Explanation for 2026

I think about writing as often as I have a thought most times. My reason for coming back here is my decision to reopen the flow. I think the idol that has kept me from transparency is the threat, “What will they think of me?” In 2026 this thought has to die. It is an immobilizer and usurper of life.

The most common my fear of perception I carry is ‘hypocrite’. That my words and my inspiration are invalidated by my life. That what is written here – in the wide open fields of processing time – would be determined by those who know me in real life as not true to how I live. In this way, I have bowed to the idea that you are fit to be my judge. Since Jesus recently fired me from being my own judge – he’s says I am not qualified – I guess I am no longer comfortable giving the imagined version of you the ability to determine my hypocrisy and am just getting on to enjoy my writing again.

I am writing not for people to see me, but for people to see Jesus. And, if I allow myself the vulnerability of writing here, I somehow return the enjoyment of my union with him expressing himself this way through me as I spend time on this activity. I have decided to reopen this flow in the delight of intimacy and fellowship with himself. You are free to come along for the ride or abandon this one of 1.4 billion locations on the internet in choice of perhaps a real activity offline, like knitting.

I have enjoyed a morning of contemplating abandoning any false projections of self propped up as mechanisms rooted in external behavior performances or modifications in order to meet some imagined criteria that could determine my value. This has been accompanied by a delightful invitation to return to a less self-focused, authentic, default posture of acceptance by God as the creator of that original self; who is also it’s rescuer, redeemer, and ultimately friend. Remembering the value of my authentic human experience, as it is, regardless of others perception of it or their designated, or withheld, value toward that original self. One step even further is disempowering the enemy’s ability to craft any imagined variation of said responses or opinions. This is a house of smoke and mirrors that interrupts and hinders our responsiveness shared life with Holy Spirit.

And because pretty much everything I write or want to write ends up being the gospel summarized in some unique facet I am seeing anew, today is authority to cancel lies from the evil one comes from Psalm 85:1 which says “Lord you poured out blessings on your land! You restored the fortunes of Israel. You forgave the guilt of your people–yes you covered all their sins.”

Do you have joy-sucking senses of your pharasee-ical religious performance failures keeping you from the love of God? This is a refreshing reminder that He is the one that crossed the great divide sin created to reunite with you as you are. He is not waiting for you to clean up your efforts and ‘get better’ before he will tolerate and grant his fickle approval once again. He is not impressed, or withholding love, with baited breathe for your achievements, your accomplishments, your good works, or your discipline. These do not – and will never – qualify you for his love.

Are you done chasing something that was freely given you? Are you done beating yourself up from something that has already been crucified? Do not wait to enjoy fellowship with God again now, who’s love does not look like our own. Do you withhold yourself from enjoyment by Him because you believe you are not worthy of his pleasure?

He has forgiven your sin. He has cast it to the sea. Have you? You are not meant to bear the weight of what he already sacrificed on the cross. He has entirely dis-enthroned all separation from himself. All we need to do is turn from our sin – to him. Earning acceptance will never be an effort you can accomplish through applying rules to your life. God has already postured himself in every way possible for fellowship with you. In the story of the prodigal son, he is the father postured on the front porch just WAITING to RUN to you with extravagant affection, embrace, and blessing. God restores – not critiques, he celebrates – not condemns, he refines down to removing every barrier that hinders closeness, embrace, affection, and a sense of being at home, safe in his love.

At the thought that no one reads this long anymore. I will stop here. Until next time at my delight, sincerely…me.

Not 1% Less

So I want to share with you a journey I have had in the lasts few years.  It began in a bad place.  It really didn’t have to be that bad but there was one move I made that I will not make again.

People make mistakes.  Maybe you never have.  Maybe you have never made the wrong decision or never said something hurtful to anyone or said anything negative behind someone’s back.  Maybe.

It all began when I made a series of mistakes.  I concluded something and it was the wrong conclusion, which led to the wrong behaviors.  I can’t change that and I’m okay with that now.  But that’s not my point in this article, what I did that I will never do again, is turn my back on myself.


I have become very familiar with these thoughts inside our heads that will replay mistakes, or wrong words, or wrong conclusions.  At first I believed them because I thought they were true.  For example, I was wrong, therefore I should like myself less.  This equation is not true in heaven.

I was wrong!  And it really affected people.  And I still have permission to love myself today!  I thought I was worth being thought less of.  In a way, I was punishing myself because I thought that’s what I deserved.  I questioned myself and doubted my partnership with God.  BUT did you know there are no mistakes in heaven?!?!

Did you know that maybe I was setup to experience this whole in my character so that God could build a new thing there??  Learning requires humility to not know something to begin with.  All of these things are okay and never have to involve the self-destruction of shame, guilt, condemnation, or exclusion.

Did you know God still loves you and values you?  He never thinks less of you based on this learning journey you are on??  Did you know he speaks of your value, your worth, and your ability to always brush yourself of and dive right back into life.  SO….

In conclusion, you may be having other thoughts.  Even small incremental thoughts that get you to like yourself just a little bit less, maybe even one percent.  I don’t believe these thoughts anymore.  None of them.  For any conversation, presentation, appearance or decision.  Not one percent less.  They are not from heaven, and God will rebuild in your life, wherever you tear yourself down.  I will not partner against his work any longer.

You and I walk with a breastplate of Christ’s righteousness on that doesn’t let any accusing arrows through.  Not one.  There is no hole in his righteousness, no gap, no interruption, or weakness.  His righteousness is a perfect FREE GIFT that I have experienced more now than ever before.  Do not make room for any thoughts about yourself that get you to like yourself even one percent less.  They are not from Him.

Self-love

Self-love is necessary to the Joy-in-full as given to us in Jesus.  When we realize how we are forgiven by him and we choose to then forgive ourselves of every shortcoming and mistake we perceive we walk in or we’ve made, we begin to have permission to love ourselves again which ushers in inner peace.  Many fears are actually a fear of punishment by God for our transgressions, now or later.  That there is a God who is mad and will inflict suffering upon us for our lack of obedience or performance consistency.  We then, in turn, hold ourselves to inner standards that we perceive God does.  I shouldn’t have done x, y, and z.  I should be doing this.  I should be less like…myself.  And there lies the endless cycle of I’m not good enough as I am.

Christ has come not to change you so he can start to like you, but in fact, reveal to you your value and worth that you yourself cannot destroy, damage, or take away.  God’s kingdom–he–continually speaks dignity, self-worth, value, and significance in who you are, apart from the decisions you’ve made.  You cannot undo your likeness of him.  You are God’s child and he is your father that loves you and is proud of you.  He laughs at my mistakes more than I give myself permission to and he understands our thoughts and motives at this point in our journey more than we understand ourselves.  God gives me far more grace than I give myself and he is challenging me, growing me in consistently loving myself well, despite my perceived shortcomings.


He speaks this way.  “Remember the verse about forgiving other people 70 x 7?  That refers to my way, my nature.”  That he operates like that with us. “Well I want you to forgive yourself the same way. 70 x 7.  Without limit, without measure.  Forgive yourself, rather than accuse yourself.  Let things go and operate within my love that covers and forgives.  Lean into grace.”

He continues with, “Remember that verse about nothing in heaven or earth can separate you from my love?  No angels, no demons, no trial, no suffering?”  “Well I want the love you carry for yourself to be just as indestructible as my love is for you.  That is never waiver or falter.  You have my permission to give yourself approval at all times, rather than disapproval.”


God’s spirit will always guide us into taking care of ourselves, insides and out because he is your creator and has given you this gift of life and he knows its value and how much it is a journey of experience with him that is a gift.  Anything that cuts down, or discourages your personality, your expression, your gifts, your life, your freedom are quite possibly not from your father who delights in you as you.

Mission minded people sometimes think:  I will serve God by loving other people.  But we can only really love people to the capacity we have received God’s love for ourselves.  You count just as much in God’s aim of love upon this earth amongst all of humanity.  That God’s kingdom of peace and joy and love endure and reign within our own hearts.  Permission to love ourselves fully and completely again through the eyes of Christ, this is what I call self-love, agreeing with God that he says we are lovely.

Some believers are quick to expect God’s rebuke but they never hear God’s romance.  We don’t allow ourselves to hear it, because we don’t believe it’s true or because we don’t believe we deserve it.  That’s a lie.  God is in love with you and he wants you to give you permission to love yourself again too.

Character     Covenant     Creativity

Family     Freedom    Gift Giver

Joy    Judgement    Kindness    Trust

Love     Praise      Prayer     Self-love

 

 

Who God is Not

be-happy-017

God is not a feeling of rejection telling you you don’t measure up and just aren’t good enough

God is not the one who continually brings up your past accompanied by feelings of bitterness, regret or shame

God is not the one telling you you deserve to be treated poorly, with persistent difficulty and grief

God is not the one who has left you, abandoned you, is very close to giving up on you, and disqualifying you

God is not the one telling you you have never been good enough and never will be

God is not the one calling you fat, ugly, stupid, and unwanted

God is not the one causing you to fear and have anxiety and worry unto dread

God is not he one telling you you need to figure it out on your own and fix yourself up already

God is not the one who says everyone else has a right to dream but you shouldn’t waste the energy

God is not the one telling you you are too far gone, hardened, unloving, and dried up

God is not telling you to expect terror, collapse, hatred and violence

Abusers, cowards, and thieves deserve to be called out for what they are and the lies they perpetuate to steal joy, peace, love, and faith.  God gives empowerment, inner-peace, and love inwardly and outwardly.  His reign is indestructible, unmovable, unshakeable and seeks the liberty, freedom, and strength of each one of his children.

You do not have to tolerate any longer negative self-talk, destructive or discouraging ways of thinking, or anything that undermines your worth, your value, and your right to exist and succeed here today.  Liberty is yours my friend and anything less is a sham.

Peace and trust are two things so much more powerful than they are given credit for; they conquer and overcome all doubt, hesitation, uncertainty and whimpering.  They break apart fear, control and manipulation, and illusions of terror.  The word terror itself is the fear of something rather than anything that has substance in and of itself.  Peace is not passive.  Live apart from any enemy tolerated within your midst and TRULY LIVE.