God In The Ugly

Here’s the link to my message given on Sunday, February 15: “God In The Ugly.” And was He ever! Frankly, it was one of the more difficult yet meaningful messages I’ve spoken in quite some time. Pastored by Andrew Farley at Church Without Religion, the people were beautifully receptive and encouraging throughout. It’s about 45 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3x1PxADC7w

Video of Sunday's Message In Louisiana

Here’s the link to the video of my message from last Sunday at Grace Life Fellowship, in Baton Rouge, LA. “Witness Protection & You.” It’s about 40 minutes.

http://www.gracelifefellowship.org/…/…/72/witness-protection

That's Really Good

Why is your opinion of yourself so dang important?  Well, you must know by now that to the degree it is inaccurate is the extent that you’ll be living a lie, and no one does that well, no matter how hard they try.

However, when a person gets the idea that God’s opinion can be known and that it is both excellent and accurate, his wrestling with this world diminishes because he no longer needs it to find himself.  He is discovered.  What a good thing that is.  Rest and love and ease around other people are finally found because you get what you’ve been looking for from God:  “You’re okay!  You’re great, as a matter of fact.  I’ve made you that way.”  God gives you that. 

So if you’ve got some inner wrestling going on today—you know the turmoil that happens inside?  “Who am I?  What am I doing with my life?”  Then consider where you’re looking:  in the mirrors of this world and what those give you, or at Jesus, who gives you . . . well, He gives you you. 

Colossians 3:2-3 (The Message)  “Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and…see things from his perspective. Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God.”

That has to be good!  So look there.  You’ll like what you find because it’s the true you.  And because it’s real . . . and that’s really good.

(This is a transcript of yesterday’s video, “That’s Really Good,” and is for those who might rather read than watch.  To see the video, click: http://youtu.be/V8_YhhuMNdk, or simply scroll down below.)

Speaking This Sunday, February 22

I will be speaking at both services (9 and 11:00am) this Sunday, February 22, at Grace Life Fellowship, in Baton Rouge, LA. I would love to meet you at this terrific church, which is pastored by my friend, Frank Friedman. (I will also be speaking at the Men’s Retreat on Friday and Saturday.) For more information, click on: http://www.gracelifefellowship.org.

That's Really Good

Got 2 minutes?  If you’re experiencing disillusionment and doubt, here’s a quick and encouraging, true pick-me-up.  Watch for the visitor toward the end. :)

Beware the Loveless Fat Head Parade

The good people at Surrendered Image have just published my article/video about love.  I think it will help you, particularly on this weekend when we celebrate love—the passion, power and purpose of love.

http://surrenderedimage.com/Blog/beware-the-loveless-fat-head-parade-34665 

Want To Watch Me This Sunday?

You will be able to see me speak this Sunday, February 15, at Church Without Religion, because it will be live streamed at 10:30am, Central Time. (Message begins at about 11:00.)  This is the church that my friend, Andrew Farley, pastors in Lubbock, Texas.

To look in on me, go to: http://churchwithoutreligion.com/#/live-stream

Does God Need Commandments?

If we had not received Jesus, and if He were not now living in us, then going without laws and commandments would be scary. Foolish. But we have God Himself within. So here’s the question: Does God need laws and commandments in order to behave Himself?  Probably not. :)  No, He doesn’t.

Think about how capable God is by nature, which means without effort. He needs no outside stimulus or restraint in order to be Himself. Think about where God is right now and how connected you are with Him, and do not accept a law and commandment needing, discounted and distorted life. Not only will you be camouflaging Him from yourself and the wonder of that—God is in me!—but you will be short-circuiting your new self—your true self, which, by nature, is like Him. And that means an unnecessary frustration. A twist. A perversion. You don’t need that, right?

The life and power and grace of God do not come if you obey and get yourself right, according to the commandments. God shows up in you because He obeyed and got you right. And He is still getting you right from within—the two of you together, in harmony.

Look to Him. He is alive in you, and He doesn’t need any commandments.

(This is a transcript of yesterday’s video, “Does God Need Commandments?” and is for those who might rather read than watch. To see the video, click http://youtu.be/2f5D6vJlmmI, or simply scroll down below.)

Does God Need Commandments?

What role do commandments play in your life?  How do they fit with God?  Give 2 minutes to see a tremendously important missing ingredient to the life of God.  It’s better than you think.

Rescuing Temporary Lunatics

The good people at Surrendered Image have just published my note/video, "Rescuing Temporary Lunatics." Here’s How to Liberate the Sometimes Crazy People in Your Days (Including Yourself).

To have a look, click the link.

http://surrenderedimage.com/Blog/rescuing-temporary-lunatics-34637

Switching To The New Covenant

The Old Covenant is done.  Finished.  It’s obsolete because it’s complete.  To abide by it (in case you’re Jewish) will frustrate you no end because it ended.  God doesn’t recognize it anymore.  To embrace it now (in case you’re like me, a Gentile) would be crazy because we were never invited into what is now finished.  How does giving work in the New Covenant?  It is by the happy leading of the Holy Spirit, who lives in us and makes it all an issue of grace and love welling-up, proving that we are His workmanship.  Our confidence, then, is in Him, who made and who keeps the New Covenant for His glory and grace.  (See Ephesians 2:11-22; Hebrews 8:6-13; 9:15; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15) 

For a burden-lifting article I have written about this, go to: https://www.facebook.com/ralphharris/posts/10205123158739032:0?pnref=story.  For the video version, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzZZdSRGQus&list=UUU0vzTvP_wD3Q59QDl9hx7w