Saturday, December 20, 2008
Random Babbage...this is what my soul says
I want Satan to stop tempting me, I’m on the edge of being happy and joyful and life becoming better, stop trying to make me angry. Stop trying to convince me that people are against me, stop trying to get into my way. Stop trying to convince me that people are insincere and that my Lord is not here with me. Everything is absolutely amazing and God has really given me more than I have ever or will ever deserve so stop trying to convince me otherwise. Lord banish these evil spirits of anger and worry and doubt. Take them away from me, Im crying out on the inside because I see what it is but I feel like its too much for me to bare. I should not feel so distressed when you have given me much to be joyful about. I want to praise you and serve you willingly not with a bitter and restless heart. Lord give me strength, Lord give me faith, Lord give me discernment, Lord give me ficus, Lord give me discipline, lord give me your spirit and give me you! I want to know you, I want to abide in you, I want to love you, I want to follow you, I want your guidance, I want your anointing, I want your path, I want your light, I want your manifestation of the holy spirit inside of me. I want to wear you on my skin. I want to be your child.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Harder than it has to be........
This morning I wake up and realize that I have been a little all over the place with my devotional, and I find that when im all over the place with my devotional my life is all over the place. The same with my tithing and everything else. I believe that I am made from God's image and am an extension of his love and spirit, and since his spirit lives within us, if we are raggedy with the way we devote our lives to him, then we are also neglecting the spirit that lives within us and our lives reflect the neglect. So this morning i'm looking around the net for some new fun and exciting devotionals on friendly Christian websites and I run across a few that turn my stomach and I become sick of Christianity all over again for a few minutes, then I realize, I am not on the other side of the wall judging Christians anymore, I am very much a Christian and I have a responsibility now.
So I prayed God lead me to a devotional, lead me to a place that will enlighten me, and he loudly said "For what, you are enlightened, why don;t you write something to enlighten someone else child!!"
So there that is and here we are. God then told me to pick up his words in the bible and start reading, I no longer need someone else's daily interpretation of the scripture for food, I only need God's truth and it's time for me to pour into someone else with his spiritual enlightenment over his own words, simply dictated by me.
Judges 12:29-39(I urge you to read it yourself)
This is the story of Jephthath, who the Lord helped to defeat the Ammonites. Jephthath was so overjoyed he said to the Lord "Lord, thank you and because you helped me win, I will sacrifice the first thing that comes out of my house." He went home and his daughter was the first thing that comes out of his house, he immediately realizes how stupid he was and now he has to keep his promise and his daughter being the sweetheart she was just told him "Hey a promise is a promise." So he sacrificed his virgin daughter who never married.
Matthew 14:28-31
This is the famous "Peter walks on water" story. This guy sees Jesus in the boat and says, "If it's really you then tell me to come to you and I will walk on water to come to you" Jesus says "Come" Peter starts walking on the water, then gets scared and he sinks. Then Jesus has to save him.
Here is the deal. Why, once we become believers do we feel the need to do selfish great things for God. God wants us to please him not be suck-ups. There is no "teachers pet" in the school of the kingdom. In these stories there are two things in common. 1. God nor Jesus asked either of these men to sacrifice their daughter or walk on water. 2. They both regretted their decision when it came down to crunch time.
I believe that they were trying so hard to show God they believed in him, that they didn't remember that they don't need to prove anything to God, he just wants their love, faith and service, and he already knows when he has it. You live that fully with your life, not by turning back flips, because at the end of the day your back flips didn’t feed homeless children nor did it bring anyone to Christ, nor did it really even please God because it was unnecessary and wasted time, energy and misplaced faith.
In the story of Jephthath, you don't read anything about God's response, this story was completely taken out of the relational element of God and his appointed leader, and completely focused on Jephthath and his daughter, and I believe it's because God was like "I’m not in it" "I didn't ask that man to do that." That man was not happy, his daughter died unmarried, and her friends had to mourn, and after that the bible moves on to another story. It doesn't have that last sentence that says "And God honored and blessed him for life, the end happy happy joy joy" No, God just kept it moving as usual, because this was not a story of obedience to God this was making a cocky promise and having to keep it. God is not like one of those made up god's that the Israelites were worshiping, sacrificing your kid would have made God no different than worshiping Baal, and God was trying to avoid that, but Jephthath was so caught up in that fly flashy style of worship that he brought that over into his relationship with the Lord and he lost his daughter for no reason. God does not need you to repay him, your service is already done by obeying him, then the fruits and blessings of your life are a testament to his love and the work is already done!
In the story of Peter, Jesus only wanted him to believe and obey him, but Peter wanted to test Jesus and do something cool, so Jesus obliged him and I believe it was just to teach him a lesson. The boy had a ridiculously low amount of faith, and Jesus doesn't need to prove anything, but Peter would have continued to test Jesus had he not almost drowned. See Faith is not asking God for a test so you can pass it and prove you have it, faith is living everyday obeying the spirit without any pit stop check ins to see if God is still there with you!! He is, always, and forever, you don't need to check on him, test him or have him test you. So not only did Peter sink when he got scared, but then Jesus fussed at him when he had to come save him. Jesus said "Why did you doubt". I don't believe he was talking about him getting scared and falling in, but from the very beginning, why did you have to even go through all of this to begin with because of your doubt.
Believe me guys, we don’t want to waste our faith and energy on useless made up tests and feats "in the name of God". Trust me the test will come and you don't want to be so insecure because you failed a test you didn't even have to take and you sacrificed something that he wasn't asking you to sacrifice and you sunk to the bottom on a river he didn't ask you to even cross, that you choke when God asks you to pass a test. You need to be living so closely with the Holy Spirit that when that day comes you pass with flying colors because he will carry you over and above that test, because you will have faith because you will know it's his voice calling out the questions and his voice giving you the answers.
Don't make it harder than it has to be!
So I prayed God lead me to a devotional, lead me to a place that will enlighten me, and he loudly said "For what, you are enlightened, why don;t you write something to enlighten someone else child!!"
So there that is and here we are. God then told me to pick up his words in the bible and start reading, I no longer need someone else's daily interpretation of the scripture for food, I only need God's truth and it's time for me to pour into someone else with his spiritual enlightenment over his own words, simply dictated by me.
Judges 12:29-39(I urge you to read it yourself)
This is the story of Jephthath, who the Lord helped to defeat the Ammonites. Jephthath was so overjoyed he said to the Lord "Lord, thank you and because you helped me win, I will sacrifice the first thing that comes out of my house." He went home and his daughter was the first thing that comes out of his house, he immediately realizes how stupid he was and now he has to keep his promise and his daughter being the sweetheart she was just told him "Hey a promise is a promise." So he sacrificed his virgin daughter who never married.
Matthew 14:28-31
This is the famous "Peter walks on water" story. This guy sees Jesus in the boat and says, "If it's really you then tell me to come to you and I will walk on water to come to you" Jesus says "Come" Peter starts walking on the water, then gets scared and he sinks. Then Jesus has to save him.
Here is the deal. Why, once we become believers do we feel the need to do selfish great things for God. God wants us to please him not be suck-ups. There is no "teachers pet" in the school of the kingdom. In these stories there are two things in common. 1. God nor Jesus asked either of these men to sacrifice their daughter or walk on water. 2. They both regretted their decision when it came down to crunch time.
I believe that they were trying so hard to show God they believed in him, that they didn't remember that they don't need to prove anything to God, he just wants their love, faith and service, and he already knows when he has it. You live that fully with your life, not by turning back flips, because at the end of the day your back flips didn’t feed homeless children nor did it bring anyone to Christ, nor did it really even please God because it was unnecessary and wasted time, energy and misplaced faith.
In the story of Jephthath, you don't read anything about God's response, this story was completely taken out of the relational element of God and his appointed leader, and completely focused on Jephthath and his daughter, and I believe it's because God was like "I’m not in it" "I didn't ask that man to do that." That man was not happy, his daughter died unmarried, and her friends had to mourn, and after that the bible moves on to another story. It doesn't have that last sentence that says "And God honored and blessed him for life, the end happy happy joy joy" No, God just kept it moving as usual, because this was not a story of obedience to God this was making a cocky promise and having to keep it. God is not like one of those made up god's that the Israelites were worshiping, sacrificing your kid would have made God no different than worshiping Baal, and God was trying to avoid that, but Jephthath was so caught up in that fly flashy style of worship that he brought that over into his relationship with the Lord and he lost his daughter for no reason. God does not need you to repay him, your service is already done by obeying him, then the fruits and blessings of your life are a testament to his love and the work is already done!
In the story of Peter, Jesus only wanted him to believe and obey him, but Peter wanted to test Jesus and do something cool, so Jesus obliged him and I believe it was just to teach him a lesson. The boy had a ridiculously low amount of faith, and Jesus doesn't need to prove anything, but Peter would have continued to test Jesus had he not almost drowned. See Faith is not asking God for a test so you can pass it and prove you have it, faith is living everyday obeying the spirit without any pit stop check ins to see if God is still there with you!! He is, always, and forever, you don't need to check on him, test him or have him test you. So not only did Peter sink when he got scared, but then Jesus fussed at him when he had to come save him. Jesus said "Why did you doubt". I don't believe he was talking about him getting scared and falling in, but from the very beginning, why did you have to even go through all of this to begin with because of your doubt.
Believe me guys, we don’t want to waste our faith and energy on useless made up tests and feats "in the name of God". Trust me the test will come and you don't want to be so insecure because you failed a test you didn't even have to take and you sacrificed something that he wasn't asking you to sacrifice and you sunk to the bottom on a river he didn't ask you to even cross, that you choke when God asks you to pass a test. You need to be living so closely with the Holy Spirit that when that day comes you pass with flying colors because he will carry you over and above that test, because you will have faith because you will know it's his voice calling out the questions and his voice giving you the answers.
Don't make it harder than it has to be!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Mirror to God
I am feeding off this sick and twisted, masochistic feeling of liking this...
Self inflicted cuts and bruises scars and scrapes and burns.
Soul Damage
He knows how to rake me in and tell me that I love every minute
That's how I know that I'm alive.
But my keeper weeps and heals me with his tears
He carries me and he calms all my fears
He loves despite and he's the only one that can
Cuz he's perfect and he is not a man
My keeper cries and I try hard to understand
Why do I lie to myself and unto him
Why do I try so hard to map out my own plan
When his is so perfect…and he is not a man.
I am living off this self indulgent expose' of what I call a testimony
I genuinely cannot find that bold and bright invisible line of what's the truth And all his lies
When comes the time to disconnect and feel far from God but in his respect
Im closer than ever before I
know my keeper knows what's best and I should listen
But I fear that what I hear sometimes is not him
And if I'm his only then the voice I hear should be distinctly his
Cuz it's perfect and it sounds not like a man
My keeper screams at a pitch that could break this mirror
But I keep looking into it although it distorts my figure
I just want something with texture to hold on to just to know you
Cuz you're perfect, and I want to feel you
Self inflicted cuts and bruises scars and scrapes and burns.
Soul Damage
He knows how to rake me in and tell me that I love every minute
That's how I know that I'm alive.
But my keeper weeps and heals me with his tears
He carries me and he calms all my fears
He loves despite and he's the only one that can
Cuz he's perfect and he is not a man
My keeper cries and I try hard to understand
Why do I lie to myself and unto him
Why do I try so hard to map out my own plan
When his is so perfect…and he is not a man.
I am living off this self indulgent expose' of what I call a testimony
I genuinely cannot find that bold and bright invisible line of what's the truth And all his lies
When comes the time to disconnect and feel far from God but in his respect
Im closer than ever before I
know my keeper knows what's best and I should listen
But I fear that what I hear sometimes is not him
And if I'm his only then the voice I hear should be distinctly his
Cuz it's perfect and it sounds not like a man
My keeper screams at a pitch that could break this mirror
But I keep looking into it although it distorts my figure
I just want something with texture to hold on to just to know you
Cuz you're perfect, and I want to feel you
Friday, September 19, 2008
Conditional Service (VIP please read all AM community)
I've been a little impatient, as I have been feeling like God has been keeping me in the wings with nothing to write about. He never fails however, and the holy spirit has touched me again!
As you all know Hurricane Ike was a catastrophe and an opportunity, We as a community have the chance to actually serve the community we rep so hard with our movement. Praise God for that! As we scour the community for families in need and damaged homes, I notice that we have not crossed to the "other side" of Elgin. The side that's not surrounded by row houses that have been turned into masterpieces of art and the refreshing sounds of TSU students warming up their instruments during band practice and music classes. The side of 3rd ward that is not dominated by beautiful black activists who eat strict vegan diets and rock the au naturale hair do's. We have failed to cross behind emancipation park and walk right into the den of needles and demons. What we so politely call "questionable activity".
We so conveniently quote parts of the bible that say serve with an open heart and ask the good Lord for "wisdom", and it would be "wise" to not venture onto uncharted waters without superman and a couple of bullet proof vests. Well unless superman and those vests are available right now, the kingdom just does not have time to wait on us to feel safe by the power of man, and if we truly believe in the power of the Lord, then we know he will be there regardless of any tangible manifestations of protection that we can possibly rustle up for ourselves.
Let us explore this scripture, Psalms 91: 1-16. (well parts of it, because it's long so feel free to read it for yourself)
V1-2 Those who go to God most high for safety will be protected by the almighty, I will say to the Lord, "you are my place of safety and protection. You are my God and I trust you."
Do we really? or do we trust him enough to go where we are comfortable enough to know we are safe no matter what, but it looks risky enough to continue to tell people to leave their comfort zones without looking like complete hypocrites.
v4-5- His truth will be your shield and protection, you will not fear any danger by night or an arrow by day.
This means that we have nothing to fear of any "questionable activity". It's there and that's what needs to be saved. I know this seems lofty guys but seriously, we can't let Hell roam the community because we don't have even a mustard seed of enough faith to move it!
v 7- At your side one thousand people may die, or even ten thousand right beside you, but you will not be hurt.
This, my family, is a promise from God and if we are seeking purity in Jesus, God will keep his promises. We sing this every 3 or 4 Sunday's "God keeps his promises....God is not a man...you know he's got your back" We sing it alright, but do we believe it?
Man I could keep going, but it just keeps affirming and reaffirming that God will protect us. Of course only if we are living in his word and loving him and affectionately praising him and trusting him whole-heartedly will we really see the benefits. So yes for those of US who are not taking our impact manifestos seriously and are not seeking purity and looking to God and running from sin, I guess we might still have a little fear, because we haven't flushed the fear away, and fear gets us into trouble, not out of it. We can't afford to have fear where we are going, because if you haven't realized it from the wake of this catastrophe and from Marlon's sermon that sparked the impact manifesto movement, God is calling us out of the pretty artsy world that makes us different and comfortable and calling us to reform the world that Satan has turned from cinema to a porno, from a comic book of heroes that save the minor mishaps every chapter to a graphic novel of death and destruction, from art to graffiti, from friends and families to enemies. We are going to be sent deeper into the world, and sent there to change it. Are we ready?
If anyone would like serving to be the excuse for not having to live life in mediocrity and not continue to use living a meteocre life as an excuse to not serve,and if you are tired of our community being in purgatory, I mean it ain't hell but it definitely ain't the kingdom, please email me. I could use a few people who are down for the cause to cowboy up, strap on the faith and ride out to the other side of Elgin and assess some damages with our wonderful community architect Danielle Ewing and I. Or contact Erika Swanson if you would like to make some phone calls to check on our AM family, because compassion and love is risky business as well. Let's get it done guys!
I suggest reading the Barbarian Way by Erwin Mcmanus if you need a little kick in the pants.
As you all know Hurricane Ike was a catastrophe and an opportunity, We as a community have the chance to actually serve the community we rep so hard with our movement. Praise God for that! As we scour the community for families in need and damaged homes, I notice that we have not crossed to the "other side" of Elgin. The side that's not surrounded by row houses that have been turned into masterpieces of art and the refreshing sounds of TSU students warming up their instruments during band practice and music classes. The side of 3rd ward that is not dominated by beautiful black activists who eat strict vegan diets and rock the au naturale hair do's. We have failed to cross behind emancipation park and walk right into the den of needles and demons. What we so politely call "questionable activity".
We so conveniently quote parts of the bible that say serve with an open heart and ask the good Lord for "wisdom", and it would be "wise" to not venture onto uncharted waters without superman and a couple of bullet proof vests. Well unless superman and those vests are available right now, the kingdom just does not have time to wait on us to feel safe by the power of man, and if we truly believe in the power of the Lord, then we know he will be there regardless of any tangible manifestations of protection that we can possibly rustle up for ourselves.
Let us explore this scripture, Psalms 91: 1-16. (well parts of it, because it's long so feel free to read it for yourself)
V1-2 Those who go to God most high for safety will be protected by the almighty, I will say to the Lord, "you are my place of safety and protection. You are my God and I trust you."
Do we really? or do we trust him enough to go where we are comfortable enough to know we are safe no matter what, but it looks risky enough to continue to tell people to leave their comfort zones without looking like complete hypocrites.
v4-5- His truth will be your shield and protection, you will not fear any danger by night or an arrow by day.
This means that we have nothing to fear of any "questionable activity". It's there and that's what needs to be saved. I know this seems lofty guys but seriously, we can't let Hell roam the community because we don't have even a mustard seed of enough faith to move it!
v 7- At your side one thousand people may die, or even ten thousand right beside you, but you will not be hurt.
This, my family, is a promise from God and if we are seeking purity in Jesus, God will keep his promises. We sing this every 3 or 4 Sunday's "God keeps his promises....God is not a man...you know he's got your back" We sing it alright, but do we believe it?
Man I could keep going, but it just keeps affirming and reaffirming that God will protect us. Of course only if we are living in his word and loving him and affectionately praising him and trusting him whole-heartedly will we really see the benefits. So yes for those of US who are not taking our impact manifestos seriously and are not seeking purity and looking to God and running from sin, I guess we might still have a little fear, because we haven't flushed the fear away, and fear gets us into trouble, not out of it. We can't afford to have fear where we are going, because if you haven't realized it from the wake of this catastrophe and from Marlon's sermon that sparked the impact manifesto movement, God is calling us out of the pretty artsy world that makes us different and comfortable and calling us to reform the world that Satan has turned from cinema to a porno, from a comic book of heroes that save the minor mishaps every chapter to a graphic novel of death and destruction, from art to graffiti, from friends and families to enemies. We are going to be sent deeper into the world, and sent there to change it. Are we ready?
If anyone would like serving to be the excuse for not having to live life in mediocrity and not continue to use living a meteocre life as an excuse to not serve,and if you are tired of our community being in purgatory, I mean it ain't hell but it definitely ain't the kingdom, please email me. I could use a few people who are down for the cause to cowboy up, strap on the faith and ride out to the other side of Elgin and assess some damages with our wonderful community architect Danielle Ewing and I. Or contact Erika Swanson if you would like to make some phone calls to check on our AM family, because compassion and love is risky business as well. Let's get it done guys!
I suggest reading the Barbarian Way by Erwin Mcmanus if you need a little kick in the pants.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Sorting it Out!
We were asked to think of the darkest an most chaotic place or places in our lives. What do you do when it's your own mind. When throughout your life Satan has used your own brain to block out what God has to say. I am fighting......fighting! Fighting to get out of my head and into the spirit and just go. I am fighting! Fighting to know who God is and who God is in me.
I had a genuine moment last night where I felt deep in my heart, that God was sad, sad because I just didn't get what he was trying to do in my life, sad because I was sad listening to the devil throw more lies to me. Lies about who he wants me to believe I am and who he wants me to believe I'm not. Lies about the life God wants to give me, Lies about my purpose, Lies about my needs, Lies about my talent, lies lies lies. I am fighting....fighting! Unfortunately I'm so blind sometimes I don't know who I am fighting, am I fighting hell or am I fighting with God. I'm just swinging wildly trying to release myself from this bondage of thought and in the process sometimes I'm hurting something that God is putting in me.
I want to die to myself so bad and just say God take it all, all of it, everything, leave me empty and fill me back up again, because last time I emptied I allowed some impurities to seep back in during the refill! This time it's difficult, because I don't know what's not supposed to be there.
I'm fighting to write this blog, Satan at this very moment in causing cramps in my hands and my head to throb to where I can barely see straight. I'm crying and uncomfortable and i'm distracted by random pains. ALL LIES!! It's just an attack, because i'm discerning the truth as I write.
The truth is that God made me strong, he made me moldable, and flexible so that I can adapt and rise to the occasion. God did not make me irresponsible and flighty and numb. God made me relatable and open to be a vessel for people to pour into and a spring for people to drink from. He did not make me a void-filler. God made me sensitive, so that I can feel everything and really understand life in it's entirety, he did not make me weak. God made me appreciate humor in all situations so that I can keep my head up and enjoy my growth, He did not make me guarded and sarcastic, and mean! God gave me the gift to love and connect with people, he did not make me co-dependent. God made me observant so that I can have compassion he did not make me judgmental!! God made me multi-faceted, so that I can comfortably speak to all kinds of people and find a common ground with anyone, because God made me to affect change in all people.
I will not apologize for being able to adapt and move and stay strong and relate and love. I will not shut down who i am and stick a big "under construction" sign on my forhead to ward people off while I "figure it out" I will continue to be who God made and let Satan whine and cry in the background all he wants. My purpose and focus is to please God, not by making some wild exclamation but by living in worship! Let my day be a testament of God's love from me waking up in the morning to smiling politely and speaking sweetly to a neighbor. God just free me from this bondage to my mind, and let me live in your spirit.
I'm out!
Cherbear!
I had a genuine moment last night where I felt deep in my heart, that God was sad, sad because I just didn't get what he was trying to do in my life, sad because I was sad listening to the devil throw more lies to me. Lies about who he wants me to believe I am and who he wants me to believe I'm not. Lies about the life God wants to give me, Lies about my purpose, Lies about my needs, Lies about my talent, lies lies lies. I am fighting....fighting! Unfortunately I'm so blind sometimes I don't know who I am fighting, am I fighting hell or am I fighting with God. I'm just swinging wildly trying to release myself from this bondage of thought and in the process sometimes I'm hurting something that God is putting in me.
I want to die to myself so bad and just say God take it all, all of it, everything, leave me empty and fill me back up again, because last time I emptied I allowed some impurities to seep back in during the refill! This time it's difficult, because I don't know what's not supposed to be there.
I'm fighting to write this blog, Satan at this very moment in causing cramps in my hands and my head to throb to where I can barely see straight. I'm crying and uncomfortable and i'm distracted by random pains. ALL LIES!! It's just an attack, because i'm discerning the truth as I write.
The truth is that God made me strong, he made me moldable, and flexible so that I can adapt and rise to the occasion. God did not make me irresponsible and flighty and numb. God made me relatable and open to be a vessel for people to pour into and a spring for people to drink from. He did not make me a void-filler. God made me sensitive, so that I can feel everything and really understand life in it's entirety, he did not make me weak. God made me appreciate humor in all situations so that I can keep my head up and enjoy my growth, He did not make me guarded and sarcastic, and mean! God gave me the gift to love and connect with people, he did not make me co-dependent. God made me observant so that I can have compassion he did not make me judgmental!! God made me multi-faceted, so that I can comfortably speak to all kinds of people and find a common ground with anyone, because God made me to affect change in all people.
I will not apologize for being able to adapt and move and stay strong and relate and love. I will not shut down who i am and stick a big "under construction" sign on my forhead to ward people off while I "figure it out" I will continue to be who God made and let Satan whine and cry in the background all he wants. My purpose and focus is to please God, not by making some wild exclamation but by living in worship! Let my day be a testament of God's love from me waking up in the morning to smiling politely and speaking sweetly to a neighbor. God just free me from this bondage to my mind, and let me live in your spirit.
I'm out!
Cherbear!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Standing at the crossroads.(How to follow God's will)
Jeremiah 6:16 says, "And the Lord says, Stand at the place where the roads cross, ask where the old way is and ask where the good way is and walk it. If you walk the good way you will find rest for yourselves."
For anyone like myself that is constantly asking "How do you hear God?" or "How do I know what God's will for my life is?" or "How do I know what God wants me to do in this situation?" The answer is right there in Jeremiah 6:16. Just ask him what the old way is and what's the good way and take the good way.
The road we are walking as Christians is not a highway my friends, this is a straight up neighborhood with cross streets every 1/4th of a mile or so. It's like traveling downtown, and you have to stay on Main ST. the whole time. You can't get tempted to go down Travis. And it's difficult because sometimes it seems like it's so many gray areas. This is where that scripture comes in handy.
For all those like myself who are fairly new to this completely dedicated way of following Christ, and which most of us are, because even those of us who were raised in the church, have lived a life completely opposite of the life God has wanted for us, so we are fairly new to intentionally attempting to do this the right way. So again for all of you who are like myself and new in this whole situation, you will start to notice that God will spin your life into reverse cycles, and give you a chance to be in similar situations but make better choices and decisions. Look at your situation that you are in right now, and examine the patterns. I guarantee it looks very excruciatingly similar to one or more previous situations.
Then ask God, "Lord what is the old way, how did I handle this in the past, what choice would I have made before knowing you?" After that the answer should be obvious, run straight and do the complete opposite of what you did before, because if the situation is coming up again in your life, it's probably because you did not do it right the first time. Think about it. These patterns happen in our lives because we don't really learn our lessons, our hearts have to change after a situation, not just our minds. If your heart changes you won't let that pattern come up again because you will be in a place where that pattern is not.
Guys and Dolls, if you are constantly creating the same types of friendships or relationships with people, you will end up at some point at a crossroads similar to ones before where you have to make a decision that will change things and it will be so uncomfortable, or leave things as is, which will be comfortable for the time being, but it will be one plush walk straight to the torture chamber.
If your affinity for money keeps bringing you into similar situations where you will ultimately have to make high risk decisions that seem to be unstable or unethical for instant gratification, you might want to choose the path that you would not have chosen before. You know the one that doesn't get you caught in a a get rich quick scheme that leaves you and your family in debt. Or the one that doesn't involve you sitting at a slot machine feeding your cash into a metal box.
If your horrible communication skills and guarded heart causes you to ruin potentially great friendships and relationships, and you are brought to the same crossroads where it's either talk it out with complete honesty or allow preconceived notions to affect your actions, then choose the opposite of what you would normally do and watch your life blossom
Or the opposite, if you are like me you wear your heart on your sleeves and feed your emotions out like an ATM. Try turning it over to God and allowing him to work things out and change hearts, don't try to throw a curve ball at people with your honesty with the intentions of manipulating situations based off of your emotions.
Well good kind people I'm out, gotta make the choice to have a productive day!!
Cherbear
For anyone like myself that is constantly asking "How do you hear God?" or "How do I know what God's will for my life is?" or "How do I know what God wants me to do in this situation?" The answer is right there in Jeremiah 6:16. Just ask him what the old way is and what's the good way and take the good way.
The road we are walking as Christians is not a highway my friends, this is a straight up neighborhood with cross streets every 1/4th of a mile or so. It's like traveling downtown, and you have to stay on Main ST. the whole time. You can't get tempted to go down Travis. And it's difficult because sometimes it seems like it's so many gray areas. This is where that scripture comes in handy.
For all those like myself who are fairly new to this completely dedicated way of following Christ, and which most of us are, because even those of us who were raised in the church, have lived a life completely opposite of the life God has wanted for us, so we are fairly new to intentionally attempting to do this the right way. So again for all of you who are like myself and new in this whole situation, you will start to notice that God will spin your life into reverse cycles, and give you a chance to be in similar situations but make better choices and decisions. Look at your situation that you are in right now, and examine the patterns. I guarantee it looks very excruciatingly similar to one or more previous situations.
Then ask God, "Lord what is the old way, how did I handle this in the past, what choice would I have made before knowing you?" After that the answer should be obvious, run straight and do the complete opposite of what you did before, because if the situation is coming up again in your life, it's probably because you did not do it right the first time. Think about it. These patterns happen in our lives because we don't really learn our lessons, our hearts have to change after a situation, not just our minds. If your heart changes you won't let that pattern come up again because you will be in a place where that pattern is not.
Guys and Dolls, if you are constantly creating the same types of friendships or relationships with people, you will end up at some point at a crossroads similar to ones before where you have to make a decision that will change things and it will be so uncomfortable, or leave things as is, which will be comfortable for the time being, but it will be one plush walk straight to the torture chamber.
If your affinity for money keeps bringing you into similar situations where you will ultimately have to make high risk decisions that seem to be unstable or unethical for instant gratification, you might want to choose the path that you would not have chosen before. You know the one that doesn't get you caught in a a get rich quick scheme that leaves you and your family in debt. Or the one that doesn't involve you sitting at a slot machine feeding your cash into a metal box.
If your horrible communication skills and guarded heart causes you to ruin potentially great friendships and relationships, and you are brought to the same crossroads where it's either talk it out with complete honesty or allow preconceived notions to affect your actions, then choose the opposite of what you would normally do and watch your life blossom
Or the opposite, if you are like me you wear your heart on your sleeves and feed your emotions out like an ATM. Try turning it over to God and allowing him to work things out and change hearts, don't try to throw a curve ball at people with your honesty with the intentions of manipulating situations based off of your emotions.
Well good kind people I'm out, gotta make the choice to have a productive day!!
Cherbear
Thursday, August 7, 2008
He who finds a virtuous woman!!
Hey all, I know that it has been a while, but I write when God moves, it has nothing to do with me. I would rather write everyday and while God is apparent in my life everyday, he does not ask me to journal and blog to you everyday. I obey when I am sure he is sending a message.
First, this was inspired by 3 things 2 of which are coincidental, one of which did not apply until after the 2 coincidences brought these truths together. A few days ago, a friend and I were having a conversation about ending consecrations and what is to come after. I voiced my thoughts that I had previous to my growth. I thought I would end up in a previous situation again after I got it right with the LORD!! Yes Yes! Well my friend did not hestitate to voice their opinion. "I do not understand, you ladies are amazing women, but these "dudes" you guys choose, I don't get it. I have to believe it's just something that i can't see!"
I thought about it for a second, and then responded with this," After each relationship you enter without God, you lose a few more standards and you gain a few more insecurities. After a while your prefences are shot to hell and by then you just want a nice guy, a guy that was better than the last." Well that happened and the conversation ceased. However I have to reopen the case for discussion.
Second, a few days before that I stayed home one evening to read Proverbs 31, the famous "Virtuous Woman". I decided to study this and apply. Well shortly after My wonderful discipler said "Noooo don't do that, this book I am having you guys read is about it, it's sheds a light on it, so you won;t feel overwhelmed." So I obtained the booklet and started working on it. Well this very morning I started with Day 2, and it taught me that we should not remember and dwell on our sins, forget the past and move forward, the truth is that we are virtuous women, and the lies are that we must live in guilt and condemnation." We should not let Satan make us live in failure and shortcomings everyday, we just have to pick ourselves up and say "Hey I am a virtuous woman, thank you Lord for forgiving me and now I have to see myself as you see me and keep it moving."
Now they all come together.
Dear Friend,
The reason we as human beings end up in relationships that are not befitting of who we are in Christ is because we don't see ourselves as who we are in Christ. We live in the guilt and condemnation of our past relationships and we see ourselves as the mutated souls that appear in the mirrors that Satan holds up to us. We compare our choices to the last choice instead of comparing our choices to who God is and who we are in God. Everytime something fails we should look to the next opportunity in comparison to Jesus. We are righteous in the blood of our saviour. The truth is we are shopping for better threads in the same thrift store when God wants to give us the finest materials from the finest shops. (No disrespect to thrift stores, this is completely analogical, I looove Buffalo Exchange) But I digress. Anyway my friend the truth is we choose based off of what we think we deserve based on our past failures when God wants to give us BETTER and MORE than we deserve based off of who he sees us as in Christ. We just get it wrong and that's the bottom line.We have to live in the kingdom and ditch our own preferences and while God provides choices to us from the kingdom, our only responsibility is to connect with the person that is kindred to us, the person that could very well share the same soul. The person that gets our humor, our personality, our moods, our quirks. But they must come from the kingdom, nothing else will do. We almost must not look at our past or theirs as God has forgiven them and does not see them based on their past shortcomings, and he does not see us that way either. He sees us as virtuous women and men of God, we just need to allow God to bring us the person who sees THEMSELVES that way, then we know we found something. So my dear, insightful friend, the truth is not that we see something that you can't see, you see us in truth while we see ourselves in lies. You see us as virtuous women, and we ouselves in the mirror that Satan puts in front of us. You see that we can have much better choices, and we choose to make choices that are just a little bit better than the last, which always leaves us in a grave of condemnation and shame. Thank you for playing your part in God's message as the missionary that you are!
In Love Cherbear!
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