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.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race set before us” (Hebrews 12:1, ESV). This is the verse that the Lord has laid upon my heart for this New Year. Before I comment further, we are not surrounded by a great cloud of spectators. More than likely, the writer of Hebrews was talking about the fighters of faith who demonstrated tremendous feats of courage to trust in God in the past, so that we could walk out our faith with the same zealousness in the future. Regardless, I was most touched by the fact that sin does cling so closely for the Christian who attempts to separate from the world onto Christ. We must take into account that this sin is probably related to apostasy or unbelief, in which the purpose of the sin is to encumber us from actually running the race for God. I know this aptly applies to my own life. Busyness, distractions, interference and problems are all examples of how it becomes too easy to put off the things of God for attending to the immediate fires. In addition, the feeling of wanting to be cleansed or purged from sin completely before we run the race for God creates stagnancy in our faith. In effect, stagnancy does not deliver perfection but only makes us a target for the enemy to conquer. If you are made righteous by the blood of Christ, it is imperative to obey the call on your life. God is showing our family that compounding problems in this world this next year may try to make us feel more inadequate to fulfill the ministry in which we are called. That is why it is paramount to be an over comer, like those fighters of faith before us. In conclusion, the theme for our life in 2006 is to “Walk out our faith in forward motion.” Do not get caught up in the things in which we have no control because God is sovereign in everything, including these difficult times of trial and mystery.
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
January 3, 2006
Man’s freedom is his freedom to choose his Master.
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
January 9, 2006
“He (Jesus Christ) is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell…” (Colossians 1:18-19, ESV). Moving from the reality of Christ to trying to live practically, Soper states, “To do the will of God meant for Jesus something very different from what is generally understood by the words. 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.” Rather, it was the reality about being embodied within the will of God. When we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, we begin to walk out our faith differently than first thought. The understood grace of God in truth gives us the courage to give ourselves over to God and to leave our lives, regardless of its shape and nature, utterly in His hands, being entirely yielded to His will. God continues to share His repetitive theme in my heart, “The righteous man shall live by faith…”
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
January 10, 2006
Are we truly satisfied with the riches of Christ’s glory? Do we truly consider these riches a blessing over material abundance? Or are we trying to practice syncretism, mixing a little bit of our world philosophy about blessing with Christianity?
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
January 12, 2006
There are so many things happening in our lives. Frankly, it is a chore to try to keep up with everything and everyone’s schedules. I suppose many of you feel the same way. Even though it is difficult, this is when we need to develop our spiritual eyes and ears. We need to be able to hear His voice through Scripture; and likewise, we need to see His sovereign grace through the answered prayers of our lives. “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2, ESV). Ask Him for a closer relationship. He will clear your distorted vision of this world, giving you the mind of the Spirit, as well, regarding the lust of the flesh; this too will diminish to the voice of God…
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
January 17, 2006
When the fullness of God dwells within you, then you must also realize that the fullness of His love also abides within you. The fullness of God? Imagine…It becomes too easy to step into a works doctrine of faith, in which an individual tries to win additional favor for the fullness of God. This is called self-abasement. At times, I have tried to do this with no real success, resulting in the consequences of feeling like I am trying to walk through the desert in a set of chains. We must remember that His grace reminds us of the abundance of love that He has for each one of us. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in wisdom; meanwhile, massaging your heart with the ointment of love. Love can conquer all, rescue all and redeem all. I pray that you “may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:18-19, ESV).
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
February 1, 2006
In response to those who have asked about my preferred Bible translation, my answer varies with the different seasons of my life. Since my early years of salvation, I essentially grew up on the NIV translation. Of the churches I have attended, most have rendered this particular version as their standard preference. In addition, I have read the NLT, NKJV, as well as significant chunks of the Amplified and NASB translations. Although I have personally felt frustrated over the differences between the translations among the Biblical texts, each version has enriched my life. Currently, I am enamored with the English Standard Version (ESV) and personally prefer this translation to others because it offers an “essentially literal” translation, yet captures original text meaning while having a fluid understanding of the English grammar. Along with my Bible, I study from the NASB Lexicon, various commentaries, Dr. Thomas L. Constable’s exhaustive notes and from other distinguished scholars. But most importantly, regardless of Biblical translation, I count on the Holy Spirit to guide me in discernment and to renew my mind with the knowledge of the truth of God. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV).
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
February 3, 2006
“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ…” (Philippians 1:27, ESV). Despite chronic pain, the Lord continues to confirm His purpose in my life, over and over again, even when I do not fully comprehend it. At times I feel like I am being graded strictly on good works. And inevitably, my performance is never good enough. This is not the intention of grace. I attribute much of this exaggerated feeling of despair to the thorns and thistles of chronic pain and its psychological effects of inadequacy. Yet I know by the word of God that this is not the reality of the love of God for each one of us. As I draw closer to God, He keeps showing me that I am not a prisoner of pain, but rather, a prisoner of Christ. Like the apostle Paul, I need to bask in the confidence of having one mind with Christ, able to overcome even the worst circumstances, all the while, praising Him and glorifying His name. Isn’t that what the letter of Philippians is all about – celebrating the gift of life joyously even during the worst of the worst? Paul was able to praise God regardless if he were wearing the prison chains or not. Sometimes we expect the chains of adversity to be removed from our lives, as a contingency; before we actually praise God…This attitude of the mind is what the Lord tests to grow us into His essence of goodness.
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
February 5, 2006
“But we who would be born again indeed, must wake our souls unnumbered times a day.” George MacDonald…We must not grab and hold on to certain people or things that seem to accept us so quickly. Oftentimes, this need to feel accepted and not rejected, as well as to feel loved may not be love at all. We are being deceived continually by the forces of darkness that loom over this world. God is constantly trying to get our attention to tell us that He loves us with all of His fullness. Our sanctified souls must remain cognizant of this reality. “Do not be conformed to this world…” (Romans 12:2, ESV). Remind your inner man to separate unto Him.
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
February 8, 2006
There is no such thing as redemptive busyness. Our redemption is only found in the blood that was shed on the cross by Jesus Christ. “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8, ESV).
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
February 12, 2006
Trust defines the meaning of living by grace rather than upon our own works. Trust has the idea of lying helplessly face down in reverent fear of the Lord, just as Isaiah experienced when receiving a vision of heaven in chapter six of his prophetic writing. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV).
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
February 16, 2006
For the industrious individual, the importance of making plans, formulating strategies and mapping out goals allows one to chart a course of responsible living, which is inarguably filled with a heightened sense of purpose and drive. This course of action spawns higher values and a sense of greater accomplishment. Yet unavoidably during this season of well-preparedness and purpose-driven fervor, there seems to be an interruption to this process of self-actualization and improved living. I refer to it as the second call from God. And this pertains to those who are born-again into the family of God. During our second call, attaining higher standards and avoiding the pitfalls of bad decision-making and neglected relationships takes a back seat to the sovereign and intended purpose for which God created us. Personally, the second call from God for my life is not as much about improved living as many may identify with; but instead, it is more about walking in the Spirit of Christ, trying not to let crisis of faith, of hope, and of love stand in the way. “…if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Matthew 21:21-22, NIV).
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
February 19, 2006
“To see God is to be changed by Him” (Piper, 2000).
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
February 20, 2006
Have you ever felt like your prayers are unanswered and meaningless? I am sure that we all have felt that way at one time or another. Personally speaking, my prayer life has changed drastically over the years. I remember when I prayed ineffectually, hoping that God would defy the odds and would miraculously rescue me from my circumstances or hope that He would generously compensate my good efforts beyond reasonable measure. Those were the old days…The more I grow in Christ, the more I realize that my prayers actually hinge on the Word of God. My prayers are not above the knowledge of the truth. The Word is the eternal foundation of life. As a result, as my prayer language improves through the knowledge of the Word so does the consistency of my prayer life. These effectual prayers line up with the covenant promises that God has bestowed upon each one of us through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. “When we believe in the sovereignty of God – in the right and power of God to elect and then bring hardened sinners to faith and salvation – then we will be able to pray with no inconsistency, and with great biblical promises for the conversion of the lost” (Piper, 2000, p. 220).
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
February 26, 2006
As I listened to Pastor Ed Young this morning, he made a salient point in his message about marriage for husbands. He stated that even though our wives are a gift from God; our marriages require a lot of perseverance as it takes a lifetime to unwrap the package in which they came. How true…
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
February 27, 2006
During this past weekend, my eldest son, Jake, who is the starting point guard for the boys’ varsity basketball team at the Colorado Springs Christian School, helped to contribute to a first place win and divisional title for the school as the team now moves forward in the playoffs, hosting the regional contest on their home court. Immediately following the game after a courageous group win over a very good Buena Vista team, our entire squad, fans and family members alike were overtaken by victorious joy and bliss. With tears welled up in my eyes as a proud parent, Jake and I saw each other across the gym floor, ran toward each other and then firmly hugged. I then whispered into his ear, “Does it feel good to accomplish this feat?” He replied softly, “You bet Dad!” Then I whispered back, “Remember this great feeling and put it into perspective. This feeling of joy is nothing compared to what it will be like when we meet face to face with God in heaven. In fact, the feelings that you have now are equivalent to one sand pebble on the beach against all the beaches in the world when comparing it to the love that God has for each one of us who are apart of His eternal family. Imagine how much He loves us.” Jake looked at me, and then shot back a smile in agreement to what I had just said.
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
March 1, 2006
In the context of my own life, the holiness of God does two profound things to my inner man. First, the very idea of His holiness truly makes me aware of my own sinfulness in action. And second, the character of holiness causes me to fearfully change my ways, not for the approval of the Christian culture, but for the steady progression of growing into the man that He created me for. “May I not be a captain of the filthy, but rather, a servant of the Righteous One” (Selley, 2006).
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
March 2, 2006
According to Brian Buffini, a well-known real estate business coach, the average Realtor® closes 7.1 transactions per year. Of these, 50% of realtors are behind on their taxes. Only a small percentage of realtors are considered successful by countercultural means, employing high-performance strategies, avoiding negative chit-chat with other realtors, developing goals, trusting instincts and conquering fears. No doubt all of these well-intentioned methods contribute to business success, but God wanted our company to operate more radically, counter culturally speaking. Well-intentioned strategies assist the business person as to the diagnosis and treatment of relevant market changes. Yet God wanted us to first begin our strategies in prayer, in which He emphasized His original purpose for our lives, to be in union with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. From prayer, the strength to operate counter culturally led to our walk of faith in business.
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
March 3, 2006
Within the business culture itself, everyone is looking, observing and evaluating the competitive marketplace. From that, impressions eventually form images, which then become fixed ideas or truths about business. When starting our real estate company about ten years ago, we knew that we needed to take a “countercultural approach” against the stigma of Christian business. God placed on our hearts to first define ourselves in the Lord, thus allowing Him to create the image and truth about how to form and operate a marketplace ministry. Manning (2002) states, “Define yourself radically as one beloved by God.” That is exactly what we did.
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
March 10, 2006
Operating a Christian business has not been an easy task. Besides the overwhelming challenges of outside market influences, many of our greatest struggles have dealt with the opposing forces of darkness, those trying to deceive us about the vision of God. Our faith has been challenged on many sides through countless trials, steadily growing us more in the character of God. Trials have forced our company to take huge steps of faith, such as following through on His marketing ideas when the vision was unclear, sowing tens of thousands of dollars into other ministries when it did not seem possible, starting a personal journal link that seemed irrelevant in the scheme of business, praying with clients against the recommendation of others. These few examples of faith have immeasurably grown us personally and professionally, affording our company to step more inward into Him and to effectively spread the gospel of the Good News while competently assisting others in the real estate process.
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
March 13, 2006
In the State Basketball Playoffs against #1 contender Denver Christian, our school, the Colorado Springs Christian School, squandered a 7-point lead with only 49 seconds remaining in the game, which lead to a heart-breaking defeat. The loss was devastating for everyone, the players, the coaches, the fans and the parents. The State Championship was within our grasp. In summary, the ball was in the hands of the wrong players at the end of the game. Turnovers proved to be our downfall. Enough critique…It is too easy to evaluate the loss in the construct of hindsight, blaming certain individuals for the debacle. Yet isn’t that how our society deals with failure and unfairness? We must act differently as Christians, including myself. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, ESV).
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
March 14, 2006
This next generation faces worldly temptations and anti-Christian sentiments like none other in the history of our nation. It is estimated that only 4% of our youth today will actually become Christians, as opposed to 65% during the time of World War II. “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your (God’s) word” (Psalm 119:9, ESV). I truly understand the importance of modern-day worship for our teens – the multi-sensory appeal of praise and the emphasis upon relational communication. But – may I make a suggestion to our youth leadership? I would also encourage a stronger teaching of God’s word, as it truly offers the peaceful solutions to a confused and afflicted lifestyle. Today many teens want to know the truth and desire to see it work out practically and effectively in their lives…
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
March 18, 2006
Cherise has been taking communion each morning before she begins her day. It has truly impacted her attitude. As the bread and wine are symbols of the life and death of Jesus Christ, Cherise is strongly reminded each day to set her mind on the things of Christ, the things above, in which she can die to her old habits and embrace the new life given to her when He shed His blood on the cross for her eternal benevolence. Cherise asked me this morning, "What is the Lord speaking into your heart?" I responded, "He is truly in our midst. The Spirit of Christ does not necessarily tell us what to do each day and how to handle each situation by His sovereignty, but the Lord does perpetually reassure us in His love..."
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
March 28, 2006
My wife does have a prophetic gift from the Lord. This morning, God spoke to her, “I have the plan, connect your heart to Me for the direction, and from Me will come the instruction. The opposite occurs when we walk according to the flesh. When man has the plan, he looks to himself for direction and refuses to receive instruction. This leads to the path of destruction. Walk in the Spirit! My words are clear in the Bible! Receive! The Holy Spirit directs.”
