PROVIDENCE

a: of divine guidance or care

b:  God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human destiny

All I have is My Testimony

John 9

He knew nothing but what Jesus did for him.

Leadership?

In the economy of God as manifest in His kingdom there is no leadership but that of the Holy Spirit.

Those who seek after the Kingdom of God, who desire to please the Lord in all they do, are called to be servants. They have a testimony of God's Love and Grace. This testimony the Lord will use to prophetically speak into the lives of those who hear it. Sharing what Jesus has done for you, in word and deed, can be the catalyst that allows those that hear and see to receive what God wants to do in their lives. The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy.

It is these servant followers that trust and obey and desire to share the love of God, that God uses to dispense His love to the world. In this dispensation these followers may be perceived as leaders. But the greatest of these find comfort in Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

First impressions?

I express myself by the way I look. The way I look does not define me. Who I think I am, I will be. Will I be, all God created me to be?

Don't let the way you look be unalterable. There is so much more you need to learn about yourself. You will change your way of thinking about yourself. Don't box yourself in.

(I was thinking about "body art" when I wrote this :)

Swept Along!

How can I describe the current that sweeps us along? The key word is current. Is it a warm breeze that makes us sleepy? Do we see the storm clouds? Swept along? A force that takes me where I don't want to go.

We think that the choices we make determine our destiny. NOT! Your choices are not disconnected from all the other choices everywhere around you that others make. Choices that can have significant impact into your life.. This is the current that sweeps us along.

The operative word is "choice". The current that sweeps us along is powered by the choices everyone makes. Choice is also the word that gives us the power to overcome the current that sweeps us along.

How?    

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

What is "dogma"?

Dogma is a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true.^[1] It serves as part of the primary basis of an ideology or belief system, and it cannot be changed or discarded without affecting the very system's paradigm, or the ideology itself. They can refer to acceptable opinions of philosophers or philosophical schools, public decrees, religion, or issued decisions of political authorities.^[2]
The term derives from Greek δόγμα "that which seems to one, opinion or belief"^[3] and that from δοκέω (dokeo), "to think, to suppose, to imagine".^[4] Dogma came to signify laws or ordinances adjudged and imposed upon others by the First Century. The plural is either dogmas or dogmata, from Greek δόγματα. The term "dogmatics" is used as a synonym for systematic theology, as in Karl Barth's defining textbook of neo-orthodoxy, the 14-volume Church Dogmatics.

Jesus said “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Pass on a Sharp axe, or introduce the axe Sharpener? What should you do?

I had a friend who testified of God working in his life. And I was encouraged to see that God could work in my life too, because I could relate to what God was doing in his life.

Then, much later, this friend started explaining how God works. He is a consultant to churches on the "Missional Movement". Recognized, labeled, packaged and sold as a sharp ax, many rely on their understanding of principles and miss the Lover of their soul.

When we recognize God moving, that's good. And allow Him to work in our life, that's good. Don't label it, package it, and then try to reproduce it. A sharp axe passed on only produces pride. Recognize the Axe Sharpener and bear witness to what He "is" doing in your life. He wants us to overcome.

Revelation 12:11 (KJV)

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Rev 19:10 ...I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

If God can do this in my life, He can do it in yours!

I'm all about being led by the Holy Spirit?

Overcoming what? Adversity or my own shortcomings?

ad·ver·si·ty (d-vûrs-t) n. pl. ad·ver·si·ties 1. A state of hardship or affliction; misfortune. 2. A calamitous event.

  short·com·ing noun \ˈshȯrt-ˌkə-miŋ, ˌshȯrt-ˈ\ : a weakness in someone's character : a personal fault or failing : a bad feature : a flaw or defect in something.

Well I think God is an opportunist...
"One who takes advantage of any opportunity to achieve an end, often with no regard for principles or consequences."

Except God regards His principles and understands the consequences.

My calamitous event? My Euroclydon? May 14, 2012 God's Grace abounds! Lord forgive my unbelief.

I'm all about?

I find myself discussing with myself what I'm all about. I have read my blog in reverse order, there's an app for that, and I think I've come to the conclusion, "I'm all about overcoming".

I'm on a journey of discovery. The more I know about the Lover of my Soul, the more I know about who He created me to be. The more I see Him for who He is, the more I recognize my complete dependence on His guidance. The more I see of what exists, the more I recognize where my allegiance should lay. There is only one that desires I overcome. He is the Lover of my Soul.

To overcome?... I'm all about being led by the Holy Spirit. I've learnt a thing or two about that.

Agent of Change

Rev. 19:10  ...For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

If Jesus can do what He did in my life, imagine what He can do in yours.

Rev. 12:11  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Choices

Our choices set things in motion, you know, cause and effect. Read my blog, then tell me I'm wrong,.

I can't figure it out.

Our limited perspective inhibits our comprehension of reality as a whole.

We don't ever see reality.

What should we do? :)

Self-actualization compared to a fully actualized Kingdom Saint

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

http://www.randolphbrown.com/2013/07/the-crucible-of-combat.html

 

Some random thoughts...?

What is the number of thoughts I can comprehend in any given moment?

The rate of change can vary in a given inertial frame. Does the rate of change affect the number of thoughts I can comprehend? I think... No, the rate of change is a constant of the inertial frame and therefore the number of thoughts that can be processed is also constant.

If the number of thoughts that can be processed (understood) in my inertial frame is limited then distraction can occupy my attention and I can miss the thoughts the Lover of my Soul has for me.

Are you occupied by distraction?

Tradition?

My son Harrison and I have a "tradition" when I tuck him in for the night.  It's a tradition of words spoken when I have tucked his blankets around him and I leave his room. It goes like this...

"Have a good night (Me), I love you(Harrison), I love you too(Me), see you in the morning(Harrison), you betcha!(Me)

When I have broken from this tradition Harrison has called me on it. And I with a joyful heart I comply.

It has to do with Harrison's desire.

The crucible of combat?

It's an inner battle, each of us wages, because our house is still being built.

He who overcomes... It's the promise we can apprehend because Jesus the Christ has gone before us.

Become who God created you to be! Any thing less is a victory for the enemy. Grace abounds.

Comradery?

noun \ˈkäm-ˌra-d(ə-)rē, -rə-drē, -ˌrā-d(ə-)rē

Definition of COMRADERY

from : camaraderie

Examples of COMRADERY

1. the special comradery that exists between soldiers that have experienced the crucible of combat together.

Cycles? They keep coming around.

It is time to break one of them in my life.

Lord remind me again...

http://www.randolphbrown.com/2012/12/cycles-view-is-determined-by-your.html

Okay Lord, like Gideon I'll request a fleece sign. Yes, two.

Jurisdiction, Power Authority?

A county police officer has jurisdiction, therefore authority, in his county where he is recognized. If he leaves his county, his jurisdiction, he has no authority, and therefore no power. Not until he comes back into his jurisdiction will his power be recognized.

Jurisdiction from Wikipedia

Jurisdiction (from the Latin ius, iuris meaning "law" and dicere meaning "to speak") is the practical authority granted to a formally constituted legal body or to a political leader to deal with and make pronouncements on legal matters and, by implication, to administer justice within a defined area of responsibility. The term is also used to denote the geographical area or subject-matter to which such authority applies.

Cognizance?

cog·ni·zance

/ˈkägnəzəns/

Noun Knowledge, awareness, or notice. The action of taking jurisdiction.

Synonyms knowledge - cognition - recognition - awareness

Nobility?

A Royal Priesthood? I will have to "google" that.

Plan ahead.

Understand now, because you remember the past, and see the potential investment now can reap if you plan ahead. Just remember to expect the greater reward as you lead courageously, because you have accepted responsibility, because you have rejected passivity.

Temper your character?

Rejoice in the the "tribulation" for it is the loving chastisement that the Lover of your soul inflicts in hope that you "see" the path of repentance that leads to hardened steel.

Hebrews 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Character? Holy Crow.

char·ac·ter  (krk-tr)

n.

1. The combination of qualities or features that distinguishes one person, group, or thing from another. See Synonyms at disposition.

2. A distinguishing feature or attribute, as of an individual, group, or category. See Synonyms at quality.

3. Genetics A structure, function, or attribute determined by a gene or group of genes.

4. Moral or ethical strength.

5. A description of a person's attributes, traits, or abilities.

6. A formal written statement as to competency and dependability, given by an employer to a former employee; a recommendation.

7. Public estimation of someone; reputation: personal attacks that damaged her character.

8. Status or role; capacity: in his character as the father.

9.

a. A notable or well-known person; a personage.

b. A person, especially one who is peculiar or eccentric: a shady character; catcalls from some character in the back row.

10.

a. A person portrayed in an artistic piece, such as a drama or novel.

b. Characterization in fiction or drama: a script that is weak in plot but strong in character.

11. A mark or symbol used in a writing system.

12. Computer Science

a. One of a set of symbols, such as letters or numbers, that are arranged to express information.

b. The numerical code representing such a character.

13. A style of printing or writing.

14. A symbol used in secret writing; a cipher or code.

Tempering?

tem·per  (tmpr)

v. tem·pered, tem·per·ing, tem·pers

v.tr.

1. To modify by the addition of a moderating element; moderate: "temper its doctrinaire logic with a little practical wisdom" (Robert H. Jackson). See Synonyms at moderate.

2. To bring to a desired consistency, texture, hardness, or other physical condition by or as if by blending, admixing, or kneading: temper clay; paints that had been tempered with oil.

3. To harden or strengthen (metal or glass) by application of heat or by heating and cooling.

4. To strengthen through experience or hardship; toughen: soldiers who had been tempered by combat.

5. To adjust finely; attune: a portfolio that is tempered to the investor's needs.

6. Music To adjust (the pitch of an instrument) to a temperament.

Ebb and Flow?

John 3:8 ISV...
The wind blows where it wants to. You hear its sound, but you don't know where it comes from or where it is going. That's the way it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Hope for the Future?

If we embrace (take responsibility for) our past we can learn in the "Now"(a teachable heart can be renewed). A change in heart results in hope for the future. All the promises find their YES in Christ. Take responsibility for your choices and allow the Holy Spirit to take control of your future. Then heed His guidance. Seek, Listen, Trust and Obey.

It used to be.

There was a time in the past when someone could be alone. In fact it was normal to be alone much of the time. Left alone with our thoughts. Then the strategy of the enemy was lies. He could explain our situation in our thoughts as we perceived them as our own and made decisions that led to our destruction.

Now we are connected, never alone. We have access to lies, but also the truth, if we just but seek. The truth sets us free. How does the enemy now stop us from discovering it?

Distract and occupy our time. There is much more to be said about that.

Relational... participate in His ongoing Creation. What??

Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom. His mission was wrapped up in the Kingdom. The Kingdom of God/Heaven/Light. He came to destroy the kingdom of satan. To set at liberty those who were oppressed. Google that. Then we can talk.

Christ died for us?

Why? Because he loves us. Why? Because He created us. Why? To glorify Himself. Why? Because He wanted to share Himself. Why? Because by His very nature He is relational. To Know and to be known.

Why did Christ die for us? So that we could receive forgiveness of our sins. So that we could see His love for us. So that we could Know Him and participate in His on going creation.

Interpretation?

We tend to interpret our perspective by comparing it to our observation of other's actions.

We see someone do something and apply our motives to their actions and conclude what their motivation must be. If we speak out judgement on their action, we reveal not their motivation but ours, and therefore condemn ourselves.

Reality!

Reality is perception, perception is interpretation, interpretation is where we screw up. Don't trust in your interpretation!

What then?

Paying Attention

God seems to be paying attention, maybe I should too.

Running Interference

God has our back. Though we "see through a glass darkly" He is the One who opens and closes doors.

Awareness

A while back I was sitting in our living room and noticed, through the patio doors, a red light flashing. It was between the vertical blinds that I saw a flashing red light and I asked Harrison, "What is that?".

"That's the cell phone tower they put up a few weeks ago"' he said. I asked, shocked at my own lack of awareness, "It's been there for weeks?  His answer was a simple "yes".

What else is going on that I am not aware of? Such a profound question. Do you realize it's implications, when we are distracted and occupied by the enemies strategies?

Superficial

su·per·fi·cial (spr-fshl)

adj.

1. Of, affecting, or being on or near the surface: a superficial wound.

2. Concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; shallow.

3. Apparent rather than actual or substantial: a superficial resemblance.

4. Trivial; insignificant: made only a few superficial changes in the manuscript.