TEBOW

I like pulling for Tebow!! He is a young man who is willing to fight the system no matter the cost.  You do not have to search very far to read or hear all the reasons he is not a conventional NFL quarterback.  The cool thing is he is not trying to fit in anyones mold.  He is just trying to be who he is and do what ever it takes for the Broncos to win.  The pressure to fit into the system and conform has to be GREAT!  Tebow has a different skill set that is about transforming not conforming.  In the land of the free that makes most people uncomfortable.   The systems (religious, political, commerce and even sports) is about conforming ("it's a copycat league") not transforming.

A man named Jesus came on the earth to transform in the grandest fashion.  Jesus stood in the way of the self righteous system of His day.  He ushered in a new life of loving your enemies and being good to those who the system of that day discarded.  Jesus was all about transforming and not conforming.  The religious system didn't just kick Jesus out IT hung him on the cross!!

So just like Tebow I am pulling for you!!!  You have been called to transform your world for FATHER'S KINGDOM.  One of my favorite guys to quote is Andy Taylor, he says "many have tried and many have died" in regards to fighting the systems of the world.  Let us live the life that Jesus and others died for.

Oh, one more thing, GO TEBOW!!

Simple Minded vs Simplicity

The Bible says to not forget the simplicity that is found in a relationship with Jesus.  In this relationship with Jesus we are always being matured.  Simplicity in Christ means we have or are going through the fire of life and are learning what it is like to be "Christ like".  We are persevering through the trials of life.  Getting knocked down and humbled so we can find our identity that is in Christ.  It is a workout, a test of will and strength to find the simplicity that is in Christ.

Being simple minded is not simplicity.  Simple minded means I stay in my state of weakness.  That I make excuses for my attitude and actions.  Being simple minded allows me to shift blame to others, when the circumstances where prearranged for my maturity.  Our Father allows us to be confronted by circumstances to be dependent upon a relationship with Jesus and others.  In these relationships I find Him.

Being childish is simple minded.  Being child like is simplicity.  One speaks of being selfish, immature and entitled.  The other speaks of giving, forgiving, trusting, and loving.  If we choose to be moved from childish to child like we can expect to be challenged.  We will be confronted with our own attitude and actions.  Our Father will reveal our heart to us.  We will be transformed from religion, rebellion and indifference into a sonship.  The process is open for us all to enter and the choice is always ours.

Different

If we desire a different outcome, we must first become different.  The Father has given each one of us dreams, visions and ideas to change the future.  As kingdom people we have the opportunity to be different, to bring change in our world.  We all need different.  We need people in our lives that make us uncomfortable and change our world.  Religion, politics, education, sports and business need different.  My encouragement to you and myself is to keep becoming different. To challenge the systems of the world and keep ushering in the true freedom that is in Jesus.

Weakness

Weakness sounds like such a bad word!! But I am finding out if our desire is really to be strong we have to go through times of weakness and vulnerability.

I am less than two weeks from my first full marathon.  Our Father teaches us in natural things to prove  spiritual things.  In my training I have had good days and some very weak days.  Looking back I am thankful for the weak days.  For in my weakness it challenged me to change.

In this life we will have heartache.  We will experience weakness.  But in our weakness we find we can't do it alone.  We need Him and each other.  We find that it is not my life that brings me life, but it is your life that brings me life and my life brings you life.

My strength comes into its own in your weakness.  2 Corinthians 12:8 (MSG)

Beloved Son- Aaron Custer

Acts 13:36 Now when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep;

Aaron Custer served God's purpose to his generation and he has fallen asleep.  My greatest honor in life is being chosen to be a father.  God, our Father has chosen me and my dear friends Stacey and Cody Custer chose me to be a Father to Aaron, Lacey and Brett.  There are a lot of  achievements we can attain in life.  I believe being a beloved son is the highest.  A-man you achieved it and I am proud!  I have never seen nor heard of what I have experienced the last two days.  Aaron's life has touched so many.  When Jesus died His request to the ones He loved was to allow His life of sonship to live in them.  Now it is my turn to allow Aaron's life of sonship to live in me.  Aaron you are my beloved son whom I am well pleased.  Thank you Cody and Stacey for sharing your son and your lives with Lorissa and I.  You guys are the most faithful people I know!!  

Simple Not Easy

Yesterday I was talking to my oldest daughter Chaynee.  We talked about how the choices in life that bring life are simple choices.  We came to the conclusion that simple and easy aren't the same thing.  Here are our examples:

It is simple to get off the couch and exercise not easy.
It is simple to open a book and read not easy.
It is simple to believe in yourself and others not easy.
It is simple not to talk about others not easy.
It is simple to order clean food not easy.
It is simple to not drink coke not easy.
It is simple to hear the voice of Our Father not easy.
It is simple to overlook an offense not easy.
It is simple to forgive not easy.
It is simple to show mercy not easy.
It is simple to be compassionate not easy.
It is simple to LOVE not expecting anything in return not easy.

I fear that just like the devil deceived Eve that we will also be deceived and forget the simplicity that is in Christ!  May the Father by His LOVE for US give us the power to make the simple choices to allow His kingdom to come and His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

Rebellion or Religion?

Neither!!! Rebellion- is a refusal of obedience or order.  Religion- a set of beliefs concerning the purpose of the universe.  I have tried both and haven't found life in either.  My days of rebellion when I said deep on the inside "to hell with it" allowed me to shift blame to who I thought was the self righteous, the hypocrite, but still didn't help me do my part.  My days of religion when I was so sure of how right I was concerning scripture allowed me to look at other peoples short comings and be critical and not accurately judge my own actions.  I still struggle through rebellion and religion, but I do know life is found in Our Father.  It is not rebellion to His order or believing I have the head knowledge that would fix the world.  It is following His Spirit that He has given to each one of us that would be willing to receive.  It is not following my head knowledge that leads me in to truth, but following His Spirit that lead us all into His truth.