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January 25th, 2021

1/25/2021

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Live From Within

Man’s body is fashioned and then God’s Spirit is breathed into the shell, enlivening us.

The Israelites built the tabernacle and temples and only when the shell was complete did the Presence arrive.

Scripture says that the last shall be first. Could this refer to what has true value? The last thing added was Him and that truly is of most value.

Deconstruction brings us to see beyond the physical; beyond the physical body, the behaviors and the actions to our core, the inner altar of His presence within.
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WITHIN, with (Him) in (our very core) is where we live, entangled, peaceful, fearless and innocent. From here, bypassing the mind and the ego, we finally see.
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Pour Out

1/22/2021

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Consider…be the blessing others need

As I look at the concept of blessings/bless/blessed, after the resurrection, I do not find a multitude of verses suggesting God blesses us for 'good' behavior, actions, thoughts or emotions. What I found was that blessings are given out by the believer. We get to bless those who “curse us” and blessings have equipped us for sharing our Source.

Jesus lives within the believer. We no longer need blessing, we have received Him, our blessing, everything we need for life and godliness. Every spiritual blessing in Him is in us. Jesus says, "It is more blessed to give than receive." Blessings are not really for us, they are a manifestation of His life within us, toward others.
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In James we read that a person "looks into the perfect law of liberty and what they do will be blessed." This is not saying that because you look in the law of liberty you will be blessed. Rather it tells us that as you look into the perfect law of liberty (Jesus's death, burial and resurrection) you realize that you ARE blessed and the things that come forth from you, in life, to other are blessings. We already possess the blessing. It is ours to pour out upon the earth.

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Healing Allows ALL Others Near

1/22/2021

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Jesus says, "Lazarus come forth." And he comes out bound hand and foot with grave clothes with his face still wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them (the family and friends and mourners present), "LOOSE HIM AND LET HIM GO."

Lazarus was alive, again, but the people around him had to remove the remnant of his death - his grave clothes…and then they released Him. They didn’t lead him to church or the prayer meeting. They let him “find himself” (Christ in him).

I don’t think God is so concerned about the paths we take. He is the Father, giving the full inheritance to His sons and daughters, knowing they may make choices with consequences, but knowing they will return.

Do we (the dead still bound in some ways) get to choose those we trust to remove our grave clothes? Do we allow only brothers and sisters in the faith, near? Only the high and mighty? Or do we trust that our release from death can be brought even by the lowly, weak, and even those that believe differently?

Do we truth Him with ourselves and others?

I don’t pretend to know what John Lynch would say, although I do remember (hopefully correctly) that he wished his gay barista congratulations on his upcoming wedding. Love offered. The finest drink of all.

Love first, allow Him to draw us all into His love.
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I think in allowing all others near is the fullest healing possible.

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Waiting

6/4/2020

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Jesus breathes on them and tells them to “receive the Holy Spirit” but they do not receive it for ~50 days.

Could He have revealed sooner? Could He have given sooner? Certainly, therefore we have to presume there is some value in the waiting.

It is a period of waiting, receptively. It is a time of hope and faith maintained. New research suggests it actually takes 60 days to establish a habit. Two moon cycles – well long enough to lose heart.

What if Jesus’ 40 days in the desert – the time in-between was a demonstration of the benefit of “things withheld”, “answers un-received” in allowing us to experience waiting, to develop our habit of expectancy and anticipation, for at any moment our “suddenly” might come?

What if it reflects one of the core values I picked up from The Cure and the tribe of grace – that the journey is the destination. It is not about achieving or “getting there”, but rather walking with Him without dissatisfaction for His delay, but praise for the strength in habit developing within and His presence with us always.

What if it’s just this tension that allows us to see things that are not as if they are? What if, during these times it is community, the manifestation of the periochoresis of the Godhead’s dance with us (plural) in Him, Him in us (plural), also manifesting His life, joining us in koinonia?

What if the challenge of the in-between is met and mastered in community? Jesus mastered His in the desert with His enemy, but if you read carefully, even there was community. After He responded well the 3rd time the devil left Him, but that was not the end – for He needed ministry to be fully who He was created to be. The angels came and ministered to Him. Even when the trial is over, there is a period of getting our equilibrium back and it involves others; Job’s friends sitting with him, Paul desiring Timothy and even back to Lazarus’’ unwrapping.

Could God zap us to overcoming independently? Certainly. Nevertheless, His desire was not just us in Him and Him in us. Even Jesus alone tells us it is not just Him, for He must go to send another, the Comforter. He (Holy Spirit), not Jesus, will lead you in all truth.

Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, sweating blood after the Passover but before the cross, was ministered to again by angels. Elijah was ministered to by the ravens. David, in sin over Uriah’s death, was ministered life by Nathan.

I remember early in my marriage praying, “zap’em God” to which I am so grateful He replied, “What if it’s you I want to change, Vicki?”, and “if nothing ever changes, am I enough?” He never intended to zap Jerry or give me an immediate healing this area. Rather, in the space in-between He has revealed truth, He has brought others into my life for seasons or years all ordained to do what the Godhead could zap instantly, but in honoring me individually and the gifts within others, has allowed to organically grow. His Kingdom within one, a few, many and with hopeful expectancy, one day all.

Have I, have you received immediate revelation and transformation from Him at times? Assuredly, but the unity of the Trinity – each with a part – and us the body of believers – each a different part – need community, unity and oneness. I can survive perhaps as John the Baptist – alone in the desert, yet even his part was brought into community for the benefit of others.

May this tribe grow – may it be healthy in honoring others – may we – bearing Christ as the Holy Spirit – minister life and love to each other always.

Maybe He enjoys my heart’s delight as a section of the journey is traversed in Him AND in community and I cry out, “Go God!”

I have a feeling those are two of His favorite words.

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Only your Feet are Dirty

6/4/2020

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John 13:10 Jesus said to him (Peter), "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean..."
Why only the feet?
Feet walk in the dust. They touch the earth. They step on the 'natural'.
Your head may think it, mouth may speak or eat it, hands may touch it, but ultimately, metaphorically, your feet bring you there.
Here is the picture - only the part of you that touches the worldly, natural, carnal gets soiled. Only the 'outer' can get soiled. Inside you, in your spirit, you are a new creation. HE SAYS you are a saint, holy and blameless, precious in His sight, absolutely righteous.
Consider this, the Biblical definition of repentance is to do a 180 degree turn from where you are to the exact opposite. We turn ON OUR HEELS and WALK the other way. It's a feet issue. If our feet didn't touch and interact with the natural we couldn't get dirty outside and believe lies about ourselves inside.
The key is, it is not about getting soiled, but rather that you ARE ALL clean. You are perfect in Him. He has perfected you, the real you, the spiritual you in union with Him - is complete. Only when we walk in the earthy, carnal, worldly do we get soiled. The cure? Washing off of that which does not truly stick, which can't change the truth about you...under the dust you are A MASTERPIECE.
Through years and centuries mankind has picked up grime that is lovingly, gently, perfectly and completely removed by a Master Restorer revealing once again the perfection below.
Was the soiled canvas any less a work of art or highly desired? No! It just required the Master to restore it.
We can't even cleanse ourselves. The painting can't fix itself and neither can we. We wait and trust our Master Restorer for He is faithful to do so.
Let HIM today wash your feet of the lies and behaviors causing shame and guilt.
Let Him close enough to cleanse each nook and cranny revealing to you, again, your PERFECTION and His great joy in you, His masterpiece.
As you let Him close, talk with Him. In intimacy and relationship with Him you CAN walk in the spirit and not satisfy the lust of the flesh. In the spirit your feet don't touch the ground.
Why 'should' we?
Not because it separates us from Him in 'sin' but it separates us from His truth and causes us to think we are something we are not - dirty and unacceptable.
The truest thing about you is what He says. He says, 'let ME wash your feet...let me prove to you that you are.....ALL holy, ALL perfect, ALL righteous'.

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May 21st, 2020

5/21/2020

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“Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.” Now He said this about the Spirit. Jn 7:38-39.

Initially, we receive from Him and hold on dearly for fear we won’t receive again, and we almost make what we received an idol in our life.

Little by little, we grow in holding His heart within ours and find a pressure increasing with a passion for its release even if we would find ourselves at a loss and we slowly begin to release what He has poured in.

Then we find and experience that in the release of what we have received we are always “full up”. The flow inward never stops as we choose to release what we have received to others.
Finally, the stream of Living Water flows as it will within us, cutting a channel that what we receive flows out naturally, unstoppably.

This (!) is our hearts desire; a river cut path of Living Water received within and flowing constantly, outwardly. 
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Are You More Desperate Or Proud?

4/27/2020

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Luke 23:41-42 has one of the criminals crucified with Jesus asking Jesus to ““remember” me when you come into your Kingdom.”

To remember (Greek middle voice) indicates a high level of personal (self) involvement and personal interest motivating the remembering. The man implores Jesus, bring me to mind (purposefully), recall me, mention me, be mindful of me. 

He knows his condition before the Lord. It does not deter his coming to Him for all that Jesus has for him even after death. How much more for us still living in this world?

Fear not. Don’t hide your junk/sin/regret, we all have it and He is full aware. Rather, as He encourages, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

He meets you right where you are near death, tormented or empty and alone. 
 
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Embracing Adversity

4/15/2020

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Ps 84:5-7 What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their mind as a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When they walk through the Valley of Baca it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings. They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem. 

Jerusalem may be a wonderful destination, but look at the beauty in the journey. We face  weeping and trouble (Baca=weeping, trouble) but are able to enter in and transform this valley simply by our walking through. We will not be there forever, we will pass through and onto Jerusalem. It is but for a season. 
 
Our presence, our journey through, transforms the difficulties in our lives. His life within us transforms the world around us. Our journey through, brings blessings in the rain and we grow stronger during the journey until the day we reach our destination – before Him through death in the New Jerusalem. This life is all journey, enjoy it, embrace it, transform it.

The beauty of the Christian life. We improve what is around us when what is within us is allowed to flourish along The Way. 

Are we/am I willing to choose this path with difficulty ahead and in my presence currently, or do I just trudge through what is in my way not seeing the opportunities or potential?

Do I struggle and hurry to pass through or do I pause and rest here, allowing my influence – in the Valley – to touch every single thing – every adversity – prickers and barrenness and drought – that life could arise, thrive and multiply?

Perhaps I remain where I am, sharing life, revealing Christ and quieting the flesh. Perhaps I even glorify and praise Him who placed me here and choose joy, knowing the blessing afforded by my presence there and that one day my journey will end with me in His presence.

Lord, may I be as Mary – Be it unto me… Selah. 

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April 10th, 2020

4/10/2020

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In Joshua 1:7 God says, “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave  you. Do not deviate from them, TURNING EITHER TO THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT. Then you will be successful in all you do.”


Going forward OR BACKWARDS is fine, anywhere you travel along your journey from there to here is without problem, but don’t turn off the path. 

Sometimes, actually often, He draws us forward toward Him and we start out gladly based on the truth of Him we have. He is faithful, orders my steps, cares, etc. But then we get someplace on the journey where we are asked to walk forward into uncharted territories. We/I become fearful and doubt. I can’t go forward. I don’t know enough truth to take another step. So like Abram, I retreat to a familiar place, Bethel,the House of God. I return to an altar I had built in worship to Him previously where He had shown me something amazing about His character or care. I retreat to a place where I know a truth about Him. I return, backtrack to the shelter of His wing. He gladly meets me there. 

Do you see the beauty? We are never chastised for retreating to a safe place with Him. We may make a rut in that part of our journey, going forward and retreating because we are afraid, insecure, doubting. All that is OK. He invites us to return – “in returning and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” 
 
It’s OK to step up to the giants in your life and retreat. 

Don’t turn aside, but continue – forward and back – until truth becomes so real that it takes you past this bend in your journey. No condemnation, no chastisement. Just God, holding you close as you get on the bike. You are good with His hand on the bike frame, but as He let’s go, you begin to doubt, perhaps fall or just stop and return to His stabilizing hand. 

Yes, don’t turn to the right or left, another path. Trust the one you are one. If you are going forward, awesome, if you are returning to the last cairn you built to His character equally awesome. Trust His work in you. 

Today, I am retreating and with open arms and unconditional love He embraces me, reminding me who He is and how able I am with Him to take that next step; but not until I’m ready. 


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Fill In The Blank

3/22/2020

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​Reading the One Year Bible this morning and I come across these two verses

Numbers 35:34b I AM the Lord who lives among the people of Israel

And

Luke 5:13 (to the leper asking to be healed) Jesus responds, I am willing.



Years ago, Malcolm Smith did a teaching in which he said the a “better” translation of Ex 3:14 where God tells Moses His name would be I AM___________ with a fill in the blank after I AM. 

In todays, reading I see
  • I AM the Lord who lives among the people of Israel
And
  • I am willing
 
The think that releases us to fullness in our new identity is just this, “knowing” who God is. 

As I realize He lives among the people, including me, I no longer feel alone, isolated, ostracized, rejected or rebuked. 

As I see and “know” He is – willing – I no longer doubt His plan in my life. I know He is close, able invested and I can rest not doubting His goodness. 

At this moment in your life, are there ways/places in which you are not seeing Him as the I AM _______ in your need? As you read the word, as you hear Him speak to you, listen to hear the blank filled in. It will change everything in this moment and other revelation of “the blank” will change everything in other moments, in fact in EVERY moment. 

Go God!

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    Author

    My heart's desire is to walk with people until they believe every good thing that God says about them. This happens as they are introduced to intimate relationship with the lover of their soul. 

    I love living in Utah with my husband and know a Broadway song appropriate for every occasion in life. I  typically get jokes two minutes after they are told.

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