BoldGrace

Peace
Geo

I used to read this and I was convinced that these were the knees of those who lived their lives choosing not to believe that God could really love us as much as he does. I prided myself on not being one of those who would need to bow down before God at some later date because I was convinced that I already believed in his awesome grace and understood how deep his love was. And then a funny thing happened, I was reading a book called “Furious Pursuit” by Tim King & Frank Martin. In the last part of the book they list some sacred vows that God (the bridegroom) wants us to hear from his heart to ours. They are very simple and at first I didn’t put much into their profound meaning to my heart.

Here they are:

I have always been there for you, and I always will be.

I will walk with you forever—-just the two of us.

I will always understand you.

I will always be kind to you.

You will always be my own personal concern.

I love you. I always have, and I always will.

Now here is the strange thing. After mulling these over in my mind I found myself asking “Is God that loving?” “Can he really accept me with all my flaws?” “Don’t I have to do something to at least show him I love him?” And then I found myself going back to read these vows over and over again, and I began to weep, not because of how great his love is, but because I realized that his love is so great that as long as I am a human in the flesh I will never really be able to comprehend his love for me. Then it struck me that until we lose this body of clay that is so subject to weakness of all kinds we will never truly be able to appreciate everything God really is to us.

Yes, I do believe in God’s Love for all mankind, and I want others to believe it too, but I also know a time is coming for all of us when we will shed this body made from dust and we will see God with clarity for the first time, and when that happens we will all bow our knees and give the truest form of praise that we have ever given. We will be witnessing the brightness of his glory and we will be doing it without all our questions, and doubts, and divisions, and weaknesses of our flesh.

And at least for me I think I really know now what Paul meant when he said: “Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.”

I have worked so hard NOT to judge my brother, and I will continue to do that, but now I also realize NO human being can really fathom how unbelievable God’s love is for us. Yes, that means me too. And guess what? It feels great to know that as much peace as I feel right now, it’s even going to be greater, grander, and beyond my wildest imaginations.

The challenge we each have while we are still in the flesh is to trust his love. His love is trustworthy, and even when we struggle with that trust He is greater then our heart and the day will come when He will take away all our doubts. I am going to read those simple vows more often, and when my time comes to lay down this tired old body of flesh, closing my eyes for the last time, I will be bowing my knees for the first time in perfect praise of my loving God.

As I live says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God. Rom 14:11

This is a post that I found on my Father’s computer this morning. I don’t remember ever reading it before so I am really unsure if he ever posted it or not, but I found it and just had to share it with all of you.

Submitted by Cliff on Mon, 2006-05-22 15:48. Everyday Life

I drive a school bus as well as pastor a small church. Two weeks ago four of my sweet children got on the bus. Two of them, Jordan 7, and Brandon 9, are foster kids. The other two, Mary 7, and Emily 9, are adopted children of the same woman who fosters the first two. On this particular Monday morning they were the first four to get on the bus. As they got on they were all excited and couldn’t wait to tell me how they had been baptized the previous day. They talked and talked about this event in their lives. Emily and Mary told me how they would have to wear dresses from now on. Jordan announced that he couldn’t lie anymore. At least for that brief Monday morning all seemed well with the world in their little eyes. The problem started on the afternoon ride home. Emily accused Jordan of lying. Brandon screamed at Emily for being a tatletail, and poor little Mary just seemed depressed from being teased about wearing a dress. The innocense they had in the morning seemed all but gone. I asked them what would happen if they sinned after being baptized, and Emily told me they would have to go back to the church and repent. I then said, What would happen if they continued to sin. Emily said: "Well, you have to go down there", poiniting her finger toward the floor. Of course I have to be very careful what I say on the bus, but I couldn’t help feeling a great sadness for what was ahead in their lives. They were already judging each other and condemning each other—-sounds like the church doesn’t it. Toward the end of the week I had got to the school early and went inside to talk to some of the staff. Mary had been telling her teacher how she had been baptized and then in a kind of defeated voice she said: "I guess I’m gonna have to go to church the rest of my life". Aren’t those the saddest words you ever heard. How many people are going to church out of a sense of fear that if they don’t they are dammed to a place of eternal torment. When I encounter adult christians who strongly condemn me for my stand on grace I just try to remember they were little children at one time who may have been taught the gospel of fear and legalizm since they were very young. I will continue to try and reach out to everyone telling them that God loves them period……….And I will pray for these little ones.

Peace,

Cliff

We will be having a celebration of Life ceremony Saturday, April 25th, 2009 (4:00p.m.-??) It will be held at the American Legion located at 109 North 6th Street, Richmond, Indiana 47374. We will laugh, sing, cry and tell amazing stories about Cliff! We will have pictures and videos so we can share some of his incredible moments with all of you.

Clifford L. Hazelbaker II, 57, of Richmond was born January 13, 1952 and was reborn on April 16, 2009. Cliff was the son of Clifford and Barbara (Goodwin) Hazelbaker. Cliff graduated from Centerville High School in 1970. He was married to Nancy McBride Hazelbaker on March 6, 1970. They recently celebrated their 39th Wedding Anniversary. Cliff enjoyed spending time with his incredible family. Their family motto is “Love Never Fails!” He also enjoyed sharing his love of God on www.boldgrace.com. Here is an excerpt from that site… “Clouds don’t seem to care where they’re going. They are content to follow the directions of the spirit of the air, enjoying the journey as they make their way to their purpose. Though they are unaware of their designation or their purpose as they travel along, they find themselves eventually called upon to join forces and deliver liquid life to the earth. Often exhausted, they whither and die, having given all of themselves in doing their work. But, as those clouds die, others are reborn from their seed to carry on the purpose.” Cliff is survived by his wife Nancy ; Mother, Barbara; Children: Tammy (Bob) Thompson of Centerville, Clifford (Bridget) Hazelbaker III of Richmond, Mindy (Charlie) Hill of New Carlisle, Ohio, Amy (Todd) Witter of Bath, Indiana; He is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Josh, Jacob, Paige, Samantha, Clifford IV, Abby, Emma, Lilly and Phoebe. Brothers: Andy (Teresa) and Doug (Cindy) Hazelbaker.

Dad was reborn at 6:40 this morning with all of his family around him singing you raise me up. It was the most beautiful thing we have all ever witnessed. We will see you again Daddy.

Sometimes a person will comment here on BG and the comment is so WONDERFUL & INSIGHTFUL that it need to be seen as a Front Page Post. The following is from our friend Audrey.

The sign for our age is that a virgin shall be with child. The story of Mary is a picture of us and what is happening to us today. Mary’s name means bitter rebellion. (against the sham and hypocrisy of this world and it’s way of thinking). She was a virgin (we are all virgins because we have not yet birthed our spiritual identity, only our humanity). Mary was betrothed to Joseph (his name means to add or augment). Joseph had a dream and in the dream was a message to Joseph, son of David (well-beloved, loving) not to be fearful because Mary had conceived spiritually and would bear a son whose name would be Jesus (Savior of the world) Immanuel (God with us). Joseph rose from his sleep (he woke up to see with his spiritual eyes), took Mary who rode on a donkey (lacked understanding) to Bethlehem (the house of abundance especially bread). There was no room at the inn (our head type of thinking is unable to‘see’ these spiritual things), but there was a manger (our hearts) surrounded by the animals (our emotions). There Mary began to labor (those mixed emotions and spiritual aches we have) and a boy child ( of the spirit) was born, and she called his name Jesus, the ‘star’ child. He was the ONE who would rule over the house of Jacob (the flesh) forever. There were shepherds, wakeful – keeping watch over their sheep in the night (darkness – no truth). Suddenly the glory of the Lord shone round about them (they became spiritually aware) and the message of the birth of Jesus was given ( they knew who he was and where he was). Wise men (men who have been watching for this sign) came also bearing gifts – gold (spiritual awareness, clear sky) frankincense (purity) and myrrh (sweet smelling oil). These gifts are the feelings that begin to rise up within your heart as you turn from your humanity (worldly thinking) to your heart (your true identity where Truth resides).

THANKS Audrey!

This is one that I will think on a great deal in the coming days and weeks.

Peace

Geo

Jim Palmer (divinenobodies.com), left a comment on the thread which grew from the post, "the post that never ended (a world without options)", that really spoke to me. See if it has the same effect on you…

A popular Bible verse says to, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Romans 12:2
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I’ve never liked the word “repent.” For me, it conjures up images of judgment, condemnation, and fear. Jesus often says in the gospels, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” For years it was troubling to me that Jesus so often used this word because it smacked of everything that repelled me about religion. But then the Spirit began to open my eyes to its true meaning and place in my journey with God.
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First I realized that Jesus could not have been using the word pointing a finger of condemnation. Jesus said in John 3:17, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” I discovered the word “repent” (metanoia) actually means a change of mind or having a new mind. The word suggests a radical revision and transformation of our whole mental process. That “change of mind” allows God to take center place in our consciousness, in our awareness, and in our minds.
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You’re getting it if you can imagine Jesus walking into a crowd of hurting, rejected, empty, lonely, fearful, wounded, hopeless people and saying, “God’s kingdom is now within your reach! But you’ll have to undergo a change of heart and mind to grasp it.” Metanoia literally means “beyond the mind.” So it’s an idea of stretching or pushing beyond the boundaries with which we normally think and feel. For me, it has often involved pressing beyond my religious conditioning.
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Initially, Jesus “calling me to repentance” went something like this:
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“God’s kingdom is now within your reach Jim! But grasping it will push you beyond the boundaries of what you normally think and feel about yourself, God, and life. It will even call into question certain religious notions you have learned. You don’t feel deserving of the life, peace, and freedom God wants to give you. Press beyond those feelings Jim. The truth is, God loves you and freely offers all of this and more. Jim, you think and act as if your daily performance and behavior determines your good standing with God. The truth is, there’s nothing you could ever do or not do that would alter your worth, favor, and acceptance to God. Wherever you are now on the journey, you are loved and accepted by God. You feel inadequate to know and understand God and the things of God. Consider this Jim, you have the Spirit within to guide you into all truth. Pay more attention to the ways of a child and you’ll get it. You are a son of God. I was resurrected from the dead within you. When it all works right, you won’t even know where “you” end and “I” begin. It will be like the life you are living is me living in and through you. You tend to think of your separateness from God, I want you to feel and experience your oneness with God. Trust me Jim. You’re just scratching the surface. There’s more to it than you think. I’m always at my work within you. Rest in me.”
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“Metanoia” has been more of a process that an event for me, and has involved changes such as:
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• Associating my deepest feelings with the voice of truth
• Locating the source of life, love, peace, freedom, contentment, goodness, and connectedness within me
• Seeing myself and all people as sons and daughters of God and therefore my brother or sister
• Opening my heart to the spiritual dimension of all of life, regardless of how mundane or ordinary it mat seem through human eyes
• Understanding the significance and relevance of Jesus in terms much greater than I had ever realized before
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I’m sure others will have further comments to add about metanoia. Lately I’ve tended to use the word less and less because it felt like I was making too much of a concept and religion out of it. So, rather than focus on the word or concept I just allow myself to be in tune with the reality the word points to, which is akin to “marching to the beat of a different drummer.”

The following I wrote up last night in response to a person that had contacted me through email. The contact came because the person wanted information about house church meetings which I used to be a part of long ago. I told him that I no longer "do" house church or any church but that our belief has still remained only in a different form. It just so happens I am having coffee this afternoon with him and will share these points with him about where I see the church going wrong today. (These are just a few of the points) By the way this person is a pastor of a local church. So it should be interesting. Here are my points

1.    Identity Theft – Adam was told he would be like God if he ate of the Tree. When the TRUTH was he already was like God and made in the very image of God. The serpent stole Adams identity. In the same way the serpent sought to steal Jesus’ identity by saying, “IF you are the Son of God then do this or that to prove it.” Satan’s biggest trap is to try and get people to prove something by their actions and beliefs. (Even well meaning Christians and Christian leaders do the same when they tell others that a “good” Christian does this or doesn’t do that) Jesus knew who He was and did not fall to the temptation of proving who He was by His actions and deeds. And why is that? Because of his knowing His Identity before the Father. The Father had already told him at His Baptism that “THIS IS MY SON IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED” He was pleased with Jesus before Jesus did ANYTHING! In the same way we must let people know that they are pleasing to the Father before or if they NEVER do anything. And why is He pleased? Because when He looks at us He sees His Son and His Righteousness and not our own. It is the message that is and will set people free. 

And because of Identity Theft the following takes place:

2.    Sin Consciousness is preached instead of Righteousness Consciousness – The New Covenant Good News Message should cleanse the mind of the Old Covenant Sin Consciousness and instead instill a Consciousness of Righteousness. But the church continues to preach sin and sin consciousness instead of righteousness and righteousness consciousness. When sin consciousness (Moses) is preached a veil is let down over a person’s mind and the completeness of Christ and His sacrifice CANNOT BE SEEN!

And the preaching of Sin Consciousness leads to this:

3.    People attempting to fulfill the biggest desire of the flesh, which is to be justified by what they think, say or do. More than any other thing the flesh or human ego or self if you will desires to be justified by what it thinks, says or does. And in doing so will either approve of themselves and others or disapprove of themselves and others. People who attempt to please God through their actions, words and deeds are some of the most judgmental and hate filled people on planet earth. Sin consciousness NEVER leads to peace. It always leads to guilt and condemnation of self and mostly of others. Why of others? Because a person who is trying to please God through their actions, words and deeds will always compare themselves to those who seem to be not doing as they are.

What is the answer to this? The following:

4.    Quit believing and trusting in your own personal faith and belief and embrace the faith and belief  “of” Christ. Accept that you are righteous perfect and holy in the beloved. Accept God’s view and opinion of yourself and not the world’s view or the church’s view and opinion of yourself.  What is the difference? The church mostly teaches that you are pleasing or unpleasing to God through your actions, words and deeds. God says you are righteous, perfect and holy because of what Jesus did regardless of your actions, words or deeds. And God also says there is NOTHING you can do or not do to change that view. So in the end will you believe in your belief in your self or God’s belief about you?  It is only when we are freed from our own belief about ourselves and others that we see Jesus.

5.    Embracing the faith “of” Christ – It is at the end of our belief about God that we meet Him and His belief about ourselves and others. What we believe about God does not matter. It is what He believes about us that will set the captives free to be free. What an individual believes about God can NEVER set that person or anyone else free. But when that person hears about God’s view and opinion about themselves through the Cross and Blood of Christ regardless of words, action or deeds. The soul comes to rest and know that He alone is God.

6.    Remember Sin NO MORE – I have seen it over and over the past 4 years that when a person keeps the thought that they are righteous and holy EVEN WHEN THEY FALL OR FAIL that person will have and experience vices and desires fall off them like dead leaves from a tree in autumn. Things that they tried for years to rid their life of cease because of a Righteousness Consciousness. It makes no sense to the religious mindset because the religious mindset is trying to please God through the flesh. Something that was done by Jesus for us, the religious mindset tries to do for itself. And if you tell this to the religious they will rise up to kill you just as they did to Jesus. It may not be a physical death but they will attempt to destroy your ministry or you as a person.

Peace

Geo

That’s right!!!  If the Jesus that evangelical Christianity teaches is true and he only returns that which was given to him then Jesus will be CAST INTO OUTER DARKNESS!

If ALL things were given to Jesus by the Father as Jesus said they were and if He was given the heathen of the world as an inheritance as it says in Psalms and then Jesus only returns Heathens to the Father then Jesus is in His own words a Lazy (unprofitable) and Wicked Servant. Because he would only be returning that which was given and nothing else.

And this will be His fate!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matthew 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness

Selah

Geo