Belonging

S - "Jesus knew he had come from God and would go back to God. He also knew that the Father had given all things into his hands. So during the meal Jesus got up, removed his outer garment, and wrapped a towel around his waist. He put some water into a large bowl. Then he began washing his followers’ feet and drying them with the towel he was wearing. But then he came to Simon Peter, who asked, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You don’t really know what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “You will never wash my feet!” Peter replied. “If I don’t wash you,” Jesus told him, “you don’t really belong to me.”" John 13 TS

O - Jesus is doing more here than teaching, though teaching he is.  This activity is more than an example, but wow what an example.  Jesus is engaging his followers with the terms of belonging.  His terms engage earth at its weakest and worst, not just its strongest and best.  The facts are irrefutable.  All humans end up with dirt which needs to be washed … refusing the washing or pretending there's no longer such a need torpedoes the truth of our condition and the dynamics of real relationship. No pretend here. Heaven is fully prepared for earth and earthlings at their worst.   

A - Jesus came (and still comes) to clarify the person and purposes of God.  We are wanted and loved at our worst not just our best; and at every point in between. Fully and continuously expressed in the person of Jesus, God's relentless love and defiant mercy abound.  Rooted in himself and the reality of love, we're invited to follow in a real relationship; one where no pretend or cover up is allowed.  Our acceptance is based solely on unconditional love. It's the deepest form of belonging one can know.  I am very grateful to be loved and to belong. All that's required is the cooperation of real relationship - my willingness to respond.  Yes, Jesus … I need you to wash my dirty feet.

P - Dear Jesus,

Thank you that in the full recognition of your own person and place, you didn't give a lecture but love. You didn't call humans to better performance but to the reality of relationship.  Thank you for wanting us at our worst … amazing!  I am available to you with all my dirt, not just all my best.  I do love you back.

Steve

Heaven's Invitation to Earth

S - "I won’t leave you like orphans. I will come back to you. In a little while the people of this world won’t be able to see me, but you will see me. And because I live, you will live. Then you will know I am in my Father, and you in me and I in you. If you love me, you will do what I have said, and my Father will love you. I will also love you and show you what I am like." John 14 TS

O - The original language here is quite precise.  Those who are following Jesus will NOT be left to live life on earth as orphans (those who must rely only on themselves for everything related to existence on earth). Also, the followers actually do what Jesus has instructed and here he has repeatedly identified his instruction:  Love each other as I have loved you.  Finally, he will "show you what I am like."  The showing is not an intellectual composite drawn from passages of scriptures or stories or teachings others have told. It is a personal and literal relational dynamic.  Jesus himself will disclose himself to those who are following. This is how the followers know what he is like.   

A - The problem for us humans is that we've been taught to say we're the children of God but to live like functional orphans.  We've been taught to obey … but love is rarely the point of the obedience earth is asking for.  Finally, the knowing which is presented by earth is not experiential and personal from Jesus.  It is a composite given by clergy, academicians and historians.  Jesus invites us to himself, not to historic and scriptural glimpses inspiring us to "make up in our heads" what he must be like.  We get to know him, not just know about him.  I am so very grateful to be experiencing his self-disclosure.  The result is refusing to live life as a functional orphan and to do the one thing he has asked:  to love others the way I'm being loved by him. 

P - Lord who still comes to us,

Thank you for wanting us to know you and not just know about you.  Thank you for inviting us all as children to live day by day in you and with you.  You are still amazing to this very day and I am saying yes to you and everything you already have in mind.  Love to all is always the first on your list.

Loving you back,

Steve

Following Whom?

S - "Whenever you stand up to speak with God, you must forgive what others have done to you. Then your Father in heaven will forgive your sins." Mark 11 [TS]

O - This is one of the nine times the scriptural record quotes Jesus identifying the only way one can know that their sins are forgiven. The confidence and affirmation heaven offers to all people is not primarily theological but relational. The religious are quick to offer theological, historical and formulaic dynamics in gaining assurance for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus is so emphatic on this relational reality that immediately after teaching us how to pray he says "If you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, your Father in heaven will forgive you. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your wrongs." Matthew 6

A - "Jesus told the people who had confidence in him, “If you keep abiding in what I have said, you truly are my followers” (John 8)." It’s amazing how few people who say they’re following Jesus know his answer to this important consideration (and many others as well). Since he himself is heaven’s message to the world (7.7 billion and counting) his insight and instruction is paramount. If someone is following Jesus shouldn’t his answers be their answers? If someone is teaching others how to be Jesus’ follower shouldn’t they be teaching what Jesus taught? The record on this is really clear. If my answers are different than the answers of Jesus I should have the integrity to stop saying I’m following him or that I am his disciple. I accept his invitation given to all people: "Follow me." His answers are/will be my answers. His thinking will be/become mine. 

P - Lord who is the beginning and the end,

Thank you for sending Jesus to clarify your person and your purposes. Thank for the invitation to adoption, to following, to knowing you and not just knowing about you. I accept your message in Jesus. 

Glad to be included and following,

Steve

Reliable Living

S - "You, Lord, are my shepherd. I have all that I need. You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths." Psalm 23

O - The shepherd is always in the lead — never the sheep. The sheep rely completely on the shepherd for everything. He is the source for all needs and desires. These words of Psalm 23 are more than an idyllic description. They are both a confession and a commitment for living life one day, one circumstance at a time. 

A - In the world of sheep and shepherds the roles are permanent. Sheep never lead and never rely on themselves. Never! My problem is trying to "help" the shepherd with my living, resting and thinking. Over the years it’s become increasingly apparent to me that he never requires my help and frankly really doesn’t want it. He wants my cooperation in following and relying on him. The result isn’t a life without any storms or wolves. It is a life refreshed, rested and at ease. 

P - Lord,

You are, and will be, my shepherd — THANK YOU! You lead and I’ll follow. Since you are fiercely loyal to me I will be fiercely loyal to you and demonstrate my loyalty by relying on you for everything. Thank you for loving us first, most and for refusing to change your mind (even when we give you reasons to). I love you back.

Baaaa,

Steve

Surprise! Please Don’t Miss the Point

S - "Everyone was completely surprised and kept saying to each other, “What is this? It must be some new kind of powerful teaching! Even the evil spirits obey him.” News about Jesus quickly spread all over Galilee." Mark 1 TS

O - Jesus pretty much surprised everyone all the time. The problem wasn’t in folks missing the surprise. It was, and is, in missing the point. The point is not about a unique teaching but a unique person. He is the point. In fact, Jesus is heaven’s only point. The record is clear, people don’t miss the surprise but are clearly at risk to miss the point. 

A - None were surprised more often by Jesus than those closest to him. For them it never stopped. Surprised by what he’d do and by what he wouldn’t do. Who he’d keep company with and who he wouldn’t. Surprised by storms and by visitors; by his use of miraculous power and by his refusal to use it. This remains the experience of all who respond to his invitation to follow. Earth (secular and religious) wants a policy, a standard, a principle, a plan or a formula. Heaven is offering a person and he’s the only constant in it all. He’s not only the only point; he’s the only point worth not missing. 

P - God who thankfully doesn’t think like me,

I am so very grateful for the simple and clear point you offer to all people — Jesus of Nazareth. Your understanding and power have no limit. Yet, there is only one point you need to make and want to make. I admit that the surprise of the strikingly beautiful and the stridently difficult have found me many times and Jesus remains the intimate, constant and confident resolution; and the revelation of it all. Thank you for loving us relentlessly in this wonderful person and way.

Love you back,

Steve

What’s Your Living Arrangement?

S - "And this is his [God’s] command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us." 1 John 3:23-24 NIV

O - The religions of earth have numerous and tedious commands/instructions which they claim are required by God. They claim that Divine acceptance and approval is dependent upon one’s performance of such. The Kingdom of heaven (here and hereafter) is very different. It requires a simple and straightforward response. It is not performance based. Its major focus is not informational but relational. Believing in the name of Jesus is not informational agreement about an identity but intentional reliance on and confidence in his person. This is coupled to the activity of loving others and completes the “list” of requirements; which is actually a description of relational living. The result is living in him and he living in us. The confirmation of this living arrangement is the presence of his spirit, not the performance of religious activities.

A - Jesus comes to invite all people to follow him and in the following to have eternal life (irrepressible and vibrant) here and hereafter. He himself is this life. His invitation is to a specific living arrangement. He lives in us and we live in him. He is heaven’s message to the world (7.7 billion people) and heaven’s only point. He not very concerned about informational accuracy but rather relational authenticity: Rely on me and love all others. He is always simple but not always easy. All of this is possible notthrough theological precepts but personal presence … his spirit in us and we in him. LIFE! 

P - God over all and God of me,

I accept and embrace the only arrangement of real life here and hereafter. Am gratefully relying on and putting my confidence in your gift - Jesus! Thank you for wanting to live in me/us and for wanting us/me to live in you. Yes to Jesus. Yes to loving all others. Yes to your spirit.

Loving you back,

Steve

Shame on Shame

shame

/SHām/ 

noun

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1.    a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior.

S - "O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame …  Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame; for I take refuge in you …  I wait for you.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭25:2-4, 20-21‬ ‭ESV‬‬ 

O - Life and the Scriptures confirm that our way of thinking and doing things and the Lord’s way of thinking and doing things are very different. His ways are his own and he asks us to follow; confidently relying on his person and presence. The earliest and closest followers of Jesus discovered that this difference in thinking and living covered everything from daily bread to demons, from money to enemies. The result was an ongoing oscillation between terror and amazement. It required the courage to wait; to not take the lead; to risk and to face the very real possibility of shame. The words of David recorded above reflect this very real dynamic. 

A - Shame, and the dread of it, is a powerful force trying to shape our thinking and living. It wants to determine my actions and responsibilities. It presents itself as the way to avoid the very shame it threatens. It wants me to trust myself and take the lead. Heaven is hoping I won’t. It wants me learn the ways/paths of the Lord.  It wants me to know by experience that the one who trusts in the Lord will never be put to shame. Jesus describes it this way: "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." I’ll accept and pursue the change of thinking and living Jesus inspires and requires. 

P - Lord in heaven and on earth,

I admit that all these years later the fear of shame can still find me with its intimidating threats. Even so, you’ve never let a trial, circumstance or enemy produce the shame predicted. Not only so, you have revealed yourself, your ways and limitless capacities to work everything for good. I welcome you to shape and determine my actions and responsibilities.

Amazed,

Steve

God’s Heart and Mine

S -"Vindicate me, Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered. … for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness." Psalm 26:1,3 NIV

O - Religion teaches that an unfaltering and blameless life is based on one’s performance; obedient, not sinning, living. Clearly this was not the experience of the author of this Psalm. In fact, David has some very huge failures all along the way of his 40 year reign. Yet, even at his worst and monumental failures he ultimately turned to and trusted in the Lord. What made him the "man after God’s heart" was not a faultless performance but a relentless confidence in God’s unfailing love and faithfulness. 

A -  This is the exact coaching Jesus gives to Peter and the other ambassadors. His response to their looming failure of abandonment and public denial was "Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Have confidence in God and have confidence in me." Blameless living is confident reliance on him, on his relentless love and defiant mercy at my worst and at my best. Yes to blameless living! 

P - Lord God Almighty,

Thank you for loving us first, most and for refusing to change your mind - even when we give you reasons to. Each day I want to trust and not falter … to be always mindful of your unfailing love and to rely on you and your faithfulness. I want to inspire and encourage this blameless living in all you bring my way.

Loving you back,

Steve

Please be a Someone Else

S -"So we need someone else to join us as a witness to the resurrection." Acts 1 TS

O -This was the conclusion those closest to Jesus came to in inviting another to join them in the assignment they’d been given. The record in Acts is very clear on this. The main point of their witness was Jesus raised from the dead. The crucifixion is never the focus. In fact, when it is mentioned it is done so on the way to the reality of resurrection. Consider Paul’s understanding of salvation (Romans 10:9): "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." This particular focus and qualifier of their activity is very different from the focus and emphasis of the organized Christian religion. 

A -The conversation of the crucifixion follows, comes after, Jesus and his resurrection. The letters of the New Testament are written to those who have embraced Romans 10:9 reality. Why has this change been made? Why would we allow it to remain in our thinking, living and talking. According to the Scriptures what is the proof: 1. Jesus is God’s son? 2. Jesus is the Christ? 3. Jesus is coming again? 4. Jesus is the judge of the human race? 5. that our sins are forgiven? The answer to all the above is resurrection.  [1 Corinthians 15:17 "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."] Jesus is eternal, resurrection, vibrant, irrepressible life. Let’s accept heaven’s focus, order and point. Jesus is inviting all who’ve met him to be a "someone else … as a witness to the resurrection."

P - God who gives us Jesus,

Thank you for sending Jesus to clarify your person and purposes. Thank you for making it possible for us to meet, know and follow him … not just to know about him but to actually know him. In that wonderful meeting, abundant, irrepressible life is always the result. Thank you for inviting us to be "someone elses" regarding his amazing person and resurrection life. 

Grateful to know and follow Jesus,

Steve

Guess Who's Moving In?

S - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. … Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory – the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father. … No one has ever seen God. The only one, himself God, who is in closest fellowship with the Father, has made God known." (John 1:1, 14, 18 NET)

O - Jesus is the exact representation of the Father. He only does and says what the Father is doing and saying. If one's picture of the Father is not identical to Jesus then the picture is inaccurate. This Jesus "took up residence among us." Jesus came for more than a visit, even an extended one. He not only ‘tabernacled’ in human flesh (σκηνóω:to fix one’s tabernacle, have one’s tabernacle, abide (or live) in a tabernacle (or tent), tabernacle; to dwell), he calls all people to live in him and he will live in them. So permanent is this residence Jesus will pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, “I am not praying only on their behalf, but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their testimony, that they will all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. I pray that they will be in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me. … I made known your name to them, and I will continue to make it known, so that the love you have loved me with may be in them, and I may be in them.” (John 17:20, 21, 26 NET)

A - Jesus wants into me/my life. He wants into all of it and he wants in permanently. WANTS … this is amazing every day and in every way. He wants into my worst and not just my best; into my weaknesses and not just my strengths. The religion of Jesus' day taught people that heaven was barely tolerating them.  Jesus comes to set the record straight. It is the same today. "Listen! I am standing at the door and knocking! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into his home and share a meal with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20 NET)

P - Lord God Almighty who wants us,

I praise you for this day and everything that has transpired before it … everything. I am forgiving all who've sinned against me because you've forgiven me. I am throwing open the door of my life and welcoming you to come in and to see everything, not just every good thing. I'm asking you to do all you wish … and to transform my whole being to be like you … how I think, live, love, speak … thank you for not leaving me to myself, even by best intended self. Welcome to your residence in me.

Loving you back,

Steve

Everything and Everyone

S - "And with this Word [Jesus], God created all things. Nothing was made without the Word. Everything that was created received its life from him [Jesus], and his life gave light to everyone. The light keeps shining in the dark, and darkness has never put it out." John 1 TS

O - These four sentences present such a comprehensive and uncompromising picture. All creation owes its existence to Jesus. Every human being is made by Jesus and for Jesus.  There is no one he hasn't made in love, for love and isn't currently loving. Everyone and everything have their touchstone in him and from him. His light, life and love consistently shine where welcomed and where resisted.  Darkness cannot put it out. This is how each of us begin; he is the starting place for each life.  He is the person and the reality all can turn into no matter where they've been or what they've done.   

A - Each day we have the dignity of choice to start where heaven starts.  For ourselves and for all others; we can start where heaven always starts - love. Jesus, because of love, gives each of us free will each day and each circumstance. It is the same for him and his free will.  He has freely chosen to make and to love us all. This light is shining on everyone and cannot be put out! I am so grateful for its rays finding me.

P - Lord who made us all,

You're amazing!  Thank you for starting at love, life and light … and for never ceasing to engage each of us; even if we don’t know it's you at the time.  I want to start where you do … for all others and for myself too. Yes, to you … to loving you and all others.

Steve 

Grandma was Right - Don't Follow the Crowd

S - “And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way. (Mark 10:46-52 ESV)"

O - I wonder when was the last time Bartimaeus had someone, let alone the Messiah, call FOR him? How many times had someone ignored him or cursed him or yelled at him? Had anyone, since he lost his sight, ever asked him what he wanted? The crowd saw him as an uncomfortable annoyance but Jesus saw him an open-ended opportunity. The crowd heard him as a discordant disturbance but Jesus heard him as a desperate human being. 

A - I am very glad for the way Jesus sees and hears. He wants me to accept transformation in my thinking (literally to repent - the term in the Scriptures means to change your thinking) so that I would be enabled to see and hear like he does. This transformation will also inspire me to give the way I have received … unto the life that is really life. I repent:)!

P - Lord who is always unintimidated,

Your open ended question to Bartimaeus is for me, for us. We can ask anything and nothing is impossible to the one who believes. Lord, I want to be transformed! I want to think, act, live and speak like you. I want your irrepressible life coming into me and out of me. I am asking for help not self-help. I want to see and hear like you. I am asking this in Jesus' name.

Steve

100% Healed not 100% Right

S - "We are followers of Moses. We are sure God spoke to Moses, but we don’t even know where Jesus comes from.” “How strange!” the man replied. “He healed my eyes, and yet you don’t know where he comes from. We know that God listens only to people who love and obey him. God doesn’t listen to sinners. And this is the first time in history anyone has ever given sight to someone born blind. Jesus could not do anything unless he came from God.”" John 9 TS

O - The man born blind was 100% healed but his understanding of God was off a bit.  He's right about the religious experts. Right about this first time in the history of the world occurrence.  Right about Jesus. His flaw? God only hears people who love and obey him and doesn't listen to sinners.  Jesus, the friend of sinners, came to earth to clarify the person and purposes of God. The experts have it wrong. The man who was healed has it wrong. Jesus, by life and teaching, makes it abundantly clear that God listens to us all.   

A - Once again this story illustrates a huge distinction which exists in all religions.  The Father of Jesus and the Father of Religious Thought, all religious systems and theologies, is NOT the same guy. All the systems have their erroneous conclusions based on their understanding of certain concepts, principles and/or scriptures.  Heaven isn't asking us to help by becoming an expert in religion or theology or even scriptures.  Heaven is inviting all to cooperate by engaging relationally.   Jesus said to his first followers and says to all of earth's residents: "I didn’t' come to invite good people but sinners … Follow me and I will make you…"  I will follow and live with confidence that Jesus and his Father are listening.

P - God of all and God of me,

Thank you for clarifying your person and purposes in and through Jesus. Thank you for loving the world (7.7 billion people).  Thank you for being the friend of sinners and for Jesus highlighting this truth again and again.  I do love you and want to obey you and am grateful that this is not why I'm heard by you. I'm heard because you love me/us.

Love you back,

Steve 

The One Place on Earth Jesus Isn't

S - “And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. … And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. (Mark 16:5, 6, 8 ESV)"

O - These verses not only record events surrounding the resurrection of Jesus from the dead; they also identify the one place on earth he is not. The angel says 'he is not here'. The grave (i.e.  this burial spot/ dead) is the only place he is absent from. He is the friend of sinners so he is in all the places they go … all of them. He is anywhere two or three gather in his name … anywhere. He is with all of his followers and will never leave them or forsake them. Never! In fact, the very last thing he said to his Father in his garden prayer was "I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” (John 17:26 NIV)

A - I am discovering how very true this reality is. Religion taught me there are many places Jesus won't go. I now know this to be untrue. Religion threatens others with the fear of abandonment. This too is not true. I have found that the Scripture and the practice of Jesus contradict this directly and completely. He has loved us first, most (more than I'll know and more than I'll ever be able to reciprocate), and he refuses to change his mind (even though I've given him reasons to change his mind many times). The women's reaction is more and more my own.  I am absolutely astonished at him and a trembling of overwhelming love finds me again and again. 

P - God who is love,

I am overwhelmed again as I think your thoughts with you, consider again the resurrection of Jesus, experience your presence this very moment and remember your relentless love for me/us through everything. I want my thinking, living, speaking and loving transformed to be like Jesus. I want/need to believe Jesus about earth and not just about heaven. I accept my purpose in this day and every day - loving you back with my all and loving my neighbor as myself. I accept the work you have called me and the whole world to -- the work of believing the person of Jesus … believing in the One you sent. I welcome you and your will on earth, in me and through me, like they do in heaven--fully and without reservation. Thank you for wanting me to work with you and never for you. Thank you for letting me/us live and pray in Jesus' name.

Steve

Belonging not a Bother

S - "Some people brought their little children for Jesus to bless. But when his followers saw them doing this, they told the people to stop bothering him. So Jesus called the children over to him and said, “Let the children come to me! Don’t try to stop them. People who are like these children belong to God’s kingdom. You will never get into God’s kingdom unless you enter it like a child!” Luke 18 TS

O - The method of entry into God’s kingdom is also the only way to belong. Childlike living is the only way in and the only way to remain in the kingdom. Children live lives of reliance. They rely on others (primarily parents) for protection, provision and direction day by day. Not only does this kind of life NOT bother the Lord, it is how he lived on earth. The most capable human being to ever live chose to live in intentional (not unavoidable) reliance. It is precisely how Jesus lived each day; he intentionally relied on his Father for everything.

A - What am I like? If I’m childlike I can belong. If I’m not I won’t even “get into God’s kingdom.” The world (secular and religious) wants me to self-rely on my talents, skill sets, history, resources and the like. It’s exactly how Jesus never lived and exactly how I can exclude myself from God’s kingdom. Jesus is the most childlike person to live on earth; a choice he made each day and each circumstance of his brilliant, powerful and amazing life. I admit he’s asking me to make the same decision and so will join him in the intentional reliance on another which keeps me in and near. "Don’t keep worrying about having something to eat or drink. Only people who don’t know God are always clamoring about such things. Your Father knows what you need.  But put God’s reign first, and these things will be yours as well. My little group of followers, don’t be afraid! Your Father wants to give you the kingdom." Luke 12 TS

P - Dear Father,

Thank you for sending and giving Jesus to us so we can know, with crystal clarity, your person, purposes and will. With him I choose to rely on you and your presence not myself. Am so glad to be loved and wanted by you and not a bother in this day by day living.

I love you back,

Steve

Loved

S - "I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain in my love for you." John 15 TS

O - Jesus provides us the life and words description of his Father’s love. It is unconditional, active and unceasing. It is the only type of relationship he offers or desires. The exact way Jesus is loved by his Father is how we are loved. 

A - These almost unbelievable words of Jesus are not being offered to substitute or replace the experiential reality of this love. He did not speak them to give the hundreds of millions who would follow him in the centuries to come a concept to accept and hold on to. This love, underscored and described by these words, is offered to the world (now 7.7 billion) as a relational, personal, ongoing dynamic. It is a love to be known not just known about; and like all loving relationships requires the wills of both parties. Relentlessly and inexhaustibly he asks us all to accept and remain in this love.  I admit that we do not control this reality but we do get to choose to participate. 

P - Lord who loves the world,

Thank you for giving yourself to us in the only terms which accurately describe your desire and our experience. You love us the way you are loved. Thank you for allowing, wanting and insisting that we experience your love. With you I want to love the way I am being loved. 

Refreshed and amazed by your love,

Steve

Bad Stewardship Remembered

S - "A woman came in with a bottle of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus’ head. But when his followers saw this, they became angry and complained, “Why such a waste? We could have sold this perfume for a lot of money and given it to the poor.” Jesus knew what they were thinking, and he said, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. You will always have the poor with you, but you won’t always have me. She has poured perfume on my body to prepare it for burial. You may be sure that wherever the good news is told all over the world, people will remember what she has done. And they will tell others." Matthew 26 TS

O - It wasn't the bankers who objected to this obvious waste but the followers. Their measure of assessment? The efficient use of money. Here, something beautiful, prophetically significant, relationally purposeful and unequivocally affirmed by Jesus is judged as a wasteful failure. Jesus' warning to the world remains in force … no one can serve God and money; even money for the poor. What "sound stewardship" identified as bad Jesus calls beautiful in the most personal way.   

A - The Kingdom of God is not primarily efficient … it can't be because it is a kingdom of love (God is love) and love is not primarily efficient. The world, secular and religious, thinks that the marker for the best use of money is making more money.  Jesus completely disagrees.  He instructs the followers very specifically on the purpose and faithful use of money. "I tell you to use wicked wealth to make friends for yourselves. Then when it is gone, you will be welcomed into an eternal home. … If you cannot be trusted with this wicked wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? … You cannot be the slave of two masters. You will love one and hate the other or be more loyal to one than to the other. You cannot serve God and money." Luke 16 At the end of it all, Jesus won't ask me how much money I ended up with but how many friends - BEAUTIFUL!

P - God to whom everything and everyone belongs,

Thank you for sending Jesus to clarify your person and purposes -- to make crystal clear your thinking, activities and desires.  I welcome this change of thinking about money's purpose and measure.  I admit that I cannot serve it and you - ever!  I choose you back.  

Looking to live (and give) beautifully,

Steve

Regarding Your Opinion

S - “On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and shouted, “If you are thirsty, come to me and drink! Have confidence in me, and you will have rivers of living water flowing from deep inside you, just as the Scriptures say.” … When the crowd heard Jesus say this, some of them said, “He must be the Prophet!” Others said, “He is the Christ!” Others even said, “Can the Christ come from Galilee? The Scriptures say that the Christ will come from the family of King David. Doesn’t this mean that he will be born in David’s hometown of Bethlehem?” The people started taking sides against each other because of Jesus. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him.” John 7 TS

O - Jesus offers ALL the same invitation and the same guaranteed result. He's inviting the world to experience an unlimited refreshing and life-giving dynamic. The source is himself. He makes no religious or theological prequalification in his offer.  What's tragically curious is the response of the people.Instead of moving toward him for living water they take sides against each other based on their current religious, theological predispositions.  

A - Jesus' invitation to me and to all is not prequalified. The offer is made with a shout not a whisper.  It's not secret; it's very public. He's not asking me about my current theological or religious opinion on anything or anyone. He's not asking me who I think should be qualified to come.  He's inviting each one of us, individually, to himself; to rivers of living water flowing from deep inside.       

P - Jesus given to the world,

Yes to you … to your person, presence and way.  Yes to living water.  

Amazed and refreshed,

Steve 

More than One Surprise

S - "When Jesus was going into the town of Capernaum, an army officer came up to him and said, “Lord, my servant is at home in such terrible pain that he can’t even move.” “I will go and heal him,” Jesus replied. But the officer said, “Lord, I’m not good enough for you to come into my house.  Just give the order, and my servant will get well. I have officers who give orders to me, and I have soldiers who take orders from me. I can say to one of them, ‘Go!’ and he goes. I can say to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes. I can say to my servant, ‘Do this!’ and he will do it.”When Jesus heard this, he was so surprised that he turned and said to the crowd following him, “I tell you in all of Israel I’ve never found anyone with this much faith! Many people will come from everywhere to enjoy the feast in the kingdom of heaven with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob . But the ones who should have been in the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. They will cry and grit their teeth in pain." Then Jesus said to the officer, “You may go home now. Your faith has made it happen.” Right then his servant was healed." Matthew 8 TS

O - Jesus’ response to this request was immediate and without qualification. He didn’t inquire into the officer’s religious practices, theological conclusions or political opinions. He did not ask about his life style preferences or off-duty activities. Neither did he attempt to lead him in a prayer or Scripture lesson. He did offer an unprecedented affirmation of the soldier’s faith followed by an observation which refutes all exclusive religious claims about participation in God’s kingdom. "Many people will come from everywhere to enjoy the feast in the kingdom of heaven …"

A -  The faith which inspired surprise was relational not theological in its origin and expression. It was, as the Greek term describes, a confidence in and reliance upon the person of Jesus. Relational authenticity will always be more important than informational accuracy or religious practice.Surprise! What a beautiful dynamic and invitation for the whole world God so loves.

P -  Dear Jesus,

I accept this beautiful dynamic and invitation to relational authenticity with you; you who are completely reliable. Confident in your person and your ongoing personal invitation to all I will follow you.

Steve

Understanding God's Secrets

S - "I have explained the secrets about God’s kingdom to you. But for others I use stories, so they will look, but not see, and they will hear, but not understand. … Pay attention to how you listen! Everyone who has something will be given more, but people who have nothing will lose what little they think they have. Jesus’ mother and brothers went to see him, but because of the crowd they could not get near him. Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside and want to see you.” Jesus answered, “My mother and my brothers are those people who hear and obey God’s message.”" Luke 8 TS

O - What's the secret to understanding the secrets? Is heaven playing favorites? Who determines who is in and who is out; who gets more and who loses what they already have?  The beautifully shocking answer is we do.  Anyone can be Jesus' mother and brothers.  Anyone can understand and receive more.  The determining factor is how anyone chooses to listen and to live as a result of hearing.  To hear and engage is to be guaranteed more.  To hear and merely consider is to be guaranteed loss.    

A - The followers are engaging and therefore gaining the understanding of God's Kingdom and the more which is sure to follow. It's not a matter of performance but of following and living out loud that which is the substance of God's Kingdom which is near. It is in the how we listen … with our lives not just our brains. The invitation remains wide open to all. Jesus says "follow me and I will make you …"  I will follow and listen with how I live.

P - God in Heaven above and on earth below,

Thank you for sending Jesus to clarify everything … including the identity of your family and the way to understand any and all secrets. It is clearly not religious and is completely relational. Thank you for the incredible dignity given to all people … an invitation to follow and the individual right to choose to respond or not. I am choosing (and will need your help to do it) to listen by how I live out loud not just by what I say out loud. You are completely amazing and I am completely amazed.

Steve