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.

US and THEM

I believe as a follower of Christ I must fight against the separation of us and them.  It can begin with my doctrine or theology or moral code.  I begin to "tie the ends up" and begin to think I know who is in (us) and who is out (them).  Maybe not overtly but subtly I believe I have God figured out and I know the method in which to find Him.  And if you are not finding Him the way I believe,  you are them and we are us.  When in truth Jesus taught us to pray Our Father.  No one group does or will ever have God figured out (He is pretty big).  An us and them attitude will produce pride and limit our ability to accurately represent who He really is.  LOVE!!! :)

Heaven or Hell

Your kingdom come Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven!  Heaven or hell is a present day experience.  When we choose to follow what Father is saying,  Heaven  comes.  Or we choose to do it our way and have hell to pay.  When we live by His characteristics: love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion, Heaven comes.  When we live by criticism, bitterness, envy, pride, hate and strife, hell comes.  It is our choice.  Eternity is now and it is our choice how we live it.  Jesus way was always God's way.  He always brought Heaven! Heaven or Hell it is our choice!

Failure

Is failure a bad thing?  No, not when you handle it correctly.  Lorrisa, Brandon, Jill, Gabe, Stephanie and myself met in Dallas for a 1/2 marathon.  Lorissa and I have been training hard getting  ready for my first 26.2 full marathon.  So I thought this would be a breeze and would be able to PR (1:39).  Not so!  I bonked at about seven miles and crossed the line in 1:46.  I trailed Lorissa and Brandon the whole way as they were easing through the race.  There are reasons (excuses) for my performance, but none of them quenched the fire burning inside me.  The only thing I knew that would quench the fire is to redeem myself at my next race.  The only way to redeem myself is through training.  You know,  time spent.  OKC Memorial is in ten days.   I guess we will see?  But I have a feeling through my new commitment, 1:38 here I come.  When you believe you have failed in life it is a chance for a fresh start.  A new commitment.  The majority believed Jesus failed when He died on the cross.  He knew differently, He was prepared for His race.  Failure is just a temporary timeout for a new commitment.  Thank you Father for  "failure" (in the world's eyes) and allowing Jesus to die for us.      

Are "We Christians" Any Different?

Recently I shared from my heart the questions and concerns I have for organized church.  Of course I couldn't help going after the pastor a little bit.  I can, I have the paper that says that I am one.  Anyway it didn't go over very well with one pastor.  I can understand,  I deserved some disagreement on the subject.  But what brings me to the title of this post is  when we do disagree do we leave it between each other or do we spew it to our mutual friends so they can be on our side.  I know that is where I have failed and still fail.  I want you on my team, to see it my way,  and be against the other guys opinion.  Therefore I have taken my opinion and turned it into condemnation.   For IN CHRIST there in now NO condemnation.  Help me be different than the world Father!!  

Doing Our Part

A common quote around our house is "do your part"!  We stress this to one another to not allow others or circumstances to keep us from doing our part.  There are many different distractions that will try to keep us from doing our part.  My main distraction is my fellow man, it is easier to see what he "should be doing" and be critical than look in the mirror and do my part.  Releasing our fellow man to do his part and not being critical is one of the most liberating exercises we can do.  

Ministry

Friends,

From time to time I get the question are you doing any ministry work up here??  This is a fair question although it is hard for me to give a quick answer.  I thought I would share with you where I am concerning ministry.  I still feel as strong a call on my life as ever. I love The Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit as much as ever and do my best to follow His commands as I hear them.  "If you love me you will follow my commands".  

I believe I do minister all the time... my family, u7 soccer coach, basketball coach and other things Father has put in my life.  I just have to many questions to fit into the American church system.  This is why the question of ministry is not easy for me to answer.  My question, you don't have to answer them for me, but I do think they are valid if we are not only going to go to church but BE The Church.  Pastor??? Why does this one man have all the pressure on him?? Way back in Exodus 18 Jethro came to his son-in-law Moses and said why do you stand a lone and listen to the peoples problems not good for you or them.  In my opinion we are still here.  "Pastor", I find the word used once in the NT and we have made an institution out of it.  Church??? One day a week?  Jesus is our rest , He is ourSabbath, we can't allow ourselves or others to think we are walking out what Father wants by still trying to keep a day open for Him.  We need Him everyday.  In Acts they didn't meet because of a building or a system of belief or because of the preaching or music they were daily in one another's lives.  Jesus walked His life out in a kingdom way not because of church meeting but out of relationship He offers to all that would receive it.  If He would of told His disciples to do what we tell people to do to be a good christian they would not have known what He was talking about. Go to church on Sunday ahh Jesus what is church? Make sure you read your Bible ahh Jesus we can't read and by the way what is a Bible?  Do I read my Bible heck ya but it doesn't take the place of the details of my life that only His Spirit can show.  Where to live?  Should I go to church? Where? Who should I marry?  Last time I looked those weren't written in the Book.  Father knew what He was doing by not putting all the answers in the Book He wants us to go to Him.  Jesus went to "church" when Father told Him to go. Read the OT.  He also didn't go to "church" (keep the sabbath) when Father told Him to go and heal.  How will we live the life any different than Jesus? We have to learn to hear from Father.  I believe since I was young I heard from Father!  Sinning??? Is what the church today calls sin what the Bible calls sin??  I mean why don't we go after the greedy or gluttony or jealousy or fights over money like we do moral sin??  When was the last time you saw a Pastor get kicked out for being greedy or critical like we kick them out for our moral code?  Or when Jesus says it's just as bad to think badly about a brother (murder) or look at a women sexually (adultery) Jesus standards.  My Bible also says whatever I do that doesn't proceed from faith is sin. (No just following tradition)  What man can preach this Sunday and be good in all of this without GRACE?  We need His grace my friends.  I know Jesus today would love to hang with prostitute as much as the self righteous right winger that has no grace for others.  He knows that both sides needs Him. 

Finally, I believe all that receive are children of His.  In my opinion this is the highest call.  If I need to be something of value to the Family it will come out of my sonship.  No title needed.  The one's that where the teachers of the law in Jesus day missed and killed Him.  Knowledge is not our salvation, relationship with Him is.  My encouragement to us is we all have ears to hear Him.  Why would I tell Chaynee and ask her to tell her brothers and sister when I have relationship with them?  I am a father and a father talks to his children.  He is talking to you on every detail of your life.  I have missed Him in the big things cause I wasn't following in the little.  Follow Him in the little and the big has a way of working out.  I am sure there is a lot of wrong spelling, grammar and English in this.  Just helping you with your Grace !! :)

Love Wins!! ck  

ps have more questions but that is all i can stand right now