Brother to Brothers

Proverbs 22:6

Conversations about God were common during dinner, around the game table, even during structured family time in the home of Bishop and Lula Rouse. Intentional training and teaching of religion took place. Religion taught well may carry you through education and life developmental stages, no doubt. It has served the three sons of the B. C. Rouse, Sr. household beyond the living of both parents on earth. So great the teachings learned that "The Scriptural Way of Salvation" in agreement with the 18th century European theologian John Wesley is deeply embedded.
Therefore, I knew the teachings were not enough, and desired to be "born again." The new birth experience is a reality and can happen for anyone. I know it to be so, because it has happened for me. Not an earth shaking, speaking in tongues, hand clapping, foot stomping revival experience though I have had many of those. The new birth came as spiritual awakening unavailable through cognitive processes, only made real by the experience of "The Holy."
I write in the "beta" sphere of being, fully awake and conscious. This is not a dream as given several Biblical writers or a meditative experience of a vision of God. I speak of an adventure of faith given evidence by the experience of liberation and reconciliation. Pure faith that I am of God and given spiritual birth in addition to the physical birth granted through our parents. Not I alone that I should boast for others, too, are saved by the grace of God. As we live, our maturation of faith in the Spirit develops. The walk of faith has new steps strengthened by the blessed assurance that there is no one religion given greater value over another for we are all creations of God. What is different by way of the new birth has to do with the glory of what God has done for us and in us. I am changed, and I have changed. I no longer strive to do good, I live for the honor of doing good to the glory of God. In these steps may I walk among spiritual champions:

1. Daily Prayer
2. Humbly Working with Jesus Christ/Church as the body of Christ
3. Assurance Thinking
4. Compassionate Partnering
5. Self-examination
6. Self-denial
7. Authentic Being
8. Spiritual Experience of God
9. Faith Mentoring
10. Familial Development
11. Self-control
12. Bible Study with Spiritual Living

Brothers, you know. I know you know, because I speak it, and you live it. On the road paved by a heritage of faith, I am traveling on my way home, too.

Standing On The Goal Line, Fifty Yards From Where The Coin Was Tossed, Unaware Of The Latent Sunshine, Was A Boy Who Always Loss...
Staring At An Empty Booth, Waiting To Pay The Cost, Searching For Any Truth, Stood A Boy That Was Lost...
Feeling The Boy's Despairity, Wanting To Help Somehow, Riding Alone With Similarity, Came A Brother Called Know-How!
Playing A Game Without Clarity, Is Like The Moon That Jumped The Cow, Find Your Game, Play With Sincerity, Said The Brother Called Know-How!
Like The Moon That Changed The Tide, With A Will That Would Not Bow, Like A Champion In Full Stride, Swam The Boy With Know-How!
Like With Things You Fight Against, Like The Poem That Makes Some Sense, Like The Feeling Of Being Pinched, Somehow Know-How Makes A Difference! (Bernard # 26DEC85)

Our hope being rooted in the Ground of Being, we are saved by faith, bonded in love, so as to "stick like glue." We know how, not because we were taught how, but by faith we know somehow.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us, and grant help us to know... Amen.

Luonne Abram Rouse