God really really really loves you

Do you love God? I hope you do, because you are invited to. Because God really really really loves you. Don't be afraid to enter into an intimate love relationship with Him. Just think, that's the one thing that your enemy is dedicated to keep from happening. Is it working? He knows what he's doing. So are you willing to struggle openly (instead of privately/secretly) along side of your brothers and sisters to do all that you can together to stand up against the Devil's purposes? Remember, our struggle isn't against flesh and blood. If it were, we'd be good at loving God, and our efficiency would actually help our cause. But, no, our struggle is against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Efficiency doesn't cut it. Neat orderly sermons don't cut it either. A spiritual, intimate love relationship with our Abba Father which takes place as we abide in Him and He abides in us, and pours out His love into our hearts and we do His will and take our stand against evil will cut it. And it does cut it. It cuts deep into our hearts and we thrive. What if our struggle really was against cosmic powers over this present darkness and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places? No, it couldn't be, because our theologies don't have room for this to be true. As some friends I know would say it, "Shame." Need I say it again? I mean, I for one thrive on this.....God really really really loves you.

Saints not Sinners, Part 1

11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. (romans 6:11-14)

Have you ever taken time out of your busy schedule to offer yourself to God as one who has been brought from death to life and the parts of your body as instruments of righteousness? What if this were to be taken literally, and not merely figuratively. I mean, it would seem to me that we physically let sin reign in our mortal bodies, obeying its evil desires. Do you agree? When I allow my eyes to linger on a presumptuous woman in a television commercial or add in the mall, I am physically letting sin reign in my body. When I sin in any way, I am making a physical and spiritual decision. I've learned that it will never get any easier or better. The decision will always exist. However, if I live life trying to defeat sin, then I will be fighting the wrong battle. Ephesians 6 seems to indicate that the battle is not with flesh and blood, but rather a spritual war in heavenly places, one fought in spirit and in the mind. I think we have a lot to learn about spiritual things in our day and age. Because I think the Spirit is more involved in this battle than I've been taught in church. What if I sat still for a little while and contemplated in my heart, mind, and spirit my position in Christ, before literally, physically, and spiritually offering my body to God as one who has been brought from death to life. What do you think? Am I off my rocker? Are you merely fighting the sin in your life, or you engaged in an intimate, love relationship with God and opening yourself to the work of the Spirit in your life?

Re: Submit to One Another

A certain friend posed this question: "Can we truly allow another believer to 'bear our burderns' if we do not open ourselves up and allow him access to the depths of our being?" (Re: Submit to One Another)

No, I really think it's not possible. Sadly, though, I'm not sure we're willing to....unless..... we've heard from God what He thinks of us with our fig leaves removed, standing totally exposed before Him. It's probably the most mystical, vulnerable thing we can do. And I think it has something to do with the process of being rescued from darkness and the despair of evil (what fundamentalism calls "saved" or "salvation" or maybe "rededication").

Uh, here's what I mean. A mentor-friend of mine taught me that grace means to stand totally exposed yet be totally accepted. A few years ago, I tasted this grace for the first time in the journey. I think he's pretty close. See, what caused Adam and Eve to shamefully hide in the garden now is cause for us to fall into the arms of our Rescuer, Jesus.

Because as ugly as my hidden life had become, I was convinced in my shame to hide myself from God and man. But, finding clues that His heart was good, I surrendered. And, I myself am totally exposed before God, yet totally accepted. I am bewildered by the truth that we, being His children, have everything we need to be victorious in the painful struggle against sin and the evil one. But here's the heart of my battle, the choice I must make daily in this struggle: Is my reputation (what other people think of my greatness) more valuable to me than the health of the body, and becoming a man like Jesus in His death that I might live like him through His life? I finally made the choice to take the road less traveled, and I assure you, it is terribly painful. But, it is totally worth it. I know the truth of who I really am...I am strong, and I have overcome the evil one (see 1 John 2:14). God makes me strong for the sake of my brothers and sisters also on the journey. But, I am strong because I am weak. I am only strong because I'm not alone in this battle/journey. I need brothers and sisters who can wield the sword and take up the shield of faith beside me, especially when I can't. And I cannot, and neither can you, unless we know (are convinced of) who we really are--knowing the power of being accepted by our heavenly Father, knowing Christ as our brother and perfect high priest, and above all, knowing the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge.

It's all in the journey. Are we ready for it? The the health of the Church depends on it. Hey, there really is a battle underway for middle-earth.

So, we're to confess our sins to one another, because we struggle and desperately need healing. We're to bear one another's burdens, because Jesus bore our shame on the cross and we have nothing left to hide.

So, no, to answer the question, I don't think it's possible. We can't allow another believer to 'bear our burderns' if we do not open ourselves up and allow him access to the depths of our being. We cannot open ourselves and grant one another access to the depths of our being until we know the Truth, and the Truth sets us free. What can we possibly be waiting for?

Of Chinese Fortunes

A group of "old" friends went out for Chinese recently. A mentor-friend of mine passed along his fortune to me. That's what happens when community happens over Chinese food. Now before I write the fortune on my blog, please understand that fortunes that come from Chinese cookies at this particular Chinese buffet are true. But their meanings, unlike Scripture, (or like it?) are hidden.

It read:
"Fear knocked. Faith answered. No one was there."

Like it or not, I'm in the battle. I've made the decision to "put aside the ranger." I am becoming who I was meant to be. (Lord of the Rings: Return of the King). And now, like young Eragon, I've uncovered the path before me--I am to become a dragon-rider. My training has just begun. Oh yeah, fear knocks. But Faith will answer. I will wield a shield more powerful than any shield of the finest alloy.

"Stand therefore,...above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one." Ephesians 6:14,16

What if we really have everything we need to live an abundant, victorious Christian life?

Then Yoda is real, and we are all Jedi by birth.

*By the way, you need to read the novel Eragon, and watch it December 15 in theaters.