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?
Friday, May 28, 2010
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.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Lost
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered; "a lost child"; "lost friends"; "his lost book"; "lost opportunities"
confused: having lost your bearings; confused as to time or place or personal identity; "I frequently find myself disoriented when I come up out of the subway"; "the anesthetic left her completely disoriented"
spiritually or physically doomed or destroyed; "lost souls"; "a lost generation"; "a lost ship"; "the lost platoon"
incapable of being recovered or regained; "his lost honor"
not caught with the senses or the mind; "words lost in the din"
bemused: deeply absorbed in thought; "as distant and bemused as a professor listening to the prattling of his freshman class"; "lost in thought"; "a preoccupied frown"
baffled: perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment; "obviously bemused by his questions"; "bewildered and confused"; "a cloudy and confounded philosopher"; "just a mixed-up kid"; "she felt lost on the first day of school"
doomed: people who are destined to die soon; "the agony of the doomed was in his voice"
helpless: unable to function; without help
There is far too often justification for the charge that religion is nothing but "the opiate of the people." For many people ... it is merely a form of dope. Their idea of the house of God and worship is just a place where they can forget their troubles for the time being. They are not interested in an exposition of the truth. They just want their daily dose of "feel good".
The Bible is a revelation of God's ways with respect to man. It is meant to give "understanding". If our practice of religion does not give us understanding, we should be better without it. There are many ways of giving temporary relief (most unhealthy), but the question is ... Do they give understanding? Do they really help us see through our trouble? The gospel does not merely give us an experience; it enables us to understand life. I can give a reason for the hope that is in me.
The Earl of Oxford & Asquith once remarked that the greatest gift a man could ever have is the capacity for "cubical" thinking ... the ability to see all sides of a subject. Prejudice is a power that pre-judges issues by shutting out all aspects of truth except one. It will not allow you to see the others. Prejudice holds you to the one facet and will not allow you to move. Result: you are blind to every other side. Anyone who doesn't really know God ... anyone who cannot "see" spiritually ... is really in this position because he doesn't see the whole situation. An eye-opener for me is the drastic contrast between the last days of Christians vs. Non-Christians.
Charles Darwin confessed at the end of his life he had lost the power to enjoy poetry, music, and even nature itself. H.G. Wells (famous, among many things, for ridiculing Christianity with its doctrines of sin and salvation) at the end of his life confessed that he was utterly baffled and bewildered.
The death of the ungodly is a terrible thing. Contrast this with Paul. In spite of tribulations, persecutions, trials, disappointments, ridicule, imprisonment, etc ... (2 Timothy 4:6-8) "I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing."
The Bible urges us to consider our "latter end". Not a popular topic nowadays, eh?
Most strong opinions I hear of are formed without understanding, or even being aware of, all sides of the issue. The 1st step is usually based on either liking or disliking something or someone. It's based on feeling. We are governed by our desires. then we gather the "evidence" to support the unfounded opinion we've already formed. Now we appear to have carefully considered the facts and reached a logical, rational conclusion ... when the reality is, we simply blocked off anything that came against our desire. This is a non-biased disease. It infects rich and poor, intelligent and stupid. Genious minds are lead astray and made foolish by their own desires. Their end is tragedy - confusion - disillusionment - lost.
I saw the end of my father, a Godly man. I saw his life leaving him. I saw him humbled as anyone would be at death. He preached upon his deathbed the power, love, forgiveness, righteosness, and hope of an all-knowing - all-powerful God to whom he was soon going. And dad, in the end, was able to say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith." And he received his crown. Oh that I can die well too!
confused: having lost your bearings; confused as to time or place or personal identity; "I frequently find myself disoriented when I come up out of the subway"; "the anesthetic left her completely disoriented"
spiritually or physically doomed or destroyed; "lost souls"; "a lost generation"; "a lost ship"; "the lost platoon"
incapable of being recovered or regained; "his lost honor"
not caught with the senses or the mind; "words lost in the din"
bemused: deeply absorbed in thought; "as distant and bemused as a professor listening to the prattling of his freshman class"; "lost in thought"; "a preoccupied frown"
baffled: perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment; "obviously bemused by his questions"; "bewildered and confused"; "a cloudy and confounded philosopher"; "just a mixed-up kid"; "she felt lost on the first day of school"
doomed: people who are destined to die soon; "the agony of the doomed was in his voice"
helpless: unable to function; without help
There is far too often justification for the charge that religion is nothing but "the opiate of the people." For many people ... it is merely a form of dope. Their idea of the house of God and worship is just a place where they can forget their troubles for the time being. They are not interested in an exposition of the truth. They just want their daily dose of "feel good".
The Bible is a revelation of God's ways with respect to man. It is meant to give "understanding". If our practice of religion does not give us understanding, we should be better without it. There are many ways of giving temporary relief (most unhealthy), but the question is ... Do they give understanding? Do they really help us see through our trouble? The gospel does not merely give us an experience; it enables us to understand life. I can give a reason for the hope that is in me.
The Earl of Oxford & Asquith once remarked that the greatest gift a man could ever have is the capacity for "cubical" thinking ... the ability to see all sides of a subject. Prejudice is a power that pre-judges issues by shutting out all aspects of truth except one. It will not allow you to see the others. Prejudice holds you to the one facet and will not allow you to move. Result: you are blind to every other side. Anyone who doesn't really know God ... anyone who cannot "see" spiritually ... is really in this position because he doesn't see the whole situation. An eye-opener for me is the drastic contrast between the last days of Christians vs. Non-Christians.
Charles Darwin confessed at the end of his life he had lost the power to enjoy poetry, music, and even nature itself. H.G. Wells (famous, among many things, for ridiculing Christianity with its doctrines of sin and salvation) at the end of his life confessed that he was utterly baffled and bewildered.
The death of the ungodly is a terrible thing. Contrast this with Paul. In spite of tribulations, persecutions, trials, disappointments, ridicule, imprisonment, etc ... (2 Timothy 4:6-8) "I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing."
The Bible urges us to consider our "latter end". Not a popular topic nowadays, eh?
Most strong opinions I hear of are formed without understanding, or even being aware of, all sides of the issue. The 1st step is usually based on either liking or disliking something or someone. It's based on feeling. We are governed by our desires. then we gather the "evidence" to support the unfounded opinion we've already formed. Now we appear to have carefully considered the facts and reached a logical, rational conclusion ... when the reality is, we simply blocked off anything that came against our desire. This is a non-biased disease. It infects rich and poor, intelligent and stupid. Genious minds are lead astray and made foolish by their own desires. Their end is tragedy - confusion - disillusionment - lost.
I saw the end of my father, a Godly man. I saw his life leaving him. I saw him humbled as anyone would be at death. He preached upon his deathbed the power, love, forgiveness, righteosness, and hope of an all-knowing - all-powerful God to whom he was soon going. And dad, in the end, was able to say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith." And he received his crown. Oh that I can die well too!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Back from Tampa
We just got back from Florida land and Nekki's parents. They always take good care of us - and feed us to the brim. That's one wild family, but It's awesome how they love to praise and thank God. They have been blessed. It's obvious. Many people that have been blessed so quickly forget to turn, bow, and praise God for it.
We went down to celebrate Thanksgiving ... but to these guys everyday is Thanksgiving - the only difference was one dry turkey.
Nekki put it the best way when jokingly she told me, "Yeah it was aweful! We had to go through the trouble of opening one of two garage doors, backing up one of 6 vehicles in the driveway just to open the second freezer to get out the multiple bags of leftover food. Oh, the horror!"
Even though I was under the weather for the entire trip, I got my think on. The creative side of my brain has been working overtime as of late. It started I believe with studying the parable of the talents ... long story short - wasting talent. I meditated on what God had blessed me with and realized I was "hiding my master's money." Time to repent and start using what the good Lord gave me.
We went down to celebrate Thanksgiving ... but to these guys everyday is Thanksgiving - the only difference was one dry turkey.
Nekki put it the best way when jokingly she told me, "Yeah it was aweful! We had to go through the trouble of opening one of two garage doors, backing up one of 6 vehicles in the driveway just to open the second freezer to get out the multiple bags of leftover food. Oh, the horror!"
Even though I was under the weather for the entire trip, I got my think on. The creative side of my brain has been working overtime as of late. It started I believe with studying the parable of the talents ... long story short - wasting talent. I meditated on what God had blessed me with and realized I was "hiding my master's money." Time to repent and start using what the good Lord gave me.
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