My method of thought….
Many have already said that is an oxymoron. But in reality I do. I have lots of things that just bubble over time in my life. The last few days have been spent “cleaning” up files. Always interesting as I have a number of files that appear “incomplete.” Yet every now and then I will return to them and add a topic or a sentence to them. Continue reading My Method Of Thought -The Wave To Come
Anyone who has recollection of the newly married phase or perhaps had or has a teenager has an understanding of the language barrier. The words and their meaning you believe they have is not always what your spouse or teenage son is talking about. I understand, as I have been there on both counts. I came upon another language barrier rather quickly when I became a believer, a follower of Christ. I saw a language, even words I knew, with entirely new meaning, new thought process.
I do remember thinking, whatever happened to English?
My mom was an educator. For 35 years she taught English and history. I learned to play scrabble and do crosswords at an early age. I read dictionaries and encyclopedias (I know, what the heck are they?) in my quest for word knowledge.. But let me say, that words help, language studies help, but communication is the winning game.
If I do not understand your occasional word, I am able to look it up. But if I do not understand your language or your message, your communication is wasted on me. (I will not bemoan the language of text or some of the most awful hieroglyphic messages I have received.)
The other day one of the points I shared is the need for communication and the relevancy of speech. A manual on how to repair a cassette tape is wonderful history (Usually by using a pencil.) but it has no impact on the generation before us. My best efforts at sharing a message or a thought process can be lost if my listener or audience has no clue about what I am speaking about.
At the end of the day, I suspect it will be less about language and more about heart. I believe it will be more about understanding and communication. Not all communication is verbal, but for most people it is helpful.
So, the question belies itself. Do people know what you are talking about? We frequently hear communication is a two way street. I agree with that, but if you are the initiator of a conversation or the speaker to an audience and they have no clue about what you are talking about, you have lost an important opportunity.
I encourage you to give credence to the question, what language are you speaking? Be willing to accept the fact that not everyone “gets what you are saying.” It is less of a problem in the world while more of a problem at home or with friends. Be willing to make the change if necessary.
Proverbs 12:18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
There were two families. One was Whys and the other Wise. The Why’s were all about figuring it out and doing more. The Wise were about enjoying what had been done.
The Whys said, when asked how to be with God, “pursue, chase.”
The Wise said, “why do you chase that which has been given?”
Hebrews 13:5
The Whys when asked about their “debt,” responded “pay up.”
The Wise said, “why do you try to pay that which has been paid?”
1 Corinthians 7:23
The Whys said how do you follow Jesus, “die to yourself.”
The Wise said, “why do you ‘die’ when you are already dead?”
Galatians 2:20
The Whys said “let us work hard to get to Him.”
The Wise said, “why do you chase that which has been given?”
Galatians 1:2
Jesus did not die for you. He died as you. The New Covenant is predicated on a covenant between God and God. You have been crucified, died, been buried (those three took care of the Adamic nature) and quickened, raised and seated with Him.
The difference between a servant and a son is how you identify with Christ.
Do not let lyrics or words put you in bondage. We labor to enter His rest. It was on the day of rest, man came forth. It is from rest we move and have our being. Do not ever have to ask “who has bewitched you.” It is not wise to be Whys.
I had a number of interesting dreams last night. I frequently do. While we were talking about dreams yesterday my wife joked with me about how I “get to go places.” That is not always true, but I often find myself in places I had not thought of, expected to be. Right now there is a young man who is sitting in jail. His whole life is shattered. Guilty? Not guilty? That will be determined at some point but between here and there he is most likely sitting there. Thinking about what he could have been. I have prayed that the Lord would let me “show up” and talk to him. Forget sending angels, send me. I want to be like Phillip and the Ethiopian prince. (And then get me out of there!) Continue reading “Down here it’s our time… our time down here!”
I notice that all too often we can get caught up in the reality of this life and forget the realities of His life. The last day or so was one of those times for me.
Life began to move along, and one of the things you recognize at higher “speeds” is the rumbles, the revealing of things you could overlook at slower speeds, is dangerous at the higher speeds.
When I was in my teens, one time I decided to “borrow” someone’s bike. They had padlocked the front wheel to the fender. I undid the fender and it allowed the wheel to freely turn. What happened on the highway was a completely different story. The bike developed a difficult bounce and by the time I reached my destination my hands, arms and shoulders were on fire.
In my own life there is a lot to deal with, a lot that needs Him. In a perfect world, I would live on a mountaintop, come down once a month and “avoid traffic.” I worked hard to do that. Now I live in a city in an apartment with people I do not know. Who would have thought? It was fun for a season, but the idea of isolation is on my mind a lot. Why? Because I do not feel as though I “fit in.” I am not sure I ever did, but various things help you to “get by.” My “get by” factors have evaporated on so many levels.
Not all revelation is fun. It may be necessary, but it is not without pain. I am experiencing one of those “painful” times. I listened to a friend tell me that the stretching they were encountering was painful. I get it. Times of stretching reveal the “memories” that need to be overcome. These times reveal memories of failure, pain, limitations and more. The minor annoyances we incur may be the “checking of the system. “11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Last week, I told God, “I cannot take it anymore.” The apartment had been getting to me, the money had been escaping me, even getting a job seemed beyond my reach. “I am putting on the brakes” I said. I have done all I know how. I stopped. “Gave up” so to speak. I am not being stubborn, just trying to figure out the right place.
I know for many life feels as though it has stood still. It has not. I assure you all systems are being checked out. That which you deem to be a minor annoyance or aggravation has the hand of the Lord on it. For me, I am pulling “back.” Way back. Limiting everything but the things at hand. That means dealing with the house for the final time, the RV and boat, ending that whole phase of anchorship. There is another phase that follows that and I am not excited by that either, but it is another anchor being pulled up. I have applied for work, done the phone screens, but frankly there are some limiting factors I cannot overcome. They have to be God. This time will be pulled back. Way back! I have things that have been spoken that honestly I just need to evaluate.
I have been going through a “risk” thing. Part of my conversation with Him, was “God, put it before me.” So far I have not seen it. But if it involves risk and He tells me, is it risk?
Lots of people seek revelation. The difficulty is where do we get our answers. Revelation is the revealing of Christ in something…scripture, situation, etc… Someone else’s revelation is not necessarily for me, or to be used by me. Even if they are good writers, speakers, etc… (I love some great men and women of God, but not everything they share helps me. Continue reading Revelation- Is It For You?