Early this morning as I awoke, the Lord placed several words in my heart... He began to speak to me about the sacredness of the hearts of humanity.  He told me to be prepared to tread softly with them.  I felt His pain at how carelessly we as humans treat one another.  He spoke about how He pays attention to our breath, our innermost thoughts, our wants, our desires... the things that hurt us, the things that make us laugh.  He said, "Ramy, this is sacred ground... walk softly.  Be careful of the words that you speak.  Listen to their hearts.  Be kind to them when they don't know where to turn.  Let them lean on you when they do not have the strength to stand." 

It was an interesting discussion that we had this morning.  I felt somewhat like an Eastern mystic talking with his teacher... I felt like we have lost something in our Western madness of culture.  We have lost the ability to connect with one another.  We have lost the ability to look straight into another person's eyes and protect the contents of their souls.  As Christians, we often get scared about what other faiths teach.  But having grown up in the Lutheran faith and now living in a very Pentacostal format... it is my heritage that brings me back to the sacrament of fellowship. 

In the early years after Christ, Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, and others all considered their lives in context to the divine.  They knew that with one stroke of a lethal weapon their mortal existence as they knew it ceased to exist.  In this day, we have forgotten to seek the context of the divine.  We have forgotten that with every footstep we are encountering God's creation.  Every human being is sacred ground.  We are to walk and to tread lightly.  Every action that we take has a reciprocal reaction in the universal plane, therefore, we must take responsibility for our words, our actions, perhaps even our thoughts. 

I chose to listen so intently to this talk today... it was a my King setting my feet on a solid path type of talk... and certainly... others can gain from the lesson.

With love and care,

Ramy B

Psalm 20

May the Lord answer you in times of trouble.

May the God of Jacob protect you.

May he send you help from his Temple

and support you from Mount Zion.

May he remember all your offerings

and accept all your sacrifices.

May he give you what you want

and make all your plans succeed,

and we will shout for joy when you succeed,

and we will raise a flag in the name of our God.

May the Lord give you all that you ask for.

Now I know the Lord helps his appointed king.

He answers him from his holy heaven

and saves him with his strong right hand.

Some trust in chariots, others in horses,

but we trust the Lord our God.

They are overwhelmed and defeated,

but we march forward and win.

Lord, save the king!

Answer us when we call for help.

Verse 5, "and we will shout for joy when you succeed."... The Psalmist is proclaiming the Lord's faithfulness in aiding and supporting the King.  Yet, in verse five, the Psalmist declares that when the King succeeds, it is the people who will support the King.

I wonder how many of us need to take a lesson from the Psalmist... how many of use need to support others when they succeed.  We need to shout for joy... applaud, get excited, share in their joy, and embrace those who are successful.  Too often, the opposite occurs.  Instead of being excited about the successes of others, we get jealous, offended, hurt, and wish it was us. 

It is the Lord who makes us succeed.  It is the Lord who establishes our steps, therefore, we all should be excited when one of us succeeds.

I am one who is choosing to applaud...and shout for joy!

with love,

Ramy B

July 26, 2003  Journal Entry

I wonder if there is a point in time when I will not care whether or not someone is close to me.  I wonder if there will change in my heart an attitude that relationships should and can be mutual.  The tendency of my heart seems to be one that requires mutuality.  Its hard to put down the hurt and the loneliness that shows up when man fails me.  I know the Lord Jesus loves me.  I know He cares.  Without Him, I would not be here.  Yet sometimes the pain of loss of relationship feels so strong that I wonder if I will want to love that deeply again.  I am tempted to wall up my heart, yet the river of God says no.  I seem to end up in the position of loner more times than not.  There is not one who finds that place of closer than a brother in my heart, except you oh Lord!  There is not one who I can consistently depend upon, except you.  Even though man walks away, my hearts says, I love you still. 

I am required to maturely interpret the seasons of relationship.  The ebb and flow of the tide of human emotion is unpredictable at best.  If I maturely accept that one would rather be with another than standing beside me, then I must cheer that relationship on.  I must become its champion.  To demand one to pay attention to my heart would be selfish.  Selfishness is sin.  So I say to my friend, Run where you will, stay as you will.  When you come back, I will be here.  Few are the wise seers who correctly interpret the tide.  I am working on letting it flow off into the river down current flow.  Flow away from me.  Wash my heart as you go.  Tell them, I love them still.

I look now for ways to step out of my humanity onto your plane where you will take me to a place that I have never gone before.  See I am free now.  There are no strings to restrain me.  Obligation has said goodbye.  Show me your thoughts for youve already heard my whisper.  Flashes of light surround me.  Im committed to the journey.  Call me higher.  Rent Your curtain of intimacy, faithful Creator.  I long to see what You see, to hear what You hear, to utter what You breathe deep into my simple frame.  Consume me with Your passions.  Touch my lips, so they will speak only Your name and not another.  For what is left but You?  You were there in the beginning. You are here on the journey.  You will be there at the end of my days.  You are forever, the eternal time pusher who holds my seasons in Your hands.  Let me not depend on human flesh let my spirit transcend to that higher place of union with You.  I am in love with Your mighty hands that reach toward my nakedness.  Embrace me.  Let Your glory encircle me.  Hold my face next to yours.  There is no one who understands, but You, the complex issues of my heart.  Reform them in your presence.  Let the sweet breath of Your Spirit fill my nostrils.   I love you still.

Ramy B

(c) July 26, 2003, Ramy Bakke

Journal, November 20, 2003

Today my thoughts are of you, Lord Jesus your faithfulness endures forever.  When I am tempted to not trust your faithfulness, I am reminded that you are still here.  You are still my anchor and my hope.  There are moments when doubt wants to invade my mind.  I hold up my hand and say no!   Yet, it takes everything in my being to trust that its all going to be ok.  I am hard pressed, yet not crushed.  I look towards your face Lord Jesus!  I look towards your loving kindness.  I am fully dependent on you.  I cannot function without your perfect will working in my life.  I realize there is a plan higher and more orchestrated than I have been willing to admit.  You know when the violins are to play.  You know every beat of the drummers beat.  You know the sound of the trumpet and the sounds of the cellos deep melodic rhapsodies moving me out of complacency into a divinely choreographed dance. 

I look for you in the morning before I raise my head.  I look for you as I make the coffee and look for something to eat.  I look for you as I usher my children to the beginnings of their days.  I look for you as I take care of the small creatures youve placed in my care.  I look for you in the walk to the mailbox.  I look for you as I write emails to the broken, those without hope.  I look for you in the traffic jams.  I look for you in the funeral dirges.  I look for you in the cashiers face.  I look for you in every place and at every time.  In every place, I have found you.  You are everywhere, encouraging me and championing me on to tell me to be your hands and feet.  You tell me to listen with your heart.  You send tears of compassion at the magnitudes of hurt I see in the hearts that youve entrusted to my care.  You wrap your loving arms around me as I reach to wrap my arms around those you dearly love.  You I see YOU! 

Who would want to live without you?  Who would want to see the world without your eyes?  I love you with my whole heart Lord Jesus!  I love you with every cell of my being.  Nothing in fleshly existence compares with you.  Even fine rubies and sapphires do not compare.  Even gold and silver and titanium do not compare with the glisten of your glory.  Even silk and lush velvets do not compare with the softness of your touch on my face. 

Embrace this humble frame dearest King invite me to a dance.  Let me taste of your delicacies let me consume you with my deepest longings.  I long for you and only you.  Kiss my lips with the kisses of your mouth that the words that I would speak would heal those who have ears to hear.  I adore you Living King.  I lay my heart before you.  I place my trust in You and only You!   I love you my Lord my King my all in all!

                                                                             Ramy

TRUE FRIENDSHIP

Written by Ramy Bakke, © Feb, 2, 2005 (Dedicated to a special friend)

I so value your friendship and feel so privileged that you would consider me a friend. 

A true friend will steward over that friendship...

nurturing it... never considering the cost. 

A true friend will not look for your demise,

but for your constant betterment. 

A true friend will encourage you to be who you are

and to be all that you can be in Christ Jesus. 

A true friend will cover your insecurities until you feel secure. 

A true friend will look for the best. 

A true friend will shower you with kindness.  

A true friend will share you with others. 

A true friend will cry with you and stay up all night with you

in the hospital, or laugh with you, or travel around the world with you.  

A true friend anoints over and over again your joints and sinews

 to bring strength to your bones. 

A true friend sees the bad and loves you anyway. 

A true friend grieves with you and allows you to grieve fully. 

A true friend can think of all the funny and sad times

and carry you through them both. 

A true friend is found only when God forges the friendship. 

When God forges it, it shall not pass away for He is their constant. 

A true friend sets an example of friendship....

a true friend is forever faithful... forever true. 

A true friend invites your anger in order to soothe your soul. 

A true friend listens and extends unconditional positive regard. 

A true friend is a bulwark, a fortress, a protective shield

that will take the arrows aimed at you. 

A true friend loves you when you don't have your face on. 

A true friend loves to love you just for who you are and

not for what you can give to them. 

A true friend will look for ways to extend your success

 and shout your successes from the rooftops. 

A true friend takes your hand when you are afraid and

walks you across the raging torrents that storm around you. 

A true friend speaks the truth and expects you to listen. 

A true friend sows their heart and reaps yours. 

A true friend trusts you and believes in you and knows

your inwards parts. 

A true friend listens to you when you are sad, lets you talk

and lifts your heart just by being with you not for the words they say to you. 

A true friend can sit silently with you, a silence that speaks volumes. 

A true friend can share with your joys and celebrate your successes. 

A true friend picks you up when you stumble and carries you when you are broken. 

A true friend engages you in a new dance. 

A true friend pushes you up a hill you think you can't climb. 

A true friend rescues your favorite treasures out of a rain-swollen river. 

A true friend helps you let go of the past and helps you press on into the future, yet loves your now. 

A true friend makes sure you have food to eat and clothes to warm you. 

A true friend will take the thorns out of your fingers and then cut

down the briar bush that gets in your way. 

A true friend cares for you when you are sick until you are well without complaining. 

A true friend intercedes for you and all that concerns you. 

A true friend recognizes that they are not your only friend and 

cherishes your other significant relationships. 

A true friend is not possessive. 

A true friend will let you lean on their strength and will lean on yours. 

A true friend holds you with an open hand, yet holds you accountable.  

A true friend is honest with you and trustworthy. 

A true friend holds your heart as sacred. 

A true friend will go the extra mile for you. 

A true friend will walk with you at your pace and sometimes challenge you to a new pace. 

A true friend is a gift from God...

I believe in this kind of mutual friendship and I extend this true friendship to you whether you take it or not.  I see true friendship in you.... you are a true friend.

Relationships

Relationships have really changed in later years of our society.  To understand the word better, I went back to the dictionary.  Relationship according to Webster means "the state of being related or interrelated."  Well, that doesn't answer much does it?  So I went and looked up "relate"... which means "to give an account of, tell, narrate; to show or establish logical or casual connection between; to be conntected; have reference; to have meaningful social relationships; to respond favorably."  To be "related" means to "be connected by some understood relationship; connected through membership in the same family."  "Relation" means "narration, account; connection, relationship; connection by blood or marriage; kinship; reference, respect (in ~ to this matter); the state of being mutually interested or involved (as in social or commercial matters); dealings, affairs."

Hence, to be in relationship to someone else can mean many things on many levels.  It would all change based on the definition of the boundary lines placed around it.  Such as the boundary lines placed around the relationship called marriage.  Where only man and woman are married to one another (even that boundary line is being called into question in this society).  The nuclear family then springs from this joining of man and woman.  The smallest unit of relationships.  Then there are the relationships that occur between that nuclear family and extended family members such as siblings of the adults and their children.  Then there are relationships that occur at work, at church, at school, at the grocery store, friendships... all kinds of relationships... een a relationship with a member of the divinity.

There is a lot of competition for connection to us.  The marriage relationship competes for our time.  The divine competes for our time.  Our children compete for our time.  Our friends compete for our time.  Our spiritual children compete for our time.  We even compete for time with ourselves.  Unfortunately, if the boundary lines are obscurred between all of these relationships, they all will suffer.  It is our responsibility to form the boundary lines securely.  No one else can do it for us.  When we don't define our boundary lines, we end up hurting people.  We hurt our spouse, our children, our friends, even ourselves.  Why is this so?  When we don't have definition of relationship in our lives, we exist on a plane where we don't feel like we have the right to say no to others.  We simply exist to please anyone and everyone.  And, because of our compassion, we may even over-extend our boundaries and promise things we could never fulfill... such as being there for people when there was no possible way we could be there for them. 

The ownership of healthy relationship starts with one's self.  It starts with making a decision to not allow others to violate our boundaries.  It also starts with being strong enough to not make promises that we KNOW we cannot fulfill.  All making unhealthy promises does is cause emotional harm to the ones we've made the promises to. 

Priority of relationships should start with one's relationship to the Divine, then to one's self, then to one's spouse, then to one's children, then to extended family, beyond that... it is a fine balance between work, friends, social groups and those we've been called to minister to.  There must be balance of relationship... balance of connection and mutuality in relationship.  Without mutuality... there is the probability of abuse... or use of one or the other.  Mutuality, equality, respect, understanding, deep love, and a desire to forgive and the ability to forgive can do a lot to build strong relationships.

Defining relationship helps bring health into the relationship.  From time to time, relationships have to be redefined from time to time to facilitate the changes that come from life.

Ramy B

Independence Day 2006

It is amazing isn't it... 230 years of Independence as a nation.  Today we celebrate freedom from the British rule of a King.  Yet, today, the British are our allies.  We call ourselves a democracy.  We state that we have numerous freedoms, yet little by little our freedoms are being regulated away.  Few of us take the time to watch CSPAN or to read the literally thousands of congressional bills that are presented daily and made into law to rule our country.  Yet, as responsible citizens, there is no room for ignorance of our countries processes. 

I just discovered the reason why we are all being forced to change our TV's to HDTV.  In 2009, Congress decided that all analog broadcasts will be shut down and changed to digital format.  Hence, every American will have to buy a box to convert their analog TV for $40, or subscribe to digital cable or satellite broadcast in order to have TV.  So the government is prescribing the way we engage the media.  Over the air broadcasts will cease.  Should we care?  I think so.

Freedoms are precious.  We need to be able to speak our minds.  Worship freely.  Be free to associate with whomever we want to or disassociate with whomever we want to.  To hold someone to tightly is to try to control them, hence, to release them is to allow them the freedom to be who they need to be.  Freedom...  it is a necessity.  It doesn't come without a cost. 

RamyB

The Making of God's Box

I tell you... there has been a major transformation in my paradigm locators lately (paradigm for some of you means = n. model, pattern).  Bear with me... after finishing two 25 page research papers for grad school basically all about the neuroscience of our emotional mind, the research opened my eyes to a great deal of information about how we as humans experience life.  Paradigms often refer to patterns of thinking... patterns of thinking are cognitive and hence, are conscious (forgive me, I will try to stay in the here and now instead of going on a intense in your head trip).  Still, there are patterns that exist that are totally unconscious; patterns of emotions from  experiences that are outside of the cognitive/conscious realm.  Sometimes, strong emotional experiences will cause a small component in the limbic system (responsible for emotional control) called the amygdala to bypass another component, the hippocampus (responsible for cognition/conscious thinking) all together.  These patterns are stored in our minds without our ever bringing them into consciousness.  They will intrude every once and awhile into our dreams, our reactions, our "irritability in traffic"... and sometimes without our understanding or knowing what the reactions are all about. 

The amygdala does this to help the human mind survive periods of strong emotional experience, such as traumatic experiences, or extremely stressful experiences, or extremely emotional experiences, like 9/11, a tsunami, a hurricane, or like the death of a loved one (some people will say they can't remember anything for months after the loss of someone very close to them that it is all a blur).  God created these unique human processes to enable us to get through the murkiest of waters... in His grace... our conscious minds are bypassed.  I believe that the "stuck" memories can be processed quickly through a variety of methods... including the presence of Holy Spirit in worship.  Some traumas are healed without ever cognating them.  Some are healed through the therapeutic process... others are healed by releasing the emotional energies attached to them, others are healed by the very hand of God.  Each individual is unique and God does what each individual needs... there is no set pattern that applies to all... we are all individuals and God deals with us all individually. 

The reality is... it was God who made provision for this very unique, life-saving mental process that separates the overwhelming periods of our lives and compartmentalizes it into boxes or fragments that can be processed later.  He does this so we can get through the storm.  He does this so we can move forward.  Is it always necessary to process the stuck emotion?  Well, yes, basically I believe it's necessary when it intrudes into everyday life.  If you're beating the man over the head at the traffic light because he gave you permission to go ahead of you, I'd say it's time to process the stuck emotion.  Or if you're yelling at your husband because he burped ever so slightly, I'd say it's time to process the stuck emotion.  The stuck emotion sits in what I am calling boxes.  These God ordained boxes... are His boxes... if we will trust Him with our unconscious processed emotions... He will do it all in His time.  He will provide the perfect expert therapist.  He will provide the perfect scripture.  He will provide the perfect friend.  He will provide the perfect pastor.  He will provide the perfect moment in Worship.  He will do it in His way... in a way that will perfectly benefit you.  I do not believe that we are to process our stuff with friends the majority of the time... this would be an abuse of friendship.  Most "friends" cannot handle the degree of "stuff" most of us have.  So be wise... and ask God to provide the right person to help you work through cleaning out the box.

One of the things I've started doing is making an external "God Box"... which I cannot open.  In it, I purposely place my dated requests for anything and everything that concerns me.  Sometimes, I can worry something to death or analyze something to death... so this has forced me to deal with it once... write it down and pop it into God's hands.  And you know what... He has already started answering the requests I have placed in that box.  I even heard Him say to me, "aren't you going to ask me about this?" .... and I laughed and said, "ok"...and promptly wrote out a request slip and put it in His box.  Once it's on that paper....it's out of my mind and into His mind.  It forces me to focus on His ability to meet my needs, not my ability to manipulate others to meet my needs.  (If we are honest, we all do it.) 

Perhaps you too have something that you tend to hang on to... or you need to trust God about.  Perhaps you have emotions that are in need of healing.  Write them down on a piece of paper... construct an external "God Box"... and put the paper in the box.  Know that He is already working... for He will have been the one who prompted you to write the request.

Get ready for the answers to start coming ... for the emotions to start healing... for the anxiety to start leaving ... for the headaches to stop coming.  He is waiting on you to ask Him...

I love you!

Ramy

Remaining Flexible in the Wind

Have you ever seen a tree that is totally dead blowing in the wind... eventually, it breaks because there is no life in the boughs.  The strength of the wind causes the wood to break due to the rigidity caused by cell death.

We can become dead and rigid when we don't exercise our talents and our dreams.  The cell death can cause rigidity and when the wind comes along... there is brokenness.  Exercise and good food, water and proper care will keep the cells from dying in the tree.  We are the same way.  Without proper care, our cells, our dreams, our talents, our bodies will die and when the winds of life come along, we will break instead of bend with flexibility. 

This weekend, the wind blew so much at the outdoor gig in Trinidad... it caused me to realize the areas in my life that were rigid... and the areas of my life that were flexible.  We can be open and honest or hide behind a facade, but when the wind blows, the facades won't help... flexibility and honesty will.  The gig was great because I was able to move with flexibility and change the plan as it had to be changed.  Yet, it still showed me up in a few small areas.  I am glad for this because it forces me to cut out the dead wood... and feed the tree, exercise my boughs and renew my direction.  Anyone who truly knows me, knows that I love to love people and this weekend was about loving people.  It was about showing them who their Creator was... that He had made provision for their sins... that He had made provision for their sickness and that He loved them beyond measure.  My favorite part of this weekend was when two five year old little girls came up from the playground and asked me to pray that God would send them a prince.  It was so very precious.  They both were best friends and they both wanted their princes.  So I took their hands and agreed that God would save them for their prince and that God would bring the best prince to them.  They giggled and smiled and knew that Jesus loved them.  It was precious.  Suffer the little children to come unto me!  Another man, who's wife had dropped him off at the park cause he didn't want to go to Walmart, listened to the music and hung around and I discovered that he was grieving his first divorce and he had not forgiven himself for all the abuse he had perpetrated on his family due to his alcoholism.  I asked him if we could pray together because I was certain that Jesus had paid the price for him and the man said, "sure."  After we prayed, you could tell that his heart was relieved.   He said to me, "I guess God wanted me to come to the park today!"  I laughed and told him I was certain that what God had in the park for him was definitely better than sitting at Walmart.

These are the kinds of things that we can find if we are open to the changing of the wind... to the blowing that re-orchestrates our plans and shows us the hearts of humanity.  How He loves to love His people.  When you're feeling inflexible... remember to cut out the dead wood.  Remember to exercise your boughs... to feed your cells, to nourish your body with natural food and spiritual food and to move with the wind of the Spirit.

lots of love,

Ramy

"Write these things for the future, so that people who are not yet born will praise the Lord."  Psalm 102:18 (New Century Version)

I was reading just now in Psalm 102, the Psalmist is forlorn about his situation.  He's in trouble, in pain... feeling persecuted... he's hungry, filled with grief.  He feels deserted and alone like a "lonely bird on a housetop." (v.7).  He feels like there is no one who will be his friend as his enemies insult him all day long and use his name as a curse.  He's sad and feels like he's been thrown away, yet he remembers that the Lord rules forever and He will come and have mercy on Jerusalem and be kind to her.  The psalmist remembers that even nations fear the name of the Lord and that all the kings of the earth honor Him.  He remembers that the Lord answers the prayers of the needy and does not reject them.  The Lord hears the cries of the prisoners who are sentenced to die and frees them.  Then the psalmist remembers that the things of this earth may fade and be destroyed, but the Lord never fades and His presence is forever.

I think that so many of us can feel like this at times... thrown away by society, "alone like a bird on a rooftop." (Psalm 102:7)  We may have physical or emotional pain or be suffering from grief, yet there is someone who cares for us and remembers us even in the midst of all that we are experiencing.  The Lord looks down from where He is... He hears our prayers, our cries, sees our tears... and He answers us.  His presence never fades... even when humanity may fail us... He never fails.  He loves you.... and He loves me... and He is forever... He sets the captives free.

I want you to know... I am praying for you today...

love,

Ramy