Ingrid's Hidden Contemplative Agenda

"Music Till Dawn will provide a relaxing contemplative atmosphere, where the Holy Spirit can speak to quieted hearts."

See their original version here.

For more humor try this!

MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST: April 21, 2008

I was taken a bit by today's devotions. I undertook this year to go through MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST though it has not been as "enlightening" as I had hoped. Maybe it is that I am not putting into it as much as I could or that I am not ready for it or maybe have passed it by (I say that with much humor!) Yet, as in the past I do not get too much out of daily devotions.

Saying that though today I read and was fascinated by it as I stated as it spoke to my heart. I hope it blesses you today as it blessed me.

NOW DON'T HURT THE LORD!
Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not
known Me, Philip?
John 14:9

Our Lord must be repeatedly astounded at us - astounded at how un-simple we are. It is opinions of our own which make us stupid, when we are simple we are never stupid, we discern all the time.

Philip expected the revelation of a tremendous mystery, but not in the One Whom he knew. The mystery of God is not in what is going to be, it is now; we look for it presently, in some cataclysmic event.

We have no reluctance in obeying Jesus, but it is probable that we are hurting Him by the questions we ask. "Lord, show us the Father."

His answer comes straight back - "There He is, always here or nowhere." We look for God to manifest Himself to His children: God only manifests Himself in His children. Other people see the manifestation, the child of God does not. We want to be conscious of God; we cannot be conscious of our consciousness and remain sane. If we are asking God to give us experiences, or if conscious experience is in the road, we hurt the Lord. The very questions we ask hurt Jesus because they are not the questions of a child.

"Let not your heart be troubled" - then am I hurting Jesus by allowing my heart to be troubled? If I believe the character of Jesus, am I living up to my belief? Am I allowing anything to perturb my heart, any morbid questions to come in? I have to get to the implicit relationship that takes everything as it comes from Him. God never guides presently, but always now. Realize that the Lord is here now, and the emancipation is immediate.

Jesus has a parking spot for you...

Just wanted to share a cute story about my son.

My wife was taking him to the Doctor today and the parking lot was full... My wife said a quick little prayer, " Jesus, help us find a close parking spot." As she needed to get Fischer and Ciana both in the build and the other parking spots were across the street.

As they came around the corner my wife saw a truck beginning to back up, and stated to Fischer and Ciana, "look Jesus has a parking spot for us!"

Fischer, stated, "Jesus has a parking spot for us?"

TES (my wife) said, "Yes.", as she pulled in...

My wife stated, "Thank you Jesus."

Fischer stated, "Thank you Jesus."

TES then said, "Jesus is saying thank you, back."

Fischer smiled his broad smile and stated..."THANK YOU JESUS."

I know that there are huge atrocities out there, and people everyday pray and seem to get no answers... yet I know that God answers all prayers, according to His good and perfect will. In that things to us might not make sense... but I believe even in the hardest of things, God has a parking spot for us.

Be blessed,

iggy

Tozer devotional: Distinguishing between Jacob and Esau

Distinguishing between Jacob and Esau by A.W. Tozer

There are areas of Christian thought, and because of thought then also of life, where likenesses and differences are so difficult to distinguish that we are often hard put to it to escape complete deception. Throughout the whole world error and truth travel the same highways, work in the same fields and factories, attend the same churches, fly in the same planes and shop in the same stores. So skilled is error at imitating truth that the two are constantly being mistaken for each other. It takes a sharp eye these days to know which brother is Cain and which Abel. We must never take for granted anything that touches our soul's welfare. Isaac felt Jacob's arms and thought they were the arms of Esau. Even the disciples failed to spot the traitor among them; the only one of them who knew who he was was Judas himself. That soft-spoken companion with whom we walk so comfortably and in whose company we take such delight may be an angel of Satan, whereas that rough, plain-spoken man whom we shun may be God's very prophet sent to warn us against danger and eternal loss.

Prayer
O God, I am easily deceived. Thank You for the Holy Spirit to lead and guide through Satan's deceits and disguises.

Scripture
Then Isaac said to Jacob, "Come near so I can touch you, my son, to know whether you really are my son Esau or not."— Genesis 27:21

Thought
Often we encounter error disguised as truth. Crucial is our relationship to the Holy Spirit who seeks to guide into all truth. It is the Spirit who can unmask the deceiver.

Tozer Devotional: God in "People" Expression

The Next Chapter after the Last
Chapter # Twenty-Five
The Logic of the Incarnation
God in "People" Expression

If in the infinite condescension of God, mankind was made with a nature somewhat like its creator, then is it not reasonable that God could clothe Himself with human nature in the mystery of incarnation? and all within the framework of easy possibility without the embarrassment of uniting things unlike each other? When the ancient Word stood up in human flesh, He felt at home. He was not out of His element, for had He not heard the Father say, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness"? There was nor jar, no wrench caused by the forced union of dissimilar natures. It is our humble opinion that the "exile" element in the earthly experience of our Lord has been greatly overplayed. That He was sad and lonely and far from home, a stranger in a strange land, is an idea that has grown up around the beautiful and the simple fact, but it is not necessarily a part of the fact. So far as we can recall there is nothing in the record to give the impression that His presence in human flesh was an unnatural or painful experience. He happily called Himself "the Son of man," not an exile among men. All this is not to attempt to take away from the valid mystery that surrounds the Incarnation or to lessen the awe with which we contemplate the wonder of the Word becoming flesh to dwell among us. It is rather to clear away unauthorized notions and give the beauty of the Incarnation a chance to make its own impression upon us. That impression will be deep enough without our adding anything to it.

Prayer
Father, I see in Christ living among people what You desire in my living by means of the indwelling Spirit. He produces the product of His control-the fruit of the Spirit. May that fruit characterize my life!
Scripture

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.— John 1:14

Thought
In Christ, God becomes "people"-you and me kind of people except for our sin. He exuded the glory of the Only Begotten. The eye of faith could perceive His origin and sense that He was full of grace and truth. All this in "people" expression.

Ingrid pushes Contemplative prayer!

Ingrid Schlueter of Slice of Laodicea and Hope in Laodicea (both a bit ironic of names if you understand what happened biblically to Laodicea) has been often on rants against "contemplation" and "meditation" in which the emerging church has "latched" onto. Now, this is not the same as some Hindu practice... nor is it a derivative of it, though some practice a version of Yoga in which they focus on God and scripture and prayer...

Now the thing is that amazed me is that Ingrid in all her rants often turns to the Puritans for inspiration and either never really read this PDF form or missed what the writer stated... in a way it is not that far from something Doug Padgitt or Brian McLaren have stated. Here is the quote that caught my eye... I have added the bold to emphasize the part that Ingrid missed

"We rightly criticize those who engage in transcendental meditation and other mindrelaxing exercises because these practices are connected with false religions, such asBuddhism and Hinduism, and have nothing to do with Scripture. Such forms of meditation focus on emptying the mind to become detached from the world and to merge with the so-called Cosmic Mind, not to attach to, listen to, and to be active for a living,personal God. Yet, we can learn from such people the importance of quiet reflection and prolonged meditation." (PDF FILE)

So now it seems that IF Ingrid approves of a "form" of prayer it is fine, but if the emerging church practices it, it is worldly and of Satan...

I guess the Truth is that some see that some would rather exchange Jesus' righteousness for their own righteousness and judge others by themselves as the high standard... yet then turn around and practice and teach what they also judge others for doing.

Romans 2: 1-5
"You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. "

So is Ingrid now the new "emerging guru"?

Be Blessed,
iggy

Of Free Will and The Love of Jesus...

Matthew 16:24.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. KJV

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. NKJV

Now I am not even going to even talk about which version is better... as I think they still state clearly the same thing.

Jesus states that a man has a will and can come after Him... there is not much difference in saying "If anyone desires" as a desire is out of a man's will...

In other versions still the idea is conveyed... such as the NIV

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Yet, it seems that though some teach that man has no "free will" Jesus taught that man can choose Him. Now, be careful not to take me as saying man has a part in their own salvation as that IS of God and God alone... the point is that the Father draws a person ( John 6:44. "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.) Yet, still man must make that decision to follow after Jesus.

In that decision, one must realize that as Jesus stated one must then die to self to be able to follow Him. With that free will is exchanged for God's will through Jesus Christ.

Romans 6: 5-14 is rich with this teaching of being dying with Christ on the Cross and now where our Life comes from.

"If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace."

Now as one who died with Jesus and as Paul stated, "because anyone who has died has been freed from sin." we know a dead person no longer "sins" so we also find Life at the Resurrected Life of Jesus.

Now, we all will sin... we all will fail as we still live in the "mortal body" Yet, we are no longer slaves to this "mortal body" for if one is in Christ, the sin in us has been judged and put to death, and we Live now "in Chirst" by the power of the Resurrection. We have exchanged our "sin and death" that reigned in our mortal body and not Christ Jesus reigns in us and gives us His very Life...

Jesus is the only "immortal" (1 Timothy 6:16) and by Jesus we will one day exchange "the mortal with immortality". (1 Cor 15:53)


God is good, for He draws a person to Jesus in whom we choose to follow... there is no doubt be one Calvinist or Ariminian that one still must "believe and receive" (Philippians 1:29; 1 Tim 1:16; John 3:16-17; Matt 10:40; John 1:12; John 20:22)
so that is not the debate... at least I would hope. (note: I re-read and noticed a bit of fuzz in that sentence so yes it is edited)... For a person can only freely love another if they are free to choose to do so. If they are not given a choice then how can a man love freely... God freely chooses to give grace to WHO he chooses... in that act of Love, man can and must respond to it... but without the ability to freely choose... it is not pure Love.

Be Blessed,
iggy

A Slice of Tozer Devotional

The other day I heard Slice of Laodicea was once again no more. Ingrid apparently lost her site for some reason and tells us she still has hope in her private little Laodicea. Though she promised it to be a kinder gentler place, she took no time in getting back to her regular scheduled swipe against others so much for a new improved quite place.

Now, Ingrid is who she is and in that she is accountable to God for her actions and words and in that I am not complaining... I am just letting you know what is going on since I have written here about Slice before. If you need a bit of Old Slice you can get the general idea of how Ingrid would "correct" and try to restore others here.

So, does complaining really change things. I mean some have pointed out that by the standards of Ingrid and those other watchdoggies, that this would be divine intervention as God just did not like or want Slice around... I mean God is sovereign.

Interestingly, Jesus warned Laodicea to get hot or cold or He would spew them out... and Jesus did. There is not much left of the Biblical City or Church of Laodicea... so how ironic that no matter how one Slices Laodicea, it seems that the story still plays out.

So today for my Tozer devotional (Ken Silva's favorite and oft quoted mystic)... (which is really very good!) I know this is something everyone struggles with... (not just Ingrid and Ken) I know I do also. So enjoy!

Be Blessed,
iggy

The Next Chapter after the Last
Chapter # Four
Complaining: A Disease of the Soul


The Illogic of Complaining

Among those sins most exquisitely fitted to injure the soul and destroy the testimony, few can equal the sin of complaining. Yet the habit is so widespread that we hardly notice it among us. The complaining heart never lacks for occasion. It can always find reason enough to be unhappy. The object of its censure may be almost anything: the weather, the church, the difficulties of the way, other Christians or even God Himself. A complaining Christian puts himself in a position morally untenable. The simple logic of his professed discipleship is against him with an unanswerable argument. Its reasoning runs like this: First, he is a Christian because he chose to be. There are no conscripts in the army of God. He is, therefore, in the awkward position of complaining against the very conditions he brought himself into by his own free choice. Secondly, he can quit any time he desires. No Christian wears a chain on his leg. Yet he still continues on, grumbling as he goes, and for such conduct he has no defense.


Prayer
Deliver me from complaining, Lord. Rather, teach me to praise You and thank You for the opportunities to grow.

Scripture
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation.
— Philippians 2:14-15

Thought
The cause for complaint is often a God-given opportunity for growth and praise. What at first appear to be thorns may prove to be divine prods that move us closer to God.

Meeting People who read this blog.

In all honesty though it is rare, when I find someone who reads this blog I get a bit "worried"... now I know most people read me and may not comment... some do comment and say nice things... yet some say some pretty nasty things... yet...

Sometimes those who mean to "get" me do say something that I think is what I need to hear.

Today though I met a person who has been a reader for sometime. The funny thing is she and her husband have not commented... though they do read on occasion.

I think that much of her story matched ours... TES and me that is. It seems she was pregnant at the same times TES was... and that they moved a bit... much as our story.

Now the weird part... they know Dan Carter... as they are either friends with or related to Miss Sara's (who is now Mrs. Sara Carter) mother... (I think I have that right.)

But there is more!!!!

She also knew Levi and Bethany Fuson... who knew a couple from Wyoming who knew pastor Alan Hodges who pastors Vineyard Church here in Billings.

Now... this is there it gets interesting...

Scott and Tracy (the couple who I am referring to... though I only talked to Tracy) began reading my blog and were thinking about joining me when I was doing Word of Mouth Fellowship... which I gave up to join in the Vineyard Church plant we are currently with... they had attended the former Vineyard... and when they saw TES and I were then going to Vineyard they have joined us there.

So, one Sunday... TES was talking to Tracy and Tracy suddenly stated... "Oh! You are iggy's wife!" (And yes it was meant as a good thing! LOL!)

Now, it was fun to hear Tracy's perspective as she told me which posts she liked the most and how she prayed for me when some began to attack me on personal levels with their attack blogs.

It is a good feeling that some of you are out there... praying and are enjoying my crazy journey.

I confess I am not always the best example... I try to be good... really... yet it seems I am still human and in need of a saviour.

Now, the purpose was and has always been to tell the story of my journey of faith in this postmodern world. I will not change that. I think though that some that are being used of Satan have distracted me from my true calling. I am not saying I will not stand up for truth, yet I do hope and ask you who read to pray that I can focus more on the calling God has on me and my family. I hope that I can focus more on teaching and encouragement and less on this pseudo "war" that some have declared on "truth"...

I have had a very interesting day... not all "good"... but still in all the "stuff" I have been hit with lately... I see God's Hand in all and see that He is in charge and is so good to me.

Blessings,
iggy

The mystic ladder of Divine love, according to Saint Bernard and Saint Thomas Step Four

The fourth step of this ladder of love is that whereby there is caused in the soul an habitual suffering because of the Beloved, yet without weariness. For, as Saint Augustine says, love makes all things that are great, grievous and burdensome to be almost naught. From this step the Bride was speaking when, desiring to attain to the last step, she said to the Spouse: ’set me as a seal upon thy heart, as a seal upon thine arm; for love—that is, the act and work of love—is strong as death, and emulation and importunity last as long as hell. The spirit here has so much strength that it has subjected the flesh and takes as little account of it as does the tree of one of its leaves. In no way does the soul here seek its own consolation or pleasure, either in God, or in aught else, nor does it desire or seek to pray to God for favours, for it sees clearly that it has already received enough of these, and all its anxiety is set upon the manner wherein it will be able to do something that is pleasing to God and to render Him some service such as He merits and in return for what it has received from Him, although it be greatly to its cost. The soul says in its heart and spirit: Ah, my God and Lord! How many are there that go to seek in Thee their own consolation and pleasure, and desire Thee to grant them favours and gifts; but those who long to do Thee pleasure and to give Thee something at their cost, setting their own interests last, are very few. The failure, my God, is not in Thy unwillingness to grant us new favours, but in our neglect to use those that we have received in Thy service alone, in order to constrain Thee to grant them to us continually. Exceeding lofty is this step of love; for, as the soul goes ever after God with love so true, imbued with the spirit of suffering for His sake, His Majesty oftentimes and quite habitually grants it joy, and visits it sweetly and delectably in the spirit; for the boundless love of Christ, the Word, cannot suffer the afflictions of His lover without succouring him. This He affirmed through Jeremias, saying: ‘I have remembered thee, pitying thy youth and tenderness, when thou wentest after Me in the wilderness. Speaking spiritually, this denotes the detachment which the soul now has interiorly from every creature, so that it rests not and nowhere finds quietness. This fourth step enkindles the soul and makes it to burn in such desire for God that it causes it to mount to the fifth, which is that which follows.

The Truth Wars... a reflection

I saw this and thought of the "Truth Wars" and thought...

If we are saved by Grace through Faith can one Christian be a "better" Christian than another?

It seems that scirpture teaches all are now equal first that all men sin and will die... and be judged. Then that if you be in Christ that there is no longer Jew of Gentile (which was a form of elitism in the scirpture as some Jews thought a person need convert to Judaism to be truly saved) and no male or female...

Yet, some think their Grace is of higher purity than others... I am not sure how they come to this heretical thought, but if one thinks they have all the truth... they seem to no longer have need for Jesus Who is Truth.

Truth is taught as an "absolute" it is taught as an "unchanging object". Truth is taught to be a higher reality as if there are two worlds... (dualism as taught by Plato) We are taught that we need to live by "principles" and that Truth is "propositional".

Yet, the bible elevates truth beyond these things... Truth is no longer an "object" but a Person... Truth is no longer an impersonal abstract absolute or an unchanging principle, as Truth became a man and dwelt amongst us.

The Bible teaches that Jesus is the Truth... and from Him all truth comes. It flows from Jesus as streams of living water. Yet, many hold to the idea that Truth is less than that and deny the revelation that Truth is now a Person and is now relational.

If truth is a higher reality, then we miss this personal aspect.

The bible teaches that the festivals and traditions of the Old Testament were truths in abstract and shadow form... and the reality is the Person of Jesus Christ. (Colossians 2:17) Even the principles and truth of the Law was only a shadow of what is to come... and not the reality. (Hebrews 10:1) Again this reality is now the Person of Jesus Christ.

We are to move from mental assent (simple belief) to a deeper belief called faith. Faith is the acknowledgment that is relational. When a spouse is faithful, they are staying true to their marriage vows... yet even more are staying true to their relationship with their husband or wife. So, as we experience the faithfulness of God in our salvation, we live by faith and interact in a Personal relationship.

As we walk and learn from Jesus, we come to realize that He is Truth and we learn to listen and follow His voice... that take trust. We are designed for relationship with God through Jesus.

Again, Jesus does teach truth (be it propositional) yet we must not reduce Jesus to a mere proposition or principal. In Christ we have life. We are to live by His Life... in that the truths we learn of and from Jesus, becomes our life and our New Reality... For now we are New Creations and in us God starts the beginnings of the New Creation.

Blessings,

iggy

Can we make the Body of Christ more pure?

The thought is this...

Jesus came to save us and to cleans us from sin. It was His Blood that makes us pure. Yet, there seem to be some that think that Jesus can be made more pure with their help! They think that we must make the Body of Christ more pure by our works and man made doctrines.

What a slap in the face to Jesus!

If one can grasp that there is not one person that can add to the purity that is Jesus Christ then I hope they can see that there is not anything more to add to His purification.

If Jesus was and is pure, and he had no sin in Him, and we who are in Christ are placed in Him having had our sin forgiven and cleansed by His blood, how can we make the Body of Christ more pure by anything we do?

Grace is so awesome... and there is great fear that can come when one is faced with the freedom that comes with the Life of Christ. With that we are no longer bound by Laws except the Law of Love! We then are bound to love one another as Christ loved us.

It is Jesus Christ that purifies us... and in no way can we purify Jesus' Body, the church any better than He can... to think so lacks true faith in the sufficiency of the Grace of God and the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

To add anything to the works of Jesus is reducing Grace from its true glory.

Be Blessed,
iggy

Book Review: God Touches, by Dan Gilliam

Book Review: God Touches (finding faith in the cracks and spaces of my life) By Dan Gilliam

I have been getting to know Dan Gilliam over the last couple of years. I was privileged to be one of those who had a chance to read the book as he wrote it... and even more to be able to read the finished product.

Dan Gilliam is a poet, songwriter, painter, speaker, and now author. He has been in the ministry for many years... and has had many struggles. Dan is open and genuine as he talks of his trials and misadventures and struggles in his life such as having to step down from ministering over an addiction to alcohol... all to find God in the cracks and spaces of his life. It is an encouraging read as he finds his Life is in Christ Jesus.

Each chapter is set up with an opening quote that gives a bit of heads up as to what the chapter will be about. With that, each chapter is set up so it can be used as a devotional, or for contemplation. I see within these pages and Dan's struggles a person who was found by God and now seeks to bask in His Glory. There are some very practical things taught and some things that may stretch a few out of their comfort zone. To me that is a good thing as if one is not stretched, then one is not growing. Some of the more interesting thoughts are in his reflections on Rich Mullins. Yet, through all the chapters, there is a positive message of hope to all, that Jesus is there even when we do not see Him at work... He is what holds this crack vessel together. I recommend the book for just reading, or even doing small groups around especially if one is involved in a 12 step program. The chapters on the Big Quite are the biggest challnge to me as I tend to live loud and large.

Blessings,

iggy

From Darkness to Light

In my life I have at times I have gone through some dark periods… Sometimes these are self afflicted as I am not even trying to listen to the Master’s voice. I have for some reason always heard… yet unlike many who say they do not I hear, but I wish to not listen.

I often wonder at this… for as some teach I am to hear this inner voice less, yet the times I fall farther it often moves from a soft whisper to the desperate cry of one who sees a beloved child walk into traffic without a clue to its dangers…

I guess that is me at times… clueless… and set in purpose to be one who chooses to stop the voice… yet… even at the farthest reaches I found, that though the voice is al but silent… I know that there is a home… a Father Who though I be a soul that wanders too far knows he is loved…

I was very young when my father died. Around the age of two as I have been told. I do not remember the man who was my father; I am told he loved me. Somewhere though as I grew older, I lost what that meant… or felt like. I knew my mother loved me…. As mothers do and are supposed to… which is a great gift, especially if one never has known the love of a mother…

I once was lamenting of not knowing my father…and that I felt a bit put out… My friend looked at me and stated, “I think it is better to not know a father, than to have a father you know who beats you every night.”

This shook me.

You see, I had heard something of a different Father. Someone told me He would be a Father to the Fatherless… and for some reason I wanted that… more than anything… I desired to have that Father that I lost… to be able to know that there was someone who would be there, give me wisdom, teach me how to ride my bike, and if it break fix it… someone who would teach me to when to fight and when to stand… teach me how to thread a worm on a hook… and somehow, I learned all that… mostly by trial an error, yet always knowing that there was someone… this “Father” somewhere out there watching over me.

My family was not religious… or maybe that is what they were… religious… It was private and we just did not talk about it. We would go to church on Easter, Christmas, and… funerals and weddings… (if they happened at churches..) and an occasional baptism which I don’t remember ever going to… maybe I was outside playing or I never actually went to one until I was baptized as a teen… Though my mother assured me at that time I had already been baptized sufficiently and almost took it as I was saying she did not do a good job… I was too young what did I know… even now… what do I still know?

This Father haunted me… ever there. Never there. A phantom like in those comics like Ghost Rider… I felt secure and yet… not.

I decided that the voice was not real. This calling out was tiresome to one who has no idea who or what it is about. I started to medicate and seek “true love”. I wanted a girlfriend… someone to stand by me fight for me and love me even if I was totally wrong… I was young… what did I know of love… at fourteen I deemed myself unlovable and tried to kill myself by taking as many aspirin as I could… I stopped counting at 20… went downstairs laid on the guest bed, drank a beer and did not expect to wake up…

I never understood why I did not go to my room… maybe for fear they would not find me in my room… the guest bed was not in a bedroom but in an open room…

I woke up and heard my mother yelling that it was time for school… I rose and staggered to the stairs and yelled something… like… “I donth fleel soth goodt”. I felt like my entire body was on Novocain… I went back to bed and slept.

That was not the miracle... For the people who die of overdoes on aspirin die from liver failure from it trying to remove all of the drug. I was supposed to die about two days later… boom, drop on the floor… (That is what I was told later…)

Yet, that morning I had my first revelation… This Someone out there… this voice… it/He, whatever, had a purpose for me. I would from that day be on that search to find that purpose…

Mind you I had heard of Jesus at a bible camp… but as of yet, did not make a connection… Yet, God in Him mercy, introduced me to Him… I can only say at my younger age, I was chaos incarnate… and when I met Jesus, that storm began to calm… at times it still rages… I focus on the waves and curse Jesus for sleeping as the waves flood over the boat… I am rebuked… not in anger, but in His firmness and kindness as He will call me on my lack of faith, yet still calm that storm…

Life is strange… I found a Father through Jesus… I found a brother who tells me of my family…

My family is not religious anymore… we have found Love… and for some reason… religion seems to not stay around genuine love… it finds it curious and dangerous… Religion is like a boarding school. There is discipline and authority… and obedience is demanded… Fear is what fills the heart.

I am reminded of the words of 1 John 4: 18 – 19 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

We love because he first loved us.

As I walk in the Love the Father has lavished on me, I find I have been adopted into His family… I do not know all He is… nor all I will be, yet I do know that I will be like Him for I am now His son…

Great Quote ~ John Wesely

Are you persuaded you see more clearly than me? It is not unlikely that you may. Then treat me as you would desire to be treated yourself upon a change of circumstances. Point me out a better way than I have yet known. Show me it is so, by plain proof of Scripture. And if I linger in the path I have been accustomed to tread, and am therefore unwilling to leave it, labour with me a little; take me by the hand, and lead me as I am able to bear. But be not displeased if I entreat you not to beat me down in order to quicken my pace: I can go but feebly and slowly at best; then, I should not be able to go at all. ~ John Wesley

Be Blessed!
iggy

The "Rule of Faith" as recorded by Irenaeus:

The "Rule of Faith" as recorded by Irenaeus:


. . . this faith: in one God, the Father Almighty, who made the heaven and the earth and the seas and all the things that are in them; and in one Christ Jesus, the Son of God, who was made flesh for our salvation; and in the Holy Spirit, who made known through the prophets the plan of salvation, and the coming, and the birth from a virgin, and the passion, and the resurrection from the dead, and the bodily ascension into heaven of the beloved Christ Jesus, our Lord, and his future appearing from heaven in the glory of the Father to sum up all things and to raise anew all flesh of the whole human race . . .

Maj Ian Thomas: The Power of His Resurrection

This is well worth the time to listen...

have a Blessed Resurrection Day!

Blessings,
iggy



The Power Of His Resurrection by Major Ian Thomas

Great Quotes

"God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees, and flowers, and clouds, and stars. "

"All who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired."

"Be thou comforted, little dog, Thou too in Resurrection shall have a little golden tail."

"Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree."

"I shall never be a heretic; I may err in dispute, but I do not wish to decide anything finally; on the other hand, I am not bound by the opinions of men. "

~ All Quotes From Martin Luther

Brad Delp of the Rock Group Boston died Last Friday

Brad Delp was the lead singer of the rock group Boston. As a young man growing up I found something in the music of Boston that even to this day makes me jump inside and go "Oh Yeah!"

My heart sunk this morning when I read about Brad's death. At age 55 and apparently in good health he was found in his home. There seemed to be no sign of a struggle nor that he was attacked... so we wait until they can figure out what happened.

Boston was one of the groups. Yes, it was a "party" group, with "Smokin'" and "foreplay" that morphed into "Long time". Yet, with only four albums to their name they hit the top of the charts every time and that after many years in between albums... The last one was released in 2002.

With each new release, there seemed this change and direction... from "get down and party" we find ourselves being told "don't look back" and one of my favorites "The Man I'll Never Be". Later they seemed focused on the evils of corporate greed. Maybe out of their struggle with the original recording label who they had spent many years in lawsuits over their music rights.

Brad did a side project with another band mate. Return to Zero. It was not Boston, but they too hit spot on the charts. Unlike bands like REO Speedwagon and Journey who have stopped producing new music and had contented themselves to be oldies bands, I do not see that Boston would ever be that. They were on a journey and though it may not have been "Christian" at times it it was inspirational and "spiritually" moving.

Funny thing is this. In a world of music, there was none like Boston. They pioneered a sound that influence as many guitarists and singers as Led Zeppelin had. Many guitarist today play through effects pedals designed by Tom Sholtz. It is saddest to me I never was able to see Boston in concert. And now I doubt I will even see them tour with a new singer.

Here is the my favorite song from Boston.

A Man I'll Never Be

If I said what's on my mind
You'd turn and walk away
Disappearing way back in your dreams
It's so hard to be unkind
So easy just to say
That everything is just the way it seems
You look up at me
And somewhere in your mind you see
A man I'll never be

If only I could find a way
I'd feel like I'm the man you believe I am
It's getting harder every day for me
To hide behind this dream you see
A man I'll never be

I can't get any stronger
I can't climb any higher
You'll never know just how hard I've tried
Cry a little longer
And hold a little tighter
Emotions can't be satisfied
You look up at me
And somewhere in your mind you see
A man I'll never be

If only I could find a way
I'd feel like I'm the man you believe I am
It's getting harder every day for me
To hide behind this dream you see
A man I'll never be
(Scholz)

This is most probably the song that most know, and the one that got me through most of my young teen days. "More than a feeling".

I looked out this morning and the sun was gone
Turned on some music to start my day
I lost myself in a familiar song
I closed my eyes and I slipped away

May God comfort those who mourn,
Blessings,
iggy

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The Encouragement of Silent Contemplation from The strangest places...

The Church would soon be healed of her sorrows, and delivered of her divisions, if she would for a while be silent; but the voice of a favourite teacher is heard by some, and the voice of another master in Israel is listened to by others, and so God's voice is lost amid the clamour of sects and the uproar of parties.

Oh, that the Church would sit at Jesus' feet, lay aside her prejudices, and take the Word in its simplicity and integrity, and accept what God the Lord only declares to be the truth. I invite the members of this church, and urge the members of all the churches to see this, that we cry unto the Lord for a blessed silence in His presence, till we sit like servants waiting for the Master's word, and stand like watchmen waiting for the Master's coming. Lord send that solemn silence over all your people now.

"When sheep stop their bleating and listen - maybe then - they'll hear their Shepherd's voice and do what He says!"- Anon

Words, words, words: we have so many words, and they are chaff, but where is THE WORD that in the beginning was God and was with God? That Word is the living and incorruptible seed. We want less of the words of man, and more off Him who is the very Word of God. BE QUIET and let Jesus speak. Be silent, that you may hear the voice of Jesus, for when He speaks your strength will be renewed. The eternal Spirit is with His people, but we often miss His power because we give more ear to other voices than His, and quite often our own voice is an injury to us, for it is heard when we have received no message from the Lord, and therefore gives an uncertain sound. If we wait upon the blessed Spirit, His mysterious influence will sway us most divinely, and we shall be filled with all the fullness of God.

Our strength will be renewed, if in silence we yield up to God all our own wisdom and strength. Brethren, I never am so full as when I am empty; I have never been so strong as in the extremity of weakness. The source of our worst weakness is our home-born strength, and the source of our worst folly is our personal wisdom.

Lord help us to be still till we have abandoned ourselves, till we have said, Lord, our ways of working cannot be compared with Your ways of working; teach us how to work; Lord, our judgements are weak compared with Your perfect judgement; we are fools, be our teacher and guide in all things. Crush out of us our fancied strength. Break our folly like Jacob, for after this sort shall you renew your strength.

Keep silent, you saints, till you have recognized your folly and your weakness, and sit in blessed silence as servants waiting for the Master's Word. For when he speaks your strength will be renewed most gloriously. More than ever before let your inmost souls be filled with trust in the one that never changes.
- Charles H. Spurgeon

So with that go be still and listen to God... meditate on His word and seek His presence. Be filled with the Holy Spirit and go forth in power!

Blessings,
iggy

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