Phil. 4:8 – 9 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (NASB)
If you can carry it, then you can produce it. Our thoughts today result in our actions tomorrow. Therefore, we must cultivate thoughts that are good, not malicious intent, self-serving practices, if we desire mercy, grace, and favor to trump justice. See you can reproduce what we have seen, are told to do, what is demonstrated for us, and taught to us. However, this does not allow us to produce anything; only reproduce everything because there is no depth, just surface. We know the right words, can give the expected response, like the magician, it is all part of the grand illusion; the metaphorical slight of the hand. All because we do not dwell on the true, the faithful, the helpful, the honest, the love, the accurate, the forgiveness, and the genuine things that allows us to move forward. We would rather dwell, unfortunately, on the negative, replay ill intent in our heads, selfishness in our hearts, and hold to the hurt. Thus, we cannot produce what is not in us, it not some random reason why we are not in a better state of mind, it is intentional. Until we are willing to be authentic and genuine with what is within us, and learn to be free of the self-imposed figurative prison, we only replicate, not generate. Once we allow ourselves to be free, then we can do what Phil 4:8 says, and then begin to practice it as Phil 4:9 says. The decision is each person’s…choose or not choose by being honest and truthful to self; it is up to each us…
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Accountability and Responsibility
Ecc 3:5b -A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. (NASB)
There is a time to embrace by those who loved us. They provide encouraging soothing tone, supporting reassuring words, loving honest affirmation, and cooling water insight. However, the person who loves us to be able to look us in our face, flat-footed, shoulders erect, back straight, at arm length away, and tell us, ‘you are wrong..out of order…this is inappropriate.’…is priceless… Letting us know, how our actions, behavior, and/or words to another is badly chosen, an illustration of poor manners, displays a lack of integrible intent, and is a malicious delivery method. This not done with a blunt force trauma hit, rather from a foundation of love and desires to see us grow in the godly person, God called us to become. Not wanting us to be self-destruction, as they reach out to us with honest words, not loving arms to affirm or confirm, but lovingly correction to advise of a better way to handle the issue at hand. Having a person in our life that loves us this much is truly a gift, and invaluable assessed that we sometimes ignore or avoid. Because we do not understand, comprehend the holistic love Christ taught and left as a legacy for all Christians to include in our daily walk.
If all your friends only validate your madness, and never correct your self-demise ways which leads you to self-destruction, then they do not understand the gift of love grant to us by the Sovereign one. The cannot, and will not speak in your life with the choice words that give life, rather their words shall depleted and live you stagnate…See, He loved us enough to rebuke the evil, and embrace the good, the right, the godly. Do you have anyone in your life that helps you to be both accountable and responsible? If not, know that this is needed, and you need to be open to it. So you will always know the difference between content and context, one is about what is within (content), while the other is about the surrounding conditions (context), and relevance and significance, one is about the importance to the matter at hand (relevance), while the other (significance) is about the weight of it changes everything beyond the moment. This is important to understand because accountability and responsibility loses its usefulness and when to embrace and when to shun embracing is lost, but more importantly, applied, implemented and used without awareness and it stings….accountability and responsibility a necessity in our Christian walk, we should not be without…priceless
There is a time to embrace by those who loved us. They provide encouraging soothing tone, supporting reassuring words, loving honest affirmation, and cooling water insight. However, the person who loves us to be able to look us in our face, flat-footed, shoulders erect, back straight, at arm length away, and tell us, ‘you are wrong..out of order…this is inappropriate.’…is priceless… Letting us know, how our actions, behavior, and/or words to another is badly chosen, an illustration of poor manners, displays a lack of integrible intent, and is a malicious delivery method. This not done with a blunt force trauma hit, rather from a foundation of love and desires to see us grow in the godly person, God called us to become. Not wanting us to be self-destruction, as they reach out to us with honest words, not loving arms to affirm or confirm, but lovingly correction to advise of a better way to handle the issue at hand. Having a person in our life that loves us this much is truly a gift, and invaluable assessed that we sometimes ignore or avoid. Because we do not understand, comprehend the holistic love Christ taught and left as a legacy for all Christians to include in our daily walk.
If all your friends only validate your madness, and never correct your self-demise ways which leads you to self-destruction, then they do not understand the gift of love grant to us by the Sovereign one. The cannot, and will not speak in your life with the choice words that give life, rather their words shall depleted and live you stagnate…See, He loved us enough to rebuke the evil, and embrace the good, the right, the godly. Do you have anyone in your life that helps you to be both accountable and responsible? If not, know that this is needed, and you need to be open to it. So you will always know the difference between content and context, one is about what is within (content), while the other is about the surrounding conditions (context), and relevance and significance, one is about the importance to the matter at hand (relevance), while the other (significance) is about the weight of it changes everything beyond the moment. This is important to understand because accountability and responsibility loses its usefulness and when to embrace and when to shun embracing is lost, but more importantly, applied, implemented and used without awareness and it stings….accountability and responsibility a necessity in our Christian walk, we should not be without…priceless
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The heart reflects who we are
Proverbs 27:19 – As in water reflects face, so the heart of man reflects man (NASB)
What is in our hearts comes out in our walk; it is reflected there. As the water reflects what it sees, so does our talk, our walk, and our interactions are all based on what is in us. What we speak comes from within…this is the reason God looks at our heart, the inside when he chooses us to do a certain task. It is not random, coincidental, or accidental. He has no random acts, we do ‘me’; no more, no less. Whether we act out of fear, or out of faith; it is who we are at the core. We need to remember and understand we are the architects of our own lives. Therefore, we must take into account the choices we make. How we present ourselves, and how we are fiercely afraid to present to others our true person. Yet, we reflect that person because it is what insides us, and we can only be who we are. But we are all too afraid to own that person so that we can move forward in our lives, and expand our horizon; it is like we would rather hinder ourselves, than grow…It reminds me of a something I heard once – King Kong would not have been killed, had he took the elevator instead scaling the building…King Kong revert to his nature in a crisis, just like us, and it was the cause for his demise. All because he never was comfortable with himself to expand, his understanding. So, let us all live true to us and become a traveling light that eclipses the madness that tries to overtake our authentic person…So, the next time you have the opportunity to live authentically and see your heart reflect in your life, let it breath; no matter the cost…The poet Rilke says it best – …“Let everything happen to you, Beauty and terror, Just keep going, No feeling is final’..All choices have the beauty and the terror, do not be afraid…The going through and living our truth, provides growth so let your heart be reflected because you are beautiful just as you are…Rem - God chose, you as you, not the fake, façade, phony but you with all your flaws…If he can love like that, why can’t you…smiling
What is in our hearts comes out in our walk; it is reflected there. As the water reflects what it sees, so does our talk, our walk, and our interactions are all based on what is in us. What we speak comes from within…this is the reason God looks at our heart, the inside when he chooses us to do a certain task. It is not random, coincidental, or accidental. He has no random acts, we do ‘me’; no more, no less. Whether we act out of fear, or out of faith; it is who we are at the core. We need to remember and understand we are the architects of our own lives. Therefore, we must take into account the choices we make. How we present ourselves, and how we are fiercely afraid to present to others our true person. Yet, we reflect that person because it is what insides us, and we can only be who we are. But we are all too afraid to own that person so that we can move forward in our lives, and expand our horizon; it is like we would rather hinder ourselves, than grow…It reminds me of a something I heard once – King Kong would not have been killed, had he took the elevator instead scaling the building…King Kong revert to his nature in a crisis, just like us, and it was the cause for his demise. All because he never was comfortable with himself to expand, his understanding. So, let us all live true to us and become a traveling light that eclipses the madness that tries to overtake our authentic person…So, the next time you have the opportunity to live authentically and see your heart reflect in your life, let it breath; no matter the cost…The poet Rilke says it best – …“Let everything happen to you, Beauty and terror, Just keep going, No feeling is final’..All choices have the beauty and the terror, do not be afraid…The going through and living our truth, provides growth so let your heart be reflected because you are beautiful just as you are…Rem - God chose, you as you, not the fake, façade, phony but you with all your flaws…If he can love like that, why can’t you…smiling
Monday, October 26, 2009
Gifts use for excuses
Luke 14:18-20 "But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, 'I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it; please consider me excused.' "Another one said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please consider me excused.' "Another one said, 'I have married a wife, and for that reason I cannot come.' (NASB)
Why do we use what was given as a gift to enhance, enrich, and complement our lives, as we serve the Father be used as an excuse not to serve him? We use them to get out of doing the will of the Father, or accept the invitation of the Father. See, all the things the land, the possession, and people in the verses were all allowed by the father, for the abundant life, not for a life without the Father. What has God given you, us, and is now used as an excuse to not serve God. Is it going to college? Getting the new job? The anomaly, variance present in your mental, psychological or physical life? How about the friends and family members? The new relationship? The children? Etc. The very thing, person we are given to bless us, was never meant to stand between us and God’s relationship. How our priorities in our Christian life order become so awry. Is it because we did not count the cost of the choices made? Every choice made is accompanied by the following – unforeseen implications, unintended consequences, and requires a change in our life. We would do well to remember this when we are choosing. For all that is allowed to come into, happen in life is meant to enhance, not distract from it. If what is in our life make us more inclined to move further from Go, either it should have never been in our life, or we need to look with different lens to see what is before us for corrected vision. Always know God created and granted everything for our use in living and growth, not to detract from the relationship between us (God and me). We should never use what is given as a gift, to be use as an excuse to not serve, worship, praise, work, or seek God. So, the next time you get caught up in the gifts allowed, granted, and created by God for you, think about Job and what he did after losing everything…Job 1:20-21 - Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said,”Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." (NIV) …Let us be like Job and not let ‘stuff’ get between us and God’s relationship so we can refuse the invitations from God because gifts are not excuses to be use against He; we choose to do this.
Why do we use what was given as a gift to enhance, enrich, and complement our lives, as we serve the Father be used as an excuse not to serve him? We use them to get out of doing the will of the Father, or accept the invitation of the Father. See, all the things the land, the possession, and people in the verses were all allowed by the father, for the abundant life, not for a life without the Father. What has God given you, us, and is now used as an excuse to not serve God. Is it going to college? Getting the new job? The anomaly, variance present in your mental, psychological or physical life? How about the friends and family members? The new relationship? The children? Etc. The very thing, person we are given to bless us, was never meant to stand between us and God’s relationship. How our priorities in our Christian life order become so awry. Is it because we did not count the cost of the choices made? Every choice made is accompanied by the following – unforeseen implications, unintended consequences, and requires a change in our life. We would do well to remember this when we are choosing. For all that is allowed to come into, happen in life is meant to enhance, not distract from it. If what is in our life make us more inclined to move further from Go, either it should have never been in our life, or we need to look with different lens to see what is before us for corrected vision. Always know God created and granted everything for our use in living and growth, not to detract from the relationship between us (God and me). We should never use what is given as a gift, to be use as an excuse to not serve, worship, praise, work, or seek God. So, the next time you get caught up in the gifts allowed, granted, and created by God for you, think about Job and what he did after losing everything…Job 1:20-21 - Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said,”Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." (NIV) …Let us be like Job and not let ‘stuff’ get between us and God’s relationship so we can refuse the invitations from God because gifts are not excuses to be use against He; we choose to do this.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Distorted Vision
John 9:3;6-7 Jesus answered, "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him…When He had said this, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes, and said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which is translated, Sent) So he went away and washed, and came back seeing. (NASB)
The blind man was given sight by Jesus. But his encounter was not one known by the people, and it was never seen before this. However, the blind accepted a new thing, and was obedient to instruction given; he was healed. The same is true for us today. We have a distorted vision of our eyes, heart, and mind just as the disciple – they asked who sin, and Jesus explains this is for God might to be displayed. Until we are exposed and changed by the word of God, beginning on the inside of each of us, we will always have distorted vision and interpretation. See, the man’s mind and heart was open to the possibility; Jesus ability to give him sight. We too can obtain sight, change, and have a more abundant life, if or when we choose to be open to the gift of the truth. Even when it comes to us in a different form than we were once told, and/or the means we are use to receiving. Because greater the impossibility, more significant and greater is the awesome impact of God’s touch as our hearts open, so do eyes open to the way, the truth, and the life found in the God’s way.
See, we are not required to be stuck in the same old, same old, when change is possible; but we must believe, be stretched to receive and see it. . We are not talking about change for change sake, but change for the better because if we are not open to the truth before us, as a result of what is inside us. We remain with our distorted vision and miss out on the blessing connected to it….John 9:28-34 Then they hurled insults at him and said, "You are this fellow's disciple! We are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from." The man answered, "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." To this they replied, "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!" And they threw him out...The question before each of today as Christian - Are to God mysterious ways for our good?
The blind man was given sight by Jesus. But his encounter was not one known by the people, and it was never seen before this. However, the blind accepted a new thing, and was obedient to instruction given; he was healed. The same is true for us today. We have a distorted vision of our eyes, heart, and mind just as the disciple – they asked who sin, and Jesus explains this is for God might to be displayed. Until we are exposed and changed by the word of God, beginning on the inside of each of us, we will always have distorted vision and interpretation. See, the man’s mind and heart was open to the possibility; Jesus ability to give him sight. We too can obtain sight, change, and have a more abundant life, if or when we choose to be open to the gift of the truth. Even when it comes to us in a different form than we were once told, and/or the means we are use to receiving. Because greater the impossibility, more significant and greater is the awesome impact of God’s touch as our hearts open, so do eyes open to the way, the truth, and the life found in the God’s way.
See, we are not required to be stuck in the same old, same old, when change is possible; but we must believe, be stretched to receive and see it. . We are not talking about change for change sake, but change for the better because if we are not open to the truth before us, as a result of what is inside us. We remain with our distorted vision and miss out on the blessing connected to it….John 9:28-34 Then they hurled insults at him and said, "You are this fellow's disciple! We are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from." The man answered, "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." To this they replied, "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!" And they threw him out...The question before each of today as Christian - Are to God mysterious ways for our good?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)