What is God Like?

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#JaredGustafsonRedlands

The Conversation of Heaven

Have you ever wondered what's being discussed in Heaven? Really thought about it?

It is estimated that the average person says approximately 16,000 words a day. When put together, these words create sentences, and sentences give rise to the profound ability to express thoughts and before we know it--SHAM BAM--we're in a full fledge conversation. And it is in these conversations we find ourselves. Daily, we talk about ideas, trials, triumphs, passions, dreams, desires and virtually anything and everything in between ranging from the most mundane encounters to the magical moments of life. But amid all the talking we do day to day, have you ever stopped to consider what is being discussed in Heaven?

Mystical Reality:

Explore with me for a moment the possibility of residing in Heaven. Absolute freedom, tranquil serenity, and a sense of harmonic unity leaves us apprehended. There is a sense of stillness, yet an organized motion that draws us into oneness with our surrounding atmosphere. Overwhelmed, we sit taking in new sounds and aromas detected by senses we didn't know we possessed. Every desire fulfilled, every longing met, and every yearning satisfied we simply rest for long moments of ecstatic trance like nap times...zzzzz

We realize that as beautiful and overwhelming as everything is, there is one thing that seems to capture everyone's attention. Wide eyed, jaws dropped, and fully engaged, all living creatures in this heavenly space participate. It is:--insert dramatic pause...drum roll-- “The Conversation of Heaven.”

All of heaven is captivated, absolutely fixated on the this one conversation and each one is welcome to participate. All tribes, tongues, nations, and peoples are actively enthralled. What is the topic of discussion? It is none other than—the Champion, the Victor the very Savior of the world--Jesus Christ Himself. It is an exposition of His very personality. No other subject is entertained or considered as if each one is solely devoted to exhausting this one topic before moving on to any other...but they never move on!

For the first hundred human years Gabriel and Michael just scratch the surface sharing about His goodness. Holy Spirit piratically inserts jokes and comments because of His long standing history and expertise in the topic. There is roaring laughter and intermittent cheering.

For the next hundred years there is a discription of God's kindness. Billions of testimonies of life on earth are shared. Everyone relives these moments, yet simultaneously experiences His ever-present tangible kindness. Jesus humbly smiles and nods as if to say, “yes it's true, I really am that kind.”

Then comes the chat about His Joy. Very few actual words are shared at this point. It is more of an explosion, an absolute detonation of ecstatic shouts of pleasure! It is louder than all the greatest moments in all the stadiums on earth combined into one harmonic soothing orchestra. Electric!

Okay friend, you can stop imaging and start engaging because right now, wether you are aware of it or not, you are seated in Christ in Heavenly places and Holy Spirit is actively pursuing you in the intimate conversation of the Son. And oh, how dear this conversation is to Abba.

Practical Living:

Personally: The Lord Himself anticipates my rising each morning, and from the moment I first open my eyes to when I lay my head down that night, we engage one another in a continual conversation about His love and affection. The dialogue for each day is thoughtfully prepared yet totally spontaneous.

There are many facets to our conversations, but all of them center around Jesus and the reality of Him in me. I use to think Holy Spirit was searching to expose the sin in my life, to get me to confess, repent, change, or surrender; but I've come to understand that the only thing Holy Spirit is interested in illuminating is the Light of the Son. Paul ecstatically proclaimed the hidden mystery of the ages, “Christ in you, the hope of glory!” Confession, repentance, and surrender come as natural byproducts of the revelation of Him in me. God is constantly unveiling my identity found within His divinity, extracting His very own image hidden in me before time--and it's WAY FUN!

Interpersonally: Intimately understanding each heart, Holy Spirit--IS REALLY GOOD AT--and ever so gently drawing all men into a deeper understanding of Jesus. Knowing this, causes us to slow down, wait, discern and L-I-S-T-E-N. Jesus is pursing the darkest of sinners and even the self righteous Christians. He is chasing after the people who frustrate or anger us, He is seeking to seize them with His affection.

In His kindness towards us, the Lord may allow us to participate in the sacred conversation He is having with another. Such a generous gift indeed! There is no agenda of evangelism or “ministry,” but a simple recognition of His constant dialogue. All human methods of outreach are discarded as we wait patiently for our turn to contribute to the intimate conversation and possibly add to the description of His beauty. This is VERY different from previous mindsets and agendas to convert or convince them of anything. 

Corporately: I've realized after years of trying to do life, "ministry," and church “right,” that all God really wants to do is engage in the cosmic conversation of His very loved Son. Anticipation has swelled up within His heart for all of eternity and is now bursting forth as He articulates the ancient mystery. The secret that was hidden for ages, He simply can no longer keep to Himself; it escapes Him. He has longed  to exult and magnify Jesus from before time. One could imagine His excitement in each assembly or even feel His heart pounding with desire. Every time we gather He is looking to unveil His personhood and further describe a specific portion of His nature. He does this through one another. Jesus is never more fully expressed than in the face of the one in front of us. It is here that we discover Him in His fullness. Such a revelation makes each moment exquisite, special, and timeless. It should thus be honored as a sacred conversation. 

Dear reader, please first know it is with great love I write you now, that you may know and increasing be aware of the dialogue of Holy Spirit. Pure Love Himself is looking to sit down and talk about how much He treasures you. May you find the noise of life silenced by the beauty of His voice. There is no other conversation that matters apart from the one that's being entertained by all Heaven for all of eternity. With Love,

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The Last Moments Before Departure

Within minutes I will board a very large plane for a very foreign land. Anticipation, rooted in what I know to be true about what God is capable to do with a willing heart, is stirring within me in the deepest places. My mind races with thoughts. Trying to grasp one seems almost impossible and can actually be rather exhausting. An abundance of questions seem to overrun my mind! "Is this really God's call?" "Everything about this seems like a horrible plan! In fact it seems completely crazy!" "What was I thinking?" I managed to consume a bit of food to appease a worried mom who was determined to see me to my gate and walk with me as far as possible. With tears I embraced my sister, and with great difficulty kissed my bro good-bye. It was all very nice and more than overwhelming. As I rounded the corner and waved for the last time to my family, I said, "this is it. No turning back. There is no time to doubt. My faithful friend (Jesus) has called me. His voice is faithful and true." A still, sound, reassuring voice seemed to almost whisper, "come away with me." And so here I sit. I've given everything; taken all that I own and possess and cashed it in. All chips at the center of the table. "Double your money!" haha I'm excited and eager to see all that the Lord has for me. I feel incredibly supported by fathers in the faith, dear brothers and sisters who loved me in radical earth shattering ways! Thanks for being apart of my journey! Upward and onward!

Monday Nights

               Probably the most odd name for a church right? But nevertheless it is my family, my church, my very dearly loved friends and comrades in the kingdom of God. In 2011, God had incredible things in store for us. We saw Jesus abundantly pour out into our city on 4^th of July, Halloween, Christmas, and just the average week. We soaked the streets in worship and dancing! We hunted for God’s treasure in our city. We ministered to the forgotten and abandoned. We saw more people healed than any other year! But what’s more, is that we saw the image of love.

 We learned to love for loves sake, with no pushy agendas or strategies where love is the motivation, the culmination, and the conclusion, the foundation for all that is good. I learned what receiving grace is like, and what giving it costs. When you allow others to see you, to see you for who you really are, (and not who you’re working to become), you invite them to the invitation of a lifetime. You invite them to actually love you. And when you see people for who they really are and still choose to believe, contend, and stand beside them, you empower them, thrust them toward destiny, reestablish them in identity and manifest love!  Love has a beaming face that lights up the room and changes the atmosphere! It has a heartbeat, a pulse, and rhythm. It is more real and tangible than we yet know. ~Love 

In addition, I learned Jesus has so much more in store for His church than I’d ever IMAGINED. I caught a glimpse of Heaven as I saw the hearts around me transform. We’ve seen hard times this last year, but we’ve endured, overcome, and chose to love. I have countless memories of Jesus walking throughout the room blessing people. Prophetic words streaming out of empowered people. Too many memories to share, and in fact, they are too precious for mere words. I have found a people worth giving my heart to, the very essence of my life. And for them I would die, but what’s more, I’d live for them! I’ll live to see each of them change the world around them with the Christ they’ve come to know and love. I’m more excited than ever before about these brothers and sisters and I’m honored to be a part of such a powerful outpouring of the Spirit.   

Bethel Trip

               For over a year now I have truly submitted myself to the teachings coming from this church. Bill Johnson and his ability to articulate God's desire for intimacy has launched me into new levels with the Lord that I never thought possible. Excited, and overflowing with expectation, I accompanied my friends to this phenomenal church.  

               

             My trip was met with more than I could have ever imagined. After the morning service, I went down to the front and simply sat there. Soon after, I was talking with one of the loveliest ladies I’d ever met. She asked for prayer in regards to her son. As I prayed, I shared about my love for my mom and some of my recent struggles expressing that love. Before I knew it she was praying for me, and I was sobbing. I was praying for her, and she was sobbing! A truly divine appointment if ever one existed.

           Later that night we returned for their evening service. The service was incredible! I began to pray over people and they were getting healed! All throughout the room people were getting healed! But no words, no pictures, or even the movies could have prepared me for what came next. The entire room began to worship in a way I’d never witnessed. United and pure, they sang! In the upper right corner of the room, toward the ceiling, a small cloud of “gold particles?” (there are no words to describe what it was exactly) formed. It began to grow as worship continued. I rubbed my eyes. Could it be? What was happening!?

          I love reading the Bible, but I’m sometimes surprised at how little I believe it. When faced with encounters with God, it is amazing how often I seek to logically explain things. A cloud of the very presence of God formed in front of my eyes!!! There were no tricks, no games. In fact, those that belonged to the church half expected it. After this trip I knew my life would never be the same!

Here's the team I went with  

The trip concluded with a trip to San Francisco and Manteca California (where there is an amazing out pouring of the Spirit).

Master of Ceremonies

Master of Ceremonies:

Foster Family Network graciously invited me to be there Master of Ceremonies for their Christmas party. Unsure of what was required, yet eager to assist this amazing organization, I volunteered. I arrived at Cal State San Bernardino and walked into the ceremony banquet hall. Much to my dismay, the room was huge! A small chill went through my spine as I realized I would be speaking to hundreds of people. I tried to quickly catch my breath and began praying immediately! “Oh God, oh God…PLEASE!” I didn’t have a lot of words, but I began preaching to myself truth of who I am and who’s I am. 

Amid the many raffles, there was a dance contest, and many other fun activities. Jesus heard my prayers…the director of the organization told me that I was on the calendar for next year, and that I was the best MC they had ever had! Thank you to Foster Family Network for the honor to serve such an organization, to my mom for pushing me into these things;) and to Jon, Paul and Jennifer for their love and support that day!