August 21, 2012

What Is Inside Your House?

Last week, we were building card houses while speaking about the tender places we hide behind the cards.  We also spoke about the need for wind to blow every so often in order to help us clear the way for honest view points.  Below I am posting something from our study of Job where we were talking more in depth about the "inner court".  Please read this and reflect on our past conversations.

I know you guys will have wonderful insights to share when we meet again this week.

Love,
Candace

_____________________________________________________________________________

Beautiful Saturday Morning My Friends!
Two things before we finish up with Job today.  It was wonderful to meet some new faces yesterday, thank you all for joining us and opening up your thoughts, hearts and lives in such trust and humility.  I am always so incredibly humbled myself (and at times convicted for which I am grateful) through our encounters.  AND thank you for the lovely card, again, you all take such strides to make sure you encourage me and show me such love...…….
We came full circle with God’s relationship with Job and what we can glean from it in the present.  For those of you who could not be with us, we missed you as well as your perspectives.  Take the next few days to read through this and make your journal entries – I would love some feedback!
Here is what we saw as we walked the final pages:
We noticed that we had seen Job cry out to God and speak what He believes to be truth, but we had not seen him sit intimately “with God”.  We heard him ask rhetorical questions, but there was no invitation for God to correct Job’s lack of understanding.  He spoke about when he was going to approach God, in my opinion it was more of a tough guy display for those gathered around.  We still heard no tender need.
Recently, I had this experience myself – coincidence, I think not.  I noticed that when I am hurting and vulnerable with a certain person I am no longer willing to allow that tender place to be squashed by their anticipated dead weight, haphazardly plopping itself onto the tender unprotected ground.  So I use a wall of defense to protect it, and anger to stand in front of it daring this person to knock me down. 
In case you are unaware – no matter how the other person has treated me, to build this defense up isn’t healthy for me, or the other person.  I have to trust God and get away from the wrecking ball.  This is not my battle my territory has to stay open and inviting…….but we have to know who is not supposed to be in the inner courts of our kingdom.  If you are not familiar with our studies of this and want more information, please let me know and I will give you the archives titles.  (Good news, we will be starting this again on a different level this week!)
As for Job, we also have not seen the first person praying to invite God to speak.  Everyone has been speaking about him saying they consider the wise things of God and their own perceptions or proverbs.  However biblical the theory might be the use has been generic in its practicality.  Job desired counsel; he was imploring friendship and comfort by those that loved him.  He actually NEEDED someone to allow him to be “human” and NOT so strong for everyone else so that he could dispose of his grief and find stability.
 As Job was slammed with their weight, he did what I have been doing – he took the battle stance of defense, opened up his mouth and spewed facts about God, life, pain and despair.   He was saying, shut the gates and grow a heart “Friend”.  You are supposed to be safe, you are supposed to let me be real; you’re supposed to sit with me, let me hold on to something that isn’t going to crush under the weight I feel.  But when I reach out you are like a vapor, nothing of substance or sturdiness is there so I fall – HELP ME!
This is actually good news for Job, he now sees that these people are hurting him, not helping him.  So, he does what any God loving person should do……He starts to pull himself up by his boot straps, thinking logically based on God.  I kind of see him hitting the wall and shaking his head like a cartoon.  He has some sense knocked into him.  He has to explain to these guys, look I was grieving.  I did not really want to die, I just wanted this nonsense to stop, it hurts, it’s uncomfortable……can’t you relate? 
Job doesn’t like that his stature in the eyes of those around him has been distorted.  That simply adds insult to injury.  He wanted them to continue to see him as righteous and upright no matter what.  Yet, he still stands there arrogantly protecting his frailty.  A mighty and strong warrior till the end…..so far.  Within all Job’s monologues, we constantly hear I did this, and I did that…I, I, I……and then occasionally God.  The show piece here is Job’s good works, how He provides etc.  He even is bowing his chest out to God…..ooops!
He lists along set of rhetorical questions for God to answer. He is basically in God’s face demanding: is this what my “good God” does?  Tell me what I have done, common’ tell me so I can defend myself!  He is bating God for an argument all for the purpose of closing Him down – he wants this to end.  These actions are where fear of vulnerability and self righteousness part ways.  There is a grand collision about to take place!
I found one thing Job stated particularly of interest, when he said “if I call and he answered (God) I would not believe that He was listening to my voice”.  To me this infers that Job did not believe that God would talk to him, counsel him or even waste His time in his presence.  Was Job going to waste his time seeking a God he believed was doing all this to him? 
Job then moves into realizing that these so called friends are not able to help him.  They are no more intelligent than he is.   He is now stepping out of the presence of the crowd that has gathered and separating himself from that mentality.  This is awesome!  The next positive steps Job makes is to humble himself by giving God back his authority.  He actually opens up some options to God and requests that their communication be on God’s terms.  Wow, good stuff!  With sincerity he wants to know what he has done.  He is asking now.
Job also makes a statement that his words are done.  God is so patient, he allowed Job to reach the end of his “self” without destroying him.  How very loving, He never left him unattended.  He was listening to him this whole time.  He finally answers Job’s questions, but he used a language Job could understand; rhetorical questions, firm speech, authoritative. 
God was not sarcastic, although a cynical heart would perceive it as such.  God simply stated the facts and proposed that Job give it his best shot to take His place.  Is this what happened with Lucifer, was God in His goodness giving him his own world to “do it better then”?
Job needed to be tested so that he could see his pride.  God saw him as righteous but in order for Job to “reach his righteousness” he had to journey through this territory of discovering, uncovering, repenting, and liberating his heart and mind so that he could be transformed into His righteousness.
These friends couldn’t help him because they were using theories, facts and judging Job.  They didn’t really know him personally, nor did they have much wisdom from living as they spoke.  So they truly were not even close with God or Job. 
Job was doing this with God.  It is like when we try to imitate celebrities or when stalkers think they have this intimate relationship with people objectifying them for their own pleasurable feelings.  It is all relational delusions.  All this being said, by the standards of Gods “law” Job was “perfect”, but as Satan said Job was blessed and comfortably “able” to make sacrifices, help others and what not. Contrary to the whole “kept man” theory of satans though, Job did, in his own human way, “love God”, and felt that he was righteous and fervent toward God’s ways.  He really was trying, but it was askew. 
So there was a bull’s-eye on his pride, God needed to put an arrow in the heart of the matter.  Why?  Simple – he does not desire sacrifice, he wants relationship……His own relationships with us individually and a family relating as a family unto Him. 
His bull’s-eye was Job’s continuous justifications of things – they all stemmed from fear which was the soft spot.  Love cannot operate without brokenness and harm in fear.  That is why God must cast it out. 
Perfect love casts out fear.  The one who fears is not perfected in love.
Today, I ask that you look for the bull’s-eye of fear in your lives.  Where is the soft spot you are guarding?  Ask God to be your strong tower and protect your heart above all else.  He will tell “you” to protect your heart above all else, but he has the walls and vengeance covered.  He does not want any blood on your hands, or your blood to be shed.  He is just that “kind” of God.

My prayers covering you as the blanket they are meant to be,
With Love and a holy Kiss,
Candace

Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc®
©Candace Huffmaster 2010, All Copy Rights Reserved


August 15, 2012

My Fabulous House of Cards

We have been kicking around the pieces of our lives attempt to discovering the deep seated beliefs we have anchored in our soul. I do realize most of you were not aware of this fact.  Question; if by chance you had known would you have participated with such openness?
We all must make a decision that we are either going to believe God is fully, meaning all aspects, who He says He is or either He is not what He says He is at all;  these are our only two options.  The general problem we all have is this:  We do not really know who God says He is, not all aspects based on only who He says He is.  But God knew this would be our common problem due to “the knowledge of good and evil”. 
God’s solution was to give us mercy and grace through Christ Jesus.  Once we can accept this truth – just the one mind you, He’s got us covered throughout the journey of discovery. He also doesn’t want us to keep believing misconceptions, so He sticks right with us ready and willing to clarify all the ambiguity and what not.  But fear makes us close down and attempt to run away and hide just like Adam and Eve did. 
We discuss our pieces of understanding without guilt, shame, condemnation, pride or arrogance.  If we do not open up, speak and listen to others compassionately as we embarrassingly expose our fragments of doubts, fears, ambiguity, frustration and everything which seemingly opposes what we profess we believe, then fear trumps our faith every time!  May that never be!! 
For this reason we constantly bring up the Trip, Fall, Fly patterns within our sojourn.  Again, common stuff here – no big surprise at all.  Just as God powerfully relates to each of us to ground and anchor His body here on earth, we must stretch ourselves to allow His embrace to under gird and unite us – and thank God we are called to be one.  Think about these things and review the information from the past several weeks. 
Pick up just one dusty piece and be ready to polish it off…..just one.  You can do, I know you ….and I trust Him, honestly!
Don’t be embarrassed if you are afraid to pick up a piece, maybe you are hesitant to even look toward the pile of pieces.  If so, try not to quit; simply pause.  Now, take a deep breath for me and ask yourself, kindly mind you, “Has the vine of my emotions swung me out only to drop me center stage?” 
Usually, when we attempt to isolate something uncomfortable, we begin to feel separated from everyone else, as though no one else in the world has ever dealt with this hideous thing.   And worse yet, all those “other folks” we begin envisioning sitting below us in the audience starring at our bewildered state.  But we know how to handle that, we simply picture everyone of them in their underpants!  However, that vision keeps getting interrupted by everyone staring up at us, on stage, under the spot light in nothing but OUR underpants – and they are decked out in the attire which would make us feel like a million bucks.  OK, so I might have overshot the emotional swinging, but you will understand in a moment.
Let me tell you a little golden nugget about emotions:  They build a house of cards around the one real piece of the puzzle which they are concealing.  We build these false images layer upon layer to protect the vulnerable piece; as well as our stage presence.  Often, we really do not realize we do this.  We might catch a glimpse of it, but it passes so quickly we believe it is the masquerade.  Then every once in awhile, God will gently allow the winds of change to blow toward your magnificent construction and hit …just one card……and quickly they all collapse into a one dimensional array.
There you have it.  This is what you are really looking at, or avoiding looking at ;)  Remember, it’s okay; it was just a silly house of cards.  Somewhere in that pile, however, is one brilliant piece of truth……….Let’s find it, together, and let it shine!
Kisses,
Candace

p.s.  There are enough cross-links in this to keep your mind moving forward if I get behind due to research.  Each time I re-read information I dust off another piece.  Yes , even I find fabulous card houses all around me; but now I ask God to blow the winds of change toward them - as He sees "I'm fit to handle it".

©Candace Huffmaster 2012, All Copy Rights Reserved
Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc ®
 

August 9, 2012

God Takes Care of Those Who......

As we read throughout the old testement we constantly see where the followers of God were "waiting" on the Lord to tell them what to say, do or where to go, flinging a fleece, following a star and much more. We know that we are filled with God's holy spirit which is not something prior to Christ was available to God people.  What a gift! 

Let me ask this question, fill it in with what you believe to be accurate:

God help those who _________________.
a. help themselves
b. trust He desire to help them
c. receives His help
d. needs some help
f. breath

For some reason, we think that God only helps those that help themselves. I don't know about you, but as a child and young adult that statement was taught, preached and held up as wise words to live by.  Just in case you were also, I want you to know it is not anywhere in the bible. There are things in the bible that tell us we must work as if we are working unto the Lord. But that does not imply that we are to run ahead of Him. 

We are told that we are to pick up our cross and  follow Christ.  This implies we are to take the same journey, yoked to Christ.  Everywhere we look we should see a place, a perfect situation or space where we can jump right into whatever He is already doing.  It is our pride which wants to figure it out apart from him and be see as able "all by ourself", as the toddler would toute.  God tells us we CAN do all things through him.  He made all things which have been made and without him nothing that has been would exist. 

Then there is the topic of knowledge.  The simple example above is perfect for understanding the importance of NOT leaning on our own understanding. Proverb: 3:5  is where that comes from:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  Matthew 4:4 tells us : Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.  Which helps us understand that we must trust the Lord to care for and keep our very life.  He gives us His word to sustain us AND keep us.  His words tell us things such as: before you run out into that traffic, pause for wisdom, wisdom which is truth and will care for you down to the depths of your soul.  Where does this come from? The words which proceed out of God's very mouth.  The verse I am refering to is from Jeremiah 6:16 Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'
Look at the actions God was pleading for us to follow: stand (at the crossroads) look, ask (someone wise), ask (for truth), walk, find (rest for your soul).  But even back in the day pride wanted to "do it all by myself".  Tomorrow we will speak more on knowledge. 

As for today, just pause and breath.  After all God takes care of those who breath :) Is that the correct answer?  What is your final answer?

Kisses,
Candace

For some reason my links are not adding if you would like further thoughts on these topice copy or cut and past the following links:

http://kaleidoscopebutterfly.blogspot.com/2011/11/just-breath.html

http://kaleidoscopebutterfly.blogspot.com/2011/12/doesnt-matter-what-gods-heart-is-set-on.html



©Candace Huffmaster 2012, All Copyrights Reserved
Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc™

August 6, 2012

Do You Really Love?

They do not truly love who do not show their love. —Shakespeare


Most of us would say we love; at least some people ....sometimes, right? Well, let's compare our apples to God's apples:

This is what God says about Love

I may speak in the languages of humans and of angels. But if I don’t
have love, I am a loud gong or a clashing cymbal. I may have the gift
to speak what God has revealed, and I may understand all mysteries
and have all knowledge. I may even have enough faith to move mountains.
But if I don’t have love, I am nothing. I may even give away all that I have and give up my body to be burned. But if I don’t have love, none of these things will help me. ~1 Corinthian 13:1-3

This is what God says Love acts like:

Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn’t jealous. It doesn’t sing its own
praises. It isn’t arrogant. It isn’t rude. It doesn’t think about itself. It isn’t irritable. It doesn’t keep track of wrongs. It isn’t happy when injustice is done,but it is happy with the truth.  Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up.~1 Corinthians 13:4-7


Do You Ever Wonder if Love Can Go away? Here is what God says:

Love never comes to an end. There is the gift of speaking what God has
revealed, but it will no longer be used. There is the gift of speaking in other languages, but it will stop by itself. There is the gift of knowledge, but it will no longer be used. Our knowledge is incomplete and our ability to speak what God has revealed is incomplete. But when what is complete comes, then what is incomplete will no longer be used. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, thought like a child, and reasoned like a child. When I became an adult, I no longer used childish ways. Now we see a blurred image in a mirror. Then we will see very clearly. Now my knowledge is incomplete. Then I will have complete knowledge as God has complete knowledge of me. So these three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the best one of these is love. ~1 Corinthians 13:11-13

Can you discern based on these truths what your real love angle might be?

If you need a bit more to figure it out, go to this link love angle.

Continue to think about the pieces of your journey and add to those these thoughts on love. My prayers are covering you like a blanket of love, which covers a multitude of sins.

Remember, where Christ is there is liberty.  Allow yourself this freedom as you sojourn within your heart and mind today.


Kisses,
Candace


Original 2007©Candace Huffmaster,updated 2012 All Copy Rights Reserved
Kaleidoscope Butterfly, Inc™
Appreciation to Felicia Scott for editing

August 1, 2012

Wasting and Taking Time

I hope that you are finding little nuances all around you, even within your memories, as we meander through the pieces of our past and future.  Take a moment; pause to think about the things which have come to mind over the last few weeks as we have we have been pondering various topics. 

Today we are using the writings of Henry Nouwen.  I really appreciated this excerpt from the introduction of Dare to Journey:

Things stand in tension with each other, and things do not always work out in anticipated ways.  Good sometimes has unfortunate consequences, and out of tragedy blessings can emerge.  Thus the spiritual journey does not consist of neat stages. Seldom do we move smoothly from "darkness" to enlightenment" and live happily ever after in the later state.

Blend your previous thoughts in with any new thoughts.  Now, allow this next reflection from Henri to ripple through out them all.  I pray that you will allow the power of God's holy spirit to heighten your vision, clarify your discernment and culminate in His understanding and wisdom in regard to your past, present and future:

Psalms 46:10 "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Taking Time for Inner Renewal

In many ways the busy round of life draws us into a myriad of activities, all important, but all demanding more of our time and energy.  Even church activities jostle for our attention and commitment.  And creative acts of service require long-term support and care often demand more than we are able to give. 

So we try to do more while our energies ebb away and we become like uprooted trees with our roots wildly groping for the sky.  Thus we anxiously throw our arms toward heaven, praying for extra grace and special enabling, when instead we should be planted again in nourishing soil.  That soil is not meant to make us do less, but to change our priorities so that we take time to be still.  And in the stillness, find new strength and hope.

Henri Nouwen reminds us that "time given to inner renewal is never wanted."  In fact it is the fuel for the journey, and more importantly, it is the discipline that will shape the very fabric of our being.


©2000 by Charles Ringma, All Rights Reserved