Category: Vision

Churchwork

“I don’t ‘go to church’ anymore; I go to…’assemble’.” Brother/Musician/Man-of-God/Friend-of-mine, Ron Wilson San Antonio, TX. (In other words, He IS {part of} the Church, Christ’s Bride and Body and People on Earth and, therefore, embraces ‘Lifestyle Christianity,’ living for God {not self}, by His Grace, every day!).

New Perspective(?)

People are searching more for experiences (good feelings) than knowledge (real wisdom) and belonging (community) more than truth and liberty, especially in these Last Days of deception we find ourselves in. Why is this? I believe it’s because truth is objective and confronts ‘our’ lies and waywardness. The Good News? If we’ll embrace it by accepting responsibility and partner with God (which includes His Word and His People), Who longs to write HIS-story with our everyday lives, we can get…and stay…powerfully free. Then others, who are also Hungry, will learn to “follow us, as we follow Christ,” which fosters ‘world-change’ and even greater joy! Epiphany to me, dkb 9/8-9/9/24.

Ultimate Justice

“(God’s) Love is more just than justice.” Henry Ward Beecher (as found in Stormie Omartian’s devotional, That’s What Love is For, pg. 52.

Creative WONDERS

An artist is revealed in the work he creates…and in the abundance of the work he created.

I am sitting on the beach this evening, watching the swells roll in toward me. Each wave builds as it approaches, ascending, taking shape, deep greens below sweeping upward into translucent aquamarine. A sculpture in motion, curling forth like shavings from a jade carving. The sheer elegance is enough to take my breath away. The wave I’m fixed upon crashes to the sand like a work of art toppling from its pedestal, but before I can feel the loss, another is rushing to take its place, sweeping upward, forward, utterly mesmerizing beauty. Then comes another, then another, and another, in an unending processional.

I look down. Scattered at my feet lie a thousand shells, delicate, intricate, the work of a jeweler. An artist with very small tools and exceptional eyesight (and skill). If all this is the work of an artist’s hand, what does it tell us about the artist(‘s heart)? Creation is epic and intimate. He is epic and intimate. Everywhere around me, an obsession with beauty(…and) great attention (paid) to detail.

But most of all, I am thunderstruck by the abundant generosity strewn around, constantly rolling in. It’s as if someone took the family silver and ran down the beach, tossing handfuls here and there like a madman” (or ‘in reckless abandon…but better’).

From John Eldredge’s Beautiful Outlaw book and small group series Participant’s Guide, pg. 13. (letters and words in parenthesis added by me for clarity and/or refinement.)

True Winning = Timeless Results.

“Competing at the highest level is not about winning. It’s about preparation, courage, understanding and nurturing your people…and heart (passion, otherness). Winning is the result.” Joe Torre, champion U. S. baseball player, manager and league executive, as quoted by Charlie Kirk in his book, How We Win, pg. 38 (emphases and words in parenthesis added by me).

Wise Love.

“You can judge how far you have risen in the scale of life by asking one question: ‘How wisely and how deeply do I care?’ To be ‘Christianized’ is to be sensitized. Christians are people who care.” E. Stanley Jones. (“So…first be wise in your caring…and that will dictate how much care you show.” Commentary by Denny Beckham.)

Law…or Grace?

“For many centuries, it was traditional for many Christians to think of Law and Grace in opposing terms. However, the opposite of Grace was never Law…but disgrace. Just as the opposite of Law was never Grace…but lawlessness.” Pastor/Rabbi Jorge Corrales, IPC (International Pentecostal Church), Simi Valley, CA

Here and Now…or Hereafter?

We think, ‘right here, right now.’ God is thinking, ‘nations and generations!’ Caleb wasn’t conquering Hebron just for himself. More than four hundred years later, David would be crowned king in the city Caleb conquered. (In a large sense) David was standing on Caleb’s shoulders! It was Caleb’s victory that made David’s coronation possible! When you ‘wind the clock’ the way Caleb did, your brave can become someone else’s breakthrough! Mark Batterson, Win the Day, pg. 167.

Greatness by Consistency.

The Key to True Greatness is NOT normally achieved by doing great things well now and then or before the eyes of man but, rather, by doing ordinary things excellently, day-in and day-out, especially when no one (human) is watching. (Epiphany to me, DKB.)