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Monday, June 29, 2009
The Art of Sacred Cow Tipping
A Sacred Cow is defined as "a bizarre combination of attrition, malfeasance, and abuse, originally derived from a concept that might have had some merit until a group of individuals bent, twisted, and perverted it into a philosophy, doctrine, or point of law that no longer bears any resemblance to the original intention." It is generally considered an untouchable subject, tradition, form of doing a thing, or even an untouchable person. The idea is that if you want peace you must not touch this sacred cow.
Sacred Cow Tipping's purpose is to use our collective Spirit led intentions and consciousness to move these heavy, burdensome and outmoded "cows" to the wayside so that real progress can continue.
Nevertheless, our not-so-friendly Sacred Cows aren't gone yet and they haven't changed their minds. These "cows de resistance" continue to plop themselves in the middle of progress again and again. One has to beg the question, "How much longer can we afford to let this happen?" At what point does indecision and procrastination destroy our chances to take effective action
We must Tip The Sacred Cows to free us from the malaise of the Status Quo and facilitate positive change. I think you might be very surprised by the negativity and wasted effort these Sacred Cows create and on a mass scale.
Here are the steps as you play begin this sacred duty:
Consider how the Sacred Cow applies to you.
Reach back into your experiences and into your family tree to identify your, your family's, and your church's sacred cows.. Use this reality check to help you release any contracts, agreements, obligations or decrees that keep you bound to each Sacred Cow..
Think about it while focusing on the Circle of Actions, Inaction, and Circumstances (events, traditions, etc.) that goes with it. Graph the web of interconnected events, expectations, persons, and beliefs that sustain the sacred cow.
Take the first answer you get and move on to the Spirit - led consideration.
The circles and graphs are focusing your thoughts and energy to create positive, proactive change and shift negative energy.
Play again to tip your own Sacred Cow, whatever it may be.
Remember when you are looking at the Circles, you are clearing out limited, polarized thinking. You may experience subtle energies running through you, you might feel a little disoriented or emotional at first. Just keep breathing, relax, pray, and let go. When you release your agreement with falsehood, you are detaching from a larger, collective agreement. Not only will you feel better in the days and weeks that follow, you will have increased freedom and peace of mind.
What is one thing you could do to celebrate your freedom.
Sacred Cow Tipping's purpose is to use our collective Spirit led intentions and consciousness to move these heavy, burdensome and outmoded "cows" to the wayside so that real progress can continue.
Nevertheless, our not-so-friendly Sacred Cows aren't gone yet and they haven't changed their minds. These "cows de resistance" continue to plop themselves in the middle of progress again and again. One has to beg the question, "How much longer can we afford to let this happen?" At what point does indecision and procrastination destroy our chances to take effective action
We must Tip The Sacred Cows to free us from the malaise of the Status Quo and facilitate positive change. I think you might be very surprised by the negativity and wasted effort these Sacred Cows create and on a mass scale.
Here are the steps as you play begin this sacred duty:
Consider how the Sacred Cow applies to you.
Reach back into your experiences and into your family tree to identify your, your family's, and your church's sacred cows.. Use this reality check to help you release any contracts, agreements, obligations or decrees that keep you bound to each Sacred Cow..
Think about it while focusing on the Circle of Actions, Inaction, and Circumstances (events, traditions, etc.) that goes with it. Graph the web of interconnected events, expectations, persons, and beliefs that sustain the sacred cow.
Take the first answer you get and move on to the Spirit - led consideration.
The circles and graphs are focusing your thoughts and energy to create positive, proactive change and shift negative energy.
Play again to tip your own Sacred Cow, whatever it may be.
Remember when you are looking at the Circles, you are clearing out limited, polarized thinking. You may experience subtle energies running through you, you might feel a little disoriented or emotional at first. Just keep breathing, relax, pray, and let go. When you release your agreement with falsehood, you are detaching from a larger, collective agreement. Not only will you feel better in the days and weeks that follow, you will have increased freedom and peace of mind.
What is one thing you could do to celebrate your freedom.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Broken Snow Covered Field
the
broken heart
is a
snow covered field
slashed by
a joyous bubbling brook.
for there
in the crevices
of a broken heart
God's love for all mankind
- - - flows - - -
broken heart
is a
snow covered field
slashed by
a joyous bubbling brook.
for there
in the crevices
of a broken heart
God's love for all mankind
- - - flows - - -
The God Who Cares For The Broken Hearted
Click on each reference for a wonderful understanding of God's care for the broken hearted:
Definition of A Broken Heart
•devastating sorrow and despair; "he is recovering from a broken heart"; "a broken heart languishes here"
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
•A subjective feeling of grief or loss
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/broken_heart
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
•A subjective feeling of grief or loss
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/broken_heart
Monday, June 22, 2009
Drs. Cloud & Townsend: Sin Is More Than External Deeds
The above examples bring us to another point about sin. Sin is not just something we do; it is not just behavior. It emcompasses the roots of behavior as well. Too often we think of sin only in external terms, not internal. Jesus warned, "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?" (Luke 11:39-40)
The two examples above -- the man hurt by his wife and my hypothetical example of someone hurt by a parent -- show the importance of dealing with internal motivations. Unresloved anger and hurt can turn into bitterness and lust. Hatred for authority has probably ruined more careers than lack of training. And many other monsters lurk in the shadow of the human breast. Consider this: (read Mark 7:20-23)
Many illnesses, failures, addictions, relationship difficulties, and destructive behaviours originate in these motivators. As Jesus said, the fruit comes from the tree (Matt. 12:33-35). To look inside and resolve these issues is the key to having the outside be good. If we are full of "crummy stuff," then we will exhibit crummy behavior, the same holds for good stuff.
The truth is, though, that all of us have crummy stuff within us. It is part of the fallen nature, the "sickness" of sin, as Jesus put it (Mark 2:17). If we are ever going to get well, we have to have the safety to look inside, confess it, grieve it, repent of it, and "put off [our] old self, which is being corupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of [our] minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousnes and holiness" (Eph. 4:22-24). We have to be made new from the inside out, and that begins with facing how ugly things are inside.
We all need a place where we can say, "You won't believe how sick I am! Let me tell you about this thought I had today." We need to make this kind of confession normal. Then we can begin to clean up our insides. [ HOW PEOPLE GROW, by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend, Chapter 8: Pulling The Weeds, pgs.306-307]
The two examples above -- the man hurt by his wife and my hypothetical example of someone hurt by a parent -- show the importance of dealing with internal motivations. Unresloved anger and hurt can turn into bitterness and lust. Hatred for authority has probably ruined more careers than lack of training. And many other monsters lurk in the shadow of the human breast. Consider this: (read Mark 7:20-23)
Many illnesses, failures, addictions, relationship difficulties, and destructive behaviours originate in these motivators. As Jesus said, the fruit comes from the tree (Matt. 12:33-35). To look inside and resolve these issues is the key to having the outside be good. If we are full of "crummy stuff," then we will exhibit crummy behavior, the same holds for good stuff.
The truth is, though, that all of us have crummy stuff within us. It is part of the fallen nature, the "sickness" of sin, as Jesus put it (Mark 2:17). If we are ever going to get well, we have to have the safety to look inside, confess it, grieve it, repent of it, and "put off [our] old self, which is being corupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of [our] minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousnes and holiness" (Eph. 4:22-24). We have to be made new from the inside out, and that begins with facing how ugly things are inside.
We all need a place where we can say, "You won't believe how sick I am! Let me tell you about this thought I had today." We need to make this kind of confession normal. Then we can begin to clean up our insides. [ HOW PEOPLE GROW, by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend, Chapter 8: Pulling The Weeds, pgs.306-307]
Saturday, June 20, 2009
More Comments On Theology
Are our theologies theorems, from pure logic?
This is a question we must stop and evaluate every new generation - or more truthfully everytime we study or base a decision on a belief system (theology) - and with every entry into a new culture or new phase of our own culture.
If I read history right, God used to be the center and reason for all of our studies. We used to use almost all the -ologies to study and discover more about God through examining his work in various arenas. Of course even this was not not a study of God directly but indirectly, a pursuing of Romans 1:18-20.
The study of doctrine and beliefs is commendable and necessary. Study implies an openness to evaluate, and reevaluate, and reevaluate, man made statements and non-inspired words against what God has continued to reveal of Himself through his ongoing dealings with men and the created world and the meaning of His Truth as recorded in scripture.
To teach theological systems as if they were canon, is not study. It is indoctrination and teaching the words of man as if they were sufficient and complete. Theology taught without openness about the weak points of each system and the human choices made (we blame it on faith - these human choices taken by faith) in order to reconcile otherwise unreconcilable tension between parts of God's revealed truth is to be less than forthright. This hedging borderson deceit and dishonesty. It limits critical study. It put forward humann logic as the excuse to play God with the tensions within scripture and within God's direct involvement (history) in the world.
Are our theologies theorems?
Sometimes this needs to be answered from the standpoint of pure logic and also by evaluation of the true longterm fruits our theologies grow - division not being the least plentiful fruit.
This is a question we must stop and evaluate every new generation - or more truthfully everytime we study or base a decision on a belief system (theology) - and with every entry into a new culture or new phase of our own culture.
If I read history right, God used to be the center and reason for all of our studies. We used to use almost all the -ologies to study and discover more about God through examining his work in various arenas. Of course even this was not not a study of God directly but indirectly, a pursuing of Romans 1:18-20.
The study of doctrine and beliefs is commendable and necessary. Study implies an openness to evaluate, and reevaluate, and reevaluate, man made statements and non-inspired words against what God has continued to reveal of Himself through his ongoing dealings with men and the created world and the meaning of His Truth as recorded in scripture.
To teach theological systems as if they were canon, is not study. It is indoctrination and teaching the words of man as if they were sufficient and complete. Theology taught without openness about the weak points of each system and the human choices made (we blame it on faith - these human choices taken by faith) in order to reconcile otherwise unreconcilable tension between parts of God's revealed truth is to be less than forthright. This hedging borderson deceit and dishonesty. It limits critical study. It put forward humann logic as the excuse to play God with the tensions within scripture and within God's direct involvement (history) in the world.
Are our theologies theorems?
Sometimes this needs to be answered from the standpoint of pure logic and also by evaluation of the true longterm fruits our theologies grow - division not being the least plentiful fruit.
Friday, June 19, 2009
This Moment Contains All Moments !
___
quote by c.s.lewis
- - -
This moment was birthed from all the moments that have ever passed before it: yours, your family's, the world's, and even touching eternity. All things work together. In God's hands all are part of a whole of which we experience one moment at a time. One moment birthed by all the moments before.
And, even so, this moment births all future moments. It is a part of the whole that shapes every moment that comes after it. The decisions, actions, beliefs of this moment will effect all others. Even if it's results call us to God for His transformation.
-
"This moment contains all moments."
-
the above commentary is by the webmaster
-
Thursday, June 18, 2009
The Emperor
"But he has nothing on!"
Remember "The Emperor’s New Clothes"? The Hans Christian Andersen story from when you were just a tiny tyke? The basic plot points: vain, half-wit emperor does business with swindlers. They convince him that they’ve made him a suit out of beautiful fabric and the great thing about the suit was that the stupid and unfit couldn’t see the fabric. As a result, it was an Instant Idiot Detector. The emperor himself couldn’t see any cloth but couldn’t allow for the possibility of his own idiocy so he pretends he could see it. And all his (sycophantic) ministers pretend they could see it.
The king processes through town and everybody pretends they can see it. Except for one little boy who calls out, "But he has nothing on!" Whereupon everyone gets a clue, except the emperor who continues on his regal, nekkid way.
What we were supposed to learn from the tale was that being prideful, cowardly and self-blinding is a bad thing.
"The white robes are the righteous acts of the saints!"
Remember "The Emperor’s New Clothes"? The Hans Christian Andersen story from when you were just a tiny tyke? The basic plot points: vain, half-wit emperor does business with swindlers. They convince him that they’ve made him a suit out of beautiful fabric and the great thing about the suit was that the stupid and unfit couldn’t see the fabric. As a result, it was an Instant Idiot Detector. The emperor himself couldn’t see any cloth but couldn’t allow for the possibility of his own idiocy so he pretends he could see it. And all his (sycophantic) ministers pretend they could see it.
The king processes through town and everybody pretends they can see it. Except for one little boy who calls out, "But he has nothing on!" Whereupon everyone gets a clue, except the emperor who continues on his regal, nekkid way.
What we were supposed to learn from the tale was that being prideful, cowardly and self-blinding is a bad thing.
"The white robes are the righteous acts of the saints!"
-
The Emperor Has No Clothes !
If a church's reach isn't reaching, it isn't reaching. If the church isn't reaching, it isn't meeting the Matthew 28:18-20 command of Christ. And, though we bemoan our failure to make a connection, it really can't be blamed on the growing complacency of our culture toward God and the church. You see when we reach outside our doors with a reach that touches people, there is always a response. In fact the greatest response comes in times of societal and political attack against the church's outreach.
When we actually are reaching people, there is always a response. Complacency is not a response to being touched. Complacency is a billboard shouting, "No one is reaching us!" Opposition, loud, harsh, even violent opposition, is a response. Complacency just isn't. And, scripture examples, as well as history, show a clear truth: the church grows the most in strength and numbers when it's outreach is also creating opposition. Bless God, we Americans must surely be living in a time of abundance.
Whether complacency or the rise of opposition, the signs are that America is ripe for being reached. Perhaps, we need to try something new. If what we are doing isn't reaching, then it is no longer the work of God. The work of God always reaches. Let's find out how He knows we can dynamically impact our communities, each one, now!
Of course, if our outreach is new and is from God, time and ignorance, length of exposure, etc. must indeed be factored in, so an unmeasured response is not the meaning of this above quote. In fact an unmeasured response, "I told you it wouldn't work," can be expected. It may itself be an measurement of success.
Nonetheless, most of us, most of our churches, fall into the error of "if it don't work - try harder." Do it again more and harder! It's got to work! This is the brilliant (yes, I mean that sarcastically) brainchild of neo-legalism and unhinged orthodoxy. (Unhinged from the Holy Spirit and thus human effort, fruitless.)
Likewise, if a church isn't doing anything to reach out, it isn't reaching. It's just in flat out disobedience and rebellion against Christ and the Kingdom of God. And if you are a part of that body of believers, you are in sin together with them. Unless of course you are in a quiet, or persecuted minority, who are reaching out and actually reaching people, outside the name of the local body, but in the name of the Bride of Christ.
Oh, I often hear, "We've been living in this community for 20 years. If they can't see what we stand for that's their problem." That, perhaps unintentionally, is a lie. What's worse, it is so unbiblical, so in contention with the teachings of Christ and scripture. It certainly not in sync with the witness of scripture events which according to Paul are also written for our teaching, correction, rebuking, training, and warning! It makes great logic. It fits almost all the way into some truth statements and dynamics of evangelism. But, it is the half of the half-truth that's false 100% of the time.
Oh, it is true that people are watching. It is true that they know what we are by observing and interacting with us. But, if that observation, that interaction, does not make at least some of them thirsty for the God, the Christ, whom we are to mirror, well - plain speaking - they just aren't seeing the thing, the person, you claim to be modeling and showing. Why, because what you claim, what you think they should see, isn't your observed reality.
You see, there is another truth involved here: "By their fruit you shall know them." I.e.., by your fruit they will know you!" Of course that applies to a church's outreach as well, by your non-fruit, everyone, but the emperor, can see that the emperor has no clothes.
When we actually are reaching people, there is always a response. Complacency is not a response to being touched. Complacency is a billboard shouting, "No one is reaching us!" Opposition, loud, harsh, even violent opposition, is a response. Complacency just isn't. And, scripture examples, as well as history, show a clear truth: the church grows the most in strength and numbers when it's outreach is also creating opposition. Bless God, we Americans must surely be living in a time of abundance.
Whether complacency or the rise of opposition, the signs are that America is ripe for being reached. Perhaps, we need to try something new. If what we are doing isn't reaching, then it is no longer the work of God. The work of God always reaches. Let's find out how He knows we can dynamically impact our communities, each one, now!
Of course, if our outreach is new and is from God, time and ignorance, length of exposure, etc. must indeed be factored in, so an unmeasured response is not the meaning of this above quote. In fact an unmeasured response, "I told you it wouldn't work," can be expected. It may itself be an measurement of success.
Nonetheless, most of us, most of our churches, fall into the error of "if it don't work - try harder." Do it again more and harder! It's got to work! This is the brilliant (yes, I mean that sarcastically) brainchild of neo-legalism and unhinged orthodoxy. (Unhinged from the Holy Spirit and thus human effort, fruitless.)
Likewise, if a church isn't doing anything to reach out, it isn't reaching. It's just in flat out disobedience and rebellion against Christ and the Kingdom of God. And if you are a part of that body of believers, you are in sin together with them. Unless of course you are in a quiet, or persecuted minority, who are reaching out and actually reaching people, outside the name of the local body, but in the name of the Bride of Christ.
Oh, I often hear, "We've been living in this community for 20 years. If they can't see what we stand for that's their problem." That, perhaps unintentionally, is a lie. What's worse, it is so unbiblical, so in contention with the teachings of Christ and scripture. It certainly not in sync with the witness of scripture events which according to Paul are also written for our teaching, correction, rebuking, training, and warning! It makes great logic. It fits almost all the way into some truth statements and dynamics of evangelism. But, it is the half of the half-truth that's false 100% of the time.
Oh, it is true that people are watching. It is true that they know what we are by observing and interacting with us. But, if that observation, that interaction, does not make at least some of them thirsty for the God, the Christ, whom we are to mirror, well - plain speaking - they just aren't seeing the thing, the person, you claim to be modeling and showing. Why, because what you claim, what you think they should see, isn't your observed reality.
You see, there is another truth involved here: "By their fruit you shall know them." I.e.., by your fruit they will know you!" Of course that applies to a church's outreach as well, by your non-fruit, everyone, but the emperor, can see that the emperor has no clothes.
-
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Christ's Inheritance:
WE ARE JESUS CHRIST'S INHERITANCE!!
So to you and me, this inheritance must be our main consideration in living the Christian life. Our walk with Christ matters. Every decision, every act of walking in the flesh, every selfish act will affect your inheritance, and if it affects your inheritance, it affects Jesus Christ’s!OUR PART IN THE INHERITANCE
Let’s look at how God places importance on our inheritance:•“…to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me” (Acts 26:18).
•“…giving thanks unto the Father, who made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” (Colossians 1:12).
•“…knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance” (Colossians 2:24).
•“And for this cause he is the mediator of a new covenant, that a death having taken place of the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance” (Hebrews 9:15).
•“…unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (I Peter 1:4).
•“And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).
http://mudpreacher.wordpress.com/2009/04/20/the-god-wars-the-need-to-claim-our-inheritance/
Monday, June 15, 2009
John 6:44 [NIV, CEV, MSG]
New International Version (NIV)
"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
No one can come to me, unless the Father who sent me makes them want to come. But if they do come, I will raise them to life on the last day.
The Message (MSG)
Jesus said, "Don't bicker among yourselves over me. You're not in charge here. The Father who sent me is in charge. He draws people to me—that's the only way you'll ever come. Only then do I do my work, putting people together, setting them on their feet, ready for the End. This is what the prophets meant when they wrote, 'And then they will all be personally taught by God.' Anyone who has spent any time at all listening to the Father, really listening and therefore learning, comes to me to be taught personally—to see it with his own eyes, hear it with his own ears, from me, since I have it firsthand from the Father. No one has seen the Father except the One who has his Being alongside the Father—and you can see me. (vss. 44-46)
Friday, June 12, 2009
.bmp)
2 Corinthians 11:11-14
The Message (MSG)
And I'm not changing my position on this. I'd die before taking your money. I'm giving nobody grounds for lumping me in with those money-grubbing "preachers," vaunting themselves as something special. They're a sorry bunch—pseudo-apostles, lying preachers, crooked workers—posing as Christ's agents but sham to the core. And no wonder! Satan does it all the time, dressing up as a beautiful angel of light. So it shouldn't surprise us when his servants masquerade as servants of God. But they're not getting by with anything. They'll pay for it in the end.
And I'm not changing my position on this. I'd die before taking your money. I'm giving nobody grounds for lumping me in with those money-grubbing "preachers," vaunting themselves as something special. They're a sorry bunch—pseudo-apostles, lying preachers, crooked workers—posing as Christ's agents but sham to the core. And no wonder! Satan does it all the time, dressing up as a beautiful angel of light. So it shouldn't surprise us when his servants masquerade as servants of God. But they're not getting by with anything. They'll pay for it in the end.
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