Category Archives: Faith/Spirituality - Page 3

Fear Not — How Big is Your God? (A Christmas Message)

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (Luke 2:10 KJV)

The advent of Christmas is upon us. I remember hearing the Christmas story a long time ago.
Most of us have heard or read the account of Jesus’ birth from Luke’s Gospel many times. In re-reading this passage I noted something for the first time:

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings or great joy, which shall be to all people. (Luke 2_8-10 KJV)

Shepherds tending sheep. Not unusual. Verse 9 says: “…the glory of the Lord shone round about them and they were sore afraid.”

These lowly shepherds were the first one’s to hear the good news of the birth of Messiah. Let’s examine now the 10th verse yet once more:

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (Luke 2:10 KJV)

The first words the angel said to the shepherds were: “FEAR NOT”!

The Bible is literally full of fear. Philippians 4:6 tells us:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (NIV)

“Do. NOT. Be. Anxious. What makes you tremble? A friend said to me: “How big is YOUR GOD”? Can you trust God to work out things in your life His way, and NOT yours? Are you going through desert experiences or situations that seemingly have no end?

Jesus came o this world, not as a king, not to the rich, nor to the elite powerful. He came humbly. A babe wrapped in strips of cloth. He won’t force himself into anyone’s life. You must invite him into your life:

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Rev 3:20 NIV)

Wayno
12/20/2013

Where can I go, when I’m addicted?

addiction-title

Where can I go, when I’m addicted?

Betsy is an attractive middle aged blonde, living with her parents. In this economy it is difficult to make ends meet. Appearances are often deceiving. Besty had travelled from the mid-west, to take care of her parents: her father has senile dementia, and her mother just had surgery to remove a cancerous tumour, and has a feeding tube.

One day I heard a knock at the door. It was Betsy. Her hair was a bit dishevelled, she slurred her speech, and she was not steady on her feet. As she passed by, I knew the reason. She was drunk. I could smell it on her breath. God must have had a reason to send her my way. Like the prophet Nehemiah, I shot a “prayer arrow” (Neh 2:4-5) to God asking for wisdom.

She wanted to go to the store for more booze. She had the keys to her car in hand. But she realised that she could not drive. Okay God, what do I do now? Almost by instinct, we have a tendency to do a knee jerk response. We want to play junior Holy Spirit, and judge. I sensed that was not my role. That is NOT what God wanted. It was a “woman at the well” (John 4:1-26) scenario. There is an old saying: “In vino veritas.” In wine, there is truth. I have 2 ears and 1 mouth, so I did twice as much listening, than talking.

As I listened, I discovered that she was trying to take care of her parents by herself, with no respite (rest and relief.) My family reached a point with my Dad, where we could no longer provide for his care. I understood where she was coming from. Betsy’s mother is very critical of her, and did not appreciate the sacrifice. Her parents did not drive her to drink, but they contributed. Scripture warns parents not to exasperate their children (Eph 6:4)

I asked Betsy, what role God played in all of this? She said: “I can’t believe a loving God would allow my parents to suffer this way.” “Ahh” I muttered to myself: “The Disneyland Syndrome.“ For a moment, I was able to share good news. I gave her a card for an online church, which she can access from her computer, on her schedule. God opened the door, just a crack.

There are many people who are on the fringe of society. Drunk, poor, addicted, gay, hiv/aids, lonely, widowed. Where can these people go? I could have just shut the door, instead God provided an opportunity to share the good news.


can i take my addictions into your theology
is it big enough to feel my pain
or will i stain your glass
with street smells and sweat
and where can i go
and where can i go
when i’m addicted?

Steve M. – outcastpress.org

What is a Cyber Minister?

wayno_cbc

People have often asked. Just what are you?

To use a phrase coined by Pastor Dave Hart from Sanctuary San Diego: I am a Cyber Minister. I have been performing ministry over the Internet, for over 20 years.

A lot of my ministry is on-line using a computer, mouse, a keyboard and the Linux operating system. (Thanks Joe.) Why a particular operating system? Linux is what’s called a free open source system (FOSS.) For me FOSS isn’t just a philosophy, it is a way of life. It has a level of transparency and openness that permeates my entire life.

Whether it’s moderating a Facebook group for Christian Goth Kids, Blogging, emailing, instant messaging, etc, you will find most of what I do, on the Internet.

An on-line presence, allows me to focus on here and now. To pray with people, and touch their lives in the present, rather then waiting for snail mail, a phone call, or Sunday services. The need is now. I can pray now.

I am part of a larger community. An on-line community of believers that expands to the outermost recesses of our tiny orb, called Earth.

Come. Join me in this new 21st century adventure.

God NEVER promised a Disneyland

hope

I encounter people who seem to have the notion that once they become a Christian, all will be “well with their soul” as the hymn declares.

Life presents us with difficult challenges and tough decisions. But Disneyland? God never promised this to me! What do we do when the scorching heat of the barren desert experiences comes vaulting into our life? It might be the loss of a job. A sudden lingering illness. The loss of a loved one. Where is God when it hurts so much, I can not make it through another minute? The rescue helicopter is in the distance, but it just flew over once again. They never saw the shouting and furious hand waving. Did God abandon me in the desert to die alone and frightened? There seems to be, no hope. And yet even in the darkest of times, God provides just enough shade for us to make through the next moment.

1 Kings 19 is a natural backdrop. Let’s back up for a moment. In the previous chapter, the prophet Elijah had just called down fire from Heaven to consume the sacrifice. In chapter 19, we find the prophet alone in the desert, running from those that would kill him. He was ready to die. Did you notice something? God does NOT scold Elijah for being depressed. God simply asked: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” God did NOT remove him from the desert. Instead Elijah found a broom tree (chapter 19:4) and sat under it. God provided just enough shade for the prophet to make it through the next moment.

In the desert experiences, faith is refined and proven. God did NOT remove Elijah to an oasis. God does NOT bring us to Disneyland in the midst of a trial. God provided a broom tree, just barely enough shade, to be out of the scorching heat for the moment. Too often we want to escape the seemingly never ending desert experiences. Remember God is with us, even in the desert. Chuck Swindoll said: “Remember past victories. They will sustain us when the negative tide of emotion enters our life from time to time.”

All of us have to come to grips with “the problem of pain” as C.S. Lewis so aptly stated. Does suffering have value? Life is not always a joy. It isn’t always wonderful. It is often times painful.

As Larry O. Richard said: “This may be one of the most important values of suffering. If life on earth were a constant joy, why would we fix our hope fully on the grace to be brought to us at Jesus’ return? If life on earth were without difficulty, how would we remain sensitive to our need for God? If life on earth were without trials or persecution how would we be forced to choose between commitment to Christ, and comfort or ease? As Peter said, suffering does have value. It reveals the genuineness of our faith, and brings praise to the Lord.”

We are called to be a broom tree and provide shade to a weary world.


“Hope is the thing with feathers,
that perches in our soul.
and sings the tune without words,
and never stops at all.”

– Emily Dickinson

Connecting to the Disconnected

beforeitsnews.com

 
In a world where even the sparest population has a connection to the internet, there are literally billions of people, who remain disconnected. Not technologically, but socially. Few see the disconnect of the disabled person and spirituality.

In the United States alone, 1 in 5 people fall into some category of being disabled. (disabilitystatistics.org)

Sensory disability (blindness or deafness)
Physical disability (movement impairment)
Mental disability (learning, remembering, concentrating)
Social disability (Autism/Aspergers)

Let that sink in. 1 in 5. 20% of the population of the United States are disabled. Can an on-line ministry bring people together? Let’s explore opportunities that may be next door, or down the street. Those who are shut-in due to one of the disabilities above. How do you minister to a person whose mind is sharp, but whose body does not function? Often we think of special needs. This caters primarily to children. But what about the adult who has suffered a traumatic brain injury or a devastating stroke, that has left them without the ability to communicate? The brain works. The body does not. We may look at someone, and say: “Oh! Special needs,” and lump them in with the children.

Parents with a severely autistic child. It might be just the 2 parents, and a child. Going out is impossible. Where are they going to find a baby sitter? Where are they going to go in public, where people don’t judge or make snide comments behind their back? Where can they go to be with God on their schedule? Their world is just home and work. No social contact with the outside. They need spiritual nourishment as well. Why can’t an on-line ministry serve the needs of this community?

Those of us on the Autism/Aspergers spectrum find social encounters to be awkward, un-inviting and painful. An on-line ministry allows us to be as connected to the world as we want, or to remain as anonymous as we need sometimes.

An on-line church experience is NOT the first thing the pops to mind. There is a disconnect between these people, and an on-line ministry. I am in a retirement village. Everyone here is over the age of 55. Some of the people I encounter are well into their 90‘s. Many can not get out of their home. Elderly and forgotten. How do you reach these people? Nothing will ever replace the care and compassion of the human element. We can minister to physical needs, but do we stop and consider the spiritual component? Why not connect them to an on-line community, where people can worship, meet and be spiritually infused 24/7/365?

On-line church allows people who are the most disconnected from society, to be part of a transforming life experience and enjoy the fellowship and simple joy of being connected to the rest of the world. Begin to point people in the direction of an on-line community of fellow believers.

There are many that are unable to be a part of a brick and mortar church. An on-line community awaits. All of us need to invest time in making a human and a spiritual connection to others, and begin to break the barriers of loneliness and spiritual isolation.

onlinechurch_fronts

not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Heb 10:25 NIV)

When I say I am a Christian

I am a Christian

When I say that “I am a Christian,” I am not shouting that “I am clean living.” I’m whispering “I was lost but now I’m found and forgiven.

When I say “I am a Christian,” I don’t speak of this with pride. I’m confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say “I am a Christian,” I’m not try to be strong. I’m professing that I’m weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say “I am a Christian,” I am not bragging of success. I’m admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say “I am a Christian,” I’m not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are far to visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say “I am a Christian,” I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say “I am a Christian,” I’m not holier then thou. I’m just a simple sinner who received God’s grace, somehow!

–Anonymous

Washing Mom’s Hands

I got this from a Facebook post — I doubt that is the true origin.

hands

One young man went to apply for a managerial position in a big company. He passed the initial interview, and now would meet the director for the final interview.

The director discovered from his CV that the youth’s academic achievements were excellent. He asked, “Did you obtain any scholarships in school?” the youth answered “no”.

” Was it your father who paid for your school fees?”

“My father passed away when I was one year old, it was my mother who paid for my school fees.” he replied.

” Where did your mother work?”

“My mother worked as clothes cleaner.”

The director requested the youth to show his hands. The youth showed a pair of hands that were smooth and perfect.

” Have you ever helped your mother wash the clothes before?”

“Never, my mother always wanted me to study and read more books. Besides, my mother can wash clothes faster than me.

The director said, “I have a request. When you go home today, go and clean your mother’s hands, and then see me tomorrow morning.

The youth felt that his chance of landing the job was high. When he went back home, he asked his mother to let him clean her hands. His mother felt strange, happy but with mixed feelings, she showed her hands to her son.

The youth cleaned his mother’s hands slowly. His tear fell as he did that. It was the first time he noticed that his mother’s hands were so wrinkled, and there were so many bruises in her hands. Some bruises were so painful that his mother winced when he touched it.

This was the first time the youth realized that it was this pair of hands that washed the clothes everyday to enable him to pay the school fees. The bruises in the mother’s hands were the price that the mother had to pay for his education, his school activities and his future.

After cleaning his mother hands, the youth quietly washed all the remaining clothes for his mother.

That night, mother and son talked for a very long time.

Next morning, the youth went to the director’s office.

The Director noticed the tears in the youth’s eyes, when he asked: “Can you tell me what have you done and learned yesterday in your house?”

The youth answered,” I cleaned my mother’s hand, and also finished cleaning all the remaining clothes’

“I know now what appreciation is. Without my mother, I would not be who I am today. By helping my mother, only now do I realize how difficult and tough it is to get something done on your own. And I have come to appreciate the importance and value of helping one’s family.

The director said, “This is what I am looking for in a manager. I want to recruit a person who can appreciate the help of others, a person who knows the sufferings of others to get things done, and a person who would not put money as his only goal in life.”

“You are hired.”

This young person worked very hard, and received the respect of his subordinates. Every employee worked diligently and worked as a team. The company’s performance improved tremendously.

A child, who has been protected and habitually given whatever he wanted, would develop an “entitlement mentality” and would always put himself first. He would be ignorant of his parent’s efforts. When he starts work, he assumes that every person must listen to him, and when he becomes a manager, he would never know the sufferings of his employees and would always blame others. For this kind of people, who may be good academically, they may be successful for a while, but eventually they would not feel a sense of achievement. They will grumble and be full of hatred and fight for more. If we are this kind of protective parents, are we really showing love or are we destroying our children instead?

You can let your child live in a big house, eat a good meal, learn piano, watch on a big screen TV. But when you are cutting grass, please let them experience it. After a meal, let them wash their plates and bowls together with their brothers and sisters. It is not because you do not have money to hire a maid, but it is because you want to love them in a right way. You want them to understand, no matter how rich their parents are, one day their hair will grow gray, same as the mother of that young person. The most important thing is your child learns how to appreciate the effort and experience the difficulty and learns the ability to work with others to get things done.

Long as I can grow it! My Hair! (Big Fat Hairy Deal)

A golden oldie: (circa 1995) — this really is no longer an issue, but it was back then

1 Cor -11:14,15 is what your looking for on long hair. I will quote it for you here and then give you some wisdom.

1 Cor 11:11 In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. (NIV)

1 Cor 11:12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God. (NIV)

1 Cor 11:13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? (NIV)

1 Cor 11:14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, (NIV)

1 Cor 11:15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. (NIV)

1 Cor 11:16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice– nor do the churches of God. (NIV)

1 Cor 11:17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. (NIV)

1 Cor 11:18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. (NIV)

1 Cor 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? (KJV)

1 Cor 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. (KJV)

1 Cor 11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. (KJV)

Strong’s # 2863 komao (kom-ah’-o); from 2864; to wear
tresses of hair: KJV– have long hair. (DIC)

Strong’s # 2864 kome (kom’-ay); apparently from the same as 2865; the hair of the head (locks, as ornamental, and thus differing from 2359; which properly denotes merely the scalp): KJV– hair. (DIC)

Okay, we have to look at the greek here some to understand what’s going on. Everybody quotes these out of context. Do NOT feel condemned, you are not sinning, but rather, her mother is mis-guided, as are a lot of Christian’s regarding long hair on guy’s.

The greek word used for BOTH LONG and HAIR in verse 14 is komao. Yup, same greek word for both long and hair. But what does it say: It says wear tresses in the hair. BTW this is the only place in the greek NT that these words are used!

Now look at verse 15 for a moment. The words translated LONG and HAIR in this verse, is our familiar komao. However, later in the “for her hair” part of the verse, another greek word is used, and that is kome, which means ornamental locks, etc.

What these verses really say, is NOT that men should NOT have long hair, BUT that they shouldn’t have hair that makes them look like a woman or effeminate. That’s is what those verses really say!

What does it say in verse 16, we have no practice or teaching regarding this matter, for those who are contentious or want to stir strife. In other words, it is a NON-issue. I wish everyone who quotes this out of context would read the whole passage, and some of the other things I will share with you.

Some people (Christian’s) will talk about the Nazerite vow, of never cutting their hair. Well that’s fine, but the guy better have a pretty long beard to match that long hair! He must also refrain from eating grape products (grapes, raisins, grape juice, wine, and never touch a dead body! — See Numbers 6:2-8!)

Long hair can be, in some cases, a sign of rebellion, or it can be a covenant between man and God. We need to be careful, that it doesn’t become an idol!

I may be faced with cutting my hair now, I don’t know. It would be tough. I’ve no covenant with the Lord, I just like long hair. But that may be short lived, as I began searching for a job.

Umm, dude, I got some bad news for you. I don’t know how to break it to you. BUT your hair definitely does NOT make you look like a woman!

What does John-3:16 say:

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)

Did it say, I have to do something to be saved? Yeah, believe.

Let’s look at Ephesians for a moment:

Eph 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith– and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– (NIV)

Eph 2:9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (NIV)

Eph 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV)

Oops! You mean I can’t earn my way into heaven by doing some good work! (Cutting my hair?) Afraid not. It’s a gift of God.

What about Romans:

Rom 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (NIV)

Rom 10:10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (NIV)

Rom 10:11 As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” (NIV)

Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile– the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, (NIV)

Rom 10:13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (NIV)

Guess what, all I got to do is confess and believe. Did it say I need to clean up my act first? NO. That is the ONLY condition put upon salvation. That song “Just as I am” doesn’t say, “Just as I will be” — Just as we are. God doesn’t tell us to clean up our act, nor to cut our hair to show that we are Christian’s. He loves us just as we are. He
told us just to believe in him, NOT to do a work to earn or prove my salvation. We can’t earn our salvation. The only thing we earn for our sins is DEATH!

“For the wages of sin, is death, BUT the gift of God is Eternal Life, through Jesus Christ.” (ROM-6:23)

What God’s gift? Eternal life. Did he tell me I had to do something other than believe? Sure didn’t! Did he tell me I had to cut my hair? No he didn’t. He didn’t tell me to do anything, except confess and believe (ROM-10:9,10)

Sorry this is so long, BUT you sorta put me into soapbox mode dude. Hope this helps. Let me know. It took me an about an hour and half to put this together, so it’s not as well researched as it could be.

One point I would like to make, and it’s a feeling, (again I would need more time to research this to prove this point so don’t quote me on this please) is that in those days, male prostitutes grew there hair long (to look like a woman), and female prostitutes cut their hair short (to look like men).

That, I feel is why those scriptures MAY have been written. Clearly, as I understand it, men are NOT to have hair or ornamentation in them, that make them look like a woman. The important thing, is that it was a non-issue for them.

Wayno Guerrini

12/3/91 @ 7:15 am

Thot 4 day — faith

“Faith makes all evil good to us, and all good better;
unbelief makes all good evil, and all evil worse.

Faith laughs at the shaking of the spear;
unbelief trembles at the shaking of a leaf;

unbelief starves the soul;
faith finds food in famine and a table in the wilderness.

In the greatest danger, faith says ‘I have a great God.’

When outward strength is broken, faith rest on the promises.

In the midst of sorrow, faith draws the sting out of every trouble and takes out the bitterness from every affliction.”

–Robert Cecil

(365 Day Daily Devotional, Larry O. Richards, Victor Publications, 1991, pg 255)

Remembering Steve M.

Steve M. paintingOf all the people I have met in my life, few compare with Steve M.

I met Steve over 20 years ago, when they were doing a radio show, called RadioHope. Steve was in Phoenix, and I was living in Southern California at the time. We corresponded for years. At last I had found a kindred spirit.

God brings people into our lives for a purpose. Fundamentally, he transformed me and my ministry. I used to hang out with the metalhead crowd. As I got to know Steve, I discovered he had compassion for the outcasts of society: the punkers, goths, skaters, cutters, homeless, elderly. Anyone whom God put into his life.

Steve grew up in Arizona, but would spend time visiting a small town in Minnesota, where his family and my friend Cyndi now lives.

I never knew a lot of Steve’s past. But you could tell from his writings, especially poetry, (see Outcast Press ) that he was no stranger to pain, suffering, or brokenness. Complaining is definitely something that was NOT part of his essential nature. Reaching people with the gospel, was his goal. At the centre of his existence, you would find an Evangelist. One who well understood the human condition, and one who would take the time to build a genuine relation with someone.

If I had only two words to describe Steve, one would be hopeful. If you travel around Phoenix, Tucson, or any town that he visited, he did what he called an art installation. He infused hope wherever he went. He would bring healing art (Dia de los Muertos style) to the homeless. If you see the word “HOPE” on a fence or by way, you knew he had been there.
 
 
The other word that describes Steve, is humble. Steve was not ostentatious, and his only penchant in life, seemed to be sports du jour. He loved to watch a good game on TV with his family. Steve had the right balance between ministry and home. A value he passed on to his sons.

For me personally, he was the one who painted my new home. I was privileged to have him as a friend, a kindred spirit, and a fellow shadow dweller.

I will always remember his contentment in life, his dedication to God and his family, and his spirit, which made all men yearn for the Creator of the universe. See you in Heaven, old friend.

”When a man of God dies, nothing of God dies.”
— AW Tozer

Hope in Tucson, Az


“Hope is the thing with feathers,
that perches in our soul.

and sings the tune without words,
and never stops at all.”
– Emily Dickinson


Wayno