By listening to Bible Project each day, I find that the richness of God’s Words is so extensive and the parts that elude my understanding need to go through a grid of looking at God’s declarations about himself and the whole story of Jesus. His choices, his emotions, his mysterious teachings, his clear teachings. Nothing is contradictory, he always guides me to a choice. I depend on his help while asking, seeking and responding in righteousness.

From the very beginning, clear choices were established; the ones that lead to life and freedom are always there. The idea that God is not generous is the lie. The tension in the book of Genesis shows up because there was ONE tree denied to us. Ever look at a forest? ONE tree.

So, I want to analyze my anger. Does it arise from being slighted, feeling my idea is better, having my own way, or is it really an anger that Jesus would experience? Wisdom is meant to help me choose. So, if I imitate Christ, my spoken words should reflect his character. Do I speak out the highest and best each day with friends, family, nation, and more? Probably not, but having that desire and focus is how I seek the kingdom of God. When I slip, I receive forgiveness, but my gaze/focus is on Jesus. His character is in me; he’s holding my hand or pointing at the right choices. That is how I imitate what he would do.

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Quite interesting days with being involved with the Truth and Transformation School. Yesterday our speaker Allan Robbins brought rocks, strawberries, uv lights, iodized salt and more. It was hands on science and to see the joy of discovery was a wonder to see. Even a plain tablespoon pressed against dry ice emits an eerie shriek! The metal in the spoon is subjected to extremely cold temperature, and the metal causes a sound when it attempts to shrink. Metal expands or contracts according to how hot or cold it is. So we had a singing/shrieking spoon yesterday. It wasn’t the only time we were awed by the things that were in the boxes Allan brought to the school.

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Mixed thoughts in my mind today. As a United States citizen, I want my nation to thrive. I want to honor each person as valuable, and truly discover what it means to humble myself and pray and act like Jesus, who declared, “Forgive them for they know not what they do.”

Discovering the truth about my nation can be shocking. Case in point: Voting rights for our black citizens occurred only after tragic violence occurred during the 1965 marches between Selma and Montgomery, Alabama. Another is the illegal overthrow of the Hawaii kingdom. It is not always included in USA history textbooks.

A photo where a sign announces “God hates fags” illustrates what people have done in God’s name. Being silent against hatred is one factor in a nation’s downfall. Be aware that collective groupthink, not the individual person, moves the needle to changed communities. In our homes, is each member of the family is treated with dignity? Is your co-worker being treated like Jesus treated us? It’s a movement toward each believer being respectful, gentle, kind, and compassionate, reflecting Jesus’ kingdom.

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He helped me see my first reaction when threatened or shamed kicks me into a non-rational mindset. That’s the point where I want to hide or to fight. Saying something at that point can escalate into harmful words or actions. Inner dialog can cause the same stress. Pausing enough to let God’s wisdom come into the picture creates the balanced reaction, a place not controlled by the body’s fearful response.

This wisdom comes from knowing how you are valued in God’s eyes. Let’s say “you are a burden” is an unseen lie that poisons your mind, you then work harder to prove your worth. Another result would to be defensive or angry at perceived slights to your value.

Your thoughts or reactions appreciated.

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Is learning to listen to both sides of the argument becoming a lost skill? How many times have I held an belief because it fitted with my narrative? While it is entirely within God’s power to create the earth in six literal 24 hour periods, my narrative became tempered by looking at both scripture and science. I’m still adhering to God’s words on creation but now am leaving room for a different timeline other than six 24 hour periods.

Be still and know that I am God is becoming more alive to me and my holding to a certain narrative about how long it took God to set up the universe and earth as we know it is not crucial to my well being. Holding onto any narrative of how the world works is not the basis for my faith. I believe God’s integrity in all things and climate change/flooding is not going to destroy the whole earth because He promised to never bring a flood onto the earth again.

He created an earth with resources for us to thrive no matter how many babies are born. He also reveals that unrepentant humans will experience consequences of their choices. So I’m left with the knowledge there is truly nothing new under the sun just like Solomon said. A drone once brought a cool bird’s eye perspective, but now is is used to destroy people. Science brings life in hands of righteous people, or destruction in the hands of greedy or power-lusting people.

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My photos from 2013 race

Today is the second 2022 Ironman World Championship event in Kona.  For the first time Kona split the athletes into two groups, one race held two days ago featuring the women and some age groups.  Roughly 5,000 athletes are here.  The volunteer numbers to support this race is amazing as well.  

This event brings people together either as a athlete or the race support crew.  Overcoming barriers thrills our heart. The race symbolizes our own barriers and how we feel as challenges are overcome. Even though support and problem solving from volunteers isn’t cheered like endurance and perseverance from athletes, it is critical to the race success. Consistent effort from many makes big things possible. 

This divided world needs worthy unified goals to survive. What are yours?

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Photo by Khamkéo Vilaysing on Unsplash

What is inside our minds and emotions is not hidden from God.  I often ask questions but have lessened my demand for the answers.  In some Psalms you see the cry why are the righteous suffering? Why does the evil one get away with so much? It is important to then focus on Who offers unfailing love. At the same time Jesus promised perfection when we meet him face to face.  Evil people or nations are not getting away with injustice, it all waits for the final fulfillment of God our Father’s commands.

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Noticing beauty in the midst of struggle helps us remember unrivaled beauty and order is promised in the heavenly realm.  Just across from the Kona campus is a massive royal poinciana. Though it didn’t sport its fiery red blossoms at that moment, I noticed inside the tree’s deep shade, the tendrils from pink-white bougainvillea climbing the branches.

Being overshadowed didn’t daunt the bougainvillea, it is made to climb.  Its pink hue shouted “here I am” to the world, though it needs sun to thrive.  Where another plant would starve and die, it shouted beauty and creativity.  Thriving in the midst of shadows is God’s design, and he also reminds us that all sorrows will cease one day.

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Two weeks have disappeared since I was visiting my home state Oregon. Soon I’ll be helping students in Truth and Transformation.  They arrive on Sept 29.  I love this school, it helped rewrite some erroneous thinking and revealed God’s greatness from compassion to creativity. You’ll see my coursework in this blog written during my time as a student.

Coming from a shy background, unable to communicate in groups I see Jesus’ touch in healing wounds and opening up understanding about my identity.  It is a process in which I see Him taking on burdens and being my protector.  I almost never raised my hand before I got my cochlear implants. So both physical and emotional healing freed me from burdens and hangups. Is it a finished work? Yes by faith, and yet to be completed when I meet Jesus face to face.

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“Trust him with all my heart”.  Struggles come in many forms. I heard Shannon’s testimony regarding her stillborn child, her family prayed before and after the baby was born for it to come back from the dead.  She declared her trust during pregnancy and after the baby was buried. Shannon did trust and believe with all her heart to the fullest measure.  Do I?  I’m making progress.

In 2014, I purchased a pure Dorper ewe and ram and intended to have multiple purebred sheep. Between sickness and accidents including a dog attack, very few purebreds remain. The last fatal accident occurred this week, with a four month old ewe lamb stuck on her back in a ground depression. The fatalities come despite prayers, changing medications, or any supreme effort.  In the midst of asking questions, he said it was about the Who.  His love never decreases, nor does his power.  So trusting with all my heart must leave room for unanswered questions.  Because the real question is settled, He never abandons us.

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