Author: Higher Up IDEALS

  • We All Have Wounds

    Originally posted on The Roofless Church: I’m a firm believer that when we offer up our wounds in service to others–as I see Christ doing–then what can at first seem like a dysfunction, can actually become our function.  In this sermon, my intention is to invite us into the possibility that the Christ within us…

  • Pain Is Inevitable, Suffering Is Optional

    Originally posted on Seriously Tripping Through Life: Let me start by saying that this post is a generalization.  I have no intention of minimizing anyone’s pain.  I am in no position to do so.  Also, I am aware that I need to continually put in the work to listen to and practice everything I say…

  • Who Are You?

    The video speaks for itself so I am not writing a lot of commentary on this post.  There’s just going to be the scripture passages, this prayer below, and this question “Who are you?”  I hope you are blessed by this message.  The video is shaky, but the intention is solid. If it makes you…

  • Give Us Us Free!

    Originally posted on The Roofless Church: Let me begin this post by declaring that contrary to some beliefs, one person cannot speak for their entire race, group, or culture.  As we all know there are innumerable diversities at work in every individual and my comments with regard to the subject of race, religion, culture, or…

  • The Greatest Love of All

    Dedicated to the True Person of Whitney Houston If you’ve been hanging out here lately you might see a theme emerging.  But in case you aren’t catching on, here’s what’s going on.  I’ve been talking a lot about loving ourselves.  Why?  Well, I have come to the point where I think that our inability to…

  • This Is Bully Shift

    Love Your Enemies 27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to…

  • Belief as a Contextual Framework for Spiritual Application

    Originally posted on The Roofless Church: A few posts ago, I put up what I called “The Roofless Church’s Statement of Faith“.  In some ways what I wrote was an accurate account of how I would express my faith if I was forced to do so for some reason or the other. And in some…

  • Where Isn’t God?

    Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in…

  • The Threat of Equality

    Originally posted on The Roofless Church: Have you ever thought about how most religious ideas seem like common sense?But for some reason, they are hard as I don’t know what to live out?  I mean think about it.  Jesus’ whole message was pretty much “treat people the way you want to be treated” (Luke 6:31). …

  • Controlling Your Path, Part III

    This post does an excellent job at framing how we are sometimes influenced by other people’s fears.