Life’s not fair – so don’t play by it’s rules

Posted on June 19, 2012 by chaplaincasey

Kingdom Principle – Faith is the Foothold of the Kingdom…. yielding fruit of Favor.

1 Samuel 17:57-18:5, 18:10-16 Psalm 133 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 Mark 4:35-41

In order to confront the Chaos of all life under the rule of the prince of the air, one must submit to the rule and reign of the King. Faith and trust in the Kingship of Jesus changes everything as we have seen in the recent posts. Here we move beyond the current realities into the desired future of the Kingdom. Faith in the Kingdom yields a “fruit” of Favor. Favor is the Power & Authority of God displayed through Wisdom. Favor is a “fruit” of faith, and like any fruit – it is not there until the right season (we are called to be prepared in season and out), it must be rooted and established (in love), and finally fruit is the demonstration that the plant is healthy and fulfilling its purpose.  Favor naturally follows last week’s post.  Kingdom leaders who lack favor, will find themselves working harder than others and reaping limited results based on their efforts missing the multiplication (fecundity) of the King. We find in David’s life – Favor is growing. Yet, favor alone is not enough for Kingdom leadership (for it seasonal). Kingdom leadership also requires Credibility and Character.  (This concept began to emerge on the post of May 16 – Surprised by what you see in the mirror)

I see Credibility as developing in the Power of the King. (Without a Disciplined Body this power cannot be trusted to or harnessed for the King)

I see Character as developing in the Authority of the King. (Without a Developed Soul this authority cannot be seen or demonstrated for the King)

I see Favor as developing in the Wisdom of the King. (Without a Directed Spirit this wisdom cannot be drawn from or displayed for the King)

This is not a linear process, this is a discipleship process.  David had great favor with Jonathan from the start of their relationship because we learn that both David and Jonathan have their spirit directed by the Lord.  Knowing when (having wisdom) to exercise power and authority is what others see as Favor. Jesus very clearly demonstrates all this in Mark 4, what we see in this text is the lack of wisdom by the disciples – they woke him because they knew of his power (Credibility) and they trusted in his authority (Character).  But they had no clue of his Favor.  Saul also fears David, rather than seeing the favor of the Lord & trusting in it. Saul knew David’s authority over the spiritual realm, Saul knew David’s power over the physical realm – for these two reasons Saul kept David close. Saul misunderstood the source of David’s favor and for that Saul feared David not God.

Do you want more Favor in your life? If so plant more seeds of Faith.  A great mystery will take place in this act of faith and as the seed sprouts – your Credibility will grow and be tested – resulting in your Character being forged.  In all this as you study God’s word and seek Him in prayer you will discover that Favor has always been there – you simply have been unable to draw from it or display it for you have trusting in the wisdom of the world rather than of the Kingdom of God.

It is one thing to be with Jesus – even taking great care to care for Jesus – it is quite another to rest in the SHALOM of Jesus and trust his favor in our lives.  In 2 Corinthians 6 we find the path of faith taking root for the Kingdom (Disciplined Body v.4,5; Developed Soul v.6a; Directed Spirit v. 6b.7)

Do you want to see the Favor around you?

1. See all things as gifts from God.

What in your life is not a redeemed gift of God? Look back over your life – is there “fruit” growing from every circumstance and situation – if not seek another to help you in the process of God’s redemption of that event.

2. Always trust in the Lord’s Authority and Power ( grows your Character & Credibility).

Where does the obstacle of life seem greater than the opportunity for God’s Glory to be displayed? Look forward at all things at may and potentially oppose you,  take all of your excuses as to why it is too much and ask another to prayer with you and for you to be accountable to in this times.

3. Open your heart to others who walk in the Kingdom of God.

Who do see demonstrating God’s Favor in their lives – what are you doing to be around them?  Seek them out as in both examples above.  The Fruit of favor only continues to be produced when it is given away – you are doing them a favor by providing an opportunity for favor to be shared.

Posted in After Pentecost, Year B | Tagged , , , , , | 27 Comments

Let’s get dirty -turning the soil of life.

Posted on June 12, 2012 by chaplaincasey

Kingdom Principle:   Faith is the foothold of the Kingdom  –  it is by faith that we discover a Disciplined Body, Developed Soul and Directed Spirit.

1 Samuel 15:34 – 16:13 Psalm 20 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, (11-13), 14-17 Mark 4:26-34

If you try to figure out the difference between the reign of Saul and David – the core issue is faith – it is a matter of the heart. From the beginning to the end of Saul’s story, it was “man” whom he feared rather  for David is was in God he placed his trust.

If you have the faith as small as a mustard seed  – you can move a mountain.  (Matt. 17:20) In fact is says that nothing is impossible for you…. This is the reality of the Kingdom of God. The Complete and total rule and reign of God where nothing is impossible.  Hebrews 11:6 says “without faith it is impossible to please God” and in Hebrews 11:1 – faith is defined as being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  Let us put our Faith and Trust in the Name of the LORD our God.

God is the author and perfect of our faith, and faith is given as a gift, the question for us today and in the Kingdom of God is has your faith taken root in your heart.

Faith rooted in your body – believes in what is seen and what one can do with their own effort. This is the thinking of the world. (He who dies with the most toys – wins) Faith that is rooted in your soul (and mind) is the effort to believe in the possibility of change. This faith brings you to work for the good of self and others. Faith that is rooted in your spirit (and heart) is the belief in God’s provision and purposes for your life beyond what you can say or do to make it true.  It is God who gives faith as a gift, where we plant that faith determines the fruit of the seed.  As seen below – faith must take root in all areas of one’s life to produce the crop of the Kingdom.

Faith that leads to a Disciplined Body is faith the restrains the hands of a person before they foolishly commit and offense. A disciplined body lays a foundation of obedience for one’s life. If you cannot discipline your body then your faith will have little success being expressed in this world.  The “fruit” of this faith is the “ability” of the believer to follow all that they believe in to be true.  Your Body is a temple – may it serve the King well.

Faith that leads to a Developed Soul is faith that reaches for that which is right and good.  A discipline body can restrain itself from committing a crime, a developed soul no longer desires to commit a crime.  If faith does not develop your soul, your life is a constant struggle to do the “right” thing when what is right is a moving target. Saul constantly desired to do what was right – but he was constantly guessing how to do such an action for he failed to have a Directed Spirit. Your soul is a gift to this world, as you are a gift to the world.

Faith that leads to a Directed Spirit is faith that is rooted in the Kingdom of God, where the King’s reign and rule are the governing direction of life. While there is right and wrong in the world, the rule of the Kingdom supersedes even this law. (This is where Jesus constantly ran into conflict with the Pharisees and Sadducees. Their faith was clearly that of the Body and Soul, but failed to be directed by the Spirit.)

We see this growth in the seed of the parables in  Mark 4. It is by faith that the seed grows without the work of the farmer or the seed – somehow rather it is from the soil…. The soil is the gift of God as faith.

Much like grass, faith grows where you water it. Often we are tempted to look at other’s faith and wonder how or why ours is not like theirs – hence the grass being greener on the others side. Know that faith also grows where it is tried and tested. This is to feed the “grass” much like our trials produce in us a source of faith which cannot be overlooked.

Faith is the foothold of the Kingdom.  The other type of foothold spoken of in the Bible is the one which the devil takes hold. (Eph. 4:27) Where in faith we discipline our body, develop our soul and find our spirit directed by the King, the devil will have no foothold by which to hold to us. Therefore invest and “water your faith” for the sake of the Kingdom.

Discipline the Body – Drink Water in Faith – Jesus is the Living water.  Exercise in Faith – Paul say’s beat your body  so not to be disqualified from the gospel.  Get enough sleep  – We are to find our rest in Him.

Develop the Soul – Forgive.  Be Forgiven. Embrace your God given identity; discover your God given purpose. Weep & Mourn, Sing & Dance. Choose to do something that you always wanted to do. Choose to give up something that you love but can do without.

Directed Spirit – Pray and Ask the LORD. Read His Word and Meditate on it Day and Night. Participate in a Community of Faith where the body and soul are not crowned with earthly glory.

Earthly glory in my opinion is a great stumbling block of the organized church today…. (body glorified – how much people serve and give, service is seen as duty, the holy-ones are those who are  untouchable based on war wounds and battle scars for the church  , soul glorified – how gentle and contemplative people are is goal, tolerance and morality are sought,  the holy-ones are those who are untouchable based on inner knowledge and stature.)

Posted in After Pentecost, Year B | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Loki is a puny god, but he is still a god.

Posted on June 5, 2012 by chaplaincasey

This post was updated on 6/2/15

Kingdom Principle: Being begotten (born) of the Kingdom of God is to die to all other kingdoms.

1 Samuel 8:4-11, (12-15), 16-20, (11:14-15) Psalm 138 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 Mark 3:20-35

Life is full of choices – make them in allegiance to the King or other kings will claim you as their own.

Most people dislike conflict and avoid controversies. Then there are those that thrive on creating conflict and love to stir controversy. In the Kingdom there is no need to desire conflict, and yet as you stand for the Kingdom of God, all other kingdoms will be in conflict with you. Jesus explains this in Matt. 6:24 that “no one can serve two masters” and in later Matt. 12:30 he says that “he who is not with me is against me”. This week’s passages paint the picture of the many gods of this age and the kings of the world which are all completing for the allegiance of humanity. And humanity is clamoring to have a king over them. (This is well presented in the movie The Avengers as Loki comes to rule the world) Yet it is possible to stand against such kings (as is done in the movie or) in Joshua 24:15 declares as for me and my house we shall serve the Lord.

The more I understand of the Kingdom the more I long to grow deeper into that reality. At the same time the more I understand the paradox and concept of “fixing my eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen”, I am drawn to my knees begging the Father to reveal to me this great mystery that I might share it with those around me. In that prayer, Psalm 138 comes to my lips. I desire that all the “kings” of the earth might praise the LORD and in that those who follow such kings will praise the LORD, but regardless I know the LORD will fulfill his purpose for me as his love endures forever.

So, how is one to progress in the Kingdom – standing amongst conflict which they did not cause, conflicted themselves for those who do not share in the glory of the King. The answer is found walking in the SHALOM of the King. (This concept deserves it own post) Here (as in 1 Samuel 8) we see the opposite of Shalom that comes from choosing to submit to another king of this world.  The Shalom of God is a complete and perfect peace but as a result of rejecting the King of Kings the people find themselves walking in the opposite of Shalom. Rather than perfect peace of Shalom, the people will find themselves protecting their king, no longer being in the protection of the King. The people will find themselves providing for their king, rather than being provided for by the King. The people will find themselves bringing pleasure to their king, rather than the King increasing their pleasure and joy in life.  And yet as true for Israel then and now of nations today – that is what people choice.

What shall we say then, let our Thanksgiving, Obedience and Compassion increase as a testimony to the Kingdom of God in which we move and have our being.

In the Mark passage we can conclude that as children of the King express the Fruit of the Spirit – while walking in the Kingdom you are going to find conflict and controversy arise around you and even at you. When have you been accused of wrong doing or completely mis-understood for your efforts to serve the King? How can you be thankful for such experiences? While children of the King are forgiven and their sins are washed in the Blood of our savior, many expect them to walk in perfection. Where have you struggled to walk in obedience because of the accusations of others or even the lies of the enemy telling you to give-up because you are good enough? Finally, as children of the King our heart has been changed and the very blood that flows through our veins is the blood of Jesus – we have been born again from above. How do you see and experience the Family of God differently in this aspect. Where is your compassion directed to your brothers and sisters of the King in a unique way from your family of origin? If your family of origin is born of the Kingdom, how have those relationships grown in Kingdom advancement?

Posted in After Pentecost, Year B | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Is Cancer a Choice?

Posted on May 30, 2012 by chaplaincasey

This post was Updated on 5/26/15

Kingdom Principle:  The Kingdom is begotten in you from above.  It is not earned, achieved, or given apart from the seed of the Father taking root in you via the Spirit.

Isaiah 6:1-8 Psalm 29 Romans 8:12-17 John 3:1-17

There is an interested perspective shared by Dr. Agus in his revolutionary medical book “The end of illness”. He states that we are all living with cancer within us. What we must do to prevent this cancer from killing us. His goal is to guide us to live our lives in obedience to the principles (system) set forth which he proposes for a healthy life.  (Great book – a bit long and steeped in medical jargon) Overall – the simple things we do everyday matter – learn to listen to your body, feed it the right foods and take the appropriate precautions and you will not be sick…. (A gross summary of a great book) However the point is – In you already lies the very thing that can kill you, and at the same time,  in you lies the very truth that can save you. (Nothing in this book is theological) But everything in the Bible is…. Is each day of your life one day closer to your death, or is your death behind you and now life has begun to flow from you?

Your body is like the the dormant cancer that can kill you and when you feed it what it craves – you go out in flames. Your soul has the most to lose here, for if your body does not live, neither does the soul – therefore it works to create a system where the body submits to the soul. This battle is a fruitless “see-saw” which kills you as a result of the war between the lawlessness of the body gratifying its desires, and a rigorous pursuit of the soul into one of two extremes either – legalism or mysticism.  All to which Jesus enters bringing forth the reality of the Kingdom of God.  This Kingdom is not rooted in the body or the soul; rather it is rooted in the seed of the Father, ignited by the Spirit. The choice of the Kingdom follows everyday after you are born from above to follow the principles of the King. (The little things matter – daily be with God *intimacy*, feed your spirit what it needs – be equipped and edify the body of Christ – *fecundity*, listen to the Spirit testifying to your spirit. – *ecstasy*) The last 8 posts lead up to this being the foundation of the church (individuals) to the world.

Have you ever felt completely incapable to doing something? Have you ever been asked to trust someone but did not comprehend what they were saying? Have you ever accused another of wrong doing, only to discover that you were guilty of a greater offense?  In such places you may have encountered the doorway to the Kingdom of God.  The Kingdom of God is opened to all who have been born from above by the Spirit of God. In this world, there are options as to how to live your life. The option of the Kingdom is marked by our adoption into the Kingdom. You can not choose it, for it chooses you, you can not earn it, for your admittance has already been paid for, you can not achieve it for even the most zealous endeavor of piety will not open the doors of the Kingdom.

What then does open the door to the Kingdom? – walking in the Truth of the Spirit. The Kingdom of God is not of this world and so nothing of this world can open its passage. Rather the movement of the Spirit of God upon your heart calls you forth and invites you to live as a child of God. This seed of the Father breaks through the confusion of this world and brings the clarity of the heavens. This act of being born again – is not simple evangelical salvation – for it was foretold in Numbers 21 and Ezekiel 36 – among other places… and proclaimed by Jesus over and over again as Kingdom of God.   So how do you know if you are born above into the Kingdom of God?

You can connect these to last week’s reference Micah 6:8

1. Does the Spirit of God bring conviction to you, in such a way that neither your body nor soul rule over you? Contrast Isaiah  ch. 1-5, to Isaiah 6 – see the change in Isaiah.

2.  Do you find yourself keeping your eyes on the King regardless of the circumstance? (Psalm 29 demonstrates this does Romans 8)

3. Do the people (of the world) around you seek to understand what motivates you or fail to understand how the Fruit of the Spirit are so real in your life? (This may not ask this, but change in your live is seen by others as you seek to walk with Jesus – trace the life of Nicodemus in John 3, 7, 11, 19)

Posted in After Pentecost, Year B | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Looking for the easy way out – then you were never in.

Posted on May 21, 2012 by chaplaincasey

This post was updated on 5/23/15

Kingdom Principle:  Conviction is the bases by which Credibility will be tested.

Ezekiel 37:1-14 Psalm 104:24-34, 35b Romans 8:22-27 Acts 2:1-21 John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

Kingdom Leaders have credibility in their leadership based on their character, conduct and compassion. (the last three weeks posts established this…)  The Kingdom of God is an assault on the kingdoms of this world – The prince of this world (Satan) is the ruler of all such kingdoms.  This assault we will not go without retaliation – but the key to being a Kingdom leader is that your focus always remains on the King.  Which means it is not your job to attack other kingdoms or even defend yourself, rather your joy and responsibility is to obey the King. This is done most clearly in summation of Micah 6:8. (Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly) for the force by which the Kingdom advances is not of might or power, rather  it is the Spirit which leads us in obedience to the King.  (Zechariah 1:2-6, 4:6)

Not everyone gets the Kingdom of God – it is what Jesus was all about (post 2 weeks ago), but many Jesus loving and church going Christians don’t have the slightest clue about living in the Kingdom of God.  The Kingdom of God broke through the heavens in the life of Jesus and all things have ever been changed because of such actions. Outside the Kingdom of God is a world of filled with pride, stubbornness and rebellion. And the reality of the world is that it has masked this as the good life – Pride cries out declaring that all are their own gods, and humanity is advancing on their own merit. Stubbornness cries out boasting in the absence of morality and declaration of no need for ethics.  Rebellion cries out rejecting any form of judgment, calling it intolerance and a breach of personal rights.  For in the Kingdom, the King has given the work of the Spirit to be our rule and guide.  This rule is the very opposite that conviction is a part of the discovery and fulfillment in life.

Let us be reminded that it is not our job to bring conviction to others; it is our responsibility to respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit brings to us.  As simple as when the Spirit says stop – we stop, when the Spirit says go – we go… This is the order set in place for the whole world to be submitted unto the King. It is this submission that breaks us free from the kingdom of this world. At Pentecost – we celebrate the birth of the Church – the vehicle by which the Kingdom of God is proclaimed to all the world.  This work of the Spirit is a gift unto you and me. Might we today – set our hearts to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Not ever taking our eyes off the King to compare ourselves to others or to become the agent of conviction (verses agents of grace) as if the Holy Spirit were not capable of doing His job.

In Acting Justly – we break the chains of rebellion and bring Compassion to the broken. In Loving Mercy  – we overcome our stubbornness and submit ourselves to walk in Obedience to the King. In Walking Humbly – we defeat the very pride of our lives and exalt the King with our Thanksgiving.

If you long for the dry bones of your life to be renewed with Life – Life comes from the movement of the Holy Spirit. If you long to grow in your understanding of what you are to “do” in this world – Life comes from the movement of the Holy Spirit. If you don’t even know what to pray for anymore, fear not  there is new Life for you in the movement of the Holy Spirit. The very earth itself will be made new in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Do you view conviction as a negative thing? If so where does that come from?

Where have allowed your focus to be on the lack of conviction of others? (This is a great place to apply Micah 6:8)

Where have you feared or rejected the conviction of the Holy Spirit in you? (This is a great place to read Zechariah 3)

Posted in Easter, Year B | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Suprised by what you see in the mirror?

Posted on May 16, 2012 by chaplaincasey

Updated on 5.12.2015

Kingdom Principle:    The Kingdom Leaders are set apart for the Kingdom with Credibility.

Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 Psalm 1 1 John 5:9-13 John 17:6-19

The mirror tells you what you already know – The masses test it to see if it’s true. There are Leaders in your life – these are the people you look to for guidance, security, assistance and wisdom. There are leaders in every domain of life – (there are 8 domains – future post… – government, business, education, medicine/technology, church/religion, service & communication, family and arts & leisure) While each of these domains has leaders – not all of these leaders are Kingdom Leaders. Even those who are leaders in the domain of the church are not by default Kingdom Leaders. Kingdom Leaders are those who are fulfilling their Commission. (last week’s post) The culmination of Intimacy, Fecundity, Ecstasy = life in the King – it will result in a person finding their commission in the world. To be on Mission is the very call that Christ had from the Father and he gave to his disciple.

What sets Kingdom leaders apart from other leaders is found in the credibility that is given to them by the Father. Jesus prays for this in John 17.  He offers three prayers….

1. (vs. 11) Protection that they may be one as Jesus and the Father are one. 2. (vs. 15) Protection that they may not be taken out of the world by the evil one. 3. (vs. 17) Sanctity them by the truth.  Overall we see that Credibility is lost, when we fight and are at odds with others and when Satan fulfills his mission to steal, kill and destroy. Credibility is given by the testimony of Jesus – this is called Favor – we come alongside this favor to develop our credibility through our character, conduct and expressions of compassion – taking us back to our very Commission.

Psalm 1:2-3 makes is very clear how they was of the blessed Kingdom Leader is found to have credibility – mediation on the word, filling of the Spirit, and being prepared to serve in all ways at all times… thus the credibility of God will be with you. The first thing to ponder based on this post is  – Do you consider yourself a leader? In short – All leaders have influence. Do you have influence? If so, where and with whom… All Christians are called to be the salt and light of the world  – hence to have influence. So as a believer you are called to be a leader. Consider the domains at the beginning of this post, in which domain would you like to have more influence? From here you are beginning to position yourself to grow in influence – follow last week’s post, not to get ahead of yourself.

Questions to consider today –

1. Where or when have you overcome a disagreement with others (especially in leadership) where you have remained in relationship and working together?

2. Where or when have you overcome a temptation or battle where it is clear that there was the option to sin or to lose your credibility and testimony? (don’t be ashamed of temptation – boast in the victory of Jesus)

3. Where or when have you seen demonstrable growth in your relationship with the King? Where have you experienced more intimacy, fecundity, or ecstasy?

Where you have answers to these questions – is where your credibility is being tested and increasing. Don’t look to the mirror, rather be tested by the masses such that you might verify the prayers of Jesus for you, to be in the world.

Posted in Easter, Year B | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Not happy with Pres. canidates? Choose a King!

Posted on May 8, 2012 by chaplaincasey

This post was updated on 5.7.2015

Kingdom Principle:  The Gospel of the Kingdom is Intimacy, Fecundity, and Ecstasy with the King.

Acts 10:44-48 Psalm 98 1 John 5:1-6 John 15:9-17

http://youtu.be/upGCMl_b0n4  a youtube about my King

Jesus preached the gospel of the Kingdom of God, but many have heard that good news as some thing else: the gospel of getting out of Hell, the gospel of this world has nothing to offer me, the gospel of the Church, The gospel of good works, the gospel of health and prosperity,  the gospel of Jesus and anything… in fact the Gospel of the Kingdom is not simply about Jesus.

Jesus did not speak His own words, but the words that the Father gave Him (John 8:38-42; 12:49-50; 14:24). His message was not primarily about Himself, but rather the good news that the Father ordained to be announced on earth. While Jesus Christ was by far the most important individual ever to walk this earth, the Bible shows clearly that the gospel that Jesus brought was not simply about Himself. He proclaimed the Kingdom of God:

» And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. (Matthew 4:23)

» And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. (Matthew 9:35)

» Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15)

» [Jesus] said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” (Luke 4:43)

» Now it came to pass, afterward, that [Jesus] went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings [gospel] of the kingdom of God. (Luke 8:1)

» The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the Kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail. (Luke 16:16-17)

» And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)

The Gospel of the Kingdom is found in obedience to the King. Obedience to the King is to transfer one’s life and love unto the King and his commands, rather than the hopes of this world. It is not by power or might that this transfer takes place, rather by the Spirit of God – that extends this grace to the ends of the earth.

What then shall we say – Submit yourself unto the Principles of the Kingdom  –

Jesus – stated that the commands can be summarized in this: To love God and to love your neighbor as yourself. This act of love fulfills the law – Yet the Law is not the culmination of the Kingdom – it is merely an expression of such obedience.  The principles of the Kingdom can be placed into three categories – Those which produce fruit of intimacy, those which are fruit of fecundity, and those which are the fruit of ecstasy.  (See reference to Nouwen last week) These words may not be the most tangible, but your character, conduct and acts of compassion become the expression of the Kingdom of God in you.  All this is to produce fruit that will last – This fruit is found in the fulfillment of your personal life mission and calling with God. (the unique God given design that has been given to you, such that all your life points to this and in its fulfillment you are ushered into the presence of God) This is the culmination of all three – intimacy, fecundity and ecstasy in your life.

The Gospel of the Kingdom is for you and me – and those who are still far off….

1. Intimacy is a process of Time as Proximity – How do you come near to the Father?

2. Fecundity is a process of Intimacy as Potency – How are you changed when you are near the Father?

3. Ecstasy is a process of Intimacy x Fecundity as Purpose – How is the world changed when you are near the Father?

Posted in Easter, Year B | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

How big is your “but”?

Posted on May 2, 2012 by chaplaincasey

Updated here on 4.27.15

Kingdom Principle:  Fear causes us to look at our obstacles, love moves us to opportunity.

Acts 8:26-40 Psalm 22:25-31 1 John 4:7-21 John 15:1-8

How often do you find yourself stuck on your but – frozen and not able to go forward without more answers?  Imagine yourself in a conversation saying – “That sounds wonderful, but…….   I would love to, but….   I really wish I could,  but…….   It is fear that causes us to get stuck on the “but”.  Love on the other hand frees us to remain rather than being stuck.  To the outsider it may look the same – to remain or to be stuck. But the motivation and purpose are found in the source.  Jesus was not stuck on the cross – He willingly choose to remain there in love – even when we cried out “Father why have you forsaken me? (Ps. 22:1) He did not fear that all was lost, rather he remained in love to proclaim, “It is finished” (Ps. 22:31). There are always other ways to reach out goals, yet we must realize that to reach the goal is not always all that matters. The end does not justify the means… the means does however demonstrate the end.

Phillip’s story in Acts is without beginning or end. All we have is the middle and the motivation of love that carried him to new opportunity. His story begins in Acts 6 as he is chosen to care for food distribution and service of the church because he was full of the Spirit and wisdom.  One might question his choice to remain in this role after Stephen’s death (Acts 7) or after the great persecution scatter the church (Acts 8). Being full of the Spirit and wisdom he hears the call of the Lord and does not respond with but, rather in obedience – seizes the opportunity and goes on mission. Then just as quickly he is removed from that place and ends up elsewhere. Here is where fear enters most of us – we say – God I will serve you but….. I want to control the outcome….  But, I am not willing to go there…. But, that is not we do ministry there…. But,  I am not good enough for that….  This is not true for Phillip as we find him later in Acts 21 – the Father of four daughters each of whom is a prophet and he is hosting Paul (who murdered his friend Stephen). How does love like this overcome our fear?

The movement of the Kingdom moves based on love not fear.  The very best book on this topic is my Henri Nouwen – LifeSigns. In this short mysterious book we are moved to understand the what it means to dwell in the house of God. The result of such dwelling is to move in Intimacy with the Father, Fecundity (fruitfulness)with the Son, and Ecstasy with the Spirit…..

We remain in Jesus – who remains in us – and thus love is made complete in us. To remain, abide or continue in love is not to avoid movement – rather it is to see all as an opportunity to extend love.  Fear like a tunicate – shuts off the flow of love from the Father to you, which shuts off the flow of love from you to others – (Review the process of Fellowship – Transformation – Compassion as Invitation of the last three weeks posts)  It is not hard to see how fear can motivate us to remain in a place.  I’d  share my faith, but I may lose my job; I want to go on a mission trip, but I don’t have the money; I want to tell them how I feel, but it will hurt them too much.  Fear never leads us to love, Love never abandons us to Fear.

Love will draw you close, Fear will push you for distance. Love will produce in you new life, Fear will focus you on what is old. Love will release you to risk, fear will restrain you to be proven wise.

As John says “If you say, “I love God” yet hate your brother  – you are a liar…” these strong words cause great fear in us that we have not measured up and loved those to whom it is difficult. Today I hope you quit looking at your “but” (It may be large, it may be ugly, it may be dead weight) regardless take your eyes off the obstacles to love and place your focus on the source of love. This is not a “how to” love  post where your focus is on the other person – here your focus must be on the source of all love.

1. How much time have you take to reflect on God’s pleasure of you? Where is God pleased with you? In what ways does your life bring a smile to God?

2. To whom is God sending you to love? In what ways does this sending cause you to look for the “but”?

3. Where have your built resentment toward another (even God) based on the outcome of the relationship? Are you willing to seek a new perspective on this relationship? If so – It will begin by taking the focus off the other person (and your need to avoid them) and placing it on God’s love for you.

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Working smarter rather than harder still leaves you doing the work.

Posted on April 24, 2012 by chaplaincasey

This post was Updated on 4.22.15

Kingdom Principle:  Compassion and Service are expressions of Transformation of the Spirit of God.

Acts 4:5-12 Psalm 23 1 John 3:16-24 John 10:11-18

Good works are useless and no good unless they are produced by God in you first.

Does compassion flow through you to others or Are you selective on whom you are compassionate, or do you simply fake compassion when it’s the “right” thing to do? The Church is to be filled up with Compassion – as an overflowing expression of the transformation that Christ has set ablaze in our hearts through fellowship.

There is no price tag or self-gratification in compassion for as soon as there is, it ceases to be compassion. Compassion is love and passion in action.  The expression of compassion itself is the reward, but when it is expressed – it directs the recipient and the spectator to the transformation in your life, not to your own goodness or holiness rather by your testimony to that of Christ.

To increase the expression of compassion in your life, first stop trying to increase anything for the benefit of others rather ask that God my use your life to bring Glory unto Himself – in this you will…

1. Receive the compassion of the Great Shepherd. It is at the direction of Jesus that compassion comes and goes. Christ laid his life down and took it up again – our obedience to obey His commands gives us great confidence that we can do all things in Him. Receiving compassion from Jesus can be found in Ps. 23 – let him lead you and restore you, be guided and comforted by his counsel, allow his anointing to be your confidence in all of life.  In this you will be able to focus on what you have rather than what you lack. The world is trapped in the vice of comparison which cuts off compassion. Let the Lord be your shepherd such that you are not in want based on comparison.

2. Release the Spirit of God to flow through you. When we remain focused on ourselves and our own needs the ability of God to flow through us is closed off.  It is as a river dam shuts its gates being concerned only about its needs rather than looking at those “down stream”. The Church is to be an ever-flowing source of movement and power of the Holy Spirit – open the floodgates and let it flow. We cannot produce compassion, for when we try we run dry. Instead we must be the vessel by which compassion flows through us.  This requires both the “front” and “back” doors of your life to be open. (See last week’s post in relation to the church) The clamps of our dam are typically time and pride. Where Time = Money and Pride = Comparison.  Where time and pride (such as in the parable of the Good Samaritan) are calculated, measured and valued, compassion ceases to flow. To release the flow – turn the table on the typical measurement of your money and comparison. Ask not if you have enough; rather is my life open enough to that God can flow through?

Finally 3. Recognize that your life is not your own. If you have Salvation in the Name of Jesus then you have nothing else nor need anything else. If you don’t have salvation in the Name of Jesus you have nothing to give that is truly life-giving to others.  Goodness and mercy are following you everywhere as you dwell in the House of the LORD, and from there anything we ask for we received. We receive such not for our own, but as a testimony of Christ and to love others as he as commanded us.

Questions which invite greater transformation resulting in increased compassion:

1. Is it hard for you to let others love you? If so… in what ways do you struggle to love yourself?

2. For whom or what do you feel compelled to work?  Self, others God… all three can play a role here, but who gets the credit for the work? Who gets the benefit of the work?

3. If you cannot create compassion – or a Good work without God working it through you…  Where can you identify the Spirit of God flowing through you?

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Knock, Knock… Who’s there?

Posted on April 17, 2012 by chaplaincasey

This post was updated here on 4.14.15

Kingdom Principle:  The Church is set apart in its Fellowship, for the sake of transformation. Transformation is the invitation to the world to join in the fellowship of the Church.

Acts 3:12-19 Psalm 4 1 John 3:1-7 Luke 24:36b-48

As the minds of the disciples were opened, so did the rest of the world open up to them. They were now free to be sent out as witnesses to such things. The Church is to be set apart in their fellowship and incarnational (the process of being sent out as the invitation) in their transformation. In an attempt to increase the fellowship of the church – the front door has been removed and the back door has been locked.

In this Easter season we are looking at the movement of the Church as it proclaims what it believes because of the resurrection; both its power to visibly change lives as well as to unify those lives into one expression.

Fellowship without Transformation is not healthy. The Greek word for Fellowship, is Koinonia. Chuck Van Engen – (Fuller Seminary professor, author and friend of mine) makes it teaches that when the fellowship of the church avoids transformation and growth – it suffers from koinonitus – which is an inflammation of koinonia (fellowship). This inflammation is an unhealthy infection that turns all its energy inward to fight infection hence reducing or even removing its mission to the world.

The church ought to have a front door as well as a back door. Both are to open and shut, both are to be a means to movement. When the church attempts to shut the back door they are addressing a marketing reality but missing a missional reality. The hope when closing the back door is that once you get people in your church you do what you can to prevent them from leaving because in marketing terms it is easier to develop what you have, rather than reaching a new target. The church was never intended to have a back door in this manner. In fact – Jesus blew the lock off the back door and said – I am sending you out.  And for what reason – to go out and finish the work He has stared Acts 10:38 summarizes the work of Jesus  saying,  “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”

However the Church also has a front door on it – again – there is to be no lock – as Jesus demonstrated in Revelations 3 – He can be locked out of the church as well. The front door is to be a threshold, a signifying mark for those who enter the church. When you pass these doors all is to be different here. Much of the Church (marketing again) has worked to make the church on the inside – to look, mirror and act as the world on the outside, the hope is to remove the front door.  There is to be a door, and not everyone is expected to come through it. I am not saying to keep the door shut, but I am saying it would serve the church to have identifying marks to its nature that sets it apart.  The church is called to be set apart. At another time we will dive into the 5 purposes of the church at keep it on track to be set apart, (one of which is koinonia) but here I wanted to just briefly remind us that as the church was in formation – this period between the Resurrection and Pentecost – It had both the strength to be set apart as well to reach out and invite others in.

Peter spoke to the Jewish leaders and fellow Israelites – and said, you are on the outside of the greatest mystery of all times – the Messiah has come; it is not too late for you… John  spoke to the church as said, be pure and live not with sin – for if you sin, then you are not with us.  David in the Psalms often looked at those of the world and wondered why they slander and attack him so – yet he knew that in the LORD alone he was set apart and in the LORD was his security and safety.  The disciples themselves were caught up in fear and Jesus confronted them with truth to set them free.  They had locked the door and Jesus reinstated them for mission and sent them to share the resurrections with the world, but not until they had been set apart.

Connecting the last two weeks with this one…. The invitation to fellowship is not seeker sensitive, yet the Church is mission to the world – It is through the power of Confession -which the bride is made pure and holy. As pain, shame and guilt are removed from the lives of those who follow the Way, the Truth, and the Life, others will come to walk in the same path. This is not in the power or right choices of any one person, rather by following the One who is Righteous.

In what ways is your fellowship with believers – separate/ unique from those who do not believe?

How has and can pain, shame and guilt thwart fellowship? How can confession strengthen fellowship?

In what ways are you demonstrating to those who do not believe, that your fellowship leads to transformation in your life?

At the end of the day – to be with God in fellowship is all one needs. This contemplative truth has a paradox to it – if one is in true fellowship with God, that person will be so filled in such a way that they cannot help but to overflow and spread the good news to all whom them come in contact.

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