Persecution

It's been promised by Christ, and it often comes from those within the "church".  The only recourse for those who desire to follow Jesus is to keep our eyes firmly focused on Him alone; immersed in God's Word and listening as best we can to His Spirit.  Always, always seeking to imitate Jesus in humility, love, grace, mercy and compassion . . . while still holding to our faith and speaking the Truth in that same love.  It is not an easy cross to bear, we do it only in His Strength.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.





on being "kicked out" of yet another church for disagreeing with some of their fine print and doctrine . . . yes indeed, Lord have mercy . . .

PnP - we are not the thing

PnP - we are not the thing, but God often uses us to make the thing happen. };-)
Conduit: a pipe or tube through which something (such as water or wire) passes
: someone or something that is used as a way of sending something (such as information or money) from one place or person to another.
Connector (social): people with wide social circles. They are the "hubs" of the human social network and responsible for the small world phenomenon.
Linchpin: a person or thing that holds something together : the most important (but often unnoticed) part of a complex situation or system.
Hinge or hinge pin (social): person, point or circumstance on which subsequent events depend.
Hmmm, maybe there are spiritual gifts there? 😜👍👆🙏
(Patti being more the latter two, Pat the first two?)

Free in Christ, and free to others too . . .

We are not famous. We have not published any best sellers, (our stories are written on the pages of our lives together, and that of our family.). And no, we are not in big demand on the Christian or motivational speakers circuit.
That said, we can by God's grace offer the wisdom He has grown in us. And we try do so with love and laughter, speaking to hearts as He guides.
Our desire is simply to share the gift He's given us, motivated by love and gratitude. Best of all, it's all free because we don't believe we should make a profit from His gift freely given. We do this mostly with individuals as "anam cara", but we will speak to groups now and then as well. If this interests you, contact us.

The Joy of not living the joy of faith? Absurdity or Grace?

“Therese of Lisieux underwent profound changes in her experience of faith during the Easter of 1896: Before that time she thought that atheism was a haunted position, a sham. ’I could not believe that there really were godless people who had no faith at all, it was only by being false to their own inner convictions that someone could deny the existence of heaven.'

Finally, her eyes were opened to realize that unbelievers really exist. She experiences the sense of the darkness, such impenetrable darkness, a darkness which cannot recognize the King of Light. ‘But here I am Lord, to whom Your divine light has made itself known.'  She finds herself in a situation which seems absurdly contradictory. She does not cease to participate in the light of the faith and at the same time she participates in the darkness in which unbelievers live. She is immersed in suffering never experienced previously and in joy greater than she ever felt before. She thinks that if Jesus has made her see the reality of unbelief and has made her participate in the night of unbelief, it is only so that she may turn the tables, so that she may live this state of darkness for the sake of unbelievers themselves. And, consequently, for her it is a new joy that she had never experienced until then.  A joy of not living the joy of faith so that precisely these 'others', these unbelievers who do not know this joy, might finally attain to it: 'What does it matter, that I should catch no glimpse of heaven's beauties, here on earth, if that will help poor sinners to see them in heaven.'”

Jean Francois Six (abridged)

In my own time, I often have similar feelings for those who either claim to be atheists outright, or those who simply live as if there is no God.  Where I used to view people through the lenses of society and media, in my old age I’ve tried more and more to surrender to God and trust He will give me His “eyes” to see others as He does, with lenses of LOVE.  Instead of reacting with shallow shock and disgust (the old me) at the myriad of young, screwed, glued, tattooed, crazy shorn and colored I see daily, or the old and cranky too, I see only those His Son called the “lost” who He came to save, to redeem for His Father’s Kingdom.  I encounter lesbian friends who I would’ve thought would desire anonymity in our culture, yet, they draw attention to themselves with outrageous looks and dress?!  Yes, I now “see” only people who are hurting and in search of true love and contentment.  I don’t know the “answer” to the entire world’s searching specifically, but I do believe it lay at the foot of a cross, and in the plans of a loving Creator.  I’m not a brilliant theologian or pastor, nor even a saintly old monk for that matter, but I sense my own feeble, humble presence has meaning in His grand scheme, His “divine conspiracy” as Dallas Willard would call it?  I do all the things a Christian is supposed to do, including attend church, etc., but I believe the real mark of a disciple of Jesus is simple presence in the world and to others on a daily basis, in love, grace and humility with a heart that desires only to impart the HOPE I’ve already come to know deeply.  A HOPE that gives me contentment beyond any the world or another person ever could.  That is why I live; as a father and husband, as a grandfather, and as a sinner saved by Grace who desires only to be a friend along the way to others.  While I’m still alive it is a divine calling.  Should I die today, I gain that “new heaven and earth” He has promised . . . I can’t lose!

Running away from God?

If you are running away from a wrong picture of God, does that take you further away from Him, OR, closer to Him?

Two people please God; one who serves Him with all his heart because he knows Him, and one who seeks Him with all his heart because he knows Him not. The former must help the latter in the journey.
};-)

Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 6:16 "This is what the Lord says: 'Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."
John 10:14, 27-30 ‘I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.’
Psalm 23:1-6 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

Excerpts from James Barron: “Free From Religion” –

Religion is of this world.  Jesus is from heaven.


Religion is all about the outward and seen.  Jesus is all about the inward and unseen.


Religion tries to repair and fix the old creation.  Jesus made us a New Creation!


Religion’s yoke is hard work.   Jesus said His yoke was easy.


Religion uses fear to manipulate people to act.   Jesus’ love compels people to act, with joy!


Religion is proud.  Jesus is humble.


Religion is boring.  Jesus is an unexpected journey and adventure!


Religion is insecure.  Jesus is confident and secure.


Religion is competitive and envious.  Jesus is a rest.


Religion thinks itself wise.  Jesus thinks Religion is foolish.


Religion is a dead end.  Jesus is an open door to endless possibilities!


Religion is man-centered.  Jesus is God-centered.


Religion wants to control other men.  Jesus wants to set men free to live by Him.


Religion is death.  Jesus is Life!


Religion is depressing.  Jesus is joy unspeakable and full of glory!


Religion keeps people in a boat that is sinking.  Jesus empowers people to walk out of the boat onto the water to Him!


Religion needs money to exist.  Jesus’ life needs no silver or gold to live and prosper!


Religion is mean to you when you do not agree with it.  Jesus is kind even to those who nailed His hands and feet.


. . . for the most part, we have found this to be true, so we choose Jesus.  }:

"What is God's Will for my life? What is my ministry?"

First of all, we cannot know the mind of God, nor His Will. But be not discouraged, because we can know His heart. Therein lay the secret to life in Him. As we surrender all and abide in His Son, Jesus Christ, we become one in heart with the Father, Son & Spirit. Yes, it is a mystery, but one of Truth and Love that we can "know" and experience in our heart and soul. As we spend time in His Word, seeking Him in quiet, His Spirit will begin to transform us, and He Who begins that work will see it to completion as we abide in surrender.
So then, you ask, "What next, what is my 'ministry'?" From experience and age, I have this simple question in reply; what do you wake up to each morning? Wife, children, roommates, just yourself? Begin there first of all. Get that wrong and you will not "be" in His Will, nor one with His heart. Then, what or who is immediately outside your door, in your neighborhood? Go there with an open heart and mind seeking Jesus; neighbors, institutions, businesses, people in all those places, especially the ones you hesitate to engage; homeless, dirty, odd and even a bit crazy.
There you are, not "rocket science" or deep theology, just LOVE.
One last recommendation, seek wise counsel in trusted mentors and disciples. The road will be more smooth as they help you "see and hear" God. The true ones will simply and lovingly "direct" you to Him and diminish themselves in humility.