There are many addicts in the world. Tragically, there are also many who have a different kind of addiction, maybe more destructive. These have a never ending thirst to control the life and choices of others. Ultimately, all addicts have an unquenchable desire to control one thing, self.  Even if self seems out of control, the addict demands control of this also.

An addict's high begins in the ritual: i.e... getting dressed and in the car, preparing what you'll say, imagining what they'll say, driving, pulling to the curb or parking lot, getting out of the car, walking to the door or having someone come to your door.

The high crescendos, only after all the circumstances are in order.  Each person's ritual is different but it's the fantasy, created in the mind, being fulfilled.  Remove the ritual (party), and the drug would not fully quench the mind's thirst.

Millions of people attend (or don't attend) services weekly, believing their ritual will crescendo higher than the week previous.  These deny the grace of God and do not believe God has put them on equal standing with Himself.  Likewise, millions attend (or don't attend) the same services, believing they are complete in Christ.  Going to a meeting or not is nothing and neither right nor wrong.  It's all between you and God.

Your spouse, Pastor or Sunday School teacher can't complete you.  God's alone can do this greater work in you.  It's okay if you decide to play the game or not, but if you think you're taking God like a drug, you are blinded by your own fantasy.  The blood of Jesus has the power to transform you into His likeness, believe it or not.

I'm not interested in hearing about how bad a person Governor Romney or President Obama is.  I'll probably vote for one, but it will not be in tandem with vilifying the other.  Neither and Both are the anti-Christ; I already know the anti-Christ is the spirit in all our flesh, and is not difficult to find when embracing hope in the world.  Our flesh screams, scratches and claws to be seen.  It won't submit to God's authority.  It is always puffing up, yet never covering sin.

Our Earthly bodies are living in a dying world, and the only hope to experience life, is die.  I believe in the resurrection, not just in the 'one day', but I believe it for laying my life down today, and every day.

The Light we need is hidden and there is only one way to see.  You must reject the world's light and see by another.  We walk by faith.

You know how, when you're around some people, you just love them?  Right from the start, there's an instant connection.  It's like you've always known each other.  When you think of love you might think about a significant relationship, where someone 'got you'.  They understood you.  It's nice to be cherished and appreciated for your uniqueness but as nice as those feelings are, God's Love isn't a feeling, and it's not based in the world.  In our human thinking, we're conditioned to think of love through the eyes of meeting certain criteria (i.e. common interests or goals).

Imagine, if you will, loving someone you've never met.  Yea, this may sound preposterous initially, but in the Kingdom, Love does not need a target.  Love is it's own entity, it's God.  Real Love isn't based on a past or future meeting, because you've accepted a greater truth.  The greater truth is that you're already connected with each other, without worldly conditions.  In the Kingdom dimension, coming face-to-face could be said to be irrelevant.

In the Earthly dimension, Love must be face-to-face.  This is where the Angels are in continual awe. The power of the entire Gospel is contained within God connecting to man, in spite of man's performance.  Connection is entirely based on His performance.  God loved me first, called me His Son, even before I knew His name.  Just by God being who He is, He Loves.  This Love never fails to opens our eyes.  It reveals the vapor of life we've embraced, revealing it's temporary.  Further, it reveals a heavenly dimension we're invited to call our home, now.  Love is God's language and as we speak it, others eyes are opened.  Love breaks down the barriers built by logic, allowing God to be seen; and just as important, it allows self to be seen from God's perspective (I Cor. 13:12). 

What is Love? Part ONE / What is Love? Part TWO / What is Love? Part THREE

(David is available to speak one on one or to your group. Contact him for details.)

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For a really long time, how others related with God was a big part of my attention.  I went so far as to fool myself, calling it part of Apostolic ministry.  I thought it was productive for me to think about how other congregations (or individuals) worshiped God, and if they had certain revelation.  That was then...  This is now...  When my thoughts drift toward how someone else relates to God, He's shown me that I'm off track.  It's kinda like someone not wanting to get drunk because their reality is so wonderful, they don't want anything clouding their perspective.  Looking outside our self to find purpose is a distraction to our own spiritual pilgrimage. When we think about how others worship God, we stop being honest with God and self.  When it gets down to it, all we can do is submit to God and let go of our need to police everybody else.  All the control in the world won't help anyone.  In fact, it does just the opposite to those we say we love.

Somewhere along the way, it hit me, no one (other than myself) can walk by my revelation and I can't walk by others' revelation.  We've got to allow each other opportunity to experience God in their own personal way.  Without controlling them, hold their hand as they make decisions and find their way, along their own path.  I guess I'm just thinking about Love, and how we each need to really connect to each other instead of superficially playing games.  Real connection can't really happen as long as we're more concerned about how they handle certain issues than  genuinely listening to how they see life, as well as anything else on their mind.  I believe our world will be a better place if we'll simply connect with someone, whoever God places in our path.  The trick is to be aware of our own natural ego getting in the way of connecting.  In doing so, we don't actually have to pretend the ego isn't there, but just be honest about our own personal bias.  The person you're speaking will find your honesty real and your love genuine.

What is Love? Part ONE / What is Love? Part TWO / What is Love? Part THREE

(David is available to speak one on one or to your group. Contact him for details.)

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Political winds swirling around 'Christian rights' and news coverage of Chik-fil-A's President have created an opportunity for Pastors and Leaders this Sunday morning.  There is an open door for leaders and it's found in contrast between side-picking and connection to the inner man through Love.

For demonstration, most commentaries I've read are difficult to recognize  anything resembling the Gospel.  All too often, we focus on man's decision to either believe or not, but our focus should be on the Gospel.  Is it important to believe?  Sure, but it's automatic upon hearing the Goodness of God, which brings faith and leads men to repent.  There is no longer a separation between God and man; and there are no loopholes, and no caveats to this statement.  Everywhere, patterns reveal God, everything else He calls an abomination.  We would do well to look in the mirror and ask, "Am I an abomination to God?"

God isn't upset with people who are gay or have different values.  ANYTHING not in keeping with His pattern of Love is an abomination.  Listen, God removed the issue separating you from Him and we know that, but He also removed the issue for everyone.  If we say we love God and don't really connect with each other, we are a liar and the truth isn't in us. God's connection is really His Love being manifested.  This is where Leaders have an open door, and this is the one we can walk through together.

All of creation points to God.  Eagles glorify God by being eagles and so do horses, trees and anything else you can think.  Being who you are glorifies God.  If you are connected to God, you'll be Love and look past issues, connecting to those God connects.  You'll see the inner.  "If an egg is broken by an outside force, life ends. If an egg is broken by an inside force, life begins. Great things happen from the inside" (author unknown).

A good pastor friend once told me that if it were possible for the body of Christ to be sued for false advertising our love for one another, we would lose hands down.  The door is open to embrace God, or a politically correct version of picking sides. The message of the Kingdom isn't to get everyone to perform the same, but to reveal God's Love for all.  No matter the issue, and no matter how strongly you feel about it, God is no respecter of your personal perspective of Him.  He is no respecter of persons.  Sunday morning, I'm praying Pastors look in the mirror until we find ourselves with the mind of Christ.  It's easy to be a blessing, rallying behind a business we share beliefs, but when was the last time you were a real blessing to those who think differently?   Just who is the abomination?

Love, David

recommended reading:  Joshua 5, I John 4

Most discussions of faith and Love are staged looking 'up', where we consider heaven is, but as we accept God's Grace, we begin to see 'from' heaven, our new vantage point.  I'd like to take you on a short journey into the Mind of God, as He sees Love.  I'd like to share two perfect examples of Love, and as we walk, our vantage point will be changed, in this moment, in the twinkling of an eye.

The first example of Pure Love, with no conditions, is within the Godhead.  Each member of the Godhead accepts one another unconditionally.  Love (God) looks beyond their individual attributes and personalities, embracing their singular identity, God.  We wouldn't think of arguing God is separate or divided, just because He is 'seen' in three persons.  We know The Lord our God is One.

The second example of Pure Love is much like the first, and equally important.  The only difference is that it may be a little shocking.  The second example is simply this: You are accepted with the same Unconditional Love.  As we meditate on the goodness of God we discover He loves you just like He loves The Holy Spirit or Jesus.  How and Why?  Just as in the first example, the individual attributes and personalities aren't conditions for God to accept or reject.  The only thing that matters is the eternal perspective and have any conditions been met.  All conditions have been met and Jesus really did pay it all.  When Jesus proclaimed, 'It is finished', it really was. Everything you have known yourself as, has been taken account of, and absorbed (good and bad), not to change God, but to allow you to have the mind of Christ and experience His Kingdom.

Anyone can claim equality with God and many are doing it, while simply on another flesh trip.  The true test isn't how you see yourself, but it's how we see each other.  Jesus asked a very important question to the disciples... He asked, 'Who do you say I am'.  Petere answered, 'The Christ'.  The Christ is the Spirit.  We may understand God sees each of us as Christ, because He's looking within, at The Christ Spirit; but, am I seeing everyone as God sees them?  The test isn't who I say I am... it's who do I say you are?  God's Spirit in you is not looking at the outward appearances or performance, He's looking at His Spirit in you, and that doesn't change based on mood or actions, good or bad.   There is One Spirit and One God.  Divisions of men are caused by feeding from or looking through the other source.

Maybe I should have warned you about what was just written, but there are no words to absorb the shock of knowing that God really includes you (me) with Him, simply because it's His desire.  He really did pay the price for you.  Our natural minds can't quite comprehend the simplicity of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, while in our Earth suits.  But it's still true, God accepts you 100%, with no reservations or conditions.  The true love that is flowing through you will see everyone else with the same love He's provided.  With simple child-like faith, our perspective changes and we begin to experience The Kingdom of God.

Unconditionally,

David

“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world." John 17:24

"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." Romans 8:14-17

Just think of the implications of being a child of God.  Jesus, Son of God and according to Him, when you've seen the Son, you've seen the Father.  Are you a Son or Daughter of God?

Many times, the Bible illustrates through a principle known by some as 'the Like/As principle'.  It uses things in the natural to point to spiritual truth.  They aren't the same but they are 'like/as'.  Love is as Light...

What is Love and how can it be unconditional?  To answer this question, I hope the following is of help to you.

Love is not something God does, it's who He is.

Both Love and Light reveal,
neither can be overcome,
and are not moved by what they 'see'.

Neither Love nor Light can fellowship with darkness;
because it's converted in their presence.

Both Love and Light are honest with present reality;
they do not embellish or hide from Truth.

Without them, we understand as a child;
With them, I know as I am known.

Because of His grace, Love is who you are, as Love (God) sees you.  God (Love) sees no fault in you and no separation.  Any separation is perceived.  The Godhead is the perfect example of Love.  Each of the three accept one another unconditionally.  The invitation you're given, is the same.  It's to fellowship with God, allowing yourself to be so loved and accepted that you no longer see yourself separated from God.

The Kingdom of God is where all this happens... within.  The Spiritual you is the real you.  And you'll continue even after your body is peeled away.

Grace 2 U,

David

Got a few verses on my heart that I'm going to illustrate, over the next few days. This is one of them. I hope it helps someone understand how God isn't attempting to get our natural man to perform. If we'll embrace the grace of God, all the other things will just follow.

Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Luke 17:1 (KJV)