backdraft

there is a term in the fire fighting world that describes the very dangerous effect called a 'backdraft.' a backdraft is a situation which can occur when a fire is starved of oxygen; consequently combustion ceases but the fuel gases and smoke remain at high temperature. If oxygen is re-introduced to the fire, eg. by opening a door to a closed room, combustion can restart often resulting in an explosive effect as the gases heat and expand.

well, i wrote a note two days ago entitled 'tests and trials.' as a result of this note, i have recieved 'backdraft' on today. on my pastoral anniversary of all days. on a day of remembering, acknowledgment and celebration, comes combustible backdraft from a person i've sacrificed for and given my heart to (by the way, let me stop here and say be careful who you give your heart to. it is precious and has no defense). i was hoping for a word of encouragement or an expression of love from this person on today, however that was not the case. isnt it strange that the people you give the most to and sacrifice the most for are usually the ones to hurt you the most and on the deepest level. so now, even after being falsely accused in the middle of the night the other night, now i am being ridiculed and reprimanded on today. when will it ever end? or when will people ever change? when will people start to see, think and speak the good they have experienced or even the good they desire instead of looking for, thinking and speaking the negative the majority of the time? ...

note: we create the world we live in by the words we speak. just as God did in genesis chapter one when creating the world. he spoke it into being. the atmosphere responds to our announcements (a heart responds and resonates with what it hears). what we speak is a result of what we think. so what we think is ultimately the structure of our words and therefore the structure of our worlds. the Word itself says in proverbs 23:7 that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.

i have learned that what is in us will come out of us. proverbs 4:23-24.

i have also learned that you cannot change people. we are who we are and will continue to be ourselves until we are willing and ready to change. i have been here myself and see it in others all the time. so what do you do in the meantime?

well, when people lash out at you, more often than not, they are unhappy within themselves. someone once said, hurting people hurt people. few will ever admit it, so dont expect them to, but at least you know where they are more than likely coming from and can respond accordingly, Biblically. the Word says to love, bless, do good to and pray for those that do you wrong - matthew 5:44... just as Jesus did in his life and even more poignantly as he gave example of doing while being led to calvary and on the cross.

i know, i know, it is hard to do. it takes a second thought, and sometimes a third or fourth, because we in and of ourselves want to lash out, get back, set straight and prove them wrong, while at the same time prove ourselves right. it is the natural sinful self way. it is what theologians call the 'adamic nature.' it is the adam in us. the orginal sin from the orginal sinner showing up and showing out in us. however, it is not Gods way or design or desire. therefore, it is not blessed when we do it nor will it bring blessing to our lives. as a matter of fact, we lose all the 'inner spirit' blessings when we do. the 'inner spirit' blessings are found in galatians 5:22-23. conversely, we gain the 'inner spirit' blessings when we respond Godly according to the Word.

try not to take it personal. spritually, its really not them, but the enemy having his way with them. i know it is almost impossible to do because that is the way we immediately feel, but God will give you the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to do so, moment by moment. however, it is a choice. we choose to act and either react or respond in the manner that we do (oh, how many times have i written an email but deleted it. typed a text but changed it before sending it or even just caught my thoughts before they became words in a conversation knowing once they were out i could never take them back in). it is all a choice. it is our choice to put down and speak down to others as much it is our choice to empathize with and encourage others.

remember, what you do to others will eventually come back around full circle and be done to you. so if you lie on somebody, you will be lied on. if you cheat on somebody, expect to be cheated on. if you talk down to people, dont be surprised when somebody talks down to you. yet, if you encourage, support and love on someone, look forward to love, support and encouragement coming back to you, and usually when you least expect it but also when you need it the most. our actions have reactions. our seeds sown will bring a harvest to reap. so often i heard growing up this phrase, 'sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.' meaning, whatever you sow, no matter how little it may be (as a seed is), when it comes back around to you, it will come back in a multiplied form, lots more of (as a harvest is)!

if you want love, sow love. if you want encouragement, speak encouragement. if you want money, give money. if you want a friend, be a friend. remember, the 'backdraft' is coming. and it will 'explode' into your life! so fuel your fire with good and Godly thoughts, words and actions and watch God bless you in like manner in return.

i encourage you today to show love and not hate. show compassion and not disdain. give warmth and kindness and not be cold and condemning. you never know what tomorrow will bring. just think, what if it were the last conversation you where to have, or the last time you were to hear their voice or the last time you were to see them? what if? what memory will they be left with? what words will they hear ringing in their mind over and over again? what feeling will they have everytime they think of you? treat others the exact way you want to be treated, along with giving them what they need, and watch the change effect in your own life! ...ok, thats enough for now. gotta run, entourage is on!

your future is much greater than your past!
remember, you are greatly blessed, highly favored and deeply loved!

agape,

pastor p