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Starting 2014, I've been doing less posting on this blog,

and more on Facebook, i.e.:

Soul Encouragement: Light in the Darkness w/ Wendy R Wolf  PAGE

as well as 

Rev-Wendy Wolf  HOMEPAGE

Our Rock (as Jesus’ Assembly): Everyday Modern Mystic Christian-ish Convos  GROUP 

Soul Dancing with the Divine: Everyday Modern Mystics w/ Rev Wendy Wolf  PAGE

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Please come check them out, or visit Website:

Light in the Darkness 

Dancing with the Divine 

in Life, Wendy

Jesus says: LOVE Our 'Enemies' - HOW do we Live this WAY?

In my country, I know folks who are really torn 

between wanting to see our country go a certain way
AND
not sure how-to (or if they even should) stay in respectful relationship 

with those with whom they disagree. 

How do you relate?
I gathered some of my thoughts about that today, from my POV:

The Way of Jesus: LOVING Our 'Enemies'

Jesus didn’t say this from a safe, idyllic place of comfort.

He said it while living in a time of great political, religious, and social tension

—where powerful forces actively worked against him, undermining his ministry,

and eventually collaborating to have him tortured and executed.

His call to love our enemies wasn’t abstract or idealistic.

It was spoken in the face of real oppression, betrayal, and violence.

.

The FRAME in the time of Jesus: Life Under Empire

Jesus and his people lived under Roman occupation

—a foreign empire that controlled their land, economy, and government.

Some complied with Rome, others resisted, and most simply tried to survive.

Within this reality, Jesus played a deeply layered game

—neither active rebellion nor passive submission.

Instead of taking up arms against Rome 

or aligning with political or religious factions, 

he chose another way:

• Loving radically—healing, feeding, serving, teaching, and simply being With people.

• Unveiling a deeper reality—the Realm (Kingdom) of God/Heaven, where dominion is not about physical force but about spiritual power.

• Operating from his own authority—walking in alignment with his Divine Mission.

Acting, not reacting to outward control;

Calling us into a higher way of being and behaving.

Jesus was not just end-running the political game, but also the religious one.

He spoke truth boldly, but refused to fight on their (usual) terms.

Jesus Playing His Own GAME, Rather Than Being Played by Theirs

Jesus did not feed the energy by fighting empire directly—but neither did he comply.  

He did not:

• Resist with violence, but he operated in truth and love.

• Seek political power, but his teachings threatened the powerful.

• Join the empire, but he also didn’t encourage armed rebellion.

Instead, Jesus offered a completely different game—one where:

• The Realm of God/ Heaven was real & present, more mighty than earthly politics or religion.

• The goal was not about gaining worldly power, but about inner transformation, which shifts our world from the inside out.

• The measure of success was not domination (or judgment), but love (in alignment with our Source)

Jesus wasn’t trapped in the political struggle of 'us vs. them', he TRANSCENDED it

• Most crucially—Jesus motivated people to play a different game.

• A game in which the Realm (Kingdom) of Spirit—God/Heaven—is not just real but present with us—here, there, everywhere, within, NEAR.  It is a reality incalculably more valuable than what is going on physically.

• So he invited us to TURN INTO this game —this perspective, this mental model, this soul mind, this spiritual way of seeing and being and doing.

.

Jesus HOLDING the Opposites in his Heart & in his Closest Community

Jesus’ own disciples represented both extremes of his time:

• Matthew, a tax collector—a man who had collaborated with Rome and likely enriched himself at the expense of his own people.

• Simon the Zealot—a man who likely wanted to overthrow Rome by force.

Two men from opposite sides of the political spectrum, yet both invited to walk with Jesus.

Why?

Because Jesus did not define people by their political roles.

He saw them from a spiritual perspective—not as oppressors or freedom fighters, but as souls.

Jesus did not let the politics or the religion of his time define him, his relationships, his love, his ministry 

- the opportunity to live in his unique Dance with the Divine, as he did - so beautifully, gracefully, practically...

Jesus Showing Us HOW to Live FOR, Not AGAINST — From a Higher Perspective

Jesus lived in a time of political division, oppression of many kinds, and under the heel of empire.

—far more intense than we do today (in much of our world) 

Yet he never let the struggle for or against the powers (of anything but the Divine) determine his mission.

• He did speak out against injustice—challenging corrupt religious leaders and questioning worldly authority.

• But he also refused to be consumed by the “us vs. them” mindset.

• Instead of choosing sides, he chose to walk IN Spirit.

Why?

Because he saw beyond the surface of power struggles.

His every word and action was not dictated by worldly resistance, or even religious structures—

but rather by what he saw the Father doing and what he heard the Father saying.

(As John’s Gospel says in different way, seven times)

His path was not determined by whether someone was resisting, complying, or just getting by.

He moved in step with a greater reality—one that was always present but rarely perceived.

This is the Way he invited his followers into—not ignoring social & political realities, but refusing to be ruled by them.

.

Living The WAY of Jesus - then & now

Many of Jesus Followers Changed how they Lived & Loved in this world.  

After his death, some of his followers lived as family,
sharing their lives, resources, and connection across dividing lines.

Some Turned, practicing embodying the Presence of God on earth,

not by conquering, but by transforming
—from within their own heart & soul, and from there, into their life & world.

Today, we live in a time of political, social, religious tension and division 

- in the USA, and other parts of the world, as well.

Like Jesus’ time, people are pressured to choose sides: resist, or comply.

But what if we played a different game?

• What if, instead of fighting for dominance, we lived and loved radically?

• What if we saw every soul first from a spiritual perspective, rather than through human lenses/ labels?

• What if we refused to let the world’s conflicts define us:  Who they are? Who we are?

This is the game I mean to play, 

relative to the challenge of walking with Jesus, in my country, today. 

How about you?

imoe, ymmv
: )  w 

FYI - I found it interesting that this is what AI said when I asked about: 

Love Your Enemies, Do Good to Those Who Hate You: 

"

"Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you" is a phrase from the Bible,
specifically Luke 6:27, which instructs people to actively show kindness and compassion even towards those who oppose them;
essentially, responding to hatred with love and good deeds.

Key points about this teaching:

Radical act of love:

This concept goes against the typical notion of retaliation and encourages a higher moral standard by actively seeking the well-being of one's enemies. 

Example of Jesus:

Jesus himself exemplified this teaching by forgiving those who crucified him. 

Challenge to overcome evil with good:

By performing acts of kindness towards those who have wronged you, you can potentially change their hearts and promote peace. 

"

labels are Not permanent

(this is written for Women, please read it from who you are ; )

"

I read a message this morning and it made me think about all the critical labels that we put upon ourselves because we hear them from others, and then we carry them, believing that they are a part of us. But I know this is wrong, this is not truth, and I wanted to share this story with you that I wrote while I was thinking about this today.

You are more beautiful than you know, you are more special and beloved than you could ever imagine. Every woman is my beautiful Earth-Sister and we all have so much to share with one another. Even those we have never met in person, we can come to feel that we know one another when we share from our heart and the immense love that we, as women, carry there. We can be a light for this world, shining to guide others to know love, and to embrace it.

I have had so many labels-critical labels, diminishing labels, and degrading labels placed upon me. First by my dad and stepmothers, then, nonverbally, by the many (11, that I can remember) male perpetrators coming after my innocence without my consent, also by my covert-narcissist ex-husband of 30 years, and all repeated over and over in my own mind, towards my own self.

For so many years, I believed these labels were permanent, like scars on my knees from falling when I was young. I thought that these labels would always be there, staring me in the face whenever I looked in the mirror. Then, God did something in my life that changed my perspective on these labels.

I was given this large yellow hoodie, and it was way too big for me, so I decided to pass it on to someone for whom it would be a better fit.

But before I gave it away, God told me to write upon that hoodie, all of the ugly things that were said about me, all of the ugly beliefs I had in my own mind because of the treatment I had received in my life.

I wrote everything down, and these words covered the entire garment. God told me to put on the hoodie, then He told me that all of those words are words that kill, not words that give life. They kill our spirit, but His Spirit gives new life. See 2 Corinthians 3:6

God told me that just like when Lazarus came out of the grave, Jesus told them to remove the grave clothes that held him tightly bound in the grave:

John 11:43-44

1599 Geneva Bible

"As he had spoken these things, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. Then he that was dead, came forth, bound hand and foot with bands, and his face was bound with a napkin. Jesus said unto them, Loose him, and let him go."

God instructed me to remove this jacket, and, in so doing, I would be taking off all of those ugly labels that led to death. Hebrews 12 (1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)says: "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without the which no man shall see the Lord. Take heed, that no man fall away from the grace of God: let no root of bitterness spring up and trouble you, lest thereby many be defiled."

Bitter words disrupt our peace; both our peace with others and our peace with ourselves, but especially our peace with God. Ugly, judgmental, critical words cause hopelessness and despair to take root in our hearts, and these defile us and the people with whom we interact in our day to day life. They cause division between us and God because our hearts sit in disagreement with what He has to say about us.

I rejoiced as I took off that garment and all of its ugly labels. I thought about burning that hoodie, but the practical, pragmatic, thrifty side of myself couldn't bear to see something go to waste if it could be used. So I decided to see if I could wash the words away in the laundry, then I could still give it away.

It came out pristine and golden, and the Lord told me this is how He is going to make me: pristine and golden, a shining light for his glory.

No matter how many labels are put upon us by others and even by our own beliefs about ourselves, God can wash it all away in his living water, with his Truth, with his life-giving Spirit. Let us give all of these labels over to God and let Him cleanse us and purify us so that we can come out like shining gold, the way we were born to be as his daughters.

Here is my new label: I am a surrendered, solid, structured, and serene daughter of the most high King. Who does God say you are in his eyes, and thus, in your future, with God's help?

"

- Jennifer Eileen May

 ·posted in THRIVE Facebook Group 18 Jan 25

Ready to Dive Deeper in your Unique Dance with the Divine?

 

Certainly this quote above points to a pain that has been my past experience. 

And MANY relate to the experience, 

and believe it is How it IS. 

But in my Soul Experience, I have found: the Opposite is True.

Please stay with me a minute, for an analogy.

This famous poem contains this line:
I believe in the sun
even when it is not shining.

Yes, the Sun is always there,  
even when *I* don't see it.

Something may be getting between me and the Sun 
- we call it a Cloudy day, a Rainy day, maybe even a Hurricane...

The earth may be turned so the sun is blocked
- we call it Night. 

The sun may shine in my experience, a shorter or longer time each day
- we call this a change of Seasons. 

What I am describing is ALL about 
MY orientation-to and capacity to sense the Sun. 

But I hope we can agree, 
the Sun is Always There. 

The Sun isn't 
- hiding from me. 
- shining more or less. 
- leaving me to run to and fro in the Universe.
- blessing me with its rays more or less obliquely than usual. 

In my Life:
It is the Sun.
It is Always being the sun.
It is Always Doing Sun things  - like shining Light : ) 

I don't have to
- wonder if I am worthy of sunshine.
- be or do anything at all for the Sun to be the Sun and Warm me with its light
... if I am willing to be in its Presence. 

Its not going away if I'm 'bad',
its not sending more Blessings my way if I'm 'good', do what I 'should'. 

I don't need arcane beliefs, rituals or incantations,
to be in Alignment with the Sun.

If I desire more Sun, I can learn a new dance with the Sun:
- new rhythms in 
My Structures, Location, Timing... 
as well as
- new relationships with 
My Habits, Beliefs, Emotions... 

Then there is more sun than I can usually stand. 

.
Sometimes this is easy.

Sometimes it can be harder.
Here are mostly theoretical examples:

- its overcast most of the time, here in the winter.

- the sun is barely visible, here in the winter. 

- I work all day inside with no windows, I go to work in the dark and come home in the dark, here in the winter. 

- I prefer to be up all night and sleep in the daytime, that's just how I am. 

- I am so emotionally sensitive, distraught, overwhelmed, bedraggled...  I need to keep the curtains drawn and very often hide under the bed. 

- I don't believe the sun is my friend, so I avoid it. If it wants to hang-out, it knows where I live. 

These would be challenging circumstances,
but let's be clear. 

1)
This doesn't have anything to do with the Sun, per se. 
Its not the Sun DOing it TO Me. 
The Sun hasn't changed or moved, 
it isn't being Evasive or Undependable.

The Sun is NOT HIDING From Me.
If the sun isn't available enough to me,
then it is me who is Hiding from the Sun. 

This doesn't change my Experience.
But it does very much Shift my Capacity
to (at least theoretically) potentially change my Experience,
Because...

2)

 it is MY
- rhythms in: Structures, Location, Timing... as well as
- relationships with Habits, Beliefs, Emotions... 
That are NOT WORKING for me and my desire for more Sun, 

If I am stuck in Twilight, in Dark, in Need of more Light
Can I recognize that the 'ball is in my court'?

Am I willing to Inquire into 
MY possibly Limited Identity? Off-Kilter Perspective?

Am I willing to Examine my Own Choices? 

When
It's me, not You 
*I* Can DO Something about it
Howleluyah.

In the Physical, this is sometimes called 'Agency', btw. 
Basically the opposite of what can be called 'Learned Helplessness'. 
The Energetic Component of this can be called 'Seniority' or 'Soul Sovereignty'. 
It means what I say goes, in my own space. 
It is the focus this month in our Weekly Meditations.

From here then, from my perspective, these kinds of questions arise:

- Is there Something I CAN DO to Shift the situation? If so

- HOW am I Able to SHIFT in my Soul? If so 

- HOW do I shift into more Alignment with the Sun?

SO, I am sure you know I am not just talking about the Sun here, 

but also my Unique experience of the Divine.

How do I Dance more Deeply with the Divine? and How do I share How?  

The is an area of Great Interest Passion for me, for longer than my whole adult life, so

- I have a few clues around this challenge, and 

- I have found and developed a bunch of inner tools 
that actually assist in this endeavor. 
They work for me, and lots of others I have shared-with. 

Of course, you can figure out this challenge of ever Deeper Dancing with Divine, as you please.

If you wanna play together, along the way, 
please come as my guest to a 'Spiritual Communion' Meditation.