whatever gets you through the night...it's alright

 I choose to be a low tech man in a high tech society.  I don’t understand how radio waves travel. or what differentiates one station from another, so don’t try to explain.  You will only confuse me and frustrate yourself.  For me it is, and always will be a miracle that I turn a knob and sound comes out.  For many years it was falling asleep to Allison Steele, “the Nightbird” on WNEW-FM, being amazed at how she just knew what I needed to hear, and a relationship developed.  When living in Durango and working the late shift at a gas station, it was a local AM station, fading in and out as they powered down for the night, and signed off at midnight.  It was this radio station that many times was my only companion in between two dollar gas purchases, and someone stopping for a pack of cigarettes.  I got used to some of the crazy hosts, who believed in anything from UFO’s, to sightings of Elvis, to debates over which government official was really a foreign spy.  The kind of stuff that kept your eyes focused at the National Enquirer when checking out at the grocery store.  Here they talked, or they talked and we listened, and sometimes argued back, to deaf ears on a one way set.  But my favorite was Lux Radio Theatre, where old stories, mostly murder and suspense where told.  These shows that predated TV played on your imagination, and with the sound effects brought you into the room where the ax murderer lay waiting, or the gunshot just heard left a cold body for you to trip over.  It was these stories that kept me awake, in suspense, with only an occasional customer to interrupt.  Which they always seemed to do at the wrong time.  And in this pre-pre-recordable world, I was left hanging, hoping to put it all together later in the end.

These were things that got me through the night, and like John Lennon sang, “that’s all right.”  Many times while travelling in the west at night, between evangelists begging for your money or they would go off the air, to seeing lights in the sky and wondering, maybe there are UFO’s after all, these programs were a welcome relief.  Also a wake up call to your imagination, keeping the mind active as the miles went on and on.  If you ever travelled between major cities where few stations were picked up, you know what I mean.  And  you just couldn’t wait to find out who dunnit? and be surprised at the result, never guessing right, as they had clues you didn’t, or made you feel even more foolish when you didn’t see the ones they did reveal.  I miss those late night stories, maybe a part of Americana overlooked today on our preprogrammed prepaid satellite radio.  That without we never would hear more of Layla today than when it was first out, and be free of the commercials we used to sing to.  Like I said, low tech, and I plan to stay that way.  Whatever gets you through the night....

Long before wireless, or radio waves, or telegraph or telephone, Jesus gave us his spirit to communicate with him.  Stated simply, low tech again, so I can get it, scripture tells us “God is a spirit and must be worshipped as such.”  What part of as such don’t you get?  Unlike the radio signals sent out at night, his signals to us know no bounds, and unlike texting or a cell phone, his service is never interrupted.  And like the radio shows that are picked up from long away in the night, his are always broadcasting.  It is us, the receiver, that needs adjusting, that needs to tune into the spirit.  Sounds easy...

When we are saved, Jesus gives us his spirit upon salvation, part of the grace package of forgiveness, heaven, and his love.  We are automatically connected to him, and all the wisdom of heaven, directly.  No priest, minister, nor church needed to connect, you can initiate a conversation right now, or continue one also.  But consider your phone conversations for a moment, and compare to your prayer life.  Do you talk for a few minutes, then the other person on the line?  Taking turns.  No, so don’t talk to God the same way.  It is a dialogue also, not a monologue where only one talks, it takes two.  And you may find a great benefit in listening, for Jesus told us “he who has an ear let him hear,” not he who has a voice let him speak.  The best part of a conversation with him is knowing he listens, so you should also.

All without a subscription, texting, a cell phone, or computer.  And it is 100% free from hacking, no one but the saved have this direct connection with his spirit.  He hears us before we are saved, we only hear after.  But that still small voice, is calling no matter what, will you pick up and listen?  How many times when praying have you had your thoughts directed by him and not known it?  Jesus is the person of the whatever gets you through the night, or day.  While some consider theories or look to see if Elvis left the building, we know Jesus may have left Earth, but he was resurrected, and we will be also.  All in his spirit, which is calling to you today.  Maybe right now.  So let these words encourage you in Jesus, and begin a better walk with him today.  We sing “grant it Jesus if you please,” and he pleases.  He is in the pleasing business, we call them blessings.  And you have too many of them, right?

So keep your heart dialed to Jesus.  He has already revealed the end to us in Revelation, the beginning in Genesis, and the in between via his word.  Which the spirit will cause to come alive in your life.  No more how to books about being a better Christian, talk directly to the author, and the man character.  Remember, in the beginning, the earth was void, without form, and the spirit hovered over the water.  The spirit then gave it life....and shape and form, and a desire to fellowship with the creator.  Tune into the spirit today, no tape delays, no “to be replayed at another time,”  he is live 24/7.  The Doobies once sang “Jesus is just alright, oh yeah,”  only by his spirit will you know.  Whatever gets you through the night, if it’s Jesus, it’s alright.  And with no Yoko after effects.

love with compassion,

Mike

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