BikePathHoliness

(31Tipsforyourjourney)

ByJerryBrecheisen

Copyright©2015byLorenG.Brecheisen

PublishedbyHolinessLegacy

PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica

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Introduction

Bikepathsareontheincrease.Therisingtrendincyclingjoinswithwalkinginthepursuitof

ahealthylifestyle.Lastyear,over$6billionwasspentonbicycleequipment.Theincreasing

popularityoftheexercise-sporthaspromptedlocalcommunitiestoprovidenewbikepaths

ormarknewlanesdesignatedforbicyclesonestablishedroadways.

Iliketheimagery:designatedlanesalongcommonroutes.ItbringstomindGod’s

signpost,Ihavesetbeforeyoulifeanddeath,blessingsandcurses.Nowchooselife.(Deut.

30:19).Inotherwords,therearetwopaths.Oneisacommonpaththathasthepotentialfor

awipeout,whiletheotherisadesignatedpaththatpromisesasafertrip.

ThepsalmistDaviddidn’thaveaccesstoabikepath(andprobablydidn’thavea

bike),butheunderstoodtheadvantageoftakingGod’sroute:Youmakeknowntomethe

pathoflife;youwillfillmewithjoyinyourpresence(Psa.16:11).Godhaspromisedatop-

tierblessingtothosewhofullysurrendertohiswill—andhisway.Isaiahtheprophetcalled

itthe“Wayofholiness”(Isa.35:8).Obviously,it’sadesignated(marked)pathonthe

crowdedstreetsofculture:Theuncleanwillnotjourneyonit.Notanelitistpath,butapath

foruscommonfolkswhohavediscoveredanuncommonresourcebyfullysurrenderingour

selftotheSaviorandbeingfilledwiththeHolySpirit—andexperiencinganinnercleansing.

Ipraythatthese31tips(roadsigns)onyourspiritualjourneywillbeasrefreshing

andpracticalasasipfromabottleofwater.Today’stravelhassomedangeroustwistsand

turns;butGodhasprovidedadesignatedlane—theChrist-filledlife.Thewayisn’tdrab.It’s

filledwithhis“presence”and“joy”aswegoalong.Solet’sputonour“helmetofsalvation”

andgetreadyforanawesomejourney.

-JerryBrecheisen

November,2015

1

ProtectiveGear

PutonthefullarmorofGod,sothatyoucan

takeyourstandagainstthedevil’sschemes(Eph.6:11).

Withafewstonesandarawhidesling,DavidstoodfullyarmedagainstGoliath.Thoughthe

gianthadaheightadvantage,hewasn’ttallenoughtoseethearmyofheavenbehindthe

scrawnykid,andwasn’tsmartenoughtorealizethegodlystrengthinthattinytossoffaith

headingstraighttohisnoggin.

YoufaceaGoliatheveryday:theDevil.Hishatredofyourholinessislegendary.But

heisn’ttallenoughtoseetheforcesbehindyou,andhe’stooblindtoseetheprotective

gearthatcoversyou.Fullbodyarmor—invisible,spiritual,headtotoecoverage—witha

helmetofsalvation,inscribedwiththelogoofthevictoriousKingdom;abulletproofvest,

coveringtheheartwiththeaffirmationofrighteousness;abeltoftruth,wrappingyouinthe

promisesofGod;ashieldoffaith,protectingagainstthearrowsofaccusation;bootsof

peace,coveringyourservicewithgrace;andaSword,God’sholyWord—sharpenedbythe

powerandwisdomoftheSpiritfordailybattleswithenemyforces.

Thegearwillfityounomatteryoursizeandprotectyounomatteryoursituation.

ThereforeputonthefullarmorofGod,sothatwhenthedayofevilcomes,youmaybe

abletostandyourground(Eph.6:13a).Godprovidesit,butyoupurposefullywearit.

Tipforthejourney:MeditateonGod’s“protectivegear”beforeyoustartorendtoday’s

journey.

2

“Letmeseeyourhands!”

Thoseofyouwhodonotgiveupeverythingyouhavecannotbemydisciples(Lu.14:33).

“Letmeseeyourhands!”AnyonewhohaswatchedacopshowonTVisfamiliarwiththat

phrase,usuallyshoutedloudlybythepoliceofficer.The“perp”hasn’tfullysurrendereduntil

thestruggleisoverandeveryhiddenweaponisrevealed.Emptyhandssymbolize

submissiontothesovereigntyofthestate.

Moseswasthefirsttohearthecommand.AsovereignLordsaid,“Whatisthatin

yourhand?”Atthatmoment,Mosesknewitwasover.Nomorehiddenattitudes,actions,

orarms.Nomorehideouts.Fromthatdayforward,hishandswereonlyfilledwiththe

thingsGodsupplied—togoanddowhatGodcommanded.Andwhenheneededabreak,he

couldruntoGod’sshelter.Moseswentfromthefarsideofadeserttothefrontlineof

God’ssupplychain.

Surrenderdoesn’thaveadisclaimer.TheChristwhogaveupeverythingforour

sanctificationexpectsnothinglessthanourgivingupeverythinginreturn.Atfirstthe

negotiationseemsone-sided,untilwefullyrealizetheaddedvalue:Forgivenessforour

guilt,fullnessforouremptiness,andpowerforourweakness.WhenJesusaskedthe

disciplestoshowhimtheirhands,theygaveupeverythingtheyhadtofollowtheOnewho

wouldbeeverythingtheywouldeverneed.Thetakeaway:nothingsurrendered,nothing

gained.

Tipforthejourney:Inventoryyourheartforanythingthathasn’tbeensurrenderedto

Christ.

3

WorkUniform

BlessedareallwhofeartheLord,whowalkinobediencetohim.Youwilleatthefruitofyour

labor;blessingsandprosperitywillbeyours(Psa.128:1-2).

Thecorporateworldhasdresscodesoruniformsthatrepresentthecompany—fromalogo

onashirttoanametag.Workersareclothedinthelookofthecompany,asvisible

representativesofitsbrand.Whenwe“feartheLord”and“walkinobediencetohim”

throughpersonalfaithinChristandthefillingwithhisSpirit,wewearthe“company”ofthe

Kingdom’sbrand,givingitavisiblelookrepresentingitsmissionandvalues.

Unlikethecorporateworld,Kingdompayoutsaren’talwaysvisible.Aday’slaborisn’t

alwaysreflectedinaweek’spaycheck.“Youwilleatthefruitofyourlabor;blessingsand

prosperitywillbeyours,”Godpromised.Butthatisn’tarecognizedcurrencyintoday’s

economy.Inthecorporateworld,wedoitsworkandcashtheresultingcheckorreceive

benefitspromisedonouremployment.IntheKingdomworld,wedotheKing’sworkand

receivebenefitsimmediatelyanddaily—andreceiveourpaycheck(andbonus)inaheavenly

payday.

Aholywalkisn’tforbystanders;it’sforworkers,SincewelivebytheSpirit,letus

keepinstepwiththeSpirit(Gal.5:25).Holinessisanactionnoun,astateofbeingin

credible,Spirit-empoweredemploymentinmarketplacesandministries(orboth).Being

loyal,loving,andproductive—beingthebrand.

Tipforthejourney:ThinkofthewaysyouarebeingGod’sbrandintheworld.

4

InstantAccess

Nowhewhosuppliesseedtothesowerandbreadforfoodwillalsosupplyandincreaseyour

storeofseedandwillenlargetheharvestofyourrighteousness(2Cor.9:10).

Atriptothebankhasbeenreplacedwithafewtapsonasmartphoneapp.ButSpirit-filled

Christiansdon’tneedanappforinstantaccesstothebankofheaven.That’saguaranteed

provisionforthosewhosurrenderedtheirlivestoChrist.Theshortversion,MyGodwill

meetallyourneedsaccordingtotherichesofhisgloryinChristJesus(Philip.4:19).Paul

wrotetheagreementundertheanointingpoweroftheHolySpirit,butbehinditwashisreal

lifeexperience.

Obviouslythereweren’tanyATM’sinPaul’sday.HewasaNewTestamentcustomer

ofheaven’screativedeliverysystem.Whethertreadingwaterintheseas,beingchainedtoa

prisonwall,practicingsurvivalskillsinthedesert,orpreachingtohisexecutioners,hehad

aninstantconnectiontotheMainBank.Paulwaslivingproofthattheholyaren’thelpless,

nomattertheirsituation.

“Breadforfood”andanenlargementof“harvest,”Christ,theBreadofLife,

promisedhisdisciples.Thatis,nourishmentandincreasefortheirlabor.Heeventoldthem

nottobotherbringingacheckbookalong.Amazoncan’tbeatyourconnection:anywhere,

anytime,freedeliveryfromawarehouseofuncountableresources,backedbyunimaginable

grace!

Tipforthejourney:ThinkaboutsomeofyourwithdrawalsfromGod’sbankduringyour

prayertime.

5

AwesomeMoments

AscribetotheLORDthegloryduehisname;worshiptheLORDinthesplendorofhisholiness

(Psa.29:2).

“Whatanawesomemoment!”isafamiliarexpressionthatcoversamultitudeofspiritual

eventsinyourlife.Theyarevisiblesignsofunseeninterventions,holyinvasionsintothe

humdrumoflife.

Socialcommentatorstelluswesometimesmissthe“awesome”oflifeexperiences

bytakingtoomanysnapshots.Ireadanewsstoryaboutamanfishingintheoceanwhowas

sofocusedonhissmartphone(maybecheckinghispreviousphotos)hemissedseeinga

whaletakeagiantleapnexttohisboat.

Corporateorpersonalworshipisanawesomemomentthatmustbeexperienced

withoutdistraction.Whatshouldn’twemiss?Theimmediate“gloryduehisname”andthe

“splendorofhisholiness.”WesimplycannotbesofocusedonexpressingwhattheLord

givesthatwemissreflectingonwhoheis:awesomeinhisgloriousholiness.Ifweonlylook

throughthelensoftimewewillmisstheeternalandunfathomable.Wewilldevote

ourselvestofinitedetailinsteadoftheinfinitedynamic.Wecan’tseegloryorholiness;we

canonlybatheoursoulinitsawesomenessinmomentsofworship.

Tipforthejourney:ShutdowneverythingandimaginethesplendoroftheLordinthe

stillnessofthemoment.

6

God’sFamilyTree

Iftherootisholy,soarethebranches(Ro.11:16).

TheremaybemoreancestryappsavailableontheInternetthanwehaveancestors!It

seemsoneofsociety’sfavoritepastimesishikingthroughforestsofgenealogy,andlooking

forfallenlimbsfromthefamilytree.SomeofthefamilytreesareasnobleasaSequoia

whileothersareasweakasatwiginatyphoon.

God’sfamilyforestisnotwithoutitsWillowtrees—thosebentbythewindsofpain

oruprootedbytheeffectsofsin.AdamandEveareacaseinpoint.Weprobablywouldn’t

includetheirphotosinourfamilyalbum,butwecan’tdenythey’reinourforest.Thankfully,

GodtheMasterGardenergraftedalimbintoafamilytreethatbecameaneternalsourceof

holiness,healing,andstrengthening.Itchangedeverything.TheLionofthetribeofJudah

wasthelimb.Andfromitsbranchesgrewasavior,JesustheChrist.

WhenyoubecameaChrist-follower,youweregraftedintotheevergreenTreeof

Life.Youbecameanewbranch—connectedtothebranchofChrist,drawingyourverylife

fromitsinnercore.Thetree’srootsaretheveryholinessofGod.Andthosewhogrowfrom

itseternalsourcegrowstrongandtall.

Tipforthejourney:CelebrateyourbranchinGod’sfamilytree,andthenthinkofanareain

yourspirituallifethatneedshisimmediatesupply.

7

TheDeathandResurrectionofManners

Bedevotedtooneanotherinlove.Honoroneanotheraboveyourselves(Ro.12:10).

Sometimesitseemslikeourculturehaslostitsmanners.Actually“Manners”isn’tmissing.

JudithMartin,theseventy-pluswriterofthe“MissManners”columnisstilloffering

etiquetteP’s&Q’sinover200newspapers.Onceaskedaboutthemostseriousetiquette

problem,shesaiditwas“blatantgreed.”

Standinginlinewithmywifeatthecounterofagrocerystore,wenoticedtheman

behindusonlyhadtwoitems.Becausewewereraised“thatway,”ourmannerslethimgo

first.Helookedshockedattheofferandsaid,“No,yougoahead,I’mcorporate.”Aftera

wordtussle,hefinallyrelented.Thepartingwordsofthegrocerychainexecutivewere:“Is

thereanythingmycompanycandoforyou?”Nowwewereshocked—andunfortunately,

speechless.Onthewaybacktothecarwebegantotallythethingswemighthavesaid.

The“Youfirst”heartoftheMastersenthimtodiefor“Mefirst”people.Gloriously,

heresurrected“manners”withhisdeath.And,throughhisatoningworkatCalvary,he

madeitpossibleforustoremedythesin(“SelfishInNature”)problem.HisSpiritequipsus

tobeanoasisofmannersinacrudeculture.Soifyouwantto“mindyourmanners,”just

mindtheLord.

Tipforthejourney:ReadabouttheSpirit’smannersinGalatians5:22-23,andapplytheir

principlesinyourhomeorwork.

8

“Mirror,mirroronthewall”

Butweall,withunveiledface,beholdingasinamirrorthegloryoftheLord,arebeing

transformedintothesameimagefromglorytoglory(2Cor.3:18).

Thequestion,“Mirror,mirroronthewall,who’sthefairestofthemall?”wasspokenbythe

evilqueencharacterinthemovie,“SnowWhite.”Forthosewhoarescaredtolookinthe

mirror,thequestionischilling.Mirrorshavealonghistoryofhonesty.Theycapturethetrue

self,wartsorweightandall.

Paul’smessageinthisScripturechangeshowwelookinthemirror.Forthechildof

God,itsscarinessturnstosacredness.Spiritually,weseesomeonesolovedbyaheavenly

FatherthathemadeprovisionfortheirsinandsinfulnessbysacrificinghisonlySon.Don’t

beafraidtolookinthespiritualmirror.You’llseewhoyouare—asaintunderconstruction.

Weare“beingtransformed.”

Asyouwalkinobedience,glancebyglanceyou’llseethatoldthingsare

disappearing,andnewthingsarecomingintoview.Soonyouwillrealizethatyou’re

beginningtolookmorelikeJesuseveryday.You’llseeyourselfinanewlightasyouwalkin

thelight.You’llhavetodosomefixin’upfromtimetotime,butthatpersoninthemirroris

beingperfectedbythePerfectOne.

Tipforthejourney:DailythanktheLordthatyouarebeingchangedintohisimageand

likeness.

9

Delete,Erase

Whoeverconcealstheirsinsdoesnotprosper,

buttheonewhoconfessesandrenouncesthemfindsmercy.(Prov.28:13).

Remember“White-Out”correctionfluid?Nervouslywedippedthecap-brushintothat

magicalpotionanderasedthetypewrittenmistake.Somesayitwaseasiertouse“White-

Out”thanitistowrestlewithcomputerkeysandlostfiles.Butcomputergurusaddedthe

“Delete”keysothatwithonestroke,ourerrorwouldbeerased.

GodistheMasterMindbehind“White-Out,”“Delete,”and“Erase.”Isaiahmusthave

weptwithjoyashewrote,Thoughyoursinsarelikescarlet,theyshallbeaswhiteassnow

(Isa.1:18).AholyGodmadeaholyprovisionforthesin-prone.Ourbestintentionscan’t

guaranteethatwewon’tmakeconsciousoraccidentalmistakesonthepagesofourlives,so

Christ’ssacrificeontheCrossbecameheaven’s“Delete”key.

Sinismorelaborintensivethanwemightthink.Wesleysaiditisawillfulbreakingof

aknownlawofGod(i.e.,knowing,thinking,choosing,anddoing).ButGod’sDeleteand

Eraseismoreeffectivethanwecaneverimagine.Theopportunityofsinisagiven,butthe

pursuitofsinisachoice.Iwritethistoyousothatyouwillnotsin.Butifanybodydoessin,

wehaveanadvocatewiththeFather—JesusChrist,theRighteousOne(1Jn.2:1).Personal

holinessisn’taprotectiveshell,it’sadailyprovision.

Tipforthejourney:ThankGodeachdayfortheerrorshehaserasedfromyourlife.

10

MergerMania

Letuspurifyourselvesfromeverythingthatcontaminatesbodyandspirit,perfecting

holinessoutofreverenceforGod(2Cor.7:1).

Inthefirstmonthsofthisyear,$800billionwasspentoncorporatemergersand

acquisitions,thehighestlevelinnearlyadecade—amergermania.Now,ifyouhavea

problemwithaproductorservice,youreallydon’tknowwheretosendyourcomplaint!

Ofcoursewitheverymergergainthereisthepossibilityofloss—lossofrevenue,loss

ofjobs,lossofbrandidentity.Somemergersflyundertheradar.Alocalbakerycouldmerge

withadeliveryservice,andcustomerswouldn’tevenknowtherewasachangeincorporate

practicesunlesstheirfavoritecupcakeswereonthetruckinsteadofontheshelf.

Thereisaninherentriskinmergers.Amostheprophetsaidiftwoaretowalk

togethertheyshouldagree.Opposingphilosophies,ethics,andvaluesareatthecrux.Paul

posedasensationalquestion:Forwhatdorighteousnessandwickednesshaveincommon?

Orwhatfellowshipcanlighthavewithdarkness?(2Cor.6:14).WARNING:Watchforsubtle

mergerswiththeworld,transfersofcontrolthatthreatenaholywalkwiththeLord.“Letus

purifyourselvesfromeverythingthatcontaminatesbodyandspirit.”

Tipforthejourney:ThinkofathreattoGod’scontrolofyourlife,andthankhiminadvance

forhisvictoryoverit.

11

FlipThisHouse

YourbodiesaretemplesoftheHolySpirit...ThereforehonorGodwithyourbodies

(1Cor.6:19-20).

Wearearenovationnation.FromTVchannelstovideostobookstomagazines,the“re-do”

isthe“to-do.”Wholecareersarebuiltoutofupdatingtheoutdated—envisioninganew

look,assemblingtheplans,andhiringthecontractors.Inafewweeksormonths,thehouse

is“flipped”—turnedfromarundownintoavaluableproperty.

Wearen’tjustpilgrimsonajourneytothePromisedLand;wearerenovatedspiritual

housesontheblockofourneighborhood.Jesus“flippedus,”turningouroldhouse-selfwith

itsrottedfoundations,weakenedwalls,andbrokenwindowsintoatemplefitfortheKingof

Kings.Thefirststepintherenovationwasinstantaneous;ithappenedthemomentwe

askedJesustoliveinusasourSavior,andtomakeourheart-dwellinghishome.

Henotonlymovedinspiritually,hewenttowork,makingimprovements.Thenone

day,wegavehimthekeysandthedeed.Wemightsayourhousewassanctified—setapart

forhissoleownershipanduse.Whereoncewewereowners,wearenowtenant-workers—

spiritualdaylaborers,makingrepairs,watchingforspiritualleaks,keepinguptheoutward

appearance,andguardingitfromthieves.

TheApostlesaidwe“honorGod”withourbodies-houses.We’recarefulaboutthe

interiorandtheexterior,fromheadtotoe.

Tipforthejourney:Makeato-dolistofneededrepairsonyourspiritualhouse.

12

Malware

Makesurethereisnorootamongyouthatproducessuchbitterpoison(Deut.29:18).

“It’sjustavirus,”thephysiciansays.You’rerelievedthatitisn’tanythingmoreserious.Then

youmakearuntothedrugstoreformedicine.Forthenext24hoursorso,lifeasyouknow

itwillbedifferent.Sicknesshasinvadedyourschedule.

Butwhenyourcomputertalkstoyouandsays“It’savirus,”yourtemperaturemay

risehigherthanwhenyourphysicianmadethephysicaldiagnosis.Untilaremedyisfound,

lifewillbedifferent.Workcomestoascreechinghalt.E-mailgoesunanswered,andposts

goun-posted.Thesourcecanbeassimpleasamalwarefileonyourharddrive.Evensocial

media“friends”andtheir“sendthisalongorbejailed”messageorvideocouldbeunwitting

accomplices.Theremedyissearchandcleansing.Therootfilemustbediscoveredand

destroyed.

It’sthesamewiththeheart.“Malware”cancreepontotheharddriveofourfaith

andinfectit.Anunexpectedcomment,falseaccusation,ormisunderstandingmaybethe

source.Andtheresultcouldbeablankscreenonourtestimonyoraglitchinourjoy.

ThankfullyChristhasprovidedaremedy.Ifweconfessoursins,heisfaithfulandjustand

willforgiveusoursinsandpurifyusfromallunrighteousness(1Jn.1:9).Confessionstarts

theprogram,Christ’sbloodgoestotherootfile,andthespiritualmalwareisdestroyed.

Tipforthejourney:Checkdailyformalwareinyourheart.

13

Nobody’sPerfect!

MovebeyondtheelementaryteachingsaboutChristandbetakenforwardtomaturity

(Heb.6:1).

IliketheTVcommercialforaninsurancecompany,whereanunhappycustomerhashadher

carinsurancecanceledbecauseofonefender-bender.Herresponsetothecompany:“News

flash:Nobody’sperfect!”It’sacommonexasperation,evenamongtheredeemed.Someone

hasbeeninaspiritualfender-bender.Itwastheirfault,butthebestwaytoshieldtheguiltis

toblametheircommonhelplessness.

Factisthereisastateofgracewherepeoplecanbemadeperfectintheirintentions.

It’sdowntheroadfromwherewestartedourspiritualjourney—“beyondtheelementary

teachings”and“forwardtomaturity”(“Perfection,”KJV).Physically,wedon’tplanourtrips

aroundendingthematthehalfwaypoint;ourgoalisthedestination.

Aholinesslifestyleisfocusedonbeingasspirituallyperfectaswecanhumanlybe,

foraslongaswelive.Note,theperfectionisspiritual,notphysical,orsocial.Weintendto

journeyspirituallyfromwherewearenowtotheplaceGodintended:Beholy,becauseIam

holy(Lev.11:45).ThegoodnewsisthatChristboreourhelplessnessthroughhisbirthto

perfectourstrengththroughhisdeath.Nobody’sperfect?Notso!Christisperfect!We

simplysurrendertotheindwelledstrengthofhisSpirit—andkeepgoingbywalkingin

obedienceandlight.

Tipforthejourney:DailythankGodforhisunderstandingofyourhumanweaknessandthe

promiseofhisdivinestrength.

14

TheIsaiahFactor

WhomshallIsend?Andwhowillgoforus?”AndIsaid,“HereamI.Sendme!(Isa.6:8).

WhenGodrecruitedIsaiahtobehisambassador,hisresponsewasloudenoughtobeheard

allthewaytoheaven.HeansweredGod’s“WhomshallIsend”(questionmark)witha“Here

amI”(exclamationpoint).It’stheIsaiahFactor:“I’mALLyours!”

Countlessbelievershavemadelifetimedecisionsaboutthelordshipoftheirlife

duringthesingingofthesong,“ISurrenderAll.”Theirsurrenderlitthefuseofthepowerful

dynamicoftheSpiritfilledlife.Everythingweneedtobeordo,todoeverythinghewants,is

borninthatmoment.Holinessisn’thelplessness;itisaspiritualmergerwiththeresources

ofaholyGod.

Later,afterIsaiahheardtheassignment,I’msureitwassoquiethecouldhearfears

forminginhisheart.Buthismissiondidn’texhausthisMaster.“Whoshallgoforus?”meant

thetriuneGodwasonhisteam.Hestartedwithone,andsoonwasjoinedbythree!

Oneofmygranddaughtersmadeabirthdaycardforheroldersister.Asher“Sissy”

wasreadingitsmessage,itswritersaid,“Iranoutofroomtoput‘Awesome.’”Addthe

IsaiahFactortoyourlife,andyou’llprobablyrunoutofroomtoput“AWESOME!”

Tipforthejourney:ThinkaboutanassignmentGodhasplantedinyourheartandsay,“I’m

allyours!”

15

Wings

Hewillcommandhisangelsconcerningyoutoguardyouinallyourways;theywillliftyouup

intheirhands(Psa.91:11-12).

RecentlymywifeandIweregivenanight’sstayinoneofthepremier5-starhotelsinthe

country—dinnerincluded.Afterwetouredthefamousresort,wechangedintoourdinner

clothes.Theeleganceofthediningroomwasonlymatchedbytheabundanceofthefive-

coursedinnerandtheexcellentserviceofthewaitstaff.

WhenIreflectonDavid’spromise,“Hewillcommandhisangelsconcerningyou,”I

feellikeI’minaspiritualplacethatwouldmakea5-starhotellooklikeacampingtrailer.It’s

aplacewherethedazzlingeleganceandabundanceofheavencombinetogivewingstothe

peopleofearth.It’salmosttoomuchtoimagine.

InfacttheBiblefliesonthe“wings”ofGod’spromises.Hiswingsofstrengthand

protectioncoverus,upholdus,andcarryus.Weruntothemforsafetyorsoaronthemin

faith.Whenwe’rewearyordiscouraged,wecatcharideandriselikeeaglesaboveor

throughoursituation.Thejourneyofholinesshaswingsincluded—covering,upholding,and

carrying.And,whenwefacewindsofopposition,thewindsoftheSpiritgiveustheliftwe

needtotranscendtheaggravationandflyfirstclassintheeleganceofheaven.

Tipforthejourney:Alwaysfocusonthefinal“flight”insteadoftheimmediate“fight.”

16

RepresentingtheFamily

LivelivesworthyofGod,whocallsyouintohiskingdomandglory(1Thess.2:12).

Holylivingisn’tjustforthemonastery;it’sforthemarketplaceaswell.Itisbothpersonal

andsocial.Jesusdidn’tcallustobesaved,sanctified,andsecluded;hecalledustobeonsite

representativesofhisFamilyonthestreetsofourcommunities.Saved,sanctified,andsent

tobuildbridges—notwalls.

You’vehadsocialoccasionswhenothermembersofthefamilycouldn’tbepresent,

sotheyaskedyoutorepresentthem.Andasyoudid,yourepresentedtheirvaluesand

beliefs.Whenyoushookahand,sharedasmile,orembracedanother,yourentirefamily

wasbehindtheprocess.Whenyousharedyourwords,youbroughtfamilygreetings(andas

abeliever,youspokeforthe“kingdomandgloryofGod”).Hebrews2:11,Boththeonewho

makespeopleholyandthosewhoaremadeholyareofthesamefamily.Youarealways

representingthefamily.

ThepowerandprivilegeofasanctifiedplaceinthefamilyofGodcan’tbetaken

lightly.Butwiththatholyplacethereareaccompanyingresponsibilities.SinceGodchose

youtobetheholypeopleheloves,youmustclotheyourselveswithtenderheartedmercy,

kindness,humility,gentleness,andpatience(Col.3:12,NLT).Youareholybygracesothat

youcanbeholyinplace.Yourfamilynameisimportanttoyouandtoothers,butwhenyou

representtheJesusFamilyyouarecarryingthenamethatisaboveeveryothername.

Tipforthejourney:Thinkandpraybeforeyoudoorsay.

17

SpringTree

Makeatreegoodanditsfruitwillbegood,ormakeatreebadanditsfruitwillbebad

(Matt.12:33).

Doyoueverimagineatreemakingwinterplansforanewspringwardrobe?Itmustbreathe

theoxygenofanticipation.Itslimbs,strongenoughtosurvivewinterwindsorsnow,flex

theirmusclesinpreparationforcarryingthedelicatespringbudsthatwillblossomwiththe

heavinessofsummerleaves.Wintertreespreparethemselvesforaspringshowcaseona

millionmountaintopsormeadows.

TheLordofthatglorioustransitionistheonewhobringsspringlifetoourwinter

souls,andwearethespringshowcases.Therefore,ifanyoneisinChrist,thenew

creationhascome:Theoldhasgone,thenewishere!(2Cor.5:17).TheChrist-filledlifeis

donewiththedespairanddrabnessofitspreviouscondition,andsetsaboutdevelopingthe

new.Andlikethespringtree,itreactstotheinnerlife-giving,life-changingsourceofits

transition.

Weareinauniqueposition,however.Wearebothtreeandgardener.John15:4,

Nobranchcanbearfruitbyitself;itmustremaininthevine.Neithercanyoubearfruit

unlessyouremaininme.Justasorganictreesfeedontheirsupplyandproducefruit,weas

branchesrelyonthelifegivingSpiritofChristtohelpusproducethefruitofholiness.As

gardeners,wetakethenecessarystepstoacceleratetheblossoming—“Makeatreegood.”

Tipforthejourney:Considera“winter”seasoninyourlifetobeapreparationforyour

“spring.”

18

Fragrances

Walkinthewayoflove,justasChristlovedusandgavehimselfupforusasafragrant

offeringandsacrificetoGod(Eph.5:2).

Thenoseknows.Youmayormaynothaveamemorablenose,butyouhaveanosewitha

memory.Itrecognizesover1trillionscents.Thefragranceofafamiliarsettingonyour

journeywillcauseyoutohittherewindbuttononyourmentalDVR.AsthelegendaryYogi

Berrawouldsay,“It’sdéjàvualloveragain.”

The“wayoflove”smellsgood.ItgetsitsaromafromtheChristwho“lovedusand

gavehimselfupforusasafragrantoffering.”Everydaywemakechoicesthatwillresultin

someone’spleasantorunpleasantmemory.Arottenattitudeorasweetspiritislikespoiled

cabbageversusfreshlybakedcinnamonrolls.WearetoGodthepleasingaromaofChrist

amongthosewhoarebeingsavedandthosewhoareperishing(2Cor.2:15).

Youcanbeastinkerandstillbeasaint,butifyou’reasaintyourgoalisn’ttoremain

astinker.Thebeautyoftheholinessmessageistheoptionfilledwithapromise.Aswe

surrendertoChristinword,thought,ordeed,hetakesuptheslack.ThanksbetoGod,who

alwaysleadsusascaptivesinChrist'striumphalprocessionandusesustospreadthe

aromaoftheknowledgeofhimeverywhere(2Cor.2:14).

Tipforthejourney:Determinetomakeapleasantmemoryinsomeone’slifeeveryday.

19

WeakButReallyStrong

IamyourGod.Iwillstrengthenyouandhelpyou;Iwillupholdyouwithmyrighteousright

hand(Isa.41:10).

Beforeyoubragaboutyourweightliftingorrunningskills,youmightwanttoconsiderthat

anantcancarry20timesitsweightinitsjaws,andcanrun36milesperhour.

InGod’sworldthingsarereversed.Theweakarestrengthenedandthestrongare

humbled.AtthenameofJesusevilkingswillbow,andinhisarmstheircasualtieswillbe

liftedtoeternalvictory.Butheisnotaheavenlymachine;heisapersonalGod,“Iamyour

God.”Withasingleswipeofhis“righteousrighthand,”hecanmoveamountainoutofour

wayorputusontopofitasamonumentofgrace.

TheApostlerantohiminweaknessandreturnedinstrength.Idelightin

weaknesses,ininsults,inhardships,inpersecutions,indifficulties.ForwhenIamweak,

thenIamstrong(2Cor.12:10).Heaskedforahealingbutinstead,Godinhissovereignty

strengthenedhimtoendurethehurt.His“righteousrighthand”(equallypureandstrong)is

apromisedhelpforourholinessjourney.Attimeswewillbeonaspiritualinterstatelined

withwildflowersandatothertimesadesertroadlinedwithcactus.Eitherway,thepure

andstronghandofGodisextended,leadingustovictory.

Tipforthejourney:Reflectonthefactthatwhenyouaretheweakest,Godisthestrongest.

20

BreathingExercises

Itiswithyourheartthatyoubelieveandarejustified,anditiswithyourmouththatyou

professyourfaithandaresaved(Ro.10:10).

Ifyouareanaverageadult,youbreathe12to20timeseachminute.(Ifyouareamature

adultbendingovertotieyourtennisshoes,youwilldramaticallyincreaseyourbreathing

afterthereturntrip!)Breathingisalwaysbetterthantheoption.Sowhenthephysiciantells

youtotakeadeepbreath,doitwiththanksgivinginyourheart.

Themoreyoubreathe,thebetteryoufeel.Prayingislikethat.Themoreyoupray

thebetteryoufeel.Youexhalerequestsandinhalepromises—likebreathingexercises.But

theBiblesayspraying-breathingisevenmoreeffectivefromaheartthatisspirituallywhole.

Theprayerofarighteouspersonispowerfulandeffective(James5:16).

Itgoesbacktoyourspiritualbirth.Whenyouweresavedfromyourpast,you

confessedyoursins(exhale)andbelievedthatChristforgavethem(inhale).Thenyou

publiclyconfessedyouweremaderightinGod’seyes(exhale)andwererelyingonhis

strengthforyourjourney(inhale).Afterawhile,youprobablydeveloped“breathing

problems”(inyourcarnalnature,youstartedbreathingonyourowninsteadofbreathingin

God’sresource).SoyouwentbacktoDr.Jesus.Hediagnosedyourcondition(conviction)

andrecommendedastep-uptreatment:Acompletesurrenderofyourself-effort(exhale)

foracompletefillingwithhisSpiritstrengthinentiresanctification(inhale).Now,keep

breathing!

Tipforthejourney:Developdaily“breathingexercises.”Periodicallyexhalespiritualneeds

andinhaledivinepromises.

21

Wrappings

Iknowthatyoucandoallthings;nopurposeofyourscanbethwarted(Job42:2).

Agiftcanbeatreasureoraprank.Beautifulwrappingscanhidedollarstoretrinketsor

cherishedmementos.Eitherway,themysteryremainsuntilthegiftisunwrapped.

Jamestheapostlesaid,Everygoodandperfectgiftisfromabove,comingdown

fromtheFatheroftheheavenlylights,whodoesnotchange.(James1:17).“Goodand

perfect”mightremindusofthe“good,better,best”descriptionsinaSearscatalogue—their

valuewasbasedonthepricepaid.NotsoinGod’sgiftcatalogue.Hisgiftsareofequalvalue

andcomefromthewealthofGod’ssacrificiallove.Thegift-wrappingsmaydiffer,butthe

revealalwaysfindsatreasure—becausetheGiverhaspaidthehighestprice.

Inspeeddialmoments,Job’slifeturnedfromprosperitytoextremeloss.Itseemed

tobe“openseason”ontormentingthefaithfulservant.Infact,GodissuedtheDevila

“huntinglicense,”withpermissiontostalkJobwithinGod’spropertylines.Multipleattacks

lefthimwounded,butnotdefeated.WhenJobunwrappedwhatseemedtobeaprankgift,

hediscoveredatreasuredpurpose.It’sthesamewithus.Earthlywrappingsdon’talways

matchtheheavenly“gift,”butyoucanbesureitwillbeatreasure,notaprank.

Tipforthejourney:MeditateonGod’sgiftsthatseemedtobeaprankatfirst,butturned

outtobeatreasure.

22

EagleLessons

Likeaneaglethatstirsupitsnestandhoversoveritsyoung,thatspreadsitswingstocatch

themandcarriesthemaloft(Deut.32:11).

Corporationsmustexpectupsanddowns.Whentheyconstructtheirofficetowers,oneof

thefirstthingstheybuildisanelevator.You’veprobablyseenthosebuildingsites.Inthe

middle,theskeletonofanelevatorstandstallwhilethewallstakeshapearoundit.

MosesremindedtheIsraelitesthattheywereunderconstruction,butsubjectsof

God’stenaciouscareasan“eagleoveritsyoung.”Sincewenestinthesamefamilytree,the

eaglelessonsarehighlyrelevant.Let’sapplythemtothepathofourholinessjourney.

LessonOne:our“nest”willbestirred.Aholyheartdoesn’tshieldusfromthequakes

oflife.AsovereignLordallowsthembecausehehasgivenpeopleachoicetobuildonsand

orsolidrock.OnlythencouldhebetheirSavior.LessonTwo:He“hovers”overouractions

andreactionsforpreventionandintervention.Hehashiseyeonusasthoughwewerethe

onlyonesonearth.LessonThree:Hecatchesandcomfortsusinhiswingsofforgiveness.

Theeagledoesn’tscoldwhentheyoungcryoutinfailure;itjustprovidesaplaceof

restoration.LessonFour:Hecarriesus.Ourspiritualflighthasupsanddownslikean

elevator,butasitshiddenpowerpropelsitfromgroundfloortothetop,HolySpiritpower

liftsustonewheightsfromoldfailures.

Tipforthejourney:Consideryourupsanddownsasaclimbratherthanadescent.

23

GnarledTrees

Thetestingofyourfaithproducesperseverance(James1:3).

UnlessitisaSequoia,youdon’ttakephotosofatreebecauseitistallandstraight.It’sthe

gnarledtreethatgrabsyourattention,theonethathasbeenbentbythewindsoftimeand

adversity.Itisthebumpedandbruisedskinthatgivesituniquenessworthcapturingina

photoorvideo.

Atreeontherouteofmydailybiketripcomestomind.Comparedtothetrees

aroundit,it’samess—bentalmosttotheground,knotted,discolored,limbsbrokenor

missing,itsbarkscarred,itlooksasifitshouldbeonlifesupport.It’snotatrophytree;it’sa

triumphtree,standingforyearspastandyearstocome,perfectinitsimperfection.That’s

thetreethatmademeputonthebrakesandreachformycellphonecamera!

Wedon’trestonourspirituallaurels;westandonourperfectedimperfections.Our

rootsgrowintothefertilesoilofoursanctification.Wearebeingtransformedbywhatthe

LambofGoddid—andisdoing—forus.Ifwewalkinthelight,asheisinthelight,wehave

fellowshipwithoneanother,andthebloodofJesus,hisSon,purifiesusfromallsin(1Jn.

1:7).Wearegrowinginplace,ingrace.ThewindsandstormsandscarsareChrist’stoolsfor

ourmakeover.

Tipforthejourney:CelebrateGod’sgracefortheplaceyouareinrightnow.

24

QuietFears

Thereisnofearinlove.Butperfectlovedrivesoutfear(1Jn.4:18).

Wedon’tbragaboutourfears,wehidethem.Buttheycontinuetogrowquietlyinthe

basementsofourheartandatticsofourmind.Outofsight,theystillinfluenceouractions

andreactions.Hiddenfearsareasnumerousaseveryonewhoisafraidofanything.Andthey

gatherlikeantsonafallenHersheybar!

OurfearsarenothiddenfromGod’ssight,however.Heisatwork,healingthemlike

aphysiciancaringfortheblind,whoseworkisonlyknownbyitstouchontheirlives.Where

tostart?Godstartsatthesource:ourlove.Oncehehashealedourlovefromselfishness

andself-centeredefforts,fearsandfailuresareputonnotice.Trustevolvesasourlove

grows.

ThefillingoftheSpiritatthemomentofourfullsurrendertotheSaviordealswith

thetenuousandtimidofourlove.ItreplacesthemwiththefullnessofGod’sperfectlove.

Romans5:5,God'slovehasbeenpouredoutintoourheartsthroughtheHolySpirit,who

hasbeengiventous.OncetheissueofGod’stotalloveforusandourtotalloveforhimis

settled,fearisgivenanevictionnotice.Itmayleavesomegarbagebehind,butthesameSpirit

thatsentitpackingcanbetrustedtotakeouttheleftovertrash.

Tipforthejourney:Putupaspiritual“NoParkingZone”signwhenafearcomesalong.

25

WhereAreMyBelongings?

Iwillnotleaveyouasorphans;Iwillcometoyou(Jn.14:18).

Oneofourchieflongingsisbelonging.InMaslow'shierarchyofpsychologicalneeds,self-

actualization(esteem)islistedatthetop,butpracticallyitmayneedtoshareitsshelfspace

with“belonging.”Inrealtime,ouresteemislinkedwithacceptance.

“Wherearemybelongings?”islikethequestion,“Whereismyluggage?”Bothcould

bedoinglapsonthebaggageconveyerbeltsoftime.Andfindingoutwherewebelongis

rightuptherewithfindingourluggageattheairportterminal.Wheredowefitinthe

Master’splan?Thequestionencompasseswherewecamefrom,wherewearenow,where

wearegoing,andwhatwecando.Combined,theygiveusaclueastowhoweareand

wherewebelong.

JesusaddressedtheissueinastaffmeetingbeforeCalvary.Thedisciples’“Master

Plan”wastheMasterhimself.Buthewasleaving.Nowwhat?Theanswerisastounding!

Jesuspromisedhiseverything,everywhere,anytimepresencewouldresideintheHolySpirit

whowouldbegiven,“Iwillcometoyou.”Hewouldbetheirnew“belongings.”Our

personalitydoesn’tchangewithhisSpirit’sinfilling,butouridentitydoes.Empoweredby

theHolySpirit,wehavebecomecredentialedandequippedtobeholycitizensand

ambassadorsinhiskingdom.Webelongbecausewebelongtohim.

Tipforthejourney:StopforamomentandthankGodthatyouhavefoundyourbelongings

inhim.

26

BetterWay

Thepathoftherighteousislikethemorningsun,shiningeverbrightertillthefulllightofday

(Prov.4:18).

Itseemslikeeverytimeyoutellsomeoneyourrouteforaplannedtriptheyusuallysuggest

abetterway—witha“Youcan’tmissit”attachment.WhenPaulgaveChristiansinCorinth

directionsalongthepathtospiritualmaturityhesaid,Eagerlydesirethegreatergifts.And

yetIwillshowyouthemostexcellentway(1Cor.12:31).“Youcan’tmissit!”

TheirroutewouldleadthemtoPentecostgiftedness,leadership,service,and

recognition;butwhatgoodwouldthatdoifitwasn’tmotivatedormarkedbylove?IfI

speakinthetonguesofmenorofangels,butdonothavelove,Iamonlyaresounding

gongoraclangingcymbal(1Cor.13:1).

“YouAreHere”isthemostreassuringmessageonthemapsignofalargebuildingor

mall.Youcanfindyourwayfromthatspot.BeingfilledwiththeloveofJesusbytheBaptism

withtheHolySpiritisthepaththatshineseverbrighter“tillthefulllightofday.”It’sthe

drivingforcealongthepathtomaturity.DoingGod’sworkwithouttotallybeingGod’s

workermayhavetemporarygains,butwon’tresultinlong-termvictory.Driverlesslivingis

evenmoredangerousthandriverlesscars.

Tipforthejourney:SetyourspiritualcompasstothepointofGod’slove.

27

Elite

Beforeadownfalltheheartishaughty,buthumilitycomesbeforehonor(Prov.18:12).

Collegebasketballfanornot,youmightgetcaughtupin“MarchMadness.”It’stheNCAA

Tournamentseasonofthesport.Team“Brackets”arepostedonofficebulletinboardsor

displayedonworkstationcomputerscreens.Evenpeoplewhowouldn’tknowwhichsideof

thebasketballtobouncesuddenlybecometournamentprophetsandjudges.The“elite”

teamsmaketheirwayupordownthechampionshipbracketsintriumphordefeat.The

“SweetSixteen”and“EliteEight”teamsemergeandfighttheirwaytothe“FinalFour.”The

nextstop:Champion.

Championshipcaliberathletesdon’tneedtobetoldtheyare“elite.”Theyjustplay

likeit—withdisciplinedconsistency.Spirit-filledbelieversdon’tneedT-shirtsthatsay

“Champion”,theyjustlivewithdisciplinedconsistency.Theyarechampionswithout

“braggingrights.”ChristdidalltheworkontheCross.Hisspilledbloodcoveredtheirpast

andfuture,andhisHolySpiritenergizedthemforthepresent.

Ourgoalisholiness.Butitisn’tholinessforanelitestatus.It’sastay-in-the-game,

on-the-courts-of-lifeholiness.Wewillneverbe“holierthanthou.”Wewillonlybetryingto

climbthebracketsbybeingmoreliketheChampion,God’sonlySon.WhenGodcleanses

ourheartsfromselfishness,wedon’tgetmedalstodisplay,wegetamissiontoserve—

unnoticedandunrewardedifneedsbe—untilour“Victorybanquet”inheaven.

Tipforthejourney:Thinkofeveryactofobedienceasamoveupthebracketstothefinal

victoryofheaven.

28

LineJudge

Stopjudgingbymereappearances,butinsteadjudgecorrectly(Jn.7:24).

Infootball,the“LineJudge”isanofficialthatdeterminesifaplayerhascrossedtheline.The

officialguardsthefieldboundariesandthelineofscrimmage.Ifaplayerstepsoutofbounds

duringplayorcrossesthescrimmagelinebeforetheballissnapped,it’sthelinejudge’s

responsibilitytobringattentiontotherule-breakingbythrowingayellowflagonthe

ground,blowingthewhistleontheplayer,and“tattlingtotheHeadLinesman.”

WhenJesuswasonearth,hehadtocontendwithself-appointedlinejudges.They

notonlyblewthewhistleonrule-breakers,theytattledittoeveryone.InthisScripture

setting,JesushadcrossedtheirlinebyhealingontheSabbath.Tothe“linejudges”itwasa

dayofholyhibernation.Theywereruledbytherules,withnoexceptions.ButJesuswasand

istheHeadLinesmanwhoscolded,“Judgecorrectly.”Hewaspresentwhentheoriginal

ruleswerewritten,andwouldsoonsacrificehislifetoshowmercytothosewhocrossedthe

line.

Holinessbringsoutthebestinus,nottheworstinothers.Matthew7:1,Donot

judge,oryoutoowillbejudged.SowewatchthroughtheeyesoftheSavior—lookingto

restoreratherthanrevile;watchthroughtheeyesofself—makingsureoureyesaredust

freebeforelookingfordirt;andwatchthroughtheeyesoftheSpirit—listeningforcuesto

bearanother’sburden.

Tipforthejourney:DeterminetobealoyalplayeronGod’steam,ratherthanalinejudge.

29

Workout

Letusnotbecomewearyindoinggood,foratthepropertimewewillreapaharvestifwedo

notgiveup(Gal.6:9).

Ifyou’retakingabicycleride,theworkdonebeforetheridemakestheridework.

Preparationisasmuchapartofthejourneyasthejourneyitself.Inthegym,onlythe

faddistorfaithfultrulyenjoytheworkout.Theyknowgritbringsgain—thetiresome,

sweaty,thirsty,boringexercisingorliftingaddsstrength.Skiptheworkouts,andefforts

couldbewashouts.

ThePsalmistsaidthe“pureinheartwillseeGod”—thespiritualmarathonerswho

startedtheracewithasurrenderwillfinishitwithavictory.Thegrandstandsofheavenare

filledwiththeformerlytired,sweaty,thirsty,boredexercisersandlifterswhodidn’t“give

up.”Theystartedwithlittlestrength,butthelongertheytraveled,themoreofGod’sgrace

andthepowerofhisSpirittheydiscovered.

Thesaintsofearthdon’thavetheluxuryofsittinginthestands.Theyhaveanearthly

missiontousewhatevereffortittakestoreacheverypossiblepersonwiththenewsof

Christ’svictoryoversinanditsresults.Theyknowtheyneedstrengthtraining,sotheyhave

adailyexerciseregimenthatincludestimewithGodandtimeforothers.Theyknowthat

servingispartofthemarathon,and“harvest”ispartoftheserving.

Tipforthejourney:Makesureyourspiritualexerciseroutineincludesspiritualstretching

andrefreshment.

30

NeonSign

Becomeblamelessandpure,"childrenofGodwithoutfaultinawarpedandcrooked

generation."Thenyouwillshineamongthemlikestarsinthesky(Philip.2:15).

It’slateatnight,you’vebeentravelingallday,andyou’rehungry.Soyoustartlookingfor

neon“Open”signsinthewindowsofrestaurants.AccordingtoMadeHow.com,neonsigns

producealight“bypassingahigh-voltagecurrentthroughalow-pressuregassealedina

glasstube.”Glassisformedintoletterordesignshapesandfilledwithanargon-neongas

mix.That’sgoodtoknow,butwhenyou’rereallyhungry,an“Open”signismoreimportant

thanahistorylesson.

AsGod’schild,youarehisneon“Open”sign.Youareahungrypersontellinganother

hungrypersonwheretofindbread.God’sWordtellsusto“shinelikestarsinthesky.”

Seekersofholinessarethehungrylookingforbread.Tellthemhowyoufoundit.Tellthem.

..

1. YouwerebornintoGod’skingdombyfaith,andasyougrewyourold

self-madepop-upappearances.

2. YouknewthatChristlivedinyoubutyouhadn’tlethimreignoveryou.

3. YoucontinuedtoobeyGod’sleading,andbyfaithsurrenderedallyou

knewofyourselftoallyouknewofChrist—andwereentirely

sanctified/setapartexclusivelyforhim.

4. HisHolySpiritfilledandchargedyourlifelikeaneonlight.

5. Christ’spurityinyoursurrendered-selfbecameyourblamelessness,

andyoucontinuedtolivebyfaith.

Tipforthejourney:AskGodtofillyouwithhisSpirit—forthefirsttime,orforthistime.

31

“Holyworld”

InthisworldwearelikeJesus(1Jn.4:17).

Those45-foottalllettersonMt.LeenearLosAngelesthatspell“Hollywood”couldn’tbe

bolder,andthebrandcouldn’tbeclearer.Theiconicsignevenhasitsownwebsiteand

socialmediapages,andtouriststravelfromaroundtheglobetoseeitandhavetheirpicture

takenbeneathit.Butthebrightwhiteletterscertainlydon’treflectthegray-shadowed

worldofmanywhoselivesitrepresents.

Travelnorth,787miles,toacityinOregonandyouwillseeanothersign—thecity

limitssignofRoseburg.Becauseofthehorrorthattookplaceonthecampusofits

communitycollege,itwouldn’tbeabackdropforvacationpictures.There,agunmansent

ninesoulsintoeternity,havingthemstandanddeclaretheirfaithbeforehekilledthem.

Onestudentwhowasshotrolledoverontoanotheranddied.Hisbodyandblood

coveredthestudent.Thinkingthevictimbeneaththestudentwasalreadydead,the

gunmanmovedon.Thegirl’sfathersaidthestudentwhosebloodcoveredhisdaughter

savedherlife.Wearelikethatdaughter.Jesusgavehisbodyandbloodtocoveroursins.

Hissacrificeredeemedusandprovidedcleansingfromtheveryrebellionthatcondemned

us.Wedon’tpostsigns,butweare“Holyworld”—iconsoftheCalvaryculture,whoseSavior

madeprovisionforoursinproblemandgaveusamissiontotellothers.

Tipforjourney:Makeapermanentmoveto“Holyworld”andleaveyouroldlifebehind.

AbouttheAuthor

JerryBrecheisen(pronounced“BRECK-eye-zen”)isanauthorandeditorwhoserved20

yearsasDirectorofCommunicationsforTheWesleyanChurch.Hisdutiesincludedserving

asmanagingeditorforitsWesleyanLifemagazineandproducerofitsworldwideradio

ministry,TheWesleyanHour.

Jerry’swholelifehasbeendevotedtocommunications,whetherontheplatformasa

musicianandspeakerinternationally,orteachingseminarsonwritingandministryinlocal

churchesandconferences.Hehas16publishedbooksandhaseditedover40otherbooks.

Inadditiontowritinghundredsofprintandonlinearticles,columns,anddevotionals,he

wasleadpastorinmulti-staffedchurchesfornearly30years,hashostedhisownTVand

radioministries,servedasafiredepartmentchaplain,anddevelopedprintandonline

evangelismanddiscipleshipmaterials.RetiredandlivinginByronCenter,Michigan,Jerry

andhiswifeCarolhavetwogrownchildrenandfourgrandchildren.