First Day: The Hole of Religion

We're half way through the book and the chapters are getting more powerful as I read through them. The title of this chapter threw me until I read the first couple pages. Of course I understood 'The Hole of Religion'; it was 'First Day' I did not grasp.

The author tells a story of two Jewish men with parallel spiritual journeys. Each of them were enlightened to dig their way out of the Hole of Religion as they entered the glorious surrender to a relationship with Jesus. That day of surrender was their First Day.

Herb Opalek was a well known Rabbi from New York. The Rabbi ultimately discovers Jesus is the only way to the Father after reading the Book of John from a different perspective and Holy Spirit led him to spend time with the least of these in a New York Rescue Mission where he discovered Truth.

Nicodemus, a Pharisee who Jesus called the Teacher of Israel, sought Jesus and acknowledged that He was sent from God. He had questions for Jesus, so Nicodemus broke the rules and sought Him out. It was in that quaint one-on-one meeting when Jesus spoke the words from John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." ♥ Nicodemus was born again and accepted Jesus as Lord.

When I read a book of this nature, I expect a spiritual encounter. And boy, did I have one while reading about Nicodemus. The author pointed out the meaning of Nicodemus, which is 'innocent blood'.  This is the meaning of his birth name; his identity. When Jesus' body was prepared for his tomb, Nicodemus was one of two men who wrapped the 'innocent blood' of Jesus for burial. 

"And after this, Joseph of Arimathea--a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews--asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. And Pilate granted him permission. So he came and took away His body. And Nicodemus also, who first had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, [weighing] about a hundred pounds. So they took Jesus' body and bound it in linen cloths with the spices (aromatics), as is the Jews' customary way to prepare for burial. Now there was a garden in the place where He was crucified, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever [yet] been laid. So there, because of the Jewish day of Preparation [and] since the tomb was near by, they laid Jesus." John 19:38-42

 Think about that for just a moment!  Nicodemus was born to do this. He was born to be the religious leader of Israel, named "Innocent Blood", to surrender his religion to Jesus The Messiah, The King of Jews, and wrap Jesus' body for burial. Nicodemus was THE one Jesus spoke John 3:16 to!

 Glory to God!

This reminded me of my own identity; the meaning of my own name given to me at birth.  'Cherie' translated means 'Beloved'. "I am my Beloved's and My Beloved is mine". (Song of Solomon 6:3)

'Chosen' then came to mind. God chooses those He knows will love and glorify Him. In that instant, I was on my knees. Grateful. Humbled. Awestruck.

Religion kept me from a relationship with Jesus Christ, just as it had these two men. Fortunately, I did not spend years unraveling a web of deception and relearning my faith and beliefs like many dear friends have. But my family did not know about the concept of a relationship with Jesus, and therefore did not teach me. I believe God protected me from religion. Truly, I do. His Spirit drew me and I was looking for Him. Friends would invite me to their spiritual gatherings including Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses. I was just a young girl, but I knew something was wrong with those religions. Oh, they were all really nice people. It was just a feeling I had that made me uncomfortable, like God was telling me, "No, this is not what you are searching for."

I am so thankful for the Good Shepherd. I already had endured enough abuse and deception; He did not want me to endure more than I already had.

If we've surrendered our life to God, then we have a First Day. In discussing this chapter, some have a very specific moment of surrender while others are on their way to encountering that moment.  I wrote about my First Day in this post.

My First Day

I must add....

In September of 1991, I met Jesus in a sanctuary tucked in the mountains of Santa Cruz, California. In the first several years, I learned to trust He is always there. What I did not understand was the 'relationship' aspect, and what 'surrender' really meant.  Kathy, our joy-filled group leader told me that day in 1991 was like a seed planted in my heart, while complete surrender did not take hold until much later. My First Day did not come until fifteen years later, New Year's Eve 2006.

I hope you read the above link. Please tell others of your First Day. It could be the moment of their surrender.

The Hole of Approval

The Hole of Approval is another well we tend to dig. It runs dry every time and we dig and dig more holes seeking more approval...from others.

"A key to weaning ourselves from the Hole of Approval is to focus on the one opinion that matters. Throughout the New Testament, God tells believers how He sees us. The hard part, because of all of our baggage from the past, is to believe the truth. Little things called emotions keep getting in our way. We can't trust our feelings. we have to take God at His Word: We are reconciled to God as new creations. 2 Corinthians 5:17-18

That was the piece I read from The Well AFTER writing this in my book project, Biker Blood. In this chapter titled "Bloodline", I tell of how the writing of my story took a huge turn. It happened while reading a chapter of Joel Osteen's book, "Become a Better You". While reading the third chapter, "The Power of Your Bloodline", the Lord spoke to me through it. From that point on, God's Spirit has taken over in the writing of my book.

"Bloodline" - "It was interesting how my mind began arguing with the words I read in this book. How easily we believe those internal lies. How embedded the past becomes. It forms us. Defines us.

How difficult it is to believe the truth about ourselves. God’s truth.

Okay, here is the statement that rocked me… When I read these words in his book, it completely changed the way I defined my identity. - “Granted, you may have to OVERCOME some negative elements in your family’s natural bloodline, but always remember your spiritual bloodline is MORE POWERFUL than your natural bloodline. You have been handpicked by Almighty God. You have His royal blood flowing through your veins. You have been chosen.” 

God took hold of me in that moment and gave me 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new"

Repeatedly in this chapter, the author kept saying, “It’s in your blood.” Your lot in life is to be a victor and not a victim.  God has planned all your days for good, not evil. This reminded me of the Scripture given to me the night I met Jesus, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans for good, not for evil; plans for a future and a hope.”  Jeremiah 29:11"

The two writings from my chapter and The Well both spoke the same thing. Holy Spirit consumed me!!!
Lord, I am in awe of you always! Knowing and hearing your whispers and echoes is all the reassurance and encouragement I need. I am your sparkling jewel and feel your glory tonight. Thank you for answering so many prayers!

I praise your name Jesus as I tell of what you've done!

From Well to Well

Thor's Well, Cape Perpetua, Oregon

Every once in awhile, a book comes along that I absolutely must read.

Correction. Not just read, but ingest. The message is intended as a life changer.

When Kathy mentioned she was thinking of reading this book as a group, I knew I had to be part of this beautiful adventure. I describe it that way because I've always related to the Samaritan woman at the well. In the Bible, Jesus 'knows' all there is to know about her past and her adulterous lifestyle. He offers living water to fill the holes in her heart from all the wells that dried up previously in her life.

Reflections From The Well is my documented journey through Mark Hall's beautiful book, The Well.

(Click on the book cover)

Last night, we reflected on Chapter One

For most of my life, I looked to things like men, money, and career for fulfillment. They were my 'wells'. Hall describes our own wells as "a mirage concocted by the desires of our flesh and worsened by the enemy of our souls. What we consider wells are mere holes.

The satisfaction withers away, just like anything of the world. Our thirst for more returns, so we set out to find more holes in the ground. I just love this analogy!

"The Samaritan woman thought she was standing beside a well, but it was really a hole in the ground. The hole only offered temporary relief. Jesus insists on being the Well....Is Jesus the Well for you? Are you drawing from something you believe will sustain you, while making Jesus a last resort? When Jesus isn't our well, we often compound the problem by trying to fix things on our own."

Moving from Well to Well was just what I did most of my life. When I was content, it did not take long before I was looking for something else to fill the never ending black hole in my heart. I was carrying my own Well inside of me. It was dry and dark. I needed Jesus' Living Water to fill that deep, dark well.

Hall introduces Iris in this chapter who is thirsty for substance and love. She is similar to the Samaritan woman. The common denominator for all three of us is we sought many men to fill the void only One Man could possibly fill.

"Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water. Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:10,13-14

As I reflect on how much has changed over the past several years, Jesus has become my Well. I also find myself seeking man's approval. This is a well that will only disappoint. My prayer is for God's Spirit to intervene whenever my mind takes a walk, reminding me that my only source of reward and praise comes from God. Our spiritual blessings will be far better than the physical things we know in this life. Our eternity in God’s presence will be much more glorious and joyful than physical rewards. All physical things, no matter how beautiful, enjoyable or valuable, are only weak shadows of infinitely better heavenly rewards.

David put it this way: "You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11