while worldlies feel right at home. Aliens are Jesus-dependents, embracing a Kingdom that’s not of this world. Just because one professes to be a Christian, does not mean we are a Jesus-dependent/alien. Aliens are dependent on Jesus, do NOTHing on their own, are not wise in their own eyes, do not lean on their own…

in life or in ministry, or both, that’s the very-best thing that could have happened to you. WHAT? That’s right. Your flesh is very confident-it-knows-what’ll-make-you-happiest, but your flesh knows NOTHing about such things. How many times in your life has your flesh been WRONG? The genius plan of Jesus gives you opportunity to learn from…

for the harrrd, the suffering, the “negative”, in my life, when I feel ALONE and in CHARGE. When I’m confident-I-know-what’s-thankable, and what’s not. Only when I believe Jesus is totally in charge of me, and totally loving me, when I’m curious and expectant to see what He does NEXT, in me, others, circumstances, can I…

Improvement involves being better, doing better, living better, having better, looking better, feeling better, thinking better, loving better, vacationing better.  Improvement is addiction, where contentment is bliss, freedom.  Jesus is ENOUGH for the contented.  He is NOT enough for the improvement addict.  Adam and Eve were content — before they became addicted to improvement, independence,…

My flesh thinks so. And it’s persuasive. Though thoroughly deceived. I only believe the lie when I feel ALONE and in CHARGE of my life. When I don’t believe Jesus is totally in charge of every detail of my life. When I’m envious of the easier lives around me. How many times in my 76…

content, at peace with yourself, your God, and the world around you, until Jesus grows you clueless-you-know-what’s-best. Dependent on Him, not on your mind, other minds, talking heads on TV or online. Leaning on your own understanding, being wise in your own eyes, is a formula for unhappiness. Addiction. Circumstance-dependent for happiness. And I predict…

unless you really KNOW yourself. Self-awareness is crucial to really knowing Jesus. He who has a present sense of having been forgiven only a little, presently KNOWS Jesus only a little, presently KNOWS himself only a little, presently loves Jesus only a little, presently loves himself conditionally, presently loves others conditionally, and presently loves Jesus’…

I don’t see how any believer can be freshly wowed at Christmas, unless he’s freshly aware of what’s inside him. So he’s freshly desperate for the Message. This is maybe the best sermon I’ve ever heard. Not perfect — in the ears of this perfectionist, but pert near. http://www.sevenrivers.org/171119.html Download audio for your phone/computer, or…

my life is UP TO ME — that You are not in charge. I’m so heavily influenced by my flesh, and the flesh of others in this world, who are convinced human lives are up to humans. But when I read Your Scripture afresh I get sane afresh, because Your Scripture clearly teaches that You…

As of our Annual Board Meeting on Nov18, we’re currently $9200 short of covering expenses, and I’m guessing we could end up having a year-end deficit of maybe $2,000-5,000, or more, but I’m always unsure because of year-end giving.  Over the past dozen years I’ve lost some monthly supporters.  I’m a coward when it comes…