Monday, January 31, 2011
The Things We Do For Love......
Ice Fishing
We keep our minnows in the tube, in a hole beside the hut. We buy minnows in bulk and keep them in the tube. It keeps them nice and fresh and climatized. It is also more convenient.
Richard brought a metal tin can out for a fire. It was so flippin berrrr, that Tim had to keep his beer in it to keep from freezing.
The sun is getting low in the sky and that means the Pickerel will soon start to feed. I keep a portapotty in the silver ice shack for the ladies. I keep it toasty warm. I use my hut during the strike zone and it has been producing one as night. Strike zone is 4:30 to 6pm.
Pete's a happy guy. He taught much of us the ins and outs and specific local tactics. He also loves fishing as much as I do. The whole gang is going to come over to our place on Saturday night for a massive fish fry. We have all been saving our catches for this event. We will spread our table out 12 feet long and invite all those who have come to visit us at our ice community. We als had another group come over and ask if they could join us. They havnt arrived yet, but I rekon next Saturday we will have neighbours. The ice is now 2 feet thick and the locals are driving their trucks on it.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
The Other Fish
"The Other Fish" Copyright don wright 2009
Here is a little symbol painting depicting the other fish being differant. Although the little enlightened fish swims oppossed to the others, he actually flows with the life giving current. The little fish is in unity with his surroundings, while the others swim, opposed to the current. They find strength in numbers, and like to wear the same uniforms. They watch each other, to make sure they are all swimming in the same direction. The fish o plenty, who meets "the other fish" does so with scorn in his eyes and aggression on his fins. The other fish?...just keeps swimming in the direction of the spirits calling and natures surrounding. In this painting, I was considering the many ways I am differant and unique from other fish I know. You may see yourself in this little symbol painting. I say to you...rejoice...be not afraid...embrace......you are unique.........or are you? Are you a reflection of what others think you should be? Are you doing what others think you should do?...or do you follow the spirit within.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Let The Mystery Be - Iris DeMent
Let The Mystery Be - Iris DeMent
A friend sent me this link. I am not sure if it was cooincidence or if it is his 2 cents on my theological debates and explorations.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
flippin berrrrrrr!
Image courtesy of Judy
Well its been a little chilly out here. This picture was taken near Huntsville just an hour south of us. Last night I went ice fishing with my budds and it was flippin berrrrrr! We had the hut toasty warm and even caught the hut on fire! hahha, we'll do some repairs this weekend.
I love my hut, but its a little small for community events. I have been keeping it for the minnow storage and I open it for the dogs when we are out. I also keep the portable toilet in there for when my wife comes out AND to fulfil drinking regulations. You are allowed to have beer, if you have a toilet.
My friend Bang Bang built a bigger hut and we use that. It fits three of us, but no room for dogs. He bannished them outside and when I go out to take a leak, I open up my hut for the dogs to seek some refuge. Funny thing is, they dont use it. They just sit at the front door. The cold doesnt bug them...being cut off from the comradery does.
So last night we made an agreement. We will begin work on a community hut. Our initial plans are for an 8'x12'. We will build it entirely out of scavenged wood. My friend Richard has been collecting scavenged wood for a while and figures he has enough for us to begin. We will build it at his place and register it under his name. It will become our community place. We will have three huts, all with the same locks, so that we all have access to everything. There are a few more members of community that have not been partaking in our adventures but would.....build it and they will come!
Friday, January 21, 2011
I would rather there were no names....
Hey, I was reading my beautiful ESV Study Bible and guess what? It turns out, I have been defined as a New Ager....So thats whats wrong with me! It appears that New Agers believe many strange and radical things. For example, some New Agers beleive that God has revealled himself to All of humanity, and that salvation is atainable by ALL religious groups. Seems there is no "organization" or "power structures" for New Agers. The variations of belief vary substantially. New Agers tend to beleive many things from many sources...Interesting. I was always trained to dispise and discredit New Agers....and now look.....I've become one.
I would really rather there were no names. I hate the labels. We do it all the time. It would appear that I am in a predicament..........The definition book wont allow me to be a christian. Jeesh, and all I want to do is be like Jesus. Oh thats another thing. Did you know that some New Agers beleive that Jesus is a model of perfection and that by trying to live like Jesus, they beleive they can know God?
Thats the thing about labels. A definition is created out of the undefinable. The quick definition never reveals the WHOLE story. There is always a ...yes....but....
I would really rather there were no names. But how could people be sorted and classified if there were no names. How would poeple know where to peg me? How would people know what religion group I should be classified in? How could people even begin to conform my thought, if there isnt a line in the sand?
Just in case you wanted to know..
I would really rather there were no names. I hate the labels. We do it all the time. It would appear that I am in a predicament..........The definition book wont allow me to be a christian. Jeesh, and all I want to do is be like Jesus. Oh thats another thing. Did you know that some New Agers beleive that Jesus is a model of perfection and that by trying to live like Jesus, they beleive they can know God?
Thats the thing about labels. A definition is created out of the undefinable. The quick definition never reveals the WHOLE story. There is always a ...yes....but....
I would really rather there were no names. But how could people be sorted and classified if there were no names. How would poeple know where to peg me? How would people know what religion group I should be classified in? How could people even begin to conform my thought, if there isnt a line in the sand?
Just in case you wanted to know..
I beleive in God the Father, maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, who is my saviour.
I beleive in the Holy Spirit, which resides in me
I believe that the Holy Bible is Gods innerant word
I believe the only thing wrong with the Holy Bible,
is our ability to correctly understand it.
I beleive God has revealled himself to ALL human kind
and that on that final day of the Lord......
EVERY humble knee shall bow.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Great Spirit of Love
"The Great Spirit of Love" Copyright don and sue wright 2009
The great spirit of love,
casts its rays on all of creation.
It cuts through the darkness,
and radiates light and life.
It brings the joy of peace,
and sends ripples of change across time,
like a never ending river,
or a sea without end.
Bursting forth from source
it radiates and fills the soul with purpose.
It burns bright and ignites the energy within
giving strength to deed,
and power to seed.
There is nothing stronger,
yet it boasts not of its might.
quietly, peacefully
in the most unlikely place,
that flame can ignite
with magnificent grace.
at the heart, the heart.
and from the lips,
falls grace
and the kind words of assurance,
that all is well
and all is right
and if I should die tonight,
I was blessed to feel
the son on my face
and feel the love
of saving grace
A Great Mystery
As a christian, I always ended up asking myself if a person was saved, or not saved. If I didnt ask, someone else would. It goes soemthing like this.....Hey I met a nice girl last night.....drum roll....."Is she christian?" I remember when I came home and told my parents that I had met a girl..."is she christian?", I said..I dunno. I was reminded of unequal yoke teachings in the bible and was explained the importance of marrying a christian girl. This is a common thought whether you are christian, jewish, hindu, muslim..whatever. When we mix, there are certain hardships. For me though, and for many, love speaks louder. I mentioned to my wife, then girl friend, that there was a little tension at home because she was not really a christian. She said "Fine...I'll be a christian....I beleive in God and Jesus anyway." I feel really silly about this, because she was, is and has always been more "christian than I ever was. She has always had the law written on her heart, she just never verbalized it, and never joined a club to display it. Did she know her bible? Not a bit. How the heck did she know how to always behave Godly? Well she started attending church with my family to prove and to allow everyone some spiritual comfort. She said all the words that everyone asked her to say and now she gets to claim she is saved. Now regardless of anything she might do in the future, she is saved. I say this tongue and cheek.
So I brought this innocent dove, full of love and grace, into my organization where she proceeded to witness the most vile and disgusting displays of humanity. Church after church, each displaying the ugly fruits of powerseeking, jealosy, quick to anger and slow to grace. It was once said.....we are christian...we eat our own dead. I began to see the church as some sort of self fulfilling hospital, where we hurt and heal..all in the same place. We create the issue and we resolve the issue...but its never really resolved, because we manipulate it. I went to church with a lady and listened to a sermon about reaching out to community and later that day she was heard telling the little kids to get the fuck off her lawn. On and on it goes...and these are the saved. They were able to say the words with their mouths so everyone could hear, but couldnt say it with their hearts.
I have met new kinds of people. They are the "unsaved". I prefer their company. Meet Andre. Andre will not step foot in a church because they are hypocrites. They say one thing and do another. They profess with their mouths, but not with their hearts. So I asked Andre, would you go to church and he said....I do my own thing. There are a lot of people who just do their own thing. Me, as a christian, always labelled these people as unsaved and in need of salvation. But wait a minute. I have watched Andre and seen what his own thing is. He is compassionate and caring for all, and holds no predjudices. He goes out of his way to help people and to build them up. He selflessly gives of himself, for the sake of others, with no expectation of return in any way. Andre lives the gospel. Andre professes with his heart, not with his mouth. He believes in show me, dont tell me.
I have met so many poeple who just seem to know God. I have found, unfortunately, that most of them are NOT what we would call christian. My neighbour down the road fell on hard times and we didnt see him for a while. I decided to go and see if he was OK and if I could do anything. There on his coffee table was a bible. I said...oh, I didnt know you were interested. He said "my father told me to read it" I said..I thought you hated your dad. He said I do...my heavenly father told me....and so obediantly he read it. I said what now.....he said, my father told me to read it again, so that is what I am doing. I asked him if he wanted to go to church. He said no ^&%$ing way!!!! and have them steal my saviour from me???? Not in your life. I was sad at that. It caused me to think and yes...repent. Was I to lead this young dove, full of grace, into the lions den?
I no longer ask myself or anyone else if a person is saved. I love everyone with the heart of Christ and now just focus on "being" I reject the word evangelism because of what it implies and chose now to simply be like Jesus. I will not go to the word of God to condemn. I have seen enough. I know that by behaviour, even I should be condemned. I see no reason why God would spare any of us, if it were up to us and the things we do or say. The miracle is that God does offer us forgiveness, and I have come to beleive that this forgiveness may even be independant of our own actions. We may choose to live in our unforgiveness and waste our days away, yet somehow, God will restore.
Scripture can be like a ballooon. Squeeze it here and it bulges there. Squeeze it there and a new bulge appears elsewhere. Some chose to to try to understand and follow, and some just look at the balloon with innocent wonderment.
God, you are beautiful. I wish I could love the way you love. I am trying lord but the words sometimes confuse me. God, please help me to just simply be. Take from me, any tool I use to compare. Take from me, any thought that does not lead to your love. I beleive in you Lord and I just want to live it. I just want to be like you. You told me I am, You set your spirit in me, you have equipped me, but somehow there are still chains of bondage. Protect me, oh Lord from your people, as I begin to go to a new place of worship. Protect me Lord from the black hole of conformity to words and help me to soar like an eagle, only bearing your undying love. Forgive me, for my own shortfalls and as I beleive I am forgiven, help me to truly live. I praise you with all creation. amen
So I brought this innocent dove, full of love and grace, into my organization where she proceeded to witness the most vile and disgusting displays of humanity. Church after church, each displaying the ugly fruits of powerseeking, jealosy, quick to anger and slow to grace. It was once said.....we are christian...we eat our own dead. I began to see the church as some sort of self fulfilling hospital, where we hurt and heal..all in the same place. We create the issue and we resolve the issue...but its never really resolved, because we manipulate it. I went to church with a lady and listened to a sermon about reaching out to community and later that day she was heard telling the little kids to get the fuck off her lawn. On and on it goes...and these are the saved. They were able to say the words with their mouths so everyone could hear, but couldnt say it with their hearts.
I have met new kinds of people. They are the "unsaved". I prefer their company. Meet Andre. Andre will not step foot in a church because they are hypocrites. They say one thing and do another. They profess with their mouths, but not with their hearts. So I asked Andre, would you go to church and he said....I do my own thing. There are a lot of people who just do their own thing. Me, as a christian, always labelled these people as unsaved and in need of salvation. But wait a minute. I have watched Andre and seen what his own thing is. He is compassionate and caring for all, and holds no predjudices. He goes out of his way to help people and to build them up. He selflessly gives of himself, for the sake of others, with no expectation of return in any way. Andre lives the gospel. Andre professes with his heart, not with his mouth. He believes in show me, dont tell me.
I have met so many poeple who just seem to know God. I have found, unfortunately, that most of them are NOT what we would call christian. My neighbour down the road fell on hard times and we didnt see him for a while. I decided to go and see if he was OK and if I could do anything. There on his coffee table was a bible. I said...oh, I didnt know you were interested. He said "my father told me to read it" I said..I thought you hated your dad. He said I do...my heavenly father told me....and so obediantly he read it. I said what now.....he said, my father told me to read it again, so that is what I am doing. I asked him if he wanted to go to church. He said no ^&%$ing way!!!! and have them steal my saviour from me???? Not in your life. I was sad at that. It caused me to think and yes...repent. Was I to lead this young dove, full of grace, into the lions den?
I no longer ask myself or anyone else if a person is saved. I love everyone with the heart of Christ and now just focus on "being" I reject the word evangelism because of what it implies and chose now to simply be like Jesus. I will not go to the word of God to condemn. I have seen enough. I know that by behaviour, even I should be condemned. I see no reason why God would spare any of us, if it were up to us and the things we do or say. The miracle is that God does offer us forgiveness, and I have come to beleive that this forgiveness may even be independant of our own actions. We may choose to live in our unforgiveness and waste our days away, yet somehow, God will restore.
Scripture can be like a ballooon. Squeeze it here and it bulges there. Squeeze it there and a new bulge appears elsewhere. Some chose to to try to understand and follow, and some just look at the balloon with innocent wonderment.
God, you are beautiful. I wish I could love the way you love. I am trying lord but the words sometimes confuse me. God, please help me to just simply be. Take from me, any tool I use to compare. Take from me, any thought that does not lead to your love. I beleive in you Lord and I just want to live it. I just want to be like you. You told me I am, You set your spirit in me, you have equipped me, but somehow there are still chains of bondage. Protect me, oh Lord from your people, as I begin to go to a new place of worship. Protect me Lord from the black hole of conformity to words and help me to soar like an eagle, only bearing your undying love. Forgive me, for my own shortfalls and as I beleive I am forgiven, help me to truly live. I praise you with all creation. amen
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The Joy of Congregation - Part Three
Wow...busy day on the blog today! My mind has been racing and I have been doing a lot of meditating and mind game playing. Finally, now, at 11:19, I feel a sense of calm and peacefulness. Aside from feeling the need to express why, or how, my Chrsitian thought has changed, I have had to come to grips with my plans for ministry. I hate using that term..its such a christian term. The cold hard fact is I need to serve my fellow man and I need to find a place of congregation. I have come to realize that there is no church in town that I find appealling. So now what? Here is the peace I have experienced this evening......
Last week I went to an Anglican Church. Though I did not like the service, I love God and the people were friendly and I was made welcome. They offerred me communion, which is something I have missed. I also met a man around my age who was also a musician, so I invited him over. We sang praise music together this evening and we had an opportunity to talk.
My friend began attending the Anglican Church in town because he felt called. His wife and kids go to a differant church, which became too comfortable for him. He had the feeling he would be needed at this church and so that is where he was going. This church is in the process of trying to find a new minister. They have been doing some soul searching and they have some visions of community servanthood. This fellow has the same visions of ministry as I do. We both appear to beleive in the same grass roots, community based love. We both have somewhat of a disdain for what the church has become. Neither of us feels at home at church and we are both in a way...happy about that.
Looks good on me. Next sunday I will be back to that Anglican Church. I cant stand the order of service...haha looks good on me...I cant stand the music...haha looks good on me...I cant stand the rituals...haha..looks good on me...I cant stand the tradition that this represents.....haha looks good on me....
LOOKS GOOD ON ME!!!!!!!! and now that I have verballized my complete displeasure with where I am about to call my home church...I will shut up...and enjoy the peace I now feel.
I am not there to change the order of service..I am not there to change the music...I am not there to abolish the tradtions. I would do well to simply shut up and do as I beleive Spirit is leading. I too feel called to this place. There is a great commission and Jesus guaranteed me the ride would not be all that attractive....and such is the mission field.
Last week I went to an Anglican Church. Though I did not like the service, I love God and the people were friendly and I was made welcome. They offerred me communion, which is something I have missed. I also met a man around my age who was also a musician, so I invited him over. We sang praise music together this evening and we had an opportunity to talk.
My friend began attending the Anglican Church in town because he felt called. His wife and kids go to a differant church, which became too comfortable for him. He had the feeling he would be needed at this church and so that is where he was going. This church is in the process of trying to find a new minister. They have been doing some soul searching and they have some visions of community servanthood. This fellow has the same visions of ministry as I do. We both appear to beleive in the same grass roots, community based love. We both have somewhat of a disdain for what the church has become. Neither of us feels at home at church and we are both in a way...happy about that.
Looks good on me. Next sunday I will be back to that Anglican Church. I cant stand the order of service...haha looks good on me...I cant stand the music...haha looks good on me...I cant stand the rituals...haha..looks good on me...I cant stand the tradition that this represents.....haha looks good on me....
LOOKS GOOD ON ME!!!!!!!! and now that I have verballized my complete displeasure with where I am about to call my home church...I will shut up...and enjoy the peace I now feel.
I am not there to change the order of service..I am not there to change the music...I am not there to abolish the tradtions. I would do well to simply shut up and do as I beleive Spirit is leading. I too feel called to this place. There is a great commission and Jesus guaranteed me the ride would not be all that attractive....and such is the mission field.
When the OT becomes relevent again......
Isaiah 54
The Future Glory of Zion
1 “Sing, barren woman,
you who never bore a child;
burst into song, shout for joy,
you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman
than of her who has a husband,”
says the LORD.
2 “Enlarge the place of your tent,
stretch your tent curtains wide,
do not hold back;
lengthen your cords,
strengthen your stakes.
3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left;
your descendants will dispossess nations
and settle in their desolate cities.
4 “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame.
Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.
You will forget the shame of your youth
and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.
5 For your Maker is your husband—
the LORD Almighty is his name—
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
he is called the God of all the earth.
6 The LORD will call you back
as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit—
a wife who married young,
only to be rejected,” says your God.
7 “For a brief moment I abandoned you,
but with deep compassion I will bring you back.
8 In a surge of anger
I hid my face from you for a moment,
but with everlasting kindness
I will have compassion on you,”
says the LORD your Redeemer.
9 “To me this is like the days of Noah,
when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth.
So now I have sworn not to be angry with you,
never to rebuke you again.
10 Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 56
Salvation for Others
1 This is what the LORD says:
“Maintain justice
and do what is right,
for my salvation is close at hand
and my righteousness will soon be revealed.
2 Blessed is the one who does this—
the person who holds it fast,
who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it,
and keeps their hands from doing any evil.”
3 Let no foreigner who is bound to the LORD say,
“The LORD will surely exclude me from his people.”
And let no eunuch complain,
“I am only a dry tree.”
4 For this is what the LORD says:
“To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,
who choose what pleases me
and hold fast to my covenant—
5 to them I will give within my temple and its walls
a memorial and a name
better than sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
that will endure forever.
6 And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD
to minister to him,
to love the name of the LORD,
and to be his servants,
all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it
and who hold fast to my covenant—
7 these I will bring to my holy mountain
and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations.”
8 The Sovereign LORD declares—
he who gathers the exiles of Israel:
“I will gather still others to them
besides those already gathered.”
I, Don Wright, am a child of the house of Israel, the seed of Abraham. I am a child of a promise. There are prophesies that speak about me, my brothers and sisters, my cousins and all my relations. Our numbers are greater than the sands on the beach. We are scattered all over this planet. Remnants in the four corners of this world. When the prophesies are fulfilled, I will take my place before the throne of God and I will praise him forevermore.
The Future Glory of Zion
1 “Sing, barren woman,
you who never bore a child;
burst into song, shout for joy,
you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman
than of her who has a husband,”
says the LORD.
2 “Enlarge the place of your tent,
stretch your tent curtains wide,
do not hold back;
lengthen your cords,
strengthen your stakes.
3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left;
your descendants will dispossess nations
and settle in their desolate cities.
4 “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame.
Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.
You will forget the shame of your youth
and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.
5 For your Maker is your husband—
the LORD Almighty is his name—
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
he is called the God of all the earth.
6 The LORD will call you back
as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit—
a wife who married young,
only to be rejected,” says your God.
7 “For a brief moment I abandoned you,
but with deep compassion I will bring you back.
8 In a surge of anger
I hid my face from you for a moment,
but with everlasting kindness
I will have compassion on you,”
says the LORD your Redeemer.
9 “To me this is like the days of Noah,
when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth.
So now I have sworn not to be angry with you,
never to rebuke you again.
10 Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 56
Salvation for Others
1 This is what the LORD says:
“Maintain justice
and do what is right,
for my salvation is close at hand
and my righteousness will soon be revealed.
2 Blessed is the one who does this—
the person who holds it fast,
who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it,
and keeps their hands from doing any evil.”
3 Let no foreigner who is bound to the LORD say,
“The LORD will surely exclude me from his people.”
And let no eunuch complain,
“I am only a dry tree.”
4 For this is what the LORD says:
“To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,
who choose what pleases me
and hold fast to my covenant—
5 to them I will give within my temple and its walls
a memorial and a name
better than sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
that will endure forever.
6 And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD
to minister to him,
to love the name of the LORD,
and to be his servants,
all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it
and who hold fast to my covenant—
7 these I will bring to my holy mountain
and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations.”
8 The Sovereign LORD declares—
he who gathers the exiles of Israel:
“I will gather still others to them
besides those already gathered.”
I, Don Wright, am a child of the house of Israel, the seed of Abraham. I am a child of a promise. There are prophesies that speak about me, my brothers and sisters, my cousins and all my relations. Our numbers are greater than the sands on the beach. We are scattered all over this planet. Remnants in the four corners of this world. When the prophesies are fulfilled, I will take my place before the throne of God and I will praise him forevermore.
Old Testament Time Line
I finally have a place big enough to put up my Old Testament timeline. I studied the Old Testament in Bible College and then again at Seminary. One of the things we had to do was to establish a date for key people and events, and to then to present them somehow. I chose a scroll. I began at my first verifiable date of 2166 BC, which scholars believe was father Abrahams birth. I noted events and dates all the way to the last verifiable Old Testament date of 432 BC, which is when a few remnant returned and Nehemiah was given task to help purify and lead the last remaining of the tribe.
Of course dates and events vary when researching. It was not an easy task. It was fun though. It was interesting to see how this history looks when listed out on paper..in linear form. I got a good grade and that pleased me. What pleases me more, is now I have a personal timeline, I have a form of art. I have a graphic detailed map of my relations in OT days. With a glimpse, I can see 1734 years of history!.......now if I only knew what it meant...hahhah
Shift in Timeline Understanding
Its incredible to see how many bible prophesies were fullfilled. It incredible to see how many Jesus fulfilled. Its like it was all directed by someone or something who knew no time lines, who could see beginning and end; Someone or something that was able to stitch and weave time and action to create this magnificent web of existence. Time, past and future seem to be already known. I myself attribute all this to a master creator. I would consider this creator to be the one who has all knowledge and power. This creator appears to have many names. I call this creator God and I have recognized Gods Spirit in me and through all of creation.
As I re-read the scriptures, I am also astounded at how many prophesies are not fulfilled. Because I beleive the bible contains the innerant word of God, I must therfor hold faith, that these prophesies WILL be fulfilled, just as scripture says.
So....heres the question. What prophesies have been fulfilled and what prophesies are yet to be fulfilled.
As you re-read the scriptures, do so, asking yourself this very question. Has this been fulfilled or is this yet to be fulfilled. I think you will find many prophesies have been labelled as fulfilled, wherby common sense says no. You will be challenged because you will find yourself oppossed to popular christian beleif.
Stop and reflect. What does this mean to you and me. How does this alter our doctrine and our world view.
For me....I found magnificent grace. I found Spirit and promise that God gave me. I found a greater and deeper love....a bigger grace. I experienced a radical transformation of thought, which I consider to be a progressive revellation. As for my love of Jesus, it remains, for it is He that is in me, and I in Him.
Time passes and our understandings change guided by progressive revellation and our abilities to percieve and understand. I do not beleive it is healthy or right to stop learning. I do not consider this seeking as my christian brother told me on sunday. I consider this growing. Of course we are all differant, with differant gifts and needs. We are all somewhere on that scale of understanding. I boldly say...thats OK. There is no condemnation in this.
I will love the Lord my God with all my heart AND I will allow myself to be guided by Gods magnificent Spirit. I will boldly go where I beleive Spirit is leading. I am not afraid of labels and I have freedom from the bondage of conformity.
peace and blessings to you on your journey home.
As I re-read the scriptures, I am also astounded at how many prophesies are not fulfilled. Because I beleive the bible contains the innerant word of God, I must therfor hold faith, that these prophesies WILL be fulfilled, just as scripture says.
So....heres the question. What prophesies have been fulfilled and what prophesies are yet to be fulfilled.
As you re-read the scriptures, do so, asking yourself this very question. Has this been fulfilled or is this yet to be fulfilled. I think you will find many prophesies have been labelled as fulfilled, wherby common sense says no. You will be challenged because you will find yourself oppossed to popular christian beleif.
Stop and reflect. What does this mean to you and me. How does this alter our doctrine and our world view.
For me....I found magnificent grace. I found Spirit and promise that God gave me. I found a greater and deeper love....a bigger grace. I experienced a radical transformation of thought, which I consider to be a progressive revellation. As for my love of Jesus, it remains, for it is He that is in me, and I in Him.
Time passes and our understandings change guided by progressive revellation and our abilities to percieve and understand. I do not beleive it is healthy or right to stop learning. I do not consider this seeking as my christian brother told me on sunday. I consider this growing. Of course we are all differant, with differant gifts and needs. We are all somewhere on that scale of understanding. I boldly say...thats OK. There is no condemnation in this.
I will love the Lord my God with all my heart AND I will allow myself to be guided by Gods magnificent Spirit. I will boldly go where I beleive Spirit is leading. I am not afraid of labels and I have freedom from the bondage of conformity.
peace and blessings to you on your journey home.
Monday, January 17, 2011
What If?
"Behold, days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them," declares the LORD. "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the LORD, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. "They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them," declares the LORD, "for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." Thus says the LORD, Who gives the sun for light by day And the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; The LORD of hosts is His name: "If this fixed order departs From before Me," declares the LORD, "Then the offspring of Israel also will cease From being a nation before Me forever."
(Jeremiah 31:31-36)
Was this prophesy fulfiiled with the coming of Christ, or will it be fulfilled upon his return? What if this scripture is referring to the final return of Christ? Consider this promise to the house of David and the house of Israel. Consider the ramifications of both ideas. Popular belief would be that this prophesy was fulfilled in Christ, and it is to this thought that much doctrine is based. Consider now the thought that this prohesy will be fulfilled upon His return. How does that influence your doctrine.
11 Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.’”
Ezekiel 37:11-14 Valley of the Bones - read greater context or the entire chapter for that matter.
Did this happen or will this happen? Was this fulfilled in Christ or will Christ fulfill this prophesy. Is this prophesy conditional or unconditional? I beleive that this is an unconditional promise to the House of Isreal which to my understanding, pertains to the final return of Christ and the raising of the dead to the promised land.....heaven.
Beautiful prophesies of hope and restoration.
(Jeremiah 31:31-36)
Was this prophesy fulfiiled with the coming of Christ, or will it be fulfilled upon his return? What if this scripture is referring to the final return of Christ? Consider this promise to the house of David and the house of Israel. Consider the ramifications of both ideas. Popular belief would be that this prophesy was fulfilled in Christ, and it is to this thought that much doctrine is based. Consider now the thought that this prohesy will be fulfilled upon His return. How does that influence your doctrine.
11 Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.’”
Ezekiel 37:11-14 Valley of the Bones - read greater context or the entire chapter for that matter.
Did this happen or will this happen? Was this fulfilled in Christ or will Christ fulfill this prophesy. Is this prophesy conditional or unconditional? I beleive that this is an unconditional promise to the House of Isreal which to my understanding, pertains to the final return of Christ and the raising of the dead to the promised land.....heaven.
Beautiful prophesies of hope and restoration.
The Joy of Congregation - Part Two
As I mentioned. I am now motivated to find a congregational place of worship. As the list has been getting smaller, I am realizing that I dont want to go to any of them. However, I must. I am a big boy and can surely decide on my own. Yet this yearning inside stays. Dagnabbit. My need or desire for corporate worship is stronger than my taste. hahaha..."It tastes bad, but if you take it, you'll feel better". Why would the marvelous glory of God be presented in this way?
Tradition. Somewhere around the late 1700-1800, the churches "locked and loaded" their order of service. Somehow, these dated proceedures have lost touch with society and cultural norms. They are becoming irrelevent in todays society. The message is being lost because the person who needs to hear the message, cant because its in a differant life language. Why would we interact in our society all week one way, and then step back 200 years to worship God, and then venture back out into the world and try to live His will. There is a disjuncture and a seperation. Are we reaching for the past, thinking that that is where we last saw God? I always ask myself....Could I bring a churchless unbeleiver to my place of worship?
It makes my blood boil when we follow proceedures in our church services that are irrelevent. Whats with this processioanl where they robe the key people and march them down the isle with atricles of faith as the congregation eagerly awaits the arrival of their pastor. And whats with the gate that seperates the people from the communion elements. And why am I told what to pray, told when to satnd up and told when to sit down. I dont fit in this play.
My wife said....what did you expect? You knew the program in advance, you went, and now you have the nerve to complain? I am not interested in fighting the battle of change in tradition. I need to admit to myself that its all ^%&*-ed up. I think I must simply shut up and accept that this is the way it is. Brenda mentioned that maybe its about what I have to offer, not what they have to offer me. Damn I hate wisdom.
Tradition. Somewhere around the late 1700-1800, the churches "locked and loaded" their order of service. Somehow, these dated proceedures have lost touch with society and cultural norms. They are becoming irrelevent in todays society. The message is being lost because the person who needs to hear the message, cant because its in a differant life language. Why would we interact in our society all week one way, and then step back 200 years to worship God, and then venture back out into the world and try to live His will. There is a disjuncture and a seperation. Are we reaching for the past, thinking that that is where we last saw God? I always ask myself....Could I bring a churchless unbeleiver to my place of worship?
It makes my blood boil when we follow proceedures in our church services that are irrelevent. Whats with this processioanl where they robe the key people and march them down the isle with atricles of faith as the congregation eagerly awaits the arrival of their pastor. And whats with the gate that seperates the people from the communion elements. And why am I told what to pray, told when to satnd up and told when to sit down. I dont fit in this play.
My wife said....what did you expect? You knew the program in advance, you went, and now you have the nerve to complain? I am not interested in fighting the battle of change in tradition. I need to admit to myself that its all ^%&*-ed up. I think I must simply shut up and accept that this is the way it is. Brenda mentioned that maybe its about what I have to offer, not what they have to offer me. Damn I hate wisdom.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Death - Where Do We Go When We Die - Holy Bible
For the purpose of this study, I will assume that the Holy Bible IS the innerrant word of God. I will use only the Holy Bible to reach my conclusion. There are many teachings from other religious sources. I am NOT discrediting them, however, for the purpose of this study, I am NOT consulting them.
1 Corinthians 15: 20-28
20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.”[c] Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1corinthians%2015&version=NIV
I have done research and found many oppossing views on "heaven" and the order of operations...the nuts and bolts. Some say we go directly to heaven and some say we stay here until he returns. I have to say, I have read many beautiful interpretations, each one differant and each one coming directly from the Holy Bible scriptures. Each one thought out and evidently supported with scripture.
Picture a funeral gathering and the christian says " I know Gramma is in heaven", or "I wonder if mom is in heaven" This seems to be a popular christian question and motivator. But, where do we go when we die? The popular christian beleif is: When we die, if we have accepted Christ, then we go to heaven and if we have not accepted Christ, then we go to hell. That is the popular christian beleif is it not? As much as I hate to say it, I do not beleive this anymore.
I beleive the Bible teaches that when I die, I will remain until he returns. Dad is waiting, Gramma is waiting, my friend Dan is waiting and your loved ones are all waiting. All of creation waits.....
I welcome my readership to challenge my statement. Tell me how I am wrong. Is your belief supported by scripture? Show me.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The Joy of Congregation
I dont want to appear too cynical. I have a tension in me that I need to resolve. I miss congregation....gathering...interaction with other beleivers. There is a tension inside between my personal doctrine and sensitivity vs collective thought and proceedure. I need to lighten up and meet in the middle somewhere. I need to extend grace to the congregation, even though I myself may not necessarily agree. I think I just need to find a place of Love and then accept the way they do things. I am not looking for a club to belong to, and I dont need to take part in too many social events. What I do need to do is find a place of worship. I'm not just talk ing about my own worship being, I'm talking about congregational worship, whereby we stand together and praise the Lord, encouraging one another in faith and love.
I walked out of two services already because of a spirit of hate and unacceptance. The worship was great, I thought I was in heaven and then the Pastor stood up and out flowed*&^% and *&^%. Sure his language was polished and clean and he could quote scripture, but he was void of any sort of love....just knowledge and a healthy dose of self.
Last Sunday I went to an "old style" United Church. There was an elderly congregation and an organ and stand up sit down wrote and ritual. I couldnt wait for it to end....but I didnt walk out! No...I sensed a great deal of Love. I was welcomed and I felt like they meant it. I saw beautiful kind and loving eyes. There was an aura of simple beauty. I feel ashamed in one sense for desperatly wanting to leave, Yet after introspection, I think I will return. I felt that the basis of their service was a simple love though they expressed it in hundred year old tradition.... Tradition I have despised for a long time......yet there it was...love.
There are more churches in town. I will go to them all. I have decided I will NOT drive out of my community. Community is where I live and community is where I will worship. I think that I will have to be more accepting of how they do things, and focus on the heart of my worship.
Please Lord...let me have it my way....jeesh.....Please Lord lead me in Your way...amen
I walked out of two services already because of a spirit of hate and unacceptance. The worship was great, I thought I was in heaven and then the Pastor stood up and out flowed*&^% and *&^%. Sure his language was polished and clean and he could quote scripture, but he was void of any sort of love....just knowledge and a healthy dose of self.
Last Sunday I went to an "old style" United Church. There was an elderly congregation and an organ and stand up sit down wrote and ritual. I couldnt wait for it to end....but I didnt walk out! No...I sensed a great deal of Love. I was welcomed and I felt like they meant it. I saw beautiful kind and loving eyes. There was an aura of simple beauty. I feel ashamed in one sense for desperatly wanting to leave, Yet after introspection, I think I will return. I felt that the basis of their service was a simple love though they expressed it in hundred year old tradition.... Tradition I have despised for a long time......yet there it was...love.
There are more churches in town. I will go to them all. I have decided I will NOT drive out of my community. Community is where I live and community is where I will worship. I think that I will have to be more accepting of how they do things, and focus on the heart of my worship.
Please Lord...let me have it my way....jeesh.....Please Lord lead me in Your way...amen
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
The New Pharisee's
Pharisee
1.Pharisee A member of an ancient Jewish sect that emphasized strict interpretation and observance of the Mosaic law in both its oral and written form.
2.A hypocritically self-righteous person.
The Pharisse way is alive and well and expressed abundantly in our religious organizations. We do it naturally as we want to all be a part of something. We want to be on the same team and we want to follow all the same rules. We need and want to know what is right and what is wrong. We want to make sure all the lines are drawn in the sand. The only thing that has changed is it no longer Mosiac law that must be observed. The law that must be observed, is the religious organizations interpretations law.
I shake my head. You see, we are no longer bound by any of these "Laws". We have freedom from the law. Yet as soon as the church realized it, they made up a whole new set of laws. These laws defy thought. They are "grace" laws which actually require our "personal intervention" in order to fulfill this "Grace". Its obscene.
I have read prophesy after prophesy that tells me that God WILL assemble His people. This will happen regardless of any religious law that I may follow. I studied for years with people who told me " We are not bound by Law, but by grace AND we must follow certain religious practices in order for this Grace to be extended to us. This seems foolish to me now. The minute we realize we have grace...we turn it into law....thats what we do AND we are not happy unless we hold each other to the same bondage as we declare for ourselves.
I am shown in scripture, that I am a prophet. Am I a false prophet? or am I a prophet of God? or a prophet of my own imagining? I am told in scripture that I am a minister of the word. Am I a rogue minister? In order to be a minister, must I be ordained to a particular religious point of view?
I think its much simpler. I simply must follow Spirit. That is the personal voice of God in me. I was made in Gods image. I was reconcilled to God. Gods Spirit was put in me. Its the whole package and everything I need for my relationship to the creator has been provided. What more is required? No more doctrine needed..... No more laws required. A simple joining of Spirit. Jesus told me...You be in me and I'll be in you. Thats it. Thats all. No hail marys....No confessions of faith. No tithing.....No outward acts to prove anything....nothing needs to be proven. God is Alpha and Omega and owns both sides of the coin.
So people, when you read the scriptures and come to the many scathing remarks that Christ made against the Pharisee's, I think you might just want to check your eye to see if there are any stumps there...(bad christian humour)...oh and I will do the same.
In the meantime, I bid you peace, love and joy beyond circumstance
1.Pharisee A member of an ancient Jewish sect that emphasized strict interpretation and observance of the Mosaic law in both its oral and written form.
2.A hypocritically self-righteous person.
The Pharisse way is alive and well and expressed abundantly in our religious organizations. We do it naturally as we want to all be a part of something. We want to be on the same team and we want to follow all the same rules. We need and want to know what is right and what is wrong. We want to make sure all the lines are drawn in the sand. The only thing that has changed is it no longer Mosiac law that must be observed. The law that must be observed, is the religious organizations interpretations law.
I shake my head. You see, we are no longer bound by any of these "Laws". We have freedom from the law. Yet as soon as the church realized it, they made up a whole new set of laws. These laws defy thought. They are "grace" laws which actually require our "personal intervention" in order to fulfill this "Grace". Its obscene.
I have read prophesy after prophesy that tells me that God WILL assemble His people. This will happen regardless of any religious law that I may follow. I studied for years with people who told me " We are not bound by Law, but by grace AND we must follow certain religious practices in order for this Grace to be extended to us. This seems foolish to me now. The minute we realize we have grace...we turn it into law....thats what we do AND we are not happy unless we hold each other to the same bondage as we declare for ourselves.
I am shown in scripture, that I am a prophet. Am I a false prophet? or am I a prophet of God? or a prophet of my own imagining? I am told in scripture that I am a minister of the word. Am I a rogue minister? In order to be a minister, must I be ordained to a particular religious point of view?
I think its much simpler. I simply must follow Spirit. That is the personal voice of God in me. I was made in Gods image. I was reconcilled to God. Gods Spirit was put in me. Its the whole package and everything I need for my relationship to the creator has been provided. What more is required? No more doctrine needed..... No more laws required. A simple joining of Spirit. Jesus told me...You be in me and I'll be in you. Thats it. Thats all. No hail marys....No confessions of faith. No tithing.....No outward acts to prove anything....nothing needs to be proven. God is Alpha and Omega and owns both sides of the coin.
So people, when you read the scriptures and come to the many scathing remarks that Christ made against the Pharisee's, I think you might just want to check your eye to see if there are any stumps there...(bad christian humour)...oh and I will do the same.
In the meantime, I bid you peace, love and joy beyond circumstance
Monday, January 10, 2011
Dealing With False Teachers
Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
2 Timothy 2:14-16 (New International Version, ©2010)
2 Timothy 2:14-16 (New International Version, ©2010)
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Your Name
"Your Name" Copyright Paul Baloche
Dear Lord
Thank you for this very day.
As I consider your provisions for me, I am grateful.
Thank you for making Yourself known to me
and I pray good Lord
that I may truly live your word.
Help me Lord to feel Your heartbeat in humanity
and cause mine, Oh Lord, to beat in unison.
Forgive me and my fellow man
when our religion causes hatred,
but allow me Lord to see only Your undying love.
Help me to be a vessal of your purest form.
Not that I myself may hold to some vision of purity,
but that Your purest Love might shine through me.
Help me with my Thunderbird wings
and cause me to soar great heights,
not that I might marvel at what I have achieved,
but that I might glorify You in reaching such heights.
dw
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Life in Sturgeon - New Friends
I moved my ice hut over to where the action was. My new friend "Bang Bang" had a hunch and studied the waters. He has lived in the area most his life and worked the river for the last few years. His location hunch has bagged us limits sevral days in a row! We had a New Years fish fry and Sue and I have been eating fish more regular.
Bang Bang made his hut from a preexisting tarp style ice hut. He made modifications. He put in a wood stove and ply on the walls. It is very cozy, although we have a hard time regulating the wood stove. Sometimes we are too hot and sometimes too cold. When the fishing is bad, we just sit and laugh and joke and swap lies.
Bang Bang has predicted a week of poor fishing. Two nights in a row we got skunked. Last night we had company so we gave up on the fishing and just had fun.
This is my other friend Richard. He lives down the road. He has a hound dog called Rocket. We have ahad great fun. The ice was really slippery after the rain and it scared Rocket. He insisted on being carried. Hound dogs sure can howl when they want something. Haha..Richard tries to sneak up on us but the hound gets so excited he cant resist but to yelp.
So there we were, 4 adults and a dog in a small ice hut. Rocketlikes laps. He thinks he is a lap dog. He found Bang Bangs lap last night. After we had enough of cozy pleasantries, we decided to go to Richards for an outdoor fire.
Hardy bunch here. Richard does not turn the heat on in his house unless he is there and he heats entirely with wood. He was angry because his thermostat's lowest setting was 50F, so he just shuts it off and the main breaker. Richard leaves his hot water tank off unless he needs hot water. He turns on his hot water tank, washes, cleans floors, dishes etc and then turns it off. Richard cooks many of his meals out on the open fire....winter..summer...makes no differance.
We are going to learn a lot from these two fellows. Today, we are learning about Rabbit snaring. We havnt been to town for 2 weeks except for a minnow run. Sue and I need to do a bit of shopping.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Like a Frog in January.....
After weeks of snow and cold weather, it began to rain. It rained for a day and a half. Out on the frozen river appeared this frog. Where did he come from?..where was he hiding. The temperature was about to drop again, so I took him in. We put him in the fish tank. He basically just hangs around...trying to nap. Every time I find him in the living room, I return him to his temp home. I guess he got tired of that as he has now slept in this perfect little spot for a couple days. Since I "rescued" him, I am now responsible for him.......until spring or until he croaks...haha