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.
I am reluctant to make any predictions for 2008, or for that matter, at almost any cost; I cringe to think of making any New Year’s resolutions for myself. Spend thirty minutes watching any news-reporting station and one will be led into depression and hopelessness. Catastrophe and extreme depths of tragedy underscore the headlines, making one think that even the good stories have some twisted endings. How can one plan his course of life when continually attacked with the darkened and liberal perspectives about the human condition? And when one ponders about the condition and its conclusion, the image takes on a gloomy pictorial, whereby hoards of the human race rush towards the finishing line with no purpose, no meaning, and in complete exhaustion. It is as if mankind is slipping down an even slippier slope. Integrity and uprightness are forsaken for emotional reactivity and self-preservation. Good and bad seem to merge together, looking the same and indifferent morally, depending upon which story brings in a larger audience for profit. This voice of postmodernism is shaping our vision about life. With a megaphone to my mouth, I shout, “Stop! Wait a minute. This is not what life is supposed to be about. God intended for the life of man to be different.” That is why Jesus Christ became man, so that we could see what we were intended to be and how we should live. We were intended to live out 2008 differently, not in the discourse of sarcasm, lack and bitterness, but in the construct of faith, hope and love. Do not let the surrounding condition shape your view about life.
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
January 8, 2008
A man cannot venture, produce or grow beyond his vision. And vision is not just what one sees, in terms of dreams or future aspirations. It is much more. It is a glimpse into the fullest measure of one’s life – a photo snapshot about how one discovers his or her dream, finds purpose, and lastly, fulfills the “doing part” of a persuasive calling. In essence, one must make his or her vision something real by simply “living-it-out” to its fullest potential. And for my life, God has provided the vision of wholeness, guiding me toward downward mobility of my own self-nature. Even with the aches and pains, there is freedom in vision as I begin to see more clearly the eternal things from the temporal.
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
January 11, 2008
Vision avoids distractions, making room only for the important ingredients toward personal and professional efficiency.
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
January 14, 2008
People seem to shuffle back and forth, from one decision to another, trying to figure out how to get out of debt and how to live a better life. This behavior appears common to both unbelievers, as well as to believers. Pretty soon, two jobs will not be enough for American households. Trying to find answers from three or four jobs may become the norm, especially against the landscape of materialism and uncertain financial markets. I am not faulting anyone who may be trying to solve some difficult financial challenges with more elbow grease and effort. To those who are listening and basking in double-mindedness, I encourage you to remain steadfast, create a long-term strategic “get-out-of-debt” plan and to make it a part of your lifestyle. Employ faith in God and learn from your mistakes. A truthful vision from God is not necessarily restrictive. On the contrary, it is inexhaustibly full of power and opportunity. I bet that you will begin to see some of the fruit in the Spirit for your life instead of the fulfillment of your flesh. One path leads to life and the other…well, you get the point.
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
January 17, 2008
I normally do not comment about politics. Currently, I do not endorse any one particular party nor do I vouch for any candidate. Throughout the years, I have voted Republican. Regarding this election and the potential choice of presidential candidates, I am more concerned about their knowledge and plan to counteract the spread of the Muslim religion throughout the world. America, the sleeping giant, better wake up before the Sunni Muslims entirely run our government, our financial institutions, our culture, and our freedom of speech and religious belief. Whoever truly understands this crisis gets my vote in the next election.
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
February 1, 2008
Yesterday it was so good to share with one of my close friends who happens to be a pastor of a church in Johannesburg, South Africa. His way of integrating discipleship with community appears to model the best way to do “church,” at least in comparison to any other form of Christian worship with which I am familiar. Their style combines community with participatory commitment; meanwhile, a nonexistence of hierarchy fits nicely against the rhythm of New Testament theology. In a nutshell, there doctrine of belief lies firmly in the loving hands of Jesus Christ and makes room for His functioning truth to transform lives. There appears to be no pressure to support the business of church, as annual members grow in giving, not just to the church itself, but to other needs of the surrounding community, such as the poor, the hungry, the fatherless and the widow’s cause. This type of radical faith is rarely seen in the United States, even amongst our finest Christian institutions. Personally, I applaud my brother-in-Christ, named Tom, and his wife Lollie, as well as their two young family members for being an inspiration as imitators of Jesus Christ. Instead of Christianity seeming intensely corporate, their brand of faith and trust in God reduces the heart from seeking worldly idols, thus focusing on the things of eternal value. May the Lord bless this couple with His grace and love…
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
February 4, 2008
Super Bowl XLII was fantabulous! Since I am an avid Dallas Cowboys fan, my allegiance and respect for the NFC East Division outweighed my fondness for the potential of a “perfect” season to be posted by the New England Patriots. Spygate, running up the score on opponents, getting the majority of referee calls during the season and watching the New England coach march off the field with :01 second remaining during the Super Bowl, posed character problems against the integrity of the game, as well as the National Football League. Once in a while, it is refreshing to watch an underdog, like the Giants, outslug their opponent with sheer determination, regardless of the odds against them. Though I am not a New York Giants fan, I am a fan of those who eloquently and ferociously demonstrate perseverance to the end…
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
February 14, 2008
To my lovely wife, Reecie…Love is so much more than a feeling. Yes, feelings of romance, acceptance and happiness are very important ingredients for a successful relationship. And you Cherise, entirely fulfill these feelings in my heart. Nonetheless, as we grow in love as a couple, I recognize some of the greater gifts that you show me. And usually, you show these to me without even recognizing your significance upon my life. Thank you for being you. Thank you for yielding to Christ. Thank you for the role you play in our lives. You never really let me down. Most importantly, you are a very gracious witness regarding how the Lord sanctifies our marriage daily. Please know that I fully realize that this process is neither easy nor comfortable. That is why you are a great person of strength and integrity. Honey, you are the best expression of a godly woman that I truly know. I love you. And with all of this said, you are my very best friend. “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain” (Proverbs 31:10-11, ESV). Will you be my Valentine?
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
February 21, 2008
When people discover that I live with chronic pain, a number of questions, mostly derived from curiosity, are usually unleashed regarding this subject. Although people try to do anything to avoid pain, their fascination still peers through a small opening into the blackened areas of suffering. It is kind of a “love-hate” relationship for many. They want nothing to do with pain, yet they seem drawn to its darkened allure. Often asked, “What is it like to live in chronic pain?” My response is as so. “If one compared pain with vision, it is like living with vinegar sprayed directly into the eye. One’s vision never really clears up, thus other senses assist one to navigate through the pathways of life.” And for me, this thorn in the flesh has allowed me to accept the “dying to self” process in exchange for spiritual vision and enlightenment. Pain never really gives up its quest to further deteriorate the quality of life. It is like a chemical that tries to impure the water supply. This is why the Word of God has been so tremendously beneficial for me – because the truth of the Word has purified my entire soul (mind, emotions and will) for an ongoing purpose of living. A new water supply flows deep within me. The Word is the catalyst to counteract the adverse effects of impurity to the soul. “Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls…” (1 Peter 1:22a, NASB). As I live in a form of weakness, my needs are easy to detect. If the thorn of pain is never removed from me, I am still content only if I can nurse myself on the living Word of God.
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
March 7, 2008
When going through trials, if the pain inside of you continues to grow, then possibly you are not casting your anxiety onto the Lord. Regardless of the enormity of the trial, His peace will comfort your soul, making the pain within you less and less relevant. No matter what you feel, consider it joy to go through your trials. In other words, mentally reason that your trial is actually sanctifying you and bringing you into the right alignment with God our Father. This brings us from one stage of glory to the next. And more importantly, the Holy Spirit is at work within us. We cannot do this purely on our own efforts. Trials by themselves simply appear to disprove the goodness of God. Nonetheless, they are simply instruments for our good, not our demise. As Scripture elaborates, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4, NASB).
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
March 10, 2008
There are times when I do not feel as if I can go one step further – literally. I know that others who live in chronic pain feel very similarly. So then, what can really be done when the physical part of man is totally maxed? Besides rest, I would recommend that you give your spirit to God. Just give yourself to Him. In the scheme of eternity, our life here on earth is but a breath. Think of it. Two seconds in the scheme of infinite. And this time frame grows even smaller as time passes. So what can we really accomplish of great importance? To give our lives to God through a firm belief in Jesus Christ. This path of life renders healing and rest to the body. This will enable you to take one more step further, even if pain tries to block your efforts.
POSTED BY GORDON SELLEY
Date:
March 18, 2008
Do not let the modernist view of church inhibit your abilities to reach our world of post-modern thought. Personally, I have issues with many of the views of the post-modern individual, yet, I know that our world is quickly changing, and changing at a very rapid pace, especially with the advancement of technology. People simply want to hear and live out the truth – the kind of truth that is real and abides in love. Sometimes we get stuck in our own view of theology and forget the importance of reaching others who need something beyond themselves. Although truth is without error, I caution many who tight-fistedly preach absolute truth in an exclusive manner. If you really think about it, the Bible never really majors on the point of absolute truth. Instead, the message about truth is central to its nature, which by the way is wholeheartedly relational. And if you take it one step further, we are really walking biographies of the truth of God, being sanctified daily by the Holy Spirit as we continue to change and be transformed. Let’s shift back to modernism… It no longer works, in terms of the correct way of doing church. Not everything holy and sacred happens within the four walls of the church. Maybe this is why an estimated 20 million Americans who are born-again Christians no longer attend church. I do not encourage outright rebellion against the church. But I do challenge you to think through your position about the purpose of truth and the effectiveness of power and grace in your own life. If you are modernist, and most are who attend church, perhaps you will notice some similarities with the post-modern world. And more importantly, perhaps you will develop sensitivity toward these people who want some of the same things that you desire, such as relational truth and inclusiveness without discrimination. Church is not just a noun. We should treat it more like a verb, doing church every day of the week.
