“Vision Reset”.

We all desire recognition, honor, respect. These Are the metrics by which we judge our success in the world, even our value. This should not be so; for all these things are fleeting. They wax and wane as we go through life. So what then? where do we find lasting value? what can we identify with that will bring lasting meaning to our lives? something that will not merely fall out of vogue as fashions change.

The pat answer is “Our identity in Christ” yet knowing this and the truth behind it; many of us (myself included) need something more tangible something to hold, grasp. In my view this can only come when we realize our true life purpose; the thing we are morally compelled to do. When we find this it brings meaning to our lives. The very fact that we are living breathing and functioning within the context of what we are made to do becomes the metric by which we determine our value and level of success.

If we fail to find our purpose we will latch onto many things that will fail to yield the very meaning we so desire. This is where the development of our foundational life vision becomes critical. If we fail to lay a proper foundation in this we either sell our destiny short by securing small (easily achievable) goals that don’t fulfill, or we become lost, listless, undefined in our life walk. Constantly searching but never achieving, never finding the fulfillment we so desperately seek.

Despite understanding this it seems I’ve gotten off track again. What I originally saw as my life vision has proven incomplete; in that the vision I had set for myself has failed in taking me where I want to go. This is not a failure of the concept of vision but a failure in my ability to implement said concept. In scope my vision was shortsighted, even incomplete in several key areas. This left voids and gaps that demanded to be filled.

And so it’s time to hit the reset button, to start over, to reconfigure the vision and make the necessary changes so In that moving forward the critical areas of life will have the direction necessary to take me to my desired destiny.

Luther.

"Made in His image".

I Had recently read an article about why Egyptian artifacts are frequently found with their faces destroyed (particularly their noses) while I won’t go into specifics here the core motivation for this widespread cultural phenomenon according to the author was this; it was a basic cultural belief that damaging the image of the one depicted - damages the person represented either in life or death.

This caused me to reflect on many things that are transpiring in our generation. such as homosexuality and the rise of transgender-ism. fundamentally these beliefs and practices reject the idea that man, his sexual function, and gender were designed to be a specific way; a singular way of divine intention.

Scripture tells us that we are all made in the image of God “Genesis 1:27” we bear His likeness and as His creation we represent Him before the world.

Genesis 1:27 (NASB)

"God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them".

And so if I were opposed to God, I would not only seek to destroy his greatest work - that being mankind - through vehicles such as abortion or genocide for example. but I would also be compelled to destroy the very image of God.

You see, defacing the image in my view has a greater long-term impact than taking a singular life. Once a life is over its direct influence is permanently lost. but if that image is defaced, twisted, Marred, yet allowed to remain it can negatively reflect whom it was created to represent to all who would see it.

And so in a country that professes to be majority Christian, a country that gives a nod to its Judeo-Christian heritage yet legalizes the slaughter of its children, rejects the natural physical distinctions between the genders and rebel's against Godly moral foundations; what does that country’s actions say about the deity it claims to serve?

There are those who would profess to be wise and evangelize their “post Christian” rhetoric. yet their “wisdom” is a continuation of an age old deception that has no other goal than to profane the image of the one true God. given that agenda, it’s clear to whom its practitioners truly belong.

As Solomon once said, there is nothing new under the sun.

Luther Miller III

“Resting on the Mountain”.

Vision.

Vision has the capacity to propel us forward into things we could only dream of, it is a double edged sword for it can cut us down if that vision is un-attained.

There is a point where we come to terms with who we are. One takes inventory of the recurring themes and practices that have dominated our life’s patterns. We choose our class despite our aspirations. We may yet look to the top of the mountain we feel destined to climb and even continue to strive after its peak. But we cannot ignore the lingering thought that we would find it acceptable if we never achieved any greater height.

When our desires transcend our means; for a time this is vision. If the vision is delayed a strange sickness occurs and we pierce ourselves with self-inflicted wounds.

One can choose to accept their station or continue to foolishly press forward chasing the winds of proverbial "vision".

Our unmet expectations become the source of our pain. When this state is maintained we only reveal our own pride-fullness and set ourselves upon the path to our own fall.

The choice set before us is thus: Will I continue in my striving and pierce myself with many pains? Or will I accept all that I am or am not? The answer will determine if we walk the road of bitterness or of inner peace.

Luther.

"External Voices".

We are subject to so many inputs, from the secular media, prevailing culture, family, friends, and even our own internal voices of doubt and disbelief. It’s what we do with this input that determines our outlook upon life.

While we must carefully discern which of the many voices we choose to listen to (and it is our choice); one qualifier to bear in mind is the issue of failure. Failure can be a lesson, which leads to experience, which in turn can be an effective teacher. So in this we need not disregard those voices that have experienced past failure for they may have valuable lessons to teach.

The qualifying issue must be the issue of consistent failure within a single area for that is the dis-qualifier. It reveals not experience but a failure to learn the lessons at hand despite repeated attempts. Therefore this “voice” is not qualified to speak into anyone’s life, it is wholly detrimental and we would be foolish to give heed to its instruction.

Luke 6:40 (NASB)

“A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher”.

One must never give ear to someone (something) who has demonstrated consistent failure in an area. For if you do you will learn to repeat their mistakes and your life will pattern theirs.

Luther.

“Guru Meditation Error”.

2018.

I recently found myself discussing some aspect of computer programming with a colleague. I don't quite know how we got on the particular subject of loosing ones work due to a computer crash, but he mentioned an antiquated error from some of the earlier systems he was familiar with. Hence -"Guru Meditation Error". This error frequently (as I understand it) resulted in the loss of ones total work. It was the hard stop, the reset, for all of ones efforts. The cure?  to re-boot and start over. It is with this in mind that I recall the events of the past year.

The past year has seen us through a season of difficulty and change, it has been marked by fractured relationships, the incarceration of close family, negative legal settlements, and a break from familiar community involvement. All of which has led to a peculiar kind of isolation.

Now entering 2019 the theme (by necessity) has become one of re-focusing, re-committing and re-establishing foundational priorities. It’s this shift that has not only brought a level of humility (that if I’m honest I’ve resisted) but also one of hope or better to say renewed faith.

There are some things that have remained constant; surprisingly so. Yet I wrestle with the question, am I following what is merely familiar and comfortable or are these inherent qualities? And if so – should they be?

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come”.

This is the launching pad for 2019. As we navigate forward into an unknown future my confidence is found in the One who has sustained me.

Luther.