Be an Overcomer!

It's not where you are at.

It's how far you have come.

It's not what you have been given, but what you have done with it.

You don't need permission. Trust the Lover of your Soul and obey.

Dependance. It's all about "Who" you should put your trust in.

Dependence. In the culture of North America it is a negative term. You should not depend on anyone but yourself. Of course that is folly.

What? I am the maker of my own destiny.

Yes, certainly, that is the folly. You think your "I Am" equates to the Lover of your souls "I AM" and His understanding of who you are.

Only He sees your path clearly. Only He can navigate you through the challenges you are faced with now. Why? He sees it all now, and you have no ability to comprehend the consequence of everyone's decisions that will impact your life.

Not even your own decisions.

Prov. 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.

Iron Sharpens Iron.

There is a season for everything. And in that season, friends challenge what you think. They see first hand the consequence of your choices and ask questions about the veracity of your decisions. That is if they are a friend.

It's good to know what you believe, it's better to know why you believe it. Your friends may "trust in chariots and some in horses"... Google it.

It's all about radical dependence. That is if you are done with trusting your own understanding.

Battle of the minds.

Have you ever considered your thoughts? Do you ever think about your thoughts? Why are your thoughts like having a conversation?  Have you ever argued with yourself?

Your thoughts are an integral part of your life. They reside in the realm of your mind. Every choice and every decision you make is a result of the "thought processes" that go on within your mind. The Bible says "as a man thinks in his heart so is he."

What you believe has everything to do with what you think. What you think will be revealed in what you say and what you do. These choices and decisions have their consequence, good or bad! They become unalterable facts in the gist of your life. Will they be lessons for you today?

So what you believe affects what you think, what you think affects your decisions and choices, which creates unalterable facts about you.

This all takes place in your mind. A battleground of competing thoughts, where a conversation is carried on and sometimes even arguments happen.

How do you explain it all? VOICES?

Boom boom pow! really?

Went to work today. It's a new facility. Seems there are multiple speakers in the ceiling of every room. And the ability to flood those rooms with what ever radio station the one who has access to the controls decides to listen to.

It must be a "Top 10" radio station. Boom, Boom, Pow is now reverberating in my head. Its 11:40 pm. I left work at 4:30 pm

There is a lesson to be learnt, learned... here.

Who are you really?

Foibles. We all have them. Google it.

Freedom to pursue your own path of discovery.

You are responsible for the consequence of your choices.

Trust the Lover of your soul for guidance.

Be wise. Admit your mistakes and know God gives Grace to the humble.

Known?

Many people know you. Know the you, that you have created. Created according to what you saw others held in esteem. The herd has a mentality.

Struggle, frustration, and disappointment are not a stranger to you. There lies the clue.

Looking for acceptance, you gave up on your uniqueness and gave in to the demand of conformity. Yes you did.

Then. Your true identity sought differentiation.  To be noticed, recognized and accepted was not enough. The need to be known as a unique, one of a kind person demands no compromise.

Who are you really? There is only One who can answer that question for you. Seek out the Lover of your soul. "Become" the one He created you to be. REPENT.

To be "Known" by someone.

To be known by someone implies a degree of intimacy, marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity.

I am reminded of a verse I used to misquote. "My sheep hear my voice and they follow me". In fact most people will misquote it that way.

The actual verse is...
John 10:27. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;

This is in stark contrast to a verse where Jesus makes another statement about knowing someone.

Matthew 7:21:23  “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Recognized, Identified and Acknowledged.

We all want to be known. So much so we go to great lengths to get the attention, good or bad.

"Cheers" was a sitcom from my youth. It was centered around a neighborhood bar. It had a theme song that went... "You wanna be where everybody knows your name".

It was a big hit.

You are Becoming?

There's no getting around it. Change happens. Mostly deterministic. Everything is becoming something other than what it was. What it is, is not what it will be.

You are swept along by the interaction of mass and energy. But choice affords an alternative to determinism.  The truth for you and me, Christ died for us.

Now will you choose the Lover of your Soul? Because of what He did, you have a choice.

A better plan

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I never knew you?

Matthew 7:21-23 (NKJV)
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
How can God not know someone?

My back deck

I was out on my back deck tonight. It had been raining but now the evening, though overcast, was warm and pleasant. I decided to start a fire.

I noticed that the wood had got rained on and was quite wet. But I made a nice pile of wood in my fire pit and thought if I put some fuel on it, that I could start a good fire.

As I lit the fuel the flames burst forth. But quickly died out because the wood had not caught on fire. So I put more fuel on the pile and lit another match. This time I thought if the flames started to die out I would just blow on the fire to try to keep it going. I blew and blew until I got dizzy and needed to stop. You could tell some of the wood had caught on fire because you could see faint amber's glowing, but they quickly died out.

I'm not one to give up so I again poured more fuel on the pile and lit it with another match. To my frustration the same thing began to happen all over again. But then out of nowhere the wind began to pick up. The trees in my backyard began to sway and I felt the wind on my face.

You could hear the flames whipping up as the wind began to fan the flames. My meager breath trying to blow the embers was nothing compared to the power of the wind that set the embers a glowing and they quickly met each other and started the fire that I was hoping for.

There is just one problem. The wood quickly burnt down and I had to go and find more.

Fresh wind, fresh fire needs fresh fuel. Go out and gather it.

The Will of the One who has "All Authority"

Matt. 28:18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying,...

 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth...

19 Go therefore (So now because of this go) and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Humble & Dependant

Dependant, Blameless and Repentant

Now is not a time to prepare for the future. To equip our youth with biblical principles of leadership and strategies to evangelize the nations. Now is the time to call our youth to a humble, dependant, day to day, walk with God. Where Proverbs 3:5-6 is the operative state and the goal is to be blameless and live repentantly. (Power & Strength is needed)

Tarry until and Occupy (A.B. Simpson)

WHAT DOES IT TAKE?

Not great skill or knowledge or learning. Not position or riches...

The Beatitudes!

Adam & Eve walked with God.
Enoch walked with God and God took him.
Elijah walked with God.

Proverbs 6:16-19 (NKJV) 16.These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

Question: "What does the Bible say about repentance? What does it mean to repent?"

Answer: The word repentance in the Bible literally means “the act of changing one’s mind.” True biblical repentance goes beyond remorse, regret, or feeling bad about one’s sin. It involves more than merely turning away from sin. Eerdmans Bible Dictionary includes this definition of repentance: “In its fullest sense it is a term for a complete change of orientation involving a judgment upon the past and a deliberate redirection for the future.” https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-repentance.html

Have a Hope

God says he has a plan for you. Are you paying attention?

Jeremiah 29:11 RSV  "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Who did Jesus say had the greatest faith? What did the Centurion understand? (Authority)

What did it motivate him to do?  He asked Jesus to "give the command". What was Jesus' answer?

A promise!

Abraham's faith was based on a promise. He believed God and it was accounted to him righteousness.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please God. For he that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and is a rewarder to them that seek him.
What is the reward?

2 Corinthians 1:20.  For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

Hebrews 6:13  For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. 17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.

Incongruous:

incongruous
[in-kong-groo-uh s]
adjective
1.
out of keeping or place; inappropriate; unbecoming:
an incongruous effect; incongruous behavior.
2.
not harmonious in character; inconsonant; lacking harmony of parts:

Aware

conscious
    (followed by `of') showing realization or recognition of something
    sensible
    aware intuitively or intellectually of something sensed
    witting
    aware or knowing
    conscious
    knowing and perceiving; having awareness of surroundings and sensations and thoughts

Distraction, Occupation and Opportunity?

It seems that this is the battlefield. The Lover of our soul orchestrates opportunity. The enemy tries to distract us and take up our time so we won't take advantage of His plan.

Distraction & Occupation

God says "occupy" until I come.

Opportunity

op·por·tu·ni·ty
Pronunciation: \ˌä-pər-ˈtü-nə-tē, -ˈtyü-\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural op·por·tu·ni·ties
Etymology:
Date: 14th century
1 :  a favorable juncture of circumstances

Definition of OPPORTUNITY

noun \ˌä-pər-ˈtü-nə-tē, -ˈtyü-\
                                              

: an amount of time or a situation in which something can be done.

:  a favorable juncture of circumstances

Reconcile distraction.

Why do I prefer distraction in the moment? A moment that is unique, unrepeatable and when past, is unchangeable and therefore without a price?

It is because in the moment the waiting needs to be occupied. Duration is the "experienced" observation of change. And in the "cycle" I wait for "opportunity". That is the word I need to plumb.

2 Chron. 16

⁹ For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.

Give us today our daily bread.

When the Israelites where in the desert God provided them with manna. It was to sustain them for that day. After that it rotted. They were to gather it daily.

A Fresh Wind is like fresh bread.

It's like that with the leading of the Holy Spirit. Today's meal is for today. It gives us strength and we learn of God's love for us, we gain a testimony of that great love. And we desperately seek tomorrow's meal of Fresh Wind.

Trust and Obey

Being a Fully Actualized Kingdom Saint is not contingent on what you know but on "who" you know. And who knows you.

I will Plumb the Depths of 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.

John 14:26 (NKJV)

²⁶ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that "I said to you".

 

What did Jesus tell you when you first gave your life to Him? I know it was a promise! His promise motivates obedience, but what happens when the promise is fulfilled? He is faithful because of His great love towards us. How does experiencing that love motivate us after the promise is fulfilled?

Memory and the Holy Spirit's leading

John 14:26 (NKJV)  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Romans 8:14 (NKJV) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons (children) of God.

Matthew 10:19 When they bring you to trial, do not worry about what you are going to say or how you will say it; when the time comes, you will be given what you will say.

Memory is selective.

Tracy and I were talking. She said, "remember when"? I had to say, "no".  It was then I realized memory is very selective for each of us. I realized then my memories or the ability to remember was a function of the Spirit and not an ability of my mental capacity.

What does this mean? It means that our memories are the way the Spirit brings to remembrance those things that help us see the present more clearly and His motivation is to help us make decisions for the "future". He helps us remember today, what He said yesterday, so that we can make wise decisions for tomorrow.

Keep a journal and make it easier on yourself. Oh yeah, don't ever forget to always "Call on the name of the Lord".

Here I am again. Cycles.

Another opportunity. God's grace has brought me around again. What am I missing?

Do it! "If a man knows to do good and doesn't "do it" it is accounted to him as sin".

Do it, then "Trust in the Lord with all your heart". Do you know these verses? Check out Prov. 3.

Cycles?

Cycles are evident in nature. The Earth around the Sun, the days that represent the spin of the Earth. These are cycles that bring us around again. Cycles represent God's desire to address the issue. An opportunity to understand the ramification of our actions. Grace, manifest in patience, then long suffering, represented in hope, provides another opportunity. Each cycle an opportunity to respond to His "still small voice".

You will not be able to appeal to the idea of a second witness. Creation cries out. It humbles all.

My Blog in Reverse..

Click this link >>>>> Reverse Blog

Don't click the "Home" Link at the bottom of the page. Just the "Newer Posts" link to stay in the reverse order.

Incongruity?

Have you ever watch a commercial by a pharmaceutical company? Incongruity? Somehow they convince you to buy while telling why you shouldn't. This is the best illustration of the society we live in. Truth is not the prime factor. They sell hope without the need to change (repent). They make you think that the consequence of your decisions can be avoided.

But we all reap what we sow.

Due Diligence in the Kingdom.

Acts17:  11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men...

"Reject passivity" comes to mind when I think of "Due Diligence". And as I think of that, I hear the Spirit say "Pay Attention". And along with that I hear, "What are you waiting for"?

Am I paying attention? If so, what am I waiting for?

Phil. 2:

5  In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:  6  Who, being in very nature God,  did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7  rather, he made himself nothing  by taking the very nature of a servant,  being made in human likeness.  8  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself  by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Let this mind be in you?

The mind of Christ...

Let it be in you...

Think like He thought... Thinks!

How does He think?

He said to the Father "Not my will but yours be done."

Not to change the subject... but let me change the subject.

Do you ever think about your thoughts?

Your thoughts are yours, right? Well...

The thoughts of your mind are the Battle Ground of the Spiritual Warfare that goes on whether we are aware of it or not.

"Let this mind be in you". What the hay bales does this mean?

We'll talk some more.

What will "I" do with my numbered days?

I'll pay attention. I won't wait for someone else. I'll reject passivity. I'll accept my responsibility, and will speak out my testimony so the Spirit can prophetically express His desire to those that hear.

What He did in my life He can do in yours.

Time doesn't exist. But we only have a Limited supply?

Clock time, the tracking of mass and energy and how it changes, are demarcated by cycles. These cycles are limited by duration and the 2nd Second law of thermodynamics.

Our observation provides us with the concept of time but cycles only reveal changes in eternity which God holds together, and allows.

So our "Days are numbered"!

WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH THEM?

*You have given everything to me, what can I do for you? Bob Dylan

It isn't what you're given, it's what you do with it. It isn't where you start, it's how far you go.

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.

Running Interference!

football legal blocking: in football, the legal blocking of opposing players to protect and make way for the player carrying the ball. 

Every parent's duty.

The comfort of the inertial frame.

We all exist in a unique inertial frame that is limited by a narrow degree of input of information. The information I am experiencing and referencing is acquired by others, but the result is different because of the response that is produced. All our different choices interact with everyone else's choices, in their own inertial frame. And we claim to understand.

The comfort zone makes us believe we have the answers within ourselves. Then we discover the perspective of others. That's the problem.

The perspective of other's are inherently flawed, don't trust it. They are limited by a narrow perspective. Don't limit yourself to any one inertial frame, we all see through a glass darkly. Yet iron sharpens iron.

There is only one who sees and understands all that is happening and He is wise enough to know what you should do next. Trust in Him and His Guidance. Seek it out like your future depends on it.

Tradition?

I'm not talking about the Roman Catholic Liturgies. More like the traditions we create with those we care most about.

Here is an example. Since pre-K I have prayed for my two young sons as I dropped them off at school. In the beginning those prayers were spontaneous and inspired by what the Spirit had layed on my heart. I thought, this is good, and determined to make sure I prayed for them each time I dropped them off for school. I have been 'faithful" to do such.

Now my young sons are teenagers. They graceously say "amen" to my prayer each morning as I drop them off, but my feeling is they may have something to contend concerning my prayer. You see I long ago fell back on the tradition of praying for them as I dropped them off at school instead of listening to what the Spirit was saying and responding with something other then a simple prayer for their day.

Tradition? Resting in yesterday's blessing.

Tradition has a certain re-assurance. It provides a continuity with the past where God had guided and blessed with steps to take to maintain a close relationship with Him.

It takes a lot of attention and humility to follow Christ. The easier route is to trust in what worked before. So we fall back on the familiar, and do that again.

But God has moved on.

"What we learned yesterday can get in the way of what we need to learn today" Bill Johnson

Cycles? The view is determined by your perspective.

As you go around again, do you see the good things God is holding up in His Grace? The provision? The opportunity? The way forward.

All He asks is "Trust in His guidance, don't be passive, but be intentional. Accept your responsibility,  call others to trust in the Lord with all their hearts. And believe He will Go before you and prepare the way.

12-12-2012

A unique date. We'll never be here again. Do you get it? Cycles don't exist. Today may look like yesterday but it's not. Cycles are an illusion meant to distract you and occupy your time. Tomorrow I will change my ways?... You will run out of tomorrows. Change today, for today is all we have.

Cycles.

The cool thing about "cycles" is that they bring you around again. They are closely related to "ruts".

It is God's Grace, manifest in His long-suffering.

His hope is that you'll finally get it.

Ruts and cycles, the trick is to know "He died for you". No matter how deep the rut or how many times you've been around. He has a way for you to be an overcomer.

Not desperate enough to admit you don't have it within yourself? The Lover of your soul has one last recourse.

There comes a time when in God's "Judgement" He realizes you won't get it where you are at. It is then He withdraws His sustaining Hand, like holding a ball so it doesn't fall to the ground, our sin pulls us down. Reaping the consequences of our sin will hopefully wake us up to our inability to overcome in our own understanding.  Are you awake? Then there is "Hope". May your Soul long after Him and the Grace He offers freely.

While we were yet sinners, He died for us!

Swept Along?

The interaction of mass and energy has an "inertia". Events beyond your control that sweep you along. Even when in the moment you make a wise choice, events transpire that seem to be detrimental to your situation. Your mistake is thinking you understand your situation.

Yes, we are swept along by the inertia of the interaction of mass and energy. And even though we make wise decisions, we can still find ourselves in a less than comfortable situation. Rejoice, if you find yourself there. It is there that the Lover of your Soul can reveal just how much He loves you, just how much He has "Got your back". Maybe then you will get serious about the pride that gets in the way of hearing His voice, understanding His heart, and committing yourself to His desire to bring everyone into the Kingdom.

Notes on "Time"

Time: A succession of moments demarcating change in the physical realm of our existence*

(*1. The fact or state of existing; being.
2. The fact or state of continued being.
Synonyms:  actuality, being)

Only the now exists. Ongoing existence is continually being created and held together by God. Creation was not a single act of God but is an on ongoing activity. 

Colossians 1:17 "He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together."

The past is forever gone. The present now is where we exist and have our being. The future has not yet been created by our choices and God's deference to those choices. 

God has yet to exert his will completely, in hope that all will repent. Some of the future is determined and God knows it as a certainty, although it does not yet exist. Some of the future is open and God knows it as a contingency and it does not yet exist. Existence is the present now.

Now is the succession of moments demarcating Creation. Creation is continually held together by God and the concept of time is the result of the cause and effect progression of change in creation/existence. Creation is the ongoing task of God. He has chosen to share some of that task.

To some extent, we "create" our own existence by the choices we make. Our existence in the now is partly determined by the choices we have made in the past. Our future existence in creation is partly determined by choices we make in the now with the before ordained plan of God, manifested in Jesus Christ.

The plan of God finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ even before the foundations of creation/existence were laid.

Our present now is relative. Reality is comprised of a multitude of relative nows. The physicality of existence requires relativity in individual nows. My now is unique. No one else can experience my now except God.

Creation is created moment by moment. God is in the moment by moment, creating our existence. The future has yet to be created. Therein rests the Hope that motivates the Lover of our Soul.

You and I view existence from a particular perspective limited by our locale. This limited perspective inhibits our comprehension of reality as a whole.

Because God is outside the physicality of our existence, does that mean He is outside of time? To say God is outside of time makes no sense. Time is inside God. God creates and holds existence together as an ongoing activity. Existence is created by God moment by moment and is demarcated by change which results in the observance of time. To say it another way, time is the observance of change in existence as God creates it moment by moment. God is the creator of time.

It exists because of God’s ongoing activity of creation.

TIME exists because change is observed. Change occurs because things move. Things move because of the “Prime Mover” God.

The Past - Is Fact    
The Future - Is Potential
The present - God's ongoing act of creation enabling Existence.

Be Blameless

God's desire for us is that we would be blameless. It was not long after Christ became Lord and Savior in my life that I started coming across scripture that spoke that truth into my life. To be blameless, what does that really mean, why is it important?

For me it began as a conviction that I wasn't the perfect person I thought I was. I began to see just how often I "was" to blame for the conflicts in my life. As I began to realize my part in these conflicts, guilt became the consequence and my pride was revealed. Let me explain.

My pride let me think it would be easy to be blameless. You see for quite sometime I had directed the blame for my conflicts directly onto the one I had the conflict with.

Everyone is Unique.

So what should we deduce from this truth?

I'm not like you. Then why do I compare myself to you? It's because I want what you have. You are noticed, others praise your accomplishments, when I try to compete, you do better than me. When will I realize I can't be you?

Have you ever tried to be "like" someone else? What about trying to be someone you aren't, just to get someone to like you, to notice you? Have you ever struggled with trying to find the real you?

Then you are a "most fortunate soul". You are close to realizing... the real you is not like anyone else.

Years ago I learned that... "When I get a glimpse of God, I automatically get a glimpse of my true self".

Let His Light shine into (reveal) your life as you "Seek Him with all your Heart". As you get to know Him, you will get to know yourself. READ YOUR BIBLE!

Think About it!

You are unique, just like everybody else. Hmmmmmn?

A Snow Flake?

"Snow flakes are unique. But they are all snow flakes."   Hudson Brown

That's Hudson's interpretation of the statement he found online. "Just remember, all of us are unique, just like everyone else".

Light the fire Again?

Swept along? Sure I am swept along by circumstance, events beyond my control. Everyone is. The issue is our position in the flow. The flow sweeps us along the line of circumstance, but do we see a different perspective? Does our "position" rise us above the circumstance to see the bigger picture. Christ died for us while we were yet sinners!

Buck the Trend!

Swept along? By the flow? I have to remind myself...? Hmmm, thank you Lord.

http://www.randolphbrown.com/2011/04/cause-and-effect-is-in-swept-along-in.html

That's crazy.

Over the last few months I have been languishing in doubt and fear.  As I appraise my situation I find the most popular statement between Tracy and I is "That's Crazy".

It is an honest statement of perspective and a witness of "unbelief".

Yet time passes and God's provision, though it makes no sense, still remains.

On a road not of my own construction.

Yet, here I am. I thought the choices I made would direct the consequences that my future would reveal. Make good choices and good results would happened. What the?

Good choices compared to logical choices. My mistake was thinking "Logical choices" were "Good choices" NOT!

I walked a path of logical choices. At the end, I was un-employed and left to figure it out on my own.

The logic of it all, okay. But the immediate result, scary.

Then God proves Himself. Stay tuned.

Where do you place your trust?

The well equipped, tend to trust in their equipment.

Those with no sharp axe are much less likely to believe they can chop down the forest.

Perspective.

Our perspective informs all our opinions. Our opinions are an amalgamate (to combine into a unified or integrated whole) of our experience and the understanding we had in the moment. Insight is a crucial factor affecting the validity of our opinions. I suspect that "our insight" is superficial.

Superficial

su·per·fi·cial 

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

2. of or pertaining to the surface: superficial measurement.

3. external or outward: a superficial resemblance.

4. concerned with or comprehending only what is on the surface or obvious: a superficial observer.

5. shallow; not profound or thorough: a superficial writer.

Born Again. Earthly things?

John 3:1-12 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." 4 “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”


9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?

Light the Fire again.

I have many times re-lit the fire on my backyard deck. I pride myself in using just one match. I look to arrange the coals from my previous fire and bring them together in close proximity to one another. That is where I strike the match that burns brightly. Though it is small, I bring it close to the coals from my previous fire. The match sparks the coals around it yet if left alone the light of the flame quickly dies out so I blow on them. I take deep breaths in hopes that the longer I blow the more intense the embers glow and the more likely new fuel will ignite. Once the embers are glowing bright I sit back and watch the progression. I see how oxygen is now flowing into the embers and the heat rises pulling in more oxygen. The coals glow and heat is created, and it rises.

The glowing embers spread out slowly. I think I can anticipate where they will spread. Then all of a sudden I see a flame break out in a surprising place. The flame's light spreads out from it and illuminates the deck area. The flame comes from fuel that has never been exposed to the fire or the heat. It was the embers closest to the fresh wood that ignited them because of their close proximity. I had purposefully positioned the wood to come in contact with the glowing embers that they might be ignited by the heat that the embers possessed and become a roaring campfire that would attract all to come and see.

Making Sense?

We all try to figure things out. We look around and our experience gives us a clue. Yet there is so much more. In our pride we take our perspective and try to use it as an answer to explain the reality of the circumstance. And then the circumstance changes. We are fools who trust in our own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5-6

Potential

1. The inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or coming into being.

2. Something possessing the capacity for growth or development.

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT OUR IDENTITY it is important to understand that God sees us from a perspective of our potential. It is this potential that is the foundation of His commitment and long-suffering toward us. With insight and understanding of our God-given potential He rebukes, chastises, and disciplines us with exhortations of humility, honesty, and demonstrations of unconditional love. He calls us to be over-comers, blameless, willing to admit our mistakes, dependent on His guidance. Willing to serve His purposes. 

In this light, we should consider our choices and decisions!

To be "present" in the Now.

Have you ever been distracted? Has your attention ever been occupied? Have you ever lost track of what you were paying attention too?

Being "Present" in the "Now" is the last thing the enemy of your Soul wants you to be aware of, understanding the reality of your existence, being aware and cognizant of your surroundings, both physical and Spiritual.

It is there you "attend" to the need. It's the last thing the enemy of your soul wants you to realize. There is no better time than "Now". There are no other considerations as important, no other distractions that beg procrastination. Time and effort proclaim "do it now" there is no better opportunity for the doing,  and the promise "Be at Peace" is fulfilled when done. There is no greater Joy than to obey "Now".

"for the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." ROMANS 14:17

We are not defined by the stuff we have accumulated

Look around yourself. Okay, look around your "home". Look at the stuff. It's all familiar. It all has a history. Are you surprised from how "long ago" the stuff has sat there? I was.

Stuff, I thought it would define my families future. But it is left by the wayside cluttering up our now. I'm reminded of the idea that "Your possessions, possess you." I need to stop that.

Set in your ways?

Don't be.

The steps of a good man?

Psalm 37:23-25 (NKJV)

²³ The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.
²⁴ Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.

²⁵ I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.

Inertial Frames?

The interaction of mass and energy have their frames of inertia. Planets cycling around suns. Stars revolving within a galaxy, Galaxies moving in the Universe. Inertial frames all relative in the now.

Determinism makes it all predictable. Yet, choice makes it all incomprehensible. Choice is the wild card. We can build or we can destroy, it is our choice. The enemy of our soul speaks in accusations, wanting us to focus on how we have been wronged, how we have been trespassed against. As long as we use that to excuse our own failings we will not be able to confess our sins and accept God's forgiveness.

The path of being an overcomer begins with the rejection of blaming someone else for your situation.  Looking to the lover of your soul as he calls you to reject passivity, accept responsibility, lead courageously and to expect the greater reward. Then trusting He will be faithful.

(https://www.authenticmanhood.com/store/category/33-the-series)

Inertial Frames

Frame within a frame, within a frame and so it goes. My inertial frame, how do I define it? Tonight I realized the house that my family lives in is not "my" inertial frame. Why? Because... it's not.

Who am I?

Who I think I am is brought into focus by the interpretation of my perception (5 Senses) which results from my perspective of what exists. This perspective is informed by truth or lies...

What is the source of your information? Is your perspective of reality interpreted from your limited perception, then you have reasons to be uncertain about anything you decide, or do you rely on information from a perspective high above your own? A perception that is not limited to the "Here and Now"?

Lets do some investigation...

I started an online course from Stanford on Artificial Intelligence. There's a free version available.

It seems that AI research has come up with “Reasons of Uncertainty” as they investigate “What to do when you don’t know what to do”. Here are the reasons for uncertainty...

• Sensor limits. Don’t see it all.
• Stochastic environment. Unlimited variables.
• Adversaries. An enemy dedicated to you failing.
• Laziness. Not being thorough in your investigation
• Ignorance. Not knowing and not caring.

Oh, crap! Christian, does this sound familiar?

Euroclydon [yoo-rok-li-don]

A southeast billow, the name of the wind which blew in the Adriatic Gulf, and which struck the ship in which Paul was wrecked on the coast of Malta (Acts 27:14; R.V., "Euraquilo," i.e., north-east wind). It is called a "tempestuous wind," i.e., as literally rendered, a "typhonic wind," or a typhoon. It is the modern Gregalia or Levanter. (Comp. Jonah 1:4.)

A Natural Man!

A natural man, yes I am, that broke free from the cycle of deception. Ill equipped to face the challenge of condemnation or exaltation, how do I train up a son in the way that he should go?

The truth shall set you free!

Deception: is the norm. Make believe is entertainment's offering to all our perspectives. How can I discern the truth in what I perceive.

Conception: an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances.
Self conception: who you think you are derived from past instances that formed an identity.

Tumultuous in its energy, the flow of truth and lies mixed up to give veracity to the current of deception, has its effect. The discerner of spirits will fall back to the fundamentals and embrace the Lover of their Soul. Peace in the storm, do you see the signs?

Though turmoil is all about and I am flummoxed on every side, the Rock of my Salvation is solid ground. I stand in His Grace. He knows me. Amen.

Facebook Timeline.

Who are you? Your past defines you if Facebook has its way. Be wary.

The past provides clues to discover the real you. Mistakes, even if they are documented, really provide insight...

Okay, maybe a timeline on facebook will confront shortcomings. Of course, if I can edit my history then I can build the me I think I should be. Danger Will Robinson.

Connect to Reality in an Excellent way

How do we navigate through the flood of distraction and find our way to the reality of our existence?

The Excellent Way has two witnesses.

God's Initiative has provided us with #1 the Holy Scriptures, passed down through time to us. AND #2 The Holy Spirit...

John 14:26 Amplified Bible

26 But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.

Distraction sought after.

I look for distraction to occupy my time. Time I have, to afford thoughts of my situation in reality. When distraction seems preferable to facing up to the facts on the ground. Distraction seems attractive.

Distraction and Excellence. Connecting to Reality.

Connecting to reality, how is my pursuit of excellence confused by distraction that warps my sense of reality?

There is any number of means to have contact with those I have a connection with. Contact is the operative verb.

I am distracted by the many "goings on" that I am afforded a connection to, because of the latest communications technology. Information overload... you only overload a system when you expose it to more then it was designed to handle.

When you understand the system is designed for distraction you also realize the system is not built for excellence. I mean when you want to connect to reality.

Reality is not "our" perception. It never can be. It is His and He is the author of His plan for us. Who will you trust.

Excellence.

How do we define Excellence? Is it being the best at what ever we choose to commit our time and attention to? An unlimited definition of excellence would allow me to define my commitment to "Pumkin Chunkin" an excellent accomplishment if I achieved a world distance record. What about the best swindler, should he be proud?

Distraction meant to occupy.

Distract and occupy. Decieve and destroy.

Flow... a current of data.

Tumultuous in its energy, the current of deception is given veracity as it it mixed up with truth.

The discerner of spirits will fall back to the fundamentals and embrace the Lover of their Soul. Peace in the storm, do you see the signs?


Though turmoil is all about and I am flummoxed on every side, the Rock of my Salvation is solid ground. I stand in His Grace. He knows me. Amen.

Change is the constant, continuity is not a given.

Continuity - Noun: 1. The unbroken and consistent existence or operation of something over a period of time.  2. A state of stability and the absence of disruption. Yeah right.

Continuity is full of disruption. Stability? All is sinking sand. A state of stability is the only place continuity can be studied. From my perspective "continuity" is neither unbroken or consistent. It is a flow of cause and effect that can only be understood from the stability of a perspective that sees all as it happens. Tap into His view and all the changes start to make sense.

It's Hard to Tell.

It comes at you from every direction. Information.  It has many forms, emails, tweets, advertisements online and broadcast... Okay, it's easy to tell the source of some of the crap you are exposed to. But the internet is an exquisite tool of communication and it's the best way to pretend you are something you are not. Just spend sometime on Facebook. Technology allows you to fabricate a virtual you, that isn't... you.

Where do we go from here?

Source.

from Old.French. sourse "a rising, beginning, fountainhead of a river or stream," fem. noun taken from pp. of sourdre "to rise,spring up," from L. surgere "to rise" (see surge). Meaning"written work (later also a person) supplying information or evidence" 

There are only two sources. A source of truth and a source of lies. Truth is simple and easily understood. Complication comes from the father of lies and is meant to confuse.

Swept along.

Circumstance, it is a sea of turmoil. We all swim in it. We are swept along and most perceive not the flow. Flow? It is the current that inhabits the sum of every decision that those with choice make. Descisions break the bonds of determinism. But freedom to choose does not guarantee justice. Only the one who is everywhere, and sees all as it happens, can be the arbitrator of justice, who has already declared from the beginning, follow me!

Humility, the first step of a wise man.

We absorb truth from our surroundings if we understand that Wisdom, insight, understanding and knowledge... Are defined by a humble realization that it is not within ourselves to fully comprehend.

Reality?

Rejoice in the dynamic circumstance of your reality. For so intertwined is my reality with yours we cannot define reality but as "ours".

Rejoice.

Definition of REJOICE

transitive verb
: to give joy to : gladden
intransitive verb
: to feel joy or great delight.

Joy comes in the morning?? Whaaa.

R.O.I. A Kingdom Principle.

Return on investment.

Multiplication is the expectation.

Matthew 25:14-30

14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.

15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.

16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more.

17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more.

18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.

20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’

21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’

23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.

25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?

27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags.

29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

What are we to make of this?

Doldrums?

In seamen's speech the zone is referred as the "doldrums" because of it's erratic weather patterns with stagnant calms and sporatic violent thunderstorms. (Wikipedia)

Some may eqivocate the idea of an existence of turmoil. They reference their own experience and say "It's been smooth sailing". If this is the case, I would say you are no threat to the enemy of your soul and he has you where he wants you.

Existence? A sea of turmoil.

tur·moil –noun 1.a state of great commotion, confusion, or disturbance; tumult; agitation; disquiet: mental turmoil caused by difficult decisions.

We exist in a sea of turmoil. Why? Because our existence is flummoxed by the enemy of our soul.

No amount of insight, anticipation and organization can overcome the turmoil the enemy is able to produce from his lies and deceptions.

What are we to do? Trust in our own understanding or trust in the Lover of our soul with all our heart?

Fecundity, Foibles, and flummoxed turmoil? All can be overcome by Grace.

Fecundity, Foibles, Grace!

Curious words, the depth of meaning should be plumbed.

Fecundity. Foibles?

We reproduce what we are. That's fecundity. Foibles? They are the reason for what we reproduce.

An acknowledgement of our foibles is the first step in the process that creates a humble man. Humility is the first step a wise man takes. He concludes, "it is not within me to overcome my foibles".

The creature is not independent of the Creator.

Identity, Self-conception, interpretation, unique perspective.

Patterns of behavior are a result of who we perceive ourselves to be, our identity. Our conception of self is derived from how we interpret our unique perspective that exists in the now but...

A natural man, yes I am, that broke free from the "cycle" of deception. Ill-equipped to face the challenge of condemnation or exaltation, how do I train up a son in the way that he should go.

The truth shall set you free!

Deception is the norm. Make-believe is entertainment's offering of "distraction" to all our perspectives. How can I discern the truth in what I perceive?

Conception: an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances.

Self-conception: who you think you are derived from past instances that formed an identity.

What is a "fact"? Is it a statement of action or observance of state? The statement, "The earth is the third rock from the sun" is true for now. So is a "fact" something that is an observed truth at a given moment? Or is "Observed State" a recognition of the fact of determinism?

• Is our interpretation of our unique perspective a reliable foundation to base all our choices and decisions on?
• Do we have a clear understanding of how, what we decide, will propagate forward?
• Do we have it in our capacity to comprehend reality's nature and the influence our free will has on the circumstance made available to others that experience that influence? 

The answer to these questions makes me think, "Oh crap!".

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day.

One day exists in the "Now" of God's presence. What is "Now"?

It is the dynamic interaction of all that exists. Reality? Incomprehensible!

We see a fraction and can only comprehend an infinitesimal and in our pride we proclaim understanding.

The question is, "Do we understand how lost we are?"

Fecundity? Such a curious word with many meanings.

Fecundity? Let me explain what I mean. Each of us is not able to escape our Fecundity. We propagate what we are, and it is the evidence that either condemns or becomes the first step in a process of justification, sanctification and glorification.

Adoption allows one to escape the facts our choices have created. Adoption is the grafting into the stock that builds instead of destroys. Grace bids all. The humble say yes. Their challenge is allowing God to show them the way. Humility is the first step a wise man will make.

Cycles create the illusion of repeatability.

Cycles are all around us. Clock time, the spin of the earth, the revolution around the sun, it all makes us think we've done this before, we've been here before. Not!

In reality, every moment is unique because your relationship with the continuum is constantly changing.

When the decision is made it becomes an unalterable fact, no redo! The facts of your past, the enemy will use to condemn you. You are without excuse. The enemy of your soul is hoping you'll believe that you have an opportunity to make things right tomorrow. But Now is all there is.

Today is the day of salvation. Choice is all you have to break the cycle that has you trapped. Today say "Yes" to the lover of your soul and He will give you rest.

Fecundity?

Each of us live in the now. The Now is where we make our choices. Choices have ramifications.

Choices. The distraction is pride.

Memory and reason are the foundation of an observer's ability to choose. It presupposses a comprehension of tensed facts created by previous choices. The truth condemns and choice proves to be my down fall. Why? I was not designed to rely only on my memory.

Two things make it more complicated. The accuser,  and the tense facts that "I" created. The result is condemnation.

It seems my choice alone is unable to foresee and comprehend the ramification of its effect on the continuum. Thus the destructive result.

Fecundity has its foundation in the Now. As I trust in the Lord and not my own understanding, He directs my path to fruitfulness.

Cause and Effect (As in "Swept along in the Now")

Cause and effect creates a flow within an inertial frame. Have you ever felt like you were in a rut? This flow tends to take the same path if free will does not exert a choice. The choice is hidden by a lie that presents unworthiness and concludes condemnation. And rightly so if we accept the flow.

Hope presents a promise and says, “you choose” 1 Corinthians 10:13 The choice is simple but most difficult. We can stay in the flow and trust in our own understanding or we can choose to trust the Lover of our soul and begin to see who He created us to be. The truth sets us free as we trust in the Lord with all our hearts.

Cause and effect appeals to self-interest. There the tension is manifest. The enemy clouds the truth that self-interest is ultimately fulfilled in giving.

Cause and effect if left alone ultimately will result in degradation, the second law. Life can overcome that degradation by accepting the truth that Hope offers. Choose the author of life and be an overcomer.

Have you ever thought, I just wish someone would tell me what to do? Have you ever wished someone would show you the way you should go?

“I am the way, the truth, and the light”
Jesus Christ

Most likely you’ve believed, as I did, that you have it within you to succeed. The problem is what you define as success.

Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness. When change is absolute there remains no being to improve and no direction is set for possible improvement: and when experience is not retained, as among savages, infancy is perpetual. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. 

~ George Santayana ~ 

Remember the past? Each of us has a history. We reminisce with those we shared the past with. Remember when we say. Progress is not found there.

Our history viewed with clarity reveals the struggle. A struggle that gives us insight. The insight brings us to the realization that it is not within us to progress.

Come to an end of yourself. Humility is the fertile ground of a teachable heart. Allow the Lover of your soul to blast the light of truth into the darkness of your history to reveal the plan He has had for you from the beginning. He has one goal, to share himself with you.

Patterns of behavior.

Identity, Self conception, interpretation, unique perspective.

Patterns of behavior are a result of who we perceive ourselves to be, our identity. Our conception of self is derived from how we interpret our unique perspective which exists in the now, but it also is greatly affected by our remembered history. Memory does not serve us well.

Patterns of behavior are evident in the cycles we experience in the now. Free will gives us the potential to break free of the pattern and experience the cycle with a new perspective. Are you going to trust your interpretation?

Reality's Nature?

Is our interpretation of our unique perspective a reliable foundation to base all our choices and decisions?

Do we have a clear understanding of how, what we decide, will propagate forward?

Do we have it in our capacity to comprehend reality's nature and the influence our free will has on the circumstance made available to others that experience that influence?

The answer to these questions make me think, "Oh crap!".

.

Perspective.

The state of one's ideas, the facts known to one, etc., having a meaningful interrelationship:

a. The relationship of aspects of a subject to each other and to a whole: 

b. Subjective evaluation of relative significance; a point of view:

c. The ability to perceive things in their actual interrelations or comparative importance:

perspective: (noun) a) A specific point of view in understanding or judging things or events, especially one that shows them in their true relations to one another; b) the ability to see things in a true relationship. - Webster's Dictionary

We all have "our" perspective.

There are no two of us with the same perspective. I am unique and so is my perspective.

Insight? It starts with my perspective. Understanding? It starts with my perspective. But wisdom is not acquired in my perspective.

Then where?

Strength of Character.

Not discovered in the solitude of study, but in the day to day trials of the familiar. Not in situations of strength but in vulnerability and humility is character's strength revealed.

Not just "Present" but "Awake"!

My "present" location is in the "Now". Here I am. This "here" is in a constant state of change as the interaction of mass and energy changes and transforms my now.

My "now", how to describe it?

Cycles of perceived repeatability. This is why we think "today was just like all the others". We lose sight of he fact that we are not able to understand the moment in the infinite complexity of Now. Cycles make us think "I have been here before". NOT!

If I know the "Here and Now" is where I am "present" and it is unique, then I know I can't trust in my own understanding for my current circumstance, then I will be much more likely to pay attention to the lover of my soul and seek His insight as to the way I should walk.

Are you awake?

There are no coincidences.

Continuity is an attribute of God.

If He holds all things together by the power of His word. Hebrews 1:3 KJV, then He choreographs all things that happen.

To hold all things together, does not mean He approves all things that happen. What ever your choice is, He takes what you have given Him by your choices, and makes a plan to bring "Beauty from Ashes" Isaiah 61:1-3 (King James Version)

There is a continuity to our life. Your history provides insight to the "Now" of where you are at.

Only God understands your "Now" in it's continuity with the past. He has left clues all along the way. Want to understand how you got to where you are at? Find the clues.

Choices we make, as we are swept along. So why are we going in circles?

We can't stop making choices. Most of our choices we are oblivious to. We make them with little thought and they sweep us along a familiar path, mostly in circles. Ever feel that way,  doing the same old thing over and over again and you wonder why things aren't different?

Life is pointless without God. With God,... what's the point?

Life is pointless without God. I don't have a problem with that. Just read Ecclesiastes, but it falls short in telling me... With God, what's the point?

Okay, I am here in the now, where God is. I understand "now" is what exists and it is where I make all my choices and decisions. I also understand that my choices are unalterable once made. I understand that I am unable to comprehend the infinite complexity of Now and my relationship to it, here where I am.

So what's the point? With God, I have the one who is everywhere (Omnipresence) and therefore knows everything (Omniscient) that is happening. As my counselor, He Knows exactly how I should respond in any given situation I might find myself in because He is able to anticipate every possible contingency I might be faced with, in the now of my existence. So that in that very hour I will be given what to say.

So when you hear "pay attention" I pray you will be awake and not distracted.