Original Intent: Walking with Father

In the creation of Adam and Eve we see Father-God's direct participation and personal investment; His engagement didn't change as the story progressed.

God made man of the dust of the earth and breathed into Adam the breath of live. Father gave us of his eternal spirit (Gen. 2:7).

God placed Adam in the garden. He didn't send him there or just allow him to find it (Gen. 2:15).

God brought the animals to Adam, and Adam need them (Gen. 2:19).

Father saw Adam's need for a companion so He made Eve out of one of his ribs (Adam's investment in the process).

When Adam and Eve sinned and ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Father didn't abandon them or destroy them. Instead, He promised a savior (Genesis 3:15).

God expelled them from the garden so they couldn't eat from the Tree of Life and permanently alienate themselves from Him. (Genesis 3:22)

The story continues as God warns Cain of the pending failure in his life. Father was concerned. He didn't just reject the vegetable sacrifice and leave Cain to suffer the consequences. Father-God pursued restoration and relationship with Cain (Genesis 4:6-7).

Enoch walked with God. He had a cordial and cooperative relationship with him. They got along together so well that one day, at the young age of 365 years old (everybody else was living +900 years), Enoch just disappeared (Genesis 5:24).

Interestingly, the same phrase "walked with God" was also used to describe Noah in Genesis 6:9.

Father-God's desire to have a personal, intimate and collaborative relationship with humanity has not changed.

Whoever believes in Jesus is privileged to be a son of God, John 1:12.

Jesus no longer calls us servants. He considers us friends, John 15:15.

The work of Jesus on the cross reconciled us to the Father, Romans 5:1,8.

We are co-laborers (1 Cor. 3:9) and co-heirs (Rom. 8:15-17), seated with Christ in Heavenly places (Eph. 2:6).

The original intent continues so don't forget to walk with Father everyday, everywhere, and at all times. Walk with Him. It is His good and pleasant and perfect will.

- How can you constantly walk with Father in your daily life?

Original Intent

God's original intention is shown clearly in Genesis.

His desire was to be a father (Luke3:38) and a friend (John 15:15). He wanted to develop a perfect world, laboring together with man-kind as they collaborated with Him (Genesis 2:15, 19-20). Eternal God wanted the garden to be extended to cover the whole earth (Genesis 1:28), creating a world full of harmony, peace, love and beauty.

I think Ephesians 3:10-11 gives us reason to believe Father still wants us to spread His glory over all the earth. His original intent has not changed: Father's friends cooperating with Him where ever we are to show His "many-sided wisdom" on the earth and in the heavens.

How can you take Father's wisdom to your circles influence?

My 53rd Birthday Thoughts

"In him (Christ) was life and the life was the light of men. John 1:4  Send the light. Shine on me. 

If the Holy One does not reside and reign within me here at home... I would not presume to miraculously encounter him on Iona, or in church, or in the supermarket.

What makes a holy place? What makes a place truly thin? Before all else, he answer lies in our own internal landscape. Indeed, the first and best thin place must be our own souls. When, by the grace of God, that which has separated us from him has been removed, we can encounter the Holy One himself in freedom and friendship. Scripture tells us that the veil in the temple was literally torn in two when Jesus was crucified; we now have free access to the Holy of Holies... If we truly want to be open to God and hope and seek for more of him in our lives, we can find him ever nearer and ever dearer in the thin places of our spiritual landscape. Thin Places: An Evangelical Journey into Celtic Christianity, Tracy Balzer, pp 38,39

Lord, I want more of you.

And the cherry pie was really good. Thanks, Bev.

Ramblings on "taking God's love out of the four walls"

These are totally random and have no real order. They're just a bunch of thoughts and you must determine their value. You must allow the Holy Spirit to show you how to apply them to your life.

Why be light in dark places? Why get dirty? ...because He shined so I could see his love; He got dirty so I could be cleansed. For those reasons I love him, I want shine in the darkness and get "dirty". I want others to see his love and receive his cleansing and forgiveness.

How can I get dirty?  (Getting dirty has reference to previous thoughts shared and internet conversations with a few college students. Jesus, perfect and holy God, came and lived in the world, among the dirt and the dirty. We should do likewise. This is the reason for the question, "how can I get dirty?" Philippians 2:5-8)

1. Pray - Jesus spent hours in intimate relation with Father God. John 8:38 "I am telling you the things I have seen while with the Father; as for you, practice the things you have heard from the Father!" NET (New English Translation)
2. Go where the Father says go and do what the Father says do - Jesus did only what He saw the Father do. John 5:19 "So Jesus answered them, "I tell you the solemn truth, the Son can do nothing on his own initiative, but only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise." NET
3. Shine at all times - where ever Jesus went people saw the light.
4. Speak God's truth and demonstrate God's love where ever you go - Jesus ministered to Nicodemus, the woman at the well, the tax collectors, the prostitute and the rich young ruler there was no condemnation, just forgiveness and the charge to change.
5. Jesus the Christ and his life, death and resurrection are the good news, nothing else (1 Cor. 15:1-9). Never allow theology and being right or wrong to be the center and focus. I'm not saying correct theology isn't important, but Jesus' sacrificial love for us is the focus.
6. Share the love of God; shine the light of Jesus; show (demonstrate) the power of the Holy Spirit.
7. Do all for the glory and honor of the Father.

We can never merit God's love, but we can show him our sincere love and genuine appreciation by obeying him, sharing the good news and making disciples of all nations.

Faith without corresponding action is dead.

I came to you in the power of the Holy Spirit, not with fancy, convincing words.

Some of the darkest, dirtiest places in the world are clean, well lit offices.

Getting dirty is...

• being generous,
• not letting the right hand know what the left is doing (what you do, do it for God's glory, not for personal recognition, gratification or merit),
• caring for a friend,
• helping the helpless,
• encouraging the hopeless.

Getting dirty is being Jesus where ever you are.

Lazarus: a dead man walking

At four-thirty the curly headed drunk I call Lazarus wouldn't let me open the door at church, so I went to the store and bought us each a can of juice and a piece of bread.

As I opened the plastic bag to share the prize he mumbled, "when you left I thought you were mad at me."

I was a bit upset, but I let it go.

We sat in the van and ate and drank together. He continuously slurred incoherent words while he ate his breakfast, lunch and maybe supper for the day and I understood that he was thankful. As I said my good-byes his semi-toothless smile and dirty smelly hug let me know the twenty minutes it took and the two dollars I spent, instead of shaking him off him by dropping twenty-five cents for a fictitious tortilla, was worth it. Jesus was there.

I went inside to set up for class.

Maybe your Lazarus isn't a drunk; maybe he isn't dirty and smelly; but there is somebody in your life, today, that needs to be touched with the love, grace and patience of God.

Be ready.

She Laid Him in a Manger

Joseph went up from Galilee… to Bethlehem… to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:4-7 ESV

“Who dares make light of small beginnings?” Jesus was born in a stable, laid in a manger, lived in Nazareth and died on a cross. Nothing indicated he would be of great influence, but he is the most influential man of all times.

Insignificant? I don’t believe so. God lived on earth as a man, so he could redeem us from sin. Maybe it was a seemingly poor and unimportant beginning, but the eternal result is unbelievably, marvelous, wonderful, and awesome. The King of kings’ earthly debut started with a stable as his castle and a manger as his throne. The impact was eternal.

“King Jesus, I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. May I present you in a worthy manner to those around me.”

Other verses: Job 8:7; Zechariah 4:10

Advent 28 – The Shepherds
Advent 1 - In the Beginning

The Alpha and the Omega

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.To the one who is thirsty I will give water free of charge from the spring of the water of life. Revelations 21:6 ESV

Who has prepared and done this, calling forth and guiding the destinies of the generations [of the nations] from the beginning? I, the Lord--the first [existing before history began] and with the last [an ever-present, unchanging God]--I am He. Isaiah 41:4 Amplified

Alpha-the beginning…

Before all time was… Christ was God. The faithfulness of God through Christ Jesus is from before the beginning of time until after the end of eternity. He is ever-present, God-unchanging, always faithful, always true. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

“The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.” Even in the most difficult of situations, God is with us. He was there at the beginning and he will be there at the end, He is always present and always the same: unchanging God of love.

…Omega-the end

“Alpha and Omega, thank you for always being with me, unchanging, always good, faithful and true.”

Other verses: Jeremiah 33:11; Nahum 1:7; John 1:1

Advent 22: I Send My Messenger

Advent 1 - In the Beginning

The Spirit of the LORD is Upon Me

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion-- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. Isaiah 61:1-3 ESV

God’s Spirit was sent for a purpose. Jesus didn’t minister publicly until the Dove descended upon him and His last commandment to the disciples was wait for the power of the Spirit. Years later, Paul encourages the constant filling of the Spirit. The “oil of God” is important for effective ministry.

The Spirit’s purpose is clear. He brings good news; strengthens the weak; frees the captive; opens blind eyes; encourages the repentant; and gives joy to the sad and crying. The Spirit plants us as solid oaks in His righteousness.

“Spirit of God come upon me as I share the good news and bring hope and healing to the hurt and discouraged. Strengthen me in Your righteousness as I live to bring you glory.”

Other verses: Luke 4:18-19; 24:49; Romans 1:17; 3:21-24; 2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 5:18

Advent 18: The Shoot of Jesse, the Branch of Rightousness

Advent 1 - In the Beginning

Light for the Nations

I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. Isaiah 42:6, 7 ESV

It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. Isaiah 49:6 ESV

My eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel. Luke 2:30-32 ESV

Jesus is the light for the nations, the light to the Gentiles. God’s plan is to redeem mankind and to bless the world, not just a chosen few from one nation or a select religious elite. Paul reminds us that God desires all people to be saved and to know the truth.

Jesus is the light. He is the way, the truth and the life revealed to the world so all that believe in Him can be God’s sons. The light leads to the correct path; it helps see beauty and truth. Let Jesus’ light shine in and through you!

“Light of the World shine on me; reveal your splendor. Help me reflect your glory and illuminate those around me.”

Other verse - 1 Timothy 2:3

Advent 16: The Lamb of God

Advent 1 - In the Beginning

The Servant King

Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth. Isaiah 42:1-4 ESV

Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:43 ESV

The title public servant is common but the concept of being a leader and a servant isn’t. Isaiah’s servant is anointed by the Spirit and brings justice, but his justice will not bruise or break. The Servant King, just as the Good Shepherd, will guard the weak and dependent, taking them in his arms to protect and carry them.

Jesus came to serve. He became a man and died an unjust death. He gave his life so we could live. Instead of pursuing a political kingdom with its riches and power, he humbled himself and become a servant. Through service his kingdom was established.

“King Jesus, anoint me with the spirit of service. Help me not promote myself, but to love, care for and bless others.”

Advent 15: Light for the Nations

Advent 1 - In the Beginning

The way up is down; the road to influence is the path of service.

The Righteous Scepter

I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel. Numbers 24:17a ESV

But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.” Hebrews 1:8 ESV

The star and scepter speak of the Messiah’s royalty and authority. He would rise a powerful king to destroy all the enemies of Israel. The religious leaders interpreted these ideas exclusively as a national, political leader that would free them from Roman oppression. They disregarded the Christ that walked and talked with them.

Hebrews extends the metaphor to a scepter of uprightness. Jesus came to rise as the righteous king of power and authority in our hearts, establishing his kingdom of righteousness there. We must therefore receive his authority and extend the Kingdom of Heaven to the ends of the earth.

“Righteous King, rule in my life. I accept your righteousness and authority. Empower me for the purpose of influencing others in just and moral living.”

Advent 10: Born of a Virgin

Advent 1 - In the Beginning

Meditation

Meditation has more to do with filling yourself with His thoughts than it does emptying yourself of yours.

To My Lord, My Grace

Joy and pleasure in Your presence
Knowing You in effervescence
Not in public presentation
Nor Spirit power demonstration,
But peace and joy -ecstatic grace-
Alone with You in the secret place.

Big Skies

As we traveled through the northwestern states of South Dakota and
Wyoming I have seen why they call Montana the "Big Sky State". The
skies are huge. They seem to go on forever. It was the the same
feeling I had when in Iglesia San Jose in Jinotega. It's bigger that
life... it's emmense, large and expansive.

I've reread the poem I wrote in Jinotega titled ETERNITY: I think of
the tourist poster I saw in Wyoming ['For generations finding yourself
has come right after discovering your insignificance'] and I
acknowlidge that I am insignificant in comparison to JAH, yet
important enough in his eyes for Him to give his life to ransom me and
restore me to perfect relation with Him. Yes, even though we are
insignificant in comparison to GOD, we are of great significance in
His eyes. The psalmist wrote, "who is man that YOU are mindful of
him?" We are the His creation, the work of His hands.

The largest taconite mine in the world - Hibbing, MN - , the awesome
multigeneration and bigger that life sculpture of Mt Rushmore, the
achievements of man in flight and space are all shadows in comparison
to the handi work of God's creation. And the greatest, the apex of all
God's creation is mankind. To man, God gave the privilege to totally
enjoy all creation, the responsibility to care for it and the ability
to increase, multiply and extend it.

He made us in His image. He grows us in His caracter [the fruit of the
Spirit] and He empowers us with the Holy Spirit and His gifts; all for
the purpose of establishing through us His kingdom on Earth as it is
in Heaven.

As I look toward tomorrow to peer into the future I see Big Skies,
unlimited possibllities and divine destiny. Eternity is written in our
hearts. The possibilities are endless. "I have a good and great and
awesome future full of hope and possibilities beyond your
imagination," says the LORD.

BIG SKIES ahead!!! Eternity is waiting.

Jinotega, A Church and Genesis 28:17-19

Entering your presence
is to encounter a large and open space;
It is to extend horizans
beyond those seen before;
It is to remove limits
and fly with the LORD of the Heavens,
Creator and Sustainer of the Universe.
Entering Your presence
is to experience eternity.


The photo is of a the inside of Iglesia de los Angeles [Church of the Angels] in Jinotega.

On one of the posts in the back were these words:

This is the House of God

The door to Heaven

Genesis 28:17