The voice in your head...

    Whose? No, you're not hearing things and no, you aren't crazy. It may seem like an actual voice or it may be more like a 'leading', a sensing. I remember, as a new Christian, that I did wonder about the source of what I believed I was hearing. I also remember asking a person I considered ‘mature’ the question about whether the voice was the Lord’s or mine. The advice they gave was that if I was being asked to do something I really didn’t want to then it probably was the voice of the Lord leading me. ??? That made no sense.

  I believe the lesson is in… the what. What’s being said gives us the clue. The Lord taught me to listen to what was being said. Goodness, what a revelation! Is the voice you hear condemning - pointing out your faults and mistakes in a ‘voice’ of reprimand, criticism, or scolding? If so then if it is confessed sins, faults then it definitely isn’t the Lord. 1John 1 tells us that when we come to Him He is faithful to forgive us. We are also instructed to test the spirits. (1John 4:1)

  Is it we who continue to hold onto the sins we can’t or won’t grant forgiveness to ourselves? If so, then those condemning voices aren’t the Lord’s and it’s time to move on from that self-defeating mindset. However, never forget that our enemy also is constantly making those criticisms and will bring back to our remembrance all our mistakes. IF we listen to him.

  While the Lord doesn’t condemn us with those ‘things’ we’ve sought forgiveness for, He does correct us. “For whom the Lord loves He chastens…” (Hebrews 12:6) “If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons…” (7) And look to the result from chastening: “Now no chastening seems to be joyful… afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness…” (11) So if the voice is a chastening it’s for your improvement and comes from the Lord’s.

  So what kind of voice do you hear? John gives us guidance when he presents this issue about what you hear. Examples: Jesus’ words in John 10:27, “My sheep hear My voice and I know them, and they follow me.” And, 18:37 Jesus says, “…Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” A check in my spirit or a sense of peace guides, but my lessons have been based on those scriptures and give me a guide and standard to judge the voices so I can confidently determine what I will do. 

Definitions...

  Have you ever thought about how you define words? Who or what is your source? Do you rely on the worldly definition? Spiritual? And, is how you apply, the operational definition of interest or concern? Another way of asking these questions are: do you apply worldly definitions to spiritual questions and how do you make 'operational' your definitions? Of equal interest is the question of whether you are intentionally aware of how others 'interpret' your words... do you ever provide your definitions as you speak or do you assume everyone is 'reading from the same playbook' or 'is on the same page'?

  A different way of looking at this question is: is your purpose to communicate? or is it to hear the sound of your own voice? The latter may sound harsh but we have all been in situations when the speaker seems more intent on what s/he is saying than what's being said. And if someone has the audacity to ask a question when the speaker is taking a breath, it totally unnerves the speaker because they hadn't planned on any interruption or participation in their 'presentation'.

  Maybe it's because I am extremely fond of the English language or maybe it's because early on I learned that it is the message that should be the focus, but definitions are critical for understanding and understanding is always a goal. You can agree, you can disagree but if you really aren't speaking the same language you'll never know if you are communicating what it is the listener is hearing. Nor will you really know if the other person is agreeing to or disagreeing with the message... and why. We've all witnessed times when we've observed two people saying the same thing but using different words. And we've also seen that what appears to be agreement is almost diametrically different.

  The more we intersperse our conversation with questions to assess understanding and the more we focus on making the message 'logical', the more we will find that we are able to dispel misunderstandings as we respond to questions or disagreements before we continue the communication. This becomes even more important when we are sharing/witnessing to others. We can't expect someone who is asking questions about the Lord to know the spiritual definitions - providing this should become part of our testimony. Church-ese tends to use special words with special definitions but these are words that also have a worldly definition so a new mindset is important. As you witness you really are also teaching.

... thanksgiving?

  How do you view not just the day, but the word - thanksgiving? Do you save up all your being thankful for a one day splurge? Is that what Thanksgiving is? I don't think so. And I definitely don't believe one should ever wait to express thankfulness. To me, 'thanksgiving' is a frame of reference - how you choose to interact with and live in your world. If there was no Thanksgiving Day - would you ever give thanks? And if your response is a somewhat pout-y, that no one ever thanks you... not to be harsh, but have you done anything that another person would be thankful for? Thanking, thankfulness, thanksgiving is an outward expression.

  It would be my suggestion that we should all approach each day with a sense of appreciation and a willingness to extend the hand of thankfulness. Many times it is our sense of appreciation that triggers our thinking and subsequent act of thanking. I would also suggest that there really is/can be, even in the midst of struggle and lack, something to be thankful for.And no, I'm not disparaging what you might be going through. And no, this isn't a Pollyanna approach to life. I just believe that if we focus on the negative then the negative will become our frame of reference.

  If you are thankful type... what are you thankful for? Is there anything in your life that you are thankful for?Do you demonstrate thankfulness? Would others looking at you know you were thankful? Remember that your face tends to 'emote' what it is you are feeling. Do you look for opportunities to be thankful? Personally I find that it is always a positive for me. When I am expressing thanksgiving, regardless of it is about/for another person or something I've experienced or discovered, that regardless of the source of the thankfulness I am always the benefactor.

  I realize that I've discussed this before but I'm also always learning new lessons about what the impacts and affects of thanksgiving. One of the more delightful lessons was when I focused on the object of my thanking and saw how they responded to being thanked. Thanking another person gives them information about what they do and the effect it has. Remember how you feel when someone thanks you! Never forget that attitude is the foundation for gratitude and thanksgiving is the outward manifestation of your attitude of gratitude.

Of Utmost Significance

  What, for you, would be of utmost significance? There's a saying that says: "A hundred years from now...it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove... but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a Child." Simple, yes? Not really. I really try and respond to children as if they were merely small people and not talk down to them. I learned that from watching my father. He really did love children and never talked down to them, though he may have used simpler words. But he never was dismissive to a child.

  Since I never was blessed to have any children, I thought that the ability to be important in a child's life quite beyond me. However, you can be important to a child regardless of whether this blessing was a personal one or not. Again I point to the model my father provided and then I looked at others who can/do have an impact: a Sunday School teacher, a school teacher, a relative like my uncle - who was forever teaching young children how to play baseball or ride a bike. Growing up I really had a wealth of adult models.The point is that if being a significant adult in the life of a child is important, then you will find ways of providing this support.

  I suspect that the point is that people are important and how we treat them suggests what we consider as important. Your beliefs should be of utmost significance. Your behavior toward others is another area that should be of utmost significance. Your relationship with the Lord should be of utmost significance. Your witness in the world is of utmost significance. How you go about being you is of utmost significance. The subject in all those sentences was - you. You are of utmost significance. And whether you accept this or not and act on this or not does not diminish the credibility.

  A friend uses as her email closing, "May I view all things in the mirror of eternity... May I speak each word as if my last word, and walk each step as my final one. If my life should end today, let this be my best day." (This comes from a collection from Puritan Prayers and Devotions.) And it is a tremendous reminder of what we should consider, 'Of Utmost Significance'. What other lasting and of utmost significance attitudes and behaviors are important to you?

Up to You

  Yep. Your choice. Every day when you wake, whatever happens next is up to you - your attitudes and beliefs which support and drive your choices, decisions, and actions. This should empower you not overwhelm. This should give you the realization that whatever happens in the day, you are in control - in charge. And... if you don't have this mindset, who is it that it's 'up to'? Why would you think/believe that it isn't up to you? And, more important, if it isn't up to you - who IS in charge?

  The question that begs itself is why would we ever want someone else in charge of who we are and what we do - our dreams and hopes? Even during the rough patches, the times of intense stress - why would someone else make better decisions for us than us? Would we attempt, eventually, to wrestle the 'control' back to our hands? While the burden of 'up to you' may seem huge, our life is ours... or is it? Are we willing to 'pay the price' of being us or pay the price of giving this control over to others? Who has this right in your life?

  Responsibility is a big word but it undergirds everything we are, we do. It is extraordinarily important that we act on this knowledge and not just give lip service. What we do and don't do, say and don't say determines who we really are. But the period is provided by our willingness to accept our responsibility for what we do and say - the positive and negative. And our determination and actions are up to us and no-one else. Nor can we 'blame' our upbringing, our 'breaks' or lack, others, family, etc. Truly, the bucks stops with us.

  None of these are easy lessons to learn and, I suspect, we continue to learn them because there are no end of voices attempting to tell us who we are, what we should do, how we should think, what we should believe. But even these lessons are up to us. The only one who has a 'claim' on us is the Lord who bought us with a great price that we might live victorious. This is true for all who have accepted Jesus as Lord. His claim on us is one of love. He wants only the best for us and He provides aides for us to make those decisions. However, it still is... up to you.

Family of God

  Sadly, I’ve learned (experienced and observed) that we sometimes don’t treat our brothers and sisters in the Lord particularly well. (The same comment could also be applied to our nuclear family.) We should react to each other when differences rears its head as an opportunity for iron to sharpen iron (Proverbs 27:17) rather than damning those espousing a different opinion. I’ve often heard the comment that it is only the Christians who shoot their wounded. What a terrible indictment! True?

  Too often, I think that we ‘major on the minor’ and not understand that if we agree on the fundamentals that the other aspects are only a matter of personal preference. To me, those are the issues that really aren't as significant or critical to who we are and act as Christians; how we treat each other shouldn't separate us. Unfortunately, these also seem to be the areas that set us on guard (and edge) against each other. We tend to look at what or how we disagree rather than joining hands to work together. We've forgotten Psalm 133:1, “Behold, how good and how pleasing it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” And we've not displayed what Jesus said – that His disciples would be known by their love (John 13:35). If true, another sad indictment.

  There are a number of 'issues' in the family of God on which we haven't agreed or haven't even agreed to disagree. To be fair, I believe that those who do hold differing views don’t realize this because to them they are extremely important. If it isn't fundamental statements of faith, just how important are the differences? Most of these issues are very heated, heavily emotional, and tend to display diametrically opposed positions. However, we all use scripture to support our position. Is the difference really only one of interpretation? Regardless, it IS important to know how you stand on these issues, but it’s even more important to know why – on what you base your position. What are those foundational stones that are immutable?

 My belief is that what we should be focusing on is the event that will make all the difference, the Second Coming of the Lord. If you want to quote scripture, read Matthew 24:44, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Then read the end of Matthew 28:18-20 because this is our assignment, one which will engage our hearts and minds, our times, energy, and resources until He does comes. ALL of us – with the same goal.

Forgiven

  I talk about forgiving a great deal and how important it is for us to act forgiving not just mouth the words. But I haven't talked about living as forgiven. It is extremely difficult to forgive others and oneself until and unless we walk in our own forgiveness. Sometimes I think we hold onto our behavior and words that we need to seek forgiveness from rather than moving on after we have asked for forgiveness. It is one thing to know we are forgiven, it's quite another to walk in that forgiveness.

  Part of our dilemma, I think, is that we have this little voice in our head that tells us: 1- we really aren't forgiven, 2- when we repeat the behavior leading to the need for forgiveness that this only proves that we haven't changed and we are beyond seeking forgiveness, 3- we aren't worthy of forgiveness. And we each have a voice saying one of those or all or even some other self-damning words. As long as we continue to listen to those voices we are handicapped and stuck in a rut of not acting forgiven. You need to use scripture to defeat those voices.

  1 John 1:9 is a verse I am always quoting. The lesson is to listen to it and accept and apply it to our lives. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." End of the matter. But sometimes we believe the voice that says that what we did is so heinous that it is beyond forgiveness. Not so. If, and this is critical point, if we are truly sorry and if we purpose to not repeat the words/behavior - THEN. He is faithful and just to forgive AND to cleanse us. He said it, He will do it. But after, we need to walk and talk and act forgiven.

  When Jesus was asked by Peter how often should he forgive an erring brother - 70 times? The Lord answered that we should forgive 70 times 7 meaning always. And isn't that what we are asking the Father to do - to forgive us even when we repeat the bad behavior/words? When you sin you should run to the Father not away from Him. He knows what you did/said but He still waits for you to seek your forgiveness. But that isn't the end of the matter. He wants you, me to walk as forgiven. When we do, when we believe and act as forgiven we portray to others the grace and mercy that is afforded to those who earnestly seek Him. If the God of the Universe is willing to forgive then you should still the voices that tell you forgiveness is not for you. Walk, not arrogant or boastful, but confidently forgiven.

A sense of wonder, of awe

  To those who haven't chosen to live a life of wonder and awe, these words have absolutely no meaning, it would be a mindset that makes no sense. But to those who choose to look at and live life with a sense of appreciation and gratitude for the wonder and awe all around them... it is the substance and the essence of life. Interestingly enough, to live such a life costs you absolutely nothing, except to see what you're looking at and a paradigm shift to a new frame of reference. Not everything in life has to have a specific 'use' for you, it can be appreciated for what it is and affords us - beauty, joy, peacefulness...

  Babble? Nonsense? And of what 'profit' is this? Perhaps in the grand scheme of things - nothing exceptionally spectacular. And it will not make you wealthy or give you fame with your peers. But is wealth and fame your goals for you? Are these 'things' going to make you full of joy? Is that all there is??? If so, then read Ecclesiastes and discover how Solomon - the richest man of all time - considered these. The point really is the 'profit' in your life. You will be the richer for adopting this mindset. But... the world will also receive the benefit from this by how you treat others.

  What characterizes those who have chosen to meet life with wonder and awe? A lack of stress is one. No, not goal-less or lazy, those are excuses people with no vision display. But there is a sense of peace that emanates from the people who see wonder and awe. They aren't striving but they are fruitful. I believe they approach life with the perspective that wonder and awe can be seen visibly in nature and in people. These are the people who can be extremely creative but only because they do look outside the box and see potential. And sometimes they merely look and just see. 

  We all tend to take people and especially nature for granted and don't accord them the value they deserve. Simply because a different mindset doesn't cost you anything, it shouldn't be discarded as valueless. 'Simple' does not mean it isn't profound. Part of living a life of wonder and awe is your choice of how you want to see your world, and if only those parts that fit neatly into your mindset are of value, you won't notice the 'little things'. I learned that it truly is a matter of choice. Lack of stress, creativity, and so much more - honestly... all it's cracked up to be. 

Speaking the truth... in love

  I think this is a lesson that I keep learning. I know I've written about this previously but I keep growing in understanding of what speaking the truth in love means. Being who I am, my view was/is truth is truth and should always be spoken. True. But there is a myriad of ways to communicate truth and our lesson is to always speak it in love. If we hit people over the head with truth, how much will they understand and accept it; and equally important - act on it? Question - what is our source for indicating truth (as we understand it)? Are we speaking from our own opinion or do we have another basis for speaking? Truth is truth... but whose truth?

  Regardless, what does it mean when we are to speak truth... in love? How does this 'look' operationally? Do we even understand this concept? Another issue is that rarely do we hear how someone has determined their truth. I've also noticed that people tend to speak what they believe as 'truth' with (from?) great authority. What and who is their source - external? internal? Simple example - when asked how the (fill in the blank) is true, the one response that I really dislike is, 'oh, everyone knows that'. By inference does this mean that those who 'don't know' or don't follow are walking in lies?

  Perhaps on the surface this seems like a simple policy/process, but it really isn't. To appreciate and apply this 'truth' I turned to the origin of the concept. We see this phrase in Ephesians 4:15 (part of a sentence). When you begin to consider how the phrase is used, Paul is exhorting the people about walking in unity - read the whole chapter. This phrase is stated in the context of  'growing up' to a perfect man so we aren't tossed about by trickery, cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting (v. 14). 

  The purpose is so that the body is complete, joined together by what every joint supplies (v. 16). The result: causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love (v. 16). This is why we are to speak the truth in love. Truth becomes a foundation and a glue. It is not a weapon to bend others to our way of thinking or to judge others as 'unworthy'. Speaking the truth in love requires an honesty on the part of those speaking and it requires an openness and trust in the listener. Speaking requires listening - all in love.

Fighting back

  Have you ever asked yourself if you are being too polite? Toward people it may be a positive, but in your actions toward satan - not. I was meandering through my Facebook page and found a question posed by Jesse Duplantis that got me thinking about this. He was asking the question (or maybe challenging us) about when we would say that enough was enough and to open battle on satan's works - to fight back! But do we? Do we fight back or are we 'polite'? Or do we run from the confrontation?

  Whenever we are under attack most of us turn and run to God. That's a good. But perhaps what we need to do is to run toward satan with the power and force of God. In another Facebook post Rick Renner said: "The enemy may try to lord himself over you, and he may attempt to exert his foul influence in your life. However, most of his attacks are merely empty threats and illusions he uses to feed fear into your mind." And still we fall for them. Perhaps it is time to say - enough!

  God has given us everything we need to combat this toothless enemy. Read Ephesians 6:10-18 over and over and over until it becomes a mighty weapon you can use to defeat the wiles of the devil. (10) "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." HIS might. Until we are clothed in this truth we do face a fearsome opponent. But remember, satan also knows how you are equipped and will use all devices available to him to attempt to defeat you by misquoting, diluting the words - whatever works.

  Take the battle to satan! Fight back! Run at him with the truth of who you are and whose you are. Then watch him run from you. He can only use lies, innuendos, threats and typically what he used the last time he tried to defeat you. It is possible to change your position from defeated to overcomer. Never forget that "...we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." (Romans 8:37) and "...(they) overcame him (satan) by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony..." (Revelation 12:11) What's your testimony - who is victorious in your life?

Planks and Boulders

  Strongholds! The sins that so easily beset, which become an an action we do follow... and typically regret. Obviously planks and boulders are hindrances but I also believe that when we attempt to ignore them they grow into even bigger obstacles. The point is to face them and purpose to overcome their power, their stronghold in our lives. And yes, that sometimes is more difficult than initially expected. Personally, I would recommend not attempting this on your own - besides, you have someone who sticks closer than a brother willing and able to help.

  Part of the reason for the difficulties is that I don't ever view them as being in isolation. They are linked and interconnected. While I know that attempting to resolve all the obstacles at the same time is asking for disaster - it really can't be done and this isn't the best approach. After a number of attempts at doing everything simultaneously, my latest process is to focus on one at a time but to also be aware of the linkages and try to discern if there is a plank or boulder that needs to be dealt with prior to focusing on the particular besetting sin. Sounds like a good plan and quite rational but it doesn't always work that smoothly. When I can't follow through with this process I focus on the strongest first.

  My experiences have been that if you don't deal with the strongest, the underlying issue then the lesser planks simply hold on to the other stronger planks. Does this sound like I'm giving them more ability than they have? Don't think so. Planks and boulders are forces and your success is not something they would want. You need to view your own planks and boulders as the obstacles they truly are. What's their goal? To stop you from being all and doing all you can! That's why you can't consider them as 'only a little thing'. They do have power - power to keep you from the abundant life.

  We all have had lessons about the impacts and effects of what happens when the 'little sin' has held sway and controls. Yet too often we continue to look at them as inconveniences and not what they truly are and their plan to thwart us. The terrific news is that you can overcome. Overcome! The goal of facing down those obstacles called planks and boulders. You are able. Your manual (scripture) will be your foundation to reach your goal. But - it won't be done for you. You are the one who is beset and you are the one who has to take a stand... and you are the one who will get the victory. It is at the point of overcoming that the planks and boulders lose all their power to control.

Becoming You

 “She looks just like her Mother.” “He’s a chip off the old block.” Who do you resemble and act like? Children are incredibly observant and great imitators. Are you? Have you taken on the characteristics that you see in your parent? Do you try and 'be' like your parent? What attitudes and behaviors do you emulate? Does it make you pleased when you overhear someone remark that you do look and act like your Father?

  That question of ‘resembling’ woke me one morning and I had to look at my answer. What lessons have I been taught that I am incorporating into who I am?  Am I even attempting to follow after my Father? Do I consider character and attributes, or do I not even recognize who I am becoming? We can all learn from the lesson we see in children – they try to do and be all that they see their parent doing. Since you’ve been born again, do you, I try to be like our Father?  

  Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians: "... I urge you, imitate me." (4:16), "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ." (11:1). To emphasize a concept, 'imitate', more than once in the same letter should arrest our attention. In my world of definitions, 'imitate' is not a one and done. For me, imitate is the condition from which I can learn and understand (fill in the blank) until I am able to personalize and incorporate into my behavioral and intellectual mindset/frame of reference. 

  I think that part of the reason he is telling us this is that Paul knows and understands that who we are when we are saved is so contrary to the world, that we too need examples to be able to follow as we develop who we are becoming. As ‘adults’ we also need a role model. Becoming is not an instantaneous ‘condition’ but is a continual growth process. What we always need to remember is that 'growth' is our decision and requires our attention and commitment. We can never forget that we are in the world but we are also no longer of the world – there is a difference.

  You do, you will reflect what you see, hear, understand. That’s why it is so important to be intentional about who you are becoming. Hebrews 6:12 cautions us, “…that you do not become sluggish but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” I believe the lesson is that we can learn to reflect and become an imitator of Christ in the world we live in. 

First Importance

  Have you really considered this – what is of first importance? We can enter into a variety of personal statements and stands about what we believe. And undoubtedly they are all important and valid. However everything begins and ends at only one place. Simply… it is the cross. It can difficult to understand that a man, Jesus, came for one purpose: to seek and save the lost. For Me! However, God needed a perfect sacrifice in order for reconciliation to occur. And the method was through the shedding of blood – death. But that isn’t the end of the story… actually it’s the beginning in so many ways.

  For me, this was a very difficult lesson to learn. It wasn’t a disbelief in what happened it was more – how do I deal with this reality? Accept Jesus did this – absolutely. Personalizing was an entirely different issue. How do I relate to someone who did this and if I were the only one, He would do it for me? Hard. I’m not so certain it was a pride issue as it was so overwhelming.

  The Lord graciously provided the lessons I needed to look not at myself, but at what He did. Romans 5:15-21 teaches us our ‘historical’ foundation (sin and death) and assures us that, “… whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13) Not maybe, shall be. And if saved then so much more.

  My lessons continued and then I discovered the powerful verses in 1Corinthians 1:18, 23-24 – the importance of the cross. Still, that wasn’t the end. It is the resurrection that gives us the wonder. “For if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! … But now Christ is risen from the dead and has become the first fruits…” 1Corinthians 15:17, 20) Has. And so will we… through our faith in Him.

   We can disagree on the interpretation or understanding of various verses in scripture, but as Christians we are all united in this one thing – the cross. Quoting Martin Luther: “The cross… it rests on the time line of history like a compelling diamond. Its tragedy summons all sufferers. Its absurdity attracts all cynics. Its hope lures all searchers.” Regardless of which ‘camp’ we might find ourselves, we come together at the cross. If we don’t then where are we and who are we? The cross unites and becomes our foundation.