This is part two of a small series on the matter of Sinless Perfection.  The first part of this was called "The Pronoun 'WE' and the myth of Sinless Perfection" which is where the link will take you.

Part 3 was added 2 months later and can be found here:  The myth of Sinless Perfection, Part 3: Freedom and war.

The key verse for anyone who believes in the human attainment of sinlessness is Matthew 5:48 which says

Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.

Upon an initial reading, it would seem that this is indeed a command.  It's hard to fight against the straightforward simplicity of the statement.  In the context of the whole, though, it would seem that instead of being a command, it is instead a standard.  Jesus, in the sermon on the mount, is not showing us Kingdom Living Now (thanks, but no thanks Joel Osteen)... that is to say, he is not saying "IF you do this and this and this and this and this.... you've earned the right to enter the Kingdom."  Jesus is actually demolishing the false pride that had given men hope over the years ---- false hope ---- that they were good enough.

You've heard it said.... but I say to you....

6 times Jesus says this in Matthew 5.... before dropping the bomb-shell that the standard isn't human achievement but rather God's Perfection.  Jesus wasn't giving the people a command --- he was showing them just how far from God they truly were.  He was upping the bar.  He was showing them that Heaven wasn't attainable by human effort.... because none of us match the standard if the standard is God.

But let's take this a step further.  IF the statement is a command.... wouldn't it follow that Jesus would stress the command in all the rest of His teachings?  You can't say something emphatically --- and then provide loopholes to erode around the absolute"ness" of the command.

Drive 55  (Unless of course you're being chased by Vin Diesel and have to go faster to get away from him....)

The provision of loopholes negates the emphatic standard.... or shows us that it never was intended as a standard to begin with.

You shall sacrifice an Ox or sheep or goat to atone for your sin. (Leviticus)

But the New Testament shows us that this wasn't a standard, it was only a pre-figuring of the sacrifice of Christ which actually would remove our sins... AND PUT AN END TO THE WHOLE SACRIFICIAL SYSTEM!

But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.  (Hebrews 10:3-4)

In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.  (Hebrews 9:22)

He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.  How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!  (Hebrews 9:12-14)

So either this statement of being perfect (Matthew 5:48) is a command --- or it is shown as a standard which we're not likely to obtain.  Which is it?

Jesus answers our question.

The very next passage of the sermon on the mount gives us our answer!

Bear in mind ----

In Matthew 6:5-14, the Lord's prayer is presented as a teaching to the crowds of people who'd gathered to hear Jesus speak.

In Luke 11:1-4, the Lord's prayer is RE-presented as a teaching to the disciples when they questioned Jesus on the matter of how to pray.

It's important to mark this because we need to see DIRECTLY who this was aimed at.  Both believers and non-believers got the same teaching here.  This was a universal statement to one and all. 

In teaching people to pray, and more importantly, in teaching the disciples HOW THEY SHOULD PRAY  (not as a matter of repeating the same "Our Father..." prayer over and over and over and over and over and over.... which is merely vain repetition as He taught against in Matthew) --- He underscored something very important.

Give us THIS DAY our daily bread
and FORGIVE OUR SINS
just as we forgive those who sin against us.  (Matthew 6:11-12; Luke 11:3-4)

Break this down --- (A) we're pursuing this daily .... our daily bread infers that we're asking every day... not weekly, not monthly, not once-in-a-life-time.  (B) we're asking forgiveness of our sins.

Our sins.

Those we've committed SINCE we last asked.

The day before.

Jesus even makes it conditional --- tying it to our forgiving others for the sins they've committed against us.

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.  (Matthew 6:14-15)

The point here is that Jesus --- knew that we would sin and taught us that we should DAILY ask for forgiveness of those sins.  If you believe in "Sinless Living" --- you're denying Jesus own thoughts on the matter of man's innate sinfulness... even after becoming His disciple!

Those that believe in sinless perfection live by the sin of pride.  Pride is an invisible sin... it's something we don't see in ourselves... but hate it when it shows up in others.  Thus they never smoke or drink or chew.... but they look down on those that do...

Let me put this another way.  Those who want to believe themselves sin-free.... have called Jesus and God a liar.  Yes, my sins are forgiven.  Yes, my sins have been dropped into the sea of forgetfulness.  But that doesn't imply that I will never sin again so long as I still live and breath and move and act.  John says that if we claim to be without sin, we make God to be a liar. (1 John 1:8, 10) He doesn't imply before or after salvation --- he simply states it as a present reality for the state of our lives.

Paul takes it to the next level.  If forgiveness is so great as to cover all our sins --- well, why live in any form of moral fashion?  Why not just keep sinning so that we can keep getting more grace?  This is heart behind Paul's passage in Romans 6. 

Shall we sin it up because Grace is available?  God Forbid!  (Romans 6:1-2,15)  We aim not to LIVE.... L-I-V-E ..... in sin any longer as we once did.  But the flesh is weak and prone to falling.  (Romans 7:21-23)  How shall I be free of this constant battle of wanting to do right and doing wrong instead? (Romans 7:24)  Through Jesus!  I therefore find that in my mind I am a slave to God's Law, but in my flesh (my sinful nature) I still rebel against it.  (Romans 7:25)

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.  (Romans 8:1-2)

Here's what the sinless perfectionist misses.  Grace.  There is now therefore NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus.

No condemnation.

What does this mean?

It means that God doesn't stand in judgment over us for our sins.  We are free from having to constantly condemn ourselves for having "sinned" because Jesus has already forgiven us for ALL SIN we'll have ever committed!!! That is the very meaning of "no condemnation".   It doesn't mean that we deny we've sinned (past, present or future), nor does it mean that we embrace sin and live for it.  No.... it means that we simply don't need to despair because God's compassion is fresh every time we need it.  (Lamentations 3:22-23)  Our hearts are free... because Jesus paid our debt.

In the words of my last post.... how old were you when Jesus died?   The answer is... you weren't born.  All of your sins were in the future... all of them... throughout your whole life.... and Jesus covered them all.

In grace we find the humility to serve Christ... and fall on our knees daily to ask forgiveness for those times we fail.... just as Jesus taught us.  (Matthew 6:11-12; Luke 11:3-4)  (See also 1 John 1:9, 2:1-2)  In grace we find that God's love is deeper and broader and more passionate for us than we ever dare imagined... because it covered --- A-L-L --- our sins, from birth to death.... centuries ago in that moment of time when Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty we so rightly deserved.

Thank you for your Grace and mercy, which I know I do not deserve.  Thank you for that Grace not only on the day of my salvation, 20 years, 3 months and 1 day ago.... but for every day since that point in time wherein I know I have sinned against you, your standard of perfection, your own Holiness.  Thank you for grace that has brought me all along the way from that time til this.

Lord, I am a sinner before you.  I know that I have sinned, I do not deny that I have sinned... you are right and just and true in calling me sinful and pronouncing judgement over me for those transgressions of your law.  Were it not for the sacrifice of Christ on my behalf, I would rightly deserve punishment and death.  Christ alone is the reason I can even come before you right now.  He is my advocate.

Lord, I know that it is your kindness that leads us to repentance. (Romans 2:4)  I know that it is your faithfulness that holds me to yourself.... not my own. (1 John 1:9)  I know that every day your compassion --- your tender-hearted affections for me --- is renewed to cover all that I have done.  (Lamentations 3:22-23)   This is more than my own heart can bear ... and I cry for the sheer immensity of your love for me.

Lord I likewise know that I need not despair in my failures.  I need not give up and cease pursuing you --- for the (likewise) sheer immensity of my own sinfulness.  I know that I am a man of unclean lips who lives in a generation of unclean lips.  (Isaiah 6:5) An impure man who lives in a world of impurity.  One more rebellious heart among a people who rebel against you.... daily.  (Daniel 9:9-10)  and again.... were it not for your Son.... I would be lost.  But just as Jesus 3 times reinstated Peter through reminding him of His Love for him... you prove merciful and forgiving for all my sins.

Father, your grace is truly beyond my comprehension.  Thank you for it.  And thank you... Father... for giving me forgiveness.... daily.... for my trespasses against you, just as I daily seek to forgive those who sin against me.  In likeness of your own heart of Grace acting in my life.  (Ephesians 5:1)  Even as your Son, My Lord, Jesus taught me to pray.

Amen.

One doesn't use the pronoun "We" unless they include themselves in the group.  It's a simple logic, but "We" and likewise "Us", when spoken or written, is inclusive. 

We are going to the baseball game.

That means the speaker, and whomever is lucky enough to be with him at the moment, are all going on a trip to see grown men engage in a sports activity.

I think this cake was meant for us.

It doesn't need to be broken down, but some happy individuals (the speaker inclusive) are going to have a nice dessert.

I need to preface my thoughts with this grammar lesson because it's important to remember what "WE" and "US" mean when used.

Recently I engaged a Xanga Christian regarding their post on Christian Perfectionism, or sinless living.  The writer's post wasn't a theological dissertation --- it simply reprinted the entire chapter of 1 Peter 4, and in his comments, he singled out verse 2 with this comment.

1 Peter 4:2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. - How can we who are dead to sin live any longer therein? Do we sin so that grace may abound? God forbid! - Paul  (Romans 6:2)

Yeah, some of this is difficult. And yet, God expects us to do this because Jesus did it. Christ is our example. He is the one we must follow.

The highlighted passage was my doing, simply for emphasis of the original poster's thoughts and what he was driving at.

My own initial response wasn't something new --- I've tackled this before --- but over the course of the last week I've gained some fresh insight I thought worth sharing.  Here's My initial response.

Balance this passage from Peter against 1 John 2:1 (A verse that I have written about a few times in the past)

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.

Stop there for a moment. John states his purpose. He desires that we do not sin. This is the reason he is writing this epistle. Yet this is not the end of the verse.

But ....

Stop there for a moment. The word "But" is a conjunctive negative. It actually negates what precedes it. I love you, but... means, well, I don't really love you. There's something preventing me from doing so...

But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. (1 John 2:1)

So... let put the full picture together here. John says "Don't Sin." --- BUT --- If we do sin, there's no reason to despair because Jesus speaks to the Father in our defense.

These are courtroom terms here, and many translations actually say "Jesus stands as our advocate with the Father." Jesus intercedes for us.

So, while you say "God expects us to do this because Jesus did it. Christ is our example. He is the one we must follow." --- there is a balance in that Father remembers that we are but dust, that our flesh is weak and that our hearts are still prone to sin. No clearer picture of this could be given than Peter.... the very one you quote.... denying Christ three times and yet being forgiven clearly and abundantly for each failure.

You quote Paul in Romans 6:1-2. Let us not forget that Romans 7 follows directly after.

Why do I do what I don't want to do, when I know what I should do, but instead do that which I know is wrong. (Abbreviating the whole section down to one sentence.)

If we aim for perfection... if we believe we must be perfect... then we are seeking to live by the law, not grace. That was the whole point of the sermon of the mount. Not that this is Kingdom living "NOW" --- but rather to expose the folly of trying to abide by the law. We do aim for perfection, yes, but we remember this: It is God who works IN you to will and to act according to His good purpose." (Philippians 2:13, but also reminiscent of Ephesians 2:9-10 and Romans 12:1-2)

I love this verse:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

John isn't writing to non-Believers --- this verse is directed towards Christians! God knows our frailties. He knows our weaknesses. and He faithfully forgives us as we come to him humbly seeking mercy.... AFTER we believe.

Sinless living is a myth, a deadly and dangerous trap to get us to live by the law and not by grace. "BUT" --- living our lives unto Christ, who by HIS OWN sinless life fulfilled the law we could never keep, we find Grace and mercy and peace. We find access to the Father who sees our weaknesses and forgives.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassion's never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:21-22

He responded back with this comment:

It is possible to live a sinless life. Satan would prefer we give up. God will save us from our sin. He will not save us in our sin.

Be perfect as the Father is perfect. - Jesus Christ

Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life. We are called to do the same. His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And in heaven, there is no sin.

Personal side thought:   Lest we forget --- in Heaven there is no marriage either (Matthew 22:30), but that doesn't mean we forsake wedding vows while we're on Earth.

I responded back by asking him how old he was when Jesus died?  It's a simple question, but a profound one if you follow through the logical conclusion.  Here's my response.

One question: how old were you when Jesus died?

You weren't born when Christ died is the only answer you can give. If you weren't born, then ALL.... A-L-L.... your sins were in the future. All of them. And Christ took EVERY ONE OF THEM upon himself on the cross when He died. Not just the ones up to the day of your salvation ---- but every single one of them, from the beginning of your life to the end. That is why Philippians 1:6 is such a joy and comfort.

He who BEGAN the work of salvation in you WILL BE FAITHFUL to see it through to completion in the day of Christ.

God started by saving me. God will continue by keeping me saved until the day that Christ returns.

Philippians 2:12-13 follows after in the very next chapter and makes nearly the same point.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — CONTINUE TO WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION with fear and trembling, FOR IT IS GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU to will and to act according to his good purpose.

God.... works in... you... to will and to act according to His good purpose. Beautiful Mercy! Amazing Grace! God helps me because he knows my frailties. This is exactly why Paul doesn't say God abandons us when we are sometimes faithless. Read 2nd Timothy 2:11-13. If we disown him, yes, he will disown us.... but if we are faithless, he remains faithful... why? Because we have been adopted into his family!!! HE CANNOT DISOWN HIMSELF. He gloriously made us one with Him in Christ and he will not abandon us. AMEN!

I say, dear brother, stop acting in foolish pride that you can live sinlessly and bear humbly that God forgives you even in your weaknesses, just as He bore witness to our brother Paul. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

Peter.... the same one you quote here.... sinned again later in life. Review Galatians 2 and read Paul's account of how he had to rebuke brother Peter for His sin. That didn't stop God from loving him... it just meant that Peter needed to remember the grace that falls fresh and new when we need it... and he needed it just at that point.

The truly beautiful thing about salvation --- it covers all our Sins because God will not abandon us. Ask David. He was counted as a man after God's own heart, and yet he sinned by taking multiple wives. He sinned by adultery. He sinned by plotting murder. He sinned by counting the fighting men. ----- AND THROUGH ALL THIS.... God loved David and showed himself faithful to his repentance, time and time again.

I posted the question of Sinless Christian living to facebook to see what some of my more Theologically inclined friends would say (I have many who've been to Seminary and love to delve deeply into the Word of God.) and the conclusion time and again came back to Romans 7.   In closing that status off I said this:

I was just thinking about this issue yesterday and thought about my point regarding the book of 1st John being written to Christians. If that is fact, then this verse reverberates clearly in this debate:

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8)

It's important to note the pronouns here. John is aiming at Christians ... "We", "Us".

If WE (Christians) claim to be without sin, WE (Christians) deceive ourselves and the truth is not in US (Christians).

The point of this would be to show whomever makes this claim really isn't one after all, is he? Proclaim as loudly as you desire, but by claiming to be without sin you make God out to be a liar.  This is the very point of 1 John 1:10 which follows.

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

John chose his pronouns perfectly.  He's not aiming this at Non-believers (They, Them, The world.... this would be indicative of that) but at believers WHOM HE COUNTS HIMSELF ONE WITH.   WE, US.... John is stating that we should not, as Christians, come to a place where we believe ourselves above sin.   As the writer of Hebrews states:

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.  (Hebrews 12:4)

The only point by where we could say we have ceased our struggle against the war on sin is when we've come to the point of spilling our own blood.... just as Jesus did.

My friend misses the beauty of Grace, though.  To him it is expected of us to live as Christ did, in perfect harmony to Christ's own life.  He makes God out to be a harsh taskmaster who places upon us something that we cannot attain --- DO NOT EVER SIN!  becomes this God's requirement if we are to make it to heaven.  That's not grace --- that's law.  Grace actually steps in to give us what we don't deserve, simply because the one so moved is acting from compassion and grants pardon.  That is why salvation is called a "Gift" --- because we could never earn it by what we did or did not do.

This person quotes Matthew 5:48 as a verse aimed a Christians and tells me that his God set this as the standard for all believers.  But was it? 

The sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7) wasn't aimed at showing us "HOW" to live --- it was aimed at showing us that the standard by which God judges us is not as shallow as our own.  It was aimed to show us exactly how far from God we truly are, though we would seldom admit that.  It shows us that our lives, even if measured by our own shallow self-evaluation, does not come close to what God desires.

We would think ourselves doing well if we simply (occasionally) tell the truth.  Jesus says "simply say 'yes' or 'no', for anything that comes beyond that is of the devil", thus pointing out our tendencies for self-justification.  We would think ourselves good if we simply do not engage in the act of adultery.  Jesus points to our thought-lives. 

And after all of this demolishing of the "I'm Ok, You're OK" myth, Jesus ends this section --- Not aimed at believers, but at UN-Believers ---- by saying "Therefore, be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect."  In essence, Jesus is stating that if you are going to live your life by the law --- then your only chance at Heaven is if you can keep the law PERFECTLY.  Anything less .... fails the mark.

Jesus even says this very key point right in the middle of his sermon ---

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  (Matthew 5:17)

For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:20)

Since when is keeping the law a requirement for entering heaven?  Jesus is making his point very clearly --- if the Pharisees seem to be the standard of Holiness by which every assumes lives will be measured .... then your own lives must surpass even that if you aim to make it.  In fact Jesus came instead to fulfill the law by His own Righteousness and by grace impart that righteousness to us so that we stand ALREADY HOLY before God --- not based on what we do, but rather based upon what Christ, Himself, did on our behalf!!!!  My post fro 2 years ago covered this point in respect to the many ways whereby men claim to be holy.  Here's the link: "What Holiness is not"

This was my facebook status yesterday.  I thought it worth sharing here.  These were my own thoughts while reflecting on how little we know of suffering and how much we crave comfort in all we do  --- and just what it takes to plow a field to make it usable.  For six months now I have been reflecting on the parable of the soils --- this is merely one more facet of that diamond of a parable.

Hosea 10:12 I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness,
and you will harvest a crop of love.
Plow up the hard ground of your hearts,
for now is the time to seek the Lord,
that he may come
and shower righteousness upon you.’ (Living Translation)

In asking the Lord to break up the "fallow ground of our heart" (King James version) I wonder how many of us consider what that really means.

The plow, when cultivating the field, destroys the field. It rips it to shreds. It bottoms it up and turns it upside down. It quite literally makes the field look like a controlled bomb blast occurred.

This is what we should ask of the Lord --- Not that he gives us lives of comfort and ease, but rather that he should tear away, rip up, plow deep and remove any obstacles from us that prevent us from serving him fully.... and there is no way that this takes place comfortably!!!!

Lord --- may my heart be tilled, re-tilled, and tilled yet again until all that is thorny, rocky or stubborn detrius be removed and you find that your Word, when planted, yields the fruit of your desire.

Amen.

12-7-2012 11:00 pm (Taiwan time)

Dare I say
that I've done good
before it tis my time?
Only God
may judge my works,
my own opinion's biased.

Dare I say
that I've done well
and believe my work complete?
I am but
a lowly servant
who must, my Master, heed.

Dare I take pride
on all I've done
and pause a moment to reflect?
My own praise
is meaningless
and serves only to distract!!!

Dare I think
that I might rest
& think my strivings ceased,
just because
I wish it so
& want a life of ease?

May I not
be found relaxed
on the day my Master speaks....

There are actually a few Scripture verses woven into this poem, but one in particular is the umbrella for which all of it shelters it's thought.

Mark 13:33-37 gives us warning of being found lax when our Master returns.... and in today's society it is quite easy to want to rest, relax, take it easy .... to retire to a simpler life.  It's why we crave entertainment, why we desire "time off", why we all want a vacation.  Because we don't see this as a time of war, we see this as a time of peace.  The enemy is never more ready to pounce upon us than when he can get us to drop our guard.

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.  If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”  (Mark 13:33-37)

It may seem odd, but one of the first Chinese words I learned was "Impossible" or 不(boo)可(kuh)能(Nung).  I don't know why it was a part of my college language training, but it was, and it was one of the rather easier ones to memorize.

But the actual word it represents is one that I don't think we often give thought to.  I don't think we think in terms of impossibilities.  We prefer to think of what "IS" possible and grasp at that.  Thus it is that we frame questions of impossibilities almost as jokes.

Is it possible that God can create a boulder so large that even He can't move it?

In the scriptures, the word "Impossible" is used super sparingly.  It appears only 10 times in the New Testament.  4 of them in the same book, but each time covering a different topic.  Only twice is it used by Jesus.... and that should bring comfort to those of us who trust Him.

What is impossible for man is possible for God.  (Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27; Luke 18:27)

If you have faith as small as even the mustard seed ... nothing shall be impossible for you. (Matthew 17:20)

Salvation of man is the aim of the first statement.  If the rich aren't able to buy their way into Heaven --- if their money does them no good before the Father --- then how might any of us be saved?  You see, the religious view of Jesus time was that those who were rich had a direct line to God ---- because of all that they could do with their riches!  This was honestly the thinking behind the question the disciples asked.... because Jesus, in saying that it was easier to thread a needle with a camel than for a rich man to enter Heaven ---- was attacking the common belief that the Rich man was already blessed by God and would therefore be ipso-facto a part of the kingdom of God.

But it's not these uses of the word that I am considering and have been considering for weeks now.  It's the other ones.  The ones we don't like to consider because they represent dark places in the human heart.... questions we don't like to face.  Things we don't like to consider.

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.  (Hebrews 6:4-6)

Impossible --- to be "RE"-saved.

Impossible for someone who's walked in Christian circles --- and rejects what they've seen --- to come back to that point of acknowledging Christ as savior.

Impossible for someone to turn from Christ to Atheism.... and then back to Christ.

Why?

Here's an extract of a conversation on Facebook I'm presently having.  It gives some of the reasoning behind this --- but know this, I've already said this very point many times over the last 3 years... it's nothing new to my blogging, I've alluded to this many times.  This is only a full crystallization of my thoughts on the matter.

Matt, all the ones that I mentioned are former Christian musicians, lead singers for various Christian bands, who've since become atheists and have an agenda to now actively preach against that which they once (said they)believed. Ojo has spoken openly at "Freedom FROM Religion" (an active atheist council that pursues the eradication of ALL religion from social life), Roger Martinez has vowed to actively pursue every soul he's put into the Kingdom of God and convince them he was wrong, we're all wrong.... for every sermon he preached, to produce a new one extolling atheism.

I have had friends who've walked away over the years. One walked for 6 years and came back a much humbler man. Another has never come back and considers himself "happily miserable and content to live without God." For weeks now I have pondered the implications of 1 John 2:19 ---

they went out from us because they never belonged with us, had they belonged with us they would have never left.

--- and other similar verses and thought about how these men were never saved in the first place. It's not that they were saved, then fell away, and now we're to try to convince them they're wrong and need to come back.... it's that they created an idol called "christianity" (small "c") in their minds, and to their detriment they followed that construct that had no bearing upon the real thing.  They are goats .... content to be found IN the church but never to become a part OF the Church... and that's the point they need to see. The truth is, ..... they never really believed in the first place.

If --- then. simple logic statement that I need to set out for this to all make sense. (Maybe not to you, but to some others who might follow this through.)

IF... they were honestly believers beforehand, and they then walked away....
THEN ... according to Hebrews, it is IMPOSSIBLE for them to come back, because they then crucify to themselves Christ all over again. (Hebrews 6:1-6)

If these men were once believers and now are not... and that is the truth of it.... then salvation is held in the hands of men, not God, and we could all lose what we've attained as a gift from the Father (Ephesians 2:8-10). This contradicts Philippians 1:6 which says "He who BEGAN the work of salvation in you WILL BE FAITHFUL to complete it." and John 10:28 where Jesus states "(Those who come to me..) No one can take them out of my hands." and Romans 8:31-38.

Sorry, again for such a lengthy response, but all these things truly have been heavy on my heart for weeks now and I have looked at these verses and so many more trying hard to understand why someone could walk away from Grace so amazing, so profound, so abundant, so humbling, so pure ---- and call it worthless and vain.

Only the Spirit can honestly show these men the state of their hearts... both before and now... and prayerfully humble them enough that they'll come to hate their sin enough to leave it and HONESTLY embrace Christ for the first time, not the second.

I once existed in the Church, spent 9 years as a part of the church.  I knew theology, I knew scripture, I knew Church history --- and for all that, I was lost.  I asked my pastor once, during that time,

How is it that I can lead others to Christ, but I myself can be so lost?

to which my Pastor replied:

God once used Ba'Laam's donkey to speak truth to that prophet.  You are the same as that donkey, Wayne.    (My pastor had much wisdom.)  

Everyone around me said I was Christian.  Everyone told me that I had to be --- look at how much I knew.  But that was because everyone around me had a low view of what Christianity was.  It was merely knowledge in someone's head.  My heart told me I was lost, dead in my sins.  My heart was right.  I was, and would remain there for many years yet to come.

But here's the thing -- I didn't stay that way.  God reached down to me, humbled me, and graced upon me salvation in a way that made it perfectly clear that salvation comes from Him and nowhere else.  It's been 20+ years since that day.  In all that time I have never once --- never again --- had a single doubt as to my salvation.... solely because I (now) understand that when God grants a pardon from sin --- it's a promise which can be wholly, completely, earnestly trusted.  God does not lie (Hebrews 6:18).  I wasn't saved in the 9 years I spent in the church... I didn't trust God, I trusted my knowledge about God.... and it was only when I acknowledged my idolatry that God was actually able to step in and save me.

These men, and all like them, who seemingly walk away from Christ.  They were never really believers to begin with.  They were the thorny soil, awaiting the moment of crisis that would tear them away.  They were the rocky soil, whose commitment was based only in their emotions and having no root, quickly withered in time.  They were goats..... never once acknowledged by Christ to have been His.  They are the tares.... awaiting the day of judgement that will forever separate them and show them as the frauds THEY ALWAYS WERE.

We don't like to think in terms of impossibilities.  We like to safely imagine that everyone around us is cool and fine and "christian".  And when someone we know walks away --- we simply say "He's backslidden" and hope for the best.  But if we leave them like that --- the truth is --- we leave them in a state wherein they can't ever be saved.  IMPOSSIBLE... to come again to repentance. (Hebrews 6:4,6)  Why? Because Christ was already sacrificed once for them, and cannot be sacrificed again.  "Once, for all time... Jesus made us Holy by his sacrifice" (Hebrews 10:10)

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.  (Hebrews 10:26-27)

That last passage is the final nail on the coffin here.  No sacrifice for their sins remains, only judgement, for they are not associated with God ---  they are His enemies.

And they need to see that they didn't 'try Christianity' once and find it lacking --- the truth is they never once came to honest faith, they only played games with God.... they now need to acknowledge that they were playing games if they are ever to honestly come to salvation as found in Christ.   They need to face their former (and present) idolatry.

Because of our dislike for thinking in terms of impossibilities we've given rise to this culture of people who seemingly can claim they've "tried Christiainity, and found it had no answers, no substance, nothing to offer, no value..... no worth... no truth." ----- because we've not risen to the task of showing them they are wrong.  That they NEVER were Christian, NEVER tried Christianity, NEVER once believed, and NEVER once were saved.  It was all a game to them.... and a deadly one... for the longer they carry this delusion.... the longer they remain dead in their sins with no eternal hope.

May we not leave them there.

Here's my prayer that started off my Facebook conversation...  I leave it here as my prayer for one and all who think they've "tried" Christianity --- and found no answers.

Father, so many today have fallen to the hard path where the seed of your word is pecked away at by the birds of our enemy. So many today have shown a shallow emotionally charged faith which carries no deep roots grounded in You. So many have become like tares among the wheat --- growing in weedy soil and choked when pressure comes to stand for you.

Father, grant that we submit to your Spirit in bringing these men back to your flock... in planting them into your garden. Let not our witness be the futile and empty arguing of the world, but the careful and blessed grounding of Your Word for which you promised would never return void of it's purpose.

Father in this man's instance we don't know the reasons he now assumes to have once known you and now spurns your very existence. All we ask, Lord, is that you work in his heart to overturn the stones that have choked the growth of Your word and prevented the work of your Spirit. Plow the ground, Lord, that he might be found fertile unto your purpose.

I pray this not merely for this man, but for all others, Lord, who likewise turn and assume that they once "tried" Christ and have found him vain. Ojo Taylor, Pete Stewart, Roger Martinez all readily come to mind from recent conversations, Lord... and I honestly pray that you would break them free from their bondage in blindness and hardness of heart to know once and for all the freedom and joy that truly is found in Christ.

Amen

This ends the longest period of Blogging silence I've had.  I have taken breaks from Xanga in the past, but never one quite so long.  It's been nearly 6 weeks now since I last wrote, and before that another 4, so literally one a month since September.  But I can justify it, I've been very busy.

13 years ago I started on Ebay.  At the time it was nothing I "Planned" to do, it was honestly the response to a prayer.  At the time I was working 4 different jobs trying to make ends meet after a very unwelcome and unwanted divorce.  (At this stage in my life it suffices me to say that it was the best thing for all parties... but I didn't see that then.)  I was left with nothing, had to start from scratch, and was struggling under having bought a used car (with payments) that turned sour and a 30 year old mobile home that had it's own needs... and loans.

Another car repair drove me to my knees in anger, frustration and desperation.  I was mad when I said "God, what am I supposed to do now!".  4 Jobs left very little time for anything else.  And the car was crucial to my getting to my jobs in order to pay the loans and child support and bills and living expenses.  I honestly wasn't expecting to hear back ===>  "Try Ebay".  2 words that changed my life.

I've written about this before, so I'll skip all the details, save one.  After the first box of Christian tapes was done, the box given to me by an Atheist Goth Lesbian friend of mine... go figure... something amazing happened that I didn't see coming.  Something that kept me on Ebay for the next 8 straight years.

God moved someone's heart.

A guy in Florida emailed me.  He wanted to "GIVE" me his collection.  He told me that he'd been praying about what to do with his music and after reading a few of my (naive, simplistic, amateur and very basic with many "first timer" mistakes) auctions he felt that God was leading him to "GIVE" me his collection.

My first thought --- "Oh Lord, here comes every Southern Gospel LP ever known to man.  I'm gonna have more Bill Gaither than any man should ever have... and I am never gonna get rid of them."

I said "Ok?" gave him my address and..... wow.  3 weeks later Fed-Ex shows up at my door with not one, not two, not even three or four --- but SEVEN HUGE Boxes.  Postage alone cost this guy over $300.  And it all came to me free.  I was stunned.  I was even more stunned when I dug into what he sent.  It was some of the rarest, hardest to find Christian Music known, and only someone like myself or a few other collectors would have even recognized that.

I was honestly humbled.

That collection turned out nearly $10,000 in sales.  Enough that I was able to quit 2 jobs, pay for car repairs and have enough money to start looking around for more stuff to sell.  Life became relaxing and fun and blessings followed.

God --- put me on Ebay.  And for 8 straight years I was the top selling dealer in Christian Music on Ebay, uncontested.  There are many Xanga blogs from 2005 -2008 which attend to various aspects of my Ebay dealings as a seller.  You can even review my countdown to leaving for the mission field of Taiwan through my Xanga posts about Ebay sales.....  and the amazing way that God covered $26,000 in Credit Card debt in 6 months time in ways totally unimaginable to me and Kai.

That's a story for another time, though.

God --- put me on Ebay.  And then, in 2008, I left.  I sold everything I had to another person who wanted a shot at becoming an Ebay dealer and I moved to Taiwan, just as I believed God wanted me to.  (Still believe that)  Simple faith brought blessing.

It's been 4 years now.  I've been crying out in prayer to God as to what to do for work.  I don't like teaching English as Second Language classes --- I find them painful as a teacher and question my honest effectiveness.  I know how to USE English --- but I question my ability to TEACH English.  But people here seem to appreciate my self-depreciating humor and ways of teaching and so I have students.... some for as long as 3 years now.

Still... my prayer has gone up because I really find teaching tedious and exhausting.

Then, in February, I noticed someone selling an entire collection of Larry Norman CD's.  38 of them to be exact.  The price was right, I had a friend in Texas ---- That Xangan will be blessed greatly when God gets to her Eternal blessing, let me tell you ---- willing to unpack them from their CD cases, package them well and ship them (freely... you really are a gem!!!!) to me here in Taiwan.  I figured --- Ok... it's one collection, I bought it cheap, I can sell it around Christmas and at least make some money to help us with our missionary work over here as well as recover the cost of what we paid.  (This cost came out of our savings account.)

Then, in May, another collection on Ebay came to my attention.  345 CD's.... $600+.  Roughly $2 a CD and many of them rare and worth re-selling.  I prayed.  I struggled.  And in the end, without an answer from God, I simply bought the collection.  (This time.... the cost was applied to the credit card.... with much concern.)

Then the miracles started....

The seller lived 30 miles from my former church in Chicago.  He drove the CD's there --- no postage costs.  Then, a very dear friend who I've blogged about many times and who's been more of a blessing to me than words could express --- and you too, Marissa... don't think I don't know you helped --- unpacked the CD's from their cases and shipped them to me.  Shipping was $120, I paid it... but it could have been a lot worse had the guy lived in another state, or tried shipping them directly to me, cases and all.  (I shudder to consider that....)

I got them late in September (Ben, to his credit, has many brands in the fire and so I understand that it took him 3 months to tackle 300+ CD's) and immediately started processing them.

Then.... a friend in Australia asked if I could help him sell his collection.  He had actually asked me 3 years ago.... but dragged his feet on getting them to me.  In any case, he finally sent them... and they arrived in the middle of October, just in time for the Christmas rush.

Side Note: This friend wanted to sell his stuff primarily because he walked away from Christ and no longer has interest in Christian music.  6 years ago he came under the influence of a psychologist who convinced him that his "Faith" was merely the byproduct of strict parenting, with no real substance to it's foundation.  My friend bought the lie and started questioning if there really was a God and why it all matters.

What brought him to finally send the collection, after 3 years of huffing and hemming and hawing.... was that his 5 year old son was just diagnosed with Leukemia and he now needs the money for medical bills and such.

So now you have 2 prayer requests --- pray.  Phil is my friends name, and his son's name is Patrick.  Phil's wife is named Liz.... she's a strong Christian who is grieves over what's become of her husband.  Keep her in your prayers as well.

CD's started getting posted in late September, starting with the Larry Norman stuff I already had.  I had to cover shipping costs from Ben, so it seemed that it was time to start.

By the time the Larry Norman stuff closed, Ben's box arrived to be alphabetized, photographed and then posted to Ebay.  By the time I'd posted through all of that collection, Phil's stuff arrived from Australia and so I found myself starting the process over.

Now.... I have another friend, a long time collector, who's been watching all this happen.  He's actually bought some of it from me..... only now he tells me "Keep it, just rip it to MP3 for me and re-sell it."  He's bought and paid for it... and yet, he's telling me simply to re-sell it... to my bonus.

Then.... He comes back a week later and says to me --- "Wayne, I want to give you my CD collection.... send me your address."  I've talked with him now for a few weeks, trying hard to make sure he really wants to do this, and he's committed to it.

This guy is a major collector.  I know, I helped him along the way.

And now it would seem.... God has put me back on Ebay.... from Taiwan.... where there is no used CD shops, no resale stores, no thrift stores.... I am not kidding, Taiwan knows nothing about selling things used -- this is not a disposable culture like America.  THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE GARAGE / YARD SALES!!!!!!!  Even Ebay over here is barely used.  It's a economical culture through and through  --- They buy what they want, and they keep what they buy, simple as that.

But, again, to stress.... God has put me back on Ebay... when I didn't expect to be.  The two collections I bought were simply going to be something to sell at Christmas so as to gain some support for the work we do over here.  We are not traditional missionaries in that we don't have an organization backing us.  We don't have the support of a major church or denomination.  We simply have God providing when we have a need.  And thus far --- He's provided.  I say that as fact.

Thus, come Christmas, the only time of the year when I do a "missions support" push --- I offer something back in return rather than ask people to give me something for nothing.  I sell CD's... and the money goes back into what we do over here.

And this year.... I'm humbled and amazed at what God has done.  This has been the second best Christmas season I've had on Ebay since I started 13 years back.  That's saying a lot.  And I've still yet to receive my other friends collection.... of which I can't say what will happen at that point.

I didn't plan all this, I honestly couldn't have.  Someone decides to sell their collection on Ebay... and I took a chance at winning it.  And no one else out there bid against me.  I took another chance at winning something --- set my maximum bid at $650 --- and the bidding ended at $645, I kid you not.  Another $5 and it would have been someone else's collection.  The logistics of getting things to me cheaply and effectively.  The ability to spend time necessary to photograph and post all things.  Even the knowledge of when best to do it. ---- God worked all things out.

These last 8 weeks have been stunning, crazy, hectic, busy, --- so busy that I haven't been to school once in the last 4 weeks --- and ... again.... humbling.

When we allow God to work things out... when we take steps of simple trust... He will.

Amen.

This is merely a reposting of something I just said as a Facebook status update.  It is something I have been thinking about for years now (Like nearly 20+ years) and only just tonight decided to encapsulate into words.  It comes on the heels of my dealing with a Mormon who is completely lost and going to hell in her sins because she believes herself *good enough* as a person (by what her "religion" has told her) to enter into Heaven.   

What caused me to write this is because she is teaching these same damning lies to teens now... at her so-called church.   Jesus said that those who teach falsely "In his name" ---- better that they had a boulder tied around their neck and were tossed into the ocean than to lead others into damnation by teaching falsely.... by teaching man-made lies.  (Luke 17:2)  Paul even took it a step further by saying that those who presume to teach a false gospel --- they will be ETERNALLY cursed by God.  (Galatians 1:8-10)

I think many of us really need to consider that statement when we so carelessly toss our own thoughts into what we believe regarding biblical truth.  The Bible likewise clearly states that anyone who assumes to be a teacher ---- will face a harsher judgment (James 3:1).  How few of us would dare speak on behalf of God if we even for a second took that seriously.

Anyway, here's what I had to say, and I honestly and earnestly contend it's truth.  There are only TWO world religions.  Mormonism, Buddhism, Toaism, Islam, Jehovah's Witness, even Roman Catholicism in many respects ---- Every religion you could name EXCEPT Christianity ---- they all teach the same, damning lie.    You can earn your way into Heaven by what you do.

Here's my thoughts.

There are ONLY two religions in this world.

The religion of human achievement and the religion of Divine accomplishment.

The first one says "Look at what I have done. Look at how good I am. Look at my efforts, surely it's good enough to --- MAKE --- God like me. I deserve Heaven because I'm not quite as bad as everyone else."  (This is the very words of the parable Jesus gave in Luke 18:9-14)

The first one tries to make Heaven something they can take by force of their own "goodness".

The second centers not on what man has done, but what God did in Christ on the cross. The second one says "come to me, all who labor, and --- I WILL --- give you rest.  (Jesus: Matthew 11:28)" It gives no place for men to boast of their "goodness" instead saying...

This is the verdict, Light came into the world, but men loved darkness instead for --- THEIR DEEDS ---- were evil. (Jesus own words, John 3:19, right after that part about God loving the world...)

The religion of Divine accomplishment says to man --- Trust.

Nothing more.

Nothing less.

Only one way gets to Heaven.

And if you are in any way thinking you deserve to be there because of how "Good" you are.... you're not getting in.  (Proverbs 14:12, 16:12; Matthew 7:13-14, 21-23)

The heart of man is desperately wicked and deceitful above all things. (Jeremiah 17:9)

For all our good works are like ---- filthy, dirty, foul, disgusting used tampons to God's sight. (Isaiah 64:6) (This is a literal translation of the Hebrew word used.....)

Or as Paul so aptly put it....

There is no one who is righteous (good enough) --- no, not even one. All have gone way, not one of us really seeks after God. .... for -- ALL -- have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. (Romans 3:10-18, 23)

There are only two religions in this world. The "I can do it myself"-er's ---- and those who fall at the foot of the cross and admit their utter inability to do any good.... apart from what Christ is able to work in that one who so comes to him.

For by grace have you been saved, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift from God lest any man should boast in his ability to do it himself. For we are God's creation, able to do only that which He desires to do in and through us. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

God calls to all men, telling us all equally to repent (Acts 17:30) and believe in what Jesus has done  (Acts 4:12, 16:31; Romans 1:16-17; Ephesians 3:11). 

What "Repent" means, in it's most literal translation, is "To change your way of thinking" --- to stop thinking you're good enough and admit honestly that you're completely lost, completely blind and completely dead in your sins.   It means to agree exactly with what God has said of you and your life and your "good works".  It means, simply put,

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Even here, in this very verse, the promise isn't "God helps those who help themselves" --- it is "He WILL show you which path to take.... if you simply trust him."

I pray this hits home for my readers out there ---- cause it's the most important thing you can come face to face with....

Yea, I know, I promised you pictures of Taiwan's mountains.  I'm still trying to find a way to upload them that isn't going to limit me to 600 by 800 or whatever.  I really got annoyed by Xanga when I uploaded all those pictures.... only to see the details severely limited by the sizing constraints.  I tried uploading to Photobucket... only to find the same thing happen.  I'll get those pics up... but I'm working on how to do it best.

It should be no surprise that I have a huge music collection.  Nearly 5,000 CD's, about 1,000 LPs and another 500+ cassettes ----- ..... ----- .....  All in MP3 format because I fell in love with MP3s very early and started "archiving" things as soon as I was able.  (Ummm.... my first MP3 was in 1999 if that says anything...)   My former work on Ebay gave me access to THOUSANDS of things with which to compile to my collection.

But for all those albums, I still come back to listening to a select few artists or albums --- because it's really only those few that touch me deepest.  And tonight I am back to a song that hits me hard every time I hear it.

It is probably one of the few, if not the only, song that approaches the Christmas story solely from the perspective of Joseph --- and all the questions that must have ran through his heart about this strange little child that God had wrought within his wife.

The CD is really no longer available, though I am sure you can find it on Itunes.  But for today I thought I would allow all my friends / followers / fans (well, I only have one, and she's married to me) and faithful readers to join me in listening to this beautiful, powerful, tender and heart-breaking song.

4Him --- A Strange Way to save the world. 

Lyrics:

I'm sure he must have been surprised
at where this road had taken him
cause never in a million lives
would he have dreamed of Bethlehem

and standing at the manger
he saw with his own eyes
the message from the angel come alive

and Joseph said,

"Why Me?
I'm just a simple man of trade...
Why him?
with all the rulers in the world
Why here?
inside this stable filled with hay
And why her?
She's just an ordinary girl
And while I'm not one
to second guess
what angels have to say
But this is such a strange way
to save the world.

To think of how it could have been
if Jesus had come as He deserved
there would have been no Bethlehem
no lowly shepherds at his birth
But Joseph knew the reason
Love had to reach so far
and as he held the Savior in his arms
He must have thought:

"Why Me?
I'm just a simple man of trade...
Why him?
with all the rulers in the world
Why here?
inside this stable filled with hay
And why her?
She's just an ordinary girl
And now I'm not one
to second guess
what angels have to say
But this is such a strange way
to save the world.

9-5-2012 9:32 AM  (Taiwan time)

My heart for Him, my heart for Him,
Oh! that my life be so consumed
that every act, or thought, or whim
might daily be, unto Thee, as sweetened as perfume.

My heart to Him, my heart to Him
Oh! let my every moment rest
within the care of Thy beloved Son
whom daily carries my burdens best.

My heart is His, my heart is His,
Oh! not a breath would I withhold
though my failures well persist
yet daily does He reassure my soul.

My heart for Him, my heart for Him
Oh! let nothing stand between, I plea
for if I know not, the love that mends
Oh! daily would my sorrows be.

Our modern age has assigned the word "Heart" the meaning of "our emotional state or well being."  It is a sad and sorely limiting understanding of that word.... as though our emotional state was all that mattered to God.

Biblically, the word "Heart" carries inference not merely to man's emotional condition, but more so to "The thoughts and reflections and will and emotions that proceed forward to produce action."  (That taken from my own writing I have to admit.  Linked Here.)  Biblically your heart is everything in you that comes together to make your feet or hands or mouth move, sinfully or righteously.

Why belabor the point?  Because it is in this second, Biblical sense that I write the words "My heart for Him, my heart for Him..."  My cry is not that I attain some emotional euphoria, but rather that my "every act, or thought, or whim" be surrendered to following my Lord. 

Originally I was going to try posting up all these pictures and posts tonight.  I envision about 5 posts in this series covering all aspects of our trip.  This trip is an annual event for us, recreating our honeymoon trip down to Taiwan's southern tip, over to the east coast and then up Pacific Highway 9 to Highway 5 and the 20 mile tunnel that cuts from Yilan through the mountains and then exits out into Taipei.  At best this trip takes 6 days worth of driving.  We usually expand it out to about 10 just to give us time to sight-see.

Part one of this series is only gonna cover the towns we specifically visited, giving merely an overview and timeline for all the rest of the series and pictures that are to follow.  There's humor to this, so stick with it.  What I'm about to do with the pictures wasn't planned... but we joked about it all along the way.  It never failed... it always happened... every town... every time.  You'll see as the pictures unfold.

August 7th

Our first stay was in Tainan.  Kai's mother and father are still living, so we always plan time to spend with them.  We left our home on August 7th, it's a 6 hour trip from Ba-Li where we live to Tainan.  (In Google Maps cue "From Bali District, Taiwan - To Tainan, Taiwan" for a good overview.)

Kai's parents were in Korea for a few days so we had the house to ourselves for a night. 

August 8th

From there we drove south to our first BnB in  Wan-Li-Tong... super small town (about 200 people) where the BnB only cost us $35 US a night.  The room is like a closet, the bed is on the floor, the bathroom is so small only one of us can fit in it at a time... but it's literally right on the South China Sea and the view is amazing to wake up to. 

The town is so small that it doesn't show up with an English name in Google maps.  Even the streets are listed as "Unknown road".  Here's a Google Satellite shot of the ENTIRE town.  You can see where the China Sea is in blue and green under the town.  I put arrows at our BnB and the beach.

August 9th

We were supposed to go snorkeling, but there was a Typhoon in the Philippines just below Taiwan and the waves were menacing and choppy.  So we did the next best thing and went to MaoBiTou instead.  (Mao = Cat... Bi = Nose... Tou = Head --- Cat Nose Head rock park.  Again, no English Google Map name, sorry.)

When there, we brought along our cats to compare with the rock formation (thumbs down... our cat's noses looked better).  Even the tourists thought our cats were a better attraction....

They wouldn't let us leave for nearly 45 minutes --- no fooling.  Chinese tourists thought Kiki, Xiao Hu and Stumpy were better photo-op's than the rock.

From there we skipped over to Heng-Chuen for lunch.

Where we had some delicious noodles.  We went back later that same night for an American dinner, but forgot the camera.

After lunch we headed into Ken-Ting for the night market there.  Our Cats were the talk of the town.

August 10th- 14th

After our trip to Ken-Ting we headed back up to Tainan for 4 days with the In-laws.  The cats took the opportunity to engage in their favorite sports.

Birdwatching ---

And Power-napping.

Let it not be said that a cats life is easy.  Power-napping takes up a lot of energy.

August 15th

From Tainan we then drove to the east coast in one long 7 hour trip.  Our first stop on the east coast was the Bu'Nun tribal village / resort.  Kai's  father knows the tribal pastor very well.

The Village Resort is kinda pricy, clocking in at about $90 US a night.  They give you an aboriginal dinner and a Taiwanese breakfast.  Not my cup-o-tea, but their fried rice is the second best on the Island.

That last little fellow was the only Maine Coon Cat I've seen in Taiwan.  I desperately wanted to take him home with us.  Sweetly tempered, he let both Kai and I pick him up on several occasions.

August 16th

Here's the tribal pastor and my wife.

".....awww, do you have to leave?"  (Xiao Hu and an unnamed tabby)

One last shot of the cute guy....

From Bu'Nun we drove to Yu-Li for lunch

The lunch was exceptional --- worth coming back for.

From Yu-Li we drove to RueiSui for a moderately price and E-X-T-R-E-M-E-L-Y comfortable BnB.  The BnB was roomy and the beds were so wonderful that we overslept by 3 hours on Friday morning and missed the dancing in Gong Qian.

For dinner that night we drove back to Yu-Li to see if a steak house there was American or Taiwanese.  (It turned out to be Taiwanese.... which will have it's own story to come.)

After checking out the smallish Night Market there, we drove back to the BnB....

Where we found Kiki sleeping comfortably in her own make-shift bed.

August 17th

The next morning our cats engaged in Bird-watching again...

While we headed off to Gong Qian for a Summer Harvest Festival with the church we've grown to love there.

The weather looked ominous... but sunshine held through most of the sports events.  (Many pictures on that, and it will be an entire post by itself.)

That night, Kiki decided to sleep in something more comfortable (well, to her at least...)

August 18th

The following day --- after oversleeping 3 hours --- we packed up our cats and arrived at Gong Qian in time for their town festival lunch.

We couldn't stay for the rest of the day, we had to drive to JiaoXi --- a 6 hour trip.

These guys were literally waiting for us in our parking space ... go figure.

August 19th

The next day we spent time with one of Kai's friends and a couple from France.  Our first stop was a small town named "Su-Ao" for a very tasty Taiwanese style lunch.

From there we headed off to Mei-Hua lake for a stroll and some conversation

and finally we headed back to JiaoXi for dinner.

August 20th

Our trip at an end, we drove the 4 hours home.... where the cats were finally thankful to be free from life in the car.

I have to say this in closing --- we did not go looking for cats to take pictures of.  It honestly just happened that every town we stayed in, every where we went... there was a cat somewhere when we had our camera. 

God must have chuckled a lot planning that one.

Oh... did I forget to mention... we picked up a "new" cat this week.  ROFL.... I only wish it was the Bu'Nun Maine Coon cat...  meet Tsai-Hong or "Rainbow".