Our Testimony Is LIFE, Not Behavior

LIFE, Baby Foot, by Mike Bitzenhofer

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:11

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10

How many times have I heard someone say, in one form or another: "I used be an Alcoholic, and I drank like a fish, and did drugs. But now I found Jesus, and I don't do those things anymore."

Let's examine that testimony. If you found Jesus and you don't DO those thing anymore, and then you "fall into sin" and start doing them again. What does that mean to your testimony?

Does that mean you lost Jesus? Does that mean He wasn't strong enough? Does that mean you never really had Him? Does that mean that there is no Jesus?

What if... Jesus didn't come to save your behavior?

Yes, it's obvious that behavior changes can and should accompany a relationship with Jesus. But are those behaviors "why" He came?

Jesus came to set right the things that Adam set wrong. He is the Second Adam, a LIFE giving spirit.

Adam the First disconnected from the Tree of LIFE, and connected to the Tree of Knowledge. With no LIFE, he was disconnected from the flow of LIFE (which contained knowledge and information) to his spirit. He was forced to go through the earth only having his physical senses and ability to reason. These, being limited at best, eventually produced sin, and then death.

Jesus came to re-connect us to LIFE (the Holy Spirit is our connection). That connection causes us to be in right standing with God. Our spirit cries "DADDY" in the Father's presence.

When we fall, and fail, this does not change our testimony one bit. Because our testimony isn't about our behavior. Our testimony is that we were Dead, serving dead religion, dead knowledge. We accepted Jesus and got connected to LIFE. We have relationship with God OUR Daddy!

Just as my son is still my son, and I love him, regardless of his actions.... I am God's son, regardless of my actions. And when (not if but when) I fail, He will come beside me, teach me, love me through that failure, and help me walk out of it stronger.

Hello. My name is Darrell. I was the son of an Atheist Pastor, and I was serving dead religion, always trying to be good enough for God. Then I accepted Jesus' LIFE, and now I am His Son. I am right before God not because of what I've done, but who I am. I am His adopted son. 

That testimony, doesn't change with your failure.

*

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By Darrell Wolfe

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Ash at the Facility

The silence was deafening. The light was still too bright to open his eyes. But the sound was familiar.



I know this place...



The dream again. He could feel the cold steel against his wrists. This was knew. He didn't recall being locked to the chair in his dream. Then he heard it... click. click. click. A clock? This was not his dream.



Ash forced his eyes open to see a room very similar to one from his dream. Only this one was longer, the table was at one end. And there was a single analogue clock on the wall. This room had a pronounced and obvious door.



"Oh good... you are awake. I'll be with you in a just little while."



That voice. I know that voice.



Ash took in his souroundings. Nothing much to see. Nothing but white walls, white chair, white table, white clock. Silver Handcuffs on his wrists. The chair was built into the floor it didn't budge.



No silly outfit this time, he was simply wearing his black clothing from the night before. Blood had dried on his sleave where the gaurd got a good kick with his boot. It looked like their patched him up, maybe a few stitches in the shoulder.



Ash noticed four cameras, one in each corner. Just then the white noise was interupted by a crackling, and then a whine.



"Ash, can you hear me?" He nodded in the affirmative.



"Ash, you can talk, we can see you on the cameras, and there are no gaurds outside the door. I've looped the audio and video, so they can't see or hear you right now."



"OK, what's going on?"



"You are in the facility still. Thirteenth Floor. I'm in control of the security, but I can't do anything about those cuffs."



"It's OK. I want to play this out, and see where it leads. Don't let them catch you in the feeds. Watch, but don't jump in until I give you a signal."



"What signal?"



"Is Eta with you?"



"Yes, I'm right here."



"She'll know. Just have her watch the feeds with you."



"Going radio silent, someones coming." Eta's voice. He really missed her as a partner. It's good to have her around, even from a distance. That's why he knew he had to give her time for escape, and let himself get caught... taking as many down with him as he could.



The door opened, and in walked a small bald man in a lab coat. Dr. Briar, from the Cafe'.



"Good morning Col Ashland. It's nice to have you back among us. You took a pretty nasty fall last night, and put three of my gaurds in the hospital."



"Glad I could help." Ash Smiled.



Dr. Briar returned the smile. "It seems you and I have some unfinished business. As soon as we track down your friend, we'll have questions for her too. My best head hunters are looking for her now. Tell me, Col Ashland, how much do you remember about me?"



"You are a Dr. Briar, who mistakenly called me a marine. You asked too many wierd questions outside of the cafe in Oregon, and you smell like peppermint candy."



"Yes, all true. But how about before that time at the cafe, is there anything else you remember about me?"



"No. Should there be?"



"We shall see. Dr Briar pulled out some wires and pads. While you were out, you were injected with a serium of my own design. It will help you be more forth coming. I'm simply going to attach these to you for monitoring. We tried putting them on while you were out, but you kept sweating them off.... Tell me, Col. Ashland, how long have you been having these nightmares?"



"Are you my psychologist now?



"Now? Col Ashland, I've been your psychologist for quite a few years, you should know that by now."



"I just get bad dreams. Nothing to worry yourself about there Dr., what do you mean a few years?"



"Col Ashland, how often must we go through this same routine. You have been a patient here since you had a mental break and left the USAF."





............................

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Ash at the Facility

The silence was deafening. The light was still too bright to open his eyes. But the sound was familiar.

I know this place...

The dream again. He could feel the cold steel against his wrists. This was knew. He didn't recall being locked to the chair in his dream. Then he heard it... click. click. click. A clock? This was not his dream.

Ash forced his eyes open to see a room very similar to one from his dream. Only this one was longer, the table was at one end. And there was a single analogue clock on the wall. This room had a pronounced and obvious door.

"Oh good... you are awake. I'll be with you in a just little while."

That voice. I know that voice.

Ash took in his souroundings. Nothing much to see. Nothing but white walls, white chair, white table, white clock. Silver Handcuffs on his wrists. The chair was built into the floor it didn't budge.

No silly outfit this time, he was simply wearing his black clothing from the night before. Blood had dried on his sleave where the gaurd got a good kick with his boot. It looked like their patched him up, maybe a few stitches in the shoulder.

Ash noticed four cameras, one in each corner. Just then the white noise was interupted by a crackling, and then a whine.

"Ash, can you hear me?" He nodded in the affirmative.

"Ash, you can talk, we can see you on the cameras, and there are no gaurds outside the door. I've looped the audio and video, so they can't see or hear you right now."

"OK, what's going on?"

"You are in the facility still. Thirteenth Floor. I'm in control of the security, but I can't do anything about those cuffs."

"It's OK. I want to play this out, and see where it leads. Don't let them catch you in the feeds. Watch, but don't jump in until I give you a signal."

"What signal?"

"Is Eta with you?"

"Yes, I'm right here."

"She'll know. Just have her watch the feeds with you."

"Going radio silent, someones coming." Eta's voice. He really missed her as a partner. It's good to have her around, even from a distance. That's why he knew he had to give her time for escape, and let himself get caught... taking as many down with him as he could.

The door opened, and in walked a small bald man in a lab coat. Dr. Briar, from the Cafe'.

"Good morning Col Ashland. It's nice to have you back among us. You took a pretty nasty fall last night, and put three of my gaurds in the hospital."

"Glad I could help." Ash Smiled.

Dr. Briar returned the smile. "It seems you and I have some unfinished business. As soon as we track down your friend, we'll have questions for her too. My best head hunters are looking for her now. Tell me, Col Ashland, how much do you remember about me?"

"You are a Dr. Briar, who mistakenly called me a marine. You asked too many wierd questions outside of the cafe in Oregon, and you smell like peppermint candy."

"Yes, all true. But how about before that time at the cafe, is there anything else you remember about me?"

"No. Should there be?"

"We shall see. Dr Briar pulled out some wires and pads. While you were out, you were injected with a serium of my own design. It will help you be more forth coming. I'm simply going to attach these to you for monitoring. We tried putting them on while you were out, but you kept sweating them off.... Tell me, Col. Ashland, how long have you been having these nightmares?"

"Are you my psychologist now?

"Now? Col Ashland, I've been your psychologist for quite a few years, you should know that by now."

"I just get bad dreams. Nothing to worry yourself about there Dr., what do you mean a few years?"

"Col Ashland, how often must we go through this same routine. You have been a patient here since you had a mental break and left the USAF."


............................

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The Closet

It was the sound. It washed over his mind, like a shower on the inside. Water landing on pavement, concrete, and wood; as though beating a million tiny drums. The distant sound of the tiny river, washing down the sidewalks into the gutters. Ash always slept with the window open, but most especially on rainy nights.



We are no closer now to getting to the bottom of this, than we were when it started.



The rest of the house was asleep, but he couldn't find sleep. The air shifted slightly, and he felt he wasn't alone. Ash sat up straight, and at the edge of his bed sat a man. He was wearing blue jeans, a T-shirt, and a well kept beard. His hair was pulled back into a pony tail, and he smiled. The man's eyes held a piercing gaze, frightening and peaceful all at once.



The man stood, and motioned to Ash. Almost unable to fight his own body, he rose to follow the man to the closet door. He reached out to open it, and a blinding light raced across the room. When Ash opened his eyes again, they were not in his room anymore. They were standing on a rooftop, overlooking New York City, and Herald Square.



There, sitting on the ledge was a young man, maybe no more than 20. He was holding himself, rocking himself back and forth.



It'll all be over soon. It'll all be over soon. He repeated to himself over and over.



Ash could see the Parade balloons in the distance. He knew this is what Eta had been talking about. Ash wanted to go stop him, but he couldn't move. His traveling companion put his arm on Ash's shoulder and smiled. He could feel the answer.



Not Now.



The bright light flashed, and he found himself standing in front of his open closet, staring at the darkness. Ash turned back to his bed, and lay there for a few more hours. Sleep overcame him, and he rested. For the first time in a long time, confused, but peaceful, he rested.

Read more →

The Closet

It was the sound. It washed over his mind, like a shower on the inside. Water landing on pavement, concrete, and wood; as though beating a million tiny drums. The distant sound of the tiny river, washing down the sidewalks into the gutters. Ash always slept with the window open, but most especially on rainy nights.

We are no closer now to getting to the bottom of this, than we were when it started.

The rest of the house was asleep, but he couldn't find sleep. The air shifted slightly, and he felt he wasn't alone. Ash sat up straight, and at the edge of his bed sat a man. He was wearing blue jeans, a T-shirt, and a well kept beard. His hair was pulled back into a pony tail, and he smiled. The man's eyes held a piercing gaze, frightening and peaceful all at once.

The man stood, and motioned to Ash. Almost unable to fight his own body, he rose to follow the man to the closet door. He reached out to open it, and a blinding light raced across the room. When Ash opened his eyes again, they were not in his room anymore. They were standing on a rooftop, overlooking New York City, and Herald Square.

There, sitting on the ledge was a young man, maybe no more than 20. He was holding himself, rocking himself back and forth.

It'll all be over soon. It'll all be over soon. He repeated to himself over and over.

Ash could see the Parade balloons in the distance. He knew this is what Eta had been talking about. Ash wanted to go stop him, but he couldn't move. His traveling companion put his arm on Ash's shoulder and smiled. He could feel the answer.

Not Now.

The bright light flashed, and he found himself standing in front of his open closet, staring at the darkness. Ash turned back to his bed, and lay there for a few more hours. Sleep overcame him, and he rested. For the first time in a long time, confused, but peaceful, he rested.

Read more →

Low Slow & The Tree of LIFE | Making tough decisions, as you walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

I'd like to take this post to tell you about my journey this week. I hope that I can help you learn more about hearing God's voice in the midst of a trial and tough situation. If you are going through a hardship right now, let this encourage you.

My wife and I had two weeks of car happenings. Only weeks after we bought the 2002 Volvo S60 for $1,000.... the check engine light comes on. Which, if you buy a lot of used "Cash Cars", usually means it's dead and time to get another. Not always, it can be fixable. It just usually isn't. Meanwhile, there's an oil leak that has been getting worse and worse.

2005 Mazda3 - Special Thanks to AutonNation So FW

The Unexpected Surprise | Check Engine Light

The old car was dying:

To Fix or Not To Fix... that is the question?!

May is coming, inspection/registration is due. That puts pressure on getting this done. My wife mentions that there is a free Auto Check event going on at a local church (EMIC), of which I'm an e-member. I dropped by and had the mechanics look at it.

The oil leak actually gets worse WHILE we're at the auto-check. I hear the words Cam Seals... and all I could think after that was money, money, money... $ $ $ $ $... my mind went numb after that. I'm a wordsmith, not a mechanic. Sure I can check tires, brakes, oil, serpentine belt... but let's not ask me to do anything else (or I might not get it back together).

The following week, I'm dumping 5 quarts of oil in the morning, and it's gone by the time I'm out of work. I have to start putting in just a bit, and pulling over every ten miles to put more in.

Oh Dear...

Now what?!

STOP | DROP | LISTEN | LOW SLOW

The first lesson I learned this week "Low Slow". I first wrote about Low Slow in my bible journal (here) on 12/2011. I guess it takes me a long time to learn a lesson. When a situation comes up, don't get frantic and start racking your brain for the answer.

You need to get into Low Slow, shift down. Stop what you are doing and thinking. Let the Spirit of God talk to your heart. Make no move until you feel a particular leading. Then obey that.

God said to take it to a particular Mechanic, so I did. I spent the day doing writing and research. I had breakfast with a friend. I got to know my neighbor better that afternoon. The mechanic took all day, and didn't have an answer. Had to leave it over the weekend, and didn't get a final answer until Monday afternoon. It was worse than previously thought.

Andrew (Alliance Dyno) is a straight shooter. "I hate to take a car off the road, and I'd love to take your business, but this one needs too much work. You'll spend twice what it's worth getting it on the road, and it still won't be right." 

Worse News: The Valley of the shadow of Death

So here's where I fell apart. I had gone into Low Slow. I heard God, right? Did I? How could I have heard God if the end result was worse news? Did I miss it? What's wrong with me?

I'm going to be honest, this is where depression hit. Big time. I've had bouts of it before, but this was hard. Now what? I'm REALLY trapped.

Looking back on this phase, I can tell my earlier self something I didn't know then. Psalms 23 promises, that you can walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death with no Fear because God is walking through there with you. And you'll come out on the other side, not only un-dead, but better off. He'll overflow your cup.

God didn't promise that he'd help me avoid that valley, or go around it. He said he'd walk me THROUGH it. That's a huge theological shift for my brain. I figured I must of has missed Him when the worse news came. I didn't. God told me to go to that shop, pay them a reasonable $85.00 ( they spent more time than that working on my answer), to let me know the honest condition of this old car.

So this was just the first leg of the journey, but I was still walking through the valley.

Phase Two: Keep Listening and Following (Low Slow Continued)

In this next phase, I needed to learn a valuable lesson (that I HOPE I never forget). When you obey the first thing He says, that is like taking the first leg of the journey through the Valley. You need to keep listening and following to get through.

So, my wife and I prayed ( she more than me), and we both felt we should trade it in for a new car. Impossible, I'd never qualify for credit, and we have no cash left. Wrong, Wrong.

• Parents came through with cash assistance (thanks Mom and Dad). 

• I felt led to apply at USAA Bank, and got approved us for a car loan at less than 9%, what?! Crazy! 

• Found deductions that were un-needed and made room in the budget. 

Then it was time to find the right car... which is where things went great and not...

Manna | Blessing For The Journey | This Daily Bread

My neighbor (thanks neighbor B!) picked me up from the mechanic that Friday, so I could leave it with them. He gave me a ride to work on Monday. And Tuesday let me borrow his extra car for the week, helping me see that taking our time is better than rushing into a decision.

I have to say, I'm used to working hard and making it happen. If I can't buy the car, or rent one, I'll take the bus. Letting him help me, was probably among the hardest things I've ever done (or so says my ego). I guess I'm not a good receiver, yet.

As hard as that was, I didn't go without all week. I had reliable transportation for the week and didn't have to miss more work.

Phase Three: The Decision

My wife and I saw the ad for a 2005 Mazda 3 (pictured at the top of this post) on day one of the search, I even printed the CarFax and Posting data.

But I kept searching, kept using my Tree of Knowledge to add more and more conditions to my search. Eventually, the whole search ground to a halt of indecision.

I had gotten out of the Tree of LIFE, and swung back over to the Tree of Knowledge.

"My knowledge can make this happen."

Usually not.

Irritation and Confusion are the twin sons of the Tree of Knowledge. 

As many times as I searched, this was the car that kept coming up. Then I saw one that seamed right to my reasoning, "The One", only to have it sold before I was ready to go see it.

We visited Shall Remain Nameless, and experienced the hustle of a Car Dealership. Uhg! No prices listed on the cars. I ask about the price and I hear, "I'm not sure, I'll have to check" (but makes no move to go check). I told him were we wanted to end up, they showed us two that might work for us. We sit, we spend hours, they bring us paperwork DOUBLE what I told them.

They wanted to talk payments, and get us to forget about total price. How can this type of business practice still be legal? In the connection economy, it's thankfully dying away (just wish it was gone completely).

Thankfully, we had the presence of mind to leave.

New Dealers like CarMax and AutoNation are built on the understanding that the Connection Economy will not allow for the old type of treatment any longer.

I digress...

We left that dealership, and I was sinking into deep depression. I was so far into the Tree of Knowledge, that I had built a Tree House and moved in. I back to frantically trying to "make it work" and scheming in my own abilities.

Low Slow... keep it Low Slow

Thank God for my wife, who is patient and kind with me. She got me to stop just long enough, be still just long enough, shut my mind up just long enough... to hear.

This time, when the leading came, it was subtle now. There were no bells, whistles, flashing lights. No strong presence or joy. But there was a subtle quiet peace that settled over me as I turned back to the first car, the one both of us kept coming back to. The one I'd found on day one.

Someone was supposed to test drive it that day, but they never showed. We came in last part of the day, and it was even better than I'd hoped. It was the perfect fit to this time in our lives.

The process was painless too. No hustle. No haggle. Doug B and Doug W with AutoNation SFW were great to work with, patient with my questions, gave me time to digest figures and run my excel sheets.

In the end, we left with the car that had shown up over, and over, and over, in our search. The one I kept getting drawn to, but couldn't quite explain why. The one I kept ignoring, looking for other things to satisfy my reasoning and mind. No, it wasn't in line with my 120 point list of "must haves", but it was the right fit. Then again, there exactly ZERO cars that fit that list.

Temptation To Follow The System (religion)

I'm tempted to say that I'll buy all my cars from AutoNation, and if God develops that relationship, so be it. But I've also learned not to fall into that rut too.

Don't jump to the answer that worked last time. God seldom works the same way twice. His principles are timeless, his methods will vary. God will ALWAYS provide for you, but He will usually change the method of His provision. Otherwise, you stop listening to him, and just do it the same way every time. That's not relationship, that's religion.

In 2 Samuel 5:23, David had previously asked the Lord "Shall we go up?" and the Lord answered "Go Up". This time David inquires again (most likely thinking: Same Plan). However, God doesn't say to go up this time, God says: "Go around, attack from behind". 

In this simple story, is a PROFOUND truth. We must not rely on our systems.

One time, many, many years ago, my Dad took me and my brothers to a Casino for food. I think it was Christmas, and they were the only ones open. As I was leaving, I left my family, and turned aside to the machines. I felt the presence of God there. At a Casino? YES! The Spirit of God dwells in you, and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. God told me to put a dollar (maybe less? long time ago) into the machine. I did. I pulled the handle. It started making loud noises, lights went off. Coins were dumping out like an ocean.

I was so startled, that I backed off. I thought I'd broken it! LOL.

The two little old folks near me told me to wait for the attendant. She came by, and checked the machine, pushed some buttons, and told me to wait. I left that day with approximately $750 in cash, and $55 in nickels.

I tried several times since then, never happened again. In fact, God told me it wouldn't.

Conclusion: Be Still, Be Led, Listen, Act

I hope this has helped you. If you are trying to "figure it out", "make it happen"... etc. If you are experiencing stress increase as you walk through the valley, you are doing it wrong.  Be Still, Be Led... when in doubt "Low Slow".


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By Darrell Wolfe

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INFJ: The Counselor | Finding Your Life Theme

INFJ--Jungian-16-Personality-Types-Test-Results--Richard-N-Stephenson

In January 2015, I wrote a post called Discovery: Finding Your Place In God's Plan, in which I talked about the various personality tests I had taken. Each of these has given me another angle to view, another perspective to help me understand my Unique Value Proposition (UVP) on earth.  In other words, I can begin to understand why God has placed me on earth, and what I'm called to do.

None of these were more powerful for me than the Myers-Briggs 16 Personalities Typology, combined with my Strengths Finders top five results. The 16 Personalities test is free, and the Strengths Finders is only $10.00 for your top five.

In fact, I've owned these identities so much, that I've even updated my About Page and my email signature to reflect those results:

Darrell G. Wolfe 

Author | INFJ | Intelection, Learner, Ideation, Achiever, Input

Recently, I was honored to publish an article for #INFJCacafony (HERE), which is a Graphic Magazine created by (and for) INFJ's. The article is about understanding the INFJ: Mind, Will, and Emotions. To read the whole thing I recommend you check out the link above.

As I am currently going through some hard inner growth this week, being stretched out of my comfort zone in several ways, I felt like coming back to the basics and re-evaluating: What is my core? Who Am I? What am I called to do?

Then as I thought about it, I wondered if helping you understand the four elements (at least my half of them), could help you begin to gain an understanding of who you are, and who you were created to be.

Here is an excerpt from that article:

For those new to the Myers-Briggs typologies. My favorite site for testing and information is 16 Personalities. 

The Overview of the INFJ Typology 

The Mind:
Introverts (I) are energized and recharged by solitude, because it allows us to explore the uncharted world of the mind and thoughts. The world does not make sense unless we can make sense of it and see how it all fits together.
Energy:
Intuitives (N) rely on imagination and intuition. We are absorbed by the world of ideas and possibilities. We are far more likely to be thinking about what could be in the future, or could have been in the past. Back to the Future MUST have been written by an Intuitive (N) personality!
Nature:
Feelers (F) are sensitive, and tend to follow the heart and focus on harmony.Now… INFJ’s tend to FEEL deeply, and pick up on other’s emotions instantly. Even absorbing their emotions into their own. However, they tend to be totally out of touch with their own emotions as a result of being so in tune to others. Many INFJ’s mistype into INTJ for this reason. But there is an important note here. INTJ’s are truly objective and rational. Given a decision they will look to the facts. INFJ’s are just as likely to do the research, but still end up trusting what “feels” right in the end.
Tactics and Will:
Judgers (J) prefer clear rules and guidelines. They see deadlines as sacred and seek the closure of a matter. People strong in J might find that Achiever is in their top five Strengths Finders. These tend not to fly by the seat of their pants into a situation; rather, they observe it for a while an see which way it’s going.

As I was reflecting on all of this, I found the picture at the top of this post, and it hit me:

Counselor. 

That's who I am.

Pastor didn't feel right, because I can't tell you how much I DO NOT have the gift of Administration. I can't get a crowd together and organized, I barely want to be in the crowd myself.

But Counselor?

If there was one value added that consistently described about my non-work roles at work (all of the jobs I've worked in any field) it was that people called me the Team Pastor, because I served in the role of a what many would call a Pastor.

I was Teacher and Answer Man to those who had questions (theological to random facts), I was Mr. 411.

Also, I was calm and skillful advisor to those who were hurting. If you were looking for a party organizer, I was not your guy. If you were looking to go to someone after an upset or tragedy, that was me.

If you had to ask "Why God?", I was the one they came to.

Counselor.

Hmmm....

I think I could own that title. How about:

Online Counselor?

Online Spiritual Tour Guide? Too Cheesy... sounds like Ms. Cleo. Nope.

Hmmm...

I guess I'll keep working on that.

How about you? Looking at the life you have lived until now, and all of the roles you've played: 

What themes or common strings run through that history? 

How has your calling worked itself out over time in your life? 

Comment on this post, or Hit me up on Twitter @DarrellWolfe , Google +DarrellWolfe, Facebook DarrellGWolfe

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More about BeStillBeLed <here>

By Darrell Wolfe

• New Here? Start HERE
• Got LIFE?
• Insight In Your Inbox: Sign up for email delivery here. 
• Click Here To Get My Book: "Banking Basics for Believers", which guides you through the basics of banking and money from a Christian Perspective. 

Read more →

Stronghold Cycles: Why do I keep making the same mistakes over and over again?

Have you ever been frustrated because you kept repeating the same failures over and over again? I have. In fact, I have been living there more often than not for most of my life. 

One of the first major steps I've taken toward getting free was joining Gateway Church, Southlake TX; and going to their Kairos event. It's open to all people, all churches, from all over the country. If you are looking for Freedom, I suggest you come.

The following are my notes from: "Kairos - When Eternity Steps Into Time" by +GatewayPeople 

Disclosures

*Originally Posted as notes on my personal Bible Study Blog, adapted for this post. 

*My Notes - This is the type of event you really need to experience, it cannot be explained. These notes below are what I got out of it. You might get totally different things. I strongly suggest you make plans to attend. It's open for all churches. You can register (HERE).

Appetite for the Eternal

The Soul (mind, will, emotions) is the place of temptation.  Our spirit was saved, our soul is being saved, our body is slowly dying now, but will be saved.

 Ecclesiastes 3 - There is an appointed season for every purpose under heaven.

• Physical Pain is a gift of God to tell us something is wrong with our body and it needs to heal. Ex: If you were to begin slowly cutting your hand off, your body would tell you to STOP IT! Physical Pain awakens us to a physical problem.

• Soul Pain (mind, will, emotions) is the same thing. It tells you that there is something wrong. Emotional pain awakens us to our soulish problems.

• Spiritual Pain awakens us to our eternal needs. In the light of eternity, good things on earth should not satisfy us into complacency, nor should bad things pain us into hopelessness.

“Eternity Minded: Good things should not satisfy unto complacency; nor should pain lead to hopelessness.” Tweet That

Question: Do you want God... or just what God can do for you? 

Am I receiving the benefits of God with Gratitude, or treating them as entitlements? 

If I treat God as my servant, saying "Do what I want... now!"

• Any answered prayer will strengthen my sense of entitlement
• Any non-answered prayer will cause a deeper sense of pain. 

God cannot win, when you are playing the role of boss. Without gratitude there is no relationship.

What is the nature of sin? What is sin? What is not sin?

SIN = Seeking 2nd things/attachment to the wrong things. 

• When we seek 2nd things, we loose the 1st things, and the second things are lost as well. 
• When we seek 1st things, the 2nd things are thrown in for free.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 NKJV 

• Sin is not: Breaking the Rules
• Sin is: Heart Condition, Inherited from Adam

• Sin is not: Bad Behavior
• Sin is: Falling Short of Glory

...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 NKJV

• The Sin Solution is not: Better Behavior
• The Sin Solution is: New Heart/Spirit

Sin came when we chose knowledge of the right vs wrong over the force of LIFE.

The sin solution is not a better knowledge and practice of good, it is connecting to the Source/Force of LIFE itself.

What is a Stronghold?

Strongholds are soulish, and can be recognized when we know that God's word says "A", but we believe "X" based on our experiences. Bob Hamp

• I know God says "Healing is yours", but I believe I won't be healed... 

• I know God says that I will prosper by following His way, but I'll just be poor my whole life...

These are the types of statements someone makes when caught in a stronghold.

I know God's Word says... But my experience says... I believe my experience.

 We need to understand "HERE" from the perspective of "THERE"

God gave me a funny comparison. The difference between earth and heaven, is similar to the difference between the 1950's Superman Comic Book, and the 2013 Man of Steel Movie.

Compare the graphics of a 1950's Comic

To the CGI effects of a 2013 Movie.



******************

Establishing Identity/Hearing God

Story One: Deaf Guy -

There was a deaf man, and a new Sign Language (ASL) instructor came in. This man was ignored by everyone, so she took him on. She came to him and signed "My name is Karen", and he signed back in perfect ASL, "My name is Karen". She was surprised. She she signed "No, my name is Karen, what is your name?" He signed back "No, my name is Karen, what is your name?" Puzzled, she began to realize that this deaf man had words... but he did not have language. He did grasp the meaning of words. Words contain images, ideas, concepts. They are containers for thoughts. They communicate thoughts. If you have the words but no language, you cannot communicate, you can only Parrot. She worked with this man until one day he jumped from his chair and signed "I GET IT! This is a chair, things have names!" And he started the slow process of learning language.

Story Two: Pastors Kid -

There was a pastors kid who grew up to be a pastor on staff at the same church his Dad pastored. Do to some things mean church goes had said, there was a lie in his head that he had no real talent or ability, and that the only reason he was on staff was because of who his Dad was. One day God breaks through and tells him: "Listen, you have not gotten where you are because of your talent and ability, you HAVE gotten where you are because of who your Father is... and I AM YOUR FATHER! Because of that, no man can put you in, and no man can take you out."

You cannot think without language. Words connected to ideas are how language takes place, and it takes language to think. Babies and Dogs probably both dream images, but they do not "think" as we do. Thinking requires language.

When we struggle with our walk with God, it is often because we are "hearing" another voice, not the voice of our Shepherd.

Questions to ask God, and listen for Him to answer them.

1. What are you saying to me today, about me?
2. What names have I believed about me today that are not from you?
3. What are the names You, God, would have me believe?
4. What lie/name have I believed about you?
5. What name do you want me to know about you?

 Now STOP... listen after each question. Take several minutes if you need to. Listen for His answers.

Anatomy of a Stronghold

Anatomy of a Stronghold

• Event - Caused by external factors, creates a pain point in your life. 

• Lie - The enemy took this event as an opportunity to tell you a lie about it, that you believed. 

• Defense/Comfort - Some action that brings comfort and feels right, based on the lie. 

• Reaction - Either other people's reaction to my defense, or a natural by-product of the comfort/defense creates a similar event to that which caused the lie, and reinforces the lie, so I go deeper into my comfort, and the reaction happens again. 

Thus the cycle is strong with each turn.

Example One: Financial Stronghold

1. Event - Financial Set Back
2. Lie - I perceive that God Doesn't Come Through/Provide for Me the way I thought He would.
3. Comfort/Defense - Seek to spend money on food/fun. "Oh well"
4. Reaction - Money Spend unwisely creates another financial setback...

Example Two: Relationship Stronghold (affected friendships, relationships, sex life, etc...)

1. Event - Rejected/Beat Up/Bullied by a stereo-type Male Jock
2. Lie - I am Intellectually Superior to most men, and all Jocks.
3. Comfort/Defense - Seek affection, comfort, and validation from Women. Keep no male friends. Reject sports unless women are there (like gymnastics). Get addicted to relationships with women like a drug, moving from one to the next rapidly seeking validation. Push most forms of male friendship away, in some cases feel greatest satisfaction when I take a woman from a male (especially a jock-type). 
1. Only friends are women, gay men, or men who show a tendency for favoring intellectual or artistic pursuits over physical ones.
4. Reaction -  Men keep their distance, or worse bully. Thus, rejected by men, thus reinforcing the lie...

The Painful Event was not the problem, the lie we believed about it is the problem. If you can begin to identify each of the four components of the cycle, you can interrupt the cycle, and start a positive strong hold instead.

1. Event - Any Event
2. TRUTH -
3. True Comfort - 
4. Positive Reaction -

The problem with negative strongholds, is that they create a wall that doesn't just keep bad stuff from getting in, it keeps good stuff from getting in too.

It also ties you to the very thing you wanted to be free from. Saying " I'll never by like my Dad..." is the best way to guarantee that you will be!

These vows FEEL right, but are WRONG. Nobody can take down your stronghold for you. But neither can you do it yourself. You need the Holy Spirit to show you which bricks to remove, in which order, and let Him empower you to remove them one by one.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,  

Solution:

Repent does not mean to change your behavior. It is a changing of the heart and mind, and behavior is a byproduct of that change. But it's not just a changing of the mind to say "Oh... that' bad, I should stop.". That is a religious change of mind. That is rooted in the Knowledge of Good, not the Tree of LIFE.

Repentance involves a change in how I perceive reality. As I connect to The LIFE, my perspective changes, and I see my current reality differently. 

One of the most fundamental changes in how I perceive reality involves changing the source of truth. I need a new source of truth, and a new source of comfort and protection. You may see in the natural that you are one guy in a house on open land surrounded by armies. Elijah.

Which would you rather be, that guy with a wall built around the house, hoping the enemy doesn't get in? Or that guy with a house on open land, with your own ARMY 10 times the size surrounding the army that surrounds you? Meanwhile, you keep the view unobstructed by walls, and good things can still come freely to visit?

2 Kings 6
New American Standard Bible
Then Elisha prayed and said, "O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." And the LORD opened the servant's eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

1. Ask God: "Father, reveal a significant event that happened in my life."
2. Ask God: "Father, reveal the lie I believed about that event."
3. Ask God: "Father, reveal the comfort/defense I seek after believing that lie."
4. Ask God: "Father, reveal the natural/people reaction from that comfort/defense."
5. Father, I confess "insert lie here" as a lie. Forgive me for believing that lie. What truth would you have me believe instead?
6. Father, what comfort/defense should I believe/seek instead? 

Walk that out... day by day, event by event... building a new positive stronghold.

Grace and Receiving Forgiveness

Nothing we every DO can result in forgiveness. Everything HE HAS DONE resulted in forgiveness. Our part is to receive.

The same thing is true for all of God's benefits. God heals, we receive. God delivers, we receive. God prospers, we receive.

When we pray for people to get healed, our part is to pray in faith, and lay hands. God's part is to heal.

1. I take responsibility to pray in faith, and lay hands. My job is done. 
2. They take responsibility to receive healing. 
3. God's part is to heal. 

I take NO responsibility for God's part. If healing comes I take no credit. If healing doesn't appear to come right away, I take no blame. THAT takes all the pressure off of ME, and puts it where it belongs, on God. "Sir/Madam, I can teach you about God, help you build faith and understand His will. I can pray in faith, and I can lay hands on you... and that is where I stop. I've never healed anybody. Not ever. Only God heals. You receive it. I can't do your part, and I certainly can't do God's. Are you ready to believe?" 

**************

The Worst Sinner EVER...

God showed me something during class today that floored me.

Matthew 27:45-54
45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. 46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" 47 Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, "This Man is calling for Elijah!" 48Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. 49 The rest said, "Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him." 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, "Truly this was the Son of God!"

Jesus had prayed earlier for the Father to forgive them (the men who were killing him), they knew not what they do. Here, at the end, when Jesus dies, there is an earthquake, and major stuff goes down... the centurion, one of the men responsible for actually doing the crucifixion feared saying

"Truly, this was God's kid"... 

I got a picture in my mind of this man being one of the several driving the nails into his hands and feet, and enjoying it, because he took pride in his work.

After all, these men deserve to die, and he was good at his job ensuring it happened.

But when he has the realization that he's just killed God's Son... he has a sinking fear that he's done something wrong... that this one didn't deserve it. He's instantly changed from executioner to murderer.

The Centurion feared not just for his life... but for his soul. And for the first time he comes face to face with his need for eternal things.

I doubt he got saved there, at the cross... maybe he did.

I do think that he recalled "Father... forgive them, they know not what they do..." and I think that phrase echoed throughout his mind and heart. I don't know if it happened right then, or if it was after Pentecost and he was among the crowd that heard the first sermon from Peter.

Maybe he was one of the first 3,000 to get saved? Maybe not, because he was a centurion and not a Jew. Non Jews didn't get saved until Paul came on the scene, or Peter at Cornelius house. But weather it was right there, as Jesus hung on that tree, or days, weeks, or months later...

Did he go back, to the spot where HE killed Jesus...? Did he receive that forgiveness Jesus offered?

And if the man who actually drove the nails into Jesus' hands could be forgiven... couldn't you?

It's hard to say how much of the story is true, but Church History does record the name of Longinus as the head centurion at the Cross, who spoke those words "surely this is God's Son" and he because a Church leader, and fiery preacher.


*

Tweet These:
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More about BeStillBeLed <here>

And now I leave you with a question:

So... what are your thoughts about this? What did this make you think about? 

Comment on this post, or Hit me up on Twitter @DarrellWolfe , Google +DarrellWolfe, Facebook DarrellGWolfe, 

Tweet These:
#TellYourStory#BeStillBeLed

By Darrell Wolfe

Storyteller, Creative, INFJ, Intellection, Ideation, Input, Learner, Achiever

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I need to Die... The secret to LIFE



Rothenburg ob der Tauber 2011 St Jakob 002 (Wiki)



The Wood Carver

The smell of saw dust and morning dew fills his body with electricity. Arthur can feel his mind kick over, like the motor on his chain saw, coming alive. The scent of cut wood and well-worn tools in the shop cause his eyes to widen and heart to pump faster. Another day has come, another opportunity to get closer.

It started with a large tree trunk, Red Wood, 9 feet tall and 6 feet in diameter. He used a chain saw at first, gauging chunks away at a time. But as the form took shape he put the power tools down and switched to his knife, chisels, and mallet.

Arthur Holtz enjoyed his life’s work with vigor and passion. Many of his old friends mocked him. “… throwing away all that talent on one lifelong project, when he could be selling smaller, more manageable works for a fortune!” Arthur ignored them, cut ties, and kept working. They’d never understand. This was his purpose for being.

Arthur didn’t notice at first, when the form had not yet taken shape… but as the details began to become apparent, he realized he had one problem.

The overgrowth.

Every morning, the work he had completed the day before was over grown with vines, weeds, moss, and thorns. He would have to spend the first part of the morning cleaning up the overgrowth, before continuing his venture toward the image buried in his minds’ eye.

If he dared to leave it alone for a week at a time, he could hardly recognize the work he had completed, buried beneath the new growth. The tendency to delay for weeks or months at a time, then work in binges was counterproductive and hard. He would spend more time undoing the new overgrowth then getting the image brought forward.

Therefore, he made a decision to keep working daily, instead of binging on his work. It was an easy and enjoyable task when done daily. The real image, the image that this tree was meant to bear, was buried beneath the outer shell and growth of the world around it.

Galatians 2:20 NIV

http://www.biblestudytools.com/galatians/2-20.html

20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

The secret to living a full LIFE, is to die.. to self. We were born with an old sin nature, thanks to the First Adam. The Second Adam caused us to be reborn. The Image of The One is inside of us. However, the only way to access that image is to die to self and allow His Image to come forth.

We must daily die to self, and let the image of God come through a little more each day.

Arthur, common nickname: Art

HOLTZ (wood) (used for someone whose occupation involved wood),

*

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And now I leave you with a question:

So... Are you carving daily?

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By Darrell Wolfe

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Trust in LIFE Comes while we Listen for the Voice of God.

Attribute: Listen, Understand, Act | By Steven Shorrock

I am a fellow traveler, walking with you on this journey to Pursue LIFE, and more and more of it. I have not obtained perfectly, but this one thing I do...

I press forward to take hold of the very thing that has taken hold of me.... LIFE.

Today... I want to be honest. I'm struggling. I don't struggle with God's reality, that was settled forever in my childhood. I don't struggle with sin or guilt, because I know Jesus' Blood purged ALL my sin (past, present, and future) from me.

What am i struggling with? Trust.

There have been times that I thought I knew what God was doing, and I was wrong. When God came through it was better than I could have conjured up on my own. But in some cases, it was much longer than I had planned, years even.

As I was reading articles on Trusting God, I came across this great one, here, and this paraphrased quote:

Don't be TOO accessible to the pressures of the moment... Listen for the voice of God. 

Ah... there it is again... #BeStillBeLed.

I've been hearing God repeat that, like a mantra since Last July. And yet again, I've forgotten it. No matter how often I let it slip, it comes back. I need to get up early, but I need to do this before I go to bed. So take a few moments today, NOW if you can, and get really still before God. Listen, don't speak. Hear what He would say. Only after receiving instructions do you take action. Then, just take the next indicated step.

Just like the show, The Amazing Race, don't just haul off down the road going 100 miles an hour on the path you think He meant you to take. Stop at each point for the next direction.

Tweet These:
#TellYourStory 

#BeStillBeLed

More about BeStillBeLed <here>

And now I leave you with a question:

So... what are your thoughts about this? What did this make you think about? 

Hit me up on Twitter @DarrellWolfe or on Google +DarrellWolfe

By Darrell Wolfe

• New Here? Start HERE
• Got LIFE?
• Insight In Your Inbox: Sign up for email delivery here. 
• Click Here To Get My Book: "Banking Basics for Believers", which guides you through the basics of banking and money from a Christian Perspective. 

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