Freedom From vs Freedom ToBe

For many Freedom is understood through the lense if being free from...

Addiction
Pain
Loneliness
Him/Her
The Situation
The Job
Debt
Poverty
Etc.

So we follow the rat race seeking whatever we think will make us free. When that doesn't provide the freedom we sought, we seek another fix, and another... An endless cycle of seeking freedom but never being free.

What if Freedom has nothing to do with whatever jail you are in, however you've defined your personal jail.

What if Freedom is about becoming WHO you were always meant to be... And in that pursuit all the "other" (addiction, pain, the jails) falls off when you aren't even looking...

You don't know when you got "free from", you just look back and realize you don't have all the issues you had. You have battles in front of you but you have definitely won some battles too, and you didn't​even notice you had won.

It's as though the act of becoming a butterfly was so profound that you have trouble remembering what it was like to crawl.

People who lose a limb often experience phantom pains in the missing limb. This is because the neural pathways are still there even though the limb is gone.

Prescribing meds for the pain only serves to reenforce the pathway telling the brain the limb is still there.

The key is to retrain the brain, create new pathways, show the brain the limb is gone. To do this, the new nerve endings must be activated. Rubbing the new stump of the leg with a variety of materials, soft, hard, scratchy, etc., causes the brain to rewire and recognize the new stump, creating new neural pathways.

That's your job, and my job, now... Scratch the new limb. That's the purpose of prayer and Bible study, church, small groups, etc...

They are not dead religious activities, they are opportunities to scratch the new limb (your born again spirit).

Go scratch something...

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Freedom From vs Freedom ToBe

For many Freedom is understood through the lense if being free from...

Addiction
Pain
Loneliness
Him/Her
The Situation
The Job
Debt
Poverty
Etc.

So we follow the rat race seeking whatever we think will make us free. When that doesn't provide the freedom we sought, we seek another fix, and another... An endless cycle of seeking freedom but never being free.

What if Freedom has nothing to do with whatever jail you are in, however you've defined your personal jail.

What if Freedom is about becoming WHO you were always meant to be... And in that pursuit all the "other" (addiction, pain, the jails) falls off when you aren't even looking...

You don't know when you got "free from", you just look back and realize you don't have all the issues you had. You have battles in front of you but you have definitely won some battles too, and you didn't​even notice you had won.

It's as though the act of becoming a butterfly was so profound that you have trouble remembering what it was like to crawl.

People who lose a limb often experience phantom pains in the missing limb. This is because the neural pathways are still there even though the limb is gone.

Prescribing meds for the pain only serves to reenforce the pathway telling the brain the limb is still there.

The key is to retrain the brain, create new pathways, show the brain the limb is gone. To do this, the new nerve endings must be activated. Rubbing the new stump of the leg with a variety of materials, soft, hard, scratchy, etc., causes the brain to rewire and recognize the new stump, creating new neural pathways.

That's your job, and my job, now... Scratch the new limb. That's the purpose of prayer and Bible study, church, small groups, etc...

They are not dead religious activities, they are opportunities to scratch the new limb (your born again spirit).

Go scratch something...

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Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep...

Idaho isn't all it was cracked up to be in my head. We got here with a few arguments along the way, but that's normal trip stuff.

Once we arrived, nothing worked. All the apartments were gone, leased between 1 day and 5 minutes before we arrived. We were stuck at a hotel an extra two weeks.

We eventually landed a small house with no central air, for more than we planned to pay before moving here, but it was clearly a God given find, so we took it.

I'd been contacted over and over for writing contracts, once I got here, those calls vanished. I ended up at an amazing company, one I think I can make a great career with, but at half the pay I was expecting before moving to Idaho (the pay those writers contracts would have paid).

We planned to attend a specific church, but once we got here it never clicked, never felt right. We found another, it's clicking, but there's a lot to miss about our home church in Texas. I miss nothing about Texas, except that church.

So... Now what? No clue. Trust God, follow his voice. See what's next...

Valla Con Dios...

We'll keep listening. We'll serve where we're planted. Take the opportunities as they come. Go from there...

#BeStill&Hear

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Eternity

Heart of the City Church May 20, 2017 ==================================== The Eternal Season null http://bible.com/events/220385 ==================================== John 8:31-32 NKJV Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” http://bible.com/114/jhn.8.31-32.NKJV II Peter 2:1-3 NKJV But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. http://bible.com/114/2pe.2.1-3.NKJV John 14:6 NKJV Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. http://bible.com/114/jhn.14.6.NKJV II Peter 2:4-11 NKJV For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people , a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)— then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord. http://bible.com/114/2pe.2.4-11.NKJV Matthew 25:41-46 NKJV “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” http://bible.com/114/mat.25.41-46.NKJV Matthew 25:30 NKJV And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ http://bible.com/114/mat.25.30.NKJV Matthew 5:22 NKJV But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. http://bible.com/114/mat.5.22.NKJV Mark 9:43-48 NKJV If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’ And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— where ‘Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.’ And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire— where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’ http://bible.com/114/mrk.9.43-48.NKJV I Timothy 2:3-4 NKJV For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. http://bible.com/114/1ti.2.3-4.NKJV II Peter 3:9 NKJV The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. http://bible.com/114/2pe.3.9.NKJV Heaven Is a Real Place Genesis 2:4 NKJV This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, http://bible.com/114/gen.2.4.NKJV Revelation 21:1-8 NKJV Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” http://bible.com/114/rev.21.1-8.NKJV

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Because... Parents aren't always right. #DadLessons

"Because I said so!", Alex screamed, as he slammed the Bible on the table. The walls shook slightly, the reverberation of his voice trembled through the hall. His face was bright red.

The small boys face muscles scrunched up and he took a step back. Kyle could never know which behavior was going to set his Dad off again. His pulse is beating in his throat. Palms sweaty against his tiny pant legs.

Alex pointed to the back, "Go to your room. Now!"

Kyle reluctantly agreed. In trouble again, but not quite sure why this time. If only he could figure out how to ask a question without triggering world war three.

Kyle took the Lego creation he'd made earlier, the one he'd saved all day to show his Dad, the one his Dad had no time to see right now... He tossed it against the wall. Legos splattered into a million tiny plastic rain drops. He'd probably get in trouble for that too but at least he'd get some attention.

Selah

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White Noise | Distortion | Scene Two | TBC

A few THC pills, more than necessary, stopped Ash's hands from shaking as he filled a short glass with ice and Jameson's. Topping it off with a sleeping pill, and the night was sure to embrace him soon.

The night air bit his nose as Ash stepped out onto the patio; he'd spent worse nights than this in the deserts. Ash zipped up the sub-zero sleeping bag and settled into the hammock. Night owls and bats were still out this time of year and they're combined symphony was the final step to his sleep concoction.

***

The mess hall wasn't as full this time of day. The food was dry by late afternoon but it was never very good anyway. Ash twirled spegettiini on his fork as two guys nearby chattered on about what they'd do when they get home.

Suddenly time slowed down. The roof caved in and a compression wave through him against the wall. He slid down the wall losing consciousness. 

When he came-to a few moments later there was total chaos. Other buildings were collapsing, missile fire. Through the smoke, Ash saw bodies laying in contorted positions. The two men nearest him wouldn't be going home after all.

He had no injuries that he could feel. Ash tested his balance, nothing broken.

He made his way over the rubble and out through a hole in the wall. Others would care for the wounded this is what he was built for.

The armory. The spoters tower was gone. He grabbed his rifle and made his way to an antenna tower on the edge of camp. Through the scope Ash made out five shooters, two holding miscle launchers. He aimed at the first center mass and fired, re scoped the second launcher and fired again. The first was just falling by the time the second target was hit.

The remaining three were crouching behind some rocks. One ran for the hill side, then there was two. Like coke cans on a fence.

Two ran for the Jeep, keeping their heads down. He didn't need to see them, just the seat backs. 

One

Zero

The Jeep drove off into a hillside. By this point the troops had geared up and drove out in the Hummers to ensure there were no more. His job was done. 

Days later he received a note...


***

The next day, drowsier than usual, Ash woke to a beam of light piercing his closed eyes. A reflection from the glass sliding door. That meant it was later in the morning than Ash card to admit.

Darrell G. Wolfe

Storyteller | Writer | Thinker | Consultant | Multipotentialite

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Simply Grateful: It's more blessed to give than receive... So be humble and let someone give to you.

Receiving gifts is hard for me... 

Yesterday was orientation and today was my first day at a new job location. They prepared a gift bag full of fun treats and a hand-made card:

I mentioned Pokemon during the interview and they took note of it. Remembered it. Then used it to personalize my card.

Amazing! Stellar Service! Totally blown away.

Inside, though, part of me also took it for granted. Anytime I'm the center of attention I run from it as fast as I can. So I left shortly after and went back to my office to train on the computer.

The whole way back to the desk there was this inner voice saying:

"Aww... that's just what companies do for new hires... you're not that special. Don't let it get to your head..."

News Flash, ladies and gentlemen, that is false humility. It's actually serving to lessen the gift by a refusal to be simply grateful.

I can give and give and give and expect nothing in return, that's second nature to me; however, I have a hard time receiving gifts. There's a strong sense of "I'm not worthy" running underneath everything I do.... every thought I have... and for good reason.

I'm not.

As the Apostle Paul once said, I'm the Cheif of Sinners.

That aside, wallowing in this "I'm not worthy" thought place will keep you from receiving more from God. It will also prevent you from being simply grateful, which is your gift back to the gift-giver.

If you need a spin that makes you feel like you are doing something:

Your gift to the giver is "gratitude". 

Just smile, and say: "Thank you!" The giver is going to feel best when you appreciate the gift. I think I said thank you, but I'm quick to run away from gift-giving sessions in which I am the center of attention. I once ran away from a surprise birthday party and locked myself in a room for hours.

That is wrong.

Humility sometimes means letting someone else have the privilege of being a giver. If it truly is more blessed to give than receive, then someone has to be the receiver for the giver to give to... so allow yourself to be given to, it's an act of service to the giver, an act of humility.

There's nothing you could ever do to earn God's free gift of His son, Jesus. He is a gift. So you owe it to the Father to be simply grateful, and you owe it to the Father to be grateful to his ambassadors too when they give to you on this earth too (whether they know it's from Him or not).

Tomorrow, I'm going to send an email to the team thanking them!

That's my thought for today,

Darrell G. Wolfe

Storyteller | Writer | Thinker | Consultant | Multipotentialite

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