Earth Family

All people on Planet Earth, including prophets, are born at a time, a place and for reasons not of our own conscious choosing. Some newborns find themselves within luxurious surroundings while others enter life within the trappings of poverty. Some will find themselves within civilized lifestyles, and others within barbaric lifestyles; some will enter into environments where Spirituality dominates through factual knowledge of Truth – while others find themselves in places where superstition, false gods and deception prevail. Only God Himself has control over when, where, how or why a soul becomes a living human being.

No matter who we are or where we are born, all people have one thing in common: something known as "human nature". It's this fleshly existence being manifested in a variety of ways that make each of us unique. We are constantly growing and evolving into particular appearance characteristics with particular personality traits, and particular motivational tendencies.
We become who we are because of contributing factors beyond our human ability to contemplate or control. Countless variables – spiritual, biological, environmental – can be found within typical human lives. Each one of us
is attempting to grasp perceived realities while doing our best to achieve satisfaction during struggles to survive.

Other than consuming fluids and foods to sustain these earthly bodies
we inhabit, we engage in a multitude of activities while pursuing desired purposes. During our multifaceted journey along the path of lifestyle choices, we often learn new things as we work through challenges. Most
of us experience changes in the way we think, communicate and behave. Seldom do we alter ourselves without conscious intent unless a traumatic event causes involuntary restructuring of psychological patterns.

On this planet where opposing forces remain in conflict, we often find ourselves caught up in circumstances not of our making. We act, react and interact with other people in many ways that are predetermined by human nature. Sometimes we are victorious, and sometimes we are defeated as we cope with confrontations imposed upon us by friends and enemies. As we continue through learning processes along the path to understanding, we enhance our chance for success if we're able to gain sufficient leverage. We gain new knowledge relevant to situations encountered, gain moral support from others who agree with our endeavors, and expand financial resources needed to empower us. Regardless of variables that can be used for good or evil by everyone involved, at some point most of us begin to realize that life is complex. When this happens, ideas leading to thoughts about "destiny," "luck," or "spiritual forces" will become a part of how we cope with issues that challenge us.

Most of us prefer to be accepted by other people for whom we believe ourselves to be. We all want to succeed according to our individual heartfelt desires. We constantly strive for success – simply by wanting to accomplish what we set out to do. As we know, we are often distracted or obstructed
by people who make it difficult to achieve chosen goals. There are spiritual forces at play in our lives like jealousy, love, greed, hate, competition, deception, honesty – "loyalty or lack of it" – all of which affects everything we try to do. Everything about everything starts when we are born into a group of humans known as our Earth Family.

I believe parents should realize why they are a vital link to the future of their children. We need to teach kids how to think about themselves – and how to relate to other people. The noble task of guiding the thought processes of a child should be done by a wise, responsible biological father and mother if possible.

Stability and continuity in the lives of children make a "sense of belonging" and a "sense of security" a part of their psychological growth. Unstable lifestyles can be very destructive to the psyche of children. When a parent is missing, not enforcing discipline, unable to impart proper knowledge or not able to maintain an ideal family lifestyle – children develop deficiencies.

As we are beginning to realize, substitute "care givers" as a result of death, divorce, remarriage, adoption or government sponsored agencies have had difficulty facing challenging circumstances when playing "leadership roles" in the life of a child. On the other hand, there are instances when any arrangement for the care of a child might be better than what incompetent biological parents provide.

When I reflect upon the past within the context of my personal Earth Family, it is a saga filled with uncertainty, excitement, fun, misfortune, laughter, poverty, boredom and pain. Hopefully, each person reading these words will recognize similarities to their own life experiences as I try to explain why I am who I am. I really believe we all have more in common than what sets us apart.

My earthly father, James, grew up thinking his muscles were a status symbol. His hard work on a Canadian ranch required physical strength. His father made sure that he did more than his share of the chores to earn his keep. There was landscaping to be done, buildings to be erected, animals to be cared for, large fields to be plowed, and crops to be grown. There was more time for work than for play in his younger years. Sometimes a lack of energy and lapses in judgment, concerning daily duties, led to conflicts because of unrealistic expectations from a dominating parent. His failure to please his father on occasion remained a source of shame that was hidden deep inside himself for an entire lifetime. As a way to validate his own worth, he decided to devote himself to proving he was stronger and smarter than his father had made him feel – and to prove that he was as special as his mother believed him to be. Naturally, after maturing enough to enable a female companion
of his own, children were born. Dad had an opportunity to be a strong father like his father. He spent his life traveling to many places where he could preach his version of the Bible. Like most parents of babies, he tended to behave according to traditional family customs.

My earthly mother, Mary, grew up thinking that handsome men with muscles were desirable. She had a coal miner father who used his muscles to box and wrestle at state fairs or stop fights at local bars. She thought of her youthful beauty and charm as assets that would make it possible to enjoy a good life as a wife. Instead of accepting a marriage proposal from the rich, thin man from her hometown, she eagerly chose the poor, muscular minister who won her heart. In later years, when money for clothes or groceries was scarce, she wondered if she might have married the wrong man. Mother constantly made every effort to share her optimism with others, always doing her best to appease antagonists by returning compliments for insults received. She resisted anyone who imposed themself in a negative way, and always tried
to smile at rude folks – rather than show anger. Mom had a talent for turning the other cheek like Jesus recommended – instead of engaging in hostility. She was always there to offer encouraging words when we needed some moral support during tough times. Naturally, when we children were born, she became a role model just like her parents had been.

Unlike Yvonne or I, my sister, Jeanette, grew up thinking she knew
more than our father, mother – or anyone else. I remember her as being independent, secretive, moderately aggressive and defensive of herself for reasons that became obvious when she disobeyed our parents. Since she grew accustomed to being disciplined in harsh ways by a mother who wouldn't tolerate disrespect, in later years she tended to be a defender of those known as "underdogs." She often showed compassion even when people didn't seem to care about themselves. She showed courage to those who needed it even though her own weaknesses were hidden deep beneath thick skin. Her sense of humor, brash personality, negativity and outrageous disrespect for hypocrites gave her a life filled with disappointment. By using childlike common sense in most crisis situations, Jeanette taught me that there is more than one way to evaluate circumstances. One thing became very clear, I had to suffer before she cared enough to get involved in my
life. She was a good, bad weather friend!

My sister, Yvonne, grew up getting attention from everyone who admired her shy personality and pretty face. She grew up under the dominant influence of her older, doting, protective sister. Even though making
better grades in school than either Jeanette or I, her intelligence and accomplishments were always secondary to being a devoted family member. Yvonne's "lifestyle values" in later life had more to do with material possessions than with intellectualized spiritual philosophies. The appeal of materialistic superficiality always seemed to take precedence over the substance of things hoped for through "faith." Yvonne wanted things that would help satisfy fleshly senses rather than things made of intangible dreams. She usually felt obligated to express her generosity by sharing her excess possessions with those of us she loved. Even though keeping good stuff for herself remained a top priority, we could count on her to share whenever something was needed. Yvonne taught me that overlooking mistakes of others is an act of kindness, and that competition between brothers and sisters is not wise!

My brother, Donald, died as an infant. Donald taught me that time doesn't erase special memories of those we love – even though we hardly get to know them.

So, as a member of this one-of-a-kind Earth Family composed of a
father, mother, two sisters and a brother, I would describe myself in this way: After my birth in Herbert, Canada, my years of growing happened in many different places. Partly because of the influence of my family, I began to believe that I was weak and meek when compared to my father; I was timid and morbid when compared to my mother; I was immature and imperfect when compared to my sister Jeanette; and I was homely and ignorant when compared to my sister Yvonne. Whenever my thoughts go back to the past, it seems to me that I was never taken seriously by my father. He could never bring himself to respect our differences.

Along the way between birth and the present time, I've been accused of being too hard-headed, very rebellious, too smart for my own good, retarded, talented, lazy, introverted, eccentric, a loser, too ambitious, crazy like a fox, handsome, ugly, a troublemaker, a weirdo, and a perfect gentleman. Of course, I tried to live up to all expectations – until I matured enough to realize that most of my "identifiers" were not describing me accurately!

As I grew to become a man, many things about my Earth Family taught
me that we are all children of God, including me. All of us are forced to cope with hereditary inclinations! Through the years, it was not uncommon for me to suggest alternative options in regard to what others were doing or not doing – as I attempted to make life better in some way. I have always cared about my family, and everyone else's family, but I've been limited in how I could express my concerns. I've always had a generous heart, but have never been able to accumulate an abundance of material things to give away. Through the years, I tried to turn many dreams into reality, but would fail because other people seemed to have no interest in cooperating. There were always "strange circumstances" that seemed to keep me from deviating out of the purpose God had preordained for me. For a variety of reasons, a formal education was never mine to enjoy. Other than my life experiences being God's way to "teach" what I needed to learn, nothing else is worthy
of serious commemoration. For anyone who might get curious, a resume can
be found in a box at the bottom of my closet with information that partially explains some of the things I've learned during life on Earth: I learned how
to drive a tractor to retrieve mail when I was five – and how to plow fields at the age of ten; I learned how to milk cows, feed chickens, gather eggs, and pull weeds in gardens; I learned how to drive a car as a child in the fourth grade to haul water or visit friends twenty miles away; I learned how to paint window frames without making a mess on the glass, paint house walls and paint the edges of a roof on a barn when I was a teenager; I learned how to haul grain from fields on the farm to a silo when I was fifteen; I learned how to do oil paintings in Manila from my friend Crispin V. Lopez when I was seventeen; I learned how to be a hospital orderly in Bismarck when I was eighteen; I learned to be a draftsman at Northwest Mapping Company in North Dakota at nineteen; and then I learned how to get married when I
was twenty, have a baby girl, and get a job as an attendant at the Fina service station in Dallas.

As the years went by, I learned how to write and sing songs, be a freshman at Northwest Bible College, and haul drinking water in a truck for Crystal Springs in Minot. I learned how to be an artist for Dybdal Advertising in Bismarck where friends and I formed a music group known as Jay Rees and the Monarks. We recorded two songs I wrote in Minneapolis for the Soma label. By 1962, I was making music at the Wagon Wheel in Nashville when it was next door to Tootsies for customers like Faron Young, Jim Reeves, Pete Drake, Boots Walker, Roger Miller – and many others. Later, I was doing telephone cable schematics as a draftsman for Cottrell and House Engineers when I wasn't busy writing songs. Later, I was creating catalogs
as an advertising manager for Nashville Products Company when I wasn't writing songs. Then in 1968, I formed my own corporation, making myself president of ADPRO Productions. During 1973 and 1974, I traveled to every county in Tennessee as a candidate for Governor. It was during my time in Cleveland at a Holiday Inn motel when God came to explain my Spiritual identity in a supernatural way.

Since 1974, I've been learning how to forget where I came from while focusing on where I am and where I'm going. Turning loose of the past was not easy when I became an artist for the famous Loretta Lynn's Longhorn Rodeo. Through the years as I struggled to survive as a sinner and saint, I've been writing words to share with strangers. I started learning how to forgive people for their rudeness when doing freelance art work for many clients – which included a garage contractor, Bible publisher, book publisher, rodeo producer, office equipment manufacturer, and gospel music record groups. Through it all, I kept writing words to share with others – even when I was a 1999 candidate for Mayor in Nashville. It was an easy way to document my ideas like "community unity."

Much to the dismay of people who can't understand why I did it, I created homemade videos filled with symbolic messages to share with strangers. One video had scenes of the twin towers in New York, and an airliner crashing through windows at startled faces. My video – "Choices" – was shared with strangers in 2000. My other videos made before September of 2001 are "Proclamation," "Dividing Line" and "Transformation."

Even while people continued to ignore my messages, I was writing words from God to share with strangers, doing oil paintings, and praying that lost souls would repent of their sins before it was too late! I've been making copies of my words to share with strangers in public places, by mail, by fax and over the Internet. And after all of that, here I am today, doing the best
I can to be myself – just like you and all others who are a part of a human earth family.

Back in the past when I was a twenty-year-old man of flesh, I learned many things about human nature when I became the husband of Sharon Lee, who was the sister of Patricia, and the daughter of Victor and Dorothy O'Brien. We had three children together: Vicky Lynn, James Brien and Shon JeVon.

Sixteen years after the divorce instigated by an unhappy Sharon, I became the husband of a happy Melissa Nan, who was the sister of Michael, and the daughter of William and Macie Blankenship. It was my pleasure to become the proud step-father of Rachel Ann – the daughter of Melissa's first husband Randy. Melissa and I have had one child together. The name of our son is Harrison Nathaniel. I love Harrison, and all of my children, but all of my children do not love me – as far as I know. I have my suspicions about what might have gone wrong with our relationships, but God has not yet found a way to restore the heart of this father's children to their father – because maybe someone has been a negative influence?

In this world where people of every description live, allegiance will ultimately be given to ideas leading to love for "money" unless we learn
that love for "God" is more rewarding!

It's not unusual for people to try combining these two dominant "power factors." We read in the Bible: "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."   Matthew 6:24

In simple words, we all choose whether we will serve "God" or serve "mammon" during our life on Earth. In case you are wondering, the word – "Mammon" – means "money."

At the time of this writing on Friday, August 27, 2004, I found an article in USA TODAY on page 4A. It shows "household income by demographics." When translated in 2003 median income for Americans, it is as follows: Married couples average $62,405... Men living alone $31,928... Women living alone $21,313... High School Graduates $25,935... Some College $30,250... Bachelor's degree $41,800... Doctoral degree $71,050.

This man of flesh who is known by some as "Tennessee Elijah" has had a total lifetime earnings of $62,000 as a result of learning experiences shown on my informal resume above. Does this lead you to believe that prophets like me are not valued on Earth?

When money is the most important thing in life, everything we do evolves around the amount of currency available to sustain our human desires. When God is the most important thing in life, all of our activities evolve around our faith in Him and in His desires for us. True Christians are motivated to abide by His Laws, and we refuse to compromise when we are tempted. It would be better for us to die than to contribute our time, talent and energy to the evil of this world. There is no amount of money to be earned that is worth losing our place in eternity with God!

Maybe Christians should quit their jobs if employers are a part of the worldly, satanic, Anti-God system? Maybe Christians should disengage from their dependence upon businesses that operate in ways that are contrary to the teachings of Christ? Would it not be better to be servants to others rather than master over our own destiny? Would
it not be better to go to the cross as a true believer in Jesus rather
than compromise with the devil?

Choices we make to serve either money or God determines how money obtained is used and how wealth or poverty is defined. As a result of individual decisions made, our lifestyles are determined to a large extent by whether money dominates or if the will of God dominates. In this generation, the popularity and power of money is more widely understood than the popularity and power of God.

           Maybe educational systems have failed?

Nothing that we experience during our struggle to survive will be more complicated than how to balance the need for money and our dependence upon God. If we fail to understand the true nature of money or the nature
of God, then we will be at a disadvantage. The methods we use to obtain money, what we do with it once we have it, and whether or not we are conforming to the Laws of God during the entire process are important matters for consideration. Maybe teachers, preachers, priests, rabbis and bankers need to start explaining the differences between money and God?

As far as my own Earth Family is concerned, much of what was learned about life came about through trial and error. The large ranch where my father's father worked to create a home for his children is no longer in existence. Land and houses were bought and sold. Vehicles and equipment became obsolete, new furniture wore out, clothing never stayed in style, food from gardens never lasted – and everything that took money to buy, soon lost its' value for many reasons.

When it finally becomes clear that all things having to do with "money" is only a temporary reality on this planet, the promise of eternal life in God's Domain becomes more desirable!

We began to conclude that as long as money didn't prevent us from being a friend to neighbors, and didn't distract us from our obedience
to God, it was a useful commodity. On the other hand, it seems that we would be foolhardy to sacrifice eternal life by making the love of money our main obsession on Earth.

Years ago, I figured out that being a homeless outcast, experiencing starvation or suffering during the storms of life as a Christian was much wiser than being a billionaire who places everything above the Truth represented by God. To refresh our memory: "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he
will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

As new babies are born and taught how to think, taught how to communicate and taught how to behave as they strive to survive, they need to be taught how to understand the difference between money and God!

Let every wise Father and mother teach children the difference between counterfeit currencies and counterfeit divinities to prevent wrong choices in life!

When human lifestyles are conformed to the goodness of the Father Creator, instead of being corrupted by greed brought about by coveting, people will actually become much happier! "And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."   Matthew 19:24

As a born again man of the Spirit, my deepest desire for you and every person on this planet is that God's eternal Domain will be our mutual home. If you are unsure about your relationship with the Maker of all things, please find a secret place where you can take a few minutes to speak an honest prayer from your heart:

Please forgive me, Jesus, for mistakes I've made. I accept you as Lord
over everything I think, everything I say, and everything I do from this day forward. Deliver me from evil and teach me how to be a good person. Help me to live according to your desires right here on Earth as it is in Heaven. Please allow me to spend eternity in your perfect place of peace, joy and contentment when my time comes to depart this body that I inhabit. Amen.