transformation

Trust Papa’s Process

Dr. Mike 2026 , , , , , , ,

“for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13

God is at work. HE is a master designer. HE is a master planner. HE is a master operator. HE makes university-level genius’ look stupid.

HE started the plan of salvation from the foundation of creation. HE wants to have a human family join HIM in HIS Triune circle. HE didn’t want preprogrammed walking robots. But independent thinking people who choose to love and share life with HIM. So HE created time, space, and matter. HE then added life. All sorts of life. From plants, fish, and insects to crawling lizards, flying birds, and over-size elephants. And of course people.

People made in HIS image. To represent HIM on earth. To govern and serve HIS creation. People with attributes patterned after their Creator but limited in physical form. Children given a taste of adulthood. They may not be ready for full responsibilities to manage the universe. But they can now play the game as if eternally real.

Most importantly, HE gives the option to choose between joining HIM in HIS way of life or not. If we choose to follow HIM, HE provides personal help and training for eternal adulthood. If we decide to live outside HIS will, HE will not force you to join HIM. In fact, HE will accept your decision. HE loves you more than you realize. HE doesn’t force HIS Will upon you, but honors your decision.

But if you do decide to join HIM on HIS adventurous training program to eternal adulthood, HE will work with you. HE created you and knows how you are wired. HE knows how you may add the most value to HIS Kingdom. HE will share HIS advice and coach you into becoming the best person possible. HE will mirror your worldview, attitude, and character after Himself. History knows HIM as Jesus.

HE started the process at the foundation of the world. HE continued the process through HIS life, death, and ascension from earth to heaven. HE now intervenes on behalf of humanity before our Father God. HE now leads HIS siblings toward the restoration of everything HE planned from the start.

The process hasn’t changed, but the relationship has. HE has formally adopted us into HIS family. We are now heirs of an eternal home with HIM. Yet we are not ready. The training has only begun. As HIS disciples, we are learning to lead, govern, and serve others with Jesus. We are being prepared for eternal responsibilities. We are being morphed into a new creation. A new human. Where the divine nature smooths out human nature. Where a divine heart replaces a stony heart. Where Kingdom values replace self-centered values. Where sacrificial love replaces fleshy desires. The process is the divine work of a supernatural being in cooperation with the recipient.

We may not understand how HE manages the entire process. How HE gives us the free will to choose and yet is sovereign to fulfill HIS plan. Yet we experience the fruit. We over time see the outcome. But in between, there is the pain. The struggle. The disappointments. The hurt. The failures. The dreams that die. The hope that is stretched to the max. Our relationship with Father/Son/Spirit is put to the test.

We understand the process. We know diamonds are made from coal through the pressure. We know gold is refined through the heat. We understand the test and trials are necessary to prepare us for eternity. But man, can a guy get a break. This may be our current mindset, but as we pray and lean on HIM, HE restores are heart. HIS peace comes upon us. HIS joy returns. We acknowledge HIS love for us and our love for HIM.

HE is the master designer. HE is the master planner. HE is the master operator. HE knows how to best manage the process. HE is also the Best PAPA any earthling can have. You can always trust HIM.

Thank you Daddy for caring and preparing us for eternity with Jesus.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Godly Incompetency

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.   Acts 18:24-28

Whenever I become aware of my false propensity that I got it all together, a smirk crosses my face. That is when I look into the mirror of Christ. Yep, compared to HIM, I am one incompetent student of HIS.

The illusion of competency for the moment quickly dissipates.  Though we have matured and are becoming more like HIM in character and worldview, we still have a long way to go.

Ask any knowledgeable professional in their field. The more they read. The more they study. The more they realize how little they know compared to the potential out there. The same is true for us apprentices of Jesus.

Yet HE doesn’t belittle us. HE doesn’t make us feel incompetent when we are with HIM. Instead, HE is rooting for you and me. HE wants us to succeed in life.

When times get hard, HE is there with us. When we experience a moment of success, HE is there with us. When times look bleak, HE is there with us.

HE is waiting for us to invite HIM into the conversation. HE doesn’t force HIMSELF into our lives. HE wants a mutual relationship where both sides enjoy the experience.

The older we become, the more we realize how unrighteous we naturally are. We may want to do good, but how often we fail to act on it. We may want to say the proper words at that moment to encourage a fellow saint, but our tongue is tied. Worst yet, the words that come out cause more damage than before.

In studying the life of Jesus, we marvel at HIS ability to ask the right question, share an appropriate story, and leave his audience with their heads spinning in joyful contentment. Many times we do just the opposite.

Though chronologically we are consider old, our spiritual maturity is that of a two-year old. My emotions still get the best of me. My stogy habits of yesterday still haunt me. I know change is possible. But is the effort worth the cost?

These thoughts crossed my mind this morning. As a professional manager I would fire incompetent people. The organization could not afford their repeatable errors. Yet in God’s Kingdom, His grace abounds. HE simply moves us into other areas of life where we can make a more positive difference into the lives of HIS children.

It sort of like volunteering in church. They don’t fire you for incompetent work. Instead, they keep moving you around until you find your giftedness. Then they watch you bloom. The same it is in God’s Kingdom. The more we lean on HIM, the more of HIS character and traits rub off on us. HE knows where and what is best for you and me. HE wired us. HE knows. HE is allowing us to discover the answers as we walk with HIM.

Apollos didn’t have it all together either. Yet he spoke what he knew. Was open for correction. Learned from others. And kept on letting the world know about Jesus. A lesson for you and me to do the same.  

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Steadfast Love

Dr. Mike 2023, Journey in Christ, Life in Christ , , ,

Proverbs 19:22

What is desired in a man is steadfast love…

Hosea 6:6

For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

In hindsight, I was a very difficult child. I probably caused most of the family difficulties in my parent’s household. I was rebellious, strong willed, and hated our family culture. Yet, deep down inside, I knew both parents loved me in their own way no matter how stupidly I acted.

Currently, after almost forty years of marriage to the same woman, I know she still loves me. Though throughout the years we had our share of heated arguments, strong differences in parental tactics, and sharp changes in personal preferences in food, clothing, and lifestyle, we still confirm our love for each other and enjoy sharing life together.       

Then God, while I was still in total rebellion against Him, forgave me for disrespecting Him and His ways before I even came to know Him. Since then, through the knowledge of Jesus Christ, I have come to grow in His grace. He is now my standard of measurement of the steadfast love we are to display and share with others.

To know someone loves you unconditionally opens the door of acceptance. You learn to fully accept yourself as you are and yet are motivated to live up to your full potential as a person. You gladly change your attitude, behavior, and thinking so you may fully enjoy living with the person who steadfastly loves you. You enjoy their companionship. You look forward to sharing your life with them and they share their life with you. And with the Triune God there is no difference.

God longs to share His life with you. His desire is to create a human/divine family that includes you and me. Like any healthy family, the parent wants to be involved in their children activities. God likewise wants to be involved in your activities. As you share your life with Him, you will discover more of who HE is. As you gain knowledge of His character, attributes, and ways, you will inculcate them into your life. You will become an image of your Father in heaven. You will then better understand how the apostle Paul wrote that we are being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ.

Everything good begins with love. When love is allowed to bloom, we begin to experience the entire fruit of God’s Spirit. The fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control become the bedrock of one’s attitude in life. Love also leads the way for faith and hope to follow. When apostle John writes that God is Love, than one better understands the importance of allowing God to fully live in us.

HE is the essence of all creation. HE created life, the planet, and universe so that HE may express HIS love. When we rebel against HIS love, we find ourselves living life outside HIS Character. The result is sin which devastates oneself and those around you. When immature, we rebel thinking this type of life is normal. We wallow in our misery and call the dark side of life normal. When love is removed, the ugliness of human nature runs rampant. The result is self-destruction and eventually the destruction of a society.

There is nothing more highly elevated than immovable love, firmly fixed in place, and non-changing for one to totally grasp the power and character of God. His steadfast love is our standard to pursue. Even when we fail, his grace will pick us up, and we will continue the journey to become more and more like our elderly brother Jesus Christ.

Is not this what makes being a Christ-follower the most adventurous trip one can choose in this life?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager, Faith-Integrator, Scribbler

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