Letters

A WARNING TO AN ERRANT BROTHER

Dear C. N.                                                                                                         March 3, 1993

     My dear brother, I have received a telephone call regarding you which if it is true is as shocking as it is grievous and sad. The caller maintained that you have been seeing a woman who is not your wife, and that this has been going on for so long a time, that you have now divorced your wife, and are intending to marry the other woman.

      If these proceedings are not true, graciously forgive this troubling letter, but if these things are true, I beg you in the name of our Lord Jesus who loved us and shed His blood to free us from the just penalty of our sins, please weigh the tragedy that will result if you continue in your course.

     First, it will have a ruining affect upon your children. Second, it will bring scandal upon your church. Third, it will bring shame upon your friends, and upon everyone who associates with you. Fourth, it will discredit your reputation as a man, and your testimony both as a Christian, and as a minister of the gospel. I beg you to consider these things before it is too late. Solomon wrote, "The way of transgressors is hard" (Proverbs 13:15). To refuse to marry the woman is not enough: you must repent to the place that you are willing to stop the unlawful relationship. "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth" (Galatians 4:16)? "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful" (Proverbs 27:6).

     In the event these matters are true, may God give you the gift of repentance.

TO ONE OPPRESSED BY NIGHTMARES

 Dear J. M.                                                                                                   February 13, 1993

     ...It has been my experience that nightmares may result from 1.) something a person has read, not necessarily something they have read recently, but possibly something they have read many years ago. 2.) Or, nightmares may result from something a person has seen on television, or at the movies, even many years past. 3.) They may result from something a person told us. Or, 4.) they may result from a bitter, or unforgiving spirit.

    In the case of the latter, in order to be healed, confession must be made to the person we have not forgiven, as well as to the Lord. This is true even if the person or persons does not know our problem.

    In the case of the other 3 possibilities, the "stage" must be set for the nighttime. The way to do this is to meditate upon the Lord during the daytime, and especially before retiring for the night. In addition to prayer upon our bed, I have found that singing a hymn in my heart will produce holy thoughts, even in my subconscious mind. Must go. I will pray for you concerning your rest-denying dreams. "May God Smile On You"—Bach.

Dear J. M.                                                                                                     October 27, 1993

      ...Your perceptions of what things are really important in life are remarkable, and I rejoice that the Lord has given you to see things most people cannot see. People are more important than bricks and mortar, or the fineries of life. It thrilled me that the Lord has so worked in your life.

    Regarding those troublesome nightmares; I am convinced I know how to help with those "hags," but first, their cause. They can be caused by diet, so Ebenezer Scrooge confessed his early tremors could be "a piece of pork," etc., but there are other more plausible reasons. They can be caused by harboring a grudge, or brought on by other unconfessed sin. If this is the case, the sin must be confessed and forsaken. Drugs can dishevel the mind. Is there a possibility you are being influenced by drugs without your knowledge, say, at the health spa? Do you eat or drink any kind of energy-giving "potion" when you work out?

     Even the feeling of being unwanted could give a person a restless mind, and lay the groundwork for nightmares.

    Second, what to do about them. It could appear from your letter that you have turned to the use of wine out of fear of sleep. I honestly believe that if you will try the following, you will, by God's grace, be able to slay the dragon of your nightmares. You need to prepare yourself for sleep. It will not help in the long run to try to exhaust your body by exercise.

     An hour before you retire, program your mind with holy thoughts by calmly reading the Word, and by calling upon the Lord earnestly. Then, 30 minutes before you end the day, play some truly, godly music. It may be hymns, or Psalms, or spiritual gospel songs. I suggest George Beverly Shea, Jerome Hines, Barbara Law, or any other singer or musician who is reverent before God. The kind of music is critical. The music most popular with today's culture is destructive of all real godliness.

     Perhaps, you would like some oratorio. Mendelssohn's Elijah is pure Scripture. The point is that our mind must be overcome so that we bring every thought into subjection and obedience to the Law of God. If our thoughts are pious during our conscious hours, they will be pious during our subconscious hours.

    I promise you, that if you will set your mind at ease, and leave the day communing with the Lord, He will protect you as you sleep. If you have tried this, it may be you have need to devote more time with the Lord before you sink into insensibility.

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