Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Continued....
"Until we learn to live peacefully with what Andre Louf calls "our amazing degree of weakness," until we learn to live gracefully with what Alan Jones calls "our own extreme psychic frailty," until we let the Christ who consorted with hookers and crooks to be our truth, the false, fraudulent self motivated by cowardice and fear will continue to distance us from abiding restful union." ~Brennan Manning~
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
From most recent to least ....but all worth the reflection ( Imho)
Just a series of remarkable quotes found in Brennan Manning's book "the furious longing of God". I have been slowly steeping in this book for a bit now and love to reflect on the simplicity and profundity of his thoughts and words.
"Oneness with ultimate reality is not an abstract idea; it is a spiritual experience of knowing that the timeless God is at the door inviting you to full union. It is an attentiveness to the present, a readiness, at every moment, to receive reality, to enjoy deeply even the simplest things. In the words of poet Paul Murray: "This moment, the grace of this one raptureless moment..."~Thomas Brodie~
"The entire process (of self-development) can be very exciting and entertaining. But the problem is there's no end to it. The fantasy is that if one heads in the right direction and just works hard enough to learn new things and grows enough and gets actualized, one will be there. None of us is quite certain exactly where there is, but it obviously has something to do with resting." ~Gerald May~ :)
"God loves me as much as He loves Jesus." ~Brennan Manning~ How is that possible? John 17:22,23
"The Gospel can be summed up by saying that it is the tremendous, tender, compassionate, gentle, extraordinary, explosive, revolutionary revelation of Christ's love." ~Catherine de Hueck Doherty~ (in "The Gospel Without Compromise") sourced from Brennan Manning's book "the furious longing of God".
"...the outstretched arms of Jesus exclude no one, neither the drunk in the doorway, the panhandler on the street, gays and lesbians in their isolation, the most selfish and ungrateful in their cocoons, the most unjust of employers and the most overweening of snobs. The Love of Christ embraces all without exception. Again, the Love of God is folly!" ~Brennan Manning~
On the invitation to union with Jesus - "It is not reserved for those who are well-known mystics or for those who do wonderful things for the poor... (It is for) those poor enough to welcome Jesus. It is for people living ordinary lives and who feel lonely. It is for all those who are old, hospitalized or out of work, who open their hearts in trust to Jesus and cry out for his healing love." ~Jean Vanier~
"If you took the love of all the best mothers and fathers who have lived in the course of human history, all their goodness, kindness, patience, fidelity, wisdom, tenderness, strength, and love and united all those qualities in a single person, that person's love would only be a faint shadow of the furious love and mercy in the heart of God the Father addressed to you and me at this moment." ~Brennan Manning~
"Rather than being appalled by the discontinuity between the poetic and interesting and the prosaic and mundane, it serves well to fasten on the utter delight of a loving God who is deeply touched that in the brouhaha of your busy life, you would devote even five minutes to spiritual reading." ~Brennan Manning~
"When one of England's finest writers, G. K. Chesterton, spoke of "the furious love of God," he was referencing the enormous vitality and strength of the God of Jesus seeking union with us." ~ Brennan Manning~ (and not fury as extreme anger, if anyone should confuse this) :)
"The Love of God is never, never, never based on our performance, never conditioned by our moods - of elation or depression. The furious Love of God knows no shadow of alteration or change. It is reliable. And always tender." ~Brennan Manning~
"The furious longing of God, as Dan Berrigan writes, is "not to be reduced to a thing, a grand ideal; it is not to be reduced to a plaything, a caged thing, a songbird, for the amusement of children." It cannot be tamed, boxed, captivated, housebroken, or templebroken. It is simply and startlingly Jesus, the effulgence(a brilliant radiance) of the Father's love." ~Brennan Manning~
"..no need to mince words. I believe that Christianity happens when men and women experience the reckless, raging confidence that comes from knowing the God of Jesus Christ." ~Brennan Manning~
"I am my Beloved's, and His desire is for me" Song of Solomon 7:10
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Bio
New CD "the Blessing" - Involved in the Songs associated with the movie "Fireproof".
Wait until I can preview his song "Identity"....from this CD. It is awesome. Unavailable on You Tube ....check it here
From Wikipedia - John Waller
John Waller (born December 12, 1970) is an American Contemporary Christian musician, a singer-songwriter. He was the lead singer for the late-1990s band According to John. After the band quit in 2001, he became a worship leader at South Link CPP (Free Methodist Church) in Colorado.[1]
He is now signed to the Christian label Beach Street Records and has released his debut album The Blessing in March 2007.[2]
Waller was named one of 10 "Faces to Watch" by Billboard in 2007.[2]
He recently finished touring with Grammy Award-winning band Casting Crowns and Leeland on the spring leg of The Altar and the Door tour, which ended on May 31, 2008.
Wait until I can preview his song "Identity"....from this CD. It is awesome. Unavailable on You Tube ....check it here
From Wikipedia - John Waller
John Waller (born December 12, 1970) is an American Contemporary Christian musician, a singer-songwriter. He was the lead singer for the late-1990s band According to John. After the band quit in 2001, he became a worship leader at South Link CPP (Free Methodist Church) in Colorado.[1]
He is now signed to the Christian label Beach Street Records and has released his debut album The Blessing in March 2007.[2]
Waller was named one of 10 "Faces to Watch" by Billboard in 2007.[2]
He recently finished touring with Grammy Award-winning band Casting Crowns and Leeland on the spring leg of The Altar and the Door tour, which ended on May 31, 2008.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Handling adversity.....huh?
Brother Alvin suggested I post this....I cannot give credit to the author unfortunately....it was sent to me anonymously.
CARROTS, EGGS & COFFEE
A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans . She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see."
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water..
"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
CARROTS, EGGS & COFFEE
A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans . She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see."
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water..
"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
Brennan Manning - the furious longing of God
Kind of coinciding with one of on coffee's recently posted videos, I had on order for myself Brennan Manning's new book "the furious longing of God". (How could I resist a Manning book at all and especially with a title like that?) It was a moment of weakness and then I saw Mike's post and figured ... it was all good :) I had to justify it being a birthday present because....I am trying to finish the mountain of books that I have piled high next to my desk ....which I think relates to another post about "stuff stuff stuff", in light of eternity. But I envision a very large library in my mansion....despite the fact I will have all my questions answered...I love to read. Any way...after that aside...listen to the back write-up on the jacket of the book. Oh I do love Brennan. I would love to share an evening of discussion with him on this earthly plain....but alas, I fear it shall never happen....I hear him and his understanding of the love of God through his words, and his references to Scripture.
"Imagine a stormy day at sea, your ship yielding to a relentless wind, pummeled by crashing waves, subject to the awesome force of nature. A force that is both fierce and majestic. A power that is nothing short of furious.
Such is God's intense, consuming love for His children. It's a love that knows no limits and no boundaries. A love that will go to any lengths, and take any risks, to pursue us.
Renowned author and ragamuffin Brennan Manning presents a love story for the brokenhearted. For those who are burdened by heavy religion. For those who feel they never measure up. It is a provocative and poignant look at the radical, no-holds-barred love our our Heavenly Father. It is a message that will forever change how you view God."
I cannot wait to dig in!
P.S. I see Matthew has found this book as well, as I looked for a suitable picture for the book for this post...his blog posting googled on up....cool! Anyway, I guess it was just meant to be. I don't really care what negative things people are saying about Manning....I love his writing and I love him. Love of the Father, no better topic than that for me......well, let me qualify that .....in my mind today anyway.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Keith Green -1982
One of my favourite guys....never ashamed to say the name Jesus, loudly and with conviction. :o)
Friday, April 10, 2009
He is here
"And He departed from our sight that we might return to our heart, and there find Him. For He departed, and behold, He is here."Augustine
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Hillsong London - The same Power that conquered the grave lives in me
There is a love that I know
A strength for the weak and the broken heart
My Shepherd and King I find You within me
For You are here
You carried the cross for the world
Gathered the lost and the fatherless
My Shepherd and King
I find You within me
For You are here
My Lord forever
You are here
In this place, You are here
By Your mercy, I draw near
In my heart, take Your place
You are here
Your word is the light of the earth
Your glory resounds in the universe
My Shepherd and King
I find You within me
For You are here
My Lord forever You are here
You are here
You are here
You are here
The same power that conquered the grave
Lives in me, Lives in me
Your love that rescued the earth
Lives in me, lives in me
You are here
You are here
You are here
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Reigning in life
Thoughts of the devotional based on Ray Stedman's teaching.
Then God said, ''Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground (Genesis 1:26).
Reign in life--not in heaven--in life, now, at this present time. That means to control events, to govern the effects of life around us, through fulfilling the program of the Father and moving in the direction God determines. Redeemed man is never to be a helpless victim of circumstances. It was not meant for the world to make havoc of the church but for the church to make havoc of the world.
If you read the events of our Lord's last week in Jerusalem, you will see exactly what I mean. There He is, moving toward the goal that the Father has ordained, that He should die upon a cross. He sets His face like a flint to go up to Jerusalem and is constantly aiming at that moment He knows to be the Father's program for Him. But notice how He goes toward it in full control of every circumstance. He sends out the disciples to do the work that leads to His arrest. He dismisses Judas to go out into the night. When the soldiers come to take Him, He rebukes them, and they fall to the ground in fear. He could easily have turned and fled, but He waits quietly for them to take Him. The only untroubled person in all that troubled account is the person of the Lord Jesus as He walks in solitary majesty through all those tumultuous events. He was reigning in life. And that is what the Christian is called to do. The circumstances of our lives are sent by the Father--they are the program God has picked out for us--but our attitude in them is to master every event, not being taken by surprise.
Then God said, ''Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground (Genesis 1:26).
Reign in life--not in heaven--in life, now, at this present time. That means to control events, to govern the effects of life around us, through fulfilling the program of the Father and moving in the direction God determines. Redeemed man is never to be a helpless victim of circumstances. It was not meant for the world to make havoc of the church but for the church to make havoc of the world.
If you read the events of our Lord's last week in Jerusalem, you will see exactly what I mean. There He is, moving toward the goal that the Father has ordained, that He should die upon a cross. He sets His face like a flint to go up to Jerusalem and is constantly aiming at that moment He knows to be the Father's program for Him. But notice how He goes toward it in full control of every circumstance. He sends out the disciples to do the work that leads to His arrest. He dismisses Judas to go out into the night. When the soldiers come to take Him, He rebukes them, and they fall to the ground in fear. He could easily have turned and fled, but He waits quietly for them to take Him. The only untroubled person in all that troubled account is the person of the Lord Jesus as He walks in solitary majesty through all those tumultuous events. He was reigning in life. And that is what the Christian is called to do. The circumstances of our lives are sent by the Father--they are the program God has picked out for us--but our attitude in them is to master every event, not being taken by surprise.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Water, Grace and Life!
"The "Water of Life" is the Spirit, the Grace of God, and the Spirit of Life.....
The Water is better than any mirror, for here in the clearness of Grace,
we have the chance to truly see ourselves.
John Bunyan
The Water is better than any mirror, for here in the clearness of Grace,
we have the chance to truly see ourselves.
John Bunyan
Thursday, April 02, 2009
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