Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Something New
It's in front of me ... there, but unstable. He wants me to step on it. "Have Faith. Trust!" He says. I work hard to build it more sturdy. The clock is ticking. "Step Out!" He shouts again. I look behind me. What once seemed confining ... restrictive, now appears warmer ... even welcoming. Should I go back? I feel a nudge. Someone else looks at my new unfinished platform and comments on it's beauty. I set my eyes on it once more but I can picture it giving way to chaos. "Trust Me!" I hear again. I crouch down - elbows between knees - head between hands - hair between fingers. Stress, stress, stress. "Stop Worrying" He whispers, "I'm right here." I hang my foot out over the precipice, take a deep conscious breath, exhale, stepping ...
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
It Ain't Fixed Yet!
I couldn't tell you how many times I've seen it ... especially in relationships: One or both go overboard and say or do something "out-of-the-ordinary" ... someone goes overboard and says or does something "they didn't mean". Yes you did. You did mean it. You may not be proud of it, but somewhere deep inside, you did mean it.
Not an accident or a temporary lapse - there's something deeper and darker there that no one wants to admit. Usually, if left undealt with, there's a spell in the relationship where everything seems to have improved - better moods, better communication, more affection, etc. Our first tendency is to believe everything is ok and move on. We behave as if it will just go away. News Flash! It Ain't Fixed Yet!
It will marinate and grow in strength until - KABOOM! Now you've really gone overboard. Now it really is too late.
#1 Gotta deal with it. It's real and not going away on it's own. You own some blame.
#2 Seek guidance. Knowledgeable OUTSIDE counseling. You'll be amazed at what you uncover. Do NOT shy away from this. It must be done before you move on.
#3 Tell your significant other what you are doing and allow them to witness the results. Only then will they be open to taking similar steps themselves. You have to deal with the individual before you deal with the relationship.
#4 Put it in writing. If your relationship is very confrontational and you never seem to finish what you are trying to say, it may be best to put it in writing. This leaves no room for interruptions or your own emotions clouding your purpose. No judgmental or accusatory comments - deal only with YOUR responsibility.
#5 Seek couple's counseling - It's that important to you ... isn't it?
#6 DO NOT LEAVE OUT THE SPIRITUAL SIDE! In order to make a decision or come to a conclusion, you need to consider all pieces of the pie. Unfortunately most people exclude over 50% of the info available to them by shoving the spiritual aspect under the rug. It amazes me how many people are terrified of digging in spiritually. Their decisions will never be correct with this approach. If you do not believe in spiritual things, I'm sorry, you're screwed.
Not an accident or a temporary lapse - there's something deeper and darker there that no one wants to admit. Usually, if left undealt with, there's a spell in the relationship where everything seems to have improved - better moods, better communication, more affection, etc. Our first tendency is to believe everything is ok and move on. We behave as if it will just go away. News Flash! It Ain't Fixed Yet!
It will marinate and grow in strength until - KABOOM! Now you've really gone overboard. Now it really is too late.
#1 Gotta deal with it. It's real and not going away on it's own. You own some blame.
#2 Seek guidance. Knowledgeable OUTSIDE counseling. You'll be amazed at what you uncover. Do NOT shy away from this. It must be done before you move on.
#3 Tell your significant other what you are doing and allow them to witness the results. Only then will they be open to taking similar steps themselves. You have to deal with the individual before you deal with the relationship.
#4 Put it in writing. If your relationship is very confrontational and you never seem to finish what you are trying to say, it may be best to put it in writing. This leaves no room for interruptions or your own emotions clouding your purpose. No judgmental or accusatory comments - deal only with YOUR responsibility.
#5 Seek couple's counseling - It's that important to you ... isn't it?
#6 DO NOT LEAVE OUT THE SPIRITUAL SIDE! In order to make a decision or come to a conclusion, you need to consider all pieces of the pie. Unfortunately most people exclude over 50% of the info available to them by shoving the spiritual aspect under the rug. It amazes me how many people are terrified of digging in spiritually. Their decisions will never be correct with this approach. If you do not believe in spiritual things, I'm sorry, you're screwed.
Friday, May 28, 2010
My Own Worst Enemy
Aren't we all?
I read something lately that reminded me of how my stubborn nature can actually benefit me. Henry Ford once said, "Failure is merely an opportunity to more intelligently begin again."
Often the difference between a successful person and someone settling for mediocrity is that a successful person expects some level of failure and they don't stop there. Most people don't even give their dreams try #1. They quit before they begin due to self-doubt and limiting beliefs. Some face a single failure, fold, and go right back to what they were doing before. That's it! Persistence. I'm good at that, but not always in a good way.
Here's the deal, stop fearing failure. Get up and try again. Learn and redo from a more educated position. But the bottom line is don't give up.
How many failures are you willing to experience before achieving your dream?
I read something lately that reminded me of how my stubborn nature can actually benefit me. Henry Ford once said, "Failure is merely an opportunity to more intelligently begin again."
Often the difference between a successful person and someone settling for mediocrity is that a successful person expects some level of failure and they don't stop there. Most people don't even give their dreams try #1. They quit before they begin due to self-doubt and limiting beliefs. Some face a single failure, fold, and go right back to what they were doing before. That's it! Persistence. I'm good at that, but not always in a good way.
Here's the deal, stop fearing failure. Get up and try again. Learn and redo from a more educated position. But the bottom line is don't give up.
How many failures are you willing to experience before achieving your dream?
Monday, March 29, 2010
To the Jew First
I was given some new revelation this weekend about God's original (and only) plan. It has to do with first fruits, counting of the Omer, and God's order and purpose. God has Plan "A". He does not have and never will have a Plan "B". God chose the nation of Israel. He didn't choose them because they were better or bigger. He chose them to complete His Plan "A".
We are in the first month of the Jewish calendar Nisan. We are in the season of celebrating the passover, the resurrection, and Pentecost. Counting the Omer is a God-given command that lasted 49 days every single year. It begins tomorrow. An omer was a measurement of the first fruit of the barley harvest brought to the temple on the day after passover. The commandment of the barley omer served to remind Israel that the land and its produce belonged first to God. The produce of the land could not be enjoyed until God had received his due. Until the barley omer was harvested and offered in the Temple, the rest of the crops were not deemed kosher.
The Counting of the Omer is a count down to Shavuot, the time of giving of the Torah and the time of the giving of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost). As such, it is a spiritual journey of preparation. It is a journey which is begun with Passover, the symbol of our Salvation in Yeshua (Jesus), and completed at Pentecost, the symbol of our completion through the Spirit. The distance of days between the two events should be a time of spiritual reflection, growth, purification and preparation. The Master's resurrection makes the counting of the Omer a season of special significance and joy. For his disciples, it is a time to remember the resurrected Yeshua (Jesus). All of his post-resurrection appearances fell within the days of the Omer count.
Counting the Omer continues the cycle in a believer's life of "working out their salvation" (Phil 2:12)
But there is more ...
We modern day Christians have lost much of the Jewish understanding of our faith. This is partially due to the edicts of the early church. The council of Nicea declared that believers would not be allowed to commemorate Passover but would observe instead the resurrection on a new holiday called Easter.
Here's the deal, God has one plan and that plan involves and always has involved the nation of Israel. It's all over His word, old and new testament: "To the Jew first and also to the Gentile" (Romans 1:16). It's not that His salvation is given to the Gentile INSTEAD of the Jew but after and because of the Jews.
In the counting of the Omer, God promised that if the people obediently brought their first fruits to Him, He would bless them with the harvest. Well, it all has to do with God's purpose and order to things. The Jewish nation is no better that any other nation just as husband is no better than wife ... but there is a God-given order to things and we do have God-given duties. The nation of Israel was chosen to be the first fruits. Until they turn back to God and receive salvation ... we will not receive the harvest - Christ's second coming.
Generations change, but God and His plan do not. Starting in the 1960's the Messianic Jewish movement began to move. We are seeing prophecy fulfilled right before our eyes yet we miss it altogether. Our prayers and hearts should be directed to the nation of Israel. We are the kings and queens (those confident and mature in their faith) that must help lift the nation of Israel to be grafted back into Abraham's tree. Romans 11 has never come so alive. "Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. And so all Israel will be saved" (Romans 11:25-26).
"For since their (Israel's) rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who are dead!" - Romans 11:15
God is moving in Israel! It has begun. Prepare yourselves my brothers and sisters and pray for Israel!
We are in the first month of the Jewish calendar Nisan. We are in the season of celebrating the passover, the resurrection, and Pentecost. Counting the Omer is a God-given command that lasted 49 days every single year. It begins tomorrow. An omer was a measurement of the first fruit of the barley harvest brought to the temple on the day after passover. The commandment of the barley omer served to remind Israel that the land and its produce belonged first to God. The produce of the land could not be enjoyed until God had received his due. Until the barley omer was harvested and offered in the Temple, the rest of the crops were not deemed kosher.
The Counting of the Omer is a count down to Shavuot, the time of giving of the Torah and the time of the giving of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost). As such, it is a spiritual journey of preparation. It is a journey which is begun with Passover, the symbol of our Salvation in Yeshua (Jesus), and completed at Pentecost, the symbol of our completion through the Spirit. The distance of days between the two events should be a time of spiritual reflection, growth, purification and preparation. The Master's resurrection makes the counting of the Omer a season of special significance and joy. For his disciples, it is a time to remember the resurrected Yeshua (Jesus). All of his post-resurrection appearances fell within the days of the Omer count.
Counting the Omer continues the cycle in a believer's life of "working out their salvation" (Phil 2:12)
But there is more ...
We modern day Christians have lost much of the Jewish understanding of our faith. This is partially due to the edicts of the early church. The council of Nicea declared that believers would not be allowed to commemorate Passover but would observe instead the resurrection on a new holiday called Easter.
Here's the deal, God has one plan and that plan involves and always has involved the nation of Israel. It's all over His word, old and new testament: "To the Jew first and also to the Gentile" (Romans 1:16). It's not that His salvation is given to the Gentile INSTEAD of the Jew but after and because of the Jews.
In the counting of the Omer, God promised that if the people obediently brought their first fruits to Him, He would bless them with the harvest. Well, it all has to do with God's purpose and order to things. The Jewish nation is no better that any other nation just as husband is no better than wife ... but there is a God-given order to things and we do have God-given duties. The nation of Israel was chosen to be the first fruits. Until they turn back to God and receive salvation ... we will not receive the harvest - Christ's second coming.
Generations change, but God and His plan do not. Starting in the 1960's the Messianic Jewish movement began to move. We are seeing prophecy fulfilled right before our eyes yet we miss it altogether. Our prayers and hearts should be directed to the nation of Israel. We are the kings and queens (those confident and mature in their faith) that must help lift the nation of Israel to be grafted back into Abraham's tree. Romans 11 has never come so alive. "Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. And so all Israel will be saved" (Romans 11:25-26).
"For since their (Israel's) rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who are dead!" - Romans 11:15
God is moving in Israel! It has begun. Prepare yourselves my brothers and sisters and pray for Israel!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Seems Like Everybody Dodgin You?
They are.
Ever had that person that is a friend, you like them, you go way back, but you have a hard time forcing yourself to answer the phone when they call. You'd rather just let them leave a message to find out what they want. Why? Maybe they fall into these categories:
1. Prosecutor: "Oh, you finally answer your phone!" - this is the whole start a conversation off with a prosecutor bit. It doesn't matter when you actually spoke to them last, it's the same song every time. Maybe they say, "Too Hollywood now, huh?" or "I wondered if you were alive." Whatever it is, who wants to start a conversation with being attacked?
2. The Unnecessary Forever Call. Who? What? When? Where? and maybe Why? That's what we want to know. What could have been easily done in 3 minutes turns into a 30+ minute time-consuming conversation we could have had in person.
3. The whiner - nuff said
4. The Begger - if they call ... they need something ... and not something like a buddy to grab a beer with or someone to catch a game. No, their neighbor's aunt is moving into the 3rd floor of her apartments and they just need help with the last few "awkward" things (a.k.a. washer, dryer, sofa). They need somewhere to crash for 2 weeks. The need a ride to the airport Monday morning at 5am. You get the idea.
5. The Guilt Tripper: Combine a little of #3 & #4 and mix it with a little "it's all your fault" or maybe some "I would do it for you."
6. Mr/Mrs Over-sensitive. Get over yourself! Grow some balls - or at least some thicker skin. Newsflash: People (all of them) will disappoint you at some time - especially yourself. AND ... you will misunderstand people's intentions. Remember most people don't spend their time thinking about you or what implications or assumptions you may draw from something they've said or done. Move on!
7. Overly Super Nice - like they have ground to make up. They act like the degenerate father who left you and your mother when you were 7-years-old. Now he's trying to make up for lost time and lack of memories. Almost like they're trying to convince themselves that your friendship is real.
I'm sure there are some more, but geez people it's not that difficult.
Ever had that person that is a friend, you like them, you go way back, but you have a hard time forcing yourself to answer the phone when they call. You'd rather just let them leave a message to find out what they want. Why? Maybe they fall into these categories:
1. Prosecutor: "Oh, you finally answer your phone!" - this is the whole start a conversation off with a prosecutor bit. It doesn't matter when you actually spoke to them last, it's the same song every time. Maybe they say, "Too Hollywood now, huh?" or "I wondered if you were alive." Whatever it is, who wants to start a conversation with being attacked?
2. The Unnecessary Forever Call. Who? What? When? Where? and maybe Why? That's what we want to know. What could have been easily done in 3 minutes turns into a 30+ minute time-consuming conversation we could have had in person.
3. The whiner - nuff said
4. The Begger - if they call ... they need something ... and not something like a buddy to grab a beer with or someone to catch a game. No, their neighbor's aunt is moving into the 3rd floor of her apartments and they just need help with the last few "awkward" things (a.k.a. washer, dryer, sofa). They need somewhere to crash for 2 weeks. The need a ride to the airport Monday morning at 5am. You get the idea.
5. The Guilt Tripper: Combine a little of #3 & #4 and mix it with a little "it's all your fault" or maybe some "I would do it for you."
6. Mr/Mrs Over-sensitive. Get over yourself! Grow some balls - or at least some thicker skin. Newsflash: People (all of them) will disappoint you at some time - especially yourself. AND ... you will misunderstand people's intentions. Remember most people don't spend their time thinking about you or what implications or assumptions you may draw from something they've said or done. Move on!
7. Overly Super Nice - like they have ground to make up. They act like the degenerate father who left you and your mother when you were 7-years-old. Now he's trying to make up for lost time and lack of memories. Almost like they're trying to convince themselves that your friendship is real.
I'm sure there are some more, but geez people it's not that difficult.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Neglect
If I'm gonna have a blog, it would probably be a great idea to blog ... novel idea.
At least life hasn't been boring lately. Ups n downs, aspirations and disappointments ... what a rollercoaster lately.
I'm ready to chase my dream. I'm willing to take the risk and the plunge.
But I also need acts of faith from people who always said they had extreme faith in me. The problem is, when it comes to "money where the mouth is" their faith seems to waiver and suddenly they are communicationally challenged. But then again ... I've always known even my closest most trustworthy friends and family would let me down ... as I would them. Here I see that knowledge realized.
Big picture: My life is not in their hands ... it's in God's ... and I need to act that way.
At least life hasn't been boring lately. Ups n downs, aspirations and disappointments ... what a rollercoaster lately.
I'm ready to chase my dream. I'm willing to take the risk and the plunge.
But I also need acts of faith from people who always said they had extreme faith in me. The problem is, when it comes to "money where the mouth is" their faith seems to waiver and suddenly they are communicationally challenged. But then again ... I've always known even my closest most trustworthy friends and family would let me down ... as I would them. Here I see that knowledge realized.
Big picture: My life is not in their hands ... it's in God's ... and I need to act that way.
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