I had a dream I could fly ...I would just take a deep breath, hold it and begin to float into the air ...If I did a little run and jump prior to the deep breath, I could put distance on the flight. It was awesome in the dream ...but didn't work at all once I was awake. Somewhat disappointed as a child, but the older I get I realize the power of being human, really human... In Christ.
Do you know something ???....there is a great gift to be found in our limitations as humans... REALLY.
One of Satan's biggest rip-offs is when he nudges us to believe we can magically do the impossible (this is incredibly tempting for some).
Another masterful lie that feeds our need for pity ...is that we have less potential than someone else ...comparisons kill dreams quicker than anything.
LET'S KEEP IT SIMPLE
Do not be something you are not.- that would make you a fake! Do not try to do the truly impossible.. you would have to fake it.
Be grateful for you ...God made you for full fellowship with Him in Christ ...Your limitations keep you trusting and reaching for Him.
BUT ... Use your limitations to the fullest. HUH?
I did not say.. do not dream: For dreams allow for new possibilities....................... but not impossibilities.
The impossible is God's department and He is wise enough to know when it is time to reveal it to us.
Ezekiel 36:26 - A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you:
and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh,
and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Do you have a tough time with perfect people? God does too ... He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
The most awesome thing about our God, while on this Earth, he spent time with the unremarkable of this world. He loved the unremarkable of this world.
My prayer is that the most remarkable thing about me would be my devotion to Jesus, and the things that might be considered remarkable about me by others would be one more avenue of service to others in the King most remarkable ... Jesus. Go ahead and fly ... preferably Southwest or some other air line .... and love others while you go!
HLFA,
Jeff
Into The Other Room - After 5:00 PM, October 12th
2 Corinthians 5 (personalized)
For she knew that if her earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, she would have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this she groaned , earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with her house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed she would not be found naked.
In the Other Room.
However, her present room was now filled with so many familiar voices ....faces somewhat familiar would float in and out of her field of vision. She tried so hard to focus on the clock on the wall but it seemed an impossible venture. The hands of this naughty clock would either continue a strange whirling dance or disappear into a blur, while alluding any fixed position. From one of the booming voices in the the room there was an anouncement of what day it was; "like this bit of information held some special significance" .... She would close her eyes and rest awhile...hoping to dream ...of the Other Room. Her rest would be deep, but soon interrupted by the smells, the sounds, the touches, hair stroking, forehead kisses, hand pats, hand rubs, vocal assurances, gentle tear wipes, and soft hugs. These expressions of a caring life were a constant barrage in her present room . In her waking moments there was always a flux of this barrage caused by welcome and unwelcome visitors, whose relentless questioning (without a stable resource for answers), made sleep a welcome retreat in which to escape. Too many challenges to remember "then" when she wasn't quite sure what was "now".
Right there with her at all times was her constant friend called "Pain", and believe me , she knew this friend intimately. On-lookers could sense her pain while visiting, and not that she wanted them to sense it, but this made many of her visitors face their own mortality. She was very aware of this pain and definitiely had not requested nor requisitioned special supplies to ward off Pain's attacks. This friend was was pressing in on every vital organ in her body. As she was growing more feeble day by day, this friend was growing stronger and more in control of her situation. It was unfamiliar to hear her whining and she rarely complained unless this friend was pressing her mercilessly. This friend would continue to help her focus on things that last forever ... where the clutter of life would be gone and the simplicity of loves overwelming care would be known... soon ... in the Other Room.
She had little fear of this friend named "Pain" for she knew this friend would be her ticket to ...the Other Room. As she began to fail, the reality of the impossible began to flow from the comfort of the Other Room into her life.
Some of her last brief expressions: "Impossible!" --- "Love people!" --- " I want to follow Him." --- "Do you get it now?" --- "I'm dying!" --- "I love you!"
Here is one of the descriptions of this room that she loved to hear in song form ...look at the words and imagine, fill in the blanks ...these are normal things that we face here but will not be present in the Other Room.
Revelation 21:4 - And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; (from their eyes) .....................
For she knew that if her earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, she would have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this she groaned , earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with her house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed she would not be found naked.
In the Other Room.
However, her present room was now filled with so many familiar voices ....faces somewhat familiar would float in and out of her field of vision. She tried so hard to focus on the clock on the wall but it seemed an impossible venture. The hands of this naughty clock would either continue a strange whirling dance or disappear into a blur, while alluding any fixed position. From one of the booming voices in the the room there was an anouncement of what day it was; "like this bit of information held some special significance" .... She would close her eyes and rest awhile...hoping to dream ...of the Other Room. Her rest would be deep, but soon interrupted by the smells, the sounds, the touches, hair stroking, forehead kisses, hand pats, hand rubs, vocal assurances, gentle tear wipes, and soft hugs. These expressions of a caring life were a constant barrage in her present room . In her waking moments there was always a flux of this barrage caused by welcome and unwelcome visitors, whose relentless questioning (without a stable resource for answers), made sleep a welcome retreat in which to escape. Too many challenges to remember "then" when she wasn't quite sure what was "now".
Right there with her at all times was her constant friend called "Pain", and believe me , she knew this friend intimately. On-lookers could sense her pain while visiting, and not that she wanted them to sense it, but this made many of her visitors face their own mortality. She was very aware of this pain and definitiely had not requested nor requisitioned special supplies to ward off Pain's attacks. This friend was was pressing in on every vital organ in her body. As she was growing more feeble day by day, this friend was growing stronger and more in control of her situation. It was unfamiliar to hear her whining and she rarely complained unless this friend was pressing her mercilessly. This friend would continue to help her focus on things that last forever ... where the clutter of life would be gone and the simplicity of loves overwelming care would be known... soon ... in the Other Room.
She had little fear of this friend named "Pain" for she knew this friend would be her ticket to ...the Other Room. As she began to fail, the reality of the impossible began to flow from the comfort of the Other Room into her life.
Some of her last brief expressions: "Impossible!" --- "Love people!" --- " I want to follow Him." --- "Do you get it now?" --- "I'm dying!" --- "I love you!"
Here is one of the descriptions of this room that she loved to hear in song form ...look at the words and imagine, fill in the blanks ...these are normal things that we face here but will not be present in the Other Room.
Revelation 21:4 - And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; (from their eyes) .....................
A Drastic change of tear wipers and there shall be no more death, ...............SEPERATION no more
neither sorrow, .............................................................................................MOURNING no more
neither sorrow, .............................................................................................MOURNING no more
nor crying, .......................................CLAMOUROUS CRYING WITHOUT ANSWERS no more
neither shall there be any more pain:
neither shall there be any more pain:
..............................GREAT TROUBLE, INTENSE DESIRE, INSCRUTIABLE PAIN never again
for the former things are passed away ...the First things, familiar things ...are evanescent (fading away like a morning mist), gone. Forever.
This OTHER ROOM is nothing like here and now ... praise the One who has prepared this room for ..........Her and those who love Him too.
Theresa Redding/Lambe walked quietly into the Other Room on Tuesday, October 12th around 5:00 PM our time, to find "All things new in Jesus".
Jesus said : Let not your hearts be troubled you believe in God believe also in Me. For in My Fathers house are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you. And I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am .. you may be... also.
John 14:1,2,3
HLFA,
Jeff
There will be a memorial service for Mom on Sunday November 14th at 3:00 PM at the Brethren Fellowship, Lincoln Way East, Chambersburg, PA 17201
for the former things are passed away ...the First things, familiar things ...are evanescent (fading away like a morning mist), gone. Forever.
This OTHER ROOM is nothing like here and now ... praise the One who has prepared this room for ..........Her and those who love Him too.
Theresa Redding/Lambe walked quietly into the Other Room on Tuesday, October 12th around 5:00 PM our time, to find "All things new in Jesus".
Jesus said : Let not your hearts be troubled you believe in God believe also in Me. For in My Fathers house are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you. And I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am .. you may be... also.
John 14:1,2,3
HLFA,
Jeff
There will be a memorial service for Mom on Sunday November 14th at 3:00 PM at the Brethren Fellowship, Lincoln Way East, Chambersburg, PA 17201
Shib-aw-thah'-yim...Sevenfold...Again
You don't understand what I'm going through!!
You are right, but it is not me whose understanding needs an adjustment...needs focus ...needs to believe the truth not ignore it just because of your grave disappointment.
Or just because you think you have turned your back on God because you have cried "I Hate You!" (What child hasn't said that to his or her parent(s)?)
In fact your dissappointment with the situation actually has you blaming God because "if He really loved you He wouldn't let things like this happen". (Don't be affraid to face this ...face to FACE)
Go ahead and blame Him ...He is big enough to take it .... He is big enough to not let you go...
It's OK ...He was there during the offense , He is here here and totally in touch with the feelings of you're suffering He's not leaving just because you think you have pushed Him away ...GOD loves His kids more than that! Unless you are not His.
R U HIS?.......Listen closely .."He hath said, I will never leave you nor forsake you!" (Heb. 13:5)
We will throw the "NEVERS" around like we really can control that moment ...no one but GOD Himself can promise NEVER....we will always fail in the "NEVERS" and the "ALWAYS".
R U HIS? ....... And "Lo, I am with you ALWAYS even unto the end of the World."(Matt.28:20)
If so ...R U LISTENING? ......
And then comes the tempter pointing you in this direction: "unless ... I'm just to get over it and move on" (just get over it and move on)??? ..
And here is the place we want to quit: .."I don't know where to start"??? ...
Start by ending the act of making your heart sick (by putting off hope ...dragging it behind you ...instead of letting it rise before you)!
here is where we can walk down a familiar path and see what it was that we missed because "We are not healed!"
"shib-aw-thah'-yim"
Proverbs 10:28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish . "shib-aw-thah'-yim"
Proverbs 11:7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish : and the hope of unjust men perisheth . "shib-aw-thah'-yim" ....
Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick : but when the desire cometh , it is a tree of life."shib-aw-thah'-yim"
God deals in the sevenfold ...His love will meet you at the point of the offense and carry you though ...sevenfold.
Quit stacking the odds against you and trust His "Sevenfold" love for you. NEVER against you ...ALWAYS for you.
HLFA,
Jeff
You are right, but it is not me whose understanding needs an adjustment...needs focus ...needs to believe the truth not ignore it just because of your grave disappointment.
Or just because you think you have turned your back on God because you have cried "I Hate You!" (What child hasn't said that to his or her parent(s)?)
In fact your dissappointment with the situation actually has you blaming God because "if He really loved you He wouldn't let things like this happen". (Don't be affraid to face this ...face to FACE)
Go ahead and blame Him ...He is big enough to take it .... He is big enough to not let you go...
It's OK ...He was there during the offense , He is here here and totally in touch with the feelings of you're suffering He's not leaving just because you think you have pushed Him away ...GOD loves His kids more than that! Unless you are not His.
R U HIS?.......Listen closely .."He hath said, I will never leave you nor forsake you!" (Heb. 13:5)
We will throw the "NEVERS" around like we really can control that moment ...no one but GOD Himself can promise NEVER....we will always fail in the "NEVERS" and the "ALWAYS".
R U HIS? ....... And "Lo, I am with you ALWAYS even unto the end of the World."(Matt.28:20)
If so ...R U LISTENING? ......
And then comes the tempter pointing you in this direction: "unless ... I'm just to get over it and move on" (just get over it and move on)??? ..
And here is the place we want to quit: .."I don't know where to start"??? ...
Start by ending the act of making your heart sick (by putting off hope ...dragging it behind you ...instead of letting it rise before you)!
here is where we can walk down a familiar path and see what it was that we missed because "We are not healed!"
"shib-aw-thah'-yim"
Proverbs 10:28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish . "shib-aw-thah'-yim"
Proverbs 11:7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish : and the hope of unjust men perisheth . "shib-aw-thah'-yim" ....
Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick : but when the desire cometh , it is a tree of life."shib-aw-thah'-yim"
God deals in the sevenfold ...His love will meet you at the point of the offense and carry you though ...sevenfold.
Quit stacking the odds against you and trust His "Sevenfold" love for you. NEVER against you ...ALWAYS for you.
HLFA,
Jeff
God's Peek-a-boo
Such simple but wonderful entertainment for hours, days, weeks, months
...for a baby who first becomes aware of his surroundings, "PEEK-A-BOO !"
... for a toddler who is wobbling from point A to point B, "PEEK-A-BOO !"
... for a pre-schooler who is able to now run and hide, "Allie -Allie - Home Free!"
... for an elementary schooler through the teen years who have learned to kick the can or get into a Sardine Can - Get's a little scarey when you are the last one searching ...waiting to have the wits scared out of you by the hiding group of quiet fish. "RAAAAAARRRR!"
...Into adulthood, we seem to think we don't need this game anymore, BUT we are the ones who seem to be most affected by "SURPRIZE!!"
Trusting Jesus has not made us immune to the need for this game ... maybe it has intensified the need by causing greater hunger and thirst for the ever aluding "righteousness" - "the presence of God".
Have you ever said "God never does anything specific for me" ? Have you ever felt left out from the blessings of God?
Isn't it amazing how we are left to ourselves right before a blessing? What????
Read what God has used the writer of Ecclesiastes to deliver to our hearts about the end of our lives:
Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth,
while the evil days (scarey days) come not, nor the years draw nigh ,
when thou shalt say , I have no pleasure in them;
2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened , nor the clouds return after the rain (some dark days might be ahead):
3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble (hands get weaker) ,
and the strong men shall bow themselves (legs don't have the same strength),
and the grinders cease because they are few (teeth start having problems),
and those that look out of the windows be darkened (eyesight starts to fail) ,
4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets (more time spent inside),
when the sound of the grinding is low (work is not as important),
and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird (small things will startle you),
and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low (hearing begins to fade) ;
5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high (fear of falling)
and fears shall be in the way (fear of life's activities),
and the almond tree shall flourish (harvest passes you by ..time flys),
and the grasshopper shall be a burden (small things wear you out),
and desire shall fail (you may not even want to eat):
because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: --GET THE PICTURE?
6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed (graying -white hair?),
or the golden bowl be broken (loss of memory or stroke),
or the pitcher be broken at the fountain (loss of bodily functions),
or the wheel broken at the cistern (heart attack).
7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
It may seem to the disconnected observer that old age is a curse ...but to those willing to trust as a child and see ---
it appears that God is preparing us for the greatest , most wonderful game of PEEK-A-BOO that eternity has to offer
.......ABSENT FROM THE BODY, PRESENT WITH THE LORD.
Fear not what is ahead ...
"Peek-a-boo"
Jesus loves you!
And just as I was squinting... to see the buttons to push... for the password to the exit door ...........
HLFA,
Jeff
...for a baby who first becomes aware of his surroundings, "PEEK-A-BOO !"
... for a toddler who is wobbling from point A to point B, "PEEK-A-BOO !"
... for a pre-schooler who is able to now run and hide, "Allie -Allie - Home Free!"
... for an elementary schooler through the teen years who have learned to kick the can or get into a Sardine Can - Get's a little scarey when you are the last one searching ...waiting to have the wits scared out of you by the hiding group of quiet fish. "RAAAAAARRRR!"
...Into adulthood, we seem to think we don't need this game anymore, BUT we are the ones who seem to be most affected by "SURPRIZE!!"
Trusting Jesus has not made us immune to the need for this game ... maybe it has intensified the need by causing greater hunger and thirst for the ever aluding "righteousness" - "the presence of God".
Have you ever said "God never does anything specific for me" ? Have you ever felt left out from the blessings of God?
Isn't it amazing how we are left to ourselves right before a blessing? What????
Read what God has used the writer of Ecclesiastes to deliver to our hearts about the end of our lives:
Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth,
while the evil days (scarey days) come not, nor the years draw nigh ,
when thou shalt say , I have no pleasure in them;
2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened , nor the clouds return after the rain (some dark days might be ahead):
3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble (hands get weaker) ,
and the strong men shall bow themselves (legs don't have the same strength),
and the grinders cease because they are few (teeth start having problems),
and those that look out of the windows be darkened (eyesight starts to fail) ,
4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets (more time spent inside),
when the sound of the grinding is low (work is not as important),
and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird (small things will startle you),
and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low (hearing begins to fade) ;
5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high (fear of falling)
and fears shall be in the way (fear of life's activities),
and the almond tree shall flourish (harvest passes you by ..time flys),
and the grasshopper shall be a burden (small things wear you out),
and desire shall fail (you may not even want to eat):
because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: --GET THE PICTURE?
6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed (graying -white hair?),
or the golden bowl be broken (loss of memory or stroke),
or the pitcher be broken at the fountain (loss of bodily functions),
or the wheel broken at the cistern (heart attack).
7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
It may seem to the disconnected observer that old age is a curse ...but to those willing to trust as a child and see ---
it appears that God is preparing us for the greatest , most wonderful game of PEEK-A-BOO that eternity has to offer
.......ABSENT FROM THE BODY, PRESENT WITH THE LORD.
Fear not what is ahead ...
"Peek-a-boo"
Jesus loves you!
And just as I was squinting... to see the buttons to push... for the password to the exit door ...........
HLFA,
Jeff
I looked into the eyes of one in grips of the pain of Cancer; glazed but focused eyes. Like one waiting and not wishing to blink for fear of missing what he was waiting for.
His wife said, "George has been like this for 2 1/2 Days, just staring, not eating, not drinking". "You can talk to him but he probably can't hear you."
I was in my 4th year of ministry after Bible college, and this was my first face to face with someone at the door steps of death. In just a few moments I would realize the value of carrying the Word's of life with me. In the darkness of this night (as a family watching ..their husband, father and grandpa), We would realize the power of the Light that God has put as a treasure to be released from these "earthen vessels". George, in his last moments of life, would hear God's Word and give His heart to Jesus. He would be rescued. That early morning when he would breathe his last breath, he would be alive with Jesus in eternity. George was awakened and strengthen by the Spirit long enough to listen, trust, pray and then he left me with a question in his last words .....
His last words ever spoken on this planet ... never said another word ... went back into his coma like stare:
"BUT WHAT CAN I DO FOR JESUS!"
George's Faith was activated and alive for a moment of his need ...what a timely rescue. There was not a moment to lose. What if Faith had perished in my life? ...George might have been lost forever.
Is Faith perishing in your life?.... Are you totally neglecting the Word of God ... Day by Day ... Week by Week?
Are people blindly walking toward Hell all around you ? People you come in contact with every day?
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE? Bible answer ..."a vapor that appears for a short time... and then vanishes away."
While that vapor is here, is it activating life around it ... is it leaving a life giving dew, a moment of beautiful deflection of the Sun, is it carrying a fresh smell of a New day ...
OR is it the smoke of house on fire ...smoke from a burning auto crash or a burning dump.
What if you were asked this question by a dying man? What advice could you offer? What ministry could you sign him up for? What creative life could you guide him to live that would glorify God?
Are you alive or do you lay dying?
2 Corinthians 2:15 - For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved , and in them that perish :
2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish , but that all should come to repentance.
2 Corinthians 4:16 - For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish , yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
RISE UP!
WHILE YOU HAVE STRENGTH ...ASK THE QUESTION... What can I do for Jesus?
Don't let faith perish...in your life.
HLFA,
Jeff
His wife said, "George has been like this for 2 1/2 Days, just staring, not eating, not drinking". "You can talk to him but he probably can't hear you."
I was in my 4th year of ministry after Bible college, and this was my first face to face with someone at the door steps of death. In just a few moments I would realize the value of carrying the Word's of life with me. In the darkness of this night (as a family watching ..their husband, father and grandpa), We would realize the power of the Light that God has put as a treasure to be released from these "earthen vessels". George, in his last moments of life, would hear God's Word and give His heart to Jesus. He would be rescued. That early morning when he would breathe his last breath, he would be alive with Jesus in eternity. George was awakened and strengthen by the Spirit long enough to listen, trust, pray and then he left me with a question in his last words .....
His last words ever spoken on this planet ... never said another word ... went back into his coma like stare:
"BUT WHAT CAN I DO FOR JESUS!"
George's Faith was activated and alive for a moment of his need ...what a timely rescue. There was not a moment to lose. What if Faith had perished in my life? ...George might have been lost forever.
Is Faith perishing in your life?.... Are you totally neglecting the Word of God ... Day by Day ... Week by Week?
Are people blindly walking toward Hell all around you ? People you come in contact with every day?
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE? Bible answer ..."a vapor that appears for a short time... and then vanishes away."
While that vapor is here, is it activating life around it ... is it leaving a life giving dew, a moment of beautiful deflection of the Sun, is it carrying a fresh smell of a New day ...
OR is it the smoke of house on fire ...smoke from a burning auto crash or a burning dump.
What if you were asked this question by a dying man? What advice could you offer? What ministry could you sign him up for? What creative life could you guide him to live that would glorify God?
Are you alive or do you lay dying?
2 Corinthians 2:15 - For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved , and in them that perish :
2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish , but that all should come to repentance.
2 Corinthians 4:16 - For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish , yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
RISE UP!
WHILE YOU HAVE STRENGTH ...ASK THE QUESTION... What can I do for Jesus?
Don't let faith perish...in your life.
HLFA,
Jeff
Caught Between Two Breaths
"I read the Bible, BUT" ...."I've trusted Christ, BUT" ..."I pray, BUT"
and then comes the statement that is the sly stealthy killer ...
" It just doesn't seem to change anything."
Change ...everybody is looking for ... Change
And We ALL need a change!
And we will continue to be sucker punched by every NEW PERSONALITY that promises change
because the change we normally desire is so shackled to this life (positions, possessions and power),
that we are fearful to commit our life to a God who will not change ...definitely not for us.
God offers Stability ..."He hath said, I AM the LORD, I change not". "Jesus, the same yesterday, today and forever". "that Rock was Christ"
Here comes a Bible diagnosis for most of our failures in our relationship with Jesus and others.
James 1:8 - A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Huh?
{ Special note for tender hearted student of the Word of God:The word for "double minded" comes from one compound word in the Greek - transliterated - "dipsuchos" (pronounced dip-soo-koss) .It is the smashing together of the word - for "twice" and the word for "breath of life" or "soul". This "twice breath of life" is like having heavenly things and earthly things in opposite corners of a round room with us teathered by a bungee strap trying to run between them.}
Back-n-forth we go ...tasting, touching, testing to see what will profit us the most, what will give us the greatest pleasure, the most awesome experience....and because of this "double-mindedness" we still can't nail down our commitment to eternity. Always double dipping, always spoiling the relationship with doubt based on indecision and faith clouded by our foolish desire to taste sin. Always swaying, moving, tossing and turning .......................
THIS MOVEMENT NEEDS TO STOP - IT NEEDS TO BE BROKEN! WE NEED TO BREAK!
Luke 7:36 - 50 Tells a story that shows three types of brokenness ...
One we don't need (though God will orchestrate everything to reach and remove this brokenness) hint: study Simon the Pharisee.
One we need desperately (offered by the Saviour) hint: Study Jesus.
and the last we need personally....(please read the passage in Luke to get this story of this brokenness in its fullness) hint: study the woman.
Brokenness 1- The double-mindedness of one who will invite Jesus in for a "personal experience"...this is the brokenness not needed???
Brokenness 2- The Single-mindedness of a Saviour who will stop the world to reach even one sinner ... His Brokenness we need desperately.
Brokenness 3- The broken heart of one who sees their SIN DEBT, the SAVIOUR and their NEED to break from Double-mindedness ...this is what we need personally.
Hear the words of Jesus as He lovingly trys to lead us on:
41 There was a certain Creditor which had two debtors:
the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
42 And when they had nothing to pay , He frankly forgave them both.
Tell Me therefore, which of them will love Him most?
Have you clearly looked at your sin debt ...
Have you realized His forgiveness ...
you can be the one that LOVES Him most!!!
Break, before Him,
THEN YOUR LIFE CAN BE BROKEN FOR OTHERS... Here is THE CHANGE!
HLFA,
Jeff
and then comes the statement that is the sly stealthy killer ...
" It just doesn't seem to change anything."
Change ...everybody is looking for ... Change
And We ALL need a change!
And we will continue to be sucker punched by every NEW PERSONALITY that promises change
because the change we normally desire is so shackled to this life (positions, possessions and power),
that we are fearful to commit our life to a God who will not change ...definitely not for us.
God offers Stability ..."He hath said, I AM the LORD, I change not". "Jesus, the same yesterday, today and forever". "that Rock was Christ"
Here comes a Bible diagnosis for most of our failures in our relationship with Jesus and others.
James 1:8 - A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Huh?
{ Special note for tender hearted student of the Word of God:The word for "double minded" comes from one compound word in the Greek - transliterated - "dipsuchos" (pronounced dip-soo-koss) .It is the smashing together of the word - for "twice" and the word for "breath of life" or "soul". This "twice breath of life" is like having heavenly things and earthly things in opposite corners of a round room with us teathered by a bungee strap trying to run between them.}
Back-n-forth we go ...tasting, touching, testing to see what will profit us the most, what will give us the greatest pleasure, the most awesome experience....and because of this "double-mindedness" we still can't nail down our commitment to eternity. Always double dipping, always spoiling the relationship with doubt based on indecision and faith clouded by our foolish desire to taste sin. Always swaying, moving, tossing and turning .......................
THIS MOVEMENT NEEDS TO STOP - IT NEEDS TO BE BROKEN! WE NEED TO BREAK!
Luke 7:36 - 50 Tells a story that shows three types of brokenness ...
One we don't need (though God will orchestrate everything to reach and remove this brokenness) hint: study Simon the Pharisee.
One we need desperately (offered by the Saviour) hint: Study Jesus.
and the last we need personally....(please read the passage in Luke to get this story of this brokenness in its fullness) hint: study the woman.
Brokenness 1- The double-mindedness of one who will invite Jesus in for a "personal experience"...this is the brokenness not needed???
Brokenness 2- The Single-mindedness of a Saviour who will stop the world to reach even one sinner ... His Brokenness we need desperately.
Brokenness 3- The broken heart of one who sees their SIN DEBT, the SAVIOUR and their NEED to break from Double-mindedness ...this is what we need personally.
Hear the words of Jesus as He lovingly trys to lead us on:
41 There was a certain Creditor which had two debtors:
the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
42 And when they had nothing to pay , He frankly forgave them both.
Tell Me therefore, which of them will love Him most?
Have you clearly looked at your sin debt ...
Have you realized His forgiveness ...
you can be the one that LOVES Him most!!!
Break, before Him,
THEN YOUR LIFE CAN BE BROKEN FOR OTHERS... Here is THE CHANGE!
HLFA,
Jeff
My Ache, Your Ache...UNTIL...My Blessing, Your Blessing
Just wait UNTIL your father gets home!!!
Woe ...I was going to get it, time to work on a case for my defense ....Daddy was coming and his belt would be swinging.
Woe ...I was going to get it, time to work on a case for my defense ....Daddy was coming and his belt would be swinging.
UNTIL ...what an ominous or blessed word?
Paul's loving commitment to the believers in the region of Galatia was extremely personal ..... UNTIL meant he was determined to stay beside them with the same determination a mother has to give birth to her long desired child.
Galatians 4:19 - My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
Restated: My little kids, I will continue to experience an ache and a life battle similiar to labor pains ...again and again... UNTIL you are allowing Jesus to take His fullest position, annointed as King, within the deepest part of You.
Until, a word to keep me still, to know that it is not over ...Until.
until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: ---said to those who minister to keep them going.
until I make thine enemies thy footstool ---Said to Jesus by the Father
until the time of reformation. ---Said to Israel awaiting the "change" from doing to done....a welcome to a relationship again, instead of a religion.
until He receive the early and latter rain. ---Said to the Church about Jesus Coming ...souls are still coming into the Kingdom...wait.
until the day dawn , and the day star arise in your hearts:---Said about the fullfillment of His Word in us ....IT WILL COME TO PASS.
UNTIL is my curse because my flesh is weakening(I've seen it in my Mother's dying eyes)
UNTIL is my hope because He is ever strengthening even when I can't see it...(I've heard it in my ever-living Father's Words)
1 Corinthians 2:9: But as it is written , Eye hath not seen , nor ear heard , neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
HURTING?
HOPE!
Until.
HLFA,
Jeff
Paul's loving commitment to the believers in the region of Galatia was extremely personal ..... UNTIL meant he was determined to stay beside them with the same determination a mother has to give birth to her long desired child.
Galatians 4:19 - My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
Restated: My little kids, I will continue to experience an ache and a life battle similiar to labor pains ...again and again... UNTIL you are allowing Jesus to take His fullest position, annointed as King, within the deepest part of You.
Until, a word to keep me still, to know that it is not over ...Until.
until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: ---said to those who minister to keep them going.
until I make thine enemies thy footstool ---Said to Jesus by the Father
until the time of reformation. ---Said to Israel awaiting the "change" from doing to done....a welcome to a relationship again, instead of a religion.
until He receive the early and latter rain. ---Said to the Church about Jesus Coming ...souls are still coming into the Kingdom...wait.
until the day dawn , and the day star arise in your hearts:---Said about the fullfillment of His Word in us ....IT WILL COME TO PASS.
UNTIL is my curse because my flesh is weakening(I've seen it in my Mother's dying eyes)
UNTIL is my hope because He is ever strengthening even when I can't see it...(I've heard it in my ever-living Father's Words)
1 Corinthians 2:9: But as it is written , Eye hath not seen , nor ear heard , neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
HURTING?
HOPE!
Until.
HLFA,
Jeff
God, Shaken By A Look?
(I tell myself, all I want to do is be left alone ... why can't people just leave me alone.)
AND THERE YOU ARE ...that gaze ..those eyes that reach into my soul and shake my world.
You don't flinch ...you don't bat an eye ... your expression is constant ... I can't quite figure what is really in your heart as you stare ...
Your eyes are beginning to unnerve me ...your look is beginning to unravel me at the seams ... I'm not worth your time ... I'm not worthy of your gaze.
Stop looking at me that way!
Don't you have anything better to do than to just sit there and stare at me?
How many times have we cried from a broken heart in the darkness of the night because we were convinced that no one in the universe was remotely concerned about our fears, pain, and rejection. HOLD ON A MINUTE CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING!!!
One very important Premise: You are God's Child (IF you are one of those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, His death, burial and ressurrection to rescue them and protect them from the penalty of their sin. His blood sacrifice is the only acceptable payment for our sins -- the only payment. If you say you believe in God but don't believe in Jesus, your faith is an immence insult to the Father and doesn't count for a thing. Your faith without Christ cannot save you from the wrath of the insulted Father ... John 3:36).
and As His Child ...
He is ravished by the look of your eye, His heart beats faster for you!
Song of Solomon 4:9 - Thou hast ravished my heart , my sister, my spouse; thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck.
He is overcome by your eyes,He is captured by your look!
Song of Solomon 6:5 - Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me: thy hair is as a flock of goats thatappear from Gilead.
He feels your feelings, He is broken by your broken moments!
Hebrews 4:15 - For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in allpoints tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
He has a book of remembrance and a bottle for your tears, He truly cares!
Psalm 56:8 - Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
When those we love look at us ...you know the looks! Pain, fear, disappointment, love ....WE ARE TOUCHED; aren't we?
So much more is He!
HLFA,
Jeff
AND THERE YOU ARE ...that gaze ..those eyes that reach into my soul and shake my world.
You don't flinch ...you don't bat an eye ... your expression is constant ... I can't quite figure what is really in your heart as you stare ...
Your eyes are beginning to unnerve me ...your look is beginning to unravel me at the seams ... I'm not worth your time ... I'm not worthy of your gaze.
Stop looking at me that way!
Don't you have anything better to do than to just sit there and stare at me?
How many times have we cried from a broken heart in the darkness of the night because we were convinced that no one in the universe was remotely concerned about our fears, pain, and rejection. HOLD ON A MINUTE CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING!!!
One very important Premise: You are God's Child (IF you are one of those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, His death, burial and ressurrection to rescue them and protect them from the penalty of their sin. His blood sacrifice is the only acceptable payment for our sins -- the only payment. If you say you believe in God but don't believe in Jesus, your faith is an immence insult to the Father and doesn't count for a thing. Your faith without Christ cannot save you from the wrath of the insulted Father ... John 3:36).
and As His Child ...
He is ravished by the look of your eye, His heart beats faster for you!
Song of Solomon 4:9 - Thou hast ravished my heart , my sister, my spouse; thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck.
He is overcome by your eyes,He is captured by your look!
Song of Solomon 6:5 - Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me: thy hair is as a flock of goats thatappear from Gilead.
He feels your feelings, He is broken by your broken moments!
Hebrews 4:15 - For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in allpoints tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
He has a book of remembrance and a bottle for your tears, He truly cares!
Psalm 56:8 - Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
When those we love look at us ...you know the looks! Pain, fear, disappointment, love ....WE ARE TOUCHED; aren't we?
So much more is He!
HLFA,
Jeff
Don't Wake Me Unless...
"Don't wake me up! ... unless you can convince me I'm home" ...Theresa Lambe 8/19/2010 (My mom) "or that it is time for lunch."
Walking through a nursing home for the first time can be quite disconcerting .
People sitting in wheel chairs in the hallways with weird frozen expressions on their faces, lost in time.
Voices saying "Hello" from darkened rooms ... people sitting looking at doors that security has been applied to keep them safe
but also locking them in.
Refugees from a familiar world that has become an unfamiliar enemy that is ever trying to harm them or just leave them forgotten and left behind.
More troubling and stressful might be that ...you find that you are one of the members of this increasingly saddened sunset community.
Don't leave me just yet this is not just a rambling diatribe to convince you to have pity on my elderly Mom or other Mom's and Dad's just like her, who find themselves in their last days in a nursing home ..(though not to minimalize your responsibility to love, pray, visit, and care)... But it is a wake up call to ALERT you to a more insidious plot being carried out by the enemy of creation...Satan.
THIS IS NOT A JOKE!! read this: 1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober , be vigilant ; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about , seeking whom he may devour :
I have yet to find people physically mauled and ripped in pieces ..between 2 peices of bread and sliding into the jaws of a fiery red snarling monster ...drooling with the blood of former victims.
BUT I CONTINUALLY MEET PEOPLE WHOSE SOULS HAVE ALL BUT BEEN DEVOURED, RAVAGED, AND EMPTIED.
Their breath of life has to be facilitated by shallow temporary stimulants. Their personal happiness is heavily dependent on temporal pleasures and depreciating possessions. Their hope of a better life is built on nothing less than impossible odds and marketing ploys. When all is said and done ...life gets darker and sadder with no desire to AWAKE ... PLEASE WAKE ME...
When life narrows down because of age or illness ...it is amazing that the question of "What is next?" Can be simplified and/or clarified by asking ourselves
WHAT HAVE WE DONE WITH JESUS?
He that believeth on the Son has everlasting life, but he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life (not now not ever) ...but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:36
For those who Believe ...Hang on for the next one ...this is it.
Psalm 17:15 - As for me,
I will behold Thy face in righteousness:
I shall be satisfied ,
when I awake , with Thy likeness.
The Hebrew word for awake is pronounced "koots - and means: to awake, wake up, to awaken, arouse, show signs of waking, "awake" (like wide-awake) - its primitive root is identical, "koots" but means --- "spend the summer" ... with the thought of waking up and finding it summer. WEIRD? ...not really. Get some potato chips and munch on them for a moment and think about the following final thought: Summer Vacation with Jesus forever!!! My summer home forever ......home forever .....forever home with Him ....forever Summer.
HLFA,
Jeff
Walking through a nursing home for the first time can be quite disconcerting .
People sitting in wheel chairs in the hallways with weird frozen expressions on their faces, lost in time.
Voices saying "Hello" from darkened rooms ... people sitting looking at doors that security has been applied to keep them safe
but also locking them in.
Refugees from a familiar world that has become an unfamiliar enemy that is ever trying to harm them or just leave them forgotten and left behind.
More troubling and stressful might be that ...you find that you are one of the members of this increasingly saddened sunset community.
Don't leave me just yet this is not just a rambling diatribe to convince you to have pity on my elderly Mom or other Mom's and Dad's just like her, who find themselves in their last days in a nursing home ..(though not to minimalize your responsibility to love, pray, visit, and care)... But it is a wake up call to ALERT you to a more insidious plot being carried out by the enemy of creation...Satan.
THIS IS NOT A JOKE!! read this: 1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober , be vigilant ; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about , seeking whom he may devour :
I have yet to find people physically mauled and ripped in pieces ..between 2 peices of bread and sliding into the jaws of a fiery red snarling monster ...drooling with the blood of former victims.
BUT I CONTINUALLY MEET PEOPLE WHOSE SOULS HAVE ALL BUT BEEN DEVOURED, RAVAGED, AND EMPTIED.
Their breath of life has to be facilitated by shallow temporary stimulants. Their personal happiness is heavily dependent on temporal pleasures and depreciating possessions. Their hope of a better life is built on nothing less than impossible odds and marketing ploys. When all is said and done ...life gets darker and sadder with no desire to AWAKE ... PLEASE WAKE ME...
When life narrows down because of age or illness ...it is amazing that the question of "What is next?" Can be simplified and/or clarified by asking ourselves
WHAT HAVE WE DONE WITH JESUS?
He that believeth on the Son has everlasting life, but he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life (not now not ever) ...but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:36
For those who Believe ...Hang on for the next one ...this is it.
Psalm 17:15 - As for me,
I will behold Thy face in righteousness:
I shall be satisfied ,
when I awake , with Thy likeness.
The Hebrew word for awake is pronounced "koots - and means: to awake, wake up, to awaken, arouse, show signs of waking, "awake" (like wide-awake) - its primitive root is identical, "koots" but means --- "spend the summer" ... with the thought of waking up and finding it summer. WEIRD? ...not really. Get some potato chips and munch on them for a moment and think about the following final thought: Summer Vacation with Jesus forever!!! My summer home forever ......home forever .....forever home with Him ....forever Summer.
HLFA,
Jeff
Wow You Have Changed!!!
The surprise of finding someone we haven't seen for years ---Sometimes unbelievable --- Sometimes a royal guffaw --- Always brings back memories.
via facebook I received this message (that has been altered so as to disguise the author) with a few verbs left out, not to rob you of a blessing, but to not pat myself on the back:
"You would be surprised how much I've changed. Very much the same stubborn, red head I've always been but my ideas & opinions surprise a lot of people who haven't known me for a while. Lol! When I saw you on here I couldn't believe it was really you.
BAD CHANGE ???? Plow on without any consideration of eternity and the connection to life through Jesus --- making our own way and ignoring that He is the only Way.
Romans 1:23 - And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creepingthings.
Romans 1:25 - Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator , who is blessed for ever. Amen.
SURPRISE CHANGE ????Those who have turned to Him for protection and refuge from Sin and its consequences will be pleasantly surprise in this moment.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 - Behold , I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep (die) , but we shall all be changed (Raptured) 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound , and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed .
SPIRITUAL CHANGE ????Letting the Word of God become our daily passion and companion gives us the opportunity to experience His Glory day by day.
2 Corinthians 3:18 - But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, evenas by the Spirit of the Lord.
Meta-morpho --- to change with or because of an influencing form and to an influencing form ....HOW ARE YOU CHANGING??????
via facebook I received this message (that has been altered so as to disguise the author) with a few verbs left out, not to rob you of a blessing, but to not pat myself on the back:
"You would be surprised how much I've changed. Very much the same stubborn, red head I've always been but my ideas & opinions surprise a lot of people who haven't known me for a while. Lol! When I saw you on here I couldn't believe it was really you.
BAD CHANGE ???? Plow on without any consideration of eternity and the connection to life through Jesus --- making our own way and ignoring that He is the only Way.
Romans 1:23 - And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creepingthings.
Romans 1:25 - Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator , who is blessed for ever. Amen.
SURPRISE CHANGE ????Those who have turned to Him for protection and refuge from Sin and its consequences will be pleasantly surprise in this moment.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 - Behold , I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep (die) , but we shall all be changed (Raptured) 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound , and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed .
SPIRITUAL CHANGE ????Letting the Word of God become our daily passion and companion gives us the opportunity to experience His Glory day by day.
2 Corinthians 3:18 - But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, evenas by the Spirit of the Lord.
Meta-morpho --- to change with or because of an influencing form and to an influencing form ....HOW ARE YOU CHANGING??????
You are influenced and you will influence .... is Jesus that main influencer????? HOW? WOW?
HLFA,
Jeff
HLFA,
Jeff
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