Who could punch a puppy?
I currently have four puppies who are 5 weeks old. We are potty training them on puppy pads. About 75% of the time they piddle where they are supposed to and 25% their poo goes in the right spot. As the owner/trainer I do not get mad when they miss, the opposite is more prevalent. I praise their accomplishments. I think that many Christians look at God as a vengeful father who is looking to throw lightning bolts.
We are his creation his children and he is a good father. He is not vengeful but he is loving. When reading through the gospels and how Jesus relates to people he is not mean. Take the woman at the well for example. He knew all about her past yet he did not judge her. He showed her kindness and did not treat with anything but respect. When dealing with Zecheus (sp?), he actually requested to go to his house. Tax collectors were not looked at favorably. When Z repented, it wasn’t after a tongue lashing it was after being in Jesus’s presence.
I think people need to spend time in his presence and get to know him. It is life changing.
Who could punch a puppy?
James 1:18 NLT
He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession
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My 2:00 am wake up
So I woke up around 2am, I
got up went to the kitchen and had a, drink. I came back to bed. I often put worship music or play the Bible audio (streaming) while I sleep. As I was crawling back into bed I picked up my phone to change the track. I noticed a blinking blue light reminding me I missed something and my phone wants to remind me to look. I looked at the status bar and opened Facebook. I saw a post by Francois du Toit and read it. My spirit was provoked by it. About seven hours I was with a small group discussing the resurrection in light of Romans, Ephesians, and 2 Corinthians. God you can wake me up like this as much as you want.
Francois quote is below.
“A meaningful relationship with the Creator and our fellow humans of tangible content and feedback was substituted for an airy-fairy philosophy of religious ritual, sentiment and dreams. Trapped in a spiritual vacuum of ignorance, we’ve latched on to worn-out and fading traditions of the past and vague future hopes.”
Francois du Toit
Once the veil of religion (law) is lifted and the epiphany of the realization what happened at the cross truly or even partially gets through a mans mind and springs forth into his spirit the freedom it brings is wow
Ephesians 2:13 TMT “But now wow! Everything has changed; vhou have discovered yourselves to be located in Christ. What once seemed so distant is now so near; his blood reveals your redeemed innocence and authentic genesis. ”
The WOW factor, the cross a the impact of mans co-death and co-resurrection. We are one with Christ at that time, pre-coneption.
Francois will be coming to Kansas City the end of May beginning of June, I look forward to it expectantly.
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My Garage, thorn in my…..
I have an issue that has become almost a running joke around the house. Here is my problem. We are a family with 3 drivers (about to be 4), we have 3 cars (about to be 4), we have a two car garage, and last the automatic garage door opener only came with two remotes. Winter in Kansas City does bring snow and cold weather. When there were only two cars it was not a problem. We added the third and the remote became a limited commodity worth more than…well not gold but we have had a couple of “hey who took my remote?!” moments. Initially the parents were the holders of these little gizmos. A certain daughter found that not having one cramped her style (side note she also found parking out in the winter weather was not suited to her). What this meant was I now had access issues. I was noticing my remote was missing often. I would find it in my daughters car, I would retrieve it and shortly there after I would have to look for it again and again. I reluctantly realized that my plight was un-winnable (so be it). I was fine when I left the garage but was reliant on closing and opening the garage with the keypad outside for closing and re-entry. Since I often have full hands upon entry it made it very awkward. I went on like this for most of this winter. My brother in law was over the other day and we were running an errand. We hopped into the 07 Toyota Sienna and took off. He noticed I used the keypad to close the door and then asked me a question. “Where’s your remote? I told him why. He looked at me puzzled and asked “Why don’t you use your vans programmable buttons?” DOH! I knew they were there when we bought the van 5+ years ago. Why hadn’t I thought of that?
This realization changed my life for the better. I was really thankful and its has made my life easier. Most Christians walk their life this way. We have each been given the free gifts of grace, healing, identity, faith, etc. when Jesus died and rose again. Are you walk in his fullness? The simplicity of it is that Christ’s fullness is our fullness. It has nothing to do with our striving, we could never do it on our own merit. We have a God who has only one requirement, an open heart to him.
2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV
For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him…”
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Sonship Dude!
I was reading in Romans 8:19-24 still contemplating sonship (following yesterday’s blog) it states;
Our lives now represent the one event every creature anticipates withheld breath, standing on tip-toe as it were the unveiling of the sons of God. Can you hear the drum roll?
Every creature suffered abuse through Adam’s fall; they were discarded like a squeezed out orange. Creation did not volunteer to fall prey to the effect of the fall. Yet within this stark setting hope prevails.
All creation knows the glorious liberty of the SONS of God sets the stage for their own release from decay.
We sense the universal agony and pain recorded in history until this very moment.
We ourselves feel the grief echo of their groaning within us while we are ready too EMBRACE the ORIGINAL BLUEPRINT also of our physical stature to the full consequence of SONSHIP. What we ALREADY NOW PARTICIPATE in as first fruits of the spirit will bloom into a full gathering of the harvest.
For what we already experience of salvation confirms our hope and continues to fuel our expectation for what we still cannot see. In the final visible completeness of the harvest, hope has fulfilled its function.
Through the cross we co-died and became co-heirs with Christ. This act brought mankind into sonship. Sonship! Do you get the ramifications? We have a new lease, Adam’s fall has been wiped clean.
You hear stories of prisoners who have been behind bars for decades and have been released and still act like prisoners.
James Whitmore in The Shawshank Redemption
Jame Whitmore’s character in the Shawshank Redemption had been in prison since his late teens and was released an old man. He was free but he didn’t know how to cope with his freedom. He still acted like he was in chains asking permission to use the bathroom among others. He didn’t understand traffic or how to cross the street. He knew about street and cars. He had knowledge of what they were but it was merely cognition not understanding of the practical. We are like that, I’ve often used the terminology “we are sons and daughters of God” but I never walked in it or even remotely understood what it means.
I am a joint heir with Christ! What he gets, I get. He has access to daddy, I have access to daddy.
I’m a parent of four kids; Savannah, Shakanah, Benaiah, and Moriah in that order. I cannot honestly say I have a favorite. In fact I have told them when we are alone (one on one) that they (which ever one is with me) that they are my favorite. Each one can come and ask me a question at any time and I will see what can be done to answer there question or make a request possible. No good father/mother will give their child a spider if they ask for a _______________. I am God’s son his child. I am not a servant or a guest. I am his favorite.
Jesus’s act of sacrifice on the cross redeemed our innocence, it brought us back to that pre-fall relationship that Adam and God had in Eden.
God has invited each of us to walk in that sonship. A good parent loves unconditionally and God is definitely a good parent. Remember the prodigal sons brother who at the end of the story is jealous of his brother and when confronted by his father about his issues the father says;
Luke 15:31-32
“My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”
Your original identity is that of a fully functional son/daughter of God!
Grasp your original blueprint Dude!
Give the word your undivided attention; do not underestimate yourself. Make the calculation. There can only be one conclusion: your authentic origin is mirrored in the word. You are God’s poem; let his voice make poetry of your life.
James1:22 The Mirror Translation
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The Locator (Sons and Daughters)
So have you ever had one of those days? Well all six of us are on antibiotics. It has been one of those stay in bed days. I flipped on the television and there was a show on called The Locator. The pretense of the show is for family members to be reunited after years of absence do to splits at birth, family splits, foster kids, etc. I watched two different segments, one was about reuniting a brother who was seperated by a marriage split when he was two (currently he is 40) the other was reuniting a mother and daughter. Where am I going with this?
Well I found this interesting as turned off the television and opened up the word. I opened up to where I had left off.
Romans 8:15-19 (TMT)
Slavery is such a poor substitute for sonship! They are opposites; the one leads forcefully through fear while sonshipI resppnds fondly to Abba Father.
His spirit resonates within our spirit to confirm the fact that we originate in God.
Because we are his offspring, we qualify to be heirs; God himself is our portion, we co-inherit with Christ. Since we were represented and included in his suffering we equally participate in th glory of his resurrection.
He has taken the sting out of our suffering; what seemed burdensome in this life becomes insignificant in comparison to the glory he reveals in us.
Our lives now represent the one event every creature anticipates withheld breath, standing tiptoe as it were to witness the unveiling of the sons of God. Can you hear the drum roll?
The Locator was all about reuniting lost relationships. All of mankind has lost relationship with God because of Adams sin. We need that reuniting that relationship with our original father. From the moment God created man he was, is, and always will be our original father. Just like any family there are different levels of function or disfunction. Some people walk in that sonship amazingly while others are black sheep, prodigal sons, foster kids, etc. Our father is like that parent on the television show who is continually trying to reunite his family. We were his sons and daughters from the beginning, his death and resurrection brought that ability to walk in sonship full circle. No one who calls themselves a Christian can deny Jesus is the son of God. Jesus is in me and I am in him. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says that we look into a mirror and see Jesus, he uses that same reflection and sees us. If a mirror sees in the present tense the fact that what Jesus sees is him in us and we see him in us. The image seen both ways is sinless, blameless, perfect at that current moment. Jesus calls us co-heirs, sons and daughters. We are Gods sons and daghters. Sure some of us feel like orphans, foster kids, or black sheep but just like the prodigal son we have a father waiting arms open wanting us to run to him. Don’t worry about showering or cleaning yourself up. If yiu think I have to make myself presentable before going to him, get over it. Man will never on their own be able to make themselves good enough, that’s what grace is all about.
Malachi 4:6 New Living Translation
His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse.”
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Placement over Positioning
Placement: to be set in to be put or placed.
. The state of being placed or arranged. 2. a. The finding of suitable accommodation or employment for …
Positioning:
The act of placing one self in a position,
creating an identity in the minds of a target market
Placement is where you are set beyond your control, submission rather then the Positioning where it is self based
The difference is is one based on trust and grace where as the other is self works. What God plows and plants will surely grow and prosper whereas what man plows and plants is dependent on the circumstances. One is mandated one is concocted.
“When you receive a mandate it changes everything” Noel Alexander
Ephesians 1:17-18 (Mirror Translation)
I desire that you draw directly from the source; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ , the Father of glory ignites the spirit of wisdom and revelation in you in the unveiling of his Master Plan. I desire that you know by revelation what he has known about you all along! (His intent doxa, glory.)
I pray that your thoughts will be flooded (OVERWHELMED) with light and inspired insight; that you will clearly picture his intent in identifying you in him so that you may know how precious you are to him. The saints are his treasure and glorious trophy of his portion! (we are God’s assets and the measure of his wealth!) (I’M HIS TREASURE HIS TROPHY)
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Not the Best but…
I have been reading a book by Andrew Farley titled God without religion can it really be the simple. He poses a statement to the effect; I’m not good at religion and I’m a weak Christian. This is probably true for most of us. I definitely fit the category. I have sinned and more than likely it (sin) will probably pop up again. Whether that sin is lieing, , cheating, murder, swearing, etc. it really doesn’t matter what the sin is. There is no scale saying once sin is greater than another. Sin is sin…
My God has grace and forgiveness enough for all of us.
Just saying
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Old Time Religion
I heard a reference to that gospel song “Old Time Religion” and I started to think. Nah, I really don’t want that old time religion. I really in all my life known what pure Christianity really is. I have just lately gotten a glimpse of what I believe to be Christianity is supposed to be.
I’m pushing the 40 + mark right now and I’m looking back at what my impact or how I’ve tried impact those around me. Looking at your spiritual roots can sometimes be a little bit painful. They say we learn by trial and error, and sometimes I feel there’s more error the trial. About 12 years ago I move to Kansas City and took a job teaching at Dominion Christian school. I have the privilege of teaching really bright kids. Many of them have moved on to some really awesome ministry in everything from music, preaching, sports, etc.
One of the classes that I taught was the homeroom Bible class. I often wonder how effective I really was and what my motives we’re. There was one studeny who often said “Oh no, it’s time for one of Mister K’s guilt trips.” I look back and my paradigm was probably one of outside appearance and works.
I have recently been spiritually challenged and with that some blinders have been removed. I was bound up in a works mentality. I was a slave to a set of laws.
Romans 8:15 (TMT) Slavery is such a poor substitute for sonship! They are opposites; the one leads forcefully through fear while friendship responds fondly to Abba Father.
I was moving in a spirit of “look what I can do. ” There’s the Marys and the Marthas, I was a Martha. I moved as a servant not a son.
Luke 10:41-42 NLT
But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Jesus blatantly said Mary chose the better. There has to be a balance as sitting at his feet or gazing on Jesus and getting things to happen. How much easier would it be to move out of passion then self will. The DIY attitude works when you are building a deck but in the spiritual world I now know He can do it much better than I could ever do. I worked and pressured change out of guilt and condemnation. Many of my students were striving to change out of will power. I’ve been a part of The International House of Prayer and one of the things stressed there is time spent worshipping and gazing as it were on Jesus will turn you from a Martha to a Mary.
Romans 6:11 “…Calculate the cross; there can only logical solution: he died for your death; that means you died unto sin, and now are alive unto God. Sin-consciousness can never again feature in your future. You are in Christ Jesus; his Lordship is the authority of this union.
His death on the cross brought the New Covenant (Grace) into the equation and wiped out mans reliance on the Law.
James 2:10 If you the standard of the law in just one aspect of it you failed entirely.
Jesus wiped out that old time religion. The law to me is thst old time religion. When I heard the words old time religion I conjure up pictures of fire and brimstone preachers who point that gnarled finger in your face yelling “Repent! ” This is a form of Christianity that to me leaves much to be desired. I do not want to spend my life trying to achieve some level of acceptance that is based on guilt and condemnation God. I love the fact that I now know there is a God who sees me as blameless now. He exudes grace. He knows me and likes me anyway.
No old time religion (law) for me.
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Question about Mirrors leads to Grace and Identity
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I posed a question on Facebook, Twitter,and WordPress last night asking a simple question, “What is a mirror and what does it do?” Below are some of the responses. Some of the replies were humorous to philosophical. But I received the basic response I was expecting.According to Merriams-Webster Dictionary:Mirror:
1: a polished or smooth surface (as of glass) that forms images by reflection2a : something that gives a true representationb : an exemplary model
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A mirror is an object that reflects light or sound in a way that preserves much of its original quality subsequent to its contact with the mirror, Mirrors are commonly used for personal grooming or admiring oneself -
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A mirrors tell you the truth
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A mirror is a vehicle carrier (for sociology folks) it lets one see what they want to see about self and immediate surrounding
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A mirror is a portal into a magical realm, where my physical self manifests properties that are deemed “attractive” to “ladies” and I have the uncanny ability to talk to people without any regard to my inhibitions…and brush my teeth into my magical toothbrush/microphone.
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Mirrors: An image reflective device. What they do: Reflect back what they see.
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A mirror is a man made object to show a reflection. It’s also what John said a portal to another dimension.
A mirror can be used for for different purposes but in fact it is usually a piece of glass with a reflective coating which is used to show an exact reflection of the image of whatever is in front of it. (We are leaving the side show carnival mirrors out of this blog for now)2 Corinthians 3:18 (The Mirror Translation)The days of window-shopping are over! In him every face is unveiled. in gazing at the blueprint likeness of God displayed in human form we suddenly realize that we are looking at ourselves! Every feature of his image is mirrored in us! This is the most radical transformation engineered by the Spirit of the Lord; we are led from an inferior mind-set to the revealed endorsement of our authentic identity . Man Kind is His glory!2 Corinthians 3:18 (Amplified Bible)
And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit
I have read this verse over and over for the past umpteen plus years and never have I put much thought into it. If you look at my previous blogs over the past month you will see that I have been digging into the book of Romans. It has been eye opening. I have spent hours contemplating the cross and grace. I have come to realize I and most Christians I’ve ever known think they are living under the New Covenant when in fact when in reality its most are living in a mix of the Old Covenant (the Law) and the New Covenant (Grace). It is impossible to be in both. you either live under the Law and attain through will power the ability to keep the 10 Commandments and the 600+ minor laws, or you live under the New Covenant and grace. It is one or the other. Jesus paid my spiritual mortgage 2000 years prior to me taking my first breath. He knew me before I was conceived and was waiting enthusiastically for me to be here.
I’m seeing the mirror as a two way street we see ourselves in Christ and he sees him in us, a mirror sees the present time and not the future or past. God is in us now we are blameless and innocent as he took care of my sin issues on the cross 2000 years ago.the ramifications of the cross when realized by the believer radically change ones paradigm. We look into the mirror and see what God sees. He sees us free of sin free of condemnation perfect before him. The vice versa is in effect as well, if he sees that, that is the spiritual reality the mirror should produce for us as well. I don’t have all the words to express this perfectly at this point but the revelation of the two sides the two perceptions of the mirror are liberating. There is now no condemnation I do not have to strive to come to my father. It’s unconditional acceptance. The mere thought of this draws me in to want more of him. This in not some sloppy grace fest. There are some groups out there that take shots at what they term the hyper grace message because they say it licenses the christian to sin. It’s the exact opposite the grace pulls you in to want more. He made man to relate to him on a personal basis. Prior to the fall (Adam), Adam walked and talked with God. The cross brought us back to right standing. a hard reset was done bringing back our original identity and redeemed innocence. He payed my spiritual mortgage.
The ramifications of the cross and what was done for me there are life changing. The realization that grace was poured out unconditionally and I now no longer am bound by the law. I am not bound up with a DIY mindset (work in progress) is freeing. 99% of my Christianity has been based on attaining a level of acceptance that is impossible. A DIY mentality is crippling to a spiritual walk. The epiphany of “looking into th mirror” has been radical to say the least. Not only do we see a reflection of Christ in the mirror but He also sees his reflection in us. Mirrors see the present, not the past or future. He sees me sinless blameless now regardless of how I feel about me. Grace was a total gift. The cross or what was accomplished at the cross should be freeing to anyone who gets it. The realization or understanding that he died and our sin nature died at that moment and our original identity of redeemed innocence was in place 2000 years ago… Woo Hoooooo! HE REALLY REALLY LIKES ME!
Romans 1:17 AMP
For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith.
Romans 1:17 TMT
Herein lies the secret of the power of the Gospel; There is no good news in it till the righteousness of of God is revealed. The dynamic of the Gospel is the revelation of God’s faith as the only valid basis for our belief. The prophets wrote in advance about the fact that God believes that righteousness unveils the life that he had in mind for us. “Righteousness by his (God’s) defines life.”
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I’m Trading My Sorrows, Jeremy Camp
Replace trading with the word traded
Kilen's Spot 