“…we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable…”
-Hebrews 12:28
Years ago the Holy Spirit spoke to me as I drove down the Interstate, “Son… if your world became smaller when you came to me, then you didn’t get the Kingdom, you only got religion.” It was a liberating word for my skinny-hearted soul, and a foundational truth of the Kingdom.
I wasn’t even dry from my spiritual birth before religion began drawing boundaries around my world and walling things out: “Hollywood is dangerous.” “Don’t hang out with unbelievers!” “Secular music is a poison, and entertainment is a waste of time.” “Draw the curtains close on the world, and stay focused on the church.” Living for Jesus became more of an exercise in avoiding danger than a walk with my Father in the cool of the day.
It took years of empty avoidance and the clear voice of the Spirit to reintroduce me to the world as a gift from above, from the Father of lights… “The heavens are the heavens of the LORD, But the earth He has given to the sons of men.” (Psalm 115:16) Beauty is His. And Truth. Laughter, joy, the great stories of literature and film, and the wonders of friendship with believers and unbelievers alike – all these things belong to the the Father and He shares them freely with His own. We are heirs of a vast and glorious Kingdom !
“Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:17) Did you catch that? “If we share in His suffering,” – in his agony over a lost and estranged world – then we share as well in the glory of His redeemed world. When we, with Jesus can point and declare, “This belongs to God! And this, and this as well!”. . . then the world will be righted and “the King will say… ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34)
Dispatches from the Shadowlands 
Refreshing! Thanks for sharing Don, as always.
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So much wisdom and inspiration in such a short piece. I envy your ability to couch artistry and truth in brevity. This is brilliant!
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Thanks Willow! That certainly encourages me coming from a writer like yourself! It’s always good to hear from you!
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Romans 8:14-17 has been the most influential passage in my life over the past several years. For me, it most clearly explains who I am. I like your spin on sharing his suffering as the agony over the lost sheep. That is different than the way I have looked at it. I have always thought of more in the vain of persecution or some sort of pain inflicted because of my beliefs. But your explanation goes right to God’s heart. “How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.” Matt. 23:37
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Don, a master jewel of thought. I struggled with the non Christian thing and then with “lock ’em up and throw away the key” for prisoners. As followers we are to love and love and then love some more. You are taking down the walls bit by bit. Thanks.
Thanks for keeping this blog going. I read them all but comment on just a few. (Usually has to do with time….lol)
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Ryan! Dave! Kay! Willow! Thank you for the comments. I’m sure you guys understand the little voice that likes to taunt and say things like “It doesn’t really matter”, “Everyone already knows this”, or “I don’t know why you go on about these things.” Thanks for taking the time to encourage and to share your thoughts. They matter!
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Thanks Don. Very well stated. I’d like to share what you’ve said with my facebook friends who’ve not heard enough from you. Blessings to you throughout this coming year and perhaps we will reconnect in person at some strategic location. Yours in christ’s love and grace, Dennison
Sent from my iPhone
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Go right ahead, Dennison. I look forward to that connection!
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If you haven’t already listened to it, you will want to go online and listen to the December 2nd podcast on Focus on the Family with guest Lecrae. He speaks on breaking down the wall between sacred and secular, and realizing that Christ is the answer to EVERYTHING. The Kingdom of God extends to everything…. I really think you will appreciate the insight, intelligence and influence of Lecrae in this interview.
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Thanks Melinda! What a great message! I like the idea that there are three things: the good, the bad, and the redeemable. What a great example of someone who is loving and serving his audience and area of influence. Here’s a link if anyone is interested: http://www.focusonthefamily.com/media/daily-broadcast/serving-god-in-our-culture
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