All in all

 For what can we trust Him, surely not all?

Is there nothing beyond what He reaches?

On Him we rely for each by and by

That's what the Bible teaches

All in all yeah 

All in all

Consider the small things, each man has so many 

They practically pile up to Heaven

We’re faced every day with ‘forgive or repay’

His mercy says Seventy-seven

I need to remind myself of a simple, hard truth 

I’m on the receiving end of such bearing 

Faced with forgive or repay, I  choose for each day 

Follow Him in Continual caring

Each need has its fill, perfect timing as well 

I’ve seen many a time and example 

When life gets un-nerving, steady on serving 

He’ll fill every need and be ample

I CAN trust Him with all, amazingly so 

I am living proof of His grace 

As long as I’m living, graciously giving 

I can trust Him to fill up the space 

Past Providence  fuels future faith

Access is one thing for certain 

At Jesus’ last breath right after His death

Yahweh He tore down the curtain 

These days are not known, Some hours crawl by

We stumble and may even fall 

No need in fearing, Perfect Peace is now nearing 

After all, He is all in all 

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace

those whose minds are steadfast,

because they trust in you.

Matthew 18:21-22

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Perfect Pause

 Yahweh is perfect in all He is and does

Why we can trust Him for all we are and do

Our lives re-arranging, our God is not changing 

He’s composing our minds to renew

When the stroke struck in early ‘19

My life firmly fixed in fast forward 

All at once I’m told, your life’s now on hold 

You now need less stress and way more Word!

Adapting to down time has been harder than hoped 

At times I’ve struggled with meaning 

There’ve been days my life verse felt more like a curse 

Perfect Peace means way more I’m now gleaning 

As usual with God, His timing is perfect 

I needed the downtime to heal 

His timing not mine, on hold is divine

When He pushes play, it’s for real 

What I couldn’t see, still can’t if I’m honest 

His vision is so far above 

He puts us in places, holds us there on our faces 

He fashions full lives out of Love

As a maker He stands unique 

He doesn’t need raw materials, He makes ‘em

We don’t understand, but can’t question His hand

He created the kiln where He bakes ‘em!

I’m so glad He won’t  change amidst all this disquiet 

I’m thankful He speaks day by day

Sustained for a cause, living through perfect pause 

The finger of God pushes play.

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace

those whose minds are steadfast,

because they trust in you.

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Free

 I  am an empty vessel stuck inside these walls of skin

I’m relying on my Creator to reshape me yet again

Best thing I can hope for is He’ll keep His hands on me

Renew my mind, transform me with a purpose to be free.

Free. Again.

Free. Again.

I trust You with this vessel Lord but You don’t need me to

You are so creative all things start and end with You

You ain’t finished with me yet cause I’m still walking round

Sometimes You invite me to walk on hallowed ground.

Free. Again.

Free.Again.

Just like the  river Jordan Lord my life’s at full peak flood

Breadwinner to my family Lord I’m more than bone & blood

I’m up here on Your Potters wheel my life is in Your hands

My foot is in the river but I can’t see the promised land 

While You are reshaping me You stop the water’s flow

So we can cross on dry ground Lord my family close in tow

You’re making something of me but I can’t yet see what it is 

I know that I’ll be beautiful cause my label still says’ His’

When we finish crossing and we know just who we are

Can our stones remind us of how deep &  wide and far

You’ve brought us through our journey Lord

We know we’re Yours to stay

Walking round the promised land just serving You each day

You’ll bring my family over Lord and brand new yet I’ll be

I’ll bring  my memories over too and with You I’ll be free.

Free. Again.

Free.Again

Joshua 3:13 -4:7

I handed Jesus over

 Every human hands Him over 

The ground we walk on, given 

Pilate asked, Judas masked 

The nails I've daily driven

It's my fault, I'm to blame 

My sins prone to pressing 

When we believe we receive 

His Abrahamic blessing 

Jew, Gentile, all of us 

No matter creed or race 

Faith forms our future state

Christ promised our place 

It's my fault, I'm to blame 

My sins prone to pressing 

When we believe we receive 

His Abrahamic blessing 

It's my fault, I'm to blame 

My sins prone to pressing 

When we believe we receive 

His Abrahamic blessing.

Deuteronomy 21:22-23 (KJV)

22 And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: 23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

John 19:10-11

10 “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”

11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

Galatians 3:13-14 (KJV)

13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Gentleman

 On the other side we will finally be home 

God yearns for His kids to be near

We don’t understand but can’t question His Hand

Why we tarry while temporarily here

One of these days when Ray gets to Glory 

He will see what all of this means 

Blood, sweat, and pain will never surface again 

He’ll see (and be) Kings reunited with Queens

Sometimes it shines here and sometimes it pours 

But the Lord is always at Hand 

Death looks like life’s master and may mimic disaster 

Until we’re warmly welcomed in His wonderful land 

Everything changes from down here on Earth

Where there’s heartache and sickness and strife 

Lorna is there, loved ones everywhere 

Rewards of a fruit-filled, long life

Suddenly Jesus appears on the scene

Even angels hush to hear

He scoops up Ray as He’s done every day

Holds him close and whispers into his ear

“Ray I’ve been with you throughout your walk

And We’ve been through some interesting times

You’ve shown yourself faithful and for that I’m grateful

Let me show you what I now have in mind!”

Jesus our Brother and Saviour and Lord 

Escorts Ray to his new work and mansion

He has always been true, always had work to do

In the business of Heaven expansion.

Matthew 25:23

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

He knows you

Even though I have tried to put myself in your place

I canʼt fathom the pain that youʼre feeling

Of all under the sun, your sweet daughter is one

That suffered this life without healing.

If I can now reach out to your family with love

Try to cross all the miles in between

Iʼll raise you up There, to His uttermost care

in His arms sheʼs both strong and serene.

The scene up in Heaven is something to see

with our minds we canʼt comprehend it

The Creator is there, loved ones everywhere

Had I a picture, in a heartbeat Iʼd send it.

Though we strive to bend and stretch our minds

Try and grasp what Maggie is seeing

We are mortal Heʼs not, we are tied to this spot

Yet up There she is a boundless being.

She is probably doing what she most loves to do

Unfettered by sickness or pain

She is able to view, and to plan for you too

For she knows she will see you again.

Down here on Earth where weʼre hampered at birth

The pain of our loss is so searing

He knows your despair, now itʼs His turn to care

In His time perfect Peace is now nearing.

Weʼve lost a child too so Iʼll keep my words few

The message I mainly want stated:

He knows you so purely, He rescues so surely

He sustains and youʼll be liberated.

Isaiah 46:4

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I

will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Rhema

 Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace

The Son's names are increasingly dear

You've put Peace in your sons and now we are the ones

God asks, "What are you doing here?"

What our gentle Jesus whispered into my ear

I will shout from the rooftops today

God has blessed us with Mom, we know where we're from

From her wisdom we have sayings to say

This particular truth I'm about to reveal 

Has been whispered to me from Above

God cherishes Tamar, speaks to her through His Rhema

Heart to heart hinged on His Love

These are the lessons, some already learned 

God's whispers are more mighty than noise

Though our years may be few, God cares what we do

The baton's now been passed to us boys

With bloodline like this, target’s not easy to miss

We've been firmed up in faith from your word

We've grown into good men, starving our old selves of sin

Mom's many prayers for us have Highly been heard

God is tenderly testing us all

With signs we so often won’t see

He loves us so dearly, He asks us so clearly,

“What on Earth are you doing for Me?”

The response to this test in the case of our Mom 

The real reason she embodies tranquility 

She’s known Who to fear, He’s blessing her here

Her honor happening in her humility.

It steeled us to see that Mom’s heart was so sturdy 

Through much pain she so labored long

Always answered His call, stayed true to her Hall

Like A.C. Her dad, she finished spiritually strong.

1 Kings 19:11-13

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?

Proverbs 15:33

Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.

Light

 You are a light that brightens a dark

A pure and perfecting wife

A lamp that brings forth the warmth of true North

His Word so lighting your life

Once in a while when I look over at you

Next to me soundly sleeping

Your face it is bright like a wee little light 

Reminds me it's God who is keeping

When I awake and you are restless with dreams

With your anxious wimpering and jerking 

When I pray it is He who helps you to be free 

I watch as He's wonderfully working

We can only predict, we can't actually know 

What's in store for us when we pass 

Will we know one another, remember our brother?

Resolve things of a life at long last?

I do hope we know as I do love you so

I want all of our memories at hand

Each memory's a prayer of our lives that we share

As we stroll through His wonderful land 

Golden bowls full of prayers held by the elders

Each available to all of His saints

We are firmly upheld and encouraged as well

By the perfect picture it paints

I pray for you and you pray for me too

Timeless team as these bodies grow old

God hears in His Spirit and, although we can't hear it,

He increases our prayers a hundred fold.

Philippians 2:13-16

For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

AI has a great head but no hands and no heart

 Here’s today’s poem. It’s called:

AI has a great head but no hands and no heart

Bots are bright, they help us write 

No fear so stuck at start 

They can read yet they can't heed 

With Him they have no part 

Prophets knew He'd come through 

They told us all The Truth 

Angels heard His saving Word

Their longings long in the tooth 

Like a bot, the angels not 

No hands nor heart 

Only humans Christ redeems 

Others have no part.

Psalms 111:10 (KJV)

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:

a good understanding have all they that do his commandments:

his praise endureth for ever.

1 Peter 1:12 (KJV)

12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Victorious

 How great is a soul to anchor a self

That seems to be drifting at sea

A physical self simply sits on a shelf

Waiting to be set free

This is the case for my longtime friend

I've watched and admired from afar

To say you've been true ain't enough to describe you 

Faithfulness: Scott high have you set that bar

In thinking and praying through Carolyn's passing 

Emerged a truth in regard to her healing

The second she passed she's free at long last 

No more pain in her self is she feeling

Why did she suffer? Of what use is such pain?

The quietening question kept tumbling

Can God use the pain to break through, to explain? 

The question itself hugely humbling

If the goal is happiness whilst here on this Earth 

Well then none of us can attain such a prize 

What with Carolyn's pain and limited gain

Did she somehow fail? One would have to surmise 

Thank God the matter is perfectly plain 

Our selves are much more than our flesh

Our souls have a reason more than merely this season 

Body and Spirit are His masterful mesh

So I believe that Carolyn's life is victorious

Having suffered this life with no healing

Scott and his knowing that her soul and its going

Transformed: she's the reason he's kneeling.  

James 1:12New International Version (NIV)

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

 

He’s not trying to trick us

 Here’s today’s song. It’s called:

He’s not trying to trick us

God's not trying to trick us, Not withholding data 

He's telling us everything 

All we need to know, look up, it's all on show

Reach for prize higher than anything 

What we're straining toward, heavenly reward 

We may not see all things the same 

Let's not divide, don't need to collide 

He reveals all in Jesus' name 

Keep walking, keep minding, Already attained it all 

Walk past arguing and factions 

He's not trying to trick us, He could, but that would lick us 

He's shown us in His Son all His actions

What we're straining toward, heavenly reward 

We all may not see all things the same 

Let's not divide, don't need to collide 

He reveals all in Jesus' name 

What we're straining toward, heavenly reward 

We all may not see all things the same 

Let's not divide, don't need to collide 

He reveals all in Jesus' name.

Philippians 3:13-16 (KJV)

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

You can be a lil sad and still be ok

 Here’s today’s poem. It’s called:

You can be a lil sad and still be ok

God's bigger than our brains, knows how to keep us 

He's actually Perfect Peace 

Our minds are made, on Him they're stayed 

Don't let certainty cease 

Melancholy meets us all 

Even Kings & Queens 

You can be a lil sad and be ok 

Ask Him what melancholy means 

Peter, Paul, Mary, even Jesus was sad 

Rejoicing through sorrow Divine 

Paul had his thorn, troubled and worn 

With Jesus forever feels fine.

Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)

3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,

whose mind is stayed on thee:

because he trusteth in thee.

2 Corinthians 6:10 (KJV)

10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Fantasy hurts

 Here’s today’s song. It’s called:

Fantasy hurts

Listen, son, listen to those who stood with Solomon 

They learnt from the wisest man 

Fantasy pairs with pride, hurts even those who hide

Learn young to reject it while you can 

Fantasy hurts, fantasy flirts 

Don't turn from truth to fables 

Fantasy fixed to fear, itching ears will hear 

If it takes you turn the tables 

Can I just confess, I can't curse or bless

I'm relying on You for reality 

My mind will play tricks, on You my gaze will fix

Preaching, I outlive mortality 

Fantasy hurts, fantasy flirts 

Don't turn from truth to fables 

Fantasy fixed to fear, itching ears will hear 

If it takes you turn the tables 

Fantasy hurts, fantasy flirts 

Don't turn from truth to fables 

Fantasy fixed to fear, itching ears will hear 

If it takes you turn the tables.

1 Kings 12:10-11

The young men who had grown up with him replied, “These people have said to you, ‘Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter.’ Now tell them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist. My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.’”

2 Timothy 4:2-4 (KJV)

2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Universal sin

 Here’s today’s song. It’s called:

Universal sin

Your ways are higher, You know no bounds 

Your love extends to all 

We're down here, grouped on grounds 

Sinning since The fall

We claim we're right, we build up might 

Our trust is misplaced 

We're captives taken cause we've forsaken 

Where our God is based 

Jesus said, "My Kingdom is not of this world"

If it was then would my servants fight 

Now I Am, both King and Lamb

Look above for what is right

We claim we're right, we build up might 

Our trust is misplaced 

We're captives taken cause we've forsaken 

Where our God is based 

We claim we're right, we build up might 

Our trust is misplaced 

We're captives taken cause we've forsaken 

Where our God is based.

1 Kings 8:46

“When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin —and you become angry with them and give them over to their enemies, who take them captive to their own lands, far away or near;

John 18:36 (KJV)

36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Let The Spirit lead

 Here’s today’s poem. It’s called:

Let The Spirit lead

You've always led, You've always been our Shepherd 

From ancientdom until today 

Immutable, shepherd still suitable 

Doesn't drive, Spirit leads His way 

We are not condemned, who walk after Spirit 

We are free from the law 

Take your next breath, you're free from sin and death 

You're seeing through eyes Jesus saw

Believers lead His life, walk behind His voice 

We know Him, we've always been His sheep

Known from ancient days, always known His ways 

Law fulfilled in us is deep. 

Romans 8:1-4 (KJV)

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Oldest Daughter’s wedding speech

So many wonderful memories of my beautiful girl rise to the surface it's going to be hard to keep this short... but there are other speakers so I'll have to try and keep it together and be concise.

I'll start by saying that, just like all children, you, Elissa, are a miracle walking. You were, in fact, promised by God which is why we named you Elissa, the definition of which is 'Promised by God'.

You have always been and continue to be an inquisitive, smart, and social person.., and a little sassy too. One of my favourite things about you is that you're always willing to share your own personal space with others in a way that puts people at ease and is really infectious, you draw people into your heart. 

One of my favourite memories of you, and this memory just sums up what I just said, is when we were flying internationally one time in late 90's so you would have been 4 or 5 or maybe 6. Mum and I would be dealing with Rosie in the bassinet so you would often sit by yourself which didn't bother you because you'd simply reach up and ring the bell for the stewardess to come your seat. They'd get to you, look down into those  big, beautiful, brown eyes and you'd simply say" How you going?" & you'd instantly make a friend of them and you guys would chat chat chat and then you'd go back to watching a movie or playing games or sleeping. We used to fly over to the USA and see my family often so by the time Elissa was 10 she'd been on a bunch of planes and was an expert traveller. You've actually been our helper sweet girl and I can remember a bunch of times when you, my gorgeous, were the most calm and collected person in the airport. 

Calm and collected is actually your resting position. No surprise that you're able to work in an emergency department as you're naturally calm and collected. 

I'll always be your dad and I'll always love and cherish you and all of our memories together. 

I'll now turn my attention to the new memories that you're starting with this new guy in your life, Brad. 

Now you all know I'm from Texas and we Texans still have a Wild West attitude and,well, you'll never find me backing up or backing down. We're naturally cautious and a tad suspicious I guess due to having to sleep in the desert with rattlesnakes around. You never know when one tries to crawl in your sleeping bag with you to get your warmth. Probably why we're known to pack a gun as well.

Well, I can honestly say to you Brad that, as suspicious and downright mean as I am about my gorgeous daughter, I have a feeling you're no rattlesnake 😀. Julia and I have come to love you and we are so happy that you are now part of our family. We welcome you and all y'all right in to our family. 

If all yall will bear with me a minute, I'd like to finish by praying a blessing over the newlyweds. It's a blessing these girls will know well because I've prayed the same blessing over them for their entire lives... it's this: Dear Lord, please bless this couple with Joy, Peace, Safety, Health, Wealth, & Thankfulness. Amen.

Julia, our whole family, and I bless you both as you start this new chapter of your lives and can I finish by saying it's not just the two of you in this marriage. You see, the wisest man to ever live, Solomon, said in Ecclesiastes 4:12" A cord of three strands is not easily broken" and my unending prayer for you two is that you'll continually invite the third strand of your cord, a person, into your marriage. That person is Jesus.

Death throes

 Here’s today’s poem. It’s called:

Death throes 

I  remember what the throes are like 

I know how slavery felt 

My old self still sits on the shelf 

Curious if his card'll be dealt 

I have the choice, I can deal him in 

I can ply him with food and drink 

If I make him stronger he can live longer 

Why would I is what I think 

My one desire is to starve my old self 

Live in the present, today 

Do away with the member, 'cause I can remember 

Words that the slave would say.

Romans 6:6

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin —

Astonishing angel

 Here’s today’s song. It’s called:

Astonishing angel

Even the first century church was astonished, still astonishing today 

Bold behaviour, Peter's saviour

Freedom still His way 

Emancipation, liberation 

Our Lord's a freedom fighter 

When we open the door to Him 

Our futures always brighter 

We can't imagine what His Light looks like 

We can't start to know His Glory

All we do is open the door 

Astonished in His story 

Emancipation, liberation 

Our Lord's a freedom fighter 

When we open the door to Him 

Our futures always brighter 

Emancipation, liberation 

Our Lord's a freedom fighter 

When we open the door to Him 

Our futures always brighter.

Acts 12:15-16

“You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”

But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.

I’m Ananias

 Here’s today’s song. It’s called:

I’m Ananias

I care about optics, though I say I don't 

Weirdly, I love people's praise 

Generous, I'm pretending, my mammons unending 

Fearfully, I see His banner raise

Why, oh why, do I lie 

Why hold back part of the price 

I know the Truth, I've known from youth 

Won't make the same choice twice 

Ananias died, fell right there 

God's a gracious Host 

He leads me to repeatedly repent 

I too will give up The Ghost 

Why, oh why, do I lie 

Why hold back part of the price 

I know the Truth, I've known from youth 

Won't make the same choice twice 

Why, oh why, do I lie 

Why hold back part of the price 

I know the Truth, I've known from youth 

Won't make the same choice twice. 

Psalms 60:4 (KJV)

4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. 

Acts 5:1-5 (KJV)

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whilst it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

Be who you are

 Firstly, a bit of context on the literary structure for this poem: an ancient royal treaty . Decalogue = 10 Commandments and a treaty was:

1/ Identify yourself 

2/ Historical prologue

3/ Stipulations

Most people are two:

Pre-Christian then Christian.

I’m three in a way:

Pre-Christian, Christian, then injured Christian (post-stroke)

Here’s today’s poem. It’s called:

Be who you are

Like the decalogue, I'm part of old 

Instead of two, I'm three 

Born male I breathed, my sword sheathed 

Redeemed, my soul set free 

 I'm then hurt, heart hurts brain 

Usually hand in hand

Then that day, come what may 

Changed, three will stand 

Three has rules, three looks up 

Three, at times, seems odd

Three refuses, three says no 

Three only fights for God.

1 Samuel 12:2-3

Now you have a king as your leader. As for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader from my youth until this day. Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the LORD and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these things, I will make it right.”

Acts 5:34-39

But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

sed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”