How Dare You?

Are you an investor? I think it must take a lot of nerve to put large sums of money into stuff and then hope that someday it'll pay off! I suppose it's kind of like the lottery, they say you can't win if you don't play but there are others who believe that you can't lose what you don't bet...I've been told that relationships are work, as if they're a task or a job that has to be done and that may be true...it would explain why so many don't work! I think it's also true that you first must venture something before it's possible to see a return of it, let alone to see a return on it! We sow seeds hoping for a crop and although there's a reasonable expectation of a result it's still not a for sure thing. I'm drawing comparisons here to various things that involve risk so that I can talk about what most people perceive to be the greatest one of all,

loving people!

Allow me to clarify, I feel as though I need to because there are so many concepts people have about what that means. I'm talking about the type of love that can and most likely will cost you everything. The type that never stops to count the cost before acting or that leaves no room for compromise or half measures. It's an all consuming obsession that's primarily characterized by selflessness and a concern for what's in the best interest of it's "object" which of course is so much more than a thing to them...

it's their everything!

Many people practice a much more conditional definition of love as in,

"I love you as long as times are good or until you do something I disapprove of."

Another common example is the idea that I love you until it becomes inconvenient for me or until my feelings for you result in a "heartache" on my part at which point we're through. Some people do see love as an investment, and as such they have some very definite ideas about what they expect in return and while I do believe that love always comes back to us I don't think that anyone truly gives love only because of what they expect to receive in return.

Having said that I'd also like to say that even though expecting a return on our love investment is not in character, that when we do give, sow, invest, or commit ourselves to truly loving someone the return is guaranteed! Perhaps not in the way we might expect or from the person whom we've loved but just as the rising sea levels of a harbor lifts all ships we benefit from bringing more love into the world! Like am electrical wire with current flowing through it, we're warmed by it's passage!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM-gZintWDc&w=640&h=390]

I'd like to be able to say that I've loved that way, but what Robin Williams said about loving something more than yourself kind of left me hollow, I find it's quite a struggle for me to love something more than I fear being rejected by it...

I'm also floored to know that this is how God loves each of us, except it's actually so much more than I can even comprehend. He sent His only Son Jesus to be our redeemer even though I'm sure He knew that many would reject this supreme act of love!

Thank You Father for Your infinite love, please change my heart to allow Your love to shine through me more, and for me to see the fear in my life for the liar that it is!

Do I dare?

How dare you?

Look At Yourself...

I don't know any perfect people...

I'd even go so far as to say that I don't know anyone who doesn't have at least a few issue's that they're working out, myself included of course. The same goes for people I don't know, be they Christian or Atheist, rich or poor, even if you're the Pope or the Dali llama it really doesn't matter! All of us share the same gene pool, and there below our fancy Latin taxonomic name I think it should say in parenthesis...

One common approach used by those who feel compelled to address this greatest of all truths as a spiritual problem or sickness is to engage in various forms of self medication. To, by the use of ritualistic practices, behaviors or good works, overcome or compensate for their bad or evil nature with good or righteous acts. For Christian people this sometimes means regular church attendance or being involved with some personal ministry or outreach effort that their church supports. One thing I've noticed about volunteer work in the church is that there's usually far more people who're willing to sign on to do high profile activities such as taking meals to homeless people or visiting the sick than there are who are willing to work at the church. There are certainly exceptions, but usually they have to pay people to come in and do the cleaning, lawn care, and other more mundane tasks that are essential to the function and care of the church whereas outreach ministries provide their participants with an immediate "this looks AND feels good for me" pay off.

I do understand that in the body of Christ there's a place for everyone to serve and I'm a huge fan of doing so but have you ever wondered why people who consider themselves to be servants all seem to be gifted the same way? Call me cynical or whatever but it's hard for me not to see it as strange, it's as though what they're really wanting is for themselves to be glorified by these works instead of God.

Matthew 6:3-6

³But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

⁴That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

⁵And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

⁶But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Over the past several years I've been on both sides of things. I've been the person in need and I've been the one who was in a position to give. I've been helped, and helped others as well. I've also been confused by people who would help you as long as by doing so they looked like a hero but then, when it was a much smaller matter where perhaps just a word from them asking after me and my situation would've meant a great deal they suddenly seemed rather indifferent.

I can still recall how struck I was by my own feelings when after volunteering with a local outreach ministry I found myself filling out insurance forms so people could get medicines at no cost from pharmaceutical companies. Within a couple of weeks I began to dislike doing it because of how boring and confusing it was at times. I began to feel uninspired, wishing I could be involved in some other aspect of the ministry that I might find more interesting. I remember thinking... "this just isn't my area spiritual gifting!" I continued to show up and tried to do my best. It sounds bad to say it but when I eventually became financially unable to continue making the hour long drive in twice a week I was actually sort of glad.

These scenario's are just small examples of what I think it means to look into your own heart and see how self centered and prideful each of us are. Of how desperately each of us are in need a Savior, and how amazing the grace of God which is extended to each of us through His Son Jesus is! To me the most remarkable part of this story is how faithful God has been to me. How He's shown me through untold small miracles how much I mean to Him. How is it then that I can turn away from what could've been an opportunity to share Christ's love with someone else through simple things or grow weary in serving God because I don't think it's a good fit for me? Things like spending time with people you may find repugnant but who God has put on your heart, or perhaps doing boring, tedious things you may not actually like to do. Who knows, maybe if by our doing these things in a selfless manor hoping for some privilege to share Christ through it we might just find our real place of service. We all want to find our purpose in Gods kingdom and play our part in His great plan. For some it's to be center stage with the white hot spot light and Gods anointment on them, and for others it's to work in the background in a supporting role of some kind.

What most of us don't realize is that it's only through our trusting God and being willing to do whatever He calls us to do in whatever circumstances we find ourselves that we'll ever truly find our way. There comes a point where we have to stop looking at ourselves and start looking only to Him as the source of everything! We don't look down, or back, or anywhere else but to Him! That's when the power of the Lord our God will be seen in a mighty way in our lives and in the lives of those who we're seeking to serve in His name!

Luke 18:9-14

⁹And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

¹⁰Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

¹¹The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

¹²I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

¹³And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

¹⁴I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

A Conspiracy?

I've been intrigued by the possibility of their existence since my early adult years when I was first clued in to them by a friend. I'll admit that I've been on both sides of the fence as far as what I actually believe about these "shadow government" organizations. I mean...are the Bilderbergers really bent on world domination? What about the Illuminati...who are they? There's the Council on Foreign Relations, the United Nations, and of course the Freemasons for us to keep our eye's on!

But I've left someone out of my previous listing, someone who is as I understand it a key behind the scenes player in all the other scenario's. Someone who's stated objectives aren't limited to merely ruling the world under a central government structure.... No, someone who instead has their eye on the big picture, who's not playing for the chump change of this mist that appears for a while we call a life but instead for keeps, for all...

ETERNITY!

Do we, is there, can he? whoa, whoa, my conspiracy fascinated friend!

Perhaps the short answer here is YES! But NO!

Lets start with a look at our "shadow" enemy's declared mission statement...

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:

And our Saviors answer...

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly

I just have to stop right here and say this...
Praise You Jesus, for you are the way,the truth,and the life! Praise you for Your amazing and abundant love given to each of us!

A Conspiracy? If you're a child of God there's definitely one against you! And just as it is with any true conspiracy or plan, secrecy is essential to it's success. The usual tactic is to take full advantage of the darkness or the ignorance of the victim who never see's it coming and typically isn't prepared for it at all.

C S Lewis said it like this...

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.”

I think we're pretty good at doing both here in America...

According to Christian pollster George Barna, 60 percent of American adults contend that Satan does not exist but is merely a "symbol of evil." In 2005 Barna also reported that 46% of born again Christians deny Satan’s existence. It's certainly not my intent to promote any unhealthy interest or preoccupation with our enemy, but based on these statistics I'm thinking a higher awareness than what we presently claim to have might be beneficial to us in many ways.

In all of those moments our enemies attack seems the most acute, we can, instead of being full of despair, do as the Apostle Paul did and rejoice in the persecution that's directed upon us for his name sake! Are all of our most challenging circumstances in this life examples of persecution? Of course not! There have been times in my life when I have felt persecuted or under spiritual attack and yet there have been other situations that were entirely my own doing! But even the wisdom to discern what is ours to change and the courage and strength to then do so are gifts from God! Neither am I saying that we should give thanks for all things but instead that we should give thanks IN all things! Praising God is our greatest weapon against the enemy! If, in the midst of our own affliction's or those of others we can't bring comfort and hope by revisiting our own stories of despair and deliverance we have I believe been spared by God in vain!

2 Corinthians 1:4
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Everyday the full arsenal of the enemies weapons are arrayed against each of us! Only one who's walked down the same road as us can really know how we feel. Only someone who knows how it feels understands that we can't judge others because all of us have either been there before ourselves and were delivered from it, are there now, or will in the future go through something similar. We must stand together and support each other in love when we're going through trials! If we as members of Gods family view spiritual attack's against the brethren as nothing more than some "conspiracy theory" we're all in trouble! If we have no awareness of, or compassion for those experiencing these very real struggles in life and who are presently feeling the brunt of the terrible weapons our enemy uses to beat down our brothers and sisters in Christ then our problem is manifest in that we ourselves are also easy prey!

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Ephesians 6:12

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

A Mighty Wind!

The wind is commonly used in literature as a metaphor to represent a powerful force of some kind or as a harbinger that's acting as a catalyst or agent of change. From a meteorological perspective wind is simply a physical manifestation of the effects of gravity and barometric pressure on static air that's enacted between geographic regions.

Recently I've felt as though I'm living in a windy metaphor of my own that's pulling and pushing me both literally and figuratively. Allow me to explain, it's been so windy here the past couple of days and extremely dry for the past couple of months that we're now under a county wide burn ban. As an aside I'm wondering, is it more than a coincidence that we've just recently come through a hotly contested political season? I don't know, and for me to jump to any conclusions about it at this point might seem unsportsmanlike so I won't. When I first saw from a distance the large and yet very low cloud-like plumes of smoke I initially ruled out a fire, let alone one purposely started. After asking around about it I was told that the Conservation Dept. was conducting an out of control controlled burn of about 1000 acres just north of me... Now I'm being told that it was intentionally set by some other individual!

Can you see God? You haven't seen him? I've never seen the wind. I see the effects of the wind, but I've never seen the wind. There's a mystery to it.
- Billy Graham

I've also been feeling a bit of mystery or confusion concerning other winds blowing and fires burning in my life right now that are moving me in a direction I thought I'd never go again. I'm not at all certain but there's a better than even chance that I might soon be going back to driving a truck over the road. On the one hand it's a matter of practical survival, a temporary measure, that will along with other things get me and mine to a better place in time where hopefully better opportunities will meet us. And on the other it could also be a way for me to usher in some needed changes that might be good for me personally as well. At any rate I feel compelled to accept the position if offered to me, perhaps being back in the wind is exactly what I need. A change of scenery, a chance to see a few places again and reconnect with memories from my not too distant past. To observe what's changed and what still remains since I've been "out there" running up and down the road.

To conclude this windy post there's one final movement that I've sensed growing stronger of late having to do with Eschatology or the study of or interest in biblical prophesy. I realize that it's been hot stuff since before Christ walked on the earth but naturally, as I see it this new interest is being generated by a number of currently ominous "ill winds" that are swirling around these days.

We've seen severe flooding as well as historic drought worldwide resulting in record low harvest yields. As a result we're staring a worldwide food crisis in the face right now!

Our debt problem in this country combined with the anemic GDP stats spell out a recipe for a coming global economic meltdown starting with hyperinflation in the US that will take out all other economies whose currencies are tied to the dollar. Read more:

There's a new world-wide church coming to the forefront of late. One of many modern progressive organizations whose message is based on the premise that man is essentially good. Their contention is that despite man's long history indicating otherwise he's going to somehow cast that aside and finally save himself. The belief is that the "New Earth" or "world Order" will be made possible by eliminating what causes division among people and uniting everyone under a banner of world peace.

Are we also currently experiencing an increase in the frequency and strength of earthquakes, volcanic activity and natural disasters? Did Christ specifically say that we should regard these things as significant prior to the tribulation? Read the Olivet Discourse and make up your own mind! The Institute for Christian Research has a lot of interesting articles concerning this topic for you to check out.

Are you feeling the pressure building in your world? I know I am...

The wind and the Holy Spirit also move. The wind from areas of high pressure to low pressure while the Spirit moves or leads us to Christ! In this atmosphere of high pressure and high stress, I can feel them both bearing on my life, drawing me into the peaceful presence of my Lord where the storms of life, tremendous pressures, and struggles of living cease. I don't know about you but I want to be on the first load out of here! Just as the church's arrival was described in the book of Act's, with the sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, so I believe it must be with it's leaving at whats called "the catching away" or harpazo. So blow wind, blow your beautiful trumpet!

Revelation 4:1

After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

The problem...

In some ways it's the height of comical irony that a culture such as ours so steeped in the worship and reverence of love could have it so wrong...but it does.

It's often confused with sex, perhaps as a result of the perception that it's somehow inherently explained by the misleading commonly used expression

"make love".

Sadly, many settle for the red-headed step-child of love "attention" primarily because we don't really know the difference. Children, both young and old, act out in bad behaviors that are really just cries for help or for "love".

It's sometimes described as a feeling, but that's kind of like saying Gods creation is God and then worshiping "it" instead of Him. We're told that love is a choice, which is true, but how does that help us to make loving choices? We're inundated with a constant flow of dis-functional concepts and examples from every possible source! Through the song lyrics that brainwash us daily all the way back to the fairytale stories that were read to us as children.

I feel very comfortable in saying that all of the most screwed up things that you and I have done in our lives are directly related to our misunderstanding of God and of love, and our search for both.

Almost invariably, mans search for love and his quest for the understanding of it are motivated only by his selfish desires to marshal it's great power for his own purposes. Man has become a master at peddling illusions and perpetrating lies on his fellow man in order to get what he wants. One is seen as being successful in this life by demonstrating an ability to manipulate others and more importantly to convince themselves that it's love that they're offering. None of which would be possible apart from the basic ignorance about the true nature of love that's so prevalent. We're like blind people feeling around in the dark who are stung, bitten and burned as a result of working through a process of elimination hoping to find the real thing.

As unfortunate as ignorance is,there's still cause for hope in that ignorance can be dealt with through simple knowledge. Whats most unfortunate are those of us who have allowed fear to take hold of our spirits. In acting out of fear we acknowledge our own personal insufficiency by believing that we are the source of our limited provision. We've been taught to look out for number one which is of course ourselves because if we don't who will? certainly not a benevolent God, afterall, everyone knows that God helps those who help themselves right?. But in truth, God helps or comes to save those who absolutely cannot help or save themselves!

And that's exactly what I believe God is wanting to use His church to accomplish!

God Is Love!

As His representatives and ambassadors, disciples and followers, evangelist's and ministers, church members and children, shouldn't we have, based on our personal relationship with Jesus, a much greater familiarity with love than those who don't or who aren't any of those things?

Love is the answer!

Perhaps we as the church have forgotten that. We live in the midst of a world full of people who are crying out for answers, are we prepared to give them? Shouldn't we be the ones teaching the world about love? This world is a vineyard ripe for harvest, and the only real preparation necessary for us as Christians is to truly receive that love and those answers first ourselves! How can we say that we know the Lord, or that we've accepted Christ as our Savior, and then stand idly by in the presence of so much need in our own assigned area's of mission field earth?

We've been given the perfect example of what love is in Christ.

I don't think there's any way that I personally could ever be thankful enough for what He did for me. If I really mean that, then what does it mean?

We need more than a "revival" what we need is a revolution! A love revolution...

And since love is an action word, a "verb", that means we need to shift our focus away from merely talking about it week in and week out to one of making some thoughtful plans to implement it in some way scratch that, every way possible! I'm not talking about some token "feel good" project that doesn't require much from us. What I'm suggesting here is that we work in earnest the great harvest that's been prepared before us! Just as Christ held nothing back on our behalf, How can we do any less?

We can make the most of the opportunity before us by bringing everything we have to bear on this Kingdom battle for the souls of those around us who our Heavenly Father dearly loves!

Or we can listen to fear...

It a choice each of us has to make,there is no way to "abstain"

We can either choose to live in love or be imprisoned by fear.

We can choose to serve the One True God and His Kingdom...

Or be a slave to the one who opposed Him and who is also our enemy.

Is that a problem?

Against The Wall

All of us enjoy a good story, but what is it that makes a story good? I suppose that's an entirely subjective question, one that if I knew the answer to I'd be writing screenplays or books instead of this blog! But I don't think I'd be too far off the mark if I were to say that most people are drawn to a couple of specific things. Most people love hero's. They inspire us with their courage and their "never say die" attitude. It's their charisma, confidence, leadership and direction that compels us to follow them. I was ready to fight in the Roman Colosseum myself after listening to Russell Crowe lay out the simple facts of life and death to a band of hopeless slaves as Maximus in the movie

"Gladiator"

"Whatever comes out of these gates...

we've got a better chance of survival if we work together! Lock your shields! Stay as one!

Stories about brotherhood, love and honor that through their medium remind us that there are no dress rehearsals in life...that it's all real and it all counts

"Good Will Hunting"

Let me tell you what I do know. Everyday I come by to pick you up, and we go out drinkin' or whatever and we have a few laughs. But you know what the best part of my day is? The ten seconds before I knock on the door 'cause I let myself think I might get there, and you'd be gone. I'd knock on the door and you wouldn't be there. You just left.

This next scene always gets to me, some people take love and friendship very,very, seriously

What problems does he have, Sean? that he is better off as a janitor or in jail or hanging around with--

And why does he hang out with his friends? Because any one of those kids would come in here and take a bat to your head if he asked them to. It's called loyalty!

Most great stories are about overcoming adversity of some kind, we love to pull for the underdog! We seem to identify with people who find themselves fighting the good fight for the sake of all against evil and insurmountable odds. Typically they've got nothing going for them other than their heart and the fact that they have nothing left to lose and everything to gain.

Years ago I heard a story about a football team in a championship game. Things weren't going well at all and they had taken a pretty bad beating over the course of the afternoon. With only minutes left in the game, and what would be their last possession, they had the ball deep in their own territory. They needed only one touchdown to win but as they walked towards the huddle that goal seemed impossible, they all felt as though they were already beaten. As they leaned in together to hear the Quarterback's final direction, this is what he told them.

"Good job guys, I think we've got 'em just where we want them...They've counted us out, they think we're whipped, and my guess is that most of them are already thinking about what their going to do after the game is over, but I'll tell you what we're going to do right now! After that ball is snapped we're going to completely take them by surprise, we're going to play like it's the first play of the game instead of the last, like a team that knows it's going to win! I look around at all of your faces and I know you want to win, well I'm telling you how we will, and that's together! Men, no victory is as sweet as one that is pulled from the fearsome jaws of defeat, seize this moment, it's yours for the taking!

Perhaps you're wondering if there's some point I'm trying to make with all of this or if maybe I've decided to turn this into a film review blog. If so, hold on...

Do you hear that grinding noise? Don't be alarmed, that's just me changing gears.

There's a story that's playing out all around each and every one of us everyday. It's about us individually and the church as a whole.Our combined stories are all part of a much bigger story that we also have a role in. It's a grand drama, a classic tale of good and evil with hero's and villains, winners and losers, it's a full cast! Some of you probably know what I'm talking about, the rest of you think I'm nuts, that's okay.

Anyway...

As I see it this little story is kind of coming down to a scenario that reminds me a great deal of the examples I mentioned. We are indeed behind, and we appear to be losing ground on just about every front. We've taken some hard hits and been thrown to the ground. Through clever tactics, our enemy has succeeded in dividing us and causing us to fight among ourselves in order that his plans might go undisturbed. Even now, he's infiltrated our ranks and seeks to maintain this subversion by sowing complacency and preaching comfort. We've been led to believe there is no battle, that instead this boat we're on a is a luxury cruise liner instead of a battleship. And yet, right before our eye's he's savagely attacked each of our families. The deeds he's committed are so reprehensible that our minds recoil in disgust and we must turn away!

Now is not the time to wring our hands in hopeless despair, or to mourn what's been lost.

Instead NOW is the time that we must attack!

In order for us to be successful it's going to require that we all put aside our differences and come to a new agreement as to what is our common goal. We need a plan that involves putting our strengths against his weakness's. One that he can have no defense against because each of us is more than willing to die if necessary to accomplish it.

"We represent the kingdom of heaven and the living God, and to reveal them to mankind is what we live for and stand for and are ready to die for."

Bless God

John G. Lake

Sound extreme? I've no doubt that some people who read this will mistakenly equate or compare what I'm talking about with the kind of violent acts committed by terrorists but nothing could be further from the truth. It's only love that can conquer hate, and so it's only through love that any real victory can be won!

It's easy for actors like Russell Crowe who are playing a role to be brave when they know what's going to happen in the end. Well guess what, I've read how our story ends and we should be SO much bolder!

As members of the body of Christ and of Gods one true church we should have the kind of love for each other that puts a bond between us that nothing can break, we should be loyal servants of each other! If we're more concerned with our possessions or if we can't see beyond the temporal nature of this present world then we'll always be vulnerable to being infected with the disease of "self " and will be of little use to Gods Kingdom in this battle.

Where do you see yourself in this unfolding drama? You might be among those who don't believe or who won't understand it until the very last days when the fight is on your doorstep. You're much braver than me if your counting on having an opportunity to make the right choice then when you finally realize that it's your back that's...against the wall

The "Real" Jesus

When asked about his taste in music, Ray Charles was once quoted as saying,

"There's only two kinds of music, those kinds being good and bad"

and that's a statement to which I wholeheartedly agree!

I'm not a big fan of most Christian music, sadly, like so many endeavors which are labeled as "Christian" it seems as though the quality of the products produced are lower than those of their secular counterparts. When people talk about books, music, movies or whatever which are produced by Christians inevitably you'll hear their work patronized with statement's such as

"It was pretty good, for a Christian writer,musician,comedian,etc..."

As if there's an unspoken but well understood lower standard involved.

And that's messed up...

I consider myself to be a fairly typical person, but then again perhaps I'm just caught up in my own "delusions of adequacy." I think perhaps a case could be made either way regarding me, but I digress. When I meet people I hope they notice something different about me, I would hope that they would perhaps feel loved in some way! I don't wear a crucifix outside of my shirt for people to see or have a WWJD wrist bracelet on. If I've never met you before, I probably won't ask you where you attend church within the first ten minutes of a conversation. Some people stress about sharing the gospel or "witnessing" as it's called, but sometimes the most "Christ-like" thing we can do is just to listen to people.

When people meet me I don't want them to see a stereotype, I want them to meet the real me.

I am a Christian, but I'm not "Ned Flanders"...(nothing against Ned)

I think that Jesus was a very real person!

Not only in a physical sense but also in terms of how He related to people out of a genuine love for them.

Throughout the bible Jesus' personality is displayed in many ways. Some of my favorite examples are from His various confrontation's with the scribes and pharisee's. This one in particular speaks to me of His sense of humor in dealing with them.

Matthew 9:5

For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?

Jesus perceives their thoughts accusing Him of blasphemy after His forgiveness of sins. I can imagine Him being somewhat confounded by their attitudes, but His reaction is to love and teach them. He begins by turning the question back on them by asking "whether is easier" which is actually rhetorical in that He knows they can't truthfully say or do either. Jesus seems to be seeking counsel from these great scholars of the law while simultaneously proving Himself to be God and them to be fools!

Jesus, you crack me up!

Another of the more prevalent stereotypes of Christian people has to do with the idea that all of them are pacifists. The perception is of them being people who would never raise their voice in anger or resort to violence under any circumstances. It doesn't say in John's gospel what if anything might of happened to Jesus that day as He traveled to Jerusalem to observe the passover but apparently,

"He was in no mood"

to discover what was going on in the temple that day...

John 2:14-15

¹⁴And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

¹⁵And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;

During his lifetime here on earth Jesus was a real man with real feelings just like each of us! He had a sense of humor, He could feel pain and sorrow, He could even become angry! It's a comfort to me to know that being a Christian doesn't mean we should be always happy or always be serious and sad like the stereotypes portray. I just want to be the person God intended me to be, no more and certainly no less! Helping people do just that is something Jesus was very good at, He brought comfort to the afflicted, and affliction to the comforted!

I think that it's so important for Christian people to be "real", and to not be perceived as being out of touch with the very real struggles that people they might meet are going through. Jesus had great compassion for people who were stuck in the "miry clay" of sin. He understood the temptation's of this world and the depravity of mans soul that drives him to do something, even if it's wrong, to fill that void in his heart. He didn't judge people for having the need which I feel is a critical first step that's necessary for people to be comfortable enough with us and to trust us enough to actually confide in us about the sin and spiritual needs in their lives so that we might have a "real" opportunity to share the real Jesus with them!

Land Of Many Springs

One of the great joy's of blogging I've found is in sharing the unique and special things about where I call home with the rest of the world.

The area where I live is known mostly for being a hunting, fishing, floating, camping/hiking destination. During the spring it's turkey season, summertime around here is all about the river. When the chilly winds of winter begin to blow the town is overrun with people dressed in camouflage who are looking to bag that big buck! In the winter months the local people rest up!

I'm not much of a hunter, but what I do enjoy is seeing the abundant wildlife practically everywhere you go around here. The deer are somewhat tame and will sometimes just stand there next to the road allowing you to get a good look at them as you drive up . The other day I saw two hen turkeys scurry across the road in front of me with their collective brood of about 10-15 in tow. The spring hatch-lings, they were beautiful in their tan colored juvenile feathers!

Perhaps the predominant characteristic of the area I live in is the abundance of naturally occurring springs. The water they provide is literally the "life blood" that freely flows throughout this part of the state. Their cool blue effusion's and the underground waterways that they represent are a precious resource that's value cannot be overstated.

Now that I've said my little speech we can get on to the good stuff...

This is Greer Spring

Pictured here is the much celebrated and often photographed upper outlet which join's together with the water from the lower outlet and flows into the Eleven Point River more than doubling it's size! It's the second largest spring in the Ozarks, second only to Big Spring which is located in Carter County, Mo.

Originally the spring was harnessed by Samuel Greer to power a grist mill in 1859.

To the right is the lower and much more substantial source of the spring and the one time location of the aforementioned mill.

It's an incredibly beautiful area that's easily accessible. Various hiking trails that skirt the surrounding hillsides provide some excellent photo opportunities!

Our next stop on the tour is Boze Mill Spring.

Many things about Boze Spring really stood out to me.

The setting is unique in one respect because of the approach to the spring from the trail. If you look closely at the area between the trail and the deeper turquoise blue of the main spring you can see the shallow sandy area that's ideal for wading in! But be warned, the water here is in my opinion colder than any spring I've ever been in!

It practically numbed my legs within minutes of wading into it!

I've been a Missouri resident my whole life and an avid outdoors person as well. As a typical young boy I was fascinated with reptiles, frogs specifically. Having said that, I found it remarkable that as I approached the spring I was welcomed by a strange sound. Strange in that I only vaguely recognized it. The "noise" was coming from frogs. Their call was different from any frog I had ever heard, and for them to be active in the middle of the day is also unusual. As I sat there on the bank they entertained me with their "calling" to each other. Here in their secluded paradise I wondered how many thousands of generations had lived and croaked here in this place and provided the ambiance for thousands of people who had sat just where I was on it's bank.

This last spring is in many ways also the least.

It's water volume is small and I'm not really even sure of what it's "official" name is. I've heard it called "Panther Creek" spring, I tried to research it and still couldn't find any definitive information about it. It's located less than a quarter mile downstream from the Whitten access on the Eleven Point river. It's just a hole in the ground that sits less than a hundred feet back off from the main channel but what I found interesting about it is that it makes it's own noise...

That's right, it's a "Talking Spring"

My daughter and I had walked up the creek that flows from it one day a few years back. I remember hearing a noise that at first I assumed was coming from the insects that were everywhere. Something about it seemed out of kilter though, it never stopped! I paused to concentrate more fully on it I noticed that it seemed to emanate from the spring it's self!

That struck me as being an impossibility at first, "Can sound travel in water?" I'd never seen or heard of such a thing and upon a closer examination I saw what appeared to be small rocks that were caught in it's flow. The waters effect upon them was to toss them upward in the current of the spring and then suck them back down so as to imitate a volcano spewing lava. During this process,they constantly made random contact which resulted in the sound I was hearing.

I've really only scratched the surface of listing all of the springs in this part of Missouri. I barely mentioned Big Spring which is the largest, and I didn't even mention the appropriately named "Mammoth Spring" which is south of here just across the Arkansas state line.

My intent here wasn't really to provide an exhaustive list, instead my goal is to celebrate who it is that gives life to not just this little backwater part of the world but to everyone everywhere!

In this world there may be "Many Springs" but there is only one true source of life!

John 7:38

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Without A Net

Whether we realize it or not all of us are walking a tight wire of some kind in our lives and the balancing act we do is always at risk given the thin nature of the "reality" we subscribe to. Everyday, people in this hard little world fall off that wire, land hard, and are injured in way's that can be hard to heal. The repercussions of that fall are what we sometimes call a "crisis" which interestingly enough is a word that's based on the Greek term Krinein which means "to decide".

Decide what?

Any trapeze artist you happen to meet will most likely tell you that a certain level of fear or respect is essential to the performance of their craft, but that if you allow that fear to take center stage then walking that wire becomes impossible. And while a net can be something that catch's us and keeps us safe from a fall, it can also be used to keep us in bondage after we've lost our balance and fallen into a trap or snare of some type! Safety is of the Lord, but fear is a symptom of spiritual bondage to sin. Just as Adam found out in the garden. How is it that that after thousands of years we still hide in the bush's from a loving God?

The greatest fear any of us have is the fear of not being loved. So why does it seem as though we run from the very thing we need the most or pretend to be above it in some way? Perhaps it's because in lieu of being able to procure it, we've taken on the mantle of god in our lives and arrogantly chosen to express or exercise our "divinity" by making choice's about our lives that no one else can change, even if we're the one's that suffer as a result of that choice. Isn't that a shame?

Ultimately it isn't us who make our choices, but instead they, who make us!

It's at these familiar crossroads, these moments of sudden confusing complexity, that like any other subscription we've signed up for our fear delivers to us our default answer....

What about me?

Our lives become a frustrating failure when we try to take on Gods role or when we project onto God our flawed human understanding of love. Most of these misguided actions and bad choices flow from a core belief that the universe we live in is a decidedly unfriendly place, that real love is a lie, and that if there is a God He's probably mad at us!

No wonder we're anxious and afraid to step out! We're walking on a wire and we believe that we're working...

Without a net!

Why am I saying all of this? Because there are way too many people who go through their lives making decisions that originate from thoughts that are sponsored by fear, not love. Who instead of living the life God had planned for them are tangled up in the net of this world and are presently miserable as a result! If hell is an eternal separation from God, Who is love, then you might say they've already started doing their time here on earth! In fact, I've heard more than a few people refer to their lives as being a "living hell"...I don't believe that Gods pleased with any of those things at all, actually I think it break's His heart, mine too...and since I'm on His team I'm trying to do whatever He enables me to do to help others to choose Him instead! Being a Christian is simply an awareness of who we are in Christ and the joyful acknowledgment of Gods saving love that has freed us from the necessity of fear in each and every moment and circumstance of life! What it means for each of us is that,

Above all we are greatly loved!

Come what may, we do have a safety net...

Jesus caught each of us when we cried out for Him to save us!

You've done that right?...Is your life going to suddenly become perfect after you come to know the Lord? NO! what it means is that whatever you go through in this life He's in the midst of it with you! God never promised us a smooth ride, but He has promised us a safe landing! While we're here we don't have to live a life of fear, shame and doubt, or be prisoners to things like worry and anxiety! There's no reason this life has to be an empty meaningless existence without a hope for eternity when all we really have to do is stop for a second and simply reason this thing we call life out!

Have YOU traded in fear for faith!

That's a choice I'm committed to making every day!

"Faith is that state of being in which we're able to find present comfort in the arms that have held us up all along, and future peace based on the past and the present."

FREE!

Galatians 5:13

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

If you're anything like me you love that word, but it's meaning can be rather confusing. The first rule of economics tells us that there is no free lunch, that it's either already been paid for or the bill is yet to come. Knowing this, we're more likely to be skeptical of things that are free, and even less trusting of the phrase "At no cost to you" I guess it just doesn't have the same ring to it.

I said ring, perhaps I meant hook...

The difference between the two is subtle, "free" denotes something we aren't beholding to anyone for, that we might indulge ourselves in without impropriety, without feeling encumbered by any sort of obligation. That being thankful for is merely good manners on our part, not a requirement.

Whereas, "at no cost to you" suggests something else that most people aren't as comfortable with. Just knowing that there was a cost to someone at some point registers with most people as something that's "owed". Even if it's merely some due consideration such as being thankful, it's seen as being a liability or as undesirable.

As I was thinking about what these words mean I wondered if there was a worthwhile comparison involving these two definitions and some of the ways in which the gospel is presented to people. Peoples misconceptions concerning Gods free gift of salvation can be a stumbling block, as an ambassador of Christ I feel it's useful to understand them. I've always believed that if the gospel was presented to people from the perspective of grace they'd have no reason not to accept Christ! Unfortunately, most of what I've heard seems to come across kind of like this,

"You're a hopeless sinner on your way to hell! Accept Christ's free gift of salvation, and then spend the rest of your life trying to be good enough to keep it".

Yes! You are a hopeless sinner and Yes! salvation is a free gift, but once you accept it you're NOT on the "Holiness" hook! Yes, God wants us to be Holy, but it doesn't count for anything if we're just doing it to save ourselves! I think He wants us to be holy out of our love for Him, not to be coerced or guilted into it or be told that our salvation depends on it. That doesn't sound like grace, which is the UN-merited favor of God, that sounds more like a doctrine of works or the "at no cost to you" type of free.

2 Timothy 1:9

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

The point I'm going for is that man has great difficulty accepting that salvation is a free gift, or in understanding what love really is. Perhaps because all he's known or experienced is the "strings attached" type, it could be that the obligated version of "free" may be all he understands. I feel like that's pretty common in this world, but this is the greatest example of real love! Even though man may be much more familiar with the worlds lesser examples of love or more comfortable with seeing himself as being "worthy" of salvation, that's not the real gospel message. Many Christian's also prefer variations of that perspective because they feel it somehow puts them above other people in Gods eye's which is of course "dead wrong", many non-Christian people want nothing to do with "it" or them for much the same reason!

My favorite saying related to this topic is,

We're not saved BY works, But instead FOR works!

Love is always a choice! Serving the Lord is my greatest joy! Living a God honoring life is something I attempt to do out of my own freewill because of my love for God and other people, in response to a love that was first shown to me! It's not out of any sense of obligation, my salvation is a done deal! Therefore there's nothing to "earn" or no ongoing dues that I must pay, I believe that I was blood bought, not blood "pawned"! The only thing I owe is to tell others what Christ has done for me and that is absolutely no problem! Some of what is preached by "Christians" is intended to stir up guilt and condemnation in people which tends to have the effect of turning them into unhappy, self righteous, "religious" people!

I'm so not into that...and I can understand why the world isn't either!

Why? Because it's a game you'll never win, forever comparing yourself to others caught in some sort of tail chasing spiral that either falsely puffs you up or brings you down...fun huh?

I've heard this preached many times,

"We could double the attendance here in a month, all we've got to do is tell people they can do whatever they want and still go to heaven"

Why not say that? It's a bit of a challenge as I see it!

Go ahead and put that on the sign in front of your church and when the people show up we'll tell them about the love of Jesus and how He chose to die for all of our sin's. We'll show them a little piece of that love in the Christian fellowship we'll extend to them. We'll be patient and supportive while the Holy Spirit works in their heart and their walls of resistance are broken down by the great love of Jesus! And when that time comes and their ready to accept what Christ did on the cross as being for them and recognize it as being the only way to wipe away their sins we'll pray with them that Jesus would come into their heart and be Lord of their lives! Then, If they've truly had a born again experience I think you'd be safe to tell them,

" Go ahead and do whatever you want! Do whatever your new best friend the Holy Spirit will abide!"

Why? Because they've been set FREE!

From my perspective either you believe that greater is He that is in me, or that greater is he who's in the world...That there's power in the blood of Christ to save us and keep us, and to forgive us, no matter what we've done or what we will do, or you don't! I believe that coming to know Christ is a life changing experience, and even though there are times that we're all going to fall short of the mark I'd put my faith the power of the Holy Spirit over that of the world anytime!

1 Corinthians 7:22

For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.

I know that some of what I've written here could be easily misinterpreted. So just for the record let me state that in no way am I advocating using grace as a license for immorality or sin, neither am I saying that I don't thoughtfully consider or that I take for granted the great price that Christ paid on the cross for my salvation. Doctrines of works and of grace can both be taken to flawed extremes. Personally, I feel as though I want to do my best in this life, to always choose love. But I know that I fail at it and that if it weren't for the Gods grace I wouldn't have any hope at all! I believe that because God is all knowing and loves us so much He made it very simple and totally free for us to be saved!

Thank You Father God!

Cliche'

As I was considering prospective titles for this post it occurred to me that all of the idea's I had were little more than just tired cliche's. Then, upon further reflection I realized how many of my other titles were also cliche's!

(note to self: Try to be more creative/interesting)

What makes this post different is that this time I'm intentionally writing about cliche's so therefore I've concluded that the only logical title is well, cliche...

Since I'm being predictable, I might as well start out with a proper definition of said title.

cli·ché

–noun1.a trite, stereotyped expression; a sentence or phrase, usually expressing a popular or common thought or idea, that has lost originality, ingenuity, and impact by long overuse, as sadder but wiser, or strong as an ox.

Ouch, that hurts! Especially that first word "trite" which seems to me to indicate something unimportant. Isn't it enough to be boorish, must I be insignificant as well? ~sigh~

For all of you newcomers, this is the part of the blog where I turn off of the main highway and steer you back along the small meandering pathway that eventually leads to the "profound" point I'm trying to make. And as is the case in both roads and reasoning, the more untraveled either of them are the more likely it is that you'll find a few pot-hole's in them. So try to insulate yourself from any hard or unyielding surfaces or belief systems you might be injured by and read on!

Why do so many anointed men of God seem to do a wipe out at some point in their life?

How many can you think of ? Of course most of us have either read or heard the story of King David, and of course there's Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Baker as well! Here's a few more that you may not be familiar with that I found interesting, people like Alexander Dowie or maybe Finis Jennings Dake. All of these men were used mightily by God and had incredible ministries only to fall prey to temptation and various publicly observed sins. It's happened so much that it's a cliche', man seeks God, God finds man, Gods Spirit empowers man, he get's a big head, takes advantage and starts believing in his own abilities granting himself certain "indulgences". It was pride that got Adam, apparently not much has changed in that pride still comes before the fall!

Solomon had this to say...

Ecclesiastes 8:14

There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.

If you're trying to figure out who's good and who's not based on the circumstances of this world you may find them in it probably won't make good sense! Perhaps That is the real vanity!

The great apostle Paul had a lot to say about mans weaknesses, and God's strength,

2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

I've been told by people that they don't believe in using doctor's or medicines because they feel it makes a mockery of the atonement of Jesus. That it basically amounts to idolatry because it's putting those things in place of the healing that Jesus' victory over sin, sickness and death obtained for us. I agree that when Christian people are sick they should first do as the bible instructs us to do, be anointed and prayed over by their church elders but if you don't begin to get some relief pretty quickly I think you ought to see a doctor. Even though both drugs and doctors have been known to be BAD, I believe that God can work through them if He chooses to, and I don't think you can toss out the whole of medical science because you feel as though God is limited to healing us in any certain way. It seems spiritually prideful to me, like the guy who sat on top of his house during the flood waiting for God to rescue him...he turned away three different people trying to help him escape and of course he eventually drowned! Before God he asked, "where were you, I was waiting?" and God said. "I sent a guy in hip waders, then a boat, and even a helicopter! Why didn't you get in?'

God can't work through evil? Doesn't seem like He has much choice in this world!

1 Corinthians 1:27

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

I've heard this next one a lot, that all other versions of the bible besides the King James are basically heretical. Look into it, the research is compelling, lots of critical verses are severely butchered or omitted entirely. I personally prefer a KJV, because I believe it is the most accurate translation, but does that mean that the Holy Spirit can't move in a persons heart when they read the NIV or the Living Bible? I don't think so!

As stated in the definition a cliche is an expression that has lost originality, ingenuity, and impact by long overuse. If we're not careful our spiritual lives can also become just a cliche! We pray at certain times or in certain ways which are mostly just routine's that lack the vitality that having a real relationship with Christ should have. Inevitably, this superficial level of faith spreads to every aspect of what our Christian life is supposed to be about until even the most sacred becomes ritual and then a cliche'. That sounds horrible, and for sure it is, but even when we're at our worst, we serve a God that can clean the dirt, sticks and rocks out of the clay he wish's to use and then form it into a vessel suitable to be filled with His Spirit. It's never redundant or routine for God to love His children. Nothing God does is just a cliche', He causes the sun to rise every morning in a special way, He created each of us totally unique! I don't know about you but I'm bored with the cliche', I'm tired of the spiritual circle I seem to be running in and I want more! I don't just want to merely run in a "bigger circle" unless it's big enough for me to be able to continually step out and walk in places I've never been and do things I've never done! None of that will ever happen as long as our faith is a cliche' or until we drop the self righteous legalism and understand what it means to love!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmgZ2EcXCz4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1]

Don't Look Down!

Have you ever, in the middle of a project or whatever, looked around and suddenly realized that what you were doing was something that others might not understand or that they may see as being a little bit "out there" ? In the following picture and verse's Peter is literally "out there"!

Matthew 14:28-31

²⁸And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Jesus responded to Peter's request, He told him to "Come!" and that was enough for Peter to get out of the boat and begin walking on water towards Him. But because of Peter's inability to remain focused on Jesus, he allowed his doubt's to bring him down. Anytime we step out of our own "personal boat" or out of our comfort zone, we can expect to be bombarded by our fear's. I can only imagine how Peter might of felt, maybe he stepped out of the boat and was blown sideways by the wind. Perhaps he had been looking for a way to distinguish himself from the other disciples in Jesus' eye's but was unprepared for the "adversity" he encountered. Peter had no way of anticipating or fully understanding what would be required of him or how difficult it would be to overcome his fears and die to his doubts.

From the moment anyone is born again or "born to the Spirit" a process is begun. A work referred to as sanctification; which is to be set apart, to be changed from what it is we start out as into what we are to become in Christ. To mature and grow spiritually, It's forward progress moves in lockstep with our willingness and our ability to disregard the stifling worldly doubts and fears we all have and instead walk in faith.

In the past week as I've been going about the work of the Outreach Center; I was compelled to study what Gods word tells us about the life of Peter. Many of the stories of Peter in the gospels have to do with his spiritual immaturity or with his humanity; it was Peter who had the audacity to rebuke Jesus and who was in return rebuked by Him so sternly,

"Get behind Me Satan!" (OUCH!)

Of all the awkward moments that Peter experienced, the one that was most life changing occurred immediately after he had denied Christ for the third time, when that rooster crowed and his eye's met Jesus' It was then that he understood the extent of his own pretenses. There that he found the courage to contrast the superficiality or "half measures" of his own efforts to the full measure of devotion he had witnessed in Christ. In that instant he was struck full on by what it means to love. In his moment of clarity he comes to a full understanding of his own brokenness, of his own wretchedness, and of his own hopeless state.

Matthew 22:61-62

⁶¹And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

⁶²And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

Peter truly came to understand what it means to be humbled before the Lord in a way that few if any today can claim to share. And while that surely was a profoundly painful experience for him it served a great purpose. Peter wouldn't see Jesus again until three days later when He appeared to the disciples in the upper room and although it had only been three days I believe Peter had matured considerably as a result of what he had been through. Then, on the shore of the sea of Tiberius, Peter, ever the zealous disciple jumped out of the boat and swam to Christ who was waiting on the shore where they shared a meal and afterward Jesus gives Peter the "third degree".

Matthew 21:17

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

In my estimation, this conversation between Jesus and Peter is a final exam of sorts. Peter hasn't merely learned to love, it's become as essential and natural to him as it is for him to breath! Jesus' final instruction for Peter to "Feed My Sheep" is a critical further illustration of the cause and effect relationship which should result from that love.

This was our first week of being open at the Outreach Center, at times I've had to deal with my own doubts about the rationality of what I'm doing, or with my own sensitivities as to what I'm trying to do being perceived by some as being "out there". Like Peter, I'm in the process of growth, of dealing with various things. There's my pride issues and my fear of asking people for help because of their possible rejection, and my tendency to take that too personally. That's a lot of stuff to deal with and there's no quick fix here, but I've found that it's much easier to consume it if you break it down into smaller pieces; day by day I put one foot in front of the other and just move in the direction God has given me grace to go. Like other things in my life that I've had to overcome, my success has been a product of my ability to look my fears in the eyes, and so based on that I must remember,

"Don't look Down!"

Who hasn't called out Jesus' name in the midst of some threatening circumstance? I've heard people who by their own admission weren't believers let it slip when they were frightened or startled. I've also noticed it's His name that people most commonly use to announce their frustrations over someone or something they feel disgusted towards...as if to say "Lord, please deliver me from the vexation of this"

People trade on His name and spend it like a currency to convey the justness and importance of their petitions to others or to make a dramatic point. I've seen it used manipulatively at times to engage the emotions or conscience like a "hotline" to peoples' hearts. In that moment, nobody denies it's effect or challenges it's power even if they openly doubt His existence. why is that?

I think that it's because on some deep level of our consciousness there's an acute awareness of exactly who Jesus is and just how powerful His name is!

James 2:19

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

I'm pretty sure I've felt that trembling inside of me before!

I'm not advocating taking the Lords name in vain, quite the contrary. What I am saying is that we should use the authority it holds for exactly what it was intended because of all that Jesus did to give us that power and authority over sin, sickness and death!

"In His Name"...

John 15:16

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Luke 9

¹Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

²And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

What might happen if more Christians were to approach their own circumstances and those of others wielding His name with the same boldness and authority as the apostles did. Not vainly, but with the same familiar sincerity some unbelievers seem to have. If we could, after hearing of some needful or hopelessly unfortunate situation pause for a moment of reflection, and then feeling no hesitation or doubt, place the matter in Gods hands by praying over it in Jesus' name!

I'd love to find out!

Of course many of us do some or all of those things already. We'll claim the blood and the authority given us through Christ Jesus faster than some can say,

"No thank you, I really don't believe in all of that hoo-doo mumbo-jumbo"!

I think too many Christians are scared to step out and claim the authority we have as heirs of Christ. It's not something that's taught in a lot of church's, maybe because most Christians are too spiritually immature and they're afraid that if they do they'll end up with a "wildfire" on their hands of people doing all sorts of off the wall stuff "In Jesus' Name'...

Better a wildfire than no fire.

2 Timothy 3:5

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

There's great power in Jesus' name! As Christians we all have a responsibility to understand that and to respect the power of His name and definitely not take it in vain! I also feel as though it's a privilege to share Christ with people and to act as His ambassador to "whosoever" will listen to me. As it was with the disciples, I don't feel as though our primary mandate is to perform miracles of healing but instead to preach the kingdom of God. Neither do I feel that the time of miracles is past or that we shouldn't always pray for peoples' healings and deliverance's. It was clear to Jesus that He couldn't perform any miracles in Nazareth because of the doubt of the people there which supports the idea of our primary function being to "free the captives" of sin first. When we pray in Jesus' name, we're asking for His will to be done in the people or circumstances we're praying for. But The Lord isn't going to violate anybodies freewill either! That's The commission, to show people the grace and love that's not only being offered to them by God for eternity, but that's all around us everyday. To tell people of Gods great desire for them to come to know Him! While we're doing this, we're called to lay hands on the sick and see them healed, and to not hesitate to take authority over demons wherever we find them, all of these things we're called to do...

In Jesus' Name!

We're All "bozo's" on this Bus

I stole that title from a comedy troupe I used to listen to called the "Firesign Theater", funny stuff I thought...but today I want to use it to make a point about all of us. Yes ALL of us! In the past I've blogged about "the politics of separatism" and this is sort of related. lately, I've had a hard time "loving" other people.Weather it's my wife,or a stranger on the street I continually (to myself) notice their faults and the folly of their actions. There is a lot of truth in the statement "pointing out the rudeness of others is the height of rudeness", but also I have to reflect on how much of what I'm feeling is just me "not hating the player, but hating the game. What game? the one where WE have to be right, or that WE have to win, or that WE have to continue to fight until we do! How much of our lives are consumed with this sort of malevolence? This sort of posturing and pontification? I don't know about you but I think that there's far too much of it in my life! Some people refer to it as "drama" and thats pretty accurate, but if I'm ever to have any real deliverance from it I can only see it happening one way. Jesus! thats how...when I feel as though I'm being "put upon" by people, or treated unfairly by circumstances, I want to remember Him...when I feel as though I need to be stubborn and insistent about MY rights...I want to think of HIM, and what he went thru for me, and how if ANYONE has a right to be "ticked" it's not me! thats a perspective thats sure to change your attitude, when I understand my own "drama" and look at how I've acted, and how the only "attitude" I should have is an "attitude of gratitude" for what is the unfathomable forgivness and grace thats been extended to me thru our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus...our eyes begin to open and our hearts are again filled with joy. Christian people are NOT perfect...but what we've got going for us is the Holy Spirit, and Christ himself who constantly make intercession for us with the Father. No matter how bumbling and wrong-minded we are, or how self-righteous and obnoxious we can be, no one up there ever stops loving us...amazing isn't it? Amazing Grace is what it is...that we can live the kind of life we do, be the kind of people we are,and still have a hope of glory beyond this life of tears and struggle...Whats that? you're not sure if you know what I'm talking about, or...none of that religious hoo-doo ever worked for me, well, know this...there is a lover of our souls, and a hater. a God we can serve, or an enemy we can be enslaved by. a perception of this life as being all there is,and a hope for eternity. A choice to love and a choice to hate, based on our own flawed sense of righteousness...why not admit that you're a sinner (a bozo) and ask for His forgiveness (grace) and live a life that honors Him, instead of one that Dis-honors YOU! This bus is going to be leaving soon, don't you want to be on it?