Update #146 - Heaven on Hand

“God…raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavenly realm…” Ephesians 2:6

Filoli Gardens, Redwood City, CA

Like God we are triune beings. Instead of God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit we are Body, Soul and Spirit. In western culture the spiritual part of us is all but ignored, but the body is taken to the gym, tanning parlor, hair salon, nail place, clothing store, shoe pavilion, and anti-aging lotion department – millions are spent keeping our bodies looking good. Our soul feasts as well – self help / how to books, mental enrichment / development classes, forums, conferences, seminars, movies, tv, Facebook, Twitter, Hulu…

As Christians we are supposed to be spiritually led beings. We are supposed to listen to the spirits leading and follow where he goes (like Jesus did with God when he was here). We have spiritual armor we can put on to protect us (Ephesians 6:11-18). But our spirits, for the most part, are weak and fall subject to our bodies and souls (mind). Such influence does not come from the one who calls us (Galatians 5:8).

I tried living a “spirit led life,” but with a burly body and mind it can be difficult. Bill Johnson, a pastor at Bethel Church, recommends pretending there is a dove (symbolizing Holy Spirit) on your shoulder – and living in such a way to not dislodge it from its perch. This approached helped; I was more conscious in asking for God’s assistance and opinion, but living continuously, consistently, from a spiritual perspective was still really difficult.

God’s kingdom is somewhat upside down and unintuitive to the un-initiated. Read Matthew 5 – blessed are the meek? Blessed are those that mourn? Blessed are the poor? This runs smack in the face of what our physical world carillons, what our minds tells us is true. God’s kingdom says things like “be kind to those who hurt you” – when our body and mind want to haul off and whack them; “bless those who curse you” – when we have a few choice comebacks of our own; “turn the other cheek” – when we want to slap or mar theirs.

How do we do this “spiritually led life” thing???

I heard a sermon on Ephesians 2 and my perspective changed. In verse 6 it says our spirits are seated in heavenly places, and this eludes they have access to Jesus, to heaven, to God all the time (Don’t believe me? Read the chapter!) Jesus’ death made it possible and through him I have unlimited access. So, if I have admittance to all the things in heaven (and here is where it gets fun), I can bring things down to earth through my physical body and soul to bless others!

What kind of things can we bring to earth? All the things of God – all the aspects of his character and his kingdom: Need strength? Ask for joy (Neh 8:10). Need boldness? Ask for love (1 Jn 4:18). Need wisdom, discernment, counsel – just ask! Need healing? ASK!

“When I get to heaven I won’t be cold anymore.” She said. “My heart will work right and my circulation will be perfect. I won’t have to take medications anymore. I’ll be warm – no more blue toes or fingers or lips. And, I’ll be able to run without being short of breath, no chest pain, or exhaustion. I’ll go back to running marathons – not just two-milers. When I get to heaven…” she paused, a look of longing and hope crossing her face.

I explained the body, soul, spirit thing to her – how one-third of us is already in heaven and we can ask God for anything because we are his kids and we have access (like a child in its parents house). She decided she wanted to “risk” asking God to help her heart condition… we prayed and I saw her cheeks go from grey-blue to pink, her fingers and toes turn rosy and I actually felt their warmth. She started to cry, I started to tear. Heaven had come to earth. She was changed.

How strong is your spirit in comparison to your body and soul (mind)? What aspect of your triune being do you rely upon the most? If you could bring an aspect of heaven into your life today what would it be? How can you bless others around you with aspects of God’s kingdom you have access to?

Update

Work – Nigeria isn’t happening for the moment… maybe in May??? Egypt is still in the proposal phase and South Korea is still in formation. TBW – our bi-annual retreat happens the 25-27, and training is almost finished. Brett’s three new books are just about to be shipped to the Indonesian printer and they should be available by Memorial Day Weekend!

Life – I went ballroom dancing last Friday night (thanks Amber for coordinating) – my ankle was a bit sore afterward, but wow did I have fun! I forgot how much I love to dance!

Requests:

Work – Our bi-annual retreat is 10 days away and is shaping up nicely – all interested rep alumni RSVP by the 17th please! Prayer would be appreciate for the speakers and attendees – as well as for me coordinating the whole thing.

Travel – for all those coming to the Bay Area for TBW – save travels and for hearts ready to hear, see, and respond to what God has for them.

PS - Happy Birthday Jamie.

Update #145 - Miracle Vision

“I am telling you the truth: those who believe in me will do what I do---yes, they will do even greater things, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12

View from my bedroom window this morning.

Recently my mom saw an old friend in the grocery store and they did the usual – update each other on husband, kid, grandchild, health, job, church status while standing in the produce section by the green apples. My mom related that both of her girls are still unmarried but live happy fulfilling lives – and then told of some of my recent exploits around the world and what I have seen / done. The other woman shook her head and commented – “God has his special ones and only they see his miraculous wonders.” What?

Then I thought about it. I hear similar phraseology a lot: “Only certain people see miracles – and even fewer perform them.” “Miracles don’t happen in the western world.” “God uses doctors and medical professionals to heal the sick – he doesn’t do it himself anymore.” “Miracles died out with the original disciples – they aren’t for today’s church.” “The supernatural is for the darkside – satan’s territory – Christians can’t do that kind of stuff; if they have the ability it is because demons are helping them.” “God didn’t come through when I needed him – miracles are a thing of the past.”

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong - loud annoying buzzer sounding.

God does do miracles today – I’ve seen them. They do happen in the western world – I’ve witnessed them as either a recipient or participant. God does heal the sick – ask my sister. Miracles are for today’s church – they are his best marketing campaign - we can talk until we are blue in the face, but one supernatural act from God renders arguments silenced. As for miracles being a tool of Satan…he isn’t creative and he isn’t he out to steal, kill and destroy? Why would he leave his purpose to heal, renew and restore? As for God not meeting your specific miraculous need, I ask you, did you position yourself for one?

I have met business people who are in a mess. Their employees are leaving in droves, and those staying aren’t working very hard; profits are down, products aren’t selling, the bookkeeper is skimming, the foreman is drunk most of the time, and there was a fire at the factory. They stand there pleading with God to “fix it” and cry out for a miracle to occur and nothing happens.

Why? They haven’t even tried to clean up the mess they created. They are the ones who haven’t given their employees a raise in over five years. They are the ones who haven’t listened to employee recommendations for product improvement and marketing – thinking they, as the president, are the only one entitled to change and improve their creation. They are the ones who hired the drunk as a foreman (because he as a relative who needed a job). And they were the ones who fired the cleaning crew because they cost too much money – so the after-shavings caught alight when lightening hit. And yet, they stand asking God to miraculously clean up their mess so they can get on with their lives the same as before.

God isn’t about to let us stay the same. He calls us, woos us, brings us to himself and wants the best for us. He wants us to change, leave behind the old worldly way of doing things and rely on him to help, coach, and strengthen us as we move forward.

Give the employees the pay they deserve – if you can’t afford it ask God what they should be paid and he will provide it (I’ve actually benefited from this one). Your product isn’t selling? Ask God his opinion on how to improve it, listen to your employees, ask God his marketing strategy – there may be a niche you haven’t thought to tap. Find the motivating factor for unmotivated employees, or let them go if that is what God says. Clean up the mess and watch God work.

When miracles happen we are unable to stay the same. Change happens whether you want it to or not. When the supernatural intervenes “returning to the same” is not an option – your life is altered in indescribable ways, and changed for the better.

So, back to the “God didn’t come through when I needed him” phrase. Did you really want God to come through for you, the miraculous to happen, irreversible change to occur and your life to forever alter – or did you just want your mess cleaned up? What was the heart motivation behind the request?

Don’t get me wrong – God wants to intervene in our lives. God wants to be a part of every aspect of what we are doing – he is interested and excited. But, he knows what is best, and if “saving” us from the mess we created will keep us where we are verses moving us toward him – he will forego the miraculous to change our hearts. For him, it is all about the relationship.

God still does miracles – all the time. If you aren’t seeing any, are you positioned to? What mess may you need to clean up first? What is your heart motivation for wanting the miraculous in your life?

Update

• Work – Nigeria visas are being processed and we are waiting to hear back if we travel on the 14th of this month. Egypt may also be a possibility in April!

Requests:

• Work – Our bi-annual retreat is three weeks away and is shaping up nicely – I just need RSVP’s from interested alumni!

• Travel – Safe trip to / from Seattle for a close friends wedding the first part of March.

• Life – To embrace grief, the accompanying loneliness and “missing” of a family member. To not rush the process, push it a side or ignore it.

PS - Congratulations Terri and Josh! And Happy Birthday to all the March babies out there - Michelle, Angie, Amy, Stacie, Ryan... and to Jo and Afton who missed March by a few days!