Dangerous proximity

Rest

2012-01-29T08:20:00.000-06:00

“Rest is a decision we make. Rest is choosing to do nothing when we have too much to do, slowing down when we feel pressure to go faster, stopping instead of starting. Rest is listening to our weariness and responding to our tiredness, not to what is making us tired. Rest is what happens when we say one simple word: "No!" Rest is the ultimate humiliation because in order to rest, we must admit we are not necessary, that the world can get along without us, that God's work does not depend on us. Once we understand how unnecessary we are, only then might we find the right reasons to say yes. Only then might we find the right reasons to decide to be with Jesus instead of working for him. Only then might we have the courage to take a nap with Jesus.”

~Mike Yaconelli

Glory

2012-01-27T06:57:00.000-06:00

God has a mission
A plan to reach the nations
Worship He desires
Glory for His name

Long ago it began
The story of His glory
Threaded throughout history
Unchanging over time

He will not be deterred
His promise will prevail
Blessed to be a blessing
We have a role to play

Go and tell the nations
Disciples to be made
On their knees in worship
Bringing glory to His name

Patchwork

2012-01-26T06:53:00.000-06:00

Scraps in a pile
Many colors, shapes & sizes
Can they come together
For a common purpose?

Sunday morning service
People flowing in
Each unique & special
Can they bond as one?

Scraps come together
Threaded piece by piece
A patchwork quilt begins to form
Beauty from the mess

We are Christ's body
Come together by His blood
Each one has a purpose
A place in God's family

Beauty out of ashes
Grace within our mess
Love that overflows
And draws us home at last

It is well with my soul

2012-01-25T06:12:00.001-06:00

Various hymns run through my brain. I do love the old hymns...there is such rich theology in their words. One that came to mind recently is "It Is Well With My Soul."

Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you."

Check out the story behind the hymn: the author of this hymn, Horatio Spafford, had two major events take place within just a couple of years of each other. The first was the great Chicago Fire in late 1871, which ruined him financially (he had been a wealthy businessman).

Hardly two years later, a greater tragedy struck. In 1873 his four daughters where lost when their ship, bound for Europe, collided with another in Mid-atlantic, and sank almost immediately. A lifeboat spotted Mrs Spafford and she was rescued. When she arrived in Britain, with the rest of the survivors, she sent her husband this brief, but telling message: 'SAVED ALONE.'

The words struck Horatio Spafford with full force and plunged him into deep sorrow. The great American evangelist D.L. Moody and his associate, singer Ira D. Sankey, were conducting a campaign in Edinburgh at the time. They were personal friends of the Spaffords and came down to London to give whatever help and comfort they could. They found their friends in surprisingly good spirits, strong in faith and able to say through their tears, 'It is well; the will of God be done.'

Three years after that tragedy, Spafford wrote his hymn "It Is Well With My Soul", in memory of his four precious daughters. Happily each of them had personally received Jesus Christ as Savior before embarking on that fateful voyage.

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How would I react if I had faced those circumstances? Would I be able to say, "It is well with my soul"? Have I put my trust in the Sovereign God who will sustain me through such experiences?

Is it well with my soul even now when my life is relatively at peace?

I pray that regardless of the events of my life, I will be able to say with Horatio Spafford...

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Food for thought

2012-01-24T06:05:00.000-06:00

“We become what we think about all day long.” Emerson

Think differently

2012-01-23T06:08:00.003-06:00

"Why?" is a question I often find myself asking and it often goes unanswered. It's so easy for me to overthink situations, relationships, life. I analyze it, picking it apart and trying to see it from every angle. The result is that I get overwhelmed, stressed out and negative. Oooh, that is a bad combination!

Some of the "Why" questions I'm thinking about now:

* Why is self-discipline so difficult?

* Why do we say things to hurt other people?

* Why do we let our emotions cloud our judgment?

* Why is trusting God such a tough thing to do?

* Why is it so easy to waste time when there are so many good things I should be doing?

* Why is it difficult to find a kind word to say in response to the harsh words spoken to you?

* Why am I so restless?

I realize that it's often better not to dwell on the "why" which can be a fruitless pursuit of explanations I may never get. Instead, asking myself, "what am I going to do about...?" is a better focus to have. This latter question forces me to think about my area of influence. What can I change? What can I do differently? I have no ability to control other's actions or words but I can choose how I act and how I speak.

To chew on...

2012-01-22T06:01:00.000-06:00

"We teach what we know, but we reproduce who we are." John Maxwell

Faithful

2012-01-21T12:46:00.000-06:00

Do you know the song that goes, "I lean, I lean, I lean, I lean, leanin' on the Lord's side"? Or something like...anyhow, that's me. I'm totally leaning on the Lord because there's no way I could do this on my own. It's by His grace, His faithfulness and His provision that I can say that I am at peace. The Lord has been so good to me. While I am completely overwhelmed with all that life holds right now, I can choose to embrace God's peace. It's only through His grace and faithfulness that I can live each day, one day at a time.

Psalm 33:4 tells us that "the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does." He is so faithful to us, even when we aren't faithful to Him. It's just amazing to witness it in my own life.

Be at rest

2012-01-20T06:44:00.001-06:00

Alone in a crowd.
Must be strong.
Unsettled, yet at peace.
Lonely.

Church.
Testimonies of God's faithfulness.
I'm not okay, not strong, but He is.
His listening ear never fails.
Strength to persevere.
His strength, my weakness.

Snowflakes falling.
Beauty in the storm.
He never leaves me.
Lonely but clinging to the presence of Christ.

At peace in Him.

Be still my soul, be at rest.

"BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD."

Breathe...

2012-01-19T06:50:00.001-06:00

Endless questions.
Overthinking.
Analyzing.
Obsessing.
Total confusion.

Breathe...inhale...exhale...

Pause.
Seek His face.
Begin to listen.
Learn to trust.
Surrender.

Breathe...inhale...exhale...

God is Sovereign.
Bigger than my box.
Bigger than my worries.
Bigger than my questions.
God is good.

Breathe...inhale...exhale...

Worth it

2012-01-18T06:16:00.000-06:00

Relationships are funny things. They can bring joy, sorrow, laughter, frustration, and so much more. Sometimes the relationship isn't what you want it to be. Perhaps it's a friendship that doesn't seem to get past the weather or the "Hi, how are you?" "Good, how are you?" stage. Or maybe it's that friendship that you have hurt and it doesn't seem to be getting back to where things used to be and reality is setting in that perhaps it will never be the same. And then there's that friendship that you wish would blossom into something more and yet...

Relationships take work. They take effort, time and energy. And despite any sorrow, frustration, pain that come with them, they are totally worth it. People make you grow, they make you think, they make you a better person. And that's worth it.

New Year's Resolutions

2012-01-03T06:32:00.000-06:00

It's that time of year when people make unrealistic New Year's resolutions, most of which will be broken in a month or two. Now I realize that statement sounds really pessimistic and perhaps cynical, but it's not really meant to be. I, personally, have made some ridiculous New Year's resolutions that didn't last very long. Well I just got an email with a list of New Year's Resolutions that you can keep and I thought it was rather funny so I'm sharing it here. Enjoy!

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS YOU CAN KEEP

Are you sick of making the same resolutions year after year that you never keep? Why not promise to do something you can ACTUALLY accomplish? Here are some resolutions that you can use as a starting point:

~ Gain weight. At least 30 pounds.

~ Stop exercising. Waste of time.

~ Read less. Makes you think.

~ Watch more TV. I've been missing some good stuff.

~ Procrastinate more. Starting tomorrow.

~ Spend more time at work, surfing the web.

~ Take a vacation to someplace important, like to see the world's largest ball of twine.

~ Don't jump off a cliff just because everyone else did.

~ Stop bringing lunch from home--eat out more.

~ Don't have eight children at once.

~ Get in a whole NEW rut!

~ Start being superstitious.

~ Personal goal: Don't bring back disco.

~ Speak in a monotone voice and only use monosyllabic words.

~ Only wear jeans that are 2 sizes too small and use a chain or rope for a belt.

~ Spend my summer vacation in cyberspace.

~ Create loose ends.

~ Get more toys.

~ Get further in debt.

~ Don't believe politicians.

~ Break at least one traffic law.

~ Don't drive a motorized vehicle across thin ice.

~ Don't swim with piranhas or sharks.

~ Spread out priorities beyond the ability to keep track of them.

~ Wait for opportunity to knock.

~ Focus on the faults of others.

~ Mope about faults.

~ Never make New Year's resolutions again.

Creative and fun ways to annoy your coworkers

2011-12-22T06:42:00.000-06:00

Another installment of "How to be annoying":

*Whisper loudly

*Come to work sick

*Answer your mobile during meetings

*Stand over someone while they are on the phone

*Sneak up behind someone

*Leave unusual print outs on the printer

*Juggle office supplies

*Chew gum while talking on the phone

*Regularly update everyone on the current weather

*Read your emails aloud
*Leave fingerprints on the copier glass

*Whistle all day long

*Wear too much cologne/perfume

*Type loudly

*Wear bright colored clothes

*Give everyone a nickname from a TV show

*Do the sneaky walk around the office

*Peer over the cube and wait for a co-worker to look up and notice

*Type emails in uppercase and excessive punctuation

*Refer to your garbage can as your in-box

*Stick pencils to the ceiling in other people’s offices

*Throw a bouncy ball in your office

*Tell the same story over and over

*Talk to your monitor as if it was a person

*Schedule meetings at 4:00pm

*Talk loudly with your earphones on when someone comes to talk to you

Remind Me Who I Am

2011-12-16T18:52:00.000-06:00

The lyrics to this song are so good. As a Christian, my identity is secure in Christ. Regardless of how I feel or what others think, who I am in Christ remains the same. Check out these words from Jason Gray's song, "Remind Me Who I Am":

When I lose my way,
And I forget my name
Remind me who I am
In the mirror all I see
Is who I don't wanna be
Remind me who I am

In the loneliest places
When I can't remember what grace is

Tell me, once again
Who I am to You, who I am to You
Tell me, lest I forget
Who I am to You, that I belong to You
To You

When my heart is like a stone,
And I'm running far from home
Remind me who I am
When I can't receive Your love
Afraid I'll never be enough
Remind me who I am

If I'm Your beloved can You help me believe it

Tell me, once again
Who I am to You, who I am to You
Tell me, lest I forget
Who I am to You, that I belong to You
To You

I'm the one You love, I'm the one You love
That will be enough, I'm the one You love

Oh the holidays

2011-12-12T05:00:00.000-06:00

Tis the holiday season...this time of year can cause an array of emotions and thoughts. Family gatherings, buying presents, travelling and just generally trying to keep your sanity. So I thought I'd share a reflection for the season adapted from an email I just got from a friend.

I don't know what you each will face in the comign weeks but I do know that holidays are not necessarily easy for everyone. Perhaps you are far away from the people you really love or stuck spending the holidays with the very people you need a break from. Or maybe you are reminded of those who are no longer with you or you might be torn up by hurtful memories of past holidays that didn't go so well.

It can be very easy for us to paint a picture of the holidays as being a happy time where everyone gets along and all is well. The problem is that for a lot of us the holidays are hard. They are harsh reminders of missing loved ones, childhood wounds that have never fully healed, and a sense of hopelessness that you're too embarrassed to talk about. After all, we are Christians, we are people of hope.

Well, not every story has a happy ending and we need to guard against being well-meaning Christians that share their stories of victory with absolutely no sensitivity to those who are on a long, hard, painful path toward healing and redemption.

Jesus had a unique ability to look into the hearts of people who were struggling and wrestling with big issues (the woman at the well, the rich young ruler, Zacchaeus, parents whose children had died, beggars, lepers, prostitutes, and on and on). Rarely did He offer a lecture or a pep talk. I'm convinced that He let His eyes do most of the talking and that people sensed His love, support, grace and encouragement as He looked into the eyes of every unique and delicate situation.

I hope you have had a near perfect and problem-free life and that the holidays are the best time of the year for you. But, if you don't fall into this camp I'd give anything right now to be able to give you a giant bear hug, look you in the eyes and let you know how much I care personally and how much God cares. Regardless of the source of your pain, know that I love you and care very deeply about your pain, and if I could, I would even try to move a mountain to help.

For the rest of us, if you know someone who carries deep burdens, especially during the holiday season, don't tell them not to lose hope or about your uncle's cousin's kid who is going through the same thing they are going through, just love them and be Jesus to them.

Have a wonderful Christmas season - whatever your plans might be.

A gift worth saving

2011-12-01T06:13:00.000-06:00

Looking back at journal entries, I thought I would post this one because it's seasonally appropriate. :-)

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10/1/2009 – At Christmas time, I love to sort through the presents underneath the tree, looking for ones addressed to me. I’ll pick each one up, shake it, squish it and try to identify the contents. I find books and cds fairly easy to distinguish unless the giver intentionally disguises the gift. The funny thing is, I don’t actually want to know what’s inside the wrapping until Christmas morning. I would never dream of removing the tape to look inside. I would never peek between the layers of tissue paper to see inside the gift bag. That would spoil the surprise. It would ruin the anticipation that is built by seeing the gifts but being forced to wait until Christmas morning to open them. Occasionally, the unthinkable happens, a package is torn or the gift bag spills over and the contents are revealed. I try to fix it by adding extra tape but the damage is done. I’ve seen inside and now the package doesn’t look nearly so delightful. I am the world’s worst wrapper so my haphazard attempts to reclose the package generally doesn’t work.
Analogies break down and illustrations aren’t perfect but work with me here. Ladies, our hearts and bodies are a gift. In fact, we are a temple of the Holy Spirit. Our heart and body are gifts to be treasured for our spouse – current or future. What do I want to present to my husband on our wedding night – a gift that is haphazardly wrapped, torn and in disarray or a gift that has been treasured and kept pure? If I want to latter from my future spouse, shouldn’t I be striving to offer him the same? If I give my heart away a piece at a time, what am I saving for marriage? If I give myself away physically (to any degree), am I honoring God and my future mate?
Praise God that He can restore our purity. We can’t take back the choices we’ve already made, but He can and will redeem us if we allow Him to. He will enable us to choose from this day forward to choose purity of heart & body that we can present our future mate with a precious gift.

Reflections

2011-11-08T06:18:00.000-06:00

I guess this is a season of reflecting on God's abundant grace in my life. How often I need reminding of all that He has done and the numerous ways He has blessed me.

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Journal entry from 11/8/2009 – If I live the truth, order my life by it, even when I don’t feel it – will I eventually believe it? I’ve been raised to believe that God is good and loving, that His mercy covers, sin, that He forgives His children and loves us unconditionally. I want to believe this is true. I want to live in this truth.

I want to see me through Jesus’ eyes.
I want to know how He sees me.
I want to live confidently in who He says I am, not how I feel about myself.

If I live like I believe the things I’ve written, if I force myself to walk in those truth, will my emotions eventually line up?

It seems hypocritical to do that – to live one way when my heart screams the opposite.
But I don’t know how what else to do.
I don’t feel God’s love or grace or even His presence. But I think I should live in the truth that He is there even when I don’t feel Him.

Two years ago today....

2011-11-06T06:29:00.000-06:00

....I wrote these words in my journal. Praise be to God for miry pit He brought me out of!!!

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11/6/2009 – Broken dreams, a heart that hurts, confusion, even frustration. Disappointment in me, in others, even in God. I feel like I let God down. Maybe I even feel like He has let me down. Overwhelming sadness. Wondering if I can feel joy again. It’s like there’s a weight pushing down on my or holding me back. I want to step out in faith, I want to get out of the boat but I’m being held back by this oppressive weight. And I get so consumed by the sadness, the negativity and confusion that I lose sight of Jesus. And maybe that’s the reason for my let down or disappointment in Him because I wonder where He is.

Where are You, Jesus?
Where are You when my heart is breaking?
Where are You when confusion, sadness and negativity are pressing in?
Where are You when the tears are flowing and it seems like they will never stop?
Where are You Jesus?
Will You wrap Your arms around me?

My life is a mess with broken pieces scattered all around – can You take over?
Can you take the broken pieces of my heart, my life and be my Healer?
If I fall on You, will You catch me?
Do you have a purpose for me?
How do I trust You?
How do I live a life of faith?

There’s so much I don’t understand and so much hurt in my heart – I don’t know what to do. I need You and yet I feel so far from You. Oh Jesus, I need You.

Would You run to me?
Would you hold me?
I want to see You.
I want to know You.
I want an intimate relationship with You.
I want to trust You fully.
Show me how, Jesus!

Diminished

2011-10-13T06:31:00.002-05:00

How easily do you serve? How do you feel when someone gives you the dirtiest job, the smallest paycheck, or the last place in line? Most of us struggle deeply with it. We get angry. We feel frustrated. But Jesus didn't. In fact, He volunteered for those jobs. Interesting, huh?

His secret was a simple one. The Bible says, "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him." (John 13:3-6) Don't skip past the first sentence in that passage, because it is the key. Jesus knew that His eternal destiny was a huge one. He knew that "the Father had put all things under his power", and He knew that "he had come from God" and he knew that "he was returning to God". In other words, He was secure. He knew He had nothing to lose. He knew that He would not be diminished by serving other people, even people who were infinitely less than Him. Or to put it another way, He wasn't afraid of being diminished. Are you?

Listen, friends, if you know Jesus as your Savior then you couldn't possibly be diminished. You are a Son or Daughter of the God of all the Universe. He knows your name. He calls you His own. He carries your picture in His wallet and posts it on His Facebook page. So what do you have to lose? Go ahead and do the dirty job. Go ahead and clean the bathrooms, wash the dishes, mow the lawn, or flip the hamburger. You're not in a competition to prove that you are valuable or worthy. You already are both of those things. So be free to get down on your knees and wash your brother's feet. You might be surprised at who you find right next to you.

Changing colors

2011-10-04T06:51:00.001-05:00

I love this time of year. In fact, fall may just be my favorite season. Cool, crisp mornings that change into warm afternoons. Wearing a sweater in the morning and short sleeves in the afternoon. Laying on a blanket and looking at the stars. Pumpkin carving and corn mazes. So many fun fall activities!

And the leaves! Oh, how I love to watch the changing colors of fall. The fields of corn & beans go from green to golden yellow to harvest brown. Leaves shift from green to yellow or red or orange...the sight can be absolutely stunning. We've only just begun to see these changes here in IL. This past weekend, I was at the zoo and took a few pictures of the changing leaves but there is the promise of a kaleidescope of colors to come.

The chill of winter is just around the corner, but for now I will enjoy the fall and plethora of activities that come with the cooler weather. Yay! :-)

To think or not to think

2011-09-29T06:07:00.000-05:00

I've been reading through some old journal entries and thought I would post a few here because it may be an encouragement for someone else. As I look back on where I came from, I am so thankful for what the Lord has done in me. I'm still a work in progress but praise God that He hasn't given up on me (Philippians 1:6).
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6/28/2010 – Somewhere along the way, I quit thinking. I looked to others for the right words, even the right thoughts. I became a robot waiting for others to program me with the right responses and actions and thoughts. Thinking seemed painful and brought judgment from others. Thinking brought out ideas that were different, even uncomfortable. And so I became a reed swaying in the wind, tossed to and fro, here and there. And then I wake up one day and realize that to not think is even more painful. To not think is to not be true to who God created me to be. I allowed others to shape who I am rather than looking to Creator God who formed me in my mother’s womb. And He put a call on my life back then. A call that He is now preparing me to launch into. Think, Holly, think. You are a beautiful, victorious woman of God.

God can use you

2011-09-01T06:52:00.000-05:00

Jacob was a cheater, Peter had a temper, David had an affair, Noah got drunk, Jonah ran from God, Paul was a murderer, Gideon was insecure, Miriam was a gossip, Mary was a worrier, Thomas was a doubter, Sarah was impatient, Elijah was moody, Moses stuttered, Zaccheus was short, Abraham was old and Lazarus was dead. Now..... what's YOUR reason for thinking God won't use you?
God CAN use you where you are...if you let him!

Trust in Me

2011-08-31T06:43:00.000-05:00

"I am developing your ability to trust Me, to lean on Me, rather than on your understanding. My preference is for you to depend on Me continually, trusting Me to guide you and strengthen you as needed. This is how you grow strong in your weakness." Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

You are worth dying for

2011-08-21T09:32:00.000-05:00

Performance based spirituality is exhausting. "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." There is glorious freedom in that truth.

A solid foundation

2011-08-17T09:33:00.000-05:00

As I stand on the shore, the waves wash away the sand under my feet. Lord let my life be built on You, my Rock, not on shifting sand.

Just a thought...

2011-08-09T09:34:00.000-05:00

"It's almost impossible to overestimate the unimportance of most things."

Quote from a sermon I listened to online

2011-08-04T09:35:00.000-05:00

"Rather than trying harder, let's just be honest about the fact that we suck...and come before God with humility & honesty and admit that we are broken and incapable of loving people the way He wants us to love....and hear God say how much He still loves us as we are." ~Jim Powell

The One who knows my name

2011-07-30T09:36:00.000-05:00

When I don't understand life's circumstances, when I can't see around the obstacles before me, still I will trust in the One who sees me, the One who knows my name.

Messiness

2011-07-27T09:37:00.000-05:00

I am passionate about seeing people become more like Jesus...disciple-making is a beautiful thing, albeit an often messy affair.

Blessings

2011-07-22T09:39:00.000-05:00

"Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops? / What if Your healing comes through tears / What if a thousand sleepless nights / Are what it takes to know You’re near?"

Today I Will Make a Difference ~Max Lucado

2011-07-01T06:45:00.000-05:00

Today I will make a difference.

I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark.

Today I will make a difference.

I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving.

Today I will make a difference.

I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It’s OK to stumble… . I will get up. It’s OK to fail… . I will rise again.

Today I will make a difference.....

Thunder, Fear, and God's Voice

2011-05-25T20:51:00.002-05:00

I love storms - mighty, fierce, and slightly terrifying. I love to watch the power of the wind as it bends mighty oak trees and ripples over the waters. Or to see lightning pierce the sky and illuminate a darkened sky. And thunder. Oh, how I love thunder. Oh to hear a mighty crash of thunder that causes me to tremble! There is a thunder that resounds so mightily that I shake with a little fear and yet I also want to jump and dance like a giddy child. There is power in storms, a power so strong that it should be respected and perhaps even feared.

There are some parallels between the force of a storm and the Source of a storm. I see the destruction caused by wind and I think of the destruction that happens when a life is invaded by the Holy Spirit. The latter type should be welcomed, even though it can be painful. The Holy Spirit penetrates to the depths of our soul, uprooting sin, destroying strongholds, and decimating the powers of satan in our lives.

I see the wind bend a 100 year old tree and I am reminded of the strength it helps build in the tree. The wind of the Holy Spirit also bends me to His will as my roots are plunged deep into Him.

And then there's thunder. It makes me think of when Moses went up on the mountain and heard God speak. The people heard thunder. When I hear thunder, I think of God's voice. Sometimes the thunder is so loud, so deep that it makes me tremble inside and I feel some fear. And yet, I get so excited by it as well. You know, the kind of thunder that makes you want to run and hide but then again, you want to stand outside and watch the magnificence of the storm. How much more true that must be of God's voice. To be in His presence and to hear His voice will cause me tremble with fear, awe and reverence. And yet, I will also be excited and joyful to be in the presence of my Creator.

Some verses that relate:

Job 37:3-5 - He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth. After that comes the sound of his roar; he thunders with his majestic voice. When his voice resounds, he holds nothing back. God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’

Psalm 29:2-4 - Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.

Psalm 68:32-34 - Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord, to him who rides the ancient skies above, who thunders with mighty voice. Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the skies.

Jeremiah 10:12-14 - But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain
and brings out the wind from his storehouses.

John 12:28-30 – “Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine.

Random call of encouragement

2011-05-17T14:06:00.000-05:00

I got a call at work from a guy who was checking on a subscription that I maintain for my job. We got to chatting about life and discovered that we're both believers. After a few minutes of banter, he begins speaking words of encouragement and insight to me. I was speechless. A couple things he said are not even public knowledge so I knew Jesus was using this guy to encourage me and speak truth into my life. And then he prayed for me. Wow. Jesus is amazing....to think that He loves me enough to arrange this random phone call today when I so desperately needed truth spoken over me.

Here's a little of what he said to me:

Stay faithful. This is a growing period for you and it's a tough time for you. I sense a loneliness about you but God is going to provide the "ram in the bush for you". You have wisdom, knowledge and understanding. People think you are soft and weak because of your voice but you're a Deborah and you will get through this. You've been seeking the Lord to direct your steps like it says in Psalm 37 and He will answer. There is more coming for you and a door is opening. Keep being faithful. You are a prayer warrior and filled with the Holy Spirit. Keep seeking Him.

Praise God for a willing servant who listened to the Spirit's prompting and spoke words of truth to a sister in Christ!!!!

Sometimes I'm left speechless

2011-05-16T06:50:00.001-05:00

I get some really strange phone calls at work and sometimes they leave me speechless in how to respond.

----------------------
Caller: "The way I see it, I didn't know the machine was stolen when I bought it so I should get to keep it. Otherwise I'm out $20,000."
----------------------
Cop: "The guy told me that he's hiding the machine because he doesn't want to make anymore payments. It's not listed as stolen but he told me where it's at if that would be helpful for you to know."
----------------------

Great quote

2011-05-05T06:55:00.002-05:00

Caffeine is God's way of saying "I love you" to those of us who are not morning people.
~DJ Hariford

Creative ways to be a nuisance at work, part 2

2011-04-14T11:06:00.001-05:00

* Stare deeply into your co-workers eyes when they talk to you

* Hit all the floor buttons when you leave the elevator

* Make hissing sounds into the phone and insist you have a bad connection

* Flip the left and right mouse button defaults

* Take out the ball in the mouse

* Tell a long story without a point

* Drag your feet when you walk down the halls

* Exclaim your co-worker didn’t wash his hands when leaving the restroom

* Eat stinky foods when you have lunch at your desk

* Practice drumming on your desk

* Use too many paper clips

* Set your mobile phone to an obnoxious ring tone

* Forward chain letters and other spam to co-workers

Looking back - saying no

2011-04-11T06:47:00.000-05:00

I am a chronic journaler. I go through phases where I write everyday, sometimes multiple times a day (those are usually tough days). Othertimes, like now, I don't journal as often. I get busy and forget or I'm just too tired at the end of the day. One of the things I love about journaling is that I can look back and see what God has done. I was reading through my journal recently and came across the following post and I was blessed to see how God is answering my prayer....

5/18/2010 – NO. It’s such a little word yet so vital to one’s physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional health. Everyday we encounter things that we must say no to. And if you don’t use that powerful word often enough, you will pay the price. You would think that by the age of 29, I would be accomplished at saying no. But alas, I don’t use it enough. And then I get sick and my body cries out for relief. My soul longs for rest. I am not designed to do, do, do. I am a human BE-ing, not a human DO-ing. There’s a world of difference there. I am meant to dwell in the secret place, to seek intimacy with Jesus. Distractions crowd in, good things yes, but still distractions if they keep me from the call that Christ has placed on my life. Making choices with eternity in mind should be my priority. Each day we are given another chance to make choices for God’s glory and our good. Oh Lord, don’t let this be temporary, but a life lesson I am learning. Open my ears to hear Your voice. Open my heart to receive Your love and Your presence. Open my eyes so I can see You. Reorganize my life where necessary that I would bring You the most glory. I want You to create my priorities.

You are More by 10th Avenue North

2011-04-01T06:53:00.000-05:00

There's a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she's wandered
And the shame she can't hide

She says, "How did I get here?
I'm not who I once was.
And I'm crippled by the fear
That I've fallen too far to love"

But don't you know who you are,
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

Well she tries to believe it
That she's been given new life
But she can't shake the feeling
That it's not true tonight

She knows all the answers
And she's rehearsed all the lines
And so she'll try to do better
But then she's too weak to try

But don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

'Cause this is not about what you've done,
But what's been done for you.
This is not about where you've been,
But where your brokenness brings you to

This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You've been remade
You've been remade.
You've been remade.
You've been remade.

Creative ways to be a nuisance at work

2011-03-30T06:47:00.001-05:00

* Walk around the office barefoot

* Misplace peoples pens

* Leave an open can of tuna in their desk - that's just nasty, I am not a fan of tun!

* Talk in a funny accent - apparently I already do this without meaning to :-)

* Use goofy event sounds for your programs

* Chant, “Yeay, I got mail!!” every time you get a new email

* Start your car remotely when someone walk by it

* Leave hole punches all over

* Leave your lunch garbage in other people’s cans

* After each sip give a refreshing, “Ahhh"

* Put salt on someone’s mouse pad

* Carry on a conversation with someone two cubes down

Blink

2011-03-24T06:20:00.001-05:00

Days rush by, a blur of activity.
Time never stands still,
it marches on
regardless.

Blink....
and a week has gone by.
Close your eyes....
and there goes a month.

Life brings joys, challenges, laughter....
....tears.
Tears of joy and tears of pain.
Sometimes they mingle together
and flow as one stream down my cheeks.

There must be more

2011-03-21T06:42:00.000-05:00

There must be more than this, more than my current situation, more than what I’m seeing.
I’m just not satisfied.
I long for greater purpose, to know why I’m here.
It’s like an eagle hanging out with the pigeons.

I long to soar to new heights,
to see and do more,
to know God in deeper and more intimate ways.

But I’m not sure how to get off the ground.

I just want to be like Jesus

2011-03-09T06:24:00.000-06:00

I fear wasting my life. I fear that one day I’ll wake up and be 40 or 50 or 60 and wonder what I did with my life.

Did it matter?
Did any of it really matter?

I wonder if I’m doing what God wants. I wonder if I can change.
Have I reached my potential?
Is this all I can be?
If I long for more, how do I get there?
Can I change?
Can I stop being lazy and selfish?

It only takes one decision at a time and yet sometimes even that overwhelms me. “Do the next thing.” I heard that on the radio once and then last night a wise friend told me the same thing. It’s about one step at a time, once choice at a time. Each one is hard, each one requires strength that only comes from Jesus….and yet too often I rely on me and my feeble strength.

“I want a life that explodes with meaning.”

Do I really want meaning or do I want importance?

This is my life right now. Questions without answers. Conflicting emotions. Joy and peace. Impatience and confusion. Often there are tears brimming just below the surface. Tears of longing. Tears of joy. Tears of confusion and desperation. Trying not to choke on the emotion that threatens to overwhelm me.

I long for wisdom from the Lord and the wisdom of those around me. (anyone? anyone? :-) )

Am I living the life God intended for me? I put a smile on my face and I am bubbly and happy because I have so much joy from the Lord, but there's also an underlying feeling of being lost and a desperate longing for more of Jesus. I want to be like Him! I want to encounter Jesus and be transformed by that encounter. I want to love like Him and have the same attitude as He did.

I don't know what the future holds. I'm not sure what God' will is for my future. But I know His will for today....that I seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. So I choose thankfulness rather than complaining. I choose to love rather than criticize. In all things, I choose to be like Jesus.

I can’t help but believe that God has more for me than what I'm currently living. How do I get there? One day at a time. One step at a time. I long to be real, to be known, to be loved. Is it safe to be me? Will anyone accept me just as I am (especially if they knew the craziness within)? Can anyone see past the facade to the confused and hurting girl inside? Can anyone see me?

Whew! I need a hug after all this vulnerability. :-)

Another day, another recovery

2011-03-04T06:06:00.000-06:00

February 17, 2011 - police raided a chop shop in Ellenwood, GA. Dozens of armed officers descended on the suspected operation where they located a stolen Caterpillar track loader among other things.

My favorite part is the last two lines of this article....http://www.wsbtv.com/news/26907744/detail.html

This is too cool....

2011-02-28T06:59:00.000-06:00

Note: A ROV is essentially a remote-controlled underwater robot

"On Friday September 3, 2010 the St. Louis County Minnesota Volunteer Rescue Squad was called in to assist the City of Virginia, Minnesota Police Department in locating a stolen Caterpillar D9 track-type bulldozer tractor.

The City of Virginia Police Department observed an oil slick on the water surface of a mine pit along with disturbed brush leading down to the water some 300 feet below ground level. Concerned that the driver may have been trapped in the equipment, they requested assistance from the St. Louis County Sheriff Volunteer Rescue Squad to investigate slick with their underwater experience and technology. This could have been done by divers except it would have been next to impossible to transport heavy dive gear down the steep cliff.

After arriving at the mine pit and evaluating the scene, SLC Volunteer Rescue Squad Captain Tom Crossmon called in his High Level Team to transport the ROV and its tether down the steep rocky face to the water surface. Because the ROV only weighs 10 pounds, team members were able to rig the VideoRay submersible and tether to their bodies while belaying down the face....
....Crossmon operated the....ROV from the squad's mobile command vehicle...., located the oil slick on the surface, submerged and then positively identified the Caterpillar D9 within minutes at a depth of 20 feet. The rescue squad performed a pattern search around the machine for any sign of the driver and did not find anything...."

For more information, see: http://www.rovworld.com/article4771.html

Seeking God....seeking breakthrough....

2011-02-25T06:22:00.001-06:00

Create in my a pure heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Forgive me Lord for my lack of faith. Forgive me for negative thoughts about other people. Forgive me when I am not truthful, forgive me when I am not a good witness of You.

You are Alpha and Omega. You have surrounded me with Your love. You are my Shepherd. You are King over all. You are King of kings and Lord of lords, Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Wonderful Counselor, Healer, Sustainer, Provider, Emmanuel….my Rock and Refuge and fortress in the storm.

I offer to You me – all that I am, all that I think or say or do. I am seeking Your face, seeking Your wisdom and direction. I don’t want to move from this place until I know You are going with me. Without You, I am nothing. Without You, all will fail. I need You Lord Jesus. I need You to be the compass of my life.
Mighty God, I am seeking breakthrough from You. Breakthrough in my finances – in how to live by what You’ve given me and to break the chains of debt.

Actually, it's not unbelievable, it's an everyday occurance....

2011-02-23T06:55:00.000-06:00

This theft report made me laugh....

It's hard to believe that nobody would have seen this go missing. A 2004 Caterpillar track type tractor was stolen from an area near Highway 43 and Range Road 101 sometime between Sunday afternoon and Monday night. If you have seen this massive, bright yellow piece of equipment, you are encouraged to call the Beaverlodge RCMP detachment, or crimestoppers.

http://hqgrandeprairie.com/news/local/news/Local/09/08/21/CAT-Tractor-Stolen

O where, o where has my backhoe gone....?

2011-02-21T06:40:00.000-06:00

This is why I have a job:

Heavy-equipment thefts that plague Poconos are awfully easy to pull off

By Chad Smith, Pocono Record Writer

Picture this: You're taking an afternoon stroll in a residential neighborhood where several houses are under construction and you see a person driving an earth-mover down a street.

Would you think that the person driving the earth-mover just stole it and was off to sell its parts on the black market?

If not, you're probably like most people. Which explains why the thieves who made off with two earth-moving tractors and a dump truck from construction sites and municipal lots in Monroe County recently haven't run into much resistance.
That such large pieces of machinery can just "disappear" seems implausible, but this equipment, worth big bucks, seems to be designed to make it more susceptible to theft.
"Who would ever think that these huge things would get stolen? But they do,".....

....According to a report released by the National Insurance Crime Bureau in 2009, there were about 13,450 nationwide reports of heavy equipment thefts. The state that saw the most such thefts was Texas. Only 18 percent of the stolen equipment was recovered. In contrast, 57 percent of motor vehicles reported stolen over the same period were recovered.
In September 2010, a Caterpillar excavator was stolen from the Glenbrook Golf Course in Stroudsburg. Police reports said several pedestrians saw someone driving the 8-ton excavator down the street but thought nothing of it.....
....New York City Police Department in 2009 broke up a crime ring in the Bronx responsible for stealing nearly 50 tractor-like vehicles and luxury cars from construction sites, public streets and garages.
The ring, the Attorney General's Office said at the time, specialized in stealing backhoes and excavators, which were eventually resold — to perhaps both witting and unwitting customers — in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and even the Dominican Republic.....
For the full article, click here.

We serve a good God

2011-02-14T06:17:00.001-06:00

Good morning Lord. It’s a new day. I want to walk in Your grace today. I want to set my eyes on You and I choose to do that this day. I will pray without ceasing. Your grace is sufficient for me. You see the big picture and You are working for my good. I will put my trust inYou. Elohim, Creator God, all You created is good….

Creative & Fun ways to annoy your coworkers

2011-02-11T06:59:00.001-06:00

* Staple your reports in the wrong corner
* Put tape over the mouse optics
* Unplug a co-worker’s monitor
* Talk to sick employees while wearing a dust mask
* Burn popcorn in the microwave
* "Forget" to put your tuna sandwich in the fridge
* Turn up the beep volume of the copier
* Practice beat boxing
* Sing show tunes
* Slurp hot coffee during meetings

What Not to Do

2011-02-09T06:06:00.001-06:00

Priorities are vital in life. There are so many demands on my time and it’s easy to get super busy with all sorts of random things and lose focus on the important things in life. What do I want my life to be about? Seeking passionately after Jesus and living every moment in His presence. Part of doing that means accepting His priorities for my life and choosing to walk in His will for my life. And that often means saying no. Even saying no to seemingly good things in order to say yes to the best things that Christ has in store for me. It’s easy to create a “To Do” list. Perhaps it’s just as important to have a “What Not To Do” list.

"I was going to return it, I promise!"

2011-02-07T06:34:00.001-06:00

Scene of the crime: an eastern state after a major snowfall

Details (names/identifying details omitted to protect the....innocent?): A man wants to clear his driveway but does not have the proper equipment to handle the amount of snow they got, so he heads over to a nearby shopping center and "borrows" the 950H with a snow plow attachment. He heads back to his house and clears his driveway. As he was preparing to return the machine, he thought he would be a Good Samaritan and clear his whole neighborhood. And he got busted before he could return the stolen equipment.

Another day, another crime solved....

Thoughts on small groups....

2011-02-04T06:15:00.000-06:00

I recently had to answer these questions for my church and thought I would share them here. I dearly love the small group that God has brought together on Thursday nights....it's a group of ladies who have joined together to journey through life and to encourage one other along that journey.

In one or two sentences, what do you, as the small group leader, feel is the purpose of your group?
The purpose of the small group/life group is to create a place where discipleship, equipping and encouragment take place. This is done through teaching of the Word, times of prayer/ministry and creating opportunities for relationships to go deeper. (There have been girls at all stages of the spiritual journey in this group - from non-Christian to mature believer - so I try to keep it a safe place for them to ask questions, explore faith & encounter Jesus.)

What do you think are the one or two main things the members of your small group are looking for (or enjoy) in being a part of your group?
1. They are looking for transparent, real community (true koininia) that extends beyond our Thursday night gathering
2. I think they are looking for solid Bible teaching as well because they have a lot of questions about the Word and how it relates to everyday life

What would it take to get more people involved in small groups across the church?
I think people need to be personally invited. The majority of people who get involved in small groups do so because they were invited, perhaps by the leader or someone who is already in the group. It's not just about inviting people you know either. People are hungry for community/koininia and will often come & check out a group even if they don't know people yet (particularly if it seems to be a non-threatening setting). A number of girls in my group started after getting a random phone call from me (the church gave me a list of young women who might be interested in a small group) or after seeing the group listed on the church website.

I'm a big fan of "Welcome Dinners" where you invite some people you know and some you don't and you just have a meal together. It begins those connections from which a small group can form. I've seen these used to welcome new people to a church, to promote community and to birth small groups. It's a fun, non-threatening way for people to connect with each other.

Any other comments you’d like to add on the topic of small groups:
I am truly grateful that you list small groups on the Riverside website. I've had 3 girls join our small group as a result of looking on the website for small group information.

I am super passionate about small groups because it's where we live life in the trenches with each other and see Jesus "with skin on". Preaching/teaching the "masses" is important, vital even, in the life of a church. But it's in small groups or life groups where people will often shed their mask and enter into community that disciples, encourages & builds them up in their faith as well as challenging them to live out their faith in everyday life. And the beauty of small groups is that there is so much flexibility to how they can be done - day/time can vary; one group may do a video series, another discusses that week's sermon while another may have a lesson written & taught by the leader; age group/special focus can also be applied. I was in a cross-generational, coed small group at my last church where the church provided us a list of questions based on that week's sermon to help us dig deeper into the text of the week. Every two weeks, our group would eat a meal together & then discuss some of the questions - it was an incredible opportunity to learn from other generations and relationships were formed that continue to this day though we now live in 3 different states. There are so many ways a small group can be structured and I think that is a beautiful thing. And I am super excited to see Riverside beginning to formulate a vision for small groups!!!

Just a few thoughts....

Choices

2011-02-03T06:27:00.003-06:00

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." ~Psalm 62:5-8

Life is a journey. My ultimate destination is heaven. And yet, the journey doesn’t end there, it just takes on so much more depth and intimacy with Jesus. Life, on earth, is a difficult journey with twists, turns and even some apparent dead ends. We learn, we stumble, we grow. We laugh, cry, get mad, and rejoice. And we have choices.

Live for Jesus or live for ourselves?
The peace of Christ or the chaos of the world?
Fleeting happiness or the deeply satisfying joy that comes from the Lord?

What choices will I make – ones that bring instant satisfaction or perhaps the ones that are harder but bring eternal benefits?

Sometimes you can have both. Sometimes it’s a tough choice – instant happiness can be tempting to grasp onto but it is so short lived. I want to choose the things that matter. My peace and my rest come from Jesus alone. He has brought me healing. He is teaching me about His faithfulness. He is showing me day by day that I can trust Him. I don’t need to run anywhere but straight into the arms of Jesus. I can relinquish control to Jesus. I can give Him my confusion and questions and let Him have the control. I surrender to Jesus and will focus on Christ, my refuge.

Overwhelmed by God's love

2011-02-02T15:26:00.000-06:00

God, You are amazing. You love me even though You know what I am and what I’ve done. You know my thoughts, my past and You see past my walls into the depths of me. It blows me away that after all that, You still love me. But I accept it, no I relish in it. I want to bask in Your love. I want to be overwhelmed by it, overpowered by You. I want to hear Your still small voice. Sometimes I struggle to tune in to You. I need Your help. I want to trust You with all my heart and not to lean on my own understanding. I believe, help my unbelief!

30 for 30

2011-01-29T19:37:00.001-06:00

In honor of turning 30, I have put together a list of 30 lessons I am learning:

1. Sleep is important
2. Find rest in God and seek Him out for strength. His joy will sustain me through the hard times.
3. God is BIG! When everything else fails, God doesn’t
4. There will be dry times, but He is faithful to always be there
5. Sometimes the lessons you’re teaching are the ones you need to learn

6. It’s okay to be alone
7. Without love, I am nothing
8. Sacrifice what I want and give myself completely to what God wants
9. There is nothing better than praying with someone to accept Christ
10. Trust God for the right words to say, in fact, trust God for everything.

11. God sometimes works in the strangest ways
12. Sometimes walls must be broken for seeds to be planted
13. The longer you wait to obey God, the worse things get
14. Be ready for unexpected things at all times
15. A hug can change your attitude completely. And I often need more hugs!

16. Unity happens when we let God break down our barriers
17. Your attitude sets the tone for the day.
18. Make the most of every opportunity. You never know how much impact you really have on a person’s life
19. People need discipline
20. Don’t forget deodorant

21. Sometimes God causes the greatest flourishing through our mistakes, not our strong points
22. God time is good and vital
23. Expect the weather to change
24. Playing in the rain is encouraged
25. It’s okay to ask for help

26. Find reasons to laugh. Sometimes it’s okay to laugh at the silly things people do. It’s always okay to laugh at yourself
27. It’s okay to be a little crazy
28. Holding on to things that should be in God’s hands is stupid
29. Encouragement, no matter how small, goes a long way.
30. Loving people that annoy you is very hard. It is so much easier to say that you love them than actually doing it

Just keep dreaming....

2011-01-28T19:07:00.000-06:00

I turn 30 tomorrow and while many people have given thought to New Year's Resolutions this month, I have been pondering a decade past and the one I'm about to enter. I don't have an issue with turning 30 in the sense of feeling old and I'm not having a mid-life crisis. But I have been struck by a sense of disappointment that surprised me. Early in my 20s, I had some grand ideas of what I would be doing by age 30 - I planned to be married, have kids (at least one by 30), and be working in full time ministry or supporting my husband in ministry. I figured I would have read more books, lost more weight and have a better grasp on who I am and what I'm doing with my life. People kept saying that your 20s is a time to "find yourself" and "figure out life" because you'll be more settled in your 30s. If this were true, then I'm in big trouble because these days I often feel more lost than ever before.

Because the truth is, I have no idea what I'm doing with my life. I don't have it all together and I have shelves full of unread books. And so I'm faced with the temptation to give in to disappointment and just be depressed about tomorrow but somehow I can't. Because I have been blessed in more ways than I can count. Although I'm not where I thought I would be, I am loving life and believing that God is going to use me even in these unexpected times/places. I'm learning to take my expectations and disappointments to the feet of Jesus and trust Him when I don't understand what's happening. I'm learning to surrender my dreams, my plans, my goals, and take up His dreams for me, His plans for me and His goals for my life. Sure, I am taking steps to change certain areas of my life and finding that we often learn what doors God is closing when we take steps in a direction, rather than just sitting around waiting for God to orchestrate everything just perfectly before we move.

One way that I've been encouraged this month is when I tell people about these thoughts and feelings, nearly all of them have said, "You know, Jesus started his public ministry at 30." Why yes He did. And that gives me even more hope for the future. I am a vessel willing and ready to be used as God chooses.

Yesterday my friend Katie Beale posted a note on Facebook called "Just keep dreaming" (see where I got my title from?) and I just have to repost a portion of it here: I think that there are a lot of you out there who are wondering how you got where you are. Some of you are wondering where the last 10 years went. This isn't what you pictured yourself doing with your life. You thought you'd be making more money, be married, be skinnier, be happier. To you, I would say this... DO IT, CHANGE IT, BE IT. You are the only one who can change your situation. Take control of your life. Let's all do it together.

Stop letting your fears and assumptions get in the way of your true passion in life. Whether it is job related, health related, relationship related. Let's all stop letting ourselves get in our way. Rejection sucks, but the weight of the unknown never goes away.

I can't stop dreaming. I think it's hardwired into me. I have big dreams, big ideas and lots of hope. But in the decade to come, I'm going to focus on letting those dreams & ideas be shaped by God's plans for me because I believe His plans are good. I believe He knows best. I believe that I can trust Him fully even when I don't understand what He's doing or where He is taking me. My answer is simply "Yes!" Yes, Lord, I will follow you wherever, whenever, to whatever. Yes, I will trust Your leading. Yes, I will keep dreaming and keep bringing those dreams to Your feet. Yes to You. Because my prayer for this year is that I will go deeper with Jesus, lean more into Him, and fall more in love with Him.

And so let me wrap up with a look back at the last 10 years....
- Got my B.A. & M.A. (and lots of student loans to prove it)
- Lived in CA, CO, SD, IL(2x!), PA, AL & MN (whew! that's a lot)
- Finally got to use my passport when I travelled to Honduras, Holland & Sweden
- Met my Compassion sponsor child & her mom while in Honduras - what a blessing!
- Lived one of my dreams of being a camp program director...actually did this twice!
- Fell flat on my face multiple times and experienced the joy of being picked up by Jesus and realizing how much He loves me
- Made friends that I know will stick with me the rest of my life no matter how many miles separate us
- Found joy that doesn't depend on my circumstances - praise God!

There's so much more but if I keep writing, no one will want to read this long post except my Mom (thanks for being a faithful reader of my ramblings!).

What will you do with Jesus' Tattoo?

2011-01-25T06:52:00.001-06:00

What Will You Do With Jesus’ Tattoo?

by J. Lee Grady
Jesus wears a name that says, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Don’t mislabel His true identity.

I don’t have a tattoo, and I’m not planning to get any at this point in my life. However I’ve met many young Christians who have bought into the tattoo craze. I’ve seen hearts, crosses and Scriptures (English, Greek and Hebrew) on wrists, ankles, arms and necks. When I meet a young guy who has “JESUS DIED FOR ME” inscribed on his back, I don’t criticize his fashion sense.

Regardless of what you think about tattoos, you can’t ignore Revelation 19. I preached from this passage earlier this month when I spoke at a college in Georgia. I reminded the students that one of Jesus’ many names is written on His body. John said: “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True … He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. … And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, ‘KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.’” (v. 11,13,16).

Purists will argue that this is not a tattoo, and they are probably right since John’s vision is allegorical. But we must face the truth that is clearly etched in ink in this verse. JESUS IS LORD. Is that how you see Him?
John says Jesus will burst on the scene in all His majesty at the end of history, and all the world will see Him for who He is. Yet today people pick and choose what they believe about Jesus without accepting His full identity. They craft a god in their own image to meet their needs, then they stick the Jesus label on their idol. Do you recognize any of these false versions of Jesus that are popular today?

1. The Rolex Jesus. Many people worship at the altar of this golden calf. This Jesus promises health, wealth, mansions and luxury cars—but the people who benefit most from his favors are the prosperity preachers who demand that you tithe to them.

2. The Santa Claus Jesus. He lives far, far away and visits rarely. He makes a list and checks it twice, and his love is based on your performance. If you aren’t too naughty he gives you what you ask for.

3. The Rabbit Foot Jesus. Some people treat Jesus like a magic charm. They don’t seek to know Him personally, but they figure if they show up at a church service a few times a year, or hang a picture of him on their wall, they’ll be lucky when bad things happen to other people.

4. The Oprah Jesus. He’s soft, cuddly and adaptable to your spiritual preferences. He lets you define your own morality. He’s like a spiritual bartender—he’ll mix Buddhism, Hinduism and hedonism into your favorite New Age cocktail. He invites you to eat, drink and be merry because all religions lead to heaven.

5. The Fightin’ Fundie Jesus. He’s always angry, especially at homosexuals, women who work outside the home, and stores that sell liquor on Sundays. At any moment he’s ready to unleash an earthquake to destroy America. He doesn’t really like other countries either.

6. The Liberal Mainline Jesus. He’s similar to the Oprah Jesus, but more respectable. He doesn’t mind if you rewrite the Bible, but he requires that you wear a suit to church and that you sing the first, second and fourth verse of every hymn. And he asks that you keep your music very mellow.

7. The Rock Star Jesus. This one is hugely popular today. He doesn’t care how you live your life during the week, or who you sleep with, but in church you must be trendy and use lots of hair gel. Songs must be loud (even if they have no content) and sermons must have a lot of movie clips. Words such as “sin” or “holiness” are off-limits because they are just not cool.

8. The Republican Jesus. When this flag-waving Jesus was transfigured, he appeared with George Washington and Ronald Reagan. He’s willing to bend the rules and let certain conservative politicians and pundits into heaven (especially Mormons) if they promise to keep taxes low and guns available.

9. The Democratic Jesus. He rides on a donkey and dispenses good will, health care and stimulus money to all who are weary and heavy-laden. He steals from the rich, gives to the poor and creates jobs for people who are too lazy to work. He’s fine if you talk about God in speeches, as long as you don’t mention sin or offend a special interest group.

There are many other false versions of Jesus out there, but I think you catch my drift. We need to know, worship and proclaim the real Jesus, the Jesus of the Bible whose robe was dipped in blood because He died for all of us. His name is clearly legible: KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Let’s tell everybody about Him now so they won’t be caught by surprise when this life is over.

J. Lee Grady is contributing editor of Charisma. You can follow him on Twitter at leegrady. His new book 10 Lies Men Believe released this month from Charisma House.
http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/fire-in-my-bones/30006-what-will-you-do-with-jesus-tattoo

St. Arbucks: spiritual moments at Starbucks

2011-01-14T06:12:00.000-06:00

I have often wondered why I return to Starbucks again and again. I've written blog posts from there, such as this one: Pumpkin Spice Ponderings. I've sat and sipped overpriced coffee that isn't always that great. I've tolerated the often loud music that isn't my first choice and I've rolled my eyes at some of the things that people talk about.

But I've also had many God moments at Starbucks. I've prayed with friends, listened as someone poured out their heart or as I poured out my heart to someone else. I've had my quiet time at Starbucks and applied for jobs that would later change my life. I've cried in Starbucks and laughed there too (sometimes too loudly). Beautiful encounters with God and with people have taken place at Starbucks. Recently I came across a reflection on spiritual moments at Starbucks. I really couldn't express it better than this pastor did. So here I offer his reflections on St. Arbucks. Enjoy!

On Holy Ground at St. Arbucks: Reflections on spiritual moments at Starbucks.
by Bob Hyatt

Like many pastors I know, I have a love/hate relationship with Starbucks.
For seven years now, as I have labored to plant, grow, and guide a church, Starbucks has been my office, my meeting space, my cafeteria, and my retreat. I’m there most work days, and I’m even there most days off to get some reading or writing time in away from the house.
Yeah—if Starbucks disappeared, I’d notice.
As with anything, though, familiarity breeds contempt. The thousands of hours I have spent in Starbucks locations all over the Portland Metro area have left me feeling at times that I’d rather be anywhere else. Please, Lord, not another day on hard wooden chairs, sipping burnt-tasting coffee, and wondering when the employees will notice the BEEP-BEEP-BEEP of the safe that sets my teeth on edge every 20 minutes as it tells them it’s time to make another deposit...
And yet, week after week, I return. Occasionally I try new places, but nothing has ever stuck. Despite a certain weariness with the place, the convenience of Starbucks, the free Wi-Fi, and the ease with which I can meet people there all conspire to draw me back week after week.
But something else draws me back there. At times Starbucks has been more than a coffee shop for me. Much more.
I was in my regular Starbucks the other morning before sunrise, trying to get a little quiet time before some guys I meet with arrived to talk about Jesus, their lives, what they are hearing from God, and what it looks like to respond. Normally I put headphones on so I can focus. But this morning it was quiet and the house music was better than just good. It was Christmas carols, actually, and not the “Santa Baby” kind—they were playing the great robust hymns we get to hear each year at this time that invite us to hail the Incarnate Deity in whom God and sinners find reconciliation. Sitting there reading the Scriptures and praying, the words of those songs filtered in and through me and lifted my soul to worship Jesus, the coming King.
As I listened and worshiped, I found myself reflecting on all the spiritually significant moments I’ve experienced in what I sometimes call St. Arbucks.
At Starbucks I have prayed, alone and with others. I have read and wrestled with Scripture, calling on God to speak to me, in desperation, needing a word that I knew was from Him, both for my soul and for my community. I have laughed with friends and cried alone.
In Starbucks all over this city, I have had holy moments as I confronted others and been confronted. I have sat with men who were shipwrecking their marriages and with couples about to get married. I have dreamed big dreams, talked about mundane church administration details and occasionally even just put my head down on the table and grabbed a few minutes of much-needed sleep.
It was at a Starbucks seven years ago that I first began to hear the call to plant a church. It was at a Starbucks that I began to invite others along with me on the journey. At Starbucks I have turned strangers into friends, invited them into community and even had the break up conversation with various members of our community who were moving on.
I’m not alone, I think, in increasingly seeing this “third space” as something more. I sit and watch conversations and connections going on around me—deep connections—two men here, two women there sitting over an open Bible talking about what they hear God saying to them. I see the coffee dates that represent the start of new relationships and I see the old couples sitting across from each other sipping coffee quietly, content just to be with each other. For some it’s a place to escape from others and be alone, for others a place for community. For many it’s a daily ritual that in a favorite drink from a familiar face brings stability and sameness in the middle of an unsure and unsteady world
And in all of this, I realize, for one reason or another, God has regularly chosen to show up to, for, and even through me in this least sacred of all consumer temples: the corporate coffee shop.
Over the last decade I’ve seen many churches open their own coffee shops, trying to replicate what happens in these spaces. Many choose to do so in areas where the public already gathers, others on their own church campuses. And it’s that second option that often makes me wonder why they would want to pull their people out what God is clearly doing at the local, corner coffee shop and into their own “Christian” coffee shop? Why would they want to pull all of those deep conversations, bible studies, discipleship times and personal connections out of public space and into some room in their church building that they’ve done their best to make look just like the neighborhood coffee place…but isn’t.
On a missional level, do we not pray daily to see the kingdom of God increasingly come into focus not only in our “sacred” spaces, but in all our spaces, making them sacred, because in that space God’s will is being done and His kingdom is coming?
So yeah, the coffee tastes a little burnt, it’s often hard to find a table, and occasionally they play Willie Nelson. But I’m sticking with it, because for all the prayers I’ve prayed, the conversations I’ve had where I felt the Holy Spirit move, for all the significant moments on my journey that I’ve had and am yet to have at St. Arbucks, I’m grateful.
—Bob Hyatt is pastor of the Evergreen Community in Portland, Oregon, and a regular contributor to Out of Ur.
http://www.outofur.com/archives/2011/01/on_holy_ground.html

The Gift of Life

2011-01-11T06:00:00.000-06:00

Nearly 16 years ago, I received a blood transfusion that helped save my life. Just got an email from the American Red Cross telling me that January is National Blood Donor month. I am so grateful to the person who donated blood and helped save my life. And I would challenge you to consider donating blood this month, I know I will be donating. Donate blood and give the gift of life.

Please read this poem.

The Gift of Life

By: Christi Mead Nielsen

Someone saved my life today.
I don't know who they are or even know their name.
I don't know if they are male or female or the color of their eyes or skin or hair.
I don't know how they make their living or what they dream of doing when they go out to play.
I don't know if they believe in God or just the kindness of strangers.
I don't know what made them open that door and leave a part of themselves inside.
I do know their priceless gift was the difference between life and death.
My life. My death.
Without their gift my husband would be without his wife, my son without his mother.
People I love would mourn a sister, a daughter, a friend.
Without their gift my dreams would have died unrealized, unshared, unexplored.
But someone saved my life today with a sacrificial gift of blood.
My family lives together whole.
I live a life of dreams I now make real.
Someone saved my life today.
I don't know who or where or why.
Whoever you are I would just like to say
Thank you.

Invade my life Lord Jesus

2010-12-27T07:35:00.001-06:00

Oh Jesus, I need You! My flesh is weak, so weak. I need You to reign in me. I am destined to fail on my own. It's only by Your strength, Your power that I can do anything. Oh Lord Jesus, invade my life. Consume every part of me. I am desperate for You. Please God, come and reign in me.

Where are you God?

2010-12-23T06:26:00.000-06:00

This is raw & unedited. I wrote this in my journal a couple months ago and thought I would share it on here as it demonstrates so vividly how much the Lord is teaching me....

I want to ask, “Where are You, God?” And yet I know the answer. I know You’re right here. I know You’re always with me. So maybe the better question would be “Why is it so hard for me to know Your presence?” What’s getting in the way? Sin? Disobedience? Pride? Fear? What God? What is it? Please tell me so I can deal with it and meet with You. Please God. I long to know Your presence in my life. I long for a deeper walk with You. I don’t want to go on like this. God, I need You. I need You. I’ll give up my dreams, surrender everything. I’ll stay at Caterpillar if that’s what it takes. I just want more of You. You can have me. All of me. Total surrender. Oh God, it hurts but I’m trusting that You’re worth it. My Father, my love, You can have me. Consume me Lord. I won’t fight You. Show me how to love. Oh God, I want to love You. (written with tears)

You are beautiful, Lord.

2010-12-20T06:14:00.000-06:00

God, I release to you my dreams and my relationships. You are holy. You are Sovereign. I set my eyes on you, trusting in You, believing You will work according to Your good purposes. When I falter, when I look to the right or to the left, set my eyes on You. My trust must be in You and You alone because You are my sufficiency. I believe You are good. I believe You love me. Help me to walk in that, head held high, confident in my relationship with You. Thank you God. Thank you Jesus. Thank You Holy Spirit.

You are beautiful, Lord. All that You do is beautiful. You alone are God. You alone are good. I am Your beloved child and I am in awe of Your grace. Forgive me when I don't act as a child of You. Love me. Pour over me Your grace. Fill me with Your Spirit. Create in me a clean heart and set Your Spirit upon me. Don't hide Your face because it is You that I seek. I love to see You, to know You more. Be exalted, O Lord, in my life. Be glorified in all that I am, in all that I think, say and do. I sit Your presence and wait upon You...

Life & death is in our words

2010-12-17T06:29:00.001-06:00

Discouraged and heartsick. So much pain & confusion surrounds people in my life. And my heart breaks for them. I have used my words to manipulate and accomplish my own agenda. And my heart is sick over that. I long to see life transformation and it seems so far away. And my discouragement rises as a result. But that’s what happens when I put my hope in people rather than god. These people cannot experience true life change apart from God. If they try to change for me or other people in their life or if they strive to be who others want them to be, the change won’t last. A heart deep revolution only comes from the work of the Holy Spirit.

I have spoken words carelessly without consideration of their power. Words carry the power of life and death. By my words, I can build people up and restore them. By my words, I can tear people down and prolong their broken state. By my words, I can offer healing. By my words, I can cause more pain. By my words, I can challenge, protect, nurture, encourage, renew and love.

Life giving words come from a heart that has been revolutionized by the grace of God and wrecked by His love. “For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34

God’s love for me is constant. His love for me is the same today as it was before I was born. I am frail, a broken vessel, variable and often faithless. Help me, Lord. I need Your Holy Spirit to help me this day. In my frailty, You are strong. You are my fortress and my refuge. I am a broken vessel but when I surrender to You, I become a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come. And I am a temple of the Holy Spirit. You dwell in me and long to work through me. I am variable and often faithless but You are constant. You, my God, are with me. You are mighty to save. You take great delight in me. You quiet me with Your love. And You rejoice over me with singing. Zeph 3:17

So I can cease condemning myself and beating myself up. And I will rest in You. Rest in Your grace. And I can stand firm in the battle that is being waged.

Keep me righteous, Lord, keep me righteous.

One anothers in Scripture

2010-12-15T07:33:00.001-06:00

Be at peace with one another (Mark 9:50)
Love one another (John 13:34)
Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10)
Honor one another (Romans 12:10)
Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16)
Accept one another (Romans 15:7)
Instruct one another (Romans 15:14)
Greet one another (Romans 16:16)
Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)
Carry each other's burdens (Galatians 6:2)
Be patient, bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2)
Teach one another (Colossians 3:16)
Admonish one another (Colossians 3:16)
Encourage each other (I Thessalonians 4:18)
Build one another up (I Thessalonians 5:11)
Pray for one another (James 5:16)
Confess your sins to one another (James 5:16)
Be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32)
Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21)
Speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19)

Let kindness overflow in me

2010-12-13T07:28:00.002-06:00

Kindness has seriously been lacking in my life. Relationships and situations have been wearing me down. And any kindness has worn down and flown the coop. But kindness is a fruit of the Spirit. It flows out of who I am in Christ. It comes from a heart surrendered, a life given completely to God. Kindness does not mean I let people walk all over me either. Kindness takes a stand from the empowering strength of God. Oh Jesus, that I would be kind. Oh that You would overflow in me. Oh that my heart would be pure and filled with Your love and grace. Teach me Lord to be kind. Mold me more & more to be like You. I long to be a reflection of You, that I would decrease so You can increase. I am Yours.

Trust even when you don't understand

2010-12-10T06:18:00.000-06:00

Proverbs 3:5-6 have been continually running through my brain for the past couple of weeks. I long to live it out. Day by day, I get tiny glimpses of what it means but am still far from fully grasping it.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
What does this look like? How do you do it? I'll come back to this phrase.
and lean not on your own understanding;
This phrase has really stuck out to me these past couple weeks. There is so much happening in my life that I don't understand. I want to understand, I have even sought answers, but I'm coming to realize that there will always be much that I don't understand and that's okay. What really matters is that I trust in the Lord.

in all your ways acknowledge him,
Here is where I begin to sense conviction. In what areas of my life am I not acknowledging Him? How often have I sought to live apart from the Lord, trying (without success) to figure things out and to make life work? I have been praying that the Lord will open my eyes to any part of my life that is not fully submitted to Him. And to reveal to me any unconfessed sin in my life.
and he will direct your paths.
I am seeking direction in multiple areas of my life. The key here is that the Lord will direct my paths, not me, not anyone else in my life, but only the Lord. When I trust in Him and fully submit to Him, He will show me way so that I can walk in it. I need to trust.
So that's brings us back to that first phrase: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart". This is by far the phrase I struggle with the most. I want to trust the Lord with all my heart...but how? I think it's a day by by, moment by moment decision. I am faced with the choice...will I stress, worry, try to do things my way, labor in vain...or will I trust the Lord? I choose to trust. I choose to believe that the Lord is Sovereign. He is in control of all things. He is my Rock and my Refuge.
Psalm 73:24-28
You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish;
You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.
But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
That I may declare all Your works.

My next heartbeat You hold in Your hand

2010-12-08T06:17:00.001-06:00

The joy of the Lord is my strength The joy of the Lord is my strength. The JOY of the LORD is my STRENGTH. Holy Spirit, fill me. Saturate me. Overwhelm my heart. I can't be content with where I am at. I can't stay the same. I must draw closer to You. I must become more and more like You. I cry out for Your hand of mercy to heal me. I am weak and I need Your love to free me. O Lord, You are my Rock, my strength in weakness. Come rescue me O Lord. You are my hope. You are the only one I need. You are God and I will rest in You.

I want to love You. I want to love You. Let me know the way You love me. I love You. I love You. I am loved by You. I am loved by You. I am Your beloved. Your creation. And you love me as I am. You care for me. My every need You know. The breath I breathe, You have given me. My next heartbeat, You hold in Your hand. I am nothing without You. I desire only You. My heart longs for You. My eyes are set on You. I sit here in Your presence and rest in Your unchanging grace.

More of You

2010-12-06T07:15:00.001-06:00

Show me Your heart. Show me Your ways. Show me You. One thing I ask of You, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon Your beauty and to see You in Your temple. I set my heart to seek Your face. The joy of the Lord is my strength. Why would I want anything less than You? There's nothing in this life to compare with Your love. Your love is better than life. Lord, You are worthy of all my praise.

You are Sovereign, Provider, my Sufficiency, my Rock and my Salvation. You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Emmanuel, Mighty God, Alpha & Omega, Lover of my soul. You are my Shepherd and my God. You are my Guide.

You lead me in paths of righteousness. I am Your beloved. I rest in Your love. Wrap Your arms around me. Flood my soul with Your love. God, I love You and I long for more of You. You are so gracious to me. You have overwhelmed me with Your love, grace and mercy. Send Your glory, Lord, send it on down. Draw Your child to Yourself. Fill me, use me, mold me into Your likeness. I want to be like You. Hear my voice when I call Lord. Hear my prayer and be merciful to me. I am Yours.

We never make progress without problems

2010-12-02T07:05:00.002-06:00

I found this article encouraging and wanted to share it:

By Rick Warren
"The key to overcoming a roadblock is to keep our eyes on the goal – no matter what comes our way."

Many of us followed the story of the trapped Chilean miners. It was reality TV at its best – because it was reality! But the story of these miners hasn’t ended with their very public escape last month. Six of the miners have proposed to their girlfriends. Another miner has been embroiled in a messy love triangle.

But the story of Edison Pena has been one of the more interesting. Most remember him as the miner who kept the spirits of the others up by singing Elvis songs. What some people may not know is that he also ran up to seven miles a day through the twisting mine shafts during the 69-day ordeal. "I ran to forget I was trapped … I became two people: the weak person who wanted simply to give up and the person who chose to be strong – to run and survive. Eventually, I chose to live," Pena told the New York Daily News. Last Sunday he put that training to the test in the New York City marathon. When the race started, few figured he’d be able to complete it. But he did – in less than six hours.

You may not be tackling the New York Marathon this weekend, but you’ve got much more important goals. Maybe it’s to start a church, maybe it’s to grow your church, maybe it’s to meet a particular need in your community or in the world. But like Edison Pena you’ve hit a roadblock. For him, it was being stuck in a mine shaft. For you, it’s a financial collapse, a church fight, or unexpected red tape.

We never make progress without problems. It just doesn’t happen. We can’t reach our goals without bumps in the road. Yet the key to overcoming a roadblock is to keep our eyes on the goal – no matter what comes our way. Moses understood this. When he left Egypt, he could have easily gotten discouraged. He had a ticked-off Pharaoh following him, no plans for food or shelter in the desert, and he was leading a group of 2 million complainers. You think your obstacles are rough! I bet they don’t compare with that. Yet Moses kept his eyes on the goal. Hebrews 11:24 says, “By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.” (NIV)

Moses had eyes of faith. He kept his eyes on the goal no matter what. Of course, Jesus is the best example of this. The Bible says, “For the joy set before him [Jesus] endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2b, NIV) When the pain of the cross got too high, he kept his eyes on the prize. He kept his eyes on you and your need for salvation.

God's purpose for your life is always greater than the problems in your life. And the problems that you're facing right now in your ministry have an eternal purpose. They have a long-range benefit. If you look at them as short-range problems, you're going to get discouraged. But if you look at the long-range benefits, you will see God's purpose and not be discouraged. So stay focused on your goal. God has something big in front of you.

Holy interruptable

2010-12-01T06:12:00.002-06:00

Holy interruptions. Lord, invade my life with holy interruptions. Saturate me with Your presence. Drench me in the river of You. Leave no area untouched. I want to live interruptibly (is that even a word?). Please don't let me get so set in my ways and my plans that I miss out on You. I don't want to be selfish. Don't let me get in the way of what You are doing. Be the center of my life. Be the center of all my relationships. All that I do, all that I am should revolve around You. Don't let me long for something that is not of You. I long to be consumed by You. I long for Your holy fire to burn in me. Burn away all my impurity. Refine me, Lord, in the fire of trials. I am Yours. Take my life and use it for Your purposes. You are enough.

You are My beloved

2010-11-29T06:29:00.000-06:00

It often crosses my mind that I should blog. But one thing or another arises and writing gets pushed to the side. But it helps me process the craziness in my head and heart so I always find my way back to writing.

When I get weary, weighed down by life's demands and the sin that so easily entangles, I hear Jesus beckoning to me, “Come away with me. I love you. I forgive you. You are My beloved.” And my soul responds with longing. A longing to really and truly believe His words. To know in my heart the truth of how Christ views me. But in my weariness, it can be hard to see that truth. At that point, it requires a cognitive choice to believe, to trust, and then praying for the heart and emotions to be lined up.

Emotions can be powerful influencers and I’m prone to be swayed and driven by emotion. For me to make a cognitive assertion of belief apart from how I feel is a big step and it’s often really hard. Day by day, God is drawing me to Himself.

When crisis comes

2010-11-10T06:03:00.001-06:00

Peter thought that he was finished. His troubled sleep abruptly ended when guards with lanterns, clubs, and spears came to arrest Jesus. He pulled a sword and flailed away, reacting to the threat with brash and thoughtless violence. As soon as Peter lopped off the ear of one of his enemies, Jesus dusted it off and replaced it. Peter reacted; Jesus responded. Twenty-five years, later Peter wrote his first epistle and explained to his readers the appropriate way to respond when life appears to be over.

"The end of all things is near, therefore," he writes. Following the "therefore,"' Peter shares six wise, godly responses that can apply to any crisis: 1) think clearly, 2) stay under control, 3) pray, 4) love, 5) offer hospitality, and 6) serve one another (1 Peter 4:7–11).

Life-on-life ministry can be a place of danger and crisis. We pray and strive for safe and smooth operations, but sometimes disasters come. Peter concludes the section with a doxology that reminds us that a wise and godly response to a crisis is not ultimately about us but to bring praise and glory to God. He ends verse 11 with: "To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."

As a Christian, we live in two worlds. "The end of all things is near. Therefore" we need to make every moment count, responding wisely, connecting with God, and building community. We also live in a world of "for ever and ever. Amen" that reminds us that our service is not about us and our efforts, but about God and His glory.

Stand on the Rock of Truth

2010-11-08T06:45:00.002-06:00

I saw this on Facebook and hopefully he won't mind if I reprint it here. It was written in response to the question, "So what do you do when you think you've been overlooked by God or feel like a nuked leftover?" I emphasized the part that really stood out to me and it's a truth that I keep clinging to...God never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Praise God!

"If me or you were the measure of things, then it would be possible that one of us would be overlooked. I mean if our gifts or talents were the basis for being noticed by God, then we could say, God has not seen me. God has forgotten. But that in a way is an accusation against God....saying God forgets or that He doesn't see everything or that He is unjust. Stand on what you are certain of...not the things that are uncertain. Certain is that God loves, that God sees, that He knows, He is just, He keeps His promise, He never changes, never fails, never forgets, never leaves or forsakes. Satan wants to lure us off of the Rock and onto the sand."

~Pastor Pat Sheets, Riverside Community Church - Oaks Campus

Growth Plan based on Luke 2:52

2010-11-03T06:13:00.000-05:00

There are four areas of growth mentioned in Luke 2:52, "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." Four areas that we too should intentionally seek to grow in as well.

1. Wisdom - developing mentally
- What am I reading?
- What courses will I take? Events to attend? Things to watch?
- How will I stretch my mind?

2. Stature - growing physically
- My body is God's temple
- Watch what you put into your temple, what you put on it, and what you put it through!

3. Favor with God - growing spiritually

4. Favor with men - growing socially
- What am I doing to grow my sphere of influence among non-Christians?
- Be genuine and love people

Based on these four areas, Pastor Chris asked us to write a growth plan. Here is mine....

1. Mentally
- Read books/websites/articles related to calling
- Attend a conference for spiritual growth
- Read secular books related to calling and culture

2. Physically
- Walking/work out on a regular basis
- Eating fruits & vegetables
- Honor God with my body
- Losing weight/getting healthy

3. Spiritually
- Quiet times: prayer & Bible meditation
- Be mentored
- Be a mentor
- Scripture memorization
- Grow in spiritual disciplines

4. Socially
- Be genuine & love people
- Get around non-Christians: volleyball, book clubs, etc
- Pray for non-Christians in my life
- Be ready to share when opportunities arise

What did I do today to relate to my sphere?

2010-11-01T06:25:00.000-05:00

Discipleship group assignment to answer the above question. My musings...

Every day I relate to my sphere. Every day I influence those around me. But what kind of influence am I? Being intentional about relating to my sphere is opening my eyes to the type of person I can be where God has put me. Each day I have a choice: to grumble and complain or to set my gaze on Jesus and be obedient where He put me even if it’s not exactly where I want to be.

As I did this assignment, I kept a list of the lessons I am learning about relating positively to my sphere:

 Choose my battles. I do not always have to be right.

 Show love and genuine interest.

 It takes a lot of courage to own your mistakes and apologize to someone you snapped at.

 Do not judge a stranger. Assumptions are dangerous.

 People meet not just me, but also the Spirit of Christ in me.

 Be aware of my surroundings and look for encounters God may place in my path.

 Respond with joy.

 Learn contentment – don’t move mentally before God moves me physically.

 Just because I have an opinion doesn’t mean I’m obligated to express it.

 Sometimes the most loving thing I can do is to shut my mouth.

 PICK MY BATTLES. I DO NOT HAVE TO BE RIGHT.

Thoughts on contentment from FB

2010-10-26T18:46:00.001-05:00

I asked the question on Facebook, "what does it mean to be content?" Two answers in particular are worth writing on here:

"my brother says that it means to trust. Not so much to be complacent or to want to stay where you are, but to trust that you're there on purpose and to be okay with where you are on the journey. or something like that."
~ Carolyn Morris

"It's knowing that even though you might not be able to see very far down the road and even when it gets bumpy or stormy, that you are still on the Road and being lead by the one who IS the Way to the Destination."
~Pastor Pat Sheets

Memorials, part 2

2010-10-21T06:08:00.002-05:00

Here are the other two memorials from a church person & a pastor:

Church person
Her joy was contagious, her laughter infectious
She was a help & support in times of trial
She celebrated our successes
And stood by us when we failed
By her example, we learned compassion, kindness & gentleness
She taught us how to love
And modeled strength in times of challenge
She saw the best in each of us
And the beauty hidden within
She taught to our potential
And brought the Scriptures to life
She touched our lives and we are better for it

Pastor
Her life was one of love
Clothed in strength and dignity
She encouraged others to walk in the same
Her heart broke for the things of God
She spoke the truth with boldness & clarity
She lived in grace and overflowed with compassion
And she found joy in all of life
She walked with God
And lived for others to do the same

---------------------------------
Based on this, how will I live today?

Memorials

2010-10-20T06:03:00.002-05:00

Pastor Chris asked our discipleship group, "What do you want said at your memorial by a relative, work colleague, church person, & pastor?" The idea being that if you know what you want said when you're dead, how will you live now? So here's what I wrote: (two will be in this post, two in the next post)

Relative
Her family was her highest priority
Her loyalty didn't waver
We laughed together, cried together
But most of all, we prayed together
Her life shone with the light of Christ
And she longed for each of us to know Him personally
She loved deeply and taught us to do the same

Work Colleague
She left a trail of happy memories
An after glow of smiles when the day was done
The halls resound with the echo of her life
She won the favor & respect of all those around her
Integrity, honesty & hard work were her trademarks
She served as an example for all to follow
And her love for people was evident to all

---------------------------------
Based on this, how will I live today?

Pumpkin Spice Ponderings

2010-10-18T06:57:00.000-05:00

I confess to loving Starbucks. I love their coffee, especially the Pumpkin Spice Latte. I love the atmosphere. I love the random people I meet and the conversations that result from those meetings. Now I don't love their prices (in fact, I think it's a robbery) and yet I put up with even that for the sake of the aforementioned benefits.

People watching is one of my biggest joys at a coffee shop. They tend to be busy places and I find myself intrigued by the people I see and the conversations I hear. So many people busily going about their lives without hardly a glance at those around them. And inevitably it gets me thinking.

We live such isolated lives - caught up in our own activities, our own thoughts, our own problems. Look up! Look around you! There are needy, hurting people all around. Take a moment to pray for someone around you. When we focus on others, we will find our own burdens are lightened and we see the world in a while new way. We weren't meant to live in the isolation we put upon ourselves. We were designed for community, for fellowship with our Creator and with each other. I wonder how much damage our souls sustain when we allow ourselves to live day after day alone in a crowd - when we don't open ourselves up to others. How long before we aren't even sure how to reach out to others? How long before we become calloused to our need & the needs of those around us?

Look up! Look around! There are hurting people all around you. Don't get so caught up in yourself, your problems, your pain, that you neglect others. Pray that God would soften your heart to the needs of others.

Who knew such thoughts could come while drinking coffee and watching people in a coffee shop?

Escape

2010-10-15T06:56:00.002-05:00

Do you ever look at how someone is spending their time and you wonder what they are thinking? You want to shake them and ask, "What are you trying to escape?" or "What are you trying to prove?" There are things in this world (alchohol, drugs, sex, work, TV, etc.) that people spend a lot of time, energy & money on in an apparent attempt to escape from something.

"It's just what you do with this crowd."
"I want to fit in."
"What's the point of life?"

None of these follies will satisfy. They just flow down the gaping hole that each of us has that only One can fill. The rest is just a waste of time, money & energy.

Proverbs 19:3, "A man's own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD."

And yet, I have no right to judge others. Rather I ought to pray. And I really should look at my own life, activities and actions and ask myself, "Are there things I am trying to escape?"

Dancing with Eternity

2010-10-12T06:27:00.001-05:00

A new homework assignment from the discipleship group with Pastor Chris. "How are you dancing with eternity?" I reflected on how eternity is and should be affecting how I live my life. Here are my musings:

Eternity has been at the forefront of my mind for awhile now as I have been diving into a Bible study on this very topic. I figured this assignment would be a breeze. But that was before I really started thinking about it. The more I’ve jumped into this study on eternity, the greater my struggle has become. I have questioned my salvation, wondering if I will be shocked on the Judgment Day. I have cried out to God, asking, “Where are You?” and feeling utterly alone. And so I have danced with eternity, one day thrilled at the prospect of being with Jesus, another day, feeling the terror of wondering if I am even saved. Will Jesus look on me with sadness and disappointment on the Judgment Day or will He throw wide His arms and proclaim, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”?

The spirits of deceit, discouragement, and pride fill my head with lies saying, “You aren’t worthy,” “You screwed up too big this time,” “You can’t ask for help, people will look down on you.” NO! These are lies from the pit of hell. I am a child of God. I am forgiven and loved. I was chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blame in His sight (Eph. 1:4). I have been redeemed and forgiven and I am a recipient of His lavish grace (Col. 1:14). I am God’s workmanship – His handiwork, His masterpiece – born anew in Christ to do His work (Eph. 2:10). I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God in Christ, and I have been given the Holy Spirit as a pledge guaranteeing my inheritance to come (2 Cor. 1:21-22; Eph. 1:13-14). I am blameless and free from accusation (Col. 1:22). I have been saved and set apart according to God’s doing (2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:5). Just like Peter, I am not in need of a bath because I am clean in Christ, but there are parts of me that need to be washed, to be renewed and made clean by the blood of Christ (John 13:1-17). I am born of God so the evil one cannot touch me (1 John 5:18).

And so I’ve been praying for freedom, persistently praying in the name of Jesus that the power of deceit, discouragement, and pride would be broken and banished from my life. And in the void that remains, my prayer is that the Holy Spirit will fill me with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57).

This past weekend, I was watching Lord of the Rings 3 – The Return of the King and I cried for about the last 20 minutes, much to the dismay of the friend I was with. :-) After all the struggle and pain and fear that Frodo had experienced, he couldn’t go on, the burden was too much and he collapsed. Sam picked him up, saying, “I can’t carry your burden, but I can carry you.” The tears flowed as I asked the Lord to carry me because I can’t do this on my own. When the ring went in the fire and the tower with the eye began to fall, I wept as I asked God to knock down the towers and strongholds in my life, to free me from those bonds, and to not let satan have the victory in my life. And as Frodo wrote the last of his story and prepared to board the ship, I wondered if my season of effectiveness was over. But even as that notion entered my head, I begged God to not give up on me, to not let me go but to empower me to press on in victory.

So when it comes to living in light of eternity, I could talk about not being idle but being purposeful in my use of time. I could stress the need to be conscious of word, deed, thought, and intention because we will be judged in each of those areas. I could talk about living with passion and joy, less complaining and more encouraging, less worry and more prayer. But those are mere words unless I first make it my highest priority to know Christ and to lay aside anything that distracts me from that goal and from accomplishing the call of God on my life. Because my hope is in Christ, I can let go of past guilt and eagerly anticipate what God is creating me to be. When I realize that I am forgiven, I can move forward in faith and obedience. I can trust God to work in me, to grow me from what I am to what I should be. Let me close with the words of Paul in Philippians 3:7-16 which so vividly describe where I am seeking to live:

“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I am gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.”

Our dawn will come

2010-10-11T06:50:00.001-05:00

Preparing lunches for work. Washing dishes. Sweeping the floors. Normal activities of life. Just going about my evening routine. Then I glance out the window and my routine comes to a halt. The sun is slipping beyond the horizon. The sky is painted a rainbow of colors broken only by a few clouds. A building in the distance, a church perhaps, is lit by the fading light of day. The glowing tower stands out against the dark trees surrounding it. There's a window near the top of the tower that reflects the splash of colors painting the sky.

A 180 degree turn reveals a breathtaking view. The clouds are a brilliant pink. Various hues of orange and yellow grace the rest of the horizon. As the clouds begin to glow with hints of purple, my attention is brought back to the luminous tower. The glow begins to fade as the sun continues its descent.

And then my mind drifts to the Christian life and how, at times, we might feel like that tower. Surrounded by darkness, that is lost people, we "glow" with the radiance of Christ. We have a passion, a glow, to share our faith. As time passes, though, we may feel like the darkness presses in...our glow, our passion begins to wane. We may feel alone, abandoned or even defeated. When we experience the "night", it's vital that we hold on to the Truth: the Son always shines. At times, we seem to lose our ability to see Him - perhaps because of our sin or trials that we experience or we're distracted by the busyness of life. We strain our eyes, trying to peer through the darkness, wondering how He could have left us.

And then the dawn comes. The tower doesn't reflect a fading light nor is it consumed by darkness. Instead it bathes in the full strength of the sun. So too our dawn will come. As we face the place where His light seemed to fade from our lives, we may get wrapped up in what was or what used to be. Don't miss the coming of the dawn. Turn your eyes to the Son. You have to take your eyes off of what was and set them on the One who is and always will be. Weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). God's promise to Joshua remains true for us today, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Joshua 1:5). And then a few verses later, He commands, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9). That's a promise worth clinging to!

Four years ago last week....

2010-10-09T13:58:00.001-05:00

I started this blog on 10.2.2006. Since then I have posted 362 times...an average of 7 posts per month (that's not too great). I'm pretty sure I have one faithful reader (thanks Mom!). But you know what, it's actually been a blessing to me to have this blog. It helps me so much to write out my thoughts and get the craziness out of my head. Putting it down on paper (or on this blog) forces me to organize my thoughts and really get to the root of what I'm thinking. It's been fun to blog even if I'm just talking to myself. :-)

Because of one

2010-10-08T06:05:00.002-05:00

Each time I prepare for Bible study, I remember something that a camp director once told me, “Remember, this entire summer program could be about that one child who comes onto the grounds for just one week.” Or he would remind me that I might get weary during the many long weeks of summer camp, each camper has the opportunity to see and experience the camp ministry during only one session.

Well, the first admonition comes to mind frequently as I prep for Bible study. Perhaps the entire series is being taught for the benefit of one girl. Sometimes I think I talk and no one hears a word I said. All the while, I'm praying for the Spirit to be speaking to the hearts of the girls as they soak in the Word. I don't care if they hear my words, I care that they hear the Spirit's words. My task is to be obedient and diligent in my own studies and then to faithfully teach the Word each week. Obedience is not always easy. Too often, other things grab my attention and try to keep me from diving into my studies. Projects, social events, long work hours...these things and more can distract me from being obedient to God's call to be in the Word.

Jesus exemplified true obedience to God when He gave His life for us. “For just as through the disobedience of one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” (Rom. 5:19 ). Jesus' act of obedience cost Him His life so that I could be given life, eternal life.

In return, how can I do anything else but obey? So I ponder the power of this Scripture: "because of one…many…” and consider the choices I make today. In these choices, there is power, influence, and parts of a legacy. Will I be obedient and perhaps influence the “many”?

Fall Contentment

2010-10-06T06:50:00.004-05:00

Fall brings an interesting mix of weather: crisp, sunny mornings; cold, windy days; and dreary, rainy days. Even with a forecast, you may not know what to expect until you walk out the door. Sometimes our fall schedules can be like this. Although we plan in advance, things often change at a moment’s notice. You may have a canceled one event only to have another pop up in its place, or it rains when you've planned to go to a festival or parade. And then throw jury duty into the mix (though I'm one of those odd people who actually wants jury duty because it sounds interesting).

How we handle our schedules—or the weather—is often determined by our attitude. While God has given us wisdom to make our schedules, He is ultimately the one who brings us into contact with the right people at the right times so that He will be glorified through our lives and ministries. We need to be willing to accept whatever God sends our way rather than griping that it isn’t quite what we wanted. I am reminded of Paul’s words in Philippians 4:11b, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” As we face autumn weather and busy schedules, may we say with Paul, “I have learned to be content.”

Adorable!!!

2010-10-05T06:22:00.000-05:00

I have the cutest nieces EVER!!!

Here is proof:

Yes I did just say that.

2010-10-04T12:09:00.000-05:00

Met a good looking man in the hall at work this morning and he stops me to chat. He mentions that he likes my zebra earrings and asked if I like animals. I say, "Yes, I mean, I'm not a tree hugger or anything, but I like animals...on a plate medium well." No, I didn't just think that, I actually said it....out loud.

Look closely and see

2010-10-04T06:57:00.000-05:00

A land with deep scars - some visible...some not.
A people with deep hurts - some visible...some not.
A land of beauty and pain.
A people of hope and love.

The landscape is dotted with broken homes
A glimpse of the broken lives within

A boy searches through the town dump
Desperately seeking a "treasure"
Anything that will buy him a chunk of bread
Or a few tortillas

A young girl, with big brown eyes
Grinding corn to make tortillas
A family's only source of income
Never enough

Hope. Peace. Love. Contentement.
Flowing from the people
Even in the midst of great poverty
Even when devastation ravaged their country
Even when a few tortillas and a can of beans is all they have to eat

Look closely and see
The "woman" on the corner is just a girl
Forced to sell her body to hungry men
So her family can eat
Her dark brown eyes will haunt your days and your nights

Look closely and see
Hollow eyes filled with desperation and longing
A longing to be free
A longing to know she's loved for more than her body
Desperate to know that the chains that bind her
Can be broken

Don't close your eyes
Don't just walk on by

How can she call on the one she hasn't believed in?
How can she believe if she hasn't heard?
How will she hear without someone preaching to her?
Who will be sent to preach?
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!

At times, often times, comfort must be forsaken
The known left behind
To walk with someone in their hurt
In their mess
To hold a hand
Meet a need
To share love, His love

Slow down
Open your eyes
Be moved
LOVE

A Vision Of The Lost

2010-09-30T06:07:00.001-05:00

By William Booth (1829-1912)

On one of my recent journeys, as I gazed from the coach window, I was led into a train of thought concerning the condition of the multitudes around me. They were living carelessly in the most open and shameless rebellion against God, without a thought for their eternal welfare. As I looked out of the window, I seemed to see them all . . . millions of people all around me given up to their drink and their pleasure, their dancing and their music, their business and their anxieties, their politics and their troubles. Ignorant - willfully ignorant in many cases - and in other instances knowing all about the truth and not caring at all. But all of them, the whole mass of them, sweeping on and up in their blasphemies and devilries to the Throne of God. While my mind was thus engaged, I had a vision.

I saw a dark and stormy ocean. Over it the black clouds hung heavily; through them every now and then vivid lightening flashed and loud thunder rolled, while the winds moaned, and the waves rose and foamed, towered and broke, only to rise and foam, tower and break again.

In that ocean I thought I saw myriads of poor human beings plunging and floating, shouting and shrieking, cursing and struggling and drowning; and as they cursed and screamed they rose and shrieked again, and then some sank to rise no more.

And I saw out of this dark angry ocean, a mighty rock that rose up with it’s summit towering high above the black clouds that overhung the stormy sea. And all around the base of this great rock I saw a vast platform. Onto this platform, I saw with delight a number of the poor struggling, drowning wretches continually climbing out of the angry ocean. And I saw that a few of those who were already safe on the platform were helping the poor creatures still in the angry waters to reach the place of safety.

On looking more closely I found a number of those who had been rescued, industriously working and scheming by ladders, ropes, boats and other means more effective, to deliver the poor strugglers out of the sea. Here and there were some who actually jumped into the water, regardless of the consequences in their passion to "rescue the perishing." And I hardly know which gladdened me the most - the sight of the poor drowning people climbing onto the rocks reaching a place of safety, or the devotion and self-sacrifice of those whose whole being was wrapped up in the effort for their deliverance.

As I looked on, I saw that the occupants of that platform were quite a mixed company. That is, they were divided into different "sets" or classes, and they occupied themselves with different pleasures and employments. But only a very few of them seemed to make it their business to get the people out of the sea.
But what puzzled me most was the fact that though all of them had been rescued at one time or another from the ocean, nearly everyone seemed to have forgotten all about it. Anyway, it seemed the memory of its darkness and danger no longer troubled them at all. And what seemed equally strange and perplexing to me was that these people did not even seem to have any care - that is any agonizing care - about the poor perishing ones who were struggling and drowning right before their very eyes . . . many of whom were their own husbands and wives, brothers and sisters and even their own children.

Now this astonishing unconcern could not have been the result of ignorance or lack of knowledge, because they lived right there in full sight of it all and even talked about it sometimes. Many even went regularly to hear lectures and sermons in which the awful state of these poor drowning creatures was described.
I have always said that the occupants of this platform were engaged in different pursuits and pastimes. Some of them were absorbed day and night in trading and business in order to make gain, storing up their savings in boxes, safes and the like.

Many spent their time in amusing themselves with growing flowers on the side of the rock, others in painting pieces of cloth or in playing music, or in dressing themselves up in different styles and walking about to be admired. Some occupied themselves chiefly in eating and drinking, others were taken up with arguing about the poor drowning creatures that had already been rescued.

But the thing to me that seemed the most amazing was that those on the platform to whom He called, who heard His voice and felt that they ought to obey it - at least they said they did - those who confessed to love Him much were in full sympathy with Him in the task He had undertaken - who worshipped Him or who professed to do so - were so taken up with their trades and professions, their money saving and pleasures, their families and circles, their religions and arguments about it, and their preparation for going to the mainland, that they did not listen to the cry that came to them from this Wonderful Being who had Himself gone down into the sea. Anyway, if they heard it they did not heed it. They did not care. And so the multitude went on right before them struggling and shrieking and drowning in the darkness.

And then I saw something that seemed to me even more strange than anything that had gone on before in this strange vision. I saw that some of these people on the platform whom this Wonderful Being had called to, wanting them to come and help Him in His difficult task of saving these perishing creatures, were always praying and crying out to Him to come to them!

Some wanted Him to come and stay with them, and spend His time and strength in making them happier. Others wanted Him to come and take away various doubts and misgivings they had concerning the truth of some letters He had written them. Some wanted Him to come and make them feel more secure on the rock - so secure that they would be quite sure that they should never slip off again into the ocean. Numbers of others wanted Him to make them feel quite certain that they would really get off the rock and onto the mainland someday: because as a matter of fact, it was well known that some had walked so carelessly as to loose their footing, and had fallen back again into the stormy waters.

So these people used to meet and get up as high on the rock as they could, and looking towards the mainland (where they thought the Great Being was) they would cry out, "Come to us! Come and help us!" And all the while He was down (by His Spirit) among the poor struggling, drowning creatures in the angry deep, with His arms around them trying to drag them out, and looking up - oh! so longingly but all in vain - to those on the rock, crying to them with His voice all hoarse from calling, "Come to Me! Come, and help Me!
And then I understood it all. It was plain enough. The sea was the ocean of life - the sea of real, actual human existence. That lightening was the gleaming of piercing truth coming from Jehovah’s Throne. That thunder was the distant echoing of the wrath of God. Those multitudes of people shrieking, struggling and agonizing in the stormy sea, was the thousands and thousands of poor harlots and harlot-makers, of drunkards and drunkard makers, of thieves, liars, blasphemers and ungodly people of every kindred, tongue and nation.

Oh what a black sea it was! And oh, what multitudes of rich and poor, ignorant and educated were there. They were all so unalike in their outward circumstances and conditions, yet all alike in one thing - all sinners before God - all held by, and holding onto, some iniquity, fascinated by some idol, the slaves of some devilish lust, and ruled by the foul fiend from the bottomless pit!

"All alike in one thing?" No, all alike in two things - not only the same in their wickedness but, unless rescued, the same in their sinking, sinking . . . down, down, down . . . to the same terrible doom. That great sheltering rock represented Calvary, the place where Jesus had died for them. And the people on it were those who had been rescued. The way they used their energies, gifts and time represented the occupations and amusements of those who professed to be saved from sin and hell - followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. The handful of fierce, determined ones, who were risking their own lives in saving the perishing were true soldiers of the cross of Jesus. That Mighty Being who was calling to them from the midst of the angry waters was the Son of God, "the same yesterday, today and forever" who is still struggling and interceding to save the dying multitudes about us from this terrible doom of damnation, and whose voice can be heard above the music, machinery, and noise of life, calling on the rescued to come and help Him save the world.

My friends in Christ, you are rescued from the waters, you are on the rock, He is in the dark sea calling on you to come to Him and help Him. Will you go? Look for yourselves. The surging sea of life, crowded with perishing multitudes rolls up to the very spot on which you stand. Leaving the vision, I now come to speak of the fact - a fact that is as real as the Bible, as real as the Christ who hung upon the cross, as real as the judgment day will be, and as real as the heaven and hell that will follow it.

Look! Don’t be deceived by appearances - men and things are not what they seem. All who are not on the rock are in the sea! Look at them from the standpoint of the great White Throne, and what a sight you have! Jesus Christ, the Son of God is, through His Spirit, in the midst of this dying multitude, struggling to save them. And He is calling on you to jump into the sea - to go right away to His side and help Him in the holy strife. Will you jump? That is, will you go to His feet and place yourself absolutely at His disposal?
A young Christian once came to me, and told me that for some time she had been giving the Lord her profession and prayers and money, but now she wanted to give Him her life. She wanted to go right into the fight. In other words, she wanted to go to His assistance in the sea. As when a man from the shore, seeing another struggling in the water, takes off those outer garments that would hinder his efforts and leaps to the rescue, so will you who still linger on the bank, thinking and singing and praying about the poor perishing souls, lay aside your shame, your pride, your cares about other people’s opinions, your love of ease and all the selfish loves that have kept you back for so long, and rush to the rescue of this multitude of dying men and women.

Does the surging sea look dark and dangerous? Unquestionably it is so. There is no doubt that the leap for you, as for everyone who takes it, means difficulty and scorn and suffering. For you it may mean more than this. It may mean death. He who beckons you from the sea however, knows what it will mean - and knowing, He still calls to you and bids to you to come.

You must do it! You cannot hold back. You have enjoyed yourself in Christianity long enough. You have had pleasant feelings, pleasant songs, pleasant meetings, pleasant prospects. There has been much of human happiness, much clapping of hands and shouting of praises - very much of heaven on earth.
Now then, go to God and tell Him you are prepared as much as necessary to turn your back upon it all, and that you are willing to spend the rest of your days struggling in the midst of these perishing multitudes, whatever it may cost you.

You must do it. With the light that is now broken in upon your mind and the call that is now sounding in your ears, and the beckoning hands that are now before your eyes, you have no alternative. To go down among the perishing crowds is your duty. Your happiness from now on will consist in sharing their misery, your ease in sharing their pain, your crown in helping them to bear their cross, and your heaven in going into the very jaws of hell to rescue them.

Now what will you do?

A dying wish

2010-09-29T06:31:00.000-05:00

Stories like this bring tears to my eyes....

Special lacrosse game grants a Florida Dad his dying wish
By Cameron Smith

It's not lacrosse season, but last week Winter Springs (Fla.) High School played one of the most significant girls lacrosse games in memory. The score didn't matter in the least. The significance came from the game's sheer existence.

As reported by sports columnist George Diaz at OrlandoSentinel.com, the Winter Springs girls lacrosse team played a special scrimmage at halftime of the Winter Springs junior varsity football game on Wednesday night. The Bears varsity squad squared up against their JV counterparts, the only way the school could logistically hold a scrimmage months out of season on short notice. And the most important spectator at the game was Carl Defoe, a middle-aged man devoid of body hair after five rounds of chemotherapy, cheering on his daughter for the first -- and in all likelihood, the last -- time in his life.

Defoe is dying of lung cancer, and he knows that he doesn't have much time left -- six weeks, eight weeks, maybe more. The cancer has spread from his one remaining lung to his brain stem and spinal cord. While Defoe insists that he isn't done fighting the disease yet, the one thing that left him most anguished was knowing he'd never get to see his daughter, Heather, play in a high school lacrosse game.

Somehow the Winter Springs High School administration heard about Defoe's last wish. The school quickly sprung into action, contacting the notoriously rigid Florida High School Activities Association to ask for special approval to hold a one-time, out-of-season lacrosse scrimmage. Amazingly, the FHSAA approved the request almost instantly, with one condition: They wanted a photo from the game.

So, on Wednesday, at halftime of the Winter Springs junior varsity football game against Oviedo High School, the two girls lacrosse squads faced off in a brisk, seven-minute scrimmage. Heather Defoe played for the varsity squad instead of the junior varsity team she's scheduled to play with this spring ... and she scored three goals.

Then, when it was all over, the two teams gathered around a happy man in a wheelchair, posed for cameras and the whole special event was gone, over as quickly as it had come.

Gone, but not forgotten by anyone there, not least of all Carl himself. If there were ever questions of whether sports can change a person's outlook on life, they should be quieted by what Carl Defoe told Diaz just after the scrimmage wrapped up.

"I feel lucky," Defoe said.

FIXED

2010-09-28T06:34:00.000-05:00

Demands of the world press in
Calendars fill up
Priorities become jumbled
My eyes stray from Christ
And fixate on the challenges of life

"Set your heart on things above"
"Set your mind on things above"
A battle is waged in my mind
Jesus, reign over me and in me
And day by day I am renewed

Focused on the things of Christ
My gazed fixed on Him
Overwhelmed by His grace
Captured by His love
Rescued by His blood

Words to remember

2010-09-27T06:45:00.000-05:00

Having it "ALL" together = illusion.

Realizing you don't have it all together = disillusionment.

Discovering truth and acceptance despite your constant mess = enlightenment.

Fighting daily to live in that truth & acceptance = Worship.

(Written on Facebook by youth pastor Corey Blair)

Kindness Commissioning

2010-09-24T07:16:00.002-05:00

This is the commissioning we received from Beth Moore as we left the simulcast on Saturday:

My Dear Sister,

Your God has called you
To use that mouth of yours
For His great glory.
Don’t just add to the noise.
Become a real woman
Who opens her mouth with wisdom.
God wants the Law of Kindness
On your tongue
And the love of Christ
In your heart.
Never forget:
Kindness is not a weakness!
When you’re wearing down
Head to Christ and His people
And let them build you back up.
Always remember:
His yoke is KIND.
Make sure
It’s the only yoke you wear.
It’s time to go our separate ways
But we’ll all meet up again
At the glorious epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Until then,
Let the One who led you here
Lead you on with cords of kindness.
Now, get out there
And build a welcoming fire
In a cold world.
Live by the Law of Kindness!

Breaking News: 2 & 3 year olds Americans are really South Korean spies

2010-09-23T06:26:00.001-05:00

I just have to repost this news article. It comes from my sister-in-law's brother's blog. I have firsthand experience with Lael Hee and all I can say is BEWARE!!!

Spies in MN

ENFJ

2010-09-22T06:18:00.000-05:00

According to a random test I took online, I am an ENFJ:

Idealist Portrait of the Teacher (ENFJ)
Even more than the other Idealists, Teachers have a natural talent for leading students or trainees toward learning, or as Idealists like to think of it, they are capable of calling forth each learner's potentials. Teachers (around two percent of the population) are able - effortlessly, it seems, and almost endlessly-to dream up fascinating learning activities for their students to engage in. In some Teachers, this ability to fire the imagination can amount to a kind of genius which other types find hard to emulate. But perhaps their greatest strength lies in their belief in their students. Teachers look for the best in their students, and communicate clearly that each one has untold potential, and this confidence can inspire their students to grow and develop more than they ever thought possible.

In whatever field they choose, Teachers consider people their highest priority, and they instinctively communicate personal concern and a willingness to become involved. Warmly outgoing, and perhaps the most expressive of all the types, Teachers are remarkably good with language, especially when communicating in speech, face to face. And they do not hesitate to speak out and let their feelings be known. Bubbling with enthusiasm, Teachers will voice their passions with dramatic flourish, and can, with practice, become charismatic public speakers. This verbal ability gives Teachers a good deal of influence in groups, and they are often asked to take a leadership role.

Teachers like things settled and organized, and will schedule their work hours and social engagements well ahead of time-and they are absolutely trustworthy in honoring these commitments. Valuing as they do interpersonal cooperation and harmonious relations, Teachers are extraordinarily tolerant of others, are easy to get along with, and are usually popular wherever they are.

Teachers are highly sensitive to others, which is to say their intuition tends to be well developed. Certainly their insight into themselves and others is unparalleled. Without a doubt, they know what is going on inside themselves, and they can read other people with uncanny accuracy. Teachers also identify with others quite easily, and will actually find themselves picking up the characteristics, emotions, and beliefs of those around them. Because they slip almost unconsciously into other people's skin in this way, Teachers feel closely connected with those around them, and thus show a sincere interest in the joys and problems of their employees, colleagues, students, clients, and loved ones.

Caught on video

2010-09-21T06:31:00.000-05:00

I was caught on video at the Beth Moore simulcast. Check out 0:14-0:15, you'll see Connie, Connie, Arleta & I heading into the Rosemont Theatre with 4000 other women. It was an amazing conference! The focus was Proverbs 31:26 "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness."

More to come about the simulcast....

What does it mean to be content?

2010-09-15T06:06:00.002-05:00

Another homework assignment from Pastor Chris. We've had a month to ponder this question but I had no idea how to answer the above question so I kept praying for insight. Only a week to go and I still couldn't fully answer this question. Then last Sunday I woke up and as I lay in bed, the following words came into my heart....maybe not a complete answer but it begins to capture what I hear God saying to me....

Philippians 4:11 - "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."

My feelings betray me when they don't line up with Truth. And when I dwell on those feelings, they can become strongholds in my mind and the journey to contentment is elusive.

My feelings may say, "I need a new car" or "I need new shoes" or "I need new clothes" but if that is not in line with Truth, then contentment eludes me. Yahweh-Yireh - "my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" - Philippians 4:19.

My feelings may say, "I need a new job" or "I need to move from this place" but when my mind fixates on these desires, I lose sight of Yahweh-Shalom, God is peace - Numbers 6:22-27; Isaiah 9:6

My feelings may tell me "I am alone and need a husband" or "I messed up too big and there's no hope for my future" and if I dwell on these feelings, then I forget Yahweh-Shammah, the Lord is there (Ezekiel 48:35; Matthew 28:20) and I overlook Yahweh-Rapha, the Lord who heals (I Peter 2:24).

I wonder if the journey to contentment is won or lost on the battlefield of the mind. "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). When my feelings threaten to betray me, I must cling to Truth. I must rest in the assurance of God's Word.

As I read back over these words, hopelessness could creep in. I can't take captive my thoughts, I am weak. I can't see Yahweh when negativity overwhelms me. But then I force myself to read further in Philippians 4 to verse 13, "I can do everything through [Christ] who gives me strength." I can learn contentment because of Christ's strength at work in me.

Contentment is not about what I own or what I am lacking.
Contentment does not depend on my circumstances.
It's not about having a man in my life.
Contentment is not about the job I have or where I live.
Contentment is about the state of my heart.
It is learned as I recognize that Christ is my all.
He is sufficient for me.

Contentment is a journey, a learning process. By the power of the Holy Spirit, I can learn contentment. And when I fail on the journey to contentment, I will look to Yahweh-Mekaddishkem, the Lord who sanctifies (Exodus 31:12-13; Hebrews 13:12)

Critical truth

2010-09-13T07:02:00.002-05:00

Every airplane flight begins with instructions from the flight attendants about safety equipment and procedures. While they are delivering this potentially life-saving message, people are shuffling papers, reading books, and talking to their neighbors. Very few pay attention. Some have heard it so many times that they could give the speech. Others really don't think anything bad will happen. Some feel the result of a crash will be the same whether or not the seatbelt is "low and tight around your waist."

Sometimes we, too, fail to pay attention to vital information. We don't care, we don't think bad things will happen, and/or we don't think the information will help. God has given us His Word with critical information to know and apply. Life will have its turbulence and dangerous moments; the truth of God will see us through the difficult and frightening events.

Psalm 19:11 speaks of the commands of God's Word: "By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward." We can easily become distracted or disinterested in God's truth. We do so at our own peril. Make God's Word a priority in your life, work and in ministry.

Oops...

2010-09-10T06:53:00.000-05:00

I told my mom, "maybe I should take up cross stitching." She heard me say, "maybe I should take up prostituting."

Finding freedom

2010-09-09T07:05:00.001-05:00

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. It focuses on God’s Word. In fact, it includes 10 different words for God’s Word, one of which is law. Many people today bristle at the term law and view God as the cosmic policeman in the sky ready to squash all fun and freedom. But that's not a true understanding of God. Look at Psalm 119:30 and 32: “I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws...I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.”

God’s way is for us to choose truth and set our hearts on His Word. The result of this obedience is an exhilarating run and true freedom.