I was thinking yesterday evening about relationship as it pertains to God. Anytime one ponders relationship with God it will inevitably lead to, “Why did God create us?” which leads to “For the sake of relationship based on free will,” which leads to “what is my purpose?” Over the past several decades I’ve had different answers to that question, all of which were partly right. And as I grow older and closer to my Heavenly Father I realize how much I’ve missed the mark.

We may all cite the primary relationship to God as that of Father and Child. He is our Father and we are His children. (I’m speaking of those who have accepted the gift of salvation.) And the secondary relationship would be one of Master and Servant. We could include Friends with Jesus as a second or third, but it doesn’t change the primary which is wherein the problem lies.

After our initial humbling before the cross, I’ve noticed the majority of Christians seem to struggle with the primary and over emphasis the secondary. Why is that? I believe it’s because we so want to please God we live in guilt and fear when we feel as though we’ve let Him down and we back away from the primary love relationship that brought us to him in the first place; to bring “many sons to glory” (Heb. 2:10) We shrink away from the Throne of Grace (Heb 4:16) because we have nothing to offer.

God did not redeem us to be indentured, but to enjoy freedom as His children. It takes more grace to accept God’s unconditional love and mercy, than it does to serve Him. Serving seems to mean, “giving back to God.” Receiving means I have nothing to offer that would ever warrant His love. To receive we must come totally empty handed. If we cannot, then we change the order of relationship. (The parable of the Prodigal Son relates what God thinks about that.) The secondary must never overshadow with the primary. And it seems to me that after our initial acceptance of salvation we rarely come empty-handed again. We come with our money, our accomplishments, our good works, all to exchange for more grace to do more for God.

We are God’s children, often disobedient, always falling short, never perfect. But the relationship is not based on our attributes. It’s based on God’s character and His desire to simply be with us. Yes, we will serve Him, we will disappoint Him, we will have troubles and we will sin but like any good father, God is more interested in who we are than what we do. If we could only see how nurturing that primary relationship is more important to God than building the secondary one. Stop, listen, empty your hands and come to Him.

"I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Mark 10:15

How many of you love the Lord, love movies and but hate what Hollywood calls "entertainment" (for the most part.) Well there is good news! From what I've read, this is one of the best times in recent history for Christian Filmmakers to get their movies out in the market place. With recent hits like Fire Proof and Facing the Giants distributors and independent investors are realizing that there is a demographic out there that has money, will go to the right movies and are now beginning to invest in these films. Why? Because the market reflects that these movies do make money! With the big (and small) studios looking for new cash cows and knocking on doors that have "moved to India" signs in their windows, it's a prime time for Christians. Though we Christians hate it, the big CHA-CHING that surrounds Christian films makes Christian filmmaking an attractive investment.

Now, here's my question . . . I've been around the Christian community long enough to have heard the roar from the masses about the sub-quality of Hollywood's sausage factory productions. They are crude, poorly written, repetitive, morally degradating, and downright bad in most cases. "Why do they keep making the same old junk?" I've heard this over and over; even asked that question myself but until I came to Hollywood and entered the 30-Mile zone, I didn't understand either. But now I can answer that question . . . MONEY. It's all about the money. Profit is what makes investors sit up, take notice and pull out their check books. And whether we like it or not, nothing gets done without . . . MONEY.

So as Christians we need to quit complaining and begin producing. The Christian community is bulging with tons of great stories, hundreds of award winning writers, producers and directors and yes . . . lots of MONEY. Only by "putting our money where our mouth is" will we earn respect from "them" and be able to share Him.

Here's my question:

If you had an opportunity to invest in a good, well crafted, Christian film, would you? I am hoping this survey will help me target the market we're after. Oh not you all personally . . . but the demographic.

Oh, don't worry, I won't solicit, it's against the rules anyhow. So vote in the poll on the right hand sidebar and even better leave me a comment and let me know where you stand.

I've had the honor of being invited to be a guest blogger on Tamera Kraft's Word Sharpener's blog today.

http://wordsharpeners.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/halo-ministries-international-film-company

Drop by and take a peek.

India

The distant call of the Hindu prayer
Floats on the humid sultry air, hot and heavy
Sandalwood mingled with sweat and curry
Permeates the very essence of land and river
Fish and hot spice mixed with rice
Washed down with sweet milk tea
Laneless traffic threatens milling crowds
The lonely beggar holds out his cup for a rupee
Temples and churches brush the horizon
Reminding all of India’s timeless tradition

I ran across this poem I wrote in 2004 after my first visit to India. At the time, I had no idea that God would call me to India once again.

Sometimes it seems as if God takes the long way around to reveal His will or His plan. And I've often asked Him why it took so long and why I had to go through such hoops to get to the place where He showed me what He was after.

"It's not that I took you the long way around. It was you who were not ready for the straight route. You still had a lot to learn." And He's so right. Had he showed me what He wanted back then, I would not have had the faith to continue. And I don't think He could have revealed to me any more than what I was ready for. Not that He doesn't know what will happen but there is something to be said for US maybe not being ready. To show someone a vision that a person hasn't the faith to fulfill, would be devastating to that person's faith.

I have a friend who goes by signs to know God's will. It's a dangerous thing to do that. Not that God does not give signs, but what if the outcome is not what you expected and then the signs become null and void. Looking for signs was something that the Lord chastised the Pharisees for doing. Too many times we need some sort of "writing in the sky" to know if ith's God's will. What if His will is to simply follow Him around and do what's before us to do? Why does doing God's will mean we will have a Big Job. If we have such expectations of God, we will have an even higher failure complex when things don't turn out the way we expect. If I see a church in a vision and think God is calling me to build a church and I go out and break my back trying to do it and it fails . . . who is to blame? I've realized in these later years of my life that God shows us His will so we can watch HIM work. He delights in doing things and having us simply walk through the doors He opens. Yes there's opposition, but it's usually not stuff that can't be overcome with prayer.

Don't take this thing of working FOR God so seriously. Being WITH God is a far more lofty aspiration. Being with Him solves the working for Him because you'll always be in awe, watching Him do the miraculous. Laugh and Love . . . enjoy your relationship with Him.

As I watch the fires burn here in Southern California, eating the landscape like a hungry demon, filling the air with smoke and ash, I'm reminded that one day, the whole earth will burn with fire destroying all of the works mankind has built. It will be smoke and ash, gone in a flash, as God unties the elements that hod it together and all of man's works, his hopes and dreams, his investment in this world will be obliterated. There will be no memory of those whose names are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life nor their accomplishments. Everything man has worked for will be gone without a trace . . .

So where is my hope set? Am I trying to build something here on this earth, something that will last for eternity? Something that will be remembered when I'm gone? How long is a few centuries in comparison to eternity? If all things will be destroyed and nothing will remain but that which cannot be burned, what then am I working for?

Paul says in Romans 8:5-8 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

How can I tell where my mind if focused? What is this core root that I cannot seem to eradicate from my life? That was so bad, Jesus had had to kill it? That is repairable?

The vast majority of us can recognize the flesh in most cases. The obvious doesn't tempt us to rebellion against God. But the flesh is horribly deceitful and conniving, with an uncanny ability to look spiritual and to justify its ways. When Eve stood in front of that tree and gazed upon the forbidden fruit, Satan seized the opportunity to seduce her to eat. A fishhook was set in mankind giving Satan a back door into our lives.

Paul says here, the flesh is hostile toward God and cannot even subject itself to Him. He further states that those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Duh! I might say. But do I really know all its wily ways? Do I honestly see how subtlety it sneaks into my spiritual life, sabotaging ever good intention and desire? Did you know that the flesh is quite religious? It loves spiritual endeavors and doing things for the Kingdom of God. It wants to be justified and recognized as rehabilitated, no longer the black sheep or bad son. It says, "Look at me? Look how good I am now." It can sing and dance and look like a million bucks but it is just a religious creature bent on it's own glory and self preservation. The flesh cannot be changed, trained or rearranged. It can look pious and it can look humble but it's still the same focus . . . me, myself and I, what I call the Unholy Trinity.

So if you wonder where your mind is set check who is getting the glory; to where is the attention drawn? Who benefits from this. And if you really want to know, ask yourself this question. "If I do this thing for God and not a soul ever knows here on earth but me and God and I don't get an ounce of credit or recognition, does it matter?" It nails me every time.

I therefore cry out with Paul, "Wretched (wo)man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:24-25a

How’s your prayer life? On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate it? In my early days of faith, my prayer life was a 2 (or less.) Then about 10 years into my walk, it soared to a 5 (or 6 depending on my circumstances) and I would have to confess, stayed there for most of my Christian walk. I always felt guilty about my prayer life. I listened to preachers on prayer, read books on prayer, studied prayer in the scripture and tried every “technique” that was suggested to me, including sitting silently and just “listening.” Listening is perhaps the best, but most of the time I would just fall asleep. I took up writing my prayer requests in a prayer journal (which I highly recommend) but would fail to find the time to pray over those things I wrote in there. If this has been your experience, I urge you to read on. And if not . . . read on anyway.

This passage below has been used to teach persistence in prayer. I have heard many a message on this passage but honestly, it never clicked with me. I’ve read it countless times through the years and it still eluded me . . . until this morning.

"Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, saying, "In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, 'Give me legal protection from my opponent.' "For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, 'Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge said; now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:1-8

When I read this verse this morning, God broke through the fog of years of confusion with his blessed light and I said . . . wow! I’ve mostly heard this verse used to encourage persistence in prayer. Like the woman plaguing the judge, we need to continue to ask God until he grants our prayer or hears and responds at least. But this morning, I realized that isn’t at all what Jesus is saying.

Jesus uses the Judge as a comparison of both opposites here. The Judge is unrighteous, doesn’t respect God nor mankind but hates being nagged. And because of his position and responsibility to position and reputation, he concedes to grant her protection.

Opposite of that is God, righteous and loves mankind and wants to help. Jesus says, “Look at God who is neither unrighteous nor uncaring. Will He not hear and answer those in need? And bring help quickly?”

But instead of encouraged, this verse made me feel inadequate and lazy about prayer. Why? Because the common teaching on this verse made me feel that I somehow had to dislodge God from His apathy and beg His favor. And to do that I needed to cry and cry or fast for days or spend hours and hours on my knees. This is not so. I say that because of the second half of verse 8. “However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Why would Jesus add that? Most say to prove we need to be persistent. But that seems to clash with verse 7 and the first half of 8.

Will He find faith? What kind of faith is He talking about here? Trusting Faith . . .

Do I trust God that He has my best interests in mind. Or do I TELL Him what’s best for me. So many of my prayers in the past have consisted of me focusing on a solution or answer and then trying to get God to do THAT. I beg and plead but nothing happens. I want Him to do my will. I want that thing or that person to do something or that situation to be dealt with in a certain way or I need money or . . . . and the list goes on. I was taught that persistence is the key to getting answers from God. Just pray it through and keep praying until you get the answer you seek. Wow, what presumption. What if God has something entirely different he wants to do? What if He has something better or a lesson, or . . . good grief the list never ends. God KNOWS already what we need. We pray to get the benefit of seeing it come to pass and to be blessed by Him in partnership.

And faith . . . let’s not forget the biggest factor. Do we really believe that God has everything under control? Or do we think He is just a forgetful Old Man, too busy with so many things to remember or heed our small requests. Do I really need to keep after Him? Or do I believe He’s going to take care of it? Faith means believing and leaving it to God to do whatever He sees best.

But this kind of faith and trust is rare. That’s why Jesus asks the question, “when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Will He? So far it’s not looking good.

Prayer is the most powerful tool we have . . . why? Because in prayer we are linked with God in Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit and we have the opportunity to watch and participate the will of God being carried out. His will, His plan, His purpose. And it’s amazing. When I quit nagging God about what I want and begin laying out my requests for Him to take care of as He sees fit then I begin to live Phil. 4:6-7. And others notice. It's amazing how much peace you will have.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

I'm always amazed that no matter how many times I read a passage of scripture, the Lord always reveals a deeper level of truth or a new take on a well-worn passage. Take for instance the Beatitudes. I've read them, memorized them as a child and poured over them as a teacher and Bible study leader. And today, I opened my Bible and for the first time (some of you may be saying "duh!") I saw a progression. Now if this is old school for you and I've come across something you have known for years . . . bear with me, lol!

I've taught on the various blessings in these verses as Jesus presented them. Back then it a total reverse on Jewish thought to be blessed if you were sad, meek, poor (spiritually or otherwise) or persecuted. Those were thought to be curses on the sinful and disobedient. Not only did Jesus praise and encourage those who felt this way, He actually used them as signs of maturity and growth. As we scroll through them, you'll see how successfully (and sneakily) He inserted the real measuring rod of true spirituality. I will use the Matthew list:

5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit
Poor, broken, at the end of the rope. It means we've come to a place where we are ready to hear God and heed Him

5:4 Blessed are they who mourn
Sorrow over sin, heart sick at what we are and have done. Confronting our own depravity is the only way we shall received God. Pride is the anti-christ in us.

5:5 Blessed are the meek
Humbled and in submission to the will of the Lord. The meek are in a spiritual position to be used for God's purpose.

5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness

This is truly a gift of God. We see how short we fall and know there is no for us apart from Christ. This desire prepares us for the path of death blows to our flesh.

These first four are the blessings of preparation. They are the ones where we must make choices to move toward God. He does the work, but we must give the green light by our choice to yield to the Holy Spirit.

The following four are the result. It's what will come of our choices to be abandoned to Christ.

5:7 Blessed are the merciful
I believe this is the first fruit we exhibit, mercy. It's what Jesus told the Pharisees they didn't have and needed. True mercy is from God and recognizes how much we need it ourselves because judgment is what we deserve. Without mercy there can be no exhibition of the other fruits of the spirit.

5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart
The only way one has a pure heart to be in Christ. This is a work of the Holy Spirit and how God looks upon us when He sees us. Being pure in heart is something only God can do. . . apart from us.

5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers
We are ambassadors of Christ, sent by Him to share the good news of reconciliation. When we finally get our eyes off ourselves, we can see as Jesus sees and our hearts are filled with compassion for those who are at war with God. We want to reach out.

5:10 Blessed are the persecuted
How can this possibly be a blessing? Because this type of persecution is only earned by our Christ-likeness. When we are reviled for Jesus sake it means we have entered into His sufferings as a member of His body and will be blessed for it. Only those abandoned to God can be persecuted like this.

This progressive maturity is both a life walk and a season walk. It spans our entire Christian life in Christ as we learn, yield, abandon ourselves and grow in His grace. And it also can be cyclical in the sense that when we are temporarily separated from the Lord by sin, we cycle through the first four steps in our return path.
As you revisit the Beautitudes it is my prayer that you may have "the eyes of your understanding enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His calling and the riches of the glory of His inheritance . . . and the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe . . ." (Eph. 1:18-19)

May God richly bless your walk toward maturity in Christ.