Younger people lack experience but often have great hearts. Some older people are really wise and strong. Older people can also get worn down and lose heart.

There are advantages to each passage of life: childhood, teen-aged years, establishing in our 20’s, building in our 30’s and 40’s, and then the great mix of having both wisdom, strength, and freedom.

Your days and years spent in school provide great ways to shine.

1 John 2:12-17 helps allot when it comes to how both older and younger people can work the works of God. Check it out.

With whom will you connect in kingdom ways?! The sky is the limit – invite God along for the ride every day!

Dave & Burnadette

Young Heart – God Heart!

Daniel & His Friends

Mary, Jesus’ Mother

Paul’s words to Timothy

Younger people lack experience but often have great hearts. Some older people are really wise and strong. Older people can also get worn down and lose heart.

There are advantages to each passage of life: childhood, teen-aged years, establishing in our 20’s, building in our 30’s and 40’s, and then the great mix of having both wisdom, strength, and freedom.

Your days and years spent in school provide great ways to shine.

1 John 2:12-17 helps allot when it comes to how both older and younger people can work the works of God. Check it out.

With whom will you connect in kingdom ways?! The sky is the limit – invite God along for the ride every day!

Dave & Burnadette

Young Heart – God Heart!

Daniel & His Friends

Mary, Jesus’ Mother

Paul’s words to Timothy

Living with an open heart can surely bring relational risks. But with such risk come distinct opportunities for blessing. A person who loves freely, in the end, benefits even more than the one who receives love. This is because an open heart is a God thing. Because of love God gave His only Son – and He asks us to follow in both the risk and the reward of learning to live with an open heart.

It appears this is especially true when we meet pressing needs. This concept literally means to “compress.” So, when we see people around us who are being “pressed,” we can be sure that God is very close.

Titus 3:14: “Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.”

Hebrews 13:16:  “And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

While this is a pretty straight-forward concept, making it happen is nuanced and intricate. As we keep ourselves open to loving others and meeting pressing needs we are led on a journey of careful choices, taking care to make sure we are hearing God’s voice of direction as we love. Some examples of pressing needs are when people suffer, are being tested personally, or struggling to meet personal emotional or physical or spiritual needs.

Here are three “extensions” of this concept for you to consider. Our understanding of the “one another” in the God Story can help. It is also important to understand our own new heart in order to address the heart of another person. Jesus’ follower John heard what his Master said about love – his gospel and letters open rivers of understanding. Enjoy some expanding self-teaching!      – Dave & Burnadette

One Another

My New Heart

1 John Study

Open Heart Song

Living with an open heart can surely bring relational risks. But with such risk come distinct opportunities for blessing. A person who loves freely, in the end, benefits even more than the one who receives love. This is because an open heart is a God thing. Because of love God gave His only Son – and He asks us to follow in both the risk and the reward of learning to live with an open heart.

It appears this is especially true when we meet pressing needs. This concept literally means to “compress.” So, when we see people around us who are being “pressed,” we can be sure that God is very close.

Titus 3:14: “Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.”

Hebrews 13:16:  “And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

While this is a pretty straight-forward concept, making it happen is nuanced and intricate. As we keep ourselves open to loving others and meeting pressing needs we are led on a journey of careful choices, taking care to make sure we are hearing God’s voice of direction as we love. Some examples of pressing needs are when people suffer, are being tested personally, or struggling to meet personal emotional or physical or spiritual needs.

Here are three “extensions” of this concept for you to consider. Our understanding of the “one another” in the God Story can help. It is also important to understand our own new heart in order to address the heart of another person. Jesus’ follower John heard what his Master said about love – his gospel and letters open rivers of understa...

Have you ever had a situation or person dogging you? Always 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

John 3.8 “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.”

Curious Journey excerpt – Being Free

Freedom of the Deepest Kind

Living By the Spirit

The Role of the Spirit

A good Spirit song

Have you ever had a situation or person dogging you? Always 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

John 3.8 “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.”

The “warrior” concept is woven into the entire God Story.

It is logical to look beyond the end of the conflict – to the reward!

Let’s take a minute…

When Jesus returns He will come “with the clouds.”

(Daniel 7:13/Revelation 1:7)

I can only assume those clouds will be men and women of faith from throughout history (Hebrews 12:1).

When God says “all creation groans” to be set free (Romans 8:18-25) – it may be more true for God’s warriors, farmers, and athletes than anyone!  (2 Timothy 4:7-8/totally cool! 

God is a warrior (Exodus 15:3). Exodus 14:25; Deuteronomy 3:22; Joshua 23:3.

He has called us to be warriors in the good fight (1 Timothy 1:18/1 Timothy 6:12)

We will reign with Him! 2 Timothy 2:12

Why do we engage in the war of faith? To honor our Captain, of course! (1 Peter 2:25/2 Timothy 2:4)

This is just part of the Warrior thread in the God Story.

Thanks for fighting the fight of faith, like-minded warriors!

A Warrior Song

The “warrior” concept is woven into the entire God Story.

It is logical to look beyond the end of the conflict – to the reward!

Let’s take a minute…

When Jesus returns He will come “with the clouds.”

(Daniel 7:13/Revelation 1:7)

I can only assume those clouds will be men and women of faith from throughout history (Hebrews 12:1).

When God says “all creation groans” to be set free (Romans 8:18-25) – it may be more true for God’s warriors, farmers, and athletes than anyone!  (2 Timothy 4:7-8/totally cool! 

God is a warrior (Exodus 15:3). Exodus 14:25; Deuteronomy 3:22; Joshua 23:3.

He has called us to be warriors in the good fight (1 Timothy 1:18/1 Timothy 6:12)

We will reign with Him! 2 Timothy 2:12

Why do we engage in the war of faith? To honor our Captain, of course! (1 Peter 2:25/2 Timothy 2:4)

This is just part of the Warrior thread in the God Story.

Thanks for fighting the fight of faith, like-minded warriors!

A Warrior Song

Like Jesus, we are blessed with the gift of life. As such our journey is filled with chances to follow Him. Sometimes this means we will “share in His sufferings.” Check out Hebrews 5:17.

Jesus is our leader in the fight that is life. He is our example and our companion as well. There is nothing we will ever face that He has not faced and conquered. But not only do we follow Him, we will also reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:12). This is where crowns that are won fit in – by engaging in the battle.

Today Burnadette and Dave are discussing the reasons behind WHY we choose to fight the fight of faith. We don’t do what we do to get something from God. But when we humble our souls and give ourselves to our Father and His Kingdom, we are included in the great rewards of His glory.

Let’s talk about why this is motivating!

Check out Revelation 19! “Then I saw Heaven open wide—and oh! a white horse and its Rider. The Rider, named Faithful and True, judges and makes war in pure righteousness. His eyes are a blaze of fire, on his head many crowns. He has a Name inscribed that’s known only to himself. He is dressed in a robe soaked with blood, and he is addressed as “Word of God.” The armies of Heaven, mounted on white horses and dressed in dazzling white linen, follow him.”

Today we will talk a little about the battle – and next time we will more fully engage the concept of WHY we fight.

Enjoy – our warrior friend!

Kingdom Crowns

The Battle

A great following song

Like Jesus, we are blessed with the gift of life. As such our journey is filled with chances to follow Him. Sometimes this means we will “share in His sufferings.” Check out Hebrews 5:17.

Jesus is our leader in the fight that is life. He is our example and our companion as well. There is nothing we will ever face that He has not faced and conquered. But not only do we follow Him, we will also reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:12). This is where crowns that are won fit in – by engaging in the battle.

Today Burnadette and Dave are discussing the reasons behind WHY we choose to fight the fight of faith. We don’t do what we do to get something from God. But when we humble our souls and give ourselves to our Father and His Kingdom, we are included in the great rewards of His glory.

Let’s talk about why this is motivating!

Check out Revelation 19! “Then I saw Heaven open wide—and oh! a white horse and its Rider. The Rider, named Faithful and True, judges and makes war in pure righteousness. His eyes are a blaze of fire, on his head many crowns. He has a Name inscribed that’s known only to himself. He is dressed in a robe soaked with blood, and he is addressed as “Word of God.” The armies of Heaven, mounted on white horses and dressed in dazzling white linen, follow him.”

Today we will talk a little about the battle – and next time we will more fully engage the concept of WHY we fight.

Enjoy – our warrior friend!

Kingdom Crowns

The Battle

A great following song

 

Do you ever think deeply about your personal core? Who are you? What do you stand for? What are the foundations by which you live your life?

If you were building a house with pillars to stand against the storms of life: faith – hope – and love reign strong and help build a life that lasts. Jesus Himself took great care to challenge His disciples (and us!) about how faith, hope, and love fill the heart – and are meant to fill our worlds!

While the God Story is filled with woven considerations of the great themes of life, there are watershed moments where great heart understanding presents itself. God’s conversations about the three heart-pillars of meaning: faith, hope, and love – energize us toward a satisfied mind.

Because of familiarity it can be easy to miss the gravity of each of these qualities in our Kingdom faith. Today Dave and Burnadette look at three incredibly moving passages of Scripture:

Experiencing a Victorious Faith: Hebrews 11

Being energized by the conviction of Hope: 2 Peter 1

Living out Unfailing Love: 1 Corinthians 13

Nearly all of the Letters of the apostles specifically celebrate the power of the presence of Faith – Hope – and Love.

Enjoy! Here are some added threads for your hungry heart!

Kingdom Supremacy

Mind of Christ

Tough Love

John’s Love Letters

 

Do you ever think deeply about your personal core? Who are you? What do you stand for? What are the foundations by which you live your life?

If you were building a house with pillars to stand against the storms of life: faith – hope – and love reign strong and help build a life that lasts. Jesus Himself took great care to challenge His disciples (and us!) about how faith, hope, and love fill the heart – and are meant to fill our worlds!

While the God Story is filled with woven considerations of the great themes of life, there are watershed moments where great heart understanding presents itself. God’s conversations about the three heart-pillars of meaning: faith, hope, and love – energize us toward a satisfied mind.

Because of familiarity it can be easy to miss the gravity of each of these qualities in our Kingdom faith. Today Dave and Burnadette look at three incredibly moving passages of Scripture:

Experiencing a Victorious Faith: Hebrews 11

Being energized by the conviction of Hope: 2 Peter 1

Living out Unfailing Love: 1 Corinthians 13

Nearly all of the Letters of the apostles specifically celebrate the power of the presence of Faith – Hope – and Love.

Enjoy! Here are some added threads for your hungry heart!

Kingdom Supremacy

Mind of Christ

Tough Love

John’s Love Letters

“I tell you the truth – the stars take my breath away. We have a cabin in southern Iowa where we go to retreat, hold summer camp, and hunt in the fall – so I am pretty much there off and on throughout all four seasons. Some nights I will walk out onto the deck in the evening or the middle of the night and the spectacle will bring me to tears. First of all, I cry because I wake up two times every night to pee, but mostly because of the breath-taking sight as the heavens sing to my earth-bound soul. If I am so small and the heavens so immense – who am I – that such an amazing Designer would take notice of me?!

The heavens play a significant role in my process of Fusion with my Creator. Their unanswered questions of immensity and my subsequent smallness make me let down my guard and whisper “I am here” to the Designer. Even in my childhood, as I watched the northern lights dance upon the Wisconsin sky, I could hear the soft Voice of the Living God calling me – “David – I know who you are.” To deny this intrinsic design and beauty in the galaxies – let alone the Voice written upon my soul – is the single greatest tragedy of mankind.” – from Dave’s book “Curious Journey”

Cultivating Wonder and Beauty

Wonder in the Word

Do You Not Know?

“I tell you the truth – the stars take my breath away. We have a cabin in southern Iowa where we go to retreat, hold summer camp, and hunt in the fall – so I am pretty much there off and on throughout all four seasons. Some nights I will walk out onto the deck in the evening or the middle of the night and the spectacle will bring me to tears. First of all, I cry because I wake up two times every night to pee, but mostly because of the breath-taking sight as the heavens sing to my earth-bound soul. If I am so small and the heavens so immense – who am I – that such an amazing Designer would take notice of me?!

The heavens play a significant role in my process of Fusion with my Creator. Their unanswered questions of immensity and my subsequent smallness make me let down my guard and whisper “I am here” to the Designer. Even in my childhood, as I watched the northern lights dance upon the Wisconsin sky, I could hear the soft Voice of the Living God calling me – “David – I know who you are.” To deny this intrinsic design and beauty in the galaxies – let alone the Voice written upon my soul – is the single greatest tragedy of mankind.” – from Dave’s book “Curious Journey”

Cultivating Wonder and Beauty

Wonder in the Word

Do You Not Know?

KING FIRST – THEN KINGDOM – THEN CHURCH

Jesus’ strategy was very clear. He came to do His Father’s will. This is the essence of Kingdom Spirituality. It differs from religious devotion in that it cuts out any “middle man.” In a Kingdom paradigm each believer sees his or her personal connection and value to the King. He not only wishes to work through us, He has called us friends and gifted us with the Holy Spirit so we can be actively responsive to His voice – whenever He chooses to mobilize our hearts.

And what an adventure Kingdom Spirituality is! We can look at our past, present, and future as contributing influences to whom God has made us to be. While there may be many things we would change about our personal history, God is a Master at growing Kingdom spirituality through imperfect and sometimes messy lives.

Mere discipline will not ensure a Kingdom walk. Religious conformity or participation is inferior to being connected with God. God’s hand IS moving in the life of His Kingdom children – and He is graciously breathing eternal words of life into our mortal selves. He is the Planter and Nourisher of Kingdom seeds!

The Kingdom grows primarily through relational lines: blood-lines, neighbor-lines, and what I like to call LIFE-lines. Family and the people who live in close proximity are pretty easy to identify, and LIFE-lines come about as we pay attention to people in the midst of the twists, challenges, and opportunities that occur almost daily – often within the unexpected. We are privileged to engage in a series of meaningful relationships as our life unfolds.

Often the best opportunities for the Kingdom are overlooked as insignificant or mundane – but think about it – with whom do we have the greatest chance for impact? With those we know the most about – and those who know us best!

Colossians 1:15-18 is a great picture passage of the King and His Kingdom.

Who Is Our King?

Kingdom Heart

A Kingdom Song

 

KING FIRST – THEN KINGDOM – THEN CHURCH

Jesus’ strategy was very clear. He came to do His Father’s will. This is the essence of Kingdom Spirituality. It differs from religious devotion in that it cuts out any “middle man.” In a Kingdom paradigm each believer sees his or her personal connection and value to the King. He not only wishes to work through us, He has called us friends and gifted us with the Holy Spirit so we can be actively responsive to His voice – whenever He chooses to mobilize our hearts.

And what an adventure Kingdom Spirituality is! We can look at our past, present, and future as contributing influences to whom God has made us to be. While there may be many things we would change about our personal history, God is a Master at growing Kingdom spirituality through imperfect and sometimes messy lives.

Mere discipline will not ensure a Kingdom walk. Religious conformity or participation is inferior to being connected with God. God’s hand IS moving in the life of His Kingdom children – and He is graciously breathing eternal words of life into our mortal selves. He is the Planter and Nourisher of Kingdom seeds!

The Kingdom grows primarily through relational lines: blood-lines, neighbor-lines, and what I like to call LIFE-lines. Family and the people who live in close proximity are pretty easy to identify, and LIFE-lines come about as we pay attention to people in the midst of the twists, challenges, and opportunities that occur almost daily – often within the unexpected. We are privileged to engage in a series of meaningful relationships as our life unfold...

Buying back the time of our lives is a theme found specifically in Ephesians 5, and more broadly in the entirety of the God Story. It is almost as if all that is “redeemable” has been lost in the fall of Adam and Eve, and can only be recovered through our connection with Jesus.

Psalm 90 was a psalm of Moses. It has some great insight about living a life that counts in earthly and eternal ways. Part of what Moses learned in his life was the view from 10,000 feet. We live and move and exist within the good pleasure of our Creator. We set our compasses, make our choices, and build our lives. Then we all “fly away.” It is that simple.

But Moses was also hopeful for what happened next. Where do we fly TO? The work of our hands defines us in this life. But it also impacts the life to come. This is one of the key themes of the life of Moses. He didn’t live mistake free. But he did live with a free heart.

We are able to “buy back” the time of our lives through intentional devotion to what is important to God. It is why we were given the God Story. Check out Ephesians 5:13-21. It is almost as if we need to awaken from our dream in order to find true value within our lives.

How do we “buy back” time?

An intentional song

Ephesians: Intentional Living Study

Buying back the time of our lives is a theme found specifically in Ephesians 5, and more broadly in the entirety of the God Story. It is almost as if all that is “redeemable” has been lost in the fall of Adam and Eve, and can only be recovered through our connection with Jesus.

Psalm 90 was a psalm of Moses. It has some great insight about living a life that counts in earthly and eternal ways. Part of what Moses learned in his life was the view from 10,000 feet. We live and move and exist within the good pleasure of our Creator. We set our compasses, make our choices, and build our lives. Then we all “fly away.” It is that simple.

But Moses was also hopeful for what happened next. Where do we fly TO? The work of our hands defines us in this life. But it also impacts the life to come. This is one of the key themes of the life of Moses. He didn’t live mistake free. But he did live with a free heart.

We are able to “buy back” the time of our lives through intentional devotion to what is important to God. It is why we were given the God Story. Check out Ephesians 5:13-21. It is almost as if we need to awaken from our dream in order to find true value within our lives.

How do we “buy back” time?

An intentional song

Ephesians: Intentional Living Study

A country singer from my younger days produced a song called “the Dance”(Garth Brooks). I loved the words, the depiction, the concept – and apparently the memory it impressed upon me (I love music). My memory is rich with anthemic lyrics which have contributed to my spiritual journey – because they caused me to ask deeper questions.

Some people talk about our personal “legacies” in the context of how we live sustaining, meaningful lives. God’s “dance” is all about how we experience our King within the values and choices of our lives. How we live – how we love – what we choose each day – is all part of our everlasting legacy. It seems that love defines the quality of a man or woman’s life (1 Corinthians 13).

Our unique stories, personalities, life-experiences – and how we engage other souls in love are what make up the dance – as well as our personal pursuit of a satisfied mind.

I love these verses. They have guided me into what I feel continues to be my own meaningful dance.

1 Peter 1.22,23

Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.

The dance that never ends!

Look at Me – I’m Dancing!

Dancing with one another

A good dance song

A country singer from my younger days produced a song called “the Dance”(Garth Brooks). I loved the words, the depiction, the concept – and apparently the memory it impressed upon me (I love music). My memory is rich with anthemic lyrics which have contributed to my spiritual journey – because they caused me to ask deeper questions.

Some people talk about our personal “legacies” in the context of how we live sustaining, meaningful lives. God’s “dance” is all about how we experience our King within the values and choices of our lives. How we live – how we love – what we choose each day – is all part of our everlasting legacy. It seems that love defines the quality of a man or woman’s life (1 Corinthians 13).

Our unique stories, personalities, life-experiences – and how we engage other souls in love are what make up the dance – as well as our personal pursuit of a satisfied mind.

I love these verses. They have guided me into what I feel continues to be my own meaningful dance.

1 Peter 1.22,23

Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.

The dance that never ends!

Look at Me – I’m Dancing!

Dancing with one another

A good dance song