Happy Jesus Day

He came into our office looking for a job.  Fourteen years ago he stole, and it seems he will never be forgiven. When they brought me his record I said “give him a chance… Jesus would.”  They brought him to my office and you would have thought I gave him a million dollars.  I have spent my life watching… listening… to people spend so much time, pointing out the faults of others.  One religion pointing to another.  One lifestyle finding offense with another. Those who think they are exemplary, finding blame with those that make mistakes. We spend so much time pointing to others sin, without thinking of our own. Until we move beyond the hypocritical insight we are all stuck in, we will never truly learn to love.  We are attached to a petty reward / punishment system.  That way of life will never lead us to love, because it produces in us an ego, to think we are better than the other.  It produces in us the inability to see the sin in our life, but only the sin in others. Richard Rohr said “Those who respond to the call and agree to carry and love what God loves—which is both the good and the bad—and to pay the price for its reconciliation within themselves, these are the followers of Christ.” Sometimes peoples’ past, and the things they have done, keeps them from seeing what they can be and what God put them here for.  Until we love and forgive they will never see Jesus. Matt 7:1-5

I Love You!

Perry   

We never know when it will happen.  We try to orchestrate it, but it must come naturally. It happens to me more, as I live deeper in the spirit.  I have a better understanding what it is… when it comes into being.  When unmatched beauty brings tears.  When being in the presence of God created talent… causes emotion.  When thinking of precious memories brings a sense of peacefulness.  During those times we are experiencing a glimpse, of the kingdom of God.  We are catching a moment in his dream for us. Into the future he has for us.  A future when all things will be, as they were meant to be.  We had gone with friends to Branson, Missouri.  While there we went to an amusement park.  As we entered the show I thought nothing of it.  I was expecting another carnival type show, with comedy and some music.  As the show started I was pleasantly surprised.  A group of young people, all brothers and sisters, sang and played instruments to such perfection, that my heart leaped with joy.  I felt the presence of God so strongly that tears flooded my face. At that moment… I wanted to be in the presence of God more than ever.  Only after we walked away did I realize, I was in his presence…  We live our lives sometimes never truly realizing those times when they happen. We dismiss them as worldly.  But God made such beauty, out of love.  When it happens… rest in his spirit.  Rejoice in his love.  Then step back, and wait for his next gift. John 1:16 

I Love You!

Perry

When she asked me about Happy Jesus Day tears filled my eyes and a lump formed in my throat.  As she placed her hand on my arm she said “I didn’t mean to upset you”.  I explained the burden that weighs on me. The burden that comes with this mission.  A mission that others have felt, which weighed heavy on them as well. To teach LOVE.  Pure… unfiltered…compassionate… love.  Not just to those around us, but to the world.  To teach the true meaning of the heart of Jesus.  A heart that loved everyone without judgement.  A heart that saw more potential in a prostitute, than in a religious leader. A spirit that looked past the behavior and saw the heart.  I think of all the hatred I see daily.  Hatred for the gay community.  Hatred for differing political parties.  Hatred for those that may be of a different race.  Hatred for anyone that believes different than we do.  We live in a world were everyone is more concerned with themselves, than with others.  A world were we have bombs pointed at the next guy, with bombs.  A world were everyone carries a gun, with the thought of having to kill another soul.  The message of our Savior is more about love than about being right.  To learn of the heart of Christ, means to learn to put our hatred and weapons down and become as one.  One with each other.  One with the world around us. One with the spirit of God.  You may say I’m a dreamer.  So be it!  I will be happy to carry that burden!

Matthew 5-7

I Love You!

Perry    

Cowboy hat. Boots with holes.  Large belt buckle, made him look like a skinny cowboy.  He was on the corner, near the supermarket I always visit.  Weather had already turned cold so he was shivering with his cardboard sign.  As I rolled down my window to bless him with twenty dollars, I asked about his situation.  Randy was homeless.  I told him I would pray and that I was worried about him with the cold front approaching. He seemed puzzled, then it hit me, he would not have a way to know about the coming weather. As he walked away he turned… smiled… and said God Bless You!  As I drove away my heart hurt!  What caused him to be there?  What brought his life to this point?  How would he ever get back on his feet, and back to comfort?  So many times when I help someone such as Randy I think “but for the grace of God go I”.  Do you realize that it is only by Gods grace, that any of us have a home and a loving family?  I don’t ever think, for even a moment, it has anything to do with what I have done.  It is only by God that my abilities… my mindset… my circumstances… are favorable in my direction.  I sit in my comfortable chair, in my warm house, and I pray for Randy.  There are many times I wish I could help each of them, and give them a place to stay.  But for now, all I can do is pray, and let Jesus direct as only he can.  

1 Corinthians 15:10

I Love You!

Perry

The day was like any other… but on this day I had to spend a lot of time behind the windshield.  As always I listened to God music. However, this day it all came together in my mind. In a place in my soul… that only God can reach.  I felt a peace that passes understanding.  The kind of peace that makes you one with God the father. One with Christ the son. One with the spirit that engulfs both.  I thought of all the people in my life.  From beginning to now.  So many amazing people, who have crossed my path. People who have touched my heart… my life.  I thought of all the amazing experiences I have had a chance to be exposed to.  Places I have seen and worlds I have encountered.  I suddenly saw Christ in everyone.  The drivers in the other cars.  The people walking along the street.  The ones I talked with when I made stops. I saw God in each tree and each flower.  When Jesus talked of the kingdom of God he was not talking of heaven.  He was talking of his reign here and now, on this earth.  I was experiencing that kingdom… that reign of God.  When we allow the spirit to guide us.  To talk to our soul.  When we allow Jesus to invade our being, we experience the kingdom of God.  It is here all around us. I do believe heaven is waiting, but I also believe heaven is here and now.  We simply have to allow the spirit to guide us there.  

Luke 17:20  

Happy New Year!

Perry

I woke early this morning.  Made my way to my chair, where each morning I study and pray for an hour, to get my day started. This morning I am focused on admiring the tree… the presents… and to ponder this holy day of our Saviors’ birth.  For some today is about presents. For some it’s about lights. For some the food is what brings joy and still others it’s about family.  As I look at the evergreen foliage, covered with decorations, I see a tree that stays alive even in the harshest of winters…  During the coldest season of the year, it endures. To me the tree represents our Savior, and his love that abides during every cold and brutal season of our life. The decorations remind me of how he has blessed our lives, not only with material things, but with the favor of his love.  In the lights I see the burning love he has for his people. His people who no matter how they live their life, his light shines from the center of their soul.  In the presents I see the gift that he gives of unending forgiveness and salvation.  But mostly I see him, in each person, that finds a little more happiness during this time of year.  I pray we find him in everything we see, touch or hear. I pray that we find his love in others and that they in us. A love that grows, because of him, for everyone.  Not just during this season… but all year long.  1 Thessalonians 3:12

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Love, Perry

He was a baby just like any other.  Born with pain. Born with blood.  Born naked and new to the world.  Ten fingers. Ten Toes.  Two feet. Two hands. Two eyes.  Feet that would walk mile after mile, to teach his fathers love.  Feet that would one day hold up the sin of world, on the cross.  Hands that would heal.  Hands that would calm a storm.  Hands that would raise others from the dead.  Eyes that see love, when others see hate.  He looked ordinary to most people, but to those that believed, he looked like heaven.  He cried like any baby does, but to those that believe, it was the sound of freedom. I have often wondered why God chose shepherds to reveal his son to?  Why he chose a lonely stable with its’ filth, its’ odor and its’ disgust.  Why that setting? Why those people?  Because God was proving to history that his son… his life… was meant for everyone.  Not just the religious. The shepherds were considered the lowest of all.  The stable the worse place of all.  It was Gods way of saying my love… my grace… is for the lowest, most despicable person you can think of.  My son will live a life of poverty, at the same time healing and loving as I do. All to prove, my love for each person, no matter who.     

Two thousand years ago our Savior came.  As an ordinary baby dressed in earthly skin, but with a heavenly purpose.  To teach… To save… To sacrifice for you… for me… for everyone…  

Happy Birthday Jesus!!

Perry

Mary… This time of year my thoughts can’t help but turn to her. I think of how young… how innocent she was.  I think of how brave she must have been.  How much she must have been in love with God.  I wonder?  If God ask me to do something as questionable as he asked Mary, would I be willing?  Would I throw away my reputation… my family… my people… my church?  Would I completely turn my life over to God, with my only thought being, how can I please him?  How can I help him change the world?  Not sure I could do something as drastic as Mary.  I don’t know anyone who could in todays’ world. 

She was a virgin.  She knew it.  Her boyfriend knew it.  Everyone else?  I suppose even her parents thought other wise? She was young. She was innocent. She was well respected.  Until…  Then she was frightened.  Then she was ridiculed.  Then she was not welcome.  Then she had doubts.  What a radical God we serve.  What an astonishing God that would take a young girl. Test her. Use her. Yet bless her.  All to prove to us that he is the one and only.  All to prove to us how much he loves… how much he desires to save us.  He could have simply sent an angel holding Christ in their arms.  Why a young peasant girl? Why Mary?  To show us that no matter who we are, he can use us in remarkable ways.   What an amazing way to introduce our salvation.  Jesus!!

Luke 1:38

I Love YOU!

Perry

One hundred and eighty three times Jesus was asked a question.  He only directly answered three.  What if Jesus’ message was hidden and most everyone is missing it?  What if his message was for all religions… all people… and we are so caught up in what we want to believe, we are missing the deepest part of his life?  What if organized religion has distorted his message, in order to self promote?  I like answers.  Daily I ask questions of the people I work with and I want them to give me definitive answers.  Maybe Jesus wanted us to think for ourselves.  It’s easy to follow rules that are written down.  It is much harder to search your heart, for guidance from the spirit.  It’s easy when someone says “do it this way”.  It’s harder if they say be creative and figure it out.  When someone gives us answers we feel secure.  We don’t have to worry about being wrong.  “you told me to do it that way”.  However,  when Jesus taught in parables.  When he avoided answering questions… it leaves it open to interpretation.  Maybe he wanted each of us to figure out who we are… and what is important, in our hearts.  Maybe he wanted to make sure we didn’t hold a bunch of rules over the heads of others, in order to make ourselves feel superior. Maybe the only thing that matters is the most important question he answered. “Love me with all your heart… Love others the same.”  Could it be that simple?  I think so!   Galatians 5:13-15

I Love You!

Perry

As my wife and I got our room assignment I was surprised when I saw the number.  Thirty six floors is a long way up!  As I stand at the window, looking over Denver, I see many highways full of cars. Each with people in them.  I look down and thousands of people are moving along sidewalks, riding the subway, and going here and there!  So often I wonder how the image of God can be in each… but it is. Do they feel the love that comes from that?  I think of each story that is their life.  I think of the love they have, or do not have in that story.  As I survey the crowds of people I am not thinking of who they are or what their lifestyle is.  I simply see Gods’ children.  I feel him saying to me “you are to love them all”.  Does he know how hard that is?  Does he know how much patience that takes? He does! As he loves each with no motive or reason why!  He loves each because they are his!  He loves each because he sees himself in them!  Our ability to love is never at rest and so therefore can never be complete. Each day when our feet hit the floor, is another day to love those around us.  We don’t need to agree with their lifestyle.  We don’t need to look at the way they differ from us.  We simply need to love without judgement, but with compassion. When we do… Christ will shine from our heart!  Romans 14  

I Love You!

Perry