Not a pretense of better living through higher thoughts or actions.. Not a contrived morality or confidence in my own imagined righteousness.. But an admission of being lost!.. Of being sought out, found and forgiven!.. Not an escape from pain or hardship, but an awareness that God loves and believes in me more than I could ever believe in Him. That He has the power to keep me and accomplish His will for me in this life and the next. www.jackandcarlayoutube & www.morethanmanagement.life
I love blasting out of the water like a water-skier and flying through the air to carve pathways through the waves! I love being empowered, and even overpowered by a mysterious invisible force! And I also love it when a gentle soft breeze glides me across the calm waters of a lake as I take in the changing colors of a sunset or get to ponder the flying of egrets and ospreys diving for fish.
(Sailing on Vancouver lake)
As long as I can remember I have loved the outdoors and the water, and to be honest, I also have always had what seems like a major need for speed and excitement! I found it all in the sport of windsurfing.
I took it up about 40 years ago shortly after I gave up street riding on my motorcycle.
I often sail with as big a sail as possible. Even on difficult days. The people that I sailed with in Hawaii called it, “Blasting.”
(Note my long rooster-tail-wake while blasting back from the outers)
Good part is…, when I crash, I get wet! I sometimes skip across the water like a stone. I skip. I flop. And I get wet! That’s all! Just wet! And then I get up and do it again.
After one of my friends got hurt badly on his street bike, I thought about selling my bike and taking up windsurfing. I eventually did, and have been sailing ever since. I will share more about that later.
The world windsurf speed record was set on a very longboard back in 2020. Three windsurfers with three sails all on one very longboard accelerated to 64 mph. Now that’s...
SOME INCREDIBLE BLASTING!
As I mentioned, earlier, as long as I can remember I have had what seems like a major need for speed and excitement and I also had a friend who had a tragic motorcycle accident.
There is a sailing proverb that talks about lessening tragedies like crashing or capsizing, but the true meaning goes much deeper. The saying goes like this...
"You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust your sails."
But if you are like me, you will be tempted to paraphrase it too...
"You can’t control everything, but you can use control to get what you want."
Coincidence can make these statements seem equal. But they are not. The coincidence for me was that switching from fast motorcycle riding to fast windsurfing was a huge reduction in risk. On my bike I was always either over twisting the throttle or looking for the next place where I could.
This is not uncommon in our society. Most of us have seen reckless motorcycle riders on the freeways, sometimes doing wheelies at full highway speeds.
Compared to some of them I was very, very tame. And my friend's accident did get my attention. But his accident isn't really what awakened me. I kept and rode my bike for some time after his accident. Recklessly!
What changed me was, I had a spiritual awakening.
Let me explain. Even though I knew my recklessness was risky and I experienced fear, I still wasn't willing, and therefore unable to be safe from the tragedy that pursued me. For me, "control," was the problem. Not the solution. So the idea of self-control became skewed. It was as though I was holding a fire extinguisher filled with gasoline.
It wasn't about what I could control because I misused the control that I had. I stubbornly refused to yield my sense of power and I chose to ignore the teaching of my faith and even reason. At times I would become laser focused on going ever faster, consumed with the elation that my reckless speeding brought me! I closed my eyes to the risks and potential loss and consequences to myself and others.
I didn't awaken until I realized that my devotion to my imagined, "need," was merely our present expression of what the ancients called, “Idolatry.” My actions were willing offerings of self destructive, “Sacrifice,” to the god of my devotion, the god that I truly pursued, the god I passionately sought to bring pleasure and fulfillment into my life, assuming that...
You may mistakenly think that, "this god," would be found in the very passions that I pursued! But no! My god, wasn't my passion. My god was more cruel than any passion! My god was the reckless ruler that so carelessly imposed his will!
It was, "the god,” we are all taught to cherish in our humanist age.
photo from http://www.manhusbanddad.com/vocation/man/twelve-righteous-virtues/
It was the, "me, myself and I, that I, WILLFULLY CHOSE! The, "Me," I sought to CREATE and chose to PRESENT.
My devotion was to my own absolute autonomy. My religiousness at that time, or lack thereof, was merely an expression of this same Self-Willed-Autonomy. I didn't experience freedom until I examined myself and surrendered my right to self ruler-ship and embraced the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
I had been taught to be religious since early childhood. I grew up in a strong liturgical system that also embraced applying bible truths found by the patriarchs and through present day group and personal bible study.
In general, much of my religious practice was sound. But I personally never truly understood the dynamics of idolatry and what submission to the Lordship of an all powerful, all knowing, loving and redeeming God truly meant.
I was superficially committed. But my commitment was intentionally limited and subject to the choices of my own personal preference. I was committed to the, “god of my own understanding."
I refused to examine the cracks in my spiritual foundation just as I refused to acknowledge and examine my motorcycle recklessness and other areas of wonton decay and wickedness I carefully kept hidden.
By my refusal, I became completely unable to submit my will to anyone that I did not fully agree with; even those representing the legitimate authority of God as clearly expressed in His word. In My Religion I remade God to be my servant.
My "Self-Will," was my god and I was totally devoted.
Today, there are big divisions in our country. Some are seeking "Change," to correct what they feel are injustices by enforcing Progressive Social edicts. Others rigidly resist these edicts and see them as destructive threats to the very foundations of human society. Both argue over ideas of identity, purpose and social favoritism and in the chaos embrace division, and even callous destruction through similar acts of intentional recklessness. Acts often much more reckless than any actions I did on my motorcycle.
Apart from my fascination with speed, I was highly thought of. As an athlete I received special awards and lettered in two sports. I graduated with Honors and volunteered in the community. Many would have said, "There was no harm," in my actions, because there were no accidents and, "His good deeds probably outweigh his bad."
Regardless of whether you hold Traditional Values or are devoted to more Progressive Points of View. The problem of, "Idolatry, as displayed in our over-devotion to our own, "Self-Will," is our most pervasive and crippling problem today!
And a True Spiritual Awakening is the only thing that can bring true and lasting change. Both in our personal lives and in our lives together as a nation.
Are you willing to look OUTSIDE of yourself and consider HIM? Are you willing to consider the option of, “True Change?”
Click linksbelow(not pictures), that describe how this can happen.
(Click red arrow below for 1st of 3 summarizing videos)
(Keep reading to enjoy full Blogpost)
And put it in a garage that you didn't
even know you had! All paid for! Licensed and filled with gas! Clean,
shiny and new!
But instead of driving it... each
day, you routinely waited an hour... to ride on a crowded city bus.
Frankly, you didn't even know that the gift existed
and passively failed to find out how to access it!
I am about to share a similar gift;a betterone that
may be unknown to you, or seemingly hidden, but available to any who ask. A
valuable gift! More costlythan a gifted new car could be, or even a paid off home or business mortgage!
Does that sound
like good news?
The word, "gospel,"
means, "good news." The Gospel is God's plan, or directions for getting to heaven! And it highlights the fact that God's heaven is presented as avery precious and
costly, but absolutely free gift.
To understand
this good news we must know more about God and what He
says about each of us and His precious gift of eternal life.
Have you ever
thought about heaven? Consider...
-If God were to ask you today, “Why should I let you into My
Heaven?” What would you say?
Most people
don't realize that all of the provisions pertaining to Heaven, have already
been paid for! Paid for and delivered!
Just like the car in the garage.
And, according to the Bible, God is seekingrelationship with each of us as our rescuer, our leader, our protector and provider.
In John 10:10...14 Jesus said... I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep..,.. I know My own and My own know Me.
He offers relationship, direction and eventually, heaven. But only as a gift and never
as a wage to be earned.
(Romans
6:23). states, “ . . . the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord."
No amount of sacrifice,
convincing pleading, emotional effort, good works, achievement or religious activity
can ever earn God's forgiveness or create a place for any of us in Heaven.
The Bible states, in (Ephesians
2:8,9),“For by
grace are you saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves:
it is thegift of God:not of works, lest any man should boast”
But maybe this is already familiar to you;
-So
tell me? Have you come to the place in your life where you know for sure that
you will someday be with God in Heaven?
Most people are unsure and wonder in hopefulness. But the Bible states we can know for sure.
In.” (1 John
5:13) it says...“These things I have
written unto you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal
life."
If you are unsure, this can be very good news!
But first it requires dealing with...
The problem of separation
(Isaiah 59:1-3) States,.. "Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you...."
Short on time?
(Click red arrow below for 2nd
of 3 summarizing videos)
Are you drowning? Losing what you cannot keep to gain what you cannot loose.
Because of this separation, In our current condition, we are literally drowning in our sin! This is why
none of us can be good enough to earn our way into Heaven. Because everypersonis a
sinner.
Every person but Jesus!
The Bible says,
In (Romans 3:23)“For all have sinned, and come
short of the glory of God.” And (Romans 6:23) "For the wagesof sin is death, butthe gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord."
"Sin," is how
each person fails to live up to God’s purpose and plan for their life. It can be
seen when we break or ignore His laws, both written in the Bible and those
written on our conscience.
It includes
things like lying, cheating, evil and immoral thoughts and actions as well as passively
ignoring and avoiding doing the things we know we should.
Because of our inherent SIN, none of us can
save ourselves. We have all earnedtheseparation and punishment
of eternal death.
According
to the Bible, We would have to be perfect to save ourselves. (Matthew 5:48)
states.
“Be therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect”
And no one is but Jesus!
But God in His mercy seeks relationship with us, not punishment.
Ezekiel
33:11 states," Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the
Lord God, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather
that the wicked turn from his way and live.
The Bible goes so far as to even say “ . . . God is love” (1 John 4:8). And that, “ . . . I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah
31:3).
But He is also just
and fair therefore sin must have it's consequence.
He says,(Exodus 34:7). “. . . (He) will by no means clear the guilty . . .”
And, “(Ezekiel 18:4). . . the soul that sinneth, it shall die.”
So you see, without God's Gospel, we were
separated and lost, without any hope.
But God overcame
the penalty of our sinful human nature as He lived among us and took on human
form. As a sinless Son of God, Jesus kept God's law perfectly and overcame
temptation even to the point of obediently sacrificing Himself.
He took and
paid the penalty that we deserved.
The Bible says.
“In the
beginning (at creation) was the Word (Jesus). . . and the Word (Jesus) was God.
And the Word (Jesus) was made flesh, and dwelt among us . . .”
(John 1:1,14).
He came to
earth and lived a sinless life and died on the cross as a sacrifice to pay the
penalty for our sins. Then He rose from the grave to restore us to our place with
Him in Heaven.
(Isaiah 53:6). states “All
we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and
the Lord hath laid on Him (Jesus) the iniquity (sin) of us all”
He carried our
sin in His body on the cross and now offers us a new and different life. One
released from the bondage of sin. One empowered by His presence of His Spirit to
overcome past failures. One relationally motivated to honor and follow His lead
in humble obedience.
THIS IS HISTORY'S MOST
COSTLY SACRIFICE
AND HISTORY'S MOST
AVAILABLE FREE GIFT!
Unbelievably costly to Him and amazingly available to us!
We as
believers, receive and live it out through a type of faith called saving
faith! Saving faith is more than confidence in the fact that God exists....
The Bible
says in,(James 2:19), . . "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and
tremble.
Even the
devil believes that God exists. But the devil doesn't have saving faith.
Saving faith
is more than just hoping that God's power will be on your side, and help you with
temporary things.
(Although
we are encouraged in the Bible to bring all of our concerns and requests to
Him in prayer.)
Saving faith is agreeing with God about our sins, even as
He reveals them. It is recognizing our need forforgiveness and trusting in Jesus' sacrifice alone for our forgiveness, restoration, power and eternal life.
(Acts 16:31). “. . . Believe (trust) on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved .
. .”
So, Would
you like to exercise saving faith and transfer your trust from your own actions to what Christ has
done for you on the cross.
Would you like to accept Christ asSavior and Lord.
In the
Bible, Jesus says, “Behold, I stand
at the door, and knock: if any man hears My voice, and opens the door, I
will come in to Him . . . .” (Revelation 3:20)
Lordship means, we seek obedience and
become
willing to turn away from things not pleasing to Him, and turn toward what accomplishes
His will and purposes.
If this is what you want to do, you can go to
God in prayer right now.Right where you
are, and you can receive His gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
“For with
the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is
made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be
saved” (Romans 10:10,13).
You can
pray with faith like this...
“Lord Jesus, thank You so much for offering Yourself
to me, and thank You for your gift of eternal life!
I understand that I’m a sinner and I do not
deserve a relationship with you because of sin's separation.
I am so grateful that You love me so much!
I am grateful that you endured terrible things
and even died on the cross and rose from the grave to restore our relationship
and purchase a place for me in Heaven.
I now place my trust in You!
I reject and desire to turn away from my sins.
I am yielding control of my life to You.
Become the Lord of my life.
Strengthen me to follow and grow to become who
You made me to be.
Lead and direct me Lord!
And thank You Jesus for hearing my prayer."
Now consider these words from Jesus. “Truly, truly, I say unto you, he that believes on Mehas everlasting
life”
(John 6:47).
Welcome to God's
Family!
Now that
you have placed yourtrust in the Lordship of Jesus Christ! You are now a child of God! Forever!
“But as many as received Him, to them gave
He power to become the sons of God, even
to them that believe on His name”(John 1:12).
Many like
to remember this event as their spiritual birthday because it is described as
being, "born again, "of God.
The Bible
speaks of those who receive eternal life in these words:
(John 1:13). Those. . “Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the
flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
Just as you prayed to have a relationship with Jesus, we need to continue to pray.Most of us pray, when we are in need and some express defiant prayers as they curse and swear. Praying is natural in all societies throughout history.
But praying as a precious son or daughter that knows that they are deeply loved is not! We need to see his provision and ponder His leading and pour our hearts out to Him often.
We also need to read and meditate on His words recorded in the Bible every day. The Bible is his love letter too us and our instruction book for life.
And like all new-borns, family connections are
very importantfor health and growth. You probably know someone who is a
believer or perhaps there is a church you can fellowship at in your community.
It is imperative that you connect, grow and serve.
But what
about the Free New Car?
To my knowledge, Jesus didn't say anything about cars or trucks that was
written down, but He did talk about some very important keys...
"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth
shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed
in heaven."
And these are the kind of keys I just shared
with you in this writing.So prayerfully share with others that as many as possible will beset free and discover Gods Amazing Love
and enjoy His Amazing Free Gifts.
A few pieces of my life,
my story and my deliverance.
Windsurfing is a passion I love to talk about and hope to share soon at the lakes near where I live...
and I also care deeply about what happens to my friends and neighbors!
You might also like the following video.I recently watched it and found the phrase, "Each one to reach one," challenging. It starts slow, but builds to be quite encouraging. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. It's called, "Reaching from Heaven."
