Shadows of a Perfect Heart

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Let in the Light

A History

It was December of 2006 that I first noticed it. As I started to eat anything crunchy, I heard a popping noise. Not from the object of my chewing, though. The sound was actually emanating from my jaw. Pop. Click. Pop.

By Spring of 2007, it was obvious that there was a problem. Beyond just popping and clicking, I had to constantly be literally adjusting the joints… on my face. Then my chin began to get lopsided. One side was longer than the other. Some sort of growth disorder had occurred, leaving me not only in pain, but with a jaw that didn’t enjoy functioning.

A Mistake

I mentioned this problem to my dentist and he seemed to think it was “An acute issue – should go away within a few months.” But it did not. And it did nothing but worsen for years.

(Now, let me just take a moment to say that these years were not great years in my life as far as my spirituality. My perspective was not where it is today, nor was my mind set on God’s promises. More on that later.)

The years dragged on and, needless to say, things did not improve. I saw chiropractors, dentists, and orthodontists. And I was pretty much resigned to the belief that I would always have to deal with this disorder.

Then, I got in touch with a great orthodontist. He had dealt with this issue dozens of times in the past and recovery was his specialty. And that’s when a mistake took place. Instead of really praying and seeking God about the situation, I jumped in and approved of this doctor’s plan. (Disclaimer – this orthodontist is exceptionally good at what he does and he is very knowledgable. He is still my orthodontist and I may use his services in the future. I do not believe doctors are evil or that it is sinful to go to a doctor. Braces are not evil. Using braces is not bad - that’s not the point.)

This process led to the installation of braces. And I was torn on the idea of braces…

A Revelation

This was a long process. It was just over the last year or maybe even six months that God started really impressing some of His promises on my heart.

I simply could not deny what God has revealed to me. I believe Jesus was telling the truth when He said, “According to your faith be it unto you.”

I can’t say I believe God’s Word and simply back down when it comes time to show true faith.

I’m not afraid that it “won’t work.” Jesus said it, it’s true. My family of believers laid hands, prayed in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and anointed me with oil as outlined in James: “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord…”

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect towards Him.”(2 Chronicles 16:9) I am a child of the God looking to show Himself strong on my behalf. I’ve given all of myself to Him, even my jaw, as naive as that may sound.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

God has revealed too much for me to ignore. If I say I believe the words of Jesus Christ, I really have to believe them. People may consider it radical, they may hate it. In fact, they probably will. But they felt the same way about Jesus. So, I’ll take it as a compliment and consider myself blessed to suffer in the name of the Lord.

A Healing

After the believers laid hands and prayed for me, God impressed upon my heart that He wanted me to step out in faith. I felt Jesus saying, “Take the braces off, show me where your heart is. According to your faith be it unto you.”

I prayed for direction and that thought wouldn’t go away. God was speaking to me. So, I made the appointment. And had the braces removed.

Before I went in to have them taken off I took this picture. Notice my chin.

Before

After I came out I took this picture. Take a look at my chin. There was immediate relief.

After

My jaw is improving everyday. And it’s never felt better since the day this story began.

A Confirmation

I had been praying that God would continue to give me more and more faith, that I would stand strong on His promises. And He confirmed those prayers. A couple days before the removal took place, I was at work and I was talking to a gentleman and his family. We had a good interaction, then as they were leaving he said “God bless you.” I said, “Thank you, He does everyday.”

Then this man looked at me and I’ll never forget what he said: “You’re a Christian, aren’t you? I could tell. I knew there was a reason I came in here today.” We talked a while longer and then he proceeded to read Psalm 50 to me.

Then, in parting, he said, “Always remember, Father loves you. You are the apple of His eye.”

Jimmy, if you’re out there, thank you. Thank you for being willing to be part of an act of God. I was greatly encouraged and I won’t forget our interaction or the words you said to me.

A Big God

Jesus Christ is behind this. Behind the whole story. He is God. If we allow Him, He wants to influence every aspect of our lives. He wants to reveal His power. He wants more people to find peace and hope and a love that can never be surpassed. A purpose that will outlast this world.

A Warning

The world hated Jesus and they’ll hate us, too, when we stand on His words. People will push back if we simply talk. We need to demonstrate the full power of God in Spirit and truth. Allow the Holy Spirit, God inside of you, to work the signs and wonders God promises us in the New Testament.

No matter what I do, I want to always be associated with Jesus Christ. Not modern day “Christianity,” mind you, but the Lord of Lords, the Prince of Peace. And all that that entails. The power to produce miracles in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to prophesy (it’s real, you know), and everything else promised us in the Scriptures. Up to and including persecution and death. The world and especially the religious leaders hated our Lord. And if we stand in His will, the world will hate us, too.

Matthew 10:25-26 says, “It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.”

As long as I’m in Christ, I’m okay with that.

A Calling

Who cares what the world thinks?

When I say “perfect” in the title of this post, I’m certainly not referring to myself, but Christ’s working in my heart. Just as it reads above, II Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect towards Him.” As God works in our lives – as we let go and allow Him to use our lives to His glory – our hearts are pointed toward His ever more. And the goal is to have a heart that’s holy and always sensitive to God’s voice.

Faith is a gift. And Jesus says in Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you…”

So, ask and He will grant you the faith you need. And far more if you’re willing to put on the mantle God has given us. He wants us to be kings and priests in His name on this earth.

And all we have to do is ask. The signs and wonders will follow.

Why? How? This is why, this is how:

“I am willing.” -The Lord Jesus Christ

The Light Meets the Dark

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The Light Meets the Dark

So, here’s the deal. It’s not true. Or, at least not the way I’ve always looked at it. I was always told that Jesus died on the cross for my sins. And that is a true fact; but it’s only part of an enormous truth. You see, it wasn’t just the dying that made it special (after all, we all die). What was the result of man’s spiritual death in the Garden of Eden? Death? Yes, death. True. But also, judgement. Punishment for sin and abiding in the flesh under Satan’s rule. We commonly refer to this sentence as hell. (That’s why we have such an emergency on our hands. The average American life span is 78.3 years. That’s the amount of time we have to warn everyone of the danger they are in.)

Redemption is the story. In the garden, what was the result of sin? The death of our bodies entered the world. But there are two kinds of death that span two dimensions. There is the physical death we are all familiar with, and then there is the truly fatal form – spiritual death. When man strayed from God, God’s spirit was hidden from man and spiritual death took hold on the earth. Our bodies could now die, but, even worse, our souls were associated with the devil, the prince of the power of the air. And that is fearful.

Good thing there is a third part to this story. When Christ hung on the cross, our sins were laid upon Him, along with all of our infirmities. And His body broke. His body died (though temporarily in the case of the Messiah). It was what happened after that’s even more amazing. After Christ died, His soul delved the depths, plunged the barrier into our punishment of hell. Christ’s three-day journey to hell was two-fold. He preached to the hurting souls trapped there, but the other act is even more profound. This is when redemption became possible. Through Christ’s journey to hell and through our reward of a sinful existence, He bridged the gap, healed the sever that had stood between God and man since the fall in Eden. That’s the really really really really really really important part. Through the act of not only dying, but being tortured literally in our place for our punishment, God saw our fee paid. He became the advocate. He stepped in front of our bullets. And took them all in one fell swoop. He watched the execution of a dastardly punishment and saw us in those shoes. The fine that was deserved was given once and for all. And that’s why we don’t have to fear hell. All we have to do is accept the fact that Jesus did it. Once. And now it’s done. Because He literally took our place, there is no more barrier between God and us. His spirit is now free to work in the lives of His children, those who believe.

Matthew 28:20
“…and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

“?”

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I have a brother. Actually, four of them. Only one of my brothers is older than myself and his name is Geno. So, Geno and I were busy philosophizing the other day.

As usual, we were discussing and contemplating film. Film is what we do. So, it makes sense.

As we hashed and re-hashed the idea of questions and answers in film, Geno said something truly profound: “I really think films are better at asking questions than giving the answers.”

Think about it.

Films, and art in general, are far better at asking questions than giving answers. Regardless of whether or not the work is a faith-based project or not, if the artist gives away all the answers, all you have is a preachy mess.

A good film does not have to give all the answers if it asks the right questions.

If you, as an artist, can create a question that causes even the slightest hesitation in someone’s average thought process, immediately a piece of the puzzle falls out and their entire ideology begins to crumble. One thought leads to another. One brick crumbles and another follows and, before you know it, a stronghold is destroyed.

Put your audience on a path.

This is an extreme power. And it can be positive or negative – that’s your choice as an artist.

Be careful what questions you’re entertaining. And which ones you’re asking.

Ask the right questions. Change the world.