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This book of the bible is frequently and
erroneously
referred to as the start of "The Church, The Body of Christ".
99.44% of fundamental, bible-believing teachers and pastors
embrace this falsity as truth! The fact is, The Book of Acts is
primarily about the unbelief of Israel and God's postponement of
her program. |
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These books of the bible are where believers in this dispensing
of God's grace should go for their day-to-day doctrine on
living. These books contain the revelation of the mystery,
otherwise known as the gospel of Jesus Christ. |
Click here to
contact LMM

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For though
I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity
is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the
gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward:
but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is
committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that,
when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ
without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
1
Corinthians 9:16-18
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REMEMBER,
THE FOUR SYNOPTIC GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE EARTHLY MINISTRY OF JESUS
CHRIST WERE WRITTEN
TO
ISRAEL UNDER THE LAW:
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SINCE
PROPHECY IS SUCH A HOT TOPIC THESE DAYS, DID YOU EVER WONDER WHAT THE
TRIBULATION SAINTS WILL STUDY AFTER THE BODY OF CHRIST IS RAPTURED?
Doctrine
for
The
Tribulation Saints after the rapture of the Body of Christ:
Here Israel is now back at the forefront under the law against the
imminent judgment and earthly return of The Messiah, Jesus Christ.

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1 For this cause I Paul, the
prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of
the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to
you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the
mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye
read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5
Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as
it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the
Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the
same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the
grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his
power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is
this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the
unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is
the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the
world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus
Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and
powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the
manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose
which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have
boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. 13
Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my
tribulations for you, which is your glory -
Ephesians 3:1-13 |
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"IF
I MAY
SAY";
I
wholeheartedly
disagree
(Part
II....)
Part I
Note To The Reader: This is the second installment of an article dedicated to
defending the faith in which we will be specifically addressing
comments made by J. Vernon McGee (posthumously) on an October 31st, 2008
broadcast of "Thru The Bible". This bible study
program goes through the bible in an iterative, five year
period. While I enjoy most of
the programs taught by the late teacher and preacher, I did take
exception to this broadcast which re-aired late on October 2008. I have included the archived link
from the website and will be addressing each of the comments
made. If you click on the McGee image you will be taken to
another site and be able to listen to this broadcast by clicking
on the "Ephesians 3:1-13 - 10/31/2008
audio clip (sponsored by www.oneplace.com). Please note
as the days pass by, you will have to navigate backward to get
to the date of the broadcast.
"Through
The Bible" is an excellent resource to help people through a
5-year bible expository covering the entirety of God's word. The
only major downside to this program is that no one on its
current staff or Board of Governor's will tamper with Dr.
McGee's original teachings...whether he was right or wrong.
It is with this understanding that as eternal bible
students (and with all bible expositions) we are to "eat the
meat, and spit out the bone"...
Ephesians
3 :1-21
1 For this cause I
Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye
have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is
given me to you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known
unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby,
when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in
the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known
unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy
apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should
be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his
promise in Christ by the gospel: 7 Whereof I was made a
minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto
me by the effectual working of his power. 8 Unto me, who am less
than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should
preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9
And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery,
which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who
created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now
unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be
known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to
the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the
faith of him. 13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my
tribulations for you, which is your glory. 14 For this cause I
bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of
whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he
would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be
strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That
Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted
and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all
saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that
ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him
that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or
think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be
glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world
without end. Amen.
We
last left off somewhere around the 12:00 to 16:00 minute mark of the
program. Again, I re-played the message and commentary given by the late
pastor / teacher from Ephesians 3 (text above) and "wrote my complaints"
to what was said, noting the minute mark for reference. Some major points of
disagreement include the comment from McGee that there were more
divisions in the bible after Pentecost and that anyone that believed
such nonsense was a hyper-dispensationalist (with a dismissive
implication). One of the disadvantages I realized about ministries that
were "post-humus" was that no one who still operated the
day-to-day activities would comment on any doctrinal disagreements! It
was as if these types of ministries "canonize" these late teachers
regardless of errors that may occur. I partly understand that I guess...
but in fact its up to each of us to search the scriptures to assure if
those things spoken be true. While there is still much to glean from
ministries like Thru The Bible, they like all of us are not perfect.
But this article addresses the attack on those that would differ from
McGee more than anything. With all of that out of the way let's pick up
on the rest of the broadcast....
12:00 to
16:00
- During the teachings and commentary between the minutes of the
Ephesians 3 study, McGee had some very good points about Paul and "the
mystery". While McGee makes it clear that Paul is only continuing the
ministry of others before him McGee cannot see the forest through the
trees because his statements about the uniqueness of Paul's ministry
are a direct contradiction of the teaching "that Paul continued the
same ministry of those apostles before him"! Let me explain further:
So....what I
can't understand is how Thru The Bible did not (and does
not) acknowledge that Paul himself was uniquely set aside by the
risen Lord Jesus Christ to preach a different good news
message. Clearly in Galatians 2, we read that two groups of men
were to each go to the Uncircumcised (Gentiles) AND Circumcised
(Jews). To me it appears that (when speaking about Paul) McGee
is describing a rose, speaking of its red color, speaking of its
lovely petals, its distinctive thorns and fragrance while
acknowledging that its really a sunflower....
-
McGee
misses the mark on clearly distinguishing salvation "of the
Gentiles" from past Gentiles who were in obeisance to Israel
from Gentiles Paul was the minister TO. It is true that Paul
himself referred to the fact that God in the OT writings
spoke of a prophetic time when the Gentiles would come to
saving knowledge, but this had nothing to do with the
current administration of God's grace. We today are in a
"mystery" dispensing from God.....a mystery from Satan not
meant to be a mystery form us! We must not confuse
"prophecy" with mystery" for they are each unique.
-
McGee then says Paul's ministry has no place of superiority
and calls Paul a helper. Funny, I read something
different: in Romans 11:13 -
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of
the Gentiles, I magnify mine office
On
many an occasion, Dr. McGee stated that he was fallible
and often mused about those that would "straighten him out".
This is not about me or anyone else straitening things out but
God making straight what was crooked through correct
partitioning of His Word.
4 For this
cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of
whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would
grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with
might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your
hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be
able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and
depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth
knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
I
believe there are many things to glean from ministers like Dr. McGee but
as bible students we must keep our doctrinal processors focused on right
division and our eyesight and studies from a Pauline perspective above
anything else.

2 Timothy
3:1-5 -
1
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For
men shall be lovers of their own selves,
covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection,
trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those
that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded,
lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of
godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

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Today's World News

Wolves in
Sheep's Clothing
Philippi,
Macedonia - The bible makes it clear that Satan has transformed
himself into an angel of light
and that we should not be surprised that he has transformed "ministers
of righteousness" to deceive many. With these "wolves in sheep's
clothing" across our churches today, let's examine what Paul had to say to the saints at Philippi.
Read the text in verses 1 through 10 in the chapter of Philippians
first, then make sure to go back and read the rest of the chapter!
1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write
the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is
safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and
rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4 Though I
might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that
he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the
eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew
of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal,
persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law,
blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for
Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the
excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have
suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may
win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness,
which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the
righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the
power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being
made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto
the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained,
either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend
that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I
count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those
things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the
high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be
perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God
shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have
already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same
thing. 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which
walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have
told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies
of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their
belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that
it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the
working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Paul tells the saints at Philippi to do
one of the most fundamental things that we as Christians overlook on
a day-to-day basis: rejoice in The Lord! And if I might add, there is
plenty to be joyous about while thinking of what Jesus Christ has
accomplished for us on our behalf at Calvary. With joy as the main theme
in this wonderful book of the bible, Paul quickly moves to a stern
warning starting in verse 2. I do not think that Paul had
a particular breed of dog in mind or was referring to our canine friends
at all. The "dogs" he was referring to were contemptible men,
shameless individuals who were bold in trying to get believers to stray
from trusting in the sufficiency of Christ for their day-to-day living.
Paul grouped these men in with two other types: evil workers and
those of the concision.
These
evil men would cause harm to the point of destruction
throwing caution to the wind from a moral perspective to
get what they want. They were poisonous, troublesome
injurious and wicked. The concision were those that
would mutilate or cut up. In case you haven't realized
it yet, these are some pretty harsh words the apostle was
using.
But I find it interesting that Paul is not mentioning
physical locations or areas that people should be
staying away from. These are people in "religious"
circles that Paul is warning us about friends.
If anyone reading this article has yet to
experience the collateral damage from the above types of
individuals, consider yourself fortunate. Not to add
further paranoia but most of the problems in
churches today occur while they smile at you in plain
view and pretend to be your friend. In some cases, while during the
meetings in the back rooms, when you're not there they
are plotting your demise.
In verse 3
Paul describes members of The Body of Christ as "the
circumcision" that worships God in spirit and rejoices
in Christ Jesus, while having no confidence in the
flesh.... with the "confidence in the flesh" being the
main issue here.
I have found if you
are one that magnifies the grace of God as Christ
instructed us to do, you will find yourself in conflict
very quickly. We are to have no confidence in this flesh
beloved. We are instructed to crucify the old man but in
many instances we attempt to rehabilitate the old men
that was crucified with Christ. I am truly blessed to
have just a few people to share this sound biblical
truth with (one being my wife of 25 years), but I can
tell you that in most instances, you won't find Paul's truth
taught in large
fellowships that have found their strength and
sufficiency in entertainment, programs and legalism.
Logically and biblically, from Gideon to David, through
Christ to Paul, God does his best work in small numbers
so
only that He would be lifted up not the
accomplishments of man!
In verses 4
through 6, Paul humbly uses himself as the
example of what NOT to do. He was one of those people
that found sufficiency in his own accomplishments prior
to his conversion. But we must not make the same
mistake while already saved friends. If this is not
the case, why would Paul be bringing this up to
believers? Isn't' the book of Philippians to believers??
Certainly Paul speaks of his qualifications and lineage
as a Pharisee...one trained at the feet of Gamaliel.
Socially, ethically and morally...he was blameless but
the problem here was that he was righteous in his own
accomplishments and strengths. Later in verses 7
and 8 he confessed to what he really was able to
comprehend as the fundamental problem for all believers
to be able to do:
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss
for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but
loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus
my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all
things, and do count them but dung, that I may win
Christ,
Although we are in a
justified standing (righteous as Jesus Christ Himself)
through the operation of the faith of God, we still
battle the flesh since we have an attraction to sin and
self!
Our high calling? To
be found in Him or realizing we are found in Christ
Jesus! How??? By counting all things as loss in exchange
for the superior knowledge of Christ. The apostle was
our human example for this at he gave up his Pharisaical
position and influence for the excellence of the
knowledge of Jesus Christ. This is why he could
proclaim; Follow me as I follow Christ! Jesus Christ was
our heavenly example to demonstrate the perfect life as
the God-man so we wouldn't have to fly around
saying WWJD.
To be further wary of
wolves in sheep's clothing, recall in Paul's
other letters how we are to renew our mind in
order to have the mind.... of Christ! We are to
be unified in doctrine, in "the faith" and in Jesus
Christ:
Romans 12:2 - And be
not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by
the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is]
that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1 Corinthians 2:16 -
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may
instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Ephesians 4:23
- And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Starting in
verse10, Paul tells us that the key this
excellent knowledge starts with is suffering
because at this point, we are broken down to our lowest
level where we have no choice but to lean on Christ as
our sufficiency. Our entire Christian life will be this
process: getting to know Christ and the fellowship of
his sufferings. Friends, I'm not talking about
self-inflicted suffering either or that we should do
something stupid because we are to maintain our
testimony as believers, as ambassadors for Christ. But
practically speaking and let's be honest....are we more
likely to think on the things of God when circumstances
are going well?
In this sin-cursed
world we can most assuredly expect trials, troubles and
afflictions but yet friends, this is our most opportune
time to experience what Paul calls the "fellowship of
His sufferings" (...that superior knowledge I was
mentioning a moment ago..). How??...by being made
conformable (agreeable, suitable) unto His death through
the sufferings we experience. We can understand
through our trials and troubles what Jesus did for us.
In addition, the best witness for unbelievers is for
them to see how we react under difficult circumstances.
Not that we should hope for it or want it, but to know
that god will use this difficult times for his glory so
that we can say with Paul:
2
Corinthians 12:10 - Therefore I take pleasure
in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in
persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when
I am weak, then am I strong.
...."We are to have no
confidence in this flesh beloved. We are instructed to crucify the old
man but in many instances we attempt to rehabilitate the old man that
was crucified with Christ".....


Believe It!


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COFFEE
CORNER
REBELLION
AGAINST PAULINE AUTHORITY
by Cornelius R. Stam
One of the chief reasons why so many sincere religious people are left
in doubt and uncertainty as to salvation is because the organized Church
has rebelled against a distinct and important revelation from God to us
who live in this present age. This revelation is found in the inspired
words of Paul, in Rom. 11:13:
"For
I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles. I
magnify mine office."
Many minimize that which the Word of God magnifies here. They insist
upon following Peter rather than Paul, failing to see that Peter’s
authority concerned the now-rejected kingdom of Christ on earth over
Israel and the nations. Our Lord had said to His twelve apostles:
"Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed Me, in the
regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory,
YE ALSO SHALL SIT UPON TWELVE THRONES, JUDGING THE TWELVE TRIBES OF
ISRAEL" (Matt. 19:28).
Surely there are no twelve tribes in the Church today, nor was any
provision, specific or implied, made by our Lord for "apostolic
succession." This dogma is built upon the unscriptural assumption that
the Church today is the kingdom which Christ established when on earth,
and that our ministry today is but a perpetuation of that which the
twelve began.
The fact is that the ministry of the twelve was halted by the rejection
of the King and His kingdom and that the apostles themselves finally
agreed to turn their proposed Gentile ministry over to Paul, that other
apostle, to whom had been committed "the gospel of the grace of God"
(Read carefully, Gal. 2:2-9 and Acts 20:24).
If only the confused religious masses could see that when Israel joined
the Gentiles in rebellion against God, when the world’s sin had risen to
its height and all was ready for judgment, God revealed "the exceeding
riches of His grace" by saving Saul, the chief of sinners, and sending
him forth as both the herald and the living example of His grace! Thus
he writes:
"Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound, BUT WHERE SIN
ABOUNDED, GRACE DID MUCH MORE ABOUND: "THAT AS SIN HATH REIGNED UNTO
DEATH, EVEN SO MIGHT GRACE REIGN, through righteousness, unto eternal
life, by Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 5:20,21).

Question Box
by the Berean Bible Society
Q: “Were Satan to ask God for forgiveness,
would He grant it?”
A: We feel God would not, but not
because He is unkind. He would not because He could not.
It must be remembered, thereare things God cannot do.
For instance, because of His holy nature, He cannot lie
(Titus 1:2). Similarly, His holiness and sense of
infinite justice demand that He cannot forgive sin that
has not been justly paid for by His Son (Rom. 3:24-26).
Our Lord paid for the sins of men when He was “made a
little lower than the angels for the suffering of
death...that He by the grace of God should taste death
for every man” (Heb. 2:9). However, Universalists who
teach that even Satan will be saved should consider that
the same provision could not be
made for the devil, because he is a fallen angel. Since
angels cannot die (Luke 20:36), the Lord could not
become an angel to die for angels (Heb. 2:14-17).
Lest the reader feel sorry for Satan, it should be
pointed
out that he would never ask forgiveness. If a thousand
years in the pit of hell (Rev. 20:3 cf. Isa. 14:15) does
not cause him to ask it (Rev. 20:7-9), nothing will. —
Pastor Kurth



THE
FRUIT OF THE
SPIRIT
by Cornelius R. Stam
"But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,
temperance; against such there is no law" (Galatians 5:22,23).
"But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law"
The "fruit of the Spirit" is that
combination of graces evidenced in the lives of believers who "walk in
the Spirit." Let us never make the mistake of supposing that "the
Spirit," in Gal. 5:22,23, refers to "the spirit of man which is in him"
(I Cor. 2:11). It refers rather to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God,
who indwells believers. The spiritual virtues listed above do not spring
from any goodness in us, but from the Spirit of God dwelling within.

Next, we should observe that these graces are not the product of human
effort. The passage above declares that they are fruit, and fruit is the
natural product of life and growth. Indeed, "the fruit of the Spirit" is
here contrasted with "the works of the flesh" (Vers. 19-21), and these
are all bad!
Finally, it is a remarkable fact that the graces which the Holy Spirit
produces in yielded believers are certainly not those which the world
admires. The world admires self-confidence, self-respect, self-made men,
intellectual prowess, personal magnetism, authority, etc., while the
Spirit produces "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, meekness, temperance." But consider the difference. A man may
have self-confidence, intellectual acumen, political or other power --
and he may still be very difficult to live with, but not so with the
virtues which the Spirit produces. Of those who possess these graces the
Apostle says: "Against such there is no law."

_________________________

"Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus
Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from
this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father."
_________________________
I'll be singing this
in heaven.....
This is my life
It's not what it was
before
All these feelings
I've shared
And these are my
dreams
That I'd never lived
before
Somebody shake me
'cause I
I must be sleeping
[CHORUS]
Now that we're here,
It's so far away
All the struggle we
thought was in vain
All the mistakes,
One life contained
They all finally
start to go away
Now that we're here
its so far away
And I feel like I can
face the day I can forgive
And I'm not ashamed
to be the person that I am today
These are my words
That I've never said
before
I think I'm doing Ok
And this is the smile
That I've never shown
before
Somebody shake me
'cause I
I must be sleeping
[CHORUS]
Now that we're here,
It's so far away
All the struggle we
thought was in vain
All the mistakes,
One life contained
They all finally
start to go away
Now that we're here
its so far away
And I feel like I can
face the day I can forgive
And I'm not ashamed
to be the person that I am today
I'm so afraid
of waking
Please don't
shake me
Afraid of
waking
please don't
shake me....
[CHORUS]
Now that we're here,
It's so far away
All the struggle we
thought was in vain
All the mistakes,
One life contained
They all finally
start to go away
Now that we're here
its so far away
And I feel like I can
face the day I can forgive
And I'm not ashamed
to be the person that I am today
Lyrics to "So Far Away"
Staind:
Aaron Lewis, Michael Mushok, Jonathan Wysocki, John April
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