To Heal or Not to Heal...

A minor dispute broke out yesterday morning at a local, weekly prayer gathering which I attend with religious regularity. It was triggered by a prayer offered up for a person suffering with an illness. In my usual fashion, I was somewhat preoccupied with my internal talk show ('Waynez Whirled' of which I am the host and the main guest), so I wasn't aware of the precise phrasing of the request. Apparently though, something was expressed that seemed to give God an 'out' in case he was not particularly in favor of performing a healing in the case of this particular person (it really bothers me to use both the adverb and the adjective form of the same word in a single sentence!) . Or, perhaps, as was subsequently expressed by one of the other Saints, the verbiage was more along the order of giving the pray-er an out should their faith or confidence in God's willingness to heal in a manner consistent with what we read in the Gospels was less than compelling.

The objection raised, in the form of an exhortation with 'all due respect' offered, is one with which I am well familiar. As a frequent guest speaker on 'Waynez Whirled' I have raised it myself on numerous occasions. It goes something like this: Why, when Jesus clearly expects that we "shall do greater works" than the ones he did, and that the laying on of hands should produce healing for those who believe (Mark 16:17-18), should we shy away from fully expecting that a complete healing should result from our faithful intervention on God's behalf toward the sick? Even though we believe, based on the overwhelming evidence presented in the New Testament, that the confirmation of the Good News that 'the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand' is the accompaniment of miraculous signs (the most obvious of which is physical healing), we struggle to reconcile our belief-system with our practice and experience. I believe there are two primary reasons for this.

The first is a survey of our present reality. Although we hear about miraculous healings on a fairly regular basis, very few of us have ever actually seen one first hand. We are mostly only familiar with them through second or third-hand (to be generous) anecdotal evidence, or partial or gradual improvements in the condition of some sick person whom we personally know that we proudly point to as evidence of our (or someone's) faith, being careful of course to verbally assign the glory to Whom it is due. Based on our firm belief that we have been commissioned by Jesus to carry on the mission which he began, to establish the Kingdom of Heaven of earth, it stands to reason that, in the absence of any real scriptural evidence that the gift of healing (or any of the charismatic gifts) were to cease upon the death of the last of the original apostles, that we should fully expect them to continue today. And to a large extent the church today firmly believes that to be true. But...when the subject of the supernatural character of God and his Kingdom comes up, most of us sheepishly admit that we seem to be lacking some key ingredient to our faith or knowledge that keeps us resigned to a reality that is mostly pretty mundane and constrained by the 'laws of nature'.

The second reason that we 'hold to a form of religion, but deny the power thereof' (OUCH!) is a little escape clause in the form of an interesting little explanation from the Apostle Paul about his 'thorn in the flesh'. Though we will never (on this side of eternity) know for sure the nature of Paul's troublesome condition, some scholars have offered an explanation that seems very plausible: that Paul had impaired vision possibly caused by cataracts resulting from the blinding light he experienced on the road to Damascus. Hence his comment in Galatians 4:15 that the Galatians would have given him their eyes if they could have, and also the evidence of his comment at the end of several of his epistles that the readers could verify the authenticity of his authorship by his over-sized signature (alluding to the fact he couldn't see what he was writing unless he made the letters remarkably huge). The only thing that casts possible doubt on this theory is that Paul describes this annoyance at one point as a 'messenger of Satan'. How could a buffeting from a mischievous specter produce a physical malady? Well, I personally think the most sensible explanation is that the 'buffeting' and the 'thorn'  are two different aspects of God's purpose to keep Paul's ego under wraps. The thorn was Paul's near-blindness and the buffeting was a 'shoulder buddy' whispering in Paul's ear something to the effect of "Hey, big shot, if you've got this faith thing dialed in so well, why ain't you healed yet...you big phoney?!" Nevertheless, if we believe, based on this one incident, that in any given scenario there may be a key piece of undisclosed evidence that would cause God to override his default disposition of compassion to heal, in favor of achieving some greater purpose, we will always have a reason to explain away our lack of faith as a lack of knowledge.

But, ironically, even those of us who protest most vociferously about the apparent lack of faith in the church concerning healing, and advocate most vehemently for the manifestation of the supernatural, aren't really seeing much more than wisps of evidence that could mostly be explained by an over-active imagination or mass-hallucinations. The restoration of withered limbs or the restoration of sight to the blind is only something we read about in a para-church organization's online newsletter or hear about in a corner somewhere over coffee. And so we mostly just don't bring the subject up. And we mostly pray "Lord, if it be your will...".

So where does all this cogitation leave us? Well for one thing, I think we correctly focus on how we can love our fellow human beings who suffer by using Jesus-with-skin-on natural methods. There is no question that LOVE trumps everything in God's economy. The supernatural can apparently become a stumbling block that actually dooms us to getting it grossly wrong. The pronouncement of Jesus over those who thought they did good by focusing on the supernatural in Matthew 7 is frightening: "I never knew you!" They got it decidedly wrong. And Paul warns us again in 1 Corinthians 13 that even good works, if motivated by anything but the love of God, are just kindling for the fire. Nothing will remain that isn't originated and sustained by God's love. We can keep God's commandments (at least outwardly) and apparently even do the works Jesus did and still be sons of Satan. It's not just what we do that is evidence of a genuine faith (James 2:17). It's whether we have been reborn by God's love...'recreated' into the image of the God who loved the world so much that he gave...EVERYTHING! And for that to happen requires nothing less than THE SUPERNATURAL!!!

""For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16 ESV

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

"For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation." - Galatians 6:15 ESV 

"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love." - John 15:7-10 ESV

BE A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST and...

"Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy." - 1 Corinthians 14:1 ESV

"A Rose By Any Other Name...": Does the Bible lose it's value or credibility if we abandon the unsupportable tenet of 'inerrancy' and/or 'infallibility'?

It's clear that unless we believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, we have no solid basis for trusting what it says. It then becomes just a collection of wild ramblings and tales of questionable veracity. But, the fact that it is inspired and divinely secured for the ages is indisputable (you can dispute it if you like, but if you do, do it with someone else because you clearly haven't researched it or even bothered to read the research of numbers of scholarly people). But most churches and para-church organizations also believe that the Bible is 'infallible', which I, frankly, find unsupportable practically, and even on the basis of what the Bible says about itself. (And don't quote me Psalm 19:7 - 'perfect' doesn't mean what you think.)

So here are the questions that cover this topic in a complete fashion:

1. How can we know that the Bible is the inspired word of God?

2. How do we know that the Bible as it now exists is faithful to the original?

3. Is there really any substance (or even necessity to adhere) to the belief that the Bible is 'infallible' (or 'inerrant' - see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_infallibility)?

For myself, I have no problem with the first 2 questions. I've heard wonderful lectures on the statistical improbability of the number of detailed prophecies that have been fulfilled and the history of Satan's futile attempts to rub out the Scriptures. The facts are imposing concerning the multitude of original manuscripts and their consistency and reliability when judged by the same criteria as other ancient works that the secular world holds as reliable and faithful to the original. However, I do find convincing arguments against the idea that the Bible is infallible or inerrant in the common sense of the words.


Let's start with by defining the words (thanks to Professor John M. Frame):

Inerrant: without errors
Infallible: there can be no errors
 

http://reformedperspectives.org/files/reformedperspectives/theology/TH.Frame.inerrancy.html#F4B

First of all, Paul says that 'all' scripture is inspired by God and 'profitable' for (this, that, and the other). He never says anything close to "Everything I had my scribe write down was written by the Holy Spirit taking over his will to choose every word and arrange it exactly where you now find it." He even says that some of it is his own opinion and not from the Lord. And then there's the issue of whether we can even be sure of which nuance of a Greek or Hebrew word is actually evoked in a particular context, which in many cases can radically impact the meaning of a passage. And since every one can't be a Greek and Hebrew scholar, we have to rely on 'fallible' men and women who undertook to translate from the original. And even the scholars are at a loss to find words in the target languages that effectively represent the meaning of the original. It's clear that unless God himself was the sole agent in producing the written words (in whatever linguistic form), the abundantly fallible and biased hand of sinful man has ruled out the possibility of infallibility from both the origin and the interpretation of what we now hold in our hands as God's word.

And don't even get me started on the canonization of the books of the Bible! Which version of the canon is the infallible one? Are we to believe that the Protestants, some of whose champions (Luther, Calvin, Zwingli) followed Augustine's heretical belief that torture and execution are acceptable forms of evangelization and church discipline (based on the parable where the king tells his servants to 'compel' the guests to come to the wedding feast) were 'inspired' in their canonization process but the Catholics weren't? And if an 'infallible' Bible is necessary for salvation, sanctification and rule of life, then how could someone who is illiterate or even mentally disabled find salvation through faith? It's not "All who read and memorize the infallible, inerrant words of scripture are the sons of God" - it's "All who are led by the Spirit are the sons of God." Paul makes a point in Romans of explaining clearly that the law (the Jewish Bible) isn't even necessary for knowing everything we need to know about about God and righteousness. Nature and our own consciences will get the basic job done quite nicely, so that there's no excuse for anyone.

Anyway, I can't buy the ideas of infallibility or inerrancy as I think they are implied by most, and I don't think it's a necessary tenet in order to anchor the fundamental beliefs of our faith. Jesus warned the Pharisees that their dogmatic way of approaching Scripture was blinding them to the saving truth of the Gospel: John 5:39 NASB - "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me." If we deify the written words, we are basically committing idolatry. God isn't contained in the pages of a book. We aren't saved by obeying the letter, but by being led by the Spirit through the real-time Word of God, Jesus, speaking into our hearts "this is the way...walk in it". A static faith in even the fundamental truth of Christ's substitutionary death on the cross won't save us as James clearly reveals: James 2:14 NASB - "What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?" Believing that the Bible is true, whether or not we hold it to be infallible, won't save us. So why do we cling so tenaciously to this unsupportable idea? The Bible is 'profitable' for knowing God's revealed truth about himself and his way of salvation, but to say that it is 'infallible' is meaningless...in my opinion. Only God is infallible and the written word is not God - the Living Word of God, Jesus, is God...and he's still speaking:

 Hebrews 3:7-12 NASB - Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME, AS IN THE DAY OF TRIAL IN THE WILDERNESS, WHERE YOUR FATHERS TRIED Me BY TESTING Me, AND SAW MY WORKS FOR FORTY YEARS. "THEREFORE I WAS ANGRY WITH THIS GENERATION, AND SAID, 'THEY ALWAYS GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEART, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW MY WAYS'; AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, 'THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.'" Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. (not the dead letter).

Unity of the Spirit Leads to Unity of the Faith

I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. - (John 17:23 NASB)

being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ... until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. - (Ephesians 4:3, 13 NASB)

Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. - (Colossians 3:14 NASB)

In my pursuit of 'pure doctrine' I've been wrestling with the tenets of Reformed Theology and those of the Wesleyan school of thought (which I favor). I am amazed that God has chosen to use such broken vessels as Martin Luther (who advocated shipping all the Jews back to Palestine and recommended execution of the Anabaptists) and John Calvin (who advocated torture and execution as acceptable means of 'evangelism'. Why should I trust myself to Biblical interpretations from men whose lives in no way resembled that of the Christ whom they claimed to have been disciples of?

Of course I'm not eager to have my own life put under the microscope!

Anyway, I see that there is a tension between 'right doctrine', which is definitely essential, and which the Scriptures themselves admonish us to guard with diligence, and pursuit of unity in the bond of peace whereby we are told by Jesus himself that we will be identified as genuinely His disciples. So, even though I consider Calvin's views heretical (and question whether with his advocacy of forced conversions he will even attain to life eternal), I may not be able so easily to write off those who adhere to his teachings.

I'm reading 'Revival' by Winkey Pratney. Last night I read a wonderful exchange between the imminent 18th century preacher Charles Simeon and John Wesley which I think speaks eloquently to my struggle:


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Simeon - Sir, I understand that you are called an Arminian; and I have been sometimes called a Calvinist; and therefore I suppose we are to draw daggers.  But before I consent to begin the combat, with your permission I will ask you a few questions.  Pray, Sir, do you feel yourself a depraved creature, so depraved that you would never have thought of turning to God, if God had not first put it into your heart?

Wesley - Yes, I do indeed.

Simeon - And do you utterly despair of recommending yourself to God by anything you can do; and look for salvation solely through the blood and righteousness of Christ?

Wesley - Yes, solely through Christ.

Simeon - But, Sir, supposing you were at first saved by Christ, are you not somehow or other to save yourself afterwards by your own works?

Wesley - No, I must be saved by Christ from first to last.

Simeon - Allowing, then, that you were first turned by the grace of God, are you not in some way or other to keep yourself by your own power?

Wesley - No.

Simeon - What then, are you to be upheld every hour and every moment by God, as much as an infant in its mother's arms?

Wesley - Yes, altogether.

Simeon - And is all your hope in the grace and mercy of God to preserve you unto His heavenly kingdom?

Wesley - Yes, I have no hope but in Him.

Simeon - Then, Sir, with your leave I will put up my dagger again; for this is all my Calvinism; this is my election my justification by faith, my final perseverance: it is in substance all that I hold, and as I hold it; and therefore, if you please, instead of searching out terms and phrases to be a ground of contention between us, we will cordially unite in those things where in we agree. (Moule, 79ff.)
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Hungry For Change

Matthew 3

I'm starving. I'm parched. I'm hungry for change (http://tradeasone.com/get_involved/hungry_for_change/).

It would appear that the Judeans during John's ministry were also experiencing hunger and thirst as they flocked to the Jordan to confess their sins and identify with a symbol of cleansing and regeneration. What were they anticipating? Jesus had not yet begun to expound on the attributes of the Kingdom of Heaven. They must have been knowledgeable about the OT prophesies about the Messianic Age and the good things that would characterize God's reign on earth.

So John came indicating what was necessary to prepare for the Kingdom that was 'at hand'. Repent...prepare the way...bring forth fruit worthy of repentance. I can't rely on my heritage or my list of accomplishments. I must acknowledge my spiritual poverty and mourn over my infatuation with my worldly riches. This is not a message of cheap grace. The axe is laid to the root. He will thoroughly cleanse his threshing-floor.

Maranatha

Ask...Seek...Knock - Luke 11:9,13

Wow! Long time - no blog...

"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. "For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. ...  "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" - (Luke 11:9-10, 13 NASB)Father up in heaven...and in my heart
Please give it to me now
Or I can't start
Livin' out the lovin' life that you prepared
Just starin' at the formless void
I get so scared
I've got to have the Spirit now
Or I can't start
Building up a store of good
Within my heart
The devils now are mostly gone
The floor is clean...I've mowed the lawn
But now I've go no furniture
And I am sore afraid
Of who might ending up sleeping by me
In this bed I've made
There's seven hombres malos
Who've been hanging 'round my door
I need the power of the Ghost
So they don't come 'round no more
And there's a bunch of other beggars
Dressed in rags like me
(Or that's the way I used to look...
but now I'm clean and free)
They masquerade as rich men
But they haven't got a clue
They need to take their tarnished bling
And trade it in for You
I want to pull their covers
And expose their starving souls
But I'm reaching in my bag of tricks
And find it's full of holes
So Father, for my Xmas gift (or birthday or whatever)
I'd like a brand new wineskin
That's been made of supple leather
Though for your sake I don't imbibe
I'm askin' that you please
Fill up that sack with brand New Wine
That brings me to my knees
I'd like to get a little drunk
And be forced to explain
That a different kind of Spirit
Has just pickled up my brain
And then fluent in a dialect
That cuts right to the heart
I'd like to set those beggars free
To get a brand new heart
But right now I can't cut a thing
With this here rubber sword
I need the sharp and living One
Your Spirit has in store
So come on Giver of all good
I'm askin', seekin', knockin'

You won't be rid of me today

Until you open up and say
"I've filled your Xmas stocking!"

Amen!

Fasting for Freedom

I'm a slave. I think we all are, really. And, though it may sound strange, we should be slaves. But it's to whom (or what), and by what arrangement that we're enslaved that determines whether this is a good or a bad thing.

I used to be a slave of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. Now I have sex in the context of the mysterious love-covenant with my beautiful wife to express and enhance the devine intimacy that we share. I use ibuprofin at the slightest hint of cranial discomfort because I'm a weenie when it comes to headaches. I still LOVE rock 'n' roll, but I couldn't tell you which songs top the charts in the various genres of rock music. I mostly listen to K-Love and Air1 and occasionally listen to ChristianRock.net on my computer.

But was I ever really a slave of those external manifestations? Not really. I went through a 'program' to get 'recovery'. It was very helpful. My life changed dramatically and permanently. I don't live in pursuit of those things that were destroying my life before, and I am now much more myself, more the person God created me to be, than I ever was before. But I'm still a slave.

I'm a slave...but it's different now. I've left Egypt and watched Pharaoh's armies drown in the Red Sea of the blood of Christ. I'm no longer Pharaoh's slave. There, in Egypt, I was an unwilling slave. There, I toiled day after day to build a kingdom that was not my homeland. I served a king who did not love me; who only gave me lots of abuse and just enough of what I really need to keep me a barely functioning unit in the labor pool. Now, I'm a willing slave...the 'bond-slave' of a Benevolent King: the King of Kings. I'm a free man, but I chose to be a subject of, and a slave to, the Lord of Lords.

But the journey out of Egypt into the Promised Land is a faith journey. Like the Children of Israel, I wander in a desert and occasionally get to visit the place of which I'm a naturalized citizen. I hold documents that prove that I'm a citizen of that place, but I don't see the full benefits of that citizenship except by faith.

So I experience that I am in a struggle with invisible enemies who would like to capture and return me to Egypt. Now, in addition to my oath to serve my Master, my Savior, I also find that I am still at least partially a slave to some invisible dark forces. I have the documents to prove that I'm a free man, but I am not yet able to experience fully that freedom. I now appear to be enslaved to food. I often eat 'recreationally', even though I know that I don't need another cookie or bowl of ice cream and that it will not have a positive effect on my well being...just an endorphin rush. I'm also a slave to unfruitful 'busyness' and a lack of self-discipline. When I should be passionately seeking access to the presence of my Almighty Benefactor, I become distracted over word studies or find my thoughts drifting off to some imaginary role playing with a person in my life to whom I don't have the guts to say what I see myself telling them in my mind's eye.

What's the answer? I know that my Liberator has triumphed over death, over darkness, over every force that would delight in my demise. But there is a secret to this journey that I'm beginning to understand. Apparently, I'm a hemophiliac. I hemorrhage at the slightest prick or nick of my fragile epithelium. I am in constant need of a blood transfusion. I'm in constant need of close proximity to the healing power of the Great Physician. My new job as his bond-slave is to work triage in his Love Clinic. There are sick and dying people all around me, but I'm helpless to do anything to alleviate their suffering or prevent their certain death if I'm not filled with the Divine Fluid which supplies the life force that these expiring souls so desperately require. I must be filled with His Presence. I must be filled with His Love. I must be 'being filled' with those absolutely, critically essential resources continuously and in increasing measure. This will not only counteract my natural tendency to slip back into decay and decomposition, but it will begin to reverse the grip and power of death that is affecting the other patients in this huge emergency room.

But here is where I currently find myself in need of some extraordinary measures. I, like the man in the parable of the Pearl of Great Price, must put the highest value on pressing into God's presence. My soul is not by nature comfortable in the presence of the Divine Glory. Like Isaiah and many others, when confronted with the holiness of the Almighty, my entire being wants to evaporate and avoid His blinding brilliance. I am profoundly aware of my unworthiness to be in His presence. But, ironically, it's exactly there, in his presence, that I need to be. I need to allow his glory to burn away all of the impurities in my life, and allow him to transform all that has been marred by the fall, by my sin, into that which was his original design; into that which is able to reflect and transmit his redeeming Love and Grace to a world full of desperate souls. Apparently, I need to starve my soul so that my spirit can more easily connect with God's Spirit. I need to reclaim the sense of wonder and the childlike faith, love and devotion that I had when I first experienced the overwhelming grace and love of Jesus. I've become too enmeshed in the trappings of this physical existence and too much a stranger to the Invisible Kingdom which is my true homeland.

I need to fast and pray. This isn't my guilty way of 'earning' God's favor. I know that I'm loved and accepted in spite of my unworthiness. This is what I believe the Spirit is speaking to my heart. And obedience is better than sacrifice. But boy oh boy is it hard for me to bring myself to do it! I made it until dinner yesterday, but I think I need to engage in an extended fast.

Peas & Grays,
Wayniack!

"Everybody Must Get Stoned"

Lord, why is the gate so small and the path so narrow? Lord, why are people so petty and their minds so narrow? Why is it so easy to get the Gospel wrong? What is the 'Good News'?

It's certainly good news that Jesus is the propitiation for the sins "of the whole world" (1 John 2:2). But if that's true, why did Calvin teach (and so many tragically believe) that only a select few were appointed to go to heaven and the rest are destined for hell with no possibility of altering their course? I'm aware of the verses the 'Reformed' Christians use to support this heresy and I must admit those verses seem to say what Calvin and his coven claim to be the truth. But then that would make the 'Good News' to be really just the 'So-so News'. It's great if you're chosen, but you might as well 'curse God and die' if you're not.

Anyway, Lord, I'll love the heretics just like you loved the Pharitics: I'll "speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15). But even though I clearly see that their predestination theory is bunk, I also have a hard time reconciling this idea of unconditional love and eternal security that everyone is cooing about with the passages that clearly warn against persisting in the works of the flesh:

Galatians 6:7-8 NASB - [7] Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. [8] For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Galatians 5:19-21 NASB - [19] Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are:immorality, impurity, sensuality, [20] idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions,factions, [21] envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-12 NASB - [7] and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, [8] dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. [9] These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, [10] when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed--for our testimony to you was believed. [11] To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, [12] so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

It's clear that those who are not deemed "worthy of [their] calling" because they don't "obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus" will suffer eternal destruction, banished from His presence forever. Why would Paul pray that they would be counted worthy if, as the Callvinists claim, the elect are called and then sanctified (entirely apart from their own free will!) so as to make their salvation an absolute certainty? They claim that those who backslide and return to a life of sin just prove that they were never really one of 'the elect'. But I never got the impression that the apostle Paul was a dimwit! Why would he waste his time praying "always" for something that is a foregone conclusion? I think he had better things to do.

But it's also clearly not as the 'once saved - always saved' folks would have us believe. The same verses blow that theory out of the water as well. Salvation is a gift, but not in the sense of an object contained in a box wrapped with festive paper and a pretty satin bow, that once opened becomes the permanent property of the recipient. Salvation is like a prescription for a medication that we must continue to take according to the Doctor's directions if we are to have any hope of recovering from our illness. The cure is guaranteed, but only if we continue the treatment. We can "know that [we] have eternal life" according to 1 John 5:13, but it's easy to take this statement out of context and many do. True faith (which according to James saves us) is characterized by:

1) A love for God - which John defines as keeping His commandments, which he claims are not burdensome. The New Covenant has only 2 directives: to believe in Jesus, and to love our spiritual siblings (John 6:29, 1 John 3:23 - read Gaylord Enns "Love Revolution"). Now that our hope is "Christ in you, the hope of glory", we are loving God when we love one another.
2) Overcoming the world. God loves us like we are, but he also loves us too much to leave us like we are. The letters to the 7 churches in 'The Revelation to John" make it clear that we must be overcomers. In the letter to the church in Sardis, Jesus states that those who overcome will never have their names erased from the Book of Life. Overcoming is not optional, but focusing on sin management is clearly not the answer as Colossians makes clear. The church in Sardis was guilty of 'incomplete works'. They apparently had lost their fervor for loving people in practical ways. They were dead, even though they had a reputation for being a happening place to 'do church'.

Well...I could go on forever, but the bottom line is that I need to be more in love with Jesus. I need to make room for Him to reveal His heart to me; to speak to me about what He wants to do in and through me. I need to be filled with His Spirit. I need to quit trying to make God happy by my performance and just focus on letting Him all the way into the depths of my soul, no matter what dark place He wants to shine the light of His glory into.

I just finished reading "Son of a Preacher Man" by Jay Bakker. He has a ministry in Atlanta called 'Revolution' that reaches out to punks, skaters, goths, metalheads, etc. Their MO is to just accept these kids as they are. They put on concerts with secular as well as Christian rock bands. They don't exclude kids from their Bible studies and activities over their dress or piercings or tattoos...or even if they are high or intoxicated. They try to love them like Jesus would, who hung out with the dregs of society when he was here in the flesh. But even Jay admits that the love that he knows Jesus wants to show the disenfranchised, he has a hard time appropriating for himself. We're so conditioned by 'the church' to be Pharisees, that we even turn on ourselves. I'm sometimes the worst Pharisee of all. Sometimes I'm right there, guarding the jackets at Stephen's execution. "Everybody Must Get Stoned"

Found In Him - Revelation 3:14-22

Many times in the recent past I've pondered all my busyness and wondered if I'm missing the boat. I'm not lazy, though sometimes I think my sense of propriety motivates me to be 'productive' when I'd rather just flop on the couch with a bag of chips and let the acid rain of television comfy-cozy my cares away. Sometimes I do.

My activities consist of many 'good' and noble pursuits. I love my wife and therefore am diligent to apply myself to domestic tasks, since I'm of the opinion that in this age these obligation are not the sole domain of the female half of the species. I apply myself diligently to my IT consulting business so that I can bring in a significant portion of the money necessary to provide for our very comfortable lifestyle. I apply myself to as many service opportunities as I can reasonably manage in order to be a conscientious member of my community. And, lastly but certainly not leastly (I know...not a word), I endeavor to serve God in the areas where I feel like I've been gifted to do so.

But there's the rub as 'they' say. How do I know I'm doing something that's part of God's agenda? How do I know that I'm not just doing my own thing and asking God to bless it? We're told in the Bible that we should do everything as 'unto the Lord' and that 'whatever [our] hand finds to do, [we] should do it with all our might'; but does that hit the mark? In Matthew 7, Jesus tells a parable about a group who are sadly found to be wanting at a point where it's too late to make amends. They were apparently engaged in very spiritual activities: prophesying, casting out demons, working miracles, etc. But it's very interesting what Jesus says to them as the reason they are about to be cast into the outer darkness: "I never knew you!". How can that be? Well, I'm not really sure, but I think the admonishment to the Laodiceans in Revelation chapter 3 sheds some light on this, but only if one takes the time to really ponder the message of this oft misinterpreted passage.

In Revelation 3, verses 14 through 22, Jesus rebukes the Laodiceans for being neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm. The common understanding of this passage is that they had become sort of 'ho-hum' about their Christianity. They were keeping up the appearances of being Christians, but in reality possessed no passion or zeal in their faith. They were just going through the motions. But this doesn't fit the context of this passage. First of all, if 'lukewarm' was an indication of a lack of enthusiasm for the things of God, why would Jesus prefer them to be cold instead of lukewarm? It doesn't make sense. The key to understanding this passage is in knowing a bit about the history and geography of Laodicea and it's citizens at that time. Without going into a lot of detail, I'll just say that it is pretty certain that Jesus was referring to the fact that they lived in an area where they were between two opposite but very desirable water sources: Hierapolis, which had renown for it's mineral hot springs and Colossi which had a source of clear, cold and refreshing water. Laodicea had an aqueduct that brought the mineral spring water to them, but by the time it reached them it was tepid. So Jesus isn't referring to their passion in serving him, but to their disconnection with his Spirit in all of their busyness, prosperity and deluded sense of self-righteousness. They were operating from their own strengths and perceived abundance of resources. It wasn't that they were dispassionate about their Christian walk. They were busy getting rich and probably engaged in all kinds of benevolence programs of which they were very proud. They were probably very excited about all of the good things they were doing and feeling like God's blessing must be really upon them. But they were disconnected from Jesus. Thus, the admonition to repent and the invitation to intimacy by opening the door and sharing a meal with Jesus.

Our relationship with Christ is more important than any 'good' thing that we could do 'for God'. Think of the story of Mary and Martha. Martha got all tweaked because Mary wasn't helping her check of all the tasks on her 'To Do' list. But Mary, rather than Martha, understood what was really important: listening to Jesus. Think of Jesus' words that "apart from me you can do nothing", and "all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God". We can only possess true love which empowers our work and causes it to bear the kind of fruit that will last if we first make room for God's love to fill us. "We love because he first loved us". As Paul points out in Romans, all my labors amount to nothing if they aren't fueled by God's love working through me. And this can only happen if I make time to draw near to Jesus by his Spirit and let him do his sanctifying work in me. I'm righteous when I let God show me my spiritual poverty and accept Jesus' blood as payment and then let God sit on the throne of my heart. I'm 'wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked' if I rely on my own strength and wisdom for serving God and on my own standard for achieving righteousness. And I run the risk of hearing Jesus say to me on that final day 'I never knew you!' God expects fruit, so I do need to be 'rich towards God'. I do need to be heeding Christ's admonishment to 'be so doing' when he returns. But I need to be 'led by His Spirit' and not just doing my own thing. I need to be allowing his light to shine in my dark heart and be 'walking in the light'. I need to open the door to my heart when I become aware that I can no longer sense the presence of God's Spirit in my life...when I'm just doing the Martha thing and neglecting the Mary thing. I need to be 'found in Him'.

Peace & Grace

Festivus - "I have a problem with you people!"

So...the New Testament book of Hebrews...

I have a question for those of the Dutch Reformed persuasion: What part of "...how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?" don't you get?

No Praise for Prez' Prayer Preclusion

Letter to Mr. Barak Obama:

Dear Mr. President,

I believe in prayer. I also believe that the greatness of this nation, and the justness of the greater portion of its causes in the world, is not without reason...it is no accident. If you have read the writings of our founding fathers as well as many of this nation's champions in the first 150 years of our existence, you will have no doubt noticed a frequent and recurring theme: the absolute necessity for this nation's leaders and citizen's to pray to and be guided by our Almighty Creator. Today we need to rediscover that truth more than ever before. The deterioration of our morals, the breakdown of the nuclear family, and the increasing devaluation and contempt for the sanctity of life are a testament to the fact that the one sound and reliable source for wisdom for living and governing has, along with prayer, been thrust out of our institutions of education and government.

Now you are guilty, by your lack of courage in answering the miniscule minority of scoffers who twist 'separation of church and state' into something it was never intended to mean, of removing one of the last acts of humble acknowledgement that "man cannot live by bread alone" - that men cannot govern well without out a reliable compass by which to guide them.

I prayer regularly for you and for your family. I pray for your protection and for your marriage. I pray for your precious daughters. This doesn't make me a better man than you. I'm a sinner in need of God's mercy and grace also. But the Bible says, "When you see your brother sin, go to your brother..."

Please consider, Mr. President what the Bible says and don't be a fool: "Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.
Riches and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and it is at your discretion that people are made great and given strength." 1 Chron. 29:11,12

Regards,
Wayne Shaddock

A Big Splash (and several 'little splashes')

Dear Friends & Family,

Just a quick note to let you know what’s been up with us lately.

We’re doing well. We went camping at Ruth Lake from the 17^th to the 22^nd and had a great time. We’ve been talking about going camping since we got married 4 ½ years ago and we finally did it. We picked Ruth Lake for 2 reasons. The first is that one of my IT clients raved about the fishing there. He lent me his $800 custom fishing pole (plus another rig) and tackle box to take with us. We rented a boat for 3 hours, but all I caught was my line in the prop and it wasn’t
much fun for either of us. I made Lisa steer the boat and then gave her a bad time about how she was doing it…what a Meany! I did finally hike by myself to a wonderful spot below a peregrine nest and caught a single blue gill. That was it! Not even enough to make a good fish taco! The weather didn’t follow the forecast that I pulled up online – instead of 85-90 it got
partly/mostly cloudy and windy. But it wasn’t too bad and we enjoyed ourselves in spite of it.

We also found out that Gina (our puppy dog) loves the water. We discovered this after we heard a big ‘SPLASH!’ while the guy at the marina was explaining the operation of the rental boat. She had miscalculated the jump from one of the other rental boats back to the dock. Lisa did a scruff-of-the-neck rescue maneuver and all was wet…er ‘well’. Later Gina bounded without hesitation into the lake after I tossed a stone in ‘just
to see’.

We drove from the lake to Hayfork and found my cousin Jack still living in the same house as when we lost contact with him about 10 years ago. He’s not doing well. Hi did end up going to truck driving school and did that for a few years, but said he had to quit due to his rotten teeth making him sick all the time. He’s a hermit living on $250 month in a house that been taken over by spiders and dust. He’s given up on life, but something (Someone) is keeping him alive. There’s a church that has 12 Step meetings 2 doors down from his house now and I’m trying to get in touch with them to have them start praying for him.

We had our Celebrate Recovery 6^th Anniversary Celebration last Friday which was a huge success. Our little renter, Krystle, and her baby moved out while we were on vacation, but now we have a new Christian and 12-Stepper, Danny, living with us. He’s really a blessing and it’s so fun to see a baby Christian learn to walk! Plus he has lots of skills so he’s been very helpful and loves to serve. Our CR is growing and we’ve got new leaders stepping up which is great, even though except for me they’re all women. Nothing against women, but it seems we still struggle to get the men’s side of things growing. (Don't say anything, but DANNY would make a great leader and has just expressed interest! YAY!)

Since our worship leader stepped down some time ago, I’ve been responsible for that part of
our meetings, which I’ve enjoyed. We found a wonderful front man in Captain Phil Smith of the local Salvation Army camp, but the Lord saw fit to reassign him to Santa Barbara. I’ve been leading some with my adequate guitar and vocal skills and the help of Heidi Daniels and her daughter, Silver (and occasionally their friend Kat) who all have golden vocal chords. I really
enjoyed playing the blues harp with Capt. Phil though, and am praying for God to bring me some new ‘musicians in recovery’ so that I can just be a fill in guy again.

We just became new grandparents! Kristine and Douglas brought Jake Douglas Tansy into the world on June 13^th. He’s quite a handsome little chunk (not so little!). We’re also excited about a baby girl that’s working her way into the world through our daughter Corinne and her longtime boyfriend, Jake. She’s due to arrive in mid-November.

I’m doing a new ebay project. Some old friends from Santa Cruz (Lighthouse Christian Fellowship days) got in touch with me about selling all of their stuff from a house that they had to move out of due to the ozone treatment that the fire dept. did after their central vacuum system caught fire. So now my side of the garage is stacked floor to ceiling with about 160 or so boxes of ‘stuff’. I’m getting 60% of the profits and the rest is going to New Life Center (the
recovery program that I graduated from) and Confidence Pregnancy Center.

Besides that, God has been providing work for my IT consulting business without much interference on my part. Just when I start thinking that I need to go drum up some more business, He brings it without my help. I’m grateful. Now I've got my old employer from IT Solutions days, Jody Gaultney, wanting me to come back to work for him, but it would be a full-time gig and I'm not sure I can juggle that and all of the 'Kingdom Stuff' I'm involved in. I'm meeting with him on Monday, July 6th, to talk about it. <-PRAYER REQUEST (clarity, boldness to ask for what I need, willingness with Jody to let me have it, etc.)

My brother Gary was in the neighborhood recently, but I didn’t get to see him as he was busy
coaching a friend in Monterey on selling books on Alibris. He is really anxious to have us come for a visit. I just found out that Cheap Trick will be doing a Sgt. Pepper’s tribute performance in Las Vegas which would be very cool. Maybe we can get out there for that.

That’s it for now. Hope you’re all doing well.

Love,

Wayne & Lisa

Week End Update

...well...more like a 'Mid-Year Update'.

It's been an exciting year so far, and promises to get only better (in spite of the gloomy economic situation).

Last year left us with some major craziness that we embraced cheerfully knowing that God is faithful and his love contstant. First of all, we made a decision to preemptively leave our home in Greenfield when it appeared that we would not be able to refinance nor get any other remedy through the bank to our adjusting mortgage. Yup, we had a part in the current financial dilemma we are all facing. We fully own that and were not happy to make the decision to walk, but we were diligent in trying to find a solution and when the bank finally started talking about how they might help us stay in the house, it was too little - too late.

God provided through some dear friends a beautiful home in North Salinas which they offered to us with an affordable lease and an option to buy. We are happy to be close to our church, family and work again.

'Separation of church & state' ≠ 'Separation of God & country'

Do you know the Preamble for your state?

• Alabama 1901, Preamble: We the people of the State of Alabama, Invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution.
• Alaska 1956, Preamble: We, the people of Alaska, Grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.
• Arizona 1911, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Arizona, Grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...
• Arkansas 1874, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Arkansas, Grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...
• California 1879, Preamble: We, the People of the State of California, Grateful to Almighty God for our freedom...
• Colorado 1876, Preamble: We, the people of Colorado, With profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe...
• Connecticut 1818, Preamble: The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.
• Delaware 1897, Preamble: Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.
• Florida 1885, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution...
• Georgia 1777, Preamble: We, the people of Georgia, Relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...
• Hawaii 1959, Preamble: We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance ... Establish this Constitution.
• Idaho 1889, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.
• Illinois 1870, Preamble: We, the people of the state of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
• Indiana 1851, Preamble: We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.
• Iowa 1857, Preamble: We, the People of the State of Iowa, Grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish this Constitution.
• Kansas 1859, Preamble: We, the people of Kansas, Grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.
• Kentucky 1891, Preamble: We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties...
• Louisiana 1921, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.
• Maine 1820, Preamble: We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity. And imploring His aid and direction.
• Maryland 1776, Preamble: We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...
• Massachusetts 1780, Preamble: We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction.
• Michigan 1908, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Michigan, Grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom establish this Constitution.
• Minnesota, 1857, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Minnesota, Grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:
• Mississippi 1890, Preamble: We, the people of Mississippi In convention assembled, grateful to Al mighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.
• Missouri 1845, Preamble: We, the people of Missouri, With profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness. Establish this Constitution...
• Montana 1889, Preamble: We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the Blessings of liberty establish this Constitution.
• Nebraska 1875, Preamble: We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom. Establish this Constitution.
• Nevada 1864, Preamble: We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, establish this Constitution...
• New Hampshire Constitution: 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
• New Jersey 1844, Preamble: We, the people of the state of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
• New Mexico 1911, Preamble: We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty.
• New York 1846, Preamble: We, the people of the State of New York, Grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.
• North Carolina 1868, Preamble: We the people of the state of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those...
• North Dakota 1889, Preamble: We, the people of North Dakota, Grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...
• Ohio 1852, Preamble: We the people of the state of Ohio, Grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common...
• Oklahoma 1907, Preamble: Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, establish this
• Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights: Article I Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences
• Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble: We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance...
• Rhode Island 1842, Preamble: We the People of the state of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing...
• South Carolina, 1778, Preamble: We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
• South Dakota 1889, Preamble: We, the people of South Dakota, Grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties.
• Tennessee State Constitution 1796: Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...
• Texas 1845, Preamble: We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.
• Utah 1896, Preamble: Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.
• Vermont 1777, Preamble: Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man.
• Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights: XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other
• Washington 1889, Preamble: We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution
• West Virginia 1872, Preamble: Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia Reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...
• Wisconsin 1848, Preamble: We, the people of Wisconsin, Grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility...
• Wyoming 1890, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Wyoming, Grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties, establish this Constitution.

'Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants.' - William Penn

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Madonna Love

Woah! Dreams can be bizarre! I only remember a snippet of this dream I was having last night, but it was vivid.

I walked into this big open room. It was somewhat rustic, not brightly lit, and had a nice ambiance. There was an 'Upper Room' sort of feel to it. I think it had wooden floors, and there was a dining room sized table on the left as I walked in. It was coffee table height, and there were a number of people seated cross-legged on the floor behind it against the wall. One of them, the one at the far end, was Madonna.

I walked in with a few other people (no idea who), and began to wander to the right of another large table with chairs around it in the middle of the room. Suddenly, Madonna, having become aware of the shift in social dynamics, and of a vague sense of awkwardness, jumped up to greet us. She came around the table in pursuit of one of the newly arrived guests. Unaware of her approach, and apparently preoccupied with something else, they made their unconscious escape. That left me as a more convenient target. She quickly altered her course and headed for me. I think she may have uttered something to reveal to anyone who was in the vicinity the essence of the thought process leading to her change in direction. I don't recall precisely, but, in any event, she was soon upon me and enveloped me in a warm and lingering embrace. In fact, it was so lingering, that as we embraced we began to sway and, leaning over in a gravity-defying fashion, first in her direction, we began a slow, dance-like rotation. I felt an overwhelming feeling of love, peace, acceptance and intimatacy that my soul soaked in like the foam-lipped sheets of ocean tides into the sandy shore.

Somehow out of that moment a melody formed in my head (and may have also found an audible expression...not sure) that was one of those inspired licks, that have in the past, propelled me out of bed to find a recording device. It had a very compelling bit that detoured for one note into a minor key in such a way that it remained harmonic, but nevertheless toyed with one's sense of the expected. It was definitely a keeper. But in the fleeting moment of transition, from the clarity of the dream, to an awareness that another more tangible reality existed in the comfort and warmth of my bed and my loving wife whose body lay snuggled up nearby, the tune evaporated. Lost until eternity, when all the desires of my heart shall be granted, lost memories will be restored (in perfect context), and the bliss of that embrace will be like a dream from which I will never awaken.

Psalm 37

My DSL Speed

To Palo Alto




To San Francisco




To Los Angeles




To Miami

Gettin' Bizy!

Hallelujah! Yesterday I got an ENTHUSIASTIC JOB OFFER from Alvarez Technology Group (http://www.alvareztg.com) for an Operations Center Technician position. I spent a few hours working with Michelle, the woman who will be my mentor (boss?) and she's really nice. So are the Alvarezes (Louis & Ronni) who own the company. I'm really excited about working in such a warm, family-like atmosphere. This is the job I told God that I wanted (subject to his will for me of course). The pay is significantly better than the position with Alisal Union School District that I had previously accepted, but hadn’t been given a start date for yet. It will also afford me greater opportunity to learn cutting edge technology. Their offices are located just a couple of blocks from where Lisa works and our hours will coincide. That means that we can commute together and that we will save at least $300/mo. in gas costs! Woo hoo!! I will probably start on February 1st which is tomorrow.

Wayne Wiffed! A swing and a miss!

I flunked my exam AGAIN! Waaah! Unbelievable...but true. I didn't do much better than the previous time. I'm not sure how to proceed from here, but I need to do something different...that's for sure. Back to the drawing board.

I finished my paperwork, TB test & fingerprinting for Alisal Union School District this week. They should be calling me to start by mid-next week. Mean time I'm waiting for a call from Alvarez. They said they would make a decision this week, but I'm learning that one can't rely on statements of this nature from prospective employers.

Meanwhile, I have another interview coming up this coming week with SSCS, Inc. who write software for, and install and maintain systems for running gas station/convenience stores. They pay better than the school, but significant travel is required. When I was asking God whether I should fork out the money for the TB test and fingerprinting (which we can't really afford right now) I got this verse twice:

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty." Phil 4:11,12a

I'm not sure if that means not to worry about the cost of the 2 pre-requisites, or that I'm not getting the Alvarez job and just need to deal with the fact that the school job is where I'm supposed to be, even though the pay is way under the market rate for this area. More shall be revealed.

I heard an interesting tidbit regarding Alisal Union School District: my boss-to-be has been picketing for better pay! Rock on AG!

Speaking of hearing from God: Lisa and I have been wanting to become better community group leaders. We haven't really had a good spiritual focus to our meetings...more just feasting and fellowship. But I've been reading a book I got from The Word Shop titled: Surprised By The Voice Of God by . Besides the obvious, it deals with being led by the Spirit and leveraging the Gifts of the Spirit. So as I was praying about our community group, it suddenly occurred to me that what might be really cool besides coming up with something to study is to see people really begin to operate in the Spirit so that we are all ministering to each other rather then me feeling like the 'Under-Shepherd' trying to nurture the flock from my own misguided sense of how things aught to be. (as IF!) That's not 'Church'! I've been asking God to speak to me lately (which is something I have fear around...long story), and I don't remember how this realization came to me or how it felt, but I remember vividly that as I stood at the bottom of the stairs, looking up at my beautiful wife, as soon as I voiced my feeling that we should study the gifts of the Spirit as a group, the Holy Spirit tickled my insides in that (to me) familiar way that tells me: "Hey Wayne...God speaking...this is from me! Thanks for playing. Love, God."

The beat goes on...

=^)Wayne

Happy Old Year!

Well, we're about to wrap up another year. It's been a good one, full of blessings as well as challenges. We are grateful for many things, among which are:

• Through God's provision, we made all of our mortgage payments and none were late!
• The above was accomplished with a significant degree of generosity from family and friends through whom we received financial gifts.
• A fair hunk of change that I was able to generate (with God's blessing of course) through selling stuff (mostly that I got for free) on ebay and doing some IT work as an independent contractor.
• We were able to hold to a consistent level of Biblical giving to support and advance the Kingdom of God.
• We received a reliable 2nd vehicle free of charge. The timing was a real blessing.
• We also received other gifts through friends (Lisa got a huge pile of really nice clothes that we wouldn't have been able to afford from one of her girlfriends) and a website called FreeCycle (I got a push mower and then graduated to a power mower and then to a really nice power mower).
• Our mortgage company covered our property tax through the escrow account even though we hadn't paid in enough, and they didn't up our next statement amounts to make up for it (which we couldn't afford at this time).
• The opportunity to take time off from working to go to school that was created from the unfortunate demise of the IT company I had been working for.
• Our wonderful marriage that testifies to the blessings from working to become a godly, desirable mate, rather than focusing on finding the ideal mate.
• My Dad's successful battle against a malignant tumor.
• Spiritual growth and some healing in key relationships as the result of our 'personal programs' and service in Celebrate Recovery.
• We have also grown spiritually and gained wisdom through our adventures in home-ownership. Even though we submitted our plans to God and asked for his guidance, we didn't really use the common sense that he gave us: We hadn't fully eliminated our other debts. We didn't take advantage of the cheap rent we were paying to save up a down payment. We really didn't consider that the (then) present situation which made the lenders willing to approve us could easily change, putting us in a tough spot. We miscalculated the impact living 35 miles away from our church, work, family and friends would have on our life. In spite of all that, God graciously supplied all of our needs and enabled us to be involved to a sufficient degree in our important relationships and not be overwhelmed with the logistics. This was no small miracle if you consider the following: 3 months after we bought our house, I lost my job. Unemployment has paid me less than 1/2 of what I was making. After we moved to Greenfield, gasoline prices jumped way up causing our gasoline expenses to go to about $400/month! The commute consumed about 1.3 hours a day (I used to walk to work sometimes and Lisa's drive was 10 minutes on a bad day!).
• Finally, (not that this list is complete by any means) we are grateful for all of you, our family members, church family and friends. We are truly blessed more than we can express to have all of you in our lives.
  

So, for this coming year, my goals are to pursue closer relationships with my Savior, my family and my friends; to become more effective in my service to God; and to start using my new certifications in IT to embark on a new career adventure.

Regarding that last goal, the last month or so of this year has been a test of faith which for the most part I think I've been able to give honor to God through. A number of promising opportunities have eluded me for one reason or another. Most recently, I suffered a real disappointment when I was offered a position that would have potentially been both lucrative and interesting working for a IT contractor at the Defense Language Institute. The initial offer came in the afternoon of the day I failed my last exam for my MCSA certification. (I'm scheduled to take it again on January 12th.) The offer was later rescinded when I failed to pass the criminal history portion of the background check. That was a tough blow that made me reel a bit. But I'm so grateful for my wonderful wife who helped me to put things in perspective and remember that in God's economy, true riches are deceptive and the best path is not always the obvious one.

Right now I'm waiting to see if I was selected for an Educational Computer Technician position with the Alisal School District that I passed the practical examination for with flying colors and interviewed for earlier this week in an interesting forum in which 3 interviewers interview 3 candidates in a round-robin session. The practical exam was really interesting. Half way through the series of steps that I was to perform on 2 laptops (a PC and a Mac) I couldn't get the next task to work. After watching me struggle with it for a couple minutes (it was a timed exercise) the IT Director asked me what I was having a problem with and indicated that nothing should have been that difficult. I was thinking that I had gone brain-dead and was forgetting something really obvious. But, as I began to troubleshoot the situation, it became obvious to me that there was a major misconfiguration in their network. Nevertheless, still waivering in my confidence somewhat, I mentioned to him my analysis and turned it over to him to take a look. Sure enough, not by design, the test had been inadvertently sabotaged by an outside contractor that had made some changes while doing some sort of upgrade or something. I made big points by 'going above and beyond' as he put it by troubleshooting their network.

The other position I'm waiting to hear back on is a temp-to-hire gig with the local hospital. I had a telephone interview yesterday and now I'm waiting to hear whether they want to schedule an in person interview after they look at my complete work history (I only included the IT relevant jobs on my resume) and check out my references.

In the mean time an unexpected opportunity arose that could prove to be a real blessing. A IT outsourcing company's recruiter found my resume on the internet and emailed me the day before yesterday. I emailed back and yesterday on the phone she explained the position to me and I was hired on the spot yesterday to do warranty repairs for DELL, Gateway, and Lexmark! http://www.smartech-csi.com/. I have a territory that covers a 30-40 mile radius around Greenfield. They email the work orders to me and I arrange the appointments directly with the clients mostly at my convenience. It's a flat rate of $38 if it's up to 30 miles from home, $42 up to 40 miles, and $50 over that. The most complex task might be a motherboard replacement or repairing a laptop, but none of the work should take more than an hour, not counting travel time. The cool thing is that I can promote my own services as long as it's not work covered under the customer's warranty. My first assignments were already waiting for me when I signed up: one right here in Greenfield, and the other at the Ft. Hunter-Ligget Army base in Jolon. Pretty cool, eh?

OK, I'm burned story telling now. Time to move on to other activities...like studying and job searching!

Love,
Wayne & Lisa

Love Not The World...Love Thy Brother!

"Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15

"And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life." 1 John 5:11-12

"The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked." 1 John 2:4-6

"This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you." John 15:12

These things are not happening in my life to the extent that I would like them to be. This is my quest: "to walk in the same manner as He walked."