CRUCIBLES
Refinement of the Neophyte Christian
by Branch Isole
Copyright © 2010
Smashwords Edition
eBook ISBN 978-0983574484
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the publisher.
Manao Publishing
Hampton, VA 23666
Order copies of this eBook at:
www.branchisole.com
www.manaopublishing.com
“Many write of things known or experienced, I comment on those seen and heard.”
“I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.”
~Isaiah 48:10
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Contents
Above and Below
All These
Apple Core
Bulls Eye
Conquest
Conversant
Convicted
Crowns
Days of Endearment
Debt Free
Doubts
End Times
Final Flight
Fire Dancer
Food For Thought
Forgotten
Frustration
Imperfect Balance
Inseparable
It’s All About He
Knowledge
Light
Living Loving Memory
Love Lost
Love Potion
Name
New Now
Noetic Conversation
Omnivision
One Bottle of Beer, One Cup of Coffee
Open
Purpose
Recognition
Relationship
Self Revelation
Shelby Bright Eyes
Skin Deep
Soul Resignation
Surrender
Tapestry
Testing
Thank Yous
The Most Important Words
The Nature of Things
Three Year Tour
Thus Sayeth the Lord
Trade Traits
Trash and Treasure
Tripping
Two Sided Coin
Unconditionally Yours
We Three
Introduction
A Crucible is most notably a vessel in which substances are subjected to intense temperatures in a process of refinement, thus burning away impurities while producing a newer more viable creation. It is a severe condition whereby different elements react resulting in a new born identity. This is also the case for the new believer or ‘Neophyte’ Christian, as different aspects of matter and spirit are combined to bring about a new creation in Christ.
Although Jesus as teacher makes his thoughts, words and deeds easier to understand through interaction between the Neophyte and Holy Spirit, once this ‘choice of conversion’ has been made, the fire of doubt and denial is often turned up for the new Christian.
Every Neophyte Christian faces a myriad of trials and tribulations in the form of temptations, pressures and questions after their election to become a new believer
and follower of Jesus the Christ.
The Neophyte in this early stage of Christian growth as a new believer may be most susceptible to the tests of his or her life altering decision. With big eyes and bigger expectations, the Neophyte Christian can be blindsided by a world not ready to give up another soul to a relationship with God’s Holy Spirit.
For the searching and struggling individual who has come to Christianity with an open heart and mind believing all has been righted and there will be clear sailing ahead, realities may produce a trauma as startling as a wooden club to the forehead.
One of the more confusing issues for Christians is an understanding of the ‘responsibility of action’ found in the teachings of Jesus Christ. For many Christians, ‘Christ-like’ behavior is neither part nor parcel of their spiritual wisdom or daily actions. This observation may prove to be both incompatible and discouraging for the Neophyte Christian.
May these thoughts of refinement produce uplifting solace and fortitude for every Neophyte believer discouraged by the afflictions of Christianity’s trials and tests.
Branch Isole
“It was as if I were a child on the seashore picking up shells
while the great ocean of truth lay undiscovered before me.”
~ Isaac Newton
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Above and Below
For many it’s about material goods
and efforts to acquire more ‘stuff’
For far too many
no matter how much, still
it’s never enough
Their possessions supply an identity
reasons, excuses
of who and how
they are perceived to be
Believing these will fill the void
that yearning deep within
Too often however
only homes and garages are filled
their content rewards excessively thin
Emptiness within the heart
can only be filled with love
The love of original spark
that for mortal man
resides above
Love, a misnomer
we use and abuse
in this time and place
To describe our lustful
temporal desires
found on the growing lists of acquisitions
for which we constantly aspire
Spurred by self-indulgent
greed and need
We convince ourselves
as if by whim
“It’s all about me”
not about Him
but innately planted
within each heart it’s known
fulfillment comes
from unconditional love
alone
All These
In every subset of category
Exists the truth and the individual
Sometimes in harmony
More often at odds
Patronizingly invoking a mention of God
brings you neither closer to Him
nor nearer to the reality of truth.
His benevolence allows us to grapple with self
As if our issues concerned all else
beyond a relationship with Him.
Recognition, His quest
Service, His desire
Understanding, His goal
Compassion, His nature
Mercy, His gift
Redemption, His reward
All these given,
for belief.
Apple Core
‘She made me do it’
he told the judge
‘she was tempted
and then succumbed’
“So she gave right in
without a fight?
That’s what you’re saying,
Am I hearing you right?”
‘That’s correct, sir
she knew it a lie
and I think she knew
the whole damn time’
‘She said
it wouldn’t wash
Not with you sir,
but that didn’t
for one minute
stop her’
‘No sir,
she was convinced
she could have it all,
then proceeded to shackle me
chain and ball’
“So you tried to refuse
her advances
her wanton ways?”
“For how long was this,
an hour, a day?”
‘Ah, to be exact
I don’t recall
Remember I mentioned
that chain and ball?’
‘I tried to get away
but she was so beguiling
I had to stay’
“So you told her outright
you told her ‘No’ ?”
‘Well, she’s a temptress
That’s for sure
You know she’s all woman
not a little girl’
“My question was
did you tell her ‘No’
in no uncertain terms,
Explaining to her
you are both here
new lessons to be learned”
‘Oh yes sir!
That was it,
but you know her
her voice is like a lair’
“So she dragged you down,
down to the ground?
You resisted, you kicked
you screamed?”
‘Yes, that’s it,
it was your previous instructions
to her I preened’
“So in summation,
you resisted
you tried
She convinced
she lied?”
‘Correct sir
she overwhelmed me with words
It was in the way she acted,
She held it out
I retracted’
“However, you gave in
believing her to be right?
And then,
you,
took a bite?”
‘Yes I admit it,
I thought I was free
to do that which I might’
“You listened to her
instead of me
Your actions
I wanted to forgive,
but then when on my walk
I called out,
you hid”
“Why didn’t you come out
and admit to your transgression,
apologize and explain
that you had learned your lesson
Then ask forgiveness
of my redeeming love
Instead of refusing responsibility
and passing the buck”
“For the balance of your life
you shall toil without rest
and for your efforts
to place blame somewhere else
My sentence upon you,
is death”
Bull’s Eye
How Lord
can we possibly
stand before you?
You know
of those things hidden,
veiled within our hearts