FINISHED

2007-09-10T15:04:00.000-07:00

Please click here for my current on-line journal.
Thanks!

Still Here...(kinda, for now).

2007-08-30T15:21:00.000-07:00

...But, as you may or may not know, I am in transition, moving to Wordpress.

Check it out.

Oohh, Oooh!!! Me! Me!

2007-08-27T13:41:00.000-07:00

Well, brother Mikey tagged me with one of these meme things...so...

Here it goes..

Here are the guidelines for this MEME:

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“1. Apologize for three things that Christians have often got wrong. Your apologies should be directed towards those who don’t view themselves as part of the Christian community. Alternatively, apologize for things you personally have done wrong towards those outside of the church.
2. Post a comment at the originating post so others can keep track of the apologies.3. Tag five people to participate in the meme.

4. If desired, send an email with the link to your blog post at the Christians Confess site, giving permission for your apologies to be added to the website.”

5. If you don't mind, leave a comment here to let us know about your post!!

Thank You!!

*************************************************************************************

(Although I offer this apology predominately to those who do not know Jesus, I also offer it to those that I'm just not quite certain about as well...maybe 'former' Christians, or 'almost near' believers.)

As a representative of Jesus Christ, on behalf of myself and my entire Christian Family, I apologize for,

a) TBN (in general). Although a good friend of mine has rightly described it as being an expression of 'religious comedy'.

b) The fact that I would ever expect you to be a part of 'Christianity' while us Christians really just seem to talk a lot about everything, without ever really doing much of anything (Oh. Except for bible reading, going to 'church', and, uhhh..., I dunno..., how about driving around in our nice new cars while you are in despair and going hungry. (Oooohhhh. Does that one sting!?)

c) All of our ridiculous antics geared at trying to convince you of anything, while all along Jesus said quite simply that you would know us by our love for one another.

Okay...now a word to all.

These answers of mine are based on the rule rather than the exception. Fact is, most folks that I would consider to be closest of 'kin' fall under the category of 'exception'.

Now.

Who do I tag?

Hmmmmm.

How about...

Scott

Richard

Steve

Cheryl

Kim

On 'Church'

2007-08-25T15:30:00.000-07:00

So...

What are my issues with 'church'?

Good question.

Let me start by saying to everyone that we all are wherever we are for whatever reason we are there.

Some of us find ourselves gathered with two, five or twenty others in living rooms in the suburbs, some are in gigantic stone architectural masterpieces with stained glass window.

Some folks meet in strip malls, apartment buildings, trailer parks, warehouses, city parks, local pubs..., and the list goes on and on.

To me, location or physical building structure are not an issue.

I am no longer troubled with the pagan origins of the steepled houses, or pulpits.
The fact that the protestant order of worship has it's basic roots in the catholic mass (which actually grew out of ancient judaism and paganism) no longer troubles my soul the way it used to.

If we really wanted to abandon the "pagan" elements in our lives, we would certainly have our work cut out for us.

For one, the standard calendar would have to go.
Do you realize the implications of that?

If the Lord moved me to go that way, I think that I would at least try (with His empowerment, of course), but He is not.

Thats just the tip of the iceberg.

If you want to know more about this sort of thing, a good start would be by checking out this website.

I'm glad I did, but I'm not stuck there.

For the sake of not being at this desk for the next ten or twelve hours, I'm just going to say that my issues with 'church' in general (while maybe not with your church), are more about the fact that the Lords people are not free to express themselves during the corporate assembly.

One man speaks, while the many listen.

This way of 'doing church' cannot be found in the new testament scriptures.

One man is not supposed to have that kind of control.
Possibly even more importantly, no one man is supposed to carry that kind of burden!!!!!

No matter how sincere and well meaning he may be.

{I take that back. There is One Man...
One New Man.}

The Lord is sovereign, and He can certainly utilize this kind of activity, but I tell you the truth;
this is not the way set forth in scripture.

Now...

I don't live by the scripture, but by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
That may stumble some of you, but, one day you will see for yourselves.

The scriptures point to Christ.

This conviction about 'church as usual' has been with me as far back as I can remember...way before I ever found it in the scripture or before I read about it anywhere else.

I am not against message meetings per se.
I am not against giving one man the floor for a while, to hear him out, and allow him to express his heart and his word of the Lord, but this should not be the continous experience of the church meeting.

I do not condemn or think less of anyone for doing what they think they should be doing.
That is what we all do (I hope).

Ironically, here is a recent post from a dear sister whom I find is frequently tuned in to the same 'frequency' as myself (it's kind of spooky sometimes, but neato!).

Anyway...
I hope this brings a little more clarity as to why I am where I am.

Peace in Christ.

A Contrast in Spirits.

2007-08-21T15:33:00.000-07:00

When things get quiet around here, I can't help but wonder if I scared everybody off.
I hope not.

Either way, I must preach the Gospel.

'All that I have today' is a little nugget.
BUT WHAT A NUGGET IT IS!!!

I would just like for you to notice this one word.

"again".

In context, Paul is differentiating between the old covenant and the New:

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."

Now.
Who are the sons again?

Those who are what?

And what spirit have we not received?

To what?

And which Spirit have we received?

Now.
If you have no idea what any of this means....
please leave a comment letting me know....
I'd just love to help you out.

If you do know what this means, how about an amen or two.

C'mon.
Don't be afraid!!!!

On How Not to Devour One Another

2007-08-18T07:10:00.000-07:00

Well, over the last couple of weeks, I have written a little bit about the practical outworking of the inner life.

Now I would like to share a bit about something else the Lord is showing me in my personal walk with Him.

Among many, many areas of fault and weakness, the one that He is exposing most definitely to me is in the area of back biting.

You didn't think that I was above that, did you?

This is something that has always been so easy for me to see in others.
I remember a certain job that I had several years ago where the back biting was rampant.
No matter what combination of co-workers I found myself gathered with, there was always talk behind the backs of whoever wasn't present.

Isn't that horrible?

For the first year or two, I did not speak much (at all, to anyone there).
I was very quiet.
After while, I began to 'go with the flow'.
What a mistake that was.

It's not that I didn't already know how to back bite, it's just that it wasn't a common practice for me.

Before I go on here, I would like to say that I do believe that there is a place for seeking private counsel about a situation or a relationship, and I believe that there is room for speaking about things in confidence.
However, those conversations should never take the form of "secret attacks".

This reveals so much about what is going on in the heart.

It's not that our redeemed hearts are bad, it is that there is still something dark going on inside of them. Something that needs to be dealt with and kept in order.

We do not deal with that thing, but we allow our 'resident boss', as Watchman Nee has referred to Him, to deal with it.
In this process, the Spirit reveals an issue with His light, makes us aware, we acknowledge and apply the priestly work of the Lord Jesus.

His blood has covered the offense and we reckon the old man dead on the cross, thus allowing us to walk free in His victory.

I could see how some could read the last few posts that I've written and conclude that I have a perfectionists concept of the Christian life.
This is not true.

I have a perception of Jesus Christ, and I believe in who He is, what He has done, and what that means to God and Man.
That's all.

So getting back to my thought...

No, I am not at all 'walking on eggshells' before the Lord.
Instead I am learning to walk in the Spirit and to be sensitive to His leading and His work.

Jesus said that when we have been offended by someone that we should go to them first, not to someone else.
This requires courage and honesty.
The way I see it is that it requires Jesus Christ.

Lord, we have no fear when our eyes are set on you. You are our patience when we would rather take offense.
You are our peace when we would rather stage a attack, and you are our courage in the face of the enemy.
You are our wisdom when we are found to be foolish.

So be it, Lord.

Have a wonderful day!

Everything Must Change

2007-08-14T18:11:00.000-07:00

I'm just sitting here, mulling over some things that Brian McLaren wrote about in his new book, Everything Must Change.

I'm only into the second chapter, but am nonetheless stirred a bit by something that he has touched on...

The Kingdom of God.

There is so much that could be (and has been, and will be) said about this, but currently, I am looking at the fact that so many Christian people are preoccupied merely with the message of getting saved and not going to hell, that they have almost completely overlooked the message of the Kingdom of God.

Jesus preached the Kingdom more than anything else.

I just don't understand the "Christ centered escapism" mentality anymore.
Maybe it's because my life is "too good" for me to want to be such an escapist.
I dunno.

I can hear it now, "But,...'Whoever loves their own life shall lose it...' " etc, etc..
I'm not discounting that, not one bit.
I understand all of that and have been through that and even continue to see that.
However, there is a distinction between what "my own life" is and HIS LIFE which is credited to my account!

Now, I love His Life, which is in me.

It is a Life of wisdom.
It is a righteous Life.
It is a sanctified Life.
It is redemption.

Do you believe these things about yourself, dear Christian?
Scripture says it to be true.

Wanna know where?
You'll have to find it for yourself!

hint: I blogged about it recently ;-)

Since this IS true, what should that mean for us now, and for "the world" in which we find ourselves?

Admittedly, I'm not really in the reading mood lately, and quite honestly, over the last three years, I have grown tired of feeding my soul with book after book on the newest and hottest, or the oldest and truest.

I'm trying to figure out just how many books a Christian must read in order to 'get it' !!
According to what is out there, it must be a lot, and whatever 'it' is, 'it' seems to metamorphose from time to time.

No, I'm not anti-book.
Yes, I like to read, but I think I understand what C.S. Lewis had to say about books in Shadowlands;

"I read to know that I'm not alone".

Okay, I can settle with that.

So Brian, you are not alone brother, and thank God, neither am I.
I think Jesus would agree with you, Brian...
Everything must change.

Higher Ground Needs Mowing Too...

2007-08-12T18:42:00.000-07:00

Recently a dear Sister encouraged me with the following:

"... May God's Spirit take you to higher ground in Christ - to a place where computers don't exist -a place where love abounds above all else - a place of complete oneness with Christ!

And, then, please share with us what that was like!!!"

This was written shortly after I had expressed my desire (put into me by the Lord) to cut back on my "I" (Internet) time.

So, how could I ever share what "that" has been like?

Let me first use a few describing words that may capture the experience.

Suffering.
Peace.
Temptation.
Victory.
Peace.
Righteousness.
Satisfaction.

Do you get it?
I probably wouldn't if I were on the other end of this monitor.

Now let me get down to the practical outworking of what the experience has been like so far.

It was a little strange operating outside of a pattern that I had gotten so accustomed to.
I suffered the great pains of just not being able to do what I had gotten so comfortable doing.
Not exactly a crucifixion but, hey..., I am in America, right?

After denying the desire to break the rule that was set in my heart, I went about taking care of things that needed to be done.

At work, this meant fewer interruptions from doing my job(s).
I accomplished more for the company I work for, I found satisfaction in that and the day moved along quite nicely.

At home, this meant that I spent more time with my kids.
It takes time to get to know someone (anyone), and to know is to understand.
How can I be a father if I do not spend time with my children?
They need to not only be fed and sheltered, but they also need to be nourished, disciplined, and taught.
This takes both time and energy, and it requires that I BE THERE, not just in the physical, but spiritually and mentally as well.

What can I say about victory?
I overcame the temptations by His power and not mine.
How do I know it was His power and not mine?
Because "I" wanted to get online and hit the www, but it was HIM in me that caused me to will and perform the desire He put on my heart.

I just know.

We always find peace after performing the will of God.
Simple.

What could have possibly given me a sense of being righteous in all of this?
Let me give you one simple example.

My four year old little girl has a little sandbox in the backyard.
Well, the grass had grown up so high in the yard, that it became a welcome environment for all kinds of creepy crawling critters.

Also, my wife lives here too.
Even though she doesn't mention it much, she, naturally, likes a pleasant environment. She likes the way it feels when things are tended to and kept up, and it gives her the sense that she doesn't have to do it all herself when I pull my share of the load.

My getting the yard back in shape provided a safer and healthier environment for my family and myself.
The Lord "redeemed" my yard through me.

Righteous!
But not by my works, it was by faith in HIM, which worked itself out in and through me.

This really isn't all that complex, brothers and sisters...
This is just little ole' me with this frail lil' testimony of cleaning up the yard, spending a little more time with the family, finally doing things my wife first asked me to do two years ago (yeah...I didn't tell you about putting up the shelving in the closet, or fixing the "gear changing doo-daddy" on my son's bicycle...).

Now then.
Am I boasting in my works?

I think I have already stated that it was the Lord who put this desire into my heart, and I think that I already declared that "it is Him who causes us to will and to do".

I am boasting of my Lord!!!

Have I gotten my reward already?

I've already mentioned obtaining a sense of peace, victory, righteousness and satisfaction....
I'm not sure if you could call these rewards or not.
Sure seems like it to me, but I can hide these treasures deep within my heart and give praises of thanksgiving to the One from whom these eternal gifts originate.

"... May God's Spirit take you to higher ground in Christ - to a place where computers don't exist -a place where love abounds above all else - a place of complete oneness with Christ!"

I must say, to be sure, that your prayer was answered!
Thanks for the inspiration on this one, Marie.

I would love to hear of your experience as well!!!

He is worthy to be praised!!!

The Transitions in my Life.

2007-08-09T19:41:00.000-07:00

I recently started up my fourth blog.

The first one, "Holy Mendicant", was my first year of journaling, my first experience with a "blog".

I still do not like that term for some reason.
"Blog"
It just sounds... I dunno...

I actually deleted that one.

The second one was "Johnny's Quest" also here on Blogger.

I really need to get around to archiving this journal.

Uhhhh...
Oh, and there is this one, "FINISHED" which I think I will keep online for a while.

Every time I title a blog, I always try to make it relevant to "where I am" in Life.
As I look back at the sequence of my titles, I see changes.

Holy Mendicant
This was during a time in my life when I approached the Lord as a desperate man.
A poor beggar.
I had come to see clearly, my darkness.
This was the beginning and He began to show me His Light.
Through Jesus Christ, this poor beggar was made holy.
Not by my deeds or by my power, but by the saving grace of God's mercy.
Jesus Christ.

I was beginning to really believe the truth during this period of my life.

Johnny's Quest was during a time when I was searching for Christ on one hand while searching for answers to some questions I've had in my mind for some time on the other.
This was a period of exploration and marvel and a definite time of highs and lows.

God's mercy is incredible.
His Love is perfect.

In Finished, I think I am seeing clearly, that to be finished with religion must never equal being finished with Christ Jesus, nor His people.
As of late I have explored conversations with saints of varying backgrounds and who also practice different expressions of their faith, some within the "Institutional Church" and some not.
This blog was started when I decided to cut ties with mans religion.

I have come to realize that it is one thing for a man to remove himself from the religious institutions, but it is an altogether different matter to remove the religious institutions from a man.

It is the latter which is far more important than the former.

I have my convictions about many things, but I must have the grace from the Lord to not condemn anyone for what they do.

I would hope that you would not want to do that to me.

It is EASY to condemn others.
It is not hard to do (even mistakenly).

It is one thing to offend, but it is another thing to condemn.
Think about it.

You can be hurt without actually feeling guilty about it (can't you??).
You might get angry but you do not have to "sin".

BELIEVE ME. I CAN POINT OUT YOUR SIN'S ALL DAY LONG, EVERY DAY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, AND THEN I COULD CALL MYSELF A 'PROPHET' AND FEEL RIGHTEOUS ABOUT THE WHOLE THING.

THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO LIFE AS A BELIEVER.

IF WE SPENT HALF AS MUCH TIME WITH OUR MIND ON THE LORD AND HIS THINGS, AS WE DO WITH OUR MINDS ON THE DEVIL, THE "WORLD", THE FAULTS OF OTHERS, AND OUR OWN FAULTS, WE WOULD BE AN ALTOGETHER TRANSFORMED PEOPLE.

You can point out an error without burdening the person.

"But they need to be burdened, because Jesus was burdened, and we've got to follow..."
I don't argue that, however, I do not believe that it is our job to burden others.
At the same time, we must be free enough from pride to expose our weaknesses to those we trust.

On the flip-side, we must also love one another enough to point out the pepper in one another's teeth.

It is more harmful to just let it go and make someone feel foolish, than to quietly suggest that they have a little speck between the front two.

(I KNOW the "speck and plank" thing, and AMEN!
But there is a difference.
Jesus used the contrast in size; LITTLE speck vs. BIG plank, for a reason...)

It is our NATURE, as the Lords people, to bear one another's burdens.

We all walk in the light we have.That is about all any of us can do, really.
Except for praying for more light...

Phoenix Rising is the newest addition to my personal blog-o-rama.
From what I can tell so far, this one is more about the resurrection Life, but I hope to just be able to express that Life in a very natural way...not just talk about that Life.

Many brothers and sisters are too "humble" to speak of Christ as being their active and working resurrection life.
I prefer to not only boldly come to the throne of grace, but to also boldly sit, walk, and stand in that grace,....because it is not my power, but His.

I think I want to narrow down to just one blog though, rather than trying to maintain three or four.
Phoenix Rising will be my primary spot, but I will continue to post here for a little while longer as well.

The Lord is good, saints.
Let's stop beating ourselves up in hopes of it making us more "holy".
May we receive what the Lord God has to offer us and, in return, not out of debt, but out of DESIRE, may we turn our entire lives over to Him and Him alone.

Jesus Is Lord.

Nuggets From the Other Side of the Pendulm

2007-08-07T14:51:00.000-07:00

"...All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any."

Hmmm.

"...Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart (....), doeth well."

HMMMMMMMM.........

I love this portion of Pauls letter to the church at Corinth:

2007-08-02T19:59:00.000-07:00

"...For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.
But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-- that,

as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord."

Roger Miller ' Where Have All The Average People Gone?'

2007-07-31T13:29:00.001-07:00

(Sighhhh...)

My Take on It

2007-07-30T08:01:00.000-07:00

After hearing the voices of the saints, and comparing them with my own heart and spirit, I would like to offer my perspective.

"The problem" with the church today (and always), is two sided.

On the one hand, the problem is that people fail to meet the standards of other people (and even themselves).
Not to mention, people also fail to meet the standards of the book.

On the flip side of this, if we DID NOT fail to meet those standards, how would we ever come to know the grace of our Lord Jesus?

In the words of Derek Webb (again), "Nothing unifies like a common enemy..."
Oh my, how true are these words!

We must ask ourselves, "What is it that draws us together?"

I propose that we not become unified around the things which we see as detrimental.
May I suggest that we not gather around a common enemy, regardless if that enemy be the flesh, sin, the devil, religion, the system, men or a man.
Instead, may we find the grace to be gathered around a common Friend.
Perhaps if we unify around our common Friend, He will take care of our enemies, our faults, our fears, and our religion.

By asking the question, "Whats the problem with the church today?", I could have just as easily asked, "What's the problem with Neil today", or , "What's wrong with Marie...(or Johnny)" etc...
After all, WE are the church,... amen?

The question I posed before was in itself, in a sense, a distraction from our True Center. Nonetheless, there must be room for those kinds of question, if for no other reason than for the sake of having our own hearts searched of the Lord.

It is for FREEDOMS SAKE that WE HAVE BEEN SET FREE!!!

We must be free to express our weakness, so that HE might be given the glory!!!!

What would it look like to "have it all together"?
I think it would look like a people head over heels in love with the Lord Jesus Christ, and consequently in love with one another.

The Problem With the Church Today....

2007-07-28T11:00:00.000-07:00

Conversation in the comments section of my last post has spurred me to ask one simple question.

What is the problem with the church today?

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard it said, "The problem with the church today is....", and likewise, I could not tell you how many times I have said the exact same thing myself.

So if you could, in, let's say 20 words or less, express what YOU think "the problem with the church today" is, please do so in the comments section.

I'm not looking for anyone to pick apart their church!!!
What I am asking about is the church as a whole....IN GENERAL.

The only thing that I ask is that you respond in a spirit of humility and not arrogance and I will try to do the same.

If you would, forward this post to as many people as you'd like, and I will be sure to do the same.

It would be interesting to see the varying (or maybe not so varying) results from everyone.

I fully realize that "fault finding" isn't the way to Life in the church, but if there are genuine convictions on the hearts of Gods people, they need to be expressed.

I Look forward to your responses!

Disclaimer

2007-07-25T14:16:00.001-07:00

On his most recent album, "Ringing Bell", Derek Webb sings a line which says, "Baby don't let 'em,...don't let them put a name on you".

I get it.

You ever wonder just how many "camps" there are in all of Christianity?

Just take a look here for just a glimpse at the diversity that exists within the body of believing Christians.

And that is just a glimpse.

So what is the disclaimer all about, ...and the lyrics mentioned above?

I don't "align" myself with any of them.
Nor do I align myself with any thing, group, church, etc...

Don't get me wrong.
I truly admire, benefit, and even participate in all kinds of things and with all kinds of people.
There are countless ministries that are being and doing wonderful things in the name of the Lord and I thank God for them.

Some small and unnoticed, some large and high profile.

But I am not really a part of a thing. I am a part of a Person.

In the same song, Derek says, "The truth may be with you today, but may be gone tomorrow....".

I recently answered the question which was something like this: "What teacher has had the most influence on your life and why?"

It's actually a very good question and I have no doubt that it was asked from a pure heart and with a good conscience.
Truly.

But what that question means to me or you, and what that question may mean to someone else could be two radically different things.

The truth is, I believe that I am just about like everyone else in that I will listen to just about anyone (for a minute at least) and then I'll take whats good and disregard the rest.

As a matter of fact, that's all I would expect anyone to do who may be listening to me.

My first response to the question was, "Impossible question!".
But then I had to follow with what I believe to be the most truthful answer I could figure.
"Norman P. Grubb
Great teacher...very clear...very pure...resonates deeply".

And again, I recently sited him as one whom I greatly admire, but the truth is that I have not read his entire body of work (very little of it, relatively speaking) but I know that I have, indeed gleaned much from what I have been exposed to!

I never want to be known as one who says, "I am of Paul, or Peter, or Norman, or Gene, etc..."

I think that's important.

This isn't a matter of saving face, but it is a matter of keeping myself in line with the Holy Spirit.

Paul even said that there were some saying, "I am of Christ..." but even that was wrong!
Go figure!!

I suppose where I stand in all of this is that I align myself with no man or "ministry" because I belong to the Lord, and therefore I belong to everyone.

"Even "the sinners" and "the lost"?

I am chief, but by the grace of God, I am holy.

"What about the religious or the pious"?

Again, I am chief, but count those things as dung compared to what we have in Christ Jesus.

This may be hard for some to swallow, but this is where the Lord has me.

(Yikes! This almost feels like self-defense here, but truly, I just want to be more clear.)

The Spirit Meter

2007-07-24T13:05:00.000-07:00

So...
Terry Taylor from The Lost Dogs whipped out this handmade cardboard "meter" which he wanted to use on stage.
The way it worked was for the crowd to applaud if they thought the band was functioning in "the anointing".

The more we applauded the more he would move the big red needle over to the "spirit" side of the gauge, but just when it started to peak out in "the spirit" he would say, "Uh oh, were getting puffed up, were getting puffed up...", and he would slide the needle back over towards "the flesh".

Beautiful illustration!

I believe the point that he was trying to make was that, first, we really have no reason to go around judging the spiritual condition of our brothers and sisters and second, things aren't always as black and white as we would like for them to be.

Since we have been looking at the "out-working" of the Spirit, (or as Paul would say, our "salvation"), this seems to be a very relevant illustration.

I totally see Terry's point.

Why go around looking for specks when we have logs of our own, right?

In my own personal experience, I have come to know at least two kinds of "judgment".

There is one kind of judgment which is like a measuring stick.
This kind of judgment involves our measuring everything according to our expectations.

"Do they do these things...?, Are they not doing these things..?, What do they believe about this matter or that matter...?, Where do they stand on this issue...?, etc...

Over the years I have found this type of judgment to be mostly fruitless.
Sure, there may be some practical implications involved with those kinds of measurements, some very basic and fundamental things which can be determined, and I appreciate and find value in that, but for the most part I have come to realize that this kind of thinking quickly leads to division even within the Body of Christ.

(Well....sort of, but we can talk about that some other time.)

But for now, let me try to explain the other kind of judgment.

The countenance on ones face is very often the best spiritual "meter" one could ever have.
Even more so are the eyes.

This isn't to say that one who is in fellowship with the Lord cannot suffer.
This is not to say that a saint in whom the Lord has gained much ground can't "mourn with those who mourn" (and we all know that there is plenty to mourn about here on this planet.)

That being said, I cannot deny the fact that, personally, from time to time, I find myself enraptured with the Love of God to the point where I just cannot contain the smile on my face.

Surely you know this experience!!

Sometimes, while in this condition, I will meet with a brother or sister and the expression on their face shouts out, "What are you smiling for!?"

And my heart breaks.

"Don't you know?", I think to myself.
Sometimes I declare Jesus Christ. Sometimes I don't.

Sometimes I am robbed of my joy and I find myself in the same pit as my neighbor.

To be fair, sometimes the tables are turned and I am the one trying to figure out why you are so stinkin' happy.
Thinking back on times like that, I have no problem admitting that during much of those times, I was walking after "the flesh".
In other words, I had no sense of the Lord, no leading of anything other than the desires of my body and my "self".

But DURING those times, I would probably not admit that.

So, can we make sense of this?

Maybe.

Maybe we have that joy for a reason.
Maybe we are supposed to meet the sorrows of others with the joy of Christ.
Maybe even that joy is to be governed by the Spirit and distributed in a way that only He knows how to do.

Even though we are first encouraged to be like our Lord Jesus (Philippians), the One who realized His equality with God, yet humbled Himself to death on a cross, we are, in the same letter encouraged to have our minds set on things above and to rejoice, rejoice, and rejoice!!!

When we find ourselves high minded, we find ourselves lacking in true joy of the Spirit, but when we are found "lowly", considering others above ourselves, we discover afresh the joy of the Living Waters in our spirit.

What does this have to do with out-growth?
How can it be applied practically?

Here is one suggestion.
The next person you encounter..., treat them as if they were Jesus Christ Himself.

Lost Dogs

2007-07-21T16:51:00.001-07:00

Hopefully, my wife and I, and a couple of saints that we know from the hood will be at this event at the Douglasville First Presbyterian Church tomorrow night.
I think it costs $15.00

Come on out, it should be a great time of refreshment for the soul.
Just don't get there earlier than me because I want a good seat.
:-)
Heh...

Out-Growth

2007-07-19T17:33:00.000-07:00

(Edited from original...there were some incomplete thoughts and statements. Please forgive me.)

"Why do you post"?

It's for the Lord.

If it is for the Lord, then it must also be for me and you, right?

I have been thinking about the out-growth of the Life of Christ ( and so has Marie),... and what that means.
To some, just the fact that I would be considering such a thing would be evidence that I was moving in the wrong "direction", that perhaps my desire to become more mature in the Lord could actually become a distraction from enjoying my place in Him, presently.

I see their point.
Furthermore, and from a different angle even, the disciples argued about who would become the "the greatest"... once they entered the kingdom.
I'm sure Jesus couldn't help but to chuckle as He listened to their childish banter.

But, there is a difference between being desirous of "power" for the sake of "authority" in and of itself, and being desirous to know the power and authority of the Lord.

Who doesn't know that the name Nicodemus means "conqueror"?

What was his occupation?
Do you recall Jesus' words to him?

Taking his name and occupation into consideration, what kind of power do you think he was accustomed to?

Surely you remember. If not, just look it up.
(Go on, you know you want to...)

Is that a coincidence?

But Jesus cuts to the chase.

"You can't just get it, Nicodemus... "

"Not unless you are born from above".

So what does this have to do with "out- growth"?

Everything, actually.

It is so easy to think that out-growth can happen simply by trying harder to do something.
That's simply not true.

We are born.
We grow because we are fed and cared for.

How should we feel while this is happening?
Well...
Your Papa is God and the very first thing that He wants you to know is that you are totally and completely forgiven and totally and completely LOVED.

(Forgiven for what?! You are joking, ...right?)

He teaches us this and He demonstrates this as well.
Teaching is no good without demonstration (dare I site brother James?)

How does that make you feel?

Why?

What kinds of things can we expect to see during this process?
Surely there is a golden thread that can be found in every one of His stories, and in a sense, there is really only one story...

This golden thread has many aspects about it and within it, but I want to focus in on one aspect.

Victory.
This is what out-growth looks like (although it is still only one aspect).

I have a clue for you. And I don't even need to tell you this. But Victory, at it's heart, is not something that we accomplish.
And it is not something that the "world" would necessarily recognize as being victorious.

It is a Person.

So should "out-growth" in itself ever become a preoccupation. Not really, no.
But there is something that absolutley must remain our center.
The Lord Jesus Christ.
Wander too far, for too long, and you will find yourself a mess.
*************************************************************************************

Alright everyone!
Again, this is an open meeting.
Please invite anyone you desire.
I would love to hear some sincere voices (as I have encountered them here quite a bit lately)!

Here's the funny part though.
In this kind of meeting, no one person is given the sole privilege of speaking or sharing, but rather, we may all express ourselves.

No one is "right".
Only the Lord is "right".

May we share the Lord?

Sometimes there are awkward silences.
Sometimes there is "shooting down" rather than "building up".
But what can happen is that God can be glorified.

When this truly happens, the unbelieving and the unlearned can fall on their faces,...again , bringing glory to God.

It really depends on what the Lord wants to say or do, and how much ground He has in our hearts.

(Even still, I wouldn't even limit Him to that....)

"..Only God is good."

~Jesus Christ

More than Words

2007-07-17T14:56:00.000-07:00

I know that I'm not alone when I say that the Lord speaks to us in many different ways.
Of course He was manifest in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ and was, Himself a living demonstration of Love incarnate, but that doesn't prevent Him from speaking to us now in whatever way He may presently see fit.
Amen?

Which brings me to the core of my post today.
Here are some lyrics from the band "Extreme", a song from the 80's (or 90's...help, Jeremy!).

I'm not concerned with what the writers intentions were when they wrote it, but to me, now, the lyrics are pure.
More Than Words
by Extreme:

Saying I love you
Is not the words I want to hear from you
It's not that I want you
Not to say, but if you only knew
How easy it would be to show me how you feel
More than words is all you have to do to make it real
Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me
Cos I'd already know

What would you do if my heart was torn in two
More than words to show you feel
That your love for me is real

What would you say if I took those words away
Then you couldn't make things new
Just by saying I love you
More than words

Now I've tried to talk to you and make you understand
All you have to do is close your eyes
And just reach out your hands and touch me
Hold me close don't ever let me go
More than words is all I ever needed you to show
Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me
Cos I'd already know

What would you do if my heart was torn in two
More than words to show you feel
That your love for me is real
What would you say if I took those words away
Then you couldn't make things new
Just by saying I love you
More than words

(Any reaction is a good reaction...)

TESTIMONY

2007-07-15T10:53:00.000-07:00

Do you have a testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ?

I'm not just asking primarily about your initial "salvation" experience, although it would be great to hear about that.

This is not a loaded question.

I am asking for someone or anyone to tell me about what the Lord is to them or what He has done in your life.

I'll go first.

The Lord Jesus Christ has delivered me from my sin. He has removed guilt and shame from my conscience. Guilt and shame that had been there for many years.

These are not just words, or memorized doctrine, but my true experience of Him!

Not only that, but He has fulfilled all that was ever required of me.

I am free from guilt and shame due to my former sins.

What a wonderful experience!

He Lives in me, inside of me, and He also covers me.
I know the Lord!

He has redeemed me as a human being.
Because He is in me and because HE is my life, I am restored and put right with God.

He governs my heart.
I understand freedom and boundaries.

Do I fail?
Of course I fail, but I MAY BOAST IN MY WEAKNESS AND HE IS FOUND TO BE STRONG.

I THANK GOD and GIVE GLORY TO GOD for WHO HE IS AND WHAT HE DOES!

This is not my testimony, but it is HIS TESTIMONY!!!

As a dear brother in the Lord has said in other ways, "What was once a horror story, has become an exciting adventure!!"

I make no claims to anything other than my experience in Christ.
I have done nothing "right" to deserve this!!!!

"Praise the Lord!"
Those words used to annoy me because I could not really identify with them. They seemed to come from the mouths of "big haired" religious freaks, and men who were ruled by greed and lust.

Maybe they meant those words, I don't know, but regardless if they said them in sincerity or not, I understand those words!

I could just as easily say "WaaaaHoooooo....YiiiiiiPeeeeeeee...!!!"
That works, but I also want to give credit where credit is due.
YAHWEH, I AM, ABBA FATHER, GOD, etc....

I don't care if this is only a "high season" for me or not, I thank Him for who He is, what He does and how He does it.

I would love to hear other testimonies! If nothing else just a simple "AMEN" will do.

You are Loved of God In Christ!!!!

meme

2007-07-13T19:06:00.000-07:00

Brother Scott Mitchell hit me with some tough, but interesting questions today.
I think this is something called "meme".

The deal is that after answering the questions, I get to make up five questions and send them to five other bloggers.

Scott's Questions/ My Answers

1. What teacher has had the most influence in your life? Why?

Impossible question!

Norman P. Grubb.
Great teacher. Very clear and pure. Resonates deeply.

2. If you could write the "Great American Novel" what would the first line be?

"Stop! Do not read this book. If you do, you will never read another book,...ever."

3. Which job would you prefer: the guy holding the 'slow down' sign in a work zone, a ring announcer at a world championship boxing match, or the person serving sample snacks at a Sam's or grocery store?

Sample Server (grocery store).

4. If you have just awakened from a coma, who would you like to see first and why?

My wife, Missy.
I fall in love with her more and more all the time. If my memory were damaged, I would have the joy of falling in love with her again, for the first time!

5. If you could get a do-over in high school, what would you change?

Nothing.

Now for MY questions (below), I choose Neil, Jasmin, Michael, Margaret Ann, and Jeremy.
(The funny part is that I truly think that Jeremy is my only reader, and right now, he is probably SICK of answering my questions!!).

1. If you could make up a national (or worldwide) holiday, what would it be called?

2. Which of the characters from Winnie the Pooh do you relate to the most?

3. How about Gilligan's Island?

4. If a sitcom were made about your life, what would it be called?

5.If you could keep only three books from your bookshelf, which three would they be?

Now you guys (and gals) get to do the same (if you want, of course) and please link back to me!!

Still,..More Questions.......

2007-07-10T20:49:00.000-07:00

1) Could a baby read this question?

2) Would a baby care if you asked him these questions?

3) Isn't that the way it is supposed to be?

4) Do you think these questions are meant for babies?

5) How about little children? Might they understand these questions?

6) Is there anything at all wrong with being a child?

7) What would their responses to these questions be?

8) What do you think the intentions are behind these questions?

OK folks.
Even if you're not enjoying these questions, I am.

I like understanding.
The Lord gives it and It brings clarity.

Simple Questions

2007-07-05T20:18:00.000-07:00

1) What is the difference between living and walking?

2) Do we learn to live or is that something we do without effort?

3) Does walking require effort?

4) Could you put forth effort if you were not alive?

5) How does one become alive?

6) What causes a child to desire the skill of walking?

7) When one walks (literally), outside of possible physical pain, is there much consideration as to how difficult it is, or do you not really think about it?

8) Is it the same for toddlers and teenagers, or fully grown adults?

I would love to hear your comments.
Anyone?

Brief Meditation

2007-07-03T19:34:00.000-07:00

What am I?

1. Sinner?
2. Saint?
3. Somewhere in between?
4. All of the above?
5. None of the above?
6. Other?
7. Don't really care?

I would love to hear any comments from anyone on why they see themselves the way they do.

Honestly, this could be an interesting conversation.

Peace
:-)