Wait?? What??

Most of us have been through or know of someone who is going through a trial in life that seems to others as unfathomable or outside of anything we should even be able to bear.  Our internal dialogue battles within the reality and difficulty of the balance between tears, depression, anxiety, and anger among other emotions.  On the other hand, it is the testing of faith which brings us to ask some tough questions. 

What do I really believe?

Does God really know how I'm suffering?

Do I believe what the Bible says?

Why doesn't God answer my prayers?

among others......

While I can't answer all of these questions for you, I can share with you what He has taught me within my trials and through His word during those times of uncertainty.  Please keep in mind that my trials are mine, and while some might look and feel similar, they remain mine as I completely believe what the book of James says about them.

Consider it great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.  James 1:2-4

A farmer doesn't just walk into a crop.  The soil must be prepared, weeds removed, seeds planted, water and sun are also needed, and then there is the measure of time required to grow and flourish until the proper time for harvest.  There are many pains, struggles, and processes to get a crop to develop correctly.  Nothing happens overnight.

A builder must clear his work area to establish a foundational workspace in which to create his masterpiece.  This might mean stripping away some of the items impeding foreseen progress.  Plans and visions that may be invisible to the passerby, lie invigorated in the mind of the creator.  The finished product being the driving force, motivating a project to fruition.  Time exists between beginning and end.

The Potter stands at the wheel adding just enough water to allow pliability to a lump of clay.  With precision and perfect pressure, He rounds off the edges and molds into the creative vision He has for each lump. During the molding process, a continuous measure of water is required lest the clay harden to the point it must be broken and the process restarted.  There must be a source of water for the clay to remain moldable for the Potter.  This molding and shaping continues until the clay becomes an image of perfection.  

Because we are confined to the dimension of time and are by nature impatient, the waiting can seem like forever. Our Creator, on the other hand, is not limited or constrained by the physical laws that govern our world.  Our inability to comprehend life outside of an eternal time continuum demands faith and trust in The One Who Is.

“I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”  Revelation 22:13

God simply IS…

Yet we waver in our faith of The Most Faithful One, based on our lack of understanding.

For many of us, our understanding of how a car works is limited to putting fuel in the tank to make it go.  However, there is much more to it.  The pistons, transmission, drive train, braking system, and air conditioning are used without our understanding.  We still believe in cars.  And in all of this…there is timing.

Medications are prescribed by doctors for certain ailments.  We take them all the time, yet we can’t see what they are doing within our bodies.  They are taken on faith in what is believed to be true, yet even the drug manufacturers don’t know for sure.  Even so, they all require an element of time as well.

Jesus teaches, in Luke 11, persistent prayer.  We shouldn’t see God as Santa, who gives us everything on our wish list at our beck and call.  Everything we want is certainly not good for us or even necessary for our comfort.  We must always remember that He is for us within His good and perfect will for our lives.  There is a much bigger picture we are unable to see, which is where we are called to trust.  The PUSH method of prayer is required.  Pray Until Something Happens.  This is persistence.

“So I say to you, keep asking and it will be given to you.  Keep searching, and you will find.  Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.  What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish?  Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”  Luke 11:9-13

Please understand that He is in the waiting.  Teaching, training, molding, and preparing us for the more.

Are you waiting for something He has promised?  Have you stopped praying for these things?  He may just be waiting for the next one.

If you know someone who is waiting, hurting, longing for an answer, please share this with them.  If this has helped in any way, please let me know by commenting.  And you can always like, share, and follow.

If you have a topic you would like covered, please message me or comment.  

How We Lose Our Goat

This past weekend I visited my parents in Georgetown, Texas.  We had a great visit which included games, food, solutions for the devices of today, a visit from my sister and her husband, and of course the always colorful visit to Walmart.  And if you can't learn a life lesson at Walmart you just aren't paying attention... and so we begin.

Upon leaving, after retrieving all items on the shopping list, dad and I observed an angry man yelling at a vehicle just outside of the crosswalk "safety zone" area.  Obviously in a fit of emotional rage, he yelled countless obscenities at the driver who had apparently encroached through the "safety zone" unyielding to those crossing.  I saw no blood, no bodies laying on the ground, and no additional people joining in his tirade.  Sure, I understood the offense, but the reaction was unwarranted.  Then the driver stopped to engage in the verbal tossing of threats to do harm...that never happened.  I immediately thought each of them must be incredible keyboard bullies, locked into their false personas  and misconceptions of what a real man looks like.

"Don't you realize that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is eliminated?  But what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this defiles a man."  Matthew 15:17-18

Let me clarify by confessing that I have had my share of these experiences.  I am no better or worse than these guys.  I am still human, and at any time I have the choice to act out in my flesh.  It is ugly, self seeking, not edifying, not kind, not loving, and not gentle.

As my dad and I discussed the situation, we sought a better approach of reconciliation.  One of forgiveness, grace, and mercy.

For judgment is without mercy to the one who hasn't shown mercy.  Mercy triumphs over judgment.  James 2:13

Because of the Lord's faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:22-23

In hindsight, after this incident most likely ruined their day, we talked about what this would have looked like with healthy hearts.  The driver of the car could have gotten out and said he was sorry for whatever reason and asked for forgiveness from the guy yelling at him, or maybe he wouldn't be yelling.  The aggressor could have responded with a "yes, of course.  You are forgiven.  Just be careful."  Issue defused, forgiveness given, no bitterness to take root, no bad feelings or thoughts, and the rest of their day to enjoy.  Sounds good, doesn't it?

The Bible tells us that God created man in His image (Gen 1:27).  If His mercies are new every morning, shouldn't ours be?  What is in your heart today that could affect the way you interact with someone?  Will you yield to whatever situation is driving your emotional bus and act out of it?  What is causing you to "lose your goat"?  To what are you giving power in your life that forces you to react instead of respond?  Is it bitterness, hate, fear, past hurts, or deeply rooted sin?

There is freedom in confession and talking through the hurts and struggles of life.  If you think you are too strong of a person to unpack these things, then you are believing a lie and are subject to the chaos you have been experiencing.  Hindsight is 20/20.  Evaluate your interaction with others today.  If peace is not reigning in your everyday life, talk to someone who walks in peace.  They are easy to find.  If not, send me a message.

Galatians 5:1

God Is Faithful Always

I have to tell this story.  It is more evidence of God's faithfulness to us...in everything.  Even the song I am listening to right now is proclaiming the faithfulness of the Father.  As He has proven Himself time after time,  I oftentimes am overwhelmed by His goodness and patience as I throw my little fits when I don't get my way, or have to wait on the things He has promised to me.  So here goes...

Most of you know that I have been on a writing project,  which I have finished.  The plan was to finish and go to a secluded place for a time of prayer and fasting to seek the Lord's will and plan for the book.  This would not be just any place, but rather a place that was birthed in a vision many years ago.  It was perfect.

I have a dear friend who has been a ministry partner of mine for many years.  As a worship pastor, I have been a part of his team in 2 churches.  We have forged a lifelong friendship that has been blessed by the Father.  We have both been there for each other in great times of need.  I love their family very much.  

Years ago he shared a vision God had given him and it spoke to his core.  I have seen this vision go from a fleeting thought, to a viable option, to current fruition.  The vision was to have a secluded place where artists could get away for inspirational time with the Lord, reflection, or to work on a project.  However, when vision is given, we are not always prepared or ready to move in it.

For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it testifies about the end and will not lie.  Though it delays, wait for it, since it will certainly come and not be late.

Habakkuk 2:3

When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth.  For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears.  He will also declare to you what is to come.

John 16:13

So as visions have been shared and seen come to life, here I found myself staying in a cabin birthed from a vision long ago, and for its purpose.  As I sought the Father, He was quick to confirm instruction I was awaiting.  Instead, He gave me a gift to give to my friend.  There are many details about how He got me still enough to receive this.  That is the sweet part.  As you can see in the picture above, the name of this cabin is Fresh Wind... and the gift,

There is a fresh wind coming

So be prepared to hear.

We've prayed in preparation

For the Lord to make it clear.

Know that when you enter here

You are on hallowed ground,

For the vision of this place

Was given long before it found.

As you exercise your given gifts

Whatever they may be,

May God grant you the ears to hear

And open eyes to see.

Please enjoy the atmosphere,

We find it rather quaint,

And maybe you can use it

For a picture you might paint.

Or maybe for a song or book

That you feel led to write.

We pray the Lord inspires

Into the darkness of the night.

For this place is anointed

And we think you'll find it true.

A clawfoot tub for showers,

A porch with sunset view.

To sit outside and listen

As the wind blows through the trees,

Take a little nature walk,

Or spend time on your knees.

This cabin has been waiting

For you to enter in.

And when you enter, do expect

Your fresh wind to begin.

Such an experience, and what an honor to be able to be the messenger of this gift from the Father to the owners of this place that will birth more vision, life changing vision for the kingdom.

He is faithful....and I am blessed.

Clutter.... Setting the stage for Spiritual Chaos

Have you ever noticed that the amount of things a person has is directly correlated to the chaos and stress in their lives?  Sure, things are fun, but each thing requires a precious commodity.... mainly TIME.  But is it only time we are giving up?  Because these things dominate our time, they also cloud our mind with the things of this world.  There is an ancient Chinese proverb that states, 

"A cluttered space equals a cluttered mind".  This would indicate that these possessions we collect are slowly starting to dominate our thoughts, leading us to somewhat of a mental chaos.

Yesterday, I was on a return flight from a mini-vacation with my bride.  We had a screaming 15 month old in the seat in front of us, which was an interesting dynamic for the entire plane.  The child was being taken by aunt and uncle for a week to give mommy a needed break, so that is an admirable act of service.  About an hour into the flight, a nice lady from a few rows up came back to calm the child.  She had a kind and gentle spirit about her and she obviously loved children.  She was acting in a selfless way to serve not only the aunt and uncle, but the whole plane.  During this kind gesture, the child's foot accidentally knocked over this fella's beer onto his precious computer.  His entire demeanor changed as he violently rushed to dry off and attempt to salvage his device.  He has no idea how shallow he looked at that time.  Then I thought about all of the times I have acted the same way, even modeling the unnecessary reactions to my children........

Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth.  Colossians 3:2

But everything must be done decently and in order.                       1 Corinthians 14:40

So are we creating our own chaos?  Are we building our own stress levels by having the "things of this world"?

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.  Romans 12:2

Other versions say "patterns of this world" or "trappings of this world".  This is a warning to each of us.  If we are HIS WORKMANSHIP (Ephesians 2:10), and uniquely created (Psalm 139:13-14), WHY would we want to conform and be something OTHER than what we were created to be?

How easily we are deceived by the physical things of this world, because of our thoughts.  Notice all the scriptural talk about the mind.  And it continues.....

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.  2 Corinthians 10:5

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.  Philippians 4:8

Interestingly, the 2 verses prior to Philippians 4:8 give us directives about stress and anxiety.  the Bible tells us what to let in our minds for OUR OWN PROTECTION.  His truth is so evident in the lives of those who have rejected His love and care for them.  He offers the peace that we cannot understand (Philippians 4:7).  You see, our mind (thoughts) offer a doorway to our heart.  This is where life flows from.  If our joy is compromised by our thoughts, we have little to give.  If we are wounded and have not received freedom and healing, we will rarely trust enough to give of ourself.

Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.  Proverbs 4:23

What is holding you back today?  What are the areas of physical/spiritual clutter that you need to clean up?  What thoughts are you struggling with?

I urge you to seek Biblical counsel and discuss these areas with someone today.

Thank you for reading.   I invite you to like, follow, and share with anyone who might enjoy or need this message.  Freedom in Christ is available to all who are willing..... to leave the ledge.

Declaration.... Devotion's Call

"Soldiers, when committed to a task, can't compromise.  It's unrelenting devotion to the standards of duty and courage, absolute loyalty to others, not letting the task go until it's been done."
- John Keegan

I want to start this off by honoring those who have served the United States of America, those who fought, declared, and kept her independent.  While she is far from perfect, she is the greatest nation in the world. I am proud to be an American.  This would have never happened without the original visionaries, who were devoted to putting vision into print as The Declaration of Independence.

dec-la-ra-tion

-  a formal or explicit statement or announcement.
-  a formal announcement of a beginning of a state or condition.

Declarations call us to be devoted to a cause outside of a personal desire.  They call us to, at times, act and think differently, but with purpose.

Who is wise and understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom's gentleness.  But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't brag and lie in defiance of the truth.  Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.  For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil.  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy.  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.  James 3:13-18

On February 1st of this year, Tracy and I celebrated 25 years of our original declaration of marriage.  God continues to bless our marriage as we continue to declare Him Lord.  As we devote ourselves to Him, our selfless pursuit of each other becomes second nature.

A cord of three strands is not easily broken.  Ecclesiastes 4:12

At our 25th anniversary, we rewrote and read vows in the presence of God and witnesses.  It was a declaration of deeper devotion to each other, with new spoken words.  It was our witness and the word of our testimony to those who were in attendance.  We want others to see that selfless devotion is beautiful and consistent.  Much like the flag that we fly today is a symbol of our independence, our marriage is a symbol of our pursuit of each other... and the continued love and devotion on display is our daily declaration.

"The time you spend alone with God will transform your character and increase your devotion.  Then your integrity and godly behavior in an unbelieving world will make others long to know the Lord." - Charles Stanley



Please enjoy, share, follow, and like.  If you know of someone who could use this encouragement, please share this with them.

Beyond comfort.... Rest

I cannot relax or be still;  I have no rest, for trouble comes.      Job 3:26

I am churning within and cannot rest;  days of suffering confront me.  Job 30:27

Have you ever been at a place where you were forced to rest?  Where your mind can't stop, but your body can't go?  When there is so much to accomplish, but physically you have hit "the wall"?  Why is it so uncomfortable for us to be in that place?

Last Friday, I had a laser procedure done on both feet.  Everything went well and I was looking forward to a quick recovery.  At this point, I venture to say there is no such thing.

re-cov-er-y

1. a return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength.

2. the action or process of regaining possession or control of something stolen or lost.

In this life, it seems as if we are all striving for something.  Whether it is the struggle for position or possession, we feel like we control our own destiny.  We never stop lest we might fall behind... and that makes the reality of the TRUTH so hard for us to understand.  Yes, we were created to work, but also to rest.

For we are His creation- created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10

By the seventh day, God completed His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done.  Genesis 2:2

So if we have been created in His image, should we not emulate work ethic?  Even Our Creator knew rest would be necessary after work had been done, yet in our need for control, we fail to stop.  What we don't see, many times, is that The Father is always drawing us into a deeper relationship with Him.  He desires to be in fellowship with us, but we have to stop.  This is not new.  The book of Job, one of the oldest books in the Bible, shows humanity's weakness in complete rest even in the Lord's most faithful of servants.  Here we have Satan gaining God's permission to torment Job in a great test of his faithfulness to God.  God knew Job would be faithful, but in the end, Job had to be corrected.  While his faithfulness was sound, his trust was lacking as he continued to question God about his circumstances.

"Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28

So here, we see the differentiation of physical rest from work, and spiritual rest from our mental stresses.  While God was training Job to trust Him deeper, even through terrible times, He was also showing him that He was trustworthy through anything.  God wasn't asking Job to defend Him, but rather just to let Him be the faithful God that He had always been.  This is His rest.  The same rest Jesus calls us to when we don't understand or don't have all of the answers.  We were not created to carry worries and burdens, but rather to trust. 

I would encourage you to read Hebrews 4.  Once again, we see the example of God resting on the seventh day....after His work was complete.  We also see that knowing the "good news" (yes, this is referring to the Gospel), and being disobedient to Its call, invites torment into our lives.  BUT, the door is always open...because He loves you.

Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.  Hebrews 4:7b

So, my new definition of RECOVERY... is to fall back into alignment with Him through obedience, and enter into His rest.  Re-covering me in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  You see...the work for these characteristics has been accomplished...and they are available to you through submission to Him.

I invite you to share, like, follow, and comment.  Thank you for reading.

Confession.... under judgement??

Confession.... under judgement??

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.  The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.  James 5:16

If you grew up in church, then you most likely have spent some time trying to figure out just how the above scripture actually works.  Most of the folks I have talked to about this have come to the point where they are of the mindset of, "You must be crazy if you think I am unloading all of my failures, and have all of the people's judgement of my actions.  You have no idea the shame it would cause me."  The fear of transparency has been ushered in by the culture we have created... especially in the church.  It is a culture of self-righteousness and pride that can only come from a thought that someone is above the sacrificial action Jesus did on the cross.  I must confess (and dare one to judge), after growing up in a religious culture of shame, I have committed my fair share of unsubstantiated judgements.  I beg forgiveness for anyone who sees this and has experienced this from me.  Know that I am not the person I once was.  I had no right.

"Do not judge, so that you won't be judged.  For with the judgement you use, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.  Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but don't notice the log in your own eye?" Matthew 7:1-3

So this culture that we have created has been an open invitation to the enemy, who has established a spirit of fear within the church.  In our own conventional "wisdom", we have created an environment which is not conducive to confession, yet we are called to bear one another's burdens and confess our own sin to others.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9

In John chapter 8, Jesus tells those of judgement if there is one without sin, cast the first stone.  One by one, they dropped their stones to the ground and left.  They knew that Jesus was without sin and didn't act.  Perhaps they began examining their own lives.  Examination of the heart is called for in our humanity.  Scripture tells us that God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).  If we are made in His image, we should do the same....starting with our own lives.

Imagine the peace that was experienced by the woman who was almost stoned to death when Jesus told her He had no condemnation for her.  "Go and sin no more", was His response.  I will bet her life was changed forever.  I believe this because of lives I have seen changed...including mine.

Christ has liberated us to be free.  Stand firm then and don't submit again to a yoke of slavery.  Galatians 5:1

So once we are liberated, through repentance and forgiveness, we are instructed to not return to our sinful ways.  Jesus came to set us free from the guilt and shame of our failures.  We do this through confession of our struggles and failures.  If we fail to act in this manner, we carry a burden we are not meant to carry.  We also keep any encouragement we might need in our struggles inactivated.  Transparency will elevate the name of Jesus and, in reality, is your greatest weapon.

They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they did not love their lives in the face of death.  Revelation 12:11

The word of your testimony is the story of your depravity drowning in His grace.  This is abundant life.  What His plan is for you and me.  Shame and guilt can't be used by the enemy any longer at this point.  He is defeated in the name of Jesus.

I challenge each of you to find freedom through confession.  I know it is hard, but this is His desire for you...not to carry an unnecessary burden.  Trust Him... He wants you to... Leave the Ledge.

Please share this with those dealing with the shame of past failures.  There is freedom in the name of Jesus.