Ok, here we go again. Lets try to find out what another bible verse really means, and therefore give us a more accurate picture of God, and therefore make us less afraid of him, and therefore causing us all to fall more in love with Him, each other, and the world around us.
John2:4. Jesus is at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, and they have just run out of wine. (Heavens! What's a wedding without wine?) Anyhow, Jesus' Mom comes to Him and alerts Him to this serious situation. Jesus then utters these cryptic words... "Woman, what do I have to do with You? My time has not yet come."
WHOA. That's heavy. What's He saying, like, "Who are you, I have no need to have any involvement with you. Stop trying to interrupt the divine timetable." That's the way I've always seen this. Till now. The more I learn about God, the more I think it really just went something like this.
"Mother Mother, Mother... What am I gonna do with you? Always asking me to do miracles before the time for my ministry has started. " With a big smile on His face.
And then he goes ahead and does it anyway.
THIS IS MORE LIKE THE CHARACTER OF THE GOD WHO WE ARE GETTING TO KNOW.HE'S NOT CRYPTIC AND HE'S NOT WEIRD. IT'S ONLY OUR RELIGIOUS MINDSETS THAT MAKE HIM APPEAR SO.
We need to fall in love with a cool guy who loves us instead of living out our religion. It sounds a lot more fun.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Taking more fear out of scary Bible verses...
Many are called, but few are chosen. Matthew 20:16
Another scary Bible verse. What to do with that one.
Here's what I believe.
To start us off, let's look at another Bible verse in John 3. John the baptist is talking about Jesus, and says, "...I am not the christ, but I have been sent before Him. HE WHO HAS THE BRIDE IS THE BRIDEGROOM; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. And so this joy of mine has been made full."
John is referring to himself as the friend of the bridegroom, and to Jesus as the bridegroom. This can tell us a lot about what Jesus is about.
Why in the world would John refer to Jesus as a bridegroom? Why wasn't he satisfied with just saying, "He is the Lord. I'm not, and He is." Why does John call Him the bridegroom, and then himself the friend of the bridegroom, and then with a big smile on his face, say, "And now this makes my joy full!"?
It's because of this. John knew something about Jesus that you and I are beginning to learn. That is the fact that God's love, Jesus' love, is so strong and powerful for us, the "Bride of Christ", that it is illustrated for us by the love that a husband feels for his bride on their wedding day.
Now, for any of you that have ever fallen in love with a woman, you know what feeling, what emotion, what passion I'm talking about. There is just nothing like it in the world. This is why John was so stinkin' happy about it, because He knew this. He knew that the living essence of love, love itself, the one who created that passionate feeling in the breasts of men throughout the ages for their brides, was walking down the river bank towards him. And He knew that this Love was also going to walk towards the entire world. That's why He was so happy about it. (ie., The friend of the bridegroom rejoices greatly etc...)
God Himself, Jesus Christ Himself, through whom the world was created, (Collossians 1:16), thought up that feeling that we get when we fall in love. That feeling that absolutely lights up our lives, and makes all our problems seem inconsequential and small. That wonderful thing that half the world's songs are written about. He made it. Because it's what He wants and likes.
Jesus does love the world like this. It's not just a catchy slogan. When, or if, you tell sombody that Jesus loves them, you are telling them the greatest thing that they can ever come to believe and know. And He loves the entire world this way. This is what that verse means when it says that many are called. Many. As in, the entire world, is who Jesus, and God, and the Holy Spirit love. Everybody. For God SO LOVED THE WORLD.
MANY are called. If you are reading this, you are called!! Jesus tells us another parable about the King who threw the wedding feast and invited a ton of people. But half of them didn't come. The king was bummed, so He told His servants to go out and invite anyone off the streets they could find. MANY are called. You are called. "Come in! Come in!" He is shouting, over and over and over, down throughout time and all the ages. To anyone and everyone who will!! "Come in and be loved!!!"
Ok. So we've got that part established. Many are called. But what about the few are chosen part? And what about the part in that last parable I mentioned where the king asks the wedding guest how He got in without the proper attire and throws him out?
Few are chosen because few accept the call.
Look around at the world. Do we see many people accepting God's offer to love them, His offer of marraige? To make them His bride, his object of passion and desire? Do we see a lot of the world saying, " Ok, God... Jesus... you may love me."?
That is all Christianity is. An acceptance of God's offer of pure, real, committed, love. Everything else within it is just stuff we learn aloing the way to enhance that relationship. With him, and then with each other. That's it!!
And so why did the king throw the guy out who wasn't dressed right? In other words, why is there a need to get clean, to stop sinning, to repent? Why is this such a crucial part of our lives when we come to Him?
I myself am looking to get married. And if I am honest, I see that I am looking for a woman who is going to be faithful, who is going to be truthful, who is not going to lie to me, or try to manipulate me, or deceive me, or ignore me, or talk bad about me behind my back... who will do what's best for our children and our household, etc. Because I want us to enjoy our love, our marraige relationship as deeply and as passionately and as closely and intimately as we can.
So do I think God is any different?
It's not because he's heavy handed, or mean, or vengeful... it's because He's love.
And deep, real, everlasting, rich, meaningful, fun, intimate, joyous, passionate love is what He is after.
Let's accept the call!
Another scary Bible verse. What to do with that one.
Here's what I believe.
To start us off, let's look at another Bible verse in John 3. John the baptist is talking about Jesus, and says, "...I am not the christ, but I have been sent before Him. HE WHO HAS THE BRIDE IS THE BRIDEGROOM; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. And so this joy of mine has been made full."
John is referring to himself as the friend of the bridegroom, and to Jesus as the bridegroom. This can tell us a lot about what Jesus is about.
Why in the world would John refer to Jesus as a bridegroom? Why wasn't he satisfied with just saying, "He is the Lord. I'm not, and He is." Why does John call Him the bridegroom, and then himself the friend of the bridegroom, and then with a big smile on his face, say, "And now this makes my joy full!"?
It's because of this. John knew something about Jesus that you and I are beginning to learn. That is the fact that God's love, Jesus' love, is so strong and powerful for us, the "Bride of Christ", that it is illustrated for us by the love that a husband feels for his bride on their wedding day.
Now, for any of you that have ever fallen in love with a woman, you know what feeling, what emotion, what passion I'm talking about. There is just nothing like it in the world. This is why John was so stinkin' happy about it, because He knew this. He knew that the living essence of love, love itself, the one who created that passionate feeling in the breasts of men throughout the ages for their brides, was walking down the river bank towards him. And He knew that this Love was also going to walk towards the entire world. That's why He was so happy about it. (ie., The friend of the bridegroom rejoices greatly etc...)
God Himself, Jesus Christ Himself, through whom the world was created, (Collossians 1:16), thought up that feeling that we get when we fall in love. That feeling that absolutely lights up our lives, and makes all our problems seem inconsequential and small. That wonderful thing that half the world's songs are written about. He made it. Because it's what He wants and likes.
Jesus does love the world like this. It's not just a catchy slogan. When, or if, you tell sombody that Jesus loves them, you are telling them the greatest thing that they can ever come to believe and know. And He loves the entire world this way. This is what that verse means when it says that many are called. Many. As in, the entire world, is who Jesus, and God, and the Holy Spirit love. Everybody. For God SO LOVED THE WORLD.
MANY are called. If you are reading this, you are called!! Jesus tells us another parable about the King who threw the wedding feast and invited a ton of people. But half of them didn't come. The king was bummed, so He told His servants to go out and invite anyone off the streets they could find. MANY are called. You are called. "Come in! Come in!" He is shouting, over and over and over, down throughout time and all the ages. To anyone and everyone who will!! "Come in and be loved!!!"
Ok. So we've got that part established. Many are called. But what about the few are chosen part? And what about the part in that last parable I mentioned where the king asks the wedding guest how He got in without the proper attire and throws him out?
Few are chosen because few accept the call.
Look around at the world. Do we see many people accepting God's offer to love them, His offer of marraige? To make them His bride, his object of passion and desire? Do we see a lot of the world saying, " Ok, God... Jesus... you may love me."?
That is all Christianity is. An acceptance of God's offer of pure, real, committed, love. Everything else within it is just stuff we learn aloing the way to enhance that relationship. With him, and then with each other. That's it!!
And so why did the king throw the guy out who wasn't dressed right? In other words, why is there a need to get clean, to stop sinning, to repent? Why is this such a crucial part of our lives when we come to Him?
I myself am looking to get married. And if I am honest, I see that I am looking for a woman who is going to be faithful, who is going to be truthful, who is not going to lie to me, or try to manipulate me, or deceive me, or ignore me, or talk bad about me behind my back... who will do what's best for our children and our household, etc. Because I want us to enjoy our love, our marraige relationship as deeply and as passionately and as closely and intimately as we can.
So do I think God is any different?
It's not because he's heavy handed, or mean, or vengeful... it's because He's love.
And deep, real, everlasting, rich, meaningful, fun, intimate, joyous, passionate love is what He is after.
Let's accept the call!
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Looking for God?
Looking for God? Trying to reach him???
This is somewhat funny, considering how huge He is. Considering how all omnipresent, omni knowing, omni aware of you, me, and everybody and every little thing we do, He is. Trying to "reach" God is like the oxygen atom in a water molecule in the middle of the South Pacific trying to reach the ocean. Only this analogy is not big enough.
Feed on HIS faithfulness. Psalm 37 something.
Be still and Know that HE is God.
This is somewhat funny, considering how huge He is. Considering how all omnipresent, omni knowing, omni aware of you, me, and everybody and every little thing we do, He is. Trying to "reach" God is like the oxygen atom in a water molecule in the middle of the South Pacific trying to reach the ocean. Only this analogy is not big enough.
Feed on HIS faithfulness. Psalm 37 something.
Be still and Know that HE is God.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
The Narrow Path
Matthew 7:13-14 says that we should enter by the narrow path, for broad and easy is the way that leads to destruction. Well, what is this path, and why would a loving, caring Father say something so seemingly difficult and challenging to us?
It's because of this. The answer is found in that fact that He is so loving and caring. The narrow path is this--being loved. The narrow path is allowing yourself to be loved by God.
Don't miss this. This is astonishingly important. That is why He calls it a narrow path, because it can be easy to miss.
Listen.
I'll say it again, because it's this important. The narrow path that Jesus is talking about is being loved.
The Bible says that God is love. Since this is so, God must want to love you. No, He does love you, and wants to be able to express that love to you.
I would say to everyone in the world, stop. Stop almost all of what you are doing, and be loved. You do not need to provide love for yourself. There is plenty in Him and He wants to give it to you.
Anything that is of love, is of God. Anything that is not of love, is not of God. Fear is never of God. Neither is guilt, or shame, or any of these other related things. Does He want us to stop sinning? Certainly... out of His love.
I digress. The narrow path, is to open yourself up to God and allow Him to love you.
I know this is the narrow path because I see hardly anybody walking it. Jesus said that it was way easier to walk the other path, and it's obvious to see that He was right. Most of the world is just gonna do their own thing. In pride. When they could be being loved. Beautifully, gently, tenderly, and wisely.
My advice to many people in the church is to stop what you are doing and allow yourself to be loved by him. Stop whatever you are doing, and be loved.
It's so simple, it's easy to miss. Stop all of your human constructs, fleshly constructs, born out of fear, pride, whatever, and some even in the name of God, and be loved.
Just stop, and let Him. He'll do it, I guarantee.
There is no fear in love. The narrow way is being loved. Trust Him on this.
Trust.
Be loved.
Quit walking the broad raod to destruction, and feeling smug about it. You don't have to love yourself. You don't have to live in Pride.
I quit.
Father, consider me quit. I need you to love me.
And I say to any of you young people out there, those of you hitting late teens, early twenties... save yourselves a load , a world of trouble, and let Him love you now. Please, please, please don't ignore this. THERE IS NO NEED FOR YOU, ANY OF YOU, TO GO THROUGH THE YEARS AND YEARS OF STRUGGLE AND HEARTACHE THAT SO MANY OF US OLDER PEOPLE HAVE GONE THROUGH. IT'S JUST NOT NECESSARY. Just allow yourself to be loved. Save yourself a world of pain and suffering. It's not glamorous, like the world tries to make it look. It's really a drag. And I'm saying this to you because because I care about you---Be loved. Allow yourself to be loved.
God will love you, given the chance. I guarantee it. I know Him, and I've seen this is the way he is. Trust Him. With all your heart. It's not just Bible verses to memorize. It's real, and it's life.
It's because of this. The answer is found in that fact that He is so loving and caring. The narrow path is this--being loved. The narrow path is allowing yourself to be loved by God.
Don't miss this. This is astonishingly important. That is why He calls it a narrow path, because it can be easy to miss.
Listen.
I'll say it again, because it's this important. The narrow path that Jesus is talking about is being loved.
The Bible says that God is love. Since this is so, God must want to love you. No, He does love you, and wants to be able to express that love to you.
I would say to everyone in the world, stop. Stop almost all of what you are doing, and be loved. You do not need to provide love for yourself. There is plenty in Him and He wants to give it to you.
Anything that is of love, is of God. Anything that is not of love, is not of God. Fear is never of God. Neither is guilt, or shame, or any of these other related things. Does He want us to stop sinning? Certainly... out of His love.
I digress. The narrow path, is to open yourself up to God and allow Him to love you.
I know this is the narrow path because I see hardly anybody walking it. Jesus said that it was way easier to walk the other path, and it's obvious to see that He was right. Most of the world is just gonna do their own thing. In pride. When they could be being loved. Beautifully, gently, tenderly, and wisely.
My advice to many people in the church is to stop what you are doing and allow yourself to be loved by him. Stop whatever you are doing, and be loved.
It's so simple, it's easy to miss. Stop all of your human constructs, fleshly constructs, born out of fear, pride, whatever, and some even in the name of God, and be loved.
Just stop, and let Him. He'll do it, I guarantee.
There is no fear in love. The narrow way is being loved. Trust Him on this.
Trust.
Be loved.
Quit walking the broad raod to destruction, and feeling smug about it. You don't have to love yourself. You don't have to live in Pride.
I quit.
Father, consider me quit. I need you to love me.
And I say to any of you young people out there, those of you hitting late teens, early twenties... save yourselves a load , a world of trouble, and let Him love you now. Please, please, please don't ignore this. THERE IS NO NEED FOR YOU, ANY OF YOU, TO GO THROUGH THE YEARS AND YEARS OF STRUGGLE AND HEARTACHE THAT SO MANY OF US OLDER PEOPLE HAVE GONE THROUGH. IT'S JUST NOT NECESSARY. Just allow yourself to be loved. Save yourself a world of pain and suffering. It's not glamorous, like the world tries to make it look. It's really a drag. And I'm saying this to you because because I care about you---Be loved. Allow yourself to be loved.
God will love you, given the chance. I guarantee it. I know Him, and I've seen this is the way he is. Trust Him. With all your heart. It's not just Bible verses to memorize. It's real, and it's life.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Security?
Life is full of risk and danger.
I don't see one instance in the gospels where Jesus spent even one day trying to achieve financial security.
I don't see one instance in the gospels where Jesus spent even one day trying to achieve financial security.
How to know God's voice
I am going to address this issue because it is very close to my heart. It is something I have endeavored to find out for YEARS. And you know what? He is being faithful to teach me. Here it is.
If the voices you are hearing have any fear attached to them, IT IS NOT GOD. And you should stand up to them and tell them to get out of your face. No joke. There is no fear that you will be resisting God at this moment, and incurring His anger at you, because you already know that it is not Him.
I'm telling you people, I know this. I've learned it through hellish trials and heartache, and I am very glad to have gone through all of them at this moment because I can now stand here and tell you with every confidence that ANY TIME THERE IS ANY FEAR WHATSOEVER ATTACHED TO IT, WHATEVER THEY ARE TELLING YOU, YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO STAND UP TO IT, RESIST IT, AND MAKE hIM FLEE FROM YOU.
Because God will never intimidate, coerce, manipulate, force, or confuse you. He will never do anything to harm you or hurt you. Challenge, discipline, and correct, yes out of love. He will do these things, AND EVERY TIME HE DOES, IT WILL LEAVE YOU FEELING ENCOURAGED AND FREE. BECAUSE EVERYTHING THAT HE DOES IS OUT OF LOVE. How do I know? Well, because the Bible says so. The Bible says over and over and over again, all the way through it, that he is love. And then it gives a very good description of Him, of what love is, therefore who He is, in 1st Corinthians 13.
And that's how you can tell if it is His voice you are hearing.
If it is a voice full of patience, and kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and joy, and gives you peace, is gentle, even in correction, does not intimidate, and does not scare you, then it's more likely to be His voice.
EVERY time that He has ever spoken to me, it has encouraged me. Even the times when He has disciplined or corrected me, it has ALWAYS come with a solution and the gract to live it. ALWAYS.
He NEVER makes you feel guilty and leaves you hanging. He NEVER makes you feel afraid. NEVER. I don't CARE what you've been believing to the contrary. He wil NEVER, EVER, EVER use fear to motivate you. PERIOD.
Because if He did, then He would be doing the same thing that the devil does. And therefore it is a dead giveaway every time as to who it is speaking to you.
NEVER, EVER, EVER,....EVER give in to fear. EVER.
If the voices you are hearing have any fear attached to them, IT IS NOT GOD. And you should stand up to them and tell them to get out of your face. No joke. There is no fear that you will be resisting God at this moment, and incurring His anger at you, because you already know that it is not Him.
I'm telling you people, I know this. I've learned it through hellish trials and heartache, and I am very glad to have gone through all of them at this moment because I can now stand here and tell you with every confidence that ANY TIME THERE IS ANY FEAR WHATSOEVER ATTACHED TO IT, WHATEVER THEY ARE TELLING YOU, YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO STAND UP TO IT, RESIST IT, AND MAKE hIM FLEE FROM YOU.
Because God will never intimidate, coerce, manipulate, force, or confuse you. He will never do anything to harm you or hurt you. Challenge, discipline, and correct, yes out of love. He will do these things, AND EVERY TIME HE DOES, IT WILL LEAVE YOU FEELING ENCOURAGED AND FREE. BECAUSE EVERYTHING THAT HE DOES IS OUT OF LOVE. How do I know? Well, because the Bible says so. The Bible says over and over and over again, all the way through it, that he is love. And then it gives a very good description of Him, of what love is, therefore who He is, in 1st Corinthians 13.
And that's how you can tell if it is His voice you are hearing.
If it is a voice full of patience, and kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and joy, and gives you peace, is gentle, even in correction, does not intimidate, and does not scare you, then it's more likely to be His voice.
EVERY time that He has ever spoken to me, it has encouraged me. Even the times when He has disciplined or corrected me, it has ALWAYS come with a solution and the gract to live it. ALWAYS.
He NEVER makes you feel guilty and leaves you hanging. He NEVER makes you feel afraid. NEVER. I don't CARE what you've been believing to the contrary. He wil NEVER, EVER, EVER use fear to motivate you. PERIOD.
Because if He did, then He would be doing the same thing that the devil does. And therefore it is a dead giveaway every time as to who it is speaking to you.
NEVER, EVER, EVER,....EVER give in to fear. EVER.
Fear Is Always Wrong.
Fear is always wrong. Always. Any time you are being motivated by fear, it is wrong. I don't care what you believe, what you think, or what you feel. Any time you are being motivated by fear, IT IS WRONG.
AND, if you are feeling fear, it is never God. I don't care what your theology says, or anybody else's for that matter. If there is any fear attached to it at all, it is not God. God will never ever, ever, ever, EVER, EVER, EVER, motivate you by fear. I don't care what anybody tells you to the contrary, they are wrong. If you are feeling pushed around, bullied, intimidated, threatened, or ultimatumed, it is never Him, and you should NOT be afraid to stand up to it and tell it where to go. Because it's not Him.
How do I know all this? How can I be so sure? Because I've read my Bible. And it says that He is love. And it also says that there is NO fear in love.
Case closed. What more do I need to know??
THE GREATEST WEAPON YOU CAN WIELD, IN YOUR OWN LIFE AND IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS, IS TO CHOOSE TO BELIEVE IN AND RECEIVE GOD'S LOVE.
There is no fear in love.
THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE.
THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE.
THER IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. THER IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. Did you get it yet? No? ok, THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE.
THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE.
AND, if you are feeling fear, it is never God. I don't care what your theology says, or anybody else's for that matter. If there is any fear attached to it at all, it is not God. God will never ever, ever, ever, EVER, EVER, EVER, motivate you by fear. I don't care what anybody tells you to the contrary, they are wrong. If you are feeling pushed around, bullied, intimidated, threatened, or ultimatumed, it is never Him, and you should NOT be afraid to stand up to it and tell it where to go. Because it's not Him.
How do I know all this? How can I be so sure? Because I've read my Bible. And it says that He is love. And it also says that there is NO fear in love.
Case closed. What more do I need to know??
THE GREATEST WEAPON YOU CAN WIELD, IN YOUR OWN LIFE AND IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS, IS TO CHOOSE TO BELIEVE IN AND RECEIVE GOD'S LOVE.
There is no fear in love.
THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE.
THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE.
THER IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. THER IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. Did you get it yet? No? ok, THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE.
THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE.
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Manufacture your own breakdown.
Because it's a proven fact that God shows up most in our lives when we're at our worst, in order to show us that it's ALL by His Grace--and because I believe we don't have to wait for a tragedy to strike or for something bad to happen to benefit from this principle--I reccomend that you, we, all, manufacture our own breakdown before the real one strikes, and in order to avoid the real ones.
How do you do this? You stop doing all those things that are driving you toward the breakdown. All of the fear based actions, all of the performance, all of the stuff you are doing out of guilt... in other words, stop all of those things that would stop when you had the breakdown. All of the things that are driving you toward the breakdown, and the things that fall away in the breakdown. All of the fear. All of the performance. Stop it all. Engineer a breakdown in your life on purpose-- a planned, calculated one, one born out of honesty, before you have an unplanned one.
Either way, you will get to the same place--the place where God is able to love you, and show you His grace. It just doesn't HAVE to be difficult and catch you by surprise. You can do it yourself, and receive the same benefits--namely, His love.
How do you do this? You stop doing all those things that are driving you toward the breakdown. All of the fear based actions, all of the performance, all of the stuff you are doing out of guilt... in other words, stop all of those things that would stop when you had the breakdown. All of the things that are driving you toward the breakdown, and the things that fall away in the breakdown. All of the fear. All of the performance. Stop it all. Engineer a breakdown in your life on purpose-- a planned, calculated one, one born out of honesty, before you have an unplanned one.
Either way, you will get to the same place--the place where God is able to love you, and show you His grace. It just doesn't HAVE to be difficult and catch you by surprise. You can do it yourself, and receive the same benefits--namely, His love.
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