Category Archives: My Writing

The Calling of Peter

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I have been writing a commentary on the personality of Peter and his two Epistles for a couple months now, and I just decided to make some blogs out of it. The first two chapters will be on the person of Peter from the gospels (chapter 1), and from Acts (chapter 2). I am about half way through chapter two, so these blogs will be what I have written a while ago.

The way I will be writing it is to always put the text I will be covering first, and then to comment on that text. I basically get the text from anything I find in my reading that is about Peter (with the use of a concordance). Here below is my first entry from Matthew 4:18-20).

Matthew 4:18-20

18 Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  20 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

 When Jesus first called Peter into His ministry he was involved in the fishing business with his brother Andrew. But it seems here that Jesus ministry was much more appealing to him (and his brother).

Actually, we find in the gospel of John (Jn. 1:35-42) that Andrew was John the Baptist’s disciple; and when Andrew saw Jesus being baptized by John, he ran and found his brother Peter and said to him,

“We have found the Messiah.” So, Peter came to meet Jesus and He looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (translated Peter).

Hence, Peter (and his brother) had earlier met Jesus and they knew who he was—the Messiah. So, this knowledge of Jesus and the earlier impression that He made on them must have been the reason why they were so quick to leave their fishing business to follow Jesus. In fact, I think Jesus made such an impression on them that they couldn’t wait to be His disciple!

The gospel of Mark (in Mk. 1:16-20) reads the same as in Matthews gospel.

A Stronger Faith

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It came to me the other day (about 5 days ago) what I should do about my fears and worries. For some reason fears and worries over many things tend to be stronger and harder to handle now than they use to be. I think perhaps the devil if trying to shut me down in order to take away my influence. And that is in some ways an encouragement, knowing that he thinks I have some influence in the world.

But anyway, here is what I have been doing lately: since these fears of mine tend to work on me during the night, I have started—just before I go to bed—to record a very specific prayer to God asking Him to give me whatever it takes (wisdom) to wipe out my fears and help me. I use James 1:5-7 as a promise, that if I ask believing He will give it to me. This is my stronger faith. It is a faith that will without a doubt work every time—because it is built on the promise of God.

Now I sleep better knowing that God is working all through my night hours to deliver me and to set me up for the next day—to be a victorious conqueror like Joshua—not being afraid or discouraged, knowing that the LORD my God is with me wherever I go and whatever I do (Josh. 1:9).

Other things

The Timberwolves won in the 7th game last night. Very fun!

My small painting jobs are going so well—especially since I have been praying in faith over them. It has always been very important for me to do good work—working for the Lord.

The writing of my book on heaven is going well too. I even have some ideas on a book cover—the first thing people see.

I’ve been struggling lately with what is now a teaching topic in our Sunday School class: all about discipleship. It seems to me that some people put too much emphasis on it and it is making many feel guilty if they are not “making disciples.” Any thoughts?

3 Revised Prophecy Books

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I’m glad to finally get these books revised and ready for sale. I know you will be pleased with them. You owe it to yourself to be prepared for what’s ahead!

(Back Cover)

          The Rapture of the church has been one of the most controversial

          subjects in Christendom. But it need not be. This book shines a light

          on the clear, biblical evidence of the pretribulation Rapture. Its ten

          chapters are arranged in three parts.   

  • In part one important groundwork is thoroughly investigated,

paying close attention to a study of Daniel 9, and also to the

distinctive of both the church and Israel.

  • In part two we examine over seventy biblical references to

show that there are two phases to His coming: 1) the rapture of

the church and 2) His glorious appearing.

  • In part three we narrow the score of our study to show

why the Rapture must come before the Tribulation.

This book was originally published in 2017, but now it’s better and cheaper. Get it at Lulu.com for $13.46

(Back Cover)

You may suppose that this book is all about the events of the Tribulation. Not so. It is believed by many scholars that from the Rapture to the Tribulation there will be a significant period of time, anywhere between three and one-half years to as many as ten years, which will be needed to set up all the very important events of the Tribulation. This is the time period that is covered in this book.

In the first few chapters, the immediate effects of the Rapture will be laid out, along with a very interesting chapter on the different theories that will emerge as an explanation of the disappearances. Then, in the middle of the book, the author goes on to lay out how the world will be in a rush to set up a global government and a global religion. And, of course, we will talk about the Antichrist: what his involvement will be and how he will appear to the world before and during the Tribulation.

In the last two chapters the discussion will turn to heavenly events, mainly the judgment seat of Christ and the Marriage of the Lamb.

This book is basically the same with a new cover. Buy it at Lulu.com for $13.50

(back cover)

I am convinced that many writers and teachers have done immeasurable damage to the truth of The Tribulation. They have mixed it all up and filled it full of so much symbolism that any normal person would be utterly confused. In this book I have attempted to make The Tribulation more understandable; that you will clearly see its source and purpose, its devastating nature, and its clear chronology of events. I think you will also appreciate that I have looked at not only the book of Revelation, but also have brought into focus key Old Testament passages, as well as a few New Testament verses, that clearly speaks of The Tribulation.

I’m sure you have heard of “build back better” that certain world leaders are intending to enforce. Well, they will fail. But there will be a Christian build back better coming soon, and The Tribulation will be the start of it. This world will be destroyed and a new world put in its place; a world governed by Christ Himself.

This is the most recent book with a new cover. Get it at Lulu.com for $14.50.

Update: Painting, Plodding, and Praying

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I am a retired painter, but people continue to call me for work—so I agree to do it. As long as I am able and willing I’ll do it. But I feel a bit weaker in body and mind. Much prayer is needed!

I’m reading more now. I like especially reading the short biographies of famous preachers—or should I say preachers that were great for God, like George Whitfield, Charles Simeon, and Christmas Evans (the one I read about today). This reading is a great encouragement to me and is a great supplement to the bible.

I am plodding along in my writing. I’m writing a book now on heaven. I have finished the outline; now I’m taking one point at a time and putting words on paper and then on the computer. Soon I will break it up into blogs so you all can see it before the book comes out.

I’m struggling with diabetes—trying to keep my blood sugar down. For someone who loves food (like me) that’s hard. I’m supposed to exercise everyday too. I’ve decided to walk everyday—about 2 miles. I don’t mind it. I use the time for prayer, meditation and also photography. The days here (in Minn.) are starting to get warmer so that will be good. And if it rains I’ll walk in the mall (not as good). Well, sighing off.

Ps. Prayers for Israel and Ukraine people. Always praying for Donald Trump—so unfair! Prayers for all people everywhere—to resist the temptation of the flesh and the evil world, until the Savior comes!

Fears of what will be

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A while ago I blogged on the distress I go through in my self-publishing. Now I’m calling it “My fears of what will be”—my fear of possibly finding out that my book cover will not look very good, or as good as it should be. And in every project, that is my fear. But I did my best on it, so why do I fear?

As I look at some old people that are facing the end of life, I think they have the same fears (as I sometimes do). It is the fear of finding out that our eternal rewards will be small.

One of my favorite verses is Psalm 34:4: “I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears.” In this context, David was fearing for his life being in the camp of the Philistines; and so, he pretended to be crazy so that they would not think that he would be a problem. And it worked; they dismissed him and put him out (1 Sam. 21:10-15). Hence, God saved him. Apparently, David sought the Lord in what to do, and he thought God was telling him to pretend to be crazy (so God has a sense of humor!).

Now, as for whether we should have fears for our eternal rewards; if we do all that God leads us to do, all that we think He wants us to do, what else can we do? If we take each day at a time and obey Him, what else can we do? Remember what Paul said at the end of his life? “I have fought the good fight” (2 Tm. 4:7-8).  Hence, if you also have done your best in fighting the good fight, there is no more you can do. Ask Him to deliver you from all fears. I think it is marvelous that it says all fears. I think fear tends to multiply itself and grow in our heart if we let it. And it need not be. Read further on in Psalm 34. God is telling us to focus on the Lord and praise Him and see that He is good; and then to fear Him. Verse 9 says, “O fear the LORD, you His saints: for to those who fear Him there is no want.”

I think that if we have a healthy fear of God (to trust Him and pray about everything), He will keep us from all the bad fears, the fears we find in this evil world.

Distress, Regret, Worry

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These are the best words I can think of. Here’s my story. I am in the process of republishing a few of my books. I’m not the best at it, but I insist on doing everything myself (I’m a self-publisher). I am mostly redoing the book covers. Well, I won’t go into all the details, but it is a little tricky getting everything to line up and looking good. Then next, I have to submit it and buy a copy of the book. And when I get it back in the mail (in print form), I have to inspect it for its approval. If it looks good to me I will mark it as approved and then it is put on the market. However, if it is not right—for instance if the title and authors name on the edge of the book are not centered—I have to fix it and send it back again and go through the whole process again, which takes at least another two or three weeks. Well, sometimes it is Lulu’s (the publisher) fault and sometimes my fault. But regardless, it’s a headache and I get a feeling of regret over the loss of time and money. Sometimes I have to go through the approval process three or four times. I hate the waiting! I regret the waiting.

Or maybe it’s not entirely regret. Maybe it’s partly just grumbling and complaining and worry—and all distress.

Last night I had a good sleep and God allowed me to dream. I was in another world. I woke up refreshed. But then two seconds after I woke up I remembered my publishing problem and I said to myself, “Oh no, I am here again in this real world of distress.” I thanked the Lord for allowing me to escape for the night in my dreams, and I also prayed He would somehow take away my regret and distress—my feeling of loss, or whatever this bad feeling is.

You know, I think this feeling is what hell will be like—an eternity of regret over loss, and over my mistakes. And not being able to do anything about it.

But as time passes I am hopeful that God will give me more positive, peaceful, hopeful thoughts. Just to read and meditate on Scripture and anything more positive helps. And praying over it helps. God will help. Scripture tells us that praying about our problems will cause the peace of God that surpasses all comprehension to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:6-7). Here, I take it that because of our union with Christ when we pray, Jesus will give us a supernatural inner peace and will guard and protect our being. Sounds wonderful. Just thinking about it is giving me hope.

More thoughts. I regret mistakes I make at my painting, but that’s different because I can fix it the next day. In the publishing world you have to wait and wait and wait.

And there are many other losses people have to deal with, like their house burning down and having to rebuild. Some people deal with theses things well, others don’t.

I’m reading about Jonathan Edwards. He had some real distresses to deal with. After serving as head Pastor in a church for over twenty years, because of a controversy over communion, a few leaders in the church expelled him. I’m sure he and his large family suffered a great loss. But was Janathan overcome with regret and sorrow? No. He remained strong in faith. He said, “The Lord has not forsaken us, nor suffered us to sink under our trials. He has in many respects exercised a fatherly care of us in our distresses.”

And God did have another mission for him as he began a mission to a group of Indians located about 100 miles west in the deep wilderness. It was a calling he was prepared for since he already had a prayer burden for them.

Update: Mostly about John Wesley

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I will start with my writing. I’m writing every day. My new book project is on Heaven. So far, I’m still doing research. Also, at the same time I’m redoing a few books—mostly book covers. Oh, I also have a new publishing name: Zenyl Publishing. What do you think of the name?

John Wesley

I have about a dozen Heroes of the Faith books that I’m reading. I recently read about Martin Luther and William Tyndale. Now I’m reading John Wesley—almost finished. John was an interesting character. His parents, Samuel and Susanna, were hard working farmers, and Samuel was a preacher. All of their ten children (7 girls and 3 boys) were well educated at home. I was amazed at their very strict and early education schedule. “Every minute of every day was planned.” John in particular was very studious. From age five he started to read (from the bible). He also learned Greek, Hebrew, and Latin, along with the regular courses like math, history and music. Then in 1720, at seventeen, John went to collage in the town of Oxford in London, where he was schooled mainly in the classics.

It was during this time that he decided to become a cleric like his father. And he also began to lead a group called “The Holy Club.” Everyone in the club had to abide by a very strict and moral code.

Well, to my surprise, even as John was brilliant in his writing and preaching, and even in his holiness, he had serious doubts about his salvation. And this was revealed to him mainly because of his fears of death (during a few skirmishes with enemies). But, in God’s providence, he had certain Moravian friends who had no such fear of dying. Hence, through the private tutoring of these Moravians and by his own prayers, John came to have an assurance of his faith; and he grew into a very dynamic preacher; and even though he was often pelted with stones, nearly to death, he had no fear!

And besides his fears (which he overcame) he had another weakness. For some reason he thought he had to minister to, and tutor, every young woman that he was attracted to. And he fell in love with them all—but never could commit to any of them because of his ministry commitments. I counted six women. But the seventh one his brother Charles convinced him to marry. Well, he did marry her, but not for love; and she soon left him in a rage because of his lack of attention to her.

Well, as we know, those holy clubs developed into a movement called the Methodists; and John was its leader. I don’t know much about the Methodist church—except that they are quite liberal. I don’t think they are anything like what John intended them to be. At first I’m sure the Methodist were a godly people, and I suppose that many of our true Christian churches came from those Methodists. But if there is one thing I am grateful for it is the hymns that John and Charles wrote that are still in our hymn books.

The Power of the Word

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I have been reading on Martin Luther. His whole life he clung to the power of the Word of truth. For example, during the Peasants Revolt in the mid 1500’s (against the rich upper class), Luther faced the movement not by violence, but by speaking the truth. He said,

“I will preach, speak, write, but I will force no one; for faith must be voluntary. Take me as an example. I stood up against the Pope…but without violence or uproar. I only urged, preached, and declared God’s Word; nothing else.”

Luther also said of the devil when he sees men using violence: “He sits with folded arms behind the fire of hell, and says with malignant looks and frightful grin: ‘Ah, how wise these madmen are who play my game…But when he sees the Word running and contending alone on the battlefield, then he shudders and shakes for fear.”

Luther said: “The Word is almighty, and takes captive the hearts.

In reading these words, I thought of what my part is. Instead of taking part in demonstrations and marches, I think it is better to continue with blogs to spread the good Word of God. I will continue to write books (mostly for my benefit) but always with blogs. I think it is a more peaceful way. This is a world now of social media, and we need more Christian influence. And we know that the Word will not return void. As Isaiah wrote,

For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,

And do not return there,

But water the earth,

And make it bring forth and bud,

That it may give seed to the sower

And bread to the eater,

11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;

It shall not return to Me void,

But it shall accomplish what I please,

And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (Isa 55:10-11)