only two feet from my heart

Posted on October 27, 2015 by chaplaincasey

Kingdom Principle:  Obedience will get you to the “door” of the Kingdom, but Submission is necessary for it to open.

Submission is a matter of the heart.

Ruth 1:1-18 Psalm 146 Hebrews 9:11-14 Mark 12:28-34

“Close” is only good enough if you are playing horseshoes or throwing hand grenades. Jesus brought the Kingdom close (Matt 3:2, 4;17, 10:7), but the distance was not measure in “feet” rather by one’s “heart”. To understand the concept of “close” when it comes to the boundary of the Kingdom, review the post from Sept. 25th.  When your focus is on the King, it matters not how “far away” you are– only that you are moving closer to the King and submitted to that direction. The Scribes (teachers of the Law) in the Mark passage are closer to the King than ever before…. Yet their hearts remain at a distance, turned away from Jesus, therefore the teacher knows the Kingdom is close, yet is far from experiencing it.  This experience is the difference between Obedience and Submission. The teacher has great obedience, much like the rich ruler of Matthew 19. If you have ever looked at another believer and wondered, “Why is God blessing them more than me?” It indicate that you are measuring the kingdom in “feet” verses by “heart”.

The focus of the Gospel of Mark demonstrates that Jesus is sent to the marginalized, the broken, the rejected, and the downcast. It paints the picture of those who are blind (physically) yet gain sight, and those who can see (physically), yet miss what is right in front of their eyes (spiritually). (Review this concept last week) Obedience is the outward path of physical experience, as opposed to Submission which is an inward spiritual path of experience. To be obedient is to follow a plan, a course of action. To be obedient does not require change of heart. I can obediently go to work, yet hate my boss, my children can obediently come home on time, yet lie about where they were. The distance between obedience and submission is often experienced as the distance between the head and the heart. What complicates this post, is that submission of our heart (soul & spirit), leads to obedience of our body. Obedience alone however, cannot move us to Submission. Submission is a matter of the heart.

This is why it is harder for a rich man to enter the Kingdom than a camel to pass through the eye of a needle. (Mark 10:25) Those who have much resource, education, support and training will find obedience easier road than submission. For obedience is valued in the world. To gain education, you must be obedient to the system, the teacher, and to the content being taught. Obedience as a reward in itself; I am building myself up, and bringing value to what is accumulated in this world. In submission we embrace that I do not need to be in control for God is strong, and in my weakness he is made known. Submission is to surrender my will for Thy Will. Submission is to move beyond obedience of act, into the obedience of attitude.  Outwardly obedience is observed, but inwardly motivation can be concealed – resentment, hatred, fear or ambition, desire, even worldly love may be the motivation of one’s heart.  (Review a post on what motivates you.)

A few weeks back, we saw the test and tale of two trees – there we saw that “good vs. evil” does not reveal the heart of God… rather it leads us down the path of the enemy. God desires and plants only that which births life. Submission is the way of Life. For in Submission; our mind, will and emotions are considered dead to their own independent and self-gratifying ways. The self (body, soul, & spirit) can be truly obedient without submission… the soul without submission is actually in rebellion masked by good works. This is what Paul calls a slave to sin verses slave to righteousness – (Romans 6:16-19) It was not merely obedience which lead Jesus to the cross as his soul suffered; his will was hard pressed, his emotions where perplexed, and his mind was persecuted, in all this he was stuck down but not abandoned. For this reason our attitude should be that of Christ. (Phil 2, 2 Cor. 4)

Ruth choose submission, not to Naomi, but to her God and her journey. Orpah choose obedience unto Naomi, which was not “wrong”, but returned to her previous ways & false gods when given permission. Obedience provides for us an instant confirmation that we did it well. In submission must wait on the Lord to hear the words, “Good job, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25)  In obedience we march down the path of self-justification and self-righteousness, where as in submission we discover the Power of the Blood of Jesus and the Redemption of the Kingdom.

Submission begins the process of sanctification – which is the Holy Spirit’s work in us to die to ourselves and submit our lives to the will of the Father.   Submission takes place first within our hearts. Outwardly I can present myself as obedient and cleaned up, but this is also by my own doing. Inwardly there is nothing I can do to clean myself. Only the power of the blood of Jesus overs this cleansing gift.  Therefore submission moves us to confess – crying out for the Spirit of God to work in our lives, so that our will, our mind and our emotions would be submitted to the very wisdom of God. That we might become a vessel by which His Spirit can be expressed to the world.  In this way we discover how the impossible can become a reality:

  • That a father (Abraham) can offer his only son as a sacrifice.
  • That a Moabite (Ruth) can be grafted into the lineage of the Jewish Messiah.
  • That a virgin (Mary) can give birth in a manger to the King of Kings.
  • That a persecutor of the church (Saul) can become the messenger of the cross to the gentiles.
  • That you and I can become all that God had designed us to be for His Kingdom Come and Will be done.

This is the path of Submission. The way of Obedience can and will bring us to the door way of the impossible, but we will remain on the outside of the movement of God that moved us to be obedient in the first place.

So how do you know if your life is an experience of obedience or submission? Since submission cannot grow out of obedience, if you are asking the question, let begin with how do I submit? We place our trust in the LORD Jesus Christ.  We surrender our lives until His will. We die to ourselves – confessing that without the power of the Spirit of God in me no good can be produced. Finally we choose the path of our Savior – which is that of a Kingdom servant.

Therefore:

  1. Make a list of ways in which you are currently obedient unto the Lord? How do you serve?, What do you do because the Lord has prompted or led you to do it?  Take that List and Submit it to the Lord – asking which of these did YOU ask me to do, verses which of these did I take on for my own good – a means of self-righteousness or self-justification. Talk with someone who you trust about this new perspective.
  2. Ask the Lord how you might fully submit unto Him. Seek to hear from God through his Word and others by the power of the Holy Spirit that your soul & spirit might be pierced. (Hebrews 4:12) Without such revelation, it is impossible for the soul to truly submit. For most Christians there is no distinction between the soul and spirit, which  leads most Christians to engage obedience as if it were an act of submission.
  3. Integrate # 1 & #2 – now continue to do that which the Lord prompts you to do, and taking on that attitude of submission in your obedience.  The Lord may prompt you to question a perspective which you held out as unquestionable, or the Lord my ask you to give up something that has been labeled “good” in your life. This is a test – which a means growth in the Kingdom.
Posted in After Pentecost, Year B | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

You can’t hide your blind spot

Posted on October 22, 2015 by chaplaincasey

Kingdom Principle:  We are all blind until we see ourselves as God sees us.

Spiritual Blindness obstructs Intimacy

Job 42:1-6, 10-17Psalm 34:1-8, (19-22) Hebrews 7:23-28 Mark 10:46-52

Amazing Grace proclaims the song lyric – “I was once was blind but now I see”. This reality is one of biblical proportion. Unfortunately there are many Christians who do not have this testimony as part of their story. (Moving from blindness to sight) Yes, they proclaim that amazing grace is sweet, but they have no understanding via experience of what it means for them to live blind, and now they see. The challenge we face with this reality is that we are blind to what we do not see, therefore a blind spot will not be discovered without outside intervention.

One form of this intervention can be a test from God, another can be revelation from the Holy Spirit, and still another can be the Body of Christ. (A test that integrates each of this can be found at www.enneaapp.com) Each of these have their purpose in our formation. Thus in a test, we face a new challenge or circumstance, in revelation we are exposed to wisdom from above, and in the Body of Christ we are called to maintain fellowship when it’s easier to walk away not having to face (see) what pains us, in all of this we are called to face a new reality that we have not seen previously.

Let’s ask God to tell you where your blind spot is, in this there invitation for you to seek out what you have not previously seen. You are inviting God to take you to places you have not gone before.

Ask the LORD, Do I have any Blind spots? Depending on what you hear, ask another question – LORD, will you reveal a blind spot to me? Job was humbled in the presence of the Lord, he knew how big God was and his power and justice, but he had not seen how little he was in comparison.

Job’s blindness was not in relation to God, rather it was with regards to himself. He was blind to his error and arrogance which lead him to judge God rather than seeing that God will be his Judge. Bartimaeus was blind according to the world those around him, but he saw, both himself and who Jesus clearly was. This revelation must have been a work of the Spirt. The call of the Psalm this week is to taste and see that the Lord is good. Which of these bring more challenge to you? (seeing the LORD, or tasting the LORD) How do you SEE the Lord? How do you TASTE the Lord? These are not simple metaphors, they are the call of our body to experience the spiritual reality of the Kingdom of Heaven come to earth.

Those reading this post are not blind – at least not like Bartimaeus… but what about those of us who have blindness like Job. When we are deceived, it need not be because the enemy is blinding our eyes. (in fact this is not possible for believers, it is unbelievers who are blinded by the god of this age 2 Cor. 4:4) Our Blindness is most often linked to the fact that we have chosen to be in agreement with a lie. When we come to believe that a lie is a truth, the work of the enemy is done.  This mental block is called a stronghold. Strongholds are places in our lives where we have exchanged the truth of God for a lie. It is not the enemy that is holding it there, and it is not God who put it there – YOU & I are the ones keeping it there – this is a Blind Spot. It is our blindness to the truth that keeps it there. These strongholds must be revealed and healed, as we addressed above.

With regards to out taste, the same predicament can be true – we may not even know that our taste buds are not working. When we are sick, food does not taste right….  In the same way, when we allow strongholds in our lives – the Taste of God’s goodness is made bland to us. If you have never tasted the goodness of the LORD, then you must ask for strongholds to be removed. Only then can or will you taste – then when a stronghold emerges or returns you shall taste the difference. (In the same way you only know what the taste of sour/spoiled food tastes like, is because you compare it to what is fresh and good.  When we consider the power of the tongue it is often in regards to the power of the tongue to speak, but now here we encounter the power of the tongue to taste.

For us to Taste & See the LORD –we will forever be changed:

In communion do you taste more than bread and juice? Do you see more than others sharing in a sacrament? Seek the Spiritually encounter sacraments as well as to physically experience them.

In prayer, do you words seem to bounce off the ceiling, or do you see yourself in the heavens as you speak? In prayer have you ever has tastes fill your mouth, sometimes these are indicators of the presence of the Lord.

When you cook food, do you taste and see the difference that seasonings bring to the dish. The proper seasonings not only make the food look appealing, they draw all the right flavors out. We are living sacrifices which are to be seasoned with grace, (Col. 4:6) and truth. Might the Lord prompt you to experience a radical new seasoning of flavors and to see a new season of change in your life.

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

God sized or Size up God

Posted on October 13, 2015 by chaplaincasey

Kingdom Principle: Kingdom Servants are to seek the Holiness of God, not the Glory of God.

Humility & Confidence open the ears of the servant to hear their calling into Service.

Job 38:1-7, (34-41) Psalm104:1-9, 24, 35c Hebrews 5:1-10 Mark 10:35-45

When I feel insignificant or overlooked (due to shame, guilt, fear, anxiety), I am tempted to ease my pain and feed my ego. When I see my insignificance in relation to God’s Power and Majesty, I have passed a test that invites me into a God sized transformation. God’s will is that I will be fulling conformed into his image, that reality takes place as His Holiness fills me. However, as Holiness fills me, it does not ease my pain and feed my ego, in fact holiness draws my pain and ego to the surface so that it can be surrendered to God. This is why I fall into temptation, seeking a quick fix of “glorification” rather than the transformation of “holiness”.

Our view of God and His power & majesty CANNOT be too high or too lofty. We must let God be LORD over all things. When we attempt contain all the mystery of God in our minds, then we have foolishly made God – subject to our own mind and our creative power. This shall not be so – and for the most part – those who have truly come to know God, do not assume themselves to be more powerful, more wise or more anything than God. However until we are tested and tried, we are not fully aware of the foolish attitudes and perspectives that reside in our heart.  While the situation Job found himself in, may seem extreme to many … but how much more might we long for this test (having God consider us blameless) rather than assuming that God would not “do” that to us.

Job – was not in sin – but he was in error. While Job sacrificed daily for the covering of sins, it was God that declared him blameless. Job assumed that his holiness was on par with God’s or at least beyond the comprehension of his friends and such that justice was do him based on his righteousness. Therefore, Job declared his right to question God and demand an account for justice.  This week we see God’s response to Job’s cry for justice. We also see that God is not concerned with Job’s questions or his demand for justice. It is God’s Rule & Reign overall all creation that demonstrates and pronounces a response to Job. The response does not solve the question of evil, why, or what’s next, only that God is sovereign.

It has been said, in life we take three steps with God.

Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification.

Justification is the first step and it is taken on our behalf by God the Son to completely wash our sins white as snow and make us right with Him.  Sanctification is the second step taken in the power of the Holy Spirit so that our lives might be transformed by God’s holiness renewing us completely. The final step is glorification, where we come face to face with the Father, and the things of this world have fully passed away.

Sanctification is the means by which the Holiness of God is transferred unto us.  1 Peter records that we are to be Holy as God is Holy. When we seek the Glory of God (glorification) without the Holiness of God we are out of step with God. Job’s error was to equate holiness with glorification, not realizing that both are a gift of God.

Holiness is the Otherness or Separation of God from the Creation.

Glory is the expression or revelation of God’s Holiness being given back to the Creation.

The disciples clearly demonstrate their hard-heartedness and ignorance when it comes to the purpose of Christ and his calling to display strength through weakness. The disciples were patiently waiting for Jesus to arrive in all of God’s Glory and to take the rightful place of victory over the Roman rulers. They awaited a Messiah to be the Savior the Jewish People from the oppression and tyranny of the world. What they missed was the tyrant from whom they were being saved was the one whom bears the name of “tempter” and “deceiver”.  Jesus’ very life and death paid the ransom, crushing the enemy of God. The way to follow in the steps of Jesus, entering the Kingdom of Heaven is not by the wisdom of the world. Rather through the submission of one’s world unto the only one who can save them from this world – The very Spirit of God.

God is to be glorified in every aspect of our lives, glorification is not relegated to after our physical death – but it ruled by His work, His way and in His time not ours. (1 Cor. 10:31) Our first death and resurrection (baptism) is the means by which we move unto God’s glory. Jesus himself cried out that the Father would glorify His Name through Jesus’ life. Jesus did not assume or take the glory of God by his own; rather he gave it up and over unto the Father – in his life of suffering and sacrifice. This is for us as well.   We each have a calling to receive from the Father. This calling is received when our ears are opened to the calling of the Holy Spirit. It is through the process of humility that we hear this calling and response is made confident through testing. As we saw last week – Testing provides the necessary means for humility and confidence to be produced in us. And this “testing” is all at the hand of God. When we seek to by-pass suffering and service as a means bring Glory of God, we are confronted with our own limitations and demons.

We cannot contain God’s holiness unless we are made perfect through suffering. It is His holiness that separates us from the world. The Glory of God is Holiness revealed. Thus for Holiness to be revealed it must have a means… We are God’s chosen means for His Glory to be revealed, yet as the Psalm and Job point out this week – there is no shortage of means for God’s Holiness to be revealed by His Creation. Yet God has chosen us – humanity alone bears the image of God to reveal His Glory.

Our path to glory is to be one of Submission and Separation, not that of Stardom and Splendor.

When we seek God’s glory, it often becomes our own stardom and splendor. When we walk as servants in submission and separation, His Holiness fills us in such the way that His Glory is hence revealed to all around through us. This is not a lowly path, or an undesirable place of being. This is the path of purpose and calling guided by humility and confidence. When God chooses to lift you up, and place you in the role of king or leader in this world – may it be so.  If not, we are not passive victims, rather being more than conquers and confidently we pursue a life of submission which results in the death of our own will and aligns us with the Will of the almighty.  May we be servants, even slaves unto the will of God.

A couple of thoughts to assist in your re-sizing:

Where do you find there is a hunger to be needed, valued or identified as important? (this is the temptation of Stardom/Splendor as well as a test for Submission/Separation) In what ways might God be calling you into Submission and Separation so that as He lifts you up, it is clearly His Hand and not by your own doing?

The enneagram can help you discover your limitation and “demons”. Use this free app to take the test and I’m happy to follow up with you regarding the results.

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

Common to the Core – The Apple Test

Posted on October 6, 2015 by chaplaincasey

Kingdom Principle: God promotes via a test, Satan provokes via tempting.

The fruit of the test is Humility & Confidence.

Job 23:1-9, 16-17 Psalm22:1-15 Hebrews 4:12-16 Mark 10:17-31

The world has created a fear reaction to the concept of a test. This post addresses the reality that humanity is resistant to being asked to think beyond the immediate question and circumstance, to look at the much larger picture. Regardless of where you have stood on the “common core” debate/debacle. The call here is to think beyond getting the right answer to the wrong question.

How do you enter a test mentally? Is a test a good thing or a bad thing?  The second question is a trap, which we will address below.  First let’s look at the power of a test:

  • You cannot drive a car unless you take a driver’s test, and until you meet the criteria to take that test you are prevented from ever being behind the wheel. Therefore the freedom of driving is achieved by a means of a promotion due to a test.
  • You cannot take a test in order to pass a class, unless you had the opportunity to sit under a teacher who as the credentials to help you learn.
  • You cannot take a test for your health unless you have someone to provide the health care.

Therefore, a test is a privilege offered to you by someone who has gone before you to be in position to affirm your achievement/advancement, and in response they grant you promotion.  God promotes His Children and Servants throughout His Kingdom through a series of tests.  Satan on the other hand is a deceiver and seeks to steal, kill and destroy us – not to promote or inspire us to grow. In fact Satan will provoke us and prod us through tempting seeking to destroy our hope. The test of last week’s post, what not to advance or accomplish (according to the ways of the world), rather the test was to sit and be still. Did you experience the promotion?

In Genesis we find the origin of “the test” verses “the temptation”. It Genesis 2 we find the tale of two trees.(most mistake this and only remember the one tree – see verse Gen. 2:9) The Tree of Life AND Tree of knowledge of Good & Evil. Satan used these trees to provoke a test.  The reality is that God had provided a test previous to this to prepare Adam for this temptation. Adam passed the test, but failed the temptation. The test is found in Gen. 1:28, creating man in his own image, God blessed and charged him to “Be Fruitful… Subduing the earth… and have dominion over the animals.  Satan’s temptation has not changed since the Garden.

This week are confronted with the reality that Job and David both feel very distant and separated from God, yet the truth is that this is not the reality, but rather in the midst of a test, they are closer to God than possible outside a test. God has drawn them to the awareness of the tale of two trees in their own lives. (Adam faced these trees, they faced these trees, and we face these trees.) We know a tree by its fruit, (Matt. 7:15-20) below is a table showing us the fruit to know the difference between a test and a temptation.

                  Tree of Life >

\/  Tree of Knowledge

 Life (Death)
Good God’s good, pleasing and perfect will by a renewed mind.

Romans 12-15

 “Good” that does not lead to life. (Foolishness)

Romans 4-7
Evil Intended to bring harm, but redeemed for life.

Romans 8-11

 Godlessness and wickedness motivated by a depraved mind

Romans 1-3

God only provides test to promote us to Life – that will always be his focus as should it be ours. We are to ask ourselves does this decision bring life or death. Satan will tempt us to focus our attention on if something is good or evil. Therefore when we take the “bait” of Satan asking if something is good or evil, the opportunity for death is always present regardless if it begins as good or evil. (Satan cannot remove the possibility of Life to come from both the choice good and evil, but his power to lead to death are nullified by our choice to choose life. (Deut. 30) To take only from the tree of life, is to deny death its opportunity. (In the boxes are quick notes of Romans to highlight this reality.) When we ask “WHY” is something happening in our life – this is the temptation for the fruit of the Tree of Good and Evil. To choose life, is to pass the test.

This week, we see that Job knows he is in a Test, but is friends want to prove he has done something evil. Hebrews 4 demonstrates that Jesus was tempted, yet we know the Father’s will was his choice and confidence is our hope. Mark 10 shows us the invitation to a test by Jesus for the rich young man, to which we do not see the end result, only the immediate choice. Notice that Jesus looked at him and loved him. This love is the fruit of the tree of Life. As the rich man walks away – he is pondering the WHY – which leads him to an uncertain future. The disciples are shown that all those who pass the test, receive promotion in this life and in age to come. The Psalm walks us through the agony of a test, but clings to the faith and hope that nothing can overcome God’s Justice in Christ’s Righteousness.  Overall we learn that those who seek the will of God have confidence in their choices, yet walk humbly by faith.

Our Test”er” is the Holy Spirit who brings conviction to our hearts for the sake of Justice and Righteousness (John 16:7-8) This conviction promotes us to seek only the Tree of Life, rather than the Tree of Knowledge.

The fruit of the Tree of Life is Confidence & Humility. As we submit ourselves to God’s justice, there is no invitation to the enemy. Our confidence leads us to become more than conquerors who prevail. (Romans 8) As Christ’s Righteousness prevails over us, in Humility we become a living sacrifice of worship. (Romans 12)

The fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil is Compromise & Haughtiness. The test of God will begins with the Holy Spirit and yields victory in your spirit. The temptation of the enemy will begin in our “flesh nature” and yield victory in the eyes of the world alone.

A couple questions to keep us moving forward:

  1. Where are you still searching and longing for an answer to WHY?

The choice to choose life, versus the temptation of WHY, requires you to enter the darkness of your heart inviting God to be the light.

2. Where are you victorious (a conqueror) in God’s good, pleasing & perfect will?

Where you don’t have an answer to the second question – it is likely to lead you to a compromise or haughtiness with regard to the first question regarding WHY.

If you long to have an answer to the second question regarding God’s will, ask for it – seek it out and discover what steps God will take to be ready for a promotion (via a test) in God’s Kingdom.

Posted in After Pentecost, Year B | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

An easy Job… just accept it.

Posted on October 2, 2015 by chaplaincasey

Kingdom Principle: Holiness and Blameless are to be accepted not achieved.

The choice is made in our hearts, but expressed in our

Job 1:1, 2:1-10 Psalm 26 Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12 Mark 10:2-16

No (long) Blog this week – Just a call to sit with God. Read the Psalm and meditate on it.

To understand Blameless and how you can be just that – read this post. But reading this will not make you Blameless or bring you closer to holiness, in fact it may cause you to further doubt it is possible as you get stuck in your head. The only way to experience Holiness and Blamelessness is to come into the presence of God with your whole heart. We might also call this – experiencing intimacy with Jesus.

  • Sit with God… and ask, if you believe that God can cleanse you from all your sin?
  • Sit with God… and ask, if you believe that God can release you from all your anxiety?
  • Sit with God… and ask, if you believe that God is more powerful than the darkness?

When you answer YES to those three questions – Holiness and Blamelessness is available for you to receive. The door is wide open, now walk into intimacy.

  • Seek God… ask him to cleanse you from all sin… give your heart to him. Let him examine it and wash you with Jesus Blood. Confess your sin to God.
  • Seek God… ask him to release you from all your anxiety… give your heart to him. Let him cut away your pain and anguish. Release your anxiety to God.
  • Seek God… declare your holiness (being washed) and your blamelessness (being released) with no sin and no fear/anxiety – you are clothed with Christ. – Command the darkness (its lies and all its power) to go away.
  • Breath, Wash, Stand – REPEAT….

In this we can sit like a child, totally enthralled with the delights of life. May God be your delight!

As you desire to increase your experience of Holiness and Blameless – both in depth and in duration – This is a call to walk in Righteousness. This is both a choice and a covering of Christ as well. This is where we work out our salvation with fear and trebling. If you are interested to walking in this way…  I’m happy to share my tools and ways of walking with you. Just let me know. Holiness and Blameless does not have be temporary nor limited to isolation from everyday life.

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

Being Lost implies you have a Desired Destination.

Posted on September 25, 2015 by chaplaincasey

Kingdom Principle: God’s Power flows from the Center to the outer-most edge.

Prayer directs Kingdom Servants from the outer-most edge to the center.

Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22  Psalm124 James5:13-20 Mark9:38-50

It is far better to be a long way off and headed the right direction than to have no clue where you are headed or to have missed the target and to now be headed in the wrong direction all together.  The GPS directional ability to recalculate – requires you to know where you are headed– without a destination the map can only tell you where you are, not help you find your way. May approach the bible like a map, without any true hope for destination. Just as many go to church weekly hoping that the pastor will tell them how to get to heaven, but I ask is getting to heaven the destination.

As believers who have been born of the Spirit – we have a built in GPS – That is Guiding Holy Spirit, rather than Global Positioning System.   Unfortunately for many, they have no desire to tune into or to turn on the GHS – they rather figure it out for themselves and learn through trial and error. (much like some drivers simply don’t want someone to be telling who to drive)

Unlike a map, the Kingdom of God is without a fixed outer edge or boundary, but it certainly has a true North. A compass, is not dependent on a map to work and while it does not tell you if you are going the wrong way, it will tell you if you are heading north or not. A compass without a map can lead you to miss a trail head or lead you down a road to no end. A map without a compass can be read completely upside down and backwards.

  • The Kingdom is our Compass –the Kingdom is the true North. It does not have geography limitations, and while it guides us, it rarely directs us to the detailed answer.
  • The Spirit is our map – in the sense like GPS – it shows you how to navigate the pitfalls and obstacles that are between you and your destination.

You cannot draw a box around the Kingdom of God, nor can you make a list of those who are “in” verses “out”.  However the Kingdom of God is fixed on one focal point – that is Jesus Christ as the King. This is called a Center-Set rather than a Bounded-Set. (the link provides a great video, but here is a quick summary of this different way of thinking). With Bounded-Set thinking which is most common in organizations and individuals finds themselves focusing on either; others who are like them or resisting those who are not. This focus often creates a list of characteristics that determine whether a person is “in” or “out” of the established group. Look at any high school and you will find hundreds of clicks and sub-groups that are living this out as natural as the air they breathe. The outside edge becomes the focus and the movement is to get outsiders either to come in or stay out. (The bounded-set does not rely on the spirit of the law, it looks to a law itself. 1 Cor 2:10-15, 2 Cor 3:1-6) With a Center-Set there is no “in” or “out” based on the characteristics of the group, rather the focus is on the direction you are headed (Kingdom) and what is drawing persons in the same direction (Spirit). All those persons heading in the same direction, are focused on the same center – they become a group, no matter how different or far apart they are, as long as they are focused / heading to the same goal. The Kingdom is a Center-Set.

When your focus is on the King and you are moving toward the King, it matters not how far away you are– only that you are moving closer to the King and heading in that direction. Jesus says it very clearly to the disciple in the text this week, “whoever is not against us is for us” In a very basic and over simplistic analogy, it is like being on an escalator or the moving walk-way in an airport – it only goes one direction….. If you are on it – you are going to move in that direction, unless you turn around and run against the flow of motion. For some – they have opted to get off the “walk-way” of the Kingdom, and are in fact moving quickly in the other direction. Others choose to remain on the Kingdom walkway, but insist on resisting or moving away from God, rather than acknowledging his power. This person is in constant battle, and must work against the power of God. This is the life of the fool. Then there are those who desire to move closer to God simply choosing to stand still, letting God do the work. Finally those that learn to run in the direction of the Kingdom, discover movement beyond their ability and wisdom beyond their understanding.  This is the flow of Power moving you closer to him.

The passages this week are discussing the Power of Prayer and the movement of the King’s heart to engage His servants who are moving in His direction. Esther brings one of the clearest descriptions of a Center-Set book in the Bible – in that is does not even mention the Center… but it moves in that direction. Esther is a part of a Haram, to a pagan King, she has concealed her Jewish Heritage and yet she is the representative of God. Based on Bounded-set thinking there has to be somebody else who can better represent. And yet – the truth emerges that at just the right time, in the right place, doing the right thing (a Kingdom Servant) shines, not matter how far they seem to be from the “center”.  The Disciples error this week was allowing their focus to be placed elsewhere rather than on Jesus (the King). There focus was placed on themselves and others. Their rejection of the man driving out demons was not regarding his work, rather in the fact that “he” is not one of them (us).  The text does not say “he” was not a follower of Jesus, just that he is not one of “us”… and So Jesus tells them – he is headed in the same direction as us…. he is following me….  Again, Esther does not follow Mordecai, she keeps her focus on the King and his wishes and desires, and the results save the life of Mordecai and all the Jews. Haman takes his eyes off the King and seeks his own kingdom, and the result is death and destruction. In the James passage the power of prayer is declared, and then the charge if given that is someone is move away from the truth we are to go bring them back. This brink them back is not to be in or out, but to help them turn toward the truth. For you to be with them, you are at the outer-most edge of the Kingdom as highlighted above.

Prayer is the focusing agent of our lives unto the flow and movement of God.  Prayer is not for the purpose of changing God’s flow of power, it is for the purpose of changing us. Prayer for another believer aligns us to the will of God as we learn to listen and respond to the answer of God.  Mother Teresa spoke of prayer in this way, “Prayer is not asking.  Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at his disposition, and listening to His voice in the depths of our hearts.” So the purpose of prayer is to align oneself in union with the will of God. (Matt. 6:9-10)

We must not forget that we have an enemy that longs to obstruct the power of God from flowing freely in our lives. All that much more reason why must pray – and boast in our dependence of the King. And in our lives we fast from the things of this world – breaking our dependence on such comforts and lies of the enemy. (Resist the Devil and he will flee from you – James 4:7)

Prayer will move you to the outermost edge of the Kingdom. (Which is marked by humility and hospitality.) Declarations will keep you there, and Commanding darkness away will provide the context for you to flourish.

Questions to move us deeper into Power-filled Prayer:

  1. Do you have any relationships where you can confess your sins to another person and be prayed for?

If not – you need to find and discover the power of this relationship. This may seem not- necessary, but it is essential to your movement from the dependence of the world and comforts of the soul to the flow of the spirit and the healing power of prayer.

  1. In what ways might you be tempted to substitute the power of the Kingdom, for power in this world?

To be a People of Faith following a Plan of Hope, fulfilling a Purpose of Love; prayer is the only means by which you can grow in your confidence and conviction of such things. The Plan of Hope is that which you declare, the purpose of love is the foundation of commanding in humility. (again the edge of the Kingdom) Further, This is the dilemma of the Pharisees in Jesus’ time and where the Disciples found themselves bumping-up against the will of God – they were bound by rules, rather than set free by Power.)

  1. With whom are you in relationship with for the specific purpose of being God’s agent for change?

Are you willing to allow God to demonstrate His power through you? If so Pray, Declare and Command. Pray that the eyes of your heart may be opened to see where God has placed you for such a time as this (Esther 4:14). God is inviting you to pray, that His Will may be known by you and those around you.

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Love songs – Do you have a favorite?

Posted on September 15, 2015 by chaplaincasey

Kingdom Principle: Kingdom Servants enjoy peace & prosperity as a way of life.

Kingdom Servants – Fulfill their Purpose of Love

Proverbs 31:10-31 Psalm 1 James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37

There are so many love songs and songs about love. What is your favorite?

It has been said that love is a verb : John Mayer and DC Talk put this to music, Bob Goff put it in a book, and Jesus put this on display for the world an commanded us to do the same. To be a verb means love is action. When something is in action, its expression can be seen as it moves or at least the effects of it movement can be seen. Therefore we should also be able to see what it looks like when love ceases to be in action. Love is forcefully opposed by Guilt, Shame and Fear. These three twisted expressions of the soul cause us to freeze in our tracks and became prey of this world.  Conversely; Faith, Hope and Love are the counter balance of these three, of which love is the greatest of all.(1 Cor 13:1-13) 1 John 4:18 tells us that perfect love drives out all fear.  1 John 4:9-10 explains that God demonstrated His love for us by sending His Son to die on the cross, giving up his life for us.  This is the defense for why in 1 John 3:16 it directs us to give up our lives as an act of love for our brothers and sisters. The roots of Guilt, Shame and Fear are recorded in Genesis 2-3.

The Scriptures this week paint a beautiful picture of love in action. Proverbs 31 depicts the role of a noble and wise wife and the impact she brings to her husband, family and city. It certainly is the one highest displays of Peace and Prosperity one can find in the Scriptures.  What we must know is that, it is love that motivates her, not guilt, shame or fear. For in wisdom she fears the Lord only. We will return to this below. Psalm 1 demonstrates the results of a life lived in Faith on the plan of Hope – demonstrating Prosperity and Peace, rather than life wasted, leading to death. James 3 continues to highlight the expression of Faith in our lives and the Fruit which it bears.  We shall be Peacemakers, as in Matt 5:9,they will be called children of God. As children of God our love is pure and not corrupted by the world. Then in Mark 9 Jesus highlights the power of fear, guilt and shame to thwart the disciples to be servants of the Kingdom– Jesus calls them to be servants and allows the children to model the exchange of love. Love is not intended to be easy. In Jeremiah 29:7 – Israel is in captivity for 70 years, but it is here that love is to be on its greatest display, lived out in action – seeking the peace and prosperity of the city.

The church today is called to seek this same fulfillment  of peace and prosperity and it is the simple command it to Love.  True love begins with child-like faith, expressing hope  and faith in the one who loves you.  This matures through life as we take on the role of a servant,  sacrificing our rights to go so far as to even love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. (Matt 5:44)This my friends is to be known to the world as the church. The church is not a building, it is a people (often referred to as aliens and strangers) who are love in action.  As the church we are to be set apart from the world, yet actively engaged in the world. We are set a part by our ways of belonging, believing and behaving, not for our benefit- rather for the very transformation of society. We engage the world, being both scattered and gathered. The Scattered Church serves and witnesses to all domains of society much like leaven in bread, or light illuminates a dark room. The Gathered Church edifies one another and is equipped so that the Scattered Church can “rise” and “burn” brightly.

When the Gathered Church attempts to be the light and the leaven in isolation from the very society to which it was sent, the church becomes driven by programs rather than relationships resulting in; conformity verses intimacy, productivity verses fecundity, and consistency verses ecstasy. In order to continually focus our attention on intimacy with the King, fecundity in the Kingdom and ecstasy in Kingship, the Gathered Church must focus is attention on the Equipping and Edification of the Saints.

Equipping of the saints is to prepare and perfect the bride of Christ so that the King will be exalted and we will be identified as a transformed community to proclaim the kingdom throughout the world. Edification of the saints is the building up and strengthening of the body of the Christ, so that the King will be exalted and we will be encouraged as a transformed community to advance the kingdom throughout the world.  The Church is scattered for Service and Witness which is a natural by-product of the gathered Equipping and Edification of the Church. All of this is only possible by the work and purpose of Love.

Let me return briefly to Proverbs 31 –Let us also read the text metaphorically as the description given to the Bride of Christ (rather than a standout wife). In this You and I who are prosperous and powerful bride (wife) of Christ are to live fully into Proverbs 31. How might we, the church, live into this description in order that as Proverbs 31:23,28 depicts– Her husband (Christ) is respected at the city gates and He will be given His seat among the elders of the land. This verse highlights the greatest shift and climax of the context of this passage and shows the purpose of wife/bride’s actions. It is not for one’s own benefit, rather that the King might receive the glory due his name.

How do you know if you are fulfilling your purpose of Love?

  1. You will live a life of Peace and Prosperity.
  2. You will be filled with Faith, Hope & Love as opposed to Guilt, Shame and Fear.
  3. You will hear the Spirit of Wisdom calling to you, revealing your identity, granting you authority and power.
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God-sized-hope. Perfection Guaranteed.

Posted on September 8, 2015 by chaplaincasey

Kingdom Principle: Kingdom Servants – know what to do, when to do it, and how to do it.

Kingdom Servants follow a plan of Hope

Proverbs 1:20-33 Psalm 19 James 3:1-12 Mark 8:27-38

I often hear when Christians lamenting, “I wish I knew what God’s will for my life was…”.  This cry is often not a rejection of the Scriptures or a belief that God does not have a plan for their life, rather it is a confession that they don’t know understand the Scriptures and they have yet to figure out how it is that God’s plan is working in their life. Clearly in searching for God’s will, they are not giving up on Jesus, however they are struggling to follow Jesus’ teaching. Jesus say’s “deny yourself (humility) and take up your cross (not Jesus’ cross)”, this paradoxical step of looking past yourself to find yourself, is the first one to take in discovering God’s will for your life. The question to know God’s will is honest, the hope is real, but the answer is not really desired, for it requires one to submit their whole life, body and soul and spirit unto the Living God.  Seeking God’s will is not the same as seeking your preferred future. (When we think of Hope as the preferred future, we have misunderstood Biblical Hope.) James points out if we ask for wisdom it is given and in Proverbs we learn that Wisdom is calling out with the answer. The mystery lies not in the answer, rather it lies in the inability of the ask’er to listen and apply all that has already been said/given. Therefore Hope actually lies in understanding the past, while it is Faith that is required to change the future.  So in a sense – God is simply saying “Can you hear me now?”

The Plan of Hope is God’s will for your life… (this is the general plan for all God’s children, which will then open the door for you to discover your unique calling and purpose in this world.)

  1. Be filled with Wisdom & Understanding. We hear her voice and receive her spirit.  Servants of the King do not worry about the ups and downs of life, rather they celebrate deep and unwavering security and peace.
  2. Walking in Blamelessness & Righteousness. We are perfected in Christ, forgiven and free. Servants of the King fear the LORD (leads to wisdom) and mediate on the Word of God (deeps understanding. The walking is the living out of our being (Acts 17:28), Psalm 19:7-11 gives the benefits of this dedication. Be reminded, Wisdom, Understanding, Blamelessness & Righteousness are all gifts we received in Christ, which is in the past, for us to claim in the present.
  3. Claiming our Purpose & Calling. To believe that God designed you for a specific purpose and gave you a personal calling transforms how you look at all of life. Holistically the purpose and calling emerges, through denial of themselves (disciplining their body), take up their cross (developing their soul) and following Jesus (directed by His Spirit) we enjoy Intimacy, Fecundity, and Ecstasy ( see last week) as the signposts of life.

There are great benefits to the following the Plan of Hope….

  1. It removes the confusion and crisis of life in this world. When you soul is anchored in the Hope and Promise of God,(Hebrews 6:13-20) no longer are you tossed by the wind and waves of the world. (James 1:6, Eph 4:14) Further the mocking evil person has no hope, and the fool gives away false-hope.
  2. It brings clarity to one’s purpose and passion in life. When a person is not weighted down in confusion and under the cloud of suspicion – they can receive instruction and hear Wisdom clearly. In 1 Cor. 2:15-16, 2 Cor. 3:14-16 Paul addresses this as having the “Mind of Christ” as well as show what keeps us from having such clarity.
  3. Receiving Mercy over Judgment. The path of destruction and evil are clearly outlined, as well is the path of the servant who stands in the presence of the Son of Man in the final days. The Proverb seems very harsh, and it is, but is it the conclusion of a life lived in willful disobedience to the call of God.  God’s word teach us how to deal with the foolish and evil ones of this world in order to continue to follow Him.

Overall, the plan of Hope is the call for the church to be the Body & Bride of Christ, who are strangers and aliens in this world, yet who are now identified as people of faith. The church gathers and scatters – to Exalt the King in the advancement of the Kingdom of God, as a transformed community. It is this hope that changes and transforms all of us from foolish to wise, wandering to directed, and alone to in fellowship.

This is our plan of Hope as a Fellowship located in San Dimas, CA.

We will be Transformed – as the bride of Christ – as we fulfill the mission of Christ.  Jesus was sent by the Father to the world to dwell amongst us. As we enter into the covenanted relationship with Jesus we are transferred from the Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of Light. In our obedience to the King, we become the light which shines.  The Light of Christ shines through wisdom as we stand against evil and are not succumbed by fools.

We will be Community – as the body of Christ – as we fulfill the ministry of Christ.  Jesus in perfection fulfilled all things and gave to us the ministry of the Holy Spirit that we might do even more. The community reflects God’s own purposes and nature and is comprised of uniquely gifted members for the service of the King.

As a Transformed Community we are called to be set apart by Christ, to Christ and for Christ. We are called out by the answers to the questions of “What kind of People will we be?” What Kind of Plan will we follow?” and “What kind of Purpose will we share”. All of this is also answered in the questions of Jesus, “Who do you say I am? In unity the transformed community answers those questions being a People of Faith following a Plan of Hope for the Purposes of Love. (next week)

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Color-blind and grateful

Posted on September 2, 2015 by chaplaincasey

Kingdom Principle:  Kingdom Servants – love all regardless of color, creed, class or connections.            Kingdom Servants are People of Faith.

Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 Psalm 125 James 2:1-10, (11-13), 14-17 Mark 7:24-37

I have said it often “It is not what you know, it is who you know” and this simple reality of the world. I have had doors open, opportunities given and privileges granted based on who I know. Yet – I do not let that determine my status in the Kingdom nor my value in this world. For in the Kingdom of God rights are granted unto all based on the work of the cross, and all ground is level there. However, even in the Kingdom it remains all about who you know – and the King of Kings is the only one you need to know.  I’m reminded of the video, “That’s my King – Do you know him?” With regards to being color blind – DC talk leads the way…  If you know the King, then your faith alone is placed in Him. If you place your faith in others or in your connections, or in your class, color or even creed – you will find one day it is not the right fit.

The ground is level at the foot of the cross and there are no second-class citizens in the Kingdom of Heavens. This message was not what the Jews expected from their Messiah, and prior to Jesus this message was not presented by anyone in the world. Gentiles were second to Jews, the uncircumcised were second to the circumcised, women were second to men,  slaves were second to free, not to forget the barbarians and scythians (Galatians 3:26-28, Colossians 3:11). Jesus was not trying to impress the rulers of this world proclaiming the Kingdom of God and healing the sick. Rather, he was demonstrating a new set of principles.  Jesus was the very veil which was torn between the Kingdom of Heavens and the Earth – making all things new.  It was Jesus’ death that brought the spiritual truth of this tear into a physical reality. This is why Jesus was so offensive to the religious and political leaders of his day. Jesus followed a more perfect law or royal law even prior to the full reality of the Kingdom being established here on earth. The law of the Kingdom which is found in the life of Jesus Christ fulfilled the written law, and would not fully realized until Jesus ascended and sent the Holy Spirit to dwell amongst humanity. (John 14:12-17, 16:7-11)Yet, today the Kingdom of the Heavens is to be here on Earth, and we (Kingdom Servantleaders) are to Ascend to Heaven on Earth. (last 2 weeks)  Jesus was directed by the Spirit, rather than what was written on Stone tablets. And we too are to be directed by the Spirit. (Romans 2:28-29, 2 Cor. 3:4-6).

As we submit our life unto the King of the Kingdom our body, soul and spirit are directed by the Holy Spirit – we as servants of the Kingdom of God will show no favoritism before all people. We will be a people of Faith, where our faith in placed in Christ alone, not in any person, thing or value of this world. And when our faith is in Christ, then there is no reason to place a value or basis of opinion outside of God’s will. The Kingdom of Heaven is the very will of God being loosed on this earth, to act in faith is to transform and change the world. Faith leads us to be the poor-in-spirit who inherit the Kingdom, rather than trusting in riches, it embraces the stranger and alien who are considered the chosen, and faith leads us to worship and follow Jesus everywhere.

Are you part of the People of Faith?

People of faith are identified by where they put their faith – it is not seen based on your connections, or in your class, color or even creed, true faith is in Christ alone.  There is nothing you can do to get faith – because it is a gift from God, and it comes to us as a means of Grace. (   ) Since then all who have faith received it in the same way – making not a one of them better than another.  The common factors of true faith are: Intimacy, Fecundity, and Ecstasy…

Intimacy – There are no walls between you and Christ and all who are a people of faith. Where are you challenged to be the presence of Christ? In what type of situation (class, color, creed) does your own personal level of comfort (this is an issue of the soul) get opposed by the presence of others? Intimacy is not produced on demand; rather it demands a life of humility and submission.

Fecundity- There is a reproduction of your faith in others, in which Christ is glorified and made known.  Are there certain people groups in which you are more inclined to favor? Are you more compassionate to someone who is poor or suffering, or are you more thankful when some who was physically sick is healed verses emotionally sick, or do you opposed/condemn a certain religion over another?  Faith is not forced or created it is produced in you from above. You cannot force another to have faith, but your faith can be the force that someone else needs to grow.

Ecstasy- There is a joy and peace in your expression of faith that cannot be taken away by anyone or anything of this world. What or who has the ability to side track you? Whose phone call will you take over another? If one person has a need are you more inclined to meet it rather than if it was another person? How is your purpose affected by those you are serving? Faith is not contained within you. It must be expressed and it requires you to respond… (read more of the book of James)You cannot act faithful if faith is not in you, but if faithfulness is in you, you cannot help but to act on it. This is why God is always faithful.

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Acne or Herpes – puberty of the Soul

Posted on August 27, 2015 by chaplaincasey

Kingdom Principle: Choices of the soul are expressed through the body.

The war of the Kingdom is not of flesh and blood, but first we must win the war that wages within us.

Song of Solomon 2:8-13 Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 James 1:17-27 Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

It is a scary reality that sexual exploration and behavior is more and more considered to be a healthy and experiential aspect of puberty. In the current context of our culture, political correctness is now driving that permissive behavior to be given an even wider definition of acceptance. The passages this week have to do with intimacy, identity and inheritance.

Most teens (and unfortunately may adults) consider inheritance, identity and intimacy to be:

  • Inheritance as getting money from Grandpa when he dies
  • Identity as formed by social connections & class, pleasure centers & popularity.
  • Intimacy as reaching a climatic state of sexual arousal.

This ignorance is overcome through a puberty of the soul. Jesus brings clarity to the role of inheritance, identity and intimacy, but like pubescent teen searching for acceptance, the church has found itself without much inheritance to speak of asking what’s yet to come and wondering how to get back to where they once were, an identity that is fragile and being blown by the winds of culture, and intimacy is feared rather than sought (both with God and others). In the redemption and formation of the soul; inheritance becomes our belonging to God and joy and peace of the Kingdom (Romans 14:17), identity is found in the righteousness and holiness of Christ Jesus, and intimacy is the ecstasy of interconnectedness and emotional freedom be authentically present in the midst of vulnerability. James leads us on this journey says, be slow to speak, and quick to listen and slow to become angry – none of this is possible without the development of our soul.

The Pharisees of Jesus time were seeking to earn an inheritance and the favor of God out of their obedience to the law. Therefore their identity was bent on legalism rather than love. Jesus turns the tables on them in a way that the church as yet to come to grips with… “it is not what you put into your body that defiles you, rather it is what comes out of your heart” This is at the core of our identity as Children of God. God changes our heart. Kingdom inheritance is not about what you can get, (neither in the future or financially) but rather as defining who you are. Inheritance precedes identity, but it is not your identity. The Kingdom is an inheritance which you are to receive now. (Matt. 25:34) Our Father who is in Heaven, is the giver of our inheritance. In the Psalm and Song of Solomon this week we see the clarity of each person’s identity. Identity will precede intimacy, for without identity, we are looking to take from another, rather than to share in intimacy with another. This clarity invites us to seek true intimacy with the King and His will being done in our lives. (Intimacy can be expressed physically, often through sexual expression, but it is certainly not limited not isolated to that context.

The truest expression of the Kingdom in our lives is found in spiritual intimacy with God and others. We live this out as an act of worship. As highlighted above – we move toward intimacy not through sexual acts or time together, but rather with true identity formed through the process of coming to full awareness of our inheritance.

You can have sex – yet never experience intimacy and you can abstain from the act sex, yet still be sexually immoral. The intimacy that God desires is shared with those who have a pure heart. (1 Cor. 6:9-11) In fact God purses his beloved, and we are to purse God as our beloved. In oneness with the Father, we hear His voice and do His will. Last week we addressed that prayer can mature our intimacy much like puberty moves us forward into physical maturity. This week we are looking at the maturity of the soul or the lack thereof which is expressed in our choices.

Three signs of an undeveloped soul:

  1. Being extreme – (living from only one edge of the spectrum)
  • Eating anything you want or to extreme diets or Vegan-ism (that’s my opinion)
  • Being addicted to physically “working-out” or having no ambition/care to exercise
  • Filling your schedule with overlapping social events 24/7 or living in isolation.
  • Reading the Bible & studying exhaustively all sources of insight and teaching to accumulate knowledge to the extent that you are removed from all other input or seeing no power and relevance in the Word of God
  • Engaging is numerous vices (gossip, drunkenness, smoking, multiple sexual partners idolatry, greed etc..) or living a life of legalism
  • being a work-a-holic or avoiding work

Are you willing to ask another person to share with you, if they see you living in the extremes?

  1. Being Shamed or Shamelessness. (another extreme)

When the Song of Solomon is read some people are uncomfortable (shamed) because it deals with the beauty of the woman and the intimacy of a sensual/sexual relationship of a husband and wife. There are others who live with such shamelessness (lacking modesty and respect for self) that they lack discretion at any level when it comes to the human body, and as a result also have little intimacy or true beauty to pursue concerning sensuality and sexuality.

When do you participate in intimacy with someone outside of your immediate family? How would you describe the level of shame hovering over your church relationships?

  1. Playing the role of the fool.

The post two weeks ago highlights this reality, but this week the James passage presents the call to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger is a reality of a developed soul.  The developed soul, can hold there tongue, and create space for others to discover the truth.

How has God revealed to you in the last two weeks (or may reveal in the next two weeks) any foolish behavior in your life where you are lacking in wisdom?

How then do we develop or lead the soul. It needs to be nourished, just as the body and spirit do. But we must learn what it means to have a healthy soul, rather than simply feeding the soul. Health is found in healing and holistic formation. I have come to see this as the pattern of God for life. Laid out in the O.T. Tabernacle and renewed in the life of Christ we must pursue Physical, Emotional, Mental, Relational, Spiritual, Missional & Cultural formation as a part of the process of developing and caring for our soul. This is best done through one-on-one relationships with coaches and mentors. If you don’t have someone like that in your life – let’s start a coaching relationship between you and I today. (If your wondering – I too have coaches in my life…)

Changing gears to make this very practical: It is easy to hide an STD and just as easy to accept Acne… neither of which are part of your inheritance in the Kingdom. The Puberty of the Soul overcomes and prevents both.

I do not have any STD’s, but I have accepted my struggle with acne for most of my life.   These are choices of the extremes, and I bring them up as two expressions of an underdeveloped soul. Someone who has an STD – has made a physical choice to engage in a physical activity that was not honoring to God. (with the exception of being raped) But for the most part they can keep that a secret from the rest of the world. Someone who has Acne – has made a choice to engage or allow activities that are not honoring to the body. (I say this as one who struggled with blemishes/zits/acne for most of my life and blamed it on genetics), but now I have learned that when I eat dairy, allow stress to linger (getting too little sleep), and have poor hygiene (washing my face) – acne shows up in full force. Therefore – when I care for my body – I honor God. It is much harder to hide acne than an STD. But at the end of the day – it came down to choices I am making. These choices are made out of our soul, which is both undeveloped and selfish (not caring about the body) or developed and honoring the physical temple of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes I want ice cream and pizza or more than I don’t want acne. I can celebrate that I have never wanted an affair/adultery more than I want to honor my wife. But at the end of the day – it comes down to choices of the soul. The sexual immorality of an affair is not in the act of sex with a person to whom you are not married, it is in the lust of your heart. Acne is not a curse, it is a choice of discipline… Some will argue with me on that – and all I can say is– being stuck in puberty is a tough place to be…

 

 

 

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