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

How to Love the Unlovable. . .

Are YOU Familiar With Their Pain?

First, some lyrics from the song In The Air Tonight by Phil Collins:

Well if you told me you were drowning –
I would not lend a hand.
I've seen your face before, my friend,
but I don't know if you know who I am. . .

But I’ve known the reason why you keep your silence up,
No you don't fool me. . .
Well the hurt doesn't show, but the pain still grows.
It's no stranger to you and me.

And I can feel it comin' in the air tonight, Oh Lord.
I've been waitin' for this moment, all my life,
Oh Lord. . . Oh Lord.

You know, I get the sense that Phil may have been writing about the "others" who passed on by, in the account of the Good Samaritan. . .  

For those who've been beaten, bruised or brokenhearted, life can seem like an endless ocean. Just dealing with everyday issues is often a struggle and it can feel like you're drowning at times. Maybe what’s really needed is for someone to throw in a “Love-Preserver.” But truly, I’ve learned we can only give to others that which we’ve personally received and experienced for ourselves. And indeed, “Sometimes, the people who are the hardest to Love are the ones who need it the most.” 

Still, I think we’ve all experienced some people who can seem to be a real PITA (Pain In The A_ _) at times. As I reflect on an earlier time in my life and the unhealed wounds that I carried, I’m familiar with that kind of pain and how it affected some of my personal relationships. I've come to realize that some people, who appear to be difficult at times, aren't necessarily "bad" or unlovable. Often, they’re simply struggling with life and in truth, they're just plain hurt. A long-time friend (who was aware my burdens) sometimes referred to me as “The King of Pain.” And truly, it wasn’t a put-down. . . it WAS my reality. Fortunately, he hasn't referred to me in that way for years. These days, as I think about that part of my past, a sense of Gladness and Peace comes over me. . . and I’m able to smile.

Since being on my Healing Journey, I’ve come to accept that God allowed me to experience the past hurts and suffering that I encountered in that earlier period of my life for a reason. Ideally, I think He wanted me to know what it was like to “be there”. . . experiencing those kinds of struggles, so that eventually I could learn how to love people who were going through the same or similar trials in life that I had been through.

For you Star Trek TV fans, I remember an episode called The Empath.  

It featured an alien woman who literally “took on the wounds” of the hurt people she came in contact with. If you had a bloody nose – she got a bloody nose. If you were suffering from a skin disease – she took on the skin disease. And if you had a broken heart, well then, her heart was broken as well. In truly FEELING the pain of others, she took on their wounds and as a result, they would be healed. She bore the wounds of others in herself. . . sound familiar? Maybe Gene Roddenberry (writer and producer) was a “Believer." God seems to be rather unlimited in how He uses people (and things) to get His point across, ya think? If not, maybe we should ask Balaam. . . or his donkey.

I believe that Christ, Himself, was and is God’s Empath for each of us. 

Scripture says that “Christ bore our wounds in His own body.” He knows about (truly feels) our heartfelt wounds, sorrows, grief and pain. A perfect example of Jesus’ empathy for us, and His personal identification with our hurts and pain, is in the account of raising Lazarus from the dead.

When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. "Where have you laid him?" He asked. "Come and see Lord," they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?" Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. "Take away the stone," He said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the Glory of God?" (John 11:32 - 40)

Funny, how Jesus didn’t show up (four days late) saying to the people, “Hey, what’s your problem – what’s all the fuss about? Don’t you know 

who I Am? Stop your crying already – I’ve come to save the day!” Neither, did He try to justify what had happened by saying things like, “You know, if Lazarus had done the 'right things', this would never have happened – 

I mean, what was he thinking? Afterall, maybe he really brought this upon himself. Besides, He should have gotten well a while ago. No, He didn’t do or say those things at all. Jesus wept and was deeply moved by the pain He saw that OTHERS were carrying in their hearts. He validated and acknowledged WHERE they were at and He FELT THEIR PAIN, as well. Then, He brought a dead-man back to life – 

A True Miracle, to say the least.

 

Here's a scene from "The Chosen" Season 4 which aptly depicts what was happening in Jesus response to the PAIN which those He loved were feeling - Jesus FELT it too! 

 

  

Imagine God Himself, in the Flesh,
crying openly over the pain that others feel,
deep within their hearts. 

I've also noticed something else in that passage about Lazarus. Jesus told people, who were there, to “take away the stone.” Surely, He could have simply spoken “a word” and that stone would have been removed. 
I mean, He once cursed a "fruitless tree" and it withered on the spot. But no, He didn’t move the stone through His own Heavenly Power. Rather, Christ told regular people like you and me to do it – and it probably wasn't all that easy for them, either.  

Often, people who are wounded (brokenhearted)
are carrying around a “load of stones” on their backs
from the unhealed hurts of their past. 

Maybe God is ASKING US, in some way, to help “take away the stones” from someone who is badly wounded, or maybe in some ways is drowning or even dead. Jesus knows about the deep hurts we carry inside and the resulting pain that we’ve endured. Whether it's rejection, resentment, contempt, ridicule, bitterness, blame, hatred, unkind and hurtful words, unloving attitudes, being ignored, being put down or cast aside, and even unforgiveness – I truly believe that "Christ has been there” and He KNOWS how it FEELS. 

  

In my own life, I saw how God allowed me to come to that place, in my pain, where life became rather unbearable and it felt like I was drowning. But, it wasn’t until the pain got bad enough that I was finally ready for surgery. When I eventually let go of the "I'm okay, you're okay" mindset and I truly acknowledged my deep need to be healed, Christ started to "take away the stones," one by one, in sending me the “right people at just the right time.” I’m thankful for those people who had learned to how Love, unconditionally, because they themselves “had been there.” I’m also grateful for the long-time friends who never stopped loving me. And, as one of those friends had shared, “Yeah, dealing with you at times was 
a bit difficult – but, I felt that God just kept telling me to ‘Love You’ –  
no matter what.”

  

I also want to acknowledge my gratefulness to those people who tried their best to love me during those difficult years, even though I couldn't receive their love because of my woundedness, at the time. I believe that Love Never Fails. . . However, sometimes it may take a while for those who are “beaten, bruised or brokenhearted” to come to that place of truly wanting to “get well.” It also might take a while for them to see where we’re coming from, that is, our Heart in the Matter. I’ve come to personally experience that One Heart Matters – it certainly did for me.

God often brings difficult people into our lives for a reason,
and usually it's never for the benefit of "just one" (of us).
Even though we may feel we're called to help someone else, 

those who are hurting (brokenhearted) can often help us
to learn something, as well.

The following article shares some healthy and encouraging suggestions on How to Love the Unlovable. Keep in mind, it’s not about playing the role of “Rescuer” at all. It’s simply about loving hurt people wherever they’re at – truly acknowledging (and perhaps knowing their pain) and accepting them in their Journey, without judgment. Ultimately each of us, personally, needs to decide if WE truly want to get well – I know that I did.

His Love Never Fails,

R Butch David

*With special thanks to Dan Copan for his contributions to this article 

 and to my Personal Healing Journey.

How to Love the Unlovable

(An Internet Article*)

Often, life sends us a curve ball in the form of a very difficult person. You ask yourself if you should run, hide, or give them a piece of your mind. To love the unlovable is not an easy task. But it can be more than worthwhile when that person shows signs of sensitivity, personal strength and overcoming. Here are a few tips for the journey.

Difficulty: Challenging  [No Kidding! – rbd]

Instructions

Think about how you may be the very catalyst or turning point in someone's life who seems at first to be unlovable. You may be the 
hope, the smile and the kindness that helps that person make a 
needed turnaround.

Look for the good qualities. Everyone has something good about them. Look for that and try to nurture it, bring it out and strengthen it.

Remember this too shall pass. Know that this time and seeming sacrifice you are making for this person will not be all-consuming or forever. There will be times when you will be alone, times when you can enjoy your own hobbies and interests.

Be there when they need you. When you see subtle changes and improvements in the behavior of the unlovable one, be there to encourage and hold a hand. Support that person over the rough waters and the difficult times. 

Know you may be the only strength and hope the person has ever really had before. There is no need to let this go to your head, but have enough compassion and sensitivity to understand that it may be so.

Understand that you may be helping a person who has great hidden talents, a person who may give birth to a beautiful child, a person who may give to others that you care about at some point.

Love the unlovable because you are there in their life and it really is the only thing to do. Feel the gratification of knowing you really are giving and doing your best and your efforts may or may not make a visible difference, but hopefully they will. 

*http://www.ehow.com/how_2154678_love-unlovable.html#ixzz1HWfARxED

Contentment Vs. Complacency

Taking Another Look At: "I Can Do ALL Things..."

Sharing an Article from Author Keith Giles

Before we get to the article, I remember it was back in March of 1995. . . 

For my birthday, I received a beautiful framed picture which simply said,  

"I can do ALL THINGS through CHRIST who strengthens me." Soon afterward, I hung the picture in my music studio. It was a reminder that God would somehow help me accomplish my dreams, plans and goals in life. Now, we all know that life is seldom without challenges. Still, I felt this was a real sign that I'd be given the strength and ability to take on most anything – and succeed. Over the next several years, life seemed to go pretty well for me and I accomplished quite a bit. And, life goes on. . .

Thirteen years later, I found myself experiencing some rather overwhelming events and circumstances in my life, some of which were brought on by the unhealed hurts of my past. I’m sure that many of us have had similar life-experiences (storms). I'd been struggling for quite a few years and now the world seemed to be “crashing-in” around me – emotionally, relationally and financially. Many of the hopes, dreams and plans I had appeared to be shattered. At the same time with all of that happening, my dog Rudy died and then my mom passed on. And, all of those things happened within six months. As Joe Pesci said in the movie My Cousin Vinnie. . . "I REALLY don't need this right now – Is there ANYTHING ELSE we can possibly pile on to affect the outcome of this [my] situation?"

Perhaps, "Life" is just life and it's really all about
what we are LEARNING in the process.

The testing of our Faith is really about what’s going on within our hearts, and not so much about what’s happening in our external world. However, I’ve come to experience that God will use whatever circumstances and whomever He wants to bring us to His place of Healing – ideally, to the place of truly knowing Christ. As a good friend recently reminded me, "When the student is willing [to learn] – the Teacher is ready."

Maybe without storms, we'd never appreciate the sunshine. Maybe without a serious drought, we would never really appreciate the rain. And maybe without our heartfelt wounds, we really wouldn't have a need to be healed. It would seem that Transformation is often a difficult thing. Fortunately, Jesus specializes in difficulties and in the Healing of our broken hearts – 
if that is what we truly desire (?). It appears that God often allows things 
to happen and creates "a need" within us, before He can willingly fill it.

These days, I'm feeling and am doing much better – perhaps better 

than I ever have in my whole life. I’ve come to accept some real changes 

in my life since those seemingly overwhelming events occurred, and to accept some things that I cannot change. I’m also experiencing a certain "Peace & Joy" that comes from within. That special gift from 16-years ago now hangs in my dining room. I spend a good amount of my time there, often in prayer, sharing my inmost thoughts and feelings with God. I've also received a majority of Christ's Healing for those broken places in my heart, right there in my dining room. And, that beautiful picture is there as a reminder of God's enduring love and strength – even for me.

Sometimes, the "I can do all things. . ." part
isn't about what we can accomplish on our personal
"To-Do List" in life, with Christ – Rather, it may be about
what we can bear and overcome, by His Grace.  

I hope that in your Journey, you can appreciate the "personal clarity"
that author Keith Giles provides in the following article. It made me think that by God's Grace, "Yeah, I might actually be just startin' to get it - maybe at least for a couple of minutes now." It would often seem that "Christ's High-Way" is actually a rather Low-Road. . . indeed, a truly Narrow Path.

"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.”  (Luke 9:24)

With His Peace and Hope for You,

R Butch David

(Here's a short video with a beautiful song about life, changes and hope.)

CONTENTMENT VS. COMPLACENCY 

(By Keith Giles*) 

". . . For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."  (Phil 4:11-13) 

I think for most of my life I have confused contentment with complacency. The differences are obvious, of course, but somehow I've missed the point of what Paul speaks of in Phillipians 4 when he says he has "learned the secret of being content in any and every situation."

A quick summary of complacency is - "Stop caring and you'll feel a whole lot better."

Most of my life I've found myself falling back on this mantra whenever things don't go my way or life offers up one of those unwanted surprises. My reaction has often been to pull back from whatever is causing me pain and to retreat emotionally, if not physically. Someone hurts me, I ignore them. Someone insults me, I make up my mind never to talk to them again. Someone injures my pride, I begin to cut them off from the part of myself that once cared about them.

Of course, this reaction is in direct conflict with the instructions 
that we've received from Jesus. He tells those of us who intend to follow Him that whenever someone insults us we should bless them. When someone hurts us, we're to pray for them. When someone injures our pride, we're meant to humble ourselves 
and forgive them anyway.

This is where following Jesus becomes more than difficult, it begins to seem flat out impossible. I just don't have that in me. At least not right away. I may be able to forgive someone who insults me after a few weeks, or months, but not instantly. My ability to forgive is hindered by my need to justify myself. Sometimes, as strange as it sounds, I feel the need to hang on to the pain longer than necessary. I suppose to justify my own sense of injustice or to make sure that the other person can see just how deeply they've hurt me - and perhaps increase their sense of guilt over what they've done to someone as innocent and kind as me - I allow my wounds to fester and I withhold forgiveness.

What would it look like for me to really respond in love to someone when they insult me or injure me? I wonder if I can actually learn to follow Jesus in this way and turn the other cheek instead of harboring anger and resentment as long as possible before I allow myself to forgive.

When Paul talks about contentment, he's speaking of trusting God so completely that nothing can shake him. His peace is not dependent
upon his circumstance. His confidence in God is not changed by the environment he's in. He is fully resting on God and his joy is not influenced by what people say about him or how much money is in his pocket.

Many of us are fond of quoting the very end of this passage in Phillipians.
I know that when I was a teenager this was my life verse: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phillipians 4:13)

I used to believe that verse meant that, whatever I wanted to happen for
my life, God would make it happen if I just had enough faith. Instead, the verse is saying the exact polar opposite. It's saying that God will give me the faith and the strength I need to be happy and content with whatever circumstance I find myself in.

A better paraphrase might me: "I can endure anything life throws at me, even if I never get my way or live out my dreams, because the power of Jesus lives in me and all of my hope is in Him alone."

Lately I've been wrestling against my own complacent attitudes. I've wanted to pull away from everyone and everything that causes 
me pain. I've withheld forgiveness from people who've hurt my feelings, instead of letting go and asking Jesus to give me the Grace to Love and Forgive.

Paul's words here are compelling because they suggest to me that there is a secret I need to learn; That is, HOW to be content in every situation. But, to learn that secret I first have to abandon my own philosophy of complacency and emotional retreat.

*Keith Giles is an author, blogger and freelance copywriter in Orange County, California. WHAT IS SUBVERSIVE? It’s a systematic overthrow of one system or power by those working from within. Jesus said the Kingdom of God was immediately accessible to all who follow Him. 

This is the Gospel message. This is subversive.

www.subversive1.blogspot.com