Married to a doctor - mother of one son - stepmother to another - we live in a beautiful home nestled at the foothills - The "boys" enjoy golf - my athletic sport is shopping and we can't forget walking our dog, Polo - however, our most precious times are around the kitchen table having a Bible study.
What is this site about? Well, here is what it is not... It is not to influence you to buy real estate. It is not to pressure you into becoming a Christian. It is not a way to manipulate God within the business industry. Simply, it is about sharing. One overlooked facet about real estate involves the personal stresses that people assume when moving from one home to another, and for many, from relocating from one state to another. That is why our family shares personally with those who are trying to connect with this new community. Purely as an option, you are welcome to comb through my husband's journal entries about faith, and hopefully, his personal insights may provide you with some encouragement.
In Norman Grubb's book entitled Rees Howells Intercessor, the phrase "the gained position of intercession" and the truth about it is revealed. This really grabbed my attention with how this applies to my intercessory prayer over this site and for others. From the book there are some profound statements about the gained place of intercession, "...When we pray in a normal way, we may hope that God of His goodness will give us the thing we are praying for. If He does, we rejoice; it is His gift to us; but we have no power or authority to say that we can always get the same answer at any time. Such are the gifts of faith. But when an intercessor has gained the place of intercession in a certain realm, then he has entered into 'the grace of faith;' along that special line of measureless sea of God's grace is open to him. That is the gained place of intercession." I pray that God will continue to illuminate my heart with the prayers that He wants me to pray on behalf of you...
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
January 15, 2003
A Personal Entry: Some friends of ours gave us some books as a Christmas gift. One book in particular, "The Pressure's Off" by Larry Crabb, proved invaluable as I have been trying to make some difficult decisions. Uncharacteristically with how I make decisions, I found myself vascillating back and forth on what I thought was most prudent with my walk with God, being blown from wave to wave, failing to fully believe in God's sovereignty over the process. I simply did not hear His voice through the Word or in prayer. I had sought advice from wise counselors but this added more confusion to the process instead of clarity. Then after I began reading Dr. Crabb's book, his words of wisdom really touched my heart. I began to realize that I was trying to control my circumstances in order to walk more rightly for the blessed life in the Lord. "This illusion of control brought requirement, requirement created pressure, and pressure lead to slavery, the slavery of having to figure our life to make it work. Those who hold on to the illusion of control lose the enjoyment of freedom." I felt obligated to do what's right in order to win the blessings. How easy it is to get stuck in a legalistic approach when it is constantly preached in church and promoted by televangelists! I look forward to His influence over my illusion of control --"that brings the joy of responsibility and impact."
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
January 21, 2003
A Spiritual Note: It is so easy to get consumed by the responsibilities of business and the affairs of this world. Cherise and I are spending time in 1 John in which we are studying the Word and listening to the Holy Spirit about matters of the heart and the intended life God has prepared for us -- eternal and abundant. We continue to seek His truth, not just the mere "head" knowledge of Jesus, but instead -- the demonstration of the reality of His love and how we can fellowship with the Body of Christ in His light. I read an article about God's love, "God loves us; not because we are loveable but because He is love, not because He needs to receive from us but because He delights to give." Cherise continues to seek God's fellowship during this season rather than focus on having His power to deal with the crazy demands of real estate. She is truly seeking the serving heart of Jesus. We pray for all our friends who visit...
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
January 24, 2003
A Personal Note: It is hard to admit this so publicly over the internet, yet I believe it is essential that I share the realities of our lives so that God can work through others who may be experiencing similar difficulties. Lately, Cherise and I have been bickering and arguing over various issues, like money, security and striving to be better parents in a blended family. Cherise isn't the only one at fault. I tend to compartmentalize things too easily and forget to assume some of the blame for the cause of things. But mostly our struggles involve failing to recognize the depthness of our faith amidst a time of uncertainty. Do we truly believe that God provides as we are being stretched passed ourselves? Does His provision change from what we are accustomed? We are reminded that arguments and conflicts lead to further strife. God's sanctification or cleanness cannot by transferred, but the disobedience and discouragement can spread like a plague. As with our family, I pray for other families that they may experience the foundation and blessing of the Lord -- which is absent from our own human contaminates. Oh by the way, Cherise still loves me and I her.
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
January 27, 2003
Our fascination with the Super Bowl -- the game, the celebrities, the revenues, the teams, the coaches, the winners, the media, the hype, the commercials and the list goes on to the finest detail, even to analyzing which foods are best served for this hallowed event -- appear to supercede our hunger for knowing Jesus Christ and glorifying His name. Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed the Super Bowl, but enough of the glitz, glamour, and uplifting of pride and self... I am thankful that He loved man so much that He snatched us from the fire like a burning match stick being preserved from complete destruction. I pray for those believers who are associated with the Game that they would burst through their timidity and show a boldness in the Lord with their platform and testimony. Congratulations to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Praise be to God Almighty.
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
January 30, 2003
An Excerpt from "The Pressure's Off" by Larry Crabb: "I want this life to work, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen. No wonder I feel so much pressure and struggle with so much disillusionment and doubt. When things work well, I publicly say, 'Praise God,' and privately whisper, 'Of course. I did what I was told. I got it right.' When things go poorly, I publicly declare, 'God is working for my good. I will trust Him;' privately I wonder, 'What did I do wrong?'" Cherise and I have noticed how this line of thinking has sometimes oozed into our own behaviors about righteousness. We pray for God to continue to work in our minds, setting us free from the chains of typical American Christian culture. It is not that we are rebellious against Christianity, but we desire to walk amongst anyone, believer or unbeliever, with the intended light of Jesus illuminating from us to others. Thanks for the incredible response...
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
February 3, 2003
A time of prayer: Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Psalm 68:19....."Heavenly Father... I pray today for national deliverance from the hands of our enemies who closely surround us and attack our lives from every side. We know that our nation's sin often disqualifies us from your answered prayers, but we praise you for you gave us your Son who makes our hearts holy and blameless in your sight. Even through thick and thin we will praise you with our soul (mind, emotions, will), spirit and body. God forgive us our transgressions and spare us from your wrath. We thank you for the victory in Christ. I pray for the Body of Christ to have a renewed sense of hope, coming to you freely with offerings of contrite and broken hearts. Renew us today with your love and may we seek you with reverence and humility. May the Americans praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you for you rule with just measure and bless so abundantly with love. God I praise you for you are great. In the name of Jesus I continue to seek further knowledge of who you are. And I thank you for you deliver us from our trials. Amen"
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
February 5, 2003
This morning Cherise reminded me of God's call in our lives, emphasizing that He does not call us to do something before He has done it for us! "I will go before you and level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, The God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2.
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
February 7, 2003
A Spiritual Note: Thank goodness for all who believe in Jesus Christ. In the past I've struggled with the idea of The Day of Judgment, thinking it was only a time of wrath, vengenance, and feeling of condemnation. But the more I grow in my faith, the more I am beginning to understand that His judgment is one of mercy. Though I fear the Lord with reverence, I am appreciating the fact that the judgment of God is what makes all things right, the intended relationship He had with man before the Fall. I realize the importance of getting back to the way we were created, out of holiness and love. During these turbulent times, I pray for all of us to absorb the understanding of God's judgment and the revelation of His love.....Recently, we have added a guestbook to this site. Feel free to write down your thoughts and/or prayers. May God bless you this weekend.
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
February 8, 2003
A Spiritual Note: I believe God is calling for the Body of Christ to go out to a further point on the cliff of belief -- and not just some ordinary belief in something, but an extraordinary belief in Jesus that is precipitated by the Holy Spirit through obedience. Similar to the story of the healing of a boy with an evil spirit in Mark 9:24 where the father of the boy exclaimed “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Though I attempt to walk in the Spirit, I too rely on some of my fleshly instincts that deter me from God’s intended plans for my life. I want the deepest layers of control stripped from my heart. Though I do not intentionally do so, I find myself trying to fit into a box that I think God has designed for my life. I have reached the end of this season and wish to follow more freely in the light. What I now discover is a door… Jesus says, “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Mark 9:23 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 I am knocking and awaiting God’s voice in return…
This morning while reading Numbers 18:7 – a feeling of displacement overcame me. My focus had changed. My spiritual man responded to what God was saying through His word versus the appetites of the carnal. I don’t want to conjure up something or manipulate my thoughts and motives in order to control the outcomes of prayer and fasting. I desire to hear the voice of God in my life. I have a true desire to give of myself fully to the kingdom of God. Spiritual breakthrough and personal expansion must exceed the “idea” stage. When truly gripped by the passion for fullness, it has led me in pursuit of this time in prayer, wanting to become more mature and more complete in Christ. For months God has put on my heart to be the priest of my home and to fully believe in His Word. When I read – “I am giving you the service of the priesthood as a gift…” -- I sensed great relief in my spirit because I believe that I have been putting pressure on myself to return to work (presently out of commission due to four neck surgeries and chronic pain) amidst the struggle of still feeling a significant amount of pain. His Word lent comfort and reality. First, there was comfort, knowing that God does not want to place heavy burdens on me. “…Christ became our priest on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.” Hebrews 7:16. I understand the demand of Jesus is not certain obedience to moral or religious laws but for a new will. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30. And second, the reality of knowing that God has created me especially for His kingdom rang clear as a bell within my heart. “We know that we have come to know Him if we obey His commands.” 1 John 2:3.
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
February 13, 2003
Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow.....We celebrate this day as a "Day of Love." But I think it goes far deeper, searching for the condition of the heart -- and in my case this involves my spouse, Cherise. Sometimes I tend to see Cherise's heart only through a myopic vision of what I think she should be like or how she should react, even when our environment is under the attack of Satan? Do I treat Jesus Christ with the same limited viewpoints? Probably -- to some degree. Before I can truly observe the deepest part of beauty and love in Cherise's heart, I have to be willing to allow my own heart to be changed by the Holy Spirit to see what God the Father has truly created in her. Am I willing to trek on a journey with Jesus to discover the Spirit of Truth whose range of love is limitless, also being revealed in those who believe in Him? Yes. I once read that "knowing God's heart means consistently, radically, and very concretely to announce and reveal God in love and only love, and that everytime fear, isolation, or despair begin to invade the human soul--this is not something that comes from God." I pray on this Valentine's Day for strengthening and deeper insights of marriages to be granted to the husbands who are priests of the households. And Lord, please come soon... We love you.
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
February 19, 2003
A Personal Note: When we set our hearts to honor the name of the Lord, His provision for our lives -- whether love, gifts, or supply -- never dries up. The Lord has been working this reality into our own family during this season. We would like to thank our clients for their support in our real estate business. And we leave you with this wise proverb: "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21. We pray for the prudent and everlasting life for each one of you...
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
February 26, 2003
A Personal Note: Much has happened this past weekend as Cherise and I were in Texas visiting her relatives from Hungary. On Sunday during a basketball tournament in Colorado Springs, my son Jake was driving in between two opposing players on his way to a lay-up and on his way down he sustained a serious injury to his left ankle region. He dislocated his left ankle/foot from the joint, fractured his left fibula, and sustained two open flesh wounds. According to his teammates who witnessed the event, they said that it was totally gross. While waiting for the paramedics to arrive (they should have called Domino’s Pizza delivery for they would have arrived more quickly), Jake kept calling out to the Lord for His help. Apparently, it was a good witness for those around him. Jake’s mother phoned me about the ordeal and I waited anxiously for additional news about the extent of his injuries. Initially I broke down and cried for about five minutes, then something deep within guided my soul to pray -- And not to pray casually, but with gut determination and a full belief in the sovereignty of the Lord. I sensed this was not just a sports injury, though traumatic injuries are to be expected in competitive sports, but I believe it was an attack from powers of darkness on our family. We have been experiencing these types of incidents because I believe that we are walking out our faith in the will of God. Anyway – Jake underwent emergency surgery and has been placed on nonweightbearing restrictions for one month for now. We are praying for a complete healing and I believe that Jake will grow from this adversity and will glorify God during this process. We thank you for your prayers. And I praise God for His mercy and grace and the fact that I had to trust in Him more while in Texas instead of trying to control circumstances if I had been located in Colorado Springs…
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
February 27, 2003
A Spiritual Note: "There is a difference between a perfect human life lived on earth and a personal life with God on earth; the former chains us to earth by its very completeness; the latter causes us to fling ourselves unperplexed on God." I pray that we continue to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, worshiping Him in Spirit and truth. "To be alive is to be broken. And to be broken is to stand in the need of grace. Honesty keeps us in touch with our neediness and unworthiness and inconsistently with the truth found in the Lord Jesus Christ."
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
March 3, 2003
A Spiritual Note: Let's pray..."Lord, on behalf of those who visit or plan to visit in the future, I pray that your unfailing love will cover them, healing them of illnesses and bringing salvation to those with broken hearts. In the name of Jesus, keep us from willful sins, may they not rule over any of us. Break the patterns of our own selfish motives. I pray for an increased understanding of your Son -- Jesus Christ. May we worship Him with our minds and our actions. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide our hearts through this uncertain life. We pray for President Bush, Colin Powell, and the remainder of cabinet members during these deceptive times of negotiation. May the truth be exposed in the light. We pray against the powers of darkness and false religions and idols that are trying to claim authority over your Most Holy name. Lord -- we praise you and give our entire lives to you... Amen."
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
March 9, 2003
A Personal Note: Our schedules are hectic. Cherise is incredibly busy as people seem to making life-changing decisions despite the threat of war. Jake is handling himself quite well since surgery on his left ankle region. Kristofer, our youngest, is working on a castle project for his class at CSCS. We will probably watch the CSCS varsity boys basketball tournament this weekend as their record is 24-0. Hopefully they can bring home a state championship. We just thank you for visiting and continue to seek God's will...
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
March 12, 2003
A Spiritual Note: Our prayers, though average and often non-specific, become anointed when lifted up to God after confessing with our tongues and believing in our hearts. I pray for the strength and grace of the Lord to engulf you today... How often do we struggle with issues of hardships and suffering? I know that we all do, and I encourage you to continue your walk, despite opposition from others, including Christian brothers and sisters who sometimes do not understand our pain and the Lord's will for our lives. The Lord seems to restore an enthusiasm for finishing His race. Continue the walk in the Spirit with the dignity of Jesus Christ. Bless you!
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
March 15, 2003
Congratulations to the CSCS Varsity Boys Basketball Team that finished the season undefeated and won the Colorado 3-A State Championship last night. The game was filled with excitement as the final score was 67-64. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to excellence....Now some spiritual reflections: God has been speaking into to me through His Word and the Holy Spirit about sin. I believe that God wants us to understand the reality of how awful sin is. In Leviticus, we read about the number of offerings required for atonement. In fact, God asks for a sacrifice daily. Do we thank God for the final atonement through Jesus Christ daily? In my own human nature, I tend to take God's grace and love for granted at times, not fully realizing the significance of His holiness. He keeps speaking into my heart about righteousness, "Gordon, just remember, in order to be holy, all you must do is to continue to die to self and surrender to me, in other words, to be holy is to be mine, it is not to be right." I thank God that He empowers us to sin no more through a stoning of love and life. I am still praying to understand how He can be so "crazy in love" with each one of us.
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
March 19, 2003
A Spiritual Note: When providing the material for these journal entries, it is too easy to be tempted to write my own words for selfish reasons, such as praise and gratification. The Lord has encouraged me to pray more
fervently. "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:6. Please pray for me. I so desire to seek Him and to receive more revelation because of my private time in prayer with God...
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
March 20, 2003
A Spiritual Note: I read an excerpt from my great uncle Ned Soper about mercy. I would like to share his thoughts with you. "The quality of mercy is not strained, it drops from heaven like gentle rain, upon the place beneath, it is twice blessed; it blesses him that gives and him that takes. Though justice be thy plea, consider this, that in the cause of justice, none of us should see salvation." Thank you Lord for your lovingkindness and mercy...
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
March 25, 2003
A Spiritual Note: Sometimes it seems like a huge struggle to stay within the will of God, or for that matter, to even figure out what the will of God is for one's life. Haven't you ever felt that if you chose the wrong path, not intentionally trying to sin, that your life would be filled with discipline and judgment? I tend to focus on what the will of God meant for Jesus. For Jesus, the will of the reborn man was identical with the will of God. There was no effort; it was no question of keeping commandments. The member of the kingdom did the will of God because he embodied the will of God...
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
March 24, 2003
A Spiritual Note: "Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." James 3:6... Let us pray: "Forgive me Lord -- I need to learn the vocabulary of silence. I confess that sometimes I have a tongue out of control against my wife, regardless of who is right or wrong. Heavenly Father, I humbly ask for your favor without motive of selfish gain. I reverently invite you into our home today, awaiting the splendor of your being. Lord -- I know that it is you that can charge the atmosphere with belief and grace. Thank you for your will for our lives. I pray over the visitors today that they may grow from the inside out, not bringing in the attachment of this world into their hearts as well. I thank you for your word for it gives me sobering reflection of my own heart attitude. To you all the praise and glory. Amen."
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
March 31, 2003
A Spiritual Note: Yesterday morning Cherise and I had the pleasure to listen to a very powerful speaker, Pastor Jackson Senyonga from Uganda, Africa who has been apart of one of the most significant revivals of our time. To hear him speak about what God has done in Uganda regarding transformation is nothing short of a miracle. His lesson yesterday came from Job 8:5-7… Through Pastor Senyonga the Holy Spirit impacted my heart about the fact that revival, whether in our hearts or for the nations, is not automatic. “If” we seek God, then He will show His presence and restore us and so prosper our futures. I left the service thinking that my attempts to seek God are often casual without that desperation to seek for hidden treasures. “Heavenly Father, I pray that those who visit today will seek you with a larger appetite for who you are – love…”
