Intimacy With Christ-- Jesus Distant or Detatched?

Living a life of being distant and detached— well, it comes with its own set of problems. But, how did the Lord Jesus Christ live? Did he live within all the ups and downs and all arounds of humanity? Did he just detach himself and walk around with half closed eyes when looking at something that “irked” him- like tuning himself out or numbing himself out? How would we live our lives if we were perfectly perfect and knew just how much every action our eyes and ears cast themselves upon sucked dust? 

(Father, we need a Rushing Wind- Song)  

You know– so many of us pray to a perfectly loving God. Enjoy a perfectly loving God. Get all shiny up on the mountain with a perfectly loving God. And then- and then- we must come down from the mountain and cast our eyes and ears upon that which is not perfect– being religious folk, non-religious folk- and then our own thoughts, ideas, and mistakes- as we interact with the fact that there’s something wrong with everything. Easy being just with such a great God- right?  (What Do I Know of Holy? Digging Song!)  Something wrong with everything is not a teaching I just made up– the Bible teaches it– there’s just something wrong with every little thing. Whether it begins at an atomic level, genetic, temperament, social, physical… or whatever level. 

So, Ahem– “Intimacy With Christ” — what does it mean–Does it mean I spend my days in isolation, behind my favorite songs, on the phone with my favorite people, doing all of my favorite things– and you know—  avoiding those situations that reflect something about us we know is wrong or something back about what’s wrong around us. Well, what’s the balance– where are we with those things? 

(Life Will Never Be Easy Song–Have Your Way)

You know Jesus Christ– as The Word Made Flesh or the Living Word—God’s Son dwelling among the daughters and sons of man had to grow up from baby-hood all the way to adult hood. He had ample opportunity to “blow” it time and time and time again. He was on a learning curve like everyone around him as he grew both in wisdom and stature and favor with men (Luke 2:52’s historical account). He got smarter, wiser, and knew how to socialize. As much as some would like to hide themselves away from people, situations, and things they don’t like– that’s just not our Lord. Jesus– after thirty some years of mixing in he heard from above along with His disciples the evaluation of his life up until that moment– you know– about 946, 080,000 seconds he “mingled with life– “This is my beloved Son with Whom I am well pleased.” OK– break the seconds into halves where Jesus could have just stepped across the line just once. He didn’t. Never. He was “well pleasing” to a Holy- Thrice Holy- Infinitely Perfect Father/God.  (Will We Be Well Pleasing- When it’s all said and done?)

I. You ever notice that perfectionists often times are the first to be rude? Melancholy temperaments- though gifted with things such as musical ability, an eye for detail, creativity, … sometimes can’t get beyond others’ imperfections along with their own- so, criticize, criticize, and criticize again. Jesus was Perfect. How do you think things looked to Him? How do you think certain injustices made Him feel? 

II. He was not so Phlegmatic  (easy-going) that nothing penetrated a thick, thick skull of numbness. Otherwise he wouldn’t have wept, cleansed the temple, or hardly say any saying that some didn’t want to hear.  (He was truly The Gentle Healer- and His physical healings are only a reflection of what He wants to do in our heart. About that- he’s not laid-back.)

III. What about being so focused that he became a bone crushing/driven Choleric? Wow– “Look-out everyone— here comes that Jesus guy and he’s out to get ya– he could just end up calling down thousands of angels to deal with us all– run.” No, Jesus Christ was given a mission–but, that mission wasn’t to “judge sinners- rather- to save them” in His own words.  

IV. How about being a light-hearted laughy Jesus— ummm— but, lacking in the “commitment” department? “Well boys, you twelve are starting to really get on my nerves. I think I’m gonna chose another 12.” Jesus stayed with His own to the end and still does– no matter how far we have fallen short of the things that please him, encrouched upon the things that displease him, or just have been absent in terms of relationship with Him. He’s a good shepherd and pokes us to come back. He’s committed.  (You Are My All in All– Great Song)

When Jesus Christ mingled with our universe/people- he didn’t just put himself in the best of places (Psalm 23)- “beside the still waters”- and stay there. Yes, he was immediately filled with The Person, enshrouded by the Presence, and endued with the Power of The Holy Spirit. Then off to a wilderness alone he went to be “temped by the Devil” ( You know– “the new kid on the block” that gained a footing on earth to be a kind of god/lord here (Apostle Paul’s words) because Adam opened the door to abdicate his total ruling of all things on earth.) And then Jesus entered civilization– and if you think that the Devil left him alone after the Wilderness experience– your wrong. Jesus Christ was not Detatched or Removed— ever—except that He detached His heart to be totally for His Father and Removed His Heart’s affections to be affectionate first and formost to His God/Father and to his neighbor and even enemies. 

Me thinx the struggle ultimately— to walk as Jesus did among men as a perfectly balanced, normal, and righteous individual before God required that nothing– absolutely nothing took place on the throne of His heart– except to love the Lord His God/His Father. And now– ours is to not allow anything upon the throne of our hearts except the Lord Jesus to the glory of God the Father by the Holy Spirit (Jesus words: “As the Father sent me so send I you.” How did the Father send Jesus? With the Father on the throne of His heart by the Holy Spirit). 

How many seconds did I say Jesus pretty-much lived up til he heard that he was well pleasing to the Father from baby-hood until that moment? 946,080,000 seconds lived and logged-in as perfect and having nothing on the throne of his heart other than a Love for His Father and His Father’s Perfect Loving Will. Was that ever seriously tough and seriously testing for the Lord Jesus (And now- He knows our frame when tested and can comfort perfectly)– Ummm- Yes, big time as he “broke-down” (not in a sinful way) in the garden just before His crucifixion from the weight of the thing he was about to do.

“Guard Your Heart for out of it…..” 

In terms of solutions to “being caught of guard” as a believer around imperfect situations, imperfect religious folk and non-religious folk, bad news of losing this or that…. on and on– one really must pray contritely/humbly in the spirit of this kind of prayer- “Lord Jesus- take my heart– I don’t want it— it’s yours– you bought it and Your Father planned on you buying it before the worlds began.” (I emphasize the spirit of this prayer rather than word for word in that you’re an individual and “Intimacy With Christ” is personal. There are “crafted” prayers that only you are meant to craft to express your desire to have only Jesus on the throne of your heart. (A Great Heart Song- Ministries All Over The World)

When things get wacky: Did things ever get wacky for the Lord Jesus? You bet– the God of His nation had promised to restore them through a greater covenant than Moses– the covenant of “the prophet” Moses spoke of and the “Christ” the scriptures spoke of as well as the “Kiss the Son” King King David speaks about (Psalm 2). So, there He was– the New Covenant/Abrahamic Covenant popping up again in time and space (real history) and people on the most part were glib towards him much of the time.

He had: 

1. People plotting to kill him again and again and again.

2. People telling Him that he was of the chief of demons.

3. People pulling open other people’s homes from the roof to lower down the sick. How’d the person owning that house think?

4. His own disciples- who he had poured out pretty much everything too- missing the point again and again and again in petty rivalry, unbelief, jutxtapositioning, cowadice to the point of denial, and going off the deep end at times in their thinking.

5. The mother of a couple of His disciples asking if they could be sitting with him on his throne in His future Kingdom– wow– the nerve. LOL Yet, there He was talking with them/or listening more?

6. People throwing palms down at him and calling him a King crying out “Hosanna in the highest.” And later crying out “crucify him.” Talking about being famous for a day and infamous for a day–who’d want that on their worst enemy?

7. Spending hours alone in some place like on a mountain or in a garden praying into the wee hours because he so desperately and intensely needed the Father’s Grace and Power to face a day of thousands of people, many miles of travel, places where food wasn’t plentious, and not having a home to just go an relax in as his own.

8. Him– the Son– a King– being treated so rudely—the One “by whom all things were made” treated worse than the thieves and haters of God.

9. People dying and crying around him, and then even bringing him to tears and then him calling out to the dead, “Lazarus come out!” — and out comes the dead and people are happy again. An emotionally taxing moment. Up and down and around.

10. The Most innocent man ever to live spit upon, beard plucked, flesh torn from whips perhaps tied with glass at the ends or metal, kicked, punched again and again, laughed at, scorned, forced to carry a cross, nailed to it, lifted up among the guilty, not “worthy” enough to be within the Holy City– rather crucified outside of it…… (Jesus Truly Had This Song Fixed In His Heart- We Can Too- Not Easy- It Never Is.)

The Bible says, “He learned obedience through the things which he suffered.” He couldn’t completely withdraw. He couldn’t be detatched. To Finish His Race/His Work.” Neither can we in this life unless we become a Hermit or get to the moon somehow with a life’s supply of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. You see- there’s not much to learn by way of obedience if your Father/Maker only sent you again and again and again to sun-tan and slurp on your favorite drink on some beach. If that was Jesus lot– there would have been no “learning obedience” at all– as this would be more a gift from God than an act of obedience to God. God, for Jesus to be our perfect Priest to understand our situation fully before God’s face as He pleads our case required His Son to know what obedience means in a terribly imperfect world. 

How is it that godly men and women of the past made their way through this life growing in God’s Grace and Knowledge of Him? 

1. They realized that at any given second there could be a curve ball and so the need for meditating upon God’s supportive/comforting truth.

2. They realized that at any given second there could be a curve ball and so the need for going to a lonely place to get alone with Jesus and seek mercy in time of need regarding to the circumstances they knew about and the ones that were going to come they didn’t know about.

3. They realized that at any given second there could be a curve ball and so the need to exercise “self-control” (even while whispering to the Holy Spirit) I need Thee– how I need thee— to guard their hearts from idolatry/other things getting back on the throne.

4. They realized that at any given second there could be a curve ball and so the need to soak themselves in “Intimacy With Christ” by counting all the ways in which He/God has loved us and how He made that clear on the cross.

5. They realized that at any give second there could be a curve ball and so they entered into worship either secretly signing/humming or making melody in their hearts around the goodness, mercy and perfections of their Great and Wonderful God-so, keeping their hearts soft– the kind of Throne Jesus seeks as he is near to the contrite spirit.

6. They realized that at any given second there could be a curve ball and so realized that being “on guard” — there wasn’t and apathetic or lukewarm gear they kept themselves locked into…rather, they kept “aware”, didn’t sleep on the job, took every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and set the Lord Jesus as Lord apart– over them.

7. They realized that at any given second there could be a curve ball enough times and came to “Relax”, “Rest” and “Realize” in the Lord Jesus God’s Grace– so that if their foot did slip— His mercy, grace, and love is always here to catch. Always–so, this list—well, it’s helpful but, honestly — “Jesus and Intimacy With Him” is at the center— not a list like this one– as helpful as it may be and emphasizing our need to be second by second believers. Really– there is a “Rest” for the people of God in Jesus– a faith that move in Him. 

Father God, help us to first thirst and hunger to be “Intimate With Jesus Christ.” Help us to not “freek” at a “second-by-second” authentic Christianity—rather, help us to keep it all simple and child-like. We need Thee and need to be aware that we need to be aware and to find as many ways possible to tap into the strength and grace in the Lord Jesus Christ (which by the way isn’t morphine to take away all pain, trials, suffering, or even being caught off guard). (What The Lord Has Done In Me–Without Morphine.) Yes, You care for us– even us Oh God, and You will show us Your good in the Land of the Living. Yes, You will show us Your Good in the Land of the Living. If our foot should slip– help us to repent/change our mind/heart and turn back to the right way, right response, the right way of recovering our mistakes. Oh God, Oh Holy God, “lead us not into temptation” to show us that we must be soft, we are weak, and to show us when we aren’t depending on You. Rather, Father, open our eyes and ears far, far before it would require us ever to be “led into temptation” – rather, deliver us from Evil. Lord Jesus– we give You our hearts. We can only make a mess of our lives if we use Your Measuring Bar to tell the truth apart from giving ourselves to You— as for other Measuring Bars– they are so low that we feel just spiffy when we use them– but, then there’s Yours Oh God. And that Yours is now in the shadow of the Mercy Seat- the Cross of Christ. Help Me- Us Oh Lord. In Jesus Name- AMEN.

[Via http://kamvanhereweghe.wordpress.com]

Cops in Jail

Kudos to the Jacksonville police officer who had the courage to turn in two fellow officers recently for committing a crime on the job.  Apparently the officers wanted to look for drugs in a house located in a high-crime area, but they didn’t have a search warrant.  So instead of developing the probable cause they would have needed to get a warrant, they decided to take matters into their own hands.  They removed a room air conditioner and went into the house, then made up a story about a lady driving by who reported a burglary so it would look like they were justified in going into the house.

They didn’t find any drugs in the house.  Now they’re in jail.

Sadly, too many officers take shortcuts.  Over the course of the last 18+ years as a criminal defense attorney, I’ve seen it too many times.  I’ve had clients tell me about it again and again.

I guess these officers feel like the ends justify the means, but they never do.  Their actions taint all of the hard-working, dedicated officers who play by the rules while protecting the public.

The criminal justice system is designed to ferret out the truth, and most of the time it works.  Usually, when it fails, it’s because a cop or a prosecutor decides that winning is more important than justice.  It never is.

I’m sure the officers charged in this case will feel entitled to a fair trial, which they are.  I’m sure they’ll want the evidence used against them to be obtained legally, which it should be.  That’s the thing about the Constitution—it covers all of us, in all cases.

You can read more about this story at http://bit.ly/dChmmy.

[Via http://sullivanandhepler.wordpress.com]

Drug Discovery In India and China - Gaining Momentum with Increasing Pressure on Cost Cutting

Bharatbook added a new report on “Drug Discovery In India and China – Gaining Momentum with Increasing Pressure on Cost Cutting” gives Future ffor the Drug Discovery Players in India and China.

Drug Discovery In India and China – Gaining Momentum with Increasing Pressure on Cost Cutting report ( http://www.bharatbook.com/detail.asp?id=130313&rt=Drug-Discovery-in-India-and-China-Gaining-Momentum-with-Increasing-Pressure-on-Cost-Cutting.html ) provides key data, information and analysis of the major trends and issues affecting the Drug Discovery market in India and China. The report provides a comprehensive insight into the drug discovery process and the key services that form a part of drug discovery process. The report also provides a detailed analysis Indian and Chinese drug market in terms of its size, share in the global drug discovery market, major service offering of the companies in India and China along with the major therapeutic areas of focus under those services. The report also talks about the factors that are driving the drug discovery market in India and China. The report delves into the key regulations, especially with respect to intellectual property rights protection in the two countries and how the regulations have benefited the drug discovery companies in these two nations. It also provides an insight into the government support initiatives in these countries to encourage the drug discovery research. The report also analyses key partnerships between the western pharma and the local companies in the two countries and the key trends emerging out of such partnerships. At the end, the report looks into the major challenges in the future that can restrict the growth of the drug discovery market in India and China.

Rising Financial and Regulatory Pressures on Western Pharma will Continue to Drive the Drug Discovery Research Market Growth in India and China

The pharmaceutical industries in the US and Europe are facing severe financial constraints which are expected to worsen in the years ahead. The pharma companies are under increasing pressure to reduce expenditure due to, the increasing cost of introducing a NME (New Molecular Entities) (more than $3 billion in 2008), tightening FDA regulatory issues, blockbuster drugs worth more than $100 billion set to expire by 2014 and drying pipelines These pressures are expected to drive the companies towards low-cost countries such as India and China to perform their R&D activities, one of their major expenses.

Over the last decade, India and China have developed significant capabilities in drug discovery research along with considerable capabilities in phase I & II clinical trials. Both countries are able to provide significant cost savings in the range of 60–70% for discovery research and clinical trials. With discovery research occupying close to one-third of the R&D expenditure for the Western pharmaceutical industry, outsourcing to low-cost countries is logical.

Inflammatory Diseases, Metabolic Disorders and Oncology are the Three Major Therapeutic Areas of Drug Discovery Research in India and China

While the Indian and Chinese drug discovery companies have developed major service capabilities, many of the companies have also defined their therapeutic research focus. Analysis of 12 Indian and 10 Chinese companies research portfolios reveal that inflammatory diseases (18 companies), metabolic disorders (18) and cancer (16) are the top three therapeutic areas Other major therapy areas include anti-infectives and CNS (Central Nervous System). Major inflammatory disease research includes; COPD (- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis), psoriasis, osteoarthritis, ulcerative colitis and atherosclerosis.

However, at the country level the therapeutic focus is found to be different. Indian companies have concentrated their efforts on metabolic disorders; primarily diabetes, obesity and dyslipidemia. Chinese companies have focused on oncology; primarily leukemia, cervical cancer, breast cancer and prostrate cancer.

Deals Landscape is Equally Driven by Mid-Size Pharma and Big Pharma with Oncology and Metabolic Disorders as Key Therapy Area of Focus

With improvements in the capabilities of Indian and Chinese companies, the intensity of discovery research collaborations with Western pharmaceutical companies has increased.. The deals market has been equally driven by big pharma as well as mid-size pharma. Over the past year, 41 major deals have taken place in India and China, of which 20 deals involved mid-size companies while 19 involved big pharma; mainly Merck, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer. Two of the deals were with universities. However, the increasing interest of the mid-size pharmaceutical companies suggests the rising interest of such companies to exploit the cost and quality capabilities of India and China.

Many of these deals were focused on services rather than a therapeutic area. However, among those that had a therapeutic focus; oncology, metabolic disorders, infectious diseases and inflammatory diseases were the major therapies targeted.

Funding Problems and Talent Shortage Will Be the Two Biggest Challenges in Future for the Drug Discovery Players in India and China

While the drug discovery market in India and China is growing rapidly, its future growth faces two major challenges; funding problems, especially for the private companies, and significant talent shortages in biology and chemistry services. While China has considerable government support, a large part of the money goes to government funded research institutions and universities. In India, the government has adopted PPP model as a tool to encourage pharmaceutical innovation but the major beneficiaries include CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) affiliated institutes and small pharmaceutical companies. Venture capitalists, in both the countries, are largely risk-averse to invest in early stage R&D activities.

Besides funding problems, the lack of a sufficient talent pool with the specialized skills, experience and employability will create further problems for the drug discovery companies in both the countries.

To know more and to buy a copy of your report feel free to visit : http://www.bharatbook.com/detail.asp?id=130313&rt=Drug-Discovery-in-India-and-China-Gaining-Momentum-with-Increasing-Pressure-on-Cost-Cutting.html

Or

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Who called me at eight o'clock this morning?

I have my suspicions,

really I do, however I

will refrain from accusing

any or all of the conspirators

at this time, but at another time,

I may name names without prior

consent and/or warning.

What is wrong with you people?

It’s a good thing that I’m such

a well adjusted morning person,

or there very well may have been

consequences and/or repercussions

for some or all of the guilty party or

parties.

I misspell repercussions and inconvenient

every single time.

[Via http://magicjones.wordpress.com]

Intimacy With Christ- Compassion- Or Compassionless?

God is a God of love, mercy and compassion. All through the scriptures you can find this. He isn’t the mask of an angry faced God. He’s love. He’s not standing with folded arms taking pleasure in the suffering of all who reject Him- He’s compassionate. He’s not doing all that He can to pour out judgment, justice, and wrath and all wrong doings- He’s Merciful. 

(Oh- How He Loves Us- Oh)

No, He’s not a cute little gummy bear. Rather, He is still Holy Thrice. He hates all sin. And I am yet to think of just one sin that isn’t tied to a violation of love. (To me now the word sin means simply- violating love since God is Love and Light is Love.) Can’t think of one. There’s loving first Your Maker/God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind— that’s the first Commandment which we have all broken. Then there’s loving your neighbor, family, friends, and now- even our enemies. e.g. “Father forgive them they know not what they do.” Can you think of just one sin that doesn’t violate Love/Compassion/Mercy? Theft- hey, that’s taking from your neighbor. Living by the gun and dying by the gun– hey, that’s taking the life of someone’s son or daughter, brother or sister, relative or friend. Losing your temper over something stupid—that’s hurting someone not building them up. On and on and on—you see—when the Bible says, “God is Love”– as a Triune God that includes love for Himself and others.  (Do You or I want to stay the same? When it’s all said and done….)

Matthew 12:7 The Lord Jesus 

“If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the innocent.”

(I remember the movie “Schindler’s List” where the Nazi is told that true power was in showing Mercy… hmmmmm— picturesque.)  

People, religious folk– some in Jesus time– had forgotten all about Mercy. They got so tied up in the “do” rather than the “You” (Compassionate Father- wanting Intimacy with Him like a deer panting for the waters) that they completely missed the mark. Religion got to the point where it beat people up rather than built up. This makes God sick to His stomach. In this verse the weak, helpless, and innocent are simply stomped on. 

Also, how does a society get to a place where the innocent are Simply/Easily — without impedance– stomped on? How I ask? Just how does it get to be that? I hear of this person owing $30,000 in a drug deal and then a life is on the line for not paying. Parents cough up the dough and the life is saved–SIK. Which in Jesus’ eyes is worth more the coke or the life? Which I ask? ( I know– when I was a young guy I said and did stupid things– words like, “Yeah, I worship the devil.” flowed from the lips of my generation foolishly. But, hey– never thought of taking a life over any amount of anything.) I see on the news young people taking pleasure in kicking a street person to death. How did we get so far away from the shore of Mercy, Love, Compassion, and Kindness??? How can that be fun, pleasing , or entertainment? I’ve seen cars smashed, entered, and cleaned-out and heard of it– is that loving, kind, compassionate, or merciful? My Aunt– dying of cancer in her forties had this happen– think! What did you do in Red Deer to a person sick with cancer? (Hey, I’m not speaking down to anyone here. I have sucked at times too.)  And His eyes see it all and do you think for a moment that All things haven’t been judged already? Yes– they have by a God of Love. Imagine putting such things at the back-drop of love and then calling out a judgment. You see– people– all people have been judged and Jesus took the severe penalty. The Psalmist says that if God held all our wrong-doing (mine included) against us who could stand? Nobody.

Now, we’re either on one side of the cross looking at Jesus’ judgment as our own– Him taking the blow for us that we deserve- or on the other side “manning up” as it were to mockingly stand before a Loving God to take the blows of His anger against violating love. My friend, God knows how to undo every thread of your manly or tough womanly exterior so that when you stand before Him it you’ll simply be powerless to hold that “toughness” together before Him. It won’t be possible. Jesus says that those on the wrong side of the cross will weep at The Judgment. Sound like something a gang member would do? God will undo such- every thread to weeping and begging and sorrow. Sound like something “The boss” will do (weep, beg, and have sorry)– God will loosen all threads of willful “tough exteriors” against the back-drop of what the loving thing was to do with their lives.  (Hey, again– I’m not talking down to anyone here.) 

James 2:13 

“Mercy triumphs over judgment!”

You see folk– on the right side of the cross of Christ you enter into experiencing His mercy. It says, “We love Him because He first loved us.” One must experience this or that– love or mercy– before one can truly dispense it to others. Dispensing it to the point where when Jesus “judges/examines” even those who embraced the truth— He’ll see they dispensed Mercy because they caught the virus of the Cross-His Cross– it was infectious and spread to others– Love/Mercy. 

2 Corinthians 1:3 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 

I wonder sometimes as I coffee with believers where the core, the central values fall. I wonder about me sometimes. When I first open a door, first sit on a chair, first open my mouth is the driving force inside of me Agape (Greek– Biblically– the highest most noble love) and Mercy and Compassion? Basically Psalm 36:9 says, “For with You Oh God is The Fountain of Life. In Your Light we see light.” (My Chains Are Gone!) He’s the beginning and end of any good that comes out of me. In His Spirit’s presence, working, grace–I’m standing in God’s Light and I then can see light.” You see folk– “What God is like our God?” (The Bible) Is it too late to come to Him even now– to Jesus– No one billion times over! (Mighty to Save- begins with the words– Everyone needs compassion…)

Matthew 9:36 About the Lord Jesus 

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 

Matthew 14:14 About the Lord Jesus 

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 

Matthew 20:34 About the Lord Jesus 

Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

Mark 1:41 About the Lord Jesus

Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 

Mark 6:34 About the Lord Jesus

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. 

Luke 15:20 About the Lord Jesus 

So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (A story of a son who grabbed all his inheritance, ditched his dad’s farm and his brother, went off to Par-Tay (modern day terms/song)–ended up going pretty much against every loving principle of his father and ended up broke– went back and…..) 

Ephesians 4:32 About the Body and Bride of Jesus Christ 

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (What a cool God hey?) 

Get the point yet? (You Are The God Of This City! I Witness That Oh God Every Day!) Paul speaks of a people having a zeal without knowledge in one place as being bad since this was a zeal not for Jesus and was Merciless. If my foot isn’t prefaced with Love— I’ve missed Jesus’ whole life, ministry and work. I’ve missed it all. If my zeal for love, mercy and compassion makes me unmerciful, unloving and uncompassionate towards people who are religious (without such qualities) and people who are not (without such qualities)– I’ve missed the point.

How then can we be compassionate? First one must be born from above as the writer of John chapter 1 says– we must be born from above– and as many as received Him– Jesus Christ– to them God gave the power to become the sons and daughters of God. Then we soak, soak, and soak ourselves in Jesus— with this driving Motto behind us— “I want to be intimate with Jesus”– “I want to take His yoke/tying Himself to me to be the leader/teacher to learn of Him.” Stretching with every limb because He first loved us– “I want to know Him”–pants Paul with a deep thirst and hunger for more of Jesus. Yes, this soaking is in the Word of God, but, it’s for the sake of knowing the Living Word and by the Living Spirit of God– it’s not just left at Bible knowledge. Never. Never was it meant to be a PHD in Jesus-ology. Rather, it was meant to be and end with people taking note that we have truly spent time with Jesus. (And Enoch walked with God for 300 years.) 

As I said before we are Jesus’ Lego Set (Modern term- or Potter and Clay)– He’ll take us apart and put us back together again and again and again until we are truly a loving, gentle, kind, gracious, forgiving, …………….. people. As: 

“Faith works through Love”   (Make Me a Prayer! Awesome Song.) (People getting healed- that was faith working through love! That’s what all “ministry/ministries” are supposed to be.) – note the healings of Jesus. Really- that was faith working through Love- His heart filled with Love which at the cross was broken by Love.

(Song With China Clips– knowing this– His heart was broken for every tongue, tribe, and nation– Really)

 Jesus loved first– always. There’s no healing in the Bible without love behind it in any of the verses I quote or any of the verses I didn’t quote. True healing inside and out begins with Love. Our hand must extend an invitation card of Love. It just simply must– to every sort. Every.

Francis Schaeffer (Me thinx in the book The Tapestry) is recorded as having gone to his barn to “collapse” to some degree in on Christianity for the sake of either going the way of truth or the way of truth- antynomy. For, he had always told his students that if it’s not true– then it’s not worth your time. In the barn he was going over his many experiences with Christian leaders and was troubled—so troubled—at the lack of Love which he saw in the Christian “Name-Sakes”. To Him at this moment- how could this Christianity be true without authentic love among the “leaders.” Well, he got past that question as the Holy Spirit ministered to Him in that barn. And– became a more loving person himself. We too may end up in our “hypothetical” lonely place asking the questions about our leadership, our church, people who are supposed to “support us” or “those who are spiritual” not acting in a gracious manner towards us… we may find ourselves becoming more and more the initiators rather than the recipients of compassion, love, mercy, and kindness- because we discover others are not (Or as God blesses discover that some really are and so want to be like them.) Really. 

Father God, when I first open a door, first open my mouth, first open my eyes, first open my ears, first sit on a chair or first stand up—let each “first” be prefaced with compassion. Father, as Jesus was crucified– as Love was crucified– they said, “Where now is His God?” Father, the world looks upon  and asks the same question. Those who hate You and those who hate us and those who hate me (Or Not) ask, “Where then is His God?” Father, You let the whole world know You are the God who is Here and Is not Silent when You raised Your Son from the dead, gave Him a name above every name, and Highly exalted Him to the Highest. There You are Father God! They just couldn’t see. There You are– God of Love. Dispensing justice for sin upon Jesus’ and dispensing justice by raising Him from the dead. Father, grant me to be careful with my life. Grant me protection from Jackals– so that I may preach The Kingdom– Jesus’ Kingdom by how I live my life and what I say. Father, if this is being read by someone who doesn’t know You I pray Lord You would wrap around such a one with Your presence. I pray that You would penetrate that one’s heart and soften it. I pray that such a one would experience all Your Mercy, Forgiveness, and Compassion at the Cross where Jesus died for them. In His name I pray– AMEN. (Though Me thinx Jesus didn’t look like the clip with blue eyes–the clip makes my point– Merciful Savior)

[Via http://kamvanhereweghe.wordpress.com]

Marijuana legalization tops list of YouTube questions for Obama | The Daily Caller - Breaking News, Opinion, Research, and Entertainment

Image via CrunchBase

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via Marijuana legalization tops list of YouTube questions for Obama | The Daily Caller – Breaking News, Opinion, Research, and Entertainment.

[Via http://californiamarijuana.wordpress.com]

Morphine prevents PTSD! or does it?

Interesting headlines in clinical neuroscience. It looks like a shot of morphine after injury is correlated with slightly lower risks of developing post-traumatic stress disorder. But despite the promising headline’s like:

Morphine found to help stave off PTSD in wounded troops

Morphine shows promise against post-traumatic stress disorder

and intriguing speculation about the neurochemistry involved:

It is not known whether morphine’s apparently protective effect arises directly from the relief of traumatic pain or indirectly by blocking the brain circuits that lay down traumatic memory.

the actual study results don’t actually seem that impressive to me:

In the new study, Holbrook and her colleagues looked at the records of 696 wounded forces. About 40 percent had been injured by improvised explosive devices, generally roadside bombs; about 20 percent by gunshots and 10 percent by mortar rounds. About 70 percent received morphine within an hour of being hurt.

Most people developed PTSD, diagnosed from one month to two years after their injuries occurred. Those who had received morphine, however, were somewhat less likely. Sixty-one percent had the disorder, compared with 76 percent of people who hadn’t gotten the drug — which researchers said translated into a 53 percent reduction in risk.

I’m up too late to try working backwards to figure out how they calculated the percent reduction in risk, but if 76% of people get PTSD without morphine, and 61% of people get it with morphine, aren’t we talking about 15% fewer people in the patient population getting PTSD?

Overall, this is a very strange study to choose to write up in medical news, since, as the Washington Post article mentions, the science would have to be much, much better to make morphine shot a routine post-traumatic procedure (though it doesn’t mention why. My intuition is that it might have something to do with the fact that morphine addiction has historically been, and continues to be, a serious problem among veterans.

(Quotes taken from David Brown’s Washington Post article, linked above.)

[Via http://ptsdinthemedia.wordpress.com]