THE REALITY OF THE NAME OF GOD

Listening to Keith Green this morning as he sings "How Majestic Is Your Name". I had to  ask myself, "Do I truly unerstnd the Auwseomness and Power found in the name of the Lord?" The conlusion was that I did not  fully grasp  the fullhess of the name of God, As my health has declined, I have a new found desire to know God in ways I never considered before.

Asking God to give me a more clearer understanding as to His nature, His character, and His mercy and grace, I guess I don't simply do not want to believe in God,,,,,,,,,,But believe God! This new understanding helps me whan the physical stuff becomes overwhelming and I feel as though I am drowining in despair and self pity. The knowledge that His grace will see me through this day becomes more than a theological concept, It becomes a reality in the midst of the storm I am moving through. Thanks for stopping by today, and may God become an even greater reality in your life today. A reality that will take you through whatever situation you may be faced with.

God on you

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NEVER GIVE UP!

 

I Peter 2:9-10 (The Message Bible)
But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do His work, and speak out for Him to tell others of the night-and-day difference He made for you----From nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.

1969....
We were the generation that was going to change the world.
A revival was sweeping the country and it was unlike any revival that we'd ever seen.
From California came a wave of God's Spirit calling out those from the counter culture to be changed. Salvation was everywhere, touching and changing lives that had been counted out by society.
Those who were changed by the Holy Spirit began to tell others...
The ones who heard this message  were changed through God's Salvation....
They, in turn, told others, and it became a wave of God's love and freedom that took off across our country. Funny part in all of this..........it began out side the walls of the traditional church. In fact, the very fabric of church began to change to accommodate new music....new language for theology. As I've said over and over...."The message never changes...God's truth does not change. The vehicle the message is delivered in may change, but not the message."
And empowered by this message, we knew that we were going to be the generation that changed everything with the Kingdom message of Jesus.
We thought this movement would last forever.....

It has.
It has not lessened or lost power.
It has not become static or institutionalized by ritual or rote services.
We've grown older....
But as for me, I still burn with the fire of God to see people meet my Jesus.

You see, movement in the kingdom......this dynamic of bringing change to society through the message of Jesus Christ is not confined  to only those who are young.
No doubt about it....those who are young have passion and fire. When they are touched by the Holy Spirit, something wonderful happens in the midst of all their "young-ness".
It's like being in love for the first time in your life. You want to tell everyone how great it is, and how they are missing out if they don't have that special someone in their own life. So you run around telling your story.

But I've found out something about having a few years under my belt that I could never have known when I was younger.  There is this thing called wisdom. Not as the world defines or gives to us, but that which comes from walking with Jesus for a number of years. Wisdom that comes from life experiences. I do not want my wisdom or view of life to distort the beauty and splendor that is Jesus. I don't want to be cynical of new ways or models that come along. I want to see Jesus in every aspect of His church. I don't want to be the old geezer who is always complaining and punctuates his sentences with "Back in my day....."

I want to be a torch passer. One who comes along side of this generation and encourages them to strike out and follow Jesus. I want to be like Billy Crystal in the movie "The Princess Bride" telling the hero and his followers...."Have fun storming the castle". I may not physically be able to do as much as when I was in my twenties....but my love for Jesus and the Kingdom message is still as fresh as the day I heard it for the first time.

I want to worship Him and see Him in new ways.
I want His word to unfold and reveal to me things I've never seen before.
I want the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to move and heal people.
I want to be the conduit through which the Holy Spirit flows and brings new babes into the Kingdom family.
I want Jesus.
Lastly, I do  not want to define this upcoming generation. I want them to let Jesus define them and what they are called to do.
Think on these things today...

God on you...
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DARE WE BELIEVE?

 

It is amazing to me what one can find if you look. When ever I go to a bookstore, I always search out to see if they have a discount table or a cut rate book bin. Over the years, these are the places that I have found some hidden jewels that seem to escape the over-the-top merchandising that goes on by Christian publishers.

I was at a local bookstore, in fact I wasn't even in the store. They had a roll around cart on the sidewalk loaded with different selections that had been marked down. I saw it. Why Revival Still Tarries. An updated answer to Leonard Ravenhill's Why Revival Tarries. Struck by the thought that someone would update a classic, I purchased the book.

Written by Chad Taylor, Why Revival Still Tarries hits home to the Christian. This is not a book for the lost. It is not a book for the casual Christian (if there is such a definition). It is for the believer who is looking around at church and the business of the church and finds themselves a bit queasy over what they see.

Taylor writes, "Why does revival still tarry? Because God's people still tarry. We have not left the catacombs of complacency and entered the battlefield of humanity. We linger in the conference lines and meeting halls hoping the Lord will "touch us" one more time. It's not a touch of casualness that God longs to give us, but a taste of His fire (pg.9)

Such language strikes at the very heart of the church today.
A church who has traded the eternal things of God in order to get the lost inside their walls. Once there, the church has nothing to offer except entertainment, coffee and a danish.

Why does revival still tarry? Because our hearts are yet to be broken. We walk around with our pride and dignity still intact. Until we truly listen to the message of the Cross and the gospel of Jesus, we will not understand what God expects of us as His children.

God on you......

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JOY!

 Many thanks to everyone  who came out for the meeting last night, especially Debbie H. for filling in and teaching for me. I had the fluid drained yesterday and after such a procedure I am usually wiped out and good for nothing. Hopefully I will be back next Thursday.

I've mentioned on several occasions that because of my health, I've developed a new found love and view of scripture. One verse that has spoken to me is found in Hebrews 12:2 - "For the joy set before Him he endured the cross....." I think the reason this particular verse has stuck with me is the word "Joy." I've tried to rationalize the word "joy"and what it means, but I think the power of the word coupled with what Jesus was facing (the cross) is something that none of us can truly understand until we weigh the glory of heaven and being the the presence of Christ with the struggles and dark things of this world. The comparison of the two words (joy and glory) is where our real struggle lies. But Praise God we have a Savior who truly understands us an desires us to look beyond our 'Today" problems so we can see the hope and promise of Christ that has been afforded to every believer. 

Today I will embrace my "here problems" as I look to the eternal things that await me. I trust you will find comfort in these words, and that you also may lay hold of the person and presence of Christ.

God on you....

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I HAVE MET THE ENEMY....AND HE IS ME

 

Recovery Basics:101 -  You are who you hang out with.
Everyone who comes into treatment or begins a program to deal with their addiction knows this. But what most people don't realize, is that they themselves are the number # 1 person they don't need to hang out with.
In other words, isolation is the killer to any recovery.

When I'm left alone with my thoughts, I will lean toward going to that dark place where using or drinking is probably going to happen.
When I'm alone at home, I will more than likely give in to the emotional thoughts that come up in my mind. We will perceive the pressure we are feeling from life is greater than it actually is. We will feel that the slights and hurts from others is like a open wound with salt in it. All of these will be compounded by the isolation and the very simple thought of "I can get away with using. No one is around and no one will know." Truth is, God is there with you. He is not silent and if you listen for Him, you will hear Him bringing encouragement and help. 

We can come up with a million reasons why we don't need to be around others, but none of them are valid. We need community. We need people around us who are like-minded. Who can encourage us to keep on this journey with Jesus and our sobriety. There is strength in numbers....there is safety in the group....there is encouragement from each other. Sounds like church doesn't it? 

The very first word of Step # 1 of the Twelve Steps is "WE".
Not "I" or "me".......but We.
We have the collective experience that can be drawn from to aid us in this new way of living.
We can point each other to the Christ who IS the only Higher Power.
After all....
We really don't have an alcohol or drug problem....
We've got a living problem.
Somewhere along the way, we have allowed our hearts and character to be deceived. Just like the woman in Genesis 3, we have bought the lies of the devil.
We have tasted the fruit and it was sweet, and it was good.
But the consequences that followed our choice have brought utter destruction into our lives.

This is why God lead me to start Vineyard Recovery.
A place where we can gain strength and courage for the journey.
A place where we can grow in our understanding of who this Jesus really is.
A place where we can experience that change of character we all need to walk out this new life and relationship with Jesus.
A place where we can connect and realize what an incredible family God is providing us with.

STAND

 

Adversity......
Trials...........
Problems......
Situations.....
Circumstances.
All a part of life. But in the life of someone coming our of addiction, such are usually self-inflicted. The dark thoughts and negative emotions cloud and color the choices that are made. What this means is that sometimes a bad choice turns into a terrible choice, as one choice piles up on another in an effort to deal with life.

I have been in the middle of these type situations for a long time. Watching someone make a bad choice because it seemed like the easier, softer way, rather than the right way.
Someone chooses to drink, knowing full well what is going to happen.
They drink anyway.
One drink leads to twelve, all the while putting the addiction stamp of approval on the decision to start. At the same time, the truth eats away at every decision. "You know better than this! Don't do this." But with every drink that voice is replaced with an accusing, sarcastic voice that demeans the individual with guilt and shame. These two wonderful emotions only fuel the cycle to drink so that you don't feel. Funny part is that the more you drink (or use drugs) so that you don't feel....the more you feel all the negative garbage that is being heaped on you.

God's plan to deal with such emotional baggage is pretty amazing.
Once a person is saved, they have deposited in them God's Holy Spirit.
I know this term doesn't fit Him well, but think of the Holy Spirit as a type of "SUPER" conscience. Yet more than simply sound the alarms and whistles when we are headed toward making a bad choice, the Holy Spirit will direct us in our choices. All the while, He begins the process of changing our character so we don't live the old life style.

I love James 1:2-4 in the Message Bible.
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it (the situation/ circumstance) do its work so you become mature and well developed, not deficient in any way.

Instead of cutting and running back to the darkness, we take hold of Jesus' hand a little tighter. "I will not run! I will stand!" As we declare our intention, God's Spirit will strengthen us. It will be a storm to weather, but as with any terrible weather pattern, there is always a break and the sun comes shining through. Same with this new life we are trying to lay hold of. The storms of life will come and buffet us, but the SON, Jesus, will come shining through. That is a promise.

During the darkest time of world war II, when England stood alone against the German War machine, Prime minister Winston Churchill told the people that when history looks back at their struggle, it would declare "This was their finest hour."
Such will be recorded for everyone who lays hold of Jesus, and does not let go but pushes forward to face the day.

God on you...
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STEVEN

 

He was a regular to our Saturday "breakfast give-away." He loved the social aspect to coming and being with a group of people. He would stay to the very end before we took him home. Health issues limited his mobility and there were days when I would give him a ride to the meal where I knew he didn't really feel like being there.

He was always telling me that he wished he could do more to help with the meal, and I always assured him that his just being there, sitting and talking to the others was a big help.

He came to the meal this past Saturday and in fact told me that he felt pretty good that morning. He seemed to be getting around a lot better and didn't appear to be in any pain. He ate breakfast, talked with the ones seated near him, and just seemed to be his old self.

As we were finishing up and getting ready to go, several of our group came by and prayed for him, hugged him and let him know how much we loved him. He was one of those rare individuals that God puts in our path that teaches us more than we taught him. That was the last I saw of Steven Redman.

Received a call from Barry Hooks yesterday morning. Barry told me that Steven had died the night before. I sat there with a couple of thousand questions running through my brain. "But we just saw Steven less than 24 hours earlier!" Now he was gone. I could ponder that greater questions about life, what does it mean, why are we here?" But I chose to pray and than God for bringing Steven into our life. 

I do know that Steven clearly knows the truth that you and I claim to believe. All of his questions have been answered and he sees Jesus in way that we haven't. If you would please pray for Steven's family, that the Holy Spirit would bring peace and comfort them during this time. Also pray that if there be any among his family who doesn't have a relationship/salvation with Christ,  they come to a saving knowledge of their need to give themselves to Christ.

Steven...........I will miss you my old friend.

God on you...

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REVISITING THE PATH TO RECOVERY

 Addiction: 

Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

Romans 7:15 - For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.

These two verses show the power and lie that an addiction has over an individual who has started down that slippery slope of using. You can blame the substance all you want, but at the heart of it all is a broken relationship with Christ. A heart that is not connected to the very one who gave it life. A heart that is driven, ruled, and influenced by a nature....a behavior that society refuses to admit to. We call it a sin nature. I don't sit here this morning posting this entry with the idea that I am above such nature. I'm not. I came into this world with the bent in my character...my heart...and my thinking that affected my life. Every human ever born comes equipped with such a nature. You see, it isn't the deeds we do because of this nature that we refer to as sin. Sin is the heart (the center of will, emotion and intellect) of who we are. We carry this death sentence around with us. Some folks are good at not allowing this nature to run rampant (such as drugging and drinking)...other aren't. No matter what the evidence is in your life of that nature....we are all still in need of having that animal destroyed so we could live life on Jesus' terms. So in one sense, recovery is more than simply "not using" or giving into that old desire that captured us in the first place, recovery is establishing a real relationship with Jesus, our Creator.

Recovery - The entire process of healing from the painful effects of dysfunctional behavior. 
Healing....real healing that affects every area of our life comes through a relationship that we come to with Jesus Christ. God created us with a glorious purpose in mind. Sin has warped and twisted that purpose. Recovery is the process of restoring what sin has taken away.

So, bottom line is that the goal of recovery is to live a life of joyful obedience in this relationship we have been given through our salvation with Christ. To maintain abstinence because we want to, not because we have to. Recovery is the process of developing a Christ-honoring lifestyle that meets the needs we tried to satisfy with drugs and/ or alcohol.

All recovery (no matter what the focus of your problem is...drinking...gambling....drugs...sex) begins at the same place..at the same point...with the same confession.
We call it Step # 1!

We admitted that by ourselves, we are powerless over our compulsive behavior (no matter how it may manifest in our life)---that our lives have become unmanageable.

We have looked inside ourselves for the answer to our problem, and we cannot, nor did we, find it. With this reality, we begin the search for the answer to our problem. Until I can admit my need and that I am not the answer to my problem, I can never break free of this beast that controls my life.
Today, know that there is an answer.
There is a Power that can free you.
The Power has a name.
That name is JESUS.

God on you...
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THE REAL DEAL

 

John 15:1 --  "I AM the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman."

Words of Jesus.

Jesus identifies himself along with his relationship with his Father.

He understands the exact nature of his position in the Godhead.
He is the Son and is submissive to the Father.
What the Father asks....

The Son does.

Oh that I could learn and understand my position in Christ.

I fit into this wonderful hierarchy of heaven, based solely on my salvation.
I am a son.
I am an heir.

I am a friend.
I am a servant.

Jesus, in the opening words of John 15, makes an interesting statement.

He says, "I AM the true vine."

Why would he have to say this?
Why would He say this?
Why identify himself?

Because Jesus knew that there were false vines out there.
He could distinguish them, but he knew that we lacked discernment and would fall prey to these "false" vines.

It is written in Romans 10:17 that  faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

Do you realize how many voices are out there today all claiming the same thing?

Do you realize how easily people are swayed by the mannerisms and image of those who belong to the false vine?

Jesus simply and clearly states....."Hey guys...I'm the one you're listening for."

"I am the true vine."

Jesus is the complete that my can fill my soul.

Jesus is the complete that can satisfy a hunger that will not go away.

Jesus is the complete that can bring rest to my wandering eyes and feet.

He makes me lie down in green pastures to rest and be restored.

He is the true vine that keeps every promise the Father has spoken.

This is why King David could write, "The Lord is my shepherd...I shall not want."

Do you really understand the words that David wrote?
DO I really understand the words that David wrote?
Read again the words of Ps. 23...

The Lord is my shepherd.....I.....SHALL......NOT......Want.

There is a satisfaction that we do not realize when we come to Jesus.

There is a wholeness that comes to our spirit, soul and body when we come to Jesus.

I....shall....not....want.

Wow!
Father God...
Help me this day to truly realize that I shall not want in this relationship with you.
Lord, I know that it speaks not of material things that would only stir my flesh, but of the eternal things that you have promised to those whose hearts are totally committed to you.

Lord, plant us deep in your vine today and receive the nourishment only you can give.

Thank you...
In Jesus name..

amen!

God on you...

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DARE WE CHANGE OUR VIEW AND LIFE TODAY?

 

The beginning of any recovery begins with recognizing how powerless we are because of our dependency on outside influence, be it alcohol or drugs or whatever, to manage the day to day affairs of our live. Living this way really puts the skids on what you and I would refer to as good judgment. The inability to control and make good decisions is only complicated by the fact that in our own minds we don't want to admit to this behavior. We are doing fine. We are just having some set backs. Set backs? We haven't seen these kind of set backs since Uncle Harry refused to get on Cousin Noah's ark. There is a verse associated with this first step and it is found in Proverbs 14:12....
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.


Do you see this? Did you catch that verse? There is a way.........a behavior........an attitude that seems right....its seems socially acceptable..........it appears to make all the sense in the world........but the end result of this way, this decision is headed to only one place.......death, both physically and spiritually. Let's move on!


If we had stopped here at this first step, that would be a pretty hopeless place to pitch our tent. I am grateful that this first step is only the beginning. Each step builds on the other which takes us out of and above our dependencies. So now that I've admitted I am powerless and that my life is unmanageable, what next?


There must be someone or something that can aid me and help me with what seems like these insurmountable living problems I have created. Ahhh! There is help. The Calvary has arrived.
Step#2
We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

At the same place we admitted our inability, it is there we began the search (whether we were aware of it or not) to find an answer to our problems. Many of you may be reading this and think that it all sounds like mumbo jumbo or some kind of formula for self help. Nothing could be farther from the truth. If I have a problem and that problem is found within me, why would I think that the answer would also be inside me? You may be reading this and wonder what in the world am I talking about. Let me put it this way. You don't really have an alcohol/drug/dependency problem, you've got a living problem. You have a broken relationship with the one person who possesses the power to help you rise above all the destruction and pain created by your bad choices. That person is Jesus Christ. He is the power that can restore you to sanity. If I am in need of being restored to sanity, what does that say about my current state? It says that I am living a life of insanity. Insanity is the lack of ability to make sound decisions.

The answer to (this sounds so flippant but trust me, it isn't) all our problems is found in Jesus. Not the church, not some pastor (even though I am such an animal) but in Jesus. The church is where I go to hang out with people who are like me, kind of tore up from the floor up and looking to Jesus for the answers to my problems. Let's take a look at what we have so far.
We admitted, by that I mean we are brutally truthful to ourselves and those around us that we are powerless and not able to manage our own lives.

This powerlessness and inability to manage our own life has turned our focus from our self to looking for a power greater than us who can restore us to being able to make sound decisions.

Here are some verses that may help as you take this journey to a new beginning.

Philippians 2:13 - For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure

John 3:17 - For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.

Luke 9:56 - For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.

Mark 9:23 - And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes.

May God richly bless you and lead you into truth...

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WHERE ARE THE VOICES

 

Ezekiel 44:23
They will teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is common, what is ceremonially clean and what is unclean.

Seems to me today that there aren't any voices (or at least I am not aware of any) that are speaking about what is holy in our society and what isn't. We seem to have adopted a "don't ask, don't tell" attitude about what is and isn't acceptable for those who are believers. You won't hear a lot of messages about purity and holiness. Why? Because it infringes upon our liberty. The one statement that I hold to is one that I heard years ago. Liberty and freedom does not give you the right to do what you want to do.......if affords you the opportunity to do what you ought to do.

We somehow have the idea that because we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us we can take the attitudes and behaviors of the world and turn then into things that are Holy before God. I don't believe that is the way it works.
Besides, it is easier to rail against the sin of the world, our society, and our culture than it is to turn that light back upon the church.

I don't think God has called us to holiness as a suggestion. I think He truly is jealous for a people who have , like the Apostle Paul wrote, "Been crucified to the world and the world crucified to the His church. Does this mean we neglect teaching against any behavior that rejects God? I think not. But maybe we need to get our own house in order. Think on this today-----Are there things in your life that are displeasing to God? Do you try and justify your actions under the guise of God's grace?

Seek that which is holy and cut off that which isn't.
God on you...........
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MAKING THE MOST OF 24

 

Matthew 6:25
That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life........

Matthew 6:32
These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.

I've said it myself when talking with someone about their recovery.
You know what I'm talking about.
"You just need to focus on one day at a time."
We see it on bumper stickers....
Wall plaques........
Throws and pillows....
Notebooks and lapel pins....
"ONE DAY AT A TIME".
But you know what?
I can't think of any thing that is better  at describing the way we all should approach life, not just someone in addiction.

A few years back I went with a friend of mine to do a "Twelve Step" call.
A mutual acquaintance had relapsed and was going off the tracks.
One bad decision led to two bad decisions, and you know the rest of the story.
Anyway, here we were, the three of us, standing outside talking over the situation.
Our relapsed buddy was all remorse and guilty, yet at the same time, he was spinning way out into the future of what all he needed to do. Never mind there was a mess to clean up today....let's get all wrapped around the axle about this weekend, as well as next week.
We quickly reminded him that his only concern was to take care of today.
Do what needed to be done to get back on the right road to recovery.
I told him that if he didn't take care of today, there would not be any "tomorrow" to worry about.

The focus should be on "What do I need to do today?"
Go to meeting? Probably...wouldn't hurt.
Place myself in a setting where I can be accountable? Well, duh? I would say that was a good start.
Do you catch what is going on here.....
All of us....
Sober or drunk, no matter what state you are in, need to focus on today.
"Did I spend time with God?" (Reading His word, listening for His voice). If not, why? Why did I neglect this valuable asset that would aid me in the journey He wants me to follow?

We discount today because of our problems, thinking that if I can simply get through this 24 hours, I'll be able to catch my breath. Well, sometimes that works. But more often than not, those things we have ignored hang around out there in the darkness waiting for tomorrow to get  here so they can rise up and bite with an even more vicious bite. Take the time to take care of your business today.....

Part of our daily "business-taking-care-of" includes watching over our heart and mind. Making sure we haven't allowed any bitterness, resentment or unforgiveness to take root. If we don't removes such character-defect-roots, we will harvest trouble at some point down the road. We do a daily inventory to make sure our lives are free from such. In fact, in Hebrews, we are admonished to not let our hearts go cold and hard to the leading of God.
Hebrews 3:15
Remember what it says (Psalm 95:7-8) "Today when you hear His voice, don't harden your hearts" as Israel did whey they rebelled.
Get it?
Today....
One day at a time....
Stay focused and always be listening for God to speak to you.
You'll know it's Him because He will always instruct you to do the things you don't really want to do.
Remember....
All you have to do is take care of today.

God on you....
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THE ARE OF HEAVENLY CONTENTMENT

 

RE-POST FROM 2015

Philippians 4  (The Message Bible)
Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quiet content whatever my circumstances. I'm just happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the ONE who makes me who I am. 

Stopping for a moment to ruminate on life.
Not looking for answers, or pontificating on the meaning of our existence. I'll leave that to minds that are more intelligent that my noodle.
Just looking back over my journey of years.
Wishing I could do somethings different, but fully realizing that had I been able to, it would have probably changed who I am today. So, I don't think I am going to paddle down that creek.

Very grateful for people I've met along the way....
Got a call from one of them today. He got a bad report after having an exam by his family doctor. Lung cancer. Seems as though the cancer didn't originate in the lungs, but has spread at this time. As he told me the news, his voice was lite and filled with hope. He didn't like hearing that his body had been invaded but, at the same time, he wasn't going to pack up and move to the land of depression and gloom. His take was that he would face it one day at a time. Celebrate the good days...and hang on to make it through the bad. I want to be like my friend. Have a total understanding that life happens on this side of heaven. Good people get cancer. Bad people seem to skate through every bad thing that happens. Good people get their drivers license and go to the store for their mother. Bad people get drunk and hit said good person head on killing them. Bad people go away without a scratch. I want what Paul wrote about in the Philippians passage. The ability to rest in Jesus, and by doing so find a heavenly contentment that doesn't make sense to an earthly mind.

A contentment that has a foundation that cannot be shaken by earthly situations or circumstances. One that allows our steps to be sure and steady even though the path we're on seems to be experiencing mega-quakes bent on unsettling us, and knocking us off our journey with Jesus. I want that kind of contentment.

Sometimes, I wish God had written or spoke out about having a spiritual "Backbone".
I'm not so sure such backbone isn't a part of the giftings of the Holy Spirit. A kind of grit and mindset (not to mention heart set) that speaks to us saying, "Dig your heels in and stand firm in the strength of the Lord....this thing your facing won't last forever." All part of being content. Oh yeah....by the way, contentment doesn't mean you are happy or joyful about your current state of life....it just means that your o.k., knowing that it is a temporary thing you are facing. Face, everything is temporary when it comes to following an eternal God. Hmmmm. Maybe that is part of what contentment is all about. 

God on you....
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