Pistol Pete's Blog @ Bressler.org

How many people claim to have friends: real friends? There are those we work with or are neighbors, but are they really our friends or just acquaintances? Will the one’s who inhabit the cubicle farm sit with another when they are sick and lying in a hospital? Will they give you a hug when it’s obvious you are feeling down and troubled about something? Or do those “friends” keep a distance, not wanting to ‘pry’? The big question is: Will your friends take a bullet for you or shove you out of the way when a car hops the sidewalk so they take the hit? Will you do it for them?

Real friends are few and far between. I have but a few real friends that I would lay down my life for and that I trust to do the same for me. The first, of course, is Jesus. He already did that for me. Then we go with my wife and just a few others. My wife, among other things, kept me alive and sane during a horrible period. I wouldn't be here without her. She is my rock. And besides, we’ve been real friends for 30 years. I have another real friend for longer than that. But there is no particular order of importance when the call for sacrifice may come. There are some who have thrown themselves on a grenade to save their comrades, or others who run through a burning building to save a life. I’m not saying I wouldn’t put my life on the line for those who are not my friends or even strangers, but there are a tiny few I consider my real friends. You can love someone but not like them. You can like someone but not love them. I both love and like my friends.

I have one very dear real friend who counts on me for many things and has for more years than is necessary to list. We have been very close. And like her with me, I count on her to be right where and when I need her. It’s a sacred bond I cannot explain, but maybe you’ve experienced it yourself. Recently I went with her for an MRI. She wanted me along for moral support and of course I was not about to say “No”. I have never and will never say “No” to her when she needs me for whatever reason because we are the best of real friends eternal. We are held together through trials and tribulations. And if she just wants me to visit and gab, I’m there. I am her champion, her knight, and I will never abandon her. I would give my life for her without a second thought.

I have another real friend who I had worked with and still talk with each week who confides in me and me with her about certain stuff. The level of personal relationship is different, though no less caring. We have cried and laughed together and we have opened our souls to each other and are very close. We trust each other to give the other one strength. I was sent to her years ago to be put on an enlightened path. It worked and I would also give my life for her without a second thought. There are a tiny few more and each relationship has its own story and all of them are very important in the direction of my life.

With real friends things are completely open, warts and all. You laugh together and you cry together. You feel sorrow in each other's losses and rejoice in each other's gains and you just like being around one another and your heart is laid bare. You open your soul to them and them to you. When you open your soul to someone, that is the true mark of friendship and not to be taken lightly. With other friends you may stay a little reserved around them, but that doesn’t lessen the importance in both your lives and it's OK to cry with any of them when the time comes.

When you have met or meet a real friend you will know them and they will know you. There is no mistaking that bond and it will never wane. Don’t let any of them go out of your life without them knowing they mean the world to you. With some, you will mean the world to them too.

RWB
6-2-10

We all know how Moses jumped through many hoops and had to do a number of hits on Pharaoh and his minions in order get a well deserved vacation after 400 years of upper management screwing over the little guy even though he was once part of upper management. What goes around comes around. Reality sucks, huh? What is not widely known is what really transpired afterwards.

Moses took off east into the vast Egyptian desert with little knowledge of where he was going, with no GPS, and had thousands of people in tow. Somebody didn’t bother to build a bridge across the Red Sea so God stepped in and paved the way. Moses tossed some shekels into the toll basket and barreled right through. Pharaoh and the local cops were in hot pursuit of the Hebrews, but found the gate locked down because of a large water leak and also had to break off the upcoming 6-o’clock news story because somebody started a big fire and that kept them busy for awhile. Who knew sand would burn?

Sunday, a woman pastor who used to attend the church and will again, told many things of her inner tribulations without getting into specifics, that I indentified with. She was crying and very passionate the entire time and it really hit home. I also shed some tears. I don't know her background and it's none of my business. Even those who have devoted themselves to God can stray to the dark side when their guard is down. Though I NEVER contemplated suicide, as she did (had the barrel of a pistol in her mouth), a pistol was always within easy reach for me and I believe that is what Satan wanted me to do. But God said "NO!" The Lord came to my rescue with the shining armor, shield and sword of the Holy Spirit and slayed the dragon who would consume me. God lifted me out of that dark lair and into the Light and set me free. He is my champion and my hero and I owe Him my life.

I played to a tune with Allen (the pastor) that I had never played to before, but have listened to, and it worked out great. I had asked God to guide my fingers and He did. I even played the Ricky Ricardo drums on one tune! When I started to play on another one, I just stopped, set my guitar down, and walked over to Brenda while she was praying, her face lifted up with eyes closed. Her arms were stretched out and I took her left hand, and while my eyes were closed and praying, Ed took my left hand. Then Brenda put her right hand on my chest and I felt a warmth move completely through me. She also spoke God's language again. And though I don't know what the words were this time, it was right after I heard her say my wife's name. I loved being with all of them. I had asked God to send me to a small church and put me with people who are in the Spirit, which He did. I asked Him to send me someplace to be Baptised and He is. I ask and the Lord gives. He's my best friend. The day was beautiful even though outside it was cold and drizzling. Inside it was warm and full of love.

Afterwards we all (10) went next door to Allen and Brenda's house and sat around a long table and they fed us a really good bean soup and cornbread and we had some laughs. What a deal!

Next Saturday I'll go back to go over tunes with Allen and then Sunday I'll be there again to play and for anything else that comes up, which I'm sure it will. I know that particular church is where I should be. It's not the building, it's the people and the Spirit that surrounds and moves through us. And I have faith that more will return who left, along with new people.

Last Friday I had a really bad night and next day. I didn't sleep for many hours and was terrified and didn't know why. Well, Satan was beating up on me, trying to destroy me, trying to break my spirit. There is our personal spirit and then there is the Holy Spirit. Sunday was just a little bit better but I did get out for a while with Carolyn driving for errands for my mom. Short story is, Monday, while sitting here and being freaked out about nothing, I called another person I worked with and was pointed to and it changed me forever. She is very dedicated to God and He was listening. Boy, was He! I was praying along with her and then it happened. In mid-sentence she spoke in tongues. It was a rapid fire string of syllables/words not of this earth for just a few seconds that could have been a whole book and then she went right back to where she had been. I knew when she did it what was going on. Afterwards she said she didn't know she had done it and that when people speak in tongues they don't know they are doing it. I had asked God for a miracle and that certainly was one, and I'm sure there will be more. In mere seconds I was changed forever.

It was a gift to me from God to let me know He is listening and does care and it was amazing! I had heard about it but had never witnessed it. I have now and will never forget it. Satan can't understand the Lord's words to interfere with them. I didn't know what the words meant, but that didn't matter. The fear is gone and I am calm. I drove a friend to see a doctor yesterday and was not afraid to be in traffic. In fact, I wasn't afraid of anything. I had been afraid to go out and had pulled into a cocoon of pointless fear and anxiety that Satan had caused. He hates us. He made me a target because I was weak from stress. After the prayers I was calm. God is working in me and with me and I love it! He is in charge of me now. I put my life in His hands and Ol' Scratch ain't gonna get to me anymore. I still appreciate prayers from anyone and the road is smoothing out.

Each step is further up the road to God's glory. Later, I called another friend and told her about it. The first step in this journey was when she had her transformation years ago. She said people in the office sort of shunned her and thought she was a nut or fanatic. But, they soon realized she was still herself, though with a light on her (my comment). That is exactly when I was moved to seek her out. The next step was years later, a couple of weeks ago with De and that was fantasic! Now, this latest step has happened and I know there will more steps. My life is changing so very quickly and for the better. I praise Father God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit for everyone who has touched my life to bring me to this point. The Holy Trinity is our shield that can not be penetrated by evil. I am not going back into that dark hole of dispair, of fear. And as God will never abandon me, I will never abandon Him, my family and friends. Hey folks, I'm still me, but now I'm free. I also start another job tomorrow.