Taken from a journal entry in 1997.

Each person is navigating an unpredictable sea full of wonder and possibility. Whatever security and predictability we try to create is merely illusion that gives short term peace of mind. Only those who come to accept the unpredictability of life can find lasting peace. Creating temporal security is like dropping an anchor on a hundred foot chain into water a thousand feet deep. We're temporarily happy that we've dropped anchor until we come to realize that we still drift. The analogy of the hymn that speaks of being anchored in the Rock of Ages is full of truth not only that Christ is a 'rock' but that He is the only security. And yet, He, full of wonder and possibility, is like the ocean. He's faithful but not predictable. He's secure but not safe. "He is not a tame lion." Perhaps that is why God likes children. For their insatiable appetite for adventure. Let a child loose in a church sound booth and you'll see what I mean. It's not so much that God is like a child, but that children are so much like God. Somewhere along the way we get old and our divine sense of wonder begins to die. Along with the death of wonder comes the cynical resignation to turn Que Sera Sera into a worship anthem. This is why miracles are so important. They let us know that there is no such thing as impossible.

Now here's an interesting train of thought. We're warned in Eph 4 not to be tossed about by every wind of doctrine. Yet Jesus said in Jn 3 that those born of the Spirit are like the wind in that you can't tell where they're coming from or where they're going. He's not talking about the Spirit, but He's saying believers who are empowered and led by the Spirit move like the wind. Now how does the Christian now submit to the Spirit without being tossed about? The issue is not the wind. It's in that from which the wind originates. In one case it's the Spirit (Jn 3) in the other it's doctrine (Eph 4). If Paul had said don't be tossed about by every wind of the Spirit, we may have a major dilemma here. But instead he says, every wind of doctrine. The question then remains, are we following a principle or a Presence? Principles are what you have left when the Presence is gone.

I don't believe that doctrine was never meant to be simply a list of things we claim to believe. Doctrine is an invitation for a Divine encounter. John 3 says that Jesus was known as a 'teacher' come from God for nobody could 'do' the things that He did. Instruction without example is illegal. It's not ok just to talk. What good is to believe that God heals today if we never contend for healing? To believe that God wills some to be diseased and struggle is to say that the Father is applying to man the curse that Jesus died to destroy. That's saying that the Father and the Son are at crossed purposes.

If salvation applied only to the soul and spirit I'm thrilled, but the demonstration of the Power of God that brings eternal salvation to the soul also ought to have effect in the body. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead will make your mortal body alive if He dwells in you. The word 'saved' in Scripture is 'sozo' meaning the whole person, spirit, soul, and body. So then to accept that invitation for Divine encounter, two things must take place. Sin has to be dealt with and I must be empowered by the Spirit. The blood of Jesus dealt with sin so that's settled. The only question now is how empowered by the Spirit will I be? In this season we are drawn to meditate on the mystery of Jesus. Fully man, yet fully God. By submitting himself to our limitations, and then redeeming us by His blood, He is now inviting us to submit ourselves to His limitations. What limitations does Jesus have? The Kingdom of God is all about advancement. "...and of the increase of His government, there shall be no end." May it be so on our watch.

It's been difficult to write on the blog lately. Even starting this one, I hesitate, type, erase, retype, ponder, pray, close the window, go do something else, come back to it, rinse, lather, repeat... There's so much in me to share. Anyone who has conversed with me in person in the past two months knows this to be the case. After this season of ministry, life, triumph, tragedy, and transition, I'm just not content to hide behind theory any longer. Either the Kingdom is real or I've just taught ideas and concepts. To push the promises of Scripture into a past or future period of history for which I have no responsibility is simply making an excuse for a substandard version of authentic Christianity. No more making excuses and calling it doctrine. So I guess I've been more interested in hearing what's being said than saying what I want to be heard. I want to hear both what God has said and what God is saying. He's got a lot to say. (Jn 16) So bear with me and my sporadic posts for now. There will come a time for writing. For now I just want to hear and see what needs to be written.

You cannot change your heart. God will not change your mind. But if you will change your thoughts, God will change your heart.