I found a tape (remember those cassette thingies?) today as we searched the storage room boxes. The message on the tape was dated 2004 and contained the funeral service conducted in Naples, Florida by a former pastor for a dear friend. I hope I never forget either of these great men.
Don Johnson, not the Miami Vice one, was a man who had been addicted to alcohol most of his life, ruined his family, tortured his body, and died much younger, in my opinion, than he would have had he lived free of the abuse.
Thankfully the alcohol was not Don's true or final identity. During his 5th program to beat the alcohol, Don came to faith in Jesus Christ at Dunklin Center in the everglades region of south Florida. He broke free from the "god of alcohol", that he'd worshiped most of his life, and switched to worshiping the Lord Jesus Christ. As the taped message progressed, I heard the pastor Dr. Hayes Wicker, that other great man I mentioned in the opening paragraph, reminding all of the last 2 decades of Don's life. I was struck by the power and love of God and listened in awe to the testimony of our Lord Jesus and His power to redeem, heal, renew, and resurrect a life. Don's. Mine. Yours?
Don ran from the very God who loved Him well and wanted to give him a life of abundance. Don tried for 50+ years to live a life worth living on his own terms and would have failed and died a lonely, isolated man; but our Jesus - His Lord and mine - found Don and continued to reach out a hand of love to Him though Don had slapped that hand away time and time again. I guess the hand that took the nails of the cross is not thwarted in its work by a slap from you or from me. Jesus really loves.
Don Johnson, the man I knew well from 1999 to 2001 and conversed with sporadically after 2001, was a man filled with love and acceptance. He got forgiveness from God and from those he'd wronged, especially his own family. Don and I had true spiritual fellowship with each other around the things of God. I have known many great men in my life, and Don Johnson is one of the greatest.
He didn't die wealthy or leave much behind except a powerful legacy for his family quite different from the one he'd begun years before. He left a heritage of investing in the lives of men whose lives were as lost as his had been, of loving the unlovable rejects of our society, and of watching God miraculously restore others in the way He had restored Don.
I hadn't contemplated Don's life to this degree in several years, and the exercise gripped my heart as I remembered how I loved him and he loved me, and as I realized what an impact Don Johnson had on my life for good and for eternity.
May I suggest that the ordinary man who places his life in the hands of our extraordinary Savior Jesus Christ will live an extraordinary life of accomplishment, impact, and personal peace. The high calling of God is on you and me to live a life of abundance so others will know we love as Jesus, obey God as Jesus, and produce lasting fruit in this life for eternity by the power of the Holy Spirit. Don Johnson did that and today is with His Savior and mine. Yours?
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Storage Capacity versus Unwanted Baggage
Working to clean our storage room with Carol during some free days after Christmas has prompted me to enter this post on Storage Capacity versus Unwanted Baggage. I didn't know this labor of love with Carol would have such an impact on my thinking. I did think my back might feel it more than my heart. Guess not. :)
From the December 16-18 weekend together with all 13 (now that Reagan Elizabeth Adams is out where we can see her), my Mom now 98, and my extended family in Kentucky to the December 23-25 weekend in Georgia with part of our family and some other dear friends, we may have had the greatest Christmas so far.
I know you understand that the "greatness" of this Christmas had little to do with gifts received and much to do with the gifts given and time with those we love and who love us. This year there was more joy, more peace, and more love experienced in all the places where we were privileged to have Christmas celebrations.
A question has surfaced during this time, that I want to write about and hopefully develop in coming weeks.
Here is the question:
Why can't family members be the people with whom we discuss tough issues, seek help with problems, expose needs of advice or resources, or tap expertise for starting new ventures?
This question was sparked by the realization that some, many in fact, in my extended family are hurting from a myriad of problems - some self-inflicted problems and others from circumstances of just being alive in this world. But, most of us in the family found out about the issues only after years have passed and much Unwanted Baggage is now carried by young and old alike. Even when help was offered from caring individuals in the family, that help was either ignored or refused - with the possible exception of one situation that is developing currently.
Another way to phrase the question more simply may be ...
Why don't family members trust each other reaching out for help as help is needed?
Or why do we wait so long, seek help from complete strangers, or seek no help at all when loving family members are so readily available?
I know the stock answers are pride, fear of rejection, etc. Blah, blah, blah! As real as these reasons are, my question remains.
I was told by a friend some years ago that Jewish families have the fewest number of juvenile delinquents due to the depth of the family connections and the maintenance of healthy family traditions. I don't know if that is still true, but it seems to me that Christian families should and could be equally as functional IF we translate love for each other as Jesus does.
In other words, what if we "loved one another as He loves us", if we "spoke the truth to each other in love", if we "rejoiced with those who rejoice and wept with those who week"; if we "let no corrupt communication proceed out of our mouth but only that which is good and that builds up another, speaking according to the need of the moment"; if we "did not let the sun go down on our anger"..... ? You get the idea.
Not sure about your family system, but my family - though filled with wonderful people who have much to offer - was historically a system where little deep discussion occurred, where political differences were and are points of contention rather than discussion, where more conversations were had ABOUT another family member rather than WITH that person, and where little was ever confronted in keeping with the "speak the truth in love" principle held in high esteem in scripture as a sign of maturity much like that of Christ's.
Consequently we - many of us....not you, I hope - walk through life with Unwanted Baggage of unresolved hurt and guilt rather than our Storage Capacity filled with wonderful memories of love given and love received. Please don't misunderstand. I don't believe we are all "walking basket cases" of bleeding hearts and phony lives. In fact, I think we've done pretty well with the truths we've experienced and the efforts we've invested in loving others as Jesus does. We Christians are still the most giving, caring, forbearing, and accepting people in the world, so far as I have seen in my travels over 40 + years of ministry. But for some reason we can do great things in the world without much assessment or examination of what is happening behind the closed doors of our own homes.
...Still blows me away to think of how little training or mentoring we get from Bible scholars, teachers, and preachers about the clear command of loving each other "as Jesus loves us". Isn't it easy to read or speak those words but hard to actually do it or know what Jesus even means by His command?
So, if you are interested in learning more about giving Jesus' love and if you have time to read a previous blog "Four Questions for Two Lists", that might be a great place to start. Reading I Corinthians 13, John 13, and Ephesians 3 and 4 give a very clear picture of how vital God's love to us and through us is. Without His love motivating our lives it seems to me that there isn't much worth doing.
We go through life accumulating Unwanted Baggage when that space in our hearts should be filled, could be filled, and by God's grace will be filled with memories of love received and given, forgiveness received and given, and abundant lives lived to the glory of God.
From the December 16-18 weekend together with all 13 (now that Reagan Elizabeth Adams is out where we can see her), my Mom now 98, and my extended family in Kentucky to the December 23-25 weekend in Georgia with part of our family and some other dear friends, we may have had the greatest Christmas so far.
I know you understand that the "greatness" of this Christmas had little to do with gifts received and much to do with the gifts given and time with those we love and who love us. This year there was more joy, more peace, and more love experienced in all the places where we were privileged to have Christmas celebrations.
A question has surfaced during this time, that I want to write about and hopefully develop in coming weeks.
Here is the question:
Why can't family members be the people with whom we discuss tough issues, seek help with problems, expose needs of advice or resources, or tap expertise for starting new ventures?
This question was sparked by the realization that some, many in fact, in my extended family are hurting from a myriad of problems - some self-inflicted problems and others from circumstances of just being alive in this world. But, most of us in the family found out about the issues only after years have passed and much Unwanted Baggage is now carried by young and old alike. Even when help was offered from caring individuals in the family, that help was either ignored or refused - with the possible exception of one situation that is developing currently.
Another way to phrase the question more simply may be ...
Why don't family members trust each other reaching out for help as help is needed?
Or why do we wait so long, seek help from complete strangers, or seek no help at all when loving family members are so readily available?
I know the stock answers are pride, fear of rejection, etc. Blah, blah, blah! As real as these reasons are, my question remains.
I was told by a friend some years ago that Jewish families have the fewest number of juvenile delinquents due to the depth of the family connections and the maintenance of healthy family traditions. I don't know if that is still true, but it seems to me that Christian families should and could be equally as functional IF we translate love for each other as Jesus does.
In other words, what if we "loved one another as He loves us", if we "spoke the truth to each other in love", if we "rejoiced with those who rejoice and wept with those who week"; if we "let no corrupt communication proceed out of our mouth but only that which is good and that builds up another, speaking according to the need of the moment"; if we "did not let the sun go down on our anger"..... ? You get the idea.
Not sure about your family system, but my family - though filled with wonderful people who have much to offer - was historically a system where little deep discussion occurred, where political differences were and are points of contention rather than discussion, where more conversations were had ABOUT another family member rather than WITH that person, and where little was ever confronted in keeping with the "speak the truth in love" principle held in high esteem in scripture as a sign of maturity much like that of Christ's.
Consequently we - many of us....not you, I hope - walk through life with Unwanted Baggage of unresolved hurt and guilt rather than our Storage Capacity filled with wonderful memories of love given and love received. Please don't misunderstand. I don't believe we are all "walking basket cases" of bleeding hearts and phony lives. In fact, I think we've done pretty well with the truths we've experienced and the efforts we've invested in loving others as Jesus does. We Christians are still the most giving, caring, forbearing, and accepting people in the world, so far as I have seen in my travels over 40 + years of ministry. But for some reason we can do great things in the world without much assessment or examination of what is happening behind the closed doors of our own homes.
...Still blows me away to think of how little training or mentoring we get from Bible scholars, teachers, and preachers about the clear command of loving each other "as Jesus loves us". Isn't it easy to read or speak those words but hard to actually do it or know what Jesus even means by His command?
So, if you are interested in learning more about giving Jesus' love and if you have time to read a previous blog "Four Questions for Two Lists", that might be a great place to start. Reading I Corinthians 13, John 13, and Ephesians 3 and 4 give a very clear picture of how vital God's love to us and through us is. Without His love motivating our lives it seems to me that there isn't much worth doing.
We go through life accumulating Unwanted Baggage when that space in our hearts should be filled, could be filled, and by God's grace will be filled with memories of love received and given, forgiveness received and given, and abundant lives lived to the glory of God.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Upside and Down - 2011 in review
The "up side" of 2011: (some of it)
We have had 4 paychecks in a row!!! Woohoo! I believe that is 10 of 26 checks for the year. Don't hear this as a complaint or a bummer. God's provision for us has come in many forms and from many places and people.
Seeing how many people believe in us and what God has called us to do brings a thrill to our hearts and a lump in our throats when we realize the responsibility to use wisely the resources God sends through others.
We saw progress in every couple with whom we've worked in mentoring this year! Not all are "out of the woods" but at least they are together still walking in the woods versus running through the woods in opposite directions. Real people have real problems and need God's real solutions from real people who love them and will patiently speak truth when the doors open to the heart.
The wonderful church in North Carolina is moving toward their own effective marriage ministry after a successful launch of an Intimate Encounters class. Thirty or so couples completed the course, and we heard several of their stories of love-filled redemption when we were on location the last few times we taught the class.
The pastor at the North Carolina church gets it and wants his family, church, and community to get how loved they are and how to love others into Christ's kingdom. He knows how the enemy of Christ hates it when the Church loves as Jesus commands and empowers, especially when the one doing the loving actually starts at home going out to serve from a base-station of authenticity and Holy Spirit power.
We got to meet a few of the couples on a deeper level and watch God transform and deepen these marriages, changing the future family tree forever. Some have begun the steps to invite Jesus to heal their pain from the past and replace dysfunction with the freedom only Christ gives.
Our conferences or speaking engagements in Mt. Bethel, Pennsylvania; Young Harris, Georgia; Tegucigalpa, Honduras; Rome, Georgia, Rock Hill, South Carolina; Austell, Georgia; Princeton, Kentucky, Concord, North Carolina, and in Kingston, Tennessee provided environments for God's hand to move in many couples to, as one lady stated it, "see God work more in a short time than she'd ever seen". Another pastor/leader admitted, after hearing another couple's story of God's healing transformation after an affair, shared humbly that "he didn't know God still did those kinds of miracles".
Mentoring several young men and being guided by trusted advisers, some on our board and some not, have resulted in deeper heart connections and friendships. No one person possesses the wisdom and maturity needed to lead a ministry, guide a family, and handle relationships adequately. We need each other. God designed the Church, the body of Christ, to function as a loving family who speak "the truth in love" and who "comfort one another" as well as "exhort one another".
I have believed for many years that a family or a Christian-led organization should function in health, care, and wisdom from God and show itself quite a different environment from what most people experience in their work place and family systems. That is the difference Jesus makes!
The "down side" of 2011: (some of it)
In my own family (extended family) we have and are experiencing some really difficult days. Among the mentor couples with whom we work, their struggles are crushing at times. Feeling rejected by those we love - in the family and outside it - as we watch unwise choices result in great pain for many leads to suffering in our hearts as well.
Struggling at times with trusting God for financial resources to keep going gets tough at times.
Seeing new responsibilities or opportunities arise and trying to discern which we do and which ones we pass by causes us heartache, since we'd like to work with and help, where possible, everyone we meet.
Seeing my family struggle through these challenges and being rejected or feeling like a "failure" when couples continue to suffer or churches focus resources on everything but marriage and family bring a level of internal conflict that must be addressed, faced, and defeated.
With all that said, our marriage is stronger; our family, more resolute; our focus, more defined; our financial situation, less stressful; our faith, more finely tuned; and God's hand, more clearly seen and felt. We believe we are doing what God has clearly called us to do in a way that only He can get the honor and praise.
I believe this to be true because financially we have nothing but His provision; ministry-wise we have no leverage or network except what He has brought and is bringing. Though we don't know all God is doing, we are amazed to see Him at work by His Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ, changing hearts, lives, families, ministries, and legacies to His glory.
So, bring on the roller coaster ride of life. We are in God's keeping and care. He has been and is faithful to keep His promises. He loves us and we prayerfully serve others to introduce them to Jesus and His love so we and they can "live loved and give love freely....starting at home".
We have had 4 paychecks in a row!!! Woohoo! I believe that is 10 of 26 checks for the year. Don't hear this as a complaint or a bummer. God's provision for us has come in many forms and from many places and people.
Seeing how many people believe in us and what God has called us to do brings a thrill to our hearts and a lump in our throats when we realize the responsibility to use wisely the resources God sends through others.
We saw progress in every couple with whom we've worked in mentoring this year! Not all are "out of the woods" but at least they are together still walking in the woods versus running through the woods in opposite directions. Real people have real problems and need God's real solutions from real people who love them and will patiently speak truth when the doors open to the heart.
The wonderful church in North Carolina is moving toward their own effective marriage ministry after a successful launch of an Intimate Encounters class. Thirty or so couples completed the course, and we heard several of their stories of love-filled redemption when we were on location the last few times we taught the class.
The pastor at the North Carolina church gets it and wants his family, church, and community to get how loved they are and how to love others into Christ's kingdom. He knows how the enemy of Christ hates it when the Church loves as Jesus commands and empowers, especially when the one doing the loving actually starts at home going out to serve from a base-station of authenticity and Holy Spirit power.
We got to meet a few of the couples on a deeper level and watch God transform and deepen these marriages, changing the future family tree forever. Some have begun the steps to invite Jesus to heal their pain from the past and replace dysfunction with the freedom only Christ gives.
Our conferences or speaking engagements in Mt. Bethel, Pennsylvania; Young Harris, Georgia; Tegucigalpa, Honduras; Rome, Georgia, Rock Hill, South Carolina; Austell, Georgia; Princeton, Kentucky, Concord, North Carolina, and in Kingston, Tennessee provided environments for God's hand to move in many couples to, as one lady stated it, "see God work more in a short time than she'd ever seen". Another pastor/leader admitted, after hearing another couple's story of God's healing transformation after an affair, shared humbly that "he didn't know God still did those kinds of miracles".
Mentoring several young men and being guided by trusted advisers, some on our board and some not, have resulted in deeper heart connections and friendships. No one person possesses the wisdom and maturity needed to lead a ministry, guide a family, and handle relationships adequately. We need each other. God designed the Church, the body of Christ, to function as a loving family who speak "the truth in love" and who "comfort one another" as well as "exhort one another".
I have believed for many years that a family or a Christian-led organization should function in health, care, and wisdom from God and show itself quite a different environment from what most people experience in their work place and family systems. That is the difference Jesus makes!
The "down side" of 2011: (some of it)
In my own family (extended family) we have and are experiencing some really difficult days. Among the mentor couples with whom we work, their struggles are crushing at times. Feeling rejected by those we love - in the family and outside it - as we watch unwise choices result in great pain for many leads to suffering in our hearts as well.
Struggling at times with trusting God for financial resources to keep going gets tough at times.
Seeing new responsibilities or opportunities arise and trying to discern which we do and which ones we pass by causes us heartache, since we'd like to work with and help, where possible, everyone we meet.
Seeing my family struggle through these challenges and being rejected or feeling like a "failure" when couples continue to suffer or churches focus resources on everything but marriage and family bring a level of internal conflict that must be addressed, faced, and defeated.
With all that said, our marriage is stronger; our family, more resolute; our focus, more defined; our financial situation, less stressful; our faith, more finely tuned; and God's hand, more clearly seen and felt. We believe we are doing what God has clearly called us to do in a way that only He can get the honor and praise.
I believe this to be true because financially we have nothing but His provision; ministry-wise we have no leverage or network except what He has brought and is bringing. Though we don't know all God is doing, we are amazed to see Him at work by His Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ, changing hearts, lives, families, ministries, and legacies to His glory.
So, bring on the roller coaster ride of life. We are in God's keeping and care. He has been and is faithful to keep His promises. He loves us and we prayerfully serve others to introduce them to Jesus and His love so we and they can "live loved and give love freely....starting at home".
Friday, November 18, 2011
Top Ten Relational Needs*
(examples in scripture)
Acceptance - deliberate and ready reception with a favorable positive response, even after failure (Rom. 15:7). (Jesus accepted Peter even after Peter’s failure.)
Affection – to communicate care and closeness through physical touch and words (Rom. 16:16). (Jesus had compassion and loved disciples to the end.)
Appreciation – to communicate with words and feelings a personal gratefulness for another (I Cor. 11:2). (Jesus welcomed children-was not bothered by them.)
Approval – expressed commendation; to think and speak well of (Rom. 14:18). (Jesus commended the Roman centurion for his faith.)
Attention – to take thought of another and convey appropriate interest and support; to enter into another’s “world” (I Cor. 12:25). (Jesus entered ours.)
Comfort (empathy) – to come alongside with word, feeling and touch; to give consolation with tenderness (Rom. 12:15). (Jesus wept with friends.)
Encouragement – to urge forward and positively persuade toward a goal (I Thes. 5:11, Heb. 10:24). (Jesus sent his disciples out to do kingdom work.)
Respect – to value and regard highly; to convey great worth (Rom. 12:10). (Jesus expressed value to the adulterous woman who was brought for judgment.)
Security – confidence of harmony in relationships; free from harm (Rom. 12:16a). (Jesus promised to be with us “even to the end of the age”.)
Support – come alongside and gently help carry a load (Gal. 6:2). (Jesus was with his disciples through celebration and challenging times and left His Spirit.)
*List was adapted from Intimate Encounters Workbook, page 12; Relationship Press, POBox 201808, Austin
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Who Occupies "Your Name" Street?
Haven't you heard people say "follow your heart"? I know folks mean well and want us to do what our heart leads us to do. Sometimes that leads us to pursue the passion of our life and leads to fulfillment, but other times the "follow your heart" philosophy leads us into a mindless direction with a destination of unintended consequences.
You probably won't believe I am going to keep this short, but all I ask is that you and I consider Who occupies the streets of our heart? Who owns your soul? Is your street open to any and all comers or only a few? Are you selective about those you allow into your heart? I know we are to love others, but we are not to be controlled by just anyone.
May I suggest you consider Jesus Christ as the One who alone can and will occupy your heart with the power to keep you loved and the love to use His power always for your good and His glory. His plan for you is really grand. He will do "exceeding, abundantly" above everything you ever asked or imagined.
The consequences of His occupying "your name" street will not result in wasted, unintended consequences but will result in so much more than you can even dream. How comforting and reassuring to be occupied by such a Savior as one who took my unintended consequences of pain and sin on Himself. With my sin and yours on Him, He died to pay the penalty our sin deserved, then He was buried and rose again as the only name "by which we must be saved."
I surely hope He owns your heart and mine....all of it...without reservation. Apparently allowing Christ into our lives to occupy "your name" street will result in our being able to occupy streets of gold in eternity where He lives and invites us to come.
You probably won't believe I am going to keep this short, but all I ask is that you and I consider Who occupies the streets of our heart? Who owns your soul? Is your street open to any and all comers or only a few? Are you selective about those you allow into your heart? I know we are to love others, but we are not to be controlled by just anyone.
May I suggest you consider Jesus Christ as the One who alone can and will occupy your heart with the power to keep you loved and the love to use His power always for your good and His glory. His plan for you is really grand. He will do "exceeding, abundantly" above everything you ever asked or imagined.
The consequences of His occupying "your name" street will not result in wasted, unintended consequences but will result in so much more than you can even dream. How comforting and reassuring to be occupied by such a Savior as one who took my unintended consequences of pain and sin on Himself. With my sin and yours on Him, He died to pay the penalty our sin deserved, then He was buried and rose again as the only name "by which we must be saved."
I surely hope He owns your heart and mine....all of it...without reservation. Apparently allowing Christ into our lives to occupy "your name" street will result in our being able to occupy streets of gold in eternity where He lives and invites us to come.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Special Delivery!
On Wednesday, November 9th at 3:16 pm, we welcomed the newest addition to our family - Ms. Reagan Elizabeth Adams. She weighed 7 lbs 8 oz, was 20 in long, and is just as sweet as she can be! We are so grateful for the continued blessings of God on our family and ministry.
The Adams Family:
Nathan, Suzanne, Evan, Jonathan, and Reagan
"Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them."
Psalm 127:3-4a
Grandaddy, Grandmommy, Suzanne, and Reagan
Monday, October 31, 2011
Save the Nation! Save the Woods?
As a boy, I, along with my not-so-wise friends attempted to start a fire in the woods so we could be Daniel Boone or just real woodsmen. We carefully moved the deep layer of leaves away from a spot and encircled the spot with rocks. In our attempt to be good, wise stewards of fire and the forest, we ignorantly did not include a source of water or a shovel for smothering the fire with dirt in case things got out of hand. Well, they did get out of hand and quickly. A gusty wind blew the sparks into the dry leaves just outside the circle of rocks and in minutes the area around the campfires was ablaze. We stomped and made things worse. Suddenly we saw some neighborhood men running our way and heard sirens blaring, approaching our location.
When we started the day we were happily making our campfire, then we became fearful as the sparks blew - shocked that the fire got out of control so quickly - desperate for help from anybody or anywhere - comforted to know men who knew what to do were now at our side - anxious to know that the authorities were now coming - relieved that the fire was out and that we were not going to jail - anxious again imagining the reaction of our parents, and at peace that night as we slept in our own beds (not in jail) with the knowledge that the damage we'd done was minor. We came close to burning down our favorite source of childhood adventure... the woods behind my house.
Do you agree that we are in trouble in our country, in your country, in your state/province, in your county or parish, and on down to the neighbors around you. I now believe more strongly than ever that "as goes the family, so goes the nation". But in most places I have traveled in the world, marriage and the family are "on fire", not a helpful controlled-burn but an out-of-control raging inferno that is leaving charred ruins in its path.
Recently my thoughts about what is happening in our world have turned to the idea of "control". When you and I attempt to answer the question: "Who controls my life?", we get to the heart of the issue. As the reality of God's love and power slip from our individual consciousness and eventually our national world-view, many other entities spring into the void left in our "control center".
Some actually believe they don't need God at all; they attempt self-regulation without the influence of the God who made them. That is about as foolish a conclusion as one can reach. Does anyone, who has been still long enough to appreciate the beautifully complex simplicity of the natural world or of human relationships, actually believe that all of this was accidental. From what I have studied and observed, I feel that many citizens of this world have thrown out the notion of a loving God Who powerfully controls the universe and authors life and eternity. The conclusion they reach may be due to the combination of lonely, loveless lives mixed with a sin nature that tries very hard to live life without being under authority, especially God's.
Our aloneness from Genesis 2:18 and our sin nature described in Genesis 3 make a potentially explosive mixture capable of either our own destruction or for great impact in the world. Fire can be good or bad, right? So, you can prevent a person from freezing or you can burn down his home with the same fire. It all depends. Is the fire under control or not?
Think of your own life as we apply the "fire under control" or "fire out of control" idea. Have you felt the sting of being lonely or ever felt unloved? With what did you combine your Genesis 2 aloneness to deal with the pain of rejection or lack of acceptance? Did you run to God for help and ask for His solution? Did you take matters into your own hands and with Genesis 3-motivation determine to be happy no matter what? Even if you have had a story-book life, you are not exempt from making bad decisions to maintain your own sense of happiness or control. Remember Genesis 3 fallen-ness has tainted us all.
On the other hand, did you move into an era of faith trusting God for His blessed outcome or did you stumble into the next weeks and months only to discover your chosen solution was no solution at all? Some choose another relationship to fill the lonely void inside, some choose a substance to abuse, some spend money, some borrow against their future with deep debt in order to feel they are still in control, some dive into business and busy-ness, and others get very religious in an attempt to "make a deal" with God or their version of god. Some give up altogether and give in to live completely out-of-control lives with little thought of who got or will get burned by their chosen course.
The description above illustrates how we, as a nation have come to our current concept of God-less self-control, because a nation is simply a collection of individuals. Can you see why many husbands and wives have chosen divorce rather than finding another way to resolve differences? Can you see why some parents have delegated, intentionally or not, their father- or mother-roles to others in the schools, churches, youth organizations, day-care centers, and even law enforcement? How many family legacies have been corrupted by our attempts to fill a lonely soul with a God-free resource that left the lonely soul even lonelier than before and left others hurting in the wake? How many newly created lonely souls will be tempted to do the same thing in the coming generations? How will it end? Who will save us from this tsunami of cultural pain and an out-of-control raging firestorm?
Though my answer is simple, it is the only answer worth pursuing. Jesus IS the Way and the Truth and the Life. Jesus does answer the questions of a lonely soul and a sinful nature. His great love for each of us available to each of us answers the Genesis 2 problem of "aloneness", and His great sacrifice in payment for our horrible sin along with His powerful resurrection fills the void of our Genesis 3 dilemma.
What if husbands turned to Jesus in faith for the power to love even when the wife does not? What if wives gave control of their fears to Christ Jesus rather than take the cultural "out" of divorce or affairs to try to satisfy their own need for security? What if parents assumed the roles and prayed together for the wisdom and power to love and appropriately discipline their children? We will discovering that God, the Perfect Father, has great ideas about discipline that start with love and include multiple forms of correction, not just "the rod" as some believe.
What if loneliness/aloneness in life was joined with faith so that God's resources and solutions could be discovered and implemented? What if a legacy of loving faith were the exact outcome God designed us to experience? Does this mean everything works out with ease and comfort? Certainly not. But more would see purpose and healthy outcomes if the fires of life were controlled by the One Who created fire in the first place and even built us to contain it, control it, and use if for great purposes to purify, warm, heal, and give light rather than steal, kill, and destroy?
Both the Genesis 2 and Genesis 3 dilemmas, though potentially destructive, can be turned to great joy and do great good when placed in the capable control of the God of the Universe Who knew all along that this was going to happen, but loved us so much He was willing to sacrifice His only Son Jesus so the fires of pain and guilt would result in a purified life made in His own image and full of His own love.
I have asked tons of questions in this blog post, I know. Have you noticed or can you remember specific ways you have misused the fire or allowed it to get out of control thinking you could control it yourself? The God of the Universe offers a partnership with you to lead you into the fires of life and carry you through them, allowing only those things to burned away that should be burned away, all the while keeping you safe by His power? Romans 8:29 makes it clear that all that is not of Christ in us will be burned in this purifying process.
Do you see any connection between the forest fire my friends and I started and the fires of life you have started in the past? Who did God send to rescue you from your choice? Have you expressed gratitude to them or to God for His faithful care over you? I think I will right now.
When we started the day we were happily making our campfire, then we became fearful as the sparks blew - shocked that the fire got out of control so quickly - desperate for help from anybody or anywhere - comforted to know men who knew what to do were now at our side - anxious to know that the authorities were now coming - relieved that the fire was out and that we were not going to jail - anxious again imagining the reaction of our parents, and at peace that night as we slept in our own beds (not in jail) with the knowledge that the damage we'd done was minor. We came close to burning down our favorite source of childhood adventure... the woods behind my house.
Do you agree that we are in trouble in our country, in your country, in your state/province, in your county or parish, and on down to the neighbors around you. I now believe more strongly than ever that "as goes the family, so goes the nation". But in most places I have traveled in the world, marriage and the family are "on fire", not a helpful controlled-burn but an out-of-control raging inferno that is leaving charred ruins in its path.
Recently my thoughts about what is happening in our world have turned to the idea of "control". When you and I attempt to answer the question: "Who controls my life?", we get to the heart of the issue. As the reality of God's love and power slip from our individual consciousness and eventually our national world-view, many other entities spring into the void left in our "control center".
Some actually believe they don't need God at all; they attempt self-regulation without the influence of the God who made them. That is about as foolish a conclusion as one can reach. Does anyone, who has been still long enough to appreciate the beautifully complex simplicity of the natural world or of human relationships, actually believe that all of this was accidental. From what I have studied and observed, I feel that many citizens of this world have thrown out the notion of a loving God Who powerfully controls the universe and authors life and eternity. The conclusion they reach may be due to the combination of lonely, loveless lives mixed with a sin nature that tries very hard to live life without being under authority, especially God's.
Our aloneness from Genesis 2:18 and our sin nature described in Genesis 3 make a potentially explosive mixture capable of either our own destruction or for great impact in the world. Fire can be good or bad, right? So, you can prevent a person from freezing or you can burn down his home with the same fire. It all depends. Is the fire under control or not?
Think of your own life as we apply the "fire under control" or "fire out of control" idea. Have you felt the sting of being lonely or ever felt unloved? With what did you combine your Genesis 2 aloneness to deal with the pain of rejection or lack of acceptance? Did you run to God for help and ask for His solution? Did you take matters into your own hands and with Genesis 3-motivation determine to be happy no matter what? Even if you have had a story-book life, you are not exempt from making bad decisions to maintain your own sense of happiness or control. Remember Genesis 3 fallen-ness has tainted us all.
On the other hand, did you move into an era of faith trusting God for His blessed outcome or did you stumble into the next weeks and months only to discover your chosen solution was no solution at all? Some choose another relationship to fill the lonely void inside, some choose a substance to abuse, some spend money, some borrow against their future with deep debt in order to feel they are still in control, some dive into business and busy-ness, and others get very religious in an attempt to "make a deal" with God or their version of god. Some give up altogether and give in to live completely out-of-control lives with little thought of who got or will get burned by their chosen course.
The description above illustrates how we, as a nation have come to our current concept of God-less self-control, because a nation is simply a collection of individuals. Can you see why many husbands and wives have chosen divorce rather than finding another way to resolve differences? Can you see why some parents have delegated, intentionally or not, their father- or mother-roles to others in the schools, churches, youth organizations, day-care centers, and even law enforcement? How many family legacies have been corrupted by our attempts to fill a lonely soul with a God-free resource that left the lonely soul even lonelier than before and left others hurting in the wake? How many newly created lonely souls will be tempted to do the same thing in the coming generations? How will it end? Who will save us from this tsunami of cultural pain and an out-of-control raging firestorm?
Though my answer is simple, it is the only answer worth pursuing. Jesus IS the Way and the Truth and the Life. Jesus does answer the questions of a lonely soul and a sinful nature. His great love for each of us available to each of us answers the Genesis 2 problem of "aloneness", and His great sacrifice in payment for our horrible sin along with His powerful resurrection fills the void of our Genesis 3 dilemma.
What if husbands turned to Jesus in faith for the power to love even when the wife does not? What if wives gave control of their fears to Christ Jesus rather than take the cultural "out" of divorce or affairs to try to satisfy their own need for security? What if parents assumed the roles and prayed together for the wisdom and power to love and appropriately discipline their children? We will discovering that God, the Perfect Father, has great ideas about discipline that start with love and include multiple forms of correction, not just "the rod" as some believe.
What if loneliness/aloneness in life was joined with faith so that God's resources and solutions could be discovered and implemented? What if a legacy of loving faith were the exact outcome God designed us to experience? Does this mean everything works out with ease and comfort? Certainly not. But more would see purpose and healthy outcomes if the fires of life were controlled by the One Who created fire in the first place and even built us to contain it, control it, and use if for great purposes to purify, warm, heal, and give light rather than steal, kill, and destroy?
Both the Genesis 2 and Genesis 3 dilemmas, though potentially destructive, can be turned to great joy and do great good when placed in the capable control of the God of the Universe Who knew all along that this was going to happen, but loved us so much He was willing to sacrifice His only Son Jesus so the fires of pain and guilt would result in a purified life made in His own image and full of His own love.
I have asked tons of questions in this blog post, I know. Have you noticed or can you remember specific ways you have misused the fire or allowed it to get out of control thinking you could control it yourself? The God of the Universe offers a partnership with you to lead you into the fires of life and carry you through them, allowing only those things to burned away that should be burned away, all the while keeping you safe by His power? Romans 8:29 makes it clear that all that is not of Christ in us will be burned in this purifying process.
Do you see any connection between the forest fire my friends and I started and the fires of life you have started in the past? Who did God send to rescue you from your choice? Have you expressed gratitude to them or to God for His faithful care over you? I think I will right now.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
A Truthful Twist on "Honoring Your Father and Mother"
Often, couples working through the TBI marriage principles become confused when we ask them to evaluate the example their parents set for them. We ask if they want their marriage to imitate that of their parents. Most of the time we get answers of "No" or "No way!"
When we are asked to justify our request to examine the relational "good, bad, and ugly" from the families of origin, we sometimes hesitate to assess it because we don't want to speak badly about either a parent, their relationship with each other, or their relationship with us. That hesitation is not a bad thing, necessarily; but not assessing our home of origin relationships is very unhealthy, potentially lethal to our own marriage and relationships with our children.
How can we heal our damaged soul or experience a growing relationship with our spouse if we don't realize the damage (if any) and accept God's power to heal us? Answer: we probably can't. You may be the exception to the rule, but most of us won't get treatment for a disease until we know we have it. Likewise, most of us have not dealt with relational disease from homes of origin because we don't recognize the symptoms.
One simple question to ask is this: In what ways do I want my marriage to be just like the one or ones I observed in my childhood - parents, grandparents, neighbors, etc.?
Where you see the "not good" of couples (parents, especially) who were not known well in their marriage, who didn't know how to resolve conflict, who acted as though there was no conflict when conflict was obvious to all, or who simply did not show the love of Jesus accurately or consistently, you will realize you may have some healing to do and some new skills to develop.
Back to Honoring our Father and Mother:
Last question of the blog post:
Would it honor your parents if you love your family (spouse and children) better than your parents loved each other or loved you?
Last answer of the blog post:
You bet it would!
That is the idea - to take what we got from our parents and appreciate the good, heal from the bad and ugly, then grow to love our spouse and children even more as Christ loves us. John 13:34, 35 is a "new commandment", as Jesus called it, because for many the "old" love they received is not only a watered-down tolerance for others, but stale and perhaps painful, and not love at all.
Let's trust God for a I Corinthians 13 love in our marriage and parenting. If we can do it there-behind closed doors, the relationships outside the home will reap the benefit of our being trained in giving and receiving love. When the Love-based life you live inside the home matches the life you live outside it, it truly simplifies things.
Too often we give our better effort of conscientiously loving others outside the home rather than to spouse, kids, or parents. True? I hope it is not true for you or me ... any more!
May it not be true of us going forward.
Let's love well, as Jesus empowers and commands, starting at home so the next generation has less to forgive and more modeling of healthy love-skills to launch them into abundance in their relationships. As our children and others who model their marriage after ours seek to honor us, they'll heal from the bad and ugly, appreciate the good, and build a more loving home for their children....and on and on it goes until Jesus returns.
You are I are legacy builders, aren't we? Let's build great ones for our part. Others will have to make their own choices, but as "for me and my house" we will by God's grace serve the Lord and love each other well.
Joshua 24:15b
When we are asked to justify our request to examine the relational "good, bad, and ugly" from the families of origin, we sometimes hesitate to assess it because we don't want to speak badly about either a parent, their relationship with each other, or their relationship with us. That hesitation is not a bad thing, necessarily; but not assessing our home of origin relationships is very unhealthy, potentially lethal to our own marriage and relationships with our children.
How can we heal our damaged soul or experience a growing relationship with our spouse if we don't realize the damage (if any) and accept God's power to heal us? Answer: we probably can't. You may be the exception to the rule, but most of us won't get treatment for a disease until we know we have it. Likewise, most of us have not dealt with relational disease from homes of origin because we don't recognize the symptoms.
One simple question to ask is this: In what ways do I want my marriage to be just like the one or ones I observed in my childhood - parents, grandparents, neighbors, etc.?
Where you see the "not good" of couples (parents, especially) who were not known well in their marriage, who didn't know how to resolve conflict, who acted as though there was no conflict when conflict was obvious to all, or who simply did not show the love of Jesus accurately or consistently, you will realize you may have some healing to do and some new skills to develop.
Back to Honoring our Father and Mother:
Last question of the blog post:
Would it honor your parents if you love your family (spouse and children) better than your parents loved each other or loved you?
Last answer of the blog post:
You bet it would!
That is the idea - to take what we got from our parents and appreciate the good, heal from the bad and ugly, then grow to love our spouse and children even more as Christ loves us. John 13:34, 35 is a "new commandment", as Jesus called it, because for many the "old" love they received is not only a watered-down tolerance for others, but stale and perhaps painful, and not love at all.
Let's trust God for a I Corinthians 13 love in our marriage and parenting. If we can do it there-behind closed doors, the relationships outside the home will reap the benefit of our being trained in giving and receiving love. When the Love-based life you live inside the home matches the life you live outside it, it truly simplifies things.
Too often we give our better effort of conscientiously loving others outside the home rather than to spouse, kids, or parents. True? I hope it is not true for you or me ... any more!
May it not be true of us going forward.
Let's love well, as Jesus empowers and commands, starting at home so the next generation has less to forgive and more modeling of healthy love-skills to launch them into abundance in their relationships. As our children and others who model their marriage after ours seek to honor us, they'll heal from the bad and ugly, appreciate the good, and build a more loving home for their children....and on and on it goes until Jesus returns.
You are I are legacy builders, aren't we? Let's build great ones for our part. Others will have to make their own choices, but as "for me and my house" we will by God's grace serve the Lord and love each other well.
Joshua 24:15b
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Upward Momentum is a Good Thing
No one likes to fail. When things fall apart on several fronts all at once, feeling like a failure just seems logical, but Jesus defies our human logic with a love and perspective we can't have without Him.
The Jesus' perspective: regardless of my current circumstances, I have hope...for this life and the hereafter. Since we are all going to be ushered into eternity one day, and we know it; we have a wonderful chance to help others gain the Jesus' perspective.
Everyone who encountered Jesus saw evidence of hope, whether or not they believed in Him to be the Son of God. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, many believed and saw hope for the future in light of Jesus' power over death, yet some ignored the miraculous to simply become "whistle blowers". These people, who saw the same thing others saw but interpreted the miracle as a bad thing or passed it off as some trick, reported to the corrupt religious leaders of the day; who, in turn, decided both Lazarus and Jesus needed to be terminated.
Many others found hope in this miracle-worker Jesus. Do you? Do I?
Yes, I do. My simple conclusion is that at times when I have no idea whether what we at TBI are doing will impact anyone else - anywhere else, Jesus' clear call on my life means that He is my hope and the results are His, not mine. When the resources we need are thin or not yet in view, Jesus Who loves and saves me, brings what He has for us into view when He is ready to reveal it. His provision is ample to the need, as He sees it - relative to our involvement in His kingdom work. After all, it is not my work, but His work that we are called to complete by His power.
Currently, I see an upward momentum both in results of ministry invested, the number of inquiries about this ministry, and the level of resources being given through TBI Ministries. I am grateful to God for His provision and His power being revealed in changed lives.
Recently a gentleman called to check up with our situation and hear about our next ministry venture. As we spoke, he asked about how much we needed to pay for a full paycheck for me, Carol, and Jeanne. Considering the fact that we three have not had a full paycheck since we started a year ago, it took me a while to calculate the amount in my head. After telling him my estimate, he said that he would cover that amount for us so that we would have a full (or very close to it) paycheck in the near future. The next day a financial blessing came his way regarding some property he needed to sell or lease. Wow, what a coincidence! :)
He blessed us with needed resources and God blessed Him with a new revenue stream that will provide the cash flow he needs to do the ministry God has called him to do. Does God always work that way? I don't think so. He is God and He works the way He chooses to work, but He loves us and works "all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose."
So whether your current life-momentum is upward or downward (in your own estimation), remember this: Our hope for here is secure and our hope for eternity is set in the faithfulness and character of our God who reveals Himself to us through His Son Jesus Christ and through His Holy Spirit. What a privilege to know we are secure for here and hereafter through the grace, power, and love of our God!
Let's be really clear in our story of God's miracle power in our own lives. He has saved us; He has provided all the needs of our lives so far and will continue; He makes life worth living by His great love for us and by the purposes to which He calls each of us. Let's finish well the work He left us here to do and let's do it so that others may know this loving, holy savior Jesus Christ. John 13: 34, 35
The Jesus' perspective: regardless of my current circumstances, I have hope...for this life and the hereafter. Since we are all going to be ushered into eternity one day, and we know it; we have a wonderful chance to help others gain the Jesus' perspective.
Everyone who encountered Jesus saw evidence of hope, whether or not they believed in Him to be the Son of God. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, many believed and saw hope for the future in light of Jesus' power over death, yet some ignored the miraculous to simply become "whistle blowers". These people, who saw the same thing others saw but interpreted the miracle as a bad thing or passed it off as some trick, reported to the corrupt religious leaders of the day; who, in turn, decided both Lazarus and Jesus needed to be terminated.
Many others found hope in this miracle-worker Jesus. Do you? Do I?
Yes, I do. My simple conclusion is that at times when I have no idea whether what we at TBI are doing will impact anyone else - anywhere else, Jesus' clear call on my life means that He is my hope and the results are His, not mine. When the resources we need are thin or not yet in view, Jesus Who loves and saves me, brings what He has for us into view when He is ready to reveal it. His provision is ample to the need, as He sees it - relative to our involvement in His kingdom work. After all, it is not my work, but His work that we are called to complete by His power.
Currently, I see an upward momentum both in results of ministry invested, the number of inquiries about this ministry, and the level of resources being given through TBI Ministries. I am grateful to God for His provision and His power being revealed in changed lives.
Recently a gentleman called to check up with our situation and hear about our next ministry venture. As we spoke, he asked about how much we needed to pay for a full paycheck for me, Carol, and Jeanne. Considering the fact that we three have not had a full paycheck since we started a year ago, it took me a while to calculate the amount in my head. After telling him my estimate, he said that he would cover that amount for us so that we would have a full (or very close to it) paycheck in the near future. The next day a financial blessing came his way regarding some property he needed to sell or lease. Wow, what a coincidence! :)
He blessed us with needed resources and God blessed Him with a new revenue stream that will provide the cash flow he needs to do the ministry God has called him to do. Does God always work that way? I don't think so. He is God and He works the way He chooses to work, but He loves us and works "all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose."
So whether your current life-momentum is upward or downward (in your own estimation), remember this: Our hope for here is secure and our hope for eternity is set in the faithfulness and character of our God who reveals Himself to us through His Son Jesus Christ and through His Holy Spirit. What a privilege to know we are secure for here and hereafter through the grace, power, and love of our God!
Let's be really clear in our story of God's miracle power in our own lives. He has saved us; He has provided all the needs of our lives so far and will continue; He makes life worth living by His great love for us and by the purposes to which He calls each of us. Let's finish well the work He left us here to do and let's do it so that others may know this loving, holy savior Jesus Christ. John 13: 34, 35
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Two Way Street - Not a Dead End
Reading I Corinthians 13 this morning put me in a great mood....still going 3 hours later! :)
When I read the part about "Love is...." (verses 4-8), my Father reminded me that this love described in these few verses is not simply the love He is telling me to have for others. This love is His love for me, for us. That is where love started...with Him...given to us...demonstrated in creation, history, and especially in Jesus Christ, our Savior and His Son, and today in the blessing of life itself.
He is patient, kind, not boastful or arrogant, doesn't think evil of us, and His love never fails. My love for Him and other varies, blows in the wind, rises and falls, but He loves me all the time. His thoughts about me (about you) are without number. My Daddy (Abba, Father) actually likes me. The great God of the universe knows my name, prepares a place for me to be with Him forever, promises to always be with me and never let me out of His sight.
I don't know what that does to your heart, but in the uncertainly of circumstances and at this point on the time-line of history, knowing Jesus Christ as my Savior and Friend, means that His life, death, and resurrection have purchased for me new life, eternal life, abundant life, and peace that defies logic.
We are at one of the most vulnerable, potentially frightening times in my life. In the middle of it all, my Jesus gives me life and breath and everything else I need. Why would I not love Him back! I will and then one day step into eternity to see Him as He really is. As a friend told me recently, "when I get to heaven, I think I will just follow Jesus around and not let Him out of my sight.". Great idea! See you there?
When I read the part about "Love is...." (verses 4-8), my Father reminded me that this love described in these few verses is not simply the love He is telling me to have for others. This love is His love for me, for us. That is where love started...with Him...given to us...demonstrated in creation, history, and especially in Jesus Christ, our Savior and His Son, and today in the blessing of life itself.
He is patient, kind, not boastful or arrogant, doesn't think evil of us, and His love never fails. My love for Him and other varies, blows in the wind, rises and falls, but He loves me all the time. His thoughts about me (about you) are without number. My Daddy (Abba, Father) actually likes me. The great God of the universe knows my name, prepares a place for me to be with Him forever, promises to always be with me and never let me out of His sight.
I don't know what that does to your heart, but in the uncertainly of circumstances and at this point on the time-line of history, knowing Jesus Christ as my Savior and Friend, means that His life, death, and resurrection have purchased for me new life, eternal life, abundant life, and peace that defies logic.
We are at one of the most vulnerable, potentially frightening times in my life. In the middle of it all, my Jesus gives me life and breath and everything else I need. Why would I not love Him back! I will and then one day step into eternity to see Him as He really is. As a friend told me recently, "when I get to heaven, I think I will just follow Jesus around and not let Him out of my sight.". Great idea! See you there?
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Four Questions for Two Lists - How to deal with guilt and hurt... privately
Four Questions for Two Lists
Hebrews 12:1,2; Matthew 5:4; Matthew 11:28-30; I John 1:9; James 5:16; I Peter 5:7
List 1: Using the Top Ten Soul Needs list (see the list below) – prepare to take steps that will grow your love for one another in marriage.
After reviewing the Top Ten Soul Needs list, please take time with God asking the following questions - scripture references are provided if you want some help answering the questions:
- Father, would you please show me how I have hurt my spouse and our marriage relative to not meeting these needs consistently? (Mark 10:42-45, Romans 3:23, Philippians 2:3-4)
- Father, how do you feel about what I have done to hurt my marriage and my spouse? (Romans 6:23, John 8: 1-11)
- Father, how do you feel about me even though I have done these things? (Romans 8: 38-39, Romans 6:23)
- Father, now what should I do as the next steps to healing and growing my relationship with my spouse? (1 John 1:9, Matthew 5: 23-24, James 5:16, Hebrews 12:1-2)
List 2: Using the Top Ten Soul Needs list – prepare to take more steps that will grow your love for one another:
After reviewing the Top Ten Soul Needs list, please take time with God asking the following questions - scripture references are provided if you want some help answering the questions:
- Father, would you please show me how I have been hurt by my spouse relative to not having these needs met consistently? (Genesis 2:18, Ephesians 5:21, Philippians 2:3-4)
- Father, how do you feel about the hurt I have experienced?(Matthew 11:28-30)
- Father, how do you feel about me when I have been hurt? (Romans 8:38-39, Psalm 27:10)
- Father, now what should I do as next steps to personal healing and in order to help grow my relationship with my spouse? (I Peter 5:7, Matthew 5:4, Ephesians 4:31-32, Hebrews 12:1-2)
Please note:
Do not bring up old wounds that have truly been healed
Do not judge the sincerity of your partner’s confessions
Realize each of us needs more than one miracle in life; usually, healing is a process not an event
The idea is to heal as individuals so the marriage you build has a stronger foundation
Top 10 Soul Needs [1]
Acceptance - deliberate and ready reception with a favorable positive response, even after failure (Rom. 15:7). |
Affection – to communicate care and closeness through physical touch and words (Rom. 16:16). |
Appreciation – to communicate with words and feelings a personal gratefulness for another (I Cor. 11:2). |
Approval – expressed commendation; to think and speak well of (Rom. 14:18). |
Attention – to take thought of another and convey appropriate interest and support; to enter into another’s “world” (I Cor. 12:25). |
Comfort (empathy) – to come alongside with word, feeling and touch; to give consolation with tenderness (Rom. 12:15). |
Encouragement – to urge forward and positively persuade toward a goal (I Thes. 5:11, Heb. 10:24). |
Respect – to value and regard highly; to convey great worth (Rom. 12:10). |
Security – confidence of harmony in relationships; free from harm (Rom. 12:16a). |
Support – come alongside and gently help carry a load (Gal. 6:2). |
Friday, September 2, 2011
I Thought the Children of Israel Were Weak....then I
The longer I live this new faith-life, where everything comes from God's hand.... No, let me try that again.
Everything I have ever needed and that is worth having has always come from God's loving hand to me not because I deserved it, but because He loves me - always has, always will.
This "new faith-life", as I call it, is simply living in more direct dependence upon my Father than ever. For the last several decades my personal and family needs have been supplied by my Father through the salaries He allowed me to receive from churches or schools where I was employed. Now He has become my True Employer. He called me out of a salaried position - with great benefits and a wonderful group with which to work at a ministry that is perhaps one of the most influential in the world today - to serve on His staff answering directly to Him (and our board).
Every day starts with a decision; namely, will I trust Him today or not?
I need you to know that my attitude of judgment toward the Children of Israel (remember the Jewish people God delivered from Egypt to the Promised Land) has now changed to one of understanding how easy it is to lose a grateful heart, trading it for one that "almost demands" God to meet needs. When that supply doesn't come regularly and in abundance (by my definition) I can get pretty scared or rather disappointed in God and / or God's people.
Well, the truth is coming to light. I am asking pastors, leaders, couples, and others to trust completely in our Father's faithful love and provision. I am asking them to endure when their spouse doesn't love back, as they'd anticipated. I am telling them often and fervently that Jesus Christ is the Savior not only for hereafter but also for here. I am now getting the chance to grow up into faith in a new way, and I love it and hate it all at the same time. We are living in this new realm of even more faithfully "practicing what we preach".
So, I apologize to the Children of Israel with whom I used to become so frustrated for their lack of faith and their waywardness. I understand that placing faith in God daily is neither natural nor automatic. His Word, His Holy Spirit, His Son Jesus, and His ability to love me even when I fail and drift are all drawing me along this path to appreciate God more as my Father (my Abba/Dad), to trust His loving care more often, to honestly admit it when I fear, and to remember I don't change people on my time-schedule; rather God changes people in His way and in His time.
Everything I have ever needed and that is worth having has always come from God's loving hand to me not because I deserved it, but because He loves me - always has, always will.
This "new faith-life", as I call it, is simply living in more direct dependence upon my Father than ever. For the last several decades my personal and family needs have been supplied by my Father through the salaries He allowed me to receive from churches or schools where I was employed. Now He has become my True Employer. He called me out of a salaried position - with great benefits and a wonderful group with which to work at a ministry that is perhaps one of the most influential in the world today - to serve on His staff answering directly to Him (and our board).
Every day starts with a decision; namely, will I trust Him today or not?
I need you to know that my attitude of judgment toward the Children of Israel (remember the Jewish people God delivered from Egypt to the Promised Land) has now changed to one of understanding how easy it is to lose a grateful heart, trading it for one that "almost demands" God to meet needs. When that supply doesn't come regularly and in abundance (by my definition) I can get pretty scared or rather disappointed in God and / or God's people.
Well, the truth is coming to light. I am asking pastors, leaders, couples, and others to trust completely in our Father's faithful love and provision. I am asking them to endure when their spouse doesn't love back, as they'd anticipated. I am telling them often and fervently that Jesus Christ is the Savior not only for hereafter but also for here. I am now getting the chance to grow up into faith in a new way, and I love it and hate it all at the same time. We are living in this new realm of even more faithfully "practicing what we preach".
So, I apologize to the Children of Israel with whom I used to become so frustrated for their lack of faith and their waywardness. I understand that placing faith in God daily is neither natural nor automatic. His Word, His Holy Spirit, His Son Jesus, and His ability to love me even when I fail and drift are all drawing me along this path to appreciate God more as my Father (my Abba/Dad), to trust His loving care more often, to honestly admit it when I fear, and to remember I don't change people on my time-schedule; rather God changes people in His way and in His time.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
I Am Loving This!
In the last month, we have been with college students discussing the way to deal with hindrances to loving relationships, have met with couples to investigate the value of real communication to a healthy marriage and to discuss marriage ministry options, have preached in a wonderful church in Austell and spent the evening service discussing vision for reaching a community via effective marriage ministry, and had the privilege of meeting for 4 days with a former pastor couple who see God's hope for their marriage and ministry.
As I was told once upon a time, "If that won't start your fire, your wood's wet!"
All 5 participant couples are making progress....some slow and methodical, others have made some great jumps toward greater love in their homes and ministries. Truly, we give the honor and praise to our Savior Jesus Christ. His love is the motivation and His Spirit provides the power. We know that God's Word provides the truth that sets us free to love and be loved as we are designed.
I give God praise and I thank you for caring about marriages (your own and others), about us, and about the kingdom of God. May His "kingdom come" and His "will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
We simply want to equip millions of people to be ready when Jesus returns and to be found watching from hearts that are pure and lifestyles that are loving. I Timothy 1:5
As I was told once upon a time, "If that won't start your fire, your wood's wet!"
All 5 participant couples are making progress....some slow and methodical, others have made some great jumps toward greater love in their homes and ministries. Truly, we give the honor and praise to our Savior Jesus Christ. His love is the motivation and His Spirit provides the power. We know that God's Word provides the truth that sets us free to love and be loved as we are designed.
I give God praise and I thank you for caring about marriages (your own and others), about us, and about the kingdom of God. May His "kingdom come" and His "will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
We simply want to equip millions of people to be ready when Jesus returns and to be found watching from hearts that are pure and lifestyles that are loving. I Timothy 1:5
Put Away the Umbrella
Sounds as if I am making reference to the lack of rain in our location and the bright sunshine we're experiencing, but I am actually referring to the "umbrella organization" (Helping Hands Ministries) that has provided the means for donors to give to TBI making sure the gifts were tax-exempt. Well, after 9 months our application has been reviewed by all the necessary agents in the IRS and WE ARE NOW A TAX-EXEMPT NON-PROFIT CORPORATION!
Can you tell I am excited?
We will be weaning off Helping Hands in the next few weeks and making sure our website is secure and ready for those who want to donate online. They will be able to do so easily and efficiently. One good thing is that 8% of donations went to HH for administrative costs. Now, we won't have to lose that portion. That will help.
So, many have been praying and have been waiting for this day. Thank you, Lord, for helping us to keep making progress. Thank you, friends, for caring enough to read what is happening in our lives.
Can you tell I am excited?
We will be weaning off Helping Hands in the next few weeks and making sure our website is secure and ready for those who want to donate online. They will be able to do so easily and efficiently. One good thing is that 8% of donations went to HH for administrative costs. Now, we won't have to lose that portion. That will help.
So, many have been praying and have been waiting for this day. Thank you, Lord, for helping us to keep making progress. Thank you, friends, for caring enough to read what is happening in our lives.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Intro to Joint Accomplishment and Mutual Giving
I would like for you to spend about 20 minutes checking out this introduction prior to your date/discussion time with your spouse using the LOVE (Speak) section of the Week 13 installment of our 52 Week Plan.
Would you look up some of these verses of Scripture and consider the following thoughts?
Joint Accomplishment – “I need you”; “Each of us is important, but how much more could we accomplish by working together?”
Amos 3:3
Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?
Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?
Ephesians 4:16
He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Enemy of Joint Accomplishment is self-reliance, which says “I don’t need you.”
Mutual Giving – “I love you”; “Even if you stop giving to me, I will do my best to continue loving you unconditionally”; “When both of us are loving the other selflessly, our love will grow stronger and more beautiful as years go by.”
John 13:1
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
Ephesians 5:21
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
WARNING: Your human love is not enough to accomplish the goal Jesus described for us in giving and receiving love. He came to give us an “abundant life”. His love for you (John 17:23, John 3:16), accepted by you (John 1:12), is to be revealed through you (Galatians 5:22, John 13:34,35). You are not alone or powerless. You are loved and gifted and a unique creation of God. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
Check this out: Paul wrote – 1 Timothy 1:5: The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.
Enemy of Mutual Giving is Selfishness – “You must meet my desires and needs as I dictate.”
Mutual Giving is God’s goal for every marriage. He wants us to love our spouse without conditions especially when the other is not meeting our needs well. Perhaps giving him/her the benefit of the doubt or choosing to trust God to meet our needs during the time our spouse is not would be a great way to practice running to our loving God in faith as Jesus told us in Matthew 11:28-30 and as Peter stated in I Peter 5:7.
In Luke 6:35, Jesus said, “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”
I know your spouse is not your enemy, but the gist of the verse is to love those who don’t love you, and if Jesus commanded us to love our enemies and to love others as He loves us (John 13:34-35), then He must be telling us to love our spouse even when he/she is acting like an enemy or not loving us well.
What are we communicating to our children and other on-lookers, when our “love train” gets derailed by small obstacles? What if it takes us days or weeks to get back to loving again? This is way too common and communicates selfishness, insecurity, unresolved pain, and self-reliance rather than the pure, powerful love of Jesus.
My prayer and hope for you and your spouse is that your “love train” stays on track. God designed families to produce a “godly seed” as revealed in Malachi 2:15:
Didn’t the Lord make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Communication 101
Communication 101 Key:
Communication is a Two-Way Street – James 1:19; Proverbs 15:1
“Communication is a drive in the country where I am a passenger more often than the driver. I can observe and appreciate the scenery more when I don’t have to be in control.”
“To listen well to others well and attempt to understand them builds great potential for joy in that relationship and meets deep relational needs.”
Do you communicate respect or self-centeredness in communication?
Great conversations are similar to the dynamics of volleying in ping pong/table tennis. Serve the ball (question) for a return (answer) not to score a point(win the argument or dominate). Keep the ball in play, and in conversations attempt to move from speaker to listener often.
ACTIVE Listening
This acrostic may help you remember the ingredients.
Listen:A – Attend, pay attention
C – Connect, body language, eye contact
T – Thoroughly listen, let others finish, be quiet and hear what is said
Respond:
I – Insert questions and comments as appropriate, “Would you clarify?”
V – Verbalize understanding and identification without trying to “outdo”
E – Exit graciously: pray, set next time, perhaps set limits up front by setting a time frame for the discussion so you don’t take too much time or give so much that other priorities suffer. *
*Exit Graciously illustrated - (for example, “I have about 10 minutes before I have to be at my next appointment.”, “Perhaps we should wait until another time because I have only 15 minutes to talk.”, “Would you pray with me about this?”, When can we set a time to discuss this further?”, etc.)
What is communicated when we don’t listen well or don’t respond appropriately?
- You are not important
- You are not a priority
- I don’t really like you that much
- Your opinion does not matter
We might not want to communicate these feelings, but poor communication skills cause both parties to have to work harder to understand the truth / real meaning or intent.
Communication STOPPERS: replies that don’t help
- “Martyrs” reply - “You think that was bad, wait until you hear mine.”
- “Criticism” reply - “What’s wrong with you now?”
- “Ignore or change subject” reply - “Did you see those Braves yesterday?”, “I have to go get something.”, “Oh, look at the time.”
- “Minimize” reply - “It can’t be all that bad.”
- “Advice, logic, or reason” reply - “What you should have done was”
- “Sarcasm or humor” reply - “I am so sure that really happened!”
- “Pep talk” reply -“You are better than they are so just don’t worry.”
Notes – by way of explanation
1. Ephesians 4:15 says we are to speak the “truth in love”. When a person comes to us with expressed emotion – excitement, sadness, joy, or disappointment – our initial response sets the tone for the conversation. The Communication Stoppers above are effective at killing communication or keeping it from getting real or deep. A proper response initially to “rejoice with those who rejoice” or “mourn with those who mourn” works wonders if you want more from a conversation than grunts and one-word answers to your questions. See suggestions below. (Romans 12:15
2. Serve the Ball: Asking questions such as, “Would you tell me something about your day that made you feel successful?” might evoke deeper response than “How was your day?”
- Return the Volley: Responding well is another key to conversation
- Responding to “Honey, I had the worst day today and didn’t sell a thing.” – might sound like, “I am so sorry you had such a discouraging day. My heart hurts to see you so sad.”
- Responding to “Honey, I got the best complement today from a client. He said I was the best he’d ever seen at doing my job.” - might sound like, “That is so great. You are very skilled at what you do, and I am so proud of you.”
Conclusion: The ACTIVE Listening skills listed above may sound like a foreign language, but they are key components in the language of the heart. This language of the heart is of great value when the communication of love and care is the goal.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Sorta' Like Pullin' Weeds
Rain on the Soil Loosens the Roots of the Weeds
Background Information:
Mourning allows the unresolved hurt and guilt harbored in your heart to break free from the hard soil that holds them - roots and all. Receiving God's comfort allows us to experience God's love so deeply that we know we are not alone and trust Him to set us free from the failure and pain of the past. He removes the pain and guilt - roots and all.
Sorta' like pulling weeds.
Since I have moved to Georgia, I have experienced the difficulty of removing weeds from my lawn. That is, I had difficulty until I figured out that the soil is much more willing to release the roots of the weeds after a rain or irrigation. When we mourn our hurt, the sadness and tears moisten the soil of our heart and allow the roots of our pain to be more easily removed. When the comfort of God comes to bring us release, He effectively removes the root and stem of the pain and begins the healing process. Leave the root and the week grows back.
But there is a caution that must be mentioned. Each of us attempts to find “comfort” for the hurt we experience or cause. We attempt to distract ourselves, numb the pain or guilt, accuse others, excuse ourselves, and the list of possibilities that fit these categories as “comforters” actually represents a list of “false gods”. Have you noticed that those who turn to “false gods” for comfort or to have their needs met usually invite other people to join them, especially if the “false god” actually provides some temporary relief or distraction? Sin may satisfy us for a while, but the resulting addiction to the sin means that the sin that “I have” now “has me”.
Some turn to sexual sin to attempt to meet the need for affection or respect. Some turn to money, position, or busy-ness to attempt to manipulate others to meet the needs of respect, acceptance, appreciation, etc. Others gossip or exaggerate in order to have an exciting story so others will give them attention. These false gods, usually discovered through the practice of our coping mechanisms, leave us fearful as we run out of choices, insecure since none of them actually satisfy the deepest needs, and anxious because we are still “alone” and may feel very “unloved” though we’ve tried “everything”. No wonder Jesus said that we should mourn. We need to mourn.
Self-reliance drives some to handle their own pain or guilt by devising a coping mechanism to either deny the need exists, meet their own needs, or insulate themselves from future hurt. Selfishness drives others to wallow in their pain and neediness in attempts to take resources from others so their own needs will be met and pain diminished, ... that is if their plan works. It doesn’t work for long if it works at all. Still others convince themselves that they don’t deserve to have their needs met because they are too “bad”. This self-condemnation is a veiled admission that, at least in their opinion, God is not powerful enough or His love strong enough to do anything about their needs or their pain.
If you carry no hurt or guilt, perhaps this process will assist you in leading others to freedom from unnecessary pain and to be able to “lay aside the weight and sin” that entangles and to “run with patience” the race set before them.
Hebrews 12:1-2 relates that we are to fix our eyes on Jesus. In order to do that, we must take our eyes off our own guilt and hurt or off those people or things we are “worshipping” in hopes they will relieve our pain and meet our needs. Those people and things are not gods, and it is unfair and unwise of us to require that they meet our needs and heal our pain since they cannot and will not.
On whom should our expectations/hopes be placed for our needs to be met? GOD, Himself, promises to meet our needs in His way and His time. (Acts 17:25; Matthew 6: 8; Philippians 4:19) He certainly does place others in our lives with whom we share loving relationships and consequently meets some of our needs, as we meet theirs….spouse, children, parents, friends, co-workers, etc.
In whatever way God chooses to meet our needs, directly in our relationship with Him or indirectly via others, we will not always get what we need at the time we need it. All of us human beings are both fallen (with a sin nature) and alone (100% needy of God’s love and provision 100% of the time). We are selfish at times and hurt others by neglecting to adequately meet their true needs choosing to prioritize our own self-interest. Even with the best intent as parents or friends, we sometimes fail to show Christ’s love, leaving others alone, hurt, sad, or disappointed. In a similar way others hurt us, intentionally or not, and leave us desiring comfort, love, encouragement, friendship, and true community.
Though we can’t meet the needs of others perfectly and shouldn’t be expected to do so, we certainly can grow to love others more as Christ loves us, take responsibility for the hurt we cause others, and keep the relationships open. Likewise we can learn to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) so that we can address the hurt we carry in a way that heals wounds and creates an environment for closeness.
Victims or Victimizers?
We are potentially both victims and victimizers in relationships:
Victimizers = we have hurt others and sinned against God:
· Unless we mourn our sin and guilt to the depth of their roots in our soul, we may not realize the impact our sin has on God and those whom our sins and wrong choices have hurt. We may continue to do the same hurtful things again and again. True repentance is the antidote. (1 John 1:9, 2 Corinthians 7:10)
Victims = we have been hurt by others either intentionally or unintentionally.
· Unless we mourn our hurt to the depth of the pain caused us by others, we may not be able to free ourselves from the grip that person or their offense has on us.
The idea is for us to love and be loved in relationships and to know how to heal when we aren’t either loving toward others or being loved well by others!
When we do hurtful things to others by deliberate choice or impulsive reaction, we leave them hurt and alone and find ourselves guilty. Our guilt may come to us due to conviction of sins we have committed. Suppose no one teaches or shows us how to properly heal these feelings of hurt and guilt, what then? Are we to simply cope with these poisons of the heart?
Since we have to “live with ourselves”, we are likely to try to relieve the pain of hurt and guilt. Our choices include but are not limited to the following:
- Get busy to avoid the pain
- Take something to numb or medicate the pain
- Surround ourselves with people and things to attempt to replace the pain
- Convince ourselves that the pain isn’t real and deny the pain
- Manipulate the pain and use it for attention and sympathy
Have you ever seen a track and field competition? What do the runners wear when they are ready for the competition? Aren’t they wearing only as much clothing as they have to wear? And what they do wear is very light. What would you think if you saw a runner with chains and weights attached to his feet as he prepares for the gun to fire and start the race? Why would any runner who wants to win the race wear chains? He will probably not win the race and may not even have the strength to finish well or at all.
The weight of our emotional pain burdens our life and exhausts us at times, doesn’t it? If an athlete could remove those chains, he certainly should. So should we remove the chains on our hearts. Our attempts to “avoid the pain”, “numb the pain”, “replace the pain”, “deny the pain” or “use the pain” may lead us to some very unproductive methods for relief.
Have you noticed what people do to relieve their hurt? Are these methods ever successful?
Suppose a person lives his life chasing the false gods (discussed above) that are not gods at all. Don’t you think fear and insecurity would be natural results of the emptiness of chasing after gods that really can’t help?
On the heels of the fear, anxiety, and insecurity may come a sense of worthlessness or condemnation. Life isn’t working as it should, and we may feel undeserving of anything good. Perhaps we have been so wrong, so bad, and feel so inferior that we are convinced we don’t deserve to know the answer to our pain. This is a place where some stop trying to find answers. Not only do we sometimes turn the condemnation inwards upon ourselves, but also we may become very judgmental and condemning of others. If we can make others look inferior, then we get some temporary satisfaction.
As we feel superior or better than others, we convince ourselves that we have some value. This method doesn’t relieve the hurt or guilt or fear or insecurity because even the “little god of self” is no god.
At this point, reached sooner or later by all who chase life’s illusive “little gods” for comfort, our weary traveler may become angry and bitter. The anger and bitterness may turn inward or outward based upon the personality or circumstance. If inward, the person becomes more deeply depressed, negative, impatient, and reclusive. If outward, then rebellion, rage, or abuse may characterize the behavior.
In either case, this accumulation of poison in the soul/heart (weight and sin) or the building of prisons in the heart will result in a loss of the ability to feel healthy emotions, an increase in outbursts of anger or deeper valleys of depression, attempts to control others, physical side-effects, or various methods of escape to avoid the pain. These behaviors, in turn, increase the probability of producing even more hurt and guilt; consequently, we violate the greatest commandment as we fail to love God, others, and self.
In stark contrast to the downward spiral of the life summarized in the above paragraph, Jesus Christ offers this hope: though “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) Jesus Christ offers real hope in the middle of this pain-filled world. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5,6,7) He begins by giving 8 principles all of which begin with the word “Blessed”. The Greek word actually means “happy, to be envied”. Each one of these truths provides a key to unlock the chains of our pain and to set us free from prison. Most people are not naïve enough to think that we can live this life “pain-free”, but believe that God is very interested in our living life free from unnecessary “weight and sin”. (Hebrews 12:1,2) He makes it clear that “abundance” comes from Jesus Christ and that our enemy’s design is to “steal, kill, and destroy”. (John 10:10) The presence of unresolved “weight and sin” might very well be our enemy’s greatest asset to lure us into his “steal, kill, and destroy” traps.
I have seen too many lives and relationships destroyed by a failure to effectively deal with “weight and sin”, and I believe life does not have to be lived in such a manner. Remember, you have been invited to “Cast all of your cares on Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) Christ’s love for us took Him to the cross to remove our guilt and He offers an intimate relationship with Himself and the comfort of His Spirit to heal the pain of this life. As we lay aside “the weight and the sin” we will “run with patience the race set before us”. (Hebrews 12:1,2)
Do you notice that Jesus carries neither the residual pain of the hurt He felt or any guilt….no weight or sin? Of course He had no guilt at all for He was perfectly sinless? Jesus does know the pain of being rejected, acquainted with sorrow, and despised. Our Savior dealt with His pain privately with His Father and publicly with His disciples. He shared some of His pain with them: disappointment, frustration, discouragement, and loneliness. Jesus' heart remained tender to the needs of others and kept perspective on those who did the damage to Him and to others by dealing wisely with the pain He carried. Although He had no sin therefore no guilt, He became sin for us at the cross and truly understands our pain.
I don't know for sure all the things Jesus felt while living on earth, but even a brief review of Christ's life and interactions reveals tears, struggle, rejection, loss, sorrow, anger, and times of questioning His Father. Jesus' wonderful heart stayed wonderfully pure. Our heart, now His home, can also be purified and see God in a more accurate light and love Him even more.
So let’s join those who live the abundant life Christ offers by being set free to love!
WE ARE BLESSED WHEN WE DO
Blessed (happy, to be envied) Read Matthew 5:4 -
- "God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (New Living Translation)
When we know we are not alone in our hurt and that someone really cares, what happiness we feel! Truly, we are in an enviable position when God comforts us by replacing guilt with gratitude and hurt with healing. (I Peter 5:7, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 71:21, Psalm 119:50)
- Spiritually we are blessed because we now see God in greater light as the God of love He is! For some, this may actually be the beginning of new life in Christ!
- Emotionally we are blessed because our hearts are free from unresolved hurt and guilt. We are more aware of the needs of others. We care more as Jesus does.
- You now have your guilt removed, pain replaced by God’s comfort, and see that God cares about your needs. 1 Peter 5:7
- We have actually experienced truth and found freedom to love and be loved.
- We have fulfilled a direct order from God: Hebrews 12:1-2 (Weight and Sin)
For More Information and Study
"The Deep Comfort - Two Big Questions ... and Answers" may offer some more help toward a pure heart. See the previous post and complete the assignment to see if you can discover what you carry and how to eliminate its influence in your life and relationships.
I would love to hear from you with questions or comments on this or other blog posts. May our Lord Jesus Christ find us faithfully loving others as He loves us and fulfilling the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20 with a Great Commandment heart Mark 12: 29-31.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)