Vol. 1 No. 4 In The Funk

Have you ever heard that phrase "in the funk"? It comes from an old Dutch word that means depression.
Now that can be looked at in from a few different lens.
At one time in the funk meant you just didn't know what was wrong, but you knew that something was not right. Another way of looking at it was to get in a rithymic flow of music that took you as the artist into a different zone as well as the listener.
There is another approach to this phrase. "In the funk" has a lot to do with the way we see things that going on around us as well as what is happening to us.
We may be experiencing drama all around us that yes may be effecting our view of life. This seems to 'cause our lens to be askew. How we see things that is effecting us, our family, our friends causes us to see that is how all life is. We begin to bemoan our circumstances and will probably fall into a deeper black hole that we seemingly can not escape from. That is depression.
When life seems dark and dreary you contemplate why even trying.
Others are concerned. Some will judge---"well why don't they just get on with life?!?" Others may go to the extreme to accuse you of doing something that has caused you to be this way and so all you need to do is repent and walk on.
Experiencing "in the funk" has been an ongoing struggle for me for many years. Medication helps for the most of the time, but then those times seem to just sneak on you and you find yourself "stuck". And let me tell you everything looks badddd!
A commercial asks,"Does depression hurt?" "Who does it hurt"?. The first answer is yes. It can cause one to feel achy all over like you got the flu. The answer to the second is everyone. All those around you are touched by your "funk." Some are brought down by it, others judge you as mentioned above. While still others get "religious".
I have experienced this treatment as well as other forms of so called help.
The only thing that I have found so far is the fact that I know beyond all doubt that God loves me NO Matter what. In John 17:23 I am even assured that God loves me as much as He loves Jesus. Now that's alot and I have to trust that to be able to get through it all.
Whenever you're faced with being "in the funk" take a moment and contemplate John 17:23 and the FACT that God loves you as much as He loves Jesus. The funk may not go away, but you will get through and survive another episode.

That's me. Jus Thinkin.

Vol. 1 No.3 A Puzzle?

Have you ever said to yourself, "Why is the Bible so hard to understand?" Yet, with all my educational background I still had problems. No commentary can help, because that's just one or more persons opinion and we all have opinions. Now granted there are Bible teachers that seem to be more on track than others and for that reason I began to do some thinkin.

Why is it that I have such a problem with soome and not with others? Well, happily I finally discovered my answer.

For way too long I was taught to read the Bible from cover to cover. I have even done the "Read the Bible in a Year" thing. But that didn't help with my understanding. Oh sure, I prayed before I would read that Holy Spirit would help me understand. And I am not saying that He did not. That is His "job" you know. But why couldn't I put it all together? Why did it seem like a jigsaw puzzle?

Then I came across an article that dealt with just that subject. It was written by Frank Viola of Gaines ville, Fl. and his explanation brought me back to my seminary days. All the books of the Bible were put together by a 'committee', yet they were not chronological. I acquired a Narrative Bible which was done [?] chronological.? The Old Testament read great helping me put times and places with events that unveiled the story better. But when it came to the New Testament, that was another story.

So I read on in the aforementioned article. This brought new insights. The New Testament as we have today was nothing more than a jigsaw puzzle haphazardly put together. As concluded the article I read the New Testament as the author suggested. WOW!!! What a difference it made.

I am recommending to each of you 1] a book that will give insight into the New Testament and will help you as you read, and 2] a quick run down of the order of the New Testament.

1] The Untold Story by Frank Viola [web site ptmin.org]

2]Begin reading Galatians, James, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1& 2 Corinthians, Romans, Mark, Matthew, Luke, Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians, Philippians, 1 Timothy, Acts, Hebrews, Titus, John, 1,2,3 John, 1 Peter, 2Timothy, 2Peter, Jude, Revelation.

Now remember---This is the written chronological record. In other words Matthew was not the first New Testament book written, Galatians was and so forth.

Galatians was written in 49 AD and Revelation in 70 AD. So over about 20 years the New Testament was written.

I really encourage you to read the New Testament in this order and if you can get Viloa's book.

That's me, Just Thinkin.

Vol 1 Number 2

Recently, my youngest grandson has wanted to play 'Hide and Seek' whenever we're together. He really likes playing the game, but he has a unique way of playing. When it's his turn to hide I am to count to 10 and then and look. Sounds familiar so far, but then he adds a twist. About the time I get to where he is "hiding" he jumps out at me with this big grin on his face, shouting "You found me!"
He seems to get more joy out of jumping out at me than for me to actually 'find' him. Oh the joy of being a 'Pop" and learning how to play the game!
This has caused me to think a lot about the 'seeking' part. Maybe at another time we'll look at the 'hiding' part of the game.
To seek in this game one must put forth an effort [according to whom you are playing with]. One must be diligent to 'find' whatever or whomever is hiding. Without sounding to redundant we, you and I are the ones that must do the seeking.
With eyes wide open we must look/seek to find. There should be a diligence on our part that causes us to do whatever is necessary to find that which is important. We do all we can to 'seek and find'.
Like playing with my grandson, I will do all I can to seek after him so that I can find him and share in the joy of seeing his smiling face once again. And what excitement there is. So much so that he wants me to find him again.
I have been thinking about how we are suppose to be seeking God. Jesus said things like "Seek first the kingdom of God..." That's right---we are to seek. This requires a searching on our part. A reaching out if you will for the Pearl of Great Price.
To 'seek first the kingdom of God' we must reach out and search for him. He is there but are we looking.? Are we like the disciples on the road to Emmaus [Lk. 24]? Walking down the road with a 'stranger' only to find out later that it was Jesus Himself. What an eye opening experience!!! Yet in all reality that is the way we are. He is always around, yet we're the ones that aren't looking for Him.
I speak from years of experience of not seeking even while I was in the ministry. For too many years I did 'ministry' on my own without God's help. Why should I have to seek God when all I had to do was read a book and do what it said.
Thankfully, I did have an experience that caused me to finally let God be my Guide, my map, but I would have to seek Him. From that I began a journey that continues today. A seeking that keeps me reaching out to the One who has my back; to the One who loves unconditionally. The journey is tough at times, but at least He isn't hinding I'm seeking.

Hey that's me Jus thinkin.

Vol 1 Number 1

Well, I've finally done it. Here I am in this new world of communications. I pray that this goes well.

Lately, I've been thinking about some oldies but goodies songs that I hear from time to time.
One recently that has stuck out to me is Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to Do With It".
It was such a popular song at the time of its release mainly due to its personal tone given her situation at the time.
But, oh how misleading the title really is. Without love there is no relationship there is only one night stands. One night stands cause heartache, a downward spiral into self-abuse and finally emotional destruction or even physical end. So what does love got to do with anything? Everything!
Without the gift of love no one really knows just how strong relationships are. Relationships of love are the ones of friendship and sacrifice. We pride ourselves on being loving and having meaningful relationships, yet when it comes to actually living out that relationship in terms of a "God relationship" we are taken aback or run to hide. This "God relationship" is the one that we should be walking toward or running to be in the open.
We are at a time in our history that cries loudly for love with God. He has already made that step many years ago in and through Jesus, His greatest example of Love. This love in and through Jesus is the very reflection of God Himself. It is this love that will make all the difference in our lives. This love will show us how to return that love to others, but most especially to God.
So, whats love got to do with it? Again, everything.
Well, that's all for now. It's me, jus thinkin.