PROVIDENCE

a: of divine guidance or care

b:  God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human destiny

All I have is My Testimony

John 9

He knew nothing but what Jesus did for him.

Leadership?

In the economy of God as manifest in His kingdom there is no leadership but that of the Holy Spirit.

Those who seek after the Kingdom of God, who desire to please the Lord in all they do, are called to be servants. They have a testimony of God's Love and Grace. This testimony the Lord will use to prophetically speak into the lives of those who hear it. Sharing what Jesus has done for you, in word and deed, can be the catalyst that allows those that hear and see to receive what God wants to do in their lives. The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy.

It is these servant followers that trust and obey and desire to share the love of God, that God uses to dispense His love to the world. In this dispensation these followers may be perceived as leaders. But the greatest of these find comfort in Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

First impressions?

I express myself by the way I look. The way I look does not define me. Who I think I am, I will be. Will I be, all God created me to be?

Don't let the way you look be unalterable. There is so much more you need to learn about yourself. You will change your way of thinking about yourself. Don't box yourself in.

(I was thinking about "body art" when I wrote this :)

Swept Along!

How can I describe the current that sweeps us along? The key word is current. Is it a warm breeze that makes us sleepy? Do we see the storm clouds? Swept along? A force that takes me where I don't want to go.

We think that the choices we make determine our destiny. NOT! Your choices are not disconnected from all the other choices everywhere around you that others make. Choices that can have significant impact into your life.. This is the current that sweeps us along.

The operative word is "choice". The current that sweeps us along is powered by the choices everyone makes. Choice is also the word that gives us the power to overcome the current that sweeps us along.

How?    

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

What is "dogma"?

Dogma is a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true.^[1] It serves as part of the primary basis of an ideology or belief system, and it cannot be changed or discarded without affecting the very system's paradigm, or the ideology itself. They can refer to acceptable opinions of philosophers or philosophical schools, public decrees, religion, or issued decisions of political authorities.^[2]
The term derives from Greek δόγμα "that which seems to one, opinion or belief"^[3] and that from δοκέω (dokeo), "to think, to suppose, to imagine".^[4] Dogma came to signify laws or ordinances adjudged and imposed upon others by the First Century. The plural is either dogmas or dogmata, from Greek δόγματα. The term "dogmatics" is used as a synonym for systematic theology, as in Karl Barth's defining textbook of neo-orthodoxy, the 14-volume Church Dogmatics.

Jesus said “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Pass on a Sharp axe, or introduce the axe Sharpener? What should you do?

I had a friend who testified of God working in his life. And I was encouraged to see that God could work in my life too, because I could relate to what God was doing in his life.

Then, much later, this friend started explaining how God works. He is a consultant to churches on the "Missional Movement". Recognized, labeled, packaged and sold as a sharp ax, many rely on their understanding of principles and miss the Lover of their soul.

When we recognize God moving, that's good. And allow Him to work in our life, that's good. Don't label it, package it, and then try to reproduce it. A sharp axe passed on only produces pride. Recognize the Axe Sharpener and bear witness to what He "is" doing in your life. He wants us to overcome.

Revelation 12:11 (KJV)

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Rev 19:10 ...I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

If God can do this in my life, He can do it in yours!

I'm all about being led by the Holy Spirit?

Overcoming what? Adversity or my own shortcomings?

ad·ver·si·ty (d-vûrs-t) n. pl. ad·ver·si·ties 1. A state of hardship or affliction; misfortune. 2. A calamitous event.

  short·com·ing noun \ˈshȯrt-ˌkə-miŋ, ˌshȯrt-ˈ\ : a weakness in someone's character : a personal fault or failing : a bad feature : a flaw or defect in something.

Well I think God is an opportunist...
"One who takes advantage of any opportunity to achieve an end, often with no regard for principles or consequences."

Except God regards His principles and understands the consequences.

My calamitous event? My Euroclydon? May 14, 2012 God's Grace abounds! Lord forgive my unbelief.

I'm all about?

I find myself discussing with myself what I'm all about. I have read my blog in reverse order, there's an app for that, and I think I've come to the conclusion, "I'm all about overcoming".

I'm on a journey of discovery. The more I know about the Lover of my Soul, the more I know about who He created me to be. The more I see Him for who He is, the more I recognize my complete dependence on His guidance. The more I see of what exists, the more I recognize where my allegiance should lay. There is only one that desires I overcome. He is the Lover of my Soul.

To overcome?... I'm all about being led by the Holy Spirit. I've learnt a thing or two about that.

Agent of Change

Rev. 19:10  ...For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

If Jesus can do what He did in my life, imagine what He can do in yours.

Rev. 12:11  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Choices

Our choices set things in motion, you know, cause and effect. Read my blog, then tell me I'm wrong,.

I can't figure it out.

Our limited perspective inhibits our comprehension of reality as a whole.

We don't ever see reality.

What should we do? :)

Self-actualization compared to a fully actualized Kingdom Saint

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

http://www.randolphbrown.com/2013/07/the-crucible-of-combat.html

 

Some random thoughts...?

What is the number of thoughts I can comprehend in any given moment?

The rate of change can vary in a given inertial frame. Does the rate of change affect the number of thoughts I can comprehend? I think... No, the rate of change is a constant of the inertial frame and therefore the number of thoughts that can be processed is also constant.

If the number of thoughts that can be processed (understood) in my inertial frame is limited then distraction can occupy my attention and I can miss the thoughts the Lover of my Soul has for me.

Are you occupied by distraction?

Tradition?

My son Harrison and I have a "tradition" when I tuck him in for the night.  It's a tradition of words spoken when I have tucked his blankets around him and I leave his room. It goes like this...

"Have a good night (Me), I love you(Harrison), I love you too(Me), see you in the morning(Harrison), you betcha!(Me)

When I have broken from this tradition Harrison has called me on it. And I with a joyful heart I comply.

It has to do with Harrison's desire.

The crucible of combat?

It's an inner battle, each of us wages, because our house is still being built.

He who overcomes... It's the promise we can apprehend because Jesus the Christ has gone before us.

Become who God created you to be! Any thing less is a victory for the enemy. Grace abounds.

Comradery?

noun \ˈkäm-ˌra-d(ə-)rē, -rə-drē, -ˌrā-d(ə-)rē

Definition of COMRADERY

from : camaraderie

Examples of COMRADERY

1. the special comradery that exists between soldiers that have experienced the crucible of combat together.

Cycles? They keep coming around.

It is time to break one of them in my life.

Lord remind me again...

http://www.randolphbrown.com/2012/12/cycles-view-is-determined-by-your.html

Okay Lord, like Gideon I'll request a fleece sign. Yes, two.

Jurisdiction, Power Authority?

A county police officer has jurisdiction, therefore authority, in his county where he is recognized. If he leaves his county, his jurisdiction, he has no authority, and therefore no power. Not until he comes back into his jurisdiction will his power be recognized.

Jurisdiction from Wikipedia

Jurisdiction (from the Latin ius, iuris meaning "law" and dicere meaning "to speak") is the practical authority granted to a formally constituted legal body or to a political leader to deal with and make pronouncements on legal matters and, by implication, to administer justice within a defined area of responsibility. The term is also used to denote the geographical area or subject-matter to which such authority applies.

Cognizance?

cog·ni·zance

/ˈkägnəzəns/

Noun Knowledge, awareness, or notice. The action of taking jurisdiction.

Synonyms knowledge - cognition - recognition - awareness

Nobility?

A Royal Priesthood? I will have to "google" that.

Plan ahead.

Understand now, because you remember the past, and see the potential investment now can reap if you plan ahead. Just remember to expect the greater reward as you lead courageously, because you have accepted responsibility, because you have rejected passivity.

Temper your character?

Rejoice in the the "tribulation" for it is the loving chastisement that the Lover of your soul inflicts in hope that you "see" the path of repentance that leads to hardened steel.

Hebrews 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Character? Holy Crow.

char·ac·ter  (krk-tr)

n.

1. The combination of qualities or features that distinguishes one person, group, or thing from another. See Synonyms at disposition.

2. A distinguishing feature or attribute, as of an individual, group, or category. See Synonyms at quality.

3. Genetics A structure, function, or attribute determined by a gene or group of genes.

4. Moral or ethical strength.

5. A description of a person's attributes, traits, or abilities.

6. A formal written statement as to competency and dependability, given by an employer to a former employee; a recommendation.

7. Public estimation of someone; reputation: personal attacks that damaged her character.

8. Status or role; capacity: in his character as the father.

9.

a. A notable or well-known person; a personage.

b. A person, especially one who is peculiar or eccentric: a shady character; catcalls from some character in the back row.

10.

a. A person portrayed in an artistic piece, such as a drama or novel.

b. Characterization in fiction or drama: a script that is weak in plot but strong in character.

11. A mark or symbol used in a writing system.

12. Computer Science

a. One of a set of symbols, such as letters or numbers, that are arranged to express information.

b. The numerical code representing such a character.

13. A style of printing or writing.

14. A symbol used in secret writing; a cipher or code.

Tempering?

tem·per  (tmpr)

v. tem·pered, tem·per·ing, tem·pers

v.tr.

1. To modify by the addition of a moderating element; moderate: "temper its doctrinaire logic with a little practical wisdom" (Robert H. Jackson). See Synonyms at moderate.

2. To bring to a desired consistency, texture, hardness, or other physical condition by or as if by blending, admixing, or kneading: temper clay; paints that had been tempered with oil.

3. To harden or strengthen (metal or glass) by application of heat or by heating and cooling.

4. To strengthen through experience or hardship; toughen: soldiers who had been tempered by combat.

5. To adjust finely; attune: a portfolio that is tempered to the investor's needs.

6. Music To adjust (the pitch of an instrument) to a temperament.

Ebb and Flow?

John 3:8 ISV...
The wind blows where it wants to. You hear its sound, but you don't know where it comes from or where it is going. That's the way it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Hope for the Future?

If we embrace (take responsibility for) our past we can learn in the "Now"(a teachable heart can be renewed). A change in heart results in hope for the future. All the promises find their YES in Christ. Take responsibility for your choices and allow the Holy Spirit to take control of your future. Then heed His guidance. Seek, Listen, Trust and Obey.

It used to be.

There was a time in the past when someone could be alone. In fact it was normal to be alone much of the time. Left alone with our thoughts. Then the strategy of the enemy was lies. He could explain our situation in our thoughts as we perceived them as our own and made decisions that led to our destruction.

Now we are connected, never alone. We have access to lies, but also the truth, if we just but seek. The truth sets us free. How does the enemy now stop us from discovering it?

Distract and occupy our time. There is much more to be said about that.

Relational... participate in His ongoing Creation. What??

Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom. His mission was wrapped up in the Kingdom. The Kingdom of God/Heaven/Light. He came to destroy the kingdom of satan. To set at liberty those who were oppressed. Google that. Then we can talk.

Christ died for us?

Why? Because he loves us. Why? Because He created us. Why? To glorify Himself. Why? Because He wanted to share Himself. Why? Because by His very nature He is relational. To Know and to be known.

Why did Christ die for us? So that we could receive forgiveness of our sins. So that we could see His love for us. So that we could Know Him and participate in His on going creation.

Interpretation?

We tend to interpret our perspective by comparing it to our observation of other's actions.

We see someone do something and apply our motives to their actions and conclude what their motivation must be. If we speak out judgement on their action, we reveal not their motivation but ours, and therefore condemn ourselves.

Reality!

Reality is perception, perception is interpretation, interpretation is where we screw up. Don't trust in your interpretation!

What then?

Paying Attention

God seems to be paying attention, maybe I should too.

Running Interference

God has our back. Though we "see through a glass darkly" He is the One who opens and closes doors.

Awareness

A while back I was sitting in our living room and noticed, through the patio doors, a red light flashing. It was between the vertical blinds that I saw a flashing red light and I asked Harrison, "What is that?".

"That's the cell phone tower they put up a few weeks ago"' he said. I asked, shocked at my own lack of awareness, "It's been there for weeks?  His answer was a simple "yes".

What else is going on that I am not aware of? Such a profound question. Do you realize it's implications, when we are distracted and occupied by the enemies strategies?

Superficial

su·per·fi·cial (spr-fshl)

adj.

1. Of, affecting, or being on or near the surface: a superficial wound.

2. Concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; shallow.

3. Apparent rather than actual or substantial: a superficial resemblance.

4. Trivial; insignificant: made only a few superficial changes in the manuscript.

Running Interference!

football legal blocking: in football, the legal blocking of opposing players to protect and make way for the player carrying the ball. 

Every parent's duty.

The comfort of the inertial frame.

We all exist in a unique inertial frame that is limited by a narrow degree of input of information. The information I am experiencing and referencing is acquired by others, but the result is different because of the response that is produced. All our different choices interact with everyone else's choices, in their own inertial frame. And we claim to understand.

The comfort zone makes us believe we have the answers within ourselves. Then we discover the perspective of others. That's the problem.

The perspective of other's are inherently flawed, don't trust it. They are limited by a narrow perspective. Don't limit yourself to any one inertial frame, we all see through a glass darkly. Yet iron sharpens iron.

There is only one who sees and understands all that is happening and He is wise enough to know what you should do next. Trust in Him and His Guidance. Seek it out like your future depends on it.

Tradition?

I'm not talking about the Roman Catholic Liturgies. More like the traditions we create with those we care most about.

Here is an example. Since pre-K I have prayed for my two young sons as I dropped them off at school. In the beginning those prayers were spontaneous and inspired by what the Spirit had layed on my heart. I thought, this is good, and determined to make sure I prayed for them each time I dropped them off for school. I have been 'faithful" to do such.

Now my young sons are teenagers. They graceously say "amen" to my prayer each morning as I drop them off, but my feeling is they may have something to contend concerning my prayer. You see I long ago fell back on the tradition of praying for them as I dropped them off at school instead of listening to what the Spirit was saying and responding with something other then a simple prayer for their day.

Tradition? Resting in yesterday's blessing.

Tradition has a certain re-assurance. It provides a continuity with the past where God had guided and blessed with steps to take to maintain a close relationship with Him.

It takes a lot of attention and humility to follow Christ. The easier route is to trust in what worked before. So we fall back on the familiar, and do that again.

But God has moved on.

"What we learned yesterday can get in the way of what we need to learn today" Bill Johnson

Cycles? The view is determined by your perspective.

As you go around again, do you see the good things God is holding up in His Grace? The provision? The opportunity? The way forward.

All He asks is "Trust in His guidance, don't be passive, but be intentional. Accept your responsibility,  call others to trust in the Lord with all their hearts. And believe He will Go before you and prepare the way.

12-12-2012

A unique date. We'll never be here again. Do you get it? Cycles don't exist. Today may look like yesterday but it's not. Cycles are an illusion meant to distract you and occupy your time. Tomorrow I will change my ways?... You will run out of tomorrows. Change today, for today is all we have.

Cycles.

The cool thing about "cycles" is that they bring you around again. They are closely related to "ruts".

It is God's Grace, manifest in His long-suffering.

His hope is that you'll finally get it.

Ruts and cycles, the trick is to know "He died for you". No matter how deep the rut or how many times you've been around. He has a way for you to be an overcomer.

Not desperate enough to admit you don't have it within yourself? The Lover of your soul has one last recourse.

There comes a time when in God's "Judgement" He realizes you won't get it where you are at. It is then He withdraws His sustaining Hand, like holding a ball so it doesn't fall to the ground, our sin pulls us down. Reaping the consequences of our sin will hopefully wake us up to our inability to overcome in our own understanding.  Are you awake? Then there is "Hope". May your Soul long after Him and the Grace He offers freely.

While we were yet sinners, He died for us!

Swept Along?

The interaction of mass and energy has an "inertia". Events beyond your control that sweep you along. Even when in the moment you make a wise choice, events transpire that seem to be detrimental to your situation. Your mistake is thinking you understand your situation.

Yes, we are swept along by the inertia of the interaction of mass and energy. And even though we make wise decisions, we can still find ourselves in a less than comfortable situation. Rejoice, if you find yourself there. It is there that the Lover of your Soul can reveal just how much He loves you, just how much He has "Got your back". Maybe then you will get serious about the pride that gets in the way of hearing His voice, understanding His heart, and committing yourself to His desire to bring everyone into the Kingdom.

Notes on "Time"

Time: A succession of moments demarcating change in the physical realm of our existence*

(*1. The fact or state of existing; being.
2. The fact or state of continued being.
Synonyms:  actuality, being)

Only the now exists. Ongoing existence is continually being created and held together by God. Creation was not a single act of God but is an on ongoing activity. 

Colossians 1:17 "He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together."

The past is forever gone. The present now is where we exist and have our being. The future has not yet been created by our choices and God's deference to those choices. 

God has yet to exert his will completely, in hope that all will repent. Some of the future is determined and God knows it as a certainty, although it does not yet exist. Some of the future is open and God knows it as a contingency and it does not yet exist. Existence is the present now.

Now is the succession of moments demarcating Creation. Creation is continually held together by God and the concept of time is the result of the cause and effect progression of change in creation/existence. Creation is the ongoing task of God. He has chosen to share some of that task.

To some extent, we "create" our own existence by the choices we make. Our existence in the now is partly determined by the choices we have made in the past. Our future existence in creation is partly determined by choices we make in the now with the before ordained plan of God, manifested in Jesus Christ.

The plan of God finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ even before the foundations of creation/existence were laid.

Our present now is relative. Reality is comprised of a multitude of relative nows. The physicality of existence requires relativity in individual nows. My now is unique. No one else can experience my now except God.

Creation is created moment by moment. God is in the moment by moment, creating our existence. The future has yet to be created. Therein rests the Hope that motivates the Lover of our Soul.

You and I view existence from a particular perspective limited by our locale. This limited perspective inhibits our comprehension of reality as a whole.

Because God is outside the physicality of our existence, does that mean He is outside of time? To say God is outside of time makes no sense. Time is inside God. God creates and holds existence together as an ongoing activity. Existence is created by God moment by moment and is demarcated by change which results in the observance of time. To say it another way, time is the observance of change in existence as God creates it moment by moment. God is the creator of time.

It exists because of God’s ongoing activity of creation.

TIME exists because change is observed. Change occurs because things move. Things move because of the “Prime Mover” God.

The Past - Is Fact    
The Future - Is Potential
The present - God's ongoing act of creation enabling Existence.

Be Blameless

God's desire for us is that we would be blameless. It was not long after Christ became Lord and Savior in my life that I started coming across scripture that spoke that truth into my life. To be blameless, what does that really mean, why is it important?

For me it began as a conviction that I wasn't the perfect person I thought I was. I began to see just how often I "was" to blame for the conflicts in my life. As I began to realize my part in these conflicts, guilt became the consequence and my pride was revealed. Let me explain.

My pride let me think it would be easy to be blameless. You see for quite sometime I had directed the blame for my conflicts directly onto the one I had the conflict with.

Everyone is Unique.

So what should we deduce from this truth?

I'm not like you. Then why do I compare myself to you? It's because I want what you have. You are noticed, others praise your accomplishments, when I try to compete, you do better than me. When will I realize I can't be you?

Have you ever tried to be "like" someone else? What about trying to be someone you aren't, just to get someone to like you, to notice you? Have you ever struggled with trying to find the real you?

Then you are a "most fortunate soul". You are close to realizing... the real you is not like anyone else.

Years ago I learned that... "When I get a glimpse of God, I automatically get a glimpse of my true self".

Let His Light shine into (reveal) your life as you "Seek Him with all your Heart". As you get to know Him, you will get to know yourself. READ YOUR BIBLE!

Think About it!

You are unique, just like everybody else. Hmmmmmn?

A Snow Flake?

"Snow flakes are unique. But they are all snow flakes."   Hudson Brown

That's Hudson's interpretation of the statement he found online. "Just remember, all of us are unique, just like everyone else".

Light the fire Again?

Swept along? Sure I am swept along by circumstance, events beyond my control. Everyone is. The issue is our position in the flow. The flow sweeps us along the line of circumstance, but do we see a different perspective? Does our "position" rise us above the circumstance to see the bigger picture. Christ died for us while we were yet sinners!

Buck the Trend!

Swept along? By the flow? I have to remind myself...? Hmmm, thank you Lord.

http://www.randolphbrown.com/2011/04/cause-and-effect-is-in-swept-along-in.html

That's crazy.

Over the last few months I have been languishing in doubt and fear.  As I appraise my situation I find the most popular statement between Tracy and I is "That's Crazy".

It is an honest statement of perspective and a witness of "unbelief".

Yet time passes and God's provision, though it makes no sense, still remains.

On a road not of my own construction.

Yet, here I am. I thought the choices I made would direct the consequences that my future would reveal. Make good choices and good results would happened. What the?

Good choices compared to logical choices. My mistake was thinking "Logical choices" were "Good choices" NOT!

I walked a path of logical choices. At the end, I was un-employed and left to figure it out on my own.

The logic of it all, okay. But the immediate result, scary.

Then God proves Himself. Stay tuned.

Where do you place your trust?

The well equipped, tend to trust in their equipment.

Those with no sharp axe are much less likely to believe they can chop down the forest.

Perspective.

Our perspective informs all our opinions. Our opinions are an amalgamate (to combine into a unified or integrated whole) of our experience and the understanding we had in the moment. Insight is a crucial factor affecting the validity of our opinions. I suspect that "our insight" is superficial.

Superficial

su·per·fi·cial 

1. being at, on, or near the surface: a superficial wound.

2. of or pertaining to the surface: superficial measurement.

3. external or outward: a superficial resemblance.

4. concerned with or comprehending only what is on the surface or obvious: a superficial observer.

5. shallow; not profound or thorough: a superficial writer.

Born Again. Earthly things?

John 3:1-12 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." 4 “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”


9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?

Light the Fire again.

I have many times re-lit the fire on my backyard deck. I pride myself in using just one match. I look to arrange the coals from my previous fire and bring them together in close proximity to one another. That is where I strike the match that burns brightly. Though it is small, I bring it close to the coals from my previous fire. The match sparks the coals around it yet if left alone the light of the flame quickly dies out so I blow on them. I take deep breaths in hopes that the longer I blow the more intense the embers glow and the more likely new fuel will ignite. Once the embers are glowing bright I sit back and watch the progression. I see how oxygen is now flowing into the embers and the heat rises pulling in more oxygen. The coals glow and heat is created, and it rises.

The glowing embers spread out slowly. I think I can anticipate where they will spread. Then all of a sudden I see a flame break out in a surprising place. The flame's light spreads out from it and illuminates the deck area. The flame comes from fuel that has never been exposed to the fire or the heat. It was the embers closest to the fresh wood that ignited them because of their close proximity. I had purposefully positioned the wood to come in contact with the glowing embers that they might be ignited by the heat that the embers possessed and become a roaring campfire that would attract all to come and see.

Making Sense?

We all try to figure things out. We look around and our experience gives us a clue. Yet there is so much more. In our pride we take our perspective and try to use it as an answer to explain the reality of the circumstance. And then the circumstance changes. We are fools who trust in our own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5-6

Potential

1. The inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or coming into being.

2. Something possessing the capacity for growth or development.

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT OUR IDENTITY it is important to understand that God sees us from a perspective of our potential. It is this potential that is the foundation of His commitment and long-suffering toward us. With insight and understanding of our God-given potential He rebukes, chastises, and disciplines us with exhortations of humility, honesty, and demonstrations of unconditional love. He calls us to be over-comers, blameless, willing to admit our mistakes, dependent on His guidance. Willing to serve His purposes. 

In this light, we should consider our choices and decisions!

To be "present" in the Now.

Have you ever been distracted? Has your attention ever been occupied? Have you ever lost track of what you were paying attention too?

Being "Present" in the "Now" is the last thing the enemy of your Soul wants you to be aware of, understanding the reality of your existence, being aware and cognizant of your surroundings, both physical and Spiritual.

It is there you "attend" to the need. It's the last thing the enemy of your soul wants you to realize. There is no better time than "Now". There are no other considerations as important, no other distractions that beg procrastination. Time and effort proclaim "do it now" there is no better opportunity for the doing,  and the promise "Be at Peace" is fulfilled when done. There is no greater Joy than to obey "Now".

"for the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." ROMANS 14:17

We are not defined by the stuff we have accumulated

Look around yourself. Okay, look around your "home". Look at the stuff. It's all familiar. It all has a history. Are you surprised from how "long ago" the stuff has sat there? I was.

Stuff, I thought it would define my families future. But it is left by the wayside cluttering up our now. I'm reminded of the idea that "Your possessions, possess you." I need to stop that.

Set in your ways?

Don't be.

The steps of a good man?

Psalm 37:23-25 (NKJV)

²³ The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.
²⁴ Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.

²⁵ I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.

Inertial Frames?

The interaction of mass and energy have their frames of inertia. Planets cycling around suns. Stars revolving within a galaxy, Galaxies moving in the Universe. Inertial frames all relative in the now.

Determinism makes it all predictable. Yet, choice makes it all incomprehensible. Choice is the wild card. We can build or we can destroy, it is our choice. The enemy of our soul speaks in accusations, wanting us to focus on how we have been wronged, how we have been trespassed against. As long as we use that to excuse our own failings we will not be able to confess our sins and accept God's forgiveness.

The path of being an overcomer begins with the rejection of blaming someone else for your situation.  Looking to the lover of your soul as he calls you to reject passivity, accept responsibility, lead courageously and to expect the greater reward. Then trusting He will be faithful.

(https://www.authenticmanhood.com/store/category/33-the-series)

Inertial Frames

Frame within a frame, within a frame and so it goes. My inertial frame, how do I define it? Tonight I realized the house that my family lives in is not "my" inertial frame. Why? Because... it's not.

Who am I?

Who I think I am is brought into focus by the interpretation of my perception (5 Senses) which results from my perspective of what exists. This perspective is informed by truth or lies...

What is the source of your information? Is your perspective of reality interpreted from your limited perception, then you have reasons to be uncertain about anything you decide, or do you rely on information from a perspective high above your own? A perception that is not limited to the "Here and Now"?

Lets do some investigation...

I started an online course from Stanford on Artificial Intelligence. There's a free version available.

It seems that AI research has come up with “Reasons of Uncertainty” as they investigate “What to do when you don’t know what to do”. Here are the reasons for uncertainty...

• Sensor limits. Don’t see it all.
• Stochastic environment. Unlimited variables.
• Adversaries. An enemy dedicated to you failing.
• Laziness. Not being thorough in your investigation
• Ignorance. Not knowing and not caring.

Oh, crap! Christian, does this sound familiar?

Euroclydon [yoo-rok-li-don]

A southeast billow, the name of the wind which blew in the Adriatic Gulf, and which struck the ship in which Paul was wrecked on the coast of Malta (Acts 27:14; R.V., "Euraquilo," i.e., north-east wind). It is called a "tempestuous wind," i.e., as literally rendered, a "typhonic wind," or a typhoon. It is the modern Gregalia or Levanter. (Comp. Jonah 1:4.)

A Natural Man!

A natural man, yes I am, that broke free from the cycle of deception. Ill equipped to face the challenge of condemnation or exaltation, how do I train up a son in the way that he should go?

The truth shall set you free!

Deception: is the norm. Make believe is entertainment's offering to all our perspectives. How can I discern the truth in what I perceive.

Conception: an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances.
Self conception: who you think you are derived from past instances that formed an identity.

Tumultuous in its energy, the flow of truth and lies mixed up to give veracity to the current of deception, has its effect. The discerner of spirits will fall back to the fundamentals and embrace the Lover of their Soul. Peace in the storm, do you see the signs?

Though turmoil is all about and I am flummoxed on every side, the Rock of my Salvation is solid ground. I stand in His Grace. He knows me. Amen.

Facebook Timeline.

Who are you? Your past defines you if Facebook has its way. Be wary.

The past provides clues to discover the real you. Mistakes, even if they are documented, really provide insight...

Okay, maybe a timeline on facebook will confront shortcomings. Of course, if I can edit my history then I can build the me I think I should be. Danger Will Robinson.

Connect to Reality in an Excellent way

How do we navigate through the flood of distraction and find our way to the reality of our existence?

The Excellent Way has two witnesses.

God's Initiative has provided us with #1 the Holy Scriptures, passed down through time to us. AND #2 The Holy Spirit...

John 14:26 Amplified Bible

26 But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.

Distraction sought after.

I look for distraction to occupy my time. Time I have, to afford thoughts of my situation in reality. When distraction seems preferable to facing up to the facts on the ground. Distraction seems attractive.

Distraction and Excellence. Connecting to Reality.

Connecting to reality, how is my pursuit of excellence confused by distraction that warps my sense of reality?

There is any number of means to have contact with those I have a connection with. Contact is the operative verb.

I am distracted by the many "goings on" that I am afforded a connection to, because of the latest communications technology. Information overload... you only overload a system when you expose it to more then it was designed to handle.

When you understand the system is designed for distraction you also realize the system is not built for excellence. I mean when you want to connect to reality.

Reality is not "our" perception. It never can be. It is His and He is the author of His plan for us. Who will you trust.

Excellence.

How do we define Excellence? Is it being the best at what ever we choose to commit our time and attention to? An unlimited definition of excellence would allow me to define my commitment to "Pumkin Chunkin" an excellent accomplishment if I achieved a world distance record. What about the best swindler, should he be proud?

Distraction meant to occupy.

Distract and occupy. Decieve and destroy.

Flow... a current of data.

Tumultuous in its energy, the current of deception is given veracity as it it mixed up with truth.

The discerner of spirits will fall back to the fundamentals and embrace the Lover of their Soul. Peace in the storm, do you see the signs?


Though turmoil is all about and I am flummoxed on every side, the Rock of my Salvation is solid ground. I stand in His Grace. He knows me. Amen.

Change is the constant, continuity is not a given.

Continuity - Noun: 1. The unbroken and consistent existence or operation of something over a period of time.  2. A state of stability and the absence of disruption. Yeah right.

Continuity is full of disruption. Stability? All is sinking sand. A state of stability is the only place continuity can be studied. From my perspective "continuity" is neither unbroken or consistent. It is a flow of cause and effect that can only be understood from the stability of a perspective that sees all as it happens. Tap into His view and all the changes start to make sense.

It's Hard to Tell.

It comes at you from every direction. Information.  It has many forms, emails, tweets, advertisements online and broadcast... Okay, it's easy to tell the source of some of the crap you are exposed to. But the internet is an exquisite tool of communication and it's the best way to pretend you are something you are not. Just spend sometime on Facebook. Technology allows you to fabricate a virtual you, that isn't... you.

Where do we go from here?

Source.

from Old.French. sourse "a rising, beginning, fountainhead of a river or stream," fem. noun taken from pp. of sourdre "to rise,spring up," from L. surgere "to rise" (see surge). Meaning"written work (later also a person) supplying information or evidence" 

There are only two sources. A source of truth and a source of lies. Truth is simple and easily understood. Complication comes from the father of lies and is meant to confuse.

Swept along.

Circumstance, it is a sea of turmoil. We all swim in it. We are swept along and most perceive not the flow. Flow? It is the current that inhabits the sum of every decision that those with choice make. Descisions break the bonds of determinism. But freedom to choose does not guarantee justice. Only the one who is everywhere, and sees all as it happens, can be the arbitrator of justice, who has already declared from the beginning, follow me!

Humility, the first step of a wise man.

We absorb truth from our surroundings if we understand that Wisdom, insight, understanding and knowledge... Are defined by a humble realization that it is not within ourselves to fully comprehend.

Reality?

Rejoice in the dynamic circumstance of your reality. For so intertwined is my reality with yours we cannot define reality but as "ours".

Rejoice.

Definition of REJOICE

transitive verb
: to give joy to : gladden
intransitive verb
: to feel joy or great delight.

Joy comes in the morning?? Whaaa.

R.O.I. A Kingdom Principle.

Return on investment.

Multiplication is the expectation.

Matthew 25:14-30

14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.

15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.

16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more.

17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more.

18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.

20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’

21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’

23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.

25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?

27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags.

29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

What are we to make of this?

Doldrums?

In seamen's speech the zone is referred as the "doldrums" because of it's erratic weather patterns with stagnant calms and sporatic violent thunderstorms. (Wikipedia)

Some may eqivocate the idea of an existence of turmoil. They reference their own experience and say "It's been smooth sailing". If this is the case, I would say you are no threat to the enemy of your soul and he has you where he wants you.

Existence? A sea of turmoil.

tur·moil –noun 1.a state of great commotion, confusion, or disturbance; tumult; agitation; disquiet: mental turmoil caused by difficult decisions.

We exist in a sea of turmoil. Why? Because our existence is flummoxed by the enemy of our soul.

No amount of insight, anticipation and organization can overcome the turmoil the enemy is able to produce from his lies and deceptions.

What are we to do? Trust in our own understanding or trust in the Lover of our soul with all our heart?

Fecundity, Foibles, and flummoxed turmoil? All can be overcome by Grace.

Fecundity, Foibles, Grace!

Curious words, the depth of meaning should be plumbed.

Fecundity. Foibles?

We reproduce what we are. That's fecundity. Foibles? They are the reason for what we reproduce.

An acknowledgement of our foibles is the first step in the process that creates a humble man. Humility is the first step a wise man takes. He concludes, "it is not within me to overcome my foibles".

The creature is not independent of the Creator.

Identity, Self-conception, interpretation, unique perspective.

Patterns of behavior are a result of who we perceive ourselves to be, our identity. Our conception of self is derived from how we interpret our unique perspective that exists in the now but...

A natural man, yes I am, that broke free from the "cycle" of deception. Ill-equipped to face the challenge of condemnation or exaltation, how do I train up a son in the way that he should go.

The truth shall set you free!

Deception is the norm. Make-believe is entertainment's offering of "distraction" to all our perspectives. How can I discern the truth in what I perceive?

Conception: an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances.

Self-conception: who you think you are derived from past instances that formed an identity.

What is a "fact"? Is it a statement of action or observance of state? The statement, "The earth is the third rock from the sun" is true for now. So is a "fact" something that is an observed truth at a given moment? Or is "Observed State" a recognition of the fact of determinism?

• Is our interpretation of our unique perspective a reliable foundation to base all our choices and decisions on?
• Do we have a clear understanding of how, what we decide, will propagate forward?
• Do we have it in our capacity to comprehend reality's nature and the influence our free will has on the circumstance made available to others that experience that influence? 

The answer to these questions makes me think, "Oh crap!".

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day.

One day exists in the "Now" of God's presence. What is "Now"?

It is the dynamic interaction of all that exists. Reality? Incomprehensible!

We see a fraction and can only comprehend an infinitesimal and in our pride we proclaim understanding.

The question is, "Do we understand how lost we are?"

Fecundity? Such a curious word with many meanings.

Fecundity? Let me explain what I mean. Each of us is not able to escape our Fecundity. We propagate what we are, and it is the evidence that either condemns or becomes the first step in a process of justification, sanctification and glorification.

Adoption allows one to escape the facts our choices have created. Adoption is the grafting into the stock that builds instead of destroys. Grace bids all. The humble say yes. Their challenge is allowing God to show them the way. Humility is the first step a wise man will make.

Cycles create the illusion of repeatability.

Cycles are all around us. Clock time, the spin of the earth, the revolution around the sun, it all makes us think we've done this before, we've been here before. Not!

In reality, every moment is unique because your relationship with the continuum is constantly changing.

When the decision is made it becomes an unalterable fact, no redo! The facts of your past, the enemy will use to condemn you. You are without excuse. The enemy of your soul is hoping you'll believe that you have an opportunity to make things right tomorrow. But Now is all there is.

Today is the day of salvation. Choice is all you have to break the cycle that has you trapped. Today say "Yes" to the lover of your soul and He will give you rest.

Fecundity?

Each of us live in the now. The Now is where we make our choices. Choices have ramifications.

Choices. The distraction is pride.

Memory and reason are the foundation of an observer's ability to choose. It presupposses a comprehension of tensed facts created by previous choices. The truth condemns and choice proves to be my down fall. Why? I was not designed to rely only on my memory.

Two things make it more complicated. The accuser,  and the tense facts that "I" created. The result is condemnation.

It seems my choice alone is unable to foresee and comprehend the ramification of its effect on the continuum. Thus the destructive result.

Fecundity has its foundation in the Now. As I trust in the Lord and not my own understanding, He directs my path to fruitfulness.

Cause and Effect (As in "Swept along in the Now")

Cause and effect creates a flow within an inertial frame. Have you ever felt like you were in a rut? This flow tends to take the same path if free will does not exert a choice. The choice is hidden by a lie that presents unworthiness and concludes condemnation. And rightly so if we accept the flow.

Hope presents a promise and says, “you choose” 1 Corinthians 10:13 The choice is simple but most difficult. We can stay in the flow and trust in our own understanding or we can choose to trust the Lover of our soul and begin to see who He created us to be. The truth sets us free as we trust in the Lord with all our hearts.

Cause and effect appeals to self-interest. There the tension is manifest. The enemy clouds the truth that self-interest is ultimately fulfilled in giving.

Cause and effect if left alone ultimately will result in degradation, the second law. Life can overcome that degradation by accepting the truth that Hope offers. Choose the author of life and be an overcomer.

Have you ever thought, I just wish someone would tell me what to do? Have you ever wished someone would show you the way you should go?

“I am the way, the truth, and the light”
Jesus Christ

Most likely you’ve believed, as I did, that you have it within you to succeed. The problem is what you define as success.

Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness. When change is absolute there remains no being to improve and no direction is set for possible improvement: and when experience is not retained, as among savages, infancy is perpetual. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. 

~ George Santayana ~ 

Remember the past? Each of us has a history. We reminisce with those we shared the past with. Remember when we say. Progress is not found there.

Our history viewed with clarity reveals the struggle. A struggle that gives us insight. The insight brings us to the realization that it is not within us to progress.

Come to an end of yourself. Humility is the fertile ground of a teachable heart. Allow the Lover of your soul to blast the light of truth into the darkness of your history to reveal the plan He has had for you from the beginning. He has one goal, to share himself with you.

Patterns of behavior.

Identity, Self conception, interpretation, unique perspective.

Patterns of behavior are a result of who we perceive ourselves to be, our identity. Our conception of self is derived from how we interpret our unique perspective which exists in the now, but it also is greatly affected by our remembered history. Memory does not serve us well.

Patterns of behavior are evident in the cycles we experience in the now. Free will gives us the potential to break free of the pattern and experience the cycle with a new perspective. Are you going to trust your interpretation?

Reality's Nature?

Is our interpretation of our unique perspective a reliable foundation to base all our choices and decisions?

Do we have a clear understanding of how, what we decide, will propagate forward?

Do we have it in our capacity to comprehend reality's nature and the influence our free will has on the circumstance made available to others that experience that influence?

The answer to these questions make me think, "Oh crap!".

.

Perspective.

The state of one's ideas, the facts known to one, etc., having a meaningful interrelationship:

a. The relationship of aspects of a subject to each other and to a whole: 

b. Subjective evaluation of relative significance; a point of view:

c. The ability to perceive things in their actual interrelations or comparative importance:

perspective: (noun) a) A specific point of view in understanding or judging things or events, especially one that shows them in their true relations to one another; b) the ability to see things in a true relationship. - Webster's Dictionary

We all have "our" perspective.

There are no two of us with the same perspective. I am unique and so is my perspective.

Insight? It starts with my perspective. Understanding? It starts with my perspective. But wisdom is not acquired in my perspective.

Then where?

Strength of Character.

Not discovered in the solitude of study, but in the day to day trials of the familiar. Not in situations of strength but in vulnerability and humility is character's strength revealed.

Not just "Present" but "Awake"!

My "present" location is in the "Now". Here I am. This "here" is in a constant state of change as the interaction of mass and energy changes and transforms my now.

My "now", how to describe it?

Cycles of perceived repeatability. This is why we think "today was just like all the others". We lose sight of he fact that we are not able to understand the moment in the infinite complexity of Now. Cycles make us think "I have been here before". NOT!

If I know the "Here and Now" is where I am "present" and it is unique, then I know I can't trust in my own understanding for my current circumstance, then I will be much more likely to pay attention to the lover of my soul and seek His insight as to the way I should walk.

Are you awake?

There are no coincidences.

Continuity is an attribute of God.

If He holds all things together by the power of His word. Hebrews 1:3 KJV, then He choreographs all things that happen.

To hold all things together, does not mean He approves all things that happen. What ever your choice is, He takes what you have given Him by your choices, and makes a plan to bring "Beauty from Ashes" Isaiah 61:1-3 (King James Version)

There is a continuity to our life. Your history provides insight to the "Now" of where you are at.

Only God understands your "Now" in it's continuity with the past. He has left clues all along the way. Want to understand how you got to where you are at? Find the clues.

Choices we make, as we are swept along. So why are we going in circles?

We can't stop making choices. Most of our choices we are oblivious to. We make them with little thought and they sweep us along a familiar path, mostly in circles. Ever feel that way,  doing the same old thing over and over again and you wonder why things aren't different?

Life is pointless without God. With God,... what's the point?

Life is pointless without God. I don't have a problem with that. Just read Ecclesiastes, but it falls short in telling me... With God, what's the point?

Okay, I am here in the now, where God is. I understand "now" is what exists and it is where I make all my choices and decisions. I also understand that my choices are unalterable once made. I understand that I am unable to comprehend the infinite complexity of Now and my relationship to it, here where I am.

So what's the point? With God, I have the one who is everywhere (Omnipresence) and therefore knows everything (Omniscient) that is happening. As my counselor, He Knows exactly how I should respond in any given situation I might find myself in because He is able to anticipate every possible contingency I might be faced with, in the now of my existence. So that in that very hour I will be given what to say.

So when you hear "pay attention" I pray you will be awake and not distracted.

Are you awake or asleep?

Check out time 1:38... Rodney you are the man.

God's Now is not limited to my "Here"

I exist in the "Here and Now". If I trust in what my 5 senses tell me I am trusting in the limited perspective my 5 senses provide.

My "Here" in the "Now" limits my acquisition of information because there is a delay between the event and my perception of the event. God doesn't have that problem. He experiences every event as it happens. He is connected to every "Here" in the "Now" without delay.

God's "Here and Now" Is where we exist. "Now" is where we reside in our uniqueness of "here"

Are we awake to His presence in our "Here"?

Awake in Reality?

Do you trust In the perspective of your five senses or trust in God's present guidance in the "Now"?

Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.

 6. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Corinthians 6:2 KJV   For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

We are all present in the "Here and Now"

You have no choice, you cannot be anywhere other then the "Here and Now." "Now" is the same for everybody except God. "Here" is unique for each of us.

I exist in a uniqueness of presence and I can relate to others and their presence in my "Now". Their "Now" is my "Now" because we all exist in the Synchronicity of Now.

I have no choice to be Here and Now. Yet Here and Now is filled with choices. Where do these choices come from? Are we aware of the multitude of decisions we make every day? You cannot be aware if you are not awake.

Are you present? I am present, Here and Now.

My inertial frame is always present in my now. My now is limited to a horizon of relationship that is restricted to what or who is present in my "here". My here and now's horizon has been expanded by technology that allows me to communicate beyond geographic locals and synchronicity becomes evident.

My now is synchronised with everyone else's now because communication extends beyond my "here" and expands my "now".

This expansion of now reveals Synchronization and is proof that the present is all that exists. You are never not present in the now! No matter where you are.

The "Specious Present"?

Others have tried to explain "Now" in terms defined by clock time. Google "Specious Present" and see what I mean. They think time exists and they talk about duration. They speculate about Specious Present as a temporal equivalent of a sensory datum.

It's not complicated "Now" is where we reside.

I'm "Here" in the "Now".

"Here" is where my memory operates and my reason anticipates. My "here" is limited in the "Now" by the nature of the physical realm and I know very little.

Here you are. Now!, is the time.

When we believe time exists we think that the future is something that gives us the opportunity to put off the need to change. The need to change is presented to us by our current situation and the memory of how we got here. Here is "Here" and it changes according to deterministic laws outside our control, except for our ability to choose "this and not that".

You exist in the "Here and Now". The reality of your existence is brought into focus by your ability to remember how things were different and anticipate change before it happens.

The problem is your insight into the "Now' is limited to your inertial frame and what you can infer from your experience in it.

"Now" is all that exists. "Here", is your position in the now in relation to everything else.

Here is the dynamic. You are in a constant state of change. The change is incomprehensible to one restricted by their inertial frame.

Here you are and Now is the time. Tomorrow may never come.

However you define "Present" God is in the "Here and Now"

Jehovah Shammah: God is Present... The "present" is the time that is associated with the events perceived directly, not as a recollection of the past (memory) or a speculation of the future (reason). It is often called now.

Live in His presence! Live in the now.

Presence –noun  1. the state or fact of being present, as with others or in a place.

Jehovah Shammah: God is "Present"

The "present" is the time that is associated with the events perceived directly, not as a recollection of the past (memory) or a speculation of the future (reason). It is often called "NOW".

Moments in the Now!

I had a moment tonight to talk with Hudson (he's 14). He wanted to tell me about a word he had come across that started with "N". He explained if I did a search on Google for "emptiness, Wikipedia" that was where he found the word that started with "N".  I asked "you did a search for "emptiness"? He said, "I think that is why I'm lazy, I just think what's the point"?

The word he found was "Nihilism" which means life is without objective meaning. 

Hudson's favorite book of the Bible is Ecclesiastes because it expresses so much of how he feels. 

I tried to remind him that the questions he is asking are important and that God is giving him the answer. Life is pointless without God. With God, what's the point? Then Harrison came in and wanted his DS connected to the wi-fi.

After I tucked Hudson in for the night, I asked God to help me understand what Hudson was struggling with. I googled "emptiness" and began to click on search results. I came across this. A video that answers the question...

WITH GOD, WHAT IS THE POINT? 

Synchronization? We see through a glass darkly.

Each of us perceive reality from our own perspective. We judge what we perceive with the limited insight that is inherent in our inertial frame. Is that what we should trust in? At best such trust will provide temporal success.

(Temporal: pertaining to or concerned with the present life or this world)

If we understand that all of creation is a symphony that God orchestrates on the fly how foolish we would  be to think we can understand the intricacies of all the relationships between everyone we will ever meet and the ongoing choreography we are apart of.

His plan for you? Don't trust in your own understanding.

Clues. They are all around.

The alone time, you know when you are by yourself. It doesn't matter your situation. Rich man or poor man, there are clues everywhere. Technology?, we are interconnected big time. But we see through a less then perfect lens.

The One who sees clearly, gives all of us clues.  They are right in front of you. Do you see? Knowledge of good and evil, do we make excuses and accept our complacency as the excuse?

Or do we think about our thoughts and become aware of the battle for our mind? Well, probably not. We just don't question enough.

Wake up, see the evidence all around, start asking the honest questions. Read the Bible, it will start to speak out to you. Listen to the voice of His Word

Faith, Hope, and Love, He offers this to those who will believe what He did on the cross is sufficient.

That is the easy part.

If you are called, yeah, we all are. If you respond "here I am" then God will choose to lead you in the way, then the question is... will you be faithful? Will He be Lord of the real you.

Synchronization is not planned, it is choreographed. A symphony. 2

A symphony! All of it is connected. Synchronization? Not of exact copies walking in "lockstep", very impressive, but synchronization in diversity, a multitude of expressions, revealing His glory.

He holds it all together, every choice we make, he desires to show us His commitment to our highest good. He is hopeful, he is determined to show us the way. Are we willing to listen to the the one who choreographs the universe?

JEHOVAH SHAMMAH.

Current events in North Africa and the Middle East have caused me some concern. What to do when the economic upheaval arrives here.

10:45 PM   I noticed my son Harrison’s reading light on in his room. Upon investigating, he was writing something. I asked, "what are you doing"? He explained, “I wasn’t able to sleep so I thought maybe God wanted to tell me something so I prayed, God if you want to tell me something that it might be in the scripture, so then I opened my bible and it was Jer. 17 and I started reading. The verses 5-10 really stood out to me and I thought it was important, so I'm writing it down".

Jeremiah 17:5-10

5 This is what the LORD says:

  “Cursed is the one who trusts in man,

  who draws strength from mere flesh

  and whose heart turns away from the LORD.

6 That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;

  they will not see prosperity when it comes.

They will dwell in the parched places of the desert,

  in a salt land where no one lives.

7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,

  whose confidence is in him.

8 They will be like a tree planted by the water

  that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes;

  its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought

  and never fails to bear fruit.”

9 The heart is deceitful above all things

  and beyond cure.

  Who can understand it?

10 “I the LORD search the heart

  and examine the mind,

to reward each person according to their conduct,

  according to what their deeds deserve.”

Momentum, the moment and the Bigger picture.

Is there anything more important then the moment? It is where we exist. It is where we experience the momentum. It is where we remember the past and anticipate the future. It is where we understand our existence and where we make our choices.

If we trust in our own understanding we will most likely see the momentum as a positive thing, something to participate in, something to be proud of. If we question our understanding, if we realize our perspective falls short, then we are finally in a place to see the Bigger picture.

Lockstep Marching, very impressive.

Momentum! Sweeps us along.

Impetus of a nonphysical process, such as an idea or a course of event.
An idea effecting a course of events. Unity, principle, common goals, who can argue against such? Lockstep marching, very impressive.

Unified Field Theory. (I googled it.)

"A theory of everything (TOE) is a "putative" theory of theoretical physics that fully explains and links together all known physical phenomena, and predicts the outcome of any experiment that could be carried out in principle."

The science of Physics stands on experimentation and the idea of repeatability.  Repeatability is a myth, held on to by those who believe that time exists and that it is not a figment of their consciousness. Everything is connected and synchronized. To understand the quantum you have to see all as one, connected and synchronized. 

A "A theory of everything" will explain human nature.

The Tower of Babel

What??? How does the Tower of Babel relate to lockstep marching.

Man's potential is illustrated in the Tower of Babel. When we work together we are able to do impressive things. Pride makes us believe that our potential is an intrinsic attribute inherent in us alone. Yet the truth is something different.

God guides, man responds, and is blessed. Pride says, "oh, now I understand". Man takes the lesson and thinks he knows how to apply it. He labels it. Packages it. And tries to convince everyone he has the answer. This is where the idea of "Biblical Principles" comes from. This is why the "Self Help Christianity" industry exists.

Lockstep Marching? Stay tuned.

Lockstep

"Lockstep marching or simply lockstep refers to marching, in the USA, in a very close single file in such a way that the leg of each person in the file moves in the same way and at the same time as the corresponding leg of the person immediately in front of him, so that their legs stay very close all the time."... Google it!... "indoor marching band classic 2010 ohio"

Synchronization is not planned, it is choreographed. A symphony.

The now synchronized, is a symphony created on the fly, by what He is provided with.  Our choices give Him the basis of His arrangement which He takes to reflect His personality and His composition stays true.   A  Symphony of hope meant to set us free from the lies and distraction of the enemy of our souls. Who are you? Listen to the Conductor. Discover your voice that was created to express harmony and dissonance in an ever expanding choreography of creation.

Evidence presented.

As I strap on the ApneaLink monitor and get ready for bed, I am presented with some evidence. What comes to mind is the word "corruption" and the second law of thermodynamics.

The evidence presents itself and the conclusion is obvious. It is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgement.

The tide sweeps us along, you will give an answer to the choices you are making.

The Moment is "Now" recognized.

Now is eternal. Now contains everything that exists. Now is constantly changing. The "moment" is recognized by the observer. It is limited by the inertial frame of the observer and it bears witness to the evidence presented.

The moment can only be made sense of in context to the memory of the observer and their experience of the "Now" they exist in. The moment remembered gives the illusion of time its meaning.

Synchronicity of Now proves its unrepeatability.

Synchronization, purpose and breadcrumbs.

Now is where we exist and have our being. Now is Synchronized with purpose, everything!  Doesn't seem like you have a purpose? Seem like you are lost in a sea of circumstance, confused and ready to give in to the tide?

Remember everything has a purpose. Even your mistakes can be a stepping stone that leads you to the truth that God loves you and has a plan for your life.

Evidence? It's everywhere. Little breadcrumbs synchronized in the now to show you the plan God has for you. Look for them.

Negative Capability Is A Profound Therapy

RICHARD FOREMAN

Playwright & Director; Founder, The Ontological-Hysteric Theater

Mistakes, errors, false starts ― accept them all. The basis of creativity.

My reference point (as a playwright, not a scientist) was Keat's notion of negative capability (from his letters). Being able to exist with lucidity and calm amidst uncertainty, mystery and doubt, without "irritable (and always premature) reaching out" after fact and reason.

This toolkit notion of negative capability is a profound therapy for all manner of ills ― intellectual, psychological, spiritual and political. I reflect it (amplify it) with Emerson's notion that "Art (any intellectual activity?) is (best thought of as but) the path of the creator to his work."

Swept Along 2

There is no stopping it. The cause and effect interaction of mass and energy, that changes and transforms our now, against our will. It seems choice cannot stop it. Change has two results for the observer. Good or bad, build up or destroy. Choice does not stop the change but it can determine a result. Somethings are predetermined by mass and energy's interaction. Somethings are open to choice and the result the choice brings. The creative ability of choice to destroy or build up is what presents each of us with our GIST.

Swept Along.

Determinism sweeps us along. This quality of existence that permeates reality and is only overcome by choice. Determinism is an overwhelming flux in the continuum of what exists. All around cause and effect spits out the facts that are created, and our choices add to the "Sum" of our "Now". Every choice is an unalterable fact that we are doomed to reap the results of (I mean that we are not able to escape). The tide never wanes, it sweeps us along in a synchronicity of complexity only God understands. Thus we are swept along by change.

The interaction of mass and energy results in a cause and effect, that creates an inertial flow that exerts a tendency to bring about a similar outcome. Commonly called a "rut" or habit.

But choice can trump determinism. True choice is made evident in the light of truth. It is the power to overcome the inertial flow of your history and to become all that God created you to be. No need to be blown along with every wind of doctrine. Ephesians 4:14

Hmm... Have you ever noticed advertising?

Jehovah Shammah: God is "Present"

The "present" is the time that is associated with the events perceived directly, not as a recollection of the past (memory) or a speculation of the future (reason). It is often called now.

Free will.

Free will has no meaning if we don't understand the consequence of our choices.

Satan is a liar. That is the truth I knew as I began my quest to discover what time was.

Truth is simple once discovered. But the quest for truth is nothing but complicated. The father of lies doesn't want us to know the truth.

The simple truth is found in Christ. He reveals creation as it was intended. Complication is the work of the enemy of our soul.

Our choices create tensed facts that build up or destroy. Distraction is meant to blind us to the truth of our choices. Pride keeps us in the fantasy.

Fantasy and Distraction.

You can't define fantasy correctly without using distraction. Fantasy is fundamental distraction that replaces the truth with a pseudo reality that allows you to ignore the consequence or your choice.

Blame, excuse, doubt, fear, fun and pride distraction will use to keep you occupied as the interaction of mass and energy continues to create the tensed facts of the choices you cannot but make.

Gist, Now and Distraction.

So now is here, where you are. The sum of your past, call it Gist, is the place for your next choice. But memory equips you with perspective that helps you see distraction for what it is.

Will you continue to be distracted by story lines of fantasy. They are all around, ready to take up your attention and distract you from the facts that are being created by your choices.

The facts being created by your choices! Unalterable. Choice, the power to build up or tear down. Correct a wise man and he becomes wiser still.

NOW. IS THE "SUM'. The Gist! part 2

The "Gist" of our now is the sum of our past. Our past is a collection of tensed facts that are unalterable. Now presents us with our "Gist" and we make a choice. Now is about choice. In the now choice becomes evident in the information presented to us. We accept or reject the information. There are just two sources available to us for information. One is the truth, the other is lies.

The "Gist" of our now is the sum of our past and the source of information we have put our trust in. Truth and lies, one source is the lover of our soul the other is dedicated to our destruction. Now presents our "Gist", now also presents a choice. It is yours to make. He died for all, yet narrow is the way and few be that find it.

Choices. The distraction.

Choices. The distraction.

Memory and reason are the foundation of an observer's ability to choose. It presupposses a comprehension of tensed facts created by previous choices. The truth condemns and choice proves to be my down fall. Why? I was not designed to rely only on my memory and ability to reason.

Two things make it more complicated. The accuser,  and the tense facts that I created.

It seems I am unable to foresee and comprehend the ramification of my choice and it's effect on the continuum.