Signs?

"Then they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying "signs". Amen" (Mark 16:20).

Discernment.

Discernment begins with thinking about your thoughts.

Understand that your thoughts have 3 origins*

• A Thought can originate from a man’s spirit (Self)
• A Thought can originate from God’s Spirit (Good)
• A Thought can originate from another spirit, either angel (good) or demon (Evil)

And then it continues with "taking every thought captive to the Lordship of Christ."

You consider a thought by, asking does it line up with the character of Jesus Christ and, is it in harmony with the full counsel of God's written word. But it is with the Lordship of Christ, as we ask Him what He thinks, that we have the opportunity to accept or reject the thought we are thinking.

Reading the Bible and praying without ceasing,  are essential activities for success in the spiritual war the enemy wages against us.

Deut. 11:18 “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 

2 Cor. 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

The battle takes place in our thoughts and we are to..

Jer. 7:23

But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’

Potential?

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 love, commitment and longsuffering.

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 overcomers, blameless, willing to admit our mistakes, dependent on His guidance. Willing to serve His purposes.

In this light we should make our CHOICES!

When seeking God’s will you shouldn’t be asking what does God want me to do. You should be asking who God wants you to be. It is then He will show us who we are.

Spiritual discernment.

https://www.gotquestions.org/double-minded.html

"A double-minded person is restless and confused in his thoughts, his actions, and his behavior. Such a person is always in conflict with himself. One torn by such inner conflict can never lean with confidence on God and His gracious promises.

Correspondingly, the term unstable is analogous to a drunken man unable to walk a straight line, swaying one way, then another. He has no defined direction and as a result doesn’t get anywhere. Such a person is “unstable in all he does.”

Repent, repentance... It's a lifestyle!

Call to repentance (noun) metanoeo leads to a change of mind,

repent (verb) metanoia which leads to a change of ways/action.

Repentance is an ongoing process of transforming the mind.

Tactics vs Strategy

"The terms tactic and strategy are often confused: tactics are the actual means used to gain an objective, while strategy is the overall campaign plan, which may involve complex operational patterns, activity, and decision-making that lead to tactical execution."

Games in the digital age.

A few years ago, my two sons, Hudson and Harrison invited a few of their friends over to play "video games."

Later in the evening, I went into the front room to see how things were going.

I was surprised to see only one of Harrison's friends in the room, Jacob.

Hudson was on the desktop computer with a headset and microphone. Talking to a number of online players that he was teamed up with as they battled another team on a multiplayer internet game.

Harrison had a PlayStation handset and was conversing with his teammates via his iPad as they battled on the big screen tv connected to the PS1 network.

I asked Jacob why he enjoyed playing these online games. He said "because I like overcoming obstacles, winning the battle, and discovering more of what the game has in store. I can be more than just me." 

Don't we all like feeling victorious? Feeling and "being" are two different things

Today I came across this...

http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/news/releases/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-appeal-of-videogames.html

It is interesting what the Lord said to me 8 months ago...

  http://www.randolphbrown.com/2015/12/vicarious-generation-that-been-occupied.html

Confession of a Fully Actualized Kingdom Saint?

https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/4009928.Avery_T_Willis_Jr_

I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed.

I have the Holy Spirit's power.

The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made -- I'm a disciple of His.

I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with

low living,

sight walking,

smooth knees,

colorless dreams,

tamed visions,

worldly talking,

cheap giving,

and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.

I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by

faith,

lean in his presence,

walk by patience,

am uplifted by prayer,

and I labor with power."

"My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be

bought,

compromised,

detoured,

lured away,

turned back,

deluded,

or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifices, hesitate in the presence of the enemy, pander at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity."

I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must

go till he comes,

give till I drop,

preach till all know,

and work till he stops me.

And, when he comes for his own, he will have no problem recognizing me... my banner will be clear."

Crucible?

a place or occasion of severe test or trial.

"the crucible of combat"

a place or situation in which different elements interact to produce something new.

How is love expressed?

Certainly it is expressed by the willingness to die for your friend.

But for most of us, what is the common expression of love? Or should I ask the evidence of love?

It is a commitment to relationship no matter the response from the one you love. It is a commitment to their highest good even when they walk away.

It is a willingness to say, "please forgive me". When you have made a mistake.

This love can only be expressed, transfered or passed on when you have experienced it yourself. It comes from an overflowing understanding of your own unloveliness, and the price Christ paid to have a relationship with you.

It is the understanding that you aren't sinless but you can be blameless.

Leverage?

A pivot point where pressure is multiplied. Accusation is the pressure. The accuser has a case. The point is guilt. Guilt is a function of the Spirit. The mind tries, but can not reason it away. Excuse and blame give control away and the lever is lengthened. So we are lost and condemned. Yet.
Christ died for us while we were yet sinners.
Certainly good news.

Authentic Faith?

The difference between "authentic faith" and a "trust in their own understanding" has huge ramifications on how our "faith" is lived out and therefore passed on.

Biblical principles are made alive by the Holy Spirit as one realizes their need to be guided. Thus knowledge is acquired... If a man knows to do good and doesn't do it, that is sin

The problem is when we trust in our own understanding. (Prov. 3:5-6)

Faith implies a present-tense relationship with God. Present-tense is used in grammar for actions that are happening now. We reside/exist in the Now, and so does our relationship with God. It is impossible to have "Faith" in God without a relationship with Him where His presence is experienced in the present.

We think that we have the ability to anticipate the contingencies that our choices will propagate. But we forget "we see through a glass darkly"! Our perspective and therefore our understanding is limited. But God's is not.

Romans 8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God,
they are the children of God.

The Battle Front.

In every battle there is the "front". In WW2 they were defined geographically. Initially though they were defined by ideas that individuals expressed. These ideas propagated, to influence other individuals in geographic locations. The real battle front is relational. It is the battle between truth and lies. It is a battle between the one who loves our soul and the one who wants to destroy us. It is a battle waged in the hearts of those who know His guidance, provision and care and those who need to know.

Priorities. The difference is between temporal and Eternal. Many will be surprised when they find out where their priorities were.

Knowledge shall increase.

Knowledge? It is knowing what is fact. Fact is truth. Fact becomes truth as it happens/occurs. Facts are knowable. And knowledge is increased as facts are shared. Knowledge puffs up. Makes you believe you can anticipate the future. Pride has only one predictable outcome. It is an unwelcome surprise for all who trusted in their own understanding/knowledge.

I am you father.

I would give my life for the chance that you would become all that God created you to be.

Go

Go to the brook Kidron. And there I will provide for you.

FAKS Framework Explains...

How you came to believe, what is happening in your life now. And where God wants to take you.

It has to do with what to believe and why.

It reflects the battle narrative of overcoming the flesh and the enemy of your soul.

Ever think about your thoughts?

Have you ever argued with yourself? How is that possible?

I believe what I believe. If there is contradiction in my "thoughts" then that is evidence that some of my thoughts are not my own.

Cognitive Dissonance?

Humanistic term that tries to explain the spiritual battle we all experience.

The "Goal" of Existential (Christian) Therapy

Existentialism --> life is pointless --> crisis reveals our helplessness --> Jesus reveals the solution --> Bible is the witness --> Holy Spirit is the guide --> Faith is how it is accomplished.

Potential.

It is why God never gives up on us.

Potential!

"If I were to wish for anything, I should not wish for wealth and power, but for the passionate sense of the potential, for the eye which, ever young and ardent, sees the possible. Pleasure disappoints, possibility never. And what wine is so sparkling, what so fragrant, what so intoxicating, as possibility!"
                                Soren Keirkegaard

Angst

Has everything to do about the future.

Keys to Wisdom.

Humility, a teachable heart and radical dependence on the counsel and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Is Wisdom "Acquired"?

Experience provides the opportunity for Knowledge to be gathered. Wisdom is the "state of mind" that gives one the potential for insight, discernment, good judgement and Understanding. This state of mind has its beginning in humility and is cultivated by a teachable heart.

Prov. 9:9 "if you correct a wise man, he will become all the wiser."

James 3:13-18 "Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

John 14: 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 that I said to you.

Trick's of the trade?

A clever ​method used by ​people who are ​experienced in a ​particular ​type of ​work or ​activity.

Through trial and error one can learn "tricks of the trade". We can all learn from "our" mistakes. At least a wise man can.

But there is another, some might say, better way. "Tricks of the trade" can be passed on from one to another, if the other has a teachable heart.

Experience and knowledge compared to Wisdom and understanding.

One does not mean you have the other. Experience and knowledge is a function of our ability to remember. Wisdom and understanding is a function of our ability to anticipate and reason. The problem is that knowledge puffs up, and pride is a stumbling block to wisdom.

Humility is the first step a wise man will make. A teachable heart is the path to understanding.

Relationships? Plumbing the depths of Prov. 3:5-6

How many do you have? I’m asking about relationships.

Take a moment; the total, though you underestimated it, will surprise you.

At home, at work, at school, at church... you get the idea.

Okay, I am defining "relationship" as anyone who knows you.... okay they might forget my name, but because I have interacted with them, they have established an opinion of me (You).

And therefore are predisposed to react to me in a certain way if confronted with me again.

That person, after experiencing you, after whatever time has passed, however, God has convicted you and provided Grace to overcome when your paths cross again, do you think you can possibly know what to say or respond?

Only God understands explicitly your relationships. Therefore, then, because of this, we should look to His insight and understanding to give us "the" response to those we should again come across and have to give an answer to. Of course "again" is the additive to the concept. The concept is that we should "look to His insight and understanding" in every situation, with every person, whatever our relationship, and trust and then obey. The obeying part speaks of our response to whomever we are relating to. The "whom-ever" are those in our path.

This is an argument for Prov. 3:5-6

Vicarious!

A generation that is being occupied and distracted from their own need to be overcomers.

http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/vicariously

"Vicariously is the adverb form of the word vicarious, which also involves experiencing something through another person. The Latin influence is the word vicarius, which means “substitute.” If you experience something vicariously, in a sense you’re a substitute who’s getting something secondhand.

If you’re living vicariously, stop it. Get out and live life for yourself. Vicariously means that you’re experiencing something indirectly, like when your friend's adventure feels like your own."

Truth!

Valid for the micro and the Macro.

Radical Dependence?

It has been "my" experience that I am told by the Holy Spirit often "Pay Attention" and asked too often "What are you waiting for".

And then I ask "this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.”

Exasperated by the word "foibles"

Why? It's a word that is simple and that has no baggage of misunderstanding. Why? Very view have even heard it before.

Yet it's meaning has significance for us all. That's the rub. We think... "I'm just like everyone else. Ah, I'm not to blame.

Thus the exasperation.

Prayer of "Radical" dependance.

^{Matt. 6:9} “This, then, is how you should pray:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰ your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.

Identity

The key to success in the economy of God's Kingdom?... Know who He created you to be. You "ARE", So "BE" and you'll "DO".

Are, am, will be

Be, being, becoming

Do, act, action, actuate, actuated

You are "Justified".
You are being "Sanctified"
So let Christ be "Glorified" in all you do.

The "Good News" to this generation...

You are "Significant"! Turn (repent) from the path of self-actualization/reliance.

Quit trusting in what you think you know and turn to the one who knows you. He will guide you in the way that you should proceed.   Prov. 3: 5-6

And don't forget to do good.

Our Quest for Significance.

Significance? What we lost? Or what the enemy wants us to believe we lost?

I say this in the most historic of terms.

Significance. We all seek it out, and protect it once we think we have it. The more secure we are in our significance, the more we are able to be generous to others. Makes us feel more significant. Even when our significance is based on vapor. Ecclesiastes 1:2-4

Significance? Google its definition.

Then try to understand... "While you were yet a sinner, Christ died for you"!

Significant? Yes. You "are".

Back to Jer. 7:23

The first part now may be seen in it's proper role...

"Obey my voice and I will be your God and you will be my people."

The first promise is preeminent to the second "Walk in my ways", because life's unimaginable complexity is only fully comprehended by the one who created us..

Obeying His voice, as He answers our questions, as we walk with Him, is what "pray without ceasing" really means.

We all need a "Cluestick"

http://definithing.com/cluestick/

Why? Sure you are well equipped with biblical principles that you trust and apply. You have reaped the promise and it has gone well with you.

It's hard to argue with that kind of success. But. As I mentioned before "Practical wisdom separated from its source, becomes something we begin to trust in".

That is where "We all need a "Cluestick" really becomes an essential truth. Why?

http://www.randolphbrown.com/2011/06/creature-is-not-independent-of-creator.html

The Self-Help Christian Industry

Self-help Christianity emphasizes understanding principles to live by, that are expounded in the Bible. It is a path with a promise... "Walk in my ways and it will go well with you" (Jeremiah 7:23 )

We learn these principles from preachers and teachers that are well taught in the practical wisdom passed down to them. We all have some (practical wisdom) to give if you have been "born again".

The love and hope of the one who trains up his child in the way he should go, as he passes down the lessons he has learned, rarely brings about the hoped for result. Why?

Knowledge puffs up. What does that mean? Practical wisdom separated from its source, becomes something we begin to trust in. We see it as our own. And it is. It is wisdom we have acquired. It is wisdom we have operated on. It is wisdom that has blessed our lives. Because we have trusted it and acted upon it. We are accountable. If a man knows to do good and doesn't do it. That is sin.

If we know knowledge puffs up what are we to do. Your testimony reeks of biblical principles. God has met you where you were at. He spoke to you and made His wisdom known to you. I like to say, "He sharpened your axe". Certainly speak of the wisdom He has imparted...

Oh wait, do you have a testimony of what God has shared with you? Or are you just a student of practical wisdom?

Either way, the first part of Jeremiah 7:23 is what we all need to understand.

"But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you."

"Obey My voice" is a present tense imperative, progressive verb. You only hear Him in the present "here and now." That is when you should obey.

Christ is the Exemplar!

Present-day Christendom really lives as if the situation were as follows: Christ is the great hero and benefactor who has once and for all secured salvation for us; now we must merely be happy and delighted with the innocent goods of earthly life and leave the rest to Him. But Christ is essentially the exemplar, that is we are to resemble Him, not mere profit from Him.
― The Journals of Søren Kierkegaard

www.relevantmagazine.com/god/15-soren-kierkegaards-most-challenging-quotes#tH9ElbBkyEMZSEup.99

"Whose hearts are fully committed to Him"

I try to understand the meaning to this and I think of Haggai...

2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house.’”

3 Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: 4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?”

5 Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”

7 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. 8 Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the Lord. 9 “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house.

Spiritual pushups

Take as much effort as physical pushups. Have you ever exercised your Faith?

Love, Listen, Discern. Then Respond.*

2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him ...
Time To Revive, Dallas TX*

Being. Continue to be. AKA: True Identity

The more you get to know God, the more you learn about yourself. And the more you are able to dependently (relationship) walk in your true identity. Doing those things that He has before ordained that you should do.

You are, so "be". And you will do. This is the place of true Joy!

Worship in Spirit and in Truth.

Faith

Is there a "Promised Land" for the Christian today?

Joshua led the Israelite's into the promised land. They crossed the Jordan river carrying the "Presence of the Lord". They overcame every stronghold of the enemy as they obeyed the Lords unique guidance in each situation. Where they did not obey His guidance they failed. The promise was where ever they walked God would give them the land. Joshua 1:3

The promised land for the Christian today is exactly the same. Whether it is in their personal life, the lives of people they know. Or the lives of those God guides them to come across.

The operative word here is "Overcome".

"Discipleship". A term right from the clavis of "Christianese". Rarely defined succinctly.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianese

Here is the best definition I have come across, from Greg Herrick's "Understanding The Meaning of the Term “Disciple”...

Let’s summarize what we’ve been talking about thus far. For our purposes, then, a “disciple of Christ” is someone who has been called first to know Christ, then to follow him, and then to make disciples of all nations. That is, in our knowing Christ we are becoming like him—thinking, feeling, and living as he commands. In this spiritual ambience of personal relationship with him, that is, in light of our experience of the kingdom, he summons us to be his disciples. We are to follow him, through thick and through thin, knowing that he is there and that he will reward us in his time; after all, he is the Master. But discipleship not only involves being with him, being like him, and following him, it also means that we make it our goal to disciple others—indeed, every nation under the sun. The Great Commission is not just another good idea—though it is that—it is the church’s marching order. As far as I know, he never communicated another plan.

A fresh wind is blowing.

I feel it on my face. Time to gather fire wood. It will be a big bonfire. Are you ready.

“Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.

Matthew 8:8–10
8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, 3 ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel 4 have I found such faith.

Who has?

Is there anyone in the Bible that has "operated in the fullness of God's guidence, provision and care"?...

YES! Jesus.

Has there been anyone in the Bible who has attempted to follow Jesus? Well Duh...

What an overcomer would say.

Philippians 3:12-16 (KJV)

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Rise up Oh Man of God!

Biblical knowledge and Spiritual principles

How is that different from biblical faith and spiritual guidence? The difference is huge.

Squeaky wheel gets the grease

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

All the promises find their yes in Him.

Knock and it will be opened up to you
Seek and you will find.

Asking for bread over and over until the owner of the inn finely gives it to you.

My sheep know my voice and I know them.

Do you know His voice? Does Jesus know you?

Have you knocked on His door? Have you been so convinced that you have not given up. Committed to "Travail" through until you receive the promise, to the end?

Faks

FULLY ACTUALIZED KINGDOM SAINT...

Operating in the fullness of God's guidence, provision and care. Being established holy and blameless before God.

2 Thes. 2:

11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

LOOK IT UP!

Some more...

for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first.

Falling away? Because of a lie? Before Christ comes back?

A strong delusion? What could that possibly be?

Are you a student of current events?

Time Moves Forward.

Things change. But God doesn't. He is the constant. The source of unconditional commitment to our highest good. No matter how many mistakes we make, He comes up with the best plan forward. Will we trust Him this time and obey?

Character Traits.

Make sure that your pride in deference doesn't overshadow your need to reject passivity.

Truth separated from God becomes a lie (Deception)

The temptation of Jesus

Knowledge shall Increase

In the last days knowledge shall increase. Yet scripture says the people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
There are truths that have been hidden till this time to be revealed. We are called to not forsake the gathering of the brethren. When we gather each has something to share. This is team work, Unity expressed, the Body manifest as the Bride. Anticipating His return.

All about unity.

Yes. That is true. Biblical unity generated by the Holy Spirit's guidance to the Father and His Kingdom.

Who is the King?

Anyone who decides "I am in charge of my life".

The heart of the king

Proverbs 21 King James Version (KJV)
21 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

The mighty think their thoughts are their own. The humble wisely understand the still small voice is God's intimate guidance for them.

Pornography and video games.

Both are a poor substitute. One for sex with your wife and the other victorious living.

FAKS?

A fully actualized kingdom saint is second, charts their own course, utilizes what comes along. And is not passive but intentional.

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