Merlin's Mustache

I admit to selfishly having enjoyed this past Sunday afternoon by listening to an entire book in one setting like I’ve not experienced for far too long. Struggling to win over a prevailing sore throat for a week, I was basically quarantined from people and confined to my office to avoid afflicting anyone else, which is a bummer during a Holiday weekend and what’s even worse, I’m not entirely sure I’ve won the battle yet.

But before leaving Sunday afternoon, my eldest son Ben, suggested I read two books that he had recently read while on vacation in Viet Nam. And by 10 pm, I had finished listening to the first one by Robert Spalding titled “Stealth War: How China Took Over While America’s Elite Slept.” You may remember last Thanksgiving Ben introduced me to Matthew Kelly who was exactly the author I needed to read from extensively during my recuperation period and my life’s course adjustment.  I am not exactly sure how Stealth War may impact me in the next year, as that as with everything, depends entirely on how we allow God to facilitate or coordinate all the variables in our lives. Micro-managing or facilitating my life is not my big concern any longer. Knowing one’s essential life’s purpose provides a focus so that my goal now is to simply obey His bidding, which I’m suspecting this author was doing when he wrote this book, a goal espoused by many of us but too seldom actually practiced, by me at least! It is a story that really needs to be told, portions I’m sure that are in stark contradiction to the fake news surrounding us today. The following paragraphs are taken from the book’s promos.

China expert Robert Spalding reveals the shocking success China has had infiltrating America institutions and compromising our national security.

The media often suggest that the Russia poses is the greatest threat to America’s national security, but the real danger lives farther east. While those in power have been distracted and  disorderly, China has waged a 6-front war on America’s economy, military, diplomacy, technology, education, and infrastructure — and they are winning. It’s almost too late to do the shocking, though nearly invisible, victories of the Chinese.

In Stealth War, retired Air Force Brigadier General Robert Spalding reveals China’s motives and secrete attacks on the West. Chronicling how our leaders have failed to protect us over recent decades, he provides shocking evidence of some of China most brilliant ploys, including:

1. Placing Confucius Institutes in universities across the United States that serve to monitor and control Chinese students on campus and spread communist narratives to unsuspecting American students.

2. Offering enormous sums to American experts to create investment funds that funnel technology to China.

3. Signing a 30 year agreement with the US that allows China to share peaceful nuclear technology, ensuring that they have access to American nuclear know-how.

Spaulding’s concern isn’t merely that America could lose its position on the world stage. More urgently, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has a fundamental loathing of the legal protections America grants its people and seeks to create a world without those rights.

Despite all the damage done so far, Spalding shows how it is still possible for the US and the rest of the free world to combat and win China’s stealth war.

Robert Spalding is a national security strategist and a globally recognized expert on Chinese economic competition and influence. He retired from the US Air Force as a brigadier general. He is a former pilot of theB-2 Stealth Bomber, as well as former director for strategic planning at the National Security Council in the White House. He was the chief architect for the widely praised National Security Strategy.

Rob has lived in mainland China, both as an Olmstead scholar and as the senior defense official at the US Embassy in Beijing, and traveled extensively throughout Asia. He is fluent in Mandarin. During the 2016 UUD incident, Rob averted a diplomatic crisis by negotiating with the Chinese PLA for the return of the UV, without the aid of a translator.

Rob is a Life Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and a Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute, Washington, D.C.

This book is an executive summary of the last six years of Rob’s efforts to combat the influence of the Chinese Communist Party in America and around the world.

To watch Rob’s interviews on Fox News and CNBC, as well as numerous radio and YouTube channels, concerning matters of national security, 5G, and foreign policy, visit armchaireconomist.io.

Stress isn’t bad. Stress all the time is bad. Downtime isn’t a waste  of time. Too much downtime is a waste of time. Money doesn’t drive performance. Passion and purpose drive performance.

You can’t get more time, but you can have more energy. It is time to unleash the energy factor in your life. How? With three simple but powerful instruments. The first involves regular sleep. The second deals with regular prayer and reflection. The third instrument delves into the ancient tradition of the seventh day as a day of rest, reflection, and renewal.

It is these three instruments that shine the light of wisdom into the deep places of our hearts, minds, bodies, and spirits, revealing to us all our strengths and weaknesses. They encourage us to look at the different areas of our lives and to examine different aspects of ourselves – to observe the ways we respond to certain events, activities, people, and circumstances.

From this we gain the self-knowledge to place us in the position to understand our legitimate needs in each of the four areas of life – physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual.

These three instruments therefore lay the foundation for these needs to be met. The result is a man and a woman completely in harmony with themselves. This harmony produced by this rhythm of life increases our effectiveness in our work. It makes us more present in our relationships, and empowers us with a spiritual presence and focus – all of which gives birth to that deep and abiding peace, an inexpressible joy and satisfaction, and a sense of fulfillment that burns within us, igniting an excitement and a passion for life.  

Provided by Matthew Kelly from his book, “The Rhythm of Life: Living Everyday with Passion & Purpose.”

Blessings This Thanksgiving As You Reflect Utilizing The Three Instruments We’ve All Been Gifted!! … merlin

On October 7, I introduced you to Christian Moore’s “Resilience Break-Through” and this evening I just finished it. Continuing in the vein of “flipping-the-switch” I’ve chosen to share his electronic device assessment for this post. The following is verbatim from his book beginning on page 84.

“I’ve put together a short self-assessment to help determine whether your own use of electronics devices, (or as I like to call them, ED‘s) is having a negative impact on your emotional intimacy – in other words, whether you have electronic device disorder (EDD).

To get a better sense of how important your EDs are to you, give yourself one point for each statement that describes you and then read the recommendations for your score. (Remember: the assessment is only valuable as long as you are willing to be honest and do your best to avoid self-deception. You might want to consider asking someone who knows you well enough to answer on your behalf to give you a more complete and accurate perspective.) If you find that even just one or two of these questions describes your use of EDs, you may need to make a conscious effort to connect more with actual people and limit the amount of time you spend electronically connected. I know this is easier said than done, but it is absolutely vital to a healthy relationship.

+When spending time with other people, I can’t help occasionally pulling out my ED and checking it for updates.

+The information I obtain on my ED is more relevant to me then the information I am receiving from people in front of me.

+I can’t sit through an entire movie, game, or other event without checking my ED.

+The first thing I do in the morning or the last thing I do at night is look at my ED.

+When driving, I have a strong desire to reach for my ED.

+I can’t attend a family event without using my ED.

+I can closely predict the remaining battery life on my portable ED.

+The frequency with which I check email is much greater than the actual number of emails received.

+When I don’t access social media, I feel disconnected or frustrated.

+I communicate with more people through my ED than I do in person.

+People close to me have complained about the amount of time I spend on my ED.

+I feel anxious if I leave my ED at home or am ever away from it.

+I always know where my ED is.

+I feel a surge of excitement when I receive notifications on my ED.

How to interpret your score

You should have one point for each of the statements in the list that describes you.

1-2 points: You’ve got it under control. You are in the safe zone. If you can maintain the balance you currently have between the real world and technology, you’ll never be at risk of electronic-device disorder (EDD).

3-4 points: You have symptoms. You like your ED, but you’re not nearly as hooked as a majority of the population, and use your ED primarily for communication and a little bit for entertainment. Be careful not to get hooked on too many ED features that can slowly detach you from the people around you.

5-6 points: You are mildly disordered. In my observation, most people fit in this category. You love your ED, and without realizing it, you may be disengaging from others. Your family and close friends are probably the most aware of your EDD when they’re trying to make conversation or get your attention. Try putting your ED in another room for a few hours a day and really focusing in on your loved ones, others significant relationships, or a worthwhile hobby.

7-8 points: Electronic-device disorder has fully kicked in. If you score this high you’re in the danger zone! Pick one night a week to turn off your ED and focus instead on your family, friends, or a worthwhile interest. Gradually increase the number of nights a week you do this until your EDD score is between 1 and 3.

9 or more: EDD rehab is in your future. This is a severe case! Your life would literally cease to function if you were deprived of your ED, and that means you’re shutting yourself out of relationships and endeavors that matter most. Turn off your phone when you are driving, in a meeting, or eating a meal with someone you care about. Once you’re able to do this without experiencing anxiety, start turning it off one night a week, gradually increasing the number of nights a week you do this until your EDD score is between one and three.

Note: You may be tempted to give this assessment to someone you think needs it. Be careful, as this could make someone defensive without more context.

What message are you sending?

If you were a parent and this is something you struggle with, you might want to give your kids permission to ask you, “Mom/Dad, is what you’re doing on your phone right now more important than paying attention to me?” when they feel ignored or frustrated by your EDD. It’s also good to be aware that our kids themselves are growing up addicted to and overstimulated by these devices. We may one day feel rejected as our kids choose electronic devices over us, and at the same time we may be contributing to their addiction if we don’t give them guidelines and rules about their usage. Remember that song from the ‘70s, “Cats in the Cradle“? It was a popular song about a dad who didn’t have time for his son, and then the son grows up and doesn’t have time for his old and lonely dad. That may be us one day, recognizing the sad irony as the next generation grows up to be just like us – too plugged in to connect.”

The above is quite revealing and disturbing to me, and of course, my ego wants to snap back with “I’m the exception because of …..but my weaker maturity kicks in with “yeah, yeah, YOU always think YOU are the exception when actually you are not because….!!

Blessings as YOU GO FORTH TODAY FULLY “CONNECTING FOR REAL” … WHILE REMAINING SUFFICIENTLY “ED- DISCONNECTED” TO BE REAL!!!      merlin

Taken from Pray For ME Prayer Guide: The Prayer Champion’s Guide to Essential Prayer For the Next Generation by Tony Souder

Week Four Day One…. Page 59

Father, open my eyes so that I might see you more clearly, savor you more fully, and share you more freely.

1.) Circle or underline any keywords and phrases you See:

… since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything…..  “in him we live and move and have our being.” (Act 17:25, 28)

What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? (I Corinthians 4:7)

2.) Savor these truths in prayer for you and your student:

“Father, every breath is a gift of your grace and favor.

It is from your hand that we have life and breath and all things today.

It is in you that we live and move and have our being.

Keep us from taking your constant sustaining goodness for granted.

Create genuine delight in our hearts today for each breath.

Give us eyes to see the wonder of your sustaining favor, and cause our hearts to be full with thanksgiving.

For your glory and our good, in the all sustaining name of Jesus,

Amen.”

3.) Write down any thoughts or ideas you may want to share.

Blessings as YOU GO FORTH TODAY DECLARING HIS CONSTANT SUSTAINING GOODNESS AND FAVOR…….. merlin

Christian Moore is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and founder of the WhyTry Program, resilience education curriculum for youth.

Coming from a blended family of twelve children, Christian spent most of his childhood years on the streets. In a neighborhood just outside of Washington DC, he was exposed to a wide array of social problems, which opened his eyes to the many injustices that exist in our world today. These experiences, combined with severe learning disabilities and an inner-city volunteer experience as a youth, all contributed to Christian’s eventual decision to become a social worker and help others who struggle with similar challenges. After fighting his way to receiving a master of social work (MSW) and working in education, corrections, and a homeless program, Christian recognized the need for a new approach and created WhyTry.

Thousands of school districts across the US have had Christian consult on how to increase resilience, lower dropout, improve school climate, prevent bullying, lower the achievement gap, and improve academics through teaching social and emotional education to all students.

Christian lives in the Rocky Mountains with his wife, Wendy, and their two sons, carson and Cooper.

I have selected the following paragraphs to introduce you to Christian’s Flip the Switch concept that builds resilience.

Resilience is the ability to endure pain, to press on, even if you’re not winning. The ability to show up, to keep going, or even to just continue to go through the motions while you’re dealing with failure, depression, anxiety, hopelessness, addiction, legal problems, an abusive spouse, unemployment, a terminal illness – the list of struggles that are part of the human condition is endless – creates dignity. It creates self-respect. There is an honor in pressing through even the worst of circumstances. Pain channeled in a positive direction is the greatest thing that can happen to you.

Because of the vastness of the human experience, we all process pain differently with varying levels of ability, and we must have great compassion for others and not judge someone who appears less resilient.  However, resilience is what makes a difference between those who succumb to problems and those who fight through them. In each of those scenarios, one person got caught in the self-pity and blaming, becoming a victim and shutting down. The other person, however was resilient. They were able to say to themselves, I’m going to use this difficult situation as fuel to try harder.

I call this “Flipping the Switch.“ When you Flip the Switch, you stop for a moment, realize that you can turn your pain into power, move forward, committed to being resilient. Let’s look closer at the powerful edge that Flipping the Switch can give you.

How an Inmate can have an advantage over a Harvard grad

I’ve taught the concept of Flipping the Switch in some interesting places. After speaking to a group of students in an inner-city school, I was approached by an administrator immediately after my speech and asked if I had time to speak to a group of juvenile offenders in a local detention center that very afternoon. I had time before my flight, so I agreed, and they rushed me over to a lockdown facility full of boys ages 12 to 18 who had committed terrible crimes, including rape and murder. This was definitely a rough crowd.

Since the decision to have me speak was made last minute, the director of the facility didn’t have much warning that I was coming. She didn’t know anything about me or what I was going to be speaking about. These juvenile offenders are on a highly regimented schedule, and usually I need 20 or 30 minutes to set up my equipment. The director was obviously agitated, and as I started to get ready she angrily said, “They’re coming in right now! You don’t have time to get set up. Do you know who these kids are? What are you going to say to these boys?” In her defense, she was caught off guard, but it wasn’t hard to hear what she was really saying. I imagined her looking at me, a short fat, white guy from upper-middle-class suburbia, and thinking I was way out of my league. What could I possibly have to say of value to these young men? The offenders – mostly African-Americans and a few Latinos, started slouching into the room. “Put your computer away,“ she said. “Go.“ I walked to the front of the room, and she left the room as I began to speak.

The boys lean back in the chairs, not making eye contact with me. Their body language said, what you got? and there was a ton of attitude in the room. They weren’t into it at all. I walked over to the wall and start flipping the light switch on and off. The room, with only one small window by the door, went very dark each time I turned off the light. And every time light once again flooded the room, I saw the boys looking at me like, Are you crazy?

With my finger still on the switch, I said, “I’m about to teach you something, and if you are able to really understand it, every one of you in this room could have an advantage over a student at Harvard.” That got the room quiet; the scraping of chair legs and shuffling of feet stopped. Now I had their attention.

I explained to them what it means to Flip the Switch – that they had the power to see their challenges differently and convert their anger into the fuel to be better. “The only thing that really gives someone in jail an advantage over someone at Harvard, “I said, “is how quickly they realize that the switch is there. That Harvard guy, he might not realize it’s there until he’s 60 years old. Or never. You guys right now are teenagers. Can you imagine the power of knowing that switch is there when you’re 15 or 16? The switch equals the awareness that you can use pain, disappointment and tragedy as fuel to overcome life’s challenges. That you can see your problems as your best friend. I’m telling you, there are a lot of adults you never knew they had this capacity. I have family members who have lived on this Earth 80 years and they never knew they could Flip the Switch. They only saw their problems as a reason to be angry, upset, feel disrespected, and turn to depression, anxiety, or hopelessness. These are educated people! And they only saw their pain as a reason to give up.

“Anybody here ever messed up?“ I asked, scanning the room. “Anybody hear have any great pain in your life?“ All of those boys raised their hands, and most were now making full eye contact with me. “You’ve got the fuel! You got the fuel already in you! You got to use that fuel to become greater. I don’t care where the fuel came from, whether it’s poverty, abuse, you hurting someone else, your dad dying, or your mom in prison…. I don’t know where your fuel comes from. But you got the fuel. Anybody here frustrated?” “Again all hands went up. “Use the fuel, I’m telling you! If you use the fuel you have an advantage over somebody at Harvard who doesn’t know how to use the fuel. There are people who run multimillion dollar corporation‘s or have PhDs that don’t get this. If you understand how to Flip the Switch, you WILL have the advantage.“

I paced the room trying to look into each of the boys’ faces. They were looking up now, leaning forward eagerly. I shouted out a challenge; “Every night I want you to ask yourself, ‘Am I Flipping the Switch?’ When you mess up, are you giving up or trying to become greater? Because the reality is, everyone messes up. The most resilient people use the mess as a reason to become greater. Everyone has nights when they go to bed with fear, frustration, anxiety, and anger. You’ve got to Flip the Switch, and consciously decide to wake up tomorrow and work as hard as you can to do the best that you can. You consciously decide to not get hung up in all the crap. That’s what resilient people do. When you walk out of here, you can use your pain as fuel to be a better employee, A better son, a better father. Because of this difficult situation, you’re going to become greater.”

I explain to them that the reality is, they’re in jail. They are going to sit there for five, ten years – however long their sentence is. Time is constantly moving, no matter where they are, and they could spend their time there being angry and rebellious, or they could work on Flipping the Switch. I told them that the minute they Flip the Switch, their emotions flip as well, and that if they do this, previously unforeseen options will eventually open up to them. Things they might never have dreamed of will come together. Once they were committed to this course of action, I said, doors would open for them, doors they didn’t even know existed.

By the end of my speech, those young men were fully engaged. You could’ve heard a pin drop in that room. Afterward, they stood in line to talk to me. They were emotional and sincerely thanked me, saying things like “I see the world different” and asking me questions, hungry for more. They were extremely respectful, former attitudes and wariness forgotten. It was an intense and amazing experience for me as I felt their emotional eagerness. They’d come in rolling their eyes, and they left shaking my hand.

When the director returned, two supervisors who had remained in the back of the room pulled her over and talked to her. She then came to me, thanked me for coming, and apologized for being upset earlier. “I misjudged you,“ she said. “My staff told me this was one of the best speeches they’ve ever heard.“

As a side note, it’s interesting that I had to Flip the Switch during my interactions with this director. I agreed to volunteer my time and speak to this group last minute. When she was condescending and rude to me, not allowing me to set up, my initial reaction was to get angry and defend myself. However, I knew that the most important thing was for me to have the chance to help these kids, not to get even with her. With that thought in mind, I was able to Flip the Switch – to draw upon my anger and convert it into energy for my talk.

My good friend Daniel Gerber suggested I read this book titled “The Resilience Breakthrough: 27 Tools for Turning Adversity into Action” by Christian Moore and a Foreword by Stephen Covey.

The author details on page 34 that once you are aware that the switch exists, you will need the ability to flip it. Follow these steps to do so.

1.) Combat denial and acknowledge that there is a problem. Realize the reality of your pain from where you’re standing. Pain can occur anywhere across a wide spectrum  – it could stem from a true crisis or simply a the day-to-day hardships that mow you over. Whether you’re overwhelmed by laundry or loosing your home, accept that the situation is your reality. However, a word of caution here – it’s also important to keep things in perspective. Don’t get bogged down in the negativity; acknowledge that you can still get up and do something no matter what your reality is, and that while everything may seem hopeless, life evolves quickly.

2.) Ask yourself the Flip the Switch question: How can I use this emotional pain, challenge, or situation to better my circumstances and make me more resilient – today, this hour, this minute, this second?

3.) Do the opposite of what people would normally do in a similar situation. Even if a certain response is understandable, valid even, do the opposite. When you Flip the Switch, you’re turning the situation on its head – you’re turning bad into good, pain into power.

4.) Pay attention to how you feel inside when you decide to Flip the Switch. You’re likely to feel more energized, hopeful, and motivated. This will inspire you to continue to Flip the Switch in the long term. This will increase your awareness and allow you to feel more in control enabling hope and optimism to grow.

Christian Moore has inspired me in dimensions as a non-practicing educator I was sorely needing. You as teachers and social worker types may well be familiar with Christian’s books. He certainly raises the bar for professing believers and especially for you at Kidron Mennonite this morning who heard Pastor Carl’s sermon on “Steps to the Future: Decide.” Bottom line, we must decide when summoned by God whether we’ll 1.) Offer Him our Excuses or 2.) Accept His Expectations! Our excuses come easy but our obedience at the table of God’s support is rare considering His Expectations and Resources; including Promises, Perceptions (our finite vs. His infinite), Power, Provision, and Purpose!

Christian grew up on the streets as a drug runner with severe learning disabilities who is now definitely leaving his imprint all over his sphere of influence. He took his finite less than “normal” talents and “grew” them into a legacy matched by few even with a full deck of their faculties. Please understand this introduction in no way summarizes the vast content Christian portrays in this book.

Blessings as You Go Forth creating your legacy in the full array of God’s expectations designed specifically for YOU and your talents >>>>> merlin  

In my prior post, I introduced to you to the book “Self Deliverance made Simple: Keys to Closing Every Door to the Enemy in your Life” by the Clarks. This has been a profoundly significant book for Loretta and I. Before introducing the next book, I have chosen to share from this book’s final pages of these three double “I AMs” found in Isaiah. The following is taken verbatim beginning on page 215 in a section titled Deliverer, Forgiver, Comforter.

A friend of ours discovered a profoundly significant truth, but he is a scholar and wasn’t really interested in teaching about it. Scholars sometimes get more joy in the discovery process, finding nuggets, than teaching about them. It concerns the double “I AM, I AMs“ found exclusively in the Book of Isaiah (see Isa 43:11, 25; 51:12).

The Hebrew word ani is used whenever someone talks about themselves such as, “I went for a walk.“ Not only can I go for a walk, but anyone else can, too. The distinctive Hebrew word used in Isaiah for “I am“ is anochi. What is so significant about this? Anochi is used when referring to oneself alone as opposed to everyone else – I and no other. Anochi also means the speaker is expressing a desire to get close to the person they are addressing, that it applies intimate relationship between the speaker and the one spoken to.

What should we understand about anochi when doubled? The importance of a teaching in the Bible is signified by the use of doubled words. We are thus alerted to the introduction of weighty matter with profound significance. When God calls Himself as anochi anochi toward us, he is giving us notice that we have a special and exclusive relationship with him and it is vital for us to understand.

Therefore, the only way you can fully render the meaning of these three double I AMs is, “I AM, I AM God with an attitude about this! It’s a good attitude, of course, but one of great fervency. In other words, anochi anochi as used in the book of Isaiah means, “I AM, I AM fervent about these things! I am passionate about delivering, forgiving, and comforting you, and I am the only one who can do this!“

These three imperative statements in Isaiah are uniquely powerful statements from the heart of Father God toward us (see Isaiah 43:11, 25; 51:12). They reflect the burning passion of our heavenly Father on our behalf. He desires to deliver, forgive, and comfort us to the uttermost. Deliver us how? Back to the heart of the Father who spoke us into existence on planet earth.

We, as children of our heavenly father, should share this His deep desire to rescue those who are in bondage. He wants to express His heart through us. In the mission statement of Jesus, he announced that he had been sent to “proclaim liberty to the captives“, (Luke 4:18). Now the Lord invites us to co-labor with him on behalf of others. May the fire of his Love burn in us!

I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?“ Then I said, “Here am I! Send me“(Isaiah 6:8).

We are delivered to be deliverers.

Moreover, we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent his Son as Deliver of the world ( I John 4:14)

I, even I, am the Lord, and besides Me there is no savior [deliverer] (Isaiah 43:11).

Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6)

Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.“ And he came out that very hour (Acts 16:18).

We are forgiven to be forgivers.

I, even I, and he blots out your transgressions, [as your forgiver] for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins, (Isaiah 43:25).

We are comforted to be comforters.

I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid? (Isaiah 51:12)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (II Corinthians 1:3-4).

Blessings as You Go Forth Facilitating the Faith You’ve been Given into your Spheres of Influence as Deliverers, Forgivers and Comforters; not merely as “tin horns blaring your wares” but rather, since we’ve been given much, that we always share from a vibrant, vulnerable, transparent heart of empathy, attracting nearby “seekers” to the Gospel as Jesus did. ……….merlin

 I have been scarce of late for many reasons but do know  one thing. What I enjoy as much or even more than writing, is listening to others explain what is most important to them just now.  Perhaps I’ll even ask how that has changed recently for them, or not! For it is from those insights, from both me and them, that we can begin to build mutual interesting significant relationships. Relationships possessing value and exhibiting the seven levels of intimacy as identified by Matthew Kelly in his book so named include clichés, facts, opinions, hopes and dreams, feelings, faults fears and failures, and finally, legitimate needs. And no, these levels are not achieved in any particular order though clichés and facts are usually first encountered. It does seem our culture is bent on destroying meaningful communication as it is being encouraged by both Kelly and the Holy Scriptures. But more on that later.

I have read Dennis and Dr. Jen Clark’s book “Self – Deliverance made Simple: Keys to Closing Every Door to The Enemy In Your Life” several times with much appreciation. I just recently returned to it to prepare to lead a 90 minute weekly discussion group thru it’s three sections and seventeen chapters. The sections are titled “Training for Battle, Winning the War, and Advancing the Kingdom.” Likely not your typical self help Christian walk in the park book!

Quoting from its Preface, “The Protestant Reformation began to restore the truth of the priesthood of the believer. In practice, however, most believers are an audience instead of an army. The times are changing. Deliverance Made Simple is not intended to be a comprehensive guide on the subject of deliverance, nor do we suggest that the church no longer needs experts for deliverance ministries. However, we do believe there are somethings we can learn to do ourselves.  We should take care of our own daily dental hygiene by brushing our own teeth and flossing, but we still need to go to the dentist for cleanings and dental emergencies.

God has given all believers spiritual weaponry and authority but  many have never been taught how to use their spiritual equipment. When leaders train their congregations to rely on Christ within for daily “spiritual hygiene,“ they can trust more in God and rely less on other people. As pastors, we rejoice to see Christians in our own fellowship taking personal responsibility for their spiritual growth. As far as we are concerned, it is very fulfilling to show up as coaches equipping the team to “play the game.“

Quoting now beginning on page 18, “when Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden, prior to sin entering the picture, they had perfect harmony with God and one another. The only emotions they felt were God’s emotions. Emotions were created to be conduit, or “pipes,“ for the love of God. We experience the love of God as the fruit of the Spirit – one fruit, multiple functions (see Galatians 5:22-23).

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Joy is love rejoicing:     finding the pleasure in God‘s presence.

Peace is love resting:     having an assurance that everything is in God’s hands.

Patience is love enduring:     willing to wait for God’s timing.

Kindness is love giving:     serving others with Mercy.

Goodness is love motivating:     love and holiness.

Faith is love trusting:     we can believe God and others can believe us.

Gentleness is love esteeming:      (“esteem others better” than yourself, see Philippians 2:3). 

Self-control is love  restraining:     (power under control)

Reread this several times over several days. These are the “key understandings” to implement the “Seven Levels of Intimacy” in your life. Are you perfecting your rejoicing, your resting, your enduring, your giving, your motivating, your trusting, your esteeming, and your restraining? This will require your conscious diligent effort  and practice! ==========================================================

“As soon as sin entered the picture, Adam and Eve were catapulted into a kingdom of disharmony, toxic emotions, and evil tormentors. In just a few short verses in Scripture, Adam and Eve felt hurt, fear, lust, anger, guilt, and shame for the first time. (see Genesis 3:1-24). Every negative emotion signals an area where the enemy has legal ground. The banner over the kingdom of God is love. (See Song of Solomon 2:4). The flag over the kingdom of the devil is fear. God’s emotions are love based while negative emotions are fear-based.”

The last three paragraphs in this chapter identify Jesus saying “if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither willy our Father in heaven forgive your trespasses“ (Mark 11:25-26). This does not mean we lose our salvation if we fail to forgive someone, but we will suffer the consequences of our sin and will experience tormenting demonic harassment. (see Matthew 18:21-35).

Our conscious mind only knows a tiny portion of all that is hidden within us. Even when we can’t think of anything, the Lord will reveal what needs to be dealt with when we get in the attitude of prayer. When we ask God to show us secret sins and issues in our heart, the Lord is always faithful. Never once has he said, “You are now perfect and have no need of me! “

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way (Psalm 139:23-24 NASB).

The principles for forgiveness, emotional healing, bringing down strongholds, and self-deliverance can be easily learned and quickly applied by all believers, including young children. We have taught many children as young as three and four years old to forgive and let Jesus wash “bad feelings” out. Children actually learn more easily than adults because they haven’t spent years living by will power and intellect. God has equipped all Christians, young and old, with the tools for victorious Christian living.

The following are Block Quotes from Chapter One “Hitchhikers”

When we forgive, we have peace.

Fear invites evil into our life.

Sanctification and spiritual growth is an ongoing process.

Negative emotions remove us from God’s protection.

Emotions show us what kingdom we’re in.

Evil can’t touch something God controls.

Forgiveness is instant!

Keep short accounts with God.

Unforgiveness is sin.

God has equipped all Christians for victory!

Blessings as YOU GO FORTH TODAY TRAINING FOR BATTLE….merlin

I have been in the woods the past two days getting firewood out for the approaching winter. The past two evenings I’m complying with my health adviser to soak an hour in the jacuzzi adding 3 cups of Epsom salts and two cups of Bicarb of soda. Thus far, I’ve been awaking the next morning refreshed and ready for more. But just now minutes ago, after the soak, I was suddenly wide awake and after 20 minutes of tossing, I felt compelled to just get out of bed and write about today. It irks me to waste time tossing and fortunately, it seldom occurs.

So in my last post I spoke of honestly being transparent of the twists and turns as my life journey unfolds. And that elevates the stakes a tad as such honesty may well implicate Loretta as well. But such is not the case in this post as it all relates only to me.

I was really planning on being in the woods before 8 am but then the quarterly visit from my friendly alienpestcontrol.com called being nearby so I obliged him. Now I can at least wash the windows since he sprays during the fall visit. I also got detained by some desk work but finally by 10:30 am I was parked in the woods with the two wheel trailer in tow looking at just where to begin. It was a most tranquil scene. The cascading sunshine was filtered by the numerous tall trees throughout the surrounding area and over the “transport ready” beech and cherry chunks that had been cut earlier. I was picking up the smaller pieces not needing to be split to make it easier for us to navigate the wood splitter on the 21^st when I have two muscular high school youth coming for a few hours to split the 30+ trunk slices that likely weigh 100-200 lbs. I’ll borrow neighbor Grandpa Martin’s pristine historical “cant hook” to help move them in exchange for several boxes of Smith Ice Cream.

So imagine, here I am just totally enjoying the surrounding beauty, thanking God that I’m even able to function in this capacity after last year. I then again ask him to protect me from danger today as well as to bless Loretta’s lunch with her friend Donna from Smithville High School days. As I recall, I spent some more time dwelling on some names of persons currently demanding more prayer time, and just enjoying the tranquility of the deep timber.

Next, I’m prompted to text my coach, JD and say “OK, I’ve been reading Malcolm Gladstone’s book “David and Goliath” and find it full of interesting stories of thought provoking inspiration. Our mutual friend Matthew Kelly speaks often of the impact and significance of stories in helping listeners or readers connect the truths and concepts being shared.” And there was more I’ll not bore you with. In seconds he shot me back a response with a youtube link “Wake up call” that he and his daughter had just introduced to youtube and while I was watching that, he sent me the second of the series.

After watching both 12 minute segments, I just sat there stunned. True, I only have known JD 6 months but we have been thru some “appreciable stuff”together and he never gave me a hint of suffering a loss 6 years ago as I had nearly 47 years ago. I didn’t call JD. Eventually, I text him the following

“Oh JD! I had no idea what you’ve been thru. I will never forget sitting here in the woods this tranquil almost holy morning on September 11, 2019  watching you share these two YouTube’s. So unique that I’d experience all this from you this morning here in my woods while getting firewood out. You know I literally grew up in the woods. It was my escape place as a child and where my mother would take me for Sunday afternoon walks as our farm was adjacent to several sections of state acquired woods for back taxes. Literally a  MN Appalachia! Perhaps that’s why I live in a remnant of a woods now. You reminded me of my loss 47 years ago  and my leg breaking episode first anniversary coming up on the 18^th. Good Stuff JD! Blessings as you challenge us all to heed our wake-up calls by first accepting God’s love, and then fully embracing and facilitating unconditional love in our spheres of influence.

Still reflecting, I shared the first segment with Loretta, our three sons and my sister. The time now was nearly noon and I had not even yet got off the tractor seat. I turned on the boom box and continued listening to “David& Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants” as I loaded and then unloaded and stacked. This book is definitely a must read for every believer desirous of engaging in pertinent conversation with unaware seekers or borderline lethargic believers on numerous fronts. More details on the book in a future post. It does reveal two most interesting pacifist accounts of an immigrant Winnipeg Mennonite couple and a French Huguenot community near Switzerland protecting and smuggling out Jews during the German occupation.

Seriously, I still had three more interruptions during the afternoon before I finished the book only to promptly begin going thru it the second time to catch what I missed earlier. I frequently do that. Two of the breaks were by believer disciples with both discovering a new approach to moving forward. So neat for me to be privileged to witness and be myself so encouraged by their growth.

And now as I conclude this unique and memorable day, the rain has indeed finally arrived, only 12 hours later than forecast the day prior, accompanied even by lightening and thunder. What is really strange about today was the thunder that periodically was heard at least in the Dalton area during bright sunshine from 1 pm on, when the rain was to have begun. Perhaps a tribute to the 2001 9/11?

I’m in my writing chair now in my office but I likely should have gone to the covered patio when I arose at midnight to fully enjoy the progression of the thunderstorm. It is now 2:30 am and  I am fulfilled, and ready to retire. Never though was I expecting such a unique and  meaningful day. I was to just going to get the wood out. 

Blessings as You GO FORTH today accepting, implementing, and then fully embracing facilitating unconditional love in yours spheres of influence…. As we yet have breath, strength and opportunity to do so!         merlin