While in service on Sunday morning I watched the, a highway, open before me. A highway that went through a mountainous range. Suddenly the vehicle I was riding in accelerated and we were quickly moving so fast that my distance disappeared and everything soon became my now. I realized anywhere I wanted to be I was. There was no time “to get there.” My seasons had been “pulled into now.” It was if a 3D picture no longer had distance or perspective. It was all “here”! 2D. (2D or not 2D? Perhaps that is the question…)
I get that sometimes we just want to “get out of this to get into that.” Maybe your now is a little painful or a little boring. (Boring is a good time to evaluate that which is about you!) And if I could just get to there, maybe, just maybe my world would make more sense. A better job, a new girlfriend or boyfriend or some expected happening. That would make me “better”. So life may become a time of prayer and fasting, or declarations and decrees, or applying the principles of the last book you read. (You do realize that sometimes the principles that made people healthy, wealthy and wise did not just “happen” for the most part, right? And that God may well have a better, more individualized answer for you?) Please hear me…God is in the process. He is more concerned with the process that He is the destination. Continue reading Where You Rest In Is Where You Are Best In→
Today they will come and repair our stove. It shorted out the other day while cooking. I will need to get the car checked out after Tina was tail ended by another driver. (She is okay, has pain in her neck, shoulders and head.) The car runs and by looking at it you might not suspect the degree of damage it incurred. Other things need to be fixed.
It is more than just a place to go. It may be how you get there.
What is the secret behind restoration?
I had two dreams last night. Very closely related.
First dream
In this dream a large bus was carrying young children to a very remote area to camp. When we got there large tents were there. I saw young people running towards the lake. The water was so pure, so clear I could smell the freshness of it all. Continue reading The Secret Behind Restoration→
Last night was multiple dreams throughout the night. The common thread? People needing people. In each dream there was possibility, opportunity and openings. There was also the need for people to come alongside and help. People need people.
Reaching out is key in so many situations. Reaching in is the key in others.
Something is changing. I sense it, I see it, I observe it. Our voices are being heard. I know many are frustrated, disappointed and discouraged. I said yesterday that so many thought 2014 would be the year and already they are pulling the “plug” on it because something did not happen, did not go right. Continue reading Don’t Be Fooled By Discouragement→
I have started no less than 7-8 stories, words, etc., and the pages just stare at me. Windows open, emails open, Facebook pinging and a desktop that irritates my wife because my order is not her order. And the kids have come down here to flashing Christmas lights, snow on the ground and music about Christmas.
Innocence- Lack of guilt. No wrongdoing. Not evil.
Last night I had the opportunity to get my Christmas tree. My granddaughter, Mariah and grandson Jacob climbed in the car and went tree shopping. I had waited all week to do this. We went down to a particular tree yard and after looking at a few we selected the tree. While they prepared to cut off the bottom (When Mariah saw the 12 year old boy start that chain saw, I saw stars in her eyes.) and wrap it to tie it on the car, the kids were offered candy canes. When we got in the car Mariah said “that was really nice of them. They were really nice.” (She also told me the boy getting to run the chain saw was “pretty cool.” I think she is looking for pink construction shoes!) Continue reading Preserving The Innocence→
A series of dreams last night lead to this final dream. Each dream had intensified with this being the last one.
I found myself visiting church leaders and folks who had “played” parts in the church over the last 20 years. Prior to the last dream a friend of mine and I stood in a service. Only years before no one had taken a place or position. I had felt the words of “this is the season” had been in error on my part and yet as I stood there I felt a growing group of people in the room standing up and taking a place, a position.
In one dream I visited a couple who had been instrumental and good friends over the years. They were “parked” under a tent in a mountain top view and when I appeared, they pulled away. The man looked at me and had a wary eye. The woman pulled back to the corner of the tent. I had to go have a conversation. Continue reading A Season Out Of Time→
Lately, in the midst of so many conversations about relationships and restoration, I found myself caught up with this quote from King Lear.
I will have such revenges on you both, That all the world shall–I will do such things,– What they are, yet I know not: but they shall be The terrors of the earth. King Lear.
Why you might ask. Because in the midst of difficult circumstances unforgiveness gains a foothold. The inability to forgive or release another is a thought process of revenge. “They hurt me.” “You do not know what they did.” I agree. I may not know specifically but God does and He cares…about BOTH parties. The fuel of unforgiveness or revenge is centered in greed, fear, self-centeredness and pride. It is not about the situation as much as it is about “getting even” somehow, some way. Many might call it justice. But God has a New Covenant reality when it comes to justice or the meting out of judgment. James 2:13 For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. Romans 12:19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. Continue reading Revenge Is Not From The Heart Of God→
On Sunday at our church fellowship, a “tongue” was given and I had the interpretation. It had to do with restoration. (In the last few days I have had reports of restored relationships.) I have been “burdened” with the stretching and breaking of relationships the last month or so. It pains me to see marriages break up, children lost and hearts broken. I just hurt for people.
First, let me say I get that there are times where destruction and abuse and such have taken place. And I understand the need to move apart in the face of these things. That is NOT what I will be talking about. Secondly, my gift mix gives me a different observation perspective and I will share from there. And finally, I am a guy and I get some women may not think I get it! J
The last few months I have watched believing men and women talk divorce, file papers and avoid some of the biggest issues on the plate.Experientially what I see more than anything else is that it is the ability to:
Believe God is the answer
Believe “love covers a multitude of sin.”
Believe the other party is “not out to get you.” (And if they are out to get you, what is your response? Love? Anger?)
Believe you do not have to be self-centered
Believe you can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens you.
That will change things!
I struggle with the broken relationships. I personally struggle from two past marriages and how they hurt my children though I had “no say” in the finality. (I could not do those 4 things above either.) I would not wish broken relationships on anyone.
And God has changed me…immensely! I get that “things happen” but folks we are believers! We are subject to change because of Him!
How do we get there?
I am a “grace” guy. I believe in allowing people the freedom to make choices, even when they are not healthy or good. I believe grace and truth are found in the person of Jesus Christ, and that grace is a person and His name is Jesus. I believe in extending grace, mercy and forgiveness.
His desire is to restore. Restoration can occur in many places but I believe first and foremost it is the heart of the Father to restore families. Malachi 4:6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse
Restoration is defined as: the act or process of returning something to its original condition by repairing it, cleaning it, etc.: the act of bringing back something that existed before: the act of returning something that was stolen or taken
If we say we believe in grace. That we believe in love. Well, I hate to be the bearer of “sad tidings” but we ought to walk it. You have to allow God to change you and move through you. You can have all the freedom you want and call it grace, but if it is trampling on others, hurting others and more, you are not operating in grace, and God is extending you mercy. Grace is the empowerment in your life to love, to forgive and to change.
Do not step up to the plate unless you are ready to hit!
A word on restoration speaks to the atmospheres and the powers of the enemy, but the reality of that word ought to bring change in us as well.
Yesterday morning while getting ready for service, I could feel the words “The Spirit of Restoration” being pressed into my thinking. During worship it got stronger and stronger. I shared with my friend that I really believed I was seeing something.
I released it with my words during the rest of service just mouthing the words and getting a feel of what God was saying. Not a public thing but a personal thing. Frankly I was not sure how to see it through. So, I left it in the air during the day. Continue reading The Spirit of Restoration→
While in service on Sunday morning I watched the, a highway, open before me. A highway that went through a mountainous range. Suddenly the vehicle I was riding in accelerated and we were quickly moving so fast that my distance disappeared and everything soon became my now. I realized anywhere I wanted to be I was. There was no time “to get there.” My seasons had been “pulled into now.” It was if a 3D picture no longer had distance or perspective. It was all “here”! 2D. (2D or not 2D? Perhaps that is the question…)
