Spitting Image?

I believe those who know me and my 6 year old son would be hard pressed to deny the fact that he IS my son. As they say, “He’s a spittin’ image of his father.” So true.

People have told me I look like others, some famous and some not so famous. Seems I resemble the image of the individuals. In fact, this past weekend I uploaded my picture on the face recognition software of MyHeritage.com and discovered that I look very similar to David Soul.  You know, Hutch of the 70’s TV show, “Starsky and Hutch”.  But if he were to be standing beside me today, I probably would look nothing like him.

Identical twins may be almost impossible to tell apart, but there are some very distinct differences in particular mannerisms, speech, or physical markings.  However, to discover these, you MUST get closer to them. This is why parents and siblings of identical twins never have trouble telling twins apart, they KNOW them.  The closer you get to others, the more you understand who they are and what they are all about.

Genesis 1:26 NIV reveals that we are all created in the image of God, after His likeness. Just like with our biological parents, we will inherit many of their characteristics and mannerisms. Much of this is hereditary.  However, if you mimic a person long enough (family or not) it will appear that you are related. Ever heard that as the years go by in a marriage that the husband and wife begin to look alike? Probably because of mannerisms, speech, and other personality traits.

The goal of every child of God should be to become more and more like Him to the point that your relationship with Him is undeniable. His mannerisms, His character, His desires, His will…

Our worship of the Great Creator will bring this kind of transforming presence. In fact, the purpose of worship is to change the face\life of the worshiper. We are changed by His presence. Being in the presence of God is critical to our “becoming” more and more like Him. Two great examples of the transforming presence of God can be found in scripture…

In Exodus 34:29-35 NLT, Moses encountered God and his face reflected the glow of God’s glory.  The glow was so intense that Moses wore a veil over his face for some time when he spoke with the people.

The second account is found in Matthew 17:1-2 NIV. Jesus took the inner circle disciples with Him up on a high mountain to experience the glory of the Father.  Jesus was transfigured, transformed, changed at this encounter and immediately Peter, James and John were “blinded by the light” that Jesus was reflecting.

Bottom line: if you want to be transformed and changed to reflect who He is, you MUST get into His presence. And just as Moses did, he kept going back for more. Now that God’s presence resides within His people, He can work on us internally to bring about an external change that will cause us to appear more and more like Him. After all, He’s our Father! 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NLT

Who do you look like? Who do others think you look like? Do you reflect God in your life? Do others see you or God? Are you the spittin’ image of the Father?

Change the Focus

Life throws many distractions your way.  It’s easy to get focused on the wrong things.  Many times it leads us to be so detail oriented concerning our issues, that we completely miss what we should be focusing on…moving forward.  You cannot change yesterday.  In fact, it has been said (and is still true) yesterday ended last night.  Sorry, but its over.  You cannot do anything about yesterday, but you can do something about today.  How ’bout you change your focus on things that are not dead.  You have been given another day; another breath; another sunrise; another day stuffed full of opportunities to live life to the fullest.  But if your focus is on yesterday or all the negatives in your life…well dead things stink.

The statements Jesus made on the cross of Calvary ended with “It is finished!”  You can’t do anything to change your past.  And Jesus has already done everything you need to cover your past as well as providing everything you will ever need for your future.  It’s over.  Forget about it.  But don’t think that you don’t have to do anything to see all of these promises come true.  The book of James tells us that “…faith without works is dead…”

If you’re a child of God, you are blessed – END OF STORY! Get over your life.  Change your focus. You got purpose!

Philippians 4:8 NLT

Wrong and Right Focus

The main theme of the book of Proverbs is “wisdom”.  It is one of the most essential and critical things we need in our lives and ministries.

In my 20+ yrs of ministry, I have worked with and beside some incredibly anointed and gifted individuals.  Their own personal ministries have given shape to my ministry in one way or another.  What I take from each of them is moving me toward a better me.  It is the definition of “iron sharpens iron”.

One of the things I have focused on when working with others is to benefit from 2 particular areas of their lives – what they do right and what they do wrong.

Experience and observation of others is given as a gift to each of us for increased wisdom.  It only makes good sense to learn from others’ mistakes.  However, this is NOT the main focus of observation.  This kind of focus will only lead us to a judgmental attitude of trying to find all the errors.  The focus should be upon what others do correctly.  Sure we should avoid what is done incorrectly, but when we do what’s right, we don’t need to be concerned about error.

Matthew 6:33 is one of my favorite verses.  It lends to a right kind of focus…His righteousness, His Kingdom, His purposes… Tuning in to anything else can potentially open the door for wrong thinking and misguided actions.  When we mind the things that are important to God, He will cause everything else to fall in line (…all these things will be added…).

Gaining wisdom from others’ experiences is wise.  Look at the things wisdom will bring you…add years to your life, riches, honor, steps ordered…and that really is just the beginning.

Wisdom is crying out from the highest places to call us all closer.  Get next to some Godly people and learn a little.

GUEST BLOG: Are We Really One Body?…

http://tcedwards.wordpress.com/2009/09/12/are-we-really-one-body-really/

ZEROs – third time around

Third and final installment of ZEROs.  Go make the most of your ZEROs…

More ZEROs…

ENJOY… (if you don’t understand, read the previous blog)

Making the Most of Our Zeros

My father-in-law, Bill, teaches at a public school where he assists special needs kids.  One student in his class spends the day drawing circles or zeros all over every page of paper.  Well, Bill is a thinker and very creative.  Here is his explanation…

CIRCLES… an introduction

I hope you enjoy “Circles.” But I can’t take credit for it. Not totally. You see, the circles are the creation of Caroline S., one of the sweetest and most lovable children you’d ever meet. Caroline has Downs Syndrome, and I’m an assistant to the teacher in her classroom.

This past year Caroline attended an Art Class, and I accompanied her. But Caroline adamantly refused to do any of the work the other children were doing. All she wanted to do was draw circles… seemingly endless page after page after page of nothing but circles! Because we’re not there to bring misery into the lives of special needs children, I let her continue to happily draw her beloved circles, which she did, page after page, day after day.

Although fast approaching seventy, I’m still a kid at heart myself, so one day in Art Class when Caroline handed me the umpteenth page of circles, something in my brain clicked. Knowing that she’d never miss “just one” page of circles, I erased a few (to give me room to work) and added my own interpretation to what Caroline had just drawn. And so began our joyful collaboration of “Circles.”

Bill Murphy (Caroline, I couldn’t have done it without you!)

I am posting a few here.  More will come later…

As you can see, he’s a genious and needs to “officially” publish these. (I’ll work on that.).  Hope you enjoy!

These got me to thinking…if only we would take this same approach to the “zeros” in our lives.  You know – failures, shortcomings, struggles, hindrances, etc.  If we would learn to just simply laugh at ourselves and not be so serious about specific details, we would live much longer and be much more happy.  Come on.  Laugh at yourself a little.  You know you are peculiar sometimes.  Shoot, even a little weird!

Making light of our “zeros” is NOT ignoring our realities.  We should just take a deep breath and relax.  You may be only able to draw zeros.  But God is so incredible and loves you so much, that He can fill your “zeros” with meaning and purpose and promise…or maybe give it a humorous spin.  I mean, even God laughs at us and our silly humanity, doesn’t He?

Give God all the pages of your life, no matter how good or bad.  And when He picks up the pen and begins adding a few extra strokes to the page; it will only lead to making the most of our “zeros”!  You don’t need a PERFECT page.  You only need to give God what you have and watch The Artist go to work on your life.

I Peter 2:9-10 (The Message) – “But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.”

Hey, Let’s State the Obvious!

Have you known people who have an extremely difficult time seeing what is ahead of them because they are so focused on the OBVIOUS all around them?  Or they just can’t grasp the main goal because the tasks are “so important”?  It never ceases to amaze me of the spiritually challenged individuals who think they have been given the gift (but used more like a forceful power) of discernment and “expose” the most ridiculously obvious things about situations.  DUH!  Like the sign below…

Hey, never mind the fact that the bridge is out ahead! Let’s focus on what everyone already knows – the edges are sharp. THANKS, CAPTAIN OBVIOUS!

Some “intelligent” people feel the need to expose the “revelation” (of which is declared as hearing the voice of God).  Please.  Get your eyes off of the fact that we are not what we want to be.  We ALL know that one.  I have an idea… What do you say we focus on what will help us plan for tomorrow and progress in our God given destiny?  Huh? No? What, you can’t see that? I didn’t think so…Or better yet, use that same energy to focus on allowing God to truly speak to you about how to overcome any perceived obstacles.

Of course, all of the above tongue in cheek is said with tongue in cheek.  (Yes, I meant to be redundant.) Ok, you get it!

Yep, we all get the “joy” of working with and rubbing shoulders with these spiritual geniuses.  Thank God that though we have to deal with this, it is another part of working out our character.  Even though I really dislike having to deal with this kind of thought process in others, I do NOT have to allow it to frustrate me and get me focused on the wrong things.  Believe me, in the past I have allowed Mr. and Mrs. Obvious to distract me.  No more.  I gave that up some time ago.

James 1:2-4 NIV – “²Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ⁴Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

On the other side of the coin, we NEED to be reminded of some things that should be extremely obvious, but we sometimes fail to see.  GOD IS ON YOUR SIDE!  Can I state something really obvious to you?  Jesus died for you.  His last statement was “It is finished.”  That being the case, there is NOTHING left for Him to do.  Whatever your need, He’s already completed what is required.

What I have learned from Captain Obvious is to respond to his ridiculously obvious statements with MORE ridiculously obvious declarations…declarations of faith, edification, encouragement and empowerment.   When Captain Obvious tells you “We must not sin or God will be displeased with us.” or “If we don’t pray, we will not have our prayers answered.” Lovingly declare along these lines, “God is so merciful and gracious that even our biggest failures are NEVER too big for God to help us overcome!” C.O. may appear confused at this point.  Don’t worry, he’s just thinking of something else obvious to say.

Thanks but no thanks, Captain Obvious.  I DO NOT need your help!

PDA!

CAUTION: Public Display of Affection!

Couples holding hands …kissing in public places …intimacy in the open.          Get a room!!! Some forms of affection displayed in public places are okay.  Others, not so much.

Whether we realize it or not, in every moment of our lives we send out signals and messages about who we are…our work, home, possessions, and spirituality.  These tell the story to all around us about what is in the very center of our soul.  No matter what we try to display, the “real you” will eventually be seen.  You cannot cover up who you truly are.  Just as the saying goes, “you can take the man out of the country, but you cannot take the country out of the man.” or “A leopard cannot change its spots.” This is true because of who you ARE.  The thing to consider is that when others see our signals, will we try to let them see our personality and make it all about us or will we point beyond us to the beauty and glory of God?  Everything we do displays what we believe.  We are what we practice.  If you practice perverted living (even in secret) it will be displayed.  If you practice righteousness, you will be known for it by others.  What you practice becomes permanent!

Bumper stickers, jewelry, cliché phrases, loud prayers, self proclamations, tattoos, attire, demeanor, etc.  All of these are a form of public displays of affection.  If you love a certain style or fashion, you wear it with pride.  Why?…because you feel it is you.  God is not looking for this kind of prideful display.  In fact, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for this kind of behavior.

What God is looking for is INTIMACY!  He has been called, The Lover of My Soul.  He is my lover.  As I sing love songs to Him, He leads me into the chamber of His presence that is surrounded by His glory.  My praise of Him moves to intimate worship.  My soul is intertwined with His presence.  The more I linger here, the deeper the love and emotions.  And just like physical intimacy, I forget everything and everyone around me as I express my passion for Him.  In this secret place, our relationship is established and strengthened.  He has become everything I long for and everything I live for.  Yes, it’s much like a man\woman relationship except we are speaking spiritually.  He is the lover of my soul.

In Luke 9:26 (NLT), Jesus indicates that we are required to display our devotion and love and affection for the Father.  “If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.”

God, help me to display my affection in public places.  My intimacy with You is meant to be seen by others.  Not as a “show”, but simply because I am in love!

Where’s the love?  What are you showing?  Is it being displayed?  Or are we embarrassed?

PDA!

James 2:14-20 NLT – “¹⁴What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? ¹⁵Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, ¹⁶and you say, Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? ¹⁷So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. ¹⁸Now someone may argue, Some people have faith; others have good deeds. But I say, How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds. ¹⁹You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. ²⁰How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?”

It’s Your Time!

It is extremely sad to see all the “incidents” of plane crashes and train wrecks that have occurred lately.  It really makes me ponder the tiny existence of time we possess in reference to eternity, and all the things in life we want to do and NEED to do.

The following link is a story of a woman who missed boarding Air France flight 447.  However, it did not matter…

Woman Missed Flight 447 but…

It’s amazing how life seems to work.  We are issued a body of flesh (like it or not) that is temporary.  Once the “expiration date” arrives, DING!  Time’s up!  It is God who decides when it is your time! His hands possess the power of life and death.

Personally, I believe it is time for us to GO! No, not die or stop existing; but cease the day! Press forward! Move on! Don’t stop now, there’s too much at stake! We, the Church of the Living God, have a purpose and a God-given plan to reach our generation with the Gospel.  Time is of the essence.  We are on borrowed time.  Don’t waste it on meaningless things like sports or multiple vacations or becoming a recluse..you know, the ostrich with his head stuck in the sand.

Now is your time.  This is your defining moment.  Yes, I too believe this is a GLORIOUS CHURCH! It is NOT a beaten down, worn out, scattered, broken mess.  We are ambassadors for Christ. He is a God of excellence.  Where He is involved, He gives MORE THAN ENOUGH provision, power, and purpose.  He’s God!  He does everything PERFECTLY!  And if you are a part of the family of Christ, you have EVERYTHING you need to rise to the occasion and CEASE THE DAY!

I can hear the voice of God beckoning us to be aggressive and progressive in our lives.  However, hear me when I say this does NOT mean to become wreckless.  Obviously, with every crash and every wreck, there is something or someone who is at fault.  Constant “check-ups” are critical if you intend to fulfill your purpose or reach your destination in tact.

Come on, get up! IT’S YOUR TIME TO GO!