On the Message of Christmas

1 Kings 19:9-12 And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 10 So he said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." 11 Then He said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD. ' And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

Many people are “in search of God.” To most of these, God seems frustratingly impossible to find. Believers and unbelievers alike often find themselves seeking some sort of proof, a spiritual “5 Miles To What You’re Looking For” sign on the path of life. There are questions we all face: How will this turn out? Am I doing the right thing? Why me? God, are you really out there?

We tend to look for God in the grandiose, in natural disasters or what we perceive as the unexplained miraculous. Our human concept of God says that He is a big God, and because of this human concept, we attach human attributes to His presence. We imagine God to reveal Himself the way a celebrity or some other VIP would present themselves: a red carpet, bells and whistles, a big production.

But, you know, even though God is indeed a big God, even though He has all power and glory, He is most often and most clearly made known in the softest and smallest of ways. We expect the earth to move, the heavens to shake with the rolling thunder, fireworks and cold chills and emotion. God can make Himself known in those ways; He has before. But the most effective, the most meaningful ways are far, far different.

Elijah, in a fearful and weak and all-too-human moment, came before the Lord seeking reassurance, seeking strength, just seeking the Lord. What was humanly expected, happened: a powerful wind, strong enough to break the rocks into pieces, blew through the mountains before Elijah. But the Lord was not in the wind. The earth shook, the very foundation beneath Elijah’s feet rolled to show its own weakness; yet the Lord was not present in the earthquake. Nor was His presence in the fire that passed by, burning with a fervent heat all that could be consumed. But then in a moment of peace came a still, small voice. Here, then, was the Lord.

For centuries, Israel waited for their Messiah, but their Messiah never came. They looked for an exalted king, a military conqueror, another Caesar. Many had come in the name of violence and power, but the Lord was nowhere to be found. Then, in a moment of peace came the presence of God. Very few people noted the day as anything special, as anything out of the ordinary. Yet from this day forward, the world would never be the same.

Out of the way, hidden among so many travelers and their hectic schedules, lost within the struggles and trials of so many individuals seeking an elusive hope, the Lord God became flesh to dwell among us, to bring light and life to all those who would accept Him. The loudest statement God ever made to the world was spoken in the small cry of a newborn Baby, lying in a manger.

Throughout His life, Jesus proved that the Lord says more with less; He was the most forceful when the meekest; He was strongest when He was weakest. This should be the lesson for us all as we search for the Lord. Seek not after the winds, the earthquakes, the fires. Seek after the still, small voice of God.

That is the lesson of Christmas: the Lord can be found, if only you know where (and how) to look. God is great, there is no doubt. But God’s greatness is most often seen and heard and felt not in colossal displays, but in those quiet, personal moments. This Christmas, allow the still, small voice of God move within your heart. Allow the silent night of Christ’s birth speak volumes to your soul. Contemplate just how miraculous, how meaningful, and how earth-shattering that one tiny life would be to all generations.

The birth of Jesus is more than a virgin mother, more than a stable, a star, and shepherds. It is God speaking directly to us all, from the loftiest to the lowliest. What does the Lord have to say to you? To me? To the world? Listen for His still, small voice. Let your soul listen to the message of the birth of Jesus, not just the story of that birth. Don’t try to fit God into your own understanding. Allow your understanding to be molded and shaped by, to be receptive to the voice of the Lord, and you will find what you’re seeking.

May you have a blessed Christmas. My prayers are with you.

© 2005, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.

All I Want For Christmas Is A Mutually Acceptable Expression Of A Non-Specific and Non-Offensive Holiday Observance

I sit contemplating a blog entry that in some respects hasn’t much to do with Christmas, but daily seems to grow closer to it in relation to some current controversies. This relationship has been seen in various forms over recent months and years, and most especially this season. While trying not to overly mix religion and politics, it now seems inevitable, and I feel I must state my view. Agree with me, don’t agree with me. It’s entirely up to you.

We do indeed live in a plural society, a hodgepodge of race, creed, and opinion. The freedom enjoyed in America is truly coveted throughout the world. But such a society is not and should not be an arena for what I will call “warm-and-fuzzy-ism,” which is defined as the movement to make every person, everywhere, feel all warm and fuzzy, no matter what it takes. Recently it has become almost fashionable to contest anything and everything that might be considered the least bit offensive to as little as one or two people, even to the point of being ridiculous. I mean, I find it very hard to believe that there are people who can't sleep at night knowing an 8x10 copy of the Ten Commandments is hanging on a wall at the courthouse.

As “warm-and-fuzzy-ism” extends its ever-widening arc over the citizenry, nothing is, shall we say, sacred. For years a handful of people have embarked on a quest of social equality, claiming the rights of the little man, defense of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, all the while doing more damage to the thing they hold most dear by misinterpreting it.

The so-called “separation of church and state” clause was never meant to keep God out of government, but to keep government out of God. By that, I mean that this separation was designed not to eliminate any and all public religious references, but to prevent a state-mandated religious creed. Yet over the years, and so much the more in recent days, countless attempts have been made to remove all mention of God and Christianity from the public arena. The reason? Someone might be offended.

Oh, my stars! Quick! Someone call the self-esteem police.

I firmly believe every person has value, that each is entitled to their own opinion. But to honestly believe that every little thing that a person finds even slightly objectionable should be run out of the public conscience on a non-denominational, all-inclusive rail is, frankly, the height of absurdity. If you put five people in a room together, within a few minutes you will begin to find disagreements, differences of opinions, in any number of topics. That doesn’t mean you outlaw conversation.

By claiming to defend the beliefs and rights of those who do not agree with “In God We Trust,” “One Nation Under God,” and “Merry Christmas,” by trying to remove said references, are not the rights of those in support of these phrases being trampled under foot?

If “Merry Christmas” has become taboo, then so must references to Ramadan, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Easter. These are religious, you say. They, too, have no place in the modern lexicon of America. Okay. Get rid of them however you want: executive mandate, judicial legislation, religious witch-hunt. But if I must succumb to this ridiculous philosophical tirade, then you must succumb to mine.

I am not a big fan of the heat of summer, and am deeply offended that I cannot enjoy Independence Day without roasting in the July sun. Therefore, I propose to do away with Independence Day. In addition to this, I feel that the rights and self-esteem of those not enjoying America’s liberty are taunted by the celebration of freedom on July 4. So, I move that all outward displays of patriotism and national pride be suspended for the common good.

Feel free to light a sparkler and fire cracker next Independence Day . . .just do it indoors, in the privacy of a dark closet, so as not to offend anyone.

And while we’re at it, I am allergic to some trees. I move to abolish Arbor Day, and remove the disgraceful public display of foliage from all federal and private lands, municipal parks and mall food courts frequented by those of us who suffer so greatly under the thumb of our woodland overlords.

The blind cannot enjoy the beauty of the sunshine as we, the sighted, are able. In an effort to extend the same rights and courtesies to them, I move that we abolish daylight.

And finally, there are many people who will be making their New Year’s resolution to diet and lose weight. To help them maintain their positive image of self-worth, so as not to succumb to the temptations of food and drink, I suggest we do away with all forms of sustenance.

As you can see, this is absurd, as this bit of hyperbole was intended. We live in a big country, and it is impossible to totally level every playing field. Saying “Merry Christmas” is not force-feeding religion on anyone, nor is it when saying “One Nation Under God” in the pledge to our flag, a flag for which so many have bled and died so that we have the right to bring such unreasonable controversies into the mainstream.

You may not agree with me, and I may not agree with you. Get over it. Celebrate the birth of Christ or not, it won’t kill you to hear “Merry Christmas.” Just nod and be on your way. Don’t make a federal case out of it (literally). There are far too many real problems to worry about than this. And besides, with violent crime, hunger and poverty, is God really so terrible that we have to focus on removing Him first?

I will post again around Christmas. Until then, enjoy the season.

And MERRY CHRISTMAS!

© 2005, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.

Growing, Growing, Grown

I don’t know if it’s the closing of yet another fast-paced year causing me to ruminate on the topic of becoming mature, or acutely observing the absence of that characteristic in those who should possess it, but I have had this topic on my mind for a couple of weeks. The views expressed herein are the commentator’s alone, and do not necessarily reflect those of anyone else in particular.

I think everyone has a different view of what it means to ‘grow up.’ For some, it might be reaching the milestones: getting your driver’s license, voting for the first time, turning 21 or turning 30. For others, it might be achieving a certain recognition or status or position. Whatever it might be, we all grow up, or hope to grow up.

Compared to some, I’ve been grown up for a long time. Still, I have wondered about just how “grown up” I was. Realization came just last week. I discovered that, at least for me, you know you’ve grown up when It’s A Wonderful Life makes you cry like a baby. I’ve seen my grandfather and uncles watch that movie year after year, chins all a-quiver as the citizens of Bedford Falls come to the aid of George Bailey. Then as George reads Clarence’s words written at the beginning of Tom Sawyer, realizing that, “No man is a failure who has friends,” I would glance over and see a Kleenex moment: suitable for a Norman Rockwell, Saturday Evening Post cover.

“You’ve seen that a thousand times!” I would say in the stunned, embarrassed disgust of youth. “Why do you cry EVERY time? It’s not like you didn’t know it was coming.” Now that I’m older, have a child, know more of what life’s about . . .I still can’t explain it. But I know it now affects me the same way.

There are interesting, amusing and varying ways we discover we’ve grown up, and at some point we discover that growing up is not as fun as it seemed it would be on the young end of life. With growing up comes grown-up responsibilities, worries and problems, most of which we could do without.

I speak not of what many may consider the sure signs of age. A friend observed some of these signs in a recent birthday blog entry of his own. I submit a portion of his observation on his 29th birthday (Happy Birthday, Jason!):

"Jenny pulled 12 white hairs out of my head before I made her stop . . . I have crows feet . . . I can grow a beard . . . All my weight is in my belly. My belt buckle hurts me . . .30 is 365 much-shorter-than-they-used-to-be days away. 30 is grown up."

Jason goes on to say that “29 is better than 23,” despite the physical changes, because with age comes a greater awareness and understanding, a greater maturity if you will, than was possible at younger ages, despite what was perceived at 23.

I’ve certainly had to admit, rather painfully and grudgingly, that at those pivotal moments of my early life when I made the “mature, right decision,” I hadn’t the faintest inkling of what the “mature, right decision” truly was. But for all those moments past, I now have a better appreciation of what maturity means, and have drawn a little better bead on what decisions are called for in a given situation.

I still have a lot to learn. (This admission is, in my opinion, one of the first steps to continued maturing. If you can’t say this, you’re nowhere near mature.)

What is necessary in life, Christian or otherwise, is that we must learn from our past. We must mature. Recall what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:11: When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. We should still hold fast to the excitement of life, the sense of awe and wonder, the expectation and hope of youth; we should still have fun and enjoy life, but we should “grow up,” in the sense that we should not just take from life, but contribute to it in a meaningful way.

So, as I fumble for my remote, I reach for the box of tissues. I press PLAY to watch Bert the Cop and Ernie the Cab-driver. I look forward that scurvy little spider Mr. Potter, the wonderful old Building and Loan, and Zuzu’s petals. I think what makes life so wonderful is that while we’re here, we can make a difference in at least one person’s life, even if it’s our own.

Let the tears come. I’m mature enough to let them fall.

Atta boy, Clarence.


© 2005, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.

What Is Today?

2 Corinthians 6:2 -- For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

Time is short. We don’t know what the future holds. These, and other pearls of wisdom, have been passed down to us from preceding generations, and no doubt we will also pass them down to our children and grandchildren. We do this, not because it’s just something people do as they get older, but because we are truly concerned with the future of those we care about, and those old sayings are 100% true.

Pastors often quote this verse, urging people to come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. It’s a true and effective verse for such a time and situation. If you are aware of a need for Jesus in your heart, that moment is the time to act, for the Holy Spirit is dealing with you, and it is the perfect time to set things right in your soul.

But, this verse has a deeper meaning. It certainly refers to the salvation of a soul, the forgiveness of sins and the new-birth experience. It also has a meaning which concerns the daily walk of the Christian. This seldom-explored meaning should be a the forefront of our Christian experience, and will help us become who God wants us to be.

Through our Bible study or prayer time, through the lessons and sermons given by our teachers and pastors, God speaks to us, showing us those areas in which we don’t quite measure up. We are shown by the Spirit the reality of our motives and attitudes, and sometimes it is not a pretty picture. Perhaps we have known the Lord for many years, or maybe just a short time. It doesn’t really matter which; all of us have plenty of things in our life that shouldn’t be there, and we all have plenty of room to grow and mature.

The thing is this: we don’t know how much time we have left to make those necessary changes. Time is short, and we don’t know what the future holds. This week, a tragedy occurred which clearly illustrated this point. A young girl, just eighteen years old, whose relationship to me could be most closely described as a step-niece, was shot and killed in a random shooting in our quiet little town. She was not the target, drugs and alcohol were not involved. It just happened that she was near a window when the shooting outside started. She was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

She had gathered with friends Tuesday evening. There were pizza and video games and laughter. With her entire life ahead of her, she was having fun with friends, doing nothing dangerous, not taking a risk at all. Then, suddenly, one stray bullet struck her in the head, and her life came to an end, in a way, before it even began.

None of us, young or old, knows what the next moment holds. We might be very careful, never taking any risks; we might be healthy and strong, intelligent, thinking we have everything together (or, at least, that we have plenty of time to get everything together). One day, we might be sitting in the comfort of our own living room, watching television or talking with our family, and the next instant, we will be standing in the presence of the Lord.

We are not guaranteed one more moment of life on this earth. This is why it is so vitally important that when we feel the moving of the Spirit of God within our hearts, we follow His leading and, if necessary, make the changes He shows us we need to make. If it is coming to know Him for the first time, or if it is learning and growing into the Christian He wants us to be, we need to take advantage of every opportunity.

Now, right this minute, is the accepted time. The reason it is the accepted time is because it’s all we have. We don’t know about tomorrow, if we will even be here to see it. So, if you know you need do more for the Lord, then do it now. If you know you need to adjust your attitude or ask forgiveness to someone you’ve wronged, do it now while you can. The Lord wants so much good for us here, but we have to be willing to trust in and follow Him.

When will your time on earth be over? No one knows. We must live each moment as if it is our last, and that before our heart beats one more time, we will stand at the throne of God. What will we be taking to lay at His feet? Will we be able to say we’ve done what we’ve supposed to do, that we’ve done all we knew to do? I urge you, no matter what you’re facing, no matter what you’re going through, address it right now, before it’s too late. Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We don’t know what the future holds. Time is short.

Do something about it now, and trust Jesus in and for all things.


© 2005, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.

The Gobbler Files - Part 2

Continued from Part 1 – If you haven’t yet read the first part, I encourage you to scroll down and read it before reading this Part 2.

Allow me to give you a run-down of the family layout at Thanksgiving dinner: there were 7 ½ of us at the table: my father-in-law, my wife, my son, my sister-in-law, my brother-in-law’s girlfriend, their expected baby (thus, the ½ I mentioned), and of course, my brother-in-law, Scott by name.

Scott is an interesting individual. Over the years I’ve known him, I have learned that for him, there is no better time to be obnoxious and disgusting than during a quiet, solemn, or public occasion. I say this with all respect and love, as Scott is a pretty decent guy. And, truth be told, he’s hilarious.

One never knows exactly what to expect from Scott, but one thing is certain: if you are around him for more than three minutes, you will be the proud witness of one of the largest belches you’ve ever heard. I’ve been spending this cold, blustery evening trying to figure out how exactly to describe this to the reader, and here’s what I’ve come up with: cross an angry alligator with a rusty door hinge from a 1950s horror movie, throw in a gas-powered brush-cutter or lawn-mower, then amplify with some heavy bass and reverb, and that comes close.

The fear around this Thanksgiving table surrounded the emotional scarring of the infant soon to join us in the outside world. They say that before babies are born, they are capable of hearing what’s going on outside the womb. At 35 weeks, this child has heard her father many times, and perhaps already feels that her name is going to be “HAAARBRRRRREEPPPPUUBBBEHHH!” Just imagine the sound described above, and you get the picture.

In some cultures, a belch is a way to show appreciation and approval of a wonderful meal. If that holds true, then every meal I’ve shared with Scott has been the best he’s ever eaten. Now, you might be experiencing an audible or internal “Ewww!” here, but every family has something they come to expect from each member. I don’t know what’s worse: the belching bro, or the fact that it hardly phases any of us anymore.

Punctuated by these steroid-enhanced burps, the conversations went in many different directions, but we all had a great time, sharing great food, and enjoying one another’s company. No matter how ‘different’ our families might be from the idealized picture of Thanksgiving we have in our minds, we are really very fortunate. What makes this time so special is that we all have our little quirks that make us who we are. We have the opportunity to be with and to share with each other, when in too many homes, this just isn’t the case.

God created us all a little differently from each other, but we are so much the same. We are truly blessed to have people in our life that bring a smile to our face, or make us appreciate all we have. There are a lot of things that could have brought this evening down, and this Thanksgiving was more difficult than any other we’ve had in the past, but it was still one to remember.

Be thankful, whether picture perfect in reality or just in your mind, that we have what we do have: loving families, precious friends, wonderful food, a home, laughter, and most importantly, a loving Father and Savior to provide for our needs, to support us when we are down, and to let us have a little fun along the way. I pray your Thanksgiving went well, that these latest blog entries brought a smile to your face, and that God continues to bless you through the rest of the holiday season.


© 2005, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.

The Gobbler Files - Part 1

I depart from my usual pattern of “blogging” in order to bring you some thoughts and observations on the Thanksgiving Holiday, with a bit of humor thrown in to offer us all a good laugh, and see what’s truly blessed in our lives. I hope you enjoy. There will be two parts to this story. Part one follows now, while part two will be posted later this evening or tomorrow. Perhaps this story describes your family; perhaps it doesn’t, but I think it sums up much of what most of us experience.

As I write this blog entry, I sit, stuffed to (what would be, if I were a fish) the gills with Thanksgiving dinner, masterfully prepared by my father-in-law, wife, and others from that side of the family. Most of us, if not every one, have an idealistic view of what this wonderful holiday has been in the past, what it will be like this year, and what it will be like in years ahead. What is that idealistic view: heartwarming and serene? Yes. Realistic? Not by any stretch of the imagination.

It might be the scenes ingrained within our collective psyche, the Cratchitt home in Dicken’s Carol, a family with not enough, but everything exciting and peaceful and perfect. Thanks to the creativity of Dickens and Company, and the wizards of Hollywood, we are under the impression that Thanksgiving dinner is perfect. And, truth be told, it usually is. It’s everything leading up to and following it that is miraculously tolerated and survived.

For instance, it’s amazing what a dinner deadline does to the sanity of the chefs. Likewise, travel times, weather, and “I just feel like I’ve forgotten something …” wage war on an otherwise perfect day.

This year, a frantic phone call from the in-laws announced that, as if on cue from the ‘havoc gnomes,’ electricity had been cut to the entire neighborhood; a minor inconvenience on Wednesday or Friday, but a disaster of incalculable magnitude on Thanksgiving Thursday. After two hours of electrical (and thus, oven) darkness, a 19-pound turkey is in extreme jeopardy.

At this point in our story, a new guest is invited to the festivities: the poultry technician at the Butterball™ Hotline. One phone call and several tense minutes spent waiting, we are introduced to a presumably nice Indian or Bangladeshi woman. Through her guidance, she informs us that the turkey is in no immediate danger, as long as the power comes on after a couple of hours, and the oven door is not set ajar.

At least, that’s what it kind of sounded like to us. Time will tell if our interpretation was correct.

After bidding a fond adieu to our foreign exchange dinner guest via Ma Bell, the power is restored, and the cooking commences. Thus, when the family has finally gathered at the table, adding the casseroles and meats brought from other homes, everything looks and smells wonderful. The taste of said feast is yet to be determined.

Accompanying that ideal impression of Thanksgiving dinner is conversation, dealing with our thankfulness, our love for each other, and blessings on friends and family. Again, is this really the way it works for us? Be honest, now!

Wrangling the young children, hoping to avoid dragging an arm through the mashed potatoes, the conversation is, shall we say, a little less that delectable. To be sure, there was discussion of jobs, of extended family, of a well-timed bit of humor, and in my family ... the brother-in-law.

(My brother-in-law will soon be a first-time father. I include this fact in order for the remainder of the story to be in the proper context.)

PART TWO COMING SOON!!! CHECK BACK OFTEN!!!


© 2005, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The holiday season is fast approaching. Pastors have (and will) no doubt encourage their congregations to express their gratitude to the Lord, to stop and consider all they have for which to be thankful.

I don’t want take this opportunity to expound on some deep theological thought for an extended amount of time (which will surprise my congregation and those who have read this blog in the past). Instead, I wish to make a suggestion.

I post this entry on Monday, November 21st. This means there are 34 days until Christmas, when we take time to celebrate the birth of Jesus. It is important that we be thankful at Thanksgiving, and at Christmas, too; but I believe that this thankfulness becomes generic, losing much of its impact, and making us less grateful than we could be.

Therefore, I suggest that, starting today, or whenever you read this blog entry, you make a list of 34 specific things you are thankful for, blessings God has given you, times He has seen you through. Write them down, and then each day until Christmas, thank the Lord for one thing on your list. Good times to do this would be when you first wake up, when you have lunch, and when you go to bed. This way, the beginning, middle, and end of each day is spent thanking Jesus for what He’s done for you.

By making the conscious effort to thank the Lord, and by making a tangible list of blessings, your experience with the Lord becomes very personal and very real. I believe we are all, to some degree, guilty of generalizing our spiritual life, of simply saying, “Thanks for what You’ve given me. Keep giving me what I need. Amen.” Now is the time to stop and truly reflect on what it is God has really done for us, and how fortunate we really are.

Even in the darkest of times, the presence of the Lord not only offers a beacon of hope, but a blessed light to illuminate the grace He has given us, because sometimes the darkness has a way of hiding the marvelous grace God has promised us. May God give you a wonderful Thanksgiving season with family and friends, and may we all see that our heavenly Father is faithful in all things, and has given us a truly blessed life.


© 2005, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.

Mirror, Mirror On The Heart

After a brief hiatus, I now have my computer returned to me. With repairs completed to said computer, I am now free to once again post a blog entry. I want to thank all those who continue to view this blog, and trust that you are enjoying it. Also keep in mind that you can post a comment to an entry, or can send me an email at soulscape@alltel.net . Anyway, let us proceed with the entry, shall we?

How do you deal with difficult situations or problems you encounter? I believe most people deal with these things by not dealing with them. While this seems to be a prevalent trait among most of us, it is neither the best or right thing to do. We must, however, stop and ask why we do this.

When we look in the mirror each day, we see things that need attention; our hair needs brushed, make-up needs applied, a garment needs straightened. Still, no matter what we do, we see a reflection of ourselves staring back at us. No amount of cosmetic consideration can change the fundamental person reflected in the mirror. But, we do what we can to make that person more acceptable, more presentable, more attractive.

As we examine our hearts, minds and lives, we sometimes find blemishes and imperfections that seem to detract from the beauty of the person we’d like to be. But for most of us, when we see these things, we don’t make the attempt to change what’s wrong. Instead, we cover them up with other things, or ignore them all together, hoping they will go away, or that they won’t be noticed by anyone else.

Having a right and healthy relationship with the Lord requires that we be honest about what we find within us. We must not compare our lives with others, but with Jesus. We must not rationalize or excuse the wrong, but be willing to acknowledge and change the wrong to follow God’s pattern for life. This honesty requires that we not only admit where we need change, but be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to affect that change within us.

It is impossible to be what God wants you to be, it is impossible to have a strong and healthy relationship with the Lord if you do not seek those areas needing attention in your life, and then be willing to do something about it. What we see of ourselves might not always be pretty, but the Lord sees what we can (and should) be. Since He sees that beauty within us, it is our responsibility to see it, too. As we see that beauty, we must also be aware of that which detracts from that beauty, and let the Spirit direct us in how to live more like Christ every day.

Our daily prayer as Christians should be that we might draw closer to the Lord. But that prayer must also include a request that our Heavenly Father would give honest sight to our eyes, so that we can see ourselves for whom and what we really are, and be the kind of people He knows we can be. Don’t take perfection for granted, and merely assume you’re where you need to (and can) be. Approach life by daily acknowledging that you can be closer to the Lord today than you were yesterday, and then move forward with the attitude that Jesus gives not only new life, but renewed life. Things can always be better, but we have to be willing to be made better.

We can’t do it alone, but we know Someone who can!


© 2005, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.

Pastor's Appreciation

I could not, in good conscience, leave a “commercial” as a post for very long, without creating a “real,” substantive posting. So, in that effort, here goes.

October is coming to an end, and as most of you are aware, October is Pastor’s Appreciation Month. I wanted to share just a couple of thoughts and experiences with you concerning this wonderful month.

I say that with a bit of trepidation. I don’t want it to sound like I think this is a great month because everyone tells me they appreciate me. While that is nice, that’s not the reason. Most pastors, no matter who they are or where they pastor, feel unappreciated most of the time. Whether this is based in reality or not doesn’t matter. The devil makes sure that a pastor feels as though they are doing no good for anyone, that they’re not making a difference in anyone’s life, that they’re not affecting anyone for the better, especially for the Lord.

Taking a month out of the calendar and setting it aside to share your appreciation for your pastor is a great thing, because, even if it’s only for a brief moment, it makes the pastor feel that they are contributing something positive to someone’s life. This does wonders for the morale of a pastor, and positively affects the entire congregation as a result. So, before October is over, let your pastor know you love him. AND DON’T JUST DO IT IN OCTOBER!!! DO IT ALL YEAR LONG!!!

Over this past month, I’ve received several expressions of appreciation from members of my congregation. Each one has touched me deeply, and I appreciate every one of them. For a pastor, it is easy to get caught up in the everyday rigors of shepherding the flock, of seeing the heartache and pain of those who are ill or who have lost loved ones. It’s easy to get swept away in the invariable tide of politics and cliques, to look at all that goes wrong, to wistfully long for what could be, and get discouraged. But then, someone comes along to give you a little encouragement.

I will be sharing a bit of this with my congregation in November’s newsletter, but I wanted to expand here just a bit. This past Wednesday evening, a family gave me a couple of gifts in appreciation: a musical tie, some homemade muffins, and a card and note. These things, especially the card and note, really moved me. The card was from a young girl who thanked me for helping her through the loss of her great-grandfather. The note was from this girl’s grandmother, the daughter of the man who passed away. Their words made me feel that I have been of use, and knowing that I helped someone in some way, during a time of great need, is truly special to me.

The biggest problem for most pastors is built into their job. Everyone looks to the pastor for help, for guidance, for encouragement and strength. But whom does the pastor have like that? Fortunately for me, I have a wonderful man to fill that void. He is my former pastor, and he is my grandfather. Watching his life and ministry gave me the tools necessary to help me in my own calling, and I can still go to him to seek advice and counsel. Without his encouragement and guidance, I would not be where I am today.

And there are others, other men and women of God whom I can go to with questions or problems, and know they will give me sound, Godly advice. And there are still others, in and out of the pastorate, whom I silently watch, on whom I quietly rely for examples of wisdom and strength that come only from the Lord.

I appreciate these people. I appreciate my congregation. I appreciate those of you who visit this blog. And I appreciate my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who sees beyond my mistakes and failures, and helps me help others. My only desire is to have many more years in which to serve the Master, and be a source of encouragement to others. But even if I don’t have many years, my prayer is that someone will have benefited from something the Lord has done through me.


© 2005, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.

Pardon This Commercial

Hello, friends! Normally, I would not use an entry as a “commercial,” but to share some thoughts, as I have in all of my past postings. However, I believe what I have to share with you in this entry is equally valuable, as a spiritual tool of growth, inspiration, and convenience.

On the left hand side of this screen, you will see the following items: Previous Posts, Archives, About Me, and a little Blogger icon. Well, now below the Blogger icon you will see a small banner ad for a product called InstaVerse. I want to give you a little bit of information about this product, so you can see for yourself if it is for you!

The InstaVerse program allows you to hover your mouse pointer over a Scripture reference (such as Rom 8:38-39 or Jn 3:16), and the program will open a small window with the verse text in it. This way, if you’re reading an e-mail or scanning a webpage with just an abbreviation reference, you can move your mouse over it and see the whole text.

In addition, InstaVerse has the ability to insert Scriptures at the touch of a few buttons! You can type a reference like the ones mentioned above, press Alt + F8, and InstaVerse will place the entire reference text in your e-mail, word processor, etc.

What do you have to pay for such a terrific program? That’s the beauty of it. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! InstaVerse is free with the King James Version of the Bible. There are over 30 translations available, and you can purchases additional translations if you wish. The program is compatible with other Bible programs, so if you have other Bible software and translations on your computer, InstaVerse may already be compatible with them and automatically include them in the program!

The InstaVerse program is from the fine people at WORDsearch, makers of quality Bible software. I use many WORDsearch programs every day, and I am very happy with the new InstaVerse addition.

A word of caution, though. If you use Internet Explorer as your browser, you have no problems. But if you use Mozilla Firefox as your browser, you will have to wait until Firefox 1.5 is released in the very near future. It is in the Beta stage right now, but should be released as a full version very soon. You can still use InstaVerse in other programs, though.

Well, this has been a very interesting commercial. I’m not getting a dime from any of this. I just wanted to share with you a valuable resource for studying God’s Word. I feel sure you will love the program, and that it can help you. So, if you would like to give it a try, and see an animated demo of the product, just click on the InstaVerse banner ad on the left of the screen, or visit http://www.instaverse.com/ . I hope you enjoy this program. God bless you!


© 2005, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.

A Fistful of Hours

I have been delayed in writing an entry for this blog for longer than anticipated, but there has been much going on. I have found that, no matter how busy you think you might be, it can always get worse. I have been astounded at the amount of things to occupy my time and attention, as well as the speed at which time flies.

Looking outside my window right now, I can see the hints of autumn, the subtle changing colors of the leaves, an almost perceptible crispness to the air. As the year winds down, once again completing the cycle of time, I think back over the past year, all that I hoped to accomplish, all that I wish I’d had the opportunity to do. I realize then that what seemed like a long time in childhood is apparently not long enough.

Of course, we all look around and see how we could have used our time differently, how we could have made different or better decisions. But this time of year really illustrates how quickly time goes. What are we really doing with our time and our choices? Are we focusing on things that truly matter, or wasting time on things that are more of a distraction than a crisis?

Very often we do make mountains out of molehills. We fret and worry and use the one thing we truly possess: time. Sure, there might not be enough of it to satisfy all we wish we could do, but we all have 24 hours a day. What we spend that time doing determines who we are, and who we will eventually become.

Each of us uses our time to what we believe is our own advantage. But I believe the only way to truly spend time wisely is to use it helping others, whether it’s working for or just being there for others. There is no greater use of time and life than by positively affecting those around you, especially for the Lord.

My birthday was a little over a week ago, and it doesn’t seem like it’s been all that long since my last one. I think back over this year and, while I wish I could have done more for the Lord and for others, I believe I’ve done some good for people. I don’t always feel like this; no one does, especially when we get down and depressed. But when I see people whom I have perhaps helped, I am inspired to spend the next year doing more.

Now, what does God want us to do (and want us to do more)? There are the old standards: study the Word, pray, assemble together for worship and fellowship, tithe, witness, love one another. But I feel the best way to get closer to the Lord, in addition to all of these things I’ve just mentioned, is to dedicate yourself to “being there” for others, to allow Jesus to be truly lived through you. Jesus’ earthly ministry was one of service to others, and by letting His life be shown through our charity (not necessarily of money, but of time), we will be truly blessed.

But this comes with a price. When we spend our most valuable resource of time on others, we can’t spend it on ourselves. But this sacrificing of self brings us closer to the character of Jesus. I can really think of no greater purpose in life than the purpose of others. How will we spend our time? Are we willing to pay the price? There are some decisions I’d give almost anything to go back and change. But I am glad I have chosen to do my best to help someone else, and I hope that when I reach the Autumn of my life, I can look back and see that, in some measure, I’ve succeeded.


© 2005, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.

When Answers Aren't Enough

Isaiah 38:16-17 O LORD, by these things men live; and in all these things is the life of my spirit; so You will restore me and make me live. Indeed it was for my own peace that I had great bitterness; but You have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back.

There are people out there who, when looking at my life or listening to my words, will shake their heads, and with a “tsk tsk,” say to themselves, “He’s a pretty good guy, but he really is confused about truth.” In our age of cynicism, of ‘personal truth’ above all else, the reality of faith is not only confusing, but distasteful to many who, for whatever reason, try to find their own path.

“Well, Jesus might be good for you, Chris, but I just can’t see things that way.” Perhaps the biggest challenge to faith that I’ve encountered is this: If God is God, and God is love, why do bad things happen to good people?

Today, people want a cut-and-dried, one sentence answer to their questions when that is impossible. If you’re looking for me to answer that question in one paragraph, you’re better off looking somewhere else (I will tell you, however, that you might find plenty of wrong answers, but you’ll never find the right one). You see, a simple answer to this question does not exist. The reason? Our minds are finite, and no matter our pursuit of “truth,” our comprehension is limited, no matter how bright we think we are.

Recently there have been several situations in which the hand of the Lord has been greatly apparent to me. In this verse we see the following phrase: “. . . it was for my own peace that I had great bitterness . . .” When bad things happen, people often ask why God is doing this to them. They don’t have the answer.

Well, God doesn’t hurt people. This life is filled with tragedy and pain, and whether you have a relationship with the Lord or not, everyone experiences some difficult times. But through those rough patches, God speaks to us, shows us what we need to know for our own peace.

Too often, however, the scream of heartache drowns out the still, small voice of God. Even though we don’t understand and we don’t know why things happen, God has not abandoned His children. He is still there, leading and guiding them away from destruction and despair, and toward the peace that can only be found in Him.

During these times, we sometimes feel that God is punishing us for some transgression we’ve committed against Him. While there are consequences we must reap according to the seeds we’ve sown, when we give our hearts to Christ, all our past sins and corruption are wiped out, forgiven and forgotten by God. God merely uses the ups and downs of human existence to show us just how much He loves and cares for us, how sufficient His grace truly is, and that we always have a friend in Him.

We all have to go through some painful times, but remember that if you know the Lord, He is not fighting against you, but giving life to your soul through His love and grace. Allow Him to refresh and restore you during these times, listen intently for His still, small voice, and accept that peace He promised His children.


© 2005, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.

Lay Down Your Life

“I just don’t have the time.” How many of us have said that before? Truth be told, we’ve probably already said it at least once this week. Our culture demands our undivided attention and requires countless hours we frankly don’t have to spare. Yet, despite all our busy schedules, we tend to make time for the things we care about the most, the places, activities, and people we love.

The Bible speaks frequently on the topic of love: what it is, how to grow it and show it. In fact, if I were to start right now and write every minute of the day, I couldn’t begin to explain the intricacies of love. I will, instead, choose one aspect of Christian love on which to focus this entry.

I have always been struck by “3:16.” The most famous of the “3:16”s is found in the Gospel According to John. Still, if you go to the other Bible books and read chapter three, verse sixteen, you will find some beautiful Scriptural jewels. One of the best, in my view, was also transcribed by John, this time in 1 John 3:16. It says, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

To experience a fulfilled life, you must live according to the principle of this verse. The problem is that many people interpret this verse in a very linear fashion. For most people, this verse has something to do with loving your friends enough to die for them. This is an accurate interpretation.

Still, there is much more.

The death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is certainly the single greatest act of love the world has experienced. Jesus did, indeed, lay down His life on the cross for us. But more than that, He laid His life down for us in life!!!

Love, as we understand it, is expressed in words such as, “I love you.” It is also expressed in single acts, such as the heroism of a fire fighter losing his life trying to save others. But our comprehension of love seems to really be complete (from a human standpoint) when we see consistent love. If you see someone who is constantly showing love through their everyday existence, that is the strongest example of what true love really is.

Jesus did this by not only dying for us, but for living for us. His life was lived in service for and as an example for others. When we read 1 John 3:16, and look at it from this perspective, we see that we should not only love others enough that, on the off-chance it is necessary, we will die for them. We ought to be willing not only to die for others, but to live for others, too.

We are busy people. As Christians, though, we shouldn’t be so self-absorbed and so consumed with our own life that we forget those around us. We should be willing to live our lives in service of others, not just ourselves. I don’t mean that we never take time for ourselves, but that we never hesitate to spend time with people, talk with them, and share our thoughts, our emotions, our testimony, and our heart with them.

Nothing fulfills us quite so well as coming to the knowledge that it is truly more blessed to give than to receive. When we give of ourselves to others, when we stop and listen to someone needing an ear or a shoulder, when we smile and say a kind word or do something that is (or is not) asked of us, our hearts overflow with the blessings of God and the contentment of knowing that we are expressing the true love demonstrated by Jesus Christ.

If you are looking for joy and peace, for a sense of belonging or of making a difference, lay down your life for others. If you’re too busy to love others in this way, then you’re simply too busy. And, as we all know, a love shown is far more extraordinary than a love spoken. If you tell the Lord you love Him, great. But if you show it, it means so much more.

How do we show it? We show it best by showing love to others. Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:40, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Laying your life down for the brethren is much more than dying for someone else. It’s living for someone else. Does your life show that you truly love others, as well as the Lord?


© 2005, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.

You Can Now Participate!

For several years, I have wanted to try something. In a weekly church-service setting, it is neither feasible nor responsible to attempt. At other times, when people ask me, I don’t have the opportunity to share with more than a few people. So, I thought I would use the “bloggosphere” to give it a shot.

What is it? Well, this is your opportunity to take part in the content of this blog. Perhaps you have a favorite verse that has given you insight, strength or hope. Maybe you have run across a particular Scripture and had questions about its implications. I don’t consider myself, nor do I claim to be, a world-renowned theologian. I do, however, have a passion for God’s Word and a desire to advance my own knowledge in Scripture.

I would welcome the opportunity to comment on verses or ideas that you, the reader, suggest. If you have a suggestion of a Bible passage, any idea, historical or current event, anything at all, please feel free to send it to me via e-mail, and I will do my best to provide insightful commentary to you and other readers through this blog.

I will continue to post original material during each week, but look forward to sharing a spiritual journey with you. I will respond to each request I am sent, and will also inform you if and when I can post commentary on your submission. If you would like to participate, please send your idea, question or verse selection to soulscape@alltel.net .

Thank you so much, and God bless!


© 2005, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.

Katrina, Part 2

As I watch coverage of Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath, I feel the necessity to once again give voice to my observations. Days pass, and the desperation in the eyes and faces of the displaced, the sick, the injured, the young, seems to increase exponentially. But even in the bystanders, those of us absorbing the scenes while sitting in our air-conditioned homes, sipping a beverage or enjoying a meal, our hearts are breaking almost beyond description.

For us, for the millions of Americans who aren’t what we would call “personally affected” by the devastation, why are we touched so deeply? It goes beyond seeing barren landscapes littered with the remnants of homes. It goes beyond observing rising waters or submerged property. It even goes beyond witnessing the profound human tragedy that is seldom seen in a generation.

I believe we are so deeply affected because within the eyes of the true victims, we see people who honestly felt this could never happen to them. I recall viewing a television program several years ago, describing the worst possible hurricane strike. Aside from a direct hit on New Orleans and instantaneous flooding, the scenario on that program was identical to what has occurred this week.

It has been said in the past, as well as in recent days, that New Orleans should have seen it coming. In the words of so many “what-if” scenario-based shows, “It’s not a question of if, but when.” Cities like Gulfport and Biloxi, in such proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, should have been prepared. It is easy to say that in hindsight, but isn’t everything easier in hindsight? Now is not the time for blame, for armchair analysis. Even if these cities and populations had made preparations for decades, nothing ever fully prepares us for such devastation. Now is the time for understanding and compassion. Now is the time for assistance. Now is the time to stop and consider our own preparations for what we must face in our life.

No matter whom we are, no matter where we live or whatever circumstances might be in which we find ourselves, deep down we all feel that bad things happen to other people, not us. Widespread destruction, disease, dehydration and death, these things happen on the other side of the world, in an Indonesia or India, not in America.

Even sitting here at my computer, I think of the thousands who, just a week ago, were doing the same thing, going through their daily routines, enjoying life. As I type, in the back of my mind I find the words that I’ve thought and said during earthquakes, tsunami, terrorist attacks and hurricanes, “I’m glad I live in a place where that could never happen to me.”

Still, there is no guarantee for me, or anyone else. Sure, I may live in a small town, limited or no threat of natural disaster or attack, but there are plenty of other situations that could easily place me, my family and friends, my community, in a similar situation to those in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. No matter what we do or think, bad things can happen, and they can happen to us.

We are not told what lies even one minute in the future. There are no guarantees about anything for anyone. This is the number one reason that we need to have peace with God, to prepare us for whatever lies ahead.

Now, perhaps some will read this entry and say, “What has God ever done for those on the Gulf Coast? If He loved them, why are they suffering?” Sadly, many, many people believe that if God was really there, if God was worth it, people would not be suffering and dying.

The Bible does not promise that life will be free of problems, even if you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. It says that the rain falls on the just and the unjust. Nothing in history says that we can be problem-free. Even if we go through life relatively comfortable and free of catastrophe, we will still eventually come to the end of the road.

In addition to all the physical and emotional difficulties of the hurricane victims, perhaps the worst experience is feeling that they are alone. No matter what we face, it is always made worse by feelings of solitude, that sense that we are all by ourselves. As I said, the Bible doesn’t promise a path free of potholes, but it promises us a Companion, a Comforter, someone to walk with us, someone who will never leave us alone.

Nothing can change what has already happened. Nothing can alter the memories, the physical and emotional scars this tragedy has inflicted on its victims. Still, if the people will allow Him, the Lord can and will help them rebuild their lives. It goes far beyond rebuilding a home or business. It goes beyond purchasing food or clothing. It reaches beyond the here and now and stretches to the “there and when.” The Lord can, and will, allow them to rebuild their lives on a foundation of love and peace, a peace that can be found nowhere except in the arms of Jesus Christ.

We join our hearts with those who are hurting. Through the questions like, “How could this be happening to Americans?” we must always be aware that, no matter who we are, it can happen to us. The real question is this: will we go through it alone, or will we endure and survive, no matter what? Survival is more than physical. It is spiritual. If our spiritual life is based on the Solid Rock of Jesus, we can, and will, carry on.


© 2005, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.

I would like to give you a sneak peak at the September church newsletter column, "One Servant's Heart." I hope you enjoy it.

Deuteronomy 1:6
"The Lord our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: 'You have dwelt long enough at this mountain.'"

All of us would agree that there's nothing much better than being "on the mountaintop," of that spiritual high we experience when God is pouring His blessings out upon us. We are aware of the Lord's presence in a particularly moving service, and it's really beyond description how wonderful it is within us.

But did you know that, in some cases, we can have too much of a good thing?

You may be asking, "How is it possible to have too much of that mountaintop experience?" Well, in this month's verse, we find the children of Israel camped around the mountain of God. God had blessed the people with His presence, with meaningful and instructive worship experiences. But God had something more for the people, something better, something more in God's plan: the Promised Land.

God had promised Abraham and his descendants that He would give them a land to call their own, a land which would cultivate a belief in and worship of the one true God, a land that would provide a home for the Messiah. The thing was this: Mount Horeb wasn't the Promised Land. It was more what you would call a "glory-filled rest area" on the journey. In order to make it to the Promised Land and fulfill more of the promises of God, the children of Israel had to leave the mountain.

This was not the only example of this idea. In the New Testament, we see practically the same thing on the Mount of Transfiguration. Peter, James and John had witnessed Jesus in His true glory, along with Elijah and Moses, who had been the recipient of the original "vacate the mountain" message. Peter and the others were ready to stay up on the Mount of Transfiguration, ready to build three temples and live happily ever after. But Jesus told the disciples that it was time to leave. The mountaintop was not the place to stay, but a place to be remembered as a source of inspiration. It was to be used to strengthen them for the work ahead.

You see, it is very easy and tempting to fall into the habit (or rut) of tradition. We grow comfortable with the way things are. God begins to bless, and we decide to stay right where we are, in hopes that we can just receive the blessings from now on. But we need to remember, as I mentioned a moment ago, that those moments are a kind of "glory-filled rest area." It is in these times and places that we are refreshed, where we are motivated and blessed and encouraged. Then, we take what we've received and continue on our journey.

If you've ever taken a long trip, you know that when you begin to get worn out and tired, the rest area sign is a welcome relief. You can get out of the car, stretch, walk around, perhaps get something to eat or drink, then you go on your way. You don't want to stay at the rest area, despite how good it might be, because you know something better awaits you at the end of the journey. The entire point of the journey is to reach the destination, not stay at the rest area.

For the Christian, the destination is not the only great thing; the journey itself is also rewarding. There is work to be done, a plan to be fulfilled, a path to follow, lives to touch, and God wants us to let Him guide us. The mountaintop is great, and we all long to have that experience. Still, the Lord is telling us that the best still lies ahead. We must use the mountaintop experiences as times of refreshing and refueling, and take those blessings down the mountain with us. By doing this, we are able to show Christ's light to the world, lead others to a relationship with God, and draw ever closer to that robe and crown awaiting us in our eternal home.

Let us all desire that mountaintop, but then let us all desire to take that experience out and share it with others. There is much to do, and God's blessings can be found at the summit or the foot of the mountain. Enjoy the mountain, and allow God to carry you through the valley. And when you arrive at your final destination, you'll be glad you made the trip.

© 2005, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.

No doubt the Internet and blogs worldwide are inundated with references to Hurricaine Katrina, instances of such being comparable to the number of raindrops the storm has already produced. As the nation, especially those in Katrina's path, turned its eyes toward the Gulf of Mexico, with questions and worries abounding. I was struck most, though, by the references to God and to prayer.

In my experience, most people turn to the Lord in times of distress. We saw it after the terrorist attacks four years ago, we see it sporadically throughout the difficult times of war and uncertainty, and again we see it in the path (and wake) of a natural disaster. Now, I am certainly in favor of crying out to God for strength and protection, but what about afterward?

Humanity, not just Americans (though we display our fair share), are creatures of habit and self-indulgence. Our tendency is to live life by whatever code we desire at any given time, giving little thought to the principle of true Christianity (i.e. a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, not a default monaker, or "I'm not this or that religion, so that must mean I'm Christian). Then, when we are suddenly confronted with the truth of our fragility and ultimate powerlessness, our hearts and minds turn toward God. After the crisis has abated, our old habits return.

During those dark hours, we honestly feel that, even though life is out of our hands, God will be there, and that somehow gives us a peace. Why don't people want that all of the time? Why do we not crave that sense of Divine Providence in the everyday challenges we face?

I don't believe there are any simple answers to those questions. As a pastor, I could certainly spend several sermons-worth of time expounding on the Biblical aspects of these questions, and my own personal views. However, I will refrain at the present time.

I would like to say, though, that the peace of God is extended to all those who receive Jesus Christ into their heart. All are weak, and as the Bible says, all have sinned and all fall enormously short of the glory and perfection of God. There are times that each of us gives into our 'fleshly nature,' following feelings or circumstances away from God's path of righteousness. But then we begin to have that sense of loss, that emptiness that the world seems to have in abundance. We lose our grip on peace.

The only way to hold onto the peace of God, the peace described as beyond human understanding, is not to turn to the Lord only in the times of distress and disaster, but to follow Him in the good times, too. Many have died in the wrath of Katrina, but so many have thanked God that it was not worse than it was. The best way to truly thank God for His grace is to live for him in the aftermath.

Many will say that I have no idea what I'm talking about, that these are empty words from an empty head, that God is a myth. I do not agree. The biggest reason? The peace. If it is beyond understanding, how do I know I have it? I just know. That is what God does. If peace is missing from your life, whether you've suffered disaster or not, then I suggest getting to know the Lord. It's not difficult, and He's not far away. Just ask, and He will be there for you.


© 2005, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.

Just as an update: I will do my best to post a new entry next week, hopefully on Monday. Until then, God bless you all.

Here are a few more columns from our church newsletter. I hope you were encouraged by those from the last post, and will be encouraged by these as well.

MAY 2004

Matthew 20:7-b
He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.'

There's really nothing any better than looking back at the end of the day and seeing accomplishment. It doesn't actually matter what the accomplishment might be, merely knowing that we've completed something worthwhile is almost reward in itself. Whether it is finishing a long-read novel, finally getting the flower bed weeded, getting the garage cleaned out, just knowing it's finished (and you did it) is a wonderful feeling.

But too often people see emptiness where work should be. For whatever reason, people sometimes begin to devalue their usefulness. It might be age, education, perhaps talent, but some force of circumstance makes them feel they have nothing to contribute. And just as there is no greater feeling than accomplishment, there is no worse feeling than failing to contribute.
Sure, not everyone can be a preacher, a teacher, or a singer. But if you'll notice throughout the Word of God, those are not the only jobs. Within the kingdom of God, there are many, many jobs that need your special attention. While it may be difficult to find employment in today's economy, there is never a job-shortage in the work of the Lord.

And, unlike the physical world, there are no long lists of prerequisites or "qualifications." The only qualifying factors are a personal relationship with Christ, and a desire to work for Him. There is no minimum or maximum age limit, no previous experience necessary, no references required. The Lord continually has the "Help Wanted" sign up, and walk-ins are always welcome.

"So," you ask, "what is the job description?" It's simple. Make God first in your life, and allow Him to direct you in your task. The Lord is a very "hands on" type of leader. No matter where you go or what you face, He will be there to lend assistance, and to give you every advantage.

"What jobs are available?" I'm glad you asked. The area with the most openings is in the "Witness Brigade." These are the people who take the opportunities presented to them to spread the good news of Jesus to the world. Again, there are no minimum requirements or special education necessary. All you need do is live your life as a testimony of what God has done for you, and let people see the God you serve. Now, this is a twenty-four-hour-per-day job, and you are always on call, but the opportunities for work are endless.

"What are the benefits?" I knew you'd get to that sooner or later. Jobs in God's Kingdom are the highest-paying, most secure positions possible. Instead of waiting until every Friday, or every two weeks for pay, you are paid on a daily basis. Under the watchful eye of our Employer, (as our verse stated) whatever is right you will receive. Going above and beyond is always noted and rewarded. However, be aware that slacking is also noticed.

Also included in the "Kingdom Employment Package" is a terrific retirement plan. You've heard it's out of this world? Well, you'd be right. There are only a few minor differences compared with other employment opportunities out in the world. First, your retirement coverage begins in full the very first day. Second, your retirement benefits never decrease. Third, once it is your time to retire, the Lord honors your loyal service by giving you a brand new body, complete with eternal life and a mansion in heaven.

Just remember that no matter who you are, or what skills you possess, you are valuable to God's work. If you never preach a sermon, teach a class, serve on a committee or sing a song, you can always witness for the Lord. There's a lot of work out there. Use what you have, truly live the Christian life, work for the Lord the best you can, and God will certainly bless you with what is right. Thanks for applying, and congratulations on your new job!


JUNE 2004

Nahum 1:13
"For now I will break off his yoke from you, and burst your bonds apart."

In considering the above verse, what things do you find of considerable importance? Let's consider it for a moment, starting with the end, and working backwards. First, we find "burst your bonds apart." God does, indeed, have the power to burst all our bonds apart. Those things keeping us down, keeping us fearful, keeping us defeated, are no match for the power of the living God. When we see the words "burst" and "apart," we are put in mind not of a simple release, but of total destruction, the destruction of whatever "bonds" we have suffered. If you drop a coffee mug and merely chip it, that's one thing; you could still use it without much difficulty. But, were you to drop it and shatter it, the mug would be totally ruined. Such is the case when God bursts apart our bonds. If we rely totally on Him, and place our lives in His hands, those former bonds can never be used against us again. But trust is the key.

Going a little further back, we find the word "yoke," defined as something which has the ability to both hold in place and control the animal (or person) placed in it. Again we see this idea of breaking the yoke, of taking what is holding you and controlling you, and breaking free from it. For the unbeliever, it is the power of sin. For the Christian, it may be temptations, trials, sickness, pain, or some other circumstance. God has the power to set you free, which is the meaning behind this verse.

But, as I like to ask so often, can you find the most important word in this verse? Study it closely. Is it "break" or "burst?" Is it "yoke" or "bonds?" Could it possibly be "apart?" While each of these words is of critical significance, there is still another word that makes the meaning of this verse explode in the power of victory.

That word is "NOW."

All of us are aware that God does, indeed, have the power to conquer all, to break all the chains which keep us in the bondage of sin or defeat. By placing our trust in the Lord, He will conquer all obstacles in our lives. But the word "NOW" adds an entirely new dimension to this verse. What is that new dimension? Well, I'm glad you asked.

When you pause to contemplate the power of this verse, you absolutely must include the word "now." Let's look at the verse once again: "For now I will break off his yoke from you, and burst your bonds apart." There is no reason the Christian is to continue living a defeated life. The days of fear, of defeat, are over NOW, and this according to the Word of God.

"But, Pastor Chris," you say, "haven't you repeatedly said that our time frame is not necessarily God's time frame? Haven't you said that sometimes God's answer to our prayers is 'wait?' Doesn't this view contradict our verse?"

Not at all. Consider this: the moment a sinner asks for God's salvation, the yoke of sin is broken, the bonds of slavery burst apart. There is no mandatory waiting period, there are no special hearings, no fine print. Freedom is immediate. So, too, is the freedom for the Christian. God's freedom for us is "now."

Knowing God has heard your prayer, that He sees your need and will answer, gives you peace. In a recent sermon, I mentioned that peace has the power to conquer every temptation and trial. Therefore the intense power of the worry, the pain, the heartbreak, the fear that keeps the Christian defeated, is immediately broken. It sometimes requires patience to wait on God's answer, but we have peace and freedom knowing the answer is on the way. So, live your life for God, trust totally in Him no matter what, and claim the promise that NOW, this moment, God will break off whatever yoke is holding or controlling you, and those bonds will be burst apart for good. Stop living in defeat, in pain, in the past, and live life in the conquering power of the Lord.

Victory lies not only in the future. Victory is NOW!


SEPTEMBER 2004

Psalm 27:14
Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!

What do you enjoy more than anything? The reason I ask this question is because what we enjoy the most is usually what we look forward to the most. Recall the days of your youth, when a birthday or Christmas was approaching. The arrival of the "big day" seemed like forever, and the waiting was miserable. Perhaps you had those "forever" feelings when waiting for your wedding day, or the birth of a child. An old ketchup slogan ran thus: The Best Things Come to Those Who Wait. Maybe, but the waiting is usually not much fun, especially when it's the only thing we can do.

Recently in a sermon, I used an illustration about a favorite author, how I could barely stand the wait for his newest novel. Then, when it came out, I read through the book so quickly, that it was finished almost before it had begun. So, I had once again to wait a few more years for the next one. This same author, Jeff Shaara, will be coming to Lexington for a book-signing in November. He and I have e-mailed one another several times over the last few years, but I can't wait to meet him in person. However, no matter how much I look forward to that moment, I still have a couple of months to wait, and nothing will make the waiting any shorter.

In spiritual matters, we are often called to wait on the Lord. We have our own schedules, our own plans, and most times waiting isn't figured in at all. God has a plan, His own timetable, and we must wait on Him if we want to be successful and victorious in life. In this month's verse, not one word is spoken about the waiting being easy or fun, but we are, nonetheless, called to wait.

Let's say you wanted to go swimming in your brand new in-ground, near-Olympic-sized swimming pool the contractors just finished installing. When they left, about 5:00 PM, you put the garden hose in the deep end and turned on the faucet. About 5:30 PM, you donned your new and stylish swim-wear, picked up your towel and radio, and walked out to the deck. You sat down your gear, ran around to the diving board, jumped up and down a few times, and dived right in. Unfortunately, there's only about an inch of water in the bottom of the pool. I think you'll agree that in this particular situation, waiting would have been best.

It is easy in life to get excited about what to do next (and not just "happy" excited, but anxious, nervous our scared about what to do). We feel that we have done all we can, and that we're ready to dive right in, prepared or not. However, it is best to wait. Just as we would be in serious trouble diving into an unfilled pool, we can do great damage to ourselves and those around us by diving in when we should have waited. God wants us to wait on Him, because He is in control of making things just right, so that the experience is positive and we come out winners.

It's not easy, but in the waiting, we can come to know God in a deeper and more fulfilling way. When you are going through struggles, when you don't know what way to turn, rely on the Lord. In the waiting, He will give you strength and courage to make it through that waiting, through any pain or difficulty you may experience, and through the victorious result that will follow. While you wait, you can begin thinking about how you will thank and praise God for seeing you through. The wait is for a purpose, and it's good to be prepared for when the wait is over.

Maybe the ketchup people did have it right. The best things do, indeed, come to those who wait. God has something special for us, right on the other side of the trial, just beyond the waiting. Wait on Him to bring you to it, so that you'll be ready to receive it when He's ready to give it to us. He will give us exactly what we need when we are made ready, when we allow His will to be done in our lives. So, even though it's tough sometimes, "Wait, I say, on the Lord!"


© 2005, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.

In my role as pastor, I have the opportunity to write a monthly segment for our church newsletter. "One Servant's Heart," as it is called, came about much the same way as this blog: a desire to share with others my thoughts on God's Word, the situations in which we sometimes find ourselves, or topics that need addressed. I would like to share some of those writings with you. I won't include all of them, but I will include several which, I feel, might be helpful. I hope you enjoy these postings from our newsletter, and gain something from them. I will post them a couple at a time, just two or three a day, so as not to overload the reader.

CHRISTMAS 2003

Luke 2:10‑12
Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."

Who among us doesn't smile when we recall the Christmases of our past. We would go to bed on Christmas Eve, barely able to lay still because of our excitement. Somewhere in the night, we could almost be certain that we heard the distant jingling of sleigh bells, and a faint "Ho, ho, ho!" Each minute seemed like a week as we counted down the minutes till Christmas morning.

We would finally drift off, then suddenly, our eyes would pop open wide, and we would know: Christmas is here! Maybe the sun was up, maybe it wasn't. Nevertheless, we awakened everyone in the house with shouts of glee: ATime to open presents! Sleepily, your parents would pull themselves out of bed, bumping into the walls, stubbing their toes on the corners of their bedroom furniture.

By the time your parents got to the tree, you had already spied out the presents, determining which ones belonged to you, and which ones you were going to open first. You knew that the big box had exactly what you'd asked for, or at least, you hoped it did. The smaller presents, from the aunts or grandmothers, you knew, contained the necessary (but far less fun) presents such as socks, gloves and sweaters.

Jubilantly you tore into the carefully chosen wrapping paper, never noticing your parents, standing back, watching you with a smile on their faces. As a child, you probably never gave much thought to how grown-ups handled Christmas, what they wanted, if they got much at all. But to a parent, the sparkle found in a child's eye on Christmas morning gives them more warmth than the dawning sun. For the parents, it was the giving that brought them the most joy.

That is really what this season is about. Our Father God gave the children of the world the greatest gift that could be given. It is a gift that everyone (whether they realize it or not) desires to have, and a gift they desperately need. As children, we would probably go after the shiniest wrapping paper first, leaving the plain wrapping till later. But the gift God gave to us was wrapped in plain swaddling cloths, probably in an out-of-the-way corner of the stable, surrounded by the cattle and their hay.

I imagine that the humble shepherds coming to see the child that night couldn't completely comprehend the value of this gift. Maybe they didn't realize just what this one small child would do not only for them, but for the entire world, for every person who would ever be born. But the birth of the Baby Jesus was about a promise fulfilled, and a promise made. The promise fulfilled was that the Messiah would indeed come to earth. The promise made was that the Messiah would never leave us nor forsake us, and would give His life as payment for our sin-indebted lives.

Throughout His life, and even through the present day, people have failed to see the value of this gift. Meanwhile, God has allowed us to experience His blessings of life and goodness, which we tear into like a gift on Christmas morning, giving little thought on what it cost someone to give to us. But God still stands, watching over us, wanting us to accept the free gift of salvation He gave through His Only Son. Those of us who have already accepted Him into our heart continue to receive God's blessings in every aspect of our life.

And God stands, smiling at us, watching us enjoy His goodness. It truly is wonderful to give.Merry Christmas. May God bless you this season, and may you always give Him all praise and glory.

FEBRUARY 2004

Romans 8:32
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Over the years, historians have given names to eras of time. We are familiar with the Dark Ages, the Renaissance, the Industrial Revolution. Perhaps years from now, historians will look back at our time and call it the "Age of Want." Our culture seems geared toward wanting more and more, wanting bigger, wanting faster, wanting better than our neighbor. All we need do is venture down to our local mall, and we will find store after store of goodies, things that call out to us, making a small voice in our mind say, "Ooh. I want that!"

We have been cautioned for the last 150 years that this attitude is damaging to our spiritual lives. Nurturing such an attitude will certainly lead us to the path of destruction. No matter what the year, no matter what the denomination, there is some form of this warning given. Even in our modern times we can see it.

But today, right here, right now, in this February issue of our newsletter, I'm going to say it: WE NEED TO HAVE THIS ATTITUDE.

Well, Pastor Chris has lost what little mind he had, you may be saying to yourself. While that may be true, I ask you to hold your pity for just a few moments, as I explain what I mean when I say that we need to have this attitude of want.

The verse I have selected for this month is actually the explanation. As I've already stated, we are all told to be on our guard against wanting worldly things. As we watch ourselves in this area, we sometimes feel deprived, that we are lacking something that we really, really need. Well, there are certainly some things we as Christians should do without, when it concerns the world. But our problem is not in the physical, worldly area. It's in the spiritual realm.

We have somehow developed the idea that we must be spiritual paupers. You say, "I certainly don't feel that way." You may not think so, but deep down, you may have convinced yourself that you must merely exist with what God has given you up till now. That is not so.

Once you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are adopted into a great family, the family of God. We have read in Scripture that God owns it all, that heaven is filled with the abundance of His glory. We know that heaven is a place of unimaginable goodness, streets of gold, gates of pearl, walls of jasper. Being adopted into God's family makes us heirs to all of this.

Now, another modern example. Have you ever seen or heard of an heir or heiress to a fortune that didn't live like they already had the fortune as their own? Of course not. Being heirs to the fortune means they are already rich. If they see something they want, they get it. Plain and simple.

So, why not us? When it comes to the things of the Spirit, why do we live as if we are poor, that what we want spiritually is beyond what we can get? The answer is simple. We are not aware of what this verse means. It means that God has given to us the very best He could offer. He gave it all. If that is the case, as the verse asks, how shall He not give us all things freely? Again, I'm talking of spiritual things. God wants us to have the very best spiritual things that He has to offer. All we need do is say, "I want that," and ask our Father in heaven, in the name of Jesus, to provide it to us.

Want to be a prayer warrior, want to be a stronger witness, want to have the courage that is lacking in your life? Do you want to conquer fear? Do you simply want to be closer to God? Well, don't be afraid to ask. God gave His best, His all, for you. He will not deny you what you ask of Him. So, shop around in His Word, find what you want, what you need, and ask for it. It belongs to Him, and He will freely give it to you. Today is the day we can start living, truly living, in the richness of our Father in heaven. Now that's something I want!


© 2005, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by writing to soulscape@alltel.net. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.