The Loop and the Loop Hole

To review, I am closing this out  Jeremiah 17: 10, 11. It is very hard to trust God when we have been very wounded by trusting broken people. God understand broken things act and react in broken ways. His loop hole in this insane hamster wheel, is to make us unbroken in His wholeness. The heart is deceitful above all things,and desperately sick;who can understand it?

“I the LORD search the heart and test the mind,to give every man according to his ways,according to the fruit of his deeds.”Like the partridge that gathers a brood that she did not hatch,so is he who gets riches but not by justice;in the midst of his days they will leave him,and at his end he will be a fool.

Below is where we started, it is important to come full circle:

If God said it is not good to be alone, why are committed relationships so gut wrenching in comparison to our extra-curricular relations. Why do we make meaningful promises with a good intent and yet so flippantly forsake our own words. We are aware that we are pummeling hopes, dreams, commitments and compromising our loved ones abilities to painstakingly not retaliate in an evil way. But more significantly, they must continually attempt to trust in God and love well.God's desire is for us to run under His wing.......will we?

God is not a masochist; He knows we cannot uphold relationship commitments by sheer grit.   We are made in His image; and we are ABLE to do this …..Because He lives.  Don’t miss this: If we could do it without God, then He would not get to be intimate with people.  Not physically, because He doesn't have a body like ours. He created a loop hole though; He lives in this world now INSIDE us!  Again, don’t miss this:  It is not US who won’t leave people destitute.  It is God within us; we simply must allow His will to mature us.

Our weak willed spirit cringes at the thought of having to put up with all the icky, sticky, goo of close relationships. God said He wants to wrap us under wing...some people would think that is terribly suffocating! I had someone say to me once, “ I won’t leave you ........destitute.”   It appeared that they felt this should be something to trust, as if it could possibly sow up the deep wound they caused and numb my pain/suffering.  I said to myself, “Do they not realize destitute means left forsaken. 

We have discussed many times that we can only do our part – this is the reason God tells us, “Be at peace as far as it depends on YOU.”   No one can repair or reconcile a relationship without a reciprocating “you” involved; agreed?  If someone does not desire peace “with others” then they only desire comfort for them self.  The reason we get confused at times, is because some of the things others receive comfort from happens when they comfort us.  Maybe this is the reason for all the proverbs in regard to the deceptions of our feelings.   

Comfort is the nemesis to maturity, especially in our maturity within Christ’s body. God desires to lavish His love on everyone.  But as we see, not everyone wants to receive real love.  Who knows all the reasons why they find it terribly uncomfortable to stay close, really let others in.  Sometimes they find it too hard to keep distance and leave.   It does hurt and it even harms them, us and anyone else entangled. And, it deeply grieves the Holy Spirit, but they find all this easier than allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to work for them...And God keeps trying anyway.

We cannot force peace because then it is not kindness, it is controlling.   Do not allow yourself to be verbally bullied either, you are a peacemaker; not a mute point.   If you are attempting to relate with immaturity (or call it whatever you wish) it will repeatedly verbally and sometime physically desire to push you out the door, so to speak.  We do not have to take part in destroying relationships, but to not speak the truth in love also destroys intimacy.  

And lastly, remember:  With God as your witness, in all you say and do…..simultaneously you are His witness that He is alive and well in YOU!    This is why where Christ is there is liberty, so honor your commitments – Don’t leave God forsaken!

In Love with Christ,

Kisses,Candace

 Copyrights Reserved ©Candace Huffmaster 2014

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc.®

Help Me Escape!

Think of how often our emotions drive us to escape discomfort in any way possible.  We numb ourselves, over stimulate and distract our focus on pondering the real reason for our lack of comfort.  Why do we seek comfort so much??? Who wants to be stressed, anxious, accountable, responsible for the pain we cause ourselves and others?  The list goes on but I will stop there.

Comfort is a state of being comforted.  It is a space in which your body feels physically relaxed, where we may have relief from pain or anxiety.  Comfort comes from an outside source, whether you go to a person or place or the person comes to you.  I will even go as far to say that if the environment has a person of encouragement then there could be a higher form of physical and possibly mental comfort as well.

Now think about peace:
 

Peace is a state as well. The state is calm and serene.  You can define when you are residing in this state due to the freedom from conflict.  Even in comfort you can have a vibe which is not tranquil and calm.  Peace is a quiet state, free from disturbances or noise.  It is a mental serenity where anxiety does not exist.  There is harmony among environment and individuals. 

We know God tells us to keep our peace, to hold our peace, to extend our peace.  He tells us to refrain from violence, avoid senseless arguments, to forgive when someone harms us, but not to allow those who do not repent and strive to be peaceable to enter or stay in our intimate space.

We are told to protect our heart because out of it flows the issues of life.  Peace resides in our heart.  God searches the depths of our heart or our intent.  He tells us to be mindful of all we do and not to grieve His holy spirit, which resides within our depths.  He also tells us we can prevent conflict ~ to be at peace with others as far as it depends on us.  But others “bother” our peace……..speaking for myself at least.  I am sure no one else has this problem.

In fact, as I am typing this, my peace is being bothered due to people who seem to be oblivious to others in their midst……..

What I have had to come to the realization of is that keeping my peace is up to me.  Leaving, when others do not desire to be considerate, is up to me as well.  If others care enough about me and desire to have me around, they must return the peace I extend.  God expects us to speak up, in humility and love, so that others may realize the gravity of their actions.  What they do with that information is between them and God.  We do not speak up to be unkind or cause them discomfort – actually it is just the opposite.  If you love them, you will encourage them to move beyond their desire for comfort and reach the higher state: PEACE, Shalom.  But remember they were given the right to free will.  Leave them in their state and you travel on to yours. 

The problem seems to be that people do not desire to leave the comfort of their discomfort to move on.  Realize this also though, look back at the definition; they do not want to be alone in their discomfort either – they need some outside source or place to ease their pain.  God is their ever present help in their time of discomfort.  He does not want you to hang around and comfort them when they are causing their own discomfort, as well as the discomfort to others.  So move on and hopefully they will find the strength to come into the state of Peace.

Comfort is actually the enemy of peace – Think about it…….please, think about it.  I know I am!
 

Kisses,

Candace

©Candace Huffmaster 2012, All Copy Rights Reserved

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc.®

How Can I Hold Something I Can't See?

John 14: 27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give you.  Do not let your heart be troubled nor let it be fearful.

Matthew 10:11-14 When you go into a city or village, look for people who will listen to you there.  Stay with them until you leave.  When you go into a house, greet the family.  If it is a family that listens to you, allow your greeting to stand.  But if it is not receptive, take back your greeting.  If anyone doesn't welcome you or listen to what you say - leave that house or city and shake it's dust off your feet.

Our "Honestly" topics have been: keeping the peace, being pressed on all sides, integrity, staying on the correct path and being aware of our journey amongst others.  While we have many kitchy analogies Christ has the answer; peace.  And He is clear that there is more than one peace.  He lovingly tells us to listen to His advice, His wisdom, His warning.......

Christ did not want us to be afraid of this world and the antics of others.  He told us He was not going to abandon us like everyone else does.  He also doesn't commit himself unto us as the world does.  Christ left us more than empty words, an empty gift box if you will.  He is the Good Sheppard; His parting memento for us to "cling to" until He returns for us was His Peace.   

Think about this:  Christ used this peace to get Him through everything He experienced.  It wasn't like some hand-me down because He wasn't going to need it any longer. It was something HE clutched which empowered Him, silenced the raging storms, allowed Him to not get offended, comforted Him when everyone else ridiculed Him, left Him, abused Him.......  It was precious to him!  We also know that there is more than one peace.  Think about all the "things" we hold on to claiming momentary peace.  But those are not what He was talking about.  His ONE and ONLY precious peace He could leave us and did not withhold from us.  Christ was going home.  He was one within God and God is LOVE.  There is no fear in LOVE.  So there is never a disturbed moment in eternity. Where He is Liberty and that IS peace. 

We may have been told this, even claim the knowledge of it; but do we really believe it?  IF we do believe it, why do we not "hold on to it"?  Do we set it down?  Do we throw it at someone?  Do we open the box and perceive nothing is there?  WHAT does it look like?  Would we know it if we WERE holding it????????

In my opinion these points are the reason for our delima, it's an enigma to us.  We cannot understand what it "Looks Like" we only perceive if we have or do not have it based on our feelings. Yet, we are told not to be driven by our emotions.  Sounds crazy doesn't it?  But God isn't trying to feed us with frenzy.  He is desiring us to think, to be still, to listen and learn. 

So...let's pick up where we left off.  We had just aligned ourselves with the accuser.  We all know we would never do that purposefully.  But remember, we were pressed and feeling like dust.  WHAT Happened???
Trusting the word of God, I'd have to say we did not heed the discerning words of Christ from Matthew 10. (oops!) 

Remember from the Deeply Series, we discussed "extending peace"  We reflected on our peace not being received, or sometimes it was taken but not shared.  When we extend peace, but the peace is not returned we are supposed to leave "with our peace". We are not called to be bound again as if we were never liberated.  We are not to stick around and get pummelled!  Even in marriage we are told if the one we are bound to decides they do not want to believe the truth, we are to allow them to go.  We are not "under" obligation or bondage in such a case; but to remember God has called us to be peaceable people. 

Sometimes I think we kick dust from our feet after we have given away our peace.  When I think about this I see us acting a bit like Herman Munster throwing a temper tantrum. I am embedding the YouTube link to an episode of The Munsters where Herman starts out teaching Edie their family values on being peaceable people.  However, when Herman's own rubber hit the road his vehicle  did not quiet stay on his well intended path.  I don't know if the ONLY reason Christ had to leave His perfect environment in the heavenlies was to show us "what it looks like when the rubber hits the road and stays on track to the finish line" or not, but I do know we really should be grateful that He did. 

We get our biblical definition of "hold peace" from the Greek word SIGAO - which means to keep silent, keep close (secret, silence), hold peace. Sigao is from the primary Greek word SIGE meaning to hiss, silence.  This reminded me of when Christ was being pummelled by the crowds, we are told He kept silent:  He held his words, He did not enter into their battle.  He was undoubtedly being provoked......But he "held his peace" anyway. 

Lastly, I want us to be aware that holding our peace is not our weapon.  The gift was "The Peace" itself. The Greek word EIRENE (which phonetically sounds like irony :0) it is defined as peace, rest - denoting an absence or end to strife.  It is a state of untroubledness! Can you imagine what it would be like to abide in undisturbed well being?  Here is a further description from Lexical Aids: 

Such a state of peace is the object of divine and saving promise and is brought about by God's mercy, granting deliverance and freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as a result of sin.  Peace as a Messianic blessing is that state brought about by the grace and loving mind of God wherein the derangement and distress of life caused by sin are removed.  hence, the message of salvation is called the Gospel of peace.  It can only be the result only of accomplished reconciliation, referring to the new relationship between man and God brought about by the atonement.

I pray that today, firstly you enjoy the relationships around you.  Be out there among people as salt and light.  Don't be some heavy legalistic non relate-able martyr that a worldly person is offended by you.  Remember, you are in their world - they are not in yours.  You are supposed to be leading them into another dimension.  You cannot do that if they are running the other way from you.  Give them something which resembles peace, be something brilliant that makes them take a second glance!  Allow Christ to walk among them and meet them right where they are - hopefully if you and I will stand in the moment silently pressed between the heavens and what is below, His spirit will flood their realm and they will be amazed by His truth flowing up from within us.  Enjoy this episode -
Have a Holy Halloween - BE a Holy Spirit today!
Kisses,
Candace

"A Romans 8 Kind of Week"

This weekend I am sending a couple of lighter hearted things as a review of things from much earlier topics.  Likewise, this is how we are supposed to use our memories of past choices, experiences etc.  They are for reflection and discernment - not dogmatic as to what will be happening again in this moment.  It is all about choices.....

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 "This is a Romans 8 Kind of Week.....and it is only Wednesday!" 

  

It is weeks like this when I see God's sense of humor and hear him encouraging me to take a deep breath, and remember...He knows what is going on in / around us.

So at this moment when my computer "seems" to be crashing, relationships "appear" to be disconnected, and my flesh "feels" like it is flailing - I pull close to God and curl up with Romans 8 and take a REALLY deep breath.  I will not grab the carrots that my mind is enticing me with.  I will believe God and persevere.

In line with what God has told us in the beginning of His Story to us, I ask you to meditate on the scriptures below today.   I thank God that all is well.  I thank him with a humble heart for the mercy and grace to get to the other side of Today with wholeness, peace ...and yes, even joy! 

Romans 8:20- (NAS)

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

With Love ~ Sending Peace,
Kisses,
Candace