Perhaps we Americans have let independence overshadow dependence. We may be free from England, but we are not free from our Master. Let’s discuss and seek revelation on our responsibilities as Americans and our duties as Christians.
You are invited to the TRI Ministries International Headquarters in Pie Town, New Mexico (6-30 to 7-4)! This four day camping trip is your chance to experience life on top of Mt. Concho.
Space is limited! Don’t delay.
*not a typo.
| However elusive unprompted gratitude may be, it is the point that our unworthiness occurs to us that becomes the point of our salvation and wholeness – not the time of our cleansing. The return to show gratitude is the visible indicator that a man has been adopted into the family of God – and that point is out of our control. |
… Ten lepers got together one day and finding their opportunity, called out to Him, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” One of them was not an Israelite but, hiding among the nine he calculated that he would get in on the deal. The Jewish Master would not notice, he schemed, or ask for pedigrees and he would blend in and get a blessing just these Jews. Much to their surprise and amazement, the Teacher granted their request. Jesus, knowing the Law, said to them to go to the priest for pronouncement of cleanliness and as they went, the record says, they were cleansed. The Samaritan watched wide-eyed as the white scales fell from under his robe and out of his sleeves and his arms were clean and beautiful for the first time in years. This one returned running. He thanked Jesus for cleansing him. Jesus looked at him and saw that it was not one of the Israelites to whom He was sent, but a man of a bastard culture, a land that worshiped a god named Yahweh, but whose worship was far from true, and whose understanding was far from pure. He had but a vague idea what Jesus wanted him to do when he was asked to go to the priest. He was not allowed to even approach a priest. He just did as he was told. Now, overwhelmed with gratitude, he returned and thanked Jesus.
Jesus looked at his disciples and asked, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” (Luke 17:17-19)
Here is a question for us, what made the others whole? Were they made whole, or were they merely healed?
It is when we return and give thanks, it is when we realize our before and after condition, that our faith makes us whole. There are many who have bowed at an altar, many who have made professions of faith, prayed a prayer, even repented of sin, but few have fully realized our wonderful blessing and returned in humility to give thanks.
This quality of gratitude is a missing ingredient in the salvaging process. We cannot teach thankfulness, we cannot put it into a tract as a step to salvation.
We cannot demand appreciation, as it would become an act of compliance instead of a spontaneous act of love. However elusive unprompted gratitude may be, it is the point that our unworthiness occurs to us that becomes the point of our salvation and wholeness – not the time of our cleansing. The return to show gratitude is the visible indicator that a man has been adopted into the family of God – and that point is out of our control.
Many have been touched by Christ, many have been forgiven of Him, but few have been made whole. When it comes down to words on paper, it cannot be better said than, “Many are called, but few are chosen.”
There is a special message here to we who are Gentiles in the flesh. Do we fully realize that we have received cleansing by “hiding” among ungrateful Jews? Paul’s comments on this matter are worthy of note.
“I say then, Have they [the Jews] stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles… For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in… ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their [the Jews] unbelief:” (Romans 11:11-30)
We have been called now to the feast that we did not, and yet do not deserve only because those who were called spurned their opportunity. If we have been called we must seek to be worthy of acceptance – at the very least we can be grateful. “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Jesus used this phrase again when describing a man, invited to a wedding feast, who, when given a garment to wear, refused it for his own clothes. Here was a man invited in the place of ingrates, though unworthy, a man called, a man who answered the call, but he accepted the favor on his own terms. He wanted to participate in the festivities and food and wine at the expense of the wedding family, but he did not want to do it if cost him his identity to do so. In short, he was very ungrateful. “And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.” He was promptly thrown out. For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22)
Another example was the story of the greedy workers who, after they worked all day wanted more than what they were hired to receive only because they saw others being paid the same for less work. Complaining to the husbandmen, they accused him of being unfair, though they received exactly what they agreed. They showed themselves ungrateful. Their wages were paid, but the last came before them. “So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.” (Matthew 20:16)
We need not only be called; we need to be chosen for our gratitude and our lack of complaint. We need to be faithful and thankful. Do we ever consider the sacrifice made for us, the invitation we have been given, or the miracle that has been bestowed on our behalf? Have we counted the price paid by Christ for us as dear, precious and undeserved? Do we wear, without complaint, the beautiful garment we have been given, to appear to the world as one of His own? Do we try to hold to our own way, or withhold faithful service until benefits equal our idea of fairness? If we want to be counted with Him, there is only one way. The verse in Revelation lists the attributes of those who are with Christ, “… for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, AND chosen, AND faithful.” (Revelation 17:14)
If as many who were cleansed, were grateful enough to serve, our efforts of evangelism may reveal better statistics. Many people have professed faith in Christ because He once touched them. Most of our country, as well as a large portion of the world, has been to Christ and asked for cleansing, but only one in, perchance, ten have returned to thank Him, to serve Him, to honor Him… but… where are the nine?”
~ Excerpt from The Questions of Jesus by Don C Harris.
“The Red Letter Questions” by Don Harris published by Bridge Logos is available at major retailers. The audio book “The Red Letter Questions” is available by request at Think Red Ink.
Jesus was a Master Teacher. The questions He raised deal with the most important issues of life, and the insightful answers He gave apply directly to our lives in the twenty-first century.
This reader-friendly book takes an in-depth look at each of His questions and answers them in a well-organized and easy-to-follow format. The author’s simple-and-direct approach shows how each of Jesus’ questions demands a personal response from every believer.
Through clear and compelling examples this unique book reveals the spiritual priorities, principles, and practical applications behind each of Jesus’ attention-grabbing questions, thereby enabling the reader to find personal answers for daily living.
The meditational style of The Red Letter Questions is effective for:
Paul prayed, “… that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened…” (Ephesians 1:17-18, NKJV). After reading this book, your spiritual eyes will be opened, and you will grow greatly in your understanding of Jesus’ truths.
Dedication to Guy Joseph Morrell, President & CEO Bridge-Logos Publishers (1945 – 2007): “It is because of his confidence, encouragement and vision that this book is in your hands. He will be missed. “
Hey old man. You in the mirror
What did you do with the boy?
The fresh faced kid who seemed much nearer
Before you came to annoy?
You look like him – and I know sometimes
You feel you still may be
In fleeting dreams and thoughts sublime
You may even think you’re he.
But you’re not, old man; the boy is gone
Never to see the sun
Never to kiss his forever love
Or play, or jump, or run.
Time (that thief) caught him away
Dimmed his smiling pearls
His giggle, his songs, his carefree way
His eye for pretty girls.
Time bartered for strength, gave him fatigue
White teeth for dingy rocks
Soul gambled and lost to selfish intrigue
Baldness he got for his locks
Cheated was this little guy
He never stood a chance
That Time would be kind, and pass him by
He stood – no shield, no lance.
Thoughts like bubbles of looming troubles
Effervesce behind your eyes
Hey old man what’s left for you
Since time demands, then flies?
You sorry you ran the lad at a lope?
And spent up all your youth?
The boy you chased could help you cope
Now that you’re long in the tooth.
Your eyes once light with future bright
Now red with dust and years
The sparkle’s darkened for want of sight
They’re hard for lack of tears
Is that our boy behind you?
May I talk with him?
I know, all to soon I’ll find you
Eclipsing him once again
You see, that’s me, What am I, Ten?
Though I can hardly remember
The boy I was, way back then
Too green to cut for timber.
What do you think of the road we took?
What do you think of your end?
We paddled our boat to the end of the brook
Avoided some rocks and bends.
The old man there, is us, little guy
No worse for wear I found
Did I do okay, did I do alright?
Did I get us there safe and sound?
I cheated you buddy, it wasn’t just age
I chased you away in fear
Your innocence kept me from turning the page
You seemed to keep God so near
Sorry, pal, for the man you see.
It’s you – after I got through.
I thought I was the best that I could be
Yet, giving no thought to you.
Blame me, selfish me
I knew better and did it
Before I knew, life was a spree
I felt I couldn’t quit it.
He’s quite a mess, that old coot
You and I turned out to be.
Ugly, broken, dying to boot
But, like it or not it’s you – it’s me.
Sorry ol’ pal, it’s the end
There’s still plenty to do
You’ll never be back to try it again
And I’m the old man – not you.
“Hey ya’ mind if I say somethin’?”
The youth appeals complaint.
“I know you feel like it’s the end
But I’m here to tell you – it ain’t.”
This old guy? I’m his biggest fan
Life ebbed his naiveté
When I played boy – he played man
While I stayed young everyday
In defense of my future – your past
Defending poor Tempus Fugit
You did well – we made life last
We wasted no time – we used it.
Drank to the dregs did we?
I hope that you enjoyed
Yours was a plan! – “no ennui!”
And we did it – The man and the boy!
You worked hard, I made you laugh
We found what girls were for
You tasted the life of God’s favorite sons
What want you yet? What’s more?
I had to hide, for the man to be bold
Yours is to stop complaining
You wouldn’t want to live as a seven year old
Not know to come in when it’s raining
Like medals of honor, your scars, are to see
And with ‘em you still have grin
You’re my hero, dear image of me
Uh, your eyes are twinkling again.
You can show me what’s wrong with the old man you are
All the stuff you may never do
But I’ll not slam him; to me he’s a star
After all – he’s me too.
The years are lean and scattered?
No, they’re fat and full of song
Want my complaint about those years
None were ever too long.
As far as making us enemies?
I’m afraid you are wrong because
Unavoidably he, is what I will be
And I am what he was.
The ol’ guy and I are one and the same;
Neither of us can gloat
We’re partners in life – no one to blame
Neither more worthy of note.
He doesn’t hate me for what I lacked
I don’t hate for what was done
It makes his smile when he looks back
And makes my future fun.
“Like… unringing a bell
Is regretting the bygone past
Making the present and future a hell.
For only the end is last.”
Hey old man, I’m lacking insult
You look better now that I’m sure
The boy has only become an adult
As I embrace “mature.”
“Think Red Ink” says author, Don C Harris. Listen in as Catch A Vision Hosts, Suzie and Ally, come to understand the concept of red ink (the words of Jesus) i.e., thinking like Jesus.
![Think Red Ink: Until Christ be formed in you...[Think Red Ink] ...A thinking man's journey to discover the Scriptural identity of Messiah... and himself.](https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1443498560m/26833186.jpg)
Think Red Ink: Until Christ be formed in you…[Think Red Ink] …A thinking man’s journey to discover the Scriptural identity of Messiah… and himself. by Don C Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Review Description:
• Information about the author, Don C Harris – Author, Radio and Television Host, Speaker
• Background information about the book – Think Red Ink is a reference to the words of Jesus which are printed in red in many Bibles.
• Author’s purpose – The author’s purpose is to provoke Christians to love truth over tradition; to give people permission to doubt and to investigate their faith in the light of the Scriptures, not denominational creeds; to persuade people to leave fantasy and honestly consider what Jesus said.
• Author’s thesis – The authority of the words of Jesus (the substance of the admonition to “think red ink”) provide the Scriptural foundation for Christianity.
• Summary – Think Red Ink relays the life of Don C Harris as he struggles from childhood to believe the Bible and the inconsistent doctrines of the churches he attended; later even as he excelled in the business of church – he became disappointed with God and walked away. However, instead of becoming atheist, Don decided to give the Bible another read with the commitment to believe what he found, rather than to search for what he believed. Don traveled the United States living in a converted city-bus motor home for 20+ years. This “exile journey” separated Don from alliances and obligations to orthodoxy. Using the literary device of personal stories interwoven with an introduction to the Traveler (Don’s revelation of history), the reader is invited to walk along with the Apostle Paul and Don, as the story of the Scriptures comes to life.
• “Think Red Ink” in its declarative form is a cry for men and women to take another listen to the instructions of Jesus, the Son of the God.
• In 2003, Harris wrote his first book, The Questions of Jesus. Don’s second book, The Red Letter Questions, was published by Bridge Logos in 2007.
Review Evaluation:
• Scholarship – Autobiography, solid Biblical foundation, not scientific literature
• Strengths and weaknesses: There are times the theological doctrines piqué a curiosity for more details than this work delivers. Some supporting information is available in the Appendix. The stories of Don’s life are not given in a chronological order, rather, Don utilizes life anecdotes to facilitate the reader in a gestalt process or discovery of theological truths he found. Harris allows, nay, rather demands the reader participate in the revelation and discovery of their own path. He is not a writer who mandates certain processes or ascription of certain beliefs that are applicable to every man…with one exception; he steadfastly draws the reader, the Christian to the authority of Jesus Christ.
• The tone and style of the writing: Informal and conversational
•The effectiveness of the author’s argument: Christian denominational promises offered to Don did not give him the strength or ability to be changed. Exchanging a “bad habit” (smoking) for an “accepted habit” (gossip or overeating) is not the thing that led to the regeneration and strength of the Apostle Paul – Paul learned from the Great Teacher, Jesus. Don maintains this same Teacher is available to all. For a Christian, there can be no greater authority than the words of Christ. Don makes a solid argument for a Christianity which is measured by changed lives.
•The soundness of the author’s conclusions: There is a questioning and an honesty which haunts the reader who is comfortable with accepted traditions and methods of worship. The retooled doctrines, “We’ve decided…” religious practices of today are removed from the simple instructions of Jesus. Think Red Ink is not aligned to a particular set of doctrinal rules. The foundation of the book is the author’s experience with solid Scriptural support.
• The practicality of the author’s recommendations: The idea of obeying Jesus, looking to His words for doctrine is simple, however, the distance between the brilliant advice of a Galilean preacher and the modern Christian practice is expansive in some cases. The basic requirement is simply honesty. A man’s journey to seek truth, not fantasy, to doubt that which could not be supported in church rhetoric. The reader may only see one man’s journey through the trials of life; others will be encouraged by the ensample of a modern witness of the faith of Jesus Christ. Those who love truth will rejoice!
• Don is an iconoclastic man of rare courage. History will compare the revelation of “think red ink” to the revelation of Martin Luther.
Host of The Kovacs Perspective, Steve Kovacs, interviews Don Harris, Author of “Think Red Ink” about Don’s journey to discover “the red ink” in the Scriptures. Neither Steve, nor Don skirt the hard questions about Christianity. Listen now.
If Don’s message rings true and you’d like to hear more . . . join him for his daily, Red Letter Edition – LIVE! radio program. If you have a question, there’s a call-in portion on his Sunday program! (9:00 am MST) Questions by email may be sent to Don@ThinkRedInk.com.
If he’s not on your favorite station, call them and request this fresh and insightful program. The Red Letter Edition – LIVE! program is available online at ThinkRedInk.tv or ThinkRedInk.com.
There is a riddle that does not rhyme,
A rhyme that does not ring.
There is a story obscured by time,
A song you cannot sing.
There is a wine that eludes your drink,
A bread that resists being broken.
There is a thought that eludes your think,
A language that cannot be spoken.
There is a road that avoids your feet,
A path that resists your motion.
The sign, when read, its words fall to the street,
A direction, that melts into notion.
A riddle, a rhyme, a story, a wine,
All names for what we all know
God placed in our hearts and wrote in our minds,
This mustard seed to grow.
Cherish this order the Gospel has given,
That shows us the way we ought walk,
It’s only obscured by the way we’re living,
But, it’s truth is “lead in the rock”.
By Don C Harris
What We Need Is A Living Guide.
As a Quaker, I am often challenged about the fact that I honor the Spirit of God as the ultimate Guide and final authority and not the church, (as does the Catholic faith) nor the Scriptures (as does the Protestant faith). The argument goes like this, “If you let only the Spirit tell you what is right, it could lead you anyplace, but if you are led by the Bible (Catholics say the church) it will lead everyone to the same faith in Christ.” But I must ask, why is the Spirit of God so mistrusted as Guide?
Many feel that unity is only possible if the rules (no matter their source) are laid out and enforced. When the reality is that everyone I know who gives free course to the Spirit of God share a unity in Spirit and faith and doctrine, while the people who have turned their doctrine over to men or printed pages of a Bible are divided on nearly every doctrinal issue! No, if we are honest in our evaluations, we will find that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is unity. That cannot be said about the greatest and most obedient members of churches, or about those most devoted to Bible study.
What makes people afraid to give the reigns of their lives to Christ? Why do they trust a book or a church full of men more so than they do the Spirit of God? Why will we believe what Jesus said and mistrust what He says? Why is it so difficult to accept a living, Spiritual Christ and readily accept a Christ of 2000 years ago? Why is it easier to believe what Jesus said, written down more than 60 years after he said it? We trust what was mouth to ear, and then copied out untold times in different languages, translated by people we do not know, printed, copied, and edited numerous times by people of questionable character, and yet we will accept that as a standard and not even seek the risen, living Savior for guidance for fear of being misled.
What an abundance of knowledge awaits the honest seeker, the pure of heart, the one who hungers and thirsts for righteousness if only they were directed to the well of Living water, the Spirit of the living God! The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to teach and to guide; yet we go only by what we can understand – words on a page that we can point to and declare ourselves “right” and “just.” We gravitate toward the tangible and the controllable. We want only what we can manipulate and use to our advantage. The Holy Spirit is no such a guide. He is not manipulated or controlled and therefore…is not sought.
From early childhood we are anxious of what is beyond our dimension of understanding, and we fear what we cannot control. Whether this fear is learned behavior, a reasoned reaction or an innate response is debatable, but one thing is for sure, we are guilty of not turning seekers of God toward the Spirit. Instead, we send them toward churches and people, books and teachers, memberships, fellowships and rules and doctrines.
We should feel shame for teaching that Jesus is unreachable or only accessible through the intercession and efforts of men. Jesus is alive and well and fully capable of meeting with any and all who seek Him. He can guide and direct a man’s life with finer and finer precision. He can pilot our ship through this hostile atmosphere safely and accurately, but He must have the controls. He does not need to know the consensus of others who have flown here, nor does He need the manual read to Him as He flies, just let Him do what He does best – pilot us!
When the disciples thought that they had encountered Jesus as a ghost, they were astonished. They were frozen and wondered what it was that they were seeing. Fear gripped them and they soon were deafened and stricken dumb with thoughts racing through their mind. Thoughts of spirits and ghosts were now taking the place where there were previously only thoughts confined to the tangible, touchable and “real.” What caused this fear to grip them? The appearance of Christ had interposed another dimension in their thinking.
Peter and Cleopas had just returned with the news of the risen Savior.
“And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them.” (Luke 24:36-43)
It is obvious that Jesus wanted to prove to them that He was not a ghost. He, everything that He ever was, His mind, His body, and His Spirit, had risen to be Him again. He was not a spirit; He was exactly as they knew Him to be.
People are still afraid of Spirits
These men, however, were afraid when they thought He was a spirit. Much as we are when we find comfort in the tangible Christ, He who existed two millennia ago. Our fear of the Spirit of God as teacher comes from this fear of what we cannot touch and control. We all know that the Spirit goes where it wants to, and we hope to always end up with plenty of company around us, believing what can be considered orthodox, doing what could be understood as “normal” and living a life not too far from center. Well, forget it! The Spirit of God is not an option as your Teacher; He IS your Teacher. He is not one of several Guides; He IS the Guide promised by the Lord Himself.
Some think that the Bible says,
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the BIBLE will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send THE BIBLE unto you. And when THE BIBLE is come, IT will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment…Howbeit when IT, THE BIBLE, is come, IT will guide you into all truth…”
But it does not say that.
Excerpt from, “The Questions of Jesus,” by Don C Harris, Q. 145 “Why are ye troubled?” (Luke 24:38, “And [Jesus] said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?“