Book of Excuses...Chapter 6 verse 66!!!!!

Bloggers, I wish I had originated the quote for this Blog Post titled above, but I didn't. Someone one else did and I don't remember when this quote was first used. However, I read it back on October 31st, 2016, on the Internet as I scrolled looking for an answer to a symbol, and I entered it into my dream journal then. Nonetheless, I was amused by the wittiness of the individual who authored it because it does resonate with the times in which we live in and especially in the Christian Church in America. Just as it did when the apostle John described the environment and atmosphere in his time in the Book in the Bible in John chapter 6 verse 66. Man! That is wittiness... absolutely. To take the story in that book and chapters that describes all that Jesus Christ did in providing food with little resources and working miracles and healings to people from all walks of life, and to connect it to a book title The Book of no excuses chapter 6 verse 66 is profound to say the least. Why is that? Because if we read these chapters leading to John chapter 6 verse 66, we find that only a handful of followers remain with Jesus after all the miracles and healings and feeding thousands with little food available are left there loyally with Him. This is a sad and pathetic story as we read it. And on a comparative note, and similar connection, allow me to tell a true story in my life that I will never forget that is related to these Bible events leading to Christ Jesus crucifixion because it is one that happened back in the 1990's at the Audie L. Murphy V.A. Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. As I sat waiting in the emergency room as a walk-in, I sat there in a chair with many rows of chairs in front of me. I remember that I was overhearing a conversation that a small group of Mexican American Veterans and their wives were talking about. And they were talking about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and how bad that situation in history must have been for Jesus. And one by one all of them said that if they had been there back in that time as Jesus was being punished and about to be crucified, they said that they would not be rooting or cheering for Jesus to be crucified. Instead, they said, "I would be trying to help Him." And as I listened trying to hold on to life while someone in the nurses or doctors' offices would come to see about us, because in those days we would still have to wait long hours before being served. So, I leaned in behind them and I said to the people in front of me as they also watched professional Basketball on T.V., I said, "Hey guys, I am pretty sure that if we had been there when Jesus was being crucified, we too would be cussing Him out and yelling to kill Him!" Then they turned back to look at me, and I had already sat straight backward on my chair, and they frowned at me in disgust as I looked at them matter of factly. That is why the quote "Book of Excuses Chapter 6 verse 66 resonated with me because look at the totality of the three 6's number to book chapter and verse. Was that a coincidence? Even Jesus was left bewildered by those who walked away from Him and His Teachings in this chapter and book. What Jesus was preaching and teaching was too contrary and hard to accept for many of those people because of what they already believed in and were accustomed too. They just couldn't grasp the symbolism and the spiritual depth, nor did they want to make that kind of serious commitments to the lifestyle required and commanded to be obeyed by them. What Jesus was demanding was a shock to those people of those times mindset. So, most of Christ followers walked away, or if they stayed, they stayed to continue reaping the benefits of serving God by being in the presence of Jesus, or after Jesus' death and resurrection, to enjoy the benefits of those anointed by God the Holy Spirit in Church gatherings or Meetings. Yes, it is true that people even if they are pretenders to be Christ Jesus followers enjoy benefits attributed to true followers of Christ in Church gatherings. And those that fit the Type of Christian that I just mentioned as pretenders, that type does look like a Christion but has no commitment nor relationship personally with God, nor to Christian moral or ethical convictions. But those pretenders love to show off and pass themselves as Christian and those are the most dangerous ones than those that simply walked away. I remember back when I converted to Christianity in 1980. I remember that I still had a criminal's mindset and a Catholic one at that. Because I believed that I could treat God like a Jinny in a Bottle or a Lamp. I mean it! That is how I was indoctrinated into this religion as a child. All I had to do was to go and ask God hanging on the Cross in chapel on my knees to forgive me of my sins and I was good to go and commit some more sins and, but I had to repeat the process over and over again. And believe it or not, my friends would suggest and tell me to ask "Jesus Christ" for favor and protection and to make us invisible to victims of our crimes and especially the police. And for that, I would light a candle at the altar and leave to do as I please because I was divinely Covered. However, that stupidity stopped after 1982. Therefore, let me ask you readers, would have the number "666" been applicable to me in those years prior to my conversion and after up until 1982, because I lived by those convictions that I just describe? The answer is of course...Yes. But I was in Church? I followed the protocols and rituals, and I even invoked the great name of Jesus before committing all my crimes, and even adulteries. But do you know that it took time walking with God seriously in Prison, to come to a realization that not all religions are pure and sacred according to the God of the Bible. And it takes time to come to a greater understanding of the Word of God. Furthermore, it took time and experience during these prison years for me to learn that I couldn't treat Jesus Christ like as if He was a Jack-n-the Box character that I could call on whenever I wanted to or needed anything from Him. And do you know that when I was at Gatesville School for Boys Correctional facility in 1965-69, I did attend Baptist services for the Blacks. And I loved their services and they preached better than most Pentecostals today preach. But I didn't like that holy lifestyle they said we had to adhere to everyday. And that is where I split differences with the Baptist and complied with my Catholic old Church ways because those people were more secular and liberal and flexible in their teachings. The only thing that I didn't like about the Catholic Church was their strict rituals that made it seem too legalistic and culturally traditional. Nonetheless, I was a Fake Christian that didn't want to commit to either religious group but wanted to look the part of being pious and righteous. But I never worshipped or had nothing to do with ceramic idols or rosaries around my neck. I did Cross myself in my very young days, but I stopped doing that in the Reform School. Why were you like that, Ruben? Because it seemed everyone was like that in Church. I mean, many Catholic people went to Church for one hour a week on Sunday, and they went to bars or dance halls, or Boys Town looking for harlots, on the 6 days of not being Sunday. Who wouldn't love being in a religion like that. Heck, I remember guys going to Church just to look at the girls and women walking up the steps. And while in prison and reform school. some guys went to Church to see and slip love letters to their girl/boyfriend. Can you imagine what Jesus Christ saw in people about themselves back then, and yet said nothing about it. Further, I remember in 2015-22 that I had an ability to shake hands with others and be able to see later in my dreams that they were hiding hideous sins about themselves. And yet they spoke as if God was the All in All in their lives. And much later it was revealed in Church that what I had seen and noted in my dream journals was true about those people. I remember shaking a man's hand one night as I was leaving a Church service that night and dreaming that he was acting homosexual in that dream. Some years later he left his wife of many years for a man. And my dreams continue. But anyway, the person who coined the Title for this Blog above was spot on. He or She called the Book of John chapter 6 verse 66..., "The Book of Excuses!" How true and pathetically sad that we have to be this way in many cases and points in time after everything that Jesus Christ the Creator of all things that are seen and unseen has done and continues to do for us. I know that I have been there and that is why I have to keep constantly cleaning and washing myself with the Word of God. I am not perfect by no means. And I know that we will not ultimately be Judge by our performances, but let's make sure that our performances are not as outlandishly outright that sinful like what I described that I once was like. Because the truth is... is that one day we will not be Judged upon performance but our Sins. And before I close let me say that lately as I watch testimonies of Christians on You Tube, I have found some great Native American Indian peoples, young and old, that are sold out on Jesus Christ and His Word only! They abandoned the old ancestor traditions and rituals ways. Those testimonies have Cost them like it cost all true Christians. And I am proud to listen to their stories. They are powerful testimonies. I thank God for that outcome, and I hope many others will come to Christ Jesus the same way because Christ is the only Way to God the Father. So Let Us Sleep On That for now until next time. But really, keep this title in mind as long as you live on earth because on Judgement Day, there will be no excuses accepted. Truly there will not be no excuses accepted. All excuses will be stamped with "666." Thank you. Peace and love to all Turkish people.                                                                                                                                                      Respectfully,                                                                                                                                                  Ruben N. Gutierrez