GPS Journal - September 28, 2011

The church father Irenaeus described the Son and the Spirit as the right hand and left hand of God, hugging us toward our heart's true home.

GUIDANCE

We are like spiritual salmon swimming upstream.  There is something built into us that compels us homeward.  Often, however, this powerful instinct is projected onto lesser destinations.  Like the relationship between our biological parents.

PERSPECTIVE

It is easy to understand the confusion.  This relationship brought us into earthly existence.  For a child, the whole world revolves around this relationship.  If the parents love each other, the child's world is secure.  If not, the child's world is shattered.

But our heart's true home is the relationship between the Father and Son through the Bond of the Holy Spirit.  And this eternal relationship is where we truly belong.  Forever.

So how do we most effectively help others as we swim upstream together?  Do we have a map or guide?

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

I believe we do.  And it was given to us by Jesus Himself.  It was His Last Will and Testament to us.  Our focus for swimming upstream.  The words of the Word before heading home.

"All authority on heaven and earth has been given to me.  Therefore, as you are going make disciples of all the ethnic groups, immersing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:18-20).

-Tony

GPS Journal - September 14, 2011

Sin ambushes us.  Hiding in secret places that exist within and among us.  Then gradually destroying us all.

GUIDANCE

Interestingly, nicely advertized sins like gluttony, greed, and lust share the same root system with less fashionable sins like pornography, theft, and sexual deviancy.  They share a common source and cause.

PERSPECTIVE

Because light cannot coexist with darkness, there is coming a day.  A day of uprooting.  A day when everything will be brought kicking and screaming into the light.  As Paul puts it:  "This will take place when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares" (Romans 2:16 NIV).

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

We don't talk much about Judgement these days.  It is terrifying!  Who wants all their private thoughts, practices, fantasies, etc., MADE PUBLIC to every creature that has ever existed?  Displayed for the entire universe to see.  We all know instinctively that we harbor enemy impulses in some of our secret places.  Rebellious, demonically inspired, ungodly impulses.

But there is another perspective about Judgement Day.  For there to be a culture in which sin can no longer exist, it MUST happen.  Every root cause exposed.  Every secret chamber opened and completely cleansed.  Then His family system can finally be open, transparent, loving, and honest - in a word - HOLY.

A functional family system in which we are free to show the full extent of our love for our Father and one another.

Wouldn't that be heaven!

-Tony

GPS Journal - August 31, 2011

Like any good father, He provides for all the family. Especially by making sure the family is respected and has a good name.

GUIDANCE

But His task is infinitely more than usual.  In fact, unique.  He maintains a family name that is held in honor for all time, by all creation, and in spite of powerful hateful enemies.  For the sake of His children, He will pay any price so that His family can be united, good, free, and protected.  Since His family is eternal, His provision must be vastly beyond anything we know or experience here.

PERSPECTIVE

The Lord said to Moses, "Speak to the entire assembly in Israel and say to them:  'Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy'" (Leviticus 19:1, 2 NIV).

Each of the four living creatures has six wings and is covered with eyes all around, even under his wings.  Day and night they never stop saying "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come" (Revelation 4:8 NIV).

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

Dare we do anything to dishonor such a Father?  Like making Him eat with us the sewage spewed into our homes via cable or satellite?  Or getting more excited about sports and entertainment events than giving Him glory and worship?  Or giving more attention to clothes, toys, and comforts than serving Him?

It's sobering to think that our Father ordered the destruction of Sodom, the pagan families inhabiting the land, and His own children of Israel.  Precisely for the sake of His holiness.

Do we dare think we can dishonor Him and not be called into account as well?

-Tony

GPS Journal - August 17, 2011

It’s an awful feeling to be excluded,
Not part of the family,
Un-chosen, left out, and certainly not “in the know.”

GUIDANCE

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the way He works. 
He includes us, setting us on His lap
While He plows the field all day,
At times even letting us move the steering wheel. 
Proudly displaying to all creation that we are His children;
Quietly whispering to us His plans and cosmic designs.

Of course we don’t get it all, 
Not even a small bit;
But we include our kids so they can learn and grow. 
Praise His Holy Name! 
So does He!

PERSPECTIVE

“And you were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation” (Ephesians 1:13 NIV).

STRENGTH

Right up front we are told the first bit of good news,
We are included, chosen, adopted, redeemed –
Allowed to serve and one day inherit the family business. 

How do we respond?

I think it’s as simple
As gratefully remaining on His lap all day. 
Staying put with strong, loving arms surrounding us,
Listening to His heart’s desire for His cosmic Kingdom,
Determined to bring only honor to our family name. 

We humbly thank God to be part of such a good and powerful family,
One where our eldest brother went to hell and back
So we could be included.

-Tony

GPS Journal - August 3, 2011

The powerful gaze took him in and locked him up.  Fear unlike any he had ever known.

GUIDANCE

The cloud was alive. And all-seeing.  The penetrating gaze was too much.  The look was not ordinary.  Not just looking him over or checking him out.  But a look that could create (or re-create).  So powerful that it took him completely in--and shut him down.

PERSPECTIVE 

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.  Listen to him!"  (Matthew 17:5 NIV).

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

He fell face down on the ground.  Then Jesus touched him telling him not to be afraid.

Looking up he saw only Jesus.  With a touch that took him in and lifted him up.

Tony