by Ivo Tomasini | Dec 17, 2022 | Mental, Paranoia, Spiritual
In a world dominated by an incessant drum beat of “us vs. them”, we must ask ourselves – who are “them”? Who are we fighting? How well do we know them and how defiant is our stance against them? Today’s economically sensitive culture is ripe for picking an enemy and blaming it for whatever obstacles lay in our path to winning that bonus, chasing that dream, or freeing ourselves from addiction.
You realize the true battle suddenly lights up with picture perfect clarity – it is “you vs. you”
On the other hand, if we can stop to think as individuals, to wipe away the mental blur induced by an arbitrary antagonist, one can put into focus the critical obstruction keeping us from attaining our goals. Like the face staring back at you in the mirror, you awaken to the unflinching fact that the villain in this game is actually you. Once you step away from the hype spun by the media machine, hearsay, gossip, politics, news, talk shows, etc. – you realize the true battle suddenly lights up with picture perfect clarity – it is “you vs. you”.
The manufactured formula for swaying human emotion is powerful, and worth billions of dollars to those who control it. People almost always fall for the contrived notion of a hero saving us from the evil “them”. Our minds effortlessly take comfort in placing the full blame of our problems onto an external bad guy…eventually allowing all possible solutions to gradually slip further into the distance of an after thought, separating us from the present state of reality.
According to the bible, ¹ everyone is in need of redemption. Our natural condition was characterized by guilt: “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Christ’s redemption has freed us from guilt, being “justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). The word redeem means “to buy out.” The term was used specifically in reference to the purchase of a slave’s freedom.
The former slave gains because he sees the real fight for what it is
The former slave, like an addict who drops the drinking habit, gains back his full potential when he himself changes – or asks to be redeemed, without waiting for an elusive enemy to fall, or for some phantom hero to rescue him. The former slave gains because he sees the real fight for what it is – an actionable change that starts by asking for redemption.
The next time you’re brushing your teeth, stop for a moment to face yourself in the mirror and ask, “God, what can I do today that will help me find peace, even if it’s a tiny action?” Then spit, rinse, repeat every day, and know that with a little faith, things will begin to change and the enemy will fall.
References
¹Gotquestions.org
by Jackie Tomasini | Dec 4, 2022 | Gardening, Spiritual
Germination- the beginning of new life which is an exciting, yet fragile, time that encapsulates the miraculous
Germination, as defined by Oxford languages, is “the process of something coming into existence and developing”. It’s the beginning of new life which is an exciting, yet fragile, time that encapsulates the miraculous. How could a tiny seed lead to so much life? A tomato seed, for example, turns into a plant producing potentially hundreds of tomatoes – or more! Those tomatoes can be turned into salsa, pasta sauce, or put in salads, among many other things – all because of a small seed and humble beginning.
My daughter and I planted seeds trusting and hoping they’d grow. Then, the miraculous happened
As I recently heard a sermon in my Spotify app about stewardship and investment, I felt the conviction of God leading me to plant seeds in order to grow the garden my husband and I had felt called to cultivate. My daughter and I planted seeds trusting and hoping they’d grow. Then, the miraculous happened. Seeds germinated and green plants poked through the surface of the dirt. Maintenance becomes the next phase with daily watering, sunshine, and protection from bugs, birds, and harsh weather. This phase is work and not nearly as exciting as the honeymoon phase of seed planting with visions of fruits and veggies dripping from every corner of the yard. Maintaining the growth and providing the right conditions for continued growth is paramount to a return on this investment.
The goal of germination is food. It is dependence on God and a step toward freedom from relying on the systems of the world to provide for us. My family feels called to invest in God’s seeds and to steward the fruits of his blessing in generosity and thankfulness.
As our garden grows, I look forward to cultivating our spiritual garden along with our natural garden, because…
Germination is a result of investment of planting seeds in good soil. The soil is enriched by the compost we have created over time letting nothing go to waste from our table. In this process I am finding it closely correlates in all of life. Many seeds planted in my heart long ago and not so long ago and they all need attention. Some need weeding, pruned, more light, or more shade. I look forward to cultivating our spiritual garden along with our natural one, because …”those (seeds) that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” Mark 4: 20.
by Jackie Tomasini | Aug 13, 2022 | Spiritual
“She meant well” is what I realize looking back on that memory – on that nine-year old girl that set a caged hamster free and how she realized the vulnerable animal had no say, no freedom, and no choice in its life. It lived confined to a small space, and an even smaller mind. The tan and white fur was what had attracted her to choose this particular little creature as a pet. So acting out of love and concern, she opened the cage door, reached in her hand and lifted the fluffy animal. In good intention she walked downstairs, hamster in hand, through the kitchen, and out the back door to the yard. She thought she had been selfish for keeping it imprisoned. So she gently set it down, said a goodbye and walked away.
The nine-year old meant well, but, meaning well and doing well seem to often have very different outcomes.
Looking back on that memory there are so many things this grown-up woman realizes that the nine-year old didn’t. The nine-year old meant well, but meaning well and doing well seem to often have very different outcomes. The hamster had learned to depend, sit still, and receive food and water, completely at the mercy of its master. Its God given defenses were overcome by a cage and it didn’t know how to survive outside of it. Freedom was a whole new world. As the sun went down, the temperature dropped, the little tan and white creature sat still in the grass and froze to death not more than a few feet from where it had been “freed” the day before.
When you’ve lived a life in bondage, confined in choices, hedged in by fear, manipulation, abuse, neglect – living free seems so foreign.
I think being in Christ and born again are much the same thing for so many. I can empathize with the Israelites when I hear of their complaints in the wilderness after being freed from their bondage in Egypt. When you’ve lived a life in bondage, confined in choices, hedged in by fear, manipulation, abuse, neglect – living free seems so foreign. It’s like being transferred from one land with its specific language to a completely foreign place. In God’s kingdom, the language of love is what matters to the one transferred to His kingdom, and the ability to interpret His language and to be moved by and live within it. Otherwise, we are similar to that hamster, let loose into a land of freedom, yet sitting still and freezing to death in a mindset of dependence and control, not love. God is not a nine-year old girl. His ways are guided by more than good intentions. He doesn’t just mean well, He does well. He is good and all He does is good. The hand of God is able to reach in the “cage” of each man, woman, and child’s soul to set him in a place of freedom. Most importantly, He is able and willing to breathe life into the spirit of His creation. He says “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and you will be careful to observe my ordinances. You will live in the land that I give to your forefathers, so you will be my people and I will be your God” Ezekiel 36:26-28. So, in this uncharted territory, where I can choose to sit still and freeze in fear rather than learn to live in freedom, I’m open to receive this new heart of flesh, like the one I imagine God to describe as one of humility, grace, understanding, compassion, and boundless opportunity in Him. It’s a heart able to discern and lead others to that same freedom by walking intentionally in the light. A heart that is open to be examined, willing to be transparent, eager to confess and repent. A heart that keeps His Word in it like a priceless treasure trove of never ending jewels ready to be accessed any time, at will, by faith in the Son of God.
This is where the noise on the outside is removed in order to hear and remove the noise on the inside.
So I am placed here in a field of green grass by God’s hand from the cage I’d come to know. This is a pasture safe from harm, where there’s the cleanest of water, and memories of the oppressor, like old clothes of shame and carnality, are changed into His likeness. It’s where I move when He says “move” and rest when He says “rest”, yet not sit still in fear. For His “perfect love casts out fear” (I John 4:18) and He “…upholds me with a willing spirit” (Psalm 51:12).
by Jackie Tomasini | Aug 7, 2022 | Spiritual, Uncategorized
Are we called to care or are we called to carry? Or, is there another calling that is not rooted in caring or carrying that’s simply known as a legitimate personal responsibility? In a world where things are deemed good or bad, to include people, it’s easy to fall into the trap of doing good deeds. Good deeds become burdens we carry because we care. Are these deeds laid on our shoulders by God or are they items/ideals we accumulate in the quest for meaning, purpose and refinement in order to appear and feel good?
Anything not light is not from Christ. Anything beyond light is born of pride and human reasoning. A do-gooder attitude is contrary to His yoke.
Jesus says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT.
What does it mean to carry a heavy burden? The definition of carry, as a verb, includes to “support and move from one place to another…have on one’s person and take with one wherever one goes…be infected with and liable to transmit to others…support the weight of…assume or accept (responsibility or blame)”. Jesus says his yoke is light. Therefore, in Him, I will not carry a heavy load. But shouldn’t I carry the load of all things I care about? What does it mean to care? To care, as a noun, is the provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, and protection of someone or something. As a verb it refers to “feeling concern or interest…look after and provide for the needs of”.
Some of us take on responsibilities that belong to others because it seems helpful or like the “nice” or “right” thing to do. We start out excited to ‘help’, but quickly become embittered and resentful when carrying someone else’s responsibilities. Then, we blame God and wonder why He makes life so hard.
I liken this to a hiker preparing for a long, arduous trail, which is led by a professional guide. The guide has done this hike many times and gives instructions on how to train, plan, and pack for it. He says, “bring a pack of food and water and protection from the rain and sun no heavier than fifteen pounds”. “Fifteen pounds?!” replies the hiker. “That’s not enough”. So, the hiker puts extra food and water and supplies in the pack ‘just in case’ and thinks “I will have extra to share as well”. The hiker sets out on the steep trail with the group and about a third of the way in he wants to quit. The 55 pound pack has changed the entire experience. It feels impossible. The hiker realizes there’s food provided along the trail and pure fresh water streams to refill the bottles. He now has to make a choice to either continue by lightening the pack and removing 40 pounds of weight, or quit and turn back.
Perhaps the hiker is too proud or embarrassed to admit his lack of trust and to follow instructions. Or, maybe he will humble himself, lighten his load, and share his adventure, and experience with the group by moving onward to the finish.
What is in your pack? Is it heavy? Unpack it. Assess it. What seems good, but is actually sapping your joy and strength? What are you carrying in false guilt and thinking you “should” be carrying it. What is in there that’s someone else’s responsibility? Lighten the load. Anything not light is not from Christ. Anything beyond light is born of pride and human reasoning. A do-gooder attitude is contrary to His yoke. Only God is good. Our deeds are not good and should be born of obedience not in an attempt to be good.
In a world of doing we are called to being. Be a light. Be obedient. Be responsible. Carry a light load. Be free. There’s nothing we can do to be these things. We can only receive the truth and live free as a result. Today is a good day to decide trusting God and His provision is far better than carrying loads He didn’t give us.
by Jackie Tomasini | Aug 7, 2022 | Spiritual
“Sojourners; you are sojourners”. That is what I heard in my spirit after asking God where to start with Him. I am starting a new chapter in life with Him, along with my new husband. We married on 12/31/21. In that short time since then, I’ve sold my house and moved into a temporary housing arrangement. We are starting the process of building a house. In the move I found that my daily time with God has been sporadic and even non-existent some days, except for the on-the-go prayers and short devotionals spent with my husband. My daily quiet time with God has become necessary for my well-being and sense of stability at this stage of life. So as I re-calibrate in my temporary housing, I am asking God, “Okay, now what?”.
As a sojourner, I am reminded of Abraham who was instructed to leave his land, and all that was familiar to him, in order to follow after God and the blessings that were to be his inheritance
I’m finding that the house building process has many spiritual metaphors and life lessons in it. As a sojourner, I am reminded of Abraham who was instructed to leave his land, and all that was familiar to him, in order to follow after God and the blessings that were to be his inheritance. In faith, he packed and moved. So many facts and parts of the story are left out in the short chapters and books of the Bible. For example, we don’t know the full context of how the days were spent on his move, or of his daily attitude. We only know the highlights. That’s why it’s easy to project into the stories of the Bible from our own life and experiences. We easily project from the wellspring of our own lives to include our amount of faith and depth of experiences we have had, or have not had, with God and with His people.
In a quick Google search I find that to be a sojourner means “to spend the day… a temporary resident”. A “temporary resident”; someone who is not tied to one place. There is no sense of permanence. There is a sense of freedom in that, yet, simultaneously there is a lack of sense of belonging. In this time of mental shifting, I am reminded that it is the body of Christ that keeps us tied down to God’s will and displays to us who He is. I see that trying to live life in Christ, without being anchored in Godly loving relationships that hold us accountable, is like setting up a tent without properly staking it into the ground. It wouldn’t be long before the wind would blow it away.
Being a temporary resident seems foreign in a culture where 30-year mortgages are commonplace, and even, seemingly expected, The truth is that even if we, as part of God’s body of believers, live in one house for our entire life we are still a sojourner. This earth is not our home. It is a temporary residence. I cannot grasp eternity even though I’m an eternal being. I know there have been days that felt as though they passed quickly, and days that have felt slow, and seemed to never end. Time appears to be relevant to our excitement, boredom, or other emotions, when in reality it’s relevant to God. A day to Him is as a 1,000 years. I don’t believe this to be literal, rather, a metaphor. In other words, time is only relevant to God’s being. He is eternal and who are we to judge time? We were given the sun, moon, and 24 hours per day for our own benefit, for order, scheduling, and planning.
As a sojourner, time seems to be spent on things that work towards the future. I’m more intentional about my steps and days. I’m not settled, though I’m working towards it. However, the problem with settling is the possibility of getting too comfortable. Being a sojourner is uncomfortable. It’s a time of trials showing you what is convenient, what is necessary, and unnecessary. It’s a time of refinement, reflection, and of cutting loose extra baggage.
I was mute with silence, I held my peace even from good; And my sorrow was stirred up. My heart was hot within me
Earth is a place of soul seeking and for getting our spirits right with God. It’s a preparatory time for our eternal home where we’ll no longer be sojourners. David prayed for wisdom and forgiveness in Psalm 39. It seems he was painfully aware of his humanity and limitations and realized he was just passing through on this earth. He says “I was mute with silence, I held my peace even from good; And my sorrow was stirred up. My heart was hot within me; While I was musing, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue: “Lord, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor…(2-5), ”Hear my prayer, O Lord, And give ear to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am a stranger with You, A sojourner, as all my fathers were. Remove Your gaze from me, that I may regain strength, Before I go away and am no more,” (Ps. 39:12-13). I pray, too, that my strength comes from God as I am a sojourner here and admit my frailty to Him in this earthly journey.
God had a sanctuary built where He could dwell among us as stated in Exodus 25:8: “And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.” Christ, later, separated the veil in that holy place, in that sanctuary, so that we can boldly approach the throne of God by faith in His Son. We are now His temple. I like the following teaching that I found online regarding wandering and being a dwelling place of God:
“As the Israelites wandered in the desert, God wanted to inhabit a place with His people” (Exodus 25:8). At that time, the people lived in portable tents, so the presence of God dwelling in the tent of the wilderness tabernacle (Exodus 27:21; 40:34–38). His presence was the guiding force that told the people when to stay put and when to pull up stakes and continue on their journey (Exodus 40:34–38). Later, after the Hebrew people entered the Promised Land and lived in fixed dwellings, God affixed His name to a place, sanctifying Solomon’s temple as the Lord’s holy dwelling place (1 Kings 8:10–11).
In the New Testament, God’s presence was manifested in a new way: in the person of Jesus Christ—the Logos, who is the living, incarnate, eternal Word of God (John 1:1–4, 14–18). The Logos took on human flesh and made His home among us. Through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, God lived among His people. His name is Immanuel, meaning “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21–23).
Jesus Christ became the new earthly temple of God (John 2:21). “For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body,” says Colossians 2:9 (NLT; see also Colossians 1:19). The complete image of the invisible God is revealed in Jesus our Savior (Colossians 1:15). Yet Christ is only the initial installment of God’s indwelling presence.”
I am reminded that I need the body of Christ and in Him is where I am joined together. I’m built up in love, truth, and held together by grace and His strength. In short, I need Christ in you. You need me, yet not I, but you need Christ in me. It’s humbling. It’s truth. It is the Way. May we walk in transparency and love and be living vessels in His service from one sojourner to another.
by Jackie Tomasini | Aug 7, 2022 | Spiritual, Uncategorized
“You are the salt of the earth”- Matthew 5:13. This seems so poetic, but, what does it mean? Salt is a chemical compound of sodium and chloride. Together the elements create a flavor for food making it much more desirable. It’s also a needed mineral for electrical conduction “especially in the brain, nervous system, and muscles, (which) require electrical signals for communication”(https://www.medicinenet.com/electrolytes/article.htm). Too much salt and it creates dehydration. Too little salt and the body cannot retain enough water. Salt is quite complex that way. It is essential to maintain osmotic pressure and to regulate the amount of water that’s available in the body. So, when Christ says, “you are the salt of the earth”, what is He really saying? You add flavor? You maintain proper water balance? You conduct electricity? I suppose in a sense we could answer ‘yes’ to all these questions. We have the ability to conduct power as a vessel of the Holy Spirit. When we obey and submit, God’s power is given permission to ‘conduct’ through us. When we are careful with the words we choose to speak, we allow for wisdom to ‘change’ minds and cause people to re-think their ways and beliefs.
When we speak wisely, as Christ leads us to, we create thirst in the hearer. They become thirsty for more truth, understanding and clarity.
The body is rich in defense mechanisms that send signals to help maintain homeostasis. Thirst is one such mechanism. Too much salt creates a thirsty sensation telling the body it needs water to dilute the over-abundance of salt. Our speech and actions can leave people thirsty for more just as a salty meal leaves us thirsty for water. When we speak wisely, as Christ leads us to, we create thirst in the hearer. They become thirsty for more truth, understanding and clarity. Salt is a compound. It is the culmination of two elements; sodium and chloride. The bond between the two is what makes much human metabolism possible. The bond is a metaphor for how we are to join in thought with Christ. As we do, that bond creates “salt” in our speech. Our thoughts clear, our beliefs become challenged and refined, our knowledge gets sorted and weeded through. That bond with Christ is like sodium bonding with chloride. Without that bond we do not have the power to conduct ‘electricity’, we are flavorless, and we cannot retain water.
In Christ’s Spirit, the bonds of sin are broken and new bonds of life are formed. Old things (unhealthy soul ties) pass away, and new, Godly ties are formed. So, when Christ says “You are the salt of the earth”, perhaps he is saying that you create thirst in people. Christ’s answer to that thirst is the living water. It is the living water that provides a continual source of life. The Holy Spirit is continually available to lead, guide, cleanse and fulfill just as a spring spews forth clean water from within the earth. The source never depletes, is never defiled, and is always available to cleanse. We are vessels meant to use speech that creates thirst for the living water. What a beautiful thing, yet, what a responsibility. May we steward that well and enjoy the journey.
