Well, today’s the day…a very large, iconic stone in my path. I’ve been married to my wonderful husband now for 13 years…and have been without my Daddy now for 2. What a journey!
I’ve struggled so much on this journey, to be honest. Of course there have been fabulous times; but the pain has been there, too. So many times I have begged and pleaded with God to “grant me MY blessings” and give me what I have wanted. Now I don’t mean small, superficial “things.” I’m speaking of the major stuff—health, life and big miracles.
Sometimes He’s said “Yes” and intervened to alter reality. And so many other times I’ve gotten a big fat “No”…my Basset Hound was lost forever…my business struggled to survive…tragedy struck and took away all my grandparents, Daddy and uncle in a very short 18 months…my body struggled with severe health problems…I didn’t get the job I thought I wanted…
So why has God not said “Yes” to those things that would have meant so much to me? Why has He not spared my Daddy, at least!?!? This is the question I struggled with for so long. But not too long ago I was blessed with a “refresher course” that provided a new perspective.
The message:
God promises His blessings. All of His blessings are “stamped with a ‘Yes.’” He has not become a “Yes” and “No” God! He puts His “Yes” in us so that when we seek Him fully we also seek His full blessings—His full “Yes’s.” He is always a “Yes.”
Derived from 2 Corinthians 1:19-20
So while I truly thought, for example, that the best blessing I could receive would have been to have my Daddy spared for a longer time on this earth with me and his wife and other daughters and family…it wasn’t (as hard as this is to admit) a blessing that would have ultimately been the best for me, for us, for others in this world, and for the events in Heaven.
I don’t know what larger purpose my Daddy’s death has served. But I believe in God. I believe in God. I trust what He says to me. I trust what He says about me. I trust Him…and what He says is that His answer “for what is best”—the ultimate “better off for everyone in the long run” scenarios—is His “Yes.”
So I have to believe that somehow, somewhere, some way my Daddy had fulfilled all of His blessings here on earth and was called to serve a greater purpose elsewhere. His death and physical departure from me WAS His “Yes” because it needed to be for me and others to receive our intended Godly blessings. Wow.
(I see Daddy up there surrounded by a crowd of angels, mostly women, and he's entertaining them with his silly jokes, dramatic and intriguing stories and jovial charm and wit! I guess it's possible that "the greater blessing" could have been that Heaven was in desperate need of amusement! Ha.)
Food for thought…
Have you ever reaped an incredible and unexpected harvest following a “no” you thought you’d never survive?
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
I’m NOT His Sous-Chef!!!
The message:
Always speak with gracefulness, with words that are seasoned to perfection and delivered with the best outcome possible for those who hear them.
Derived from Colossians 4:6
“Think before you speak.” We’ve all heard that directive a zillion times from our parents. Our Divine parent is basically saying the same thing to us here—but where are we to receive our thought (or grace and seasoning) in this? From Him, obviously! So let’s rephrase: “Listen before you speak.” Find out what special seasoning He’d like to grace your words with—before you open YOUR mouth.
So what seasoning do I put on my words? Unfortunately, I know that all too often I season my own words with my own concoction. I like to play “Sous-Chef” way too much, I suppose….even without realizing it. Really, I’m not supposed to be in the kitchen at all! I’m only supposed to be a servant—a conduit of delivery between the Chef and the Guest.
I wonder…how many times have I delivered the wrong “meal” to the wrong person because I was too busy playing chef instead of focusing on delivering the Food as the Chef intended? Hmm…that could be dangerous.
My prayer:
Oh, my God!! Please see that I want to allow You to season me—to Your perfection! Please help me to always set aside my control and human thoughts to allow Your perfect Grace to flow through my words and surround them with Your Divine Flavor! Help me to better deliver my speech, Your words, to reflect You so that it “tastes” just as it was intended by You and only You!
Always speak with gracefulness, with words that are seasoned to perfection and delivered with the best outcome possible for those who hear them.
Derived from Colossians 4:6
“Think before you speak.” We’ve all heard that directive a zillion times from our parents. Our Divine parent is basically saying the same thing to us here—but where are we to receive our thought (or grace and seasoning) in this? From Him, obviously! So let’s rephrase: “Listen before you speak.” Find out what special seasoning He’d like to grace your words with—before you open YOUR mouth.
So what seasoning do I put on my words? Unfortunately, I know that all too often I season my own words with my own concoction. I like to play “Sous-Chef” way too much, I suppose….even without realizing it. Really, I’m not supposed to be in the kitchen at all! I’m only supposed to be a servant—a conduit of delivery between the Chef and the Guest.
I wonder…how many times have I delivered the wrong “meal” to the wrong person because I was too busy playing chef instead of focusing on delivering the Food as the Chef intended? Hmm…that could be dangerous.
My prayer:
Oh, my God!! Please see that I want to allow You to season me—to Your perfection! Please help me to always set aside my control and human thoughts to allow Your perfect Grace to flow through my words and surround them with Your Divine Flavor! Help me to better deliver my speech, Your words, to reflect You so that it “tastes” just as it was intended by You and only You!
All aboard for Heaven on Earth!
Is it possible? “Heaven on Earth”, that is. Can it be? Can we possibly have God’s blessings surrounding us always right here in the middle of the World?
The message:
All Believers can hear and speak the same spiritual messages, but that doesn’t mean that God will be pleased with all of them.
Derived from 1 Corinthians 10:3-5
Why not? If we are all being fed the same and regurgitate the same shouldn’t we be treated equally by God?? Hmmm…that one can get you thinking. It did for me.
I’m thinking that what God may intend for us in this message is that “Spiritual food” is just that—food. Just like what we eat each day, it’s intended for our bodies to use for performance. Therefore, our spiritual food is intended for our spirits to use for performance.
So how do I perform? How does my spirit use the nourishment it receives to function in this world?
The message:
The point is not just to get by in this life. Our objective is to live to receive God’s intended and full blessings here on earth—and more importantly to help others to receive theirs.
Derived from 1 Corinthians 10:23-24
God’s promise to us is that He has blessings in store for us. He feeds us with spiritual food in order to fuel our actions that will propel us towards His blessings, too. But if we aren’t conditioning ourselves to efficiently run on the nutrition that is provided then some of us will reach Blessing—and some of us may not.
His Blessings to us ARE our Heaven on Earth. It’s His Divine Favor—His nod of Grace on us. They may come in all sizes—but it’s the sense of peace, joy and happiness that surrounds us in His Blessings that is the ultimate miracle. To have those things always in this world is, indeed, Heaven on Earth!
My prayer:
Lord please allow me to train my spirit to utilize Your nourishment in the most efficient and intended ways so that I may be able to receive, accept, recognize and enjoy the fullness of your blessings here on this earth. And moreover, God, please show me every moment how I can help others to reach your Blessings for them.
The message:
All Believers can hear and speak the same spiritual messages, but that doesn’t mean that God will be pleased with all of them.
Derived from 1 Corinthians 10:3-5
Why not? If we are all being fed the same and regurgitate the same shouldn’t we be treated equally by God?? Hmmm…that one can get you thinking. It did for me.
I’m thinking that what God may intend for us in this message is that “Spiritual food” is just that—food. Just like what we eat each day, it’s intended for our bodies to use for performance. Therefore, our spiritual food is intended for our spirits to use for performance.
So how do I perform? How does my spirit use the nourishment it receives to function in this world?
The message:
The point is not just to get by in this life. Our objective is to live to receive God’s intended and full blessings here on earth—and more importantly to help others to receive theirs.
Derived from 1 Corinthians 10:23-24
God’s promise to us is that He has blessings in store for us. He feeds us with spiritual food in order to fuel our actions that will propel us towards His blessings, too. But if we aren’t conditioning ourselves to efficiently run on the nutrition that is provided then some of us will reach Blessing—and some of us may not.
His Blessings to us ARE our Heaven on Earth. It’s His Divine Favor—His nod of Grace on us. They may come in all sizes—but it’s the sense of peace, joy and happiness that surrounds us in His Blessings that is the ultimate miracle. To have those things always in this world is, indeed, Heaven on Earth!
My prayer:
Lord please allow me to train my spirit to utilize Your nourishment in the most efficient and intended ways so that I may be able to receive, accept, recognize and enjoy the fullness of your blessings here on this earth. And moreover, God, please show me every moment how I can help others to reach your Blessings for them.
Love, Love, Love!!!
So in all of this studying, soul searching, praying and blogging I keep being fed the same thing over and over. It’s so apparent that the spiritual nourishment being placed in front of me to devour time and time again is this: Love is His Answer.
The message:
Most importantly, keep your Love for everyone running at full throttle, because Love can overcome in the roughest of waters.
Derived from 1 Peter 4:8
Love is “The Greatest.” Love “Conquers All.” Love “Never Fails.” It’s a message we are fed over and over. It’s so clear…so why is it that we continue to look for more? Maybe because Love is a challenge.
Love—the kind of Love that God created—is truly challenging. Think about it. We’re directed to Love the person who cut us off in traffic. Love the one who hurt our spouse. Love the drunk driver who killed our baby. Love the extremist who took the life of our soldier. Love the boss who makes our life miserable. Love the neighbor who parties all night. Love the teacher who grades unfairly. Love the man who preys on children.
It doesn’t seem “right”, does it? But He tells us that Love “covers a multitude of sins.” And Love “doesn’t judge.” And Love “never fails.” Oh! But how hard it is to truly Love EVERYONE! I love to make excuses about why there are some I refuse to love. But then I only perpetuate the problems of this world. I feed the monster. I nourish evil.
My best weapon of defense in this life is Love. It’s heavy. It’s cumbersome. It’s so hard to keep upright. But it will conquer all. It’s my lifeline. It’s my only hope of defeating the enemy and reaching the “Promised Land” of life’s blessings that God intends for me.
My prayer:
Lord, please help me to grow my heart to encompass all of those who I should Love as you Love. Please wake me up when I begin to judge, hate, and lose Love for others so that I may correct myself.
The message:
Most importantly, keep your Love for everyone running at full throttle, because Love can overcome in the roughest of waters.
Derived from 1 Peter 4:8
Love is “The Greatest.” Love “Conquers All.” Love “Never Fails.” It’s a message we are fed over and over. It’s so clear…so why is it that we continue to look for more? Maybe because Love is a challenge.
Love—the kind of Love that God created—is truly challenging. Think about it. We’re directed to Love the person who cut us off in traffic. Love the one who hurt our spouse. Love the drunk driver who killed our baby. Love the extremist who took the life of our soldier. Love the boss who makes our life miserable. Love the neighbor who parties all night. Love the teacher who grades unfairly. Love the man who preys on children.
It doesn’t seem “right”, does it? But He tells us that Love “covers a multitude of sins.” And Love “doesn’t judge.” And Love “never fails.” Oh! But how hard it is to truly Love EVERYONE! I love to make excuses about why there are some I refuse to love. But then I only perpetuate the problems of this world. I feed the monster. I nourish evil.
My best weapon of defense in this life is Love. It’s heavy. It’s cumbersome. It’s so hard to keep upright. But it will conquer all. It’s my lifeline. It’s my only hope of defeating the enemy and reaching the “Promised Land” of life’s blessings that God intends for me.
My prayer:
Lord, please help me to grow my heart to encompass all of those who I should Love as you Love. Please wake me up when I begin to judge, hate, and lose Love for others so that I may correct myself.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
"Spin Success"...100% GUARANTEED!
God gave me something incredible today…a guarantee. He dropped a nice message in my lap that is almost too amazing to wrap my brain around.
The message…
God is performing miracles right here—in my time—and right before my eyes. His works are happening all around me but I can’t possibly understand them even if anyone were to explain them to me.
Derived from Acts 13:41
Very cool. What He just told me is that He guarantees that His works are present; but it requires my faith and belief to accept. Because even if I tried to use my own logic and reasoning to figure out “why things happen” and “how God could possibly spin ‘this mess’” I can’t! I’ll never know, according to Him! Boy, that takes some pressure off!
I don’t have to try to figure it all out in order to believe…I mean, faith isn’t really blind if you can see, right? It’s a daily exercise against our norm…a stretch of our souls to believe without understanding, just because “He says so.”
So I shouldn’t doubt. I shouldn’t question. I shouldn’t be cynical. It sounds so easy; but it sure isn’t easy for me! Basically he’s just saying, “No, no—keep your seat—allow me to clean up the mess and take care of everything!” When my husband says that it’s sure much easier for me to accept! (haha.)
So why the fight? Why the emotional turmoil? Why the struggle of thought? Someone (my buddy “Hunter”, in fact) once described God to me as “the Master of Plan B.” Wow—I love that. He’s the ultimate Spin Doctor! And He’s very clearly just told me to sit back, relax, believe, and allow him to spin my messes for me—guaranteed.
Thoughts to ponder…
How many times do you think that your own attempts at “spin doctoring” a mess have interfered with God’s work? Of course, He can just keep working because we certainly can’t prevent Him from anything…but do we get in the way sometimes by trying to “fix it” ourselves?
My personal challenge…
Oh, God, please help me! Please let me retrain my human mind to let go of the reigns and believe in your guarantees!
The message…
God is performing miracles right here—in my time—and right before my eyes. His works are happening all around me but I can’t possibly understand them even if anyone were to explain them to me.
Derived from Acts 13:41
Very cool. What He just told me is that He guarantees that His works are present; but it requires my faith and belief to accept. Because even if I tried to use my own logic and reasoning to figure out “why things happen” and “how God could possibly spin ‘this mess’” I can’t! I’ll never know, according to Him! Boy, that takes some pressure off!
I don’t have to try to figure it all out in order to believe…I mean, faith isn’t really blind if you can see, right? It’s a daily exercise against our norm…a stretch of our souls to believe without understanding, just because “He says so.”
So I shouldn’t doubt. I shouldn’t question. I shouldn’t be cynical. It sounds so easy; but it sure isn’t easy for me! Basically he’s just saying, “No, no—keep your seat—allow me to clean up the mess and take care of everything!” When my husband says that it’s sure much easier for me to accept! (haha.)
So why the fight? Why the emotional turmoil? Why the struggle of thought? Someone (my buddy “Hunter”, in fact) once described God to me as “the Master of Plan B.” Wow—I love that. He’s the ultimate Spin Doctor! And He’s very clearly just told me to sit back, relax, believe, and allow him to spin my messes for me—guaranteed.
Thoughts to ponder…
How many times do you think that your own attempts at “spin doctoring” a mess have interfered with God’s work? Of course, He can just keep working because we certainly can’t prevent Him from anything…but do we get in the way sometimes by trying to “fix it” ourselves?
My personal challenge…
Oh, God, please help me! Please let me retrain my human mind to let go of the reigns and believe in your guarantees!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
So close, yet so far?
The message…
Let God work his will in you. Fight evil (using your full Armor) and watch it run away! Set ‘self’ aside and let God in…let him come close. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your mind and your life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master (the one who exerts authority); it's the only way you'll get back on your feet.
Derived from James 4:7-10
So I considered something yesterday…the thought followed a statement I made: “I feel closer to God now than ever!” Well that’s great and all…but what stood out profoundly in my mind and lingered there all day was this: Does feeling God’s closeness necessarily mean that I am in His will?
When I was younger I can remember the times that I stayed home from school because I was sick with fever, the flu or an injury. I so vividly remember those times…but why? Why did those moments in my life embed themselves in my brain? What I specifically remember is the feeling and emotion that accompanied the situation. I remember the extra TLC that Mom and Dad gave me. You remember those times…
The closeness I felt was so invigorating. I felt warmth, love, affection, security, concern. Mom would consistently check on me, nourish me with special snacks, ensure my absolute comfort, keep me company, offer me her undivided attention….oh, those days were so nice! I felt ‘fed’ emotionally…and that’s a great feeling!
But just because I was incredibly close to Mom in those moments didn’t mean that I was well. She drew so near to me— and me to her—because she knew I was sick. She was trying to make me better and support me through the rough moments of illness. Does God do the same thing?
Of course I believe that we feel a closeness to God—a special bond—when we are following his plans and receiving his blessings; but I would guess we would feel just as close to him during our times of sorrow and pain; during moments of struggle and stray. Maybe He’s drawing near to us in an attempt to grab our attention, speak gravely in our ear and grab us by the shoulders to spin us around and point us in the right direction! “Look—over there—go THAT way!”
The message…
It is impossible to please God without conviction and loyalty to Him and His desires. The person who draws near to Him must also believe that He is there and that He will reward His followers with blessings.
Derived from Hebrews 11:6
Well that sums it up pretty plainly for me! It is IMPOSSIBLE to be pleasing to Him and to receive His blessings if I am outside his will, lacking conviction and faith…but yet “the person who draws near to Him must believe that He is there.” So I can be close to him; but not necessarily fulfilling the rest of this message until I am convicted and ready to drop my own objectives to follow Him, believing with absolute trust that His way will bring me the best outcome. And I would think that if I am “close to God” and not feeling “settled emotionally” then I am probably not quite fulfilling my end of the deal…because His blessings certainly don’t come with turmoil.
Faith requires action—stepping off the cliff because He’s leading us there, regardless of our own desires, questions, or fears. And the rest of James 4 discusses that, too—basically saying that we are so spoiled and arrogant to be willing to fight even God to carry out our own plans. But that’s not faith. That’s not peace. That’s not blessing…although, it may mean closeness. After all, we would have to be darn close to struggle.
Let God work his will in you. Fight evil (using your full Armor) and watch it run away! Set ‘self’ aside and let God in…let him come close. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your mind and your life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master (the one who exerts authority); it's the only way you'll get back on your feet.
Derived from James 4:7-10
So I considered something yesterday…the thought followed a statement I made: “I feel closer to God now than ever!” Well that’s great and all…but what stood out profoundly in my mind and lingered there all day was this: Does feeling God’s closeness necessarily mean that I am in His will?
When I was younger I can remember the times that I stayed home from school because I was sick with fever, the flu or an injury. I so vividly remember those times…but why? Why did those moments in my life embed themselves in my brain? What I specifically remember is the feeling and emotion that accompanied the situation. I remember the extra TLC that Mom and Dad gave me. You remember those times…
The closeness I felt was so invigorating. I felt warmth, love, affection, security, concern. Mom would consistently check on me, nourish me with special snacks, ensure my absolute comfort, keep me company, offer me her undivided attention….oh, those days were so nice! I felt ‘fed’ emotionally…and that’s a great feeling!
But just because I was incredibly close to Mom in those moments didn’t mean that I was well. She drew so near to me— and me to her—because she knew I was sick. She was trying to make me better and support me through the rough moments of illness. Does God do the same thing?
Of course I believe that we feel a closeness to God—a special bond—when we are following his plans and receiving his blessings; but I would guess we would feel just as close to him during our times of sorrow and pain; during moments of struggle and stray. Maybe He’s drawing near to us in an attempt to grab our attention, speak gravely in our ear and grab us by the shoulders to spin us around and point us in the right direction! “Look—over there—go THAT way!”
The message…
It is impossible to please God without conviction and loyalty to Him and His desires. The person who draws near to Him must also believe that He is there and that He will reward His followers with blessings.
Derived from Hebrews 11:6
Well that sums it up pretty plainly for me! It is IMPOSSIBLE to be pleasing to Him and to receive His blessings if I am outside his will, lacking conviction and faith…but yet “the person who draws near to Him must believe that He is there.” So I can be close to him; but not necessarily fulfilling the rest of this message until I am convicted and ready to drop my own objectives to follow Him, believing with absolute trust that His way will bring me the best outcome. And I would think that if I am “close to God” and not feeling “settled emotionally” then I am probably not quite fulfilling my end of the deal…because His blessings certainly don’t come with turmoil.
Faith requires action—stepping off the cliff because He’s leading us there, regardless of our own desires, questions, or fears. And the rest of James 4 discusses that, too—basically saying that we are so spoiled and arrogant to be willing to fight even God to carry out our own plans. But that’s not faith. That’s not peace. That’s not blessing…although, it may mean closeness. After all, we would have to be darn close to struggle.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Pocket full of kryptonite...
The message:
“Life requires that we put on the full ‘armor of God’ at all times so that we can be able to fight against the daily evil that is put upon us.”
Derived from Ephesians 6:13
“Daily evil”… “the evil day” (per the scripture). Wow. Sounds scary. But let’s face it—evil is out there, surrounding us each day. We live among it; breathe the same air; share the same land. Sometimes it is so close that if we aren’t fully protected we can’t even notice its differences.
So what is it exactly that I’m supposed to do to protect myself from getting swept into situations in life that are not part of God’s plan for me? And wouldn’t God sound an alarm or something to alert me of evil? “No, No! Not that way! Look over here—OVER HERE!” ….or does He already do that for me?
That’s the crazy thing about evil, I’ve learned. It doesn’t always look, sound or feel evil right off the bat. Evil is tricky—and likes to be a chameleon… “a wolf in sheep’s clothing”, if you will. So how CAN I always be keen enough to notice the differences between God’s path for me and the path of evil that only looks like God’s path?? I mean, why doesn’t God just stop Evil from trying to trick us all the time??
So after much thought…here’s what I am chewing on:
- While I believe God has the power to do anything; I also believe that when He set the world into motion He decided then to allow Fate to play a role. Things just happen. It’s life. We make our own decisions, chose our own paths…just as Adam and Eve did.
- But I don’t believe that just because Fate plays a role that we’re out here all alone destined to flounder in whatever fate brings. I believe that as things happen—the fateful ‘good’ and ‘bad’—that we are to turn to God and use our “tool-kit” to allow those situations to work for us as blessings.
- I believe that when we are utilizing all of the tools He’s given us then we can see, hear and feel more clearly. Like putting on a superhero’s power suit, we can suddenly see with x-ray vision, hear through the thickest walls and sense out danger from miles away! It’s our “armor.”
- I believe that one of the tools we have in our kit is prayer. So, yes—I believe in the awesome power of prayer. I believe that through prayer God can work miracles. Do I mean parting water or zapping cancer?? Maybe. But more so I think He works miracles all the time that we don’t recognize as miracles. A child is sick and dying. People everywhere are praying. The child dies and some think “Why didn’t God perform a miracle??” Maybe He did! Ask Him to show them to you….how many lives did that child touch, the parents survived and are healing, a group of friends was formed that may change the world with their mission…all through this situation. So was it the miracle you wanted? Maybe not. But He works miracles all the time in so many situations and because we are incapable of seeing the entirety of Him we don’t recognize them as miracles. And that’s where Faith comes in….we have to Believe Him and what He has promised: that when we come to Him and look to Him and follow Him we will receive His blessings. So just because what WE wanted to be blessed with didn’t happen does not mean that He isn’t blessing us.
And what exactly is our Armor? What’s the superhero power suit He’s provided us??
- Shield of Faith….check.
- Sword of Spirit…check. (Do I understand His messages from scripture enough to be fully armed? Can I hear His Spirit when He speaks…am I listening?)
- Bodysuit of Truth…check. (Do I function in HIS reality with HIS accuracy and precision? Because not all ‘good’ things are really HIS truth.)
- Vest of Morality & Integrity…check. (Do I live life with honor and integrity in Him?)
- Boots of Peace & Hope…check.
- Helmet of Salvation…check. (I BELIEVE that He will deliver me from evil on a daily basis.)
- Voice of Constant Prayer…check. (Do I pray ALWAYS? Do I pray to the Spirit?)
- Vision of Determination and Petition for Earthly Angels…check. (Do I purposefully seek direction and signs of His will through divine interventions? Do I believe in divine intervention and involvement? OH, YES!! Am I looking for his "alarms" and "signals of 'DANGER'"?)
Thoughts to ponder…What can happen to me if my armor becomes weak, old, unpolished or damaged? What can happen if I forget or choose to dress myself without one of these pieces? Can evil ways then breach my superhero powers? What is my kryptonite??? (You can bet that Evil has a pocket full of it!)
“Life requires that we put on the full ‘armor of God’ at all times so that we can be able to fight against the daily evil that is put upon us.”
Derived from Ephesians 6:13
“Daily evil”… “the evil day” (per the scripture). Wow. Sounds scary. But let’s face it—evil is out there, surrounding us each day. We live among it; breathe the same air; share the same land. Sometimes it is so close that if we aren’t fully protected we can’t even notice its differences.
So what is it exactly that I’m supposed to do to protect myself from getting swept into situations in life that are not part of God’s plan for me? And wouldn’t God sound an alarm or something to alert me of evil? “No, No! Not that way! Look over here—OVER HERE!” ….or does He already do that for me?
That’s the crazy thing about evil, I’ve learned. It doesn’t always look, sound or feel evil right off the bat. Evil is tricky—and likes to be a chameleon… “a wolf in sheep’s clothing”, if you will. So how CAN I always be keen enough to notice the differences between God’s path for me and the path of evil that only looks like God’s path?? I mean, why doesn’t God just stop Evil from trying to trick us all the time??
So after much thought…here’s what I am chewing on:
- While I believe God has the power to do anything; I also believe that when He set the world into motion He decided then to allow Fate to play a role. Things just happen. It’s life. We make our own decisions, chose our own paths…just as Adam and Eve did.
- But I don’t believe that just because Fate plays a role that we’re out here all alone destined to flounder in whatever fate brings. I believe that as things happen—the fateful ‘good’ and ‘bad’—that we are to turn to God and use our “tool-kit” to allow those situations to work for us as blessings.
- I believe that when we are utilizing all of the tools He’s given us then we can see, hear and feel more clearly. Like putting on a superhero’s power suit, we can suddenly see with x-ray vision, hear through the thickest walls and sense out danger from miles away! It’s our “armor.”
- I believe that one of the tools we have in our kit is prayer. So, yes—I believe in the awesome power of prayer. I believe that through prayer God can work miracles. Do I mean parting water or zapping cancer?? Maybe. But more so I think He works miracles all the time that we don’t recognize as miracles. A child is sick and dying. People everywhere are praying. The child dies and some think “Why didn’t God perform a miracle??” Maybe He did! Ask Him to show them to you….how many lives did that child touch, the parents survived and are healing, a group of friends was formed that may change the world with their mission…all through this situation. So was it the miracle you wanted? Maybe not. But He works miracles all the time in so many situations and because we are incapable of seeing the entirety of Him we don’t recognize them as miracles. And that’s where Faith comes in….we have to Believe Him and what He has promised: that when we come to Him and look to Him and follow Him we will receive His blessings. So just because what WE wanted to be blessed with didn’t happen does not mean that He isn’t blessing us.
And what exactly is our Armor? What’s the superhero power suit He’s provided us??
- Shield of Faith….check.
- Sword of Spirit…check. (Do I understand His messages from scripture enough to be fully armed? Can I hear His Spirit when He speaks…am I listening?)
- Bodysuit of Truth…check. (Do I function in HIS reality with HIS accuracy and precision? Because not all ‘good’ things are really HIS truth.)
- Vest of Morality & Integrity…check. (Do I live life with honor and integrity in Him?)
- Boots of Peace & Hope…check.
- Helmet of Salvation…check. (I BELIEVE that He will deliver me from evil on a daily basis.)
- Voice of Constant Prayer…check. (Do I pray ALWAYS? Do I pray to the Spirit?)
- Vision of Determination and Petition for Earthly Angels…check. (Do I purposefully seek direction and signs of His will through divine interventions? Do I believe in divine intervention and involvement? OH, YES!! Am I looking for his "alarms" and "signals of 'DANGER'"?)
Thoughts to ponder…What can happen to me if my armor becomes weak, old, unpolished or damaged? What can happen if I forget or choose to dress myself without one of these pieces? Can evil ways then breach my superhero powers? What is my kryptonite??? (You can bet that Evil has a pocket full of it!)
Monday, March 8, 2010
The greatest of these...
1 Corinthians 13. It's a book a chapter we've all read and heard. Even if not studied, we've been exposed to it--on t-shirts, mugs, bumper stickers.... But has it become such a "novelty principle" that we no longer analyze its deep implications?
The message:
"If I speak to people in an unfamiliar way of my faith, beliefs and God's love, but don't share my love, I am only an annoying, rambling, irritating noise to them. If I am blessed with special gifts of knowledge and spiritual wisdom to share...and if I have the strongest faith in God of any around but am not able to share pure love then I am nothing, and nothing I do means anything. If I give up everything I have for those who need it most and give my life to save others but do it without His pure Love, it gets me nowhere."
Derived from 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
So this part of the scripture says SO much! The short of it? "NOTHING I do means ANYTHING in this world if I don't have LOVE." But does He mean romance? Passion? A deep care for something? Family?
I think all of the messages/studies I've heard on this scripture pertained to a romantic love or friendships. And while there's nothing wrong with that I don't believe that these scriptures are referring to that...or at least not only that. I believe that God's message here is as simple as "rule #1": Love thy neighbor. He wants us to be filled with Love, exude Love, ooze Love, laugh Love, hug Love and so on. For who? EVERYONE--no matter our differences.
Gender, age, status, race, rank, character, religion, practice....they all segregate us. They put up walls that tear down the conduits for sharing this Love. So is it our job to make paths for Love that aren't there? I mean, really--I HAVE the Love; it's not my fault if I can't share it with certain others because of "the way things are."
But I think the message here says that if I do anything without expressing Love as my reasoning for doing it then it means nothing, goes nowhere, accomplishes nothing.
The message:
"The definition of His kind of Love-- What it is NOT: envious, boastful, proud, rude, self-centered, easily angered/temperamental, unforgiving, unforgetting, and pleasured by what is wrong. What it IS: patient, kind, truthful, trusting, protective, hopeful and always persevering."
Derived from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
I find it interesting that scripture uses more words to describe what Love ISN'T than it does to describe what Love IS. Why do you think that is? :)
What stands out here the most to me are these two parts: "it is NOT pleasured by what is wrong" ("doesn't delight in what is evil"); and "it IS always persevering"
I find myself often with that sneaky grin on my face when I think, "Well, good--they deserved that." Gosh that sounds awful...but come on! You've done that too! "What goes around comes around?" Sound familiar? But if we are to find no pleasure in the evil then I suppose I have more work to do, for sure.
"Always persevering"....if I possess this Love then I should always look for ways to share it, no matter how thick the wall or large the barrier. I am supposed to channel Love to others. I am supposed to rebuild those conduits. Love is supposed to battle the world.
The message:
"Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."
1 Corinthians 13:8-12
It NEVER fails? Well, what about divorces, wars, murder....something went wrong! The Love was lost. Somewhere along the way actions--whether good or bad--were taken without the full meaning of Love. And without Love, we are nothing, receive nothing, get nowhere. Will we reach perfection? I know I won't--not here on this earth....but one day. In the meantime, I think I have a better idea of how to work towards it anyway.
If as a Christian I know that I am supposed to share God's message and salvation with others while I am here on this earth, then I MUST HAVE THIS LOVE to be successful in God's eyes. Do you have it? Do you think before you act and speak, pray and preach? Do you stop to check yourself each time to determine if you're acting, speaking, praying, preaching out of Love? If so, do you stop to ensure that your Love is persevering? Is it really getting through? I know I have a LOT of work to do in this area!
The message:
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13:13
Wow. It can't get much plainer than that. Love is the most important. Not our faith; not our religion, not the number of times we go to church, tithe, pray, read our Bibles, mission to others, do something for others, volunteer for a charity, hug a child, teach someone.....
So NONE of those things mean anything if they aren't done out of the Love that is described above??? Wow. That's huge. No more "check here to contribute to..." so I can sleep better at night. No more "baking brownies for the church fundraiser..." UNLESS I can honestly do it/say it with complete Love in my heart and on my lips as I do it. The kind of Love described above.
So the GREATEST of these is Love. More meaningful than anything else.
My prayer:
God please help me Love people the way you do. Let them see it in me. Let them feel it from me. Let them know it's from you. Help me remember this in all that I do. Amen!!
Thoughts to ponder...
Can you think of a way that you may be more successful and bear more fruit if you could interject more Love in a part of your life?
The message:
"If I speak to people in an unfamiliar way of my faith, beliefs and God's love, but don't share my love, I am only an annoying, rambling, irritating noise to them. If I am blessed with special gifts of knowledge and spiritual wisdom to share...and if I have the strongest faith in God of any around but am not able to share pure love then I am nothing, and nothing I do means anything. If I give up everything I have for those who need it most and give my life to save others but do it without His pure Love, it gets me nowhere."
Derived from 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
So this part of the scripture says SO much! The short of it? "NOTHING I do means ANYTHING in this world if I don't have LOVE." But does He mean romance? Passion? A deep care for something? Family?
I think all of the messages/studies I've heard on this scripture pertained to a romantic love or friendships. And while there's nothing wrong with that I don't believe that these scriptures are referring to that...or at least not only that. I believe that God's message here is as simple as "rule #1": Love thy neighbor. He wants us to be filled with Love, exude Love, ooze Love, laugh Love, hug Love and so on. For who? EVERYONE--no matter our differences.
Gender, age, status, race, rank, character, religion, practice....they all segregate us. They put up walls that tear down the conduits for sharing this Love. So is it our job to make paths for Love that aren't there? I mean, really--I HAVE the Love; it's not my fault if I can't share it with certain others because of "the way things are."
But I think the message here says that if I do anything without expressing Love as my reasoning for doing it then it means nothing, goes nowhere, accomplishes nothing.
The message:
"The definition of His kind of Love-- What it is NOT: envious, boastful, proud, rude, self-centered, easily angered/temperamental, unforgiving, unforgetting, and pleasured by what is wrong. What it IS: patient, kind, truthful, trusting, protective, hopeful and always persevering."
Derived from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
I find it interesting that scripture uses more words to describe what Love ISN'T than it does to describe what Love IS. Why do you think that is? :)
What stands out here the most to me are these two parts: "it is NOT pleasured by what is wrong" ("doesn't delight in what is evil"); and "it IS always persevering"
I find myself often with that sneaky grin on my face when I think, "Well, good--they deserved that." Gosh that sounds awful...but come on! You've done that too! "What goes around comes around?" Sound familiar? But if we are to find no pleasure in the evil then I suppose I have more work to do, for sure.
"Always persevering"....if I possess this Love then I should always look for ways to share it, no matter how thick the wall or large the barrier. I am supposed to channel Love to others. I am supposed to rebuild those conduits. Love is supposed to battle the world.
The message:
"Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."
1 Corinthians 13:8-12
It NEVER fails? Well, what about divorces, wars, murder....something went wrong! The Love was lost. Somewhere along the way actions--whether good or bad--were taken without the full meaning of Love. And without Love, we are nothing, receive nothing, get nowhere. Will we reach perfection? I know I won't--not here on this earth....but one day. In the meantime, I think I have a better idea of how to work towards it anyway.
If as a Christian I know that I am supposed to share God's message and salvation with others while I am here on this earth, then I MUST HAVE THIS LOVE to be successful in God's eyes. Do you have it? Do you think before you act and speak, pray and preach? Do you stop to check yourself each time to determine if you're acting, speaking, praying, preaching out of Love? If so, do you stop to ensure that your Love is persevering? Is it really getting through? I know I have a LOT of work to do in this area!
The message:
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13:13
Wow. It can't get much plainer than that. Love is the most important. Not our faith; not our religion, not the number of times we go to church, tithe, pray, read our Bibles, mission to others, do something for others, volunteer for a charity, hug a child, teach someone.....
So NONE of those things mean anything if they aren't done out of the Love that is described above??? Wow. That's huge. No more "check here to contribute to..." so I can sleep better at night. No more "baking brownies for the church fundraiser..." UNLESS I can honestly do it/say it with complete Love in my heart and on my lips as I do it. The kind of Love described above.
So the GREATEST of these is Love. More meaningful than anything else.
My prayer:
God please help me Love people the way you do. Let them see it in me. Let them feel it from me. Let them know it's from you. Help me remember this in all that I do. Amen!!
Thoughts to ponder...
Can you think of a way that you may be more successful and bear more fruit if you could interject more Love in a part of your life?
Saturday, March 6, 2010
The message:
My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My believer.
Derived from John 15:8
We are supposed to be profoundly effective in our mission to shine. It makes us feel good...and it makes God feel good, too! I want to be fruitful and effective. I want to know that I've somehow left an impression of Goodness behind...and shared an indication of its source.
One thing I love noticing in scriptures is that over and over it is mentioned that God rejoices in our success. He wants us to prosper in our lives, and tells us the key to that success is in following his lead. Obedience.
"The report of your obedience has reached everyone; therefore I rejoice over you!" Romans 16:19
Obedience. Ouch. I really don’t like that word. It sounds so confining. "Submission", "deference", "compliance". They all "feel" the same way to me. I guess I've learned to connect those words to negative emotions, most likely due to their definitions' inference of surrendering control. Ouch again.
But in my thesaurus is says that "respect" is a synonym for "obedience." Now that sits well. I don't feel negative about “respect” at all. Even when I have to give up my own desires to follow another's plan, if I respect them then it doesn't matter to me. There's no bother.
I respect God. After all, each and every time that I did "obey" and follow his direction he never let me down! I feel him and can honestly say that every time I've asked for his specific blessing of ___, it was given.... I have been "rescued", "fed", "relieved", "loved", "comforted" and so much more. So, yes, respect is definitely there.
"The report of your respect has reached everyone; therefore I rejoice over you." Now that sounds right to me. It completely changes the way I view that verse. I can do that! I can respect him and let him guide me and then he'll rejoice...over me??? Me?? Really? That's pretty cool! I know I feel joy and great satisfaction when I realize that my decisions to go with him resulted in immeasurable blessing. And that's a give and take that feels like an equally respectful opportunity!
Thoughts to ponder:
Do you think you’ve ever missed the mark in His message because of your human connection of a word to a past experience or emotion? If so, have you ever considered examining that word and exploring its true meaning? That simple practice can change everything…
My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My believer.
Derived from John 15:8
We are supposed to be profoundly effective in our mission to shine. It makes us feel good...and it makes God feel good, too! I want to be fruitful and effective. I want to know that I've somehow left an impression of Goodness behind...and shared an indication of its source.
One thing I love noticing in scriptures is that over and over it is mentioned that God rejoices in our success. He wants us to prosper in our lives, and tells us the key to that success is in following his lead. Obedience.
"The report of your obedience has reached everyone; therefore I rejoice over you!" Romans 16:19
Obedience. Ouch. I really don’t like that word. It sounds so confining. "Submission", "deference", "compliance". They all "feel" the same way to me. I guess I've learned to connect those words to negative emotions, most likely due to their definitions' inference of surrendering control. Ouch again.
But in my thesaurus is says that "respect" is a synonym for "obedience." Now that sits well. I don't feel negative about “respect” at all. Even when I have to give up my own desires to follow another's plan, if I respect them then it doesn't matter to me. There's no bother.
I respect God. After all, each and every time that I did "obey" and follow his direction he never let me down! I feel him and can honestly say that every time I've asked for his specific blessing of ___, it was given.... I have been "rescued", "fed", "relieved", "loved", "comforted" and so much more. So, yes, respect is definitely there.
"The report of your respect has reached everyone; therefore I rejoice over you." Now that sounds right to me. It completely changes the way I view that verse. I can do that! I can respect him and let him guide me and then he'll rejoice...over me??? Me?? Really? That's pretty cool! I know I feel joy and great satisfaction when I realize that my decisions to go with him resulted in immeasurable blessing. And that's a give and take that feels like an equally respectful opportunity!
Thoughts to ponder:
Do you think you’ve ever missed the mark in His message because of your human connection of a word to a past experience or emotion? If so, have you ever considered examining that word and exploring its true meaning? That simple practice can change everything…
What's your focus?
I want to find the unique and Godly balance between revealing my raw humanity without apology, permission or regret, and spiritually leading.
Some may look at this statement and think "She wants to be a Hypocrite?" No…but I want to be "real." I don’t want to place humans on the pedestal instead of God; and I don’t want to be on a pedestal in place of God.
I want people to see that my emphasis is on God; but that I’m a human being…nothing special…no better than others…but perfectly capable of loving and living Him. I am not happy to see people in churches who become focused on members, money, power, influence, prominence, sustainability, control, dominance, righteousness, image, and means; but then again, people are human…and humans will always fail.
We're human—goofing up is what we do! We screw up often, pee in our own cheerios, and fall short each day. Our faith will never be fruitful if we hold one human to higher expectations than others so we can slap a label on it and call it a "man of god". No wonder "Christianity" has created such distorted perceptions for some. Some people have been taught by other Christians to keep their eyes on the church; on the pastor--and not on the message.
The message:
God I have heard about you. God, I am in awe of the good I have seen you do. God, continue your good works in my time.
Derived from Habakkuk 3:2
My challenge: To keep my focus, as a Christian, on what I hear, see, know and believe God can and will do; and on my prayer that He will continue to reveal himself now and forever; using me, calling me and directing me vividly.
Thoughts to ponder: God has many titles that all too often lose their "punch" due to casual use. But to examine closer....
As Savior--he rescues
As Deliverer--he gets results
As Redeemer--he forgives and renews
As Master--he assumes authority
As Bread of Life--he provides
As Almighty--he exerts divine strength
As The Light--he directs and guides
As Father--he nurtures and protects
As The One--he is the focus
As The Healer--he consoles and mends
As The Beneficent--he provides relief and compassion
It seems to mean so much more when I focus on the definition; not the overused titles! Okay--so jump in the deep end with me for a minute:
If these definitions are accurate, is He really all of these things ALL the time??
Some may look at this statement and think "She wants to be a Hypocrite?" No…but I want to be "real." I don’t want to place humans on the pedestal instead of God; and I don’t want to be on a pedestal in place of God.
I want people to see that my emphasis is on God; but that I’m a human being…nothing special…no better than others…but perfectly capable of loving and living Him. I am not happy to see people in churches who become focused on members, money, power, influence, prominence, sustainability, control, dominance, righteousness, image, and means; but then again, people are human…and humans will always fail.
We're human—goofing up is what we do! We screw up often, pee in our own cheerios, and fall short each day. Our faith will never be fruitful if we hold one human to higher expectations than others so we can slap a label on it and call it a "man of god". No wonder "Christianity" has created such distorted perceptions for some. Some people have been taught by other Christians to keep their eyes on the church; on the pastor--and not on the message.
The message:
God I have heard about you. God, I am in awe of the good I have seen you do. God, continue your good works in my time.
Derived from Habakkuk 3:2
My challenge: To keep my focus, as a Christian, on what I hear, see, know and believe God can and will do; and on my prayer that He will continue to reveal himself now and forever; using me, calling me and directing me vividly.
Thoughts to ponder: God has many titles that all too often lose their "punch" due to casual use. But to examine closer....
As Savior--he rescues
As Deliverer--he gets results
As Redeemer--he forgives and renews
As Master--he assumes authority
As Bread of Life--he provides
As Almighty--he exerts divine strength
As The Light--he directs and guides
As Father--he nurtures and protects
As The One--he is the focus
As The Healer--he consoles and mends
As The Beneficent--he provides relief and compassion
It seems to mean so much more when I focus on the definition; not the overused titles! Okay--so jump in the deep end with me for a minute:
If these definitions are accurate, is He really all of these things ALL the time??
Is "perception" EVERYTHING?
I recently spoke with a pastor of a large, leading church in a big metropolitan area. This sweet pastor had recently lost his young daughter to tragedy. He mentioned to me his struggle to display “public righteousness with grief.” I was confused for a moment…then realized what he meant. There was pressure there—a pressure of being watched and needing to set the example. But that pressure had not allowed him and his family to grieve humanly.
So I asked him...was the pressure external or internal? Spiritual or professional? You know what he said? It was the “Christian world out there”. It wasn't his church leaders putting on the pressure; it wasn't God; it wasn't their friends or church members--it was the perceptions that the 'world' (aka 'other Christians out there) holds spiritual leaders to a higher standard of expectations in everything.
Bam! And there it was: the problem—“WHO holds spiritual leaders to a higher standard of living??" Not God?? Not friends?? Not family?? Not employers?? Oh--that's right--"CHRISTIANS" do. Hmmm. That is screwed up--bad. And the sad part is that a perception IS a person’s reality until something changes that perception.
Sure, all people--spiritual leaders included--are challenged with a mission and purpose in life to live well, love well, produce well, influence well, etc. But God doesn't place "rules" or "requirements" on us, does he? I don't think so. I think the intended focus is more on the personal overhaul...working within our own hearts to perceive ideas and people the way God would, without judgment and with much love....and then signifying to others that our perceptions are derived from God's messages and unconditional love.
So if that IS the way it is; then shouldn't the "Christians of the world" reflect that? I'd be horrified to know that someone felt pressured to perform a certain way--especially in the toughest time in their life--for MY benefit, belief, opinion, or need!!
So in further conversation, the pastor said that he and his wife finally learned how to compartmentalize their grief--the "grief for the public" and then the "grief for themselves." So very privately they screamed, ranted, raved, resented, questioned, doubted within their hearts and minds in order to work through the loss of their precious little girl. But on the surface they reflected sadness, peace, understanding, courage, strength and thank fullness--all to "glorify the Lord" for their daughter’s time here on earth and legacy of love she left behind. By separating it this way did it prevent them from grieving naturally? Were they able to use their God-given tools to work through their raw human emotions…or was it all too separated?
What would have happened if this sweet, spiritual family had allowed the public to see their human side…their disgust with ‘fate’?
I may be wrong…but I think their perception may have been right. I think the earth would have shaken when certain Christians of the world demanded action! They'd jump on the phone to call their own church leaders, who would then go to the religious hierarchy, who would then put pressure on the pastor’s church to severe themselves or get him under control. I'm quite sure that there are churches out there who are full of such Christians and power.
So there was, indeed, quite a pressure....a human one; a worldly one; a selfish one. NOT a Godly one. And that's sad. Really sad.
So I asked him...was the pressure external or internal? Spiritual or professional? You know what he said? It was the “Christian world out there”. It wasn't his church leaders putting on the pressure; it wasn't God; it wasn't their friends or church members--it was the perceptions that the 'world' (aka 'other Christians out there) holds spiritual leaders to a higher standard of expectations in everything.
Bam! And there it was: the problem—“WHO holds spiritual leaders to a higher standard of living??" Not God?? Not friends?? Not family?? Not employers?? Oh--that's right--"CHRISTIANS" do. Hmmm. That is screwed up--bad. And the sad part is that a perception IS a person’s reality until something changes that perception.
Sure, all people--spiritual leaders included--are challenged with a mission and purpose in life to live well, love well, produce well, influence well, etc. But God doesn't place "rules" or "requirements" on us, does he? I don't think so. I think the intended focus is more on the personal overhaul...working within our own hearts to perceive ideas and people the way God would, without judgment and with much love....and then signifying to others that our perceptions are derived from God's messages and unconditional love.
So if that IS the way it is; then shouldn't the "Christians of the world" reflect that? I'd be horrified to know that someone felt pressured to perform a certain way--especially in the toughest time in their life--for MY benefit, belief, opinion, or need!!
So in further conversation, the pastor said that he and his wife finally learned how to compartmentalize their grief--the "grief for the public" and then the "grief for themselves." So very privately they screamed, ranted, raved, resented, questioned, doubted within their hearts and minds in order to work through the loss of their precious little girl. But on the surface they reflected sadness, peace, understanding, courage, strength and thank fullness--all to "glorify the Lord" for their daughter’s time here on earth and legacy of love she left behind. By separating it this way did it prevent them from grieving naturally? Were they able to use their God-given tools to work through their raw human emotions…or was it all too separated?
What would have happened if this sweet, spiritual family had allowed the public to see their human side…their disgust with ‘fate’?
I may be wrong…but I think their perception may have been right. I think the earth would have shaken when certain Christians of the world demanded action! They'd jump on the phone to call their own church leaders, who would then go to the religious hierarchy, who would then put pressure on the pastor’s church to severe themselves or get him under control. I'm quite sure that there are churches out there who are full of such Christians and power.
So there was, indeed, quite a pressure....a human one; a worldly one; a selfish one. NOT a Godly one. And that's sad. Really sad.
The "Righteous Human"...an oxymoron??
I had the best evening yesterday! We had dinner with some dear friends who are moving today to Kansas City. This was my Dad's best friend; and some very special spiritual mentors in my life. Anyway, we joined them and a number of their friends (who were characters in my life way back when I was just a child) and just had such wonderful conversations! My Dad’s friend (we’ll call him Hunter) is THE MOST real "man of God" (pastor/writer) I have ever been blessed to know and I so want to identify the things that set he and his wife apart. I mean....he is so true to others and himself--and I find it so refreshing that he's so uninhibited and can just be human with a spiritual twist! :)
I think that it is this: Hunter and his wife both have such a strong belief that 1) there is a God; 2) God's messages and promises provided to us are real and true; 3) God is loving and forgiving and supportive of all of us when we allow him to be; 4) that God will reveal himself THROUGH the two of them--and not because they are "living righteously"; but because they are displaying their GENUINE love for people--all people! And those who are around them even for a short time can see it...and it's a miracle in itself, I think.
But what sets them apart from others I know who also radiate a genuine love for people and an indefinable joy, is that Hunter and his wife have found a very simple way to signal to those who are watching them that their joy and love is channeling through them from a higher power. They are not afraid to use God's name. Every now and then they may interject a simple praise to God in their conversation. But not an "Amen" or "Hallelujah"...it's more like a "Well, you know, God told me a long time ago that I needed to straighten up and fly right..." or "When we finally sold our house we knew God was saying 'Okay, you've been waiting for this; and it's time!'"
They are simple gestures; indications of where their radiance is generated from. But somehow it comes out so casually--but with such honesty and genuineness--that the message comes across with ease. It's understood; not smeared in your face.
Man! I want to be like that!! THAT'S (in my opinion) how we're supposed to live. They have set the standard in my book for what it means to "let your Light shine for all to see."
Thoughts to Ponder…
Do the Christians of the world (the righteous, powerful Christian leaders in churches everywhere) put too much pressure on Spiritual leaders to be more “righteous” than “human”?
I think that it is this: Hunter and his wife both have such a strong belief that 1) there is a God; 2) God's messages and promises provided to us are real and true; 3) God is loving and forgiving and supportive of all of us when we allow him to be; 4) that God will reveal himself THROUGH the two of them--and not because they are "living righteously"; but because they are displaying their GENUINE love for people--all people! And those who are around them even for a short time can see it...and it's a miracle in itself, I think.
But what sets them apart from others I know who also radiate a genuine love for people and an indefinable joy, is that Hunter and his wife have found a very simple way to signal to those who are watching them that their joy and love is channeling through them from a higher power. They are not afraid to use God's name. Every now and then they may interject a simple praise to God in their conversation. But not an "Amen" or "Hallelujah"...it's more like a "Well, you know, God told me a long time ago that I needed to straighten up and fly right..." or "When we finally sold our house we knew God was saying 'Okay, you've been waiting for this; and it's time!'"
They are simple gestures; indications of where their radiance is generated from. But somehow it comes out so casually--but with such honesty and genuineness--that the message comes across with ease. It's understood; not smeared in your face.
Man! I want to be like that!! THAT'S (in my opinion) how we're supposed to live. They have set the standard in my book for what it means to "let your Light shine for all to see."
Thoughts to Ponder…
Do the Christians of the world (the righteous, powerful Christian leaders in churches everywhere) put too much pressure on Spiritual leaders to be more “righteous” than “human”?
Using the right tools can make all the diffence!
The message:
God's messages to us are living and effective; and sharper than any two-edged sword...They set the standards of the ideas and thoughts of our hearts.
Derived from Hebrews 4:12
I thought this was so cool! It's just what I’ve said a million times..."if more people would just 'live right', 'love others', 'dismiss judgments', 'respect the earth', etc." What I mean by saying that is that those principles should be everyone's standard for living. The world would be so much better then!
And under the surface of thousands of scriptures are precious messages like those...so why am I just now starting to see them all?? I think I've finally been out of the “church” long enough to have rid myself of the preconceived notions I've had for so long of God's Holy Word. It once seemed so formal; so unfriendly; so intimidating and stiff--so judgmental. But when I changed my perception to think of the Bible as a "helpful book of wonderful messages for living a better life the way Goodness intended" and then it began to seem so much more real for me.
So the words "living" and "effective" really caught my soul in this verse. It's so true! So many times I've been so moved by God--directed, "called", "led", whatever you want to call it. And when I listen and follow....amazing things happen that are always SO effective! If only all of my energy could be surrendered to such missions...maybe then I'd be less exhausted. Which makes me think...
Maybe ALL of these messages bring that level of effectiveness when truly lived. Maybe I can do a better job of LIVING the messages to be more EFFECTIVE all the time---with or without some huge wave of spiritual directive. If I believe IN God then I believe GOD; and if God's message says that His messages are this way, then I must believe they are.
So this message lives in me now, and it will be another effective tool I will use to live better, love better, respect better, forgive better. It will be a good measuring device for me...my "checks and balances", if you will. (And the verse's reference to the sword implies to me that it's an incredibly powerful tool; "sharper than any", actually.) Lord knows I need it! I find it a daily chore to reference my tool kit in ALL of my actions; but then I guess everyone finds it a challenge. We're certainly not perfect; but we can all do better to let these divine messages set the standards for our hearts and minds.
God's messages to us are living and effective; and sharper than any two-edged sword...They set the standards of the ideas and thoughts of our hearts.
Derived from Hebrews 4:12
I thought this was so cool! It's just what I’ve said a million times..."if more people would just 'live right', 'love others', 'dismiss judgments', 'respect the earth', etc." What I mean by saying that is that those principles should be everyone's standard for living. The world would be so much better then!
And under the surface of thousands of scriptures are precious messages like those...so why am I just now starting to see them all?? I think I've finally been out of the “church” long enough to have rid myself of the preconceived notions I've had for so long of God's Holy Word. It once seemed so formal; so unfriendly; so intimidating and stiff--so judgmental. But when I changed my perception to think of the Bible as a "helpful book of wonderful messages for living a better life the way Goodness intended" and then it began to seem so much more real for me.
So the words "living" and "effective" really caught my soul in this verse. It's so true! So many times I've been so moved by God--directed, "called", "led", whatever you want to call it. And when I listen and follow....amazing things happen that are always SO effective! If only all of my energy could be surrendered to such missions...maybe then I'd be less exhausted. Which makes me think...
Maybe ALL of these messages bring that level of effectiveness when truly lived. Maybe I can do a better job of LIVING the messages to be more EFFECTIVE all the time---with or without some huge wave of spiritual directive. If I believe IN God then I believe GOD; and if God's message says that His messages are this way, then I must believe they are.
So this message lives in me now, and it will be another effective tool I will use to live better, love better, respect better, forgive better. It will be a good measuring device for me...my "checks and balances", if you will. (And the verse's reference to the sword implies to me that it's an incredibly powerful tool; "sharper than any", actually.) Lord knows I need it! I find it a daily chore to reference my tool kit in ALL of my actions; but then I guess everyone finds it a challenge. We're certainly not perfect; but we can all do better to let these divine messages set the standards for our hearts and minds.
I don't doubt it...
The message:
The person who doubts becomes a surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. The one who doubts should not expect to receive the total blessings God has planned for them.
Derived from James 1:6-7
So I think this plays into the "food for thought" topic--believing IN God vs. believing GOD. If I believe there is a greater power of absolute goodness and Love (God to me) who I believe sets our standards of living, then I must see enough worth in Him to also believe what He says without doubt! I guess it would be a double standard not to do both.
With that said, I'm personally trying to use my tool-kit to approach my own life a little differently--a little better, more positive and open to receiving His blessings and directions. This lesson spoke volumes to me! I am a chronic doubter; therefore I'm so easily influenced by stress, people's attitudes, my own perceptions or paranoid fears.... So I have to ask myself: How many of His blessings in life have I been too distracted by doubt and control to notice or receive?
I guess I doubt because I'm trying to rely too much on myself and/or other humans to steer my life most of the time--rather than relying on Him to lead me. (It's that control issue again!) And humans are unreliable most often--and we know that! That's why we fear and doubt that our missions will succeed...because we're trying to steer it, and other people, to the goal. No wonder I get so friggin' frustrated! It would be so much better to play the games that He knows we're best at so that we're relying on the backing of His incredible power. Boy, that'd remove some doubt, eh? (That is if we truly believe him and the things he's promised us. Why IS it so hard to have pure, blind faith absent of any doubt, worry or fear??!?)
Of course this will be a habit I'll have to really work hard to break; but I BELIEVE that this message is His, therefore I must BELIEVE the message has great merit.
Thought to ponder...
If I intend to have an impact on others through my personal demonstration of "organic faith" (grass roots, straight from Him, without boundaries, church walls, race, age, status or past) then I must prove that my method is successful in revealing God's pure love for all people. So am I personally producing fruit, both inside and out, to suggest that "it works?"
My personal challenge:
I will do better to fully trust that He will provide an ideal path for me, and I will continue to check myself so that my "self" is removed and my heart is open to receiving even His most soft-spoken direction.
The person who doubts becomes a surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. The one who doubts should not expect to receive the total blessings God has planned for them.
Derived from James 1:6-7
So I think this plays into the "food for thought" topic--believing IN God vs. believing GOD. If I believe there is a greater power of absolute goodness and Love (God to me) who I believe sets our standards of living, then I must see enough worth in Him to also believe what He says without doubt! I guess it would be a double standard not to do both.
With that said, I'm personally trying to use my tool-kit to approach my own life a little differently--a little better, more positive and open to receiving His blessings and directions. This lesson spoke volumes to me! I am a chronic doubter; therefore I'm so easily influenced by stress, people's attitudes, my own perceptions or paranoid fears.... So I have to ask myself: How many of His blessings in life have I been too distracted by doubt and control to notice or receive?
I guess I doubt because I'm trying to rely too much on myself and/or other humans to steer my life most of the time--rather than relying on Him to lead me. (It's that control issue again!) And humans are unreliable most often--and we know that! That's why we fear and doubt that our missions will succeed...because we're trying to steer it, and other people, to the goal. No wonder I get so friggin' frustrated! It would be so much better to play the games that He knows we're best at so that we're relying on the backing of His incredible power. Boy, that'd remove some doubt, eh? (That is if we truly believe him and the things he's promised us. Why IS it so hard to have pure, blind faith absent of any doubt, worry or fear??!?)
Of course this will be a habit I'll have to really work hard to break; but I BELIEVE that this message is His, therefore I must BELIEVE the message has great merit.
Thought to ponder...
If I intend to have an impact on others through my personal demonstration of "organic faith" (grass roots, straight from Him, without boundaries, church walls, race, age, status or past) then I must prove that my method is successful in revealing God's pure love for all people. So am I personally producing fruit, both inside and out, to suggest that "it works?"
My personal challenge:
I will do better to fully trust that He will provide an ideal path for me, and I will continue to check myself so that my "self" is removed and my heart is open to receiving even His most soft-spoken direction.
What's in your Tool Kit?
The message:
In every situation use your 'shield of faith' and 'sword of scripture'.
Derived from Ephesians 6:16-17
So it's about the action--and the message is to use BOTH of these tools out in the world in EVERY situation (note the scripture’s use of "every" and "and"). We can battle life's challenges better--the "good" way--when we use BOTH of these things to base our actions on. Now I don't think this translates into walking scripture-quoting zombies who don't look past the reference here (and I don't think that was ever the intent.) What I think this means is that we should not only BELIEVE that there is a power greater than all of us that wants us to do good and succeed and love and experience joy; but ALSO believe that there is importance and usefulness in the book of scriptures ("tools") that were left behind to help teach us the best way to respond and behave in this world in order to achieve that goodness, success, love and joy. So even in the toughest of situations, we will come out better (but not necessarily without challenge) if we can use our belief in this principle to shield our spirits and bring us hope; and base our actions on the life lessons we learn from the tool-kit that's been provided. Wow. I'll need some help on a regular basis, my friends, to remind me to practice this. As simple as it sounds, gosh--it can be so hard for me to let go of the control and remove my own influences or manipulations from some situations.
Thought to ponder...
Is there significant difference between "believing IN God" and actually "believing GOD?"
In every situation use your 'shield of faith' and 'sword of scripture'.
Derived from Ephesians 6:16-17
So it's about the action--and the message is to use BOTH of these tools out in the world in EVERY situation (note the scripture’s use of "every" and "and"). We can battle life's challenges better--the "good" way--when we use BOTH of these things to base our actions on. Now I don't think this translates into walking scripture-quoting zombies who don't look past the reference here (and I don't think that was ever the intent.) What I think this means is that we should not only BELIEVE that there is a power greater than all of us that wants us to do good and succeed and love and experience joy; but ALSO believe that there is importance and usefulness in the book of scriptures ("tools") that were left behind to help teach us the best way to respond and behave in this world in order to achieve that goodness, success, love and joy. So even in the toughest of situations, we will come out better (but not necessarily without challenge) if we can use our belief in this principle to shield our spirits and bring us hope; and base our actions on the life lessons we learn from the tool-kit that's been provided. Wow. I'll need some help on a regular basis, my friends, to remind me to practice this. As simple as it sounds, gosh--it can be so hard for me to let go of the control and remove my own influences or manipulations from some situations.
Thought to ponder...
Is there significant difference between "believing IN God" and actually "believing GOD?"
I'm STARVING!!
A recent hunger for personal exploration of God’s messages have prompted me to create this blog. It’s really self-serving, I guess—because I’m truly thirsty for some healthy spiritual discussion; and I’m hoping that this may prompt some unique and intriguing conversations in the future!
So I’ve begun to read one of Beth Moore’s devotionals, “Believing God” (thanks, Mom)…and between the verses highlighted and her brief thoughts I’ve been spinning off into so much more…the Deep End.
So I’ve opened up my Bible and jumped in to some of the places I felt led to explore--and I thought, "Wow--THIS is the message! NOT "sermons", "Sunday school lessons", and "Wednesday night study." What I mean is....I think through the years of my education of God, the Word, the Message, and the Church, I became so used to hearing those words related to CHURCH-experiences (not GOD-experiences) that I forgot to look past my learned references to truly understand the message.
We have an awesome manual for life, a tool kit for survival and success, healthy living, and spiritual nourishment available to us! So I'd like to explore that with you--but with a foundation of crude honesty.
Some of what I say may not sit well with you; some of what I blurt out may open up new thoughts; some of what I feel may just be raw emotion. So remember that I’m a human being giving my off-the-cuff responses and thoughts on a topic in attempt to get to the root of my beliefs.
So here goes....
So I’ve begun to read one of Beth Moore’s devotionals, “Believing God” (thanks, Mom)…and between the verses highlighted and her brief thoughts I’ve been spinning off into so much more…the Deep End.
So I’ve opened up my Bible and jumped in to some of the places I felt led to explore--and I thought, "Wow--THIS is the message! NOT "sermons", "Sunday school lessons", and "Wednesday night study." What I mean is....I think through the years of my education of God, the Word, the Message, and the Church, I became so used to hearing those words related to CHURCH-experiences (not GOD-experiences) that I forgot to look past my learned references to truly understand the message.
We have an awesome manual for life, a tool kit for survival and success, healthy living, and spiritual nourishment available to us! So I'd like to explore that with you--but with a foundation of crude honesty.
Some of what I say may not sit well with you; some of what I blurt out may open up new thoughts; some of what I feel may just be raw emotion. So remember that I’m a human being giving my off-the-cuff responses and thoughts on a topic in attempt to get to the root of my beliefs.
So here goes....
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