Solitude Is UNDER VALUED

02.06.14

The value of scheduling some time for yourself each and everyday is truly priceless.

By unplugging learning to enjoy silence and your own company enables you to taking time for the things that are important to you, and just might increase your self-esteem. 

By creating margins, times, and spending time alone you character will be refined and others will develop more respect for you and your time.

One of the simplest ways to add some solitude in your life is by walking, reading at the park, or looking for things in nature to take a picture of.

I'd be honored to hear how you spend your solitude and how it benefits you.

Anxiety + Fear = ?

01.30.14 I woke up this morning feeling a bit of anxiety mixed with a dash of fear.

Why?

1) Mindful about $$$$ (but who isn't to some degree)

2) Feeling fearful about situations beyond my control (PDST / Work)

It wasn't until I made the decision to pull over, stop, and get out of my truck to watch the sunrise that is was able to calm these seemingly relentless emotions.  As I stood on the cobble stone wall waiting two simple timeless truths came to mind:

1) No matter what, be present right where you are. The tricky part of life (and a secret to great communication) is paying attention - embracing the everyday, imperfect right now, and then making something of it.

 

2) When feeling afraid, press in. Each of us have an instinctive physiological response to uncertain and possibly threatening situations, which causes a chemical reaction or readies one either to resist forcibly or run away (commonly known as "fight or flight") 

Watching the sunrise while experiencing both of these very real emotions due to external circumstance - I decided breathed deeply and decided to once again dig in and forge ahead.

Here's to today and all the possibilities it hold despite my emotions.

 

Wake, For The Sun

01.23.14

Wake! For the Sun, who scatter'd into flight

The Stars before him from the Field of Night,

Drives Night along with them from Heav'n,

and strikes

The Sultan's Turret with a Shaft of Light

By Omar Khayyám

Enjoying the moment at hand

01.15.14 some moments seem longer and than others. Somedays seem to pass bye within the blink of an eye.  

Here's to pausing, unplugging, and enjoying a moment in the day: a sunrise, a gentle breeze, a cloud passing over head, a bird singing, a refreshing rain, the warmth of a fire, a saltwater bath, a drink, a meal with a friend, solitude, a sunset, a good night story or day closing night cap.... 

good day & good night.

The "Happiness" and Self-Help Industry is a multi-million dollar business By Guest Writer Gabe Cabagbag!

I recently wrote a post titled,<a href="http://trevordrinen.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/lost-in-my-mind-self-help-happiness-vs-sadness/"> Lost In my mind: Self-help, Happiness vs Sadness</a>.  

The following was taken from a conversation with a friend Gabe Cabagbag.

Realizing how much I define things through cultural translations and generational expectations (said / unsaid)

 I think it's perfectly healthy to feel all aspects of emotions, especially during major season changes in your life. Like everything else in life, it's about a balance. 

Grieving when you're sad, being pissed off when something bad happens- all emotions that make us human-  are necessary in dealing with real-life situations.

I personally think the notion of happiness is very subjective. If you continually have the need to keep seeking it out, you will never find it. 

Much like success, how does one define being "successful"? Is it in the achievements they have? The material possessions they own? Or is it in the meaningful relationships they have with others. Or maybe their own self-worth and contentment in their lives.

The "happiness" and self-help industry is a multi-million dollar business and it's no surprise that we constantly see advertisements, books, and seminars everywhere aiming to make us feel better about ourselves.

I think if we are able to just deal with stressful situations in a positive way and find inner peace we are able to live healthy, happy lives. 

Keep it simple. Do what you love. Believe in what you do. Love on others.

<br /><br /><a href="http://trevordrinen.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/20140114-201448.jpg"><img src="http://trevordrinen.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/20140114-201448.jpg" alt="20140114-201448.jpg" class="alignnone size-full" /></a>

Self Help or Cultural Happiness

01.13.14

This morning I find myself, lost within my own mind as I find myself living within a "feel-good society" with its "feel good religions." Somedays it seems happiness is valued above all else. 

Within the last year I honestly been told, "if you don't feel it fake it."  This advice was giving to myself and a larger group of people talking about our emotional state of being around the topic of, "happiness."  

Stroll though an bookstore in person or online and you discover entire sections devoted to "finding happiness," sustaining happiness, or keep joy alive in your life!  Magazines, from Men's health to women's fashion, have article after article about three steps on how to be happy! 

"Start being happy today!" 

"Be happy now."

"Discover true happiness."

"Find endless joy from the ultimate sex."

"Be happy at work."

"Happy at home."

"Be happy with your body."

The list is truly overwhelming and we are in need of that company's are attempting to define and sell happiness!

Can they?!? 

They are!

On top of that this term or emotional state has become embedded within some of our daily terminology, "Happy Holidays," "Happy New Years," "Happiness and future," "God Bless with abundant joy," "Don't worry be Happy."

We just maybe are a culture that is obsessed with the "pursuit of happiness!" (That's a blockbuster movie title)

Our society continues to bang the drum of happiness saying, "you must be happy with our self." 

"Everyone should find joy and happiness within their work."

.... .... On and.... On.... and on the list goes!

But is this living within reality or is this be stupidly optimistic as we take in a global perspective?!!!?

If I'm not happy is there something wrong with me? 

No, there is nothing wrong with you if your not happy 24-7!  The opposite maybe true... If your happy 24-7 you maybe be insane or taking happy juice, but one thing for certain your not living in reality.  To be completely honest, it's has to be more healthy to live within reality vs attempting to use exponential amounts of energy pretending to be happy.

On the other note don't take what I am said and validate being a depressed grump!

Bottom line: happiness alongside sadness are emotional states in which humans should and will experience just like seasonal storms.

These emotions should not be avoided as they add depth to each of our lives!  

The fight is for balance and not to swing to either extremist side.

I maybe a glass half fill kind of person, but I can enjoy life with a glass hall empty friend! How? Why? Because, happiness and relationship aren't based on us seeing eye to eye all the time! Relationships and a deeper happiness is found within the friendship you totally disagree with but continue doing life together, talking and being friends.

So here's to experiencing the day and all that it holds: ups, downs, highs, lows, questions, uncertainties, and striving to make sense of this thing we call life while discovering balance.

So here's to the journey and freedom not to be bound by false culture pressure or expectations. To seek out and discover how and what happiness means to you!

Pure laughter, where does it go?

01.10.14 as I pulled the truck next to the curb, my ears were filled with the sound of laughter!

Such joyous, free, unrestricted laughter is commonly found within the lives of children; however, as people grow older sometimes this precious gift of joy slips away much like sand running through ones fingers. 

Where does the pure laughter go? 

Is it drowned out by the stresses and pressures of age?  Does the chocking grasp of money and drive for success kill it off?  Is pure laughter something only found within children?

The questions we could ask go on and on - as every person has journeyed a different path, is wired uniquely, and has different trigger points of stresses / joy.

As the laughter outside this enclosed truck continued to roll through my ears and tickle my mind - I begun to wonder if laughter is found simply within a choice?

To let myself be a kid again!

To join in on the pure untampered moments.

To look like a complete fool, living within the moment as I child does so well.

Here's to two brothers sitting in a lawn chair - laughing - enjoying - and being completely free within the moment.

Thank you, for showing one old man the path back to simplicity and freedom!  I'd rather be a silly old man than a grumpy one - any given day!

Lessons Learned F/ Encouragement & Deceitfulness

Hebrews 2:14-18 NIV

SCRIPTURE

“encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” -Hebrews 3:13 NIV

OBSERVATION

en·cour·age/enˈkərij/Verb

1. Give support, confidence, or hope to (someone): "encouraging results"; "I feel encouraged".

Words can heal or words can kill. Words can deliver life or death. It is our choice – we pour our own spirit into our words. God gave us the gift of words, hoping that we would steward them well. Words can focus on us or on others. There are words that build up and words that tear down. Negative words can be dangerous: if we hear them enough, we start believing they are true. The worst part is, after the negative words have been spoken, we tend to repeat those same words to ourselves. Words can also deliver healing or deliver wounds. We have to choose which it will be. Death and life are all in the power of the tongue. 

APPLICATION

1. Express Appreciation

Romans 12:21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” The only way to neutralize evil is to replace it by actively doing something good. We have to replace the mistakes by actually complimenting and building others up. We have to practice expressing appreciation.

2. Dedicate Our Thoughts to God Today

Our actions and words need to be pleasing to the Lord. Yet, if our thoughts please Him, everything else will follow suit. What is on our minds and hearts is more important to God. God looks at our hearts; we have to make sure that our hearts are right. God tells us to be careful how we process things on the inside because, sooner or later, they are going to come out of our mouths.

“The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart” (Luke 6:45).

3. Commit to Making Wrong Things Right

We might think that, if we make mistakes with our tongue, the best thing to do is just “zip our lip.” We decide not to say anything anymore and just be quiet. That will not work – if that is our goal to not make any mistakes then we will not make any contributions either.  We will make mistakes but we are not to leave them as mistakes. We are to correct them! Otherwise, our words will go out with barbs wounding people and we will not even know it. If we make a mistake, God says, “Make it right.”

“If you have been snared with the words of your mouth, or have been caught with the words of your mouth, do this then, my son, and deliver yourself … go, humble yourself, and importune your neighbor … Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hunter’s hand and like a bird from the hand of the fowler” (Prov. 6:2-5).

God wants us to understand the power of words and to steward them well. They can deliver life or death. God wants to bring His Words of life to us. If we have prepared our hearts and our ears by stewarding words well, not only can we hear Him but we can also deliver that life to others.

PRAYER

Lord, help me put this into action today, so that, I will not be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness - aka: God I need Your help to put this into action within my life.  I need You to transform another aspect. Why? So that, I my heart doesn’t become hard and I don’t start to buy into the false notation that all this bible stuff is just trickery. - Trevor

What Do I Get Out Of This? (Initial Questions)

Today’s reading: Isaiah 8,9,19 & Hebrews 8 NASB

SCRIPTURE

“For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer.” -Hebrews 8:3 NASB

OBSERVATION

1) Who is the high priest? 2) What does this priest have to offer me?

Let’s dig and go back a few days. Hebrew 5:1-10  “Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.  And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was. In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.”

1. Jesus Christ became the high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Who is Melchizedek and how can Jesus legitimately become our high priest through this order? Old Testament priests descend from only one linage - the tribe of Levi. Jesus’ ancestral tree places Him in the tribe of Judah; which, disqualifies him for priesthood.  Why would God role things out this way?  

I could only locate (1) one passage that refers to Melchizedek in the Old Testament: Genesis 14:18 references to him as “King of Salem”.  Okay, let go New Testament: Hebrews 7:3 describes him “without genealogy.”  It leaves me to conclude: A) This guy came out of nowhere, or B) he was conceived by the will of the Force like Anakin Skywalker, or (C) His genealogy records were misplaced and he had no memory of his parents.   Apparently, God doesn’t like to be boxed in and is not always looking for smooth waters to navigate as the book of Hebrews makes tremendous waves in logical processing.  I mean, how can the New Testament and Hebrews reasonably claim Jesus as our priest if the Old Testament allow doesn’t allow it? 

Let’s go Hebrew 7:12, “For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. 13 For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe....”  Okay, I guess God has the right to modify or change things up; however, this Melchizedek tosses a huge question into my skeptics mindset. It would’ve been a lot to both logically connect and sell if Jesus had been from the tribe of Levi as this is a pivotal point. I mean, this is why the Jews did not and do not recognize Jesus Levitical or “priestly” authority.  

Bottom line: According to the law, Jesus is from the wrong tribe to be a priest.  He has the wrong lineage.  On top of that, his priest hood is in the order of Melchizedek, a fantom or mystery man who lives before the law.  

Conclusion: The Law and the Old Testament do not jive / mix with Jesus and the New Testament.  Since I can’t make Jesus fit with the old way of the law - what do I get out of this now?

APPLICATION

What’s my take (aka. what I get out of this). 1) My performance is no longer a primary point. 2) My name is not on the contract.  According to Hebrews 8:8 under the old way, “God found fault with the people” and under the new way, God makes a promise to Himself (see Hebrews 6:1-19).  Bottom line application: My salvation and my faithfulness are all about Him and is not something I can loose because Jesus has paid (past, present, & future) the price - unreal concept.

PRAYER 

God for years I’ve been told that I am at the central point of this equation: “Must live a certain way,” “Must do...” And I find myself never done striving, always attempting to level up, and continually falling short - ending with complete frustration.  This morning I am reminded that Your ways are higher than mine.  Via Jesus, this is all about You!  And Your way allow me to embark on a lifelong journey of developing a genuine relationship with Jesus without religions “to do...,” “must hold to...,” etc... list.  Help me.  Help individuals.  Help the church at large.  This is huge! And even some what hard for me to completely fathom all I now get out of this Jesus thing!!!! What freedom!!!!  - Trevor

What Do I Get Out Of This?

Today’s reading: Isaiah 11,12,13,14; Hebrews 9 NASB

SCRIPTURE

“when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.” -Hebrews 9:11-12 NASB

OBSERVATION

As I read Hebrews 9 three words stood out above the rest, “...when Christ came...” What pivotal words!  It’s here I began to ponder, “How often is this critical transition in my mind and heart not made?”

What transition? A transition from the Old to the New.  A transition from the way things were pre Cross to the way things are post Cross! A transition that effects my entire being and that starts within my mind (logic) and heart (emotion).

Let’s go Hebrews 9:16-17, “For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.” 

The terms covenant, will, and testament are translations of the same Greek word. The writer is drawing an analogy between a WILL or covenant taking effect - this a basic play on words serves to make an critical point! A will isn’t in effect without a death - a covenant doesn’t go into effect without a death. What does this mean?

Meaning the New Covenant did not begin at Jesus’ birth but as he died / at his death. This point carries some radical implications - as it messes with our thinking. First the New Testament does not actually begin in Matthew 1. It begins at the point in history when Jesus’ died on the cross & when he came back to life. It’s was not Jesus birth that changed everything. It was his death that inspired the apostles to declare the message of “out with the old, and in with the new.” - Hebrews 8 & 9

Let’s go Hebrews 10:9-10

“He takes away the first in order to establish the second. By this will we have been sanctified (made in right 

standing) through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” - Hebrews 10:9-10

The first or OLD covenant was set aside because it made no one right before God. It was a performance based system that everyone failed or fell short of the standard. I mean if you ever tried to please everyone? How incredible overwhelming.  For that reason, Jesus took away the old and made it obsolete. Why? Because of the burden, weight, or headache it causes. The Old has been set aside.

APPLICATION

So where do I go from here?  What do I get out of this process?  What can I walk away with?

Yesterday’s reading in Hebrews 8:13 stated:

“When He said, “A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.

And then I read two days ago - Hebrews 7:18-19

“For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former covenant because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.”

What does the writer of Hebrews say? The Old is “weak and useless” in it’s attempt to make us right before God.

Wow!  Then when I’m feeling distant from God, it’s because I’ve measured myself and have come up short.  Aka: God no longer measures me or my performance, but He simply desires to do life with me!!! He desires to cultivate a genuine, growing, organic, relationship with me. No expectations / strings attached! Pure... Unreal!!!

PRAYER 

God, as a new triathlete and thirty-five year old male I see the importance of transitions. Yet, I still hear echos that “I must live a certain way,” “I must do certain things.” Today find myself dumbfounded or amazed that You desire a relationship with me above everything! Something continues internally screams their has to be more! What and why?  I’m not sure. Is the bottom line: A genuine relationship with Jesus plus nothing? This is huge! Help me make this transition mentally because I’m hung up within various aspect of the old testament - of the previous things I have been taught - and now I find myself in need of unlearning things learned.  Wow! What freedom!!!! Thank God!!!!  - Trevor

Only One

Today’s reading: 2 Chron 29; 2 Chron 30; 2 Chron 31; James 4 NIV

SCRIPTURE

“ 11 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?” -James 4:12 NIV

OBSERVATION

Slander or defamation—also called calumny, vilification, traducement (for transitory statements), and libel (for written, broadcast, or otherwise published words)—refers to a malicious, false, not specific enough to verify a spoken statement or report.

As I process slanders definition this morning four additional questions come to mind:

Question #1: Why do family members and close friends “slander” one another?

There are various reasons and answers to this question - personal insecurity, pride, selfishness, a desire to harm, a twisted self response, etc... Let’s continue digging....

Question #2: How can I personally stop “slandering”?

In a previous devotional reading James stated, “19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” - James 1:19-20

Defiantly, there is a few points of truth here that would assist me:

1. “Quick to listen”, 2) “Slow to speak”, 3) “Slow to become angry”, and (I would add another biblical concept) 4) “Quick to take things back to heart.”

I remember shortly after talking about / “slandering” someone I paused.... pondered things for a bit.... and asked God, “Where is my heart in this?” Here’s what the Lord said, “Start pruning back. Prune back until you see the heart again. Prune back your initial / quick response - prune back on taking personal offense - and listen well.... ‘take things back to heart’ - take things back to want you know is true (of the situation, individuals, etc) - take things back to a learners perspective - ‘take things back to heart.”

Question #3: When the author of the James 4:11 references “the law” - I find it critical to note that he is probably referring to the “new testament law.”  And if this “law” referred to here is the “new testament law” that was established through Jesus’ work on the Cross and not the “old testament law” - how should that modify my take on the text?

Question #4: Who am I to judge my neighbor?

APPLICATION

What’s my take (aka. what I get out of this). Especially questions #3 and #4?  1) My performance is no longer a primary point. 2) Today, I live under a Post Cross covenant or “new testament law” according to the New Testament. 3) I am not God or an individuals ultimate judge; in other words, who I’m I to withhold that which God has extended to me?

Bottom line application: First, my salvation and my faithfulness are all about Him and is not something I can loose because Jesus has paid (past, present, & future) the price - unreal concept.  Secondly, as I slow down and listen well to God’s word - not becoming offended but processing things through what I know as true of God / taking things back to heart - I will be able to shift from the “old law” to the “new law.”  Seeing a personal life transformation along the way.  Third.... I am not to play God.... It’s His role and mine to journey through this life alongside Him.

PRAYER 

Help me slow down in life and make time for that which is most important both now and eternally. God, Thank you for fulfilling your promises....  From the side of logic to emotions and back again - passing over that sweet center balance point slow enough to know that’s where I would to live my life.  This morning, I just ask that You would guide me to that point.  Help me navigate today and guide my footsteps for tomorrow.  Please let me always feel the weight of my need for You. I pray that it would stir up my affections for You, leading to deep worship and a surrender of every area of my life. I need a revelation from You as I remember there is only one God.... - Trevor

“live under the freedom of God’s grace.”-Romans 6:1- Trevor

Eye of the Storm

OBSERVATION

As I visualize this setting - I see Peter and his friends getting into a boat one evening to cross the Sea of Galilee.  Peter was a veteran boater-he’d been on boats his whole life fishing with has family daily.  However, as the sun set a storm began to arise.  Not a light or with a gentle breeze either.  the gospel record within Matthew says the boat was “tormented” by the waves.  “Tormented!”  It was so violent that the only the men could do was to attempt to keep the boat upright - aka: bail water & hope... - no navigating - no fishing - sleepless, endless fighting to keep the boat from not capsizing.  (Ever seen the perfect storm?) Imagine what state of mind these sailors were in six hours later - adrienne all but gone - operating out of a pure state of exhaustion - picture the faces of those men who have next to no sea experience / hear their screams.... - 

Then someone noticed a shadow moving toward them on the water.  As it go closer, it became apparent that it was the figure of a human being - walking on the water - a ghost or spirit! (Take a moment to process that - I for one might have to check my paints....).  The crew was convinced a ghost was approaching, and so they became terrified and started to cried out in fear and desperation.  

Often in the middle of storms tormented by waves of disappointment, doubt, and helplessness, I am no better a recognizing the presence of who approaches than the crew.  As I reread the story I get a small since that the writer is wanted me (the reader) to know that Jesus often come when least expected -hours into a storm.

Another aspect not discussed a lot - twelve men sat in the boat, and we don’t know how eleven of them responded.  Perhaps with confusion, wonder, disbelief, fear, or a mixture of each - but one of them - Peter recognized this wasn’t a ghost or mere illusion.  Peter calls out to this figure - this water walker, “If it’s you, command me to come to you on the water.”  For some time I have been intrigued why the writer includes this detail?  Why doesn’t Peter just jump out onto the water?  Hmmm.... Is this story about faith, risk taking or obedience - or a mixture of the three?  Courage alone is not enough; it must be accompanied by wisdom and discernment.  Here the writer is not glorifying risk taking for its own sake as much as I would like - this means before Peter gets out of the boast he had better make sure Jesus things it’s a good idea. (faith/reality - aka: a God idea verses just a good idea).  So, we hear Peter asking for clarity, “If it is you, command me....”  And in the midst of tossing waves, I think Jesus smiled.

As I put myself in Peter’s place for a moment - seeing a figure on the water - thinking I heard Jesus and find myself asking Him to confirm things.  Inwardly questioning, “Is He really inviting me out? “ “Is He really asking me to come and follow Him?” Honestly, I would I’m scared to death - would I have the courage to test the waters or would I cowrie back and watch another step out?  If I don’t move there’s a guaranteed certainty that I will never walk on the water.  I might continually look back and wonder: “what if....?” 

I think there’s something here.       

1. Something internally goes off - acknowledging there is more to life than cowering in a boat.
2. I was made for more than merely avoiding risk or failure.

What am I putting my trust in, especially when life gets stormy?  What is providing me with a sense of comfort to the degree that I don’t want to give it up even if it’s keeping me from flourishing and joining Jesus out on the water?  What is pulling me away from risk taking, high adventure?  Is it the lack of courage?  The grip of some underlying fear....? (Hmmm.... what is it that most produces fear in me - especially when I think of leaving it behind and stepping out in faith? Leaving this place of fear may be the hardest things I’ve ever done - as it may require me returning to a place where I experienced a great deal of pain). On one hand I question: In what area of my life am I shrinking back from fully and courageously trusting God? Because of the wind, some never decide to step out; while, other step up to the plate and swing (even the best baseball players go down swinging two out of three times). And in the other hand I picture Peter going to the side of the boat - putting one foot over the side, gripping the edge of the boat - then the other foot - sitting on the edge - watching the waves leap forward and slap his against his face - his holding on.... then he let’s go and abandons himself... and reality sets in - setbacks, opposition, unexpected obstacles - a violent gust of wind (all should be expected, but so often we follow Jesus from a perceived illusion of tranquility). It’s here in the midst of processing this and writing it out another question arises as Peter sinks into the water - did Peter fail?  (Personal observation about failure: Failure is not an event, but rather a judgment about the outcome of a particular scenario - it’s the way I process outcomes / aka a measuring stick - and something I believe Jesus desires to set me free from).  Even through people conclude that Peter failed.  I think there were eleven bigger failure sitting in a “tormented” boat - the worst failure is not sinking in the tossing waves - the failure is to cowrie back and get out of the boat due to fear / comfort. 

   

APPLICATION

So where do I go from here?  What do I get out of this process?  What can I walk away with?

1. Responding to Jesus called cause us to step out.
1. To know His voice.
2. Respond / Step out verses shrink back.

1. Failure is an opportunity to grow.
1. As soon as Peter asks for help, Jesus is there.  He meets Peter right where he is at and helps Peter physically by grabbing ahold of him pulling him from the water.  It’s here when Jesus is alone with Peter on the water as the wind blows and the waves crash that Jesus says, “you of little faith, why did you doubt?”  It maybe that Jesus id not want to embarrass Peter in front of the other disciples - so privately they have a mentoring moment in the midst of the waves.
2. What do I (we) fall?  So, I (we) can learn to get back up.
3. More than hating to fail, I hate for others people to see me fail.

The finial thing I am walking away with today - is the hardest for me to swallow:

1. This story about courage, listening / responding, is also one about waiting.
1. The disciples had to wait the storm the fourth watch of the night before Jesus came to them.  Why?  And what if He passed them by un-noticed - would He come again?
2. Recently, Leah and I felt as if Jesus was calling us out in the midst of a storm - only to step out and have Him stay, “wait...  and trust...” 
1. I believe that God’s general method for growing a genuine, deep relationship with me is by asking me to got out of the boat and follow Him.  So why would He this time ask me to, “wait?” What is it that most produces fear in me - especially when I think of leaving it behind and stepping out in faith?  It’s twofold for me: 1) The fear that God has forgotten me or my voice has fallen silence to His ears. 2) The fear of returning to a place where I experienced a tremendous uncontrollable pain (nothing I could physically do) and see life take seed / flourish.
2. It was God that “passed by” and “called me to step out” - shaking everything up - bringing incredible clarity and focus in the midst of inner turmoil / confusion.  It’s here I’ve discover another trust - for the first time my life I’m facing the fear of failure via waiting....
3. Clarity / Direction: 1) A response to move forward (sell purchased land - hold-fast to action item #1). 2) Actively wait and trust (here’s where fear really creeps in...)

PRAYER 

Jesus you are the only one who can meet me where I’m at - in the eye of the storm.  Thank you for meeting me today and surrounding me with a few individuals to assist me in processing through all the confusion / inner turmoil.  I feel fortunately to have clear direction in the midst of a storm and you calling - yet help me within this internal fear I face as I actively wait. - Trevor

I Have Questions

Today’s reading: Isaiah 65; Isaiah 66; Psalm 62; John 3 NASB

SCRIPTURE

“4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.” -John 3:4-9 NASB

OBSERVATION

As I visualize this setting - Nicodemus comes to Christ and basically says, “I know who you are but I have questions.”  I see Nicodemus intellectually puzzled and honestly stumped.

Notice what is happening in these verses. Nicodemus comes to Christ and basically says “I know who you are but have questions.” Jesus responds by saying that one must be born again to truly know Him and thus enter into the kingdom of His Father. 

Like Nicodemus I also hesitate over the imagery and the concept that Jesus is presenting.  I mean, come on!  Outside Christianity the phrase “to be born” (also called labour, birth, partus or parturition) is the culmination of a human pregnancy period with the birth of one or more newborn infants from a woman's uterus. It’s here I’ve come to appreciate Jesus’ willingness to along walk side people who tend to question and push back.  

I think that the doctrine of regeneration or the new birth is therefore critical in distinguishing why it is that one person finds Christ lovely and good and another judges Him repulsive. A natural heart (that is one which has not been granted the new and clean heart promised in Jeremiah and Ezekiel) looks upon Christ and sees condemnation and shame. The spiritual heart (that which has been quickened by the Holy Spirit) looks upon Christ and sees loveliness and compassion and grace. What I am suggesting theologically is that there is a logical (if not chronological) order to the doctrines of regeneration and belief. Regeneration preceding belief seems to be the logical order of salvation. An unregenerate heart will not trust Christ, because it does not deem Him trustworthy.

   

APPLICATION

Those who now believe (present tense) do so because they have already been born of God (past tense). In Greek the verb translated “has been born” is in what is called a perfect tense which suggests a completed action of the past with continuing effects in the present. In other words, what I think John is saying is that current belief is an effect of having been born again. Therefore, rather than saying “if you believe, you will be born again,” it is more theologically correct to understand that “if you have been born again, you will believe.” When God reveals Himself to a hardened heart it only further hardens in self-preserving rebellion. When God reveals Himself to a heart which He Himself has softened it responds by basking in His marvelous light. As the old saying goes, the same sun which hardens the clay melts the ice.

How do I understand why it is that some believe and others do not? I think I need to let Jesus answer that question for myself and others: “16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” -John 3:16-21

PRAYER 

Jesus, thank you for making room for my questions and not taking offense as many do.  Lord, keep my heart and mind soft (always at Your feet - learning) and my firm in stance. -Trevor