"The Cult of Comfort"

          Let us open the eyes of faith that we may awaken to the Kingdom of God! Let us stir from the slumber of apathy, remove the covers of ignorance, and arise from the bed of laziness. It is time to place our feet upon the floor of this age and walk toward the Door. With a sense of calling and purpose, let us grab a hold of the door of life, by the handle of faith. The time has come to throw open the doors, upon the hinges of prayer, and let the light of God’s glory illuminate that which has kept us sleeping.

          The light reveals that the house we have built is no more than the cult of comfort. The rooms were designed with only ourselves in mind. Within our slumbering state, within our house of comfort and straw, we crafted the dreams of self-gain. We have rested comfortably in our house, constructed by the hands of selfishness.

          The whole time we saw the light through the windows. We heard wind of God’s Word against our walls. Only by indifference has it been possible to ignore the breeze of the Spirit. Rather, we slept. All we wanted was comfort.

          It is a new day. It is the time for action – for charity, hospitality, love, and power. The son has risen to reveal what we created. The light has crept through the windows of hope. It is now time to arise! Where the cult of comfort has kept us asleep, it is time to awaken and make a difference. While it is still daylight, it is time live for God. We do not know when the Lord will return, but the night quickly approaches. It is time live for that which we have been made – to glorify God and to let the light shine through the door of life and action.

- Dusty D.

"Unhidden Scars"

{Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:38-39}

            I knew those looks – those curious, suspicious looks. They seemed to remind me of how the scribes and Pharisees gazed into the Scriptures. It is like they were searching for something; they were searching for the truth of my words. I am slowly getting used to the staring. It never stopped.

The very thing people were curious about, I am eager to forget. It is not like I can ever get rid of these scars. Oh, the scars! They remind me of what once was – of who I used to be. They remind me of chains, oppression, and bondage. They remind me of my years in the desert. They are scares from hiding in tombs and caves. The places I used to call home. I can hide most of them; but all the deep, ruddy, monstrous scars around my neck and face are always visible. Perhaps they are left to remind me that I am not perfect. They remind me that there is more. They remind me of how Jesus delivered me – of how He saved me.

After Jesus delivered me from my spiritual affliction, it took a while to gain my family’s trust. At first, they were overwhelmed by my scars – by my past. I told them how Jesus took what was filthy and made it clean. I showed them how, if it was not for Jesus, I would still be living as a dead man – associating with death and living in tombs. I would still be filled with a darkness, a relentless wickedness, a curse of sin. I illustrated how the legion had been cast out. How the presence of evil had been cast away, like an unclean thing into the ocean – like a herd of pigs to drown in the sea.

That is why I knew Jesus was the Christ – the Jewish Messiah. I knew it. I experienced it. Nothing could change my mind! My message wasn’t as articulate or expressive as the Pharisees or Sadducees. I simply wanted to demonstrate how Jesus had the power to cast sin into the sea of forgetfulness, just as He had the power to cast the legion out of me. Jesus recreated me. He made me new. Jesus had the power and the compassion to do this for everyone. Throwing myself at the feet of Jesus was the best thing I had ever done.

I learned two things as I traveled the Decapolis: let the scars speak to the past, and let the light speak to the present. The brighter the light of day, the more obvious the scars became.  People would always look. They would always study the deep, gruesome scars. I let the scars attest to the work of God. As I did so, my onlookers could see past my scars – past my past – and see a new, transformed life.

I did not know the Torah or the words of the Prophets, but I knew Jesus. I knew that He loved me and cared about me. I knew that He changed me. That was enough to validate my message.

-          Dusty

"A Simple Opportunity"

I have not read any books on “how to work miracles” or “ways to walk in the supernatural.” I have not even read the latest pamphlets about how to start your own healing ministry. I have not done any of these things; even though I am sure they are great resources.

        Yet somehow, I have seen God perform, and have participated with God in, countless miracles (2 Peter 1:3-4). These calloused and withering hands have, nonetheless, been used as an instrument to bring miraculous healing. Knowing my own thoughts, failures, and weaknesses, I cannot be anything other than amazed at how God can use someone like me. What’s more, it makes me ponder whether or not there is a pattern to participating with God in the miraculous – like so many books and seminars seem to portray. If there is one, I have yet to discern what it is.

      If I had to identify one quintessential reality to participating with the Lord in His wonders, it would be this: it is God who works the miracle, not us (2Cor. 4:7). Try as we like, there is no way for us to fabricate the wondrous works of the Almighty. We can pray for people, only to have them maintain the affliction until they pass away, and we can pray for people and, in front of our very eyes, watch God heal them. Perhaps, this is what should minister to us – the fact that we can pray.

      If I were to write a book on how to participate with God in healing, there would only be one page between the covers. On that page, it would only have three words: PRAY FOR SOMEONE! I suppose that is where we find our true power – by plugging into the heaven’s Source. It is through the act of praying that we create an opportunity for God to work through us (and in us) (1 Cor. 4:20).

      This is an exciting thought: we can participate with God in His kingdom endeavors! This is a new year; let us venture forth with the Lord. As we go, it will be well for us to let the compassion of our hearts be swayed. We, who know how to pray, know that God’s power can change any situation. We should be encouraged to join with God in that change. Let us look for someone with which to pray. Let us create the opportunity for God to work wonders!

- Dusty Dahlin
(Originally Posted for Epic Bible College's Journalism Department)

"A Petal-less Church"

A church without holiness is like a flower without petals.

            It is a living, growing, organism which has been denuded of its crown.

            It very well may be alive and able to produce, but its splendor has been removed.

                        The velvet petals of the rose are God’s blessing to life’s thorns.

The golden display of holiness is the chalice for the wine of honor.

The holy and the perianth compose the songs for which they have been formed.

Without either, the Church and the flower are bald, bland, and colorless.

To one was given a diadem – the very radiance of Christ’s righteousness.

To the other, a headdress was given – the color pallet of God’s imagination.

To the flower, what good is life, if there is no majesty for the Living?

To the church, you may cease to exist, if the glory of your calling has been revoked.

A church without holiness is like a flower without petals.

It is my prayer that the above imagery highlights the importance of holiness. Individually or corporately, we can make a difference in our world. I propose, though, that a "radicle" holiness will enable us to speak louder and act more effectively for the glory of our Savior. (Lev. 11:44-45; Lev. 20:26; Matt. 5:6; Matt. 6:33; Gal. 5:22-24; Eph. 1:4; 5:1-2; 1 Peter 1:15-16).

         

- Dusty

"America – The Spiritual Wilderness"

             America, how long will you thank God for sandals that do not wear out? How long will you kneel and worship the Almighty for His miraculous provision of manna? How long will you keep your arms raised and your head bowed; how long will you bless the Most High for a familiar path to tread? How long will you testify of Sinai, Marah, the Red Sea, and the Lord's mighty works? How long will you remain sick from your consumption of gold, and how long will you lust for garish worship? How long will you carry the Covenant without beholding the all-surpassing glory of Yahweh! How long will you look to the glowing wings of the cherubim and, yet, have your eyes adverted from the loving countenance of your Savior? How long will this continue?

            America, how long will you praise the Lord for the staff of Aaron? How long will you exalt the Creator for the miracles of Moses’ rod? How long will you extol the presence of the Urim and Thummim? How long will you honor the scent incense and the healing of ashes and water? How long will you lift your eyes to the bronze serpent? How long will you offer sacrifices without seeing the Blood of the Perfect Lamb? How long will you search the writing of the stone tablets without seeing the Finger of God! How long, after you passed through the parted sea of self-righteousness, will you enslave yourself? How long will you forget the promises of God? How long will you forget about the Almighty? How long will your forty years last; how long will you make it last?

            America, how long will this continue?  How long will you strike the Rock? How long will you strike the Rock expecting a refreshing stream? How long before you realize it was the Rock who provided your living water? How long before you see Cornerstone upon which you were established? How long before you acknowledge the Foundation upon which you stand? How long before you see the waters of the Jordan? How long before you see the fruit of Canaan and taste of its freedom? How long will you hide yourself in the mountain’s cleft before turning around to see the presence of the Holy One! How long will you let your own fall in the wilderness, when you could live victoriously in the Promised Land?

            America, why live within the territory of purposelessness when God has given you the lands of change and promise? Why be still when you can initiate a movement? Why wander when you can live?

- Dusty

"A True Jewel"

{Phil. 3:16}

            If a jewel is dropped into the dirt, it is still a jewel. Its circumstances do not change what it is. The soil, the depth, the lowly components found therein, none of these things undermine the integrity
or nature of the jewel. Not even the amount of time it has spent hidden in the confines of its earthen-
prison matters; it is still a precious stone. Even if the expensive jewel is dropped into the dirt, it is to
leave its impression in the dust.

Despite what we feel, or what our pasts have led us to believe, the work of God is holy. He is able, completely, to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from the guilt of poor-choices. We devote our lives to following the ways of God, and God provides us with our true identity. He breathes into the dirt and creates a jewel; He establishes us as His children. By the work of God, we are righteous and pure. We are adopted by the Father – given entrance into His family.

It is like we have become a precious, raw stone in the hand of the Jeweler. He crafts and shapes and forms us for His purposes. With the tool of hardship in His hand, the Jeweler carefully sculpts His creation to reveal His mastery. By the end of His work, we are perfect – a polished and honed Jewel. Whether we are to be placed in the jewel studded hallway of the King’s courts, or we are to be delicately fastened to the King’s necklace, we are the magnificent display of the Lord’s glory and splendor.

In the meantime, while we are still being perfected and polished, we are no less than a Jewel. It is, now, in life’s valleys and mountains that we get to “live up to what we have already attained.” It is in this moment that we are enabled, by the work of God, to leave an impression upon the dust. We are given value and deemed worthy of the title, “children of God,” so let us begin living with purpose. Let us adorn the King with acts of kindness and compassion; Let us reveal the beauty of the Lord’s love; let us do something great that will leave an impression upon our circumstances. From a place of understanding our worth, let us live up to what we have already attained.

-          Dusty

A Flame for Heat

What is revival? What is the purpose of experiencing the warm flame of God’s revival fire (Eph. 3:16-19)? We seem aware, enough, of our own need to re-discover life – Christ’s life and the high-valued purpose of our lives. It is not enough for one to state their commitment to such a passion, if no action will follow. Whether it is found in the cerebral functions of the mind or the brawny display of faith, God makes revival accessible to His creatures. It is not like trying to chase the wind while underneath the water. It is simple enough as believing that the sun will rise in the morning. It is achievable by the Spirit of God, through faith (Eph. 2:18; 3:16-17).

While faith in God is the only prescribed requirement, it is beneficial to locate ourselves in a place where we can find revival. In the Lord's presence, you can lift up your soul as a torch to receive the spark of Revival's flame. If, however, you leave that place - not to reveal that reviving work begun within you - you have not actually been touched by a godly revival. Revival is about life. It was intended that life be lived. As believers, now, we have been given a new life. The premise, here then, is that being awakened to Life should incite some living.

We have access to a renewed passion for the things of God; we have access to a new life. Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence that we will receive God’s holy revival, but let us also leave that place that the world may feel the heat of revival’s flame (Heb. 4:16).
- Dusty