Pastor Mike, Thank you for your response. There is one thing that stands out to me about the article that you wrote and it’s this: It’s “academic”. I don’t mean that offensively. A lady once used that word around me talking about a well known ministry and the things that they were saying. That threw me for a loop. I literally had to look up the meaning of that word and then figure out what she said. What she was saying is that “those things go without saying”. There is no “magic” in that. Matthew 13:35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept SECRET from the foundation of the world. I think your failing to give credence to that fact that there is a hidden mystery revolving around the teachings of the kingdom. Jesus was saying something so mind blowing that only IT (the secret, the mystery) could qualify as something so magnificent, that God almighty felt the need to hide it-and then reveal it at the opportune moment as the \"secret\" of the kingdom. Look at the scriptures listed below. Matthew 6:4 That thine alms may be in SECRET: and thy Father which seeth in SECRET himself shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in SECRET; and thy Father which seeth in SECRET shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in SECRET: and thy Father, which seeth in SECRET, shall reward thee openly. Notice the word SECRET. Isn’t it safe to say that there is something about this idea that is a lot more far reaching then what we’ve given credit for being? Did you know that there is a scripture in the Old Testament where a man demands to know Gods name from the angle standing before him representing God, and do you know what the angel said? (Paraphrased) “Why do you ask me my name being that it’s “SECRET” (might Gods name literally be “SECRET”? As in “hi my name is Denny, I’d like you to meet my friend Secret). Is it just me or is there something a lot more to this; that God would keep centering on the idea of “secret”? Well in my articles I seize upon this idea and I expound on what I believe this secret is. In what you just wrote, you can’t glean anything out of it that could be construed as a “secret hidden from the foundation of the earth”. Can you see that? It’s all academic. JESUS WAS SAYING SOMETHING INCREDIBLE! I mean in terms of helping the human race. I would submit that the pearl of great price or the treasure hid in the field is this ability that a human being has to resplend the contents of his heart onto the picture screen of his life. I.E, get it to MANIFEST. Now seriously, isn’t that more of a fulfillment of the scripture: “That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world”. Who cares about things that don’t help you get God manifest in your life? Haven’t you ever been afraid of something? Haven’t you ever been in a jam in which you need God NOW! Haven’t you ever been anxious, careful, strung-out (stressed out-whatever)? Haven’t you ever asked “isn’t there something for my being (body) in terms of the presence of God? Why would a person have to lie in bed feeling spiritually cold, dark, as though God is totally absent? Shouldn’t we have a “manifestation” of the presence of God to where we always know that he’s there? Some will say “but you must take it by faith”. But the whole reason why you take it by faith is because Hebrews says “faith is the substance, or giving substance to the things that we hope for. We use our faith to get something to manifest. God wants to be manifestly present in our lives. Many people have had an experience with God in which they say it was as though a being of fire came upon them. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could get this experience and impart it unto others? Instead of kids blowing the brains out on dope, impart this being that the bible calls the Comforter unto people and just see if that wouldn’t far out do what crack can offer. Isn’t this better than all of that theory business? I don’t want theory; theory doesn’t pay the bills and give me something to look forward to. FUSHTANE? (I think that’s German for do you get it? I’m probably wrong. Forgive me thou German people.) I would submit that THIS, IS THE “CONTEXT” THAT JESUS WAS ADDRESSING. Just remember though, Jesus said many things. Some of which may be an overall view from above concerning the predicament of man. But by far his most awesome teaching was that of manifesting the Word of God to the world around us via Kingdom principles. Mark 4:13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? The parables of Mark chapter four are the ones that open the door to all the others. And it speaks of manifesting things hidden, to the world around us. God bless. Tell no man.