May 9, 2009 His Love Never Fails

For those family and friends who wait and hope with us, pray with us and watch how we are living as we search for a deeper relationship with God, I am sharing this pouring out of my heart with you in hopes that I can point you to Jesus in the same way our dear awesome friend Jim, a modern day John the Baptist, fearlessly, openly and relentlessly reminds us to always look to Jesus.

How did we make something so simple, so complicated?

We are becoming continuously aware of how God's Unconditional Love heals. It isn't any longer outward work of doing anything with exhausting emotional energy or even speaking with that same energy in order to heal, rebuke, correct or cast out demons. Healing is occurring everywhere with His Fruit (singular) of the Holy Spirit - Love, Joy, Peace, Patience (oh boy, don't you wish that wasn't there?!) Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control. This work of the Spirit is undetectable with human eyes occurring through full blown feeling hearts stepping out to Love with His Love, touching lives until all that is afflicting God's people flees. Jesus protected and healed all who came to Him that needed protection and healing, He Loved and He desired for His people to know Him completely and fully inviting a close personal relationship with Him and to experience Him.

We are in the midst of seeing His Unconditional Love heal all diseases and sicknesses and transforming, renewing, awakening and even raising the dead, which isn't necessarily the physical body. There are no demons that can stand, inflict, hold or keep in bondage any human being created in His image, because we walk in His Love. We will see this Truth only when we allow all the mundane obstacles of this world to be crushed with all its temptations that come between our connecting with God. This is where He reveals Himself to us in ways that we cannot fathom. And in all of this we see that His Word is truly alive and breathing and able to accomplish all that He has set out for It to do. We don't need to manipulate, add to or take away from It in order to try in our feeble, lame ways to make It do anything that It is already doing.

We learn and see that His 'Unconditional' Love is just that. Love is not 'unconditional' if we are adding to, taking away, manipulating, resisting, requiring, rewarding, restricting promising or shaming to get a specific result or response in order to teach, love (which then is not unconditional love at all) or accept someone. We have only been living what we have been taught and what we have been taught by man came from fear of this world. God is teaching us His way. What an injustice to our Father that we would take His Word, His Proven Unconditional Love and add anything to it that would restrict healing and vision and purpose for which He created us to be. God's Unconditional Love Heals, Completely. I am convinced there is nothing I need to do to help Him except Love with the Love that He has given to me. Because it isn't anything we are doing that heals anyway, it is only God doing it.

Ken and I are constantly learning to lay down our fears of this world and in the midst of living this call or invitation to follow Him, (which doesn't need degrees or titles), to be deliverers and servants of His Love to others. This is where we invite all to hold each other, uplift in prayer our desperation to God and ask to experience in so many ways healing and delivery from the fears of this world. We see many tests that come, which would normally in our old ways cause us to ostracize, criticize and really want to pulverize (as a means to try and hide our fear) any person that defaulted on anything owed or promised (whether real or an illusion) to us, until we realize God calls us to forgive each other's debt as well. We are learning as long as we keep our mind, our heart and our soul on our ONLY One True Source, rather than looking to people 'first', because when we look to Him for our needs He chooses how our needs are met in our surrendering all to Him. And we are finding out that our effort means nothing because the harder we try to do anything on our own power, the slimmer things get because His Work must be first.

It was our choice and we know that many cannot understand this choice. We know our source isn't social security or government assistance or savings or Interests or assets or even a so-called secure jobs because that will all soon fade away, It is a very humbling reality that there are no coincidences with those God puts in our Life's path. Every single person we know is there for a purpose, that is to teach us something about ourselves, And an even greater mind blowing aspect to this is how our birth family was chosen for us.

When one door closes we can be sure another will open. We have this assurance that He is taking care of our every need as we surrender all to Him. We are learning a new way to live and that is Living His Unconditional Love.

For friends and family who are fearful, which manifests in so many ways, we understand you completely and are now living our lives as a testimony to everyone for the days to come, only one thing holds true forever, His Love Never Fails.

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May 8, 2009 Feed My Sheep

What risks do we take when totally giving of ourselves? To be able to feel what others feel? What manner of avoidance do we consciously and unconsciously take to keep from feeling the depth of pain or love from someone? Do we avoid in order to remain comfortable or choose comfort in order to resist feeling? When we search our hearts we find these answers and we love each other.

One said to me the other day 'no one wants them'. That is, those in jails and prisons. One said to me 'who wants them?' That is, the children who are losing sight of any glimmer of hope to live a reasonably healthy and safe life. One said, to me 'who will give them a chance?' That is, everyone, everywhere, children, teens and adults. One said to me 'do you love Me? and when I answered and said 'yes Lord', He said, 'then feed my sheep'.

His sheep are 'everyone, everywhere'....the prison isn't just a building...

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May 7, 2009 What a friend we have

I am sitting here thinking about my awesome friends. I'm feeling so deeply connected to them but at the same time realizing how few really experience the depth of this beautiful uninhibited exchange of our giving and receiving (and it's not things but naked hearts). Past the smiles and hugs and 'how are you', are two open (and vulnerable) hearts where there is no more fear to express love and fear and freedom and pain. The unfathomable beauty in our full expressions will never cease (never). We are living heaven on earth. Walking and sharing our hearts which is a communion every time we meet We sit under booths and star lit nights and Son lit days enjoying the presence of Jesus with us and experiencing His touch on our the cheeks and He says to us, 'I love you with all My heart'.

1 Corinthians 12:13 By means of his one Spirit, we all said good-bye to our partial and piecemeal lives. We each used to independently call our own shots, but then we entered into a large and integrated life in which he has the final say in everything. (This is what we proclaimed in word and action when we were baptized.) Each of us is now a part of his resurrection body, refreshed and sustained at one fountain - his Spirit - where we all come to drink. The old labels we once used to identify ourselves - labels like Jew or Greek, slave or free - are no longer useful. We need something larger, more comprehensive. 14 I want you to think about how all this makes you more significant, not less. A body isn't just a single part blown up into something huge. It's all the different-but-similar parts arranged and functioning together. (The Message)


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16 Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. 17 The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally. 18 Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: 19 Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 20 Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age." (The Message)

This song has been in my mind since Sunday. It is so beautiful. There must be a reason it keeps playing over and over and this time I don't want to switch to anoher because it's not in my head anyway.

Amazed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV2nCP2mz14

May 5, 2009, His Steadfast Love Steadies Me

Psalm 57:7 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 108:1 My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul.
Psalm 119:5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees.

stead⋅fast   /ˈstɛdˌfæst, -ˌfɑst, -fəst/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [sted-fast, -fahst, -fuhst] Show IPA –adjective

1.fixed in direction; steadily directed: a steadfast gaze.
2.firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment, etc., as a person: a steadfast friend.
3.unwavering, as resolution, faith, adherence, etc.
4.firmly established, as an institution or a state of affairs.
5.firmly fixed in place or position.

Oh, yes we know where the foundation is steadfast under our feet. Temptations will come and go but our feet will be established and unwavering. This is my reminder. Thank you to those who constantly remind us of His great Love.

This walking with Jesus isn't easy is it? And speaking for myself and if you can relate we are holding each other as we are accountable to God alone, surrendering with every step we take. Life isn't always easy, as a matter of fact life isn't easy most of the time. This is where I hold onto the Lord's steadfast Love. It is my anchor and immovable foundation. When the ground is cracking under my feet, I can be sure after all the dust settles down in the earthquake, His foundation will be intact and I will still be 'standing' with Him.

Then this comes in Jim's blog this morning reminding me that my greatest work is always within myself and not out there or with or because of anyone else or circumstance. I know how ruthless, conniving, hardheaded I can be, in my mind first, and then showing outwardly making so many lives miserable. If you haven't seen this part of me it's because you don't spend 365 days, 24/7 with me. I must constantly die to my old ways and surrender to God until my mind is renewed and my heart is changed bit by bit. I am aware of my need to ask for forgiveness everyday, to allow the crushing of this insane ego of mine. God help me to keep looking inward to find more of You.

""Repeating my favorite and most mind-blowing Bible verse, Mark 11:24:

"Pray for what you need; believe you have received it, and it is yours."

And as confronting and provocative as this may sound in the face of so much "argued for"' darkness, fear, languishing, and loathing in the world, I have discovered from vast experience in the human relational realm that we truly do experience and actually become that which we believe ourselves to be, and others and the world treat us exactly the way we believe we deserve to be treated. If we truly want things to be different in our lives, to receive a different and more meaningful reality, it is time to choose a different belief about God, ourselves, and others (and we do actually get to choose what we believe about all that, regardless of our past experience and upbringing), and a totally different prayer (and we do actually get to choose how, what, and why we pray), and then a steadfast "readying of our hearts" (with our guide and teacher, Jesus, leading us at the center - and we also get to choose who we believe him to be for us) to "have received.""

I want to be more like You Jesus.

Psalm 112:7 He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

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May 3, 2009 Where's Charlie Brown?

Searching for God's Love...

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Experiencing God's Love...

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May 2, 2009 All About Tears

I was thinking about the many tears that so many of us cry out everyday in empathy, or sadness, fear and joy. So I found these interesting links, all about tears, one of which I posted last year in March. Hope you find these all interesting:

There was a study done where a control group of 100people were divided into two. 50 people watched avery funny, tears-of-laughter type movie. 50 watcheda very sad and tears-of-compassion type movie.

At the end of the sessions researchers collected the"happy tears" and the "sad tears" with eye droppers.

They found that "happy tears" are made up ofbrine...salt water and not a great deal else.

However the "sad tears" were found to contain thevery same chemicals and enzymes that are found intumours, ulcers and other such lumps and bumps andsicknesses through out the body.

This test concluded that the body, when crying insadness etc is literally flushing out all of thetoxic-chemicals that accumulate and are a part of thesadness /heart ache experience.Therefore if one holds back those tears, thosetoxic-waters will find somewhere else to depositthemselves..... and prolonged lack-of-crying-releasewill guarantee that the body will accumulate a hugeamount of internal pollution and toxicity thatshould have been released through thetears........is it any wonder that the eyes sting somuch when we hold back our tears?" http://msgboard.snopes.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=35;t=001788;p=1

And this:


All tears contain 3 chemicals released by the body during stress. They are: 1) leucine-enkephalin -- an endorphine believed to modulate pain sensation 2) ACTH -- a hormone considered to be the body's most reliable indicator of stress and 3) prolactin -- the hormone which regulates milk production in mammals.http://www.geocities.com/jennbillncass/Tears.html


Both emotional and irritant tears contain 30 times more manganese than is found in blood, suggesting that human tear glands can concentrate and remove substances from the body. http://www.boston.com/globe/search/stories/health/health_sense/102196.htm


Scientists distinguish three kinds of tears, which differ from each other by function and also, probably, by composition. Basal tears actually form continuously. We don't experience these minute secretions as tears because they don't "ball up" as we are used to tears doing; instead, every time we blink, our eyelids spread the basal solution out over the surface of our eyeballs. Basal tears keep our eyes lubricated, important in preventing damage by air currents and bits of floating debris.

Basal tears, like all tears, have numerous components. A little bit of mucus allows them to adhere to the eye surface without causing harm. The main part of a tear contains, predictably, water and salts (like sodium chloride and potassium chloride). The ratio of salt to water in tears is typically similar to that of the rest of the body, so there is no net change in salt concentration; nonetheless, if the body's salt concentration climbs too high, it will take advantage of the tear solution and instill it with extra salt. Tears also have antibodies that defend against pathogenic microbes, and enzymes which also contribute to destroying any bacteria the eye encounters. A thin layer of oil covers the tear's outside to discourage it from falling out of the eye before its work has been done.

Our eyes produce irritant tears when hit by wind or sand (or insects or rocks). Irritant, or reflex, tears have the same constituents as basal tears, and work toward the same goal: protecting the eyes. However, since they are designed to break down and eliminate eyeball-intruders like airborne dust, these tears tend to flow in greater amounts and probably contain a greater concentration of antibodies and enzymes that target micro-organisms. Thus, irritant tears are not just basal tears in greater quantity; different biological processes precede the excretion of the two types of solution.

The voluminous tears that so rapidly move us to frustration or pity are, of course, emotional tears. Secreted in moments of intense feeling – sometimes joy, but more often sorrow – these tears aren't there to cleanse the eyes of irritating microbes or debris. Yet they do serve a purpose; the function of emotional tears can be inferred from their constituents. Emotional tears contain much more (maybe 25% more) than basal or irritant tears of a certain important ingredient: proteins.

What do proteins do? Well, what can't they do? We know very well they can be involved in anything and everything. The proteins found in emotional tears are hormones that build up to very high levels when the body withstands emotional stress.

If the chemicals associated with stress did not discharge at all, they would build up to toxic levels that could weaken the body's immune system and other biological processes. But here, as in other areas, the body has its own mechanisms of coping. We secrete stress chemicals when we sweat and when we cry. Clearly, then, it is physically very healthy to cry, regardless of whether or not it feels awkward or embarrassing socially. The reason people will frequently report feeling better after a well-placed cry is doubtless connected to the discharge of stress-related proteins; some of the proteins excreted in tears are even associated with the experience of physical pain, rendering weeping a physiologically pain-reducing process. Conversely, the state of clinical depression – in which many of the body's self-healing processes appear to "shut down," including, often, emotional tears – is most likely exacerbated by the tearless victim's inability to adequately discharge her pent-up stress. Psychologists refer to freely weeping as an important stage in the healing process. But although this notion may appear to be psychological in origin, involving the confrontation of one's own grief, it also just applies physiologically: crying can reduce levels of stress hormones. http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1825

Perhaps our eyes need to be washed by our tears once in a while, so that we can see Life with a clearer view again. Alex Tan

There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief... and unspeakable love. Washington Irving

What soap is for the body, tears are for the soul. Jewish Proverb

Revelation 21:4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.

This expression is deeper than what is observed.

May 1, 2009 All The Way

Our lives are like the spaces on a ladder. The rungs are for our climbing to a higher searching within ourselves to a 'reachable' God. The rungs are different growth experiences. The climbing can get very difficult at times but we must finish, one rung at a time. We know that at the top of the ladder we will experience the fullness of God.

Then, when at the top, there is only one thing to do, jump and soar.


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