Bugs and Merlin

Do you remember watching this cartoon as a kid?  Yeah... me too. How Merlin the Magician changed Bugs into a pig.. and Bugs simply unzips the pig layer and he is back to his normal self.    We are no different.

I was thinking this morning how I don't react the same way to certain situations like I used to.  Things that would get to me and then I would stew for days... now... I might not even notice.  Or... I might notice and then realize.. nope.. I am not going to go there.  I'm changed!

Well, that is a lot like this cartoon.  Throughout our lives... we have put on certain costumes, I think mainly because of hurts, rejections.. etc.  When we put those costumes on... they were meant to protect us... so that people could not see who we really were.

Well, the Father is calling us to take off those costumes and become genuine.  Those suits are hot, toilsome, stinky.... they make it difficult to breathe and enjoy our lives.

One thing I noticed that I would do... is hold my hands on that zipper so tight!!!   I didn't want that protection to come off.  But finally, I would give in..   I would unzip it and let it fall to the ground... but then... (SMH)    I would just stand there and look at it on the ground.  I would try to remember when I put that suit on.. and who's fault it was... and how... I really liked that suit... and you know..... that suit really did come in handy.... maybe I'll keep this one around........

Another thing that would happen was..... I would unzip one costume and the one underneath looked JUST LIKE THE OLD THE ONE I TOOK OFF!!!!   So, then I would just give up and say... I'm doomed.  I'll never get all these suits off..... or... what if I finally got them off and........ I'M A TURD!

Well, now... I am finally getting it.. I need to let the suits drop... step out of them... and then swiftly walk away....

Let's change saints... Let those old clothes drop off, walk away, don't look back, and enjoy our new life  that is renewed daily in Christ!

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us  Hebrews 12:1

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.  Philippians 3:13

More Than A Conqueror???? Naw...... Not Me!

I am almost convinced that we will never "arrive". That we will always be working on something in our lives. We all have our "stuff". So... be gentle with others... and be gentle with yourself.

Romans 8:37 says we are more than conquerors. ....... I guess that is in our makeup. I have always thought it was a choice... to conquer or just roll over, cover my head until it's over. Hmmm.... perhaps that the same test keeps coming back around.

We were created to conquer. We have to. Perhaps that is why all these tests and trials come our way.... not for punishment. Not because we are not loved.... but because we, as humans are born conquerors! How can you conquer unless......... yep.... that's right.... unless we have something to conquer. Ok, give me my t-shirt.... Kevin The Conqueror!!!

So easy to say.. yet... harder to work out in my every day life.

I am going to try to relax and enjoy the ride!

Slow process

Ever feel like nothing is going on in your life. That you aren't growing, learning or discovering?  Back when you first started on this journey with God... things happened almost constantly.  New revelations, new freedoms, new experiences... but lately.. it doesn't appear that anything is happening.  In fact, it might even seem that you are going backwards.  Well, consider this scripture:

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  Philippians 1:6

Just like  sculptor, when he starts a project with a new piece of marble... the beginning cuts are large, drastic and noticeable. Every time you turn around something major is happening.

The closer that the masterpiece gets to its final image... the less noticeable and smaller the progress will be.  To your eye, it might even seem that the work has stopped... but if you look closely... you will see a small cut here... a tiny chip here.....

Be assured,  that progress is being made and the Father is very
proud of the masterpiece you are becoming.

We Must Become Like Little Children..... Daily!

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein."--Mark 10:15

So often we think that a challenge from scripture is for one moment, one solitary event that we mark on our calendars and reach back in our memories to assure ourselves, "yep.... been there done that!"

But, the longer I walk with God, the more I see that those events and scriptural  challenges need to be revisited and reexperienced in our lives on a daily basis.


When was the last time you became like a little child?  20 years ago.... when you came into God's kingdom?  Last year.... when you saw a glimpse of God's unconditional love for you?  Let me say..... that is not enough!

Hebrews chapter 4 shows us that as long as there is a newness called today that there will be something new to be experienced in God. (Please read the whole chapter)

Verse 7 ..... Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Verse 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

Yesterday is gone..... today is a new day.... I challenge you..... become like a child all over again.  Walk in childlike faith trusting the love and provision of our heavenly Father.

May His peace rest on you this day!

God Works While We Rest

lk: good morning father,

god: good morning son.

lk: wow.. hope is alive again.. god, how do you continue to provie the hope.

god: well kevin, you continue to seek.. and my word says that those who seek will find.. 

lk: god, how many times have i given up.. and then you take me right back.

i remember one specific time when i lived at home wtih my folks.. and i went to slep one night just totally giving up.. but.. i woke up the next morning and said.. good morning god...

god, you worked someting inmy heart.  Holy Spirit.. you did a work while i slept.

wow. theres a sermon in there.. when adam slept... god made woman.. we need to rest in the lord.

we need to trust in god. 

Refrigerator Art

We are created in the image of God. One aspect of that is being "creative".

Proverbs 23:7 says, As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.

What have you created in your life?  Turmoil, anxiety, anger, worry?  Take a good look at your thought life.... that is where the creative process starts.

How?

Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Romans 12:2

I've have some pretty ugly art on my refrigerator (ugghhh).  I'm taking it down and painting some new.  How about you?

This message explains how that process works.

https://youtu.be/mcwMelTRyH8

We are created in the image of God. One aspect of that is being "creative".

Proverbs 23:7 says, As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.

What have you created in your life?  Turmoil, anxiety, anger, worry?  Take a good look at your thought life.... that is where the creative process starts.

How?

Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Romans 12:2

I've have some pretty ugly art on my refrigerator (ugghhh).  I'm taking it down and painting some new.  How about you?

This message explains how that process works.