Comments on: I’m not a “real” anything http://boldgrace.com/2007/10/12/im-not-a-real-anything/ It's more wonderful than you can imagine! Sat, 22 Nov 2008 06:53:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: Pam http://boldgrace.com/2007/10/12/im-not-a-real-anything/#comment-1041 Pam Fri, 19 Oct 2007 23:56:35 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2007/10/12/im-not-a-real-anything/#comment-1041 Hey Bruce, A little bird told me to drop by. I don't know if your original question was for me but yeah, I know who I am. If I could read my friend's heart, I wouldn't have had to ask any questions. Now he has revealed it to me. Now I know more of who my friend is. I misunderstood what he was asking but it all worked to good anyway. We all have to make sure we are serving God and not ourselves. Pam NaNu! NaNu! to you too!;-} Hey Bruce,

A little bird told me to drop by. I don’t know if your original question was for me but yeah, I know who I am. If I could read my friend’s heart, I wouldn’t have had to ask any questions. Now he has revealed it to me. Now I know more of who my friend is. I misunderstood what he was asking but it all worked to good anyway. We all have to make sure we are serving God and not ourselves.

Pam

NaNu! NaNu! to you too!;-}

]]> By: kenneth http://boldgrace.com/2007/10/12/im-not-a-real-anything/#comment-1007 kenneth Tue, 16 Oct 2007 17:02:27 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2007/10/12/im-not-a-real-anything/#comment-1007 Bruce what a nice note to end this post.When you said, The Light has come into the world. Learning to see it will save your mind from ALL that haunts you. Amen my brother, kenneth Bruce what a nice note to end this post.When you said,

The Light has come into the world. Learning to see it will save your mind from ALL that haunts you.
Amen my brother,
kenneth

]]> By: Bruce http://boldgrace.com/2007/10/12/im-not-a-real-anything/#comment-1000 Bruce Mon, 15 Oct 2007 21:12:21 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2007/10/12/im-not-a-real-anything/#comment-1000 Thanks, Pam. You are a good friend! Mindy, that was beautiful! Thank you for your friendship! And to all who read these words, the Light has come into the world. Learning to see it will save your mind from ALL that haunts you. Great love to all! Thanks, Pam. You are a good friend!

Mindy, that was beautiful! Thank you for your friendship!

And to all who read these words, the Light has come into the world. Learning to see it will save your mind from ALL that haunts you. Great love to all!

]]> By: Pam http://boldgrace.com/2007/10/12/im-not-a-real-anything/#comment-999 Pam Mon, 15 Oct 2007 20:54:39 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2007/10/12/im-not-a-real-anything/#comment-999 I'm not frustrated, annoyed, or scared. The hardest thing to convey in writing is tone and I think you are assigning a preconceived tone to the words that I write. I'm not confused either, I'm just realistic. I'm not saying anything Paul did not say and probably, if there is anyone who thinks somewhat like I do it is Paul. He's too complicated for many to understand also. I understand Paul's writings like reading my own thoughts. We're just different people, Bruce. I'm a painter and it takes me months to complete a painting because I am so aware of detail. I know what detail means in completing a whole image. I also know that most who look at my paitings don't even see the detail but if I left it out, it wouldn't be the same painting... Other painters paint simple images and if they were to adopt my penchant for detail, it wouldn't work. The simplicity of how they see would be lost. If I were to try to paint in simpler fashion, my paintings would just look incomplete. I know my sin will not overcome me and that nothing can separate me from God. I also don't live in a constant state of fear of my sin. It is just the way I am. I'm a human being. I am also a human being in the process of becoming. God is freeing me from sin through Jesus. He is working out the details in my life as He forms Christ in me. You can't speed that process, Bruce! I also don't want to complicate yours. I'm just interested in why you see the way you do. I'm a terribly questioning and inquisitive person. I am interested in people and why they think the way they do. You know, the details. LOL! Anyway, all that boils down to is friendship. I don't want to fix you and I've had more than enough in my life of people trying to fix me. I ain't broken! I'm happy, wish granted!;-} Pam I’m not frustrated, annoyed, or scared. The hardest thing to convey in writing is tone and I think you are assigning a preconceived tone to the words that I write. I’m not confused either, I’m just realistic. I’m not saying anything Paul did not say and probably, if there is anyone who thinks somewhat like I do it is Paul. He’s too complicated for many to understand also. I understand Paul’s writings like reading my own thoughts.

We’re just different people, Bruce.

I’m a painter and it takes me months to complete a painting because I am so aware of detail. I know what detail means in completing a whole image. I also know that most who look at my paitings don’t even see the detail but if I left it out, it wouldn’t be the same painting…

Other painters paint simple images and if they were to adopt my penchant for detail, it wouldn’t work. The simplicity of how they see would be lost. If I were to try to paint in simpler fashion, my paintings would just look incomplete.

I know my sin will not overcome me and that nothing can separate me from God. I also don’t live in a constant state of fear of my sin. It is just the way I am. I’m a human being. I am also a human being in the process of becoming. God is freeing me from sin through Jesus. He is working out the details in my life as He forms Christ in me. You can’t speed that process, Bruce! I also don’t want to complicate yours. I’m just interested in why you see the way you do. I’m a terribly questioning and inquisitive person. I am interested in people and why they think the way they do. You know, the details. LOL!

Anyway, all that boils down to is friendship. I don’t want to fix you and I’ve had more than enough in my life of people trying to fix me. I ain’t broken!

I’m happy, wish granted!;-}

Pam

]]> By: Mindy http://boldgrace.com/2007/10/12/im-not-a-real-anything/#comment-998 Mindy Mon, 15 Oct 2007 20:48:00 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2007/10/12/im-not-a-real-anything/#comment-998 If I could have one wish it would be that all of those who fear what they are capable of would embrace it rather then turn from it. We are trained not to ask questions. We are trained to think that anything different is somehow wrong or a sin. If it isn't a sin then we will make sure to turn it into one by talking to others about it and asking them what they think as if they know what is right and what is wrong. Today I overheard a conversation about someone's sexuality and I know these kinds of conversations happen quite often, but this time I actually sat back and thought about how I couldn't believe that someone's sexuality was the topic of conversation. I chose to walk away from the conversation. Not you, me, the Church, the athiest, the Environmentalist, the vegetarian, the loner, the Harley rider, the black man, the jew, the KKK member, the same sex partners, the President or even the Hippie can say what is right and what is wrong. Ultimately in the end whatever decision is made will affect each and everyone of us differently and if their are consequences to our actions then we will suffer through them individually. I truly believe that God is within me. God's love will carry me and you through being the "topic of conversations". His love will be with me through it all. God's love will never be questioned and the decisions I make will not be questioned by God. Which means for me to never again encourage the self-righteous behavior which in the end is just the fear of darkness that we choose not to be a part of. If you look closely it is really just an illusion. It isn't dark at all. It is just so bright that we close our eyes and never look. I truly feel God within me. I don't care what anyone else see's in me or thinks of me. I am perfect in the eyes of God and once I realized it I started to see it in everyone else and I am truly enjoying life now. No fears!! It is what it is whatever it is :) If I could have one wish it would be that all of those who fear what they are capable of would embrace it rather then turn from it. We are trained not to ask questions. We are trained to think that anything different is somehow wrong or a sin. If it isn’t a sin then we will make sure to turn it into one by talking to others about it and asking them what they think as if they know what is right and what is wrong. Today I overheard a conversation about someone’s sexuality and I know these kinds of conversations happen quite often, but this time I actually sat back and thought about how I couldn’t believe that someone’s sexuality was the topic of conversation. I chose to walk away from the conversation.
Not you, me, the Church, the athiest, the Environmentalist, the vegetarian, the loner, the Harley rider, the black man, the jew, the KKK member, the same sex partners, the President or even the Hippie can say what is right and what is wrong. Ultimately in the end whatever decision is made will affect each and everyone of us differently and if their are consequences to our actions then we will suffer through them individually. I truly believe that God is within me. God’s love will carry me and you through being the “topic of conversations”. His love will be with me through it all. God’s love will never be questioned and the decisions I make will not be questioned by God. Which means for me to never again encourage the self-righteous behavior which in the end is just the fear of darkness that we choose not to be a part of. If you look closely it is really just an illusion. It isn’t dark at all. It is just so bright that we close our eyes and never look. I truly feel God within me. I don’t care what anyone else see’s in me or thinks of me. I am perfect in the eyes of God and once I realized it I started to see it in everyone else and I am truly enjoying life now. No fears!! It is what it is whatever it is :)

]]> By: Bruce http://boldgrace.com/2007/10/12/im-not-a-real-anything/#comment-996 Bruce Mon, 15 Oct 2007 17:27:07 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2007/10/12/im-not-a-real-anything/#comment-996 That's exactly what I'm talking about, Pam. You say "sin" is no more, then you say your flesh is trying to take you back into the bondage of "sin". If it is "no more", what is your flesh taking you back to? Why do you worry so much? Either Jesus has redeemed you to the Father, or he hasn't. If he has, nothing you can do, or anything you don't do, can separate you from the love of God. Is God's love that wishy-washy that he can turn it on and off according to your performance? What I'm hearing is that Jesus is not the answer, but only a tool. I feel sorry if that's what you think. Maybe that's why I'm so passionate about sharing the Good News with you. Maybe that's what drives me to try to reveal to you. I long to see you set free from the fear that pulls you into that kind of thinking. I hear the fear in your words, and I hurt from it. But, there's a time and a place for everything, and I feel like I've shared as much as I can. Any more would only frustrate and annoy you even more (if that's possible). I wish you great peace, my friend. I wish you much happiness! Great love, Bruce That’s exactly what I’m talking about, Pam.

You say “sin” is no more, then you say your flesh is trying to take you back into the bondage of “sin”. If it is “no more”, what is your flesh taking you back to? Why do you worry so much? Either Jesus has redeemed you to the Father, or he hasn’t. If he has, nothing you can do, or anything you don’t do, can separate you from the love of God. Is God’s love that wishy-washy that he can turn it on and off according to your performance? What I’m hearing is that Jesus is not the answer, but only a tool. I feel sorry if that’s what you think. Maybe that’s why I’m so passionate about sharing the Good News with you. Maybe that’s what drives me to try to reveal to you. I long to see you set free from the fear that pulls you into that kind of thinking. I hear the fear in your words, and I hurt from it. But, there’s a time and a place for everything, and I feel like I’ve shared as much as I can. Any more would only frustrate and annoy you even more (if that’s possible). I wish you great peace, my friend. I wish you much happiness! Great love, Bruce

]]> By: Pam http://boldgrace.com/2007/10/12/im-not-a-real-anything/#comment-994 Pam Mon, 15 Oct 2007 17:07:53 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2007/10/12/im-not-a-real-anything/#comment-994 Bruce, You don't know me too well and I really don't know you. Probably the only person I totally believe in and trust in is, Jesus. You're my brother but I'm not supposed to become like you and you aren't supposed to become like me. Through Jesus, Christ is formed within each individual according to their own individual bent that only God fully knows or understands. The unity of God is not uniformity. Human beings seek uniformity because it makes us feel secure but that security is false. Peace comes from the love and acceptance of God not through human acceptance of self or others. Those are the product of God's love and they can't exist apart from Him. If we have any unity Bruce, it is in the person of Jesus Christ. It won't happen by our pretending to think alike or believe that we think alike. You'll never get that from me, buddy. I accept you as you are but lay off on trying to make me as you are...okay? Don't worry. Even if you don't understand me, I am right where God wants me to be and I am free from sin in my spirit and one day, I will also be free of my flesh that tries everything it can muster to bring me back to the bondage of sin. I know that can't happen, those attempts are daily thwarted, not because of anything I do, or don't do, or another does, or choose but because Jesus lives in me. You also are right where you're supposed to be to according to God's purpose and not yours or mine. You can't really be my friend, Bruce unless you accept that. I don't want your pity or unwarranted concern. I don't need it. I have Jesus and He is enough. Pam Bruce,

You don’t know me too well and I really don’t know you. Probably the only person I totally believe in and trust in is, Jesus. You’re my brother but I’m not supposed to become like you and you aren’t supposed to become like me. Through Jesus, Christ is formed within each individual according to their own individual bent that only God fully knows or understands. The unity of God is not uniformity. Human beings seek uniformity because it makes us feel secure but that security is false. Peace comes from the love and acceptance of God not through human acceptance of self or others. Those are the product of God’s love and they can’t exist apart from Him. If we have any unity Bruce, it is in the person of Jesus Christ. It won’t happen by our pretending to think alike or believe that we think alike. You’ll never get that from me, buddy. I accept you as you are but lay off on trying to make me as you are…okay?

Don’t worry. Even if you don’t understand me, I am right where God wants me to be and I am free from sin in my spirit and one day, I will also be free of my flesh that tries everything it can muster to bring me back to the bondage of sin. I know that can’t happen, those attempts are daily thwarted, not because of anything I do, or don’t do, or another does, or choose but because Jesus lives in me.

You also are right where you’re supposed to be to according to God’s purpose and not yours or mine. You can’t really be my friend, Bruce unless you accept that. I don’t want your pity or unwarranted concern. I don’t need it. I have Jesus and He is enough.

Pam

]]> By: Bruced http://boldgrace.com/2007/10/12/im-not-a-real-anything/#comment-993 Bruced Mon, 15 Oct 2007 15:36:25 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2007/10/12/im-not-a-real-anything/#comment-993 That's cool, Pam. I hope you'll forgive my zeal in attempting to include you in the peace of Christ that those who gather here have found. I know you'll balk at the idea, but we have been right where you are... I think I can speak for all of us by saying that. We were all trapped in traditional religious thinking, and finally came to a place where we could no longer suppress the doubts and fears that we were all hiding behind our smiley-masks. We turned our backs on religion and found the wonder, the simplicity, and the power of Christ. We can't help but want the same for you. But, maybe you're not ready for that kind of freedom. And that's OK. We understand. It took me several years of seeking to admit that I had been held captive by my twisted religious thinking. And once I admitted it to myself, it took years more to break free from it, and fall into the arms of Jesus. Please know that you are loved. And though you don't need ANYONE'S permission, you can believe whatever you want. But, please understand that what you believe about God will lead your mind to salvation, or away from it. To me, and I might surely be wrong, you seem fearful about your relationship with God. You seem like you struggle to please him and doubt your abilities to measure up. Yes, you say all the right words about grace and forgiveness, but deep down, it sounds like you don't really believe it. It's not for me to judge anyone's heart, but I am always concerned about the peace (the fruit) one carries inside. We can all recongnize someone's state of mind by the words they say, and I am concerned for you. That's all it is. I'm not worried about your place in the Kingdom. The Cross settled that once and for all. I'm concerned that you're missing out on a wonderful, amazing time of life full of peace and joy... the salvation of your mind. That said, we are all on a journey to God, and we must all travel the path laid out before us. When we come to the fork in the road, our decisions will not affect God's love for us, but they will affect our perception of God's love for us. I made a decision a few years ago that brought me into a state of salvation that I could not have experienced all those years in the church (with traditional religious thinking/indoctrination). And I am so glad for it. I want to jump for joy, and share God's freeing love with everyone I meet! That’s cool, Pam.

I hope you’ll forgive my zeal in attempting to include you in the peace of Christ that those who gather here have found. I know you’ll balk at the idea, but we have been right where you are… I think I can speak for all of us by saying that. We were all trapped in traditional religious thinking, and finally came to a place where we could no longer suppress the doubts and fears that we were all hiding behind our smiley-masks. We turned our backs on religion and found the wonder, the simplicity, and the power of Christ. We can’t help but want the same for you. But, maybe you’re not ready for that kind of freedom. And that’s OK. We understand. It took me several years of seeking to admit that I had been held captive by my twisted religious thinking. And once I admitted it to myself, it took years more to break free from it, and fall into the arms of Jesus.

Please know that you are loved. And though you don’t need ANYONE’S permission, you can believe whatever you want. But, please understand that what you believe about God will lead your mind to salvation, or away from it.

To me, and I might surely be wrong, you seem fearful about your relationship with God. You seem like you struggle to please him and doubt your abilities to measure up. Yes, you say all the right words about grace and forgiveness, but deep down, it sounds like you don’t really believe it. It’s not for me to judge anyone’s heart, but I am always concerned about the peace (the fruit) one carries inside. We can all recongnize someone’s state of mind by the words they say, and I am concerned for you. That’s all it is. I’m not worried about your place in the Kingdom. The Cross settled that once and for all. I’m concerned that you’re missing out on a wonderful, amazing time of life full of peace and joy… the salvation of your mind.

That said, we are all on a journey to God, and we must all travel the path laid out before us. When we come to the fork in the road, our decisions will not affect God’s love for us, but they will affect our perception of God’s love for us. I made a decision a few years ago that brought me into a state of salvation that I could not have experienced all those years in the church (with traditional religious thinking/indoctrination). And I am so glad for it. I want to jump for joy, and share God’s freeing love with everyone I meet!

]]> By: Pam http://boldgrace.com/2007/10/12/im-not-a-real-anything/#comment-992 Pam Mon, 15 Oct 2007 15:05:51 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2007/10/12/im-not-a-real-anything/#comment-992 I think you have to allow me to see it my way. This started because I just wanted to know what your way of seeing it is and try to understand your point of view. Everyone has to be allowed their own process. Acceptance doesn't mean to go out and make people over into our own image. Religious bondage does not come from without and it is not the fault of others. It comes from within, from our own imaginings that take us away from the authority of God in our own personal lives. Relgious bondage is our own ideas in the place of Jesus Christ. The rule of religion will end. Of that I am certain but I won't bring it about. It is completely the work of God. I've no hard feelings and no matter how you read my comments (which were really just my honest answers to your questions) I have no need or desire to convert you to my personal beliefs about God. They are only what God has given me in response to the questions I have asked Him over the last thrity years. They are not Jesus. People need Jesus. They don't need my answers. I can't teach God. I can't give people Jesus. All I can do is share what He's given me and love them with the Love that He fills me with, point toward Him, praying that He will be revealed to them and know that He will be in God's own time. Presently, I desire to love others with the Love that Jesus loves me. Love that does not require my perfection but reaches me in my need. I desire to love without being a respector of persons and to love with that Love in honesty from the heart and not out of pretense. I think you have to allow me to see it my way. This started because I just wanted to know what your way of seeing it is and try to understand your point of view. Everyone has to be allowed their own process. Acceptance doesn’t mean to go out and make people over into our own image. Religious bondage does not come from without and it is not the fault of others. It comes from within, from our own imaginings that take us away from the authority of God in our own personal lives. Relgious bondage is our own ideas in the place of Jesus Christ.

The rule of religion will end. Of that I am certain but I won’t bring it about. It is completely the work of God.

I’ve no hard feelings and no matter how you read my comments (which were really just my honest answers to your questions) I have no need or desire to convert you to my personal beliefs about God. They are only what God has given me in response to the questions I have asked Him over the last thrity years. They are not Jesus. People need Jesus. They don’t need my answers. I can’t teach God. I can’t give people Jesus. All I can do is share what He’s given me and love them with the Love that He fills me with, point toward Him, praying that He will be revealed to them and know that He will be in God’s own time.

Presently, I desire to love others with the Love that Jesus loves me. Love that does not require my perfection but reaches me in my need. I desire to love without being a respector of persons and to love with that Love in honesty from the heart and not out of pretense.

]]> By: Bruced http://boldgrace.com/2007/10/12/im-not-a-real-anything/#comment-991 Bruced Mon, 15 Oct 2007 13:03:56 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2007/10/12/im-not-a-real-anything/#comment-991 Pam, having come out of the darkness of religion, and into the incredible light of freedom which is Christ, I am deeply compelled to confront, and question, the mindset of religious captivity. I dearly wish someone would have confronted me a long time ago, and saved me 35 years of fear and doubt trying to satisfy the religous systems and practitioners. The horribly insidious thing about captivity, is that it convinces (read: brainwashes) those trapped in it that they are not enprisoned. Maybe it's quite the same for me. Maybe I am trapped in the freedom of the Grace message, and can't see it. All I know, is that this was not of my own choosing. It is something I was drawn into (and not without a considerable detoxification period). But, I can say with all certainty that it is a world apart from the religious mindset which held me captive previously. For the first time in my life, I can say that I am truly in love with God... and I had nothing to do with it. I used to push myself onto Him out of fear, but now I am drawn into Him through pure love. It is a world of difference that probably can't really be explained... and can only be experienced. But, the experience cannot begin until the captivity of religion ends. The slate must be wiped clean. A fresh beginning is needed. Pam, having come out of the darkness of religion, and into the incredible light of freedom which is Christ, I am deeply compelled to confront, and question, the mindset of religious captivity. I dearly wish someone would have confronted me a long time ago, and saved me 35 years of fear and doubt trying to satisfy the religous systems and practitioners. The horribly insidious thing about captivity, is that it convinces (read: brainwashes) those trapped in it that they are not enprisoned.

Maybe it’s quite the same for me. Maybe I am trapped in the freedom of the Grace message, and can’t see it. All I know, is that this was not of my own choosing. It is something I was drawn into (and not without a considerable detoxification period). But, I can say with all certainty that it is a world apart from the religious mindset which held me captive previously. For the first time in my life, I can say that I am truly in love with God… and I had nothing to do with it. I used to push myself onto Him out of fear, but now I am drawn into Him through pure love. It is a world of difference that probably can’t really be explained… and can only be experienced. But, the experience cannot begin until the captivity of religion ends. The slate must be wiped clean. A fresh beginning is needed.

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