Kinks, Boxes and Scar Tissue

Recently I have been teaching on the topic of Worthiness that also includes addressing an arch enemy known as Shame.  Dr. Brene’ Brown, an expert researcher on the topic of shame, says, “Shame is lethal.  Shame is deadly. And we are swimming in it deep.”  Shame has a way of undermining our own sense of worthiness and can leave a person convinced that they are unworthy of love and belonging.  This is of course not the message we see in the words of Jesus.  So rediscovering our own sense of worthiness before God is a major battle ground for many.

Recently, while participating in the corporate praise and worship service at a pastor’s conference, I kept seeing a picture in my mind of a garden hose or outdoor spigot where the water flow was somehow restricted down to a trickle.  As I stopped to consider what this meant, my mind flashed between a flow that was once gushing freely, but is now limited to drips and drops.  While this was going on, the band was leading a song with the lyric, “Awake, awake, awake my soul…” At the same time, I could see (in my mind) that there were some people who had an obvious frustration and did not feel alive in their souls, unlike the lyric being sung.

As I prayed about his picture, I was reminded of the passage in Luke chapter 6 where Jesus talks about the “the measure we use on others becoming the measure used on us.” The restriction in the flow seemed to be the direct result of unforgiveness, bitterness and/or judgments that had now become “kinks” in the hose, or obstructions causing a limited flow of kingdom resources to dry and arid places. The invitation was to forgive, let go and release judgments made of others.  It seemed the restrictions formed as a result of the way we weighed and measured others had now become a restrictions to us.  Because of critical or cynical ways of assessing others, we have boxed up and limited their potential.

In a similar way, the joints in a human body can experience restricted mobility and limited function when past injuries have not healed properly and scar tissue forms. The evidence of scar tissue does indicate healing after an injury, but often the thick extra tissue in the joint can becomes a hindrance to experiencing full range of motion. This scar tissue causes stiffness and limitation if it continues to stay immobile.  The result is a restricted range of motion that limits the potential of the joint and other body functions. We have to get moving again!

In effect the kinks, boxes and scar tissue have become curses, limitations or restrictions to the generous life flow of God’s Spirit to and through us, and repair is needed. This kind of repair and healing requires an exercising of two fundamentals of our faith:  confession and repentance.  Confession is simply acknowledging, before God (and sometimes a trusted friend), the places we have been ignorant or wrong. Repenting is allowing God to help us with a change of heart, mind and attitude that leads to a different way of living.

So here are some questions I would like you to prayerfully consider…

Are there people you need to forgive? People who have knowingly or unknowingly caused you injury?

Are you aware of any injuries sustained, bitterness held, words spoken or conclusions made about people that may have become kinks, scar tissue and boxes that now restrict the flow of God’s Spirit in and through your life?

Are there judgments you have made about other people? Maybe you are holding onto a snapshot of their life and assuming that it represents the sum of their life’s motion picture? This judgment may be causing a restriction of the flow of God’s generosity because of ways you are measuring others, and when you make mistakes of your own, your conscience convicts you as well.

If we hold onto any of the above, we will limit the work of God in us, because we are blocking the flow His Spirit through us.  He encourages us to free up our own souls and to let God restore a flow, release the limitations or to see a mobility and free range of motion fully realized.  I encourage you to press through the discomfort and confess, forgive, repent and let go and may a new measure of God’s generosity restore your potential for receiving and extending the God’s kingdom life to others.

Unto Him,

Pastor Dusty

Listen to Pastor Dusty’s message, “Worthiness Extended”

No, No, No and Yes, Yes, Yes

Recently Pastor Dusty spoke about the striking contrast between the three times Peter denied knowing Jesus and the three times the Lord offered Peter a chance to reaffirm his love for Him. The two charcoal fires of the New Testament….

In my devotions this week I came across another set of three “no’s” in the New Testament, this time in John 1:19-27. These “no’s” are very different from Peter’s; in fact, these “no’s” are crucial to our health and well-being because they help clarify our identity. Let me explain.

The priests and religious leaders came to John the Baptist to ask him who he was. Was he the promised Messiah? Was he Elijah, who was supposed to return before the Messiah came? Was he the Prophet spoken of in Deuteronomy? There is every reason to believe that the religious leaders of those days were suspicious and jealous of John, just as they would later be of Jesus, since he attracted great crowds to hear his preaching and he was causing quite a stir in Israel. John may have started a fire that the religious leaders wanted to stamp out quickly. John’s sermons were not flattering to the Pharisees and priests of the time. He might incite rebellion.

But John, a man used to speaking many words to the crowds who came to hear him, answered three times with a simple “no” to the Pharisees’ questions. When they finally pressed him to give them more of an answer, he proceeded not to talk about himself, but to proclaim the greatness of the coming Messiah Jesus.

The reason I think this is so profound for us is that John, who truly was a great man, was humble enough to know his true identity: who he was and who he wasn’t. How tempted we might be under pressure to toot our own horns and defend ourselves with a list of our accolades. John did none of that. He essentially said that his true identity only made sense in the shadow of the Almighty. Anything else was most likely a false self, a distorted ego representation of himself which never brings glory to the Father.

One of the greatest temptations we face from the Enemy of our souls is the puffing up of our pride. We often fall to this temptation to cover our shame and sense of worthlessness and insignificance. How freeing it is to respond to the Enemy with a “no, no, no!!!” and to look to Jesus with a “yes, yes, yes”, celebrating our smallness in the shadow of His greatness.

Practicing The Prophetic

This summer I had the privilege to participate in a mini women’s retreat held at Julie and Dusty’s home. Nicole Cade, a Foursquare pastor and friend of Julie’s, taught on prophecy. After the evening teaching we broke into groups and practiced praying and listening for words of prophecy. It was an encouraging time and since we were “practicing,” I felt no pressure to be “perfect”.
Following the retreat I read a story in the Bible as suggested by Nicole. In Numbers 22 & 23, the story of Balaam reveals that a prophet can speak only as the Lord speaks. In John 14;10, even Jesus says He spoke by the Father’s authority. I also reread the story of Ezekiel prophesying over the dry bones in Ezekiel 37 where God tells Ezekiel to prophesy over the bones and God gave them life again.

Later that month, my husband, Mark, and I planned to join his mom, dad, and family in southern Oregon for a reunion. I had been looking forward to it all summer. At this time the fires broke out in southern Oregon causing bad air quality throughout the region. People were warned to stay inside. Some in Mark’s family have asthma and it looked like the reunion may be canceled. People were disappointed, myself included. News and weather reports brought no hope of things clearing up in time.

I began to have a strong impression that God was telling me that He would allow me to prophesy over the geographical area for clear and healthy air. I knew that I could only do it if God was doing it, and I believed He was. So I did. I spoke clear, healthy air over the area. I had the opportunity to tell family in an email that I was praying and believing God for the provision of good air. Everyone decided to take the chance and meet and hang out indoors if necessary.

The day before we left the air was a bit better. When we got there, there was a bit of haze but so much clearer with only an occasional smell of smoke. It evened rained at one point. The air cleared so much that we had NO issues for the entire four days, and were able to do everything we had planned outdoors. Someone in the family remarked at how well everything had turned out, and to think-we had almost canceled! I really felt that God was glorified and my faith was strengthened through this experience.

God is good!

Darla Beardsley

Worthiness

Last week a pastor friend of mine defined his ministry as “comforting the afflicted, and afflicting the comfortable.” Though most of us would prefer more comfort and avoid any disruption to it, recognize the value in leading people to places of discomfort with the intent of growing our capacity for greater relationship with God and others.

This past Sunday I kicked off a series of messages intended to explore the topic of WORTHINESS.  A definition for Worthiness can be expressed as “a belief that you are worthy of love and belonging.” Wrestling with our sense of worthiness is all too common.  Human beings are born with a deep-seated desire for life and vitality that connects us to a greater sense of purpose and existence. Unfortunately we are also all too familiar with various sources of pain and brokenness that leave us feeling less loved and less connected.

As part of our service, I showed a riveting video from a 2010 TEDtalk called The Power of Vulnerability by Dr. Brené Brown. In the days following this talk to nearly 500 people in Houston, Texas, the video went viral and has now been viewed over 1.5 million times (see link below). As a researcher and psychologist, Brown shares how her study of people has led her to discover an uncomfortable and vulnerable nemesis known as shame. She goes on to express the debilitating influence shame plays in hindering a person’s ability to see themselves as worthy of love and belonging. Yet, for us to unlock our own sense of worthiness, we must come to terms with our limitations and imperfections.  She goes on to share how vulnerability can be a powerful tool that can open us to a greater measure of acceptance and connection.

“I think shame is lethal. I think shame is deadly.

And I think we are swimming in it deep.”

- Dr. Brene’ Brown

In a moment of personal vulnerability on stage, she shares how this discovery caused a “spiritual awakening.” This lead her to pursuing a year of professional counseling that helped her get a grip on the importance of vulnerability and its role in becoming a wholehearted and thriving person.

I believe Dr. Brown’s discovery has a wonderful way of unearthing the beautiful message of worthiness found in the life and teaching of Jesus. Viewing the gospel through the lens of God’s relentless affirmation of His love, acceptance, and forgiveness is message everybody should hear loud and clear. It’s good news and it’s for every man, woman, and child.  This truth is both comforting and afflicting.

As we continue to explore the topic of Worthiness, I pray that God would help us better understand the disabling power of shame and the enabling power of vulnerability that can set us free!

Good is the News!

Pastor Dusty

Though Troubles Come

Why is it we are often surprised or discouraged by life’s challenges or difficulties? Isn’t it amazing how we can be enjoying a blissful “high” one moment only to be reduced to a sniveling “low” the next as we wrestle with doubt or worry over some unforeseen circumstance? Pure craziness!!
Maybe not unlike you, I am relieved to know that Jesus solved the conflict between God and me, and has given me the gift of the Holy Spirit to navigate life. Unfortunately, this does not include immunity for all future trouble or conflict in this earthly experience. For our benefit God allows pain, trouble and discomfort to aid in the building and strengthening of the person who is surrendered to His leading. While reading James chapter one this week, I was challenged to cultivate a new attitude toward these trials, and to let God mature me and help me become stronger and more complete in my faith.

This week I pray that you too will find a reservoir of help to guide you through your difficult or challenging times. May you become “mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” (James 1:4b – The Message)

Looking to Him,

Pastor Dusty Johnson