To Live Boxless

Looking around the large darkened room filled with beautiful representations of the suffering of our Savior, I knew I had come to the right place to expect a miracle. The scenes of the parable-like ritual began to play out in front of me, heightening my desire for the Eternal. Then all the attention seemed to focus on the long-robed leader as he moved towards a gilded and ornate box to the left of the stage area.

There were kneelings and words that I did not understand so I sensed this could be the moment for the miracle as the robed arm reached into the gilded box. A holy hush settled on to the congregation as the leader turned with what appeared to be a golden, artistically designed mirror-like object. He lifted up the object several times as timed bells rang to announce each raise of the object. Then the leader turned back to the box and placed the mirror like object back in.

My Father was looking at my curious expression and decided to help me through this moment ... Dad said "there is a once a week Jesus that is given to us in the communion time, what you saw was the Jesus that is taken out on special occasions for us to see and then is kept in that box the rest of the year. Wow ... Jesus is kept locked away in a box, so unfair.

Now please don't be too harsh on me for a fogged childhood religious memory, but this one thing I am sure of today: the problem with our faith to see miracles is the package in which we box our God, and the restrictions that we design to limit His working.... (instead of magnifying His glory, majesty, honor, and power that no man can begin to understand). That being said please read on.

There are too many pious parrots in the roost protecting us from miracles -- "Polly wants a cracker" - "Just an ordinary cracker, nothing special" - "And no more, no less should be expected!" -- That first phrase used to be heard from the bird cage, but with the Internet on the rise, social media swooning the masses, and Google granting every request for knowledge - we hear rumors of miracles everyday; but there still are those who would love to see a miracle of Manna from Heaven, but not at the risk of sounding weak and needy. So the additional phrases, after the cracker request, needed to be added for the preservation of self sufficiency.

And So the New Breed of Parrot's will pout and tout that there is no hope for anything other than the cracker, so be grateful for the ordinary variety of cage style crackers, "because there ain't no manna today!" And FOR SURE -- "we don't want to presume ourselves upon GOD!" What has happened to these birds?

Maybe these parrots have written off the most conspicuous attribute of our God because of the failure on our part as humans to change; especially if it would be the only attribute that we believe.  And with that attribute in remission, like some sort of fading cancer-like flaw, we can move on to the more reliable attributes of God like His anger, His judgement, His severity, His Sovereignty, His holiness, His separation, ... (I am having a tough time with this for it is hard to imagine God without this attribute)... For the one characteristic of our God that holds us "still", to know that He is God...

Is His Love.

Without Love, His anger has no mercy,

Without Love, His judgement has no propitiation,

Without Love, His severity has no hope of turning from an eternal fiery end,

Without Love, His Sovereignty would never consider us because it doesn't need us,

Without Love, His holiness would not cover us,

Without Love, His Separation would be from us.

With His Love, God gave His only begotten Son for even the adornment of this fallen world... That who-so-ever believes in Him -- should not perish in full abandonment from His presence, but shall have everlasting, ever regenerative , ever unfolding, ever new, eternal life in His Love... we therefore can truly live.

But Love without God ... Is not redemptive Love at all ... At its best, with lust barely contained, it is but a shallow self-serving show of concern, a self fulfilling and collective desire for approval and companionship, and a fragmented shell of feelings endowed by Our Creator within the fallen heart of unredeemed man... At the beginning of this fallen love it is romantically, magically, wonderfully new ... Until it is tried, tested, tired and empty.

God has not abandoned anyone in the darkness without the light of His Love (that is why we all have experienced the "magic of the feelings"), but it seriously does matter what we do with that light ... Box it, contain it and Squander it on a self fulfilling lifestyle, and so we begin loathing the light of His love, and making our way in a direction opposite of the redemption of His Love.

No apologies for this next statement - We need to believe that God does truly care for us with provisions from the miraculous that are granted liberally to be experienced in our moments of need. Don't settle for the box, keep your "childlike wonder" fully unbridled, fully engaged; and let Jesus love you openly with His extravagant - miraculous love.

"Little Children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen". 1 John 5:21

HLFA,

Jeff

PS - Are we really naïve, or in denial of reality when we believe that God will do the impossible? Stop boxing up that faith, face the truth of a tragic situation, announce its reality, BUT with full trust in God's miraculous outcome.

Shattered

Please try hard to hear the Still Small Voice, O tender broken-hearted Saint. God knows that your pain speaks so loudly and confirms so assuredly with your disappointment... that it is hard to hear words of encouragement (let alone begin to believe those words). The Lord knows that "doubt" has slithered its way into your life, convincing you that it is a permanent resident, and your trusted gate keeper (though you have been misinformed).

The Spirit feels the doubt that guards every access route to your heart to make sure that the song of hope has no opportunity to be heard. The Spirit has stood waiting while doubt speaks so loudly that hope is quickly squelched in a hellish confidence that boldly announces, "Healing is for others but not for you; for God has deemed you unworthy."

Jesus has watched you shift your Faith from Him to a faith in pain's voice, which continues to rip at the very fiber of your spirit. But HE IS NOT DISAPPOINTED WITH YOU, He knows the separation caused by pain - "My God, My God why hast Thou forsaken me?" His love keeps you and remains sure ... for you are His Name's Sake.

This moment is not easy ... but try with every bit of your spiritual fiber to see how you would react if your own child was racked with the torments of pain and the fear that shadows a life threatening event.

The "Pop Culture Christian Voices" all around us proclaim things that never add much to our relief. The "healing" clichés only add to the pressure of our barely bearable reality. But we must stop anyhow and meditate on the deeper truth behind the plastic-wrap façade.

"This to will pass!" But it hasn't. Always seems to be spoken as a hall pass for other believers to relinquish their duties to "weep with those that weep"... This moment will pass, but while it weighs heavily on us .. He will be with us even when we proclaim negative prophesies and curse loudly in the moment.

"You can do all things through Christ". Except this... When pain speaks so loud that we no longer have a voice, Christ will stand in our lives whether we appear to succeed or whether we openly fail miserably.

"He will never leave you!" But they leave and abandon us with a prayer and a pat on the shoulder. Our closest friends may withdraw and stand afar, for so did His disciples for fear of their own lives ... the human condition can only carry grief so far, but He will carry us where others falter, clear through to eternity. Don't judge His nearness by the distance others. He is near, always.

"He will not test you above what you can handle!" Seems to shift the responsibility to our failure to be spiritual enough to receive "the healing". This is always a poorly delivered half truth mixed with a lie ... "GOD DOES NOT TEMPT US!" ... The pain may tempt us to doubt, but He will be there with a way out... "There has no temptation taken you, but such is common to man, but God is faithful, He will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation make a way to escape that ye may be able to bear it." I Cor. 10:13 This passage is giving us hope in the battle against the sin that so easily besets us ... pain is an altogether different subject and needs to be handled by entrusting it to His longsuffering, not our impatient waiting.

"And now, LORD, what wait I for? my hope is in Thee." Psalm 39:7

When we are shattered ... we should fear not to speak our pain and disappointment to Him... He will be there for us no matter what we say. His Love Remains ... when all else seems gone... and He is all we need.

Little Children ... lift up your hearts, lift up your hands, He cannot resist to lift you up into His loving arms.

"Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not Thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with Thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more."Psalm 39:12,13

HLFA,

Jeff

Hidden

"Thou art my hiding place, thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah." Psalm 32:7

It first began with a tingling sense that something disconcerting was about to happen in the Kingdom of Love. It gnawed at my already frayed sense of time leaving me a good bit off balance. I knew it was a call to pray. So I went to the hiding place.

As I approached the Throne of Grace, I noticed that there was a small crack in the base of the veil. From this small split that guarded Glory, literally, beams of light pulsed in all directions from its hidden source, enlightening different areas within my shaking world. Everything enlightened began to stabilize and clarify until all that was left shaking was my heart. So I bowed my weakened frame and left my heart vulnerable to whatever the Father would desire to tell me. I closed my eyes and waited.

This is the waiting that produces strength to soar on the currents of adversity through every passage of life. (Isaiah 40:31) The waiting brings knowing. "Knowing" with confidence the preservation of God is a work of my will's submission to the imploring of the Spirit via the power of the truth of Word of God.

Let this truth capture your devotion, if but for this moment of your need:

1. God is His Kid's Hiding place...we are hidden in Christ.

2. He preserves us with His Fidelity, His wholeness, His Character; none dare question God's Holy Song over us. His love defies the most violent oppressor and goes beyond our wildest expectations.

3. He encircles us in all the turns of our wayward direction with His Songs that will deliver us.

His thoughts are not our thoughts. His ways are not our ways. His Goodness and Mercy, that are not dependent on us, are His covering of us that spans time and eternity; there is nothing that truly compares. There is None of us that truly understand, there is None of us that truly seek after God, and by our own choosing we have all gone out of the way. We, individually and all together, have become unprofitable followers of self fulfillment.

.... "Just God" .... is never our reason for seeking ... HE KNOWS THIS HUMAN FLAW and yet doesn't chide us, leave us nor forsake us ... He just continues to call us. His call of Love (whish is for who believe, and for all time) , keeps us within his Ever encircling testimonial cries, his redounding voices of victory, and his omniscient songs of deliverance.

PROOF: The Cross of Christ... He died for us, He arose for us, He calls for us, and He is coming for us!

"Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy all ye upright in heart." Psalm 32:11

Live loud in the Victory of His Love and Compassion for you,

All is well because Jesus is my growing "All in All."

HLFA,

Jeff

The Gray

Confusion-Despair-Disparity-Anger or

Focus-Hope-Balance-Love?

Is there truly gray areas within the issues of life, not just a matter of fact...not just black and white? The gray has, for the most part, been seen as an area to be avoided because of its potential for conflict. It is also seen by those looking for a liberty "work around" as a power-tool-opportunity to set up their flag of wisdom on the matter. But, could the Gray be an opportunity for Grace and Love instead of a clash of violently opposed convictions?

The gray, without much effort, becomes a cultivator of walls and the foundation of the doctrines of "isms" and "ists" that do nothing but divide, conquer and leave the wounded for dead. Survival of the right-est as the fittest, is the underlying (truly lying) belief that can cause irreconcilable conflict. This may be why Conflict such a terror in the "Church"? ... maybe because we want peace in the "Father Knows Best Mayberry" family. (The Acknowledgement of Absolute Truth is though, but there can be no peace where conflict is avoided and issues of life are never handled).

Here was the game plan of a former pastor as stated, "We will not have controversy, but if controversy arises, we will handle the conflict... (emphasizing) WE WILL HANDLE THE CONFLICT". The leadership's game plan was to maintain a status quo and squelch anything that was different. And as we all know...Jesus' life was without controversy (please understand that this statement is sarcastic) ... so we should expect that the follower should also live without controversy or conflict (again-this is another sarcastic statement).

Sometimes the issue is not as gray as we would purport it to be. It may be excused as an area of cultural or preferential opinions that those more enlightened have given an issue a hall-pass to avoid the pain of education. Without a truly devotional grasp of the wisdom of love there will be an impatience due to offences that can carry us into conflict. Offenses are a guaranty, but woe unto him whose cause is to offend, and especially offend the little ones - A true offence is one that comes out of a desire against the Word of God and separates a "little one", one of God's Kid's, from His Father's Voice within the Word - "The Love Letter".

"Wine, as an entertainer, is an arrogant ambassador and a scornful interpreter; and more intensely, Strong intoxicating drink is a distracting growl and a disrupting roar; whoever strays and swerves off into desired intoxication thereby is not wise". Proverbs 20:1

Since the beginning of man's choices for his "own way" instead of "God's way", there has been welcomed entertainers and intoxicators that have distorted the Voice of God. This distortion has caused a growing discention in the kingdom. It creates a riff in Love's Ministry of Reconciliation and an animosity towards "God accountability". So many want to stretch and test the boundaries of Liberty because of the urging of highly polished "other voices", which in the end ... tarnish purity and integrity, and wax cold true love by causing it to doubt truth.

I want something. We all want something...and deep down inside we hope that "that something" will fix or heal the ache of life that follows us every where we go. It all seems so confusing at times and we become too overwhelmed. Oh so many of us want to numb our way into the oblivious comforts of stollen bread and forbidden fruit. The numbness of a fleeing fleshy pleasure deceives us into thinking that sin is not all that divisive, not as bad as "the preacher" has warned us, and many times the sin itself brings a momentary release or rest.

Rest is a rare commodity in a time of struggle. Comfort is a fleeing companion when pain decides to be an unwelcome tenant. Peace is flaunted as the offering to woo the masses by the wolves in sheep's designer clothing. "Key in importance" for all of our days is... clear, concise, and connective direction. Jesus said this to those in His day who were standing on the threshold of What to believe? ---"If ye continue in My word, then ye are my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." What great news ... but there was push back because of what He said.

Here are the issues of stumbling in this passage - listen UP!

"Continuing in His Word" - Will we allow His Word to dwell in us in such a way that His Word saturates and satisfies our thoughts continually? Will our hearts be seen as the throne room of the King, and our lives used as a vessel of Love for others?

"My disciples" - Will we allow ourselves to be obviously identified as His followers, His students, His and His alone?

"shall know the truth" and  ... Will our intimacy with His truth cause less and less hesitation to hear, listen and obey His Truth... so that in knowing daily, we are growing daily?

"shall make you free" - Hello!!! "Free" --- this word is so much more endearing because it means "Freeborn" -- We are citizens of Heaven upon a simple childlike faith decision for Jesus... But we have a privilege of a stronger connection to our citizenship via our cultivation of the relationship through a constant connection to His Word and growing Spirit ownership of His Life in us.

The GRAY is for real ... but like a FOG (the Favor Of God), He carries us through - The
Gray - when we settle the conflict in a growing love for Him and others.

Don't be afraid of the Gray!

Read, study, meditate, believe, pray, share, stand, and love,

HLFA,

Jeff

PS: The issues that we think are GRAY are opportunities to please the Father by "presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice" - Rom:12:1,2