INTRODUCTION PAGE

"There is a principle
which is a bar against all information,
which is proof against all arguments
and which cannot fail to keep a man
in everlasting ignorance
--that principle is contempt prior to investigation."
Herbert Spencer
Introduction
I want to begin with this important thought--I am not God. Let me explain. I did not take lightly the writing of this book, for it pertains to God and his Kingdom. I have read many books, written by various men and women of God. Sometimes I would read an entire book and only one sentence would stand out and remain with me, giving me something which later helped me. But I read other books which greatly impacted my life. So much so, I tried to pattern my life after the experiences of others. My mistake. Men and women of God are not God. God does not necessarily have the same plan for my life, as he does for someone else's life. This was a difficult lesson to learn. I learned the hard way. In times past, I have gone on the supposition that if God worked in someone else's life a certain way, then he would work the same way in my life. I was wrong. If I had listened to my heart, instead of my head, I would've avoided many mistakes. So I declare: reader beware!
In this book, I have simply shared from my heart what God has shown me and how he has helped me. This book is dedicated to discovering, uncovering, and examining the reality of God's Kingdom, and my sincere desire has been to put forth the truth of God's word, as I have discovered it working in my own life. As believers, we live by faith, guided by God's word and by the Holy Spirit. God speaks to all of us individually. He has a specific plan for each one of our lives. You may find only one thing in this book which helps you. Hang onto that. You may find other things in this book which you do not agree with, or do not completely understand. Let these go. The message I want you to get is this--God's word is inviolable, so always follow God's word. I have tried to stay as true to the word of God as is humanly possible, but I am not perfect. If you glean anything helpful from this book, make sure you examine it in the light of God's word. Nothing can take the place of God's word. If you find something stated in this book which disagrees with the Bible, then please forgive my ignorance and forget what I have said. Here's a suggestion, which has helped me immensely. I heard a brother say, "If you have any doubt at all, don't do it!" When David went against Goliath, he had no doubt that he would defeat the giant. David said so himself. Faith is being sure and certain of what you know. If you find something in this book which you aren't absolutely sure is right, or right for you, then forget it. Pay no attention to it. In applying the message you find in this book to your own life, be sure you are doing what God wants you to do. Go to the source. Read the Bible. Listen to God's word and the voice of his Spirit. Then, when God speaks to you to do something, you'll have no doubt in your heart that it's what he wants you to do.
When the ancient mapmakers reached the end of the then known world, they would write on the edge of the map Beyond Here Be Dragons. If you get out beyond the will of God for your life, you will encounter dragons. This is my simple advice: if you have any doubt in your heart about anything you're thinking of doing, either before or after you read this book, I beg you, don't do it! On the other hand, if you are persuaded by the Holy Spirit to do something you've read about in this book and it agrees with what you already know in your heart you should do, then do it! I am not God. You are not God. I am not you. You are not me. Let the Lord guide you into his perfect will for your life and you will find his perfect peace. May God's finest always be yours!