Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Jurgen

Soon my friend will be free!


Andrae Crouch

Soon And Very Soon lyrics

Soon and very soon
We are going to see the King

Soon and very soon
We are going to see the King

Soon and very soon
We are going to see the King
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
We're going to see the king

No more cryin there,
We are going to see the King

No more cryin there,
We are going to see the King

No more cryin there,
We are going to see the King
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
We're going to see the King


Should there be any rivers we must cross
Should there be any mountains we must climb
God will supplt all the strength that we need
Give us strength till we reach the other side.


We have come from every nation, God has already signed our name. Jesus took his blood and he washed my sins.. he washed them all away. Yet there are those of us who have laid down our lives but we all shall meet again on the other side... soon and very soon.


Hallelujah
Halleljuah
We're going to see the King


http://www.youtube.com/v/XZz8VG171hY&autoplay=1&fs=1&autoplay=1


Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Discovery

Discovery

Last night I saw a movie called “Eat, Pray, Love” starring Julia Roberts. Good movie. A slight spoiler is to follow so; if you find that annoying, stop reading now.

Our heroine finds herself at a point in life where, assessing her circumstances and finding herself wanting; embarks on a year long adventure/sabbatical. One segment of her year takes her to India where she spends time in a Hindu ‘place’ where she learns meditation and discovers an aspect of the healing and knowledge of God that she desired.

OK…… Hindu, I know, but, as this segment of the movie concludes, she reveals her discovery to the audience as she self-narrates her experience and states it something to this effect “I discovered God lives in me and as me”

Wait a minute! I thought that was ‘our story’!
With Hollywood behind the message and Julia Roberts delivering it, I can just see the world flipping over this great ‘cool’ concept and I can foresee a birth of interest in things Hindu, but come on now, we ‘had that message’ centuries ago!

Problem is; we just don’t hear it as much anymore.

Jesus said in John chapter 14;

"If you love me, show it by doing what I've told you. I will talk to the Father, and he'll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can't take him in because it doesn't have eyes to see him, doesn't know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!
"I will not leave you orphaned. I'm coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you're going to see me because I am alive and you're about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I'm in my Father, and you're in me, and I'm in you.


We "do" because He lives in and through us.

Paul in Galatians 2 tries to explain it like this; "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."

I love how The Message paraphrase puts it;

"What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a "law man" so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that."

‘We’ seem to spend an inordinate amount of time exercising our conclusions regarding God’s corporate agenda for society at the expense of the message of Devine personal revelation, growth, and relationship.

Now I know there is probably a ton of Hindu philosophy behind that statement in the movie. [Honestly I’m not sure Hindu is what I should be calling it. Maybe one of you will straighten me out].

I’m certainly not advocating your exploration of the Hindu beliefs (although I am sure Jesus isn’t threatened if you do). I’d rather you find the Light I have found, live in it, then tell me what you see and hear.

I am wondering how the world got such a distaste of our faith and how the offer of Jesus got so lost.

It saddens me that we neglect what is in my opinion, the most wonderful (and fundamental) gift Jesus offers; to have our relationship with God restored.

Julia Roberts (in character) re-discovers the joy of living and relationships. Do we offer that? Jesus said to a woman “if you knew who it was you were talking to, you would ask for something different, something more important, something you really want’ (my translation). Julia’s character wants to talk with God, wants revelation, and wants healing and freedom from what ails her. She wants to be free to live!

Again! That’s supposed to be our message, the message Jesus began his revelation to us with.

Healing. Freedom. Life. Knowing God.

That is the offer. That is the Christianity I have found.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

One of my intimate allies found out his life likely will end much sooner than hoped for.
I arrived at the medical facility where the news was delivered shortly after receiving the news.
After a group hug with his wife, he and I separated and held each other again.
We looked at each other.
He looked in my eyes and said,

"Today is the first day of the rest of your life."

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Scripture

These are my current thoughts on the place, meaning and value of scripture in my walk as a follower of Jesus. It just so happens Paul (of all people) said it so well before me, and these words which I believe were inspired by God are simply and totally sufficient in describing the place scripture holds in my life. I find these words worthy of meditation.


All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. (The Message)

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (King James)
(My emphasis added)

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (New King James)
Scripture is actually from God (as in His breath literally coming out of Him) and it has value.

I would add these thoughts;

As I look at scripture objectively I find it is more a description rather than a prescription.

There was a time when I was younger in the faith that I had a larger appetite to read scripture. I found that by reading these historical accounts of God interacting with humanity I was able to look for (and find) Him in my life more easily. However, as my thirst to know Him and learn about Him remained unquenched, and I turned to the Scriptures to drink of His history, I remained unsatisfied, unquenched, and more self judgmental. For me I came to realize that I would never be able to know all the principles, keep all the rules, memorize enough, trust myself, or debate the intellectuals very well. I have friends who have a gift for study; I’m not really put together that way. How could I ever catch up? How many hours would I need? Was seminary what it would take? Was my intimacy with God and therefore my ability to be in relationship with Him dependant upon my ability to process and retain information?

I was confounded by Paul’s writings that were clearly culturally sensitive. Like most of the people I know, I selectively disregarded portions that clearly were ‘no longer relevant’ things such as; women not speaking in church or wearing pants, or Peter’s instruction to slaves to withstand beatings (I’d like to see how that flies in a court today). There are more examples but I’m already getting bored….no passion to continue presenting more examples. I’m an evangelist, not an apologist.

I read about the Pharisees. I suspect these were not all intentionally evil men. I believe most were men who had the best of intentions, to know God’s requirements as passed on by God (and man) through history and apply them to the routine of their daily life cycle. Yet here comes Jesus saying they missed it! He talked about the condition of the heart.

I instinctually knew above all else what I wanted was to hear Him talk to me, engage me, and live with me in the moments of my life. Right now; would He talk to me? Through a series of events I met Him in a moment. This is not the time to discuss that moment. I would be glad to tell you the story if you wish, but the point is this; now I hear Him, every moment I desire (and sometime I don’t want to). He calls me His friend, and scripture pales in comparison to sharing the moments of my existence in complete abandonment to the relationship. Reading a premise, a rule, or historical account of how He talked to someone else 2000 years ago is like the difference in reading about a moon landing or standing foot on it (something I have not done).

Yet none of this diminishes scripture. I cannot think of a time when His leading in my life contradicted the words Christ spoke. Now, sometimes quite often (sometimes not) I find myself in scripture. Whether I’m preparing a talk, exploring a notion, or desiring a reminder of His truth; it’s always as a result of His leading, and when I read, I find confirmation or definition of my experience.

I believe Jesus came to restore the relationship that was broken in Eden. I believe that is the story behind scripture and the intent of God’s heart on allowing it to remain.

I believe God wants to walk with us just like He did with Adam and Eve, perhaps not physically like He did with them, but in relationship, in this moment. Right now, and I do not think He needs a book to do that, helpful as it has proven to be.

Are you and God busy writing the story of His ongoing revelation as told by _______________ (fill in your name)?
I would seriously question if it’s contrary to Jesus’ recorded words.

Are you completely satisfied in you relationship with Him? It’s available, He’s still talking. The bible is a great example of it, the whole darn thing. If a relationship with Him is solely dependant upon scripture knowledge, then the intellectual has a better chance of being His friend than me and what’s the stinking use, because I’ll never meet up, never, I tried. I tried real hard.

Some would say this is a bad example; but by reading this, one could have a greater understanding of what I think. But it pales in comparison to having a conversation with me because too much is left up to you. But even this silly writing is available for God’s insight if you ask Him for it.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Jesus is the Light

In speaking about John the Baptist, the apostle John writes, "He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him."

this Light coming into the world is Jesus.

John continues...

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

It is Jesus who has come into the world.

Now Jesus speaks, this is great...

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."


again He speaks,

While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

Jesus has come, The light is here, it is Him.

I'm almost done. Jesus again,

I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

Jesus is the light.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

A New Lamp

A 'New Lamp'

I have been released of His compelling to proclaim Entire Sanctification’s (ES) availability as his ‘primary’ purpose as I minister.

Profound is; the settling in of the premise that Jesus is the only one who can open a heart, and He will lead those He calls to this (or any) transaction when He concludes it is time, or needed. I’m exploring the truth that a person can be a ‘holiness follower’ regardless of any spoken prayer. A genuine invitation to Him happens in the heart. Words are secondary, an expression of our desire. “If a person were on an island, without a person to hear and spoke to God in their thoughts…..”

While ES is still for me the most significant moment in my life, I now rest that while it is available for all, in my life, it was for me, to enable me to be a vessel through which He can love those He brings into my garden. Through the crisis I experienced, He surrounded me with men who helped me discover; what was wrong, what to pray for, and how to live it. I believe; He will lead those He wants to hear my testimony to me, or I will find myself in their midst. But my testimony is diverse. My passion to see people engage Him in simple intimacy has become preeminent and grown beyond ES. I cannot ignore my (our) testimony, but we have so much to illuminate from our arsenal. He is so much bigger that any one transaction.
While the ‘narrow beam lamp’ of E.S. has been taken from my hand and replaced with a lamp shining a ‘new’ light, I am certain that a part of the spectrum cast by it will include ES. Beyond that I am not sure what will be illuminated. I suspect it includes my ability to empathize, but it’s only been a day or so, and I’m not very far down the path, and my eyes have not adjusted fully. I know I want to meet people where they are and encourage them to stop, look into His eyes, and embrace that freedom to look into His face without shame. He will do the rest, and tell me to proclaim ES if, or when it’s time.

I release this and die with some sadness, but I rest that these past six years of steeping is without shame, for I have been faithful to walk in the light He provided for my feet. The future is an adventure yet to be revealed and as I walk into it with Him I am so thankful I have Him to lead into the freedom, healing and life to the full He said He came to bring.

It is no longer I who live

"We're supposed to be dead!"

-Jesus via a man at Gideon

Monday, March 15, 2010

What to do

"Just breath,
keep walking,
and make sure He is on the throne".

-Jesus through Jurgen Von Treskow

Friday, March 12, 2010

Camp Gideon 2010

Gideon 2010

I’ve been there in the snow.
I’ve been there in the rain.
I’ve been there in the sunshine.

I’ve been there hurting.
I’ve been there hungry.
I’ve been there in peace and in between.

Every single time Jesus has been there with me.

He’s like that.

Friday, March 5, 2010

I have a friend

I have a friend.

I’m a lucky guy. I know a man who loves me. He allows me to tell my story; the story of the moment. I sometimes have difficult moments and when I do, I can cry, yell, cuss, whine or speak to him, and he allows it. This man is trust worthy; I do not have to pose for him. When the very foundation of my hope is rocked and I question my ability to continue, he remains. I have allowed this man to know me completely and this man still loves me.
This man is a gift from Jesus. You see some time ago when my world was falling apart I was in need of a friend; I knew it instinctually. I took a chance, although at the time I was so broken it was not really much of a chance at all, but rather simple, literal survival. Jesus gave me this man. I saw this man and the opportunity with the eyes of my heart, I just knew. I didn’t have time for putting on a face of content, or maturity. I was in need and I allowed it.
Life is really screwy. Honestly, sometimes don’t you just want to get through the day? Sometimes isn’t that all your capable of? Do you have moments where everything seems like a bloody war? I do.
I’m a passionate, abstract, emotionally charged man. Jesus loves that about me. When I’m breathing He gets to experience life as only He and I can. I have an immense capacity to love (and hate). I’m volatile. Sometimes when I’m getting crushed, I get overwhelmed. In those times I have a friend.
The world teaches us that when men reach a certain age (be it a number or perceived maturity), we’re not supposed to get crushed anymore. That’s crap. Life is difficult. Couple that with Jesus wanting to heal and free us of our chains, and diving into these feelings being the only way to do it, and you have a potential real mess (at least for me). I can’t do it alone. Isolation breeds dysfunction. I used to wonder why talking to Jesus wasn’t enough. I don’t have time for that question anymore. You see; I have a friend and all I know is that when I come to this man and express; my situation, frustration, brokenness, fear, anger, or rage I find healing and freedom at best and strength to continue at least. I hate how the world teaches that men should not need help. I wish every man had a friend like I have.

I have a friend that was given to me by Jesus. I’m a lucky guy. It’s a miracle. I had to risk; rejection, judgmental dismissal and betrayal but this man has proved trustworthy. I trust him with my life.

I just wanted to thank him.

Dear Friend,
I love you, thank you, well done.
Steve

Monday, March 1, 2010

My God Jesus

I have spoken quite a bit recently about my friend Jesus. I would like to take a moment and talk about my God Jesus.
As life happens, there are moments where I am compelled to engage Jesus in a fashion that does not resemble two friends just hanging out. There are times when it appears that my abilities fall short of my need in my circumstance. It is during these times I speak the name of Jesus. Some days I speak His name frequently. This ‘saying of His name’ I come to realize is me affirming myself of who I am, what He has done, and what He is capable of. It is reminder that He is God and I am His.
I have left behind the need to practice this by routine, (although to be honest it appears routine), rather, I practice this as a result of His Spirit’s lead. As much as I now know I have everything I need to respond to whatever life presents me, I still find myself capable of struggle. During these times of difficulty, I believe Jesus Himself, through His heart and Spirit that live within me, compel me to come to Him with my need or desire. I believe this glorifies Him and He is appreciative.
I have times of depression and anxiety and these times can ignite a response of fear, anger or isolation, which break relationship either; Him or the people in my life. It is here that I find the need within me that can be only be met by God. Sometimes this engagement of God can be rather casual, a simple utterance of His name. Always this engagement is humbling.
It is a reverent, beautiful, and awe inspiring place to be in the presence of a most powerful God; A God who is true, good, capable, and willing to rise and respond to the need of His beloved.

As I walk in the garden
And the ‘other one’ speaks my name,
I recognize a choice I have;
I call Him, and then remain.

I have what He gave me,
This is all that I need,
But the turning, and silence;
Is downfall’s bad seed.

This seed of independence,
This seed of no need,
This seed of forgetting,
I don’t want it to succeed.

If I ask He will rise up
And stand beside me
Put His hand on my shoulder
‘We’ are all that I need.

-Steve

Friday, February 26, 2010

Knowing God

Do I know God? I ask myself the question and it's a silly question. Between me, myself and my intimate allies, it’s a silly question. But I consider the answer I would give someone else and I find myself searching for words to describe a mystical experience.
Q. "How do I know I know Him?'
A. "Because he lives in me"
(A good, true answer in my ears, and true in my heart, yet somehow lacking to someone else's ears I suspect.)
A. "Because He caused and causes transformation in my mind, heart and life"
(Again true for me, yet it could be written off to any revelation based therapeutic behavioral management model)
A. "Because, after asking to be changed, healed, freed, and to have a life from Him, it occurred."
(I feel like I'm getting somewhere now, but still missing something somewhere, not airtight somehow)
A. "Because I hear His voice clearly. He initiates conversations and responds to my dialogue. He teases me, likes me, cries with me, and laughs with me. He likes it when I tease Him, and creates in me an ability and desire to love that was not evident or part of my nature before I met Him. He compels me to enter into situations contrary to my nature of self preservation. He leads me to freedom from what I am captive of. He heals me of my emotional and psychological wounds by accepting my invitation to come in and show me what ails me so I can ask for healing and freedom. Most importantly, I love Him and living without him would be more heartbreaking than I can imagine, it would be like death, or the lack of life. In all this, He loves me completely and in the midst of every flaw, shortcoming, screw up, or rejecting of Him on my part, I am never ashamed of myself when I'm with Him.
I know I know him because His nature and existence is contrary to the way of the world."
(that feels better)

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Jesus’ prayer for Himself, me, and you

Jesus’ prayer for Himself, me, and you amazes me. It is enough for a lifetime of dialogue with Him about what He said. I’ve included two translations below. Do you think He meant exactly what he said?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

John 17 (New International Version)
John 17
Jesus Prays for Himself
1After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
Jesus Prays for His Disciples
6"I have revealed you[a] to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one. 12While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. 13"I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17Sanctify[b] them by the truth; your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
Jesus Prays for All Believers
20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."
Footnotes:
a. John 17:6 Greek your name; also in verse 26
b. John 17:17 Greek hagiazo (set apart for sacred use or make holy also in verse 19

____________________________________________________________________________________

John 17 (The Message)
John 17
Jesus' Prayer for His Followers
1-5 Jesus said these things. Then, raising his eyes in prayer, he said:
Father, it's time.
Display the bright splendor of your Son
So the Son in turn may show your bright splendor.
You put him in charge of everything human
So he might give real and eternal life to all in his charge.
And this is the real and eternal life:
That they know you,
The one and only true God,
And Jesus Christ, whom you sent.
I glorified you on earth
By completing down to the last detail
What you assigned me to do.
And now, Father, glorify me with your very own splendor,
The very splendor I had in your presence
Before there was a world.
6-12 I spelled out your character in detail
To the men and women you gave me.
They were yours in the first place;
Then you gave them to me,
And they have now done what you said.
They know now, beyond the shadow of a doubt,
That everything you gave me is firsthand from you,
For the message you gave me, I gave them;
And they took it, and were convinced
That I came from you.
They believed that you sent me.
I pray for them.
I'm not praying for the God-rejecting world
But for those you gave me,
For they are yours by right.
Everything mine is yours, and yours mine,
And my life is on display in them.
For I'm no longer going to be visible in the world;
They'll continue in the world
While I return to you.
Holy Father, guard them as they pursue this life
That you conferred as a gift through me,
So they can be one heart and mind
As we are one heart and mind.
As long as I was with them, I guarded them
In the pursuit of the life you gave through me;
I even posted a night watch.
And not one of them got away,
Except for the rebel bent on destruction
(the exception that proved the rule of Scripture).
13-19 Now I'm returning to you.
I'm saying these things in the world's hearing
So my people can experience
My joy completed in them.
I gave them your word;
The godless world hated them because of it,
Because they didn't join the world's ways,
Just as I didn't join the world's ways.
I'm not asking that you take them out of the world
But that you guard them from the Evil One.
They are no more defined by the world
Than I am defined by the world.
Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth;
Your word is consecrating truth.
In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world,
I give them a mission in the world.
I'm consecrating myself for their sakes
So they'll be truth-consecrated in their mission.
20-23 I'm praying not only for them
But also for those who will believe in me
Because of them and their witness about me.
The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—
Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
So they might be one heart and mind with us.
Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.
The same glory you gave me, I gave them,
So they'll be as unified and together as we are—
I in them and you in me.
Then they'll be mature in this oneness,
And give the godless world evidence
That you've sent me and loved them
In the same way you've loved me.
24-26 Father, I want those you gave me
To be with me, right where I am,
So they can see my glory, the splendor you gave me,
Having loved me
Long before there ever was a world.
Righteous Father, the world has never known you,
But I have known you, and these disciples know
That you sent me on this mission.
I have made your very being known to them—
Who you are and what you do—
And continue to make it known,
So that your love for me
Might be in them
Exactly as I am in them.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Regarding Jesus

Regarding Jesus: did you ever;

Tease Him?
Tell Him a joke?
Ask Him to leave you alone for a minute?
Let the answering machine get it?
Not return His call?
Lie to Him?
Laugh with Him?
Give Him your opinion?
Make a suggestion to Him?
Comfort Him?
Casually thank Him?
Encourage Him?
Give Him the night off?
Do something so He doesn’t have too?
Run and let Him chase you?
Surprise Him with something?
Defend Him?
Hold him accountable?
Forgive Him?
Release Him?
Allow Him?
Make Him something?
Give Him something?
Receive something from Him?
Just sit quietly with Him?
Ask nothing more of Him?
Touch him?
Kiss Him?
Love Him?

I really love that guy….

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

ok

Ok. I post this testimony about crisis a couple weeks ago. Absolutely brilliant! Go ahead! Put a target on your head! Absolutely brilliant…. Anyway, since that post, I’ve had what seem to be innumerable opportunities to practice and access this healing I profess is available. I won’t bore you with the particulars, that’s not my intent here, but I would like to say; that while the trials (life) have been hard moments, and while the adrenaline flows through my body causing my legs to feel weak, and the appropriate anxiety cause me to be on heightened alert, as I look back, I have responded well. I did not; default to anger, blow up relationship, harm others, run away, abuse mind altering substances, go soft, hide or shut down.

Through the grace of God I have managed to remain engaged, default to wisdom rather than emotion, communicate, share, seek advise and council, and perhaps most significant, engage in conflict in health.

So yes, thank you Jesus, You are faithful. I find freedom, healing and life as I walk with you.

I think my next post will be about how light His yoke is.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

A few days ago I posted about crisis. I soon heard this song. I find Jesus in it as the hero wrestles with life. He gets good advice.

Password "Jesus" then let Him speak to your condition.


Unknown Caller Lyrics - U2
(Written by: Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen, Jr.)
Sunshine, sunshine
Sunshine, sunshine

Oh, oh
Oh, oh

I was lost between the midnight and the dawning
In a place of no consequence or company
3:33 when the numbers fell off the clock face
Speed dialing with no signal at all

Go, shout it out, rise up
Oh, oh
Escape yourself, and gravity
Hear me, cease to speak that I may speak
Shush now
Oh, oh
Force quit and move to trash

I was right there at the top of the bottom
On the edge of the known universe where I wanted to be
I had driven to the scene of the accident
And I sat there waiting for me

Restart and re-boot yourself
You're free to go
Oh, oh
Shout for joy if you get the chance
Password, you enter here, right now

Oh, oh
You know your name, so punch it in
Hear me, cease to speak that I may speak
Shush now
Oh, oh
Then don't move or say a thing


Here's a link to hear it if you wish


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLpFwdqY7lI&feature=related

Ache

Can you imagine having a loved one who refused to be your loved one because they thought they were just not worthy or capable?

Can you imagine the ache your heart would feel if you said, “Its ok, I’m not concerned with your opinion of yourself, please come here.” Only to have them reply something to the effect that they still wanted to have things in order first?

Can you imagine the ache when they refused relationship because they wanted to finish the book about how you worked in history before being your lover?

Can you imagine that person saying, "I don't do enough for you to deserve this kind of desire on your part"

Can you imagine the loss?

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Crisis of the heart is a good thing

Crisis

Think about the word crisis. I suspect we can all remember a crisis in our life. I also suspect the memory is not a good one. Perhaps we remember a time of painful trauma such as; loss of a job or dream, fear, divorce and broken relationships, or personal failure that caused harm to ourselves, others, or the ones we love.

Now consider the first definition in Webster’s.

Crisis (n)
1. A stage in a sequence of events at which the trend of all future events, esp. for better or for worse, is determined; turning point.

Quite a different picture when you allow this ‘event’ to impact your world for the better!

Is there something in your life that you desire would change for the better?
Is there something that burns in your heart that you wish God would reconcile?
Are you addicted to something such as; self destructive behavior, drugs, or coveting that you want changed?
Is your relationship with Jesus cold and reduced to intellectual concepts?
Do you desire freedom from what holds you captive?
Do you seek healing from what ails you?
Are you keenly aware that this life you are living surely does not resemble this “life to the full” Jesus says He desires for us?

My friend this is a crisis of the heart. This is opportunity! This is a good thing!

I encourage you to stop. Stop avoiding, distracting and ignoring. Go to the source of Life.
Jesus is a person. He speaks to his siblings. He will give you everything you need for the crisis! He will provide! How ridiculous the notion that God would lead us to the well and not allow us to drink. How mean that we would have to achieve some level of wisdom before He would allow us to be His friend. How sad that a God would withhold Himself until such time that we are wise enough to grasp doctrine.

This is not the God I have come to know.


If these longings for life are from God, would He not provide a conclusion worth reaching for? Would He not provide the means by which you will discover what the chains are that hold your heart captive?


I’m not saying it’s not scary. I’m not saying it will not confront us in the darkest recesses of our mind and heart. I’m not saying it’s always fun.

I am saying that if in fact He is God and capable of all things, He can restore your heart. I am saying He will download a new operating system by which we can discover; that right here and now, we can have and live, “Life to the Full.”

In my life, I have found it worth it.

Crisis is stage in a sequence of events at which the trend of all future events, especially for better or for worse, is determined.

A crisis of the heart is a turning point toward a new trend called life.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

The Opportunity

Met a man.
To be honest passed judgment before he said a word.
Kind of missed it
The opportunity
He wasn’t aggressive enough I guess
I was there, but a little busy
Re met him
I listened.
Pretty cool guy
He came to my garden looking for Jesus in guys to hang around with
We sat
Probably 45 minutes
He talked, I talked, and we talked
He listened the first time
He didn’t miss it
The opportunity
He created it
The opportunity
He made himself available
That’s the opportunity
I did too
The second time
Glad I did
He’s brave
He stayed
He could have disappeared
And I would have missed it
The opportunity

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Rest

I suspect many people come to a church service seeking something they do not have or want. Consider these things people may be seeking:
God
Forgiveness
Purpose
Freedom
Healing
Friends
Belonging
Empowerment
Distraction
Community
Help
Escape
Hope
All these things speak to unfulfilled perception of need. Sometimes the need is desperate. I can identify with the empty, broken longing, the urgency, and the exhaustion.

How about Rest? In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus speaks regarding peoples perceptions of Him as they interact with Him in their search for God.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

I believe Jesus said these things because He knew something about a deeper need for some people, and His Spirit considered these words important enough to make sure they got included in the Bible.

Rest.

Do we offer rest?

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Demonstration of His love

Do you think it is correct to say that when an individual enters into relationship with Jesus, some demonstration of love will result? Be it: service in a fellowship of believers, engaging in relationship for another's benefit, or helping meet the physical, emotional, mental or spiritual needs of another, I see it play out every time. As I rifle through the people I have known in my life that I have concluded are in such a relationship, I cannot think of anyone who did nothing and simply assumed a posture of 'waiting it out' until heaven.

The one constant I conclude is evident is Jesus.

He's just like that.

I believe as we disciple people in Kingdom living we should include the notion that when he is ready, Jesus will lead us into this type of demonstration. To me it's exciting! Like Christmas morning. I can't wait to see the gifts someone receives.

Yet we must be cautious, if we are not careful, people may think a demonstration is a criteria for a relationship with Jesus rather than a result.

I believe He came first for you and I. To offer freedom and healing. As a result of that freeing and healing, we find life and as I look at what that life typically looks like, it always ends up in that freeing and healing being given to another.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Camp Gideon 2010

Camp Gideon 2010

A few years ago, some of us men were led into the wilderness. Jesus spoke to us there. We believe there is biblical precedence that God meets men in the wilderness, when he is away from his normal realm of influence. Think about Moses, Abraham, Elijah, the other prophets, and Jesus….

We also believe there is significance in men, gathering as men.

Our annual adventures began innocently enough. “Lets do a retreat and call it an ‘Advance’” (because men don’t retreat, cute huh?). We secured a camp named ‘Gideon’ which is owned by our denomination. It has an older structure with; a nice industrial kitchen, a large room with lots of tables for eating or whatever, a living area with a fireplace and questionably comfortable furniture, three or four bedrooms containing five or six double bunk beds each, bathrooms & showers. All this on 165 rolling acres with paths, beaver ponds, streams, mature forest and grassy fields. It’s located south of Canton near Carrolton and Mechanicsberg.

Some of us get there Friday about noon. We cook the food ourselves. We have a late dinner Friday, (about 7:30), because some guys get there later. We have breakfast, lunch and dinner Saturday, and breakfast Sunday. There’s junk food and always coffee in the pot. We leave about noon Sunday after we clean the place up.

We hang around a lot. Usually there’s a ‘guy flick’ Friday night, you know, battles fought, beauties rescued, adventures lived. Guys are on their own there, some read, some work on stuff, some sleep, seems like there's always a conversation going on. (I think I want to play cards this year.)

We intentionally go without a plan. No guest speakers, no hard agenda, no workbooks, no expectations other than the hope that Jesus will join us there. If there is one thing we encourage men to do, its to go for a walk, alone, with Jesus, and ask Him to speak to you with the expectation that He will. Inevitably, men come back with a story, and inevitably it seems some get shared when we sit around Saturday night and wrestle with God and each other. Wrestling with God...., that’s always a highlight. Sometimes we argue with each other, but always, we love.

Some of us host it, but Jesus is the leader. If a pastor shows up, he’s just a guy. No man is higher than another. We believe Jesus is capable of meeting and providing for each individual man’s needs right where they are. We do share our story if we feel like it, but that occurs as the Spirit of God leads. We don’t expect that we can ‘fix’ each other, we don't try too. That’s not our job. If someone has some wisdom for you, you’ll know it.

Jesus always shows up. He has every year, sometimes in quiet, sometimes in conversation, once in a book, once in a movie, a couple times in the kitchen, sometimes in tears, always in the woods. We’ve seen and/or experienced mental, emotional and spiritual healings. We’ve seen friendships formed. We’ve seen release from oppression, delivering of commissioning, and rest received. We’ve seen the receipt of energy to return home to our garden. We’ve seen God in the lives of men who seek Him.

If you come, you’ll be on your own because you’re a man. Do what you want. Come, rest, wrestle, eat, whatever.

This year we’re going March 12, 13 and 14. The cost is $85.00 and you bring some small thing (bread, pop, chips). Scholarships are available. We’re collecting money and taking reservations now. Come by the church on a Wednesday night or Sunday morning or reply to this post with your information if you need to be contacted. Pastor Adrian can also put you in touch with us.

Bruce Polovitch
Keith Marino
Steve Grace