The Beyond Limits class is a scriptural journey into embracing supernatural possibilities with Jason Villanueva, meeting on Wednesdays from October 7, 2020 to November 11, 2020.

The class will now run for 6 weeks and will meet IN PERSON and also on ZOOM. We’ll have worship for 30 minutes before the teaching portion of the meeting begins. Each week, the teaching will take 40-45 minutes. For the Q&A portion, questions from Zoom and those in attendance will be addressed.

The goal is to have the Spirit lead us into discovery and shatter the limits we’ve placed on Yahweh. He wants to do so much in us and through us! But somewhere along the way, some of us has placed limits on what is possible. Let’s lay all of that down, and embrace possibility in the God of all things.

MORE INFO:

http://thesourcewichita.com/beyond-limits

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This is the Salty Dog BlogCast, Audio blogs from the Salty Blog at SaltyDogsPodcast.com/blog where multiple contributors write blogs on topics concerning the Christian life. 

Enjoy this audio blog titled “Thoughts About Church Hurt" by Brad Bates, host on the Angry Christian Podcast. Find more at EagerForTruth.com

View the Original Blog Post here.

I'm sitting here thinking about church hurt after my guest appearance on the Salty Dogs Podcast last night. You can watch the replay here.

I said something during the episode that, to be honest, was a spur of the moment organic statement, and something I hadn't prepared to say. As I've thought over what I said...it dawned on me just how hard it really is to do.

Here is what I said:

I was saying this in relation to church hurt.

Let me be clear...I've been hurt...a LOT...in and by those in the church. I've been hurt by deacons, pastors, average Joe church attendee, and more.

As a result, I would leave a church and walk into my next church with the walls already up and prepared to deflect any attacks I fully expected I was going to receive.

And you know what? I was wrong to do that.

You see...It is easy to put our walls up when we get wounded. It is easy to walk into the next situation after a previously bad situation and go in with the expectation that we are going to get hurt again.

I don't want to be hurt again, and I know you don't want that (honestly, who does?), so our instinct is to insulate ourselves to the wounds by already assuming we are going to get hurt again. It's as if we tell ourselves that, if we go ahead and assume it's going to happen, then it won't hurt nearly as bad when it does.

This may be instinctual...but it's not healthy.

Reality is, we may indeed get hurt again. But the people we encounter along the way who hurt us, aren't the ones who hurt us before. And there are often casualties of innocent people who haven't hurt us that get caught in the crossfire.

Then I think about my God...and how he sent Jesus to die in my place...He sent Jesus to be held accountable for the wounds I DID inflict upon Him through my sin and rejection of Him.

And yet...He didn't hold me accountable for those wounds. His Son, Jesus, willingly took up MY cross for me and became the accountability on my behalf.

His kindness, grace, and forgiveness move me to a place of gratefulness and a deeper desire to know this God who would do such a thing for me.

So as I think about that, I ask myself a new question...

How could I truly hold others accountable for wounds they did NOT inflict on me when my God didn't hold me accountable for the wounds I DID inflict on Him?

It's humbling.

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This is the Salty Dog BlogCast, Audio blogs from the Salty Blog at SaltyDogsPodcast.com/blog where multiple contributors write blogs on topics concerning the Christian life. 

Enjoy this audio blog titled “How To Handle Conflict” by Darin Eubanks, host of the Kingdom Bringer Podcast. Find more at KingdomBringer.com 

View the Original Blog Post here.

There’s something I’ve learned about myself over the last few years that I’ve been hesitant to admit until very recently. It’s a truth I have only learned through experience. I can’t say I’ve fully accepted it as a part of my identity or if it’s just something I’ve adapted into. I don’t know if it’s something that has produced more positive experiences or if it has generated more pain. But the reality of it’s existence is something I can no longer deny. I understand this could be considered a shocking statement. If we’re friends, this may be a startling revelation. If we used to be friends, you may have experienced this truth first hand. Here it is…

I REALLY LIKE CONFLICT.

How’s that for honesty? It’s true. I’ve come to the simple conclusion that most of the reason I’ve experienced so much relational tension in my life is due to the fact that I like conflict. I’m drawn to it. And on top of that, I’m actually okay with it. The more I really think about, the more I’m convinced that it’s an important quality for a Christian leader to possess. Okay, maybe not every leader needs to “LIKE” conflict, but I do think that it’s imperative that they at least aren’t afraid of it.

Conflict is not a dirty word. At least it shouldn’t be. It has become some sort of big bad wolf within the church and it’s leadership circles. It’s the kind of thing that, when it rears it’s ugly head, sends the boldest of pastors running for the shadows. It has been a daunting chasm that has created impassable division in leadership teams and church communities. It has found itself atop most pastoral leaders’ list of “THINGS TO AVOID”. And while it may seem like a dodged bullet, side-stepping conflict can (and usually will) create more problems than actual relief.

I’m not totally immune to the temptation of eluding conflict. I’m also not so naive as to think that everyone is going to agree with everything I have to say. Not everyone is going to accept what I bring to the table as worthwhile or even good. But I have seen, too often, the affect that making decisions to avoid conflict has had on personal and corporate visions and dreams. I’ve seen leaders promote people and agree to and compromise with, things that don’t line up with the vision and desire that God had put on the their hearts for their respective ministries and missions. All for the sake of evading conflict that may lead to hurt feelings, loss of support and lack of approval. There are a few things that are important for us to understand, if we are going to start handling conflict in a more constructive manner. If we are going to truly carry ourselves as KINGDOM BRINGERS, we’ll need to start looking at conflict differently.

First, we need to start seeing conflict not as a hindrance but as an opportunity. We need to stop rejecting it and learn to truly embrace it. If we really want to know if the Holy Spirit is producing Kingdom fruit in our lives, we need to be open to experiencing moments of conflict for that fruit to be revealed. For example, do you really know if patience is something being produced in your life if you never allow your self to be around people or things that test your patience? How can you tell if you’ve truly matured in Kingdom peace if you haven’t walked through some type up relational storm? Conflict comes for all who live and breath, even those of us that follow Christ. And it can be an awesome opportunity for training and growth. In the bible, Proverbs 27:17 mentions that iron sharpens iron. It’s not talking about the reckless clanging of two dull blades . It’s talking about two sharp swords strategically being buffeted against each other, removing every snare and every nick, for the sole purpose of making them even sharper and more effective for their created use.

Secondly, we need to look at how Jesus handled conflict. We can easily understand that he absolutely experienced it. But we need to see that it wasn’t just him sitting back and dealing with the conflict that came to him. As the original KINGDOM BRINGER, Jesus understood the power and authority that he carried. And he had a unique perspective that allowed him to believe he had the opportunity to restore and redeem. He actually looked for things that weren’t in alignment with the Kingdom of God and considered it a privilege to confront them. The Apostle Paul talks about this in Colossians 1:20 – “Through Jesus, God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.” That means that Jesus was on a mission to bring into alignment the things on earth with the glory of Heaven. He confronted sickness, demons, low self-esteem, broken heartedness, pride and even (especially) the religious. He knew that in order for God’s true glory to be revealed in and through THE CHURCH, there would have to be conflict between the freedom of God’s Spirit and the false authority that comes with the structure and rituals of man. Because of his great love for God’s greatest creation, Jesus faced conflict with authority. He didn’t pull punches and he didn’t waste words. He was also determined to teach his followers to do the same.

Lastly, we need to understand that healthy relationships are growing relationships. In order for real growth to take place, there has to be a willingness to learn and be stretched. Conflict provides opportunity for that. I’ve been in relationships where there was a fear of confrontation. A fear of offending each other. True feelings were never discussed and true struggles never got dealt with. Real Kingdom relationships require truth. And honor. And love. They require a pressing in. I’ve also been involved in relationships where conflict was handled intentionally. Where the yearning for greatness was more of a priority than the temporary satisfaction that comes from bypassing a dispute. There may have been pain when truth was spoken. But when there is truth, there is freedom. And when the door for truth is opened and ultimately stepped through, the atmosphere is set for hearts to align and for God’s plan for thriving relationships to be a reality.

I’ve heard it said that conflict leads to intimacy. I haven’t always seen that to be the case, but I haven’t always embraced conflict either. It’s been a fairly new adventure for me. I can honestly say that as I’ve learned to see conflict differently, I’ve found it to be more of a friend than a foe. It’s caused me to understand that not every mole hill is destined to be a mountain. And not every disagreement is a vow of disapproval. It may not seem like the easy road, but it’s the better one. And I do believe that when love is the highest goal, then truth is the path that leads there. And if truth is something you find worthy of seeking, then conflict is a bridge worth crossing. Sometimes it’s the only way to get from one side of the chasm to the other. From one glory to the next. It’s inevitable. It’s coming. Embrace it. And maybe you too, will learn to like it.

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This is the Salty Dog BlogCast, Audio blogs from the Salty Blog at SaltyDogsPodcast.com/blog

Also check out the Salty Dogs Christian Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Enjoy this audio blog titled “Don’t be a pharisee, part 1, by Jason Villanueva. 

https://www.saltydogspodcast.com/blog/dont-be-pharisee-part-1

I often wonder how Jesus would deal with people in our time. If he tweeted, what kinds of things would he say? If he called out religious leaders for their conduct, who would he be talking to? What kinds of actions would he applaud, and what would he condemn? I dare not see myself exempt from such possible rebukes, as much as I’d like to receive praise for my actions. This is the danger we all face. What if we’d be the ones receiving such words as “Woe to you, who…” insert blank that hits us right in the pride face. Ouch, but thank you.

I’d like to take some time to think through some of the things Jesus spoke to the pharisees and allow the Spirit to make whatever correlations He decides to make. Do we dare put ourselves under such scrutiny? It may serve us well for growth and maturity!

“In His teaching He said, “Watch out for the Torah scholars, who like to walk around in long robes. They like greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and places of honor at feasts. They devour widows’ houses and make long prayers as a show. These men will receive greater condemnation!”

— Mark 12:38-40

This seems to be a fairly obvious situation to figure out for ourselves. What are our motives in following the Lord? Are we doing it because we want and enjoy the attention of those who would see us in our prominent positions with our titles and letters behind our names?

The “Torah scholars” were the Pharisees, the studied, institutionally trained and groomed individuals who were making all of the decisions as to who was in or out of their club, who was holy and not holy based on outward appearances and many other factors. Their clothing gave them away, and they flaunted it. It was pride at its finest. Look at me in my long robes, you see the people I’m rolling with and they too are to be revered for their education and status based on our oppressive, religious system.

They like the greetings, or the attention they get because of who they are and who they represent. It’s a fully selfish nature, seeking attention and veneration in the places where the common-folk gather to go about their daily business. They expect special treatment when they go places, and want to be up-front in the synagogues, and to have favored treatment when attending the Jewish feasts and gatherings. There was a clear separating of themselves in their attire, their attitude, their affluence, their education, their positions, titles, you name it. They made themselves separate, and flaunted it. Ever heard of entitlement? They had that too.

They devour widows houses, meaning those who’d lost their husbands and had no way to be provided for, those left to fend for themselves, the Pharisees required even what they did have to be given at the temple to pay for religious inclusion and temple participation. Jesus sees this as he watches the widow give her mite, all she had, as the religious leaders put their riches into the giving boxes to be seen and applauded for it, the widow next to them sacrificed in her giving. They made longs prayers as a show. Listen to me and my religious words, my knowledge, my ability to pray out loud and wow those listening. Totally missing the point of prayer.

The point of all of this is to take a long, hard look into our own hearts and weigh whether or not we’ve ever fallen into these same behaviors. If we do have deep, useful understanding of scripture and are strong in our faith, how are we using it? Are we okay being served last at a dinner? Are we okay sitting in a place that isn’t necessarily preferred? Are we aware of our own riches and the poverty of others? Are we vying for attention, rather than serving, giving, loving and living quiet and peaceful lives so that our Father in Heaven sees what we’re doing and rewards us accordingly? Are we praying in such a way that we’re trying to convince others that we are holy and righteous, trying to sound good, rather than truly connecting with the heart of the Father? We’d do well to continue to check ourselves thoroughly for these warning signs.

Ultimately, Jesus is our example. He tells us not to do what the Pharisees do, to watch out for them and don’t do what they do. Let’s learn from his public rebuke of those who fail to lead us in the way we should go, and let’s look to Christ for all things, to change our hearts and our minds if we’ve fallen into these traps. Help us Lord! We don’t want to be religious elites, but humble disciples of the Living God.

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