Why Do We Need Healing?

Who. . . Me?

 

Sharing an article by Ken Unger

To quote the Book of Jeremiah 30:12-13: "This is what the LORD says: 'Your wound is incurable, your injury beyond healing. There is no one to plead your cause, no remedy for your sore, no healing for you’.” I’ve come to accept that the “wound” God is referring to is that of a broken heart. Afterall, there is no surgery, therapy or medicine available that can CURE that kind of wound. It’s something only Christ can do, WHEN we see our need to be healed. And, as I’ve mentioned before –
"It would seem that God often allows and creates a need within us, before He willingly fills (Heals) it."

When we’ve been hurt by someone, the emotional wounds we receive will often result in a broken heart. In my own healing journey, I’ve come to recognize and acknowledge just how badly I had been wounded during my lifetime. Fortunately, God brought me to the place where I could no longer deny the pain and infection from my past hurts that had been building up (tearing me down) for so many years. And, not only were those hidden, past, heartfelt wounds affecting me personally, but they were also affecting my relationships with others and the choices in life that I was making.

Prior to beginning my Healing Journey in Christ, I never knew just how blind I was. Not only regarding my own woundedness, but also in regard
to seeing the effects of a broken heart within others. To make my point –
if you never had the measles, than you probably wouldn’t recognize the symptoms in someone who does. But once you’ve had that infection, you can easily spot that sickness in others, because “you’ve been there.” Yes indeed, for a while I was truly blind. Not only did I have “eyes, but could not see” – “ears, but could not hear” – and “a heart that didn’t understand,” there were also many other “symptoms” of my wounds and brokenness.

Following is a list of symptoms that people tend to have when they’re suffering from a broken and wounded heart. And truly, I’m not providing this information to “point the finger” at anyone in particular. But when it came to my own past woundedness, I recall having a number of these symptoms, prior to beginning my Healing Journey in Christ. I found the information while I was researching How Forgiveness affects our ability to Heal. You can find the entire article on Forgiveness, Healing and Transformation at www.annemurchison.com/forgiveness.htm

Here's a direct excerpt from the article written by Anne Murchison:
 

In the table below we see just a few of the poisonous fruit of unforgiveness* [*symptoms of a broken heart - rbd] in no particular order of importance. They are all devastating to our relationships with God and one another.

Bitterness                        Resentment            Unbelief          Impatience

Hopelessness                  Rebellion                 Tension          Passivity

Being Judgmental             Negativism              Self-Pity         Anxiety

Self-Righteousness           Selfishness             Gossip           Racism

Broken Relationships        Rejection                 Criticism        Pride

Chronic Unmet Needs       Addictions               Deception       Rigidity

Punishing Silence             Frustration               Legalism        Adultery

Perfectionism                   Manipulation            Sarcasm        Divorce

Physical Abuse                Verbal Abuse           Isolation         Control

Loneliness                        Backbiting               Whining         Hatred

Some Depression              Some Sickness       Jealousy        Rage

Shallowness in Relationships                            Despair          Blame

Dishonesty with Self, Others & God      Withholding of Love and Affection

Insensitivity to Self, Others & God         Lying to Self, Others & God

These are not endearing qualities nor are they easy to live with in others
or ourselves. Unforgiveness is fertile soil for their propagation and growth. God's Love and Forgiveness are our only hope and remedy for a broken heart, a shattered life and a wicked world.

So when we see all of this “stuff” going on, what are we to do? Well, I’ve personally experienced that each of us needs to come to that place of hearing Jesus ask: “Do YOU want to get well?” You see sometimes it IS about us, and our personal need for Healing through Heartfelt Forgiveness. And sometimes, the first person we need to Forgive. . . is ourselves. You just can’t give to others what you don’t have and possess within yourself.

The following article is part of a monthly newsletter* which is published by Ken Unger. After being introduced by Dan Copan and then talking with him on the phone, I first met Ken when I attended a Transformational Healing Retreat with Dan back in May of 2008. Ken and Dan have been close friends for nearly thirty years now and have been working on Dan’s own Transformational Healing Journey for over twenty years.

In Dan’s own words, “Ken personally showed me a love and concern that
I had not experienced before. I felt he really accepted me and listened to me as I gradually opened up and shared the painful hurts of my past with him. His true friendship simplified the Healing Process for me and made it accessible. Despite my own previous religious mindset and background, Ken helped undo the “religious shoulding process” and helped bring me
to a healing place in Christ through his true unconditional love. Similarly,
I feel that Jesus did the same thing. He abolished religion and established relationships – in Love.”

And wouldn’t you know it. . . it was Dan Copan who brought what he had received and learned, through Ken and others, to me. I get the feeling that just like when you throw a stone in a pond – True Unconditional Love has a ripple effect. Once we receive and experience it, it goes on and on. Yes indeed. . . “Love Never Fails!”

Copan & David

Why Do We Need Healing?

(By Ken Unger)

I once wondered that. The whole healing quest evolved from my journey of leading spiritual growth retreats and finding ways to help my counselees get healthier. When it happened, I felt it was a diversion from my calling to equip the church to make disciples through learning how to love God and one another.

Then I saw the amazing results in churches where I led Transformational Healing Seminars and realized how badly God wanted His people healed. Only healed people could risk the radical love necessary to become true disciple makers. Those churches that embraced this usually doubled in 

a matter of months as the fire of God’s awesome love began to radiate, shine and warm the surrounding community. One pastor told me this seminar changed his whole city!

Only later did I discover how deeply rooted such healing is in the purposes of God. Biblical names reveal a person’s calling and destiny. Jesus name means salvation, for He will “save us from our sins.” Christ’s name shows us how He does that. Christ means Messiah, which in turn means "the Anointed." What was Jesus anointed for? To heal the broken, liberate the bruised, free the captives, bring good news to the poor, the year of Jubilee that releases us from our spiritual debts, and restoration of sight to the blind. (Isaiah 61:1 and Luke 4:18)

I’ve seen all those things happen and more through Transformational Healing. People are sufficiently humbled to ask forgiveness. They’re often adequately convinced of God’s love for them even at their worst depravity that they can freely accept His love without feeling they must deserve it. This frees them from judgmentalism to truly love others, risk rejection, go the second mile and find compassion for the hurting, even those who have wronged them. It liberates them to care about the things God cares about: loving Him above all and their neighbors as themselves. In other words, it transforms them enough that they can now make disciples. And that’s why we're here. Unless we are doing that we will never experience the abundant life He came to give us.

Is healing necessary? Yes. Without it, most people will never be able to truly follow the Spirit.  A better question is what are you waiting for? Find 

a way to bring healing to yourself and your church. It will change your life, your church and maybe even your city like nothing else ever can. It’s why Jesus is the Christ.

*You can receive a free subscription to Ken’s newsletters by emailing him at KenRUnger@aol.com and putting the word “NEWSLETTER” in the email subject line.

    

Only The Losers

But, Are WE Really in Need?

Sharing an Article by Keith Giles

I recall the words I saw on the T-shirt of a guy who was in a hardcore “Death-Metal” band, some 15-years ago. On the front of the shirt it said, “What a Bunch of Losers.” On the back of the shirt it said:

How foolish are those

that worship such a King,

Who was hung on a Cross – 

Between two thieves!

Ever feel foolish, or maybe like you were some kind of “LOSER”? Well, wait a minute – No Way! Not me, and certainly not you. Afterall, you’re my friend and besides, the Holy Bible says we’re both “New Creations in Christ” – right? So, let's do our best to “leave the past behind and press on.” Yep, we put on our best clothes and a happy face and we go about life.

Now in reality, it would seem that the “true character” of a man or woman is not how we are when people are watching and everything’s going just fine. But rather, how we are (truly feeling) when no one is watching and nothing seems to be going right in our lives. Perhaps we might consider how we feel and act when things aren’t going the way we would like them to, according to “our plans, hopes, dreams and expectations.”

Unfortunately, all of us have endured some painful experiences in life, and no one is exempt. Some of those hurts, wounds and consequences were brought about by our own choices. Sometimes, it’s what other people have done that has had a negative impact upon us. And yet, some of us seem to handle the negativity in life a little better than others.

A close friend once said to me, “Man, I just don’t know how you do it. You keep getting in these (emotional) car crashes and then you get up, dust yourself off and walk away like NOTHING happened.” At the time, I felt good about him saying that, but it WASN’T a compliment. My friend saw the heartfelt wounds of life taking their toll on me, and unfortunately I didn’t. Perhaps, I was truly Blessed when God stopped the “car crashes” and then finally just “dropped a mountain on me.” I think it was at that point that I eventually heard God say. . . “STAY DOWN.” Yes indeed, the Lord loved me enough to finally CRUSH me. In reality, I finally came to that place of saying, “I give up, Lord – have Your Way with me.” So, I must confess. . . I became a “Loser.”

Perhaps in “His Ways being Higher than our ways,” God allows some hurtful things to happen to all of us for a reason. I believe that reason is, ultimately, His desire for Transformation in our individual hearts and lives. I think Paul the Apostle knew something about “being a Loser.” Prior to his Transformational Journey in Christ, Paul (Saul) was truly “on top of his game.” He openly shared his accomplishments (and previous [wounded] pride) in the Book of Philippians – “. . . though I myself have reasons
for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.” (Phil. 3:4-6)  Well, Paul previously WAS an obvious “Winner.”

But, as Paul continues in verses 7-8, he writes, “But whatever was to
my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.
I consider them RUBBISH, that I may gain Christ.” (Phil. 3:7-8)  Well,
I guess it happened – Paul became a “Loser” in Christ.

For King David, the Lord allowed him to make some choices that would eventually bring him down. And, it was in David’s acceptance of the Lord’s loving him enough to crush him, that he wrote, “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.” (Psalm 119:71)

As Job was experiencing extreme tribulation in his life, he wrote, "Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for, that God would be willing to crush me, to let loose his hand and cut me off!” (Job 6:8-9)  As I researched this last verse, I noted the “exclamation point” – it’s in EVERY version of the Bible, going back to the original King James. Seems to me that Job "was cryin’ out loud,” just a bit – Hmmm.

Even Naomi is noted as saying, "Don't call me Naomi," she told them. "Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me." (Ruth 1:20-21) 

Hmmm – again. I’m not sure how you feel, but I’m starting to like this list of “Losers.” Maybe with some of the unfortunate experiences I’ve had in my life, God actually loves me, too. So, how about you? Do you see God’s Loving Hand of Kindness at work in your life? Following, is an article I received from a fellow “Loser,” which was written by Keith Giles. May the Truth be told and shared – Glory to God!  And take heart – The Lord Loves each of us so much, that He’s not done with any of us – just yet.

R Butch David

Only The Losers

(By Keith Giles – www.subversive1.blogspot.com)

Only the broken can know the unending joy that comes from being re-formed [transformed - rbd] again into something beautiful. Only the hopeless can experience the astounding relief that comes from being rescued at the last moment. Only the poor can understand what it feels like to receive that undeserved gift of mercy, or food, or rent. Only the losers appreciate the fact that they have been given a trophy that they know they could ever earn on their own.

This is the Kingdom of God. It is scandalously inclusive. It runs against the grain of fairness and tramples on our sense of equality.

Jesus came announcing the Good News that the Kingdom of God was wide open. Anyone could enter it on the spot. However, there were a few conditions. His Sermon on the Mount outlined the requirements for seeing and entering the Kingdom of God. “Blessed are the poor. Blessed are the meek. Blessed are those who mourn.”

As John Fischer points out, when it comes to the Kingdom of God – “Proud people don't get in. Rich people don't get in. Successful people don't get in. Self-righteous people don't get in. Happy people don't get in. Competent people don't get in. And it's more than just getting in. People like this don't even see it. They don't know what
it is. They can't. They are blinded by their own sufficiency.”

This is why Jesus proclaimed that it was not for those who are well that he came, but for those who are sick. It was not for the righteous that he came, but for the sinners who were desperate for salvation and
had no way of measuring up without a Messiah who was full of mercy.
(Luke 5:31-32)

I love the account in the Gospel of John (Chapter 9) where Jesus heals
a man born blind. The entire chapter chronicles a kangaroo court where the Pharisees attempt to get at the bottom of this miracle (which Jesus decided to perform on the Sabbath, of course). Throughout the chapter there is a fascinating juxtaposition of the physical blindness the beggar experienced and the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees. At the end of
the chapter, Jesus says, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” (John 9:39) Hearing this, some of the Pharisees asked him,
“Are we also blind?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.” (John 9:40-41)

See? Those who know that they are blind [wounded/brokenhearted - rbd] receive sight [healing - rbd]. Those who pretend that they can see are without hope because if they would simply admit that they were in need of Jesus, He would reach out and heal them.

  

Sinners Make Better Lovers

Sharing an Article by Ken Unger*

Some churches make it seem as if the goal of Christianity is to make
us holy. My problem is, the harder I tried the worse I became. Then I remembered why I liked Jesus in the first place. He is the sinner’s
best Friend.

Jesus hung out with some tawdry characters – people who ate and drank too much, shady businessmen and even women of questionable repute. He seemed more comfortable with sinners than “saints.” When a religious leader invited him to dinner, a woman (The Message Bible calls her the "town harlot") knelt at his feet, kissing and washing them with her tears. Behind his back, the religious leaders wondered why he didn’t know what kind of woman she was.

Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked his host a poignant question. “Who would be more grateful,” he asked, “someone who was forgiven a huge debt or a small one?” His host said he guessed the person who was forgiven a large one would be more appreciative. Jesus then pointed out that his host had done nothing to refresh him, while this woman had not ceased to do all she could to make him comfortable and to show her gratitude. He then said, “Those who are forgiven much, love much.” The religious people didn’t get it, grumbling amongst themselves at the audacity of one who felt he could forgive sins.

I recently spoke with a Christian single mom about helping her kids make good decisions. It’s a real challenge. Often, we well-meaning Christians ride our kids so hard they feel they must mess up their lives just to break free. I shared with her a scripture I love – one I never heard a sermon on: “Be not overly righteous, nor be overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?” (Ecclesiastes 7:16)

Shocking, isn’t it? How can being too righteous destroy us? When she asked me that, I reminded her of a great Christian leader whose dynamic seminars packed out auditoriums for years, but the weight of unrealistic expectations caught up to him. His brother fell into adultery, rumors surfaced of financial irregularities, and the ministry was discredited. Perfectionism is a killer. We can try so hard to be good that we put ourselves under “the law of sin and death.” We get trapped in religious bondage, creating a downward spiral that leads us into deeper depravity.

You see, God’s goal isn’t to make us perfect in the way that we commonly think. When the Bible calls us to be perfect, the word for ‘perfect’ means whole and complete. The goal of the law is to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect – perfect in our Love for sinners and saints alike.
We can easily miss the true goal of the law and settle for petty behavior modification. Eternal life is more than that. It prepares us for eternity. Heaven wouldn’t be heavenly if it were packed with groups of gossiping religious prudes.

Sin hurts us, and that’s why God wants to free us from it. But Love is the prevailing lifestyle of God’s Kingdom. John Wesley, who had the strictest doctrine on perfection of any theologian rightly taught that biblical perfection is perfect love. All God’s laws point to Love because God is Love and He created us to be like Him.

A dear friend once taught me a sweet little camp song: “Heaven is, a
wonderful place, filled with, glory and grace, I wanna see my Savior’s
face, heaven is a wonderful place, I wanna be there.” What makes
heaven wonderful? Love! Not only God’s love, but incredible love from everyone else as well. That’s why Jesus’ vignette about the town harlot makes so much sense. That’s why His reputation as a wine bibber and friend of sinners draws me. I don’t know about you but I have sinned
much. I have a great debt that is forgiven daily. I need grace, again
and again, and I need to somehow reconnect with God’s Love every day of my life.

Sadly, such a message is more often heard in new age churches and cults than in Christ’s Church. Churchianity majors in minors and minors in majors. If we could change that, the world would beat a path
to our door.

I once envisioned a church where love reigned supreme, every Christian ministered, and retreats and small groups were committed to love, spiritual growth and nurture. I soon realized I was not called to pastor such a church, but to write and lead retreats and seminars that helped churches do that. I eventually gave up on ever finding a church like that. . . perhaps the most successful churches will show that the goal of the church
is to equip people to love sinners and one another [unconditionally and without judgment – rbd].

A favorite seminary professor used to say, “The world has a right
to look at the church and see Love. Where they don’t, they can conclude that the church doesn’t exist.”

Love is God’s goal for us. It’s far more difficult and immeasurably more blessed than lining up doctrinal ducks and getting everyone to appear squeaky clean.  It’s what brings God’s Kingdom to earth. And when that happens, you can’t keep people away. That’s why Jesus is the friend of sinners. And boy, am I ever glad he is! We sinners really do make better lovers.

*  Ken R. Unger is known as America's Soul Doctor. His new book,
The Ultimate Breakthrough – Spiritual Therapy for Emotional Pain actually heals emotional pain. You can purchase the book online by clicking on this link: http://transformationincorporated.com/
 
You can learn more about the book and Ken by clicking on this link:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyGa79NOwBY

Taming Your Tongue. . .

It’s Not Just About (!%#& !#%) “Swearing” 

Sharing an Article by David Wilkerson

I remember a scene from The Three Stooges movie-short called Disorder in The Court. Curly was having a rather difficult time being sworn in as a witness. In seeing his incompetence, the Judge spoke up and said, “He's asking you, do you swear. . . ?” Curly responded, “NO – but I know all the words. . . nyuk, nyuk, nyuk.” With that in mind, much of what I’m about to share, regarding our language and words, is surely debatable. 

I admit there are times in which I tend to use some “colorful” language and perhaps “unholy” words. Maybe I just broke my chainsaw, or the roof I just fixed is leaking – again. Or maybe, it was when I was experiencing some extreme heartfelt pain over a tongue-lashing and judgment I didn’t deserve. Then again, there are other times when I’m just trying to be funny. And perhaps, humor is in the ear (and heart) of the beholder, as well. 

Now truly, I’m not trying to condone the use of foul language. And being that I agree with everything the Bible says, whether I like it or not, I do understand just a little bit about “harsh words.” But what if we never use any words that are of a questionable (foul) nature and yet still have harsh thoughts, and are unloving with our words, regarding others? Is it possible that God searches “the heart of a man or woman” regardless of the “proper words” we use? 

I recall sitting in a pastor’s private study some twenty years ago. I had
just gone through a rather bitter divorce. Unfortunately, as some of us
have also experienced, my two young children were being used as “ammunition” against me. I was repeatedly denied visitation for nearly
two years. And truly, it was KILLING me. I loved my children and I also wanted, very badly, to be their dad. Eventually, through the court system, things worked out and I was able to see my kids on a regular, loving and unhindered basis. 

As I sat across from the pastor, I shared my extreme frustration (and anger) over the situation. Truly, I was looking for some answers. Maybe,
I was also looking for some empathy. Unfortunately, he admitted that he really didn’t have any answers for me. He also admitted that he’d never gone through what I was experiencing. Still, I did appreciate his taking the time to listen and I'll always remember his kindness. 

As I was trying to share my feelings, I recall saying at one point, “And,
I could really give a rat’s. . . dupa!” (pronounced “doo-pah” – Yes, I’m Polish). Wow! – I almost “slipped” right in front of a pastor. What I wanted to say was “rat’s ASS!” Oops – Sorry, there I go! 

In my mind, I knew something about “Taming Your Tongue,” but perhaps it was my broken heart that needed to be healed – before my tongue could be tamed. I received a look from the pastor that felt like disapproval, due to my choice of words. But I wonder, did he really care about the condition of my heart, while expressing my heartache, frustration and pain, or just the condition of my mouth? After that, I tried my best to keep all my words “holy and proper.” I was also learning how
to “bury” my true feelings, so that I could “look good” on the “outside.” 

Oh well, I guess maybe that “rat's dupa” thing will possibly come up at
the “Judgment Seat” when I go before Christ. And then again. . . maybe not? I do find it interesting that Jesus never called Peter to account for Peter’s “cursing” in denying Christ the third time, after He was arrested. Perhaps Jesus knew how “scared to death” Peter was – deep in his heart. His Leader was about to be killed and his dreams were surely shattered. Later, after His Resurrection, Jesus only made it a point to ask Peter,
“Do you LOVE me?” Maybe Jesus knew Peter’s heart? 

To paraphrase author Larry Crabb from his book Shattered Dreams, "Often, people in the church are more concerned with the language that people use, rather than the reality of the heartfelt feelings (and pain) which are being expressed. . . and that is most unfortunate." 

These days, I’m pretty-well recovered from my previous self-righteous and holy attitude, even regarding words. And, I really don’t care so much when someone swears or uses “colorful” language. Sometimes it seems to be seriously appropriate and other times it’s just plain damn funny. Oops – Sorry, there I go again! You see, I’m not so sure that many of us would choose to judge any soldiers, like in the movie Saving Private Ryan (with Tom Hanks), for their harsh language, given the extreme and destructive nature of war itself. Nor, could I imagine the movie My Cousin Vinny (with Joe Pesci) having the hilarious impact it does without the dialogue and language. Maybe the realities of life – like pain, fear and even humor are also heart-matters? 

Sure, maybe just like me, some of us could “tone it down” just a little – especially when children (or holy people) are around. But then again, God knows my heart. Truly, my own occasional use of colorful language is NEVER directed at another living soul (person), nor is it used in judgment or condemnation of anyone. Besides, I also think that Don Rickles is really funny. And, I’ve heard testimonies that behind the man known as “Mr. Warmth” with his colorful language, cutting remarks and jester-like humor. . . is a caring, loving, family man with a “Heart of Gold” toward everyone he meets, especially to those who know him personally.

Perhaps, we shouldn’t “judge a book by its cover.” Maybe we need to read into it, just a little, to find the heart of the matter or to understand the heart of the person whom we’re about to judge. Following, is an article about our language in regards to others. 

R Butch David

Tame Your Tongue

(By David Wilkerson*)

“But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:8)

In this verse from his epistle, James is talking about the tongue of a believer. He is issuing a call to the church to gain control of their tongues – before they are destroyed by them! You may ask: How serious is this matter of taming the tongue? Can an “unruly tongue” really be that sinful?

A loose tongue renders our religion absolutely worthless! It can make your every spiritual activity totally useless in God’s eyes: “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” (James 1:26)

James’ reference here to those “among you” means people in the church. Not drug addicts or street people but those members of the body of Christ who appear pious, spiritual. They are active in the work of the Lord, but their tongues are unbridled, out of control! James is zeroing in on those who seem to be holy, kind, gentle and loving, yet who move about the church or their job or their family with acid tongues, always telling tidbits of gossip or listening with a willing ear. They murmur and complain and God says their religion – all their show of spirituality – is in vain, worthless!

Beloved, I do not want to stand before the judgment seat of Christ and discover that all my work for the Lord – my entire spiritual endeavor – has been in vain! I do not want to hear Him say, “David, you did mighty works in My name. You fed the hungry, clothed the naked, cast out devils, and established drug rehabilitation centers and homes for alcoholics. Yes, you preached to countless thousands and won many to the kingdom. But it was all for nothing! Many uplifting words came out of your mouth, but there were also bitter, unkind, hateful, envious words! You took My warnings on this matter of the tongue too lightly!”

You may speculate, “Surely God isn’t so unloving that He would discount my spirituality because I said something uncharitable! [unloving – rbd]”
I am speaking here of Christians whose tongues have never been tamed, who speak against God’s people without blinking an eye! Here is what God’s Word says: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)

*David Wilkerson Ministries can be found at
 www.worldchallenge.org

  

Achieving Love over Religion

How God Can Change A Life – Twice  

Here are some lyrics from a song entitled, My Sheep:

What a life, I was doing it my way –
I had big plans you see.

Then a crash and my world fell to pieces –
  I had no hope when He called to me. He said. . .

My sheep know My Voice, I know them – they follow Me.

All the things that I thought made me happy –
they left me empty still wanting more.

Then the Lord touched my heart and He told me –
   I Am what you’ve been searching for. . .

My sheep know My Voice, I know them – they follow Me.

Change One – Religion and The Law

I recall an earlier time – nearly 30-years ago. Life wasn’t going all that well for me and I wanted to make a change. I had heard other people sharing “How God Can Change A Life” and I wanted things to be better for me, too. I felt I heard God’s call and so I became a “Christian,” receiving Christ as my Personal Savior. 

I knew there were things about me (sins) that I needed to repent of and
I did, or at least I would try. Within a few years, I got baptized and then joined an evangelical church. I willingly turned away from “worldly things,” including nearly anything the Church didn’t consider as being “Christian.”
I wanted to please God and thought if I did the right things, my life would improve. In many ways, it did. Truly, I wanted to have an abundant life. 

I also began studying the Bible – every day. I had a great desire to memorize Scripture and embed the “Word of God” in my mind and
heart. I received discipleship training, joined prayer groups, attended
and eventually led Bible study groups, listened to Christian radio (only), participated in church ministries, activities and programs, got involved in prophecy groups, cult-awareness groups and even started evangelizing
so that people could “get saved,” just like me. After all, who wants to
“Go to Hell,” right? (In being transparent with you, at this point,
I'm feeling a bit of that "foolish boasting" that Paul confessed.)  

I also tried to make sure that every word I used was "holy, correct and proper," and that everything I was seen doing was "appropriate, right
and proper". . . so that people would know I represented Christ. Indeed,
I voraciously learned to “dot all my Christian ‘I’s and cross all my Christian ‘T’s” in everything I said and did. After all – one never knows who’s listening and watching, Amen? 

Now being a musician and song-writer for many years, I became involved in the church music ministry, as well. I even committed to writing only “Christian” songs. Secretly, I also wrote my new private theme song. It went to the melody of the Dr. Pepper jingle, perhaps with the singing voice of comedian Steve Martin – just imagine. . .

Oh. . . I’m a Christian, You’re a Christian –
He’s a Christian, She’s a Christian,

Wouldn’t you like to be a Christian, too?
Be a Christian – HEY, I’m a Christian. . . Yeah! 

Wow! Any more evidence needed of the religious pride and legalistic path which I openly embraced? Did I somehow miss what Paul was talking about in 1Corithians 13? And, I’m not referring to the “Love is. . .” part. I’m talking about the first three verses. Feel free to reference it yourself and see if you can tell what was missing in my attempt to become such a “Good Christian”?

*If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, 

but do not have love,  
I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries 

and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, 
but do not have love, 
I am nothing. 

If I give all I possess to the poor 

and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, 
but do not have love, 
I gain nothing. 
(1Corinthians 13:1-3)  

LOVE. . . is NOT proud. 
 (. . . from Verse 4) 

Now honestly, I thought I was doing "all the right stuff" and pleasing God. But, was my "Religion" what really mattered to Christ? Perhaps even a better question for me would have been. . . "What's REALLY going on in my heart – WHAT was driving me?"

I can see now, that my "religion" had become like a "band-aid" for the cancerous wounds which I carried deep in my heart. In trying to escape from the pain of my past (and present) unhealed hurts, I had somehow become an uptight, self-righteous “Christian-aholic.” In reality, my own “Churchiness and Religiosity” did nothing for me, other than appease my woundedness and teach me how to “have a thing about things.”
I also got the feeling it did little for some other people who knew me. . . other than turn (and perhaps piss) them off. 

Indeed, after many years of studying the Bible and doing all of those other outwardly religious things, I came to know quite a bit about (what I thought was) being and looking like a “Good Christian.” But, the only problem was (which I discovered much later) – I somehow seemed TO MISS CHRIST COMPLETELY – in the process. 

“God IS Love.” And unfortunately, my dressing up in a “nice clean shirt” (white robe), carrying a big Bible and doing all of that other “religious stuff” taught me little, if anything, about Love. Love Never Fails and obviously, God still had a thing or two to teach me. . . about LOVE. 

Yes, despite how I looked and acted on the outside, on the inside I was “full of dead-men’s bones” (having a broken heart). My doing all of that “Christian Stuff” did nothing to heal the lifetime of wounds I carried deep within me. That was something only Christ could do. Doing all that “stuff” also did little in teaching me how to Love and Forgive others, and even myself, unconditionally. As I look back, I really never learned how to love people – Jesus-style.  Jesus is all about Love and His Love for others is expressed through personal, loving and committed relationships, not through our religion or individual church doctrine and programs. 

To quote Forrest Gump, “I may not be a smart man – but I DO KNOW what LOVE is.” Funny how the man, whom so many thought of as an “idiot,” actually DID KNOW something about Love. Not funny at all, that it took this "wounded idiot” (me) nearly 30-years of being a Christian to begin learning what Forrest seemed to know, all along. Truly, God will use “the foolish things of the world” to shame those of us who think we are wise. 

Change Two – Transformation and Love 

Ironic, isn't it? My eventual, personal breakthrough and deliverance from that "religious lifestyle" came through. . . “my total breakdown.” The reason I say that it's "ironic" is because I truly thought that I was "living a life" in accordance with God's Will, perhaps just like Paul (Saul) believed prior to God rearranging more than a few things in his life.

You see, all of that "religious stuff," and religion itself, was a "good fit"
for me. And truly, I'm really not intending to blame anyone in particular, other than myself. But again, given the condition of my broken and wounded heart, it allowed me to focus on the "outside," rather than paying attention to the very things that God wanted to address on the "inside" of me – which badly needed His Healing.

Yes indeed, I believe that God (in His Mercy) finally had enough of me. Christ's Transformation of my broken heart and the beginning of my Healing Journey with Him was at hand. As I noted on a plaque in a Christian counselor’s office, “God accepts us the way we are, but He Loves us too much to leave us that way.” And perhaps even greater, “God accepts the way we become in trying to serve, please and obey Him – and He Loves us WAY TOO MUCH to leave us that way, also." 

A friend recently shared a sermon with me that she had on a CD. As I listened, I agreed (deep in my heart) that God knew the pain of my past wounds and struggles. Yes, it would seem that He needed to “kill me” (“Esau must die”) in order to give me a transforming heart and a joyful abundant life. So is it possible that achieving our own holiness and self-righteousness through “Religion and The Law” is part of “the flesh” (outside) that God wants to remove from our souls, as well? No judgment intended there, just a question. . . and truly, one that I've asked of myself. 

Praise and Glory to God!  He knew me on the “inside,” so broken and wounded, yet He loved me so completely. He also knew exactly what it would take to crush me, so He could begin to change my life – a second time. To quote King David from Psalm 119:71, "It was good that the Lord afflicted me, so I could learn of His Ways" (paraphrased). I had to learn that "His Ways" are about Grace, Unconditional Love and Forgiveness from the Heart. And truly, I’m grateful that He NEVER left me. . . 

I give thanks to our Father that He eventually put me on that Damascus Road, so that like Paul, I could learn how to start Achieving Love over Religion. Even more, so that I could start to learn how to truly Love others, the way Christ Loves me – unconditionally.

A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have Loved you, so you must Love one another.
By this [Style of Love] everyone will know that you
are my disciples. . . if you Love one another. 
 (Jesus from the Book of John 13:34-35)

 
Ideally. . . “You shall know the Truth and the Truth will set you free.”
And, the Truth is that God IS Love. And without Love, I was nothing. 

The End – Or perhaps, just a new beginning. . .

R Butch David

P.S. Here's a short music video for your enjoyment. . .

Dealing With "Difficult" People

It's Not Always About You – Or Maybe It Is...?

Here are some lyrics from a song entitled: "How Can I Serve".

. . . Open up some closed doors
     and use me now, or when I'm ready.

     I only ask one thing Lord. . .
that I may Love – the way You Love me.

Lord, How Can I Serve?
    How can I be a Faithful Friend. . . 

To me, movies and music are very much alike. I can watch a favorite movie just as often as I can listen to a favorite song. Maybe you’re the same way and then again, maybe not.

With music, in addition to the melodies, arrangements and production, 

the thing that often touches my heart and mind the most are the lyrics. Words are used to express thoughts and feelings. To me, putting words and music together is somehow a special formula for reaching the human soul. When it comes to movies, it’s the interaction between people that reaches me the deepest. Again, words and feelings are involved and now there’s also the visual action and interaction (relationship) between the people involved that can easily be identified with. 

I was recently watching The Shawshank Redemption with actors Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman and old-time actor James Whitmore. Ideally, 

I think it’s a movie about the consequences of our decisions in life and how, eventually, some things will work themselves out in the end. But sometimes, like in the movie, life seems to be truly unfair. Unfortunately, we’ll all experience some unpleasant situations while we’re on our journey. Sometimes we bring things upon ourselves. Then, there are other times we’ll seem to experience trouble from others that we may not deserve. We'll simply encounter people who have problems and who are “difficult” to deal with. They might be mean, hurtful, using, selfish, rude, self-centered, self-concerned and seemingly oblivious to everyone around them. Still, 
I feel what’s often happening is simply that “Hurt People, hurt people.”

In one scene from the movie, Brooks (James Whitmore) who's in charge of the Shawshank prison library has a knife to an inmate’s throat. He's been in prison for nearly 50-years and is normally quite harmless. But in this particular scene, he’s extremely upset and is threatening to kill a man who, by the way, happens to be a friend – go figure? The prison guards are nowhere to be seen as Red (Morgan Freeman) and Andy (Tim Robbins) rush in trying to help. With compassion and concern for both men, Red says to Brooks, “Why do you want to hurt him – what did he ever do to you?” Brooks' response reveals the heartfelt reality of his seriously painful situation. He says, “It’s not what HE did to me – it’s what THEY did to me!” More dire moments go by as Red and Andy continue to listen to Brooks share the PAIN of what he’s going through. Fortunately, as his anger (fear) subsides and with tears in his eyes, Brooks puts down the knife. His life is turning upside-down and he simply can’t handle it. 

In my own journey, I can identify with the pain that Brooks was feeling. 
I've recalled previous times in my own life when I unintentionally hurt 
and offended people, even close friends and family. In truth, but without excuse, I simply couldn't handle the ongoing pain of a wounded and broken heart. The pain I carried sometimes came out in, let's say, an assortment of less than loving ways. I also became aware of my need to seek forgiveness from those I had hurt. By Grace and Mercy, I came to know "The Christ who came to heal the brokenhearted." And that happened through people who knew how to love. . . unconditionally. 

I’ve also come to learn that when some people are offending us or are being “difficult,” it isn’t always about what we did to provoke them. Often, it’s about something that someone else did to them and now they’re simply taking it out on whoever happens to be around. The unhealed hurts which people carry are often misdirected toward others and sometimes it's toward the very ones we love, or who love us, the most. And that’s just the way life is. What’s happening between you and that hurtful person, well, It’s Not Always About You – Or Maybe It Is. . . ?

After calming the storm while His disciples were in fear for their lives of drowning, Jesus came ashore to encounter a man with some serious troubles – someone who apparently was a bit more than just “difficult.” 
In the account from Luke Chapter 8:27-39: When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed (“difficult" / "hurtful”?) man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at 
his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torture me!" For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. . . and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus' feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. . . The man from whom the demons 
had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, "Return home and tell how much God has done for you." So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him. 

Obviously, Jesus did nothing to provoke an encounter with a “crazy man.” But, He did do something about it. I believe Christ truly "bore that wounded man's burden." I think of it as “Loving the HELL right out of him.” I've also noted that Jesus had literally "broken through and calmed a storm" just to get to that man. . . 

Maybe when we encounter difficult people, God is giving us the same opportunity. Sure, there are times in which we may have done nothing to deserve the hurtful actions of others. But, it’s those very situations which provide the opportunity for us to learn "How to Love the Unlovable.” 

Below is a link to a short 4-minute video called "Get Service." I'm hoping you'll take a few moments to watch it (just click on the screen). Perhaps when we have "the eyes to see," we'll have a better idea of what others, who are hurting, are going through – and what God might have us do, in response. And maybe it's not so much about difficult people "getting their act together". . . Maybe it's about us?

 “Father – Teach us HOW to Love. . . the way YOU Love us!”

R Butch David