eBook out

On Pea Ridge Road is online for sampling and purchase.

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/32550

On Pea Ridge Road

I am doing the final research before launching my first eBook.

I'm Excited.

I am also seeing the tremendous following you have in the internet world. I would that you share me with your friends and encourage them to take a look at "On Pea Ridge Road" when it debuts soon. Its a book of country-boy poetry and pickings. It has been incubating for nearly two decades waiting for the right season to birth forth.

The various themes are inspirational, motivational, ethic and of course romantic.

Look for it soon!

Benny R. Walls, Author
On Pea Ridge Road

Eat

The land is rich with opportunities. Mine eyes are open to the bounty before me. Privilege is like a smorgasbord. Sweets, juicy meats, fresh green vegetables and every kind of candy imaginable; it’s lying there for the gathering. I fill my plate. I fill it again and again. I loosen my belt to allow room for my girth to expand because I am thrilled to fill myself. I indulge on the opportunities and privileges afforded me.

As I, can you see it as well? The land is rich; it flows with milk and honey. The technology is here and the end is not yet seen. The sun rises to the sky, light beans and shadows are cast where ignorance, violence and slothfulness, they die a hard death. We moan and groan from the pain caused by our hate and incivility. The heat of the day will be growth for some; others will scorch in the dry dusty desert of defeat.

Defeated, not because they were overcome by an enemy unknown. They gave up. They refused to try. They were told the work is hard. That preparation was needed, but they’d rather sit and lie rather than crawl and stand. You cannot run the race of the swift sitting on your backside. Rise up. Face the foe who seeks to seal your fate. Determine that it will lose to you, and it must seek out another victim to overcome.

You will face the challenge to find your place under the sun and gain strength from its energy. The heat of the day is your friend, and you ignore the pain and work hard toward the gain.

Strengthen yourselves. Exercise your mind as well as your body and the soul will grow. My belly is full. I am jolly with delight. I can reach and grab. I share with others. I have to have. The more I share, the deeper my sustenance.

I eat and I am full. Eat.

© 2010 Ben R. Walls

America the Ugly

When mortality is no longer perceived as reality, people can forfeit their sense of life. That desensitization of self to the immanency of life and life beyond, frees us to assume a “Godlikeness” that permits a lifestyle that even the Universe itself cries out against.

Lawlessness and immorality become the norm. Civility and community are consumed in the chaos. Hence, we have America the Ugly.

Because we are no long are willing to accept “right” and “wrong” but rather a non-judgmental posture; our foundation for order, civility and respect loses a firm ground to erect Community.

So, take a long hard look at your community now, your school, your workplace and your home; no place is safe, nor is there a sense of “safety” anywhere. You cannot assume a neighbor will act neighborly. Our country has become a “war zone” before our very eyes. Unless we seek life, the death of our nation is closer than any of us are willing to believe. It cannot continue on the current path. We are self-destructing.

We are a nation of Laws. We are expert at creating laws, but they will not solve our problem so long as we are bent toward unrighteousness.

Ben Walls ©2010

God, “I Gotcha!”

Recently, I was talking with a preaching friend. During our conversation, I told him a story of my days when attending school at a west Texas Christian university. When I was going there, I would go through periods of deep depressions and loneliness. My hormones were kicking and my sexual drive was in high gear. During those dark and dreadful times, I would hang out at the local pornography establishment near downtown. It certainly did not begin for me there; as I recall, I saw my first porn in my sleepy-eyed hometown in Mississippi.

These were stinky, smoke filled, clandestine and dark places. The behaviors that went on there were vile, unthinkable and disgusting; nevertheless, I was there prowling in the midst. Even when I came back to the big city, Dallas, the same sinful and awful habits followed me.

Interestingly, it always happened to me no matter where I was, somebody, somewhere would come up to me and say, “Hey ain’t you a preacher? You look like a preacher.” Like the apostle Peter, often I would deny it and quietly sink deeper into the shadows. I used to think to myself. I know God in heaven is saying, “Gotcha!” Moreover, the guilt and shame would overwhelm me, and my bleeding conscience would once again crush myself-esteem, my person. I failed as a Christian and the devil won. I never felt better for going, just as an addict clings to heroin or cocaine, this addiction was in my veins as well. Always at night, it would summon me and like a lamb to its emotional slaughter, I willingly bowed in submission to its lure.

Today, and some twenty years later I understand the grace of God a bit better. I know now, he was sending me a message. However, “Gotcha” did not mean what I thought. I always thought it meant I was caught, and I was in trouble; you know, caught red-handed. No, it means exactly what he said, “I’ve gotcha and nobody is snatching you from my grip!” Listen to Jesus, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”

It is though He was speaking to me, even in that place where I existed, during that period of my life. Even there, where I allowed my journey to go and my story to include - He the Lord, the Almighty was with me. He always promised it; remember? King David said it well, “Ye, though I walk through the shadow of death…thou art with me.” God is not a God that abandons us through our darkest struggles He is an abiding God. What kind of God would He be to run out on us when we are struggling, what a wimp! That is not my God.

Remember your Bible stories of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho, Daniel in the Lion’s Den, and who can forget David and Goliath? All these testify of a steadfastness God. In our darkest hour, our loneliest of times He is the Light, who illuminates our spirit. He gives us hope. Only with him can we be led from the slaughter. He is the one directs our paths even from those undesirable places; we cannot do it on our own. This is G.R.A.C.E. – God Reaching, Abiding, Clutching, and Embracing his wayward and wandering child.

To me, he says, no matter what pit you crawl around in, no matter what pool of filth you find yourself. You are mine. I have you, and I love you. Benny, when you in believed, confessed and put me on in baptism, I made a promise to you – you cannot make me break my promise. No matter what you do, where you go or even with whom you did it. I am a faithful friend, Father and God. Remember, I’ve Gotcha!

Now, if there is a relevant message to the young men and women who identify with the sexual issues that have arisen in “hot” Atlanta, let me assure you God is faithful and his grace is sufficient. Remember, this is no problem with him, or for him. This, he has seen before, and I am sure anticipates it again. Heaven and even Hell is prepared for such debauchery.

What is called for is repentance. We all know what the word teaches about such matters, it is clear. It does not need to be debated or argued; sex outside of marriage is sin and wrong. Whether it is with the same sex or not, it is a sin. Period. One has missed the mark (sin) of what God has intended for their lives.

Now, I know we get caught up in many things, and deep, even romantic and emotional “feelings” get involved, and we look for loopholes. However, the word from God is still sure. It does not change, and that is a good thing. We can count on it staying consistent when all around us things seem to be changing, and norms are all out of whack. God's word stands as a stabilizer to the uncertain, to the unsure, to the weak, to the fallen…. to the one needing help. The Word points the way through this maze of confusion. Even the word says God is not the author of confusion. Hey, if he isn’t, who is?

I know this sounds out dated and some might say uncompassionate. In such a permissive era that we live today, it might even sound intolerant and old fashion. Surely, God is not so demanding, is he? Well, to answer this, go read the first three or four chapters in the Bible, Genesis and then ask again.

God is not that mean, nor is He vindictive – He knows what is best for us, and He shares this in the Word. Even when we are chasing wildly after sin, God loves us. Nevertheless, disobedience has its consequence and unless we repent, the love of God calls forth the wrath of God upon all unrighteousness.

Therefore, let God speak to your spirit wherever you are, whatever place you happen to find yourself now. Remember, God’s Gotcha Always!

©2010 Ben Walls

Smile

Take a deep breath. With each breath you take, there is an opportunity to improve your well-being. It provides you with the privilege of thinking differently than you have thought in the past; to see life as you never seen it before. To project toward others the great power you are as a human full vitality and vigor.

Your power is contagious. Smile and people cannot help it; they are engaged to return the offering. Your smile could mean a myriad of things: I’m tired but I won’t let you know, it’s a good day, and I’m getting better." Your smile could mean anything. Share it, SMILE!

However, the person to whom it is cast, they interpret it into their prism of life and the energy of a simple simile takes on a completely newer meaning. Like lightning flashing through the sky, it electrifies whatever and whomever it contacts. A smile can be the jolt that lifts a sunken soul from the depths of depression and despair. Just a smile, it costs nothing; it’s free, but impacting.

If you do nothing else today, SMILE at someone and change a life.

©2010 Ben Walls

Remember Your Shingle

Outside my bedroom window is a little shed I used to play in as a kid. Today when I looked out, I could see something was still there - a shingle. I guess it was during my earlier teenage years when I would go out, work in my “shop”, and build things. One day, I decided to put up a storefront sign. Only today did I ever think of it as a shingle.

Professional firms use shingles to establish their presence in the community. You know: Lawyers, Doctors, and Consultants, etc. Shingles tell the public about their trade, skill, their preparation and their availability to serve.

Today, I want to remind you of YOU. Are you doing your IT? Whatever your IT is, are you doing it now. I love the commercial, “It’s my money, and I want it now.” Have you forgotten what shingle you once hung out, your childhood dreams and aspirations? The things you daydreamed about and never did. Why? Why haven’t you moved on them? How have you talked yourself away from those ideas and perhaps innovations? Come on now, stop simply remembering, but rather get recharged and take steps to make those dreams realities.

I know. The challenge stands in your way like a daunting wall. It should be there. It serves a purpose. Challenges bring forth the best ideas, newer concepts and better ways to approach and solve problems. Challenges are there help us over the obstacles. Challenges make us Champions! However, you must choose to do something. Go ahead and make the choice to change your life. Once you realize in your heart the impact that change can make on how you think, feel and act; you will love the better person you have become. You can do it. Allow yourself to be inspired to climb your wall.

Every day I go to a local gym. Some days I am pumped and ready to go, other days, I drag. On the mornings I feel slow and unmotivated, I see Mrs. F. She is 86 years old, carries an oxygen bottle on a roll-about walker, and she faithfully comes and with a smile on her face, does her routines. When I see her, that gets me going. I often tell her, "YOU INSPIRE ME!"

If she can, I can! Her actions say to me, you are never too old. You are not too tired. Get up off that couch and live! Workout, lose the fat and make a change. Do what you must to get prepared to hang out your shingle. Develop your trade. Invest in your skill. Prepare for success. Show your availability.

You should hear about my friend Mitchell…next time.

©2010 Benny R. Walls