My Young Apprentice

I received your letter this morning. You write that you have met a woman who stirs your interest, and that your mother believes she is a gift from heaven. Yet you ask: “How can I know if she truly cares for me, or if she is a harlot seeking only to steal my soul?”

You have asked me such questions before, and though I hesitate—for I treasure your soul and wish no harm upon you—I feel compelled to answer. I fear you will pursue her, and perhaps follow too far, only to discover the truth at great cost.

So bind my words to your heart, that you may be spared her poison should she strike while you are intoxicated by her spell. Investigate your mother’s hopes if you must, but be wise: your soul is at stake. Do not enter the arena unprepared. Clothe yourself in the full armor of God, for if I am right, she has been sent only to test you.

Do not be deceived. Her snare may unfold slowly—days or weeks of seemingly innocent conversation before she strikes. Do not fall in love with her; do not fall at all. Learn her nature, but remember: the serpent desires your soul. She is not what she appears to be, and she does not play at chance—her prey is almost always claimed. Stay above her on high ground, and watch her ways carefully.

Speak little, if at all. Listen twice to her words. To subdue you, she will first give freely, and you will be satisfied. But soon you will crave more, at any price. She will offer more, but then reveal her own needs. Her voice will be soft, innocent, alluring—yet it is the hiss of a serpent. If you are unprepared, temptation will disarm you, and she will own your soul. Captured, you will seek only to please her, willing to give more of yourself for another taste.

Do not forget: the harlot, like fine wine, intoxicates. You will want more of her at any cost. You will promise anything she desires, yet she will demand more of you—until your strength is spent and your spirit depleted.

Remember my words, Apprentice: the prey never commands the captor, and the captor always rules the captive soul. If you feed upon her bounty, you will be lost. Exit her door while you still can. At first, your escape will be hidden in the darkness of your own soul, but if you delay, it will be taken from you, and no way of escape will remain. Trust my words. 

Exit while you may. Hold fast to them as a sword—strike quickly, be done, and you may yet win the day and live to fight another.

Affectionately

Lost In A Sea Of Confusion and Misdirection

I wonder, while world history supports slavery occurring as far back as we can find in our history books, museums, and oral histories handed down by those who experienced it, whether or not that is the issue being brought here today by “Black Lives Matter”. While I am not a member of BLM, I am a member of the human race and am cut to the heart by the atrocities in our day at the hands of those hired to protect US. Looking back at history, I find slavery the worst form of oppression and dehumanization; and I believe the BLM movement was meant to bring current issues to light and not to cloud us with past offenses against many people groups, such as American Indians, and others, as historians record.
Therefore, I believe BLM must be judged by the deeds they do today, and by those they support through silence, for what may be considered as condoning violence for the expediency of their cause.
Historical evidence and memories support the roots of slavery as not just an American problem but one of international proportions that must be addressed as such; But it does NOT justify bad behavior by those involved in BLM and fringe groups associated with them today, causing fear and violence in our communities.

The level of hostility from those who did not experience that history firsthand and who do not enjoy the rights of all Americans to protest peaceably is an offense to that history and to the US. In my opinion, while I treasure each human life that has been lost, I believe the level of strife does not equal the level of the offenses I see each day on the news attributed to BLM.

Their voice, no matter how righteous in intent, has been lost in a sea of confrontation, confusion, and bad behavior; all without condemnation and separation from the factions committing this violence in our cities and abroad. It may be best that they select a new leader who is willing to call out and separate themselves from those choosing fear and violence as a tool of change. Maybe an historical leader who resonates with a broader range of peoples can help steer their trajectory away from anachronistic revolution; someone like my friend and brother in Christ, Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Martin sought to bring change through peaceful, nonviolent protests, and he did change the minds of millions throughout his world, and his words continues to echo in our time; and continue to reach our world today. 

Such a leader is a necessity in our day and age. Maybe you are that leader; seize the day! Unfortunately, BLM is not the vehicle for such a person.