One Word Describing Jesus Christ

"If you had one word to describe Jesus, what would it be? asked Dr. William Gaultiere of author Dallas Willard.

How would you have answered that question? Dr. Gaultiere encourages us to close our eyes for a moment and consider this. Write down the first words that come to mind. If you could only use one word what would it be?

I happened on this query at Christian Soul Care Devotional website: http://www.christiansoulcare.com/

When you have time check it out; I found much good reading. But back to this interview with author Willard.

Dr. Gaultiere, "Here are the words I thought of… Jesus is… Love… Holy… Lord… Teacher… Risen… Healer… (These are all good words to describe Jesus.)"

"Then Dallas looked into my eyes and shared with me his word. You need to know that this was a special moment for me. He’s my key mentor. I’ve read every book he’s written more than once. I’ve listened (many times) to every audio teaching series of his I can find. In the last six years he has discipled me to Jesus in ways that have impacted all that I am and everything that I do as a Christian, husband, father, friend, psychologist, minister, writer…What one word would Dallas Willard use to describe Jesus?:

"Relaxed."

Relaxed?I would have never thought of that word! But ever since that conversation I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Jesus being relaxed.

Think about it.

• Jesus had far and away the most important and dangerous mission that any human being has ever had or ever will have.


• He had to wait 18 years to begin working on his calling and then he had just three years of public ministry to fulfill it. And yet Jesus was relaxed!


• Jesus needed to convince a large number people that although he was merely a man he was also the unique Son of God.


• And his followers needed to be so confident in him as their Lord and Savior that they would give their lives to lead other people to know him – even to the point of torture and death. And yet Jesus was relaxed!


• Jesus could only be in one location at a time. And when he left one city to go to another he left behind people that hadn’t been healed or discipled (Matthew 13:58).


• Most people – even his own family at first – rejected him and his message (Luke 4:28-30, Mark 3:20, 31-34).


• Many of the people he discipled deserted him (John 6:66).


• And even his faithful disciples didn’t understand who he was until after he rose from the dead (Mark 8:31-33)! And yet Jesus was relaxed!


• The fate of all humankind – past, present, and future – depended on Jesus successfully completing his gospel mission! And yet Jesus remained relaxed

"When I have big responsibilities I start to feel overwhelmed… When I am stressed by situations anxious feelings rise up within me… When I am criticized or rejected I am tempted to react by feeling bad about myself or getting angry… When I have lots to do I tend to hurry…How did Jesus remain at peace when he was under pressures much, much harder than I face?"

"He practiced what he preached! He lived in the same "easy yoke" that he offers to us. Jesus was the first disciple: he apprenticed himself to the Father, learning to live out the things he would later teach (think of Jesus’ 18 hidden years from ages 12 to 30 as his discipleship training program)."

• Our sinless Lord "grew" (Luke 2:52); he "learned" (Hebrews 5:8) how to… maintain moment-by-moment submission to God’s will, never saying or doing anything except as the Father directed him (John 6:38, 12:50).


• Pray without ceasing (John 11:42, 1 Thessalonians 5:17)


• Be so dependent upon the Holy Spirit as to be filled with his presence and power without limit (John 3:34)


• Bless those that cursed him (Luke 22:34).

"In my discipleship to Jesus I am learning how to follow his example and walk with him in his "easy yoke," his "unforced rhythms of grace" (Matthew 11:28, MSG). And so more and more I too am relaxed!"

My hat is off to Dr. Gaultiere for his website and his ministry. This concept of Jesus being relaxed and confident in Father God is a reassuring picture for me as I think on the Lord. One incident Dr. Gaultiere didn't mention was the storm at sea where Jesus slept through the sea pitching the boat to and fro. He chastised his followers for not being relaxed. With all the "storms" about, may we be in Christ and be relaxed.

Blogging Fun

Blogging Is So Much Fun!!!

No one could have ever convinced me that I would enjoy blogging on the world wide web a year ago. Yesterday I shared my fear that I had cast a dark shadow on the "Thrive Christians Blog" lately. You great bloggers lifted me back up to the joy of blogging in less than a day.


I know I'm conscious of being positive and full of hope because of my work on the inmate newsletter, Razor Wire. The pastor who heads up this ministry is insistent that we project hope and joy to these devastated Christians behind bars. I'm thankful of this daily reminder because I believe God has repeated words like joy, peace and hope throughout the Bible for us to be mindful that these are His attributes. Surely He means for us to demonstrate a positive attitude to others.


Thank you for dropping by. For you who took the time to comment; I especially thank you. I'm "lit" and feeling the warmth of God's love in each of you. I'm hanging onto my image of being a birthday candle in the Kingdom of God from yesterday's post. I love a party....yep, I think I've found my place in the Body of Christ I'm all fired up and looking to land in some gooey icing and light up the room!!!


Shine Jesus Shine....may we all be clean and ready for Your assignment. Let darkness give us a thrilling realization that You overcome darkness ...always. Wherever anyone is feeling lost in the darkness; may we offer a hand, a smile, and help in Your name.

Shine Jesus Shine

Blog Blues

I've got the blues reading my own blog. Thrive Christians is a blog focused on thriving because of the abundant life Jesus promised to each believer/Christian. But in my compassion for the hurting I fear I have reported those in pain more than I have shared the great hope that I see working in my life and others.



Jesus said, "I am the Light of the World. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." John 8:12


My pastor preaches often that "darkness" in the Bible refers to ignorance of truth. This explains hard-working devoted church folks who seemed defeated and never demonstrate the joy, peace and abundant life displayed in the first church in the New Testament.



Paul speaks of God working through us in Philippians 2....v.15 "you shine as lights in the world." God has blessed me with peace and joy no matter what is surrounding me or "biting at my ankles" or "hammering at my thoughts" that I believe He shines His light through me wherever I am. When I enter a "dark" place I expect the atmosphere to change because of Christ in me.



Thrive Christians blog is lighting up!!! I'm not sure how sophisticated a "light" I am in the Kingdom of God. I suspect I might be no more than a little birthday candle: just a tiny cheap squirt of wax covering a short burning wick. Oh, I'll joyfully be God's birthday candle of light. I love seeing faces in a darkened room when lit candles on a birthday cake come forth with "ooh's" and "ah's" and then "Happy Birthday to you..."



Life! Let's celebrate life; and all that it gives us in delights and challenges.

Burn and shine wherever you go.

Turn On The Lights I Can't See A Thing In Here

"Oops, I should have turned on the lights before I let the garage door down. How will I ever get out of here?" Yesterday I cleared out enough of my garage to drive my car in for the night. I was so proud of my de-cluttering that I didn't process that I had not turned on the light inside the garage before I pressed the button to shut the door. In pure black darkness I stumbled over boxes, tools, bikes, etc. until I made it to the door to the hall and finally had some light. Yeah, I made it without a fall or injury. In my own home I set myself up to go through terror in the pitch black darkness.

This reminds me of the many people walking in "darkness" who may welcome a little light. Paul wrote in Ephesians 5...

“You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer.

You're out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain.

So no more stumbling around. Get on with it!

The good, the right, the true –these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours.

Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.

Don't waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness.

Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light!”

The Message, Eugene Petersen

The Bible shows us over and over that Jesus Christ is the “Light of the world.”Since I surrendered all to Him He abides in me. Jesus conquers everything that seems to embrace darkness: depression .... doubt .... fear .... hurt.

Sometimes I take my eyes off of Jesus and His light dims. But He will work with me to bring truth in place of lies, hope instead of despair and wholeness rather than brokenness.

The greatest news is that with Jesus within me; I can bring His light into others' darkness. They don't have to grope helplessly. With this thought of shining warm light in a cold dark place I will mention basic needs of everyone. When these are assaulted or not being met "darkness" covers a person's mind.

Theologians and behavior specialist seem to agree that all people need: security, identity, belonging, purpose, and competence.

Let's expand this a bit to see how we can be vessels of God's light to serve others:

• 
  
  Love and connection: to feel love from and for, and connection with others and the need to bond; feel oneness with both others and yourself.


• 
  
  Significance: need to feel that you have meaning to others; you are unique, special and important.


• 
  
  Certainty or Comfort: need for the feeling that everything is settled, secure with no unpleasant surprises or crises around the corner


• 
  
  Uncertainty or Variety: precise opposite of above and potentially in conflicting with the need for certainty is the need to feel that life is interesting, adventurous, diverse, exciting and challenging.


• 
  
  Growth: need for the feeling that we are growing, intellectually, spiritually and physically. To become better, to improve one's skills, to stretch and to excel.


• 
  
  Contribution: Need to feel that we are giving of ourselves.

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

My question to you is: How do we show up and shine? How do spread light in a way that is helpful and healing? What's the call....to the hurting, bankrupt, foreclosed, repossessed, jobless?

What is the way to help and honor dignity?

Value of Men and Women is Beyond Possessions

"You are more than your house," comforted the foreclosure clinic leader. As I volunteered in my computer cubicle I overheard one side of this conversation with a distraught homeowner losing their home after all efforts had failed to salvage the mortgage before the house hit the selling block. The counselor spent some time convincing the homeowner that her value in Christ was far more than anything connected with this financial failure.

Today I heard on the news that 1 in 7 homeowners is at risk of foreclosure in the U.S.

Isn't it time for God's compassion to shine out from Christians now?

My empathy increased greatly for people hit by this financial storm when some funds had not arrived at a new company for my retirement setup. I spent two days tracking down the reason for the delay in the transfer. Those days of not knowing were frightening. I had a tiny pinch of what so many in our land are going through. Finally I found all was well.

The woman representing the former account's insurance company was kind. I could hear the fatigue in her voice. I can only imagine what a day of work could be for her with so many of us fighting fear. I expressed my concern for her and others in her line of work. She sighed and said it was very difficult. She mentioned her best friend was going through a foreclosure. I told her I was a Christian and our church is offering financial counseling at no fee. I told her how the leaders help the people see that they are more valuable than their possessions. She spent five minutes probing me on ways she can encourage her friend through this shameful foreclosure process.

That's just two instances I have encountered in the last week. I'm now most careful with sharing my opinion in a group. I would never want my casual words to be overheard and stab a new wound in someone going through a foreclosure, bankruptcy or financial crisis.

In one small European village was a town square that held a special statue.

This statue was the pride and joy of the small town, but World War II arrived and soon the bombs began falling on the town. One day the statue was hit and blown to pieces. The residents collected all the shattered pieces and slowly did what they could to re-create it.

When they finished the reconstruction of their beloved statue of Jesus, they noticed that the only pieces missing were the hands of Jesus. So they placed a plaque at the base of the statue with the words:

Now we are the only hands that Jesus has.

Christian counselors tell me that "being there" with a warm heart and a listening ear is helpful and comforting and healing beyond what we can imagine. I've had Christian friends come to me when I was hurting. Their presence, their love and their assurance that I wasn't losing my mind meant everything to me. Having them praying for me was the key to my recovering in Christ.

Now....what do you say?

Is this a new day for Christians in this new financial place?

How can we be hands of Jesus' Body?

If you are hurting; what can we do that will show you your value?

There Are No Dukes in The Kingdom of God

"The Duke of Wellington, the famous conqueror of Napoleon, was kneeling in a church one Sunday, ready to partake of communion. A private was also kneeling for communion. When the private discovered who was kneeling beside him, he was embarrassed. Quietly he arose, saying, "Pardon me, your grace." Wellington pulled him down beside him, saying, "In the presence of Jesus Christ there are no dukes." p. 24 Be Still and KnowMillie StrammZondervan, 1981 0310329914

Today is the first in a series on the power of the flame of love of God in a Christian's heart with hurting people. The "chatter" coming in my ears lately does not line up with Jesus Christ's message of love and transforming hope. Fear and self preservation are kicking into high gear inside and outside the church while financial worlds are shaking.

I've said this before on this blog: darkness only makes light shine brighter. I desire to be a flame of God's love and hope in my world. May we explore what the Bible says about this?

So........hang on and let's go down God's mercy, compassion life changing route.

Let us review the book of Ezekiel where he writes of times that were truly bad for the Jews. God gave Ezekiel the truth the people needed, but here was his initial instructions:

Ezekiel 3:15 "Then I come to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days."

God sent Ezekiel to His people in captivity with His warning. It was as if Ezekiel knew God was calling a pause before he would be ready to speak, "Not yet, Ezekiel. First you must sit with them and experience what they are going through." Like the Duke of Wellington said at the altar, "There ain't no dukes down here...." Seems God was telling high priest Ezekiel to get down in the dirt and "know" what these people were going through.

A Kay moment....Oh, yes...don't tell me what I need to do without listening to me. You need to show me you "know" something about my pain. I've mentioned on earlier posts that I don't take any advice from people until I "see" their limp or scars. If you've never been through some "stuff" or you like keeping that private; move on. I don't have an ear for your sermon. Show me you've "sat" where I sit; or you have spent time with people with my "issues" or you have some real knowledge of my needs or move on.

But Ezekiel was equipped to speak after 7 days of sitting, watching, listening, and feeling their pain.
He could feel their needs with them.
He could see their problems through their eyes.
Then he was ready to share God's message for them.

How do you feel about folks helping you in your needs?
What must they possess to be qualified to advise you?

As a Christian; what is most important to you as you reach out to help others?

Fun Friday: Never Let Them See You Sweat

My Aunt Eunice frequently told me my best self defense strategy was to keep my cool, no matter what. I think Aunt Eunice had read far too many mystery stories because she constantly had self defense on her mind in a quiet valley with only family within several miles in either direction.

But I did end up in some dangerous spots and no matter what, I could almost hear Aunt Eunice, "Girl, walk like you don't have a care in the world. Don't let them see your fear; keep your cool. Don't let them see you sweat." I'm navigationaly challenged and getting lost comes up often. Once I was having a ball in the Garment District of New York when I took a wrong turn into an alley that was terrifying and somehow I was no longer in the Garment District. But, I walked like I knew exactly where I was going and finally I circled back into the street I knew.

Today I'm paying tribute to Micca Campbell who is the queen of "Don't Let Them See You Sweat." She was a keynote speaker in the She Speaks Conference (http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/) this past May. Enjoy her story and see if you agree that she is the "queen" since she kept coming back around these folks after this incident. Micca Campbell, was the conference's last keynote speaker. This beautiful young woman had me laughing minutes after taking the mike. Since I hope to develop humor here and in my presentations I listened intently to Micca's stories. As nutty as some of my most embarrassing moments have been, she’s topped me with this one:

Micca rushed to get to the hotel for the She Speaks conference several years ago. With no time to freshen up for a leadership preliminary meeting she threw her clothes on. When she entered the ground floor elevator alone she realized she had this tiny bit of time to straighten her clothes properly.

With the wood paneling surrounding her she faced the door, flung off her shoes, bent over, and threw her skirt up on her back. Now, she had time to get her twisted pantyhose on straight. She started working her stretchy clingy panty hose on properly from her toes up to her waist. She made sure everything was just right.

She sighed with some relief....Whew....oh no! Suddenly Micca realized the surrounding walls of the elevator were now glass. Those solid wooden walls she noticed on entering the elevator were permanent fixtures to the ground floor only. Once the elevator rose to the second floor the true glass walls were her only surrounding. She peered behind her to look into shocked diners' faces in the main dinning room below her. All those high paying diners got their meal and a show!!! Talk about a floor show.

Micca's re-enactment of her bending over and wrestling with her pantyhose cannot be described....it must be experienced. For several years Micca has returned to speak at She Speaks in the same hotel. Aunt Eunice would have applauded her checking into the hotel and the staff elbowing one another, "That's the elevator lady." She just walked right by and never gave into the temptation to try to explain any of the matter. Finally She Speaks changed meeting sites and Micca said checking in was so pleasant this year.

She may have become a legend: that elevator lady; but she knew how to handle it as a true Southern belle: Never let them see you sweat!

Micca is a treasure in the Kingdom of God that I am truly thanking God for today. Her website is http://www.miccacampbell.com/. Thank you, Micca, for your heart, your soul and your gift… and the laughs. You were the laughter Rx I needed.