tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30000402534056269392023-06-20T23:51:34.729-05:00Watchman's WallYou Are; The tip of our tongue, the touch of our hand, the step of our faith...Michael Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13332328806292390089noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000040253405626939.post-11558981503796582532015-04-22T16:01:00.000-05:002015-04-22T16:01:15.136-05:00Where does your theology come from?<br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Where does your theology come from?</span></u></i></b></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In some
Christian circles, the word "theology" has gotten a bad name. Even as
other people are being drawn into liturgy and traditions of man, in these
circles, "theology" has taken on a context so negative you'd think
that theological discussion was the work of the enemy. What is so evil about
theology? Why does it strike fear in the hearts of so many pastors and parishioners?
First, let's look at what the word even means. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Theology: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The study of the nature of God and religious
belief.</i></span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>OK, well,
that seems fairly innocuous. Why in the world would so many people demonize and
shy away from the study of (or discussion about) the nature of God? Doesn't the
Word itself tell us many times over to earnestly seek after Him and to know Him
better? Doesn't that same Word also talk about meeting together, and iron
sharpening iron? Clearly, we are to seek to know Him better, part of that
process being discussing what we're learning with one another and even
challenging one another's ideas, in order to get to the Truth. </div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So that
begs the question, with so many different theologies out there, where do they
come from? Those claiming that God accepts homosexuals just as they are and
does not require them to leave that lifestyle to become members (or even
pastors) clearly have a different theology than those who claim that God loves
(and we are to love) homosexuals, but that their lifestyle is a sin which must
be dealt with before accepting them into membership, much less leadership. The
former happily celebrate same-sex unions in their church buildings, while the
latter feel that practice is heresy. Many of the first group even feel strongly
enough about this issue that they feel the government should step in and remove
churches and businesses from the latter, and would gladly, proudly, turn them
in for this purpose. </div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How diametrically
opposed can one group (the church) be? And this is just one issue! There is
only one God, there is only one Truth, so how can each of these groups be
right? They can't, plain and simple. God has one opinion on this issue and
someone, maybe everyone, is on the wrong side of it. Knowing how strongly both
sides feel on this issue, isn't it ignorant not to assume that God has just as
strong an opinion? He loves both sides, He loves the homosexuals in the center
of the debate. Knowing that He loves and does not wish that any be lost and go
to hell, doesn't it behoove EVERYONE in the discussion to let their own
opinions go, fall on their faces and pray, and seek His Word for His final say
on the issue? This way, if the former group is wrong, they, and their
homosexual church members and leaders can repent and be saved. If the latter
group is wrong, they can do the same. </div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So, if
someone's wrong (and someone <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i>),
where did that wrong theology, that misunderstanding of God, come from? Did
they misread the Bible? Did they just make it up for themselves? Did someone
else intentionally mislead them? Looking at issues (and denominations) under
this particular light, it poignantly drives home the point that we need to take
serious stock of our theologies and make sure that we're right with God. The
church today is made up of factions, most of which simply must be wrong about
who God is if there is but one Truth, all working towards their own goals, not
God's, and not together in anything remotely resembling unity. This is not His
perfect design for the church. God did not curse the church, His Body, with the
same division and confusion with which He cursed the world after the tower of
Babel. </div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That's
an important point to remember here...There is only one God, there is only one
Truth. With all the (mostly disingenuous) talk out there about
"unity" and "just getting along" and "banding together
despite our differences", seeking after God's true character with all your
heart has become something of a divisive pursuit. But when seeking after Him
with our whole heart, one must necessarily come to a place where you ask; where
did all these different ideas, denominations, traditions and theologies come
from? Why don't we actively seek to find true unity by setting aside all these
misconceptions and come together to really seek His one Truth? How much more,
better, real unity could we find then? How does God feel about this? Wouldn't
He seek to reveal Himself more clearly to a body who was willing to seek Him in
this way? </div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
humbly submit that this is precisely what He has been desiring to do for some
time now. So let us respond to Him in the only appropriate way we can. Let us
come together, as one Body, globally, and fall on our faces, repent of our
division, search our His Word for His view on the issues which divide us, and
begin walking together in real unity, with one accepted view of who God is,
what He wants, how we are to serve Him...One Theology, that He may receive the
glory which only He deserves. </div>
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In Service of the King,</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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~Michael "Blue" Erdmier</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i></i><div class="blogger-post-footer">Michael Blue, Serenity Ministries</div>Michael Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13332328806292390089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000040253405626939.post-59141548155847747852015-01-02T18:03:00.001-06:002015-01-02T20:37:59.309-06:002015 UpdateGreetings!<br />
<br />
I pray you all had a Merry Christmas and are having a very Happy New Year!<br />
<br />
As we move forward into 2015, I thought I would take a few moments to update you on all that is going on. There are several new Facebook Pages and Groups, as well as a few new YouTube Channels to update you on, in addition to the plans for MOSAIC Five-Fold Fellowship.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>MOSAIC </b></div>
<br />
First, if you are not already aware, in several weeks we will be launching a parachurch organization called "<span style="color: blue;"><b>MOSAIC Five-Fold Fellowship</b></span>" (or just "MOSAIC" for short). MOSAIC is being founded on something the Lord has been stirring in my heart for many years now. In short, it is; <br />
<br />
* A calling back to the 5-Fold Ministry model given in the New Testament and utilized by the early church (eventually with full-time minsters in the 5 offices).<br />
* A calling to 24/7 Prayer and Worship in a dedicated Sanctuary, open to the community.<br />
* A calling to true Unity in the church, based not on an "Ecumenical" blind acceptance of all theologies and denominations as equally correct, but on a driving desire to seek out the one Truth of God, together.<br />
* A calling to the "Free Church" model; a departure from the 501(c)(3) format so many churches have fallen into in this country. <br />
<br />
As we plan to launch, we may be meeting at our home in Morton, IL for a time, but will be seeking a more neutral location and planning a permanent home as we grow. (This includes the previous plans for a "Morton Community House of Prayer" as part of its format so that ministry will be moving forward as part of this one.) <br />
More information can be found at the temporary Website <b><a href="http://www.michael-blue.com/MOSAIC.htm" target="_blank">here</a></b>, the Facebook Group, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/Mosaic.Fellowship/" target="_blank"><b>here</b>,</a> and the YouTube Channel, <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfZKrfPwFluSzYm-RoBs7iw" target="_blank">here</a></b>. Both the Facebook Groups and YouTube Channel are still being developed and a permanent Website is forthcoming. <br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Firefly/Serenity</b></div>
<br />
Next, <span data-si="true">the "<span style="color: orange;"><b>Browncoat Society for the Continuation of the "Firefly" Television Series</b></span>" <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BrowncoatSociety/" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a> has over 4,700 members now! We continue to grow by leaps and bounds, with more than a dozen new members almost daily! I've been seeing more a more Firefly/Serenity gear around as well, including "<a href="http://www.fireflythegame.com/" target="_blank">Firefly The Game</a>", "<a href="https://keepflying.com/" target="_blank">Firefly Online Game</a>", "<a href="http://usaopoly.com/games/clue-firefly-collectors-edition" target="_blank">Clue; Firefly Collector's Edition</a>" and "<a href="http://usaopoly.com/games/yahtzee-firefly-collectors-edition" target="_blank">Yahtzee; Firefly Collector's Edition</a>", complete with a model Serenity for the dice cup! There's even a new "Serenity Film-Scale Artisan Replica" available for $7,500 from <a href="http://qmxonline.com/products/serenity-film-scale-artisan-replica" target="_blank">Qmx</a> and Funko ReAction and Pop! <a href="http://funko.com/search?type=product&q=firefly" target="_blank">figures</a>! It's an exciting time to be a Browncoat, for sure!</span><br />
<br />
<span data-si="true">This spurred me on to making a followup group; "<b>Black Gun Browncoats</b>" (Facebook Group <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BlackGunBrowncoats/" target="_blank">here</a></b> YouTube Channel <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7kvTO2kpXnYwwfn6a7WyfQ" target="_blank">here</a></b>) for Firefly fans who also enjoy shooting sports. This page is featuring my own personal AR15 build as well. </span><br />
<span data-si="true">Additionally, my interest in RC aircraft, particularly multirotors and FPV (first-person view) gear led to the creation of the YouTube Channel "<b>Firefly FPV Flight Deck</b>" (found <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCybee6BIzit3lYhPAWzIuQg" target="_blank">here</a></b>). This will follow my own quadcopters including my new Blade 200QX ("<i>The CTS Hoban Washburne</i>"), and a future FPV build, possibly based on a 200QX with a Razor or Phoenix carbon fiber frame. </span><br />
<span data-si="true"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span data-si="true"><b>Flippin'</b></span></div>
<span data-si="true"><br /></span>
<span data-si="true">As some of you may know, I have been suffering with a variety of physical issues for many years now. Several Xrays, MRIs and Dr. visits have yielded no real answers. I have several bulging discs in my back, at least 1 full herniated disc, 2 of the discs in my neck are fused (not surgically), I've had several dysplastic nevus (precancerous moles) removed, have some arthritis (but not as much as we expected) and am in nearly constant pain. There are days it's hard to walk and nights I sleep downstairs because I can't get up the stairs. My eldest daughter found a disorder which could explain a lot of it, and I plan to have a DNA test done this Spring to find out if that could be it. Unfortunately there is no medical cure, but at least it could be identified, properly treated, and maybe I could get on some kind of disability or something to help provide for my family. I've tried a couple different jobs, but have been unable to find work I can physically do. </span><br />
<span data-si="true"><br /></span>
<span data-si="true">One job I was always good at and really enjoyed was selling cars. At least, when I was able to treat clients the way I wanted to and was able to sell inventory I had interest in. Although I did well with either specialty cars or "college student" cars, I never did well selling new, current, domestic offerings to average buyers. One side of the spectrum or the other was better for me, never middle-of-the-road. </span><br />
<br />
<span data-si="true">This got me looking for a niche market to specialize in and it came pretty quickly. All the cars I've been interested in over the years, many of them today are inexpensive, or experiencing a resurgence of interest, opening a new market for restorations, resto-mods and partial restorations (basically just repair, tune, clean and flip). One car that fits this category well is the Porsche 928. Now, the late S4/GT/GTS are all out of my range, but the early cars are usually doable, and they need more repair anyway. After brief research, I decided I would specialize mostly in 1985-86 cars. These were the early body style, but with the "S" trim, and these 2 years alone had the DOHC engine prior to the aero refresh in 1987. So, come March or early April, I'll be on the hunt for an '85-'86 Porsche 928S in clean, running condition for around $8K (or preferably under). Let me know if you hear of one that is available. Illinois has some specific rules on private sellers, but maybe this could be developed into a small business before I hit those limits. </span><br />
<span data-si="true"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span data-si="true">Church</span></b></div>
<span data-si="true"><br /></span>
<span data-si="true">Finally, my family and I are currently in a period of transition. We are in the process of leaving the church I grew up in and are looking into a few other local congregations to be involved in. There is a local "House of Prayer", but they are not a church (and don't wish to be). We will include them as part of whatever we end up doing, but are looking into other congregations for membership. There is one in particular we have had dealings with in the past which we are strongly leaning towards at this time. </span><br />
<span data-si="true"><br /></span>
<span data-si="true">Without going into a lot of detail or naming names, the only reason I would ever consider leaving a church (other than relocation or a call to ministry elsewhere) is due to a serious conflict of theology. As I make ever effort to be willing to be proven wrong, to base my personal theology as much as possible on the Word alone and to reject "religion" and doctrinal teachings of man without Biblical foundation, for me this means that church leadership must be doing something outside the scope of the Word for me to have an issue with it. And that's exactly what we've run into. </span><br />
<span data-si="true"><br /></span>
<span data-si="true">A Pastor and Elder of the church, from an open microphone at the pulpit at a prayer meeting, was praying for the Middle East. In this prayer, he prayed "<i>that 'Isa would be fully revealed to the Muslim people</i>". Now, 'Isa is a character who appears in Muslim texts as a "version" of the Jesus of the Bible, so the name is used by those who know (but not its full meaning) in an attempt to reach out to Muslims, or to sound learned on the subject of Islam. </span><br />
<br />
<span data-si="true">Unfortunately, 'Isa was not the name used for Jesus by Christian Arabs before the invention of Islam. They used (depending on locale) variations of the Hebrew "Yeshua", such as "Yasou". Additionally, 'Isa has his own narrative, distinct from the Jesus of the Bible. 'Isa was not the son of God ("Allah" has no sons), was born in Palestine, not Nazareth, to Merideth (Islam's version of Moses' sister), not to Mary, did not die on the cross and so did not provide salvation to man (in Islam man does not require salvation) but was taken up into heaven and was replaced on the cross by Judas Iscariot. Furthermore, he will return one day as Caliph over an Islamic world, will break the cross of Jerusalem and put all Christians, Jews and other non-Muslims to the sword, have children and die after 40 years. He is NOT Jesus of the Bible but is in fact the very spirit of the antichrist. </span><br />
<span data-si="true"><br /></span>
<span data-si="true">I approached leadership with a mountain of reference material, as I had researched this topic heavily when Dr. Rick Warren ("<i>The Purpose Driven Life</i>") use the name 'Isa interchangeably with Jesus in his prayer at Obama's first inauguration. Needless to say, this did not go as anticipated and after multiple attempts, many emails and a couple meetings, they refused to hear the truth. </span><br />
<span data-si="true"><br /></span>
<span data-si="true">So it is with great pain and suffering that we remove ourselves from ministry and leadership, leave that church and begin looking for another church body to become part of. Be praying for us as we move forward into whatever God has for us in the coming year(s), and as we move forward with MOSAIC and other interests. </span><br />
<span data-si="true"><br /></span>
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so
that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.<span class="p"></span><br />
<span class="p"><br /></span>
<span class="p">In Service of the King,</span><br />
<span class="p"><br /></span>
<i><span class="p">~Michael "Blue" Erdmier</span></i><br />
<span class="p"><br /></span>
<b></b>
<i></i><div class="blogger-post-footer">Michael Blue, Serenity Ministries</div>Michael Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13332328806292390089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000040253405626939.post-3100321305859569512014-09-16T04:14:00.000-05:002014-09-16T04:14:07.496-05:00Urgency<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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I believe in these days the Church is experiencing a new
move of God. There have been several instances in the past where we can look
back and see God moving within the Church, moving those willing to listen to
Him, moving them closer to the Path set before them. The Protestant Reformation,
the Charismatic revivals and many more. These were times when certain people
within the establishment Church saw a different Path and were called to move
out into a new calling. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe today this is happening once again, and that it
may be a setting apart from the Church which will suffer the great falling away
foretold in Revelation. This isn't necessarily a narrowing of the path, but a
recognition of the narrowness of the Path originally set before the Church. Willing
to shrug off the paganism, humanism and worldly culture which is ever
increasingly part of the Church culture, particularly in the West, and not
shrinking from standing up for the Truth of the Word when false doctrines come
into the Church seeking the approval of man instead of God. These are the
Remnant, the Bride, the true Church. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe part of this recognition of the narrowness of the
Path originally set before the Church will cause much controversy and will be
part of the great falling away. Many within the sleeping church today will
refuse the Word for the world...Will refuse Christ for the culture...Will
refuse to shrug off paganism and blending with other faiths and doctrines, refusing to be closer to the One True God. These are the sleeping
church, the lost within our walls, the very definition of Matthew 7:23
"...I never knew you".</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe this isn't about legalism and judgment, but rather
about accountability to one another and about desiring to be more like Jesus,
more than we desire to be liked by man. The Church is being challenged to stop
balking at admonishment from others within the Church, calling them judgmental
and legalistic. But instead to disallow themselves to be offended by God or man,
only desiring to be more like Jesus and to know Him more intimately. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe the Church is being called back into alignment
with the first century model of Five-Fold Ministry, with Churches not being
planted and run by Pastors alone, or by Pastors with Elder teams and boards. But
Churches being planted by modern-day Apostles, gifted, anointed and called into
ministries of teaching, preaching and the prophetic. Apostles not in name
alone, but in deed, who are sound in doctrine, founded in the Word and familiar
with Christ. Apostles who seek out those called to Office of Prophet, Pastor,
Teacher and Evangelist...Those who can seek out, help disciple and send out more
of the same.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe the Church is also being called back into alignment
with the Davidic model of 24/7 day and night prayer and worship. Far too long
have our sanctuaries been locked-up tight all night and most of the week. It's
time that anyone be able to come into the Sanctuary any time and pray or
worship. If certain restaurants and other enterprises can find a way to make it
happen, why can't we? Which is more important, being able to get a burger in
the middle of the night or being able to encounter the living God?! Isn't He
Worthy?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe that this emerging 5-Fold, 24/7 Church is being
called to a season of prayer and fasting. Intercession for our nations, our
leaders, the Church, the lost and dying...How long have we been asleep and
silent? I believe as we move forward into this new move of God, back into the ancient
patterns set before us at the foundation of the Church, that we will find
exponentially more clarity regarding our faith. Denominations will cease,
differences of theology will cease, misunderstandings of God will cease and we
will become One in Him, of one faith, in UNITY of understanding and purpose. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe as that happens we will begin to see the emergent
Bride. We will once again see REAL miracles, on a grand scale. We will see the
fulfillment of those words; "greater things than these". We will see
disciples and Apostles who operate just as Jesus did. And finally, once we have
clothed ourselves with Righteousness, we will see Jesus. </div>
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<i></i><div class="blogger-post-footer">Michael Blue, Serenity Ministries</div>Michael Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13332328806292390089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000040253405626939.post-2224423239623906152014-08-30T12:45:00.000-05:002014-08-30T12:45:54.156-05:00Watchman's Wall<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What is a
Watchman and why do we need them? </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Word
speaks of "Watchmen", who God Himself set up for Israel. These were
men set upon the walls, symbolically closer to God, and symbolically as well as
literally with a higher viewpoint. They could see much further than those
living at ground level within the walls and could recognize trouble long before
it arrived. Friend or foe, your presence was known, your intentions discerned, hundreds,
maybe even thousands of yards, possibly miles, before you ever knocked at the
gate. This was the Watchman's job, to warn the city of impending violence, so
they may be prepared and defend themselves. The Word puts it this way...</span></div>
<div class="starts-chapter">
<br /></div>
<div class="starts-chapter">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ezekiel 33:1-9</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (ESV)<br />
"<span class="selected">The word of the </span><span class="small-caps">Lord</span>
came to me: <span class="verse-num">2 </span> “Son of man, speak to your
people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the
land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman, <span class="verse-num">3 </span>and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and
blows the trumpet and warns the people, <span class="verse-num">4 </span>then
if anyone who hears the sound of the trumpet does not take warning, and the
sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. <span class="verse-num">5 </span>He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not
take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But if he had taken warning, he
would have saved his life. <span class="verse-num">6 </span>But if the
watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people
are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is
taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman's
hand.</span></i></div>
<span class="verse-num"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">7 </span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “So you, son of man, I have made
a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you
shall give them warning from me. <span class="verse-num">8 </span>If I say
to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn
the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity,
but his blood I will require at your hand. <span class="verse-num">9 </span>But
if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way,
that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your
soul."</span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
This is a spiritual representation of many who God has placed within the Church
today. They are people who have been called to dedicate their lives to clearly
hearing the Word of the Lord and who have an overwhelming commitment to His
principles. Gifted with strong spiritual discernment and unafraid of the
opinions of man, they are always on alert for attacks of the enemy which would
seek to ensnare the Church. They are the faithful ones sounding the alarm when
false doctrine (such as universalism or homosexual marriage) try to enter the
Church. They are the ones who take a strong stand when wrong theology finds the
doors of apathy or political correctness as inroads to those with weaker faiths
within their walls. Not frequently in actual leadership, these are your
outsiders, usually your loners, and they are often your Apostles, Prophets and
Teachers. Underestimated, disregarded and outcast, these are those within the
Body whom your Pastors and Elders should be most closely listening to. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Watchman
sees his job as non-negotiable, as it is not only a matter of life and death,
but a matter of eternal life vs. the "second death". They see their
charter as over and above all other charters, as theirs is directly from God
Himself, not from any man, and may be called upon to keep all others on course.
Their ministry is not to any one individual or even any one group of
individuals, their mandate is to hear the Voice of the Lord concerning the
entire Body. Their commitment is firm, their foundation is solid, their resolve
is to the death. They will not back down from blowing the trumpet, sounding the
alarm, when they sense an attack, because of Ezekiel 33. They know their job is
to protect the Body by informing them of evil. They know that if they do not
sound the alarm, any harm that evil causes is on them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">However,
that's about where the Watchman's job ends. The Word is clear that although it
is the Watchman's job to sound the alarm, it is up to the Body to respond. If
they choose not to respond, his responsibility has still been fulfilled and his
hands are clean. That isn't license for apathy, or for offense, it is simply
the way God has chosen in His wisdom, righteousness and justice to divide the
responsibility. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now, there
are false Watchmen. People who are simply judgmental and seek to cause
disruption in the Church. They sound their own alarm for their own personal
gain or to discredit those who oppose them. Discernment is required in knowing
the difference, but their motives can be revealed if you look carefully. They
use a broad condemnation of individuals or ministries, not conviction on
particular issues. They use an axe or a shotgun, not a scalpel, and care
nothing for collateral damage. Once you've seen real conviction come by way of
a legitimate Watchman's call regarding a specific Biblical issue, the
manipulative condemnation that spews from false Watchmen is easy to spot. One
earnestly seeks to rectify a specific situation, bringing repentance and
restoration, the other seeks only to kill, steal and destroy giftings, callings
and ministries. One ultimately seeks to build up, while the other seeks only to
tear down.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Whenever
anyone comes to you or your leadership with an issue, always test it against
the Word. If someone comes to you with an issue, be willing to hear it and
honestly pray about it. Be willing to be wrong on an issue and be humble enough
to be willing to be corrected. Even from a layperson. God works in mysterious
ways and can work through anyone. If He's been trying to show you something and
you can't hear Him, He will try to reach you through someone else. As always, test
everything, but be honest with yourself and with God. If you don't hear clearly
from Him, remember, your salvation is far more important than your pride. Listen
to those who can. Do not ever feel an "us vs. them" spirit, which is
division and is from the enemy. If you pray about a situation and the Holy
Spirit brings conviction, be willing to repent and seek restoration regarding
the situation. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If someone
brings an issue to you, you're willing to pray about it, willing to be
corrected, and still feel no conviction regarding it, I would consider asking
another trusted advisor before setting it aside. If you test it against the
Word and with trusted advisor(s) and still don't recognize it as an issue, it
is possible that it is not an issue, isn't a Word for you, or isn't a Word for
now. There are many people operating at different levels of Prophetic gifting
and with differing levels of sensitivity to the Spirit and sometimes people
just miss it. The Watchman should not be offended if you choose not to heed his
call and you should not carry any ill-will against the Watchman for sounding
the alarm. It is also always possible your determination is wrong and another
Watchman will come to you in time. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For the
Watchman, do not grow weary in always doing good. Do not fear the opinions of
man. Do not succumb to the temptation to abandon your given post. Do not easily
be moved from one Body to another, even if they repeatedly refuse to listen to
you. Read the life of Jeremiah and know that your success or failure is NOT
based on whether those in your charge listen to you. Your success or failure is
based solely on your obedience to your call. It is possible that blatant sin
will come into the Body you're in and your warnings will be ignored. Only when
you feel the leading of the Spirit that to stay would be to remain under sinful
covering and that it is His time for you to go should you go. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As always,
be greatly blessed in all you do!<br />
<br />
~Michael</span></div>
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<i></i><div class="blogger-post-footer">Michael Blue, Serenity Ministries</div>Michael Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13332328806292390089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000040253405626939.post-16452318962448029012013-09-10T01:41:00.002-05:002013-09-10T01:43:32.998-05:00Unity<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
Lately there has been something which increasingly grieves
my heart, and I believe also grieves the Spirit of God. This is the growing
lack of unity within the church.
<br />
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<br />
<b>Ephesians 4:13</b> says quite a mouthful on this subject; </div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><br /> </span>"...<span class="text">until
we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ...".
</span></i></div>
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<span class="text"><br />"Unity of faith" and "the
knowledge of the Son of God" say a great deal to me about what we are to
believe. There are many different denominations, each with their own particular
beliefs regarding one facet of Christ or another. But this verse (along with
many more just like it) make it plain to me that the Bride will not be made up
of denominations. She will not differ in opinions or beliefs regarding Christ.
As this verse says, there will be one singular "faith" and one singular
"knowledge of the Son of God". In the Bride, we will all believe the
same things regarding what Jesus has done and what He will do, and we will all
know the same things about Him. This level of unity leaves no room for
divisions like denominations.</span></div>
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<span class="text"><br />You see, the Truth is a man and His Name is
Jesus. There cannot be multiple truths. Even if one denomination has it all
correct (and I don't know that this is the case), the rest of us have at least
something wrong. Some believe you must baptize children or they will go to hell
if they die, others believe in grace until the age of accountability. Does the
former have a wrong understanding of God, or does the latter not recognize the
Law? Some believe you must punish yourself for your sins and pay penance for
everything in life, others believe Jesus paid all on the cross and all else is
dead works. Is the former stuck in legalism or does the latter oversimplify
things? For instance, if Charismatic non-denominational (Evangelical) folks
have it 100% right, imagine how far off the mark traditional Catholics are. If
Baptists have it all right, how wrong are those same Evangelicals? </span></div>
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<br />
Am I being judgmental? Is this all semantics? Shouldn't we
all just get along and accept that other believers have differing beliefs? "But,
none of this is critical to salvation", I can hear you say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>...Or is it? <b><br />Matthew 7:23</b> says this;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><br /> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"<span class="woj">I never knew you; depart
from me</span>"</i></div>
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<br />
So I ask you this. At what point do all of our differences
of opinion, wrong theologies and misunderstandings of Christ become an issue of
"not knowing Him"? And that's the point, isn't it? God created us so
we could get to know Him. When we messed all that up and put a barrier between
us and God, Jesus came and died for us to let us get to know Him once again. This
passage in Matthew makes it plainly clear as well that if we do not "know
Him" we will not be welcomed into heaven. </div>
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<br />
So what are we to do? There is such an unimaginably diverse
group of people calling themselves Christians these days with an even more
diverse set of beliefs...How can we possibly even begin to know the Truth and
begin to set aside man's religion and traditions in favor of worshipping in Spirit
and in Truth? Well, it's the most simple thing - and the most difficult thing -
we could ever do. We need to collectively decide that we are Christ-followers, adherent
to the Word above all else, before we are anything else. Before we are men or
women, before we are Americans or Mexicans, before we are white or black or red
or brown, before we are Catholics or Protestants...Before anything else, we are
children of God, and we seek only His Truth. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Then we pray, and we listen, carefully. Only then can God
begin to clear away the dross of man's misunderstandings and allow His Spirit
to begin to teach us all things. Only then can we quit destructive bickering
over doctrines and theologies and begin constructive discussion regarding
Biblical Truth. Most importantly, only then will we begin to know Christ more
fully, more intimately, as we were created to do, and take those first steps
towards being made in His Image; the Bride, unified and purified. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Blessings!<br />
<br />
~Michael</div>
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<i></i><div class="blogger-post-footer">Michael Blue, Serenity Ministries</div>Michael Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13332328806292390089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000040253405626939.post-69943060868137892552013-07-31T14:10:00.000-05:002013-07-31T14:29:14.810-05:00Water and Dust<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Recently
I saw a picture of a man. He was teaching and coming out of his mouth was a
torrent of mud. Immediately the words "water and dust" came to my
mind, and I knew in the Spirit what this meant. The man was teaching from the
Word, which was represented by the water, as in Ephesians 5:26. But he was also
teaching out of his flesh, which was represented by the dust, as in Psalms
103:14. When the two mixed, it made this terrible mud spewing from his mouth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />Even the
world knows that a confused word can "muddy the waters" and that
"crystal clear" clarity of word and intent are preferable for
teaching. Anything else is "clear as mud". So obviously this teacher
was issuing forth a confused word, a confused message, with the potential to
confuse his audience on any topic covered. When this is applied to teaching of
the Word, we have a grave issue here. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />Believers
without solid foundation either in the Word or in relationship with God can
easily be swept away by the torrent of the teachings of man. They have no
spiritual maturity or discernment to lead them to the Truth, which is what we
need to hold onto when this flood comes. Knowing our Father's voice (John
10:27), having the Word hidden in our heart (Psalms 119:11), this is where
discernment comes from and is our defense against wrong teaching and bad doctrine
or theology.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />So part
of this picture was in discernment of what I was seeing in the natural, a
warning against bad teaching. But the flipside of that same coin is guarding
against being guilty of doing the same. The Word tells us that not many should
become teachers and that those who teach will be judged with greater strictness
(James 3:1). So when we do feel like we have a word for someone, or feel like
God is giving us a word for a group of people, we should test that word against
the only thing that lasts forever, God's Word (Isaiah 40:8). We should make
sure that what He wants to say is all we allow to come out of our mouths, not embellishing
or straying from His message.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />I
Timothy 1:3-7 directs us further;</span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><br />"3 </sup>As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia,
remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any
different doctrine,</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> <span class="text"><sup><span id="en-ESV-29684">4 </span></sup>nor to devote themselves to
myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the
stewardship from God that is by faith.</span> <span class="text"><sup><span id="en-ESV-29685">5 </span></sup>The aim of our charge is love that issues from a
pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.</span> <span class="text"><sup><span id="en-ESV-29686">6 </span></sup>Certain persons, by swerving
from these, have wandered away into vain discussion,</span> <span class="text"><sup><span id="en-ESV-29687">7 </span></sup>desiring to be teachers of
the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about
which they make confident assertions.</span>" (ESV)</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />How many
of us have run across teachers like that? Constantly teaching from the
prophetic books and speculating on all manner of weirdness having nothing to do
with the Gospel of Jesus Christ? They have vain discussions specifically
designed to lift up their own fame and following and glory, doing nothing to
increase the fame of Jesus or to bring Glory to His Name. I love the Word's use
of the phrase "promote speculation rather than the stewardship from God
that is by faith". You can't do both. It also clarifies that they are
"without understanding either what they are saying or the things about
which they make confident assertions". Don't miss for a moment that those to whom the letter was written were instructed to "charge" these
people not to teach this way. Not all conflict in the church is of man, some of
it is God trying to correct man's behavior, and more often than not, that comes
through another man.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />So what
does this mean then? Out of fear of judgment should we refuse to open our mouths
when we feel the Spirit urging us to speak? No, this sin would be like the sin
of teaching out of the flesh. Instead we should be open to the Spirit that He
may be allowed to speak through us, but continually guard our heart and build
on the foundation that God is building in us so that we will not be deceived, and
in turn deceive others. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />And we can see from I Timothy above that when
we see someone teaching in this wrong way, we should charge them to teach only
what God is saying in the Spirit, and not out of their flesh. This may not
sound like the comfortable church setting you have become familiar with, but it
is what we are commanded to do. Besides, are we to be friends of man or of God?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />Be
greatly blessed!!<br />
<br />
~Michael<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
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<i></i><div class="blogger-post-footer">Michael Blue, Serenity Ministries</div>Michael Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13332328806292390089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000040253405626939.post-63193421970688030132011-01-08T12:15:00.006-06:002011-01-08T12:28:35.099-06:00Come again?You've undoubtedly heard the phrase; "Life is not a spectator sport". Essentially, this means that - whether we (want to) realize it or not - we are involved in this life and should act like it. We shouldn't be sitting around, doing nothing, just waiting to die. Self-help books will tell you to "decide what you would be doing right now, if you could do anything in the world...Then go do it, or at least do something that can make that happen". To live each day, each moment, as if it is your last. In the Latin, it's "Carpe diem", or "seize the day". I was recently in a Discipleship training where Bill Allison reminded us that for disciples of Christ, this means we need to quit sitting on our hands and actually follow the greatest commandments...<br /><br />Matthew 22:37-40 "Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” <br /><br />And...<br /><br />Matthew 28:18-20 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” <br /><br />If we can just do these three things; love God with all we have and are, love our neighbors and make disciples, we will be fulfilling our purpose on this earth. But for some people in the church, it's more about deciphering codes and searching out hidden mysteries, all in an attempt to determine when Christ will return to this earth. Now, there is a reason God has chosen to hide Himself in mystery, and just like a close friend or spouse desires to be sought-out and discovered, God desires us to immerse ourselves in studying Him. But when it comes to the second coming, the Word is pretty clear...<br /><br />Matt 24:36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."<br /><br />We do not know, we will not know, anyone who claims to know or to ever have known is a false prophet. People like Harold Camping, with all their hand-wringing over when Jesus will return, are completely, utterly and totally missing the point. They're like the people at your work, or in church who spend the entire time staring at the clock, not doing what they're supposed to be doing. In the business world they're called "clock watchers" and they likely cost businesses billions of dollars a year in lost productivity. It's no different in the rest of life, or in the church...If you're focusing on the clock, so to speak, you're missing the point entirely. We are here for a reason with a job to do and we can't do it with our eyes on the clock. Jesus will return when the Father tells Him it's time. It's to us to be ready, not to try and guess when that will be.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Michael Blue, Serenity Ministries</div>Michael Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13332328806292390089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000040253405626939.post-66543097165090825772010-11-22T12:47:00.002-06:002010-11-22T12:51:59.254-06:00PurposeSo, between the busy work schedule, the kids' busier play schedule, all the errands and responsibilities that come with everyday life, and everything else we have going on...<span style="font-style:italic;">Especially this time of year</span>...What is it we are really doing with our lives?<br /><br /> Yeah, that's no easy question to answer, but it gets easier once you define how you WANT to answer it. That is done by deciding what you <span style="font-weight:bold;">want</span> to do with your life; how you <span style="font-weight:bold;">want</span> to measure your impact in this world. Are you striving for worldly financial and social success? Or are you endeavoring to permanently impact the lives of those around you? Maybe you have political aspirations? Or have you been simply plodding through life, trying to survive, with no real direction or goal in mind whatsoever? Once you set a goal for your life's work you can begin measuring your success to that end.<br /><br /> In this Western society, even Christ-followers have a difficult task laid out for them, deciphering what it is that we are supposed to be doing with our lives. Our supposedly "Christian" culture is all about the appearance of good will, while still living untransformed lives; striving for carnal desires, making very little if any impact on the world around us. There is so little focus on righteousness and discipleship in most of our churches that even those of us who regularly attend mostly just hear sermons about "being a good person" and "accepting everyone for who they are" with nothing standing in our path, challenging us to become who and what we are destined to be.<br /><br /> If we were to step outside our comfortable pews, open the Word and read...<span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">REALLY</span></span> read it, with an open mind...We would see quite a different picture of who God intends for His people to be. We would be convicted and challenged to set aside worldly pursuits, to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, to be filled with His Spirit, and to indelibly impact those around us. The fruit of our labor would be lives, permanently changed for the better, simply by having spent any time around us. We would be called to die to ourselves and to live only in Christ, and therefore to be only about our Father's work. If the Bible is true, then we have been called to spend time in the Word, in worship and in prayer, perpetually being transformed into new creations in Christ, displaying the Kingdom of God in this world, simply by our thoughts, words, decisions and actions. We are God's Ambassadors, His representatives. Agents and Administrators of the Kingdom of the Most high. Appointees, Delegates, Deputies, Diplomats, Emissaries, Envoys, Intermediaries, Ministers, Officers, Operatives, Proctors, Proxies, Stewards, Surrogates, Viceroys...<br /><br /> We are the People of God, visibly demonstrating His Kingdom and His Purposes on this earth. How does striving to have a big name, to live in a big house with big TVs and big cars even begin to compare? Yeah, it doesn't. Not even a little. God tells us in His Word that in heaven, those who were the least among us on earth shall be the greatest, and the greatest among us shall be the least. In this way, the most humble custodian, serving with his whole heart, in heaven will be greater than the most powerful person here in the world. So what does going into mountains of debt to buy a house and cars to compete with your neighbors really accomplish? Nothing, except a lot of stress and trouble in this world. Don't misunderstand, I'm not opposed to anyone appearing successful in the natural; God desires to greatly bless all of us. But only when these things aren't really of any concern to us, and we are seeking only His Will and Way in our lives. It's the motivation of the heart that matters. Matthew 6:25-34 puts it plainly...<br /><br /> 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? <br /> 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 <span style="font-weight:bold;">But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. </span>34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (NIV)<br /><br /> So how are we to measure success in this life? How are we to discern our purpose? I believe, when it's all said and done, God tells us in His Word. Quite simply; “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind", and "Love your neighbor as yourself". If we can just accomplish these two things, then I believe in heaven we will be regarded above the Donald Trumps of this world.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Michael Blue, Serenity Ministries</div>Michael Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13332328806292390089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000040253405626939.post-55990908341872956042010-08-02T17:20:00.002-05:002010-08-02T17:22:08.048-05:00Mistakes<span style="font-weight:bold;">You've heard the adage: "Failure is not in the falling down, failure is to not get back up"</span>. <br /><br /> Being someone who has done more than their share of falling down, I'm a big believer in this modern proverb. It's a reminder to offer grace to ourselves and to others when we make mistakes, and instead to focus more on how we respond after the fact. We all make mistakes, what we can do is get up, keep moving forward, learn from them and try to ensure they don't get repeated. In doing so, you may find yourself basing your opinions of yourself and others not on whether or not you mess up (because you will), but instead, in how you recover from a mistake and whether you can learn from it. Eventually, when you do mess up, it won't look like falling down, it will be falling down "with style". <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Lately I've been finding myself making fewer mistakes.</span> <br /><br /> As I get older, it's less likely that I'll do something stupid. Instead, on the verge of a mistake, I will recognize the issue, step back and think something like; "Oh, that wouldn't have ended well". Then I make a different choice and move on with my life, thankful for the wisdom learned from falling down so many times before. This is part of our 70-some years on this earth. To learn how to walk more gracefully in this life, full of the wisdom that comes with a lifetime of - not just making mistakes - But learning from them. Each and every one of them. Eventually, mistakes can become so rare an occurrence that you almost find yourself thankful for the opportunity to learn. Or so I've been told. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">That's how it is for long-term interpersonal relationships like marriage as well. </span><br /><br /> The more time we spend around a close friend, spouse or even a business partner, the more likely we are to anticipate their needs and potential responses to our actions. In doing so, we find ourselves in a position to better serve the needs of that person, and of the relationship, without having to "fall down", apologize, and rebuild that trust again all the time. In time and with great patience, we become "experts" on that person, real authorities on what makes them tick, and what just ticks them off. We know their pleasure centers, and their hot buttons, and know how to navigate both with great skill. It's not about "control" or "manipulation", it's just about knowing the lay of the land and being able to navigate it properly. It is when we become experts on those around us that they, and we, are best served.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Likewise, that's how it is supposed to be in our relationship with God.</span> <br /><br /> Being a "Christ-follower" isn't simply about attending a weekly service somewhere, tithing our 10% and living however we would like the rest of the time. It's about making the pursuit of a Christ-like life the primary focus of our lives. It's about learning everything there is to know about Jesus and letting Him have His Will and Way in our hearts and lives. It's about giving the King those keys to our kingdoms and letting Him reign on the thrones of our hearts and lives. Just as getting to know ourselves better can make us more graceful people, and getting to know those close to us can make us more graceful in those relationships, Jesus desires for us to let Him make us experts on Him so that we can become the creations we were made to be.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">So that's how I believe it is supposed to be in our lives.</span><br /><br /> Like an excellent guide on a difficult exploration, it isn't in knowing the future that you can avoid most of the pitfalls in this life, but in having lived through them all before and recognizing them when they appear. This is who makes the best mentors, counselors and pastors; those who have already walked these miles and years in your shoes, who have lived to tell about it, and can help you walk through them in victory. This is who we are to be, in all aspects of our lives, experts on ourselves, on those around us, and on our King, so that in so becoming, we can blaze a path for those around us, that they may also find fulfillment is Christ.<br /><br />Be blessed!<br /><br />~M<div class="blogger-post-footer">Michael Blue, Serenity Ministries</div>Michael Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13332328806292390089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000040253405626939.post-50982439667965237802010-07-19T10:37:00.002-05:002010-07-19T10:38:06.335-05:00A New Thing...A friend of mine posted a note in facebook essentially giving God full access to his life, to expose and remove the things that may still be hidden away, asking God to have His will and way in his life. In essence, "Here You go, Lord". This is a trend I've been seeing in individuals, congregations and across international boundaries lately. I responded with the following on his note, but felt like it needed shared here as well...<br /><br />It's amazing to see the parallels in people's lives, and in the course of ministries, all over the area, and in fact, all over the world right now. "Behold, I Am doing a New Thing" has been prophesied in several places and seems to be the call of this global move of God. He's calling us into deeper submission for a nearer walk with Him. Perfectly in line with the Divine Experiment and the knitting-together of area congregations, God seems to be wanting to do the same, both in our individual hearts and on a global scale.<br /><br />Lord, we pray for the clarity that comes from the Light of Your Truth in our lives. Expose anything within us that is not of You, and give us the strength and courage to allow You to remove them. Likewise guard our hearts and lead us away from anything outside ourselves that is not of You. "Here You go" indeed, we offer up our hearts, minds and lives as an offering to You. Be glorified in our hearts, actions and lives...In everything we do, we long to honor only You. In the glorious Name of Your Almighty Son Jesus our Lord and Savior, amen.<br /><br />~M<div class="blogger-post-footer">Michael Blue, Serenity Ministries</div>Michael Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13332328806292390089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000040253405626939.post-80264651999335074562010-07-07T11:05:00.004-05:002010-07-07T11:16:14.227-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Perspective</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">It's all about perspective, my friends. </span><br /><br />If there's one area in life where people have the most difficulty, it's deciphering the actions and intentions of others. Have five different people witness the same complex social exchange and ask them what they witnessed. You are bound to get five different interpretations. Why is that? Is it because some of the five have an agenda, or is it simply because they "just see things differently"? Actually, it's more likely because, as people, we have a tendency to view the world through a filter. <br /><br />You've heard of viewing the world "through rose-colored glasses", meaning that the viewer thinks everything's just fine, refusing to acknowledge the hardships of others? This is a similar concept, except those glasses we're looking through are ourselves. We see life, the world and others through a filter of our own past, our own motives, our own intentions. We use this filter to gauge the intentions of others, to base our conceptions of their actions. <br /><br />This can cause major issues in dealing effectively with others, in social situations, in business, in all aspects of life. If someone who has (or has had) a very self-centered view of the world sees someone else being very charitable, they inevitably assume ulterior motives. Likewise, someone who is a bit naive and who has a caring disposition views someone mistreating another, they may tend to assume there was some very good reason for things to go that way.<br /><br />As believers, how are we to view the world and interpret the actions of others? Isn't this just how God made us, as people? Shouldn't we interpret the motives of others through the process we already use? I tell you, <span style="font-weight:bold;">NO</span>. As new creations in Christ, we are no longer to operate in the flesh and in our own devices, but we are to filter everything we think and do and say through Christ, revealed in the Word. We are to seek His direction in all things, and not to lean on our own understanding...In anything, ever. No matter how good the path of the flesh looks to us at that moment and in that situation. <br /><br />So, what does that really mean, in everyday life? In its simplest terms, it means that we do not assume. Ever. If we have a history of selfishness and idolatry, we cannot use that history to discern the motives of others. If we did, we would only ever see the worst in others, always assuming the worst, and life would be a real mess for ourselves and anyone unlucky enough to be around us. Someone genuinely being kind to another would to us look like they were out to get something for themselves.<br /><br />If we are young and naive, we cannot always use our simple kindness to discern why people behave the way they do. If we did, we would never see the evil of others operating purely in the flesh, and we and those around us would be open to attack. Someone horribly mistreating us and others would be assumed to be in the right, and the enemy would be allowed to operate freely in our midst. <br /><br />In Christ, there is balance. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Matt 10:16b</span> <span style="font-style:italic;">"Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."</span> We are to forgo our own interpretations and instead discern all things in Christ through the Word. Only then, when we can really hear from God on all things, can we be sure to understand what is going on around us and why people are doing and saying the things they are. Until then we should be careful not to judge, and instead temper all things with caution, following Christ's example. If you have a question, ask. If you have a problem, address it with the other person. In this way, we can be protected from attacks of the enemy that come in the form of misunderstanding, causing division.<br /><br />That's what Matthew 18 is all about; protecting ourselves and others from this kind of attack by testing all things and always bringing all issues to the transparency of the Light of the Truth. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector."</span> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Matthew 18:15-17 NIV</span><br /><br />If we follow God's pattern on this, we can rest assured that, if there are issues, we have made every effort to handle them in a Biblical fashion. Hopefully they will be easily resolved as misunderstandings in this way. If not, at least we know we did all that we can, and did not judge in the flesh and in secret. In this way, we know it was not our own, possibly distorted perspective that may have caused an issue (or inflated a small issue into a much larger one), but all things were tested according to the Word and with the testimony of witnesses. <br /><br />This is the only perspective we should seek to attain; that of Christ in all things. Anything less is worthless flesh and will ultimately only lead to destruction. Our own, and potentially that of others who we've led astray by operating in the flesh in the first place. <br /><br />Until next time...<div class="blogger-post-footer">Michael Blue, Serenity Ministries</div>Michael Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13332328806292390089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000040253405626939.post-49315839807631476852010-06-06T20:37:00.002-05:002010-07-02T15:57:54.503-05:00TreesRecently I found myself in a conversation about how people are like trees. A particularly bubbly friend of mine was outside dancing with what could only be described as the pure joy of the Lord, and simply commented "I'm like a tree!". Immediately I was reminded of Mark 8 (22-26), where Jesus was healing a blind man, and the healing came in 2 stages. First, the blind man could see, but not clearly. He said "I see people, they look like trees walking around". Then Jesus touched him again and normal vision was restored. Then there's this whole idea of fruit of the spirit, and the harvest, and all the myriad of other Biblical references to tress, fruitfulness and so on. <p class="MsoNormal">So I said "yeah, you are like a tree...We all are", and this of course sparked an interesting evening of conversation regarding the nature of this concept, what kinds of tree different people are (my friend is a cherry tree; kind of short, beautiful, very fruitful, flowering and somewhat fruity - in a good way). It's funny this all came up, as I haven't known this person very long, but for whatever reason had a pretty good sense of her personality (and what kind of tree she was) the first day we met. One of those people you just <i style="">know</i> you're going to get along well with, right from the start. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><i style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The Healing of a Blind Man at Bethsaida<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><i style=""><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">22</span></sup></i><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. <sup>23</sup>He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?"<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><i style=""><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">24</span></sup></i><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around."<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><i style=""><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">25</span></sup></i><i style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. <sup>26</sup>Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don't go into the village."<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Some people are oak trees; mighty, ancient, deep-rooter, fruitful and producing good wood. Others are willows; beautiful, flexible, good for holding things together, usually near the water (that's a whole other concept) and sometimes melancholy. This isn't some weird pseudo-psychic concept; it's simply using one object to describe another. "Types", as this kind of association is usually called, have been around probably forever. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">In the Bible, water is very often used to represent the Spirit, smoke is most often associated with glory, or the prayers of the saints, fire is used to represent many things but it and doves are often used to describe the anointing of the Holy Spirit, particularly when directly associated with people. You get the idea. Even in the secular, dream interpretation very often uses "types" and "lists" to decipher why you might have recurring dreams involving tornadoes or water spouts. Again, this has some Biblical basis, though (as usual) the enemy has used counterfeits of this same concept in the occult. Don't let that discourage you from digging more into associations, just let it be a warning to ensure your source is Biblical. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">In my humble opinion, most occult/psychic/paranormal activity or practice is a direct counterfeit of something believers can do through the Holy Spirit. Witch doctors are the worldly counterpart to Spirit-filled believers. The difference is the source and the purpose for the gifting. But, that's a conversation for another day. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Be blessed!<br /><br />~M</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Michael Blue, Serenity Ministries</div>Michael Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13332328806292390089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000040253405626939.post-36484797335423008742010-05-22T10:49:00.001-05:002010-05-22T10:50:50.720-05:00Reboot.<span style="font-style: italic;">Posted on Facebook by Brian Cooney, Worship Life Coordinator, The Gate, Nashville.</span><br /><br />"It is a time where the Lord has brought us to Zero so that he can rebuild us. We will not be able to live like those who have their lives planned out and their storehouse necessarily in place and secure. But we will remain tethered to the Lord for everything. We will live as Jesus, only doing what we see the Father doing and every need will be met. No matter how great or impossible. I believe at this present time we are in a great season of strengthening and prospering. Where God is restoring and establishing us and refreshing those that have walked as Joseph . It is a time where we are somewhat on a sabbatical - enjoying the blessing of God and the flow of His grace. He is opening doors and positioning us at this time and grounding us. He is even giving us the desires of His heart. It is definitely a season of Justice where the Josephs are having restitution being made and the enemy is bound for a season. Not that darkness does not get pesky...but it is unable to prevail in our situations as it has in the past. All this preparation is for our release into ministry and the world like never before as the church goes through unprecedented reformation even greater than that of Luther's time while the world reels as a drunkard. I believe we are on the brink of perilous times but also a great hour for the Church and great Glory given to Jesus the Most High - God of all - King of heaven and earth - Lord of men!"<br /><br />I repost this because it's so similar to what the Peoria, IL church has been saying regarding our community-wide involvement in "The Divine Experiment". Seems like God is up to something, and it's not only happening here in Peoria.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Michael Blue, Serenity Ministries</div>Michael Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13332328806292390089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000040253405626939.post-37768330592198839482010-02-19T14:50:00.004-06:002010-02-19T16:34:52.728-06:00"Really?"<span style="font-style: italic;">"Really?"</span><br /><br />We've all said it at one time or another...Just when you think you're really getting to know someone pretty well, they up and go and do something that really surprises you. You know the story; your overly cautious friend takes a real leap of faith in something they would have previously labeled as "reckless", your overly reckless friend make a cautious and wise decision, the friend who's always mooching off you and their other friends buys you lunch (even if it was with your money)...One way or another, some personality that you felt you had a pretty good grasp of steps out of the box that you had imagined for them. Sometimes it really makes you take a step back and wonder; <span style="font-style: italic;">"What else was I wrong about?"</span>.<br /><br />Well, why is it then that so many of us are so irrevocably convinced of our own understanding of God?!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"But I pray and read my bible every day"</span>, I can hear you saying. Yeah, OK, that's wonderful. But there is a passage in that same bible that tells us; <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"</span><sup style="font-style: italic;" class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23339"></sup><span style="font-style: italic;">Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"</span> Matthew 7:22-23 <span style="font-size:78%;">NIV</span><br /></div><br />Now, this brings up a lot of other topics; (people performing miracles after most people believe miracles to have been removed, etc.) but staying on topic, these are people who clearly believed that they were followers of God. If these people were actively doing the things they say they were (and the account does not say otherwise), and yet were not known by Jesus Christ, how much more possible could it be that we, in our largely "middle of the road" (see; lukewarm) Christianity, also do not know God as well as we had once supposed?<br /><br />How righteous and holy are you? How righteous and holy am I? The bible clearly tells us;<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Be holy, because I am holy."</span> I Peter 1:16, Lev. 11:44,45; 19:2; 20:7 <span style="font-size:78%;">NIV</span><br /></div><br />I don't believe for a second that God was kidding, or that He somehow didn't mean what He said...Particularly since - according to my concordance - He felt the need to repeat Himself four times! Of course we cannot live a holy and righteous life by our own strength, but God clearly desires that of us, and what He commands, He also empowers us to do. Something else about God which we may not have clearly understood before.<br /><br />So, not being the holy people that God desires to empower us to be, why is it we're so certain that we have such a good grasp on His intentions? Even the Israelites were expecting the Messiah to ride in on a white horse and overthrow the Roman Empire, not the baby in a manger which they were given. They had no idea how to respond to Him, so foreign was He to their sense of society and rules, to the point where the same people singing "Hosanna!" as He rode into town were only a week later calling out for the Roman officials over them to crucify Him.<br /><br />Maybe it's possible we've had God wrong all along. Those of us who see Him as a God of wrath, those of us who have some all-tolerating "hippie" Jesus in mind, those who only see Him as just a stepping stone to heaven (or fire insurance from hell), or just an acquaintance...<br /><br />No, I believe God is a loving God, but He is a just God. As easily as He has forgiven, He will also one day judge. In the same way as He administers the grace necessary to live that holy and righteous life He expects of us, He will pour out justice on those who do not obey.<br /><br />The Truth is out there...The Truth is somewhere in-between our overly vengeful and overly tolerant views of God.<br /><br />The Truth is a man, and His Name is Jesus.<br /><br /><br /><i></i><div class="blogger-post-footer">Michael Blue, Serenity Ministries</div>Michael Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13332328806292390089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000040253405626939.post-58714646905057437302010-02-04T20:26:00.005-06:002010-02-04T22:05:50.405-06:00You Are...<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">You</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Are</span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-size:100%;" >;</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">The tip of our tongues, the touch of our hands, the step of our faith...</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">For those of you who may follow my very occasional blog posts here, a very brief update.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The company I was with when I made my last post deleted the position I was in due to a lack of business (which was due to a lack of marketing), and the position we were praying about never materialized, as that company shrunk some of their operations instead of expanding as they had hoped. I am currently laid off and actively seeking employment.</span></span><br /><br />Well, here we are, smack-dab in the middle of a 21-day fast, part of "The Divine Experiment" (http://www.thedivineexperiment.com). The leadership of our church (which has undergone a name change and replaced our Youth Pastor with a "Youth Director") and 17 other churches and ministries in the Peoria area are undertaking a 21-day fast (of various types), seeking to repent for the past failings of the church as a whole and to seek the face of Christ. In short, to give the church back to Christ, and to re-consecrate the church to God's purposes. As a family, we struggled a bit with what we supposed to do for the Experiment. We knew we were to be a part of it, but had never done anything quite like this before. In the end, we decided to fast from all forms of "entertainment" (TV, movies, video games, non-Christian and all fiction books and internet, except for study/research purposes), which, as it turns out, is the same fast that the leadership of all the ministries involved felt called to as well. As a footnote, I have been involved with the Healing Rooms ministry for about a year now as well.<br /><br />I've been as sick as I've ever been in my life this week, with a combination sinus/lung infection and antibiotics that I got on at least a day later than I probably should have. Monday and Tuesday I found myself calling out to God to take my life, as I felt like my teeth and hair were going to pop out of my head like popcorn. I'm no Job, that's for certain. I don't do "sick" very well anyway, and this was absolutely no picnic. I'm feeling better now, but I've still got a long way to go. Going into a time of deep Bible study, prayer and purposeful, focused fasting is most definitely not made any easier by being this sick on top of it all. Hopefully the remaining two weeks of the 21 days will be more fruitful.<br /><br />I have been having a lot of strange dreams lately, and I've been praying about what is fruitful and what may just be the product of illness, lack of sleep and medication. I've also been feeling a much deeper calling to some of the things I've expressed in this blog before. As a matter of fact, I have contacted our new Youth Director and asked if he would be needing any help with the Youth Ministry. Tomorrow we will be meeting to discuss my helping with the actual Bible Study lessons for the Jr. High age group for the Sunday night Youth meetings. We've helped out with the Youth before, but this would be another step out of my comfort zone from what I've done in the past. I'm hoping it can be a stepping stone into the Ministry I still strongly feel called to. This would mean that I would also be around for the corporate worship and games time, so maybe I could get involved with the worship time as well. Another stepping stone...<br /><br />As always, since I am once again stepping out and trying to be useful and fruitful, there have been an unusual amount of attacks in our house the last couple of weeks. Without going into unnecessary detail, there isn't a relationship that hasn't been tried or a line left uncrossed in our house lately, and I am leaving it to God in prayer to handle it, except where good parenting must intercede. In the weeks leading up to this 21 days, I was feeling strained to the limit, and just when I sent a note to my pastor stating that I couldn't even remember what the end of my rope looked like from here anymore, a friend's life took on a more distressful turn and I was needed for support. It's amazing to me, how - when we feel like we truly, honestly have <span style="font-style: italic;">nothing</span> left to give - <span style="font-weight: bold;">that's</span> when God calls us into the service of our brothers and sisters, and gives us exactly the knowledge we need and the words to say.<br /><br />So, this 21-day Experiment for me is going to be something of a Metanoia moment...I endeavor to make some sweeping but permanent changes in my life and in the lives of my family. I've already been finding things in my life that never seemed so obviously like stumbling-blocks before, but which are now so easily swept away, deleted and forever removed. If I can use this time to continue sweeping out the corners of my life, but also to reacquaint myself with more regular periods of deep worship, study and commitment to God's purposes, then it will all have been totally worth it.<br /><br />By the way, that note I sent my pastor...His reply was that we are on the verge of a major breakthrough...And I believe it. When I feel stress and pressure, it's not God's failings that I'm feeling or that put me there, it's my failure to rely fully on Him. So long as this extended fast has the desired result - to help us draw more closely to God - that breakthrough should be assured.<br /><br />A bit more just "rambling" this time, but I hope it was useful to someone out there.<br /><br />Be blessed!<br /><br />~M<br /><br /><br /><i></i><div class="blogger-post-footer">Michael Blue, Serenity Ministries</div>Michael Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13332328806292390089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000040253405626939.post-86347594503259796412009-08-09T07:33:00.003-05:002009-08-09T13:41:17.854-05:00A Retrospective of Change.<b></b><br />Facebook''s "what book of the Bible are you" said it best. "Life with you is never boring". As "Revelation"; statements regarding my eccentricity and unusual pursuit of things that don't always make sense in the natural were also made, but this "never boring" thing has long been my life's mantra.<br /><br />As a 37 year old married father of 3, my existence has definitely had its fair share of the roller coaster called "life". Born under unusual circumstances, purportedly removed by the state and later adopted, an endless string of episodes of "self discovery", tumultuous relationships both romantic and otherwise, unusual family situations brought on by less than wise decisions, and an endless array occupations searching for the right "career", all while trying so desperately to find my niche in this world...The movie "Parenthood" has nothing on me, whether I like the roller coaster or not, this is where I have lived, essentially all my life.<br /><br />Lately has been no exception, and in fact makes a perfect example of the many chapters in my life which have been so similarly drawn out. I was fired from one of the few truly "career" positions I have had, for trying to take care of my responsibilities with due diligence in the face of a co-workers apathy-fueled failure to fulfill theirs. It took several months to find work again, and that was at a most likely dead-end job with low pay and hours that would have taken me from my family and my church, for years to come. As in the past, "open doors" don't happen for me unless there are 2 or more to choose from. Just like Abraham and Isaac, my "ram in the thicket" appeared. My first day on this job, I ran into a former manager who is in need of someone to quickly train in and begin managing a small business for him. The pay should be better but isn't guaranteed, but the hours would let me see my kids and remain involved in my church. Obviously, I'm there. I tell my wife, as there is another possibility on the horizon; "Look, <span style="font-style: italic;">this other place</span> is going to call before I'm at this new job a full week". Wednesday, I get that call.<br /><br />This <span style="font-style: italic;">other opportunity</span>, we'll call it...Well, even the company it would be coming from isn't sure exactly what it is yet. They're in the process of leveraging a large expansion of the company, so the future of the location in which I'm interested is unknown. They don't plan on closing, but they know they have to move next year anyway, so this would be an opportunity to somewhat painlessly "scale back" their operation there. I'll know a lot more in a week, maybe two. Then they'll be calling to schedule an interview where I'll drive 5-6hrs to go meet them, see the current operation, etc. In the meantime, this leaves us a lot of time to prayerfully consider what we see as possible offers this company could be making. Any offer would involve my moving out there to see if it will work, and my eldest daughter is a Senior in High School. We would want her to finish school with her friends, so the rest of the family would stay here while I go "try it out". We'd be looking at roughly 6 months of this arrangement, with a few opportunities to visit home in the meantime.<br /><br />There is a story of a man who found a pearl in a field...Yeah, you know the one. He sold all of his belongings in order to buy the field and own the pearl, making him more wealthy than before. Today this would be like buying barren land that you happen to know has oil for which you could sell the drilling rights. It is possible this <span style="font-style: italic;">other opportunity</span> could be something like that. Heck, if they scale back enough, or their existing staff wish to relocate to the new expansion, I suppose I could be considered to come in and run the place. The fact is we just don't know right now.<br /><br />So, here I am, smack-dab in the middle of a potentially tumultuous decision that would most likely hold lifelong ramifications, for the positive or the negative. It is something that has been on my heart for many years, and could lead to one of my life's ultimate goals. Or it could be one of the most difficult and destructive things we've ever attempted.<br /><br />We are seeking wisdom and direction, and have many people praying with us on this right now. In the end, it's all going to come down to what the offer is, whether it looks like that "pearl" opportunity, worth selling all we own in order to go after it. After watching Eric Bana's "<span style="font-style: italic;">Love the Beast</span>" documentary, I can hear Dr. Phil telling me "<span style="font-style: italic;">you have to chase that dream, it's a part of who you are</span>", while at the same time cautioning; "<span style="font-style: italic;">you have no right to endanger your family's stability or livelihood if it isn't a legitimate opportunity</span>".<br /><br />It would take major stretching and possibly outside help to be able to attempt this move, but if it is worth pursuing, it is worth going all the way. Keep us in your prayers, hearts and minds. I'll update as we know more...<br /><br />Blessings!<br /><br />~M<br /><br /><br /><i></i><div class="blogger-post-footer">Michael Blue, Serenity Ministries</div>Michael Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13332328806292390089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000040253405626939.post-50718111377538793042009-05-08T00:14:00.001-05:002009-05-08T00:14:54.770-05:00Mightily used, mightily abused?<b></b><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mightily used, mightily abused?</span><br /><br />Every now and again, we have the opportunity to step out of our comfort zone and do something really useful. Maybe it’s something at church; helping out in the nursery or food pantry, playing or singing on a worship team, ministering to someone who today just really needs to hear how much God loves them. Maybe it’s something in our every day lives; helping rake leaves or mow the yard of an elderly widow, offering our personal gifts for free to someone who needs help but can’t afford the services otherwise, being brutally honest with a friend when they may not want to hear it – but really need it.<br /><br /> I’ve found that it’s in these times; when we are most effectively being used of God to the advancement of the Kingdom and for the betterment of others, when we are most challenged, tested and attacked by the enemy. Maybe the kids are being particularly trying, maybe it’s your relationship with your spouse or a close friend, maybe finances are in question or your car breaks down. Somehow, something dreadful happens to really remove you from that place of being useful.<br /><br /> Don’t believe for one second that these are coincidences. I believe that when there is a calling on our lives, and we step out and try to do some good in this world, that’s when the enemy notices us and desires to challenge us and render us ineffective for the Kingdom. I’ve especially noticed this in the lives of people who I suspect have what we would consider “big” callings on their lives; the future pastors, worship leaders, missionaries, etc.. It’s as if the enemy also notices the calling on their lives and determines to take them out before they can walk in their calling.<br /><br /> This has been true in my own life as well. Those of you who know me on a personal level know the series of valleys and deeper valleys my life has been over the years, and I believe that there is a purpose in it. The enemy has long seemed to see a large bull’s-eye on my chest, and in the midst of the times that should be my greatest joy have been when my greatest challenges have presented themselves.<br /><br /> So what are we to do with this information? Should we just lay low and keep our heads down so as to not become another victim of these attacks? I don’t believe so. I believe that we are to continue to persevere in the midst of challenges and strife, and that our response to these problems in our lives is part of our testimony. What is easier, to worship God when we’re making six figure salaries and have what the world would call a “great life”, or worship Him when we’re living in a homeless shelter, nothing but an uncertain future ahead of us?<br /><br />If we truly believe, we have the answers the world is seeking and we know the truth and should not despair in times of trouble. God is still God and He is still on the throne and in control. It is in how we respond to trouble that the world sees what we are truly made of. It is when we do not falter or stumble through we walk through darkness that the world takes notice and begins to desire whatever it is that gives us this hope.<br /><br />So, the next time you feel like sticking your neck out and doing something that could be really effective, don’t hesitate in fear of some kind of retribution…If it comes, your response to it could be a testimony that will be more effective that what it was you were doing when the trouble came. But also remember that God loves you and is in control, no matter what. Yeah, no matter what. So let’s live our lives like we believe that!<br /><br />Blessings!<br /><br />~Michael<br /><br /><br /><i></i><div class="blogger-post-footer">Michael Blue, Serenity Ministries</div>Michael Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13332328806292390089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000040253405626939.post-68607663804224239212009-03-18T23:40:00.001-05:002009-03-18T23:40:28.450-05:00Awesome discovery!!I've been writing and recording since the early-mid '80s, and although I have the first recording I ever made (with a portable tape player, on my mom's organ), I have lost many recordings over the years. The majority of these were due to the switch to digital in the mid '90s...Every time I'd lose a hard drive, I'd lost 2-3 years worth of work. These days I use an external hard drive, upload to my website, SoundClick, here, etc and try to have 2-3 copies in different places "just in case", but there have been some huge losses in the past.<br /><br />Feeling like a freaking musical archeologist digging up my own life today, I stumbled across a CD I made in 1994 (very early in my switch to digital) that chronicles 13 pieces (in 12 tracks, 1 track is a combo piece) that span nearly a decade of work. The earliest works are from when I was in High School, probably the summer of '88, and the latest pieces are likely from 1994 when the CD was made.<br /><br />Now, I've always been shy about my work, and only in recent years have I started publicly sharing any of it, though I've in the midst of what I consider a "drought" where it concerns talent or quality. However, even with the limited technology, OLD recordings, some from tape, etc, I find that these are some of my best work, ever. I just may re-record the entire CD and make it a current project!<br /><br />Anyways, I am in utter AWE of the amazing gift the Lord has granted me this night, and I can't wait to share some of it (keeping in mind, limited in technology, experience and bad recordings, lol!).<br /><br />Be blessed!<br /><br />~Michael<br /><br /><i></i><div class="blogger-post-footer">Michael Blue, Serenity Ministries</div>Michael Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13332328806292390089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000040253405626939.post-91410920218429736842009-03-12T21:44:00.000-05:002009-03-12T21:45:57.100-05:00Isaiah 65:24 (The hot water bottle).<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Isaiah 65:24 (The hot water bottle).</span><br /><br />It continues to be a reminder that God knows our needs before we do!! Isaiah 65:24<br /><br />This beautiful incident was told by a doctor who worked in Central Africa .<br /><br />One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we could do, she died, leaving us with a tiny, premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive; as we had no incubator (we had no electricity to run an incubator). We also had no special feeding facilities.<br /><br />Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in. Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst (rubber perishes easily in tropical climates).<br /><br />'And it is our last hot water bottle!' she exclaimed. As in the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk , so in Central Africa it might be considered no goo d crying over burst water bottles. They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways.<br /><br />'All right,' I said, 'put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. Your job is to keep the baby warm.'<br /><br />The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle, and that the baby could so easily die if it got chills.. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died.<br /><br />During prayer time, one ten-year-old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children. 'Please, God' she prayed, 'Send us a hot water bottle today. It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon.'<br /><br />While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added, 'And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?'<br /><br />As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say 'Amen'? I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything; the Bible says so. But there are limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from the homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever, received a parcel from home Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator!<br /><br />Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door. By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there on the porch was a large 22-pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly... Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box.<br /><br />From the top, I lifted out brightly-colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that would make a batch of buns for the weekend.<br /><br />Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the... could it really be?<br /><br />I grasped it and pulled it out. Yes, a brand new, rubber hot water bottle. I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could.<br /><br />Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, 'If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!<br /><br />'Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully-dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted! Looking up at me, she asked, 'Can I go over with you and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?'<br /><br />'Of course,' I replied!<br /><br />That parcel had been on the way for five whole months, packed up by my former Sunday school class , whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child - five months before, in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it 'that afternoon'.<br /><br />'Before they call, I will answer.' Isaiah 65:24<br /><br />When you receive this, say the prayer. That's all you have to do. No strings attached. Just send it on to whomever you want - but do send it on. Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost, but a lot of rewards. Let's continue praying for one another.<br /><br />Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless my friends reading this. I ask You to minister to their spirit. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self doubting, release a renewed confidence to work through them. Where there is tiredness or exhaustion, I ask You to give them understanding, guidance, and strength. Where there is fear, reveal Your love and release to them Your courage. Bless their finances, give them greater vision, and raise up leaders and friends to support and encourage them. Give each of them discernment to recognize the evil forces around them and reveal to them the power they have in You to defeat it. I ask You to do these things in Jesus' name. Amen.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Passing this along, as it was sent to me.</span><br /><br />Blessings!<br /><br />~Michael<br /><br /><br /><br /><i></i><div class="blogger-post-footer">Michael Blue, Serenity Ministries</div>Michael Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13332328806292390089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000040253405626939.post-1783949409758722962009-03-09T22:32:00.002-05:002009-03-09T22:50:41.281-05:00Winds of Change...<b></b><br />The weather last few days here in Central Illinois have been much like the economic and political atmosphere last several months throughout the world. Sunday in particular was one of the more interesting weather days here in several years. All night it had been raining with occasional thunderstorms, and Sunday morning was much the same. Even the visiting Pastor that spoke at our church used a close lightning strike and the imminent thunderous "boom" as an opportunity to make a point from the pulpit! When the service was over I was preparing to drive our car up so my wife and three children wouldn't have to run through the torrential downpour that awaited us outside. However, as I was caught up talking with someone for a moment before we left, something amazing happened. The sky simply opened and let the sun shine down, like any bright, sunny day in the middle of summer, just as if the terrible storms that had been beating down only moments before had never happened at all! It was simply amazing! And if that wasn't enough, as the day wore on, we got exactly the same demonstration once again; with great, tumultuous thunderstorms sweeping in out of nowhere, lingering for a few hours, then just as quickly as they had arrived, disappearing and allowing the sun to regain control of his sky.<br /><br />I submit to you this, that what we were witness to here on Sunday was a harbinger of what we can expect of the world's economy and political powers in the coming months and possibly years. As the church, we will need to be ready to provide support and love for more than we have seen coming to receive it in the past, as there will be great need sending many people through our doors who would otherwise be unfamiliar with them. We will be allowed to show God's love, mercy and grace to people who would otherwise have never had opportunity to see it. But as hard as things seem like they could become; there will be an end to the storm, and suddenly the sky will open and overwhelming calm will prevail. This is an opportunity, and since we operate on God's economy and not the world's, let us not miss it worrying about petty things that God has control over anyway. Let's use the patience and reserve God has given us to provide a visible demonstration to the world that we believe God is yet on the throne and in control. While we provide food, clothing and shelter to the needy, let us also provide an example of how to live in tough times; in total trust and peace, because we are under the provision of the shadow of God's hand.<br /><br />Blessings!<br /><br />~M<br /><br /><i></i><div class="blogger-post-footer">Michael Blue, Serenity Ministries</div>Michael Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13332328806292390089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3000040253405626939.post-60864824525003300772009-03-04T15:31:00.003-06:002009-03-04T15:33:30.036-06:00Just getting startedHi there! If you've found this blog in its current (messy) state, rest assured, I am working on getting this up and running. I suppose this is one of those "excuse our dust" messages, lol!<br /><br />I'm working on getting a different template, but I'm not good at this stuff, so it may be a couple days. Once that's fixed, I'll get the fist couple blog posts up and running and we'll be good to go.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by, and check back often!<br /><br />~Michael<br /><br /><br /><i></i><div class="blogger-post-footer">Michael Blue, Serenity Ministries</div>Michael Bluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13332328806292390089noreply@blogger.com0