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Grasping for words I begin again. This week every time I have sat to write it has been forced. I feel as though there is so much to be said but every time I stop short. Profoundly moved by the word I find myself continually shrinking in having words to define exactly HOW God is shaping me. Yet, I know that he is speaking and that I am fighting for greater Truth to win out in me. It’s funny how the cares of this world and the desires for riches and pleasure try to become a crowd and and demand so much from me. (Luke 7). In the glory of being a husband and soon a father, I find myself asking questions that deal with much of these basic things. Where is the best place to live? What things do I need to provide? How am I going to do all this? Should I work more? The list goes on and on. But I find myself SECURE in God’s hand and remember that this crowd of worries and desires is desiring to rob me of maturity. Maturity to God simply is the culmination of all of the desires and worries with my unwavering response in faith, not willing to give in to every question or situation. Whew! I know He will provide and it will be perfect….I just have to keep reminding myself as I stay secured by His strong right hand.
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I don’t intend to claim a new observation to a passage in the gospel of luke tonight, only that this is how I read it on this particular occasion.
Jesus healed someone that never asked for it.
In Nain, the funeral procession was in progress and Jesus interupts the procession by telling the widow not to cry and then touches the coffin and the only son “wakes” up. The crowd was not asking, the mom was not asking and certainly the son was not asking. I don’t mean to say that this is the only time it happened, but I have never considered this before.
What does this say about God?
“13 When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. ”Don’t cry!” he said. Luke 7“
THE FACTS:
- the woman was a widow
- since there was a large crowd this would seem to indicate she was well known
- the boy was an only child
- this is the only recorded time Jesus was in nain.
Jesus performed a miracle out of compassion that favored those who didn’t even ask or imagine this would happen. It wasn’t the eleventh hour, it was after the end. The credits of the movie had shown. There was no time on the clock.
“20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3“
A few more than 48 Hours until a crazy new chapter unfolds. I have no idea how this will play out except that God can do INFINITELY more than we might ask or think. The widow recieved compassion because of WHO GOD IS. The same goes for us. He is working miracles for us because of who He is and not just in response to our asking.
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God got me started in this. This being up to my neck with opportunity all the time, acting in belief with less than full information, presumption smashing as often as I make them, separation from rules while craving holiness. This calling out for Christ in the dark, candle lit, or sun shining full face with God’s creation stretching out before me, polishing silverware or greeting guests, in basements, second stories and walking on the street. In coffee shops never meeting a stranger always new people and faces. Leaps of faith with barely enough, more than enough. Exhaustion of senses, feelings, visions, and the kindling of all things new.
Father in Heaven, you will accomplish this work you began in me. I pray for these next 48 hours as you begin a new chapter in the lives of so many faithful I have met along the way.
Amen.
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Everything affects everything else.
I think any good leader or true hero experiences a loneliness that is impossible to explain.
I am convinced that deciding is far greater than being absent from your moment to choose.
Existential isn’t what the problem is, it’s that those afraid to be truly existential walk into a crowd that always wears the mask of the existential. Existentialism isn’t dangerous if a person is willing to stand alone.
constant adjustment.
I am listening to Ludovico Einaudi right now and it’s amazing.
Ask again. It throws people off and opens doors.
I have only been disappointed when my hope has been in myself.
See Good. Be Good. - Don’t move until you see it.
1 degree turns hot water into boiling water. 1 decision is infinitely important.
It’s not that we can’t see but that we can’t seem to see in a new way.
It’s not about what we intend. It’s not about what seems right. It’s about what is right.
just some thoughts
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Don’t hurredly rush after your end goal without determining in your heart to revel in the anticipation that gets you there. Anticipation is not necessary, things will happen whether you anticipate or not. But why leave the amazing gift of anticipation from our Father in Heaven, instead of getting the most out of it and appreciating the small, vulnerable, perfect moments ?
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Relax and take it all in. God wants us to suck meaning out of the seconds and minutes! Yet be prepared to live at his level and not your own.
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If you want to start something you have approach the starting line. God help us for the people who in their “maturity” don’t need to begin at the beginning! Think of one who enters movie after the protagonist has already entered the rising action and is nearing the climax. The climax is then experienced as one who would experience life out of focus. It’s the exposition that brings the striking clarity and meaning. We must begin at the beginning! Why don’t we want the exposition, the rising action . The small, true beginning. The intense struggle before the victory. The people who become involved along the way. We want the victory but then have no idea why it matters or where to go next. Certainly not to a beginning. God wake us from lying to ourselves and humbly walk with you beginning to end.
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If only we could experience enough of life it would leave us unsettled. Then we would no longer look to something to take us to the “edge”, we would already be there.
If we are familiar with life, we somehow have managed to sleep through all of the good parts, like the man who watches braveheart and walks away not getting it. “Why did William Wallace die?,” they would say.
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We could at least be truthful before God and admit our weakness instead of reducing the requirement. -S.K.
I found myself in the Gospels (Vangeli) and pondering belief. Christ, upon being asked what men should do, (John 6) answered, believe in He who was sent. That is the requirement, believe in Jesus. Yet, many will habitually and continually make up stories about their weak belief being strong, instead of praying about their unbelief. I am admitting mine this week. God help me overcome my unbelief. “His power is very great for those of us who believe.”
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Ready?
Peanut Butter and Nutella on wheat. A 30 year old homeless gentleman named Frankie. CitiGroup shares fall 50% and now considered to big to be allowed to fail. New wiper blades on an unwashed suv. A to do list not yet made. Pages of Truth. @screenname. Friends living in a tent. Trust. Fundamental change inching forward. Flannel and insulation taking the streets. Selfishness paraded as selflessness. Hope. Tension and Tightfistedness all wearing neckties. Righteousness overlooked by all men. Christmas gifts judiciously thought about. Thankfulness to the Prince of Peace. The Future thought about but not depended on. Anxiety stealing the invaluable. Christ Lifted Up. Stacks of books unread. 1 Parable weighing on the heart. Wikipedia.org. Gnocchi From Scratch. Winter facial hair trimmed or unkempt. Price increase at the market. iPhone update.
Human ability to influence is exponentially growing; all bets are off regarding predictability and order. There are no more rules, lets just face it. The Strategy: ONLY CHARACTER CAN TRULY WIN. Where are those who will pay the price to be real? We cry because we wish it would change things, but we cry because we haven’t yet seen God take the stage. We stammer because we find ourselves somewhere on the playing field alone with no more turning to make. We are in the fight. Unwilling to go back, the worn out soles are the farthest from important now. Food is expensive and we are losing faith in this form of nourishment. Christ calms the anxious heart tonight with the gentle touch that only the strongest have. His word speaks and my ear is pressed in a little closer. Uncertainty seems like the only guarantee if you keep the book closed. We must keep reaching out and fight off the turn inward. Discipleship and evangelism until HE comes.
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Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square hole. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4.4 ESV)
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There are so many things bouncing around in my head right now, I post this only for clarity. These are simply thoughts, and should be treated as such.
. It's not so much we don't know how as much as we're not willing. If we aren't willing at least we can admit that we aren't willing, then we will have a chance to change it.
. I am tempted to take matters into my own hands often. This usually brings a need to make something happen right now, or else it can't happen or won't happen.
. relationship isn't relationship if I engage in it on my terms only.
Relationship is relational. It's relational not transactional. This taking and giving exchange of memories, stories, thoughts, and ideas if not motivated by love is ALWAYS rooted in selfishness, and therefore, false. This translates into hidden motives and agendas that prevent true vulnerability. I myself have attempted to keep myself from being vulnerable under the guise of being a "man." Ideas like "Don't let them know what you are thinking." "Don't let them see you cry." These thoughts are poison to authentic relationship.
. Influence without accountability damages that potential lasting fruit.
. Desire dictates Direction.
.up is down. still.
Andy
