bvaliant4him

A Consequence of Complacency

2012-02-13T19:04:00.000-08:00

So why is it that God allows evil? One big reason is so that evil can do it's "perfect work." After all the information He's given us and all the work He's done for us, He still wants His chosen ones, that have chosen Him, to be thoroughly convinced He's got the best deal. So He allows the opposition to field their options, dressing them up as best they can. He allows the other voices which opine that there are many viable alternatives.

But....He is still God, not all of the other pretenders. All ideas have consequences, even seemingly ephemeral ones. Take, for instance, this idea that everybody has a right to "their own truth." One who cannot be bothered to investigate the claims of any purportedly transendant truth, because it might contradict their cherished principals of self gratification, would also be mortally offended by the "violation" of the inner sanctum of a third party with the same inconvenient and unwelcome facts. The more important the subject, the more of a no-man's land it becomes. Within the shelter of political correctness, complacency has fattened itself to the point of insensibility. A self satisfied society, under the banner of pluralism, has allowed the enemy in.

Without the walls of truth to defend us, we are already destroyed. Love's biased mandate cannot be heard by deafened ears. Another yammering, raised to a cresendo to drown out all others, has rushed in to fill the void left by morals. Rigid legalism is what always replaces the freedom of living in Christ's love, and all roads without Christ Jesus lead to one place: the bondage of slavery!

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage”.

Beware the Soft Answer!

2012-02-06T18:12:00.000-08:00

"A soft answer turns away wrath." Prov. 15:1 For those who do not care to know or understand Christ, this is a test. A soft answer is not an attempt at appeasement. It is not a weak and inferior one trying to pacify the strong. No, rather it is the response to anger of one who's total confidence is in another. It is the result of the superior, empowered position of secure acceptance, the accepted one passing on reassurance of the same. He is God's hand at work.

If the angry one decides that he does not wish to set aside his grievance by way of forgiveness, does not grasp the extended hand of fellowship to live on the common grounds of humility and peace (and Jesus is the ONLY peace), then he has committed himself to a hell past his worst nightmares, the overwhelming flood of unending retribution, which he, himself, has chosen. In the interval of space and time between the indrawn breath of commiting the sin, and it's release of inevitable judgement, is a pause to give room for repentance. During the pause, the believer, as an extension of Christ Himself, carries the burden of the world and it's sin. Those to whom Christ has so graciously imparted His righteousness, He also graciously allows to suffer for Him. The believer's anguish, weakness, and tears, is the Lord praying with and through His people. God is reclaiming His lost creation. An unrepentant sinner is owned, by his debt, and will be held over for judgement and punishment.

Keep Watch!

2011-10-14T19:34:00.000-07:00

Luke 21:34-36
King James Version (KJV)

34And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
35For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Do not be fooled by the wiles of a world without Christ. Care and circumstance conspire to draw our time and attention away from Him, and that is no coincidence. The only way for mortals to prevail, in a spiritual battle, is to pray for the Lord's will to be done. His will must be our focus, because only He is strong enough to win.

What is it that the enemy seeks to distract us from that is the will of God concerning us? To believe and then to tell others His good news! These are the tasks appointed to us!

A famous evangelist once voiced the opinion that so called christians who do not give voice to the faith by telling others, are not so much christians as they are frauds. What is a watchman good for, except to warn others of the coming judgement and give them the information they need to escape it? If others do not believe, then their destruction is on their own heads, but the one told to watch would be guilty of an even greater crime in failing to warn them. This watchman is quite obviously not convinced of the truth or urgency of the message! He has not kept watch as instructed!

A Form of Godliness......

2011-09-23T20:33:00.000-07:00

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but… http://bible.us/2Tim3.1.NIV"

First you must study the authentic before you will know what is counterfeited. What does godliness look like? Obviously, as the name itself implies, it is having God's character. God is love. Love is trusting, giving, sharing, supporting, empowering. It is self sacrifice. Even bruised, battered and bloody, love is forever unconquered but conquering. Love returns good for evil and the truth for a lie. Love maintains gentleness in the face of mistreatment. Love is the ultimate in patience, waiting for reciprocation as an occasion for celebration.

How is it possible to falsify such profoundly beautific character? What could possibly manifest the outward signs of godliness, yet be corrupt, hateful, and unloving at it's core? What has deceived supposed christians into falling into line to achieve it's goals?

Tolerance is the catchword of today's society, the sole principal upon which is built all that has the appearance of morals, yet remember, tolerance means how much pain you can stand and how well you can hide your hatred. It speaks of how we must allow the evil, no matter how murderous, to remain beside us, permitting it's pride to stay intact. This is not love, where we conform to other's expectations out of fear. It is not love to keep silent while death and destruction work their whims. Look closely and see that tolerance is only an empty shell, loudly proclaiming a worthless, fruitless mimicry of the gold standard which is the character of God.

What Have You Done!

2011-08-11T19:36:00.000-07:00

The anger has taken over. It has seized a life all it's own.
A harvest of bitterness, for selfish seeds we have sown.
A litany of accusations, follow us into our dreams
when weariness is no longer the refuge, from reality, that it seems.
For our collective failures, none of us want the blame.
We seek to defer, to others, the misery of our shame.
So, willfulness, or self expression, by any other name,
the excruciating results of them remain the same.
This morass of condemnation has no escape and no way past.
"Who would even choose to be a part of it?" incredulously asked!
If we could but lift our eyes, we could see, His sympathy and sorrow,
in the eyes of the One, whose image we have borrowed.
The first thing we see, is that He, is familiar with shame and condemnation.
His rejection and His sacrifice, in history, was done.
He voluntarily suffered the ultimate in pain
to which we cry "What have you done? What did you hope to gain?"
THIS is the logical conclusion, of our choice, made stark and bare.
It was the death, of God Himself, that He accomplished there!
So grim our loss, of the Source, of all love and gentleness!
If we can, or will, survive His ending, is anybody's guess!
But how else could such Mighty Majesty descend to the depths of our hell?
Burst open the doors of our prison, with the good news, of our deliverance, to tell?
A destiny of death and dark despair are all that we have lost!
When He showed disdain to count our shame and rained contempt on anger's cost!
This is a God without barriers. save the will of His loves object!
He can change the foulest violator, if he is but willing, HIS love and mercy to reflect!
By which we cry, "Most Precious One! Look what You've done!
Our darkest destiny, exchanged, for the inheritance of favored sons!"

Winning by Weakness

2011-08-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

I was touched recently, by a song by Guns N Roses. I felt the man's pain and sadness when he pleaded, "Look at the world we're killing, look at the blood we're spilling, just like we've always done before." Unfortunately, his conclusion and answer to the dilemma was simply "I don't need your civil war!" Did he think that there would be no dying if he did not fight? Does he think that evil will not fill any vacuum left by cowardice? Violence always reigns supreme in this world, this culture, and this mind set of entitlement. It will attempt to swallow up, and still not be satisfied, anything not already committed to God. Fear and anger seek to overwhelm rational thought and be our primary motivators. They demand our obedience!

There is something, not of this world, that is stronger and more compelling than both. Faith is our desire for, and trust in, Jesus. It endures, no matter the test, for His love is our motivation. Love is not something that can be forced. It surrenders willingly that which is needful for the sake of another. That is what Jesus meant when He said, "No man can take my life. I lay it down willingly." The greatest courage of all is demonstrated when we turn away, by our free choice, from self gratification to choose giving up to His love. It may cost us everything, even our life, but it will proven to be worth it!

Choosing to face fear with meekness and vulnerability just seems so counter intuitive, but everyone has had the experience of the "lump in the throat" because of a demonstratively genuine gift of love. (DO NOT try this without God's help!)
I have seen true love, proven through self sacrifice, and have had that reaction of identifying with the giver and receiver. So it is that we will conquer, if we humble ourselves and become weak, to surrender to Love!

Crossing the Line

2011-07-28T19:29:00.000-07:00

There are so very many ways of expressing the concept of what it takes to become a christian. The label is, of course, inadequate representation of what exits inside of a person(and is used as a default label). There is a line that must be crossed, a change that is made, an acceptance (and action) upon certain truths. Jesus called the change being "born again", when His richness has reached all the way down to our foundation to conceive that new life in us which is our down payment on eternal life.It is called "believing in Him" that dawning realization of the absolute veracity of who He is and what He has said. The change is being saved from the destruction of our prior path, saved from being condemned to the second death, called hell. Jesus also called it "entering by the gate", such gate which is Christ Jesus. He said there is no other entrance for He is the Truth, the Way, and the Life.

How can you tell when you have crossed over the line, the demarcation that makes the difference, between life and death? Regrets and remorse are not the magic ticket to the movie called heaven. The next progression, the desire to change, to do better, is still not sufficient to push us over the edge into freedom. Everyone goes through these sorts of things. The effort to improve ourselves is (literally) a dead end road. That point where we see our overwhelming need and also our helplessness to effect a change is where our spiritual transformation begins.

"In that day, whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." It is when we are so far down into the hole that we throw up our hands in surrender, and plead with Jesus to fix it, that the salvation of our God seizes hold of us and generates the seed of the image of Him within us. His likeness grows and flowers within us through His guidance.

Symptoms manifest themselves of this permanent and incurable condition (of new life in Christ). The first sign of it is that we call Him our Lord to His face and in the presence of others. We feel a compelling love of Him that places His will and desire above our own. His gentle benevolence is revealed in our character so that we, amazingly, love our brother, enough so that we want good for him, even in the face of his abuse. We are willingly and eagerly obedient to His commands out of gratitude for His goodness. He has become, for us, the God of the gap, overcoming and conquering even the gulf which separates us from Him, and making our sin of no effect. He is not beyond our reach anymore. He is just a prayer away.

There are many in this day and age who call themselves Christians. Our Lord said many would use His name who do not know Him. The greatest tragedy in this world is those who do not make the transition from knowing about Him to knowing Him personally.

From Sinner to Saint (In 3.2 seconds)

2011-06-09T19:37:00.000-07:00

The difference between free will and predestination is only the measure of the gap between our understanding and His. They are the same thing, just seen from opposite ends of the spectrum. God already has the game planned. The course is plotted and laid in. Time is but the gage of how long it takes us, to be brought up to speed, on what He will have us understand. If we were already perfect, we wouldn't need the time to learn the game. To "wait on the Lord" is to keep the heart faithful during that period our version of reality is catching up with His ultimate reality.

This is HIM of whom there is none and nothing greater. This is HE who's reach extends to the lowest hell. The hardened will of the sinner is broken "without hand" by the featherlight touch of grace and mercy. The crushing results of criminal activity is what strips away his resistance. Granted, we are vessels which do not have the capacity for submission to the Divine prerogative, but this fact only underscores the miracle of His grace. What a work of artistry are the gifts of His salvation and sanctification! These gifts are only given to the willing! He creates the willingness, Himself! He develops His wisdom in us for the purpose of turning selfish rebellion into obedience, honored with the privilege of serving His cause. This is the serene security of knowing all His will is accomplished and the joyful gratitude of realizing His unqualified acceptance and our freedom of choice in being delivered from our slavery.

What makes YOU so right?

2011-06-07T18:16:00.000-07:00

What one good thing do you wish that you could accomplish in this world? And what is holding you back from doing it? "The cost of our vitality (ability to live life to the fullest) is the sum of all our fears." Our lack of faith holds life itself hostage. By keeping ourselves safe, we lose all of what is most precious.

Life is not about us. The Lord is attempting to teach us to not hoard our treasures for ourselves. In God's workings, what we wish to keep must be given away. The Lord develops our "leadership" by using us to serve and to give. It's what His authority is.

People hide behind their fear and anger, wishing that things could be different. It is only an excuse when they say that what little they could give would not make a difference. There is no peace in this hoarding of grudges. They are trying to wrest some control out of the situation, hoping to salvage it.

We were never in control. Only God is. He uses our emotions to propel us and motivate us. Only God can give the increase and a harvest from our sacrifices. So again I ask, what good would you do, if you could? Faith throws the bread upon the waters. It will return to HIM exactly how He wants it to! So what have we got to lose?

Faith AND Doubt?

2011-05-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

I am not a big fan of this new confession that faith and doubt can coexist in a healthy christian belief. Sure, it's normal to be sceptical, but when it comes to our commitment to Jesus, the book of James clearly tells us that the doubter is an unstable person. Doubt is the opposite of the belief and faith we called to have! The enemy is the one who would have us fear that God is not good, just, and powerful.

I read in the LA Times an essay, by a rabbi, who said that "faith is in the questioning." Not having understanding is not the same thing as doubt. (Compare the stories of Mary and Zacharias when they were both told they would have a son. Mary asked the angel how it would work, and the priest asked for a sign.) Exploring and learning about God and how He works means we will have questions. These questions will not be answered in our time, but in God's, for His ultimate glory. If our desire to understand drives us to, and keeps us on, our knees in prayer, then we will be strengthened in our endurance, maintained by Him in our decision to be obedient in belief, and will be gifted with His patience in hope. These are the character traits that will be revealed, as a reflection of His glory, when the heavens open and the Righteous One is revealed to the whole world.

Unanswered Prayer?

2011-05-27T19:22:00.000-07:00

What's with that? I protest the terminology! Those two words should be mutually exclusive. They do not belong together. Jesus will refuse His children no good thing (or He will MAKE it good) and that includes those things which are hard to hear or accept. In answering prayer, He utilizes one of three responses: "Yes", "Wait", or, "I have something better in mind". So we observe that prayer either changes things, or it changes us!

God desires this dialog for the purpose of "growing us up". It is how we "wrestle" with God. We are the ones who are developing our agility and stamina in spiritual matters. We are building up our internal strength and toughness in faith. I have learned from combining prayer with my dilemmas. God and I have come to an agreement. I ask for His will to be done and He gives me whatever I ask for.

I have one simple discipline to advocate as an answer to this issue of "unanswered" prayer. Keep a prayer journal. Make sure you keep track of exactly what you've asked Him for. My own journal started out as a list, every day, of what I wanted from Him. Once I saw that He actually answers, the journal then seemed to degenerate into a pathetic, whiny list of complaints about my life. I don't think, when we are in trouble, that we realize our prayers sound this way. It sure was emphasized in a big way when I had to search through page after dreary, angry, pleading, page to put down His answers. It was just too painful reading that stuff. I resolved to use the journal as a vehicle of praise for Him. I asked Him to help me do it. Now some of my best material starts in those pages. I have also learned how exquisite is the pleasure of giving honor and glory to Him!

Keeping Up Appearances

2011-05-25T18:10:00.000-07:00

In the neighborhood I frequent every day, I see Jehovah's Witnesses parading around in their "Sunday best" for all to see. The selling point of their religion seems to be how together and righteous they appear to be. Who wouldn't want to be perfect in and of themselves? The real meaning of the gospel (good news) seems to have escaped them entirely. Anyone who is an actual sinner doesn't stand a chance in their organization. At least that"s what their family members tell me. Anyone who can't "fly straight" need not apply.

This is not to pick on them specifically. (But if they impress you, we need to talk some more.) I am pointing out our own tendency to indulge in the behaviors that tell others, without words, that we, ourselves, have arrived. There is no difference between "us" and "them". We are not to think of ourselves as better than others. If we are thinking this, we are disowning part of ourselves. Evil unacknowledged becomes stronger within us, and inaccessible to grace and forgiveness.

Our actions are only symptoms of the real problem. If we do not confess (fess up) to our actual motivations, we cannot be healed of our disease. Honesty before the Savior is a part of salvation. The good news is that, yes, we are broken, but God knows all about it! That's why there is grace! That's why grace is free for the asking! We are all on the same level of absolute poverty in this matter of rightness before God. Just for the asking, He will attribute to us the perfection He requires from us! (Because of the Son.) Now, if you think that you don't need God, as Jesus, then you're still just keeping up appearances......

God, Where Are You?

2011-05-24T15:33:00.000-07:00

When I told You I wanted to serve You,
I was welcoming Your authority in my life too.
In Your name, I've spoken to other's hearts,
Shielded the longing where courage starts.
I never knew my own strength would give out.
Knowing Your mercy,You're gonna hear me shout!
Lord, please just show me where You are now!
I know that You care, and I want to see how:
What You do for me when I can't go on?
Change my sighs and tears into a victory song?
When the sun torments me with it's heat,
Sucks out my life so that I feel beat,
the luminosity of the clouds cover me,
Your visible hand for all to see.
Satan's neighborhood makes music an assault.
If I ask for peace, then their anger's my fault.
While I still ask, Your answer's on the way.
It's no longer their home, so they cannot stay.
Who could ever admit a child is a burden?
Protecting him from the hurt of where he's been?
Now he will see Your provision and power,
Be bold with the gospel, in this the last hour.
Symptoms of sickness bring terror and pain
and loss of hope to ever be strong again.
By the buffeting messenger, I learn spiritual warfare.
By God's grace I can fight him, so I'm no longer scared!
In weakness, I know, that I'm not worth much,
Except, I know He uses me to encourage and such!
I find relief in a compassionate spouse.
His kindness makes a refuge, out of my house.
So in my daily life the evidence proves true.
Almighty God, it seems clear, that compassion is what You do!
Obvious is Your signature, written on my walls.
Obvious is the beckoning siren song, of love for me, that calls!
Abundant tender mercies shield me from harm.
The attacks of the enemy, but chase me, into Your arms!
How can fear touch me when all I see is You?
Holding tightly, to me always, so I know I'll make it through!

Interlude (or you could say, what's happnin when nothin's happnin!)

2011-05-23T19:00:00.000-07:00

My heart is consumed by restlessness.
There's got to be more to life than this!
I'm in a race for power and things,
Yet no satisfaction do they bring.
I know I'm worth more than these!
Searching for meaning past material disease.
They judge my worth by what I own,
but I need something more than a heart of stone.
The message which resonates to my core
is sacrificial love that makes me more
a part of HIS plan which is so much higher
than anything else to which I could ever aspire.

Lest We Forget

2011-05-19T19:36:00.000-07:00

Exaltation Experienced.
Memory of love to carry hence.
Released (for a time) from His embrace.
Sanctifying suffering to face.
Grip fast the image of Savior seen!
Hold tight to the truth of where you've been!
Brave the battle fierce!
The heavy darkness pierce!
Hostile opaque clouds dispersed.
Leaps high the flame of courage nursed!
Consummation of the soul
Who's been rescued and made whole.
Privileged to be so blessed!
Paying our love's cost assessed.
Cherish the memory of His face.
Features protectiveness firmly placed.
Flaming deliverance plucking us
From enemies grip nonplussed.
Soon the sacred war is won
When is sighted Savior and Son
Giving blessed peace and rest
On the other side of the test.

For Such A Faith As This

2011-05-11T19:29:00.000-07:00

The devil is gonna try and talk you out of it. Oh, maybe he won't use words. Maybe he will oppress you in some other way. Then again, words are sharper than swords. Ideologies will always be expressed in words, those containers of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The enemy is around for the express purpose of testing your resolve. The Lord does not want any in His camp who are not sure of where their loyalties should lie. Ample opportunity is provided to defect. It is always, ultimately, our own choice.

He will give you the strength to endure, if that is your desire. He is faithful to us while we work through our issues. Remember that what is at stake is our trust in Him, nothing else. We are saved by our hope in Him. (James 1:12)

If we set aside our hearts for Him, what a beauty of love and grace He develops in us! Grace will have it's full expression in us who choose to belong to Him. By simple faith, we inherit His likeness and glory. Once we have endured our test, we will wear the crown He won the right for us to wear. (Romans 8:24)

A Gentle Turning

2011-05-07T09:09:00.000-07:00

If I do not acknowledge the darkness within me,
I am walled away from the light by my will.
The wall is built of my own unbelief.
The darkness is only the choice to eschew faith.
To admit to myself of the truth
of evil"s presence within me,
is to disarm it and take away it's only weapon.
Evil's only power is in lies and deceit,
it's only strength is my decision to disown it.
What a paradox exists in embracing and acceptance,
then laying it at Your feet.
You have given me permission to forgive myself
through the demonstration of Your great love.
Only in submission am I freed.
Only in humility freely offered
am I lifted up to You.
Of such great strength is faith
born of blood and darkness,
fading into comfort and light.
Ignorance proclaims faith gullible
only from lack of knowledge of it's
bedrock sincerity and reliance on the evidence.
Faith in the Only True is born from understanding,
and given birth by discernment.
If I close my eyes and ears to Life,
there will be nothing left and no strength to guide me.
Only in Your hands is my evil turned into glory
shining out Your image for all to see.

10 Godly Reasons for My Pain

2011-04-27T18:04:00.000-07:00

1. This is the exercise of my faith that makes it stronger. The strongest trees with the most character are the ones that grow in the wind.

2. Even if they themselves do not realize it, those others who don't believe, are watching me to see how I handle this.

3. He's already told me He won't let go of me. God keeps His promises.

4. When I am humanly weak, then I am spiritually strong and filled with God's power through submission to Him.

6. I get to see Him in action. This is what breaks my bondage to fear.

7. I'm starting to see things like He does, and to understand why His will is always for the best.

8. I have found out He is the only true comfort, and now I can share that insight with others.

9 I guess I really have been clinging too tightly to some things in this world. I have a chance to reassess my priorities so that He comes out on top.

10. The best reason of all is that I am sharing the fellowship of His suffering. I realize that I am dying daily on His cross with Him, and so experiencing, in my daily life, the redemptive power of His death. I am no longer just reading stories about Him, I am touching Him.

I Don't Apologize for God, I Just Explain

2011-04-20T05:45:00.000-07:00

Every believer is called to preach the gospel (the good news). Not only that, but in speaking of Him, believers speak with the authority of Christ himself (remember that the authority of Christ is that of a servant). The adversary cannot stop the spreading of the Word.

In the effort to communicate this ultimate rationality and sanity, which is the nature of His love, the duly designated representative of His message should not succumb to anger. "The wrath of man does not work the works of God." Sad as it is, those who reject Christ do so for emotional reasons. The amount of anger present is indicative of the measure of the indefensibility of the position taken when someone is "confronted" with the gentleness of love. Do not follow them down the same road.

As an example, a modern excuse is the taking of exception to Christ's claim of exclusivity. "All religions are equal" is the reasoning. It sounds altruistic, but is just an alibi for the true intent. A more truthful translation would be "God, how dare you not accept me on my own terms!"

Facts are just that: Facts. God has left believers here to be a witness to what is. Do not be distracted by appeal to emotion. If someone has already made up their mind, then we can at least give them food for thought, the solid meat of fact for the mind to chew on. Who knows what God might bring out of it?

The Real Appeal of My God

2011-04-20T05:33:00.000-07:00

God is greater than all others. As overwhelming as His strength is, it is not the most impressive of His skills. His perception is also unsurpassed in the deep matters of the heart. His instruction manual has laid bare, and has perceived, the thoughts and intentions of the inner man. As corrupt as it is, the only barrier which separates the sinner from the perfect God, is the yet lack of a humble request for His mercy and compassion. The only disconnect from His love is a willful turning away. God has destroyed any and all other barriers which could keep us from His presence.

What is to be found in the presence of the King? Rationality, the foundation of sanity, is based on the bedrock of His unchanging character. He is not capricious, He will always respond with forgiveness when we seek Him to change our unprofitable ways. Overflowing joy comes from realizing how great is the work He has done on our behalf! Every good thing we have comes from His provision. Wisdom is the application of His knowledge which He generously shares through the process of educating His children.

One factor overrides them all, and is the motivating force behind all the wonderful acts God has initiated toward us. His love pours down like cool water in a dry and thirsty land. To know His love, His consuming passion, is the only thing that is truly fulfilling in this life, and in this cold world. Only He can fill the void with meaning.

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire!

2011-04-08T16:01:00.000-07:00

"Yea, hath God said?" This was the question from the adversary that opened the proverbial can of worms, the pandora's box of evil for humanity. Satan was calling God a liar. He was putting God on trial. Who was really on trial here, and who was, really, using whom?

Imagine the adversary's state of mind entering the "scene of the crime". Initially, he had been the top guy in all of creation, who had unlimited access to the throne of the Almighty. He had been the the most brilliant and beautiful one. That's when he decided he was smarter than God. Maybe he got tired of all the bowing and scraping, and didn't feel all his energy should go towards honoring God and serving others. He felt he was powerful enough to be God, himself. God knew what satan was thinking, and satan was thrown out of paradise.

Satan sees this new creature that God has created, and thinks that man is physically weak, not nearly as smart as himself, and not nearly as beautiful by half. Satan becomes a door to door salesman and picks the more emotional woman to sell the idea to, that each person can actually be a god unto themselves. It wasn't about a piece of fruit. It was about choosing God's way, or satan's way. He induced them to follow the error he started, and by extension, to following himself. Now man is experiencing all of the terrors of the consequences of "the knowledge of good and evil." Man drinks the dregs of the pain and ugliness of relying on something less loving and giving than the God who made him.

Satan already knows his own ending. God is simply using satan in the meantime to teach those, who do want to follow God, the wisdom of knowing God, and the folly and destruction brought on those who refuse Him. In abject weakness and through dependence on Christ, christians defeat the incredibly powerful and cunning adversary.

When Will I See Him?

2011-03-28T18:46:00.000-07:00

He has lit the home fires of my shining city on the hill of night.
Yet still I long, for the sight, of my Beloved's steadfast light.

He has taught me of endurance as I tread under the black miles.
Yet still I long, for the sight, of my Beloved's tender smiles.

I have braved the often lonely vigil of His calling to compassion.
But I long to look into His eyes as I thank Him for what HE'S done.

In my journey over troubled waters I've paid consequences for each choice.
Still I long to hear Him tell me I've done well, in His soothing voice.

Here, my heart is renewed in brokenness when I see each needy face.
Yet I long to forget my sorrow in the comfort of His embrace.

As I administer authority for those He came to save,
I desire to rejoice forever in consideration of what He gave.

Because He's asked me, I will learn, the wisdom and cost of hope.
Yet I desire to see, with my own eyes, my Love of limitless scope.

No matter what my task, I will not be complete.
Till all my longings are fulfilled when I sit contented at His feet.

Post Script

2011-03-22T18:59:00.000-07:00

You are closer to belief than you know. If you are aware of the weight of your sin, then you also know that it needs to be forgiven. It would be arrogance to assume otherwise. Please do not hold tightly to sin, thinking it must be who you are. Do not be content to settle for the miserable comforts of this world.

Do not let satan convince you that you would be surrendering your intellectual integrity by putting faith in God instead of something less worthy (see prior blog entitled "The Problem With Faith", posted Feb. 15, 2009). This is not about checking your brain at the door. It is about not ignoring facts. When I mention the ambiguity of the evidence, I do not mean that it is not conclusive for those with the eyes and will to see clearly (Not talking ourselves out of where plain logic would lead because we did not get the answer we wanted). Those who want God to work in plain sight do not realize that if He did, then He must needs judge us immediately for our lack of obedience (and He will shortly initiate that sort of method). Instead, He gives us the freedom of choice between abandoning ourselves to love, or saving our "love" for ourselves. (Remember, we cannot save ourselves.) He chooses to woo us with the proofs of His love. The proofs I speak of are His awesome creation, the testimonies of believers, and the eyewitness accounts of His miracles and ressurection (the Bible, which also predicted His life and told us who He is). So, as the Bible says, "Anyone who seeks to know God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." If we feel compelled by His love, we will be saying "I want that" and respond with submission to Him. After we are obedient, then is when He will provide us with "many convincing proofs", as the Bible says it. (I will share some of my own experiences to any who ask.)

I feel I must also clarify the statement that I made that God "will take care of us and take away our problems." True, that, but an oversimplification. While christians live on this earth, He cares for us in the midst of our problems. As a matter of fact, Jesus said, "a servant is no better than his master. The world has hated me, it will also hate you." He also said we are to be "exceedingly glad" when we suffer persectuion for His name's sake, because "great is your reward in Heaven." He has uses for the christians's troubles and pains in this life, just as the suffering and death of Jesus accomplished His plan.

Believe? What is Belief?

2011-03-21T18:49:00.000-07:00

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." This well known verse is the quintessential encapsulation of the gospel, the good news. It expresses the enduring truth of God's nature and gift to humanity.

In our jaded society, His love is more applicable than ever, but we have lost sight of some of the significance of what God is saying He expects from us here. We see this verse and think, yes, God is the one who is there to take care of us and remove all of our problems. Of course He will, but His truth goes much deeper than that. In a first century society of many gods, the one chosen to serve was the master, the controller of fate. The one who received the loyalty also had the authority of life and death over the follower.

The Lord clearly expects us to change our allegiance. He wants us to turn our backs (repent) on following anything but Him. For those who choose to, it is clear that God has done everything else necessary to keep our souls safe in Him. We are totally inadequate to effect our own salvation. So when we believe, we change who and what we pursue and follow after, and trust in Him to do what needs to be done.

A modern definition would say that we are convinced of the truth of what we believe in. However, the Lord has left just enough ambiguity in the most apparent of the facts so that we must make believing Him an act of our will. We must choose to follow Him. (Satan had all the facts yet chose to disobey.) Also our actions result from what we believe. As an example, if a check was found with a large value and written out to "whosoever wills", any following actions in relation to said check would be indicative of whether we thought the check was any good and there were enough "funds" to cover it. (A poverty stricken person would be much more likely to try out the truth of the promissory note. So the greater sinner is much closer to being saved because he needs it more.)

What was accomplished on the cross was that God, as Jesus, swallowed up death and corruption and absorbed it back into Himself, on behalf of those who wish to follow Him. He carried the load that we could not carry so that we could be reconciled to Him. Where else can we find someone willing to die for us? Who else is powerful enough to be sufficient to cancel the effects of sin and the grave? For salvation, we must let ourselves realize just exactly who He is and what He has done!

This Victory is His!

2011-03-17T19:19:00.000-07:00

Through the darkness that flows and surrounds me,
constrained by powerlessness, nevertheless, I can see,
The overwhelming waves of Your endless compassion,
Their sound moves to the beat of the heart of the Son.
Without words to express the exaltation of worshiping You,
Struck dumb by the wonder, I raise heart and hands too.
So where is the fear that dares challenge faith now?
The enemy that flees when by Your praises cowed?
Naught can contain the tsunami of Your power,
When the faith of Your children, in Your presence, does flower!
Your people are singing as heaven's gates rejoice,
won through the fire and flood of sacrifice, by choice.
The music of gladness and gratitude swells!
It's the story of Your mercy and faithfullness, that it tells!
Exposed are the lies told by violence and fear,
that evil is stronger than our weakness and tears.
Through trials and suffering Your kingdom is won.
Your people, through humbleness exalted, along with, and because of, the Son.

Impact!

2011-03-17T19:10:00.000-07:00

What have we found in Christ? If we have found life and victory in the midst of our pain, other will see. If any have been driven beyond their own strength, and found enough mercy to share, it will affect all. A life obsessed with longing for Him, will be transformed, and by extension, will change the lives of others. By living a life in pursuit of Him, we have empowered others to follow the same calling. If we carry Him with us always, then we will always have a precious gift that gives to others, the glow of His glory which He so generously imparts to us.

Those who are found in Christ no longer belong to themselves, but have found a new master. A new love directs their hearts and actions. The influence will be obvious. We can make a difference with our lives as ambassadors of the Living Cornerstone. Is this a mission you would like to undertake? There is nothing else that we do, or are, that can matter as much as this one thing.

2011-03-05T12:54:00.001-08:00

Freedom's Child
When I think of you, why do I feel such pain?
When the image I'm seeing of you, is your dancing eyes laughing at the rain?
Is that joy, expressed in exuberance, as if you haven't got a care?
As you throw off heavy chains of obedience, hurtling them to empty air?
Are your calm, tranquil eyes symptomatic of your innocence?
Or are they simply contemplative of the rightness of your defense?
You've realized what seems authoritative-is really only supposition,
The will of hurtful law enforced-a merely human imposition.
Your heart's unleashed, your mind flies free, to explore the universe,
Glorying in power and beauty, before destruction catches up with you, and exerts it's curse.
I wish that somehow, some way, I could keep you in that moment,
Before the agony of consequences hits you, and all your joy is spent.
Alas! These are but memories, for we each must have our choice,
To submit to God's greater plan or follow our own solo (progressively nonsensical) voice.
Perhaps now you can understand, this enigma that is freedom,
Of which principals, of grace, love, and power, are only some.
I hope you've seen in your own life that love is not forced by laws.
Only a free heart can choose to give, the same love that is it's cause.
The onerous burdens of responsibility are freely taken up by love,
Shoulders the servanthood, of the same God, love desires to be part of.
I'm sure you've heard the saying that freedom isn't free.
Someone has to (and did) make the sacrifice for you and me.
He paid the price so we could rise from the ashes of our shame,
To find renewed integrity in the freedom that is His name.
He conquered death and humiliation so we could follow that path too.
Our righteousness then by faith in Him, and not by what we do.

You're Making It Too Difficult

2011-02-03T18:40:00.000-08:00

I am very familiar with the power and allure of putting things off. The fear of effort, change, and failure is a terrible obstacle to any kind of breakthrough in life. After all, it feels like a legitimate reason not to do anything at all! This way you can sit the conflict out, without making the huge emotional investment only to be told you did it wrong. Something good might still come out of it for you without all the strain.

While it is true that living itself requires a great deal of effort, and that is where we learn our avoidance techniques, there is always ONE thing that requires little contribution from us. Our salvation, what makes the difference between eternal joy and eternal anguish, is simply our belief in Him. He told us to trust Him. He is the One who did the difficult part and made the all out sacrifice to invest in us.

Give up the control. Give it to Him. Don't wait until you're doing better. If you wait till then (and if it happens) then you will assume that you don't need Him. Don't pretend that He can be bought off with ritual or sacrifice on your part. All of our labor is but tawdry ugliness and will not satisfy Him. He has told us that His own hard work on our behalf is sufficient. Can our own efforts accomplish more than His? You see, whether we put Him off because we think we're not good enough, or because we think we can do enough to qualify to be good enough, either way we are making it too difficult. Salvation is a free gift for the accepting, and He is not willing that any should perish. May His will be done.

In the Face of the Evidence

2011-02-01T17:26:00.000-08:00

Richard Dawkins made a statement. He said that faith is when someone believes into the face of the evidence. Some of you may know that Mr. Dawkins is a militant atheist, and this is his "polite" way of saying that the simple minded are rebelling against the party line. I am sure that Mr. Dawkins will be vastly disappointed not to mention humiliated, when he is brought to account for this very denial of reality that he accuses others of.

The reasons for faith are varied, depending on the person having the belief, but belief, by it's very nature, is based on reason, not in spite of it. There are just some people whom God creates more reasonable than others. These are diligent to investigate the path the facts follow, instead of just following fantasy and inclination. Then there are the others who want what they want no matter who or what logic must pay the price. The second group constructs an elaborate hierarchy of smoke and mirrors to conceal the truth from themselves and by extension, from others. There are the "scientific" theories carefully compiled to provide alternative explanations for the revealed arm of the Lord. Never mind that they really make no sense in the light of the evidence. Then there are the "experts", "scholars" meticulously schooled to speak and teach these theories, regardless of what they might actually think of them. There is the withering scorn reserved for anyone who steps out of line, a contemptuous superiority directed towards anything godly. So much hatred can only come from one source, the fear and terror which must be repressed at all costs. Denying the truth is supposed to make it go away.

I submit to you, that this faith that God requires from us is the only reasonable response to Him after all that He has shown us and done for us. It is the demand for the obedience of belief, from a sovereign Creator. If we cannot give Him this modicum of trust, then we are useless to Him in accomplishing His good purposes.

The Day

2011-01-26T18:02:00.000-08:00

Awakened from the darkness in which I was sleeping

Through which moved dreams of sorrow and weeping.

What I perceive has changed from gloom into light

When I opened my eyes, forever passed was the night.

Here is no time, spring that eternal moment

Outside of the bounds of where evil's anger is spent.

Things are aglow and no shadow is found

Sings all creation with melodious, harmonic, sound.

The breeze, the blue sky, the flowers, speak peace.

Overwhelmed by tranquility that I know will never cease.

Once dull physical senses are unhindered, acute.

Wisdom and intellect dance together as partners, astute.

A surfeit of indulgence in justice and truth

Far from the presence of violence method's uncouth.

Free now to understand Love's grand reason why

He wants me here with Him, Him who's uncontained by the sky.

I've been recreated a worthy temple, His child.

I am His jewel, shining with joy undefiled.

Grow Up in Such a Way That Others Can Grow Up Too!

2011-01-15T15:34:00.000-08:00

In a christian's struggle to progress in the likeness of Christ, there comes a plateau of maturity, where seeming contradictions must be reconciled, where waring needs must be brought to a harmonious balance. After all, didn't Jesus say, "The poor you have with you always" to take care of, and chose to allow himself to be ministered to?

When you begin your journey away from selfishness, and submit your will to Him, there will be those who are quick to take advantage. A diabolical mindset sees humility as a weakness to be exploited. Their needs will flower and expand outward to absorb all that time and energy you had freed up to devote to Him.

In all such situations, be alert, engaged, and learning. He will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able to handle, so use all such things to advance in sanctification. Be choosy of the battles you take on, applying strength and knowledge to increase, in others, righteousness and the glory of the Lord. Our will and strength should be exerted in the resistance of evil, over that which compels us to put anything before God in our hearts. It is not because what we want is wrong, of itself. It is because what God wants is better and for the best.

Wash Your Hands

2011-01-12T18:23:00.000-08:00

We heard that phrase from our mother. She was the one who existed to nurture us, whose purpose was fulfilled in our well being, and now imparts wisdom to the structure of our life. After all, cleanliness must be attended to before anything can be put to proper use. Without purification, ugly hues and illnesses will soon start invading the rest of our lives. Corruption will spread if it is not evicted early on.

God has used the exact same admonition in His Word, and then tell us it's spiritual equivalent. "Wash your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:8 A mother knows that hands should not be used unless they are first cleaned. So the Lord tells us we are not His, nor can we be used of Him, unless we first avail ourselves of His purification work accomplished at the cross. This is the principal, the foundation, upon which all of our subsequent actions must be built, in order for them and us to be accepted by God.

Recognizing Friends

2010-12-17T19:12:00.000-08:00

When God calls me His friend, He does me honor. He is showing me that He recognizes and cherishes my efforts in His name. What a great encouragement it is to know that He values what I do for Him!

With this in mind, I would like to try to imitate His graciousness to recognize the gifts I've been given by my own friends. I'll not name names, but I'm sure you will know who you are! I'm telling you how very much I appreciate you!

I have a friend, whom I happened to overhear when they didn't know I was listening. This person was speaking out against the cruelty shown to me by others. This person's fierce protectiveness is something I choose to have at my back always! Thank you, my friend!

I have another friend who saw creativity in me when I was totally convinced there was none to be found! Gentle, very insistent suggestions have opened up to me a godly outlet for my deepest yearnings which have developed into a concrete expression of the profound. What a genius of a friend!

Another friend, when I added nothing but heaps of trouble to their day, responded with nothing but concern for my welfare, told with hugs and questions after my health. This person, already highly stressed, gave no thought to their own state of mind. Strength and blessings from God, to you, my friend!

I have friends whose generosity overflows into provision for my physical needs. Do you know that you are the very heart of God touching my heart? I pray to do as well, for you are teaching me how to give!

Especially precious to me are those who see my vulnerabilities as opportunities to minister to me, not as openings where they can take advantage for themselves. These angels of God's mercy overlook my faults to see, instead, what it is that God values, so as to nourish and encourage it!

The most valuable trait of all my friends, witnessed by the fact that they are still my friends, is the gift of loving me while keeping me humble! How do they accomplish this amazing feat? With their wonderful, marvelous sense of humor! They see me, they know me, and astonishingly, still include me in their circle! I am different and cherished for it, odd, and it's of value! I will always seek to do the same for you!

There You Go (Barnabas Back in Action)

2010-12-07T19:14:00.000-08:00

"There you go" is an affirmative phrase, an acknowledgement of a right attitude or action, and is offered as a verbal support. There is great spiritual power of encouragement when this recognition is rendered. Simply expressing to someone how obvious it is that the Lord is using them can give them the strength to keep on going.

If it is possible to shore up another's courage, just what could we be looking for, as examples of these behaviors, so as to reinforce excellent character? Perhaps a most basic type of laudable action is to, into the face of all the blandishments of evil, just continue to believe. Actions come from what is believed. Another personal choice needing support, is that person who is always there ( and on time, too!) Predictability may not be exciting, but it is courageous. The next, a good deed kept secret from it's recipient, is the giver eshewing their deserved credit. The rest of the world may not see the sense of what the giver has done. An irrepressibly cheerful person who sees the blessing hand of God in every circumstance and every created thing is someone who is essential to healthy faith. Let them know positive is apprecitated! An act which is very unselfish, and makes for a (cough, cough) valiant individual, is the will to wait to judge (and sentence), to suspend procedure and just listen to a miscreant. It's difficult to hold up the instinct for self preservation! It takes a special person indeed to give love where it is not deserved. This visionary gives out Christ so that the lost might grasp ahold of Christ in the depths of their soul!

There is one more who is most needful of all, of that little turn of phrase or action that encourages. One who seeks to always be an encourager might be showing little regard for their own state of mind. It might be costing them dearly in ways we cannot see. Maybe this barnabas is at a low ebb of energy and could use empowerment by receiving the same gift he gives so freely to others!

Castles of Air

2010-12-07T19:03:00.000-08:00

Little giggles brighten the air like sparkles of sunlight shining on my ear.
Inside a castle made of air, bodies are hurtled with abandon here.
I stare as I drive by at the happy children playing in the yard.
Do they know how little is between them, and the uncaring ground, to be their guard?

How like small children we all are to live on our assumptions,
Blithely pressing on to implement the full force of our presumption.
The ideas that we cherish, do they serve us or do they serve Him?
Do they rest on true security or on a fickle, selfish whim?

Is it just a personal fantasy, this castle of character we build?
In contention with others, what class of concepts do we wield?
With futile opposition we seek to defend our fairy tale,
thinking that we're secure, surrounded by our castle made of air.......

Soaring Hearts

2010-12-07T18:35:00.001-08:00

I've always wondered why the word "hope" is used to represent our inheritance in God's promises. The word appears too fragile and tenuous to support the full concept of who our faith is placed in. I just doesn't seem to express the certainty of fulfillment embodied in God's character. I guess that is just the attitude of someone who has seen Him in action for a while. Or, perchance, it could mean I am still lacking in a mature understanding of Him "through whom we live and move, and and have our being."

At first hearing, hope is the news that there is more to life than what we have around us and what we see with our eyes. It is the shock of the light in the darkness of our world, that lifts up our startled head. Hope is the spark that lights up the raging flame of love within us. No more dogged, weary step on the "firm foundation of unyielding despair."

For those of us who have been at this business for seeming forever, who are still exposed to the wounding, exhausting world, hope changes it's face. The face (of Jesus) becomes more reliable, immovable, and is the face of our now expectation. Since our hope is in Him, it becomes about a God who brings good from evil itself. He rewrites the script of our lives to "write straight with crooked lines." The reality of things that have happened is turned inside out. Pain becomes beauty, and suffering becomes an expression of ultimate love. Hope is actualized victory, no matter the cost, and notwithstanding all the circumstances. We know He is greater than all this. Hope shocks us anew because it is always fresh, always astonishing in it's extravagance of joyful, heartfelt response.

How could something so precious and wonderful be so durable, being as it is, born out of the midst of despair, and flowering, as it does, in the experiencing of adversity? The paradox of His power is revealed! These defining moments are exposing, not who we are or what life is, but more of who God is. Because of who we trust, we are invincible in our weakness, and richly blessed in our need. While we still struggle here, our heart has been freed to soar on twin wings of hope and joy!

I Lost My List

2010-11-12T07:40:00.001-08:00

I had a list once. On it was detailed all the specifics of the glorious things I needed to get done. You see, I was the one who was going to meet and exceed expectations. I was going to silence all the voices of the shame based motivators in my little world. Each and every one of my soon to be accomplishments was carefully selected to highlight and justify my own chosen path. I wanted to be the hero. Each day I looked forward to crossing off another one of my successes.

Somehow, somewhere, the list disappeared. At first I was disconcerted, then my emotions worked themselves slowly into a rage. Obsessively, all my energies focused onto the the search for what I lost. After all, without it, who was I?

When comes along a weakness or loss which dislodges us from our complacency and our belief in our own sufficiency, therein is the glorious opportunity to learn of grace. Grace is that undeserved favor, mercy, and compassion. Grace is God's calling card, His signature method of dealing with humanity. He is the only one who can and will save us, in the end, if we let Him. "To the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness." (Romans 4:5) Salvation does not come from what we do, but from who we trust.

So what about all those wonderful things I was going to do for the world? They would not have lasted in God's kingdom! I did not have the strength to maintain them on my own! You see I really was only going to do them all for myself anyway. It is His work and His will, for the good of all, which He will do through those who trust in Him. (My strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Cor 12:9) I really am wonderfully blessed now, because I lost my list!

Priority Mail

2010-11-04T18:20:00.000-07:00

I am throughtly convinced that the one thing we all have in common is a desperate need to be loved the midst of , and in spite of, our crippling dysfunction. Only God is big enough (read infinite) to not only provide the medicine for our healing (there is a balm in Gilead), but to be the answer to our otherwise insatiable hunger for meaning.

I know that when I want to give or receive love, using the written word seems to be the most appropriate method. It's more permanent and personal. There is liberty to develop a more considered reading, where the beauty of esoteric concepts can be brought to full expression, and love takes on a solid, visually verifiable form. When I cannot be physically with the one I love, I send them a letter. You can safely bet that I also diligently search my own mail for such communique!

God has sent us just such a love letter, and it is marked urgent! The Bible tells us of His passion for us. Time, by definition, is short and He understands that finding and knowing Him always should be our highest priority!

Angel Voices Heard on Earth

2010-10-07T17:23:00.000-07:00

An angel is but a messenger, Your sleeve rolled up, visible evidence of Your will at work on the earth. A messenger does not have an exalted status. He merely does the will of another. He is a vessel to be used. Surely even one such as I may apply for this position. To bear about in my body the news of the dying and resurrection of the Lord Jesus is a work of my love for You, a gratitude unquenched by service, but only inflamed by the dawning realization of Your glory in those souls around me. And so the message spreads.......

The Heart of the Good News

2010-10-06T18:27:00.000-07:00

Tremendous forces are at work in us and the world around us. Not the least of these is our own will and native intelligence. God has decreed that we should have that freedom to choose. If our choice is to reject Him and follow our own path, to leave Him out of our lives, then because we are limited, we will err, we will stumble, we will cause suffering to those we claim to love. Without His guidance and wisdom, we live in unrelieved darkness, unable to avail ourselves of any other alternative.

Only violence and force can reign supreme in a world without God. These have a spiritual cost of the heavy burdens of guilt and shame. Our anger drives us to commit atrocities, then abandons us to the regret and humiliation of the truth. The lies we use to cover our nakedness will only serve to compound our final shame.

We can be set free from this cycle of self destruction! The One who came took up the weight of our humiliation and bore it all the way to its rightful ending. He suffered the brunt of evil's rage in order to fulfill God's own justice. That was our exiled anguish and naked shame which hung between earth and sky, exposed and vulnerable on the cross. This is the price of our freedom which God took it upon Himself to pay!

Who but God could afford to pay the price that would cancel our self inflicted degradation? Who but God could then attribute to us His own perfection? Who but God could purchase a people for Himself on fire with devotion by reason of their gratitude? Who but God would delight to bestow glory and honor to those who were once without hope? All that is left for us to do is acknowledge our great need, for He still seeks for any who are willing to be redeemed!

"For He hath made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Cor. 5:21

Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus..."

Cutting Off Limbs and Gouging Out Eyes

2010-09-29T19:53:00.000-07:00

Amputation sounds like such a permanent event! Mentioning it conjours up images of devastating loss and a severely restricted lifestyle. This is an experience to be scrupulously avoided. To give up a richly gratifying part of life for a one of physical limitation is just not worth the price! Or is it?

Matthew 5:29-30 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body that for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body that for your whole body to go into hell.

Jesus is using a rather graphic analogy to tell us that some things, even ones that we consider to be part of ourselves, will not be permitted into the perfection of heaven. He is also letting us know, with a colorful metaphor, that God's patience will one day end. On that terrible day of righteous judgement, those who have chosen to reject His mercy will be cut off forever. On that day, they will see the end result of their own decision to follow the lies of violence and faithlessness. It is their choice to be cut off.

When we truly love someone, whether it is family, friends, or spouse, what we are doing is giving them ourselves, so that they, quite literally, become part of who we are. After we've spent time with someone we love, we began to think and act like them, and they to think and act like us. After all, isn't the goal of love to join the positive traits of two who are separate into one entity of purpose? Sometimes, after repeated efforts, when the one thought of as the other part of your heart, shows by their repeated actions that love is only to be used, without reciprocation, then amputation must follow. Sometimes they must be cut off.

Loving Your Enemy

2010-09-21T18:03:00.000-07:00

Loving our enemies is, quite simply, crucial to being a follower of Christ. This is the gospel in action, a repetition of what Christ did at the cross, which was loving us who were His enemies. This love is not some feel good, conscience quieting deed, that is done occasionally, that we can point to so as to say we are a good person. It is not about us looking good at all. It is about Him, and us making that decision to do what He says. Real love is not an emotion at all, but a decision and an act of the will.

Anyone can be a potential enemy. Besides those who don't know you and might treat you with indifferent disdain, the "true" enemy is the one who was once close to your heart. This heart's enemy was the one who deceived you by giving you the treatment you thought you deserved from someone who was supposed to love you. Once you were emotionally committed, you were betrayed by him in favor of the one he loved the most, himself. It was always only about him anyway.

When we are badly used, hatred is our love gone wrong. It is that possessiveness that refuses to sacrifice what it desires, and refuses to let go. It can be changed back to love by making the decision to not act from anger, but to do the will of the Lord, who understands all things. It is only ourselves that we can submit to God for sanctification in our circumstance, not the enemy who has harmed us. Love is it being about Jesus, not about us.

Love is forgiving the debt that is owed by the enemy, because if we do not forgive, then we will become the very thing that we cannot forgive, that which we hate. Hatred is a contagious spiritual infection. It's spread can only be stopped by someone whose love will act as a barrier to the poison, by absorbing it's damage without passing it on. That is why Jesus told us to not return evil for evil, but to do good to those who spitefully use us.

Sometimes, though, the infection can only be exorcised by amputation........

Why Faith?

2010-09-16T19:02:00.000-07:00

Many are the overwhelmingly precious moments, of realization of unveiling glory, that the Lord grants to us by virtue of our struggles! Come with me as I disclose the particulars of my recent thought journey on the issue of faith.

Faith and pain, naturally, tend to be mutually exclusive experiences. You can trust me with that thought! During the experience, it is useless to protest your innocence while your conscience convicts you! Satan will always use this as opportunity to raise questions, in us, concerning the wisdom and compassion of our God. There is no defense we can offer as an argument, save our faith. If we have no prior experience at faith, then we can only repeat what His word has told us to believe.

We can choose to bring His revealed light into the darkness with us. Despite the initial difficulty (when we are unaccustomed to seeing with the eyes of faith) through Him we will enlarge our understanding. You see, faith, by definition, must be tested, or it is not faith! Then when we step out onto the water, our foot will be supported on dry, firm ground! It is in our experiencing of Him, that our faith increases by multiples of magnitude! He and all He is, becomes our sole motivation! It is how He writes His law of love on our hearts! If we've learned to trust Him in the darkness, our knowledge will be turned to glory in the full light of day, for our trust in Him is the limit of the wisdom and righteousness we can offer.

The alternative is that we take everything for granted. Perhaps you can see this as a character weakness. You have heard the saying, "Familiarity breeds contempt"? Of such attitude was the being, formed by Him as the apex of creation, which became known as Satan. Dwelling always in the presence of God, he had need of neither faith nor hope and so chose to reject the way of love and self sacrifice. He is totally lacking in strength of character. He is the man who lives for personal gratification, who by strength of arms, subdues those weaker than himself and lives on the fruits of his own arrogance. He has no morals, for none here has the power to tell him no. He seeks to recruit followers by any method he can bring to bear.

We, as christians, are here to prove him wrong. Gentleness, humility, and love will prove to be stronger than any force or fear, because they are centered, by faith, on Jesus. This is how we have overcome the world, by our faith in Jesus!

Are We There Yet?

2010-09-14T18:34:00.000-07:00

"Watch, therefore, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things, and to stand before the Son of Man."

I've always been frankly amazed by some who call themselves christians, but who are harsh and condemning people. When we resort to bullying as an everyday communication technique, then we betray the true source of our motivation, our own selfishness. If we feel compelled to control others while justifying ourselves, then perhaps it is time we should investigate. Self examination will open our eyes, not only to what we think, but to what we really believe at the core of our being.

So ask yourself, "Do I really trust God?" Where is the evidence, in my life, that proves that I have committed to following Him? Can you say, "I will show you my faith by my works?" Do you have the pure religion that "cares for widows and orphans"? When you care for those who cannot repay you, do you feel blessed by the opportunity, or resentful?

Since "whatever is not of faith is sin," once you have decided that you believe, it behooves you to take up every opportunity provided for sanctification. Willing sensitivity is proof of faith. It is not the mistakes that condemn us, but the attitude that accompanies them.

Believers are not meant to be indistinguishable from the rest of the crowd. He calls us His peculiar people. He wants us to "live by faith", that inner insight and understanding from Him by which we order our world. So, "when the Son of Man returns, will he find faith on the earth," in YOU?

Not Until You've Walked in My Shoes......

2010-09-11T09:13:00.000-07:00

When God tells us to be holy, He does not mean that we are to withdraw into exclusive societies. To be witnesses, we cannot separate ourselves from the world around us. We are to be "in the world, but not of the world." Being holy, as it looks to the world at large, is that visible, active, giving love, that shines and flows out from us when we come alongside to help and care for others.

Jesus gave us that perfect example of participative support. When we could not go to Him, He came to us. He came to us where we are, as we are. When we saw Him, we realized that He was something better, because He chose to accompany us in our pain and sorrow. He experienced what we experience. He lifted and carried our load, Himself, voluntarily.

That is why we came to desire that Love for ourselves. We saw in Him what we wanted to be, what we should be, what we were created to be, and what, in Him, we will be.

The Two Reasons to Believe

2010-08-11T18:15:00.000-07:00

The person who doesn't believe in Jesus Christ because of the "scientific evidence", is deceiving themselves. Seemingly legitimate arguments of logic and science can be offered from both sides of the table. Science, of this sort, is just a trumped up excuse to maintain the worldview you started with. It bolsters and supports the egocentric. It's foolishness to argue with a made up mind. Why waste time?

If cogent argument is making one more defensive, then what is left? One who does not believe needs to see something worth believing in. This person will want to see something that they will want for themselves.

Seeing the difference Christ makes, in the the lives of believers, is one reason to believe that He can make a difference in yours. The active, miraculous love shining out of a believer will make you wonder. Seeing the peace and just plain sanity with which a true christian faces the most challenging of circumstances can persuade the most sceptical. A believer always has something awesome to look forward to, that hope that cannot die! Opiate of the people, indeed!

The other reason to believe, and the best one, is that you get to know Jesus Christ! Remember, this is the One that was sent to show us what God is like! This is the One who gave up everything, including His life, just to have us with Him! In tenderness, He holds us, comforts us, and sustains us! Obedience to His every word is a joy, because He holds only our highest interests in His heart! With Him with us, we need fear nothing! Is it any wonder that praising Him is our greatest honor? That rejoicing in Him is something we'll gladly do, forever?

Anyone who has not trusted Jesus is missing out on anything and everything worthwhile and worth having. Christianity can be proven, but no one should believe only because of the cold, hard facts. That is only a part of it! Convicting is done by the convincing of the heart! Who wouldn't want to be a part of the best possible outcome?

Be Valiant for Him

2010-08-07T19:05:00.000-07:00

So what, exactly, is in a name, anyway? When men give names to God, the names describe His character and attributes, sort of like a description after the fact. It's looking back, in time, to tell who He is. When parents name a baby, the name contains the dreams and aspirations of the parents, like a look into the future. That is two origins for names.

There is a third one. Far more personal and intimate is it when a name is bestowed by God. Far more than mere hope, it encompasses a destiny and expresses a life mission. When He has lovingly spoken your name, you then are gifted the highest goals of all to work towards. That calling's fulfillment is to be found in Him, forever...........

What does being called valiant look like? Being called valiant is not about being large, loud, or impressive. It's about eschewing glory for yourself and valuing a stillness of character that saves words for the finding of supportive things to do and say for others. Being valiant is not about overcompensating for the lost child within. It's a mission to speak gently to the hurting child in others.

This same valiant person will not reconcile himself to evil. He will, instead, gently and lovingly assert the truth into the face of raging intimidation. He will actively demonstrate this love, though anger would despise him and hold him in contempt for the doing. And when evil shall rail against him for the insufficiency of his love, than shall the valiant sever himself from those lost in their own selfishness, thereby denying such selfishness more fodder for the flames of it's own destruction. The valiant will go forward into pain and self denial, if by such means any shall be saved.

The valiant mission is also to wring out of each drop of pain, through soul searching, that bright jewel of God's hope, so it is available to others who search. Then the valiant will praise God for the pain, because of the reason of God's purpose that was accomplished through it. To be valiant is to always live in His praises because of the wonderful and awesome things He has done!

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you: I have called you by name: you are mine!" Isa 43:1

Where Did Those Clouds Come From?

2010-07-31T09:15:00.000-07:00

Those clouds looming overhead limit our perspective. It can be very dark when there is no sun. We cannot see the radiant sky nor the majestic mountains which shelter us. All we can see with our eyes, from this side of the barrier, is the question "Why?"

When we want to do things our own way, it can get very dark indeed. We bring on the proverbial clouds ourselves....... At the same time that I was in pain from my illness, I read a christian book that said it was okay to doubt God, that doubt was an important component of the search for truth. The influence of both sets of circumstance created a crisis of faith in me. After all, pain and trust are difficult to harmonize, and belief is where our salvation begins. How could I know I was truly saved? Enter the calvary (pun intended) of Calvanism!

Calvanism is that doctrine which says that God has selected us from the beginning. We had nothing to do with it, because we could do nothing ourselves. We were too weak. We are saved only by His effort and we are maintained, in our salvation, only by Him! In other words, "Not me, but Christ in me!"

Are we chosen by God, or is He our own choice? Is it Predestination or free will? I believe in both! The doctrines of predestination and free will work together the same way that truth does with the mind of man. The mind of man does not create or invent truth, but rather discovers what is already there for the finding. So too does freedom of choice learn of and accommodate itself to that salvation which He has prepared since before time began!

Now the precipitation of our disobedience and the cloud cover of our bad attitude cannot circumvent the established will or plan of the Lord! These clouds are, in fact, just tools of His artistry! The friction between His absolute power and our sinful disobedience is what shapes us into His likeness. Infinite understanding shines a healing light on darkest depravity. It is beyond our grasp to see how he can be totally sovereign to use even our weaknesses to His purpose. God's power cannot be reduced by our freedom! Instead, His authority is increased by reason of the abundant grace and mercy He has made available to cover our error! God's promises can never be denied fulfillment! He will accomplish everything He has determined to do, including fulfilling His promise in us!

The Time Has Come to Celebrate!

2010-07-26T18:22:00.000-07:00

The long night of my desolation has passed!
Evil's incoherent rage has lost it's death grip at last!
That strangulation hold has yet freed my mind,
to seek His truths, and in His presence find,
that I eschew fear in the glory of His name!
"Mundane" existence will never be the same!
During my heart's numb misery, He has spoken soft words,
opened up my deaf ears, so I finally heard,
exhortations to abandon fear far behind,
convinced my recalcitrant heart, He is nothing but kind!
Here is the One who sets prisoners free!
How much greater His grace, than my sin could be!
Come, let us celebrate what He has done!
He freed all who believe, when He gave up His Son!
In His mighty hand, we are forever secure!
None can accuse us, in His eyes we're found pure!
No need to fear, like death's some dark abyss,
When through it we enter what's much better than this!
So let's dance and sing His victory!
Anticipate the culmination of His plan in history!
You see, my long night of suffering's past!
His goodness, exposed now, to my eyes.......AT LAST!

Only You......

2010-07-16T21:03:00.000-07:00

I'm caught on the border of brilliance and obscurity
Conflicted with longing, to understand and to see.
The emptiness, of this sphere, has haunted me for years,
Broken dreams and ambitions leave behind a trail of tears.
Many angry faces have turned and walked away
Disgusted by the priorities I wear as a display.
So I cannot help but feel unworthy to be loved
Because of all the unmet needs that I am guilty of.
I wish I could be perfect, but I know it's only You
That is good enough, and best, to give all my glory to!
Those other desires I used to spend my passions on
Are now redirected and expressed towards Your only Son.
His is the sole commitment that I need to make
Because only You would do it all for my sake.
Only You would give me conflict to teach me how to pray
So I could learn to live by each word that You say.
Only You could give me peace to heal my troubled soul.
Only You can mend my wounds and make me whole.
Only You can hold the whole world in Your hands
Yet be fully with each person, though numerous as sand.
Through my commitment to You I live to do Your will
Because no matter what I do, only You are with me still.
Because of Your commitment to me, I've learned to feel content.
To rest at peace, comforted, after all my strength is spent.
Because You're faithful to me, I want only You.
I know only You can satisfy, after all that I've been through.

So, exactly what difference DOES commitment make?
"God commendeth His love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Attitude Check!

2010-07-12T18:47:00.001-07:00

It's just another day. We have somewhere we need to be. There are things that need to get done. If we don't fulfill our responsibilities, lock down our rebellious will behind the grindstone of routine, somebody's gonna be upset! Those harsh and stern critics inside our head will be sure to make us feel the shame of our lack of resolve! Therefore at the beginning of the day, we view with a jaundiced and bleary eye the workload which waits to pounce on us and bear us down!

We might affect an attitude of not caring, hoping to deflect the vicious attacks of our conscience. We might get angry that things are not as they "should" be, and that anger will definitely be taken out on somebody! In the end, it is not what someone does to us or says to us that determines how we will feel. It is what we tell ourselves, in the privacy of our hearts, that determines what our attitude will be.

Most of us have a mistaken assumption. We think that fear is the most effective motivator. After all, who wants to live with all those negative consequences? The thing is, when we use self hatred to overcome our inertia, then whether we succeed or whether we fail, we already own all the shame that's to be had from the situation. It means we already carry multiplied negative universes as our burden each day.

What can we do to defeat defeatist thinking? The fear of the Lord is only the beginning of wisdom, so God has given us specific instructions for victorious living. Start with the truth! Confession is in order! Acknowledging reality as to the root of our bitterness is where we begin to overcome it! It's an attitude check! The second part of confession is being able to admit and participate in the reality of God's victory and glory! So, "Don't sweat the small stuff", because after what Christ accomplished, everything else is small stuff!

Our motivation is to come from love and gratitude! If it doesn't came from love, it's just busywork with a bad attitude! If we do not subscribe to our limitations and His lack of them when working with us, we diminish ourselves by our lack of faith in Him. We are shorting ourselves of our full entitlement of joy!

Humility: What is it?

2010-07-08T19:23:00.000-07:00

A good story should inspire us. It illustrates the connections we have within a community of love and support. It gives us goals to work towards. It will help us bear our burdens with more courage. A good story also has heroes which throw their strength behind the cause.

Heroes exist to model behavior which we are supposed to emulate. We feel an outpouring of affection and longing for that one who is willing to sacrifice so much of himself, ostensibly for us. It's always nice to be on the receiving end of the one with the generous spirit. We long for that kind of love to be ours, so the story always emphasizes how the hero does not give to gain anything for himself. But then, it's only a story, isn't it?

What, though, is the motivation behind the hero's actions, altruistic as they might seem to be? Whom does the giver seek to honor? By whose authority and in whose name is the sacrifice made? What is to be gained, by the outflow, for the one surrendering the resources?

If the hero promotes his own goodness, then he is a fraud. If the hero seeks to conquer hearts for his own use, then he is no hero. At best, his glory and brilliance are but a tawdry imitation of the shine of genuine humility, as gilt paint is a cheap copy of the glittering value of real gold.

Force does not create humility. An ego brought low through the beatings administered by life is in a state known as humiliation. Compelling compliance usually doesn't change underlying opinions, for "The man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still." A person changing their behavior to avoid pain and confrontation is being dishonest. Such an individual's reasoning will form convoluted paths in order to convince themselves that they do what is right, but when given opportunity, their true loyalties will reassert themselves!

Only the one who has surrendered their banner of self promotion is the one who demonstrates true humility. In truth, only the one who does all for the Savior, as the Savior did all for us, can lay claim to being humble. Only the Savior, who sees and understands all, has that cause worth giving everything to! You'd have a hard time convincing that humble person that his contribution is even worthy of being called humility! He has no need to defend himself for he is convinced by that which he knows is of more value! Humility is valuing the Savior and His will above all else!

Letting Go

2010-06-30T18:50:00.000-07:00

Before I can talk on letting go of past hurts, I must take inventory. Where am I at? I still feel the sting of old wounds. I still remember what betrayal feels like.

To begin with, I must confess my confusion and fear. To remain in a state of denial, so I do not have to experience the pain, would ultimately be deadly. I must be able to cry and question Him, to fully experience the devastation, so that my perception of reality shifts and changes. The full realization of all that has been lost must sink in before healing can begin.

The Lord is forever and always His children's companion on this darkest of journeys. He bore more sorrow than all of us. No matter our pain, He has been there. He is there with us, now. He still bears our sorrow.

"For the joy that was set before Him, he endured the cross, despising the shame." He is the One who turns sorrow into joy, and shame into hope. If you will, imagine the worst that could ever happen. Such an event would mean the destruction of all things wise, beautiful, and loving. Yet that was exactly what happened at the cross! The death of God! Yet isn't this the best thing he ever did for us?

He conquered death itself for us! In following Him, now we are conquerors, too, even in the worst of circumstances! He changes what our past means by changing our future. Our pain he will change to his glory, and nothing will stand in his way!

Will You Turn Away?

2010-06-25T21:32:00.000-07:00

This is not a place I like to be,
Caught between rejection and doing the right thing.
I made a choice to live my faith.
Someone's anger is the consequence it brings.

This world feels like a wilderness.
Only cold indifference in each face I see
for that bright hope that I have found.
Acceptance of the message is my fervent plea!

Why do you make it personal?
Make my character out as flawed?
Dismiss me along with my message?
To keep yourself from feeling awed?

Why do you feel God picks on you,
In trying to give you a life of joy?
Give up being all about yourself!
What advantage do you gain by being coy?

Surely such love cannot be weak!
Reaching down to the depths of men!
But if you want to climb up to where God dwells,
Only His strength will cleanse you from sin!

Oh, that you would let God comfort you!
Give in to His flame of burning passion!
Nothing you do in His name will be lost!
There is then only His rewards to be won!

Yes! This is written for you!

And Mauve Colored Dreams.......

2010-06-22T17:54:00.000-07:00

I wander seeming aimless in this world feeling dazed,
Attempting to see beyond the corridors of the maze,
The noises which assault me are nothing but crazed,
And colors blur into a blinding amalgamous haze.

Perceptive reality reveals orange, red, and green,
Strident colors that are anything but serene.
How could they be happy that are so loud and mean?
That contend with others for attention; To be seen?

I turn my face away to seek the calmer hues,
Their intellect so polite, they leave me only clues.
That's where I have my happy place where I need not pay the dues.
Pink light of dawn in peaceful skies of panoramic views.

Mauve speaks to me of elegance and aesthetics so sublime
It coexists with everyone tranquilly through rhyme.
Such pleasure when seeing it must surely be a crime!
This vintage shade will never lose it's appeal over time!

The Glorious Freedom of the Children of God

2010-06-21T18:09:00.000-07:00

Why do we do the things we do? What is our motivation? It is inevitable and unavoidable that whatever we cherish binds us to itself. If we are doing what we think we want to be doing, it may not occur to us that we are slaves. Something has to drive us. Passion will have it's outlet.

There is only one truth to which we need commit ourselves. "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." What is the truth that frees us? The confession of who Jesus is! ("Upon this rock I will build my church", the rock being Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ and God's Son. "And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.")

Nothing else need have power over us any longer! No more chains or prison bars! Nothing comes between us and the One who has redeemed us! Because of His love, we are more than victors over all the circumstances of our life. In living and even dying, we win Him! What a liberating reality!

"Those who trust in the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up on wings as eagles."

He is Worthy!

2010-06-15T17:51:00.000-07:00

"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" (Revelation 5:12)

I believe the predominant emotion of heaven will be gratitude. We will finally be able to see and to understand the heights of God's grace and His provision. We would expect nothing less of our teacher after enduring pain and weakness for Him.

There are times, in the Bible, where God has deliberately tripped up men's lofty aspirations, and brought their dreams to nothing. (Remember the Tower of Babel?) In other places, he gives His faithful servants a "thorn in the flesh", or in other words, a handicap, to limit their strength to achieve on their own. Why has God placed boundaries on the glory man can attain for himself? He seeks to protect man from himself! We make poor imitation gods for ourselves, bent as we are on domination. Only when we put Him first and glorify only Him will He bring us with Him and will we be exalted with Him. Only He is strong enough! Only He can carry the weight of the world on His shoulders. Only He can battle evil and the grave and overcome! Only He can turn disappointment, disease, and death into glory! We will be ecstatic to share in His glory because He cared enough to do for us what we could not do for ourselves, so that He could honor us as we honor Him.

In addition to carrying our load, He has laid the foundation for our great joy. Joy is that extravagant blossom which only grows on and is nourished by the parent plant of gratitude. So our joy is born continually anew from gratitude. These two continue building on each other without end, an infinite crescendo of rejoicing, and it is all because of Him and for Him! Yes, He is worthy!

My Favorite Book

2010-06-15T17:39:00.000-07:00

I just bought two books by Josh McDowell, "Evidence That Demands a Verdict" and "A Ready Defense". Books like these demonstrate the factual foundation of the christian faith. We can see that what we hope for is not built out of air and not based on wishful thinking. The evidence is overwhelming. Christians should be informed.

I Name Him Merciful!

2010-06-08T19:30:00.000-07:00

Ever diligent is Satan in his efforts to make God into a liar. Isn't it a universal complaint of unbelievers that they won't subscribe to a God in the face of so much suffering in the world? Satan went to so much trouble to convince unsuspecting, ignorant man that God was withholding knowledge from man that would make man like God himself. Now Satan would suggest that God is responsible for the horrors of the consequences stemming from the choice to be without God.

We have forged the bars of our own prison, closed and locked the chains of our own making. God knew we didn't even understand this predicament nor have the strength to see to break free. God himself had to come for us. That light shining in the dark dungeon is Him standing, with the keys in His hands, waiting to unlock both chains and prison doors.

Ever willing is He, our God, and never failing of compassion. He is ever ready to halt the course of our destruction, but love will not force us. If we could just see His earnest desire, believe the One who wants the best for us, the truth would free us from our selfishness.

He does not have to punish us. We punish ourselves. As damaged and broken as we are, from our life of living without Him, when we genuinely ask for His help, He is already there for us. He has already made provision for our healing. There is no need for fear of that luminous, infinite future of grateful rejoicing and adoration of Him.

An Appeal to Reason: A Call to Arms!

2010-06-03T19:34:00.000-07:00

I was taken aback by the antipathy with which others viewed my recent dissemination of some emails about Islam. I simply let the proponents of Islam speak for themselves. I posted pictures of demonstrations where muslims were carrying gruesome statements about what they were going to do to unbelievers. Isn't it helpful to know the truth of other's belief systems? Instead, I felt like a child, caught gossiping about other's dirty laundry, by those far older and better able to understand.

I was sending out a warning. I have a great deal of experience with a more personal form of terrorism. I know that if you capitulate to the pressure of induced fear, if you are conciliatory, then you are letting someone else tell you who you are. Ironically, if you decide to adopt the same violent methods, you are also letting them decide who you are!

After my initial surprise, that others thought I was being hateful, I realized what it was that I was missing. It took a sermon on evangelism for me to see what a christian, fighting, is supposed to look like! If we are to represent the light of truth (Because that is what He is) to a world drowning in sorrow, the war has to be fought on our knees! Once we are empowered by His love, our weapons are truth and good deeds! It's a battle out there! Are we ready to fight?!

Fear

2010-05-27T17:46:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been the instigator of a misunderstanding? One where the seeming cold indifference of the other person you misconstrued into high drama of epic proportions? The pain you were meticulously rehearsing was built into a story that took on a life of its own. That driven feeling was fueled solely by the misinformation and uninformed emotion of the mind. All this happened before you decided to go and talk to the "offender". Then came the change of perspective, where nothing is as you thought it was, the sun is actually shining, and everyone really has your best interests at heart.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." (Psalm 111:10) If we are not motivated to go and talk to God when we experience fear, then our dread of Him becomes a sad misunderstanding, where the facts of His mercy and compassion are overwhelmed and subsumed by our emotions of the moment. He takes such care, when revealing heaven , to tell us to "fear not"! He is very protective of His reputation. If someone has convinced themselves that He is a harsh and cruel taskmaster, He will not be pleased by their lack of faith. "If any draw back, my soul will have no pleasure in him." (Heb 10:38) Of such persuasion was the unfaithful servant, who buried his "talent". He was condemned as unprofitable because he was content to console himself with inaction and atrophy.(Matt. 25:30)

"And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."(John 3:32) If we would just allow ourselves to see the real truth behind the circumstance, we would instead be praising Him! Whatever is happening, it is an opportunity for Him to reveal His glory, wisdom, and power! For the one with eyes to see, His victory is happening now!

So, What Happens Next?

2010-05-23T06:35:00.000-07:00

One of the things I've learned about God's character is that He delights in doing the unexpected. If you think back to all of the the times Israel was delivered from her enemies, many times this was accomplished without the use of any force whatsoever, contrary to expectations. Also, in fulfilling prophesy, God's completion, in exact detail, of what He has told us will happen, takes place in forms totally unexpected by leading religious authorities. (Those who have their own ideas of what should be happening.) God does these things to "shake up" our perceptions, to change our perspective, from a godless worldview, to how HE views. "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord." He desires us to be inspired to obey Him, rather than our own ideas of what is right. Acting in anticipation of what we think it is that He wants is not obedience, but rather a rut that we fall into and that He is helping us climb out of. So wait. See what the Lord will do. Be prepared to be in awe and overflowing with joy and gratitude! Feel the anticipation! I can't wait to see what happens next!

Accountability

2010-05-12T18:18:00.001-07:00

This word sparks feelings of resentment in me. My response is a result of my experiences with those blinded by the illusion that physical strength is the sole requirement of leadership. That view sees leading as a hiearchy where control comes from the top, goes in one direction, down, and obedience comes from the bottom up. Accountability is where, when the rules are broken, the offender is punished in some way by his superior. The inherent idea is of violent domination. Fear accrues the good things in life to the one who is at the top. All others aspire to and compete for positions of similar advantage.This value system is the godless concept of survival of the fittest.

Accountability only works if it is mutual. In reality, a leader has more to account for than the ones he leads. "To whom much is given, much will be required." (Luke 12:48)

The term that I prefer to use is submission. Whereas you would not love or trust the one you are accountable to, submission is a voluntary act of love, done to the one we know has our best interests at heart. Remember that Jesus said, "If you love me, you will obey my commandments." (John 14:15)

Submission is synonymous with humility, which to me, means teachability. To learn, we must surrender our pride. Then we can see that He is worthy to receive only our best. We can honor and glorify Him. When we lift Him up, exalting Him, He in turn lefts us up with Him, creating a powerfully supportive community of love.

Past the Pain

2010-05-11T19:16:00.000-07:00

My eyes roam over the events of my life,
random consideration of pain and of strife.
My reaction of amazement, to it, the sum?
I realize, with it, I've been granted my freedom!
It dawns on me God has used circumstance
to break open my chains, move my feet to dance!
Only after the battle's been fought
could I understand, with my will, what it is that He sought!
To produce resilience in my character!
In His compassion I stand assured,
that nothing has happened He hasn't allowed,
even dark valleys obscured by black clouds!
His spirit has driven me into the desert
where, like Him, I'm tested and allowed to feel hurt,
to learn to stand tall and to face unafraid,
the bleakest of darkness, the price to be paid,
because I'm determined to win victory,
go through even death, His face to see!
When corruption comes calling and threatening,
no force of persuasion, to my life, does it bring!
Now even the grave has no authority over me,
in His sacrifice, I now stand, and am free!

"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (Gal. 6:14)

because.....

"I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me, and the life I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Gal. 2:20)

That Familial Conflict

2010-05-10T19:43:00.001-07:00

This has got to be the same place
that I was at yesterday!
Surrounded by the familiar,
No wonder I didn't want to stay!

When I started I was secure
in innocence, all unaware,
that knowledge of good and evil
did not drive me, back then, to care.

Family battles then drew the lines
of character, and what is right.
They didn't realize they set in stone,
their role as villains, careless in their spite.

In the midst of the battle of wills,
I gave them all my blame.
I am so angry at others
for exposing me to shame.

Yet here I am, out of their reach.
So why do I feel as I did then?
Pressed from both sides, failing of both,
influence of sin, yet only men?

As long as I had them at my side,
it was impossible for me to see
that I didn't have to face my burden!
By blaming them, from my own fault I was set free!

An Austere Asthetic

2010-04-30T20:31:00.000-07:00

Waves of golden brown
continually spiraling around
circling the heart
of strength, when cut apart
supplicant arms uplifted
when with foliage gifted.

Aspire to reflected light
crystal colors bright
shape granted in the fire
molded as required
cold and heavy circumstance
through which pure hues dance.

An iridescent, buried deep
barrier to liquid keep
exotic form of skin
creatures safe within
open armour reveals to light
what's hid inside, to calloused sight.

Can you name three favorite things
that to arts and crafts, I bring?
Analogies of character,
inner life, strong, and pure.
Simple beauty personified
when selfish ambition is denied.
Living image of the Son
when the world is overcome!

A "Cardboard Testimony"

2010-04-30T19:46:00.000-07:00

When I saw the subject this week, I realized that I didn't have a transcendent, poignant, concise message of the mighty, transforming power of God working in my life. I had nothing encouraging to offer. These brief communications require a conviction of positive results, an abundance of physical evidence to give as empirical proof of God's presence.

What I had was my grief. My health struggles have left me physically weak and emotionally numb and isolated. My past history of being treated violently, in addition to making some ugly choices of my own, has kept my conviction my being undeserving of grace in the forefront of my mind.

But this is not about me, is it? It's about God's (insert all-powerful, consummate, positive, attribute here!) Throughout my life struggles, my most profound joy has been to exalt and glorify Him! There is no one else who is worthy! No one else can do what He does! None can bring good out of even evil itself as He does! He is the only one who can bring perfect life out of death! This One even used murderous hate to frame and emphasize His greatest act of love!

Why is my soul rejoicing after all the protestations of despair? I will tell you how He has given (because that's all He does) what I needed, when I needed it, right where I was!

I have realized that there is a price to be paid when we speak out, from our hearts, for the Savior. Unless we "give it up" when we give to Him, it is not a worthy gift to give to Him who has everything. Also, If I am to be able to teach others with integrity and conviction, I must have wrestled with the issues already, and be brought through to truth! Else, how will they believe unless I have been where they are now?

My change of heart today is from the most profound "point of grace" yet. Jesus did His greatest work when He was in the most agony of physical pain and despair! Redemption and reconciliation was accomplished because of His suffering. When He cried out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Jesus was as the very center of His father's will for Him! This is significant because suffering is not always a sign of God's displeasure, but instead will be used to further His great purpose!

So what is my message today of God's work in my life? The challenges are "violent rejection, alienation, depression, and despair"! God's answer? "He satisfies all my needs with Himself!"

It's None of Your Business!

2010-04-22T18:45:00.000-07:00

I wholeheartedly concur with a novel definition of "fanatic" that I came across yesterday. The term has been known to be used in a blatant attempt to stigmatize those gentle and humble believers who have an "unhealthy" attachment to the Savior. The new definition says that fanatics are those who have not internalized the message of the Gospel (that we are saved by grace) and who's confessed "belief" is actually a way for them to control others. Another word for them is hypocrite.

Do you remember where Jesus said "You will know them by their fruits"? We all know someone so "zealous" for their religion that they are harsh, overbearing, and opinionated. Similar to the Pharisees of Jesus' day, they delight in being powerful and respected while they oppress and abuse others. They are confident God will accept them based on their "good" behavior, while feeling superior and self righteous.

In any encounter with such individuals, it is best to be on your guard. This is where it helps to be "as wise as serpents, but harmless as doves." Don't be "casting your pearls before swine" by being open and vulnerable. Don't play their games and let yourself be manipulated. No need to be drawn into stern lectures with you as their disciple. Instead, you can employ a refreshing technique as a defense mechanism. Just tell them to "mind your own business!"

Joyful Living

2010-04-19T18:13:00.000-07:00

I made a rediscovery recently. I'll have to explain the circumstances before I can make my point. Christians are a peculiar people bound to a peculiar destiny. We know the end of the story. We know God's victory is a foregone conclusion. So therefore, most of us assume we've got no business with thinking on anything negative, even going so far as to not acknowledge reality in certain areas.

My recent experience has taught me that there is nothing like chronic, debilitating pain to "shake loose" any misconceptions we harbor. When you're in pain, you don't worry about esoteric concepts like self esteem, success strategies, or even courtesy. In fact, you're unable to control your self and your emotions at all. Your whole being becomes focused on the one thing, the pain. All pretense of happiness fades away..........(but wait! There's more!)

When it is too hard to bear, God has given us permission to grieve! (Read the book of Job.) If we cannot grieve, then our hearts will turn to stone. If we try to keep our hearts free of fear and anger, rigid and unyielding, then we actually get stuck there, instead.

My point is, if you cannot surrender, then you cannot be delivered. If you cannot give up your life, then you cannot truly live life. If you will not allow yourself to feel terror, then you cannot acknowledge hope. True meaning will not be found in the absence of suffering, but because of it.

In the strength of Christ, who overcame the world, we too will win! That is the ultimate reality! In the same way that we commit ourselves to participate when He allows us to suffer, we will also share in His joy, and the victory is so much sweeter for the price that was paid! Only in Him, is it possible to confess our pain and His victory at the same time, and live joyfully in anticipation with expectations of grace.

Breaking Through

2010-04-13T17:45:00.000-07:00

When I am so weary that my body aches,
I want to give up: I haven't got what it takes.
Voices beat against my brain
telling me that I'm insane.
That my reasoning is compromised.
These spirits of hell in disguise,
use suffering to impress on me,
The "reality" of the "truth" they see.
That God is unable to forgive my sin.
That there really is no hope in the end
because after all everyone dies.
Are you really sure you will ascend to the skies?
Beating my will against the wall
of my understanding, to take it all,
to a higher level of love and joy,
to defeat satan in his morbid ploy.
Reality is what I have in my hand,
the Word of the Lord, His love and His plan.
The reality is that I've made my choice,
a conscious decision to lift up my voice,
To acknowledge Jesus, who's delivered me,
rejoicing in what He says will be,
This One who's strength is greater than all,
has told me clearly that when I answer His call,
That no one can pluck me out of His hand.
On His firm promise I can choose to stand.
I'm deciding to give up death and dispair.
In the midst of my circumstance, I'm praising Him there.
Spending my strength in expressing my gratitude,
so while I wait on Him, I exude
the joy all His children are supposed to be feeling!
Besides, confessing His victory is far more appealing
to Him, to me, and unbelievers around!
All will know His grace does abound!

God's Progressive Lesson Plan

2010-03-31T12:03:00.000-07:00

In the economy of God's kingdom, difficult concepts are best "laid hold of" by our heart and intellect through the generous application of life difficulties. God will, in His kindness, lead us through dark valleys with overcast skies. Yet even there He can and does deliver His messages in the wind driven rain. Temporary grief is a catalyst towards greater understanding and increasing love of Him. (And for His children, all grief is temporary!) Our insight is built up, by the Savior, into an edifice of righteousness in consecutive stages. He turns our tear streaked countenance in His direction with a gentle hand. That way we will see the reality that our mourning is what begins the radical blessings from Him! As glory is placed upon glory, we become more like Him! We can be "confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Phil. 1:6) So all the honor will go to Him for the excellent things He has done!

In Romans, Paul gives a basic outline of the way our God builds us up into His glorious likeness. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Rom 5:1-5)

In my own journey, I started with a believing faith, through which God granted me His grace and the peace that comes with it. The first thing I realized, after my conversion at the tender age of nine, was that christians have to live like,....... well........Christians! The name says it all, in that we are to be a reflection of the character of our Lord. (Phil 1:27) Sounds great, right? We're supposed to make a decision to keep our "body under subjection". Right? (1 Cor 9:27) In reality, an incredible amount of anger will build up if we just "keep a lid on it"! That's where patience comes in, (The lifetime achievement award!) for it's difficult to "speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:16) when "truth" and "love" just don't want to work together!

Consistent application of self discipline (read patience) is what eventually allowed me to see God's hand working through the turmoil. Seeing God's hand at work and hearing His voice proves to us in a very visceral way that He is real, He is faithful and just, and that HIS will is what WILL prevail. We EXPERIENCE Him! That is the hope God has given me that no one can take away! I have SEEN His love at work in me and through me so that I KNOW He is with me and that all He has told me is true!

Now if I can just manage to communicate this love to others..............?

What Work is Worth Doing?

2010-03-27T13:45:00.000-07:00

This question put me in mind of a song. "When Nothing's Sacred" by Billy Sprague (http://new.music.yahoo.com/billy-sprague/tracks/when-nothings-sacred--217703094) is an expose' on the state of our souls, absorbed as they are in superficial things. One of the stanzas states that "People need a destiny, but settle for careers."

Whatever has captured our heart is where we invest our time, and time is one of God's more democratic of gifts. Everyone has their alloted time. We choose where it is to be invested by what is most important to us. If we choose not to trust God, where we spend our time will be a waste of this precious resource. Our efforts will not carry over into eternity.

One of the most superficial and unrewarding of activities that can engage our time is worry, usually for inconsequential or unlikely things. Sooner or later, everyone will attempt to make a career of it. We try to cover every contingency, so we ourselves control the outcome. We're telling God to move over, that we want His job. We want it done our way. This is arrogance on our part. Just who is supposed to be in charge here, anyway? Jesus said, "But don't be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy (time) seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you." (John 6:27 NLT)

There are far better and more eternally rewarding uses for our time. Our true employment and final destiny is best expressed by what we do when we "do it all for the glory of God" (I Cor 10:31) We do our best work when we have an attitude of faith and gratitude. No matter what our task, we do work worthy of a being created in the image of God when we do it to give honor to Him.

The Ultimate Birthday Party

2010-03-20T17:05:00.000-07:00

A beloved prodigal son is coming home. Broken and disillusioned, he's bowed down under the weight of the consequences of his choices in life. He thought he was strong, but now realizes physical strength is but a delusion. Humbly he throws himself at the feet of the Love he once scorned as weak. He no longer wants the life he once lived without Love. His yearning is to break the chains of the cycle of destruction so he can be free!

How will the Father receive the one who has been contemptuous? Who now regrets? "Him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37) He turns no one away that comes to Him! What is God's emotional reaction to overseeing a new birth into His fellowship? What is His first reaction? "In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:10) Can't you just picture how God dances and whoops it up in exuberant joy? Not only does He take all comers, but He goes out looking for His soon to be adopted children, in the most traveled and least traveled ways of the world. (Luke 14:23) He runs to meet them where they are when He knows that they are coming. (Luke 15:20) Then it's time for the celebration! The father calls for a party to rejoice over the newest child who "was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. " (Luke 15:32)

Suprised by Love

2010-03-02T18:44:00.000-08:00

Expectations. A sense of impending failure. That sinking feeling of despair. Expectations can be imposed on us by others, or can be those we've internalized so that we become our own worst critic. Either way, there are rules. None can claim ignorance of the rules. We all know what's right.

There is good reason why God has left such a strong impression of His laws in the minds of men. He has left a testimony of Himself. Our spirits confess to us of His ultimate power and holiness.

He leaves the witness to be a confrontation to our conscience: A wakeup call to our wayward souls. None are exempt, and we are supposed to be afraid, initially. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." The demands of His law must be met. Justice must be served. A death sentence has been handed down. All of the race of man must die.

If it all seems pretty dreadful, it is meant to be. God's impending judgement, His dispensing of justice, is a warning call to repentance. When we change our minds and decide not to destroy ourselves, we have someone who advocates for us. This same advocate is our proxy in the serving of our sentence. When we decide we want out of our inevitable ending, we can adopt His instead. When we accept His Lordship, we identify with His death, so our death to sin and it's consequences is accomplished.

This whole drama is akin to the child who creates a large debt against the parent. When the child comes crying to the parent, in anguish and fear, he is told the "good news". IT"S ALREADY BEEN TAKEN CARE OF! (But please don't do it again).

From what circumstances does God choose to adopt His helpless children? From out of the bitterest slavery, the harshest bondage, He has paid the ransom price! Only these are truly cognizant of their overwhelming debt, and will turn to Him in desperation. Only these have no hope but Him.

He has gone out into the highways and alleys to search them out, these lost who wish for a better way. When we hear the "good news", we know He is right there with us and will be with us forever. He has traded our poverty for His own riches. Assured destruction has been exchanged for an inheritance of priestly authority.

Anyone who the Lord takes this far will be feeling a great deal of astonishment and wonder. To our surprise, He greatly values us! He has given everything of Himself just so we can be with Him forever! It's the greatest love story ever told.

Daybreak (A poem about death)

2010-02-12T18:29:00.000-08:00

Fanciful brush strokes of pink
and purple trail across the dawn,
Looking flat against the darkness
of the sky that they are painted on.
What faroff reality is
illuminated by that light?
And leaves but a suggestion
of what will be, to my sight?
What undiscovered country
exists just beyond my vision?
What bright future are we
gathered to, in His mission?
The night before black storm
clouds obscure the evening skys.
The heart's imprisioned in the
cold of Satan's whispered lies.
All is dark yet in the sky
a neon rainbow brightly glows.
A sign from God of His sure love,
so faith and courage grow.
But what bright day is this that
reveals joyous faces once full of tears?
When finally comes the Sonbreak
after times of doubt and fear?
Exuberance takes flight
on an azure crystal day.
Over pure white mountain peaks,
You lift up my heart to play!

It's Night

2010-01-23T11:25:00.000-08:00

What wisdom have I gained from the long, dark night?
Have I turned from despair yet, to profound insight?
I must pay the price of soul desolation,
before I enter His courts, where there are no more questions.
All my distractions no longer comfort me,
Crushed by a sorrow so tangible I can see,
Commiseration in the rain that pours from the sky,
Evidence of sympathy from God on high.
Giving up my life expectations of enjoyment.
In humbleness praying to counter evil's deployment.
Open eyes see God's heartwork being done!
My passionate longing is to give one more to the Son!

What's in a Name?

2009-10-22T16:18:00.000-07:00

There is a verse that I have always considered a harsh enigma where Jesus says, "If you deny me before men, I will deny you before my Father in heaven." (Matt 10:33) This statement is right next to the pronouncement of the "unforgivable sin", and ranks right up there with it in provoking uneasy self questioning and uncertainty. What christian of fervent hope does not fear, that in weakness or persecution, they will not become like Peter and deny any knowledge or acquaintance with their Lord? That fear, when caught in physical extremity, they might succumb to cowardice?

Commendable though it may be to always be alert for opportunities to be a witness for the gospel, I don't believe that Christ is saying we need be legalistic about every word that comes out of our mouths. After all, oppostion is only an excuse to let the light shine in the dark, and we don't lose our relationship with our Lord when in uncertainty or doubt. Instead, an idea of what this denial is, is hinted at where Jesus tells of the sheep and the goats. Do you remember how some who say "We did it all in Your name!" are rebuffed? "I never knew you!" Christ responds.

They did it in His name? A name is the truth of who someone is. Titles are a part of this. "God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." (Phil 2:9,10) "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) Christ is "Mighty God" in Isaiah and "my Lord and my God" to Thomas the formerly doubting disciple. If you get the picture that Jesus is God in the flesh, with no others who could even hope to approach that position, then you understand the main part of my thinking.

Anyone who defines the identity of Christ Jesus differently is unacquainted with the genuine Lord. Attaching His name to whatever we happen to worship does not give the idol His identity, even if we call it by the same name. This is what denial of Christ means. Creating a christ in our own image with characteristics that fill our own desires is preaching another gospel. Paul said that anyone who did this is cursed, (Gal 1:8,9) because our salvation is dependent on who Christ is. "The essence of sin is substituting man for God, while the essence of salvation is subsituting God for man."

Salamander Grace

2009-10-22T15:50:00.000-07:00

A signal sentinal of stone guards the center of the house, it's heart of fire reaching out to all the inhabitants with a living warmth.It freely bestows its glowing light on house residents. This closeknit communty of family is astonished and amazed by a flash of color emerging from the flames. A salamander, elemental of fire, is a reflection of the red and orange jewel tones of the flames. Merely human eyes observe and wonder at the mystery of a creature which lives in flame and is of flame. The creature represents the incomprehensable. The captive audience would love to emmulate the beauty and aquire the wisdom that dwells in the heart of the flame.

Just so is the christian that emerges from his fellowship with the Savior, our Rock with a heart of molten passion. Our souls reflect the jewel-like clarity of His character. We are bound, in mute wonder, to the unrelenting joy which is the immutable radiance of His being. Do others glimpse through us the unceasing glory of He through whom we "live and move and have our being?"

Or have we left ourselves out in the cold, without the knowing of the warmth of His acceptance? Do we squabble in the dark because our eyes refuse to see the light shining in front of us? Can we tell when our own passions, that we lay claim to as the most important virtues of our lives, are nothing more than "sentimental rot", and unruled by the eternal flame who is our Savior?

More Than This!

2009-10-02T09:30:00.000-07:00

Here comes the question. It's the one capping off all of the most intermidable of sermons. You can recite the words before you hear them. You've already tuned them out because you've made your decision and you feel that the question no longer applies to you. "If you died tonight, do you know where you would spend eternity?" That's it. There it is, the end of the story.

"But wait, there's more!" What if the gospel is more than just a "get out of jail free card"? What if it is more than just the pass to get you through those pearly gates? What if it is the chance to change what you can only see as an ending, to a beginning that stretches into eternity on a cosmic scale? The book's ending can be changed. You can "rewrite an ending that fits", so that He is the start of the best part of the story.

If, without Jesus, man is no more than a project sabotaged, to be thrown on the scrap heap, how much more is a life in Him a new beginning that will see no end? Each and every weakness, surrendered to His keeping, every painful circumstance we decide to face with His praises, each conscious sacrifice done to glorify Him, becomes a permanent part of our destiny with Him. Because of what He has done, and in His name, we can choose to bring new life to wherever we are at right now. In Jesus, we can opt out of the ending of our story.

Destination: Destiny

2009-09-28T19:16:00.000-07:00

Our physical senses and therefore the material world, constitute only a fraction of our existence. Many concepts exist which do not repond to newtonian physics, and are not bound to a corporeal form. Transcendent values of morality, self sacrifice, and love clearly demonstrate that man is not meant to "live by bread alone", (Matt 4:4) but in the power and provision of the Lord. Man is not, ultimately, to be tied to the confines of a universe made of matter. At present, we "see through a glass darkly", (1 Cor. 13:12) having our senses bombarded by this world composed of matter, and distracted from that which will endure forever.

The reality of our destiny as the servants of Glory for the Most High King is only thinly veiled over. "It does not yet appear what we shall be", but "we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is".(1 John 3:2) Forever priests of the King of Kings, our body will be unshackled from the corruption of pain and death. We shall rejoice forever in the strength of our fellowship with Him. In His authority, we will transend the limits of mere flesh. May He hasten that day.

For now, our every word and action,in Him, is pregnant with God's purpose and meaning. In His Spirit, we administer joy and peace. Each moment of time is embued with repercussions that echo through eternity. Burdened with such a great weight of His glory, do we not "do more than just exist"?

Finding Identity as.......
In submission
I become
not less
but more.
Prostrated,
I am
exalted.
Created as
a conduit of:
Your mercy
Your compassion
Your love.
In humility
I find
my calling.
Limned in light
Your radiance
shines out.
Effective now,
Your servant!

Alternatives to Reality

2009-09-25T16:21:00.000-07:00

The Lord our God has blessed us exeedingly. His grace and mercy are unsurpassed, both in heaven and earth. The masterful subtlety of His leadership, or in other words, His perfect timing and provision, inspire amazement and awe. He, Himself, put aside all the priviledges of divinity, so as to not just show us the way, but to become The Way, so He could support us with His great strength. All of His efforts are motivated by His depthless love. The Master is discerning towards us so as to ever increase our love for Him. He knows that love forced is love lost, so He has given us the freedom to choose.

Those who know and understand, know that there is only the one game in town. There is no other way. There is no other God. There is no other end but what He decrees. It it but foolishness to choose any other but Him, the One who is all in all. It strains the limits of credulity as to how anyone could do otherwise. God lets them blaze their own path to eternity, knowing that they seek only to have their own way. Their ears and hearts are closed to all but themselves, unless some trauma should dislodge them from their complacency. In their hearts, they design and live in a make believe world.

There are various manifestations that evidence this attempted escape from reality. People display their lack of obedience to God in multiple ways. The most ubiquitous method used in western culture is an identification with science. God is left out of modern science so as to put a "safe" distance between us and Him. Some take it even further by twisting science to deny God's existence, making instead, science the recipient of their faith. There are those who make religion itself the object of their worship. The focus is on rules of behavior, while expecting God to accept these "great" sacrifices. There is no comprehension that God's standard's are far higher than can be attained by a humanity without Him. The most honest escapist is that one who pursues his own personal pleasure, while acknowledging that his weakness is his refusal to give up his sin. The here and now is made more important than the forever.

All avoiders of reality out there misunderstand and are blinded to God's true nature. In order for them to feel that they maintain some semblence of control over what they feel is theirs, they turn away from what is far greater and much more glorious than they could ever imagine.

A Strong Delusion

2009-09-10T18:00:00.000-07:00

Our subject this week is the admonition to "never stop learning!" It is indeed invigorating and liberating to acquire knowledge which enlarges our understanding and aids us in wise choices. Knowledge and understanding enrich our lives, providing encouragement and edification. However, discernment should compel us to question whether all "facts" are created equal. Must we accept all the theories and conclusions presented to us under the mantra of "science"? "If we do it in the name of science, will we be justified in the end?"

There is a pervasive bias entrenched in the collective reasoning of our society. This prejudice leaves us stranded in the finite physical universe, blind and crippled, bereft of our anchor of meaning. In the void, we are sans the supportive connections which shield us from self destruction. What is labeled "freedom" is in reality the absence of hope. Psuedoscience offers us the gift of no god in our universe, a cosmic abortion of mankind in the face of the father who loves us and wants us.

This is the premise underlying any official position of the scientific establishment. Any hypothesis formulated which includes a god, must, in their thinking, be disallowed. They want no divinity intruding on their poverty stricken kingdom. The chaos underlying the implicit order apparent in the cosmos, and the complex language written into our very genes, does not suffice to persuade them. How is it that the discipline of science, started under the auspices of the church in the western world, is confused with those who refuse to consider all legitimate possibilities? Excluding the consideration of God's existence is the apex of irrationality. No matter how many layers of physical existence they uncover, no matter how far they travel in an unending journey, these delusional will be "ever learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (2 Tim 3:7)

Letter to a Skeptic

2009-09-08T17:15:00.000-07:00

When you state your objections to Christianity, they are organized in such a way that it is obvious that you assume that it's concepts originate in myth. You also pointed out that I state my "opinions" as if they are fact. It seems that we each have our worldviews built on disparate foundations. You have faith in yours, based on a science of material naturalism, and I have mine, based on openminded science that accounts for other possiblilities, and my personal experiences.

Thank you for your willingness to discuss this issue of the ages. Well you may imagine that this type of dialog is what I live for. The Bible says to always be ready to give the reasons for the hope that you have(1 Peter 3:15). The Bible also tells us to study(2 Tim 2:15). Consequently, I have spent my life in study.

As you can see from the above, the life of a christian should be built on knowledge and reason. Conversion must be based on the evidence. That is where faith and belief begin, placed solidly on top of that foundation of the proveable and that reputation for truth and integrity ( Example: http://www.aish.com/jw/j/48961251.html ).

Now, as to your questions, which are of a more philosophical / theological nature.

You asked why does christianity base it's recruitment efforts on fear? I disagree with the first assumption in the question. Christ's efforts on mankind's behalf were based on His great love for us. "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). He has provided us with an easy, no effort escape through simple belief in Him, that requires no work of our own. He has not sought to terrorize us, but to comfort us in the middle of the pain resulting from our own error. How is this fearmongering? He is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)

If someone put on watch for the military failed to warn a city's inhabitants of an approaching enemy army, so that they could not escape, wouldn't he be failing to show love and compassion to his fellow citizens? If he warned them as he should would he be guilty of fearmongering? "When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand." (Ezekiel 3:18) It is love and undying concern which motivate His recruitment efforts!

Now to address your resistance to the very idea of hell, I might not be able to be so comforting. Some christians try to change the basic meaning of what hell is by telling themselves, contrary to what the Bible says, that it simply means "destruction", or in other words, ceasing to exist. Jesus spoke more about hell than he did about heaven. He said it is that fire which shall not be quenched (Mark 9:44).

Consider, instead, the only possible alternative to hell. Is it better for God's creation to be held hostage by evil? Where the most violent, bloodthirsty, and selfish would rule forever? The most gentle, compassionate, and giving people would be fodder for the flames of their wars, left to suffer injustice and humilation.

I think I would rather not live in that universe. Instead, I want to inherit the wonder of having the last vestige of pain and death removed from my sight and memory, left only to gaze on true love forever. "Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?" (Gen 18:25)

Some Thoughts on Patience

2009-08-27T18:21:00.000-07:00

Patience is not a virtue for the young. It's an aquired skill. Having patience means you have to have strong self control and have put much thought into whatever you do, before you do it. Patience is aquired along with experience and wisdom, sort of like a cumlative IQ.

Patience is that thing that you learn to have when you've come to the end of your own strength. We cannot learn true patience until our own control has ended. It is how our faith survives while God is at work, while we are under construction. We have to wait and see what God will bring about.

You Didn't Know?

2009-08-18T17:48:00.000-07:00

That curse that you carry
Like a stone in your heart,
The heartbreak of loneliness
Which holds you apart,
What anger you cherish!
By injustice undone!
The weight of unfairness
Is insanity's son.
Blocked from fulfillment
Through society's venues.
They see only the surface,
Thus make everyone lose.
Didn't you know?
Haven't you heard?
There IS a Deliverer,
Who hears every word!
That ugliness cursed,
You've abused yourself for?
Try seeing it His way,
He's given you more!
Didn't you know?
You're not lost in the lie?
That all life consists of
Is what is seen with the eye?
Didn't you know?
You won't waste your life?
You're forced to dig deeper?
Past meaningless strife?
Didn't you know?
Jesus waits in the wing?
While you exhaust your own effort?
Then acknowledge Him King?
Didn't you know?
He feels all your sorrow?
Will carry you always?
Today and tomorrow?
Didn't you know?
That He cares for you?
He's been where you're at?
Then died for you too?
Didn't you know?
If you'll just open your eyes?
You'll see you're near to the heart?
Of Him who is wise?
Understand that true ugliness
Is him with it all,
who's heart is contemptuous,
In place of mercy, a wall.

By the way everyone (so you won't think I wrote this for you), this is an internal dialog.

Staying Positive

2009-08-16T14:30:00.000-07:00

Flying back from visiting my father, I had opportunity to reflect on and put into practice an exercise in faith. The airplane I was in was lifting off through turbulence severe enough to feel like the hand of God was swatting it back and forth like an insect. How does one change one's attitude from that of rigid fear and maybe anger to that of exhilarating joy and anticipation? How is it possible to bring the passionate tenderness of the Savior's precious presence into every moment of our lives, no matter how painful or ackward they may be?

For a believer, a totally different perspective can be achieved by choosing, at all times, to praise God. Understanding what God is doing in your life in a difficult circumstance is not a prerequisite for praise. A change in the specifics of the situation need not happen. The only act that is necessary for a believer to commit to is the acknowledgement of the real truth behind what is going on. God is at work on us and our job is to be exalting Him by confessing His goodness. (Phil 4:4-7)

This is how the hand of the Lord is found and seen by our very own eyes, in retrospect, to be at work in us and for us. This is how we can be refined for His use and how His character is developed in us. This is how we are energized by His love so that it shines out of our face, our speech and our actions.

When I first changed my confessions from complaint to commending the glory of the Lord, I was astounded at the blessings poured out on me. I asked the Lord what the difference was that would merit such a return. His answer? The letters of the word "attitude", when given numerical values according to their sequential position in the alphabet, add up to a total of 100. So the question is, what is the percentage of difference that attitude makes? 100%!

Can you not see that Jesus is Lord?
Inundated by the tide of His passionate joy,
I lose my grip on fear.
It cannot survive the onslaught of His light of celebration!
I feel joy welling up within me in response to His presence.
His life and creativity flow like a mighty river: Irresistible!
One who has met Him is convinced.
All choice is stripped from me: I can only confess the truth.
Glorious truth! Jesus is Lord indeed!

That Great Light

2009-08-11T20:06:00.000-07:00

I have seen a great and beautiful light,
A treasure vast beyond my comprehension,
Towards which my heart strains in longing.
His loveliness is expressed in tenderness,
Those that desire Him are overwhelmed
with His compassion.
My striving is to know Him utterly.
Is there anything I have not yet given
to His cause?
Some weakness I can trade
for more of Him?
Whose fortress of strength
is His compassion?
Lord, redeem my suffering
so it is done in Your name.
Let the fire purify,
so that You may be lifted up!
Let only Your name be
found on my lips!
Lift up my hands to You!
Let the holiness of Your
people shine out as a beacon!
Turn the faces of the lost
toward Your light,
So that those who are in darkness
Can see Your great light!

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

2009-08-04T18:51:00.000-07:00

Jesus has said, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord', will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (Matt 7:21-23) We've heard all the excuses and even used them ourselves....."I go to church." "I read my bible." "I do charity work." These are all salves for the conscience, defense mechanisms used to slough off confrontation with the real issues. We want to think we're good people. Arrogantly, we seek to impose on God our own standards of what is right, but God tells us the truth about ourselves. (Roms 3:10) When we see ourselves as He sees us, we realize we are utterly selfish and unprofitable in actions and motivation. So then, how do we make sure we have the basic of what God requires from us? What can we do to be saved?

First, we must have the right attitude. Three things comprise a proper God seeking posture. One, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." (Psalm 111:10) Obedience does not come naturally, but is a result of the fear of consequences! Second, "Without faith it is impossible to please Him, because anyone that comes to Him must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those that sincerely seek Him."(Heb 11:6) Having faith is following a Name that is already known and proven holy, just, and all-sufficient. Third, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (Jas 4:6) So anyone who wants to come to God, must come with fear, in faith, and with humbleness.

Jesus also said, "Enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."(Matt 7: 13, 14) What is this gate He speaks of? He is the gate! "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep."(Matt 10:7) "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved." (Matt 10:9)

Why does faith (belief/trust) in Jesus save us? It is because He is THE Lord! "In Him dwells all the fullness of the godhead in bodily form" (Col 2:9) Only God Himself, offered up in our place, is yet pure and powerful enough to save us! In Jesus only must we place our trust! Not in ourselves, or in others. "I know who I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day." (2 Tim 1:12)

Have You Died Today?

2009-07-29T18:31:00.000-07:00

The defining principle undergirding living the christian life is self sacrifice. How serious one's commitment is to the savior is made obvious by how much one is willing to give. Jesus is the one who introduced the whole concept when he told His first followers "Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me."(Matt 10:36) First thoughts of this taking up of crosses generates images of Marine Corps drill sergeants, or for women, what's involved in the push to care for small children while holding down a full time job! The thought is "it will be hard, but doable." Take up my cross? How hard is that? I'll just clench my teeth and do it!

The bad news is, it's actually much worse than that! When Jesus spoke these words, the cross was the favored method of execution. One reason it was used was that besides killing the one suspended from it, it also made a public spectacle of their death agony. Witnesses of the event were also being taught what not to do by seeing what they had to look forward to if they repeated the same error! You were supposed to be very afraid of that happening! What kind of respect could be maintained by anyone involved in this extremity? You weren't supposed to want to repeat this, or God forbid, volunteer to go through it! Yet that is exactly what Jesus is saying we need to do! He's saying we need to die!

Further illumination on the spiritual meaning may be gained by comparison with another of Christ's analogies where He told Nicodemus, "You must be born again to enter the kingdom of heaven." If you remember the response of Nicodemus, he was bewildered, wondering aloud how such a physical reality could be accomplished!

What Jesus is speaking of is the total change of perception, perspective, and worldview that comes from leaving unbelief to live by faith. What Jesus is saying is that the old guy, the one affiliated with the world, has to die!He does not pass away quietly. A new creation, a bond servant of Christ, has to be born! It is done publicly as a witness to others!

A new mind will be obvious in all following behavior. Now comes the actual living of the faith written of with such sublime poetry in the Bible. "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."(Gal 6:14) "This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith."(1 John 5:4) We are now free! "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are (born) in Christ Jesus......who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit." (Rom 8:1,4) Let's celebrate because we have died and all things are now new!

The Most Dangerous Prayer

2009-07-28T19:45:00.000-07:00

When faced with the rigor of the daily ritual, most of us tend to have an escapist mentality. We find ways to "deal with the stress." Have you ever used daydreaming or imagination to make life more exiting? Yearned for an adventure? Wished you could have lived the life of a famous person?

Your adventure is at hand! Hidden beneath the surface of this material world, there are in operation vigorous forces clenched in the combat of the ages. Spiritual beings titanic in power clash in an upheaval to rival the most violent, convoluted plot of any of our spy or adventure films.

Where do we come into this story? Malevolent darkness and radiant messengers of mercy wait, poised for action, over the human form cast down on it's knees. The action of battle has been suspended to await the outcome of the whispered prayer issuing from the lips of the prostrate man. The outcome hangs on this moment of time.

What prayer is it that the dark princes dread, yet the powerful servants of God give their joyful attention to? Both sides know that the balance of power is about to shift. The ranks of the sons of God is about to be augumented. In abject weakness and need, a new soul is about to be born with the confession "Jesus, please be my Lord!"

The kingdom of God has won more territory in the most bitterly contested area of all, that of the human soul. In humbleness, the inheritance of one has changed from condemnation to priestly authority.

The time is at hand and the day is now to secure your place in God's victory! To participate in the great adventure, submit yourself to Jesus while the great drama still unfolds!

Pride

2009-07-21T19:25:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has listened to what God has to say on the subject of pride is aware that His perspective is completely alien to our own. Our wisdom has sayings such as "Keep your head up" and " They can take everything from you but your pride". A merely human view equates pride with a love of one's self and sees it as an essential foundation of loving others. However, without God, acts of loving and giving become choices to be weighed in the balances. Without God, our first priority is always ourselves. Without God, our own needs always outweigh our available resourses, therefore the needs of others get left behind.

Anger and resentment are the harvest of a world of neediness. In this enviroment of brutal competition, pride is a defense mechanism. It is how I tell myself that I am better than you. It is why I see myself as more worthy and deserving of your love and devotion than you are worthy and deserving of mine. Pride is my wall of protection around my pain and vulnerability so I can keep you from robbing me of my resources. Pride's operational dysfunction is it's isolationist agenda.

Such a worldview sees God at the top of the heap of evildoers, who by virtue of a strength greater than our own, makes arrogant demands of us. Unfortunately, when we chose to shut God out , we imprison ourselves in an abject poverty of existence, in a living death. A natural mind cannot, on its own, comprehend the principals of the realities of God. Him who's heart is a fortress of pride will not yield to love in the face of all the persuasions at the disposal of diety.

This is the reality of who God is, that He made Himself into nothing and took on the form of a servant, the form of a man. As a man, he was obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross! (Phil 2:8,9) This is the mind of Christ, that when he gave a demonstration how we are to treat each other, he washed the feet of his disciples! This is the way He works, when he informed His disciples that the one who wants to be first in His kingdom must be the servant of all the others, as Jesus Himself is.

God says that He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. (Proverbs 3:34) If He allows us to reap the bitter harvest of pride while we yet draw breath, then He will be assisting us to open our eyes to our lifeless condition so we may approach Him with humility (to learn from Him). Perhaps He might gant us a glimpse of the depthless value of this love that He offers us! Perhaps we might learn to imitate this inexhaustible fountainhead of love and humility.

Matt 24: What's THAT All About?

2009-06-21T15:26:00.000-07:00

I saw a debate online on a christian website that I frequent about Matthew 24 and 25. What struck me as really odd was that when Christ, in chapter 24, talks about two being in a field, one will be taken and one left, the interpetation being applied was those taken, are taken to be judged! That this being taken is a BAD thing. I've always been taught that these verses depict the rapture, the "blessed hope".

In chapter 24 of Matthew, Jesus' answer, to three questions from the disciples, are recorded. They wanted to know "When will these things happen?", "What will be the sign of your coming?", and "What will be the signs of the end of the age?".

I believe Matthew 24 is a multiple application prophesy. I believe Christ spoke of the temple's destruction in 70 AD, as well as the general signs of His approaching return, along with the rapture and the tribulation which immediately follows. It's been almost two thousand years already, but He expects us to be ready and waiting, even after all this time! I believe that those taken are taken in the rapture, and then begins the terrible "day of the Lord", which everybody will definitely want to miss!

In the Midst of the Storm

2009-06-04T18:29:00.000-07:00

No matter where our journey takes us in this material world, there will always be a cacophony of voices vying for our attention. They are competing for our loyalty, and ultimately, for our soul. It's an issue of ownership. Who owns the rights to our soul?

We are the ones who make that decision of what is to be given precedence. Yet, each time we give of ourselves, there are consequences. No life is free from suffering and turmoil. Every living soul, at some point in their lives, will reach the end of their strength and cry out, "How can I get peace in my life?!" How we deal with this pressure will determine whether we are gaining a higher viewpoint in our understanding, or will have to shut down and go into hiding to escape from the fear.

When we step out in faith, into the very teeth of the storm, with our trust firmly fixed on our Savior, with our only defense a stubborn resolve to follow Him, we learn astonishing truths. In the morning, when the winds have abated, and the sun has come out, we will see around us the brokeness and debris left over from evil's devastating anger. We are safe and His will is what has been accomplished! The Almighty Warrior has been victorious! The forces of evil, by rebelling against Him, have only served to bring about what He has already determined will be. So we are victorious also, because He brings us with Him! From out of the midst of the battle, we have gained more of Him, for He was there with us all along!

By these realizations, our soul is unchained. What other response can we give? He has opened the door to "joy unspeakable and full of glory!"(1 Peter 1:8) In the very weathering of the conflict, we have gained a sense of how total is our security in Him. Our peace comes out of having emerged from hiding, to going out where He calls us. We know Him. We trust Him. So then He, Himself, is our peace! (Ephesians 2:14)

On Fruits and Flakes

2009-05-26T17:39:00.000-07:00

Which one are you?
a fruit or a flake?
Which kind of trouble
do you like to make?

For workloads and deadlines
instead of crying,
do you make silly faces
when hands are flying?

Or are you the one,
when time runs short,
who can't be found,
to give support?

Faced with issues
do you strike a pose?
for others amusement,
make up silly prose?

Or when confronted
do your eyes roam?
'cause the lights are on,
but nobodys home?

Are you the one,
after the emails are sent,
that realizes they have
no title or content?

Or do friends languish
left without knowing
if you're alive or if
your indifference is showing?

If you're a fruit
others may scoff,
but being a flake means
you've been cast off!

Bad jokes may be followed
by head shaking and sighing,
but none can forget
the odd one who keeps trying!

Go Home Again

2009-05-20T18:39:00.000-07:00

Who do you trust? All of us have issues with it. The longer you've been around, the more rules you accumulate about who doesn't deserve it. We didn't start life so cynically. We all remember with fondness the earnest sincerity of our youth. Yet a child's trust is actually just innocence, that which has no knowledge or experience, and therefore is lacking in wisdom and direction. The original state of being trusting has been idealized as that home which has been lost to us forever. We cannot make it back on our own. We've wandered too far away and no longer remember the road which takes us back.

Trust is opening up and exposing our true selves. It means to be vulnerable. Nobody wants to give away, to just anybody, that which is sacred, and it is plainly unwise to do so. Yet Jesus said, "Unless you become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."(Matt 18:2)

Jesus, Himself, is the pivot point where we can change directions. He is that fulcrum through which change moves mountains. In Him, our skepticism and weakness are given strength enough to make the decision to trust again. In Him only is our burned out shell of innocence ressurected into new life, to be forever after called faith. We are no longer the innocent, but something better because we believe. After we make that choice to follow Him, we become the wise, because we now see clearly in His light. Now our trust is for Him.

Promises Kept

Through Christ, my heart, by trust, was freed,
Later tripped up again by need.
Everyone needs a place to start
learning how to give all their heart.
But those who start to trust in man
are burned by fire and cannot stand.
There's only One who does not sin.
Glorious Son, unlike other men.
The only one with love so deep
that never fails, His promises to keep.
But human beings, like chaff in the wind,
chasing in circles, much effort they spend
to follow things that pass away,
then wonder why in pain they stay.
By fear and denial my heart was driven,
but I'll never regret the love I've given.
Love never fails or fades away,
though innocence may die, day by day.
In Him, my trauma is turned around,
by sacrifice I am gaining ground!
For innocence lost, I won't cry twice,
because for Him, it's worth any price!
To gain the goal of greatest good
to see His kingdom advanced, I would
keep my focus on Him, to stay on track,
because, for me, He kept nothing back!
In His service, I'd venture much,
Do anything, to feel His touch!
Remember the one who keeps His promise?
In praising Him, I find my bliss!

In His Name

2009-05-12T19:32:00.000-07:00

Leadership is a heavyweight topic. Leadership can be a harsh burden to bear when others are unappreciative of our sacrifices. Also, submitting to an authoritative superior with ‘axes to grind’ is a hardship of the severest sort. From both perspectives, it can be a ‘losing proposition’. Those committing abuses lack understanding of the fact that authority is not given for purposes of personal gain. Those that think that leadership is the power to bring about compliance by force or fear are simply wrong. Fear is not the most compelling motivator there is. Christians tend to succumb to this ‘intimidation’ mentality as often as anyone else.

Every Christian has been instructed, by Jesus, to take on the responsibility of being a leader. Christ has given us a different model of what leadership is. I’d like to borrow from one of His parables in order to flesh out a different sort of analogy for what God-given authority looks like. “…The kingdom of heaven will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey….”(Matt 25:14 & 15)

This is the parable of the talents, where the Lord has arranged for a very great price to be paid……. for us! Our moral bankruptcy has made it necessary for Him to give us credit based solely on the perfect payment record of His Son. He has lent us the very image of His Son. He has used the most valuable treasure in heaven to invest in us. What, exactly, did he purchase with so large a price? The freedom for us to love and serve Him! His ‘Institution of Highest Lending’ has purchased for us a new worldview of faith and a valuation system based on love. Since we can never actually repay this debt, He has graciously asked that we ‘pay it forward’! "Freely ye have received, freely give." (Matt 10:8) Love, service, and forgiveness rendered to others, as we can, are our only payments, done solely from gratitude.

Part of our service is to redistribute this vast wealth even further by becoming a ‘broker’ of this great salvation. We acquire more ‘assets’ for Christ by bringing others into the ‘employment’ of the ‘lending institution’ to serve His loving purposes. Our great employment directive from Christ is to be His witnesses, “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”(Acts 1: 7)

Leadership is the love and service we give, in His name, as a result of our debt of gratitude. Being a leader is being a representative, purchased by His blood, of the message of hope that He has already paid for. It is being yielded to Him. What a sweet, joy-filled debt to owe, with payments made in the currency of gladness! As for me, my most profound desire is to yield all that I am and everything I have into those scarred hands in return for a place close to Him. His love is enough!

A Moral Juxtaposition

2009-05-05T18:16:00.000-07:00

"She spent her whole life looking out the window." This sentence could be construed as a story in itself, undeserving of further clarification. This person would not be someone worth knowing. She has nothing to offer, no beauty or charm with which she can barter for others' time. This exact sentiment is put rather poetically to music in the Beatle's song "Eleanor Rigby". "Look at all the lonely people", one of which is apparently the woman for whom the song is named. "She lives in a dream. Waits at the window, wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door. Who is it for?" This profoundly sad senario, where a woman who waits so patiently for connection with her fellow human beings and dies with no one to even attend her funeral, seems to be a social and political condemnation of the relevance and effectiveness of the church in our culture. If you don't want to have a futile and pointless life and then die alone, search for meaning outside the context of a message that has no personal application. Humanity has moved on. Christianity has been left behind. Stop holding on to it's teachings and look to us instead. Such are the values and prejudices of a christless world, alienated by an insulating miasma of pride and contempt for perceived weaknesses in others. They cannot see past what seems so obvious to them. It is a superficial understanding, offering only psuedosympathy to those who don't support their self aggrandizing agenda. Could it be possible, that a teaching so generally despised as weak, could have an astronomical value unappreciated by those who refuse to see it? Could their own fear of rejection be what is driving their dismissal of those who represent the gospel?

Humanity has a poor record indeed of correctly perceiving and assessing value. The embodiment of worth, Himself, "had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrow and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hid their faces, he was despised, and we esteemed Him not." (Isa 53:2&3) As our example, He came to wake us to the meanings hidden in plain sight, to the structure of purpose underlying the physical world. He provided us with some clarity of perspective on what is of eternal significance.

"God has chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wisdom of the wise." (1 Cor 1:27) The 'wise' philosophers of this world are the ones who truly have the futile existence, and follow a 'dead end' path. They aren't clued into what is really going on around them. Eternity is too large for their minds to grasp. Theirs is a colorless, one dimensional world.

This natural 'wisdom' has a value system diametrically opposed to Christ's. He, as the creator of the universe, sees more clearly and with total knowledge and understanding. Listen to what Christ values. He approves of the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those merciful, and those who are peacemakers. (Matt 5-10) Not exactly a list of the powerful and influential, is it? Yet these are the very ones who 'add flavor' by being "the salt of the earth" and 'color' by being "the light of the world". (Matt 5:13&14)

Which is to be preferred? The superficial or the profound? Can an illusion of self determination give satisfaction? Or is it better to open eyes to treasures of wisdom and understanding beyond price? It is an indictment of our spiritual blindness when we cannot see the shining jewel which is the person standing next to us. It is a trajedy of epic proportions when we do not feel the weight of honor bestowed upon us in any service we can perform for this earthly representative of our humble and glorious king.

Escape From Quagmire Politic

2009-04-30T17:45:00.000-07:00

Back at work after the weekend
on allotted tasks my time to spend.
Running fast, I hit a wall
for politics I take the fall.
Alliances sometimes shifting sand,
Unstable edifice of command.
What is said, some might offend,
lacking ambition to comprehend,
issues beyond influence and power,
intended to make us inwardly cower.
Beyond my ability to understand,
is why the game so futilely planned?
Conflict for things not with us long,
striving for what is here and gone,
while deep inside dies love's song.
Instead, renew my soul in wonder,
richest imagination plunder.
Bring forth the essence of my life,
drawn in vibrant colors rife.
Apply my hand to a creative outlet.
Better than this, it does not get.
So many ways to pour out my passion,
give voice to my joy in the living Son,
enlarging upon what God is the start of,
lending my strength to what God is the heart of.
Supportive hand is under mine,
as I the shape of beauty find.
Energy gained from anger turned,
channeled through hard discipline learned.
Satisfaction displayed for all to see,
Expressing the poetry God gifted me.

A Trail of Cookie Crumbs

2009-04-23T18:15:00.000-07:00

My fickle heart's working overtime
during hectic demands at work today
the pressures of supervisiory deadlines
unsatisfied customers who don't want to pay.

The familiar frustration of endless effort
energy flagging, insufficient for the task,
equilibrium not broken, just gone missing,
my cheer and competence but a concealing mask.

While seeking a way to maintain focus
occurred an image, a smell, a taste
evoking emotions of peace and warmth
inurring my soul against a world of desperate haste.

Nostalgic memory, veritible jewel in my mind
the chocolate chip cookie my mom used to bake
starts me planning a sacred mission
to find a piece of home for sanity's sake.

A local market has an ad on tv
saying "We're like family" with smiling faces,
but a bite of cookie was like dust and ashes
with disgruntled clients fighting for parking spaces.

I remembered a chic corner coffee shop
with fabulous, elegant morsels for sale
soothing surroundings, efficient, and fast
a distinctly odd flavor made my heart quail.

Pulling up in my driveway with a void in my heart
bracing myself to complete one more project
signs of activity meant the kids had come home
a filling, nutritious dinner, they expect.

Surveying the damage left over from dinner
I got an idea, changed our usual drill
to embark on a collabrative, creative, conspiracy
while towers of dishes encircled us still.

Children dusted with flour and bent over their toil
glowing faces intent, warmed my heart with their chatter
That's when I learned even cookies burnt in the oven
if made from the heart, have the flavor that matters!

We are the Work of His Hands

2009-04-16T18:57:00.000-07:00

Where does love come from and how is beauty created? The wise man knows that the source is God, but how do His processes work? Is there a limit to His power and control? Answering this question will have a direct effect on how much confidence we feel we can place in Him. I am convinced God is in total control, even of the most seemingly irrelevant circumstances. I also believe we have total freedom of choice in the accepting or rejecting of Him.

The crucible of decision is where our wave of obstinacy is broken apart on the shoals of God's improbability, the audacity of hope amid the twisted wreckage of our rebellion. We witness the evidence of death and destruction, our heart swallows darkness until we come to understand it. That is when we cry out for something more. He is that more.

Our bondage is temporary. Evil, no matter how powerful it seems, is but a fleeting affliction. Creation itself has been ransomed and all things will be restored. We lose nothing in this conflict, if we believe in Him. We have only gain from it in the areas of wisdom, understanding, and love.

You see, He knew us, those that wear His name. He has seen us, His likeness, through the long corridor of years, from before the laying of the foundations of the earth. He knew everything about those who would respond to Love's calling. He has used everything: Himself, our circumstances, the physical world, and those around us, to provoke us to dialog with Him. The dance of the cosmos is orchastrated to bring about our freedom so that we would be overcome with love for Him, and because of that, our total redemption would be accomplished in Him.

Because of His efforts, our life becomes a poetry of praise and glory to Him. The beauty of the image of His Son is developed in us. He will be satisfied with nothing less than that we will share in His joy. "Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."