Life | Love | Freedom

Inquiring mind wants to know

posted by Rick @ 8:35 PM 0 Comments

Yes or No...both are answers Jesus can use.

posted by Rick @ 6:02 AM 2 Comments

That's my cry

What keeps us from following the slightest hint of the Spirit’s leading?

What motivates us to follow the slightest hint of the Spirit’s leading?

Change & (perceived) Cost…could they be the culprits?

In some areas I’ve grown accustomed to a pattern of living, a way of doing things, a time for certain things, a group of folks I associate with, an American lifestyle of comfort and entertainment. Listening to the Spirit means one or more of these areas will change and I’m not always sure the “cost” associated with the change is “worth” the benefit.

Jesus said He came to give us the abundant life; joy in the midst of whatever circumstances, peace that passes understanding and a burden that’s light. My struggle is that sometimes I don't believe Him…I’m too content in my present life to “give it up” for His abundant life.
What a dilema eh? Jesus' abundant life or my finite superficial dead existence.

Reminds me of the story of the guy dumpster diving outside the five star restaurant. When the owner invited him in and offered the guy anything on the menu, all they dude wanted was to make his way back to the dumpster...go figure.

posted by Rick @ 2:44 PM 2 Comments

The "two" commandments

Matt 22:36Teacher, which kind of commandment is great and important (the principal kind) in the Law? [Some commandments are light--which are heavy?] 37And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect). 38This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment. 39And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. 40These two commandments sum up and upon them depend all the Law [the ten commandments] and the Prophets.

What does it mean to you to love Jesus with all your heart, soul and mind? How is loving Jesus with each part different?

What does it mean for you to love your neighbor "as yourself"?

What initiates, motivates and/or prompts us to love Jesus and our neighbor as ourself?

Is love for God, ourselves and our neighbor something we can make ourselves do? Is it a result of our self-discipline or something else?

posted by Rick @ 5:27 AM 0 Comments

An Easter meditation

posted by Rick @ 6:52 AM 0 Comments

From the road

Behavior is skin deep, motivation comes from the heart.

and...

If you want to be successful, let love be your motivation...it never fails.

I've alot of windshield time traveling...the above came to me last Friday on the way to Owensboro.

posted by Rick @ 8:17 PM 0 Comments

Our deepest fear...

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

-Nelson Mandela 1994 (after nearly 40 years of prison)

There are very few people who realise what God would make of them if they abandoned themselves into his hands, and let themselves be formed by his grace.

-St. Ignatius

posted by Rick @ 6:29 AM 0 Comments

God hates sin...but why?

We've all heard the saying, "God hates the sin, not the sinner" but why does He hate sin? Sin hurts people...and God loves people and doesn't want them to get hurt...so...He hates the sin that hurts them. He desires each one of us experience the ALL He's already given us; a relationship with Him, joy unspeakable, peace that passes understanding, a burden that's light and His incredible freedom and life. Sin distracts us from all that; that's why God hates it.

God doesn't hate you...even when you sin...

God's not throwing a tantrum like we do sometimes when our wife, children or friends doesn't do it our way. We get mad because we didn't get our way, God gets mad because disobedience hurts us. It's the motivation (i.e. His love, acceptance and desire for us to experience the abundant life) and the object of His anger (i.e. sin) that draws us to Him rather than drive us away.

Thank goodness Jesus continues to accept/love me and you in the midst of our sin. Makes me love Jesus all the more...and desire to walk in the freedom (read obedience) He's provided for me.

posted by Rick @ 1:55 PM 2 Comments

What's love got to do with it?

Part II of "hell as the stick, heaven as the carrot"

Change prompted by fear last only as long as the threat (i.e. hell) exist as a possiblity for that person. Once the threat is extinguished through "salvation" the motivating agent (i.e. fear of it) is as well. It seems this is where many folks are in Christiandom. They were scared into the kingdom and now sit like a brand new Mercedes without a drop of fuel in their tank. They have the capability of knowing God (i.e. eternal life - John 17:3) but they lack desire. Some are told/taught "to fear" losing God's favor or fellowship...but, for most, obtaining God's favor/fellowship just isn't compelling enough to motivate lasting change...and in the end neither was hell.

There are exceptions. I know folks who are so scared about losing/gaining their favor/fellowship with God that they have become ardent legalist. Others have given themselves so completely to some church/program/ministry that nothing else matters, only to be a hamster running at world class speed on a treadmill in a cage, which in the end leads not to God's favor/fellowship but rather to their exhaustion, disgust and disappointment. Both the former and the latter lend to my skepticism regarding fear as a motivator...it just doesn't produce the intended result...an intimate relationship with Jesus.

On the flip side those who are motivated by the invitation to "know God" have an continuing positive motivation at work within, "Christ love compells them" (2 Cor 5:14) and they know Christ love because they know Christ.

I'm thinking God wants us motivated by Christ love rather than fear. Doesn't it say "perfect love cast out fear"? (1 John 4:18)

posted by Rick @ 4:58 AM 0 Comments

Every day

Since we've enter into the "sabbath rest" believers lives are no longer built around six days of work and one day of rest as were those living under the old covenant. In Christ we rest from the works of the law and our new work is believing in Him (John 6:29 i.e. believing that He has fullfilled the old covenant "works based love/acceptance"). It's easy to get caught up in the weekly meeting schedules that dominate Christiandom and miss the blessing of walking through life with others every day. Is it a necessary part of your relationship with Jesus? I don't think so, Christ is sufficient...but...the outcome of the every day gatherings of those believers in Acts is certainly of note.

When I meet with other believers in coffee shops, at the office, at home or out on the road, God has orchestrated opportunities to be conscious of His working in and through those present to meet needs and share His love with the lost and needy.

Do you desire to meet and/or share with other believers daily? Are you resting from the need to be at some particular place at some particular time to experience God's presence? It's God's responsibility to place that desire and rest within you.

posted by Rick @ 5:32 AM 0 Comments

Enough

posted by Rick @ 6:12 AM 1 Comments

A revision to "Dying or Doing"

Should the question have been "Living or Doing...what's better?"

If life comes through our death (Gal 2:20) then it's not whether dying is better, but rather, if living is better?

posted by Rick @ 6:06 PM 0 Comments

Dying or Doing...what's harder?

How does Gal 2:20 play out in everday living? What does it mean that Christ is our life (Col 3:4)? Just what does a branch "do" (John 15:5)? Did Jesus really do nothing unless the Father told Him (John 8:28)? Did He say only what the Father told Him to say...and how to say it (John 12:50)? If we're to be as one as He and the Father were one, how does that play out in our daily walk (John 14:10)? If God doesn't tell you personally to do/say it, should you? If He's told someone else to do/say it but hasn't told you personally/specifically, should you assume it applies to all believers? Is God 'a big enough boy' (as they say in the country) to speak to you specifically/personally? Does He want to speak to you specifically/personally? Is it some huge burden for God to take the time and energy to speak/lead you intimately/specifically?

Is our dying to doing what God is after?

Ever had youngster on your lap in the drivers seat "helping" you drive with all four hands on the wheel struggling for control? I think God's opted for the driving training cars...the ones with two steering wheels. He's more than happy traveling along with you at the wheel, bouncing into trees, going off the road and running around in circles. He's sitting there happy to be in the car with you, smiling, loving your company and hoping for the day/moment when you'll get tired of driving...and let Him take the wheel. Jesus takes us to places we'd never find, through terrain that seems impassible, through storms and conditions we would never have braved...and all we "do" is go along for the ride.

Are we satisfied with being a passenger? Are we the branch that somehow wants to "produce" fruit rather than "bear" fruit? Where is our self-worth when we're "just" a medium (branch) through which God (vine) lives (sap), breaths (leaves) and works (fruit)? It sure isn't in what we "do" is it? Maybe what we're called to "do" is die to "doing".

Do you find joy, the abundant life, peace that passes understanding in conscious awareness of the life of the vine flowing through you and creating life...or are you to busy trying to do it yourself?

posted by Rick @ 5:29 AM 0 Comments

Pursuit of a better life

Is that our purpose, to make ourselve more comfortable in this temporary place? So much of our time and energy goes toward that end. Someone on the outside looking in would think it is our all encompassing goal in which we are never satisfied. Once a certain lifestyle is achieved the bar is moved higher and the pace continues. Is lifestyle the answer to our need for unconditional love and acceptance, purpose and meaning? Are we just interested in providing for our family...and what does that really mean? What do we really need other than Jesus and our daily bread?

Click here or on the link bar above and browse through photos of one persons journey through Cuba...a small island just off the coast of Florida.

and ask yourself...What do I need?

My good buddy Gary Vacca taught me this song years ago. It's simple...sing it with me.

posted by Rick @ 5:30 AM 4 Comments

Sacred space

The world is charged with the grandeur of God (Gerard Manley Hopkins). I dwell for a moment on the presence of God around me, in every part of my body, and deep within my being.

I ask for the grace to let go of my own concerns and be open to what God is asking of me, to let myself be guided and formed by my loving Creator

Knowing that God loves me unconditionally, I can afford to be honest about how I am. How has the last day been, and how do I feel now? I share my feelings openly with the Lord.

-From today's "Sacred space"

posted by Rick @ 3:29 PM 0 Comments

A question of value

How about we replace the tried and true question "If you died today, do you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you'd spend eternity in heaven rather than forever burn in hell?

with....

If you could know God, would you want to know God?

The former is focused on a future destination while the latter centers on the present...and in the end accomplishes both.

What is more valuable to you? The destination of heaven/avoiding hell or a relationship with God in this very moment?

posted by Rick @ 5:59 PM 1 Comments

Hell as the stick and Heaven as the carrot?

I've been wondering lately about whether hell is a place or an existence. It seems so much of christiandom uses "hell as a place" to scare people into the kingdom, the ol' "Do you know where you're going when you die" question. Is that really what God intended? Isn't living without the ability to enjoy a relationship with Jesus hell? What could be worse? Maybe this whole idea of hell as a place is a tool of the enemy used by the "religious" (read pharisees) to motivate behavior?

and how about heaven? Is that all someone should be motivated by to accept the life of Christ? Do this and you get to go here. For that matter, doesn't it seem "The American Dream" is used in the same way? (i.e. become a Christian and God will bless you into the american dream). Is hell, heaven and the american dream really what should motivate someone to receive the life of Christ?

and what of "Christ life", "eternal life", "the abundant life", "being a child of God", "having an intimate relationship with God" in the present? Are these present realities of receiving the life of Christ? What would happen if Christiandom used them as the carrot? psst...buddy. You interested in knowing God? You interested in entering into eternal life in this moment? Want to become a child of God here on earth? What happens to evangelism when the motivation isn't something in the future "hell" or "heaven" nor something of earthly means "the american dream" but something of a spiritual reality in this present moment?

Christiandom has camped on the fear based question: Do you know right now where you're going when you die? (Heaven or Hell)

What is the question we should be asking?

posted by Rick @ 10:33 AM 2 Comments

A day in the life of a tire salesman

I was visiting a dealer yesterday in an effort to address his concern of not being able to reach me by phone quickly (most folks who call me have to leave a voice mail because of my call volume). I wanted to install AOL's instant messaging service on his computer so he could reach me "in an instant" and I could respond while still on the phone with someone else. My dealer wasn't too receptive but he continued to reiterate his not being able to reach me. I was a little disappointed that he wasn't receptive to my solution.

As we were talking a young lady came in complaining about her car not running right. My dealer listened to her problem and offered a solution. Leave the car with me and I'll fix it. The young lady said she couldn't leave it today and didn't know when she could. Then she continued complaining the car didn't run right. In the ensuing conversation, I bet my dealer offered the afore mentioned solution 10-15 times and each time the young girl just kept complaining. Finally the dealer said, "I can fix your car. When you want it fixed leave it with me." and walked towards me non-verbally signaling to the young lady that he was finished with the conversation. The ball was in her court.

At that moment the thought struck me that he was treating my solution just as the young lady was treating his solution, so I said; "I feel like I've got that young girl standing in front of me (meaning him), I'm offering a solution to her problem and she won't accept it". He looked at me and, in that instant, I thought I might get thrown out...but he said, "Go ahead and install it" and walked over to address another customer.

After I had installed it and walked him through how it works, he saw the benefit. As I was leaving he turned to me, shook my hand and said "Thanks for installing that. I think it will help".

I was thinking this morning that we're like that with God. He's given us the solution to life but all we want to talk about are our problems. Man, we need to learn to receive.

posted by Rick @ 6:24 PM 0 Comments

What does it mean to be "blessed"?

I was struck this morning when I visited a church website and pictures of smiling, well feed, seemingly wealthy, good looking, people filled the screen as if to say "Come here, be part of 'us' and you'll be smiling, well feed, wealthy and good looking. Is that reality? Are all of God’s children upper crust, good looking, well feed, wealthy and healthy? How about Paul with his “thorn in the flesh” or those fisherman disciples…I bet they don't make the cover of GQ. Is Christianity God’s way of making the poor, dirty, hungry and ugly people beautiful, wealthy, well feed and clean? Why does the scripture say “blessed are the poor for yours is the kingdom of God”…and go on to say “woe to you who are rich, well fed, laughing and well spoken of”? Luke 6:19-23

Christians everywhere talk about the poor, dirty and oppressed…but rarely do you see any poor, dirty or oppressed people around them. Why? Is it because we don’t mind going to those people wherever they are and doing some “mission” work…but…we certainly (for the most part) don’t want them back home living with us…going to “church” with us and intimately involved in our lives…why?

God's poster children committed adultry (David), murdered (Paul & David), lied (Peter & David), denied their faith (Peter & all the other disciples), etc. Why do we misrepresent "men after God's own heart" and "men of great faith" as those who never sin?

posted by Rick @ 6:12 AM 1 Comments

3rd times a charm

This morning as I was reflecting on Jesus' question to Peter when the Spirit brought this question to mind "Do you accept me?" 1 John 4:8 says "God is love". So the question really is "Do you accept love...my love...for you?" Maybe that's why Jesus asked Peter three times...He was pressing him toward that realization...I know you love me....but...do you accept me (my love...for you)?

ac·cept: To receive (something offered), especially with gladness or approval: accepted a glass of water; accepted their contract.

The scriptures tell us "we love because He first loved us" 1 John 4:19. So answering Jesus' question "do you love me" requires our recognizing His love for us and accepting/receiving it...which produces love in us...for Him and others. That's what the scripture says we need the power of God for..."to know how wide, high, deep and long is the love of God" Ephesians 3:18 That's different than conjuring up love for Him because we're supposed to love Him or because He's some grand being that we are scared into loving or pretending that we love. Maybe that's what Jesus saw in the heart of Peter...love born of something other than Jesus' love for him...and He wanted to free Him from just going through the motions...so he could experience the joy and freedom of walking in a conscious awareness of "why" he loved.

Jesus: do you love me?
Peter: yes I love you...you're God I'm supposed to love you.

Jesus: do you love me?
Peter: yes lord...cause if I don't you'll be mad, upset or look unfavorably on me.

Jesus: do you love me?
Peter: hmm...do I love Him? Yes...yes I do...but why? thinking...pondering...oh yeah...that's why...because you love me...and accept me just as I am...wow...thanks God...man do I love you :)

posted by Rick @ 3:56 PM 0 Comments

Do you know me?

There are those who have a life they never live. They have come to Christ and thanked Him only for what He did, but do not live in the power of who He is. Between the Jesus who "was" and the Jesus who "will be" they live in a spiritual vacuum, trying with no little zeal to live for Christ a life that only He can live in and through them, perpetually begging for what in Him they already have!

We don't necessarily recognize these people as hurting. On the outside, they may be smiling, repeating the usual Christian cliches, and performing the expected church functions. But inside, they know they are putting on an act. They would love to be free of the burden. They deeply desire to share their fears, pains and doubts, but don't for fear of being condemned. So they suffer their own silent condemnation, wondering if God will ever find it in His heart to accept them.

-Major Ian Thomas

posted by Rick @ 4:53 AM 1 Comments

Crossroads...

I'm being drawn deeper into the kingdom of God and the blessedness of possessing nothing...or maybe even the blessedness of wanting nothing. My tastes are changing...just as coffee was an acquired taste...His kingdom is becoming of greater and greater value and I'm losing my craving for the "candy" of this world. My daily interactions and attitudes aren't completely on pace with this desire but I'm increasingly aware when they're not...like I'm missing out on experiencing the kingdom of God/abundant life and I'm shocked when I see clearly just how "all about me" I am.

That's all well in the typing...but...when the kingdom way of life presents freedom apart from what is so generally accepted as the norm in this world, this country, my town, friends and family...well...I find myself wondering just how "free" I want to be.

for now...

posted by Rick @ 1:21 PM 0 Comments