Do you ever find yourself under some load of concern? Someone has let you down. You feel like you are falling short in a relationship. You find yourself often wishing things were different than they are.

This is a common aspect of being human. Realism lives side by side with hope. Jesus said that living in this world would bring us challenges and opportunities. With this He indicated we should live in joy. How? Because He has overcome everything. Everything.

After the sons of Israel had experienced decades in captivity God brought them back to their land. Part of this story is found in the book of Nehemiah.

Then he said to them, “Go, eat the best, drink the sweet, and share with others who have nothing prepared; for today is holy to our Lord God. Do not be (sucked into worry), for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” You could also say this “strengthen yourselves in God’s joy.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

I have found this kind of joy to be the antidote to fear and disappointment. It also addresses my natural tendency toward diminished hope. There is simply nothing which escapes the power of God. Good and evil. Joy and pain. Destiny and meaning. As humans we always look through the lens of mankind – and we forget there is Someone above and beyond what we can see.

If you were going to comment upon yourself as a person who experiences joy what would you say? Do you sense this kind of joy inside of your heart? In the way you look at life? Your relationships? Your faith?

I have learned to allow joy about God to grow in my heart and soul and mind. As I encounter my challenges I can turn to this joy to find deep strength. And this kind of strength can carry me through. 

“I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”  – John 13:33/Jesus in the Message

What kind of joy is this?!

Your engage page about Joy

A good joy song

Do you ever find yourself under some load of concern? Someone has let you down. You feel like you are falling short in a relationship. You find yourself often wishing things were different than they are.

This is a common aspect of being human. Realism lives side by side with hope. Jesus said that living in this world would bring us challenges and opportunities. With this He indicated we should live in joy. How? Because He has overcome everything. Everything.

After the sons of Israel had experienced decades in captivity God brought them back to their land. Part of this story is found in the book of Nehemiah.

Then he said to them, “Go, eat the best, drink the sweet, and share with others who have nothing prepared; for today is holy to our Lord God. Do not be (sucked into worry), for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” You could also say this “strengthen yourselves in God’s joy.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

I have found this kind of joy to be the antidote to fear and disappointment. It also addresses my natural tendency toward diminished hope. There is simply nothing which escapes the power of God. Good and evil. Joy and pain. Destiny and meaning. As humans we always look through the lens of mankind – and we forget there is Someone above and beyond what we can see.

If you were going to comment upon yourself as a person who experiences joy what would you say? Do you sense this kind of joy inside of your heart? In the way you look at life? Your relationships? Your faith?

I have learned to allow joy about God to grow in my heart and soul and mind. As I encounter my challenges I can turn to this joy to find deep strength.

GENESIS 1-4 and JOB 1-2

As we begin our journey through the entire Bible (it will take awhile) we launch at the beginning. Genesis 1-11 gives us the roots of the human race. The remainder of the book tells us about God’s plan through the chosen race: the Jews. We will read Genesis in tandem with the book of Job because they are the two oldest books of the GodStory. From these writings we are given the big picture: and so we begin with the two fears. At the end of this post you will find resource question guides for both books, as well as 30 minute teachings to compliment your reading process. Enjoy!

There are two major types of fear which matter in the human experience. The first is the most pressing: anything which robs us of personal peace. In short, the things we are afraid of. These can be immediate, such as health, well-being, security, or something or someone who threatens us. While some people are braver and less fearful than others, the ultimate concern over our mortality impacts us all – whether we choose to admit it or not. In the scriptures this kind of fear originates in the word we call a phobia. Whether legitimate or imagined, the impact is the same. We are robbed of our personal peace.

The second concept for fear reflects different word(s) and idea. It has more to do with being in awe of Someone rather than something. The “fear of the Lord” is comparative: it contemplates God and His relationship to humanity and stands back in reverence. Many religious people can relate to this idea on one level or another, but in its purest form the true fear of the Lord is all about recognizing the greatness of the Living God.

Right now we find ourselves in a very fearful environment. It is for the most part not imagined (our phobias) but very real, and threatening on a massive and global level. And this very real fear can fire our thoughts and imagination on both levels. We cannot help but be impacted by the specter of death. So, we must manage this fear the best we know how. It is all around us. And directly or indirectly it is within us on some level as well.

I would encourage you (as I am myself) to balance these two fears. IF I am this fragile, and IF God is as great and as good as He says He is in the Word of God, then I can face my fears in Him. Does that make sense? So I am trying to give attention to both fears, and as I do, to entrust my pressing fear under the umbrella of God’s ultimate power over my heart, mind, and soul.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.” – 1 John 4:18

This is my comfort. This is what I offer to those I love. To my family. To my co-workers and neighbors. To those I pray for who are sick and grieving. In this sense we are within the opportunity of a lifetime. Praying ourselves and others toward the “fear of the Lord” is the kindest thing we can do. It is my mission right now. Lord God, how can I serve you in this house of fear?

And here is where we end up:

“But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

– Romans 8:37-39

Peace be with you friends.

Dave & Burnadette

Resources

* Deeper In Genesis PDF

* Deeper In Job PDF

* Genesis Teaching #1

*

There are several insights the God Story gives us about how a home can experience true peace. While the challenges to family life are many and varied, HOW we prepare and follow through as partners and parents has much to do with our success in family life. Think about it: what is your picture of family success? Your spouse’s view? Truth be told, most couples never define OR intentionally pursue the things which make for a truly successful home.

The Bible clearly explains what it means to be a motivated father. A nurturing mother. A child who can bring honor to both parents and God alike – even during the mutually challenging teen-aged years. A father (husband) needs to know his partner and his children respect him – that they are in his corner through both ups AND downs. Mothers (wives) need to know they are valued above everyone but God Himself. Kids need to grow in parent-responses which prepares them to “rule their own spirit” so they can be a success in the world.

If we miss the boat on creating an environment suited to true maturity we do a huge disservice to our kids and to each other. Is there anything more distasteful than a grown man or woman who has never learned to control their own spirit?

Here is the God Story’s bottom line on a strong home: Husbands and wives: Ephesians 5:25-33/1 Peter 3:1-9. Sons and daughters: Proverbs 4:20-27. Check it out!

“My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them and health to all their body. 

Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put devious speech far from you. Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.”  – Proverbs 4:20-27

Take a few minutes and preview the resources at MyStrongHome.com. There is a free introductory course that will help you to determine if this would be helpful to your family in charting or fine-tuning your course. Enjoy!

Being One of God’s Kids

MyStrongHome.com

A God-Kid Song:

There are several insights the God Story gives us about how a home can experience true peace. While the challenges to family life are many and varied, HOW we prepare and follow through as partners and parents has much to do with our success in family life. Think about it: what is your picture of family success? Your spouse’s view? Truth be told, most couples never define OR intentionally pursue the things which make for a truly successful home.

The Bible clearly explains what it means to be a motivated father. A nurturing mother. A child who can bring honor to both parents and God alike – even during the mutually challenging teen-aged years. A father (husband) needs to know his partner and his children respect him – that they are in his corner through both ups AND downs. Mothers (wives) need to know they are valued above everyone but God Himself. Kids need to grow in parent-responses which prepares them to “rule their own spirit” so they can be a success in the world.

If we miss the boat on creating an environment suited to true maturity we do a huge disservice to our kids and to each other. Is there anything more distasteful than a grown man or woman who has never learned to control their own spirit?

Here is the God Story’s bottom line on a strong home: Husbands and wives: Ephesians 5:25-33/1 Peter 3:1-9.

 

(Read page 23 in Curious Journey)

What do you see when you look in the mirror? An imperfect nose? Symetry issues? I personally have lived with misappropriated ears all of my life. Bummer.

One of the great questions of life is “why are things the way they are?” And what about relationships? The things that work and the things that don’t? The times you are disappointed or feel let down? That things are out of control?

Jesus, while perfect, lived in a world of hopeless imperfection (Hebrews 5:7). Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. And even though He was God He suffered in amazing ways. All the hard knocks without any visible perks. Amazing. Especially considering He had the power to do whatever He wanted!

His connection with His Father seemed to be what got Him through as He ran the race God had given Him. “Never-the-less, not my will, but Your will, be done!” (Luke 22:42)

A huge part of our spiritual success involves pushing back in the face of imperfection. The best way to overcome is to follow the example of our Master. (see below) And it CAN be done – through the power of our perfect God!

Enjoy, my persevering friend!

An Imperfection Reading from Curious Journey

Perfect Example Principles

An Overcoming Song

 

(Read page 23 in Curious Journey)

What do you see when you look in the mirror? An imperfect nose? Symetry issues? I personally have lived with misappropriated ears all of my life. Bummer.

One of the great questions of life is “why are things the way they are?” And what about relationships? The things that work and the things that don’t? The times you are disappointed or feel let down? That things are out of control?

Jesus, while perfect, lived in a world of hopeless imperfection (Hebrews 5:7). Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. And even though He was God He suffered in amazing ways. All the hard knocks without any visible perks. Amazing. Especially considering He had the power to do whatever He wanted!

His connection with His Father seemed to be what got Him through as He ran the race God had given Him. “Never-the-less, not my will, but Your will, be done!” (Luke 22:42)

A huge part of our spiritual success involves pushing back in the face of imperfection. The best way to overcome is to follow the example of our Master. (see below) And it CAN be done – through the power of our perfect God!

Enjoy, my persevering friend!

An Imperfection Reading from Curious Journey

Perfect Example Principles

An Overcoming Song

(What a concept! Enjoy the essay on page 59 on Curious Journey.)

Have you ever had a situation or person that you can’t shake? Perhaps often on your mind with a certain amount of dread or even an unpleasant cloud hanging over your head? And how does it feel when the situation is confronted, addressed – or better yet – resolved and evaporated?! What a relief to be set free!

This is part of what it means to be a friend of God. His Good Spirit is always working to resolve even the unresolvable – and to help us find the freedom of a satisfied mind. But our circumstances and emotions get in the way. Every day is a challenge as our joy and peace of mind  are challenged by the frailty and selfishness of the human condition.

A monumental personal question to articulate: “How can I be truly free?” Check this out for insight:

Galatians 5:16-26

“My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day.” (the Message)

Let’s search the One woven story to examine principles of personal freedom. Several other resources follow to help as we dig deeper into what it means to be truly free. Enjoy!

Dave & Burnadette

“The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:8

Curious Journey excerpt – Being Free

Freedom of the Deepest Kind

Living By the Spirit

The Role of the Spirit

A good Spirit song

(What a concept! Enjoy the essay on page 59 on Curious Journey.)

Have you ever had a situation or person that you can’t shake? Perhaps often on your mind with a certain amount of dread or even an unpleasant cloud hanging over your head? And how does it feel when the situation is confronted, addressed – or better yet – resolved and evaporated?! What a relief to be set free!

This is part of what it means to be a friend of God. His Good Spirit is always working to resolve even the unresolvable – and to help us find the freedom of a satisfied mind. But our circumstances and emotions get in the way. Every day is a challenge as our joy and peace of mind  are challenged by the frailty and selfishness of the human condition.

A monumental personal question to articulate: “How can I be truly free?” Check this out for insight:

Galatians 5:16-26

“My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day.” (the Message)

Let’s search the One woven story to examine principles of personal freedom. Several other resources follow to help as we dig deeper into what it means to be truly free. Enjoy!

Dave & Burnadette

Each of us has unique spiritual gifting. This is a clearly woven thread of the God Story (1 Peter 4:7-11). The gifts differ, and even the 20 or so which are listed have extensive multiplied effects. This is part of the beauty of being made in the image of God – and of experiencing the presence of the Spirit in our lives.

Some of my favorite one another people each use their gifts in distinct and overlapping ways. Together they practice what Paul termed as being fellow-workers in the Kingdom. They activate their gifts to help others experience relational impact upon others.

A few months ago they jotted down some thoughts about what helps bring about relational access to others. I think you will enjoy it/click here!

Here is an excerpt from my book Curious Journey: Your Story Matters.

It fits well with the resources below and gives an efficient overview of what these expressions look like.

We simply are better together!

One Another

Spiritual Gifts

Each of us has unique spiritual gifting. This is a clearly woven thread of the God Story (1 Peter 4:7-11). The gifts differ, and even the 20 or so which are listed have extensive multiplied effects. This is part of the beauty of being made in the image of God – and of experiencing the presence of the Spirit in our lives.

Some of my favorite one another people each use their gifts in distinct and overlapping ways. Together they practice what Paul termed as being fellow-workers in the Kingdom. They activate their gifts to help others experience relational impact upon others.

A few months ago they jotted down some thoughts about what helps bring about relational access to others. I think you will enjoy it/click here!

Here is an excerpt from my book Curious Journey: Your Story Matters.

It fits well with the resources below and gives an efficient overview of what these expressions look like.

We simply are better together!

One Another

Spiritual Gifts

Each of us has unique spiritual gifting. This is a clearly woven thread of the God Story (1 Peter 4:7-11). The gifts differ, and even the 20 or so which are listed have extensive multiplied effects. This is part of the beauty of being made in the image of God – and of experiencing the presence of the Spirit in our lives.

Some of my favorite one another people each use their gifts in distinct and overlapping ways. Together they practice what Paul termed as being fellow-workers in the Kingdom. They activate their gifts to help others experience relational impact upon others.

A few months ago they jotted down some thoughts about what helps bring about relational access to others. I think you will enjoy it/click here!

Here is an excerpt from my book Curious Journey: Your Story Matters.

It fits well with the resources below and gives an efficient overview of what these expressions look like.

We simply are better together!

One Another

Spiritual Gifts

Each of us has unique spiritual gifting. This is a clearly woven thread of the God Story (1 Peter 4:7-11). The gifts differ, and even the 20 or so which are listed have extensive multiplied effects. This is part of the beauty of being made in the image of God – and of experiencing the presence of the Spirit in our lives.

Some of my favorite one another people each use their gifts in distinct and overlapping ways. Together they practice what Paul termed as being fellow-workers in the Kingdom. They activate their gifts to help others experience relational impact upon others.

A few months ago they jotted down some thoughts about what helps bring about relational access to others. I think you will enjoy it/click here!

Here is an excerpt from my book Curious Journey: Your Story Matters.

It fits well with the resources below and gives an efficient overview of what these expressions look like.

We simply are better together!

One Another

Spiritual Gifts

Who are you as a person? What is your family all about? Your friends and neighbors? What is unique about your unfolding personal story?

We are all inescapably impacted by the times in which we live. Though we share many things human – in each century and decade, each geo-ethnic circumstance completely impacts how we perceive both ourselves and our Creator.

Samuel was born into a unique relational soup. He would be the final judge over Israel, and the one who anointed Israel’s first human king. It was tricky. It was imperfect. It was challenging on every level.

Judges 17.6

“In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.”

“Now Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. He used to go annually on circuit to Bethel and Gilgal and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these places. Then his return was to Ramah, for his house was there, and there he judged Israel; and he built there an altar to the LORD.”  – 1 Samuel 7:15-17

Samuel had to learn on his feet. His God perceptions – his personal identity – his place in the Story all were birthed in uncertain, impure, and broken times. Yet Samuel found his way. He learned to distinguish God’s voice, and became a unique God-warrior in his time – a listening servant of the Lord God.

* Samuel in the Story

* Samuel Engage Page

* A Samuel Song

* A Deep Study on 1 Samuel

* A Deep Study on 2 Samuel

Do you ever feel a little lost or disconnected? Things you hope for either don’t work out or leave you feeling flat? This is exactly addressed in the God Story. There is a “God-shaped hole” in all of us, and no amount of love, money, friends, or stuff will take the place God created within us to fill.

YOU ARE THE STORY!

Well – GOD is the Story – and you and I are wrapped into the meaning of what God is doing within the tapestry of time. We have thought about this allot, and continue to embrace and engage a “big picture” on our lives -where our stories revolve around our King and His Kingdom. Here are a few questions we have found helpful.

WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES A STORY INTERESTING TO YOU?

Little captures our imagination more than a good story.  What about a great movie that draws you in and inspires your replay button – hours and even days after you have returned to your own every day!? The “classics” endure because they are able to cross-culturally ignite minds over multiple generations. What in your story do you think is of interest to God?

WHAT MAKES A STORY SHINE?

A real modern tragedy exists in that we reject our own stories as “average” or “too ordinary” to matter to anyone else. We are robbed of our sense of wonder at an early age and slip into a tepid mediocrity created by special effects, highly paid actors and actresses, and million dollar ambient budgets. We believe we have nothing to offer because we have come to believe that story must be dramatic and “big” in order to matter. But nothing could be further from the truth. What is solid and substantive within the unfolding story of your life?

WHAT MAKES OUR PERSONAL STORY MATTER?

Each of our stories is the REAL story, and the special mark upon each one of our lives is of huge human value. Our story is one that unfolds with uniqueness, beauty, and meaning – whether we believe it or not. It is time to become story-tellers once again. It is time to listen, laugh, cry, and experience one another as we impart our uniqueness within the isolating world around us. If you could summarize the uniqueness, beauty, and meaning of your life – what would you say?

Don’t sell your story – or yourself short when it comes to finding significance. Seriously!

Story and Me

Story Conversations

A Story Song

 

 

Do you ever feel a little lost or disconnected? Things you hope for either don’t work out or leave you feeling flat? This is exactly addressed in the God Story. There is a “God-shaped hole” in all of us, and no amount of love, money, friends, or stuff will take the place God created within us to fill.

YOU ARE THE STORY!

Well – GOD is the Story – and you and I are wrapped into the meaning of what God is doing within the tapestry of time. We have thought about this allot, and continue to embrace and engage a “big picture” on our lives -where our stories revolve around our King and His Kingdom. Here are a few questions we have found helpful.

WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES A STORY INTERESTING TO YOU?

Little captures our imagination more than a good story.  What about a great movie that draws you in and inspires your replay button – hours and even days after you have returned to your own every day!? The “classics” endure because they are able to cross-culturally ignite minds over multiple generations. What in your story do you think is of interest to God?

WHAT MAKES A STORY SHINE?

A real modern tragedy exists in that we reject our own stories as “average” or “too ordinary” to matter to anyone el...

As I have once again considering the letters to Timothy I am amazed about a few things. 1 Timothy 4:1,2 has captured my imagination with all that is unfolding around us right now.

The phrase doctrines of demons deserves a closer look. The original language (Greek) appears to amplify that these are the teaching instructions (we are being educated) of evil spirits of destiny (demons).

“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron…” – 1 Timothy 4:1,2/New American Standard

And from the Message: “The Spirit makes it clear that as time goes on, some are going to give up on the faith and chase after demonic illusions put forth by professional liars. These liars have lied so well and for so long that they’ve lost their capacity for truth.”  – Timothy 4:1,2/The Message

This can help me/us to pray about both COVID and the election fraud which seems to have occurred. It tells me why the educating process in our culture looks the way it does.

Consider the worldly fables (4:7/short story narratives with nothing behind them) which have arisen in our culture in just the last 50 years. There are many – but consider these: social justice, abortion, sexual impurity, there is no God, there are no absolutes, the world is grey – not black and white, gender ID, all roads lead to the same destination, there is no evil (hell) and there is no ultimate good (heaven), data defines us, and we ARE gods. And these are just a few popular core narratives.

It is almost as though we are willing to throw God’s Word over-board for cheap novels which speak to our itching ears (2 Timothy 4:3). The branding iron part explains our hardness of heart. We are seared by burning. We have exchanged our God identity for that of another master. We are being branded by and for a new owner. God forgive us and deliver us from evil.

The Rx?

2 Timothy 4.1-5

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

Selah.

Serious stuff.

A Warrior Song for Warfare Days

As I have once again considering the letters to Timothy I am amazed about a few things. 1 Timothy 4:1,2 has captured my imagination with all that is unfolding around us right now.

The phrase doctrines of demons deserves a closer look. The original language (Greek) appears to amplify that these are the teaching instructions (we are being educated) of evil spirits of destiny (demons).

“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron…” – 1 Timothy 4:1,2/New American Standard

And from the Message: “The Spirit makes it clear that as time goes on, some are going to give up on the faith and chase after demonic illusions put forth by professional liars. These liars have lied so well and for so long that they’ve lost their capacity for truth.”  – Timothy 4:1,2/The Message