Days of heaven on earth...Now!

What a marvelous time to be alive...in this era when Christians are realizing the God has so much more for them than perhaps they had once thought.
"thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven"
God says that we, right now, can live like we are in Heaven. Doesn't He? I believe so. My Dad asked me recently "David, why are we as humans, here on earth now? What's our purpose?"
Being the great philospher I am, I scrounged around the vocabulary for a nice-sounding answer. It didn't work of course. I couldn't give any solid answer. That is of course when he enlightened me. "To practice for what's to come" he said. I said, "well, thats what I meant".
One of the greatest authors ever, I think- Florence Scovel Shinn in her "The Game of Life, and How to Play It"- says that this life is simply a course in love. I'm reminded of Marianne Williamson and her "A Return to Love". She agrees as well.
Are we really going to get to Heaven and refuse the mansion God has built for us, simply because we were used to living in a trailer on earth? Unfortunately, I think some will. Most Christians cannot receive. Jesus was not just making small-talk when He said that we must become as a little child to enter the kingdom. Pastor Joel reminded us this past Sunday that when kids are little, they have huge dreams. As they get bigger, they start listening to other fellows telling what they cannot do, and consequently their dreams dwindle. When the children are big dreamers, thats just an indication that they indeed have just come from their Creator. Wow. Everything we have that is good, is from God. Have we ever earned anything from Him? No. We have only received it in free gift form. Our limits are set in what our own mind can be open to, and what its closed to. Receive whatever it is you are desiring from God today. He's already given it to you, actually. He ordained you and everything He meant for you from the beginning. And it's better than what you have or who you think you are right now. God is progressive. He's constantly trying to get things to us. As I've said before, he is the I AM. 'I am' whatever you need right now.

Ironically, I find that when I focus on solving my problems, not others', then that's when God gives me the chance to help someone else with what I've learned through with my own situation. But if I start consuming myself with their issues and decisions, then everything gets worse.

Everywhere I look in mainstream Christianity, it seems that everybody is trying to look like they have it all together. They do this by the newest logical-sounding hypothesis. And I sit back and wonder what their point is, and where it's getting them. Another formula, another 8-part sermon series, another highly-educated five-week program. What are they trying to do? Motivate their flock? Get a book published? What?
And then there's Word of Faith people, whose message is so distorted by the mainstream in this day. I mean, all they do is simply take the Word for just what it says, and they don't limit themselves as to what they're willing to let come out of what the Word says. (of course, lots of people claim to do that) But the proof is in the results, and I like results that don't line up with "the way orthodoxy has always believed". Not too interested in the way they did it in Acts, either. We're always referring to the "New Testament" church in Acts, as if they had something we don't. They were far from perfect. (They even tried socialism, and it didn't work, just like socialized medicine won't work here, now).
What I'm saying is that I guess I'm more called to help people change their thinking to that of a child. Not to be like a theologian. I do want to give them answers they can count on, but I want them to understand that whats going to produce results in their lives is their heart's love for God, and willingness/motive to make Him first place.....not lists of rules.
I think I'm ready to start posting considerably shorter entries, but that's what I said when I started this one, too.

From this weekend

Saturday evening was the first time I'd ever heard Cindy Cruse Ratcliff in a full solo. Alabaster Box, to be exact. It sent chills through me! I asked a blogger friend to get me the Sat pm version. (the pianist was like the best job in that genre I've ever heard!) So many people to learn from in such a big place. I find that its sometimes easiest- especially when I don't know as many people as I'd like to- to learn a lot from myself. And about myself. I've been working on being me, and really finding out who I am. This of course is not meant in the cliche as it is usually talked about by students who are trying to 'find themselves'. I'm referring to first of all finding out who and what God says I am. "That's the point I'm trying to make!" Making an effort to get rid of all the junkiness, as I like to call it, ie...sarcasm, cynicism, bitterness, hardness towards people, (miranda priestley-type attitudes) etc that has been growing for years. With all that leaving, it's been interesting to find what I need to replace it with. For starters, Love is the best filler for my heart. Not to mention- peace, forgiveness, etc. A reformation of my reactions, thoughts, and motives for seemingly everything that I do, and everyone that I relate with. Love is genuine and real. Love puts it all out there, and is not ashamed that it doesn't fit in perfectly, or doesn't look like everybody else, and is not ashamed of what it does.

Healing, anyone?

I would just like to comment on healing. I've heard lots of people say that healing has passed away (like it died or something). Although they don't really know when, or where, or how it passed away...but it did somehow. There's nothing in the Bible that says so. Usually they just think that Jesus only gave His disciples that authority, but if you try it and release your faith, you'll see that He meant for you to be able to do those things too. That would have been an interesting story- if only those in Jesus generation could get healed...not us! That would mean they got healed on earth and heaven, and we get heaven after earth...but no healing. He's the same. He is 'I AM'. Same thing is available for us today. I once heard a professor who said that he just didn't see anywhere in the Bible where we were commanded to to the same things that Jesus' disciples were commanded to do. That's because we weren't. Their command is still our command. (What am I if I'm not a disciple? Surely God wouldn't be that unfair.....to discriminate on the basis of generation!) If you just go with that 'assumption', everything will change in your understanding of the Word, and its relevance to you today. He is God....He changes not.

I completely overlooked the fact that I forgot to post something about The Gathering with Element in The Loft. (its like I'm speaking another language!)aka.....the college group every Thurs night at church.......... 2 vital keys to help us understand the opposite sex. Something I'd never really thought about before. He said that the primary (just primary, not "only") need of guys is to be respected, while for ladies it is to be loved. Now, both need both, but we already knew that. He took that out of the teaching in Ephesians. "reverence your husband....love your wives..."
1. Guys are like waffles. They usually compartmentalize everything they do or think about. Only one subject at a time. (This is very true.)
2. Girls are like spaghetti. Everything is connected in some (sometimes hard to read) way. One line of thought can be seamlessly connected to another- sometimes completely unrelated.
Being a guy myself, I felt what he said was true, but please keep in mind...these are only generalities....not necessarily across the board.
With all that being out in the open, now I can continue with a report on "Love--Your Number One Priority!" by Kenneth Copeland. Just finished listening this afternoon. Love is the most important thing.....to preach on, think on, and build faith on. Faith will not work without it! Its too bad that there has been sooo much preaching on a whole bunch of other stuff (which political party to vote for, skirt lengths, etc)...because people don't preach from uncontaminated love, which is fear in love. But perfect love casts out fear. And what I've been realizing is that if the Word says "Be ye holy, as I am holy" then that's what I'm called to do. And if I'm called to do it, then I must be able to. But for a long time I thought it was always impossible and very difficult to stay sin-free...well that was a lie meant to deceive me. Of course, nobody stays perfect, but most people dwell on the thought that they can't. We need to be dwelling on the fact that Satan has already been defeated, and that he does not ever want us to know what has happened to our spirits after the new birth. When we sin, we shouldn't be taking 2 weeks to feel sorry and guilty enough before we stop and repent! Repent in 2 seconds. We are more than conquerors,...already! (Usually everything does go back to our authority in Christ) But if love isn't operating, all that's not going to work. Its hard to not love (ie....forgive, let go of bitterness) and then expect to have your faith to work at the time! Don't try raising somebody from the dead when you're not walking in love...bad results. These are just some things I gleaned tonight. And in closing....I will address this issue of casting our care on God. We must do just that. Care goes out by 'casting'. Not worrying. Or even praying....but casting it over onto Him. That is how it leaves us. We must speak to it, just like we must speak to fear and worry (which is only a form of fear). They do understand human commands. They will leave. Watch your confession!

many thoughts for thursday

What is really simple and profound is that only those who step out and make a change will experience a change. Take me for instance (since its my blog). I didn't know what else would be out there for me....what positions, places, or people. At the time, I didn't care either. I chose to get myself out of all the bad stuff. Since then, I've talked with soooo many people that, delicately put, just enjoy talking about their religious freedom, but don't have the slightest intention of doing anything more than that. It would have been extremely easy to go back to my former educational institution (lets face it....sometimes it easy to think about even now). I had made a name for myself there, people were intimidated by me, and I liked it that way.....for a short time. But always walking around with a scowl on one's face, trying to look soooo important can do it for you only so long. Its so much easier to smile, now. Going to a such a large church, you never know who you're going to bump into around Houston that also attends...keeps things on the upandup, so to speak. The world is already a depressed place... I feel I should do my part to influence others in a positive way. People are already so beaten up...oh sure, they may not even be aware that they really do need a Saviour for their eternity's sake, but they do already know that life without fulfillment is a type of hell on earth. They simply have not been told how much better things could be. Religion tells them their problems will be solved only after they make is to Heaven....here we go again with the 'sweet by and by' mentality. Where do you think humans get the idea that they want things to be good on earth---now---not just in Heaven? God gave that desire to them. He wants us to be blessed! Money cannot fill that void....it just makes people comfortable while they're miserable! I'm not against Biblical and complete prosperity. Finances are included in total prosperity, but that's not all. Total satisfaction, health, and favor, etc, are all included. My life needs to be a commercial for God. It needs to make Him look good and attractive to the world! They are not interested in a Believer that suffers through life, barely making ends meet......just surviving, in essence. When those in the world are falling apart, inflation is high, gas is expensive, disease and destruction are everywhere, and no money is ever left over --that I'll be living in abundance, because I've put all my trust in God. He sees to my well-being, no matter what is going on around me. I function on earth through Heaven's economy and unchanging spiritual laws. That is what enables me. What a great thought....I cast all my cares on Him. I often remind myself that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. God meets us at our real level of expectancy (not just a positive thought once in a while, but the "default" of our heart's thoughts); therefore, I choose to come to Him and find rest for myself.

Already, continued.

I hear people say, "Well, I'm going to do this for God just because He asked me to, or just because the Word says I'm supposed to....and leave the results in His hands. So WHY are they doing anything in the first place? Do they think God doesn't want them to have any results?
You need to be claiming your desired results, because that is what God promised. It's amazing to see how many Believers never get anywhere, because they think "Do something bad...and God is gonna smack you hard!" So what happens if I do something good, or if I give something? Well, I give and it will be given unto me....more than I gave. (30 60 or 100 fold). We would think badly of a farmer who planted his seeds and then let his harvest rot in the soil. No, that farmer expects his return, and he goes and gets it. What a correlation.
John 10:10 says "I am come that they might have life...more abundantly, but the thief comes not but to kill, steal, and destroy." This is NOT just referring to eternal life. Does religion really think that is all Jesus' resurrection is good for (!!!). NO. Isn't it logical to think that it must be able to do us some kind of good, here and now on earth? I think so. But if your mind is closed off to this kind of thinking, then you'll probably be a while. I very forcefully cut myself off from the working of the Holy Spirit in the past (yes, I AM talking about speaking in tongues....as in my personal prayer language, not just foreign tongues), and now its awesome to see the transformation in my spirit! At my former college, I was taught that speaking in tongues was basically a sign of judgment on Believers. It's such a pathetic excuse, I know, but not that hard to make yourself believe when you don't have anything else besides independent, fundamental, baptist religion to hang on to. I did not live in freedom. I lived without the fullness of the Holy Ghost, having never been baptised in Him. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. I didn't live in liberty, either. Living with junk does NOT bring glory to God. Somehow, people convince themselves that this illogical thesis is true, and then usually end up dying early. Oh, of course they are good people with honest and sincere intentions, and with hearts for God, but still deal with so much pain in life. Jesus said that through his poverty I could be rich. Rich. Please don't disqualify...go ahead take it literally. It's late...and that's a whole extra sack of worms to open up...later.