Illusion vs Truth

The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, "Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel."

John 12:12-13 NLT

At first I'm thinking, its Palm Sunday so of course the Palm Sunday verse. But what strikes me is that he didn't have to acknowledge himself this time. He was known. They said "Praise God, Hail to the King of Israel". He did not tell them to say that. They actually shouted it. This wasn't a sports team that was coming into an arena or a movie star who happened to coming in, it wasn't the pope. Then the following week he was crucified by the same people. Sip some coffee, I read and think.

When's the last time I spoke like that about God and then put him on the cross a week later? He forgave me for both because he planned on both.  That's Christ's character. I'm amazed of how star struck I get with celebrities. Would I be star struck if I saw Christ in person? When someone becomes another person all the sudden and they are believable, they bring you to a different place in your mind, to your imaginative side. They allow you to escape with them into a different world. When I produce a video, that's my idea. I have to keep the audience attentive in this world I just created for them. I can't lose them. Christs character was just like that, accept his was real, it wasn't an illusion, he really is the truth. He brings no illusion but true life, and for some reason I have a problem accepting that. I'll believe it and at times will live it.

Hits me, is my character that of Christ? Am I humble like Him? not always. The more I study Him like I watch movies, the more I'll be like Him. The more I'll praise Him and shout Him out, because He lives in me and won't leave because he's always after me until I believe.

Ignorant Christian

1 Corinthians 10:1-5

For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea.  They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.  They all ate the same spiritual food  and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.  Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

 

At first I'm thinking that even though I've been saved, I am still going to sin. Not to say, go ahead and sin. Sip some coffee, I read and think. The words "ignorant of the fact" sticks out. How many times have I thought that since I go to church, my problems are gone? Or how many stories have I heard of pastors and other people doing stupid stuff and the phrase "but they were involved in ministry", but they were on the worship team, taught Sunday school, great mom, great dad", I just don't understand". Then I go the other side of: "they don't go here in anymore", they've left the church", I wonder how they're doing?" I wonder where they go?". I am in the "they" group now. Many people have given me the "church look of pity and empathy" I can't but think of a tread mill in my home (i don't have one) but would I let it just sit there and because its there, feel strengthened and refreshed? or would I use it and work out? I have found myself worshiping church and not God at times. I was involved heavily because I love God and saw so many ways to serve Him. But, did he want me burning myself out doing that? I found I was so focused on church and not God. It's like being so focused on doing a job and not on how i am profiting. I'm a faithful guy, I won't give up, you'll have to remove me. I remember in 1996, when K-love was first in Phoenix. They went off the air because no one was funding them. They were freaking out. I've also noticed other new churches on facebook, proposing plans of how they will get believers and funding.  What is this? a business? logically yes, funds and order are needed. But still God owns me. And thats why Christ came when he did, because thats how everyone was being taught. I can't believe how far back I slid. I found myself so stuck in performing at church that I forgot about what God was doing in me. The ideas for ministry will never leave, they will just keep coming. I read and think.

Hits me, I can't be "wide eyed" when someone falls into sin at church or in the past. I'm a sinner too, it can happen to anybody. I'm an addict too in who knows what else. I can't be an ignorant Christian and be thinking that just because people attended, were involved, faithful, all that hog wash, means they are fine and fixed. It's how they were with God, which is also none of my business, unless they want it to be. That all depends on my relationship with them. I am "they" now too. People at church approach me and tell me they miss me. I can't be an ignorant christian any longer.

This coffee bends mugs

Daniel 10:15-19

While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless.  Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak.  How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.”  Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength.  “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.”When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”

 

 

At first I'm thinking about how many times I've had to perform at church. By that I mean, entertain people, say hi to people, make them happy. Sip some coffee, I read and think. How many times have I been given a vision, and think I can do it? How many times have I fumbled things up instead of letting God work through me? It's this thing of "God does the work, I don't". I need to learn to relax. Today I'm drinking out of my "this coffee bends mugs" mug. I found this at the thrift shop and just had to have it. Coffee, is a pick me up, it gets me going, however I have to monitor how awake I am already, and how I'm thinking, or the coffee won't work.  Here Daniel is expecting to be in good shape, speech, everything after he hears God. But instead he falls on his face speechless. Then a man touched his lips so he could speak. He admits he overwhelmed. That's not what he was expecting to think. Now it seems that he was scared. Then he was touched again and was given strength. How embarrassing.  At the end, God cleared his mind so he would listen. How many times have I left God and ran with the vision? If I drink coffee, when i don't need, but just drink it because it smells good, I get all frazzled. If I see someone at church, who I judge for having no one to talk to when they really are just enjoying themselves in there own way, I'm actually interrupting there time and intruding. Coffee is powerful thing, and I respect it. Do I respect God, enough that I let him work in me and push what I think is his love on other people that appear to be alone? 

Hits me, many of the prophets were afraid and told God they couldn't do what he wanted. They all did what he wanted because he did it through them. They didn't grab God and say lets go. He spoke and they listened. When its time for coffee and I know I need some I need to drink it, not when its time for someone else. God is my coffee and I'm the mug. When its time for me to listen, he'll shape me the way he wants to, regardless how I feel.

Why a Pope?

Colossians 1:3-6

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,  because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people—  the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel  that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.

 

 

At first I'm thinking, its just the intro to colossians. I thank God for people too, Paul. Sip some coffee, I read and think. The question comes to mind, why do we need a pope or father? So I researched it and discovered that we felt that after Peter died, he needed a replacement leader to be head of the actually church (didn't they realize they would Idolize him? and take things way too far in a different direction). I then asked the question, isn't that what the spirit's for? Then I see, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world. Who is God anyway? Not, who's the pope? and why all the trouble? Then I'm reminded of superman. I was watching it this week randomly and was struck by the end when lois lane died. Superman fly's up to the clouds and hears his dads last words again and again. It is forbidden to have any relationships, all these powers and I couldn't save him.When's the last time I flew up to my clouds and listened to God? He then fly's clockwise around the world to reverse all the disaster that lex luthor just created. How I would love to change my past, just go back and not do certain things, or go back and do certain things. Paul is writing this while in prison, and he's pretty happy with colossa for their faithfulness to God. But what for? The world is a sinful place and when sinful places become healthy, it's encouraging. How many times have I wanted to not sin after I had sinned?  I'm going to have a Lex Luther in my life, that is always going to be after me, but I have an escape, I need to focus on what God has called me to do, even when I get distracted.

Hits me, sure a pope has been selected and we'll continue with our daily things. The spirit is alive and active and has knocked on millions of hearts to follow him. We live in a fallen world, so much that characters like superman were created to save us from harm I'm aware of. The Pope isn't Superman and shouldn't be viewed as a supreme being. I can't fix my past, but I can learn from it, just like superman did. The pope will give wisdom and understand but shouldn't be looked at any different than you and I. God is using him, just like he uses me. There is no leader other than those around me who God uses and as Paul said " I praise God for them".

Dead or alive, you're coming with me - Robocop

The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

John 10:10 NLT

At first I"m reminded of Robocop saying "dead or alive, you're coming with me". I'm amazed at the contrast between the theif's way and the God's way. Two different paths. The crazy thing is, the enemy likes me to think, I'm not worthy of the other path. I am not worthy of a rich and satisfying life. We're born as thieves to steal, kill, and destroy. This can be physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Sure I'm not going to physically steal, and kill, and destroy. But what about judging, bitterness, just emotional trauma. It's crazy. In Robocop, Murphy is a wounded cop who returns to the force as a cyborg, with memories haunting him. I'm amazed how of how God has used things in my marriage to bring us closer to him and to each other. It's through pain and suffering and perseverence. It's really weird. Why? He actually did the same thing with Jesus, he brought into the world only to have him killed in order to save. He  used the theives destroy technique to save us. So that I might find my purpose and have a rich and satisfying life. Yet he likes to take my past and use it to haunt me. Sip more coffee, I read and think. God is going to have me dead or alive. It's His way. The enemy is so pursuave and believable that things should be a different way. Jesus died and came alive, and is coming back soon.

Hits me, the thief's purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. It doesn't seem like that because its a long steal, kill, and destroy. Robocop kept moving even though he was haunted by what almost killed him. I'm not supposed to live in my past, I'm supposed to know that God is going to take me dead or alive and gives me so many opportunities to live a rich and satisfying life.

Because she's got it comin' to her; and I *don't* mean 'a week in the lap of luxury'! - Miss Hannigan

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:6 NLT

I never thought about it that way. Love pursuing me. Usually I'm trying to love someone. Sip some coffee, I read and think. I have to remember that God "so loved" the world. Love is a powerful thing, its not what I've made it into. I can't love someone based on their performance. I often think God loves me based on my performance. He doesn't, he loves me because I'm His child. With credibility being so important in this day and age, this love thing has gone into performance mode and not stayed where it should. Bad news travels fast. Good news doesn't. it's so easy to think that God views me the way society threatens me. I'm reminded of Annie again. How when she saw this opportunity to get out of the orphanage, Miss Hannigan wouldn't let her. She said "Because she's got it comin' to her; and I *don't* mean 'a week in the lap of luxury'!" I'm amazed of how in fear I have lived at times due to what I've done. Then when I'm going to be blessed I either jump at it or just don't accept it. Annie referred to the orphanage as a tomb where she'd sit and freeze. How many times have lived in a tomb? I admit I've been hopeful, that I would get out of the tomb, I was currently in. God pursued me, and he continues to. I find myself going in and out of the house of the lord all the time. I don't dwell in there like I should. Even Annie, when she got to the mansion thought she had to join the crew. Yet they said, don't worry about it. How many times have I felt like I still need to save myself when I've already been saved. Annie finally accepted that she didn't need to do anything and lived in that. Why can't I just live in God and let Him live in me? In reality we're all like that in one way or another. Making life too hard. And then there are moments when I just give up and keep walking. That's when God thanks me for letting him in.

Hits me, Miss Hannigan wanted Annie to get what she deserved, she didn't want her to have a luxurious life. She wanted her to suffer. Annie kept positive and kept thinking about tomorrow. I was an orphan before God adopted me as his child, and now I need to strive to accept his love and not by my performance but how He's see's me.