1) religion is big, fat, hairy, and a "heavy load". i think i counted 25 underlings that we flung off of... me alone! when i get deep into this stuff, it's easy to hear, "good boy Adam. now, see where you NEED to be b/c of all you missed and screwed up? time to 'catch up'.". LIE! i would like to repeat the wisdom given to me many times: ** I'M RIGHT WHERE THE LORD NEEDS ME TO BE RIGHT NOW. IF HE WANTS ME TO CHANGE, IT'S HIS JOB. OH, AND IF I DO, HE STILL LOVES ME THE SAME. I'M NOT GETTING ANY MORE LOVED. I'M A FAVORITE SON RIGHT THIS INSTANCE, AND I'LL NEVER BE MORE FAVORED! ** (that also goes for anyone)... p.s. isn't it CRAZY how these demons work together? ok, i flung off religion, then, what did i describe above? here comes accusation on the attack... but we're equip to "know the evil ones schemes!"
2) I LOVE and CHERISH my quiet time with the LORD. i mean, if i just clear some space, it's GOOD, i mean GOOD. i just show up and get loved. it's healthy and it's the LORD. well, in the past 2-3 wks, we've had some kid sicky issues, weird work schedule stuff, ect that has taken this time temporarily away from me. during this time, i have rarely heard from the LORD and when i have it's been super difficult. i've had other opportunties to get quiet time or just to sit with the LORD, but they weren't the way i like it/am used to (early morning, super quiet, no one for around for hrs, ect). i've also noticed that i use this as an excuse, "well, if i don't get my quiet time, i'm a little irritable and i can't hear from the LORD...". those are LIES. the net of last night is the LORD wants to walk with us ALL THE TIME. and late last night, the LORD said to me, "Adam, you've made this quiet time like religion. let's grow up. you can get Me any time, any where. just ask." ** The net of this story is that something that is VERY healthy, can be polluted by the ememy. let's be on the watchout, especially against anything that would say there are requirements to walking with Him. (other than receiving Jesus).
3) ya know what happened next? this sweet dude in my small group had a vision, no, let's call it a movie (it had music) for me when they were praying over me. he said, "i just hear the Andy Griffith song playing (my FAVORITE show as a kid by the way), i see Opey getting in the boat with his sweet Dad and going fishin... that's what the LORD wants with you, He just wants to go fishing with you, His favorite son. He LOVES you, and He just enjoys spending time with you, and you just enjoy looking into His eyes, listening to Him talk -- like Opey listen to his wise old Dad filling him with wisdom and building him up". Ahhhh, that's refreshing. so, when i walk in the door, Jesus tells me to leave my blackberry on the desk (i usually read something on it before bed, sometimes the Word, most of the time ESPN), and says, "i just want to be with you tonight as you lie in bed". when i got to bed, i had a great night. the LORD just met me there. he bound me in His love. i can't even really make sense of what happened, but He was there with me. and i fell asleep, surrounded with my Daddy. it was nice. ** i love the company of God's sons. i am ALWAYS so refreshed with Jesus lovers pray over me, give me a word, we meet together. thank you Jesus!
4) my wife has always been told a lie that she is insensitive, which, i believe, makes her also think she is not sensitve to the Spirt "as much as you guys" (referring to us people who hear the Spirit pretty regularly). nothing could be further from the truth. she may have a bad tone/soft skils occasionally, BUT, she has the purest, sweetest heart of anyone i know. VERY loving, compassionate, thoughtful, helpful, considerate, ect ect ect. And i see her where no one else does, ALWAYS loving. for me, she's inspirational in this area... anyhoo, so last night, Stevie talked about how this spirit can try to take away women's
... cont'd from above... sensitivities, so, long story short, it JUMPED OFF THE PAGE to me that we needed to pray this off my wife in my small group last night. in the 12 hours after, she had 2 INCREDIBLE sensitive leadings and following of the Spirit. i heard about them through a phone call with her today. then, on my way home, the LORD told me this was her being sensitive, and i needed to affirm her in it. so, when she told me about it again over dinner, i looked at boldly and lovingly said, "babe, you were so sensitive to the Spirit in these things. if you hadn't have listened and followed through, we'd have some trouble on our hands. you're sensitive to the Spirit." and SHE TOTALLY RECEIVED IT!!! which may not have happened in the past b/c she somehow would have discounted it. THIS IS GOOD STUFF GUYS!!! this may not sound very dramatic, but to me, this was a defining moment!
5) During this teaching, the LORD talked to me a lot/reminded me a lot about walking with Him. long story i'm not getting into now, but He just gave me so much peace about everything currently going on in my life, even things i've struggled with whether i'm in the right place e.g. job... He reminded me that if I just remain in Him (John 15 -- look it up!!! it's good!!!) i'm right where i need to be in all things, and i need to make the most/best of the situation. i just feel so much peace, and if there are any current "sufferings", i should count them as blessings as i'm in His will!
This series has certainly challenged many of my assumptions and afforded me the framework to look at the role of demons like bitterness, envy, jealousy, accusation and guilt in my own life. The opportunity to both recognize and eliminate these is invaluable.
As for religion, I cite the various Twelve Step programs which state that we "neither forget the past nor wish to shut the door on it." I was raised in the Roman Catholic tradition and can recognize both the short-comings and advantages of that faith. While Catholics sanctioned the Crusades, brutalized American Indians in the name of conversion, played footsie with Hitler's Nazis, and perpetrated a massive cover-up of clerical abuse they also built a university and health care system in Europe, America and Third World countries that lifted generations out of poverty and substandard care. I'll choose not to forget the past because I credit ten years of Catholic Jesuit education for my discernment and critical thinking skills. I'll choose to believe that Catholics' motives for building hospitals and schools were no less pure and God-honoring than we (Crossroads) ascribe to ours when we throw a picnic-for-the-poor, do a bunch of free painting and mulching, or build a facility in a far-off country. I'll choose to believe that small groups in other churches are every bit as foundational as ours, and that most of us are trying to have a real relationship with Jesus, know God's Word and put it into practice in our daily lives. Mostly, I'll choose to recognize that God gives us grace for a reason and we ought to give it to each other more often.
Disparaging other Christian organizations in the name of "only we do it right" is tempting but rarely reflective of much more than the speaker's own disposition and prejudices.Frankly, to me religions are simply collections of like-minded people with a common belief structure seeking a way to deal with certain organizational issues. They articulate messages and themes, collect and disburse funds, hire and fire staff, provide services to those in need, and perform a myriad of other essential duties. It isn't much different than choosing whether to be a corporate entity or just a loosely-organized group of guys who like to sell soap.
The problem isn't religion, it's religiousity. Believe me, Catholics who are stuffed into a system of feast days, holy days of obligation, and other works-based ways to salvation aren't much different from us "passionate Crossroaders" who are told to "quit taking up space in our auditorium" if you don't want to volunteer as a Kids Club teacher, coffee maker, greeter or bathroom cleaner. We shouldn't shoot the messenger until we're sure the gun isn't pointing at our own head.
As many 12-steppers also say, "Take what you need and leave the rest." For me anyway, I'll do that with a lot of this last session while I continue to work hard and process the warnings about bitterness, envy, accusation, guilt and the rest.
It's a rainy 4th of July, and I guess I have some other thoughts to put out there. A while back, I wrote some musings about the Occult presentation but couldn't post because I didn't have a Google account at that time. So, to the best of my recollection, here goes.
I'm glad not to have really connected with that presentation and grateful for not being afflicted with some of those big demons. I'm happy not to have made "unholy alliances" although I don't consider a courtroom oath or pledge of allegiance to be such. Most doctors I know (including my sister) can't remember much of the Hippocratic Oath except to do no harm. I have people who may bring me down (with their whining, wild promises or bluster) but no one who takes me down. To my knowledge, I don't harbor dark family secrets (although my kids have never seen my checkbook) but I don't automatically think of Jesus' healing powers if I reach for the Aleve.
The bottom line is I think much of this is very relative and dependent on your state of mind. I think we can all be lulled into seeing Harry Potter as evil as Anton LeVay. That's just nuts! I listen to Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones but also Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt and Sting. I don't waste any time looking for hidden meanings or playing tapes backwards for hints of satanic worship. It's just music and if it's done well, I'll probably listen. I've never burned a record album... although I broke one by the Spice Girls.
I've never been one to look in the closet or under my bed before I go to sleep at night. I generally wear t-shirts because I like them and they feel good, not because I want to be closer to some slogan-spinner or "with-it" brand. I don't fear the practice of yoga and martial arts, any more than I'd quit playing baseball, basketball or golf because, respectively, they have roots in ancient Mayan, Aztec or Druid cultures.
I have things on my "bucket list" like running with the bulls in Pamplona (probably too old now and I don't know much about St. Stephen), bow-hunting for bear (only chickens hunt with guns), playing golf at St. Andrews, and going to a real voodoo ceremony in Haiti. That last one came from seeing the movie, The Serpent and The Rainbow, years ago. Extremely fascinating and a very scary true story... but I think I'd have to be awfully weak in my relationship with Jesus to have a purely thrill-seeking adventure detract from my commitment to Him.
For me anyway, it's a waste of time to look for the boogeyman around every corner or to assign out-sized meaning and relevance to transitory conditions. If Ozzy wants to wear a lot of silver skulls it's probably because he's crazy... and has no fashion sense either. If he thinks he's the Devil that's proof he's crazy. Again, I'll be camping out with my thoughts on bitterness, envy, fear and guilt not worying about the hidden messages from Tai-Bo.
I have a few reactions fellas:
ReplyDelete1) religion is big, fat, hairy, and a "heavy load". i think i counted 25 underlings that we flung off of... me alone! when i get deep into this stuff, it's easy to hear, "good boy Adam. now, see where you NEED to be b/c of all you missed and screwed up? time to 'catch up'.". LIE! i would like to repeat the wisdom given to me many times:
** I'M RIGHT WHERE THE LORD NEEDS ME TO BE RIGHT NOW. IF HE WANTS ME TO CHANGE, IT'S HIS JOB. OH, AND IF I DO, HE STILL LOVES ME THE SAME. I'M NOT GETTING ANY MORE LOVED. I'M A FAVORITE SON RIGHT THIS INSTANCE, AND I'LL NEVER BE MORE FAVORED! ** (that also goes for anyone)... p.s. isn't it CRAZY how these demons work together? ok, i flung off religion, then, what did i describe above? here comes accusation on the attack... but we're equip to "know the evil ones schemes!"
2) I LOVE and CHERISH my quiet time with the LORD. i mean, if i just clear some space, it's GOOD, i mean GOOD. i just show up and get loved. it's healthy and it's the LORD. well, in the past 2-3 wks, we've had some kid sicky issues, weird work schedule stuff, ect that has taken this time temporarily away from me. during this time, i have rarely heard from the LORD and when i have it's been super difficult. i've had other opportunties to get quiet time or just to sit with the LORD, but they weren't the way i like it/am used to (early morning, super quiet, no one for around for hrs, ect). i've also noticed that i use this as an excuse, "well, if i don't get my quiet time, i'm a little irritable and i can't hear from the LORD...". those are LIES. the net of last night is the LORD wants to walk with us ALL THE TIME. and late last night, the LORD said to me, "Adam, you've made this quiet time like religion. let's grow up. you can get Me any time, any where. just ask."
** The net of this story is that something that is VERY healthy, can be polluted by the ememy. let's be on the watchout, especially against anything that would say there are requirements to walking with Him. (other than receiving Jesus).
3) ya know what happened next? this sweet dude in my small group had a vision, no, let's call it a movie (it had music) for me when they were praying over me. he said, "i just hear the Andy Griffith song playing (my FAVORITE show as a kid by the way), i see Opey getting in the boat with his sweet Dad and going fishin... that's what the LORD wants with you, He just wants to go fishing with you, His favorite son. He LOVES you, and He just enjoys spending time with you, and you just enjoy looking into His eyes, listening to Him talk -- like Opey listen to his wise old Dad filling him with wisdom and building him up". Ahhhh, that's refreshing. so, when i walk in the door, Jesus tells me to leave my blackberry on the desk (i usually read something on it before bed, sometimes the Word, most of the time ESPN), and says, "i just want to be with you tonight as you lie in bed". when i got to bed, i had a great night. the LORD just met me there. he bound me in His love. i can't even really make sense of what happened, but He was there with me. and i fell asleep, surrounded with my Daddy. it was nice.
** i love the company of God's sons. i am ALWAYS so refreshed with Jesus lovers pray over me, give me a word, we meet together. thank you Jesus!
4) my wife has always been told a lie that she is insensitive, which, i believe, makes her also think she is not sensitve to the Spirt "as much as you guys" (referring to us people who hear the Spirit pretty regularly). nothing could be further from the truth. she may have a bad tone/soft skils occasionally, BUT, she has the purest, sweetest heart of anyone i know. VERY loving, compassionate, thoughtful, helpful, considerate, ect ect ect. And i see her where no one else does, ALWAYS loving. for me, she's inspirational in this area... anyhoo, so last night, Stevie talked about how this spirit can try to take away women's
... cont'd from above...
ReplyDeletesensitivities, so, long story short, it JUMPED OFF THE PAGE to me that we needed to pray this off my wife in my small group last night. in the 12 hours after, she had 2 INCREDIBLE sensitive leadings and following of the Spirit. i heard about them through a phone call with her today. then, on my way home, the LORD told me this was her being sensitive, and i needed to affirm her in it. so, when she told me about it again over dinner, i looked at boldly and lovingly said, "babe, you were so sensitive to the Spirit in these things. if you hadn't have listened and followed through, we'd have some trouble on our hands. you're sensitive to the Spirit." and SHE TOTALLY RECEIVED IT!!! which may not have happened in the past b/c she somehow would have discounted it. THIS IS GOOD STUFF GUYS!!! this may not sound very dramatic, but to me, this was a defining moment!
5) During this teaching, the LORD talked to me a lot/reminded me a lot about walking with Him. long story i'm not getting into now, but He just gave me so much peace about everything currently going on in my life, even things i've struggled with whether i'm in the right place e.g. job... He reminded me that if I just remain in Him (John 15 -- look it up!!! it's good!!!) i'm right where i need to be in all things, and i need to make the most/best of the situation. i just feel so much peace, and if there are any current "sufferings", i should count them as blessings as i'm in His will!
Adam D. Elrod, lovingly pursued by God
This series has certainly challenged many of my assumptions and afforded me the framework to look at the role of demons like bitterness, envy, jealousy, accusation and guilt in my own life. The opportunity to both recognize and eliminate these is invaluable.
ReplyDeleteAs for religion, I cite the various Twelve Step programs which state that we "neither forget the past nor wish to shut the door on it." I was raised in the Roman Catholic tradition and can recognize both the short-comings and advantages of that faith. While Catholics sanctioned the Crusades, brutalized American Indians in the name of conversion, played footsie with Hitler's Nazis, and perpetrated a massive cover-up of clerical abuse they also built a university and health care system in Europe, America and Third World countries that lifted generations out of poverty and substandard care. I'll choose not to forget the past because I credit ten years of Catholic Jesuit education for my discernment and critical thinking skills. I'll choose to believe that Catholics' motives for building hospitals and schools were no less pure and God-honoring than we (Crossroads) ascribe to ours when we throw a picnic-for-the-poor, do a bunch of free painting and mulching, or build a facility in a far-off country. I'll choose to believe that small groups in other churches are every bit as foundational as ours, and that most of us are trying to have a real relationship with Jesus, know God's Word and put it into practice in our daily lives. Mostly, I'll choose to recognize that God gives us grace for a reason and we ought to give it to each other more often.
Disparaging other Christian organizations in the name of "only we do it right" is tempting but rarely reflective of much more than the speaker's own disposition and prejudices.Frankly, to me religions are simply collections of like-minded people with a common belief structure seeking a way to deal with certain organizational issues. They articulate messages and themes, collect and disburse funds, hire and fire staff, provide services to those in need, and perform a myriad of other essential duties. It isn't much different than choosing whether to be a corporate entity or just a loosely-organized group of guys who like to sell soap.
The problem isn't religion, it's religiousity. Believe me, Catholics who are stuffed into a system of feast days, holy days of obligation, and other works-based ways to salvation aren't much different from us "passionate Crossroaders" who are told to "quit taking up space in our auditorium" if you don't want to volunteer as a Kids Club teacher, coffee maker, greeter or bathroom cleaner. We shouldn't shoot the messenger until we're sure the gun isn't pointing at our own head.
As many 12-steppers also say, "Take what you need and leave the rest." For me anyway, I'll do that with a lot of this last session while I continue to work hard and process the warnings about bitterness, envy, accusation, guilt and the rest.
In God I trust,
Tom Hagerty
It's a rainy 4th of July, and I guess I have some other thoughts to put out there. A while back, I wrote some musings about the Occult presentation but couldn't post because I didn't have a Google account at that time. So, to the best of my recollection, here goes.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad not to have really connected with that presentation and grateful for not being afflicted with some of those big demons. I'm happy not to have made "unholy alliances" although I don't consider a courtroom oath or pledge of allegiance to be such. Most doctors I know (including my sister) can't remember much of the Hippocratic Oath except to do no harm. I have people who may bring me down (with their whining, wild promises or bluster) but no one who takes me down. To my knowledge, I don't harbor dark family secrets (although my kids have never seen my checkbook) but I don't automatically think of Jesus' healing powers if I reach for the Aleve.
The bottom line is I think much of this is very relative and dependent on your state of mind. I think we can all be lulled into seeing Harry Potter as evil as Anton LeVay. That's just nuts! I listen to Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones but also Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt and Sting. I don't waste any time looking for hidden meanings or playing tapes backwards for hints of satanic worship. It's just music and if it's done well, I'll probably listen. I've never burned a record album... although I broke one by the Spice Girls.
I've never been one to look in the closet or under my bed before I go to sleep at night. I generally wear t-shirts because I like them and they feel good, not because I want to be closer to some slogan-spinner or "with-it" brand. I don't fear the practice of yoga and martial arts, any more than I'd quit playing baseball, basketball or golf because, respectively, they have roots in ancient Mayan, Aztec or Druid cultures.
I have things on my "bucket list" like running with the bulls in Pamplona (probably too old now and I don't know much about St. Stephen), bow-hunting for bear (only chickens hunt with guns), playing golf at St. Andrews, and going to a real voodoo ceremony in Haiti. That last one came from seeing the movie, The Serpent and The Rainbow, years ago. Extremely fascinating and a very scary true story... but I think I'd have to be awfully weak in my relationship with Jesus to have a purely thrill-seeking adventure detract from my commitment to Him.
For me anyway, it's a waste of time to look for the boogeyman around every corner or to assign out-sized meaning and relevance to transitory conditions. If Ozzy wants to wear a lot of silver skulls it's probably because he's crazy... and has no fashion sense either. If he thinks he's the Devil that's proof he's crazy. Again, I'll be camping out with my thoughts on bitterness, envy, fear and guilt not worying about the hidden messages from Tai-Bo.
Loving God,
Tom Hagerty
Thanks for putting your thoughts out here, Tom.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate hearing from you.
Tom I'm glad you Got rid of that spice girls CD, more for the fact that it was the SPICE GIRLS!
ReplyDelete