Yes

“Do you want to play mancala?” asked J. “Yes,” came my reply. Yes is such a simple word. With it comes release of tension. Say it now, yes. Can’t you feel the tension dissipate? The other day at church while talking with a friend I commented how I felt I was telling J “no” all the time. “Don’t run your hands down the walls while walking next to them.” “Don’t hold the door open, the air’s on.” “Raise the toilet seat.” And the list goes on. I like to have things I can say yes to and tell him he’s doing a good job.

It nice to hear, “yes” when it is being addressed to me. If I think the answer is always no, I’ll stop asking and stop trying. If I think that it should be “no” then it will color my understanding and affect my behavior. I don’t want my son developing those kinds of beliefs. This is not alleviating his responsibility to learn the proper way to do things but that he is not devalued in the process.

I think Father had this in mind when He inspired II Corinthians 1:20. His ultimate yes is Jesus.

For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.

When I think a promise doesn’t really apply to me, the truth is it does. It is as I respond, “so be it” does it apply to me. It is in Him that I can receive the ability to say “yes” back to Father’s “yes.”

Armor

It is better to be wounded than always to walk in armor.

Margaret Fuller (1810-1850)

Yes, our armor protects us from wounds sometimes, but it keeps us from human contact. It’s funny how it is human contact that both wounds and heals. By wearing our armor we are separated from the very cure for our wounds. Our wounds make us who we are either to our betterment or our detriment. It is the healing of our wounds that make us stronger.

I look for the conflict in group process so that it can be worked through. It is only by working through it that cohesion and healing can be accomplished.

The problem is that we grow so accustomed to the armor that we forget about the wounding and thereby miss the healing. We forget that we are clanking along and suppose that this is the way one walks. We avoid contact but have little awareness as to why. It becomes a pattern. The armor becomes comfortable. The belief is that we should never be wounded, or pain is to be avoided at all costs. We shrink back when we should push forward into growth. If we are stuck we should develop a new paradigm that allows us to move. A paradigm that says, “Wounds bring growth.” So let’s cast off the every weight and turn our faces to the wind. Let’s shrink not in the face of adversity but receive the full cup knowing that there is a reward for our labor.

The Ear Speaks

The ear is an incredible entity – a perfect combination of art and engineering. It’s hard to fathom how anyone can seriously consider evolution after examining the ear. It is perfectly fashioned to capture sound waves and funnel them into the waiting drum of the middle ear to make sense out of life. We have two of them, you know, working in perfect harmony to create meaning and balance. Just because every vertebrate has the similar system does not denote common ancestry.

The ear has been adorned with diamonds and gold to enhance the beauty of its owner. Some people don’t like their ears. I have a friend who thinks his are too big. I’ve never noticed. He tells of his embarrassment and agitation on his first date with his someday-to-be-wife that a carnival vender kept pointing out how large they were. The point is as a society we acknowledge the esthetic value of the ear. It has been as such from the foundations of the world.

It was not uncommon during Old Testament times to see a man walking around with a hole in his ear lobe – an opened ear. The significance thereof was that this man was owned by another. This man willingly placed himself a slave of another for the rest of his life. A Hebrew man by law could only be a slave for six years and then released in the seventh. If he wished to remain a slave he could request to stay with his master. His master would take him before the council where the slave would make his wishes known. The master would take an awl and pierce the slave’s ear to indicate the transaction.

The very first readers of Isaiah 50:5 would have understood this as would have the readers of Psalm 40:6. My pastor has been teaching on the Tongue of the Learned on Wednesday nights out of Isaiah 50. The duel meaning Father conveys in this passage is a work of art how He intertwines the tongue and the ear and ultimately the heart. We must hear before we can speak. We must listen before we can understand. We must submit as a disciple before we can be entrusted with revelation. We must give our heart. It is Father that awakens me to hear as a disciple – to have a heart to listen. He has opened my ear.

Embracing the Word

Our family has reestablished the family devotional time. At bedtime we gather in my oldest son’s bed and read Scripture and pray before we turn in for the night. I bought a Message Paraphrase of the Bible to read through the book of Mark. I’ve been reading the passage in the morning to meditate on prior to our time together in the evening. Today, I read about the different soils that the Word is sown into. The thing that struck me was the difference between the Word sown into the weeds and that which is sown into the fertile soil.

The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it.

Mark 4:18-19 (Message)

How much of the Word is diminished by my over-focus on the things I have to do and what I want? These things are natural. Every garden has weeds. It’s when you don’t tend to them properly that they become a problem. However, I find myself focused on weeds entirely too much.

But the seed planted in the good earth represents those who hear the Word, embrace it, and produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams.

Mark 4:20 (Message)

If I spend my energy focusing on the Word instead of the weeds, I will reap an abundant harvest. I must hear the Word, receive it, embrace it, and produce it. Acting on what the Word says always produces results. So what does it mean to “embrace the Word?” How do I do this? How do I maintain my attention on not just hearing it but embracing it and allowing it to change me? He who has ears, let him hear, let him receive, let him embrace, let him do.

Here

He knows that everything past has moved to bring him here.

It is amazing how we are really not in control but live under the cloud of delusion that says we are. We are ants that squirm under the magnifying glass of a child, frantically trying to get away before we burn up.

Is there any hope? Is there any peace? Are we mindless insects going busily about our day with blinders? I think not. I think the purpose we have is that which Father gives us. We are only complete when we find our completeness in Him and acknowledge Him. And He, being the Author and Finisher of our faith, orchestrates our paths to bring us to Him. We somehow know this deep in our souls. We have some kind of God-programming that acknowledges our Maker. Even the atheist shows his belief by what he argues against – he exposes himself by opening his mouth.

Deep down we recognize that there is purpose and direction in our lives. Everything happens for a reason. And we are not required to figure it out but rather to live it out – to overcome – to grow.

We are but jars of clay that crack and break and fade away. Who are we to say to the Potter, “Why did you make me like this?” He knows what we need to accomplish His purposes in us. He wastes nothing. Even the hounds of Hell chase us to Him.

I have a bad habit of focusing on the negative. This morning in my quiet time I was discussing my failures with the Lord. I can be gruff in presentation. I can say things the wrong way that doesn’t really convey my heart. The Lord says, “Look how far you’ve come.” But I reply, “But look how far I have to go.” And again I hear the faint voice of Elder John, “Yard by yard life is hard; inch by inch life’s a synch.” And my heart says to Jesus, “I must follow you.”

Inching Along

Yard by yard life is hard; inch by inch life is a cinch. One of the elders at church has been saying this lately. It resonates because it completely hits the bulls-eye for me. I look at the big picture and wonder what I’m supposed to be doing. I get tied up – froze up – like a possum in the road looking at oncoming headlights. Then I run frantically back and forth until I lose sight of the lights and jump up into the bottom of the passing vehicle. The point is that all I have to do is follow his leading today – right now. I don’t have to have the completed plans before I take the first step.

If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. John 12:26

Implied in this verse is that I can serve, follow, know, and be with Jesus today. I must surrender my will, desires, and wants to Him. This is not a one-way relationship. Jesus said that His sheep know Him and follow Him. We make it more difficult than it is.

So today, since I hear His voice, I will follow. I’m not going to worry about screwing up because He is the Shepherd and it is His responsibility to lead. As much as is in me, I will follow. My only concern is this step. I will be willing to take this step as much as I understand what this step is.

I believe Father is communicating with us. I believe we can hear if we’re willing to listen. He is in charge and I am responsible.

The Voice of Truth

Artist(Band):Casting Crowns

Oh, what I would do
To have the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is,
And he's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name
and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win,
you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh, what I would do
to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant
with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound
of a thousand warriors
shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out
my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
time and time again
"Boy you'll never win,
you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

but the stone was just the right size
to put the giant on the ground
and the waves they don't seem so high
from on top of them looking down
will soar with the wings of eagles
when i stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
singing over me

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says do not be afraid
And the voice of truth says this is for my glory
Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

I will listen and believe
I will listen and believe the voice of truth
I will listen and believe
'Causes Jesus you are the voice of truth
And I will listen to you.. oh you........

Terry reminded me of this song after reading the allegory. The second verse is my favorite. The warriors shaking in their armor were on his side.

Walking

This morning I went for a walk prior to my quiet time. My inconsistency bothers me and brings back internal debating about my lack of discipline and will power. That is some of the motivation of a few past posts. It irritates me that I fight some of the same battles over again. It makes me feel weak. I hate my divided heart and unfocused mind. These were the things on my heart as I walked.

The normal routine in the morning for me is to make a cup of coffee and sit on the deck with the Lord. I usually review a recent outline of my pastor’s sermon – reading the context, thinking about the point he’s trying to make, etc. It is quite common that I get stuck in a passage that Holy Spirit doesn’t give me peace to move on. Today, after my walk, I started out in Jeremiah 10:6-10:

There is none like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is great in
might. Who would not fear you, O King of the nations? For this is your due; for among all the wise ones of the nations and in all their kingdoms there is none like you. They are both stupid and foolish; the instruction of idols is but wood! Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz. They are the work of the craftsman and of the hands of the goldsmith; their clothing is violet and purple; they are all the work of skilled men. But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation.

I have been reviewing this passage since Monday morning. I followed the cross-reference to Psalm 86:8-11:

There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like
yours. All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O
Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

Verse 11 snagged me and I meditated and prayed through this passage. My hearts desire is that Father teach me His ways so that I will walk in His truth. This will then unite my heart to fear His name. Father, unite my heart to fear Your name. Thank You, Father, for uniting my heart. It is Your doing. There is nothing in me that can do this. I want to know His ways. I want to walk in His ways.

So I followed the cross-reference once again to Jeremiah 32:38-44:

And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul. "For thus says the LORD: Just as I have brought all this great disaster upon this people, so I will bring upon them all the good that I promise them. Fields shall be bought in this land of which you are saying, 'It is a desolation, without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.' Fields shall be bought for money, and deeds shall be signed and sealed and witnessed, in the land of Benjamin, in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, in the cities of the hill country, in the cities of the Shephelah, and in the cities of the Negeb; for I will restore their
fortunes, declares the LORD."

Notice the focus. It is what Father is doing and our response to His purposes. It is God that unites our heart to fear His name. Left to ourselves we would wonder off into a ditch. I work with these people all the time. My tone here does not convey contempt but a humbling to know “but for the grace of God go I.” I don’t have to micromanage myself. I don’t have to fret over my decisions or beat myself up for my failures. Father has his purposes in my life that He will carry out. I make myself receptive to His working.

This is only a sliver of the process of my mind before the Lord. It is difficult to articulate my meditations.

An Allegory Revised

by brent

edited by Jack H



Inspired by:

Dedicated to:

the Jack H in all of us


I’ve heard there was a distant land, that’s not so far away, called Mire. The land rested in a deep valley behind a high mountain, and sunlight rarely reached to the valley floor, and when it did it went unnoticed. The people of Mire could leave their valley if they so desired, but if they did they never could return.

Deep at the furthest reach of the valley was the village, Dim. In the village lived a man by the name of Solo. Solo lived with his father, Nay; his mother, No; his brother, Me; and his sisters, Whuh and Whah. They are the Selfish family.

Solo had a beautiful voice and late into the night he would sing a beautiful song that all the inhabitants of Mire could hear. They wondered at the sweetness of his voice and praised God for giving him such a gift. His songs would lull them to sleep at night and give them peace. However, Solo had a pain inside him that so twisted his meaning that all could hear his song but could not understand his words.

Solo’s friend, Duo, understood something of the pain within Solo, and advised him to seek out Seer, who lived by the spring in the woods outside the village. It was said that Seer welcomed all who came to see him, but rarely did anyone come. The next morning Solo and Duo inquired of Seer. Seer listened intently as Lonely described his plight. Seer went to his cabinet to retrieve his Bottle of Salve, and applying the Salve to Solo’s eyes he said, “This is made from the blossoms of Revelation which grows in the Garden of Love tended by the Great King. Go now to the spring which flows behind my hut and wash your eyes.” Solo did so at once, and his heart leapt at the brightness of the world, seen for the first time. Then Seer gave Solo some Bread of Knowledge to eat. It was rich and full and as he ate warmth filled his soul. “What shall I do?” pleaded Solo. “You must travel to the city, Change, that covers the peak of the tall mountain,” replied Seer. “There you must request help from two strong men you will find there. Their names are Might and Able. They will take you to the Great King.” “How shall I find this city,” replied Solo. “You must stay on the Way called Truth,” Seer advised. “I will go,” stated Solo.

That night at supper Lonely spoke with his family of his plans. They mocked him and tried to dissuade him from attempting such a preposterous journey. “Why, you can’t go there; no one has ever traveled to Change and came back. I hear that there is a great beast there that swallows the seeker whole, and no good will come of that,” Father Nay said. “I’m afraid it’s so,” replied Mother No, “there are dangers that will beset you and you will die.” “Why would you want to leave here, brother Solo,” exclaimed Sister Whuh. “This is such a beautiful and such a happy place.” Whah added, slowly, “And you are all alone. You cannot do it.” Me just sneered and laughed, “We all think you’re crazy.” No amount of explaining changed his family’s mind as to the importance of the journey. They pleaded and plotted but could not discourage Solo, for Dou encouraged him. Lonely asked his family to come with him but they had closed their ears and went to bed. Solo’s friends got wind of his journey and came to encourage him. “You can do it,” they responded, and gave advice on how to be successful though none of them had traveled the Way of Truth before. Secretly, they didn’t want him to leave Mire, for they loved his enchanting music.

Early the next morning, Solo and Dou started their journey to the City of Change. Mother No made his breakfast and packed him a lunch. “You don’t know what awaits you,” she fretted, “It won’t be anything like here.” “Yes, and what if you fail?” exclaimed Me. “Why do you listen to that crazy old man, Seer, anyway?” Father Nay said, “He’s delusional and doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” Sister Whah just kept insisting her brother Solo go back to bed. But with all that Solo and Duo started on their way.

As they were going on the Way of Truth to the City of Change, Solo’s friend, Habit met him. “Solo!” he called out, “Wait for me! You don’t want to go just yet. You promised that we would play a game today. You can go on this journey anytime.” “Well, I did promise,” thought Solo. “No, we must go now,” exclaimed Duo. “You must not harden your heart today.” “Please, come with me,” Habit said as he pulled on Solo’s arm. Solo started to follow but Duo gently nudged him onto the Way of Truth and they were off. Habit called after Solo for what seemed a very long time. Several times Solo turned to chase after him but each time Duo took hold of his hand. Solo considered shaking his hand free but thought better and allowed Duo to lead him.

The first village they came to was called Difficulty. It rested on what seemed a cliff that went straight up. At the entrance of the city Lazy and Procrastination met him and inquired about his journey. They went with them as they climbed through the city. Several times they slipped and fell but Lazy and Procrastination were no help. They just kept insisting they stop and rest. “We don’t have to move so fast,” cried Procrastination. “Yes, we can stop here and partake of the sweet wine of lethargy,” stated Lazy. Solo was tempted to stop for he was very tired and recalled his family’s words. But he felt hands pull him up by his shoulder. “Ho, it seems you could use some help,” the stranger said. Two men had pulled him up and were now standing before him. “I’m Perseverance and this is my brother Patience,” explained the man. “Thank you,” replied Solo. “I could not have done it without you.” “Where are you going?” asked Patience. “We are on the Way of Truth to the City of Change,” replied Solo. “May we come with you?” asked Perseverance. “You don’t want to take them,” Lazy and Procrastination exclaimed, “they will hold you back and slow you down.” That is when Duo said, “I think we can trust these men, let’s not listen to Lazy and Procrastination.” So Perseverance and Patience traveled with Solo and Duo on their journey.

The Way of Truth wound through the countryside and came up to the dark hamlet of Discouragement. The clouds were particularly ominous and overshadowed the village. Everyone they came to was quiet and their heads were bowed. No one spoke or made eye contact. They tried to talk with the inhabitants but none would listen or say a word. As they walked, each step became harder than the one before. With every step a weight seemed to drop onto their shoulders. They came to an old lady and asked her for a drink of water. She gave them all a drink but the water was too bitter to swallow. She said her name was Despair and warned the travelers to turn back. Even Perseverance and Patience were faltering when two young, bright girls beckoned them to follow. Duo prompted all to go on. As they weaved their way through the dark town in silence each step became easier than the one before. However, if they turned from the young girls they felt the pressure and the silence from the city more fiercely. As they came out from under the dark cloud they were under, Solo thanked them for leading them out. He introduced himself and his fellows and asked, “What are your names?” They spoke together, “We are Hope and Faith. We were sent by the Great King to help you on your way.” So they traveled with them and never left their side.

The journey seemed long but at last they were encouraged by the sight of a great peak ahead of them. They commented to each other, “Surely this in the peak that leads to the City of Change.” The climb was hard, but finally they reached to summit. Before their eyes sprawled a great expanse filled with green pastures and flowing rivers. Little cottages dotted the landscape. The people were friendly and welcoming. They inquired of one family as they stopped to refresh themselves. “Oh, the City of Change, it is a beautiful city not too far from this place. But our village has so much to offer that none of us desire to go there. You have come to the Plateau of Complacency in the region of Good Enough. My name is Ease and my wife is Settled. Our children are Apathy and Deception” “Aren’t you curious about the City of Change? Don’t you wish to see the Great King?” asked Solo. “We like it here; even if we don’t always have exactly what we want it still is good enough. Doesn’t the Great King tell us to bear our burden without complaining? We believe the Great King wants us to stay here.” And at that, all the family started insisting that they stay. Seeing the commotion, three other travelers approached. They were Heart, Desire, and Vision. Heart commented first, “If you do not wish to go, do not prevent others from going to the City of Change!” “I know the way,” Vision added. “Yes, come with us,” Desire encouraged. So they all made haste on the Way of Truth to the City of Change, rejoicing as they went, each one encouraging the other.

The city was near, on the very border of the Plateau of Complacency. Solo thought it strange that so many lived so close yet never entered the city. At the entrance of the city sat two old men who discouraged travelers from entering. They were Arrogance and False-humility. “Don’t come here;” called Arrogance, “it’s not what you think it will be.” The other cried out, “You will have to die to enter the city! Turn back!” “If you stay on this side of the gate you can return to your family someday. You have come far enough to prove yourself worthy of entering in,” exclaimed False-humility. The travelers tried to enter the gate but the old men stood in the way. For all their frailty they had amazing strength – so much that Solo could not enter in even with the help of his friends. It was then that Duo whispered in Solo’s ear to call for the strong men. At once, Solo called out, “Might! Able! Are you here? Help me!” But the old men growled, “They will not help you.” Perseverance, Hope, and Faith together encouraged Solo to keep calling out. Solo cried out even more intently for help from the strong men as the battle raged. He felt like giving up as he remembered the words of his family but Duo prompted Heart to support Solo and he gained strength and called out all the more. The battle with the old men seemed like it would go on forever. “He will not send the strong men,” said one. “The Great King does not care about you,” said the other. “You wasted your trip! You are a fool!” they exclaimed.

Suddenly the strong men were there, and struck the old men silent and carried Solo through the gates to the palace of the Great King. In the throne room, the Great King sat arrayed in His royal garments. His face shone with light, and his eyes inspired all who looked with joy, so full of love they seemed. His presence was laughter and His voice peace. All self-consciousness melted away in the memory of the Great King.

“What do you request, my son,” asked the King. “I have a pain inside of me that will not heal,” replied Solo. “Seer told me you could heal it and make me whole.” “Seer is correct,” stated the King, “but I’ve already healed the wound that caused your pain.” With that, Solo realized that his pain was truly gone. He had been so used to it that he acted as if it were still there. “But how has this happened?” Solo asked in wonder. “I sent you friends, and you received them,” replied the King. “You have been alone, and your name was Solo. This is your name no more, for I give you a new name. You will be called Harmony.”

I’ve heard there was a distant land, called Mire. Shadows draped its vales and all its paths were heavy with mud. Sunlight hardly fell. But one dull morning in the grim town of Dim, which rested in the deepest shadows of the highest peak of the mountains that surrounded the valley, the villagers were stirred from their labors by a sound that gripped their hearts. Soaring like a flock of songbirds there rose a song so sweet with joy and sadness that the grim gray cliffs echoed like cathedral walls and the clouds parted to flood the land with light. Every man and woman and child searched the high horizon for the source of such a sound, but slowly within their own souls there stirred the notes of their own songs, which welled up and flowed off their tongues until the whole of the land was washed in a symphony of music that rolled like thunder and rang like laughter. I’ve heard that valley still resounds with fresh echoes of that first new day when the sun came at last to visit and to stay, and from the tall mountains Harmony came down again into the valley, and brought with him a new name for that place -- that Mire might ever after be called by the name of Friendship.

An Allegory

by brent



Inspired by:

Dedicated to:

the Jack H in all of us



There is a distant land that isn’t that far away called the Land of Stuck. The sun rarely shines there though it does but hardly anyone notices. It rests in a deep valley beyond a high mountain. The occupants of Stuck can see the world from there if they so desire but they can never leave as long as they remain citizens of Stuck.

Deep at the furthest reach of the valley is the village, Clueless. In the village lives a man by the name, Lonely. Lonely lives with his father, Unbelief; his mother, Fear; his brother, Prideful; and his sisters, Ignorance and Melancholy. They are the Selfish family.

Lonely has a beautiful voice and late in the night he would sing a beautiful song that all the inhabitants of Clueless could hear. They marveled at the sound of his voice and credited God for giving him such a gift. His songs would lull them to sleep at night and give them peace. However, Lonely had a wound inside of him that although all could hear none could understand his words.

Lonely’s friend, Companion, advised him to inquire of Seer who lived outside of the city. Seer was a wise man who lived by the spring in the woods. Seer had invited all to come and visit him but rarely did anyone take him up on his offer. The next morning Lonely and Companion inquired of Seer. Seer listened intently as Lonely described his plight. Seer went to his cabinet to retrieve a bottle of salve. As he applied the salve to Lonely’s eyes he said, “This is the salve, Revelation, made in love by the Great King.” Once applied, Seer had Lonely go to the spring and wash his eyes. It was as if scales fell to the ground and Lonely could see the sunshine for the first time. Then Seer gave Lonely some Bread of Knowledge to eat. It was rich and full and warmth filled his soul as he ate. “What shall I do?” pleaded Lonely. “You must travel to the city, Change, at the top of the mountain,” replied Seer. “It is there that you must request help from two strong men of the city. Their names are Power and Ability. They will take you to the Great King.” “But how do I find this city,” replied Lonely. “You must stay on the road called the Way of Truth,” Seer advised. “I will go,” stated Lonely.

That night at supper Lonely began to speak of his journey with his family. They ridiculed him and tried to dissuade him from attempting such a preposterous journey. “Why, you can’t go there; no one has ever traveled to Change and come back. I hear that there is a great beast there that swallows the seeker whole,” Father Unbelief said. “Oh, yes,” replied Mother Fear, “there will be dangers that will befall you and you might die.” “Why would you want to leave here, brother Lonely,” exclaimed Sister Ignorance, “this is such a beautiful and happy place.” Melancholy slowly added, “But you are all alone and can’t do it.” Prideful just sneered and laughed, “Everyone thinks you’re crazy.” They pleaded and plotted but could not discourage Lonely for Companion kept encouraging him. No amount of explaining changed his family’s mind as to the importance of the journey. Lonely asked his family to come with him but they just made excuses as to why they couldn’t and went to bed. Lonely’s friends got wind of his journey and came to encourage him. “You can do it,” they responded, and gave advice on how to be successful, though none of them had gone the Way of Truth before. Secretly, they didn’t want him to leave Stuck for they loved his enchanted music.

Early the next morning, Lonely and Companion started their journey to the City of Change. Mother Fear made his breakfast and packed him a lunch. “You don’t know what awaits you,” she fretted, “It won’t be anything like here.” “Yes, what if you fail,” exclaimed Prideful. “Why do you listen to that crazy old man, Seer, anyway?” Father Unbelief said, “He’s delusional and doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” Sister Melancholy just kept insisting her brother Lonely go back to bed. But with all that Lonely and Companion started on their way.

As they were going on the Way of Truth to the City of Change, Lonely’s friend, Habit met him. “Lonely,” he called out, “wait up! You don’t want to go just yet. You promised that we would play a game today. You can go on this journey anytime.” “Well, I did promise,” thought Lonely. “No, we must go now,” exclaimed Companion. “You must not harden your heart today.” “Please, come with me,” Habit said as he pulled on Lonely. Lonely started to follow but Companion gently nudged him onto the Way of Truth and they were off. Habit persistently called after Lonely for what seemed a very long time. Several times Lonely turned to chase after him but each time Companion took hold of his hand. Lonely thought of shaking his hand free then thought better and allowed Companion to lead him.

The first village they came to was called Difficulty. The city rested on what seemed a cliff that went straight up. At the entrance of the city Lazy and Procrastination met him and inquired about his journey. They went with them as they climbed through the city. Several times they slipped and fell but Lazy and Procrastination were no help. They just kept insisting they stop and rest. “We don’t have to move so fast,” cried Procrastination. “Yes, we can stop here and partake of the drink, Lethargy,” stated Lazy. Lonely was tempted to stop for he was very tired and recalled his family’s words. But he felt hands pull him up by his shoulder. “Hi, it looks like you can use some help,” the stranger said. Two men had helped him up and were now standing before him. “I’m Perseverance and this is my brother Patience,” explained the man. “Thank you,” replied Lonely. “I could not have done it without you.” “Where are you going?” asked Patience. “We are on the Way of Truth to the City of Change,” replied Lonely. “May we come with you?” asked Perseverance. “You don’t want to take them,” Lazy and Procrastination exclaimed, “they will hold you back and slow you down.” That is when Companion said, “I think we can trust these men, let’s not listen to Lazy and Procrastination.’ So Perseverance and Patience traveled with Lonely and Companion on their journey.

The Way of Truth winded through the country side and came up to a dark hamlet called Discouragement. The clouds were particularly dark and ominous that overshadowed the village. Everyone they came to was quiet with their head bowed. No one spoke or made eye contact. They tried to talk with the inhabitants but none would listen or say a word. As they walked, each step became harder than the one before. It was if gravity had taken on a new weight such that it was barely possible to hold your head up and not slump as you walked. They came to an old lady to request a drink of water. She gave them all a drink but the water was too bitter to swallow. She said her name was Despair and warned the travelers to turn back. Even Perseverance and Patience were faltering when two young, bright girls beckoned them to follow. Companion prompted all to go on. As they winded through the dark town in silence each step was easier than the one before. However, if they turned from the young girls they felt the pressure and the silence from the city more fiercely. As they came out from under the dark cloud, Lonely thanked them for leading them out. He introduced himself and his co-journeymen and asked, “What are your names?” They spoke simultaneously, “We are Hope and Faith. We were sent by the Great King to help you on your way.” So they traveled with them and never left their side.

The journey seemed long but they were encouraged by seeing a great peak ahead of them. They commented with each other, “Surely this in the peak that leads to the City of Change.” Once climbing over the peak they could see the great plateau before them. It was full of green pastures and flowing lakes. Little cottages dotted the landscape. The people were friendly and welcoming. They inquired of one family as they stopped to refresh themselves. “Oh, the City of Change, it is a beautiful city not too far from this place. But our village has so much to offer that none of us desire to go there. You have come to the Plateau of Complacency in the region of Good Enough. My name is Ease and my wife is Settled. Our children are Apathy and Deception” “Aren’t you curious about the City of Change? Don’t you wish to see the Great King?” replied Lonely. “We like it here; even if we don’t always have what we need it still is good enough. Doesn’t the Great King tell us to bear our cross without complaining? We believe the Great King wants us to stay here.” And at that, all the family started insisting that they stay. Seeing the commotion, three other travelers approached to inquire the reasoning. They were Heart, Desire, and Vision. Heart commented first, “If you do not wish to go, do not prevent others from going to the City of Change!” “I know the way,” Vision added. “Yes, come with us,” Desire encouraged. So they all made haste on the Way of Truth to the City of Change rejoicing as they went, each one encouraging the other.

Ease was right as they could see the city in the distance. It was not far at all. As a matter of fact, it bordered the Plateau of Complacency. Lonely thought it strange that so many lived so close yet never entered the city. At the entrance of the city sat two old men who discouraged travelers from entering. They were Arrogance and False-humility. “Don’t come here;” called Arrogance, “it’s not what you think it will be.” The other cried out, “You will have to die to enter the city! Turn back!” “You can live on this side of the gate in case you decide to return to your family someday. You have come far enough to prove yourself worthy of entering in,” exclaimed False-humility. The travelers tried to enter the gate but the old men stood in the way. And for all their frailty they had amazing strength in that Lonely could not enter in even with the help of his friends. It was then that Companion whispered in Lonely’s ear to call for the strong men. At once, Lonely called out, “Power! Ability! Are you there? Help me!” But the old men told him to be quiet. “They will not help you,” they growled. Perseverance, Hope, and Faith together encouraged Lonely to keep calling out. Lonely cried out the more intently for help from the strong men as the battle raged. Lonely felt like giving up as he remembered the words of his family but Companion prompted Heart to support Lonely and Lonely gained strength and called out all the more. The battle with the old men seemed like it would go on forever. “He will not send the strong men,” said one. “The Great King does not care about you,” said the other. “You wasted your trip! You are a fool!” they exclaimed.

At once the strong men were upon the old men and carried Lonely through the gates to the palace of the Great King. In the throne room, the Great King sat arrayed in His royal garments. To look into His eyes was pure joy. They flowed like great springs into the soul of another beckoning to come. His presence was laughter and His voice peace. All self-consciousness melted away in the memory of the Great King.

“What do you request, my son,” asked the King. “I have a wound inside of me that will not heal,” replied Lonely. “Seer told me you could heal it and make me whole.” “Seer is correct in his judgment,” stated the King, “but I’ve already healed your wound.” With that, Lonely realized that his wound was truly gone. He had been so used to it that he acted as if it was still there. “But how has this happened?” Lonely asked. “You received the friends I sent to you,” replied the King.

Idols

Every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols.

Jeremiah 10:14

In reviewing my pastor’s message from yesterday, I came across this verse while looking at the context of his passage. What struck me about it is that we are all goldsmiths producing something. We all have what is important to us which will produce either shame or honor. Often the product is the same, but only the intent of our heart makes the difference. The irony here is that the goldsmith manipulates heat and pressure to make his product. It is heat and pressure that makes both the shameful or honorable goldsmith. The other point that struck me was that the product of our work will expose our heart. Our labors project our character.

Politics

The political game sickens me. Politics and government are not the answer to anything. You cannot spend your way out of problems but must have the wisdom to address issues effectively. We cannot police thoughts or motives. That is the business of God and conscience. I cannot control what others say because it hurts my feelings. This silly bantering and positioning for power troubles me. We ignore the issues while we strain at swallowing knats.

I came across Newt Gingrich on TV yesterday and found what he said refreshing. He has grown as a person and politician it seems. There was a maturity about his approach that had substance. I believe he has a grasp on the situation and presents it as optimistically yet realistically as possible. It is more than sound bites to stir the emotion or provoke fear but substance that focuses on solutions. The status quo is not good enough and will not resolve the issues of today. Name calling and devaluing others are not effective in solving today’s problems.

I tend to stay away from political conversations because they are really not conversations. One has to listen to another and strive for mutual understanding for the conversation to be complete. Politics are not the answer. Christian activism will not bring in the Kingdom of God. I am not saying Christians shouldn’t be involved. It is only as we rely on the Holy Spirit in each specific situation can we demonstrate what it is to be Christ-like. He has the solutions for every situation we face. As I recall, Christ was a draw to the sinner because He had solutions to their questions. We seem to bring judgment and condemnation to the table and require others to be like us before we accept them. Jesus accepted others before He required change. As a matter of fact, it seems His love and acceptance of others provoked change. Acceptance does not mean agreement. Tolerance does not mean acceptance. We must value each other as God values us.

Capturing the Heart

We are involved in a fierce conflict where victory is hard to define. All around us is uncertainty and trepidation. It is so vast it seems impossible to get our minds around it and coherently process and articulate. There are those around us that say it can’t be won. The cost is too great. We must avoid conflict at all costs. The ideas and opinions are so numerous it is difficult to settle on the right path – the path to victory. What shall be done? Will our fear paralyze us, bind us to inaction? Will the enemy overwhelm like a flood? Or will we turn and face the challenge, raising within our selves the courage to stand and fight, to look at the enemy and say, “You will advance no further.” The war I speak of are the battles for our children and the battleground is their hearts.

It is an ever present concern of mine – a worry if you will – that my children will have to go through a rebellious state as they grow and I’ll loose their hearts. I study families as to how they interact with their children and watch for the outcomes. I wonder what the missing component is of those who have lost the hearts of their children. Why do seemingly good families have these kids that wonder away into poor, hurtful choices? I could name several cases where there have been health issues involved and the child still with a determined, I-did-it-my-way attitude walks off the edge of the cliff. Does this have to be? Do some kids just need to be stupid?

It is necessary to first weigh out my own anxieties and need to be perfect. To what degree am I uncomfortable because the before mentioned stupid behavior reflects on me? You know, my child’s stupidity somehow demonstrates that there is something wrong with me. I need them to be perfect for me. Kids pick up on this and it produces resentment. If this is the case we will soon join Job in saying, “That which I most feared has come upon me.” It cannot be about us, even a residual “I don’t want them to hurt” or “I want them to be successful.” Rather, “You are o.k.”

I know enough to know that this war is not won in a day but one bloody battle after another. There will be advances and retreats. Several wounds will result from the fighting. We must bind up the wounds and keep fighting. It is absolutely essential to keep in mind that my child is not the enemy. This unseen, mysterious entity that would steal my child’s heart from me is the enemy. I can’t blame this on the devil. I’ve descended into the mysterious recess of the earth and find that I am the greatest challenge for my child’s heart. (We have seen the enemy and the enemy is us.) They want me to have their heart. It is their greatest desire – their greatest need. They are calling out for it in ways that seem strange and unnatural and contrary to reason. They lie and fight and defy and run but what they are saying is, “Do you really want my heart? Prove it!” So it is of utmost importance that we value them more than their behavior. Then, only then, does the process start of gaining their heart – when we give them ours.

I feel as if I’m a blind man groping about in the darkness until I stumble upon that for which I am looking. Can anyone help me see?

The Rightness of God

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before You.

Psalm 89:14

This verse provides comfort as injustices are around us. This justice does not have to be blind as it is right from the righteous Judge of the universe. It is easy to focus on the injustice of others in our self-righteous indignation. However, we hear the master say, “Cast out the mote in your own eye so you can see to help your brother.”

My agenda burns away from the gaze of His eyes – no wood, hay, or stubble here. Those things we cling to that are of our own insecurities will burn away. There is no getting around it. The only security is in Him. It is only as we bring our hearts before Him can we know His will and be exposed to His light.

Our cause will be justified or be exposed as false. Will we receive from His judgment or will we out of pride turn away and rationalize that we have not heard or seen the Truth. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

But there is no need to fear because His steadfast love and faithfulness goes before Him and a bruised reed he will not break and a smoldering wick He will not quench. His justice and righteousness is balanced by His love and faithfulness. He is perfect in all His ways and right in all His dealings. His intentions toward us are good. He alone is exalted. His name alone reigns supreme.

Emotional Responsibility

Freedom is the will to be responsible to ourselves.

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900)


When I admit to a wrong I am taking personal responsibility. When I own the behavior I am taking emotional responsibility. If I become defensive and blame others or circumstances I am not taking emotional responsibility even if I accept the consequences for my behavior or admit I was wrong. When I admit wrong doing but give rationalization or become defensive, this is not taking emotional responsibility. If I only admit wrong when I am exposed, I am not being emotionally responsible. Emotional responsibility is not only admitting wrong doing and making amends but accepting internally the fact of the disharmony a particular event has caused and only considering the individual’s part in the harmonization process without any regard of the responsibility of others.

Emotional responsibility at its root is about personal growth in the whole person – physical, mental, emotional, spiritual. It completely and thoroughly owns oneself. It is more than focusing on what is wrong but striving for what is right regardless of who is watching or what the consequences.

The Belly God

Why is it, that we crave what isn’t good for us and even harmful? The body will naturally crave what it is allergic to. For instance, alcoholics are often hypoglycemic. Personally, I love night shades but they don’t sit well on my stomach. It seems there is something in human nature that wants what it shouldn’t have. Could the Fall have effected us on a molecular level?

I have learned that you can develop cravings over time and with exposure. It seems that our cravings are pliable. We can produce positive or negative cravings by time and exposure. While changing our eating habits a few years ago, my wife and I learned that we could change what our kids found tasteful. My son craves a salad everyday for at least a couple of his meals. Raw cheese is preferred over the chemical laden non-organic variety. I have found that I can expand my taste in music by spending time listening to a variety of styles. Rap isn’t music, right? I could also address cravings and preference from a sexual nature if I were not so modest. But you get the idea.

It seems that to crave what is good, wholesome, and right takes work. Preferences are not set in stone. However, that doesn’t mean they are easily changed. The question remains then is why change them at all if that is how we are naturally inclined? Why would God make us this way? What purpose would He have in putting in us natural desires that He would want us to change? Could it be that He wants us to grow and develop by facing challenges to our thinking and habits? Is there something beneficial in surrendering our wills to the Father? Could it be that He established fasting and a Sabbath rest for this very purpose – to bring our wills in line with His? You shall have no other gods before Me.

Peace.

b

The Art of Valuing Others

“Look at me, Mommy!” “Daddy, watch me!” Our children have an insatiable need for validation. Every second of the day they are constantly watching us for our approval. They feed off of it – nourishment that feeds their soul.

In the daily grind of life it is easy to overlook and take for granted those who are important to us. It is not uncommon for me to think something positive about another and never convey the thought. On the contrary, it is not uncommon for me to represent an opposite thought by my silence. Or worse, by a tone of voice or a preoccupied look that doesn’t truly represent what I intend.

This is particularly important when it comes to family relations. My desire is to convey value to my wife and sons. Too often I am preoccupied or in a hurry and convey a message that they are not important. They will then personalize the message to, “I’m not important” or “There’s something wrong with me.” This works out into their belief system about themselves and God which, in turn, effects what they do and their future success.

Message sent is not always message intended. We must be diligent to let others know we value them. What I think conveys value is not necessarily what others need at that moment. The message may get lost if I don’t present it in a way that they can receive it.

Our example, of course, is the Father. He validates perfectly. Consider Luke 3:22. After Jesus is baptized the Spirit descends upon Him and the Father says, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well pleased.” The Father’s focus was on Jesus as He validated Him. It was not primarily what You do for Me but, “You are valuable therefore I value You.” It’s perfect because it takes nothing away from the value comment. It is not weighted with ulterior motives or desires. The result being Jesus was valued and felt valued.

The other example is Jesus Himself. Isaiah 42:3: “A bruised reed He will not break and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.” The premise to Jesus’ actions is that He valued others. It was out of this deep sense of value that He recognized what others needed. He paid attention to the details. He was not so caught up with His mission that He forgot about what He was there for. He didn’t see people as commodities to His goal. I wonder if this is not why people were drawn to Him. He was approachable. He did not cast a judgmental eye toward others and require them to meet His needs. They did not feel that they had to be a certain way to be accepted by Him. It was out of this that people found the power to change. Remember the woman brought before Him by the religious leaders that wanted to stone her. She was shamed before Him; publicly humiliated. He didn’t feed into their public disgust at her expense. The one who could truly and rightly cast the first stone responded by validating her. Think of the woman at the well. She was a public disgrace that had to come in the middle of the day to get water. He started a conversation with her. I suppose He looked her in the eye and spoke her name. She felt shame by the scores who shamed her. Funny isn’t it, how we who have no ground to shame another get some since of self-validation from our judgments? How we attempt to validate ourselves by devaluing others.

Father God empowers us by always believing in us. I wonder what would happen in our lives if we acted on this in our relationships with others.

Performing His Word

The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all. Bless the LORD, O you His angels, you mighty ones who perform His word, obeying the voice of His word! Psalm 103:19-20

It all boils down to being a demonstration of the Spirit. Faith without the resulting works is dead. The question I must ask myself is “Am I performing God’s word?” Am I a demonstration of His love and being? Do I have such a relationship with Father that people are stirred to ask about the hope that is in me?

The quandary that I often find myself in which puzzles me is the tendency to wane in my intensity toward the pursuit of God. It seems that I get distracted and allow myself to fall back into a commonplace business-as-usual attitude. It disturbs me when I realize that I’ve been in that state for sometime without being aware. How can a child of God maintain his intensity and desire? This is the real issue over sin. Sinning is the surface while motivation and priority is the core. Jesus focused on a man’s heart over his actions. As a human, my tendency is to structure things in my mind in a manageable set of ideas and rules so that I can have a sense of control. This isn’t all bad because it gives society a set of mores and values that we live by to get along. However, the problem is we cannot live up to these values or rules within ourselves. It is only by God’s grace, His enabling, through our relationship with Jesus that this can be done.

God has not equipped us to be perfect. Some will read this and say, “Amen, we are sinners saved by grace,” with the emphasis on “sinners.” Others will say that this is wrong because it diminishes what Jesus has completed in us. It tarnishes His sacrifice. What God has equipped us for is intimacy with Him and out of that intimacy flows perfection. The deeper my revelation of who He is and who I am in Him the greater the practical outworking in my life will be. My experience is in direct proportion to my revelation. My revelation is in direct proportion to my intimacy with Him.

Until the time that His word came to pass, the word of the Lord refined him.
Psalm 105:19

The refining process of the Word will bring the Word to pass. This uncomfortable striving with myself to maintain the pursuit of those I love is the process that brings it about. It is in this striving that the word of the Lord is performed – demonstrated – manifested. And He is glorified.

Somewhere in the night. . .

this blog has had over a 1000 different readers. Thanks for the looksee. I hope that there might be something found here that is encouraging to someone. It has been my process. Seed thoughts that I meditate on through the mode of writing. Lately, I haven't written much but I do journal. It's funny how I have been having difficulty completing my thoughts in a coherent form. I've got a couple of things I'm working on that I hope to have completed soon. Thanks for reading.