Tomorrow I’m off on an 11 day trip that will take me to Colorado for six days and on to Michigan for five more. Part of it is hanging out with other believers on the journey, part of it a trade show for the Christian retailers, and part of it s working with a project for Calvin College in Grand Rapids. But before I go, I wanted to leave you with this:
Relaxing Into the Reality of Living Loved. I am often asked by people what can they do to live loved. I am becoming increasingly convinced that learning to live loved is not a doctrine to learn, or a discipline to follow, but a reality Jesus wants us to relax into. I shared about that recently at a Because of Jesus convention in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Many who are plagued with trying to do something to figure out this relationship, have told me this analogy has given them a wonderful handle on how Jesus allows us to live in this reality. The audio of that teaching has now been included in our free Audio Library and is available by clicking on the title link above, or going to the Audio Library and clicking on the third entry: “The Reality of Living Loved”.
Brad and I will have more discussion on this way of thinking on our July 17 edition of The God Journey.
This is interesting, Wayne. I’m a Deacon in the Christian Reformed Church, and I’ve really found true relationship by reading The Shack, He Loves Me, and So You Don’t Want To Go To Church Anymore. I’ve entered into a space that I never knew existed. Thanks for sharing your journey with us in these books and with Brad on the Podcasts.
I just find this hilarious that you are going to Calvin College, the epicenter of the Calvinist camp. Will they let a “love guy” go on campus and talk about Papa and not discuss Total Depravity and God’s Wrath? This is great. If you start to “infect” the epicenter of the CRC, it will make my journey easier as I try and share the loving Papa concept with receptive folks in my local CRC church in Chicago. Thanks for being obedient and bringing the message to many people!. Bob.
This is interesting, Wayne. I’m a Deacon in the Christian Reformed Church, and I’ve really found true relationship by reading The Shack, He Loves Me, and So You Don’t Want To Go To Church Anymore. I’ve entered into a space that I never knew existed. Thanks for sharing your journey with us in these books and with Brad on the Podcasts.
I just find this hilarious that you are going to Calvin College, the epicenter of the Calvinist camp. Will they let a “love guy” go on campus and talk about Papa and not discuss Total Depravity and God’s Wrath? This is great. If you start to “infect” the epicenter of the CRC, it will make my journey easier as I try and share the loving Papa concept with receptive folks in my local CRC church in Chicago. Thanks for being obedient and bringing the message to many people!. Bob.
‘I am becoming increasingly convinced that learning to live loved is not a doctrine to learn, or a discipline to follow, but a reality Jesus wants us to relax into.’
‘To relax into’ – I agree Wayne. I have always wondered why the ‘good’ life was one that you had to be bullied into and then forced to work hard at to keep yourself in!
Going through ‘Transition’ over the last few weeks I have been much encouraged to keep snuggling closer to Father and relax in His love, knowing HE will move me and take me into works of loving faith-filled service AND keep me from frenzied ‘church’ activities that really serve only to (try to) please men.
After reading/hearing you on these things two statements seem to come to mind:
1. Mel Gibson about to be executed in ‘Braceheart’ “Freedom!!”
and:
2. Martin Luther King Jr in that famous speech: “Free, free at last!”
Thank you Father, thank you Wayne and so many others who have shared this true freedom with us.
Don
Hobart, Tasmania.
Thank you for “Relaxing Into the Reality of Living Loved”. “Just relax” is what I needed to hear.
‘I am becoming increasingly convinced that learning to live loved is not a doctrine to learn, or a discipline to follow, but a reality Jesus wants us to relax into.’
‘To relax into’ – I agree Wayne. I have always wondered why the ‘good’ life was one that you had to be bullied into and then forced to work hard at to keep yourself in!
Going through ‘Transition’ over the last few weeks I have been much encouraged to keep snuggling closer to Father and relax in His love, knowing HE will move me and take me into works of loving faith-filled service AND keep me from frenzied ‘church’ activities that really serve only to (try to) please men.
After reading/hearing you on these things two statements seem to come to mind:
1. Mel Gibson about to be executed in ‘Braceheart’ “Freedom!!”
and:
2. Martin Luther King Jr in that famous speech: “Free, free at last!”
Thank you Father, thank you Wayne and so many others who have shared this true freedom with us.
Don
Hobart, Tasmania.
Thank you for “Relaxing Into the Reality of Living Loved”. “Just relax” is what I needed to hear.
Tis true, living loved is relaxing. My motto is: Just do what Papa sets before us today and He will give us all that we need for living today. This is true joy and freedom.
“Free at Last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, free at last!”
K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Saint)
Charles
Tis true, living loved is relaxing. My motto is: Just do what Papa sets before us today and He will give us all that we need for living today. This is true joy and freedom.
“Free at Last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, free at last!”
K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Saint)
Charles
I loved this! Thank you!
I loved this! Thank you!
This audio file is a keeper!
This audio file is a keeper!
Thanks for making available this mp3. Gave me some peace as i listened to it when going to bed last night.
Thanks for making available this mp3. Gave me some peace as i listened to it when going to bed last night.
This is one of the most helpful & encouraging podcasts I have ever heard.
This is one of the most helpful & encouraging podcasts I have ever heard.
Thank you, Wayne. With all that happened in your, Brad, and Paul’s life since your podcast of 04/17/09 titled “The Grace-Full Life” it’d be miraculous if you remember me. I love the ease with which you share His love and could envy the lack of apparent selfishness you display.
I will send you an email and trust Him that should His will be that it finds it’s way to being read by you … if so, great and likewise if not. His will … forever!
Wayne, thank you again.
love,
gene
Thank you, Wayne. With all that happened in your, Brad, and Paul’s life since your podcast of 04/17/09 titled “The Grace-Full Life” it’d be miraculous if you remember me. I love the ease with which you share His love and could envy the lack of apparent selfishness you display.
I will send you an email and trust Him that should His will be that it finds it’s way to being read by you … if so, great and likewise if not. His will … forever!
Wayne, thank you again.
love,
gene
Hey Wayne, even though I can no longer do the old Pentecostal “I claim that brother” deal, I am a person who learned by experience, with lots of help from you, that Father indeed does, can and will dance you through the death of a child. It is an on-going experience, adventure really, learning “how to” live loved, but I’m convinced Father loves “how to” questions. As in, Father, I don’t know “how to” be loved. Please teach me “how to” live loved as your child.
I truly celebrate with you in Father’s Today…death, even death by suicide, in the presence of Jesus, is no longer death. It has become true [real] in my experience, death lost its sting. Father asking me to celebrate with him was outrageous in my religious thinking, but following his lead, death was robbed of all its terror. And though it has an outward form, it is no longer death as I was taught in religious Christianity. In the presence of celebrating life and the great dance, death is no longer death. Yippee!
Thank you Wayne. The MP3 was like Father reading me a bed-time story.
Hey Wayne, even though I can no longer do the old Pentecostal “I claim that brother” deal, I am a person who learned by experience, with lots of help from you, that Father indeed does, can and will dance you through the death of a child. It is an on-going experience, adventure really, learning “how to” live loved, but I’m convinced Father loves “how to” questions. As in, Father, I don’t know “how to” be loved. Please teach me “how to” live loved as your child.
I truly celebrate with you in Father’s Today…death, even death by suicide, in the presence of Jesus, is no longer death. It has become true [real] in my experience, death lost its sting. Father asking me to celebrate with him was outrageous in my religious thinking, but following his lead, death was robbed of all its terror. And though it has an outward form, it is no longer death as I was taught in religious Christianity. In the presence of celebrating life and the great dance, death is no longer death. Yippee!
Thank you Wayne. The MP3 was like Father reading me a bed-time story.
Hi Wayne
I’ve been listening to the podcasts for a few months now. Really felt the need to comment on this. Which I did on thegodjourney.com and copied it here too because
It was like one of those wonderful moments when you suddenly smell something or hear a tune that brings back a memory where you sink back in your chair and just smile.
Although it wasn’t dancing it was something close. When I was really struggling to grasp that my Daddy loved me utterly and completely, even in the mess, He showed me an picture of a children’s party He had invited me to. I was there dressed in my prettiest dress, and shiniest shoes. Instead of playing outside with all the other kids I was sitting in the hallway on a huge wooden straightbacked chair. My feet were dangling and I was sitting very still. I was looking out of the open patio doors at the other kids running around in their party clothes, but scuffing their shoes, scraping their knees getting dirty and obviously loving it. I was cringing each time there was a scuff or a scrape, gratefull I was still sitting there clean and shiny. I wouldn’t listen to anyone telling me to come and play, it was too messy. But then my Daddy came and opened the doors a little wider and showed me it was OK to scuff my shoe or skin my knee, cos he was there to kiss it better and he loved me in the mess and out of it. So I have been off the chair a while now, and just wanted to share a “kiss better” the Father gave me after I grazed my knees again the other week. It seemed to fit so much in with what Wayne was saying about Living a life lived loved, and relaxing into it because He knows how to dance.
“1Pe 1:7-8…Jesus Christ;
whom having not seen, you love; in whom not yet seeing, but believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.,
In the …. years I have been a Christian I don’t believe I have ever known Joy. Happiness yes, but Joy seems to be something of a higher nature. Something that has nothing to do with circumstances, but is based on a constant.
After another period of brokenness last week, Father showed me tonight a place where He is and because he is, Joy is. That there is within a pool of peace. One of those deep quiet pools where the water is so blue it takes your breath away. Where all that is Christ dwells. It is undisturbed by eddies, or ripples. It is the place where He is and all is at rest. No matter how scorching or hot circumstances seem, the pool is the sanctuary from the heat. Leafy ferns and cool shade surround the cavern drawing us back to the place of safety and rest. So we live out of our sanctuary, Christ in us. This hidden place, that exudes the fragrance of Him who loves us. It drips with his glory and beauty and Joy. His majesty covers the walls of the chamber, and more and more each day the life of Christ fills it as he transforms us and we are renewed from the inside out.
He is constant, he does not change. Like the pool nothing rocks him or causes him to differ. He is as he always has been, steadfast, immovable, Perfect. He loved us before the foundation of the earth was laid and he loves us now, as he will love us for eternity. He is our high tower, our place of safety, our banner, our healer, our deliverer, our fortress, our provider, our shepherd,our home. He is ALL things good to me.
I can run to him at all times, for he is not mercurial, he will ALWAYS open his arms to me.. ALWAYS. There is not a second of any day when he is not for me, when his eyes are not upon me and his heart is not toward me. This is for always, this is for ever, HE DOES NOT CHANGE. Because he holds my future, all my next moments are in his hands, so I can watch the butterflies on my path. I can smell the flowers, I can help the weak, lift up the weary, love those he puts before me. I don’t need to watch the path or the precipice on my right, I don’t need to check for stones or thorns or snakes or dragons, I have his ear and he has mine. “Move to the right beloved”, “Go up this incline”, “Go thru this gate sweetheart”, “Climb these steps”.
Lets take a deep breath, relax and let ourselves go, there is no where to fall but into him. Joy unspeakable and FULL of Glory.”
Thank you so much, for being so willing to share so much of your journey so we too can discover this Father who loves us and start living a life lived loved.
Anne
Hi Wayne
I’ve been listening to the podcasts for a few months now. Really felt the need to comment on this. Which I did on thegodjourney.com and copied it here too because
It was like one of those wonderful moments when you suddenly smell something or hear a tune that brings back a memory where you sink back in your chair and just smile.
Although it wasn’t dancing it was something close. When I was really struggling to grasp that my Daddy loved me utterly and completely, even in the mess, He showed me an picture of a children’s party He had invited me to. I was there dressed in my prettiest dress, and shiniest shoes. Instead of playing outside with all the other kids I was sitting in the hallway on a huge wooden straightbacked chair. My feet were dangling and I was sitting very still. I was looking out of the open patio doors at the other kids running around in their party clothes, but scuffing their shoes, scraping their knees getting dirty and obviously loving it. I was cringing each time there was a scuff or a scrape, gratefull I was still sitting there clean and shiny. I wouldn’t listen to anyone telling me to come and play, it was too messy. But then my Daddy came and opened the doors a little wider and showed me it was OK to scuff my shoe or skin my knee, cos he was there to kiss it better and he loved me in the mess and out of it. So I have been off the chair a while now, and just wanted to share a “kiss better” the Father gave me after I grazed my knees again the other week. It seemed to fit so much in with what Wayne was saying about Living a life lived loved, and relaxing into it because He knows how to dance.
“1Pe 1:7-8…Jesus Christ;
whom having not seen, you love; in whom not yet seeing, but believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.,
In the …. years I have been a Christian I don’t believe I have ever known Joy. Happiness yes, but Joy seems to be something of a higher nature. Something that has nothing to do with circumstances, but is based on a constant.
After another period of brokenness last week, Father showed me tonight a place where He is and because he is, Joy is. That there is within a pool of peace. One of those deep quiet pools where the water is so blue it takes your breath away. Where all that is Christ dwells. It is undisturbed by eddies, or ripples. It is the place where He is and all is at rest. No matter how scorching or hot circumstances seem, the pool is the sanctuary from the heat. Leafy ferns and cool shade surround the cavern drawing us back to the place of safety and rest. So we live out of our sanctuary, Christ in us. This hidden place, that exudes the fragrance of Him who loves us. It drips with his glory and beauty and Joy. His majesty covers the walls of the chamber, and more and more each day the life of Christ fills it as he transforms us and we are renewed from the inside out.
He is constant, he does not change. Like the pool nothing rocks him or causes him to differ. He is as he always has been, steadfast, immovable, Perfect. He loved us before the foundation of the earth was laid and he loves us now, as he will love us for eternity. He is our high tower, our place of safety, our banner, our healer, our deliverer, our fortress, our provider, our shepherd,our home. He is ALL things good to me.
I can run to him at all times, for he is not mercurial, he will ALWAYS open his arms to me.. ALWAYS. There is not a second of any day when he is not for me, when his eyes are not upon me and his heart is not toward me. This is for always, this is for ever, HE DOES NOT CHANGE. Because he holds my future, all my next moments are in his hands, so I can watch the butterflies on my path. I can smell the flowers, I can help the weak, lift up the weary, love those he puts before me. I don’t need to watch the path or the precipice on my right, I don’t need to check for stones or thorns or snakes or dragons, I have his ear and he has mine. “Move to the right beloved”, “Go up this incline”, “Go thru this gate sweetheart”, “Climb these steps”.
Lets take a deep breath, relax and let ourselves go, there is no where to fall but into him. Joy unspeakable and FULL of Glory.”
Thank you so much, for being so willing to share so much of your journey so we too can discover this Father who loves us and start living a life lived loved.
Anne
If you have a lot of concerns with today’s churches, why on earth are you participating in a trade show of Christian retailers?
With their selling of trinkets, books of poor and often erroneous teaching surely a teacher of your discernment can see that they have as much fault as the modern church.
Why aid and abet and use them as an outlet for your books?
If you have a lot of concerns with today’s churches, why on earth are you participating in a trade show of Christian retailers?
With their selling of trinkets, books of poor and often erroneous teaching surely a teacher of your discernment can see that they have as much fault as the modern church.
Why aid and abet and use them as an outlet for your books?
What a GREAT illustration from your dance teacher! “Only one of us needs to know how”. SUPERB. Love it!!! (I, too, am a non-dancer from the same “dancing-is-devilish” school, so I could relate to the story so well.) THANK YOU!!
What a GREAT illustration from your dance teacher! “Only one of us needs to know how”. SUPERB. Love it!!! (I, too, am a non-dancer from the same “dancing-is-devilish” school, so I could relate to the story so well.) THANK YOU!!
Wayne,
Thanks for the sharing. This is great stuff. I have to laugh at myself; “I’m relaxing! I mean I am really tring to relax. It’s goin’ to happen any minute now. Really! I’m going to relax! I’m gonna work at relaxing . . .”
.
And instead of “The Anti-Discipleship Training” title for the manual idea that you and Brad have . . .
How about this as a possible working title:
“The Discipleship UN-Training Manual”
Shalom on The Journey!
Wayne,
Thanks for the sharing. This is great stuff. I have to laugh at myself; “I’m relaxing! I mean I am really tring to relax. It’s goin’ to happen any minute now. Really! I’m going to relax! I’m gonna work at relaxing . . .”
.
And instead of “The Anti-Discipleship Training” title for the manual idea that you and Brad have . . .
How about this as a possible working title:
“The Discipleship UN-Training Manual”
Shalom on The Journey!
You should def stay in Colorado for longer. It’s worth it!
You should def stay in Colorado for longer. It’s worth it!