David C. Alves's Blog, page 16
May 15, 2012
May 12, 2012
What if You’re Not Who You Think You Are?
Ever wonder why the western church lacks such power and presence? Ever wonder why your life seems to be missing something that would take you over the top in your spiritual growth? Do you want to be more like Jesus?
This word is to those who consider themselves disciples of Jesus Christ. This word is to those who have experienced supernatural regeneration and are “born-from-above.” This word is for those in that group who want to go deeper into the mysteries of Christ.
This word is for those who do not think that they already know all there is to know about being a child of the King. This word is for those who have tasted and seen that the Lord is good and want to know Him better. You’re disatisfied with the status quo. Tired of fighting the church wars. Underwhelmed by the crowds of professing believers who are more about appearances, perfomance-based-easy-believism, and simple platitudes. You are more interested in relationship than a pursuit of knowledge for knowledge-sake. You beleive the Scripture that says knowledge “puffs up” but that love “builds up.” So you want to know the deep love of Chirst and of the Father.
What if you’re not who you think you are?
What if you’re who God thinks you are? What if you’re not merely a servant of God, or a disciple, or even a friend of God. What if you’re who the Father says you are . . . a “son”?
I believe that He has illumined His intent for the church at this season of our journey? I believe that our understanding of who God says we are is an essential prerequisite to the Second Reformation–God’s recapturing of Family, of relationship in His image.
What difference would it make to KNOW that you are loved deeply and have an identity that you may have heard of, but not yet discovered in experience? What if entering into who God says you are were to transform not only your thinking but your everyday decisions and activities? What if the truth about you placed you squarely in the family that God is Father of?
I believe that the Father wants us to know this important truth:
“All who are led by the Spirit are the ‘sons of God.” (Romans 8.14)
Are you born-from-above? Then you have “the right to become [one of the] ‘sons of God.’ (John 1.12)
Are you “led by the Spirit”? The you are one of the “sons of God.” When’s the last time you heard a message on “sonship”? And if you did hear one (and I’d stand amazed, because in 35 years as a Christian, I’ve never heard ONE) did you understand how important it is to God that you understand that identity? Why did He make sure that Scripture preserved and outlined our sonship?
This is an important word for the church today. Sonship is the key to you living into the fullness of what Jesus did in His Atonement. His sacrifice accomplished more than simply forgiving your sins so that you could fly off to heaven [which is an unbiblical image anyhow].
Your identity as one of the ‘sons of God’ is the word for His Family today.
We’re the ‘sons of God’ . . . So What?: Believe God About Who He Says You Really Are!
My book explains from the Word of God why the biblical doctrine of sonship is so important to God the Father, and thus needs to be important to me and you. Perhaps understanding sonship is the next step in your walk with Christ and your fellowship with the Father. I wrote this book to help those who have responsibility in spiritual formation or who are mentors. I also wrote it for anyone who is willing to go deeper. WSOGSW is not an easy read. You may find that you read some and then put it aside for awhile because you have to ponder or dig into the Word. But you receive what you’re willing to give. If you study and meditate upon these truths, you will be amazed at the result.
What others are saying:
“Believe Who You Are, Do What You Must,” @ Lay It Down | Carl Simmons
Five-star Amazon Reviews by church leaders
QUESTION: How do you view yourself in light of the fact that God has made you a “son.” (yes, ladies too).
©2012, David C Alves
Related articles
Adopted into God’s Family (joequatronejr.wordpress.com)
Government of God is familial – discuss? (face2facegduffty.wordpress.com)
Like Father Like Son (dpeacemakers.wordpress.com)
Does Church Matter? (askfathereric.com)
Filed under: Books, Consider It, FOR READERS, Insights, ON THE JOURNEY, Recommended Resources, REFLECTIONS, sons of God
May 3, 2012
The LeeRoy Sagas – Episode 16
What? LeeRoy in Danger? Absolutely!!So LeeRoy asked me to update his friends.
He’s been overly concerned these days about challengers to his territory. Apparently this group of about 5 Coyotes (pronounced Ky-OH-tees) have been showing up in our second field at between 9-10PM every night for the past week or so. They look lean, mean, and hungry.
One comes out into the garden baiting LeeRoy. The pack’s glowing eyes can be seen in the opening from our first into our second field when we shine our car’s headlights there. SO . . .
The alpha coyote comes into LeeRoy’s garden (Remember: LeeRoy the Garden Dog). He immediately gets LeeRoys attention. LeeRoy starts barking like crazy. LeeRoy’s bark is scary too–really low and loud! The coyote turns to run so that LeeRoy will run after him to the second field–where the pack stands ready to attack him. BUT . . .
They don’t know LeeRoy. They underestimate his cowardice. He is extremely afraid of other dogs (yes, even girl dogs) so he won’t give chase, he simply moves away from the garden closer to the house. Barking over his shoulder. The closer he moves to the house, the more he barks (as though he’s really tough). The lead coyote is baffled, but keeps trying to bait LeeRoy by running at him and then turning with his tail between his legs when LeeRoy barks at him.
Last night, Cheryl–who lives with us–tells me that her headlights are on the pack. So I grab my gun (pellet) and take a shot at the gang. The noise of the gun going off (I was surprised how loud the pellet gun sounded. I think a .22 would have been quieter.) scares LeeRoy. So LeeRoy runs away from me right toward where the gang is laying in ambush. We all start calling, and whistling for LeeRoy to come back. I hide the gun behind my back.
Cheryl goes down, grabs his bowl and starts clanging it with a spoon as she shovels food into it and hollers for LeeRoy. Luke–who also lives with us–calls for LeeRoy too.
LeeRoy stops just short of where they’re hiding and heads back a little and sits to see what all the noise is about at his food bowl. Every once in awhile glancing over his shoulder at the opening in the field.
Meanwhile, the coyotes are pacing back and forth and the alpha coyote heads out of the garden, back toward where his gang is hiding. They’re frightened by all our shouting for LeeRoy. So we realized . . . we can’t get LeeRoy into the house. We can’t shoot at the coyotes or chase them with my machete or LeeRoy will think we’re after him. But that gang won’t give up. They’ll be back again tonight.
What’s the solution?
This is where you (or someone you know)come(s) in. If you have a solution, please comment here. If you know someone who has a solution, why not help LeeRoy by sending this post to them so they can respond to us? Thanks.
QUESTION: What do you think we should do to help/protect LeeRoy from this evil, hungry looking bunch? I’m opened, though I can’t speak for LeeRoy.
©2012, David C Alves
Filed under: LeeRoydog
April 26, 2012
Change Your Mind and Heart ~ 180 Video
I recently watched “180″ again. I was amazed at the power and clarity of the images and reasoning in the questions. So I decided to re-post it in case you missed it the first time around or wanted to review it and re-post it yourself. This is MUST SEEING!!! Watch TO THE END!
This video is not just about abortion or Hitler. Anyone who thinks so has missed the point because she did not watch to the end. This clip is about escape from the Matrix–the life you’ve led as one of the “sons of disobedience.”
In this documentary, Ray Comfort shows the way to set the record straight with God BEFORE he comes to judge. Comfort helps people change their minds to agree with God on this side of reality.
The most powerful recent documentary Marcy and I have viewed in a long time. We were AMAZED at the historical ignorance and moral bankruptcy that 65 years + of public education and family disintegration have created. The perfect environment for Christ’s return and ultimate justice has arrived. And Jesus will not delay.
Watch and see what you can DO to be ready for His coming.
This video will help you to see how your self-directed, culturally infected life has been atoned for by Jesus, the Messiah. What a miracle! Only God could have come up with this remarkable salvation. This is no invention of man.
QUESTION: Have you trusted in the finished work of Jesus of Nazareth on the cross for the complete forgiveness of your sins? When? How? Or Why not?
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This baby alive because of a video? (wnd.com)
Could It Be Today? (thedistinctdot.com)
Day to Celebrate (mcacc.net)
Filed under: Consider It, In the News, Recommended Resources, Signs of the Times, Videos
April 23, 2012
Becoming Better Than You Were
Have you ever had a really bad week and reacted in ways that discouraged you? You thought that you had dealt with that anger. You thought that you were reacting more like Jesus, and all of a sudden . . . someone set you off and the “old you” was still there.
Well, I had a day like that last week. Those little annoyances get under the skin and I find myself reacting in anger or defensive tones with people. As I’ve grown in the Lord, it happens less and less, but it still happens. Then our Enemy starts in, “You think you’re such a good Christian. Well, you’re no different than you’ve ever been.”
We ask, “Lord . . . how long till I change and get the victory?”
Those are discouraging times for us.
But Phil. 1:6 says “ . . . he who began a good work in you, will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
In another place, Scripture says that we are being transformed “from glory to glory DAILY.” The Lord reminds me that He is not finished with me yet. I am growing. I have changed. And so have you.
As we take off the old self and put on the new, Jesus will manifest Himself in the new self that He has placed in us. Paul said, I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless, I live, yet not I. But Christ lives in me.
Jesus is in the transformation business and you and I are His favorite subjects. He will complete what He has started. And sooner than you think, you (and I) will come forth as gold.
Father, will you please keep us focused on Jesus. Keep us anchored in your character and living out of the new self, created to be like you in true righteousness and holiness. Thank you Father.
©2012, David C Alves
Filed under: LIFE COACHING, ON THE JOURNEY, REFLECTIONS
April 20, 2012
Time to Break Camp
The Lord our God said to us at Horeb, ‘You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break Camp and advance into the hill country . . . go to all the neighboring peoples . . . ‘
–from Deut. 1:6-7 NIV
I have a feeling that some of us just need to GO today—as in move out and trust God. Go in obedience to Him ONLY.
Have you ever heard the saying, “When the going gets rough, the rough get going.” The idea is that winners face what is difficult by taking action.
The action believers are called to is to GO! Are you willing to GO? Going requires several actions on our part:
* We must choose to obey. Everything begins when I choose to say “yes” to God. I must love Him enough to be willing to go against my tendency toward laziness.
* We must break camp. We must be willing to step out of our comfort zones—intentionally.
* We must move out (by faith). We must DO something that demonstrates our seriousness.
Ask God to give you opportunities this week. Ask someone you know who cares about lost people to pray with you this week about this.Then watch God prove His love for the lost through you.
Could this be confirmation for you? Are you amazed? As though the Lord is speaking directly to you? Just make your decision, trusting that you CAN depend fully upon His love–even if you make a mistake.
What a thrill awaits you as God lets you share His love with others. The Lord bless us all as we watch the great things God will do in our midst as we reach out beyond our current boundaries.
©2012, David C Alves
Filed under: ON THE JOURNEY, REFLECTIONS
April 6, 2012
Is Jesus Alive in You?
The fact that Jesus is alive is indisputable. God himself is the first witness to this fact. Then come the twelve Apostles, to whom he appeared. Then the 500 other eyewitnesses recorded in Scripture. Then the countless witnesses throughout human history. And then me and my friends and family who know Him in our own lives.
How about YOU? Are you a witness to this truth yet?
Have you yet come to know that Jesus is indeed alive from the dead? That He can communicate with you. That He wants to share His love and treasures of wisdom and knowledge with you? That you are important enough to Him that He gave himself as a willing sacrifice to bridge the huge Chasm between you and His Father–Yahweh–the Only, true and living God.
He has opened to way to the Father for all those who are willing to believe. He has made us all “sons of God” through faith in His life, death, and resurrection from the dead.
This faith is not a blind faith. This faith is a faith based upon sufficient evidence and unimpeachable eyewitness testimony. This is a faith based upon personal experience as well. This is a faith that smashes all anti-supernaturalism. NO ONE who truly comes to know him and the Kingdom of God will remain a materialist. We believe in that which is also spiritual.
Today, because Jesus has risen, you can too. Today . . . because Jesus is alive, your spirit can be brought to life too. God is the one who accomplishes this in answer to your calling out to Him. When you choose to believe, and ask Him to come into your life. Get ready for weird and wonderful things to happen.
Invite Christ to be alive IN YOU! Then get ready for your life to change . . . significantly.
First, believe that Jesus died and rose to live again as He testified. Ask Him to produce a godly sorrow in you for your me-centeredness and self-conceit. This will open the way for repentance [the desire to change your mindset and direction in life away from your way to His]. When you repent (turn to Him), He will meet you in a way that you can understand. Invite Him into your life. Invite Him to be Lord. Watch what the living Jesus will do.
Life will still be life. You may face tremendous challenges or difficulties, but you will face them with Him. He will be all that you need in the midst of every trial. He will be your Counselor. He will keep you in the center of His love and take you safely home to the Father.
May the Lord be with you as we prepare to celebrate Resurrection Sunday this year. If He is already alive in you, may you manifest His life to others. If you’re just coming to know that He’s alive, may this year’s celebration have brand new meaning for you. God bless you richly. Grace and Peace to you.
QUESTION: Is Jesus alive in you?
Filed under: Consider It, In the News, ON THE JOURNEY, REFLECTIONS
March 31, 2012
First Manuscript: Reflecting
Revisited this journal entry from my Writing Journals. It kind of captures that mix of anticipation with the anxiety of submitting the manuscript to editors. The process was not as severe as I had imagined. But it was long.
3/2/2009
I just uploaded my manuscript to iUniverse. It was a strange thing. I blogged the experience on my Windows live space. Below are those thoughts and reflections:
FINALLY!! Manuscript away!
It was a weird feeling . . . uploading the work of seven years (conception) and three years (writing). I thought it was ridiculous when a writer would say that sending out his/her manuscript was like sending his/her child out into the world alone. I felt two things. First, a feeling that someone else is going to invade the work. Second, that I have little control over it. For some reason submitting this book manuscript is far different from submitting the articles I’ve written. I had no problem getting those off to my editors. No residual feelings. No afterthoughts. Done. Gone. And whatever happened, happened. But the book is far different. I think about it more. What’s to become of it? Will it communicate what’s in my heart to communicate? Will the editors understand it? Do they care to? Or is it just editing for them?
For a moment, while I watched the bright green progress-bar inching to the right as the manuscript uploaded to the publisher’s site, I felt this “no turning back now” feeling. Very strange. Love to know the psychology behind it. I was almost in disbelief. “It’s really happening. For better or worse, you’re a book author now. This will be a new experience.” I prayed that the book will bless its readers. I prayed that those who read We’re the ‘sons of God’ . . . So What? [WsoGSW]will have an encounter with the Living God while they read. And the result will be a new level in their spiritual growth and walk with God.
Now, I find the waiting more difficult than the finalizing of the manuscript.
I’m supposed to have an editorial evaluation back in two weeks from the day of submission. So . . . I’ll move on. Today I’m going to work on my first novel. I’ve been living with the characters and plot for a couple of years. I have a start that Marcy feels is “Great!” So . . . it’s just a matter of, can I live with the work for another year? AND . . . finalize edits, cover work, and galleys of WSGSW? We’ll see. It’s an adventure. And I’m content to be on it. In any case, I’ll leave this to the Lord and move on.
TODAY: The book, We’re the “sons of God” . . . So What?: Believe God About Who You Really Are is available at BarnesandNoble.com or Amazon.com. Scroll down the right side-navigation bar or go to the top menu to “Find My Books.”
I look back on that experience and am so grateful to have had it. It’s a wonderful thing to know that a word the Lord has given you is now in print and can be shared with the intended readers. And especially that the message will transform the lives of those who read it. They will have an encounter with the living God and see their true worth in His sight.
QUESTION: Do YOU recall what it was like to submit your first manuscript?
Filed under: FOR WRITERS, Journal Entries
March 28, 2012
Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: A Brief Review
Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry by Ruth Haley Barton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book can be extremely helpful for leaders who know that “something is missing” in their leadership or lives. Perhaps you’ve come to that place where everything has lost its luster. You may have been in a really good place, but things have slipped. Or perhaps you’re looking great on the outside, but in your heart of hearts, you KNOW that something’s missing. Something’s not quite right.
Pay attention to that feeling!
The sense of that void or lack is God’s tap on the shoulder to draw near to Him to see what He will say and do. In my case, He did (and continues to do) great things. I am journeying with Him in a new freedom because of His grace to suggest to my spirit that something was missing. I really went through a “dark night of the soul.” On the other side, I see that it was a season of spiritual breakthrough and growth necessary to go on to the next level of sonship or into the next season of life with Abba.
For me, that something is majored on in this book. And really laid out clearly in Ruth Barton’s other book Invitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God’s Transforming Presence.
For your sake, your church’s sake, and to His glory, read her books and take what is good. Those nuggets that the Lord uses as you journey with Him will make all the difference in your leadership and sonship (for more on “sonship” for both men & women, see my book: We’re The “sons Of God”. . .So What?: Believe God About Who You Really Are!).
Related articles
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Filed under: Books, FOR READERS, Health and Wellness, Insights, LIFE COACHING, ON THE JOURNEY, Recommended Resources, sons of God
March 25, 2012
How I Use OneNote 2010
Image by carl.lacey2 via Flickr
Do you have trouble keeping track of things? Is it hard to find that sticky note you wrote . . . and in what book did you leave it? As an author and speaker for over 30 years, I make extensive use of OneNote. I find it invaluable for both personal and professional uses. And to keep my sanity. OneNote is my virtual filing, retrieval, and storage system as well as my secretary.
Recently I upgraded to OneNote 2010. I have to say I really love it. Because of my propensity to forget or misplace things, a program like OneNote is indispensable. I’m so glad I found it. I always like it when I find a post that introduces me to new software to increase my productivity or that gives me keys or tips to make better use of it. So I thought I might inspire some of you who are not yet committed to either EverNote or OneNote. I’m including some of the tips that make it such a good tool for me.
I’ve never used EverNote, mainly because I’m no longer an Apple user. All of my PC stuff is Google or Microsoft based. So for me, OneNote 2010 is the better choice. But if you like EverNote, then be sure to visit the many posts available to help you at MichaelHyatt.com. Here’s a great place to begin: “How to Organize Evernote for Maximum Efficiency.” Mike’s EverNote articles helped me with ideas for my use of OneNote too. For example, he inspired me to scan things directly into OneNote (more on this later).
Here are some ways I use OneNote 2010:
To store receipts:
I take pictures of my receipts, then send them to OneNote. Sometimes I simply scan them in. I store them in an online file entitled “Unentered Receipts” Then when I attend to my finances, I can simply go to the unentered receipts file and transfer the info to my Quicken and finance sheet. After a receipt is entered, I move that receipt photo to “Entered Receipts.” Everything in one place.
File research clippings:
I keep video links in a file called “Important Video links” or I file them under specific areas of research or interest. Filing quotes, quips, contacts, and miscellaneous bits of information is just as easy. I use “Readability” (Readability.com) to clear the clutter off a web page Im reading and then I can easily copy and paste the text into OneNote or use the side note feature of OneNote to simply drag the text there. Not only does it receive the text, but it inserts a link to the original article on my newly created OneNote page. Later, I can search my research clippings out and add tags, or check boxes and priority numbers. NO MORE PAPER stickey-notes everywhere. I’ve virtually eliminated paper using OneNote.
Reading lists & log:
One of my favorite uses is the tracking of my reading and books. (Keep an eye out for a future post on the specifics of using OneNote 2010 for your reading and retrieval of reading notes & quotes). I will also share how I transfer my reading highlights in Kindle to OneNote so that they’re searchable and available wherever I am, at any time. This is important for those of you who, like me, work from several locations both at home and away.
My Journals (Writing, Travel, Spiritual & Morning Ramblings)
I keep ALL my journals in one place–in OneNote. They are each password protected. I can set the password options so that they remain open throughout my workday or they are secured when I leave the page or following a certain time limit of inactivity. I’m also able to electronically search out an idea I had, but can’t remember where in my written journals that idea might be.
My Spiritual Journals – I’ve written over 23 volumes of handwritten journals that cover 35 years of journaling. They consist of notebooks, day journals, ledgers, in all sizes and shapes. The past 5 years of my journals are already in OneNote. But ultimately they will all be transcribed to OneNote. I want them to be usable and accessible. OneNote makes that a reality for me.
My Travel Journals – Keeping my travel journals up-to-date is made easy. I simply enter my favorite places or most recent trip with photos and location information and viola . . . I can enter “Tbilisi” in a OneNote search window and find a trip page immediately and be reminded of my trip. Reflecting on the pictures and the itinerary kept there, I can enter some memory I’d forgotten to enter at the time.
My Writing Journals – This is where I store my ideas, thoughts, character sketches, and other notes for future writing. This blog comes from the ideas stored there. Future post, book, eBook, and article ideas I keep in that journal. And I can return and find things so much more easily. With my OneNote app for Android, I can easily record an idea quickly in OneNote and its there when I get home to my computer. Simple. If you prefer scribbling notes to yourself, scan them in when you get home and the text is searchable.
Other Uses I could talk about:
Store my Quotes, anecdotes, & illustrations (for later keyword or tag retrieval)
Cut down on paper use / Scan photos, documents, important papers, articles, etc
Prepare my messages for speaking
Joint projects / online (this will be another post). I work with several people on the same project. OneNote keeps track of our contributions and lists author’s initials so that we know who placed what on the page.
Best of all for me . . .No More PAPER! Now everything can be in OneNote. It’s a huge electronic filing system that I don’t have to organize. Because my items can be searched electronically, I only need enter a keyword or tag (word, icon, or both). No more lost info or fat files of paper to search through.
My advice, if you’re not using OneNote 2010, you owe it to yourself to give it a try.
QUESTION: How do you use, OneNote 2010?
DISCLAIMER: I am not writing for Microsoft, nor am I earning anything from my opinions about or uses of OneNote in this post.
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Filed under: Bits and Pieces, FOR READERS, FOR WRITERS, Recommended Resources
