Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

Wednesday, September 7th, 2022

by Ken Pullen

A CROOKED PATH

I recently had a conversation with a brother in the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ, and he told me that when reading what is published on A Crooked Path he feels the need to take a shower. Asking why can’t I also publish “positive” articles. This gentleman is a fairly recent subscriber and has not been here for the duration of these almost twelve years now, and well over 18,000+ individual postings. The majority of these have been deleted over the years because of the server space I would have to pay for to retain everything. Currently, there are over 4,300 individual postings on ACP. A varied lot they are. If seeking something uplifting? Try reading some of the poems, listening to some of the hymns, reading some of the Bible passages or devotionals, or audio sermons from various pastors.

Some of them along the way have been uplifting, haven’t they?

I’ll get into the whole “let’s be positive,” and “that’s being negative” in a bit further along here.

This man expressed concern for my wellbeing. Which was genuine brotherly in the faith concern. Imagining perhaps that I was wrought with anxiety about the end of the world, or filled with too much worry not aware that God is in control of all things.

He told me it’s depressing when reading ACP.

This took me aback a bit. Not the depressing bit, we’ll also return here in a while, but that anyone who has spent time in this place would somehow come to the conclusion I am wrought with anxiety and am unaware that God is Sovereign and in total control, His plan is always at work. In everything.

I’ve published at times over the almost 12 years here surveys asking folks about the content of ACP and the course this place takes. Not a typical survey, but one in which I sought a reply via the comment section found below each posting.

Part of my words to this friend of mine, this brother in Christ was that A CROOKED PATH is not the place to be if one is looking for sugar and spice and everything nice. There are more than enough places that are on that path. Neither do I go out of my way to search for items to make folks shudder or feel as if they need a shower after reading them.

I’m neither “positive” nor “negative” which are category words to define someone that have become imparted to our world and viewpoints only recently in world history, these are worldly categorizations, propped up by the New Age — Pagan — Movement wherein we all must be “positive” and nary permit anything deemed “negative” to emanate from us.

I’m neither positive nor negative.

I’m a Biblical realist.

There is no worldly negativity nor worldy positivity nor worldly depression in being a Biblical realist.

There is the whole Word of God and its illumination and truth while this world full of darkness, delusion, and deceit among the lost masses goes on. Compare and contrast. Light versus darkness. God’s Word and truth, the whole history of the world according to God versus the whole history of things and the world according to man.

It is what and as it is. We are what we are. Either with God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit within us or we’re lost in the utter darkness of this world and he who has dominion here for a season.

It isn’t depressing. It’s Biblical reality. Being objective, thinking critically, logically, and rationally according to the Word of God rather than thinking as one in the world.

Anyone fluent and literate in the Word of God from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22 knows it is not a book of sugar and spice and everything nice — though through all the rebellion, sin, disobedience, evil, cunning, killing, deceit, lies, and human beings being the fallen and sinful creatures we are if we come to hear the Lord, see the Lord in His Word, believe in our hearts, minds, spirits, and souls all that is contained within the Word of God and make Jesus Christ Lord of our lives live to be His disciple — it’s more than nice. A sweetness unknown to any earthly sweetness which is always fleeting.

I offered, quite a while ago, to give this brother in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ a copy of the book I wrote over 10 years ago, Wilderness: A Crooked Path to the Promised Land, but when he found out it was a book of poetry he told me he wouldn’t read it. I understand. Fewer than a hundred people in the world have read it.

A woman who is a sister in the faith, and was a good friend of mine for some years — we haven’t been in contact with each other for some years now — was one of the first people to read the book as it was coming together. I asked her if she would be gracious enough to write something having read the book that I could have the publisher print on the back cover.

This is what she wrote;

“Fasten your seat belts because this is bold, searing Christian writing with a razor-sharp edge of hard truth. If you are looking for cotton candy inspiration, this is not the book for you. Are you up to it? Can you handle it? Are you a real Christian?”

I do not boast nor go out of my way to do what I do. God knitted me as He has. Measured me out as He has. I do not seek a certain type of article to publish. It’s how the world is. How the world has further fallen and corrupted and perverted.

After the conversation with the brother in Christ, I searched for uplifting stories of folks around the world. I came across a 105-year-old farmer still working, albeit less than he did 80 years ago or so, and he gives God all the glory in all things. It was read by one person. Sadly, I encountered a technical problem for 5 days with the server company I use and the majority of the postings from August 31st to September 3rd were irrevocably lost. I will seek out that article about the 105-year-old farmer again if I can find it, and see if one more person reads it.

Some years ago I posted an article about a recreation of the arch of the temple of Baal being made and erected in New York City and other large cities around the world. That particular article received over 3,300 views in one day.

I post something about a farmer giving God all the glory, honor, and praise for his life and all he has done is by the grace of God and one person read it.

Recall how I mentioned above there have been occasions I’d publish a short piece about the content of ACP and ask folks for their input. Those that replied let me know they wanted me to keep doing what it is I’ve done since the beginning of this place. Providing me with various reasons why they came here and wanted me to continue.

Some of those folks have been subscribers for over 10 years now.

If you’re looking for real diversity? Real inclusion? This is the place. Perhaps not as the world defines things but there is diversity and inclusion here for every sinner, every repentant sinner, every person seeking the Lord and desiring to witness in one little place the events of this world. Daily. Nightly. As they are unfolding before all our eyes and ears.

Depressing? No, not in the least.

Tragic for those refusing God, refusing the Lord Jesus Christ, refusing the Holy Spirit, refusing eternal life, refusing the Word of God — tragic but not depressing.

What is unfolding is the Word of God. Right before our eyes and ears.

How can that then depress, scare, or appear “negative” to a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, a child of God? One washed pure and clean in the blood of Christ?

Positive and negative are worldly definitions and worldly connotations. Heightened in the past few decades as paganism — the New Age Movement burgeoned and accelerated in every institution and aspect of Western life. Everything is either of the truth and reality of the Word of God, or it is of the delusion and lies of the world. To speak of, apply categorizations of being “negative,” or “positive” are solely worldly words to define. They are not words to define what is contained in the Word of God.

Better to use Biblical words and definitions. Things are either wicked, sinful, and evil or they are holy, righteous, and truthful.

Oh, the ways, the words, the events, the direction of this sordid, sinful, secular world can leave a stench, a filth upon us. Only if we let it. Only if we are pulled more into the world rather than the Word of God.

Nothing depressing about all that is unfolding in this world hurtling towards its end as it has been known.

Tragic for all those in darkness refusing the Light, the Way, the Truth, and the Life only Jesus Christ can afford.

But in truth enervating as we witness the fulfillment of Bible prophecy. Not that we glory nor boast in such, not that we dwell or are consumed by such. But that we are watchmen and watch women on the wall having our faith reinforced by current events and the woeful state of this corrupted world.

If you are a subscriber, a frequent visitor, or finding this your first time here in this place and you are willing to take about 90 to 120 seconds to let me know your thoughts about this place, please do so in the comment area below. I’m not saying this place will change much. I am wired, knitted, and made as I am. By God. And I made a promise to God about eleven and a half years ago, or when this place was about to become reality — that I would pray always for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in what I did here. Not for my glory or fame. But to serve the Lord in all things. Always.

It’s one reason there are no ads on ACP. No hyping and pushing the sale of the book. No seeking donations. I’m not here for worldly gain or worldly accolades.

Those that have known me for a length of time, considerable time know I’m not wired like many folks are.

Could partly be the being left-handed. I know my grandfather, a heathen unbeliever to his dying breath many decades ago swore that I was as I was because I’m lefthanded. I remember my earthly father telling him — since my grandfather was constantly on me about my left-handed “infirmity” — actually refused to sit and eat a meal at the same table I was seated because his having to view my eating with my left hand so disturbed him. I was asked by the adults at the table to please eat with my right hand to create peace.

I digress, my earthly father, telling my grandfather about the 700 chosen left-handed men in Judges 20;

Among all these were 700 chosen men who were left-handed; every one could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.

Judges 20:16 — King James Version

My grandfather merely “harumphed” and was not swayed. As are the majority of those in darkness ensnared by the world refusing the truth of the Lord and His inerrant infallible living and active Word.

And people actually believe world peace, peace between Israel and other nations can occur and last? They all should have been around for dinner in the Pullen household all those years ago and they would have been set straight and awakened to reality!

No, being left-handed and physically spatial and a wee bit more accurate in some things than those poor right-handed folks is not the reason why.

My life, my sin, my coming to the Lord was such a dramatic change that I bowed before the Lord and said, “Your will be done, Your kingdom come, I am but a small vessel for Your service.”

If a person is seeking the “feel good” stories and articles perhaps this is not the place considering where their mind may be. But for others, they can “feel good” in the assurance every word within the Word is true witnessing all the pieces of Bible prophecy unfolding before our eyes. Many things occurring in this world at this timeline that never occurred before. Such as the deconstruction and destruction of the family, of men, of women, of the turning from God, the multiplying itching ears following every lie under the sun shunning the Son, shunning the Word of God!

Let me know your thoughts on this. Below. Take 60 to 120 seconds. That’s all it would take to give me a good take on where the readers thinking lies.

If sugar & spice and everything nice, having those good, good, good Beach Boy Good Vibrations from reading something? There are many places for those things. Not here so much. At least according to the world’s definitions.

If you want life and the truth? Pick up read, BELIEVE, and study deeply the Word of God.

If you want to see many of the elements, the pieces coming together of the true condition of the hearts and minds of men and women pertaining, relating to the Word of God and the fulfillment of Bible prophecy and evidence of the true nature of man? Then this little place will work diligently to provide as best I can, as I’m led by the Lord. Lord willing. The good, the bad, the ugly, as well as the uplifting and encouraging along the way. If and when I come across such. I only publish about 10% of what I search, discover, and read on a daily basis. Do you think you have read a good deal of difficult-to-digest things here? I am reading about 10 articles or commentaries for every one published. I am discerning. Or attempt to be as discerning as I am able being as feeble and limited as I am as a mere man.

Don’t come here expecting great things from me. Come here understanding I’m doing what I can here for the honor, glory, praise, and thankfulness to our Great and Good God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I fail continually. I am but a man. Nothing more. Praying daily to be measured out, sifted, and refined daily by the Lord. For His service. Period.

Oh, and I am well aware of the Might, the Power, and how God is Sovereign and in control of all things. I do not worry. I do not fear. All things working for good, for the fulfillment of every jot, tittle, and word within the Word. And if a true believer? Well, it ain’t all sugar & spice and everything nice to reach the time when the Lord Jesus Christ returns one more time [Revelation 19].

Only those consumed and sucked in by the world are depressed by the unfolding of Bible prophecy.

Nothing here is dirty. Just the evil, the sin, the reality and truth of man, woman, and the growing sin and evil on this earth. Tragic, sorrowful, disturbing, surely, but not depressing as the revelation of all things in the Bible are upon us. These should encourage, strengthen, uplift, and increase one’s faith and perseverance.

Shouldn’t they?

Take a bit of time searching the archives.

And take a minute or two and leave a comment below. Let me know if you want the comment to be made public, or only for my viewing.

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Isaiah 5:20 — King James Version

Everything of God is sweet, good, true, and light. Everything. Even those matters we don’t understand or define as such. Who are we to question God? in anything He does? To fulfill the Word?