Loving Relationships Guide

Hungry?

2006-09-13T07:07:00.000-07:00

I firmly believe one cannot form a healthy relationship with another human being until one first forms a healthy relationship with God. There are many things God provides that a person can NEVER provide. He fills us in ways no human can and to a depth that is not humanly possible on our own.

We give to others out of the abundance and overflow we receive from God, spiritually and emotionally. If you do not know God, you have little to give away and you certainly can not provide to others what they need, at the levels they may need it especially if the other perons is particularly NEEDY!

Regardless how much we CAN give others, it is always insufficient. God alone can fill us to overflowing. It's a lot like eating. Once we eat and are full we aren't completely satisfied. We soon hunger again. God alone can fill us and satisfies us for weeks at the deepest levels. There are times we may be so full of God (and satisfied completely at such spiritual and emotional levels) that we absolutely have no need for the company of others nor any desire for food!

I think this is what Jesus was referring to when, in John 4, he tells his closest disciples, "I have other food to eat that you do not know about." Cool stuff!

Da Vinci Debunked

2006-05-01T13:49:00.000-07:00

Constantine called a council meeting. Bishops debated. But, what did they debate? Was it a debate about which books to include in our New Testament?

The debate was actually on the precise meaning of what had been written in scripture centuries before. All four gospels had probably been completed by A.D. 80. Some recent scholars date all New Testament books before A.D. 70! This means that some of the four gospels could have been written as early as twenty years after the events they record!

There is no historical evidence that the Council of Nicaea discussed any Gnostic gospels or anything pertaining to the canon of Scripture.

There is not even a hint about a debate concerning books of the New Testament. Twenty rulings were issued and the contents of all are still in existence. Not one refers to issues regarding the canon. (The Council at Nicaea simply debated whether Jesus was coeternal with the Father. The vote to endorse the Nicene Creed came down to a vote of 300 to 2. Hardly close as Brown asserts in his book!)

By the time Constantine calls his council, it is not for the purpose of selecting books but merely for the purpose of verifying books already recognized by Christians as inspired of God. They merely discussed what those books said about Christ’s deity.

The four gospels were written around two hundred years BEFORE the Council of Nicaea. The debate was long over. All the bishops had to do was recognize the historic teachings that had been in existence for over two hundred years in the early church.

Irenaueus writes in the second century (Against Heresies), over 100 years before Constantine, that the four gospels were so universally recognized that he refers to them as “four pillars.” Early Christians protected and passed on those early writings of the Apostles and their close disciples under severe persecution. They also warned against other writings which claimed authenticity under an earlier disciple’s name (such as Gospel of Philip and The Gospel of Thomas.) History shows that well before Constantine, documents like the late second century Gospel of Mary were considered false by the overwhelming majority of Christians worldwide.

In the early days, the church was not as much an organization as an organism. It was NOT a highly organized hierarchy of scholars and clerics. The early church was people like Origen’s father and many of his friends. These early Christians were put to death for refusing to recant their faith in Jesus. So, when Origen talks about the church, he refers to a growing body of believers who recognized the writings of the apostles or someone close to them writing under their authority. In time, there arose among these early followers, a broad acceptance that these writings were trustworthy and others questionable.

In one of Peter’s last letters, he recognizes the fact that Paul’s writings are already being gathered. In 2 Peter 3:15, 16, Peter writes: “...which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.”

Even before A.D. 70, followers of Christ are recognizing certain New Testament books as equal in authority to “scripture” in the Old Testament. Polycarp (A.D. 115) and a later church leader named Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 150) both refer to Old and New Testament books with the phrase, “as it is said in these scriptures.”

We can see that it was not some clerical council that put together the early scriptures but actually early Christians. The writings of the earliest prophets and apostles were so unique that they became recognized as God’s own words. They were preserved over the centuries. With these writings, not only could true words be easily recognized but also false pretenders with their false gospels could easily be set apart from them.

That the early Christians collected and circulated an agreed-upon standardized list or index of accepted scriptures, is easily seen. In A.D. 303, the edict of Diocletian calls for destruction of the sacred books of the Christians. This proves that at least some form of a Bible existed twenty-three years before Constantine.

Many historians recognize that the majority of what we call the New Testament was acknowledged a hundred years before Constantine. Then, in A.D. 367, six years after Constantine died, Athanasius (a bishop at Alexandria) finally gives us the earliest list of New Testament books we would recognize as our present New Testament.

The first time a church council listed the complete twenty-seven books of the New Testament was in A.D. 393, The Synod of Hippo (which had nothing to do with deciding the canon) recorded the books universally recognized by the church.

The Da Vinci Code has it wrong. The early Christians gave us our New Testament, not Constantine, not some clerical hierarchy.

---------
Recommended reading: The Da Vinci Code, A Quest For Answers, by Josh McDowell, Green Key Books, Holiday, Florida.

No Clergy! No Popes! No New Apostles!

2006-05-01T13:27:00.000-07:00

There is NO clergy-laity distinction in Christ’s Body! Jesus condemned distinguishing titles among his followers. He BLASTED the religious elitism of his day! The biblical role of pastors/elders/leaders is always plural and accountable to the local congregation they lead. Elders are a natural carry-over from Judaism to Christianity. There is always a need for God-like, mature leaders who guide and mentor. But, this is far from the special class MAN sets up to “administer, manipulate and control” all things religious.

Biblical overseers serve the local body of believers as shepherds, leaders, guides, not cattle drivers. In Texas, we know the difference. These leaders NEVER assume a "position" in the local congregation! They would never attempt to supplant the original foundation of the first (and only) apostles the church needed, as does the Mormon LDS Church!

Once the foundation of apostolic authority was laid in the first century it needed none other to be laid! Apostolic succession (of authority) in the church is spurious and unbiblical! Every Christian today is added to that same spiritual building with that same spiritual foundation of that same original apostles and that same original teachings, Jesus Christ is STILL the chief cornerstone, if you truly belong to Christ! Otherwise, you simply belong to a religious organization! See Ephesians.

In Christ's true church, every member has equal access to our Head...Christ! Every member is a priest (ergo Revelation 1, “a Kingdom of Priests") and each member has equal access to God as a priest through Jesus Christ, the one and only High Priest! We need none other to intercede for us, not Popes, Cardinals, Bishops, Elders, Deacons, Pastors, Ministers, or Clergy of any stripe!

There is no additional need for authority or teachings other than the original. The Spirit is in charge of the Church until Christ comes back! We need no person over us than the Spirit whom Christ sent to administer things religious in this age of grace! There is no need for additional doctrines or new doctrines (to replace the original teachings).

The clergy-laity distinction is an invention of men! Christian clergy are spurious and without biblical precedent or authority.

I beg you with the love of the Lord to discard your titles that divide us! I beg you to relinquish your ungodly authority! I ask you to return all authority to Jesus Christ and to follow His Spirit alone, not men. See Romans 8. All clergy should set God's people free! Clergy should renounce their ungodly position of ungodly power and ungodly influence.

Those of you in the denominational churches, cast off the chain of command that your popes, bishops and pastors have used to imprison you. Answer to Christ alone! Come back under His sole authority, His teachings, and His leadership. Come back under His plain teachings, God-given authority, and qualified leadership of the original Twelve Apostles through their historic teachings in the New Testament.

In Christ's church, we have no need of a Pope, Pastor or Clergyman. We are the Bride of Christ. We are under the Lordship, Leadership, and Headship of our Lord and Master, Jesus and His Holy Spirit.

I encourage you to gather with your fellow believers to edify one another and glorify God. Leave room for the full exercise of all the servants with their unique spiritual, be they gifts of administration, gifts of teaching or gifts of leadership.

Drop the spiritual elitism, remove the clerical robes and funny-looking collars. Surrender your unbiblical authority. Then, the criticism of you and others like you will dissipate. Christ Himself forbade such distinguishing titles and religious clothing!

In Christ, there is neither Jew nor Gentile, male nor female, slave nor freeman, and there is also neither clergy nor laity. We are all one in Christ without distinguishing titles in Christ’s Kingdom.

Jesus said it best:
“All authority is given unto me in heaven and on earth.”

Come Lord Jesus!

Pure Grace

2006-04-10T10:38:00.000-07:00

The concept of pure grace atonement is unique to Christianity. Other religions enforce a strict religious code to satisfy the wrath of angry gods. The more obedient a person is to that code, the more righteous that person is perceived to be.

Sadly, some Christians believe the same thing. They believe one must perform and complete certain acts or works to obtain salvation. They believe God's salvation must be maintained by constantly performing good deeds, and refraining from bad deeds. They teach an adherence to some strict (written or unwritten) moral code. If one fails to do certain deeds, God removes his salvation and condemns him to hell. He will also be condemned to hell for things like cussing, dancing, or drinking alcohol. He must maintain his salvation by attending church, visiting the sick, tithing, praying, etc., (the list is endless).

This explains why some Christians have no problem converting to Islam, or Christian cults. They simply exchange one form of legalism for a more rigid form. They take on a stricter set of rules to feel (or appear) more righteous, more saved. This rule-keeping has a form of religion and self-righteousness, but it promotes a system whereby one obtains God's salvation and acceptance through human effort.

God’s salvation is not earned. God’s salvation is not maintained through pious human acts. God bestows his salvation, freely. He decides upon whom he wishes to convey it, based on faith in Jesus Christ. He is obligated to save no one. He desires all to come freely.

There is no doubt that we, as believers, have obligations. Just like marriage brings certain obligations and responsibilities. Yet, we do not earn or maintain our salvation through keeping these obligations. We are saved by the blood of Christ. Payment was made one time, for all time. The debt is paid. Jesus' last words were,

"It is finished."

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9)

Lines That Define!

2006-03-31T13:12:00.000-08:00

Could your people-pleasing side be constantly at odds with your independent side? Could this be the major cause of internal strife and some external strife? Let me explain.

You have a great need to serve and please others. Wonderful! You also have a need to be your own person, at times. Equally wonderful! Yet, you are constantly torn between the two. Your frustration with close relations comes because your “significant others” do not know where to draw the line. They do not know when they've "crossed the line" with you. THEY do not know because YOU do not yet know. Am I making any sense?

You must discover that "line". When you clearly define it for yourself, then you can clearly define it for others.

You need to reserve some time, energy, and money for yourself. Keep some back. It isn't selfish. Insist upon it! These significant others can fend for themselves while you take time off from serving. (Unless they are newborns and, if so, get a babysitter!) They aren’t helpless. If your significant others can’t go a day without you, your relationship isn’t healthy anyway! Are you getting the picture? The world will keep going one day without you there to hold it up!

Maybe you want to be a doormat in specific areas. That’s fine. YOU decide what YOU can and are willing and able to do. You also decide when you’ve had enough! Discover the line and draw it! Here’s the kicker.

Once you draw it, you MUST defend it...EVERY TIME! Don't let anyone (not even your people-pleasing side) compromise your line! If you constantly move it, when others start whining and complaining about it being there, then it was useless to draw it in the first place. Because it means nothing. Allow your strong side to defend all necessary lines! DEMAND that others respect your lines!

No border or boundary is appreciated and respected that is not well defended. (There's your solution to the immigration problem!)

Appropriate borders, boundaries and limitations constantly define us to others and to ourselves. We are nothing without them. We get to define all lines that define US. God through the Holy Spirit keeps us from being too selfish. That's the Spirit's job. So, don't worry about being too tough with your lines. (If you are a true Christian who is listening closely to God.)

Listen more closely to God than to anyone else. Including yourself! NEVER compromise who you are in the Lord.

Cheerful Giving

2006-03-14T07:29:00.000-08:00

Tithing one-tenth of everything one owns is an Old Testament concept for supporting the temple priesthood. The New Testament promotes the idea of free-will offerings for needy saints.

Jesus’ ministry was funded largely by wealthy women. It’s true. We are introduced early in the New Testament to the idea of free-will offerings. In the early life of the first church, at Jerusalem, everyone pooled their resources. Men full of the Holy Spirit were entrusted to oversee and distribute these funds and goods. Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, lose their lives in the early church when they hold back a certain amount from the sale of a piece of property. They are condemned, not for holding back funds, but for lying to the Holy Spirit. Listen closely to Peter.

Acts 5:4 “Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal?”

Everything we own belongs to us. God blesses us with our resources and he trusts us with their disposal. When we first came to God he asked us to give him everything. Then he handed it back and commanded us:

“Now, go and use all for my glory.”

So, where do churches get the authority to command a weekly tithe offering if the New Testament promotes a free-will offering? Good question. It comes from a misapplication of I Corinthians 16: 1, 2.

“Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up…”

This Scripture is often quoted as a command for the church collection plate to be passed weekly in the assembly. What they do not quote is the last half of this Scripture. Paul gives the reason for his command:

“…so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.”

If this applies to us today, then the gift we collect must go in trusted hands to the needy saints in Jerusalem! This was a ONE TIME gift promised from the Gentile churches to the needy saints in Jerusalem experiencing a famine. After Paul stops by and picks up their gift, they are under NO obligation to take up another collection the next Sunday!

Paul later says that he is even hesitant to command them to send their gift. He does so only because they had promised to give to the saints in Jerusalem. His command is actually a reminder for them to keep a promise! It has no authority today. It is not given by Paul with that intent!

There is no New Testament authority for commanding a weekly offering in the assembly. In the assembly where I worship, there is no passing of the plate! We have a box in the back for anyone who wishes to give. There are no sermons on giving to make one feel guilty or obligated. There is no coercion. And, we have never failed to meet our budget.

God desires we give “as each determines in his own heart…for God loves a cheerful giver”, 2 Corinthians 9:5-11.

Join the Church of Your Choice?

2006-03-13T07:40:00.000-08:00

The above statement is often meant to encourage persons to attend church, somewhere. But, there are several flaws in its reasoning.

You may join a denomination, but Christ’s church is not something you choose to join. Christ’s church is something you are! When you receive Christ's “birth from above” God adds you to his family. You become a part of the spiritual body of Christ. You cannot join it. You can only be born into it! (Or, should I say "reborn"?)

When you are added to the body of Christ, you are expected to gather weekly with other family members. You are expected to assemble for corporate worship and mutual encouragement. Assembled or not, you remain IN the body of Christ, his church. Assembled in a denominational service or in your living room with family and friends, you are still part of the body of Christ, his church, if you actually belong to him.

Just before Christ died, he stood in Galilee on a large outcropping of rock. He proclaimed, “Upon this rock, I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” He wasn't going to build a denomination! He was stating that the grave would not prevent his Kingdom from coming to earth. Immediately after his resurrection, he told Mary to inform Peter and the rest that he was going to Galilee. Paul writes that Jesus appeared to 500 persons in one gathering, see I Corinthians 15. I believe Galilee was the place of the first gathering of his church. His church started on that large outcropping of rock following his resurrection, see Matthew 16.

After Jesus' return to heaven, Peter stands and preaches the gospel (Acts 2). Three thousand persons respond. Luke says God continued to add daily those being saved. God added them to the already existing church of Christ and gave them his Spirit to make them his children. He continues to add family members today. He does the adding! He decides who is in and who is out of relationship with him.You may choose to join a denomination and never be added to Christ’s church. You may be a member of Pastor Bob's church yet never be a member of Christ’s church. You may go to liturgical services and denominational meetings all your life but never be in Christ’s body. You may get thrown out of a denominational church but remain a faithful member of Christ's church!

Christ’s church follows Jesus. Christ’s church centers worship on Christ, not men. Christ’s church owns no property. Christ’s church is part of God's universal spiritual Kingdom. Christ’s church is not about liturgical services, traditional hymns, choirs and choruses, or man-made creeds! These are matters of men. These are part of traditional or cultural Christianity and matters of personal preference. Please don’t confuse the two. You can participate in all of these and never be in Christ’s body! You can participate in all of them and your heart STILL be far from God. You can participate in NONE of them and reside daily in God's presence.

Denominations require tithing. Christ’s church requires 100% of everything you are and own. Denominations are concerned with organizational committees, Bible schools, budgets, pastoral alliances and doctrinal allegiances. Christ’s church is about taking up your cross daily.

So, join the DENOMINATION of your choice but realize Christ’s church is not about religion. Christ’s church is about your relationship to God in Christ!

Historic Christian Worship

2006-03-08T12:28:00.000-08:00

Imagine an ordinary person searching for God. He procures a copy of the Bible and begins reading. He asks his family and neighbors to join him in reading and studying the Bible regularly in his home. They all agree to read through the Bible starting in Genesis. They meet regularly to discuss what they have read in the previous week. They learn how God prepared the Israelites for the eventual coming of the Messiah.

After finishing the Old Testament, they have an earnest expectation that the Messiah will arrive soon. They agree to continue reading. They discover the Messiah has arrived. They read of his immaculate conception, his public life and ministry, miracles, signs, and wonders proving Jesus to be God. They review the testimony of his public execution and historic resurrection. They read his instructions to believers about making disciples and teaching them what Jesus instructed. They immediately confess their own faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. They read in Acts 1 of the promised Spirit's coming. They discover Peter’s response in Acts 2. They agree to immerse each other to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. God pours out his Spirit into their sincere hearts.

To which denomination would this group belong? They would simply be members of the body of Christ. They would be free to continue studying and meeting regularly for mutually encouragement, or join a local denomination. If they continue with no pastor, no elders, and no deacons, and simple living room style, open worship, they would be no less a Christian assembly. In fact, they may be more so than what we see today.

Their open meeting would not be liturgical services. It would most likely be no dress-up affair. Their casual and open style would follow the Spirit’s lead as he expressed himself in the function of each member in the local body, in and out of worship. They would practice order and give preference to truth-speaking in each assembly as Paul instructed, I Corinthians 14. Problems would naturally arise but be handled by the whole body according to letters of the New Testament.

Several persons would probably speak, each taking their turn. One would come with an encouraging word while another may offer a spontaneous song. Worship would be a time for building up, not tearing down. Discussion would be kept spiritual and not digress to subjects like politics or sports. No discussion leader or moderator need be appointed! No one would take center stage, besides Jesus. Everyone would be expected to speak as the Spirit moved them. Everyone might sing. Spiritual songs would be selected that all would know. All would be done spontaneously keeping order. They would not need a musical instrument, not even a guitar. The singing might begin rough but it would improve over time.

I’ve seen this work successfully countless times. This is especially needed in the mission fields today. There is no need for paid staff or church buildings. Not required! It works very successfully in China and places where no missionary can go! [See the book, MegaShift: Igniting Spiritual Power, by Jim Rutz (pronounced, "ruts").]

Prayer time would probably not be for nosebleeds or hangnails. They would probably stay away from “prayer requests.” Prayers would become expressions of love and appreciation to the Master, like their open worship. Special time might be set aside to pray over a situation or health issue for a member, if the Lord directed. Everything would be kept uplifting to all and glorifying to God according to Paul’s simple instruction, I Cor. 14. Each person would check his motive before speaking. Each would make certain God and his Spirit prompted them before they would speak in corporate assembly.

Jesus established a “kingdom of priests.” This means every Christian has an immediate and personal responsibility for maintaining, sustaining, and propagating God’s rule and reign on earth. This means no one stands between us and our God, save Christ. When Christ died on the cross, the curtain between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place was torn in two from top to bottom. God granted equal access to all. All have equal right to lead in God’s kingdom according to God’s call on each life. We do not need certification or ordination. (God does not always call the qualified. But, he certainly qualifies each person he calls!) One is ordained and called the minute God places his Spirit in them and gives them the particular gift he wishes them to express in the body, Eph. 4. We answer to God and no one else!

True New Testament Christian worship recognizes that each person is given a gift for service in God’s kingdom. Christ and the Holy Spirit determine who gets what gift, I Corinthians 12:11. No clergy, elder board, or ecclesiastical elitist assigns these. If one thinks they are not qualified to baptize or serve communion, speak in an assembly or hold a memorial funeral service, then they have been brain-washed and wounded by our 1400 year old pastoral, ecclesiastical system. Please do not contribute to the wounding of God’s precious souls, here or abroad.

There are 1700 years of church history where God’s children have been convinced they are unqualified to lead public worship. There is over 400 years of indoctrination into a British form of worship created by men, for men, thanks to Calvin. We need to encourage all members to minister in the Kingdom. Every person in the body stands deserving and worthy as "priest" before God. There was no lay-clergy distinction in the New Testament church that existed for 300 years after Christ! (Enter Constantine!)

We need to promote the idea that in corporate worship, as well as daily functioning, every member is equally expected to function according to his gift. In the early days, there was no pre-set order of worship. Paul had every opportunity in I Corinthians 14 to command a common form. He did not. He simply stated that everything was to be kept orderly, glorifying to God, and edifying to all. Preference is given to truth-speaking. In speaking truth, God gets glorified and the body is edified!

There is no ritual “tithe” in New Testament Christianity. There is no biblical support for enforcing a "tithe". New Testament Christians give out of their abundance, spontaneously and willingly, as the Spirit leads. They determine in their own hearts how, when and to whom they contribute.

In a typical New Testament congregation, no single person speaks regularly. Regular speakers in early congregations were occasional visitors and rare. There were no spectators at Christian assemblies. Every member was expected to function! The modern sermon didn’t appear until the Fourth Century, with the influence of pagan Greek orators. The pastoral system is 1400 years removed from the New Testament church. They attempted it (I Corinthians 1), but Paul lopped off its ugly head as soon as it raised up in the local church.

If you have never been in an assembly where everyone’s life is being changed through ordered, spontaneous worship and praise, where charity is shown toward a needy member as soon as he expresses a need, where leaders are not visibly leading, you have never tasted the greatest freedom and pleasure known to historic Christianity.

It is time to promote and experience true Christian worship lost to us for 1700 years! Please encourage New Testament, open, living room style worship. The New Testament worshipped house-to-house. There is no reason we cannot do the same today.

My prayer is that all leaders will encourage and permit the Spirit to once again reign supreme (without chaos or liturgical choreography) in our corporate assemblies.

Our Christian Heritage

2006-03-07T07:55:00.000-08:00

John Calvin gets credit for our Protestant churches. Over 400 years ago, a call was made for the elimination of the hierarchical system of priests, bishops, and archbishops in favor of having individual congregations elect ministers and set up governing bodies comprised of ministers and church elders. Calvin also urged that services be simplified, eliminating ritual, special clothing for clergy, instrumental music, images and stained-glass windows. He is the one that placed the sermon as the primary focus of institutionalized worship.

These changes were radical in his day. The Catholic Church held prior prominence for nearly 1300 years. Catholicism replaced early Christian communities (and Christ-centered worship in homes). Catholicism emphasized elaborate ceremonies and sumptuous church buildings. Calvin rejected Catholicism and the Church of England because it resembled Catholicism.

New Christians worldwide are expected to readily accept ancient Catholicism or Calvin’s 400 year old Protestant church. New Christians are expected to sit quietly through services organized for men, by men, focused on a message brought by one man, the same man, every Sunday. Some leave stating,

“I can worship better at home.”

Catholic and Protestant church models are not natural for new Christians who were not exposed to traditional churches prior to their conversion. These new Christians find it difficult to accept the "institutionalized church" with it ritual services. They do not desire “church”. They desire “community”. They see quickly that the institutionalized church with its traditional practices are unnatural to Christian community. These Christians desire the presence of Jesus Christ. They desire to be part of a Christian community whose primary focus is discussing Jesus, not discussing topics related to Jesus. These Christians edify one another naturally. They find sermonizing unnatural. These Christians find it difficult to participate in choreographed praise and worship. To them, praise and worship should be spontaneous. These Christians desire to gather with persons they know intimately. They find it unnatural to worship with casual acquaintances! They also find it unnatural to gather and sit quietly. They come together expecting to function! They gather to emphasize all gifts. They would never emphasize one man or one gift to the exclusion of women with gifts!

The institutional church with its traditional worship is foreign to our true Christian heritage.

Empty Mansion

2006-02-16T08:56:00.000-08:00

There are no perfect persons and no perfect relationships. We all struggle. We all must work hard to keep relationships viable. There are no perfect matches. We are merely different persons with different needs and struggles.

Some persons bring wounds from former relationships. They expect the person in their current relationship to “fix” them. They quickly learn the other person is just as wounded as they. This places extra strain on an already difficult situation. Complete healing is only possible through the total forgiveness and rebirth God alone offers.

Some persons are born with low self-esteem and struggle with this issue all their lives. This makes them particularly easy to wound unintentionally. Without the constant love and forgiveness of a perfect God, they rarely feel worthy enough to be loved. With God’s unconditional love and acceptance, they are able to form healthy relationships with other persons.

Some persons are bottomless pits of need. They search all their lives for sufficient love and attention. The love and recognition received one minute dissipates in the next. Only the continual affirmation and constant companionship of God can fill such deep need. Without God, they are doomed to suck every person dry that has contact with them.Some persons are users and abusers. Without God, they simply use up and discard persons like empty containers.

A house that sits empty will quickly fall down when no one is resident to maintain it. We are equally empty and in disrepair without God resident in us and our relationships.

Culture's Christianity

2006-02-09T12:35:00.000-08:00

I was addicted to church. When I got away from organized religion, Bible studies, mid-week meetings, worship teams, I experienced withdrawal like any common addict. I discovered I was addicted to a culture of “churchism”.

Disconnecting from cultural Christianity, including years in professional Christian ministry, brought me to discover my own faith and role in Christ’s universal body. I stopped playing church to become Christ's church.

True Christianity is a community of believers following Christ into a lifestyle that imitates his own. It is a slow transformation into what Christ is by nature (Philippians 2:5-16; Colossians 1:19; Romans 8:19-21).

American Christianity is mostly a pre-packaged consumerist counterfeit. Being churched in the United States is mostly being a consumer of religious goods and services. You are expected to participate in church programs chiefly to receive and consume. The church takes responsibility for programming, coordinating, and providing what you need for spiritual growth. This is a shameful departure from what Christ intended!

Being Christ’s church requires me to take personal responsibility for learning directly from Christ and his Holy Spirit. Jesus did not promote (nor create) some human organization. His church is more organism than organization. He opened “The Way” for all to enjoy a personal relationship with him and God. He provides his Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts to each believer. He instructs all while we enjoy mutual intimacy with each other and God, Matthew 11:27-30. The true community of Christian faith spurs one another to love and good works.

I still worship with other believers, but I worship as an individual and daily follower of Christ. I worship with others who are themselves priests. I worship out of the overflow of a daily walk with God. I worship more like "living room" than liturgy.

Christ is the only source for living the divine life. True Christians follow Christ alone. They learn personally from him. They shoulder responsibility for working out their own salvation. They never permit community or personal conscience to dictate how they should worship or follow Christ.

In Christ, he alone is our head. In Christ, we follow him into his life. In Christ, we abandon all modern versions of culture’s Christianity.

Life Storms

2006-02-07T07:56:00.000-08:00

Violent storms on the Sea of Galilee were quite common, but this storm must have been terrible. It stirred deep fear in these experienced fishermen while the Master slept. They awakened him and he calmed the storm and the angry sea. He then asked them, “Where is your faith?”

Sounds a lot like a conversation I had in the middle of my life storm.

God: “Where is your faith?”

Me: “I think I lost it.”

God: “How did that happen? No one can steal your joy without your permission.”

Me: “What do you mean, Lord?”

God: “Do you still think you need them more than me?”

Me: “I thought I couldn’t live without them.”

God: “Can you live without them?”

Me: “I’m hurt. I want you to fix it. Can you fix it?”

God: “Will that bring you peace?”

Me: “Sure! I’m sick of crying. I want the pain to go away. Will you take it away?”

God: “Are you implying that MY peace comes in the absence of your pain?”

***long pause***

Me: “No, I guess not. I didn't have this pain before my life storm and I didn't have your peace.”

God: “Exactly.”

Me: “Are you saying you can give me a peace that no life storm will take away?”

God: “That’s why I’m here.”

Me: “I’m glad you’re here.”

God: “I never left.”

Word Slingers

2006-02-07T07:53:00.000-08:00

We say hurtful words without even knowing we caused terrible harm. We hurt those we love unknowingly. How do we cause such harm to hearts and spirits without even realizing it? Two ways: 1)not pay attention while speaking, and 2) the listener not speaking up while we are hurting them with our words. Allow me to explain.

I have done terrible harm with words to my children and to my spouse, at times, because I spoke without considering them as a person. God says, “Consider how to answer every person.” Each person may deserve different words; different inflections; different phrasing. My volume may have to be adjusted to fit certain persons. I cause harm when I don't consider God’s gentler spirits. I cause harm to soft souls using words I should reserve for stouter hearts. I speak words like a gunslinger sprays bullets. Like bullets, words cannot be rechambered once they have left the end of the barrel. Thus wounded, the person may never completely heal. I need to think BEFORE I speak, and be considerate of each person.

Another way I cause extreme harm with words is by not paying attention to how the person is reacting AS I speak. I should watch their reactions to my words. I should ask for clarification of signals I do not understand. Lifted brows and drooping shoulders should say something to me. I should become proficient in reading body language in the other person. I should care enough to watch them for signals sent that I do not understand. When they send a signal I do not understand, I should stop speaking, and ask:

“What was that I just saw?”

Or, “What’s wrong? Why are you so sad?”

These subtle hints are often coming straight from the soul, unknowingly, from the other person. I have to pay attention, and pick up on these. They may be revealing something. I must allow this two-way communication while speaking. That is loving communication. I should not let one subtle hint escape my notice without acknowledging it, and, if necessary, ask for clarification when the message if their response is unclear.

To the person I've harmed, I have one thing to say: Speak up! Please express yourself. Do not let me wound you deeply with words and say nothing! If I hit you in the face with my fist, I would expect you to react in some way. If I get no reaction, I lose respect for you. Do not allow me or anyone else to cause you deep harm, and sit there motionless. Speak up when I wound you with my words. Seek healing then and there by telling me I hurt you. If you do not, your wound may fester inside you. It may become infected with bitterness, and your heart get cold toward me. I don't want that. I love you. Besides, I may not realize I have harmed you. I can't read your mind. I may have missed your subtle body signals. So, I beg you, SPEAK UP!

Communicate your hurt. If I do not listen, bring someone with you who also loves me and talk to me. If still do not listen, bring the church leaders. If I still do not listen, remove yourself from me. Take the children with you! Tell me you cannot be around me until I cease to harm you. Do not stay in an abusive situation with me. I beg you. I love you too much. Do not allow me to harm you further.

I'm sorry that I shot you with my words. Please forgive me.

Church-A Family Tradition

2006-01-23T09:09:00.000-08:00

I was born into a Christian family with a deep heritage in a particular Christian denomination (though they would call themselves non-denominational). Because of my religious heritage, I had to wade through generations of traditional church teachings from family members who were “big name” preachers and teachers.

When I started studying Scripture for myself, I learned how to properly study and exegete Scripture. This caused me to question many traditional family and church teachings. Instantly, I was labeled a "heretic" for questioning accepted “truths”. I was no longer welcome to teach or preach in my family church. I was also ostracized by certain family members.

This was tough, but I knew that I had to question EVERYTHING or settle for a relationship with Christ merely based in a learned religious “system.” I didn't want that. I desired a "personal" relationship with Christ, not a traditional one.

Over the years, my relationship with my earthly father and family was mended. My family became more open-minded. I became less confrontational. Maybe we all just grew up.

Or, maybe we each began our personal journey to discover "the Christ of Scripture" rather than "the Christ of family and church tradition."

Hyphenated Christians

2006-01-17T10:41:00.000-08:00

When did we Christians decide to hyphenate? In Acts 11:26 we read, “The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” Why Antioch? Well, it was one of the early congregations formed of both Jew and Gentile. It pleased God to unite them with a common designation: “Christian”. ("Called”, as it is used here, has a divine connotation.)

The hyphenation of Christianity reared its ugly head decades later in Corinth. Paul chastised this congregation for dividing under labels of men. Were he alive today, I suppose he would also chastise us who call ourselves after good dead men.

Jesus prayed in John 17 that all his disciples become one. He prayed that we be known by our love. Why is love not sufficient? Why do we prefer instead to be known by our doctrinal stances or denominational affiliation?

I can't believe that Jesus is pleased when we dissect his body into hyphenated labels! But, that’s just me. I've always had a distaste for things that divide.

My Unbelief

2006-01-16T14:22:00.000-08:00

I have this habit of running ahead of God. He gives me this faint inkling of what he wants to do in my life and I am off to the races to make it happen. It never works out like HE intended because I am not patient enough to wait for him. Eventually, I’m crawling back to him on my knees, bloodied and bleeding, seeking his will once more.

Why is it so hard for me to wait for him to open each door? What makes me so presumptuous to think that I know what is the right thing to do with my life? It has to be lack of faith. I don’t trust him to do what I need him to do when I think I need it! I don’t trust him to give me what I think I need. I don’t trust him.

Father, help me to trust you more. Help me to trust you with every facet of my life, especially my relationships. You have always proved faithful in the past. I don’t know why I doubt you. But, I do.

Lord, I’m sorry. Help my unbelief.

I'm Drunk!

2006-01-16T08:27:00.000-08:00

How do I explain this? How can I describe it? I don't have the vocabulary. There are no words. It's like a drunk! I've never been on a drunk. I've never been drunk. How would I know drunk?

But, that has to be what this feels like! I can’t stop laughing and smiling. I laugh and people look at me funny. They say, "That's not funny. Why are you laughing?" It's not me. It's inside. It's like bubbling up.

I didn’t jog this morning. I get a similar "high", slight euphoria, after a good run. But, I didn't run! This is manic! But, I’m not manic! (I’m more depressive! HA!)

I have the same worries and problems I had yesterday! My wife is still gone. She's been gone several days. Down with her Dad. His cancer is back. It's in his lymph system now. Chemo, again. Not good. So sad. I woke up with a headache. The alarm didn’t go off. I’m running late for work. My sinus infection is back, again. Then, I'm driving to work, late, and BOOOMMMM! Inexpressible joy! I’m on the phone with my wife and we are having a ball. We are bursting with laughter, joking. Her Dad is dying. We're laughing like two kids! We're nuts! We've both lost our minds!

We're not nutso. We know nutso. We've been nutso. This is joy. This is indescribable. This is unexplainable. (God, you let me bottle this stuff and we'll make a fortune. No hang over! HA! Sorry God, not exactly a spiritual thought. I'm just SO giddy!)

Thank you, Father. You are faithful. Keep this "drunk" coming! It's SO great. I love being drunk on you! It doesn't matter what others think. It doesn't matter that everyone thinks we've lost our minds.

We're not crazy. God, we're just crazy in love with you!

The Offer

2006-01-12T11:13:00.000-08:00

You committed murder. You are guilty. You are sentenced to die. You stand before the judge. Your sentence is read aloud. The judge is about to administer your sentence. He begins:

“You know you are guilty.”

“Yes, your honor, I stand before this court guilty as charged.”

“In your case,” states the judge, “justice demands death.”

“I understand. I am prepared to die for my sins, your honor.”

The judge drops his head. His voice barely audible, he lifts his eyes and looks directly at you.

“Will you allow someone else to die for you?”

Could you have misunderstood him?

“What did you say?”

“I asked you if you would allow someone to die for you.”

It’s your chance. You must take it! How can you refuse? But, ultimately pride prevails.

“No. I would never allow anyone to do that for me. I could not. I will not, your honor.”

“What if he already did?”

“What do you mean?”

“Last night, my son…” the judge’s voice breaks with emotion. He eventually gathers himself and continues, “Last night…my son…came up here. He offered to pay your debt. I allowed him to give his life for you. He was executed in your place. All I ask is that you accept his death as payment for your sins. Do so, you walk away free with one stipulation. You must sin no more. Insist on dying anyway, I will kill you myself. That would be the greatest insult to me, personally. It would be the ultimate insult to my son.”

A hush falls over the courtroom. Everyone is looking at you. The judge’s tear-filled eyes fix on your face. What will your answer be?

Love God, Hate The Church?

2006-01-11T14:13:00.000-08:00

Some persons say that they love God, but hate the church. I understand what they are saying. They are usually speaking of a particular Christian denomination or formal (liturgical or organized) worship service.

Jesus certainly did not die to establish a denomination. He died to establish HIS called-out people, his church. As believers, we first belong to Christ. Then, we have the option of joining a particular denomination or not. Regardless, we are all added to Christ’s body when we receive the “birth from above”. One cannot claim to be a Christian and likewise hate the body of Christ, the church of Christ. Christ would not look favorably upon someone who hated his bride. Besides, it would actually be a form of self-hatred.

As members of Christ’s church, we meet regularly with other local believers. We eagerly desire the company of our spiritual brothers and sisters. We prepare to participate weekly in collective worship, for mutual edification. To do so, does not require an edifice with a denominational name. It merely requires regular assemblies where truth-speaking is given preference, God is given praise, and all members receive encouragement.

If this isn’t happening where you presently assemble, consider hosting your own meeting next Sunday in your home, or after hours at a local coffee shop. It matters not to God WHERE you assemble. It matters to God THAT you assemble regularly to worship.

Proud to be an American?

2005-11-15T07:25:00.000-08:00

Ask anyone in the United States, “What is your nationality?” and they will invariably respond incorrectly. They will insist they are American. They are American but not by nationality. The continent of America contains many nations. Canadians are Americans. They are North Americans. We have Central and South Americans as well.

When you tell persons in the United States that they are not American by nationality, and push them further to state their true nationality, they will instead insist (also incorrectly) that they are German-American or African-American. These may be the birth countries of their ancestors but that is not THEIR land of birth. They are uniquely United Statesians!

Why are United Statesians so confused about their nationality? It is because we do not have this term United Statesians in our vocabulary. Even my spell checker, as I am typing this, underlines it as an incorrect word! Neither do my countrymen recognize it. Yet, United Statesian is our nationality.

United Statesians are confused by the disease of multiculturalism that has robbed us of our honorable birthright, our common language, our unique culture, and our Christian heritage. It is the reason why we continue to be divided by race and culture.

I am proud of my heritage. I proclaim it. I advocate it. I teach it. I promote it. I advance its honorable and divine principles. These are the only principles that will sustain us in our desire to remain one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Peggy Addames

2005-11-14T13:23:00.000-08:00

In junior high school I was in love with Peggy Addams. She sat one row over and two desks up. Every day she saved me a seat on the bus. Each recess we walked around the school yard holding hands. I carried her books to every class. We shared our lunches. There was one small problem. She never knew me. These things only happened in my mind.

Many of us relate to God this way. We know him intellectually. We speak OF him often but never WITH him. We don’t know his heart and he is never invited deeply into ours. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says some persons at judgment will be surprised when he sends them away from God’s presence. They will protest, “We cast out demons in your name and in your name did many wonderful works.” But, Jesus will reply to them, “Depart from me...I never knew you.”

When my first child was small, I often teased her and made her chase me. It was great fun at first but she quickly tired of the pursuit and finally would cry out, “Hold you, Daddy, hold you.”
God is not some imaginary friend. He is real. He desires intimacy with you. To know him, you must spend time with him. To know you, he must spend time with you. He loves to be pursued. More than that, he loves to be “caught!”

I think Peggy Addames would have liked me.

Voices

2005-11-07T11:15:00.000-08:00

I am often asked, "How do you distinguish the voices deep within?" An excellent question. My quickest answer is, "Fruit! I watch what results when I follow each impression placed on my heart." I had to learn to discern.

John, the Gospel writer, says in Chapter 13 that at the last supper the devil "had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot" to betray Jesus. In the same way good impressions are placed on my heart by God, Satan enters. The voice I choose to obey brings results. These bear "produce" plainly visible in my life...either fruit of the Spirit or works of the flesh.

Maturity is determined by whether or not good fruit is present and increasing. Do I have more joy, peace, and love today than I did this time last year? If so, God gets the glory. Without Him, I can do nothing. This is clearly explained in John 15.

When I feel my peace and my joy leaving, I know that I am no longer listening to God. That's when I turn immediately and start, once again, seeking the face of God. I don't want to live like that anymore. Been there, done that, not going back.The desires of my flesh no longer enslave me. Hey, I'm human. I still have problems. I am no longer ENSLAVED to them. There are things I cannot defeat with my will alone. I need SUPERNATURAL help.

With God present in me, I don't have to listen to my flesh or to Satan. This is explained in Romans 7 and 8. Pay close attention to the contrast here in the two voices, flesh and Spirit:

"Because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you...the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh...for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God."

Which voice is which? Look at the crop! Watermelons don't come from pumpkin seed! HA!

Supernatural Joy!

2005-11-07T11:13:00.000-08:00

The first time I ever experienced pure joy is still etched in my brain. I could take you to the very spot on the highway where it happened as I returned from work one day. All of a sudden...BOOM! Inexpressible joy! Immediately, these thoughts came from within...somewhere deep inside:

Me: "Where did that come from? Was I doing something to cause it? Was it a song I was listening to? It had to be a thought I was thinking...no, that can't be it. I want that back!"

God: "It's a gift."

Me: "A gift?"

God: "Yes, a gift. You've been obedient to me. You've been listening to me and I wanted to give you something to show I love you. Don't make the mistake of thinking you earned it. You can't earn this. It's a gift. And, don't try to pay me for it. That would offend me. Just stay obedient to me and I will give you more. Oh, by the way, I'm proud of you. I love you."

***speechless***

My Bottom

2005-11-07T10:56:00.000-08:00

It all came apart around 1989. I can't give specifics here, too personal. It was bad...real bad...so bad that I contemplated taking my life. Yes, I had reached my bottom. There's nothing lower or more self-centered than wanting to "end it all"! That thought, killing myself, so frightened me that I cried out to God.

Now, I had been preaching over 12 years at that time! But, I never needed God so badly before. And, I only knew him intellectually, not relationally. My journey was about to begin. At this point, everything I knew about God failed me. He was supposed to protect me! We had this deal. He would give me his best and I would serve him faithfully with my best. I kept my end of the bargain. Where was He? How could he allow something SO bad to happen to me? I was VERY angry with Him. And, I let Him know it! Here's how the conversation went deep in my heart, my soul:

Me: "God, where are you? You come speak to me right now! You owe me an explanation! We had a deal, remember?"

God: "I don't make deals."

***long pause, I wasn't expecting that reply***

Me, humbly: "I need you. I don't know where to turn. I don't have anywhere else to go. My wife is leaving. I don't have a relationship with my kids. Please, I need you. I don't have anyone."

God: "Are you sure you need me? Is there something you can try? Don't you usually tell people in pain at your church to get in church, to read the bible? Are you saying that is not working for you?"

Me: "Yes, it's not enough!"

God: "How about those Christian books? What was that title again?"

Me: "Not enough."

God: "Anything else you may want to try? Drugs? Alcohol? Another relationship?"

Me: "No. I need you!"

God: "So, you DO believe in me?"

Me: "Yes. I'm the preacher, remember?"

God: "People preach for all sorts of reasons. Aren't you from a long line of preachers? Are you sure you believe in me? Maybe you believe because your family or your Daddy believes."

Me: "I believe you are real."

God: "Good. Do you believe I am still good...though I permitted these bad things to happen to you?"

Me: "I don't know. I'm pretty upset about that. Let me think about it. I'll get back to you."

God: "Take your time. I'm here."[Several agonizing months later.]

Me: "Okay, I see you loved Job even though you allowed Satan to destroy his relationhips, his health, and his wealth. You remained good. I accept that you remain good regardless of the bad here."

God: "Great! When will I be enough?"

Me: "What do you mean?"

God: "Will our relationship be enough for you? Or, will you insist on having me PLUS something or someone else? Will you be satisfied with just me and what I am willing to supply you each day? Or, will you insist once more on getting from others what only I can provide? When will I be enough for you?"

WOW! That took years. It started me on my journey to know God, myself and others better. Eventually I was able to humble myself, seek daily the face of God, discover my own spirit within, get in touch with God's spirit inside of me, lower my expectations of others, and expectantly wait for God to supply what I needed. This changed everything, especially my relationships. I finally could answer, "Yes, Lord, you are enough." That was when the SUPERNATURAL love, joy, and peace began to bubble up inside my soul and overflow to others. (We give to others out of our excess.)

Honestly, if you could get from others what only God can supply, what need would you have of God? He can't allow that! He loves you too much!

God placed in all of us a "hole" only He can fill.

Relationships Are Difficult

2005-11-01T14:48:00.000-08:00

Relationships are difficult at best because relationships involve two imperfect persons. We were originally created good. We were created to love and be loved. Relationships were created to last forever. What happened? Somehow we became disconnected from our Creator and our created purpose. We were given choice. We chose to be disobedient. This flawed us and our relationships. Relationships are not hopeless but simply require constant maintenance and mending. Relationships also are difficult because they involve two persons with different needs, wants, wishes, and desires. These differences can be the source of constant conflict or, if appreciated properly, a source of strength. Relationships may suffer from unrealistic expectations. No one can fill me completely. I am far too needy! LOL! When I expect another person to be my whole world, I place far too much importance and responsibility on them. I make my happiness dependent on another. This is a sure recipe for failure in relationships. Loving relationships result from two persons who are well-adjusted. Jesus summarizes the law into two great commands: love the Lord God with all your heart, mind, and soul; and, love your neighbor as yourself. Every healthy relationship begins with a dose of healthy self-love. No love of self is healthy unless it has its source in God, the source of all true love.