The two walled Booth I built for shade for the hot summer days. The branches are from the Ocotillo plant, commonly called Jacobs Staff.

With all the noise above us and all around us, many find it hard to connect with their spiritual life. It really doesn't take much noise at all to hinder a person’s spiritual growth; it could be something as simple as a conversation with a neighbor, a ringing telephone, or cars buzzing by.

My case is rare, in that I chose total solitude rather than just partial solitude. Though it was a rough thirty days physically, I did grow spiritually during the process. In the end it was well worth the struggle.

During the stay in the Arizona Desert, all of the normal Desert creatures had to be dealt with. The most troublesome was the rattlesnakes. I was raised in the Desert so I am no stranger to them, but what I encountered during this event was somewhat different.

Most of these were Diamond Backs, they rarely are so aggressive that they come after you when you are several feet away; however, they did on this occasion. They were so aggressive that they reminded me more of a wild dog than they did a rattlesnake. Even with all this going on, I managed to only have to kill one of them. I did my best not to harm anything because I am the one trespassing on their land, and I respect that.

The other constant critter that would stop by was the old Coyote. The way I handled most of them was with a wind-up flashlight that had a loud siren on it with a flashing light. Most of the time you know when the pack is coming in, they will spread around the camp and start to howl once to each other, letting each other know their position.

The Coyotes were not as much a problem as the wild dog packs. The Coyotes will usually back off when they see light etc., the wild dogs are vicious and you either have to beat them real good with your walking stick or you have to kill them.

The way I handled these guys is when I was walking I would keep my eye constantly scanning. I would always walk a path that had a Joshua tree near by. When the wild dog packs would show up, I could usually make it up to one of the branches just in time. I would then beat them back with my big walking stick.

I got so good with this walking stick that when the rattlesnakes would attack, I could slap them on the side of their head and sling them away. A few of them actually came back for another sling; I guess they liked the ride, LOL.

Most people would think that events such as these would be annoying, or take away from the solitude that you went looking for, but the truth is, while you are out there you don't really pay any attention to it all. It just sort of becomes a part of you.

I remember how all those around me were scared when they learned what I was about to do, but I simply told them that it is much safer in the Desert with a rattlesnake that crawls on his belly, than it is in the city with all these two legged rattlesnakes! And that's the truth folks.

What brought this all on was the Spirit of God had beeen pushing me for years to go back to the Desert, but I hadn't listened. By the time the thirty days were finished, I had received an answer that I had sought for years. On the very morning of the last day, as I awoke, the answer came as clear as the noon day Sun.

As I began to walk away from the camp and head out on the last day there, I turned around and everything that had transpired flashed before my eyes, as it did, I laughed, turned away, and walked off.

You can see more pictures of this Arizona Desert trip at Christian Hermit.

1. He who sought wisdom has found a great fool.
2. Your greatest friend is the enemy who has crushed you.
3. Knowledge is obtained through the reading of a book, but wisdom is released upon the flames of the books burning.
4. A great man once said, "Nothing" his greatness was seen by what he had done.
5. I am not a Christian until another man says so.
6. Any history worth mentioning, was not written in ink, but blood.
7. Nothing is Everything.
   

Parables: THE MASTER PAINTER

The Master Painter by: Robert Lee "Born To Be Free"

There was a man who worked for a painting contractor. When he began his employment he was a mere laborer with no skills. After many years of being taught by his fellow workers he became a master of his trade. This man was sent one day to paint the exterior of the largest building in the city.

As he painted many passed by and admired his workmanship and skill, the man continued to focus on the task before him. Near the end of his task a small crowd had gathered and was admiring the work of his hands. At this moment the painters who had trained this man stopped by.

When these men beheld how the crowd admired his workmanship they began to shout; "This man was trained by us, without us he would be nothing". These painters had taught this man many things, but what they were not aware of was that the owner of the company had taken this man under his wings, and when the other painters had gone home for the day this man would remain at the office where the owner would instruct him.

As the job was ending, the owner of the company stopped by. He inspected the job and replied; "Well done". At this, the other painters began to reply; "We have done many jobs that are more beautiful than this". The master painter-the owner of the company, then responded; "This man has done this job exactly as I have instructed him to do".

By this time the crowd had grown to such a number that they could not be numbered. The other painters rose up again before the multitude and began to point out all the flaws in the paint job. One by one they began to proclaim such things as, I would not have left this area unpainted, I would have chosen another color, I would have used a higher quality paint, I would have used a paint with less gloss!

At these sayings, the master painter spoke again. Didn't you hear me? This man has done no more and no less than that which I instructed him to do! At this rebuke the other painters stormed off in anger.

The master painter and his workman went on to do many a job together, and most of the other painters moved on to work for themselves and opened their own businesses.

The years seemed to fly by and the workman began to grow old, but he never forgot the day when the master painter had sent him into the city to paint the name of Jesus on the largest building he could find!

It is an impossibility for the carnally minded to look upon the things of Spirit and perceive their Spiritual meaning or significance.

Mat 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: Mat 5:2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Mat 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Mat 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Mat 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Mat 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Parables of Jesus

1. Drawing in the Net, Matthew 13:47-50 Mat 13:47-50

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

2. Laborers in the Vineyard, Matthew 20:1-16 Mat 20:1-16

For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

3. Lost Money, Luke 15:8-10 Luk 15:8-10

Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

4. The Faithful Servant, Luke 12:35-48 Luk 12:35-48

Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

5. The Good Samaritan, Luke 10:30-37 Luk 10:30-37

And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

6. The Seed Growing Secretly, Mark 4:26-29 Mar 4:26-29

And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

7. The Lost Sheep, Matthew 18:12-14, Luke 15:1-7 Mat 18:12-14

How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. Luk 15:1-7 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

8. The Mustard Seed, Matthew 13:31-32 Mark 4:30-32 Luke 13:18-19 Mat 13:31-32

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. Mar 4:30-32 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. Luk 13:18-19 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.

9. The Pearl, Matthew 13:45-46 Mat 13:45-46

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

10. The Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11-32

Luk 15:11-32 And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.