Home » Posts tagged 'relationships'

Tag Archives: relationships

Staggered by the odd goodness of God: Kingdom Mathematics don’t always add up

Posted on by | 2 Comments

Well, as much as I hate using an old address to sell plasma to pay for my rent at the Bunkhouse (hopefully someone at the plasma center won’t read this), I seem to be blessed financially anyway. For example, I have $4.57 in my account, I stop at McD’s for some dollar menu items that cost $4.08. Why does my account balance equal $2.49 the next day? Shouldn’t it be .49? Then a day or two later I get some chicken on the dollar menu at Church’s which should zero out that account. Today I check it and it’s $3.49. I could ask God for a full direct deposit but something tells me that would be putting God to the test. His blessings aren’t that obvious. You actually have to be quite anal(ytical) to catch them. And by the way, the last thing you want to do is make sense of God’s blessings!

Now I may get to be a part-time stock clerk at a local grocery store (with my experience that’s, n/m, none of your business. . .j/k :) Either way if I was offered the chance to be a store manager or a syndicated columnist with a content writing service, you would think it would be a no-brainer since being a retail manager would be nights, weekends, and Sundays. But after two years of scrounging a living as a freelance writer (not as bad as hard construction day labor) I pretty much decided this lifestyle sucks and isn’t consistent enough. I’m ready for full-time work again. But I probably need to finish my Bachelor’s (probably at University of Phoenix). My work though Elance has caused me to get into Web Development and it’s practical so I can probably pass the classes. and get a grant + scholarships since I haven’t worked much the last two years.

The plasma story reminds me of when Jesus said something to the religious zealots of His day about neglecting the latter for the former; i.e., focusing so much on the keeping of God’s law that you neglect a brother in need. Even Rahab lied to protect spies. Besides if you try to be completely honest at any job you would be fired. If you have that kind of faith, go for it. I know when I was a Department Manager the team stocking guide I filled out gave me 1.5-2 days to finish the job and I only had eight hours. Truck drivers can only drive so many hours but have to go over due to traffic. If they are honest about that they would still be canned for violating company policy. That would be called playing the game. The only alternative would be living on the streets and being a leech on society. Would anybody listen to someone share the gospel if they looked and dressed like a veteran hobo? I met a lot of “godly” people on the streets. Sadly I cannot tell who is real or just psychotic. I don’t think all the meds in the world would pull some of those people who have lived on the streets since the ’80′s back to reality. It’s really sad visiting that neigborhood. I know if I had to live there again I would probably be needing drug and alcohol rehab. However when it comes to drugs & alcohol and antipsychotic medicine, it’s a tossup which one is worse for you in the long run.

Who Will Stop The Rain?

Posted on by | Leave a comment

I heard a classic song from the late ’60′s by the legendary Creedence Clearwater Revival. You may know them simply as CCR ; they had such hits as “Proud Mary” and “Bad Moon Rising” (as a kid I though he was singing ‘there’s the bathroom on the right’. It’s before my time but I follow rock from the ’60′s through ’90′s and some contemporary. While staying at the Bunkhouse Men’s Dorm in South Fort Worth, I heard the song “Who will stop the rain?” I heard at the time it was mainly about the Vietnam War, but it could apply to today and does not necessarily have to do with war. Yeshua HaMashiach/Jesus Christ prophesied there would be wars and rumors of wars. Sometimes I think the worst kinds of wars are those that don’t involve military weapons. Sometimes the biggest weapon of mass destruction is our own mouths (James Chapter 3).

Who will stop the rain? As far back as history can go there have been wars; wars between nations, families, individuals, etc. These can be physical, with or without weapons, or emotional/mental. Of course for those that don’t study history, then just read the paper because we will continue to relive “the old days” if we don’t learn anything from our past. So, the answer to “who will stop the rain?” The answer is obvious to those that follow the teachings of Judeo-Christianity. The promised Messiah of Israel. Christians on the other hand know the identity of the Messiah and the only thing you can do to prove that He is still living is receive Him into your life (salvation does not stop there by the way).

Now, I’m finished preaching so I’ll upload the video of a 1969(?) classic.

In the words of the late Jimi Hendrix, “there must be some kind of way outta here.”

Sometimes I wonder if Lenny Kravitz is Jimi Hendrix reincarnated.

Fear of getting old? Or something greater?

Posted on by | 2 Comments

Now that I am in my mid-thirties and pushing 40, I notice many of my high school friends that I reconnected with through the amazing power of Facebook comment on how they are getting old. Some are just joking but some actually do have a fear of old age. My dad always taught me that you are only as old as you feel and that life is only as hard as you make it. Life is only hard when we make decisions that are out of step with the will of God which is laid out in scripture; of course any devotional or inspirational that focused on Yeshua as the Messiah and if anointed by the Holy Spirit can be divine inspiration.

When you live right, i.e. focus on God, life seems easier because we are supernaturally regenerated. The healthcare system may think we are “manic” and try to medicate it. I believe one hippie biker Jesus-freak referred to that as the “Jesus High”. Also, our bodies seem to supernaturally balance itself out and even the medical professionals in the Orient say that sickness only happens when our bodies are out of balance. I could recommend a book by Dr. Wayne Dyer called “Being in Balance.” I don’t know what Dr. Dyer believes about Jesus but I notice he is the most charismatic new age teacher and he quotes the New Testament and Jesus Christ a lot. I also notice how amazed I am when I hear someone who looks like they should be in college tell me that they are approaching senior citizenship as fast as they can.

This goes with a story of someone that was close to me seeing a strand of gray hair and insisting that it was blond. I am not colorblind, I have my own gray strands on the sides (they are just overshadowed by the dumbo ears). Anyway, sometimes I have to wonder if the fear of gray hair, fear of getting old, or whatever you call it is related to something much deeper that the Bible talks about.

It’s called the fear of death. No true believer in the Living God and His Messiah will fear death because the presence of the Holy Spirit in their life will assure them of righteousness and peace. It will also give them joy which in God-terminology is true happiness and transcends one’s circumstances. The real assurance that you are a child of God is that you are led by the Holy Spirit. Many evangelists say you can have assurance and peace if you believe (or trust) in Jesus, say the sinner’s prayer, and walk down an aisle to get baptized.

You can do all those above things and not have a genuine assurance of your salvation if you are not led by the Holy Spirit! The Bible, or Jesus the real Word of God, teaches that many will be deceived. Many will come to Him when He returns expecting Him to let them into heaven because they think they knew Him; only to have Him tell them to depart from them workers of iniquity. (Matthew 7:21-scariest verse in the Bible).

Do you fear getting old? If you don’t know the Father and the Son and experienced the supernatural filling of the Holy Spirit then you will likely have the crap scared out of you when you read the book of Revelation. In which case you will probably need an immodium at the first sign of gray hair.

Rolling in my 3.0


This is sort of a humor article on something I heard through the Alpha Course yet is an awesome testimony. First off, the Alpha Course is led by a British pastor, Nicky Gumbel. A lot of people love listening to him just for his accent. From listening to him, you can hear the wisdom. I have been studying the Bible for about twelve years consistently and can’t find anything wrong with his doctrine myself. Although my theological views tend to lead more to the Charismatic/Pentecostal; if for no other reason than the mainline denominations appear to lean toward fundamentalist/calvinism which depresses me.

Naturally if you google Alpha Course, you probably won’t find that much positive talk about it. Most people think charisma is just manipulation to get money out of people. Granted there are some ministries that do go to that extreme. The Apostle Paul even talked about some preachers back in his day who preached the Messiah for profit. Therefore, nothing new is under the sun. 

It almost makes you wonder sometime what many of these legalists, uh, I mean fundamentalists would think of Yeshua/Jesus when He comes back. Many people will probably expect somebody who is all serious and judges you for anything you do if it doesn’t involve reading the Bible, praying, and going to church. 

One of the Alpha Course lessons talked about why we should read the Bible. A lot of people think it’s just a rule book. I almost imagine some people think the reason God gave us commandments was because He likes to lord His control over us which means we don’t practice sin because “God said so and there doesn’t have to be a reason.” 

That goes back to my previous post on a quote from Pastor Ted Garner in Colorado regarding which tree we are in-the tree of life or the tree of knowledge of good & evil. Jesus Himself said “by their fruit you will know them.” Who has more fruit? Those that tell us how wicked we are and preach a Once Saved, Always Saved faith-alone doctrine which goes against the Book of James? Or those that believe in perseverance of the saints/progressive sanctification? That we have to continually seek after God in order to keep from sliding back into our old ways and separating ourselves from Him again? The Word of God teaches that if you fall from grace the last state will be worst than the first and it would be better to have not known God than to know Him and turn away. Although anyone who truly loves God won’t want to turn away from the Living God. 

On the Alpha Course video we saw today, Pastor Nicky (that reminds me of an Adam Sandler movie only not as creepy with the name) told about a man who used the Bible for rolling papers for his weed; that is until he came to the book of John and found he no longer needed marijuana anymore when he found the Messiah Yeshua/Christ. 

Talk about rolling your way through the Bible. Sadly, he probably rolled his way through the Word more than many people who went to church. In the end he received more out of it once he came to the book of John.  Hence the title of this post. I’m sure you can figure out where the 3,0 came from. 

Blessings & Peace,

Shabat Shalom,

E Bishop

Daily E’ism for 1/20/13-Modern Technology

Posted on by | 1 Comment

Actually getting more into modern technology and Social Media. It can makes us lazy but it can also satisfy a thirst for knowledge. Heard in a CNN news report that people are actually stressed out by 24/7 access to information. I don’t know why they would get stressed out and overwhelmed by this. It’s not like they have to be online looking up stuff all the time. Seek first the Kingdom of God and you will only want to look up stuff that God wants you to know. The secret to Wellness is balance and the ability to prioritize. Or as I like to call it, being an efficiency expert.

That being said, here I am sitting in my favorite coffee shop after the service at City Life Center was over. Pastor Tim Woody got a little long-winded but it was a good message. You had to be there. I must confess my sins that I snuck into the coffee shop next door to get my free coffee courtesy of City Life before 1pm when the deal cuts off. And now here I am sitting on the couch with my laptop plugged into an outlet, my cell phone is plugged into my laptop charging, and I’m wearing a set of headphones listening to Rhapsody. I feel like I’m on life support.

If the radiation from all this technology doesn’t kill you, something will.Life can be hard. Remember no one gets out alive. Give it to God and let Him take your burdens; after all, He already has.

“Social Media is bringing us all closer together.”-Peter Griffin

Gotta Beatitude Problem?

Posted on by | 2 Comments

Now that’s the best problem in the world to have. I was reading on a Catholic website that anybody that shows are “beatitude attitude” has the marks of the presence of the Holy Spirit; even if they didn’t know Jesus by name. As long as they don’t openly, intentionally, and willfully reject Him. Then again, when someone does reject Him, you have to wonder if it’s the real Messiah or some distorted image painted by the church.

From a Universalist POV, the Lord is all-inclusive as many are called even though few are chosen. The exclusive are those that actually believe on Him and receive Him and live for Him on a day to day basis. Knowing that the name “Jesus” is only a few centuries old and what some of His other names were makes you wonder if there could be true believers/followers in other religions.

Then again, we’re not qualified to judge unless we can see in someone’s heart. I read a story about Billy Graham witnessing to a monk and asked if the young Buddhist would like to receive Christ. The young monk told Reverend Graham that he already knew Him, he just didn’t know Him by name.

Hmmm. . .God works in mysterious ways. It’s all part of the mystery. To think you know everything about God is a form of self-righteousness.

The secret to happiness, actually a book by Billy Graham, lies in the Beatitudes that can be found in Matthew chapter 5. It starts with a poverty of spirit; or as Yeshua puts it, those that realize their need for God, or divine intimacy that is true and lasting. No idol can do that. Those that have a poverty of spirit are moved to hunger & thirst after the living God of Israel. Then when they see who they are outside of Messiah and what God did for them through Jesus/Yeshua, nothing can stop them from receiving Him because they will hate (love less) their life apart from Him.

Other beatitudes involve being persecuted for righteousness, or right-living. This persecution may take place in one’s very church more than it does in the world. When you step out in faith, don’t expect in any affirmation. The Word says if God be for you, who dare be against you. Those with a beatitude attitude strive to live at peace for bless are the peacemakers.

Being at peace with God makes you want to strive for peace with others. You can tell someone’s relationship with God by their relationship with others. If you hate someone you can see, how can you love a God you can’t see? If you have commitment issues in your relationships, you probably have a hard time trusting God. Who doesn’t to a point?

A fifth beatitude is blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. It says in one of Paul’s epistles that those that die with Him shall reign with Him. You can have all you were destined for in life, which may not be far from what you want, but you have to go through the cross to get it. The essence of sin is doing your own thing without trusting in God to get it. Insisting upon your own way will harden one’s heart to the point of not hearing God’s voice any longer. That’s a dangerous spot to be in.

Being merciful is another beatitude attitude. Those that show mercy to others will receive an abundance of mercy from God. If you want to experience more of God’s forgiveness, then you have to dole it out to those that offend you.

The last two beatitudes are blessing those that mourn and the pure in heart. When you mourn as the result of your sins, or sins done against you, God comforts you with the comforts of His Son. Godly sorrow leads to repentance and a deeper walk with God. Worldy sorrow is merely condemnation that leads you further against Him and deeper into sin.

Being pure in heart is merely being in love with Him. Love is the only thing that purifies one’s heart and it comes from realizing who you are in Christ. Love covers a multitude of sins. When you love God and love others, it produces Godly motives in your daily pursuits in business and relationships.

I was reading Psalm 10 recently and noticed it’s the exact opposite of a beatitude attitude. The wicked hunts down the weak (persecutes the righteous). He’s caught up in his own wicked schemes and even boasts about his own sinful cravings. This type of man reviles God and doesn’t seek after the things of God. In fact he is so full of himself that there is no room for God. That’s why Jesus teaches us to deny ourselves; for Him to increase, we must decrease.

There’s more but you will have to read it for yourself. I don’t want to be your Bible. Nor make this article too long.

To Fear or not to Fear (Part 2)

Posted on by | 2 Comments

A continuation of Yesterday's post. I have a tendency to overwhelm people so I cut it in half.

The unhealthy fear is fear of condemnation. Jesus said that He came into the world to save sinners not condemn them. The Apostle Paul tells us that there is no condemnation for us in the Messiah Yashua. After all, we are pretty good at condemning each other, don't you think?

Jesus said that if we loved Him we would obey His commandments because they are not burdensome. If you are keeping a mental checklist because you're afraid God is going to punish you then you don't understand grace very well, or the love of God for that matter. The whole duty of man, as written by Solomon (the wisest man in the Old Testament who had the most ladies I might add) declared at the end of Ecclesiastes that the whole duty of man is to fear God and keep His commandments.

If you study the law of God, or law of Moses, you will notice that from a holistic perspective all you have to do is put God first out of a heart filled with love and turn around and demonstrate that love to your neighbor. After all, how can you love a God you can't see and not love those around you that you can see?

To Fear Or Not To Fear

Posted on by | 2 Comments

Many times in the OT, or Tanakh, it says to fear the Lord and walk according to His ways. Proverbs declares that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Then we switch over to the NT where it says that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. I John 4:18 tells us that perfect love casts out fear.

You hear many believers say that we are a New Testament church. We are not under law but under grace. The Old Testament is a history book. One Jewish person even told me, with regards to the New Testament, that if it’s a testament then it’s not new and if it’s new then it’s not a testament. In other words, God doesn’t change. The book of Hebrews even says that God/Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

To start off, there is a healthy fear of God and an unhealthy fear. The healthy fear just means to respect Him. To stand in awe of His majesty. In doing so we will actually want to obey His commandments and precepts. This usually comes from a heart filled with love. Since this is unnatural to our human nature it usually comes when we acknowledge the Living God and His Son for the Word teaches that if you have not the Son, then you have not the Father. While, unlike most believers, I don’t go around shouting out Jesus is God because I don’t believe He is the Father or the Father is the Son, I was reading in the Gospel of John that when Jesus acknowledged He was the Son of God was enough to admit equality with His Father. Although Philippians is noted for saying in Ch. 2, v. 5-11 that even Jesus Christ didn’t consider equality with God something to be grasped.

Despite being equal with His Father, He was still 100% human. Had it not been for His perfect relationship with God, He would not have been fully inspired by the Holy Spirit to become perfect sacrifice for us. I read that in a DL Moody ebook on Amazon. They’re free as Reverend Moody is not receiving royalties anymore. He’s about as rich as you can get these days.