn’t long before the bird droppings and the weather laid claim to my existence. I was forced to move on because of personal issues and the last I saw of salvation, it was sitting in the yard, up on blocks and beyond repair. When I left that day I thought I’d never see it again.
As the years passed I walked or hitchhiked everywhere. I went to Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. I drove other people around from time to time in their own car and was an expert on their salvation but didn’t even have the compassion to change a tire for them. I would think about my salvation and cry big tears of sorrow but did little to address the topic until the Lord began to deal with me about returning to the scene of the crime. I said things like; it’s too late but I should go back and scrap it out for parts. Maybe I could sign it over to the devil for 30 pieces of silver and get me a nice bicycle. Praise God, the Lord didn’t see it that way. When I had absolutely nothing left in this world He reminded me that I still had an old clunker sitting in my yard. After convincing me that He would help me restore it to its original condition I was on the road again home.
It was an embarrassing encounter the day I first saw it in this new light and the burden of my heart was that it was raining and I didn’t look any better then the old beater that sat there before me. We both needed washing at the very least. What could possibly be the first move here? I was clueless but the Lord said let’s start by getting the engine running again. That would be the heart of the matter. Many replacement parts were needed and as time passed I still walked to work but the sound of the engine running at last was a pleasant sound in my ears. After a new set of tires and a major clutch and fly wheel overhaul we were close to being at least road worthy. At first I could only drive during the day as I hadn’t dealt with a broken headlight yet and the crack in the windshield was a ticket magnet. As the days passed the responsibility returned and I worked out my own salvation with fear and trembling, like the Bible says. I was soon being seen on the street again behind the wheel of the best thing I ever owned. It didn’t look good on the outside and a trip to the body shop was in the forecast. The engine hummed and the noise in the differential disappeared. I too began to show signs of improvement as I told other owners the truth about WD40 and the GPS. I was looked to as an authority on disrepair and was able to steer a few novice owners away from the ditch ahead. The Lord helped me keep the pride in check as my old clunker turned in to a car show classic. I was this close to joining a Classic Car Club for Jesus group but the Lord said, don’t even go there. I allowed Him to continue the up keep and receive the credit as I had little to do with the restoration of my vintage experience in Christ. These days I get looks when I drive down the street and people make comments but in the end they may never understand this whole story. I saw an old man in a vintage model the other day and his story was that he got it brand new and has owned it and kept it in show room condition since the day he first drove it. I was blessed to know that there are people in this world who have a healthy respect for the gift that God has given them and take care of it with their life. I too now tell my story when I meet the guy who just obtained the title to his new ride and advise him to drive with the utmost consideration for others on the highway and to keep his eye on the fluids. There’s no telling where he will be in 10 years but I pray that he has sense enough to maintain that wonderful blessing called salvation.
One other thing should be mentioned. The Lord held the title during the whole process of preserving and restoring my soul. That probably explains why I couldn’t find the title until I searched the scripture and found it in the top drawer. It was there all the time.

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Phil 1:6

….let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;… ( lifted out of Hebrew 12:1-2 )

T.LaVigne
thewinevine@hotmail.com