Essays from the Reef of God

Welcome to the Reef! The Reef is a place that is filled with danger, beauty, poison, healing. The Reef is the Past, the Future and the Present. The Reef convicts and nurtures. The Reef is you! The Reef is me! Welcome to the Reef...The Reef of our lives.”--presented by The Square Essays not from the TV preacher but more from the manic preacher-esque guy with his heart on his sleeve and his foot in his mouth most of the time...I hope these essays are interesting and encouraging to you

Tuesday, December 06, 2016

Christmas Season Attack of Depression--YOU don't have to feel bad this year!!! 

--Christmas Season Attack of Depression--

YOU don't have to feel bad this year!!!

Silent night, holy night!

All is calm, all is bright.

Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.

Holy infant so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace,

Sleep in heavenly peace!

"For you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture!"--Malachi 4:2

     Christmas Season is here! Workers have been 'decking the halls with boughs of holly' and singing, 'fa la la la laaaaa, la la la laaaa!'

 Christmas is a happy time where friends and family members enjoy love, peace and salvation through celebrating Jesus coming into the world. All people during this time should enjoy being together and remember that everything we have is because we have each other through Jesus' love and mercy.

However, the Christmas Spirit (which should be our Holy Spirit) does not always reach everyone. Many people reject Christmastime as either 'the Christian religious holiday' or they reject the idea of spending money and buying gifts for others.

Many people also get discouraged and depressed during Christmastime.

Why do people get depressed during Christmas?

Here is a brief list:

1) People are lonely and they don't have a husband or wife or children. They feel socially isolated.

2) When families get together, they argue over money or career choices, religion, politics or other difficult issues to deal with. They feel their family rejects and oppresses them.

3) People get depressed when they don't have enough money for gifts or to pay for special clothing or to pay for big parties. They feel financially isolated.

4) People get depressed because they don't feel understood by family members. They feel like they have disappointed the people they love.

5) People get depressed because church members spend more time with their own families than with friends at church and those without families are just alone. They feel spiritually and personally rejected and isolated.

6) People get depressed because they don't get invited to parties or they feel like they are forgotten. They feel unworthy and rejected.

7) Seasonal change in the weather like less sunlight can lead some to depression. They feel unwell and oppressed...

     I know that I sometimes feel bad on Christmas morning when I wake up with no presents and no family and everyone is having fun and sharing their photos of great Christmas parties and family time on Facebook with all their friends and family.

That is why many people believe that social media can be bad for a person because they see others having joyful times; yet, they are alone. Social media doesn't really show how we all can be lonely and how we can all feel forgotten, at times...

Of course, Christmas Depression doesn't help when a Christian friend prays for you and rebukes the depression out of you. Most of the time a person just feels worse and their Christian friend moves on and leaves the person alone and still feeling depressed!

I had a vision yesterday of an attack of Christmas Depression trying to hit people right now.

Depression can easily be triggered in some people because they have a chemical imbalance or because of past events that have challenged a person's confidence and self-esteem.

Depression can be fought by most people. Depression is like a temptation from The Enemy to forget the good promises that Father God has for us like Jeremiah 29:11.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."--Jeremiah 29:11.

Here is what I suggest:

When you start to feel depression, you should acknowledge that you are feeling upset and down. Then you should try to identify why you are down.

Are you feeling depressed because you are missing a loved-one that has passed away? Are you down because you are sick or very tired or haven't eaten right that day? Are you down because your employer or your parent or spouse said some difficult things to you?

• First, if the depression is serious, seek out the help of a qualified mental health professional.
• Set personal boundaries regarding the money spent on gifts and the number of social events. Don't become too tired and overspend.
• Don't accept any "perfect" representation of Christmas that the media, institutions or other people try to make you believe. Lower your expectations and enjoy each moment as best you can.
• Become involved in giving in a non-monetary way through charities and worthwhile causes that help less fortunate people.
• Be grateful for what you have in your life, rather than focusing on what you don't have.
• Avoid excessive thinking about your life.
• Take action and do interesting and fun things.
• If you are religious, take part in church activities that focus on the bigger meaning of Christmas.
• Focus your thoughts on all the good things about Christmas--the opportunity to engage in loving kindness, generosity of spirit, and gratitude for others in your life.

And remember...Holy Spirit will bring a sense of joy and tremendous peace and rest to you this Christmas Season and you will be very shiny to many people around you with the joy and love of God!!!

Have a very Merry Christmas Season and don't feel alone and depressed...but let Jesus encourage you always and lift you up during this season and through all time!

Amen!

Pastor Ken Harley :-)

# posted by Kenneth Richard Harley : 11:53 PM

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

River of Gold, River of Healing, River of Injection and Other Advent Secrets from Daddy God!!! 

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Father God Likes Me and You! He likes that we are Bible Nerds! 

Father God Likes Me and You! He likes us that we are Bible Nerds!

A childhood song:

I may never march in the Infantry,   (march)
Ride in the cavalry,   (pretend you're riding a horse)
Shoot the artillery.   (clap hands together)
I may never zoom o'er the enemy,   (spread arms out and pretend to be a plane)
But I'm in the Lord's Army.   (point one finger up to God)
I'm in the Lord's Army, (yes, sir!)   (salute)
I'm in the Lord's Army, (yes, sir!)
I may never march in the Infantry,
Ride in the cavalry,
Shoot the artillery.
I may never zoom o'er the enemy,
But I'm in the Lord's Army, (yes, sir!) 

Watch a video of this song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwcWtoaEaUs

I was emailed a Bible verse the other day and it really touched my heart and Spirit.  It touched the pain in my heart that has been there for years.  Please read Psalm 1 (The Message Bible):

1 How well God must like you—
    you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon,
    you don’t slink along Dead-End Road,
    you don’t go to Smart-Mouth College.
2-3 Instead you thrill to God’s Word,
    you chew on Scripture day and night.
You’re a tree replanted in Eden,
    bearing fresh fruit every month,
Never dropping a leaf,
    always in blossom.
4-5 You’re not at all like the wicked,
    who are mere windblown dust—
Without defense in court,
    unfit company for innocent people.
6 God charts the road you take.
The road they take is Skid Row (the place of the outcasts).

What this Bible passage means to me:

You see...I was raised as a little boy to be a lover and not a fighter.

So for many years I felt guilty that I was not a fighter and not more cold-hearted so that I could be successful.

I also felt for many years that I was less of a man because I didn't go out drinking and partying and having relationships with women.  I have felt like I was unworthy of Father God's love and partnership because I wasn't married and I wasn't fathering and nurturing children.

Do you see how easy it is for the lies of the devil to infiltrate the church? 

I have actually had church leaders look down on me for not being married or with a party or sexual story. 

And the Enemy would torment me because the liar would suggest to me that if the church leaders didn't think I was a 'real man', then Father God must be ashamed of me, too!

So...let's go back to the Word of God.  The Word of God is what we listen to!  Don't listen to others that give wise advice that will take you away from happiness.  Don't settle for security and money and community acceptance.

Learn how to be a friend to the church and community; but, you don't have to do what you are told by others to do to be loved and accepted.  You just have to love the Word of God (both the Bible and Jesus) and find some work to do and, maybe, you will get to love someone and have children and teach them the right way to live.

What should I do?

If you can...save money, give to God regularly tithes and offerings and give to charity.  Try not to have to rely on others to support you.  Try to get formal, accredited education so that you will have job skills and work opportunities.

Try to live your dreams. Try new faith opportunities. If you feel stuck in your life, try to look for a new job. Don't feel helpless and give up.

Your life is longer than you realize and you will keep being able to run the race!

Psalm 1 encourages me that loving Jesus and thinking about his ways and will has been the best times of my life!  

Jesus loves that I worship Him and sing songs that are fresh new songs to him.  Father God loves that I love Him and introduce Him to others.  

Father God has great things for me to do in this life and HE will empower Holy Spirit to comfort me and encourage me to keep trying new things and NEVER GIVE UP!

I have learned through my four-toe amputation to 'ride the Holy Spirit!'  Holy Spirit is larger than I realize and I can ride Him to Heaven and all throughout the world, the Universe and all creation.

Wouldn't you like to 'ride Holy Spirit' and live the best glorious, life amazing? This life with our beautiful God is more incredible than any short time liaison with a human or a beer.

Now that I have been loved and disciplined by my Father and I can't eat crazily anymore or I can never drink alcohol again, I am more of a Bible Nerd now than ever before...BUT I am more of a SON than ever before...

You don't need to have a major illness to change your life.  Take a moment and refresh yourself with Jesus.  Ask Father God to take you on an incredible life with HIM. Learn to 'ride Holy Spirit and you will be truly amazed at the beautiful man or woman you become.

You will look into your mirror and see that you are radiant BEING/HUMAN, blessed by our Lord God Almighty.

  Lord Jesus, bless this reader and help them to jump into your confidence and hope today. Reduce their 'blues' and anxiety.  Increase their faith and confidence in you and in themselves.  Let everyone be encouraged today and be happy that they are your Beloved forevermore. Amen!

# posted by Kenneth Richard Harley : 12:50 AM

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Holy Spirit Energy---Come and Get It! 

How many of us really understand that Father God has great plans for our lives?

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.--Jeremiah 29:11

Are you bored, boring, depressed or plain?

   I tell people to look in the mirror and begin to see how beautiful and wonderful they are...if we only really knew about the miracles that Father God has done to bring us to the place in life where we can enjoy 'the joy of our salvation!

   

1 Peter 1:6-7New Living Translation (NLT)

1 Peter 1:6-7New Living Translation (NLT)

6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.

    ---We need to understand that we don't have to drift through our lives as victims and losers.  Instead, when we are with Jesus Christ, we are victors and winners!!! ---And we have great joy!!!

    'No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours

 through Christ, who loved us'.--Romans 8:37

    --As we know who we are in Jesus, we can start to receive great Divine energy from Holy Spirit that will impact and change the way we live our lives.  

It''s all Greek to Me:  A definition of Holy Spirit's Gift of Power To US!!!

   In the Greek orginial language of the New Testament of the Bible we see the word energia.  Enérgeia (the root of the English term "energy") means energy, which is "power in action" (Wm. Barclay, More NT Words, 46).  In the Bible this word typically refers toGod's energy which transitions the believer from point to point in His plan (accomplishing His definition of progress).

   So when a person comes to Jesus and asks for help and forgiveness from their sins, Holy Spirit will come and take away all of the bad stuff of a person and fill them with righteousness.  Then from the first day that they believe in Jesus, they have the POWER from God to change their life and change the world.

   When you believe, then you will truly be able to do all things through Jesus!

    

       It is very important for you to realize that Holy Spirit empowers you to be creative and happy and able to encourage and lift up others! Then...you can shine brightly in this life to those around you and they will become happy, too!

You Don't Have To Be Boring!  You ARE AMAZING!!!

   Don't let friends around you or family members dwell in depression and worry.  Don't let people waste their lives on thinking they are plain and unexciting!  You can encourage people every day in so many ways...  START WITH A SMILE AND A LITTLE PRAYER!

Watch This Awesome Movie Called Validation. It shows how a man can lift people to their highest heights! Click this link to watch this movie!

Watch this video to see how you can say a little prayer for someone and change their day!@

Be happy...you have Holy Spirit Power and Energy flowing all the time through your heart and veins!

Enjoy it!!!

# posted by Kenneth Richard Harley : 2:01 AM

Sunday, May 15, 2016

How YOU CAN Defeat The Enemy and Devilish Attacks That Depress Us! 

Thanks Everyone For Your Help, Prayers and Encouragement!!!   

Yesterday was Sunday and it was a beautiful, wonderful day where a lot of people worshipped Jesus with us at The Comma Cafe and then they showered love upon Mother and I by helping us to have food for the week and to be able to go to the hospital this week.

    Matter of fact, this last week was a great week because many friends shared a little of their finances to help me to have food for the week and to be able to go to the hospital!!!  I am very thankful to everyone that has helped me.  It has been wonderful.

    I sent out my request for help to 70 friends and about 10 friends have responded.  I am very thankful.

    That doesn't mean it is easy for me.  I still may barely have enough finances to go to the hospital this week and to my doctor visit on Friday, but Jehovah Jireh the Lord is our provider.  See Philippians 4:19.

I want to thank all my wonderful brothers and sisters in Jesus that pray for me and love me and encourage me.  I have never thought that I would ever get into a situation where I have needed to ask for help.  Thanks.

   Great Hope and Then Spiritual Attack Comes 

And We Want to Die!!!

Instead, We Need To Put On The Armor of God!!!

   After a great day yesterday, I went home and rested and started praying and making Bible Verse videos to encourage people.  This is a new hobby that I am working on.

   So I created two new encouraging videos and then started to bed.  Now it is funny how on Sunday nights the Enemy tries so hard to attack us and discourage us from the beautiful things that happen on a Sunday.  That happens to all of us.

   Actually, The Enemy will try to attack you and distract you every moment of every day.  You just have to learn not to listen to negative thoughts and feelings of hopelessness.  Most of the time these negative thoughts don't come from you.

   We need to understand that these Enemy attacks can be ignored when we put on the full armor of God.  

   Read this Bible passage:  

Ephesians 6:10-18New International Version (NIV)

The Armor of God

Ephesians Chapter 6 (NIV)

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 

    The Enemy will attack with little lies that will question God's promises for you.

   Little questions will come up like, 'Did God really promise you this thing?' or 'Other people are blessed, but you are cursed by God...' or 'you are meant to be lonely because you were not created to be a beautiful person who is getting married today to a rich man...'

   The Enemy will try to distract you with lies every day every moment.  The Enemy will try to make you believe you are ill forever. The Enemy will make you hate your brother and sister because you envy what they have.  The Enemy will make you not believe that God loves you and will help you through every trial and tribulation.  The Enemy will cause you to doubt the existence of your Father God who tenderly cares for you over and over and over every day and every night!

   That is why you need to not listen to the lies of the Devilish!  Go to the Bible and rebuke the devil and the devil will flee way.  Rebuke the devilish and they will flee away!  Ephesians  6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians  6:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

      The schedule for Devilish Enemy Attacks:

   You know how spiritual attacks get to you.  On Monday, you are tired and hate to go to work.  You wish you could just work at the church and praise Jesus and be happy all of the time.  Then on Monday everyone is tired and cranky and you go home ready to quit life.  On Tuesday through Thursday, you get busy and you get tired.  Sometimes you like your job.  Sometimes you hate your life and are so bored with life. Then you think if you had a new boyfriend or girlfriend or toyboy or mistress you will be happy!???

   Here is a secret about relationships:  Those who are not married long for a husband or wife.  Those that are married can be quite lonely in marriage and long either for another person to take them away from their boring, hurtful marriage or they just long for an adulterous fling to try to help their pain.  But adultery never works. YOU JUST FEEL WORSE!!!

   In some ways, single people should try to enter marriage with a little more perspective.  If you rush into marriage because you are lonely, after marriage you could get more lonely if your partner is not the right person watching out for you and deepening relationship with you.  What you learn from the movies and TV is not true; but, another form of devilish Enemy attack.

Other days of devilish attacks...

   Then, of course, on Friday you feel quite lonely if you are not going out and having a fun time with your boyfriend or husband. (or girlfriend or wife)...

   Saturday night, you either are depressed and feel lonely or you are going out to party and you drink a little too much alcohol and give yourself to someone that leaves you the next morning.  Then you wake up sick...and don't feel you can face God or the church members who will know you have a hangover either from a party or a self-loathing pit the previous night.

   Then Sunday, you either get worse until you meet friends for a Brunch with alcohol and then you start to feel better.  Many of your friends are Christians.  They love to go to church and be cool and the band is good and then time for Brunch to have a little alcohol and get 'high' again and complain about how bad life is and why God seems so far away.

 We need to know the schemes of The Enemy

   Bottom Line:  The Enemy wants to see you curse God and die.  The Enemy convinces you that there is not anything except self-gratification and trying to have a nice family life and building a nice community where everyone can have personal freedom.

   Instead, you need to read the Bible and ask Holy Spirit to comfort you in this life and teach you all things:  John 14:26 But the Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

    We need to stand on the Word of God and stand with God.  Last night I couldn't sleep because The Enemy hit me with lies that I will be sick the rest of my life and my life will be short.  The Enemy hit me with lies that I will not be able to pay back all of the loans that I have because of the hospital bill costs.  The Enemy hit me that I will never be able to take care of my mother and father as they are retiring and that I will be a HUGE FAILURE!!!

   It was so bad last night that I gave up hope.  AREN'T YOU GLAD I DON"T TRUST MY FEELINGS!!!

   Be like JESUS and resist the devil and the devilish!

   Matthew Chapter 4: Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    and they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. 

  Note that JESUS knew HIS FATHER and beat the devil and the devilish with The Word of God!  You can do it, too!  

   You may cry yourself to sleep at night, but wake up in the morning renewed and refreshed because you have put your life on Father God! And you know...God will make a way and will teach you how to live a great life with him!

   Remember, you can do all things through Jesus.  Don''t believe any more lies from The Enemy or the devilish.

  Be happy, love the Lord your God and your neighbor as yourself!!!

Have a beautiful week!!!

Pastor Ken Harley :-)

# posted by Kenneth Richard Harley : 9:23 PM

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