Out of Body Experiences

Ok, I have to admit, before I go any further, that that title was just a hook. I guess my sense of humor is coming back. (I like to play practical jokes that don't harm anybody.) However, what I am going to write about it more "out of mind" experiences (and if you know me and my story, you'll find that statement humorous as well. But I digress.)

I've learned something recently and that is how to be out of my mind, and love every minute of it. (Ok, maybe I wasn't done with the funnies, cause I can't stop giggling. I crack myself up.) Ok, what's the point really? It's this:

A few months back, I saw a notice in the church bulletin about a class billed as "Learning Leadership." I thought to myself, "I'm a leader, and as far as I know I've never led anyone astray, despite all the wrong turns I make, so this looks interesting." I decided to take part. What I didn't know is that it is indeed a class that helps with leadership skills, but not in the manner that I had anticipated. This class was really called "Clarity in Christ" and has taught me how to listen and heed God's voice rather than my own. Now, I'm not talking some booming voice from somewhere over my head that tells me what I should do. And I'm certainly not talking about any of the voices in MY head. (HA, HA! LOL.)

No, what I'm talking about is concerted, purposeful time in prayer, worshiping, thanking, talking to and listening for that indeed "still, small voice." For too long now, I've listened to self talk, and the voice of the deceiver. I've listened to my past and my heart, when I should have been turning firmly away from both. Many of you know that my past is what many would imagine hell to be like. But that isn't where God intends for me to live. God intends for me to live with an eye to His future, and the good He has planned for me. He may have to lead me through some "valleys" but He will be with me through all of them. So without going into too much more detail, and without subjecting you to any more of my warped sense of humor, I'd like to share with you a verse that is very meaningful to me. My hope is that if ever you are hurting, if ever you are scared, if ever you are anxious, if ever you feel unworthy, that you will think of this verse as well.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things [are] noble, whatever things [are] just, whatever things [are] pure, whatever things [are] lovely, whatever things [are] of good report, if [there is] any virtue and if [there is] anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8 NKJV

The emphasis being on meditating on the things that are "pure," "of good report" (in other words, true), and "if there is any virtue." At least for me, this is where the emphasis is. If I focus on what is pure, not fleshly desires, but wholly of God; if I focus on what is true- what God says is true, and if I focus only on what is virtuous; then I cannot be anything but "out of my mind." For this I thank God, for He is good. In this, and in so many other areas. Be blessed my friends.

Passion Week

Here in the west, we celebrate this week as Passion Week. Sunday was the beginning of the week that led up to Christ's death and resurrection for all. Sunday was the day that we call Palm Sunday. It was the day that Jesus went into Jerusalem on a donkey, and the mulitudes went befor Him, crying Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord!

And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed [them] in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. Matthew 21:8-9 KJV

It's hard for me to imagine that this event took place not even a week before a multitude would again come to Him, but this time, they would be coming against Him. That the multitude would be coming to see Him crucified. After Jesus entered Jerusalem, He entered the temple and cleansed it of all the money changers, who had made His House into a "den of thieves". He then taught daily in the temple. He had a vast audience that hung on His every word. The cleansing of the temple (this for the second time) took place on Monday.

On Tuesday, Jesus gave us the most important commandment. That is, to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind; and that the second is like it: To love your neighbor as yourself. We are told that these two are the most important of God's commands. It was on this day that Jesus confuted both the Sadducees and the Pharisees, because He spoke truth. Matthew 22

Nothing is said of Wednesday, except that this was also a day that Jesus taught in the temple. Then we see that Thursday, the Lord is explaining to His disciples, at the Last Supper what would shortly come to pass. He prays over His disciples and all that would here His Word. That the Lord would not take us out of this world, but would protect us from evil.

What a dramatic statement! We are in this world, but we are not to be of it. What does this mean? From much study, and prayer, I have learned that this means that we are not to seclude ourselves in strictly Christian fellowship, but are to lead unbelievers to Christ. We cannot do that, if we keep to ourselves. However, while we are in the world, we are to remain as pure as is humanly possible, so that we represent Christ accurately. We are to be Christ-like. Have you gone outside your Christian circle today?

Sometimes, I find that it is a daunting task, to step outside that which is safe. To step into the world, and witness to an unbeliever, and yet that is precisely what Jesus tells us to do. We cannot do this, if we place ourselves as an exclusive "society". God's love and salvation is for all, not just us, and how can we expect "Well done, good and faithful servant." if we have not stepped outside our boxes and done what was commanded of us? I pray that the Lord gives me strength to witness this week, to those that may not be in my inner Christian circle of friends. That I will find the strength and the love to witness to others His great love for all.

Please "stay tuned" for part two of the Passion Week. Blessings to you.

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Photo courtesy of Keith1999