Jeff Reynolds One desire: Beauty, Glory, Hope and Sorrow - Bali is Wild Beauty

Bali is wild beauty.
It draws millions of visitors.

Bali has a measure of glory
Glory is different from beauty. Beauty is inherent in creation and speaks of the Father's character and nature. Glory is not automatic.
Glory is the manifest presence. Resident in all living things, the Glory of God emerges in faith, hope and love. Glory emerges in the welcome, the embrace of the rule and reign of Jesus.
It shines in unity, oneness, love and the Kingdom manifest in us.

Bali is searching for her glory. A few bright lights. Many dimly lit.
The called out ones are hard pressed and there are a 1000 gates to prevail against.

The glory is often stolen.

ogoh ogoh -glorying the theif

After a large building project near a local village, those leasing the land thought it would be great to welcome the village up for a celebration and party. Possibly a 1000 people, the heart hope was to build a relationship, bless and welcome the village into the property. The cost was $5000.00. Everyone was approached and all agreed this would be fantastic. Those leasing the property were excited to offer something in friendship to the Balinese village. The land owner (only Balinese can
own land - others lease for 20-25 years) was given the money to make preparations for the party. HE STOLE IT ALL. The party never happened. The Villagers blamed the leasee. They began to steal and despise the tenants of the new property. A promise not fulfilled. A hope of all trashed by short sighted greed. And there is no justice for the money stolen. The ones who lost it were foreigners.
Glory lost to greed, theft, racism, and fatherless fathers.

Bali is rich in hope.
The complexities of life here have not overwhelmed hope.
It is expressed everywhere. People are making a way in this radically changing economic and social environment. Hope is alive for something better.
Yet it appears that someone is always loosing with the "advances".

It appears to be the Balinese. Om swastiastu - good morning, nice to meet you in Ubud town...30 mins from Tampaksiring get you a blank stare. The language of Bali is being forced into the jungle.
Many run to Bali for the opportunities, the freedom, the ability to live and have hope. They do find a measure of it. But it looks like table scraps to me. Slim pickings.

When hope in Christ is endlessly beat down with religion and the fires of love are quenched along with the Holy Spirit the heart grows very sick. Hope starves in the thin air of a lack of his presence.

Jesus is filled with hope. He always carries hope, faith and love.
His presence is alive with creative wonder and belief.
He always sees a way.
When spiritual environments are closed down to the fire in his eyes hopes flame grows dim.
The spirit of python squeezes tighter and tighter with every exhale.
Come Holy Spirit and light new fire. Expand the atmosphere with your love and beauty.

Good News. IN Jesus hope remains. In Christ Jesus hope is eternal fire. In Jesus we overcome the world. In Jesus love, grace, mercy, hope and faith stream endlessly to the open heart.

Bali is a refuge.
Many believers from other islands where persecution is violence come to Bali to a make a life

The lush jungle hides vipers.
Glory is the natural beauty of a given thing in creation shining forth within it designed fullness in Christ.

http://ow.ly/MsGoE - The Islands Praise Him! Isaiah 42
God is stirring hearts for Bali and Indonesia. Is he stirring yours?
more to come in the days ahead.

Comments? Ideas? Testimonies?

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Other posts that may interest you:

1) http://jeffreynoldsonedesire.blogspot.com/2015/01/7-things-enemy-devil-doesnt-want-you-to.html

2) http://jeffreynoldsonedesire.blogspot.com/2014/04/you-fascinate-me-jesus-so-why-are-you.html