Why did we ever stop talking the way we did in the 80's? When something was exceptional with an element of enthusiasm it was RAD. If something was undesirable or failed to meet a minimal expectation we said GAG ME WITH A SPOON. And if we whole heartedly agreed with an expressed view point we said WORD UP. Add in leg warmers and neon colored t-shirts and that is a decade of which to be proud.
I am a part of a denomination that believes in the power of words and the idea of speaking life into someone. This idea isn't new, nor is it without spiritual context. Deuteronomy 30:14 "No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it." Moses speaks to the people of Israel about choosing between life and death, blessing and cursing. The words we speak are powerful and have an affect on us and those around us. Matthew 12:36 Jesus says "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken." Does that sound like words are meaningless? Quite the contrary, they are the lifeblood of the spiritual world. With one word there was light...and the word was with God and the word was God.
Someone you know needs you to speak life into them today. Encouragement isn't only for the hard times and I kind word isn't only spoken in mourning. It might be telling someone that you are proud of them for overcoming their past. You may need to tell someone of the gifts that God has placed in their life. Perhaps you need to prophesy over someone and speak into their life what they cannot yet see. Christ said we would do greater things than he did and his words performed miracles. Let us live like God intended and speak words that make the devil shudder.
21 October, 2010
12 October, 2010
Hemp
Some of the strongest natural fibers in the world are made of hemp. It was required in the Jamestown colony that everyone grow hemp. It was one of the crops that made the States a successful nation. Until marijuana was demonized, it was what our rope was made out of. Today's rope is largely synthetic and in some cases stronger, but there is nothing like a natural fiber rope to make you realize what you are holding.
I feel like I am at the end of my rope. I don't like feeling out of control and I especially don't like feeling at the mercy of my environment. It used to be that when I got to the end of my rope I would just grab onto someone else's rope. But I am not making plan B's any longer. So here I dangle, staring at the knot that finishes the end of my rope. Afraid to look down, I don't know what happens if I eventually lose my grip. Perhaps someone is waiting to catch me...perhaps not.
I feel like I am at the end of my rope. I don't like feeling out of control and I especially don't like feeling at the mercy of my environment. It used to be that when I got to the end of my rope I would just grab onto someone else's rope. But I am not making plan B's any longer. So here I dangle, staring at the knot that finishes the end of my rope. Afraid to look down, I don't know what happens if I eventually lose my grip. Perhaps someone is waiting to catch me...perhaps not.
07 October, 2010
Never voting again
By in large I use subject lines as attention getters or shock value, but this one is different. Unless something changes, I will never vote again. I am sure that there are some that are incensed by this and will call me unpatriotic or un-American, but before you do understand my reasoning. I have been considering this for weeks and maybe even understood the idea for longer but didn’t want to believe it.
To understand my logic you need to see this from several different view points. The first is the idea of control. People with control don’t surrender power out of the goodness of their heart. Most times control ends in a hostile restructuring that leaves people divided. When the founders of this country were working on creating a more perfect union they had an opportunity to seize control. Why didn’t they? I suggest they did and we just can’t see it through our “freedom”. Power and control are about two things, money and exercising your will. Had the founders instituted a totalitarian regime or monarchy they knew it eventually would be overthrown. But, if they gave the people what they wanted and made it seem as if they owned the country then there would be nothing to overthrow.
Republicans vs. Democrats is the basis of our bicameral legislature. One against the other brings to mind the idea of opposites and enemies. You are either for or against in this world of politics. But isn’t reality and is the façade of our government. Abortion, taxes and war are all hot button issues that you will base your vote on this year. Usually long before the election, the candidates will be talking about what you want to hear from them. All of these issues have been brought to your attention so you could choose what you care about and how you want the government to act. If I was to ask you what color I should paint a room, but only allowed you to choose between dark green or light green, what has really been asked? I wanted your opinion and even gave you the freedom to choose. You gave your answer and I didn’t just force my opinion on you, so you have experienced liberty. But what about the other colors? Perhaps you really like blue or red, but I didn’t allow you to see those in making your decision. Now here is the trick, the question was never about the color. I just didn’t want you to tell me to leave the room or rearrange the furniture. I am still in the room and it still functions the same way as I wanted it too, but it has a new coat of freedom on the walls.
We have been lulled into a freedom coma and can’t wake up. Here is the truth, you are not free. You are a pawn of an establishment that was created to enslave the masses in a delusion that looks like liberty. This economy and the government that works to support it, was made to ensure that power and control would remain in the hands of those who never wanted to lose it. There is no one you can vote for that will change the system. Until the American public realizes that they are not free and want something different this cycle will continue. Revolution needs to begin with the people, but that can’t happen until they suffer. If a real revolution ever happens I will be there, but until that day I will not participate in this illusion.
To understand my logic you need to see this from several different view points. The first is the idea of control. People with control don’t surrender power out of the goodness of their heart. Most times control ends in a hostile restructuring that leaves people divided. When the founders of this country were working on creating a more perfect union they had an opportunity to seize control. Why didn’t they? I suggest they did and we just can’t see it through our “freedom”. Power and control are about two things, money and exercising your will. Had the founders instituted a totalitarian regime or monarchy they knew it eventually would be overthrown. But, if they gave the people what they wanted and made it seem as if they owned the country then there would be nothing to overthrow.
Republicans vs. Democrats is the basis of our bicameral legislature. One against the other brings to mind the idea of opposites and enemies. You are either for or against in this world of politics. But isn’t reality and is the façade of our government. Abortion, taxes and war are all hot button issues that you will base your vote on this year. Usually long before the election, the candidates will be talking about what you want to hear from them. All of these issues have been brought to your attention so you could choose what you care about and how you want the government to act. If I was to ask you what color I should paint a room, but only allowed you to choose between dark green or light green, what has really been asked? I wanted your opinion and even gave you the freedom to choose. You gave your answer and I didn’t just force my opinion on you, so you have experienced liberty. But what about the other colors? Perhaps you really like blue or red, but I didn’t allow you to see those in making your decision. Now here is the trick, the question was never about the color. I just didn’t want you to tell me to leave the room or rearrange the furniture. I am still in the room and it still functions the same way as I wanted it too, but it has a new coat of freedom on the walls.
We have been lulled into a freedom coma and can’t wake up. Here is the truth, you are not free. You are a pawn of an establishment that was created to enslave the masses in a delusion that looks like liberty. This economy and the government that works to support it, was made to ensure that power and control would remain in the hands of those who never wanted to lose it. There is no one you can vote for that will change the system. Until the American public realizes that they are not free and want something different this cycle will continue. Revolution needs to begin with the people, but that can’t happen until they suffer. If a real revolution ever happens I will be there, but until that day I will not participate in this illusion.
05 October, 2010
Anglicized beauty
This world is full of the plain, boring and mundane. You see the same things day after day and they wear on your psyche. That billboard on your way to work, the color of your house and your wardrobe all scream monotonous. That is why I don't understand why people don't take the time to beautify their world. Adding a little bit of flavour or colour to your day is one way to keep your sanity.
One of the things I love is words. Words are beautiful and convey our heart. I have favourite words, ones that I think are cool or sound good. I love the word "obfuscate". It is even better used in the present tense, "obfuscation". I also love the word "vehicular". It just sounds good. I love learning new words and finding ways to use them in context.
I also think that the anglicized English words are beautiful. Words like "colour" and "practise" are the UK equivalent of spelling and are referred to as anglicized. I think a sentence like "I flew on the grey aluminium aeroplane" is pretty wonderful. I know it may seem silly, but I wish I could use words like this without being corrected. But I am sure someone would tell me that "grey" isn't spelled with an E and that "aeroplane" doesn't have an O.
I encourage you to find a way to beautify your world today. If you do and it brings you a little happiness, let me know what you did. I would love to know.
One of the things I love is words. Words are beautiful and convey our heart. I have favourite words, ones that I think are cool or sound good. I love the word "obfuscate". It is even better used in the present tense, "obfuscation". I also love the word "vehicular". It just sounds good. I love learning new words and finding ways to use them in context.
I also think that the anglicized English words are beautiful. Words like "colour" and "practise" are the UK equivalent of spelling and are referred to as anglicized. I think a sentence like "I flew on the grey aluminium aeroplane" is pretty wonderful. I know it may seem silly, but I wish I could use words like this without being corrected. But I am sure someone would tell me that "grey" isn't spelled with an E and that "aeroplane" doesn't have an O.
I encourage you to find a way to beautify your world today. If you do and it brings you a little happiness, let me know what you did. I would love to know.
04 October, 2010
Mattress on the floor
Since I walked away from my ministry, family and life I have suffered. I have felt lonliness like I never knew. I have lost all hope and not knew how I would make it one more day. I have gone without in so many ways. Even though I am doing better today and have several blessings in my life, I am still not whole.
My job is a true God send and I am blessed to have it, but it isn't my calling. I sit at a desk almost all day and rarely interact with anyone. God made me to minister to hurting people and until I do, something is missing. I do have a great church and they are working on restoring me into some ministry of sorts. But as for now I am disconnected and away from my purpose. The love of my life and my children live about twenty minutes from me. I get to see them four or five times a week. We usually spend the whole weekend together. I get to cook for them and share in fun and family time. But when I wake up in the morning, I am alone.
Six inches above the floor is the view I have when I wake up. When you just have enough money to get by, you make certain sacrifices. A box spring and bed frame are luxuries in a world of generic toaster pastries. It is a reminder everyday of my decision and consequence. But there is hope from the mattress on the floor; it can't get any lower. From there I can only rise and reassemble the pieces of my life again. Some day I will have a box spring and a bed frame and I will rest above my world, but until that day...I press on.
My job is a true God send and I am blessed to have it, but it isn't my calling. I sit at a desk almost all day and rarely interact with anyone. God made me to minister to hurting people and until I do, something is missing. I do have a great church and they are working on restoring me into some ministry of sorts. But as for now I am disconnected and away from my purpose. The love of my life and my children live about twenty minutes from me. I get to see them four or five times a week. We usually spend the whole weekend together. I get to cook for them and share in fun and family time. But when I wake up in the morning, I am alone.
Six inches above the floor is the view I have when I wake up. When you just have enough money to get by, you make certain sacrifices. A box spring and bed frame are luxuries in a world of generic toaster pastries. It is a reminder everyday of my decision and consequence. But there is hope from the mattress on the floor; it can't get any lower. From there I can only rise and reassemble the pieces of my life again. Some day I will have a box spring and a bed frame and I will rest above my world, but until that day...I press on.
01 October, 2010
Killing myself
The thought of killing oneself is a sign of mental illness. We are all made with a self preservation instinct that gives us the fight inside to press on one more day. When that innate sense is gone and has been replaced with suicidal thoughts there is something wrong. This sickness is involuntary and needs to be treated, otherwise it will end disastrously.
And yet, we are called as Christians to die to Christ daily. Is this insanity? Yes! This is the legal definition of insanity: n. mental illness of such a severe nature that a person cannot distinguish fantasy from reality, cannot conduct her/his affairs due to psychosis, or is subject to uncontrollable impulsive behavior. I can't think of a better definition for the Christian life. Let me interpret what I see in this definition that makes me feel this way.
Mental illness is when there is something wrong with our brain and the way it thinks, however this is a comparative standard. If the world's secular view on life and self are the standard, then we as Christians are mentally ill. Our brains should be working and thinking differently that the rest of the world. That mental illness is so severe that we cannot distinguish between fantasy and reality. When we lose that grasp on reality we have a peace that passes all understanding.
The hallmark of someone who has died to Christ is that they cannot conduct their affairs due to their faith. In fact we have given complete control over to God. The point of surrender is both the death and birth of the new life. And lastly, we are subject to uncontrollable impulsive behavior. When led by the Holy Spirit we are no longer in control. He prepares the way, opens the doors and equips the journey. Impulsive is the view from the vantage of the one out of control. To us and the world, the prompting of the Holy Spirit may seem impulsive, but it isn't even close to being that way. "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Eph 2:10 That hardly sounds impulsive, but I am sure it looks that way.
Today I am trying to kill myself. I am going to kill the critical spirit within me. I might not get it the first time, but I am just sick enough to keep trying.
( I do not take mental illness lightly, nor do I think suicide is funny. I have both struggled on my own and walked the road with others as well.)
And yet, we are called as Christians to die to Christ daily. Is this insanity? Yes! This is the legal definition of insanity: n. mental illness of such a severe nature that a person cannot distinguish fantasy from reality, cannot conduct her/his affairs due to psychosis, or is subject to uncontrollable impulsive behavior. I can't think of a better definition for the Christian life. Let me interpret what I see in this definition that makes me feel this way.
Mental illness is when there is something wrong with our brain and the way it thinks, however this is a comparative standard. If the world's secular view on life and self are the standard, then we as Christians are mentally ill. Our brains should be working and thinking differently that the rest of the world. That mental illness is so severe that we cannot distinguish between fantasy and reality. When we lose that grasp on reality we have a peace that passes all understanding.
The hallmark of someone who has died to Christ is that they cannot conduct their affairs due to their faith. In fact we have given complete control over to God. The point of surrender is both the death and birth of the new life. And lastly, we are subject to uncontrollable impulsive behavior. When led by the Holy Spirit we are no longer in control. He prepares the way, opens the doors and equips the journey. Impulsive is the view from the vantage of the one out of control. To us and the world, the prompting of the Holy Spirit may seem impulsive, but it isn't even close to being that way. "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Eph 2:10 That hardly sounds impulsive, but I am sure it looks that way.
Today I am trying to kill myself. I am going to kill the critical spirit within me. I might not get it the first time, but I am just sick enough to keep trying.
( I do not take mental illness lightly, nor do I think suicide is funny. I have both struggled on my own and walked the road with others as well.)
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