The Passion

Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (NIV)

Gal. 6:9 -Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (NIV)

As we prepare to celebrate Palm Sunday, and the resurrection of Christ, Easter, I wanted to pause a moment and consider the journey. We hear about individual events that occur from riding on the donkey to the beating to the grave, and sometimes there are combination of these preached. However, it is the entire journey, the amalgamation of all those moments that bring resurrection significance for us; not discounting any event of it impact. I was speaking to a friend about this, and how this is important. I am not saying preaching about individual aspects is wrong, or we shouldn’t. I am just saying, we would do well to pause, and take into consideration the journey because the pain, the betrayal, the being spiritually alone, taking the beating only he could have endure, and being mock by others teaches us lessons we would do well to remember in our 21^st Century mindset. We were grant grace and mercy instead of justice, a clarion sacrificial offering of blood, body, and soul for our transgressions. It tells the story many gospel singers sing about - even when it does not look or feel good, we must remember to keep trusting and obeying because it is never just about us, and it is for our good. Because when you know, that you know, that you know, you know this is the path God put me on; at such a time as this; you are able stay the course.

The passion of the Christ echoes through ages the butterfly effect is in full effect with this happening, reverberating call resonates, paradigm shift of truth makes straight, transfiguration of spirituality quiets in storms, and the benchmark is the cornerstone to build upon. Resulting in plethora of illustrative wealth base information to guide every generation that goes beyond the popular person we attach ourselves to for the moment. So we will submit to the reign, realm, the rule of God, while accepting Him as the prophet, priest, and King in our life. The decision to do so, not only changes the person but all connected we will never know. See, whether we intend to or not, we create legacy and longevity with our actions, words, and connections. Don’t believe me, go back and re-examine the Passion of Christ   

We would do well to remember....

This song is by the gospel group Soul Seekers ft. Bishop Marvin Winans. It  is awesome! and I have included the words in, as my blog today. We would all do well to remember it is all God because there are those who have done all the work, check all the right boxes, and follow the instructions to the letter but something else happened to them, not us. Then there are those who have done all the dirt, the mess, created the confusion that we have, and we are not in the same place and/or have the same jacked up life as they.Yet, But God! you are, I am, therefore, the difference for us as Christians is God....

I've got money in the bank; cars in the drive way
I've got a house I can claim; clothes in my closest
I've got a bed for my head; shoes for my feet
I've got breath in my body and if I was just anybody
I'd say it's all good but I know better its all God
But I know better its all God

I've got friends I can call when I need help
I've got family when I fall to pick me up
I've got a bed for my head; shoes for my feet
I've got breath in my body and if I was just anybody
I'd say it's all good but I know better its all God
But I know better its all God

It's all God (7x's) Solo

And if (and if I was just anybody
I'd say (say) it's all good (it's all good) but I know better its all God
But I know better its all God)

[Marvin Winans Talk: The bible says Psalm 27:13 David said I had fainted less I had believed to see the goodness of the God in the land of the living and what we come to understand and know that even when it doesn't look good it works for the good to all those that are called according to his purpose. Help me say]

It's all good; it's all God (repeat)

And if (and if I was just anybody
I'd say (say) it's all good (it's all good) but I know better, but I know better, but I know better its all God) 

Time teaching, when you are seeking....

Today, I have no bible verse, just musing of mind as  I observe people around, both family and friends, who elder in age and/or position. Yet not see beyond their selfishness or negativity. However, still expect the God to rain down fresh anointing as they pray but do not do.

Time teaches what experiences can never teach. Time will caress the heart, uplift the soul, expand the mind, and provide clarity for our eyes. If we seek the right of the thing with earnest, we shall learn the truth of the thing in vivid color. Emotions no longer cloud our way, feelings no longer stunt our development, and reaching the target of truth is no longer sensitive to the touch. 

We realize although age can bring wisdom, it does not always but time truly does heal; if you are willing to reveal. Since, you cannot help those who are not open to the dizzy transformational process it takes to move forward; don’t let push. After living in the fog of traditions, cultural, and ‘religious’ unflappable truths we held on to but were really relative truths applicable to time, matter, and context. It is arduous task for us all. However, only in time are we able to see, the truth of the thing that changes lives, expands bounty, and enriches our faith. Time teaches, when we are apt students of the faith, but it will teach you nothing if you are not open to the possibility...

Father, I pray for you to keep me humble to listen, still enough to pay attention, spiritually fit to live within my means, open to life and it evolution, and generously gracious with deserved compliments. amen!! 

Light and salt...

Light and Salt…

Matthew 5: 13-16   “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.  “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (NIV)

A small light shines bright, and in darkness it shines brighter; choose to be the light. Salt brings flavor but more importantly it is use to preserve. Choose to preserve the good and the sanctity of authenticity of self. No one can help you or make you ‘be’ the light you are, or preserve the true you. They can only provide the environment, the example, the explanation, but you have to decide to do. If with our actions, we choose to deny our light and salt because our selfishness and it-is-about-me attitude do not get upset if we fail to live in abundance. Remember God is not the author of confusion, that’s the other spirit. The questions I put out to all today - Why do we choose ‘not to be’? Why do we work to impede self from being true to self? Why do we choose with our actions to stay in darkness? Does our fear of stepping beyond our culture and traditions frighten us that much? Are we so absorbed, we do not want the student to exceed the teacher (all apt students do, but honor remains with the teacher...wink)?  None of it is for our good or anyone else’s but yet, we continue with seamless conscious intentional efforts with our actions and words. When are we going have this as an unconscious innate perspective - begin to focus more on legacy rather than the immediacy of the right now moment because at the end you cannot, and legacy is all you have that speaks of and for you... The light and the salt... Your choice; it matters more than you might think.

What kind of seeds are you sowing?

Gal. 6:7-8 -Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.  Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (NIV)

What kind of seeds are you sowing? The seed results in the fruit we harvest. We spend too much time in other people backyard making judgment on what they are doing. We peep into others home, and think we have the right to give input as to how they should or should not live. However, woe be unto others if they try to give us input on our life or judge us; it does not work for us. But we planted those seeds, and found no problem with it, until it became our harvest. We do not escape the harvest of what we sowed in this life. The ugliness, negativity, and confusion we put out become a part of our world. And Peace becomes an elusive friend, paranoia a constant companion, and confusion the mentor you unknowingly sought out for guidance. Because we have let ourselves plant the seeds, we now reap the harvest, we do not desire. Yet, we cannot sow madness, and get goodness. You cannot sow lies, and hope for truth. We cannot sow pain, and live pain free. We cannot justify our actions thinking we can step between justice and mercy, to create grace for us. We are not God. We cannot glorify the right to do something with the wrong intentions, and then not expect to be crucified with the same measure. Are we so deceived by our own twisted logic and self-absorb self-promotion, we do not see how, we are deconstructing the very thing, we desire to build. All because of a fleeting emotional hurt that touched a nerve, and destroyed our focus. To the point, the focus is no longer on the future, but immediate gratification need that has no sustaining power or worth.

When our actions do not align with our words, plans, or profession of faith, we create a message for others to see call confusion. Because you know, only 7% of what we respond to in any exchange is the words, the rest is tone/inflection of the voice, and body language. So, I am asking you again, what seeds are you sowing? Sow the godly seeds you desire to come your way, even when no one else is, and in due time if you do not tire, you shall see and reap the glory promised in a cornucopia of blessing in diverse forms!

Their own recieved them not.....

John 1:11 - He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. (NIV) 

Came to my own, and my own received me not. But we wonder why, we don’t accept diversity in the body of Christ; it should not be a surprise. The question is – Why not? Is it because it was not part of what we know, understand, or have a frame of reference to comprehend? So, we discount it because it is different, instead of seeking God out for directions.  We seek consensus from man. Although man is the author of contradictions, confusion, disorder, and God is not the author of confusion and does everything in a divine order. However, because it does not fit in our limited concrete constructs, and the looming nebulous of authenticity we hold fast too, we shy away from it, or downright reject it. The investment of time that would usually result from our being open to it, is not forthcoming; we elect to ostracize instead. We fail to see how our choices; decisions made today have far reaching effects upon generations we shall never see, with consequences we cannot comprehend; just as our forefathers and mothers did. Souls are touched and changes in the butterfly effect of life, base on one choice made today.  Yet, we do not even consider the consequences of our choice, as we refuse to accept one of our own.  We forget just how powerful speech is. It can stir people to act, not act, to fall, move to tears of both sorrow or joy, and more importantly, inflict great pain that scars another for a lifetime, even after we are long gone in the body. 

Just because a difference, and that is their truth, and their authentic self lies there; we say, go away.  We refuse to accept them as legitimate or aligning with the word of God, even though they are living their truth.  Even though, we do not always align with the word of God, and we pick-n-choose when and what we will apply to our life. While holding steadfast to a standard of accountability for others, but we do not adhere to in this life. It is as if Christians have chosen as a mantra -  do what I say but not what I do. The irony is we would not accept the contradictory mindset from anyone. What a tangled weave of light and dark we create as we do not own, our own.  Mark Twain once said, - You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus. This I believe is the reason we do not receive our own because our faith focus,only encompasses the comfortable, familiar, usual, traditional, or what works for us. The sad thing is if Christ came back today, many of us religious folk would not accept Him either…smile…John 10:16 - I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.(NIV) For the course of paradigm shift, transformative move of His grace presence, come through and lies in the difference, not the similarities...

The Response is different.

Today this is going to be a little different. I am going to start off with an analogy that I read. It is about a shark and it natural adaptability. See a shark will adapt to its surroundings, no matter what size it should be, it never grows beyond it living environment. It will grow to maturity but not to it true size. For instance, if a shark is fully grown at 20 feet but it is a caught and put in a home aquarium, it will not reach its full maturity size but yet be fully grown. However, if it is remove and put into an area, no matter when, it will grow to its full maturity size. Yet, if it is left in the home aquarium, it will live out its life full grown on the molecular level, but not the physical level. Now why did I bring this up, well, lately there has been death around me. Not directly touching me, but it has touched people who I am connected too, and I realized as Christians the Father knows just what will grow our faith and help us to reach out full potential. Therefore, He puts us in the place, position at just the right time where we can grow our faith. Death does that for us, if we just stop and understand the process of God.  Now, it does not mean we do not grieve, feel sadden by the lost of the loved one; it’s just done differently. Like the shark we are able to adapt to the environment we are put in, when we are move to it. Even when we do not have the context or frame of reference to think it so, but the spirit does. This verse  Psalms 126:6 - Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves( bundles, stacks) with them. (NIV) because of what the Father knows best even when think we know better. 

For the tears other see as just sadness of what happened, it is clarity. Clarity is essential to our growth as we obey the voice of God and become the instrument of His hand, subject to will. For God knows, we have more impact with what we do, how we handle things, than what we say, any day. We look at the horrific or the unexpectedness of the lost, but God looks upon the work of His hands. His artistry, masterpiece He created, and how He is reconciling those remaining alive to Himself. Yet, the problem is man begins to try to understand the reason, and trace the hand of God, but that is not it. We are only to submit to the will of God, and trust the heart of the Father flawlessly perfect timing.  Knowing that the goodness and grace inspite of mistakes calls us home, and it is not too soon. How can I say this? How many of us know of people walking away from what should have killed or crippled them. God has a master-plan. So, when we are ‘Why God?’ remember Gen. 50:20 - You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives (NIV).   It will not ease the pain or the lost of the person, yet the response is different.

The analogy of the shark works for all things, and it helps us to understand life better as we reach each new level in this life.