"this .... will be like one of them" (1 Sam 17:33-37)
I am in a battle. It is a battle for my heart, a battle for my mind, a battle for my faith and a battle for bigger things in God. I am at the point that to stay where I am and not grow would be tantamount to failure. This is a testing of my faith that will define the next season of my life.
Outwardly, there is not much going on, but on the inside there is a stubborn resistance to what the enemy would have me believe. There is a Goliath in my midst that taunts me night and day. He says that God is not big enough, or that God isn't willing to come through. The most damaging thing he says is "God helps those who help themselves" like somehow God's miraculous moving is dependant on me making things happen.
When I look back at my life, I see the amazng things that God has brought me through. He has changed me from who I was, saved me from my sin, healed an abused and broken heart and transformed my mind from a suicidal teen and replaced my mindset.
It is time that we as a people start reminding ourselves of all that God has brought us through. Not just saving us-although it was the most important moment, often it is the simplest moment- but those major battles that have changed our lives.
When David was going to fight Goliath, he told Saul about the battles he had fought against the bear and the lion he had killed. But then what he said next was so important... "this uncircumcised Phillistines will be like one of them". He understood in that moment that it is the same God.
Often when something comes against us, we dispair or we worry because we have never experienced anything like it before. I could say "sure God walked me through the divorce of my family, but this situation is completely different than that, is God still able?" It is easy to believe God for a financial breakthrough if you have experienced financial breakthroughs before, or healing if you have healing before. Often though, when something comes across our path, the likes of which we have never seen, our faith fails us because we forget.
David understood that though the details were different, God is still the same. He is still able, He is still in control and He is still invested in our lives.
Look today at whatever situation is in your life through the eyes of David and remember the battles you have already won, then tell the giants that you are facing....
"this .... will be like one of them" (1 Sam 17:33-37)
and take the victory that God has in store for you!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
One ending, One Beginning, One Continuing saga
Today is the 2nd anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. There were updates and continuing questions about what went wrong, what could have been done better, and what all of that means for the rest of the US in the event of another natural disaster. There were updates on the Health, the psycho-social, and the criminal effects such a widespread disaster had on those affected by the storms. In so many ways, the hurricane continues to victimize the residents of New Orleans- it is their continuing saga.
On the other side of the world 12 Korean hostages were freed by the Taliban. Their ordeal is over. They will get to go home. They will not need to ever return to the location of their victimization. It is the end, but also the beginning. It is the beginning of their recovery. The beginning of putting back together the pieces of lives torn apart by terror.
These two groups of people now have more in common than anyone would ever care to share.
It seems that all around us there is fear, terror, pain, heartache and disappointment. In eras past, these conditions might have brought us all together in a shared experience. Today, though, it seems that we have bought into the lie that these conditions of pain, or disappointment, loss, and hurt provide us the excuse to pull away and seek only for ourselves what we feel we need. Individuals looking to thier own agenda separated by a chasm that seems unbridgeable. BUT GOD...
I was reminded today, that sin is the common denominator. It is an End of the close relationship we have with God, and a Continuing saga of separation from God and one another. The great news is that it is also the Beginning. Because of sin, grace is the beginning of God's ability to reach through our circumstances and allow us to not only approach His throne, but also reach across the divide between neighbours and begin to 'do life together'. Perhaps as we walk together we can be stronger, and healthier.
It shouldn't take a terrorist, or a hurricane to open our eyes to the pain in those who sit beside us on the bus, or who work next to us... or even who occupy the pew in front of us.
On the other side of the world 12 Korean hostages were freed by the Taliban. Their ordeal is over. They will get to go home. They will not need to ever return to the location of their victimization. It is the end, but also the beginning. It is the beginning of their recovery. The beginning of putting back together the pieces of lives torn apart by terror.
These two groups of people now have more in common than anyone would ever care to share.
It seems that all around us there is fear, terror, pain, heartache and disappointment. In eras past, these conditions might have brought us all together in a shared experience. Today, though, it seems that we have bought into the lie that these conditions of pain, or disappointment, loss, and hurt provide us the excuse to pull away and seek only for ourselves what we feel we need. Individuals looking to thier own agenda separated by a chasm that seems unbridgeable. BUT GOD...
I was reminded today, that sin is the common denominator. It is an End of the close relationship we have with God, and a Continuing saga of separation from God and one another. The great news is that it is also the Beginning. Because of sin, grace is the beginning of God's ability to reach through our circumstances and allow us to not only approach His throne, but also reach across the divide between neighbours and begin to 'do life together'. Perhaps as we walk together we can be stronger, and healthier.
It shouldn't take a terrorist, or a hurricane to open our eyes to the pain in those who sit beside us on the bus, or who work next to us... or even who occupy the pew in front of us.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Good Ending!
Tonight I was at a meeting that, truth be told, I didn't want to be at. All day I had not been feeling well. I was doubting myself and even my purpose. I was in a cranky mood, and didn't feel like I got that much accomplished today. I put on a happy face and attempted to change my feelings by changing my behaviour, I smiled and dodged questions about myself and focused on others. There was even a point where a situation came up where I was offered a ride home! I stayed knowing that I needed to be there. It was a good meeting with lots of good information and vision casting for the next year.
At the end though, we prayed for one another. One of the ladies in my prayer circle had a word for me. This word spoke to the very core of what I was experiencing. It has been a long time since someone outside of my circle prayed for me, and this women I don't know that well just hit the nail on the head. It broke off some insecurities that were taking root and it spoke to the foundation of what God has been speaking to me about my purpose. It was like an unexpected day at the spa! As she prayed, I felt a peace wash over me and renew my purpose.
If I had given in to how I felt, I would have been robbed of that moment! It reminds me that no matter where you are, God is there and is SEEKING opportunities to propel us towards our destiny.
Thanks Terri for your faithfulness!
At the end though, we prayed for one another. One of the ladies in my prayer circle had a word for me. This word spoke to the very core of what I was experiencing. It has been a long time since someone outside of my circle prayed for me, and this women I don't know that well just hit the nail on the head. It broke off some insecurities that were taking root and it spoke to the foundation of what God has been speaking to me about my purpose. It was like an unexpected day at the spa! As she prayed, I felt a peace wash over me and renew my purpose.
If I had given in to how I felt, I would have been robbed of that moment! It reminds me that no matter where you are, God is there and is SEEKING opportunities to propel us towards our destiny.
Thanks Terri for your faithfulness!
Monday, August 27, 2007
The Rustle of Wedding Dresses!
Every once in a while, our group of single girls comes down with a case of "Wedding Fever". Sometimes it is a mild case, sometimes an terminal illness! There will seem to be a 'rash' of conversations-pun intended- about weddings and what we as single women want. These converstations run the usual gammut from colours to styles, to type of wedding and sometimes honeymoons. It is a lot of fun to listen to grown women get all giggly about the dreams that they have had for so many years. You learn a lot about someone from the way they plan their 'dream wedding'.
Invitably, younger ones want the expensive wedding in the fancy hotel and expect thier parents to pay for it. They often imagine that they will marry rich and it will solve all of their problems. Then there is the slightly older single women who still wants a fancy wedding, but knows that the fairy tale comes with a hefty price tag so likely will limit the numbers of guest.... each age and stage of the single woman can often be characterized by the type of wedding she wants.
What else is very telling, is who they will have in thier bridal party. Some want just one or two close friends, others will want everyone who ever said hi to them because they don't want anyone to be left out!
There is something about weddings that turns women everywhere into little girls playing dress-up. I think that it takes us back to the time in our lives when nothing was impossible.
If you want to get to know how someone thinks, ask them to dream about something that is important to them and you will gain insight into their heart.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Reframe a dream, find a new purpose
Have you ever had custom framing done? It is interesting to take a photo or a painting and see how different frames change the whole look and feel of a picture. Sometimes elements or colours show up that you didn't even see before!
There are so many dreams that all of us have in our hearts. Sometimes these dreams are specific and sometimes they lie beneath the surface with a desire that God has given us. So many times though, our dreams are something yet to be achieved, or something that seems far off. When there is a delay in the fulfillment of our dream we can often question either the dream itself, or God. The Bible says "hope deferred makes the heart sick". So does it makes sense that God would give me a desire in my heart and then keep it out of my reach?
So what do we do while we are waiting for the dreams to be fulfilled? Well, lets change the framework and see what shows up.
I have found that, by breaking down my dreams like one would break down a job for a resume, I see that there is often a different frame that will fit that dream but will still fulfill my desires while I am waiting. Let me give you an example.
I have a dream in my heart to be married and have kids. It seems like this is a pretty straighforward dream. One that has a specific beginnng and a specific framework. But let's ask ourselves: "What am I looking for that role to allow me to do in my life?"
Wife: Partnership, investing fully in someone else, having someone who is on my 'team', being someone's biggest cheerleader
Mom: Nurturing, teaching, watching someone develop, revelling in their accomplishments
These are the things that when I really thought about it were that the things that I was looking most forward to. I was waiting to invest in someone who wouldn't move, or find new friends, I was waiting to pour out all my nurturing on my kids. But the problem was what to do in the meanntime.
If we look at those desires and the roles we begin to see that there is NOTHING on that list that is dependant on my being married. I can look around me and invest in others, I can nurture others, I can find a friend who I can invest in and be her biggest cheerleader!
Does this mean that I no longer want to get married? Not at all, in fact, the more I do those things, the more I see that they are God's plan for my life and they fuel me. What it means, is that in the meantime until I meet that man, and walk down the aisle, there is something for me to be doing for God. I am not being held hostage to the desires of my heart that God put there in the first place.
Your dream might be something entirely different. Just remember, but doing these things 'in the meantime' doesn't take away or risk having your BIG dream come true, rather when that moment comes to step into your BIG dream, you will be prepared because you have already been living it!
There are so many dreams that all of us have in our hearts. Sometimes these dreams are specific and sometimes they lie beneath the surface with a desire that God has given us. So many times though, our dreams are something yet to be achieved, or something that seems far off. When there is a delay in the fulfillment of our dream we can often question either the dream itself, or God. The Bible says "hope deferred makes the heart sick". So does it makes sense that God would give me a desire in my heart and then keep it out of my reach?
So what do we do while we are waiting for the dreams to be fulfilled? Well, lets change the framework and see what shows up.
I have found that, by breaking down my dreams like one would break down a job for a resume, I see that there is often a different frame that will fit that dream but will still fulfill my desires while I am waiting. Let me give you an example.
I have a dream in my heart to be married and have kids. It seems like this is a pretty straighforward dream. One that has a specific beginnng and a specific framework. But let's ask ourselves: "What am I looking for that role to allow me to do in my life?"
Wife: Partnership, investing fully in someone else, having someone who is on my 'team', being someone's biggest cheerleader
Mom: Nurturing, teaching, watching someone develop, revelling in their accomplishments
These are the things that when I really thought about it were that the things that I was looking most forward to. I was waiting to invest in someone who wouldn't move, or find new friends, I was waiting to pour out all my nurturing on my kids. But the problem was what to do in the meanntime.
If we look at those desires and the roles we begin to see that there is NOTHING on that list that is dependant on my being married. I can look around me and invest in others, I can nurture others, I can find a friend who I can invest in and be her biggest cheerleader!
Does this mean that I no longer want to get married? Not at all, in fact, the more I do those things, the more I see that they are God's plan for my life and they fuel me. What it means, is that in the meantime until I meet that man, and walk down the aisle, there is something for me to be doing for God. I am not being held hostage to the desires of my heart that God put there in the first place.
Your dream might be something entirely different. Just remember, but doing these things 'in the meantime' doesn't take away or risk having your BIG dream come true, rather when that moment comes to step into your BIG dream, you will be prepared because you have already been living it!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
The Follow Up
The other day, I asked whether you hold your hands with Palms Up or Palms Down. Let me explain.
God has been speaking to me for a while about the essense of femininity. This past Sunday morning, our pastor invited us to take the hand of the person next to us. I reached out as I always do with my palms down. I have read in the past, that this is a sign of strength and a sign of wanting to be in control, and likely that has something to do with why I do it, but more than that, with my height, often, if I am palms up, it creates a funny angle for my hand especially if someone is much shorter- if you have kids in your world, try it you will see.
As I reached out, I felt the Lord whisper "look around". I looked at the women around me, most of whom are setting an example for me of femininity, and they were all palms up. So right there in the middle of the prayer, I released my grip and changed the position of my hands. I was standing beside my cousin who is a strong taller man. As I stood there palms up there was something that felt very safe. Somehow, I felt protected and secure. I recalled the experience I recently blogged about Surrender or Submit... and the point about submission being 'choosing not to fight'. On some level, IN ME I think that even in this small gesture of hand holding, I was still choosing to fight.
Am I implying that for those who prefer palms down, that they are not feminine? Nope, not at all. This is a detail that God is touching on in MY life. Funny thing though, almost all of the women who commented were 'palms up'..... hmmmmmm
God has been speaking to me for a while about the essense of femininity. This past Sunday morning, our pastor invited us to take the hand of the person next to us. I reached out as I always do with my palms down. I have read in the past, that this is a sign of strength and a sign of wanting to be in control, and likely that has something to do with why I do it, but more than that, with my height, often, if I am palms up, it creates a funny angle for my hand especially if someone is much shorter- if you have kids in your world, try it you will see.
As I reached out, I felt the Lord whisper "look around". I looked at the women around me, most of whom are setting an example for me of femininity, and they were all palms up. So right there in the middle of the prayer, I released my grip and changed the position of my hands. I was standing beside my cousin who is a strong taller man. As I stood there palms up there was something that felt very safe. Somehow, I felt protected and secure. I recalled the experience I recently blogged about Surrender or Submit... and the point about submission being 'choosing not to fight'. On some level, IN ME I think that even in this small gesture of hand holding, I was still choosing to fight.
Am I implying that for those who prefer palms down, that they are not feminine? Nope, not at all. This is a detail that God is touching on in MY life. Funny thing though, almost all of the women who commented were 'palms up'..... hmmmmmm
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
More importantly....
Thanks to all of you for commenting on my crazy question... I will respond but today there is something more important.
Today, the family of Pte. Simon Longtin received the flag-draped coffin of their son. It likely was the second time in 3 weeks that they wept at the prospect of their son's travel. Their farewell tears barely had time to dry and again they weep.
It seems too high a cost. Yet, today more news of 2 more deaths. I cannot even begin to know what it is like to lose a loved one in such a manner, but my heart aches at the deaths.
I think of those I know who have volunteered to undertake the mission on behalf of those who cannot fight for themselves. How high a price must we pay?
While there is sadness for those who have been left behind, fear for those who will be venturing over in the future, there is also gratitude. I am so grateful that there are those who would step into a place of danger for others. To know that if it came to it, my country, my family and friends would be safer for the protection of those who serve us in the armed forces.
Today, the family of Pte. Simon Longtin received the flag-draped coffin of their son. It likely was the second time in 3 weeks that they wept at the prospect of their son's travel. Their farewell tears barely had time to dry and again they weep.
It seems too high a cost. Yet, today more news of 2 more deaths. I cannot even begin to know what it is like to lose a loved one in such a manner, but my heart aches at the deaths.
I think of those I know who have volunteered to undertake the mission on behalf of those who cannot fight for themselves. How high a price must we pay?
While there is sadness for those who have been left behind, fear for those who will be venturing over in the future, there is also gratitude. I am so grateful that there are those who would step into a place of danger for others. To know that if it came to it, my country, my family and friends would be safer for the protection of those who serve us in the armed forces.
My tears will not protect those are in danger, still I offer them alongside my prayers.
http://www.cfpsa.com/en/corporate/NewsCentre/Support/index.asp
Monday, August 20, 2007
Palms up? Palms down?
An impromptu Poll!!
This is going to sound VERY strange, but I hope that you will help me by answering a question.....
When you hold someone's hand (Other than your spouse's) do you reach out with your palms up, or down?
Close your eyes, stnd up and hold out your hands and tell me, palms up, or down?
Go with me on this. Just put your answer in the comments, you can do it anonymously if you want, just let me know if you are male or female. Don't worry, I don't have some crazy article that says if you reach out palms down that you are a psycho! I merely am gathering information.
Your help is appreciated. You will hear more about this on Thursday!
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Seasons
I love changing seasons in the natural progression of weather and calendar as much as I love the changing seasons of our lives. There are moments in time when a change in the season is obvious- The first flakes of snow silently usher in the the winter, or trickling water that accompanies winter's departure. Some seasons, though are more stealthy in their approach. Summer dawns on our conciousness with a realization that it suddenly is hotter and one day you stop and realize that it is still sunny out at 8:30 or 9:00 at night.
August is one of my favourite months because it has so much variety. There are warm days, and cool nights, the joy of summer is still upon us, but as summer comes to an end we are desperate to hold onto those last vestiges by cramming in as much 'summer' as we can. It is full of the memories of nights too hot to sleep, sunburns, and swimming. I love those first times that we pull the cozy sweaters out of their resting place and feel thier warmth where the sun so recently left her kisses.
The seasons of our lives can fall into 2 catagories as well: those seasons that start or end with an event- a catalytic change of circumstances which user in a new season; or those seasons whose change is signified by a slow realization that things are not as they used to be.
Just as we don't notice that the sun is setting earlier and earlier until the cumulated change is significant , sometimes we don't notice a new season in our lives until the new season requires something new of us. A lot of times, this type of change in season can be the most stressful because we don't always realize it is happening but we realize that what worked before no longer is working. When we don't take notice of the changes around us, we get caught up in what used to be and fight against what needs to be.
Fall for so many seems to be a time of starting over. Perhaps it is the memories of beginning a new grade, maybe having new school supplies. There is a fresh start feeling to fall. Take a look at the 'supplies' that you are using? Will they adequately equip you in the season you are entering? Or is it time to invest in some new supplies?
August is one of my favourite months because it has so much variety. There are warm days, and cool nights, the joy of summer is still upon us, but as summer comes to an end we are desperate to hold onto those last vestiges by cramming in as much 'summer' as we can. It is full of the memories of nights too hot to sleep, sunburns, and swimming. I love those first times that we pull the cozy sweaters out of their resting place and feel thier warmth where the sun so recently left her kisses.
The seasons of our lives can fall into 2 catagories as well: those seasons that start or end with an event- a catalytic change of circumstances which user in a new season; or those seasons whose change is signified by a slow realization that things are not as they used to be.
Just as we don't notice that the sun is setting earlier and earlier until the cumulated change is significant , sometimes we don't notice a new season in our lives until the new season requires something new of us. A lot of times, this type of change in season can be the most stressful because we don't always realize it is happening but we realize that what worked before no longer is working. When we don't take notice of the changes around us, we get caught up in what used to be and fight against what needs to be.
Fall for so many seems to be a time of starting over. Perhaps it is the memories of beginning a new grade, maybe having new school supplies. There is a fresh start feeling to fall. Take a look at the 'supplies' that you are using? Will they adequately equip you in the season you are entering? Or is it time to invest in some new supplies?
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Nothing to Prove!
"The greatest freedom is when you have nothing to prove."
This was on a list of Mark Batterson's favourite sayings. Every once in a while I see a moment of having nothing to prove. Nothing to prove to myself, to others, to myself about others and to myself about God.
There are glimpses of this freedom that I want to cultivate every day. I find that I am most myself when living in that freedom.
How free are you in this area? What are you left trying to prove? Are you trying to prove God wrong in His love for you? Are you trying to prove to yourself that you REALLY aren't worthy of forgiveness after all? Or are you just deluding yourself that grace and the Love of God has anything at all to do with something that you have or haven't done?
Be free.... I speak to myself... be free in the freedom of truly having nothing to prove!!
This was on a list of Mark Batterson's favourite sayings. Every once in a while I see a moment of having nothing to prove. Nothing to prove to myself, to others, to myself about others and to myself about God.
There are glimpses of this freedom that I want to cultivate every day. I find that I am most myself when living in that freedom.
How free are you in this area? What are you left trying to prove? Are you trying to prove God wrong in His love for you? Are you trying to prove to yourself that you REALLY aren't worthy of forgiveness after all? Or are you just deluding yourself that grace and the Love of God has anything at all to do with something that you have or haven't done?
Be free.... I speak to myself... be free in the freedom of truly having nothing to prove!!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Some Fun Facts!
I am continually amazed that anyone would be interested in what I have to say, and yet the numbers say that there are many who read but don't comment. It is kind of strange to be able to see where people are clicking in from!
Since July 15 here are some numbers:
426 people have visited and spent, on average 5:14 minutes per visit!
Visitors from so many different countries!
Canada - by far the most visits!
United States
South Korea, Spain, United Kingdom,
Taiwan, Serbia and Montenegro,
India and Bolivia
Most of the you find this site from Confessions of a Pastor's Wife- thanks Lori!
There is nothing that I can say that would express to you my gratitude to God for this amazing opportunity- and to you for reading! This technology has given me a platform that I never would have imagined possible!
Keep reading!
Since July 15 here are some numbers:
426 people have visited and spent, on average 5:14 minutes per visit!
Visitors from so many different countries!
Canada - by far the most visits!
United States
South Korea, Spain, United Kingdom,
Taiwan, Serbia and Montenegro,
India and Bolivia
Most of the you find this site from Confessions of a Pastor's Wife- thanks Lori!
There is nothing that I can say that would express to you my gratitude to God for this amazing opportunity- and to you for reading! This technology has given me a platform that I never would have imagined possible!
Keep reading!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
A Bigger Expectation
There are some funny things that happen when you are unemployed for an extended period of time; life takes on an interesting pace. There is something of Maslov's Hierarchy of Needs at play in my home.
When I was working, it would be that I would spend a lot of each Saturday cleaning and it seemed to be a constant fight just to stay ahead of the mess of daily living. By the time I got home from work at the end of the day or the week, there wasn't any energy left for those extra projects which seem to taunt every working person-a linen closet that needs attention, laundry that piles up, or windows streaked in dirt. There just doesn't seem to be enough time to get everything done. However, when those other demands are reduced, the time becomes available.
When I was working, if I opened a linen closet that needed to be organized, I would become annoyed at the mess, sigh at the lack of time and shut the door hoping to shut the problem from my mind. Now though, I have the time to take everything out, sort it, re-fold it and then walk away content! As more and more of the 'big projects' get taken care of, I have begun to see the dirt in the crevices that before I never would have seen. Not only do I see this new level of need, but it bothers me!! I have gone from feeling like a hero if the garbage got put out bi-weekly to being annoyed that the vaccuum lines have disappeared from my bedroom floor! I clearly have moved up Maslov's heirarchy of Housework!
Am I turning into a crazy fastidious housekeeper? There is probably not much threat of that happening! But it did get me thinking....
I began to think about some of the "little" details in my Christian walk which before would have been skimmed over to make room for the BIG ISSUES. Recently, though, it has seemed that these 'little' things have taken on more and more importance. Like the hidden crevices in my home that go unnoticed in the bustle of life, when I stop and look, they rear their ugly heads and take on an importance that they never did before.
I love that God is invested in the details of my walk. That as He heals, and changes me, and sets me on the right path, His involvement doesn't end there. I love that in all of our lives, we can go as deep in God as we want to. He is always waiting to take us to depths in Him that we have never known. God is infinite in splendour and there will never be a moment when I have seen and experienced all that there is in God. Like a home that is in constant need of cleaning, just when we think we have done it all, it is time to dig deeper, and go to new levels.
So now, I will celebrate the fact that I have seen the dirt in the corners of my soul, because it means that I am doing more than just surviving. It shows that I am growing!
When I was working, it would be that I would spend a lot of each Saturday cleaning and it seemed to be a constant fight just to stay ahead of the mess of daily living. By the time I got home from work at the end of the day or the week, there wasn't any energy left for those extra projects which seem to taunt every working person-a linen closet that needs attention, laundry that piles up, or windows streaked in dirt. There just doesn't seem to be enough time to get everything done. However, when those other demands are reduced, the time becomes available.
When I was working, if I opened a linen closet that needed to be organized, I would become annoyed at the mess, sigh at the lack of time and shut the door hoping to shut the problem from my mind. Now though, I have the time to take everything out, sort it, re-fold it and then walk away content! As more and more of the 'big projects' get taken care of, I have begun to see the dirt in the crevices that before I never would have seen. Not only do I see this new level of need, but it bothers me!! I have gone from feeling like a hero if the garbage got put out bi-weekly to being annoyed that the vaccuum lines have disappeared from my bedroom floor! I clearly have moved up Maslov's heirarchy of Housework!
Am I turning into a crazy fastidious housekeeper? There is probably not much threat of that happening! But it did get me thinking....
I began to think about some of the "little" details in my Christian walk which before would have been skimmed over to make room for the BIG ISSUES. Recently, though, it has seemed that these 'little' things have taken on more and more importance. Like the hidden crevices in my home that go unnoticed in the bustle of life, when I stop and look, they rear their ugly heads and take on an importance that they never did before.
I love that God is invested in the details of my walk. That as He heals, and changes me, and sets me on the right path, His involvement doesn't end there. I love that in all of our lives, we can go as deep in God as we want to. He is always waiting to take us to depths in Him that we have never known. God is infinite in splendour and there will never be a moment when I have seen and experienced all that there is in God. Like a home that is in constant need of cleaning, just when we think we have done it all, it is time to dig deeper, and go to new levels.
So now, I will celebrate the fact that I have seen the dirt in the corners of my soul, because it means that I am doing more than just surviving. It shows that I am growing!
Monday, August 13, 2007
To Surrender or to Submit
Yesterday I blogged about surrendering. I have been on a journey to be leave behind more and more of myself and to become more and more like Christ. Today I was reading in 1 John 3:6 says:
6No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
As well, Sunday night I heard a sermon about extending love to those around us. After the message we got into small discussion groups. One of the questions was "What will it take to extend the love of Jesus to others?" In that moment I realized.... If I TRULY TRULY TRULY understood the Love of Christ, there would be nothing that could stop me from telling the whole world. If I truly understood the mystery of grace I would have no choice but to knock on doord in the middle of the night because not another second could pass without telling someone about the love of God.
There is a frustration in me when I see the repeating pattern of sin in my life. I want to call it "issues" or "stuff that I am working on" but really let's call it what it is.....SIN.
After yesterday's post there were some very interesting comments. One in particluar about the difference between surrender and submission. For all my Christian life I have heard it preached and sung that we need to "Surrender" our lives fully to God. Gary wrote about a sermon he once heard:
"Surrender" is about being forced to stop fighting because you are facing an unbeatable foe whose goal is to destroy you. The only other option is to keep fighting and face certain defeat. There is no chance of victory and to surrender is humiliating. It is done for the sole purpose of surviving. Our foe (the devil) has a simple goal. It's to keep us in a position of weakness once we have surrendered. All options to fight later are eliminated because the foe gives us no chance to gather our strength. The enemy wants us fearful and weak. We are no threat to him that way.
"Submission" from a biblical perspective is entirely different. It doesn't require us to be defeated. Rather, it asks us to willingly choose not to fight. We recognize our abilities and strengths but choose not to use them for our purposes. Biblical submission does not eliminate our strength, it builds it and focusses it on a greater goal.
I love the story of David in the cave when Saul was seeking him to destroy him. In the darkness, Saul had no idea that he was within inches of one who could have taken his life.David had the power, the opportunity and frankly, the motive. He didn't surrender to Saul, he submitted to God. This action took great courage and integrity. He left the scene with greater strength and character.
I can't fully accept that God wants us "beaten down" to Him. Yes, we allow our lives to get so miserable that it happens when we finally come to Him but it's really about our own choices catching up to us. He wants to build us up and help us recognize our strength and courage
I LOVE this perspective. I pulled up Bible gateway and typed in "surrender". I was surprised to find that apart from specific discussions about war, there were very few scriptures that actually implore, or command or suggest that "Surrender" to God is what is necessary. Here are the ones I found- it could be argued that these don't really even follow the context that we are discussing here.
1 Corinthians 13:3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing (NIV)
The Amplified Bible:
Acts 11:21And the presence of the Lord was with them with power, so that a great number [learned] to believe (to adhere to and trust in and rely on the Lord) and turned and surrendered themselves to Him.
Romans 1:16For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek
Romans 6:16Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness (right doing and right standing with God)?
1 Corinthians 13:3Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God's love in me), I gain nothing.
I want to hear your thoughts... this is something that I am processing in real time as I write.
6No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
As well, Sunday night I heard a sermon about extending love to those around us. After the message we got into small discussion groups. One of the questions was "What will it take to extend the love of Jesus to others?" In that moment I realized.... If I TRULY TRULY TRULY understood the Love of Christ, there would be nothing that could stop me from telling the whole world. If I truly understood the mystery of grace I would have no choice but to knock on doord in the middle of the night because not another second could pass without telling someone about the love of God.
There is a frustration in me when I see the repeating pattern of sin in my life. I want to call it "issues" or "stuff that I am working on" but really let's call it what it is.....SIN.
After yesterday's post there were some very interesting comments. One in particluar about the difference between surrender and submission. For all my Christian life I have heard it preached and sung that we need to "Surrender" our lives fully to God. Gary wrote about a sermon he once heard:
"Surrender" is about being forced to stop fighting because you are facing an unbeatable foe whose goal is to destroy you. The only other option is to keep fighting and face certain defeat. There is no chance of victory and to surrender is humiliating. It is done for the sole purpose of surviving. Our foe (the devil) has a simple goal. It's to keep us in a position of weakness once we have surrendered. All options to fight later are eliminated because the foe gives us no chance to gather our strength. The enemy wants us fearful and weak. We are no threat to him that way.
"Submission" from a biblical perspective is entirely different. It doesn't require us to be defeated. Rather, it asks us to willingly choose not to fight. We recognize our abilities and strengths but choose not to use them for our purposes. Biblical submission does not eliminate our strength, it builds it and focusses it on a greater goal.
I love the story of David in the cave when Saul was seeking him to destroy him. In the darkness, Saul had no idea that he was within inches of one who could have taken his life.David had the power, the opportunity and frankly, the motive. He didn't surrender to Saul, he submitted to God. This action took great courage and integrity. He left the scene with greater strength and character.
I can't fully accept that God wants us "beaten down" to Him. Yes, we allow our lives to get so miserable that it happens when we finally come to Him but it's really about our own choices catching up to us. He wants to build us up and help us recognize our strength and courage
I LOVE this perspective. I pulled up Bible gateway and typed in "surrender". I was surprised to find that apart from specific discussions about war, there were very few scriptures that actually implore, or command or suggest that "Surrender" to God is what is necessary. Here are the ones I found- it could be argued that these don't really even follow the context that we are discussing here.
1 Corinthians 13:3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing (NIV)
The Amplified Bible:
Acts 11:21And the presence of the Lord was with them with power, so that a great number [learned] to believe (to adhere to and trust in and rely on the Lord) and turned and surrendered themselves to Him.
Romans 1:16For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek
Romans 6:16Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness (right doing and right standing with God)?
1 Corinthians 13:3Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God's love in me), I gain nothing.
I want to hear your thoughts... this is something that I am processing in real time as I write.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
A Stained White Flag of Surrender
As long as there has been civilization, there has been war. Every war ever fought has had conqueror and conquered. Within the context of war there is this idea of surrender. I suppose that surrender has always been an option to every warrior, but until recently, surrender meant certain death or enslavement. Surrender was a decision not made lightly, and so few took that option preferring to die with honour than live in defeat.
Today, though, I think that surrender has lost some of its weightiness. In recent history and wars, those who surrender are legally required to be given shelter, and food and medicine. In the case of the conflict in the middle east, the worst that could come out of surrendering is to be locked in jail where you are fed and clothed and perhaps some friends will kidnap innocent civilians and try to negotiate your release... I digress, this is not a post about the intricasies of the policies of war, but rather a study of surrender.
As Christians, we often talk about surrendering our lives to Christ. Surrendering our dreams, and our hopes and turning them into the safe-keeping of God. There is this idea that if we surrender them 'properly', God, in His wisdom and love for us will return that which we have surrendered. It would never be taught from the pulpit but we often think that if we want something too much, God will take it away. I used to joke with my friends that I would pray "Lord, PLEASE don't send me a great husband who is handsome and kind. PLEASE don't allow him to be successful and good. And by the way God, I REALLY would not like to be sent on a missions trip to Barbados! PLEASE God, don't ask this hardship of me!" I would pray that because some where I picked up the idea that I would know something was "The Will of God" if it was something that I didn't want to do!
This is a strange idea that doesn't fit what I believe about the character of God. But you know what? This thought still permeates my thinking. I find myself sincerely surrendering situations in my life, but then looking around to see if God is bringing them back to me.
In some ways, this type of surrender is like playing a game with God. Using reverse psychology to 'trick' God into allowing us to do what we want to do. As if we have any way to trick God!
If I still hope to prevail, have I truly surrendered?
The American Heritage Dictionary defines Surrender :
To relinquish possession or control of to another because of demand or compulsion.
To give up in favor of another.
To give up or give back (something that has been granted): surrender a contractual right.
To give up or abandon: surrender all hope.
To give over or resign (oneself) to something, as to an emotion: surrendered himself to grief.
Law To restore (an estate, for example), especially to give up (a lease) before expiration of the term.
There is nothing in any of these definitions that leaves room to hope for-much less expect- a return of that which is surrendered. There is no waiting period, or good deeds that can sway the outcome.
I feel like I have surrendered my life a thousand times, only to find myself back on the battlefield hoping to change the outcome to what I think it should be. I wave the white flag of surrender before the throne of God, only to question and wonder and rail against His plans and purposes for my life, when they take a different shape or occupy a different timeline that I would like.
What if I began to see my life as enslaved to God's will? What is it going to take before I truly DIE to myself and realize that no matter what, I don't want to go back to that battlefield. This white flag I keep waiving is getting stained from overuse..... next time I waive it, will anyone recognize it for what it is?
Today, though, I think that surrender has lost some of its weightiness. In recent history and wars, those who surrender are legally required to be given shelter, and food and medicine. In the case of the conflict in the middle east, the worst that could come out of surrendering is to be locked in jail where you are fed and clothed and perhaps some friends will kidnap innocent civilians and try to negotiate your release... I digress, this is not a post about the intricasies of the policies of war, but rather a study of surrender.
As Christians, we often talk about surrendering our lives to Christ. Surrendering our dreams, and our hopes and turning them into the safe-keeping of God. There is this idea that if we surrender them 'properly', God, in His wisdom and love for us will return that which we have surrendered. It would never be taught from the pulpit but we often think that if we want something too much, God will take it away. I used to joke with my friends that I would pray "Lord, PLEASE don't send me a great husband who is handsome and kind. PLEASE don't allow him to be successful and good. And by the way God, I REALLY would not like to be sent on a missions trip to Barbados! PLEASE God, don't ask this hardship of me!" I would pray that because some where I picked up the idea that I would know something was "The Will of God" if it was something that I didn't want to do!
This is a strange idea that doesn't fit what I believe about the character of God. But you know what? This thought still permeates my thinking. I find myself sincerely surrendering situations in my life, but then looking around to see if God is bringing them back to me.
In some ways, this type of surrender is like playing a game with God. Using reverse psychology to 'trick' God into allowing us to do what we want to do. As if we have any way to trick God!
If I still hope to prevail, have I truly surrendered?
The American Heritage Dictionary defines Surrender :
To relinquish possession or control of to another because of demand or compulsion.
To give up in favor of another.
To give up or give back (something that has been granted): surrender a contractual right.
To give up or abandon: surrender all hope.
To give over or resign (oneself) to something, as to an emotion: surrendered himself to grief.
Law To restore (an estate, for example), especially to give up (a lease) before expiration of the term.
There is nothing in any of these definitions that leaves room to hope for-much less expect- a return of that which is surrendered. There is no waiting period, or good deeds that can sway the outcome.
I feel like I have surrendered my life a thousand times, only to find myself back on the battlefield hoping to change the outcome to what I think it should be. I wave the white flag of surrender before the throne of God, only to question and wonder and rail against His plans and purposes for my life, when they take a different shape or occupy a different timeline that I would like.
What if I began to see my life as enslaved to God's will? What is it going to take before I truly DIE to myself and realize that no matter what, I don't want to go back to that battlefield. This white flag I keep waiving is getting stained from overuse..... next time I waive it, will anyone recognize it for what it is?
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Wednesday????
My last post was Wednesday?? So sorry! I am not sure how the time got away from me!
We had an amazing thing happen right here in my livingroom! For the first time EVER, my mother and my step-mother were at the same event and communicating! I knew there would be no problems because they are both women of grace and both came together to bless my sister-in-law. We held a surprise baby shower, and it was so great! It takes a lot of courage to face an uncertainty that has been imminant for almost 10 years. They were bound to have to meet and communicate eventually, and it happened here.
I am so proud of both of them for banding together and presenting a united family unit for the sake of my soon to be born niece. This event is the beginning of an answer to prayer, and the fulfillment of a deep longing in my heart to have those I love most in the whole world be able to share simultaneously in the good things that God is doing!
I am so proud of both of them for banding together and presenting a united family unit for the sake of my soon to be born niece. This event is the beginning of an answer to prayer, and the fulfillment of a deep longing in my heart to have those I love most in the whole world be able to share simultaneously in the good things that God is doing!
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Joyce Meyers Part 2
To continue from yesterday!
Joyce Meyers was talking about when we cannot love others if we don't love ourselves. She stated that if we do something nice for someone everyday that we wouldn't have to preach. It is a challenge to look outside ourselves.
Luke 10:29 : "who is my neighbour?"
Joyce Meyers was talking about when we cannot love others if we don't love ourselves. She stated that if we do something nice for someone everyday that we wouldn't have to preach. It is a challenge to look outside ourselves.
Luke 10:29 : "who is my neighbour?"
- What am I closing my eyes to because I don't want to get involved?
- We often study the steps of Jesus (where he went and who he spoke to) but perhaps we need to study the "Stops" of Jesus, and see what made Him stop.
Luke 15: 11 The tale of the prodigal son, the son started with "give me" but when he returned to his father he said "make me".
- We need to move from GIVE ME to MAKE ME.
Colossians 3: 14 "put on love"
- What you think about early in the morning will set the tone for the whole day
- Maybe what you dislike the most about yourself is what God wants to use.
Then Joyce talked about how we choose our clothes very carefully for important occasions.
Revelation 16:15
- We need to clothe ourselves in love
- Take the time to clothe yourself instead of just wearing what you slept in!
- Be careful of your spiritual clothes
Matt 24:12
- 2 things will make the difference: 1) Relationship with God; 2) What goes on behind closed doors
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Joyce Meyers- Part 1
I have a bit of a confession to make. For some reason, I am often disappointed when women preach and they present "fluffy" messages that mainly are geared towards a demographic of women for whom a good banana bread is their biggest aspiration. I don't say that with any judgement, just that this type of message doesn't do it for me.
I had not heard Joyce Meyers nor looked inside any of her books so going into this service where she was preaching, I wasn't really sure what to expect, but I was hoping that she wasn't 'one of those' women. Happily, this was one of my favourites! From the moment she opened her mouth, she had my attention. Here are my notes:
Her core thought is: Love and Value yourself because then and only then can you begin to love God and others.
- God never asks us to give anything away that He hasn't already given us
- You cannot get along with someone else if you cannot get along with yourself
- What do I hate and despise but do it anyway because the enemy has convinced us that we need to be like someone else?-she talked about trying to grow vegetables because her neighbour was and she thought she "should"
- Don't try to do something that somebody else is doing if God is not calling you to do it.
- You have to be who you are: If I like me & I know God likes me, and I am doing what God is calling me to do & pouring into those God is calling me to pour into, then NOTHING ELSE MATTERS
1 John 4:8
- The more you try to get what you want, the less likely you will get what you want, but when you are about blessing others, Blessings WILL CHASE YOU!
- Everything with God is about the motive: the WHY behind the WHAT
Romans 14:12 -- Am I doing everything with the right motives?
- You can't love anone else if you don't love yourself
- There are a lot of little things that God does that we need to make a big deal about
- Love is a decision about how we will or will not treat people- you have to do it on purpose
Mark 8:34- to 'deny himself' means to Lose sight of himself & his own interest
- It should not be that a a Christian is discontent: this happens when we turn inward and not outward
- Do at least one thing for someone else everyday: If you sow into people's lives you don't have to preach
- If your heart is open to God, you will eventually end up doing what you are meant to do. It might not be immediately, but in the meantime you will have lots of training
The next portion needs more explanation... to be continued......
Monday, August 06, 2007
Off topic.....
I was going to tell you about Joyce Meyers' message at the conference but this is a big one, I want to give it the proper attention, so it is coming up tomorrow. In the meantime something happened today that I just HAVE to share with you. Have you ever walked into a high-end store and had the sales people give you sooo much attitude that you felt like less than human??
I was poking around downtown today, and this happened! We walked into a store and immediately some "Dude" in an office looked at us and said "are you sure you are in the right place, that you didn't come in the wrong door!!!"
I was taken aback!! Just for spite and because he had approached us in that way, we said "nope, we just came in to look around". There was high end art on the wall ranging in price from 15-20 thousand dollars, and in the back there was a small showroom with a couple of kitchens set up. I love kitchens and he had hurt my pride so I poked around for little while. Finally he came out of his office and stood in the showroom, not so much to engage us as to watch and make sure that we didn't steal anything.
I said hello and complimented his merchandise. His response "what are you ladies going to be? Interior Designers? " as if to say that the only reason we were there was to pretend!!
I told him that I was renovating my house and looking for ideas (mostly true), he pointed to a strange little contraption by the front door, and told me that I had to include one of those in my house and that it was "only" 10 thousand dollars. Knowing he was gauging my reaction to the price tag, I played it cool, told him that I had seen that before (true) and that as much as I liked the idea, I had dismissed it as not practical for me-somewhat true. We said our goodbyes and walked out the door.
As we got out of ear shot of the store front, I turned to my friends and burst out with "I have NEVER been treated like that before!"
I was soooooooooooooooooooo speechless! I couldn't believe the nerve of that guy! It brought to mind the scene from Pretty Woman where she goes with the Richard Gere's credit card and tries to buy clothes on Rodeo Dr but because she is dressed the way she was, they refuse to serve her. Later she returns to the same store with many bags of expensive designer clothes and shows the snotty sales girls, and reminds them that they are on commission!
For the rest of the afternoon, we kept thinking up scenarios where we could "Pretty Woman" that guy, to put him in his place. In the end, we decided 3 things: he needs Jesus, I was reacting out of having my pride hurt, and that his issues were his issues and shouldn't ruin our afternoon. I even drove by his store and took note of his website with the plans to mention it here so that no one would support his business, but I have decided that it isn't worth my time. With an attitude like that, he is going to drive his own business into the ground.
I pray though, that I never ever, no matter my situation in life, or my wealth or my success, ever would make someone feel the way he made me feel!
I wonder if sometimes that is how we make non-Christians feel when they come in our churches??? What if, in our attitudes, speech, or demeanour, without realizing it, we ask them if they are sure they are in the right place. Dear God, I hope not!
I was poking around downtown today, and this happened! We walked into a store and immediately some "Dude" in an office looked at us and said "are you sure you are in the right place, that you didn't come in the wrong door!!!"
I was taken aback!! Just for spite and because he had approached us in that way, we said "nope, we just came in to look around". There was high end art on the wall ranging in price from 15-20 thousand dollars, and in the back there was a small showroom with a couple of kitchens set up. I love kitchens and he had hurt my pride so I poked around for little while. Finally he came out of his office and stood in the showroom, not so much to engage us as to watch and make sure that we didn't steal anything.
I said hello and complimented his merchandise. His response "what are you ladies going to be? Interior Designers? " as if to say that the only reason we were there was to pretend!!
I told him that I was renovating my house and looking for ideas (mostly true), he pointed to a strange little contraption by the front door, and told me that I had to include one of those in my house and that it was "only" 10 thousand dollars. Knowing he was gauging my reaction to the price tag, I played it cool, told him that I had seen that before (true) and that as much as I liked the idea, I had dismissed it as not practical for me-somewhat true. We said our goodbyes and walked out the door.
As we got out of ear shot of the store front, I turned to my friends and burst out with "I have NEVER been treated like that before!"
I was soooooooooooooooooooo speechless! I couldn't believe the nerve of that guy! It brought to mind the scene from Pretty Woman where she goes with the Richard Gere's credit card and tries to buy clothes on Rodeo Dr but because she is dressed the way she was, they refuse to serve her. Later she returns to the same store with many bags of expensive designer clothes and shows the snotty sales girls, and reminds them that they are on commission!
For the rest of the afternoon, we kept thinking up scenarios where we could "Pretty Woman" that guy, to put him in his place. In the end, we decided 3 things: he needs Jesus, I was reacting out of having my pride hurt, and that his issues were his issues and shouldn't ruin our afternoon. I even drove by his store and took note of his website with the plans to mention it here so that no one would support his business, but I have decided that it isn't worth my time. With an attitude like that, he is going to drive his own business into the ground.
I pray though, that I never ever, no matter my situation in life, or my wealth or my success, ever would make someone feel the way he made me feel!
I wonder if sometimes that is how we make non-Christians feel when they come in our churches??? What if, in our attitudes, speech, or demeanour, without realizing it, we ask them if they are sure they are in the right place. Dear God, I hope not!
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Know the Heart, Understand the Actions
As a side note: you can now access this blog via www.lauracoxworth.com I am very excited to call myself a Dotcom! :-)
Continuing the thoughts and refelction of my trip to Utica NY to attend Generation Conference...
If you have read the whole series you might recall that travel was not always easy or fun. There were some hiccups along the way, people with different priorities and expectations. There will always be situations in life that will bother or annoy you and what is important is how you respond- of course by "you" I mean "me!" I don't always respond well, I often get caught up in the circumstances and forget about the big picture.
I have learned to ask: In light of eternity..... does it really matter?? The answer most of the time is: not likely. One thing that I have been learning a lot about lately is to look at the heart of the person and to filter thier actions through what I know about thier character.
A few months ago, I overheard my step-mother imparting wisdom to a good friend of mine. They were discussing marriage and how to navigate the 'dumb' things that people occasionally say to one another that mght unintentionally hurt. She said "when you know the character, you can let things go". Her point was that occasionally my father will say something that mght seem hurtful, but because she knows his heart and his character, and knows that he never sets out to hurt anyone with his words, she doesn't take it personally.
This idea has been rolling around my mind and heart ever since. I have begun to see the people around me through this light. It is the idea that Love covers a multitude of sins.
Not to say that we can be careless with the words we say to those we love, on the contrary we need to be MORE cautious, but in those moments where we mess up... there is grace and love. When we were delayed getting to the service on time, was the person holding us up doing it on purpose? No, I later found out that his wife and baby were very sick and needed some attention... doesn't that change the whole view?? I have a friend who, if we are standing together in church will go away to worship. Somehow I got it in my mind that they just did not like my singing (What??? since when do I matter THAT much), but later found out that they are really easily distracted when worshipping so they move away to focus on God!
So you see: know the heart, understand the actions....
Is there someone around you whose actions you might be mis-interpreting?? Do thier actions match what you know of their heart?
Continuing the thoughts and refelction of my trip to Utica NY to attend Generation Conference...
If you have read the whole series you might recall that travel was not always easy or fun. There were some hiccups along the way, people with different priorities and expectations. There will always be situations in life that will bother or annoy you and what is important is how you respond- of course by "you" I mean "me!" I don't always respond well, I often get caught up in the circumstances and forget about the big picture.
I have learned to ask: In light of eternity..... does it really matter?? The answer most of the time is: not likely. One thing that I have been learning a lot about lately is to look at the heart of the person and to filter thier actions through what I know about thier character.
A few months ago, I overheard my step-mother imparting wisdom to a good friend of mine. They were discussing marriage and how to navigate the 'dumb' things that people occasionally say to one another that mght unintentionally hurt. She said "when you know the character, you can let things go". Her point was that occasionally my father will say something that mght seem hurtful, but because she knows his heart and his character, and knows that he never sets out to hurt anyone with his words, she doesn't take it personally.
This idea has been rolling around my mind and heart ever since. I have begun to see the people around me through this light. It is the idea that Love covers a multitude of sins.
Not to say that we can be careless with the words we say to those we love, on the contrary we need to be MORE cautious, but in those moments where we mess up... there is grace and love. When we were delayed getting to the service on time, was the person holding us up doing it on purpose? No, I later found out that his wife and baby were very sick and needed some attention... doesn't that change the whole view?? I have a friend who, if we are standing together in church will go away to worship. Somehow I got it in my mind that they just did not like my singing (What??? since when do I matter THAT much), but later found out that they are really easily distracted when worshipping so they move away to focus on God!
So you see: know the heart, understand the actions....
Is there someone around you whose actions you might be mis-interpreting?? Do thier actions match what you know of their heart?
Friday, August 03, 2007
Stephen Baldwin.... yep, THAT Stephen Baldwin
Stephen Baldwin the actor was one of the speakers! I was excited to hear about him and what God has done in his life. Before we get into that though, it HAS to be said that my "degrees of Separation" to Kevin Bacon had reduced significantly. For those who don't know what I am talking about, there is a theory that everyone in the world is connected within six degrees from everyone else in the world. Everyone you meet ever, you theoretically should be able to connect with someone they know. Since Kevin Bacon has been an actor since the dawn of time there is a joke that every actor can be traced through this 6 degrees back to Kevin Bacon. It is an interesting phenomenan-one that Facebook is actually showing us nicely!
That being said, according to this website I am now just 3 degrees from Kevin Bacon, and you, by extension, are 4. This is how, you know me (1), I was at a conference where Stephen spoke (2) Stephen Baldwin was in the Usual Suspects with Kevin Spacey (3) Kevin Spacey was in Seven with Brad Pitt (4) Brad Pit was in Sleepers with Kevin Bacon (5)!!!
See how that works.... OK onto the Spritual stuff!!!
Stephen Baldwin came to know the Lord after his wife got saved and spent about a year just praying and living it. You can see his full testimony on the Generation Conference website. Essentially after watching his wife pray for a year, he decided that he was going to give God a try. He started to learn and pray and everything that he needed to do, then came Sept 11. Something he said at that point really caught me. He said that in the days following Sept 11, that he was going to
"Maximize the potential of this moment"
this phrase struck a chord in me. He decided in that time of history that he was going to put all of his energy into this God question, and it revolutionized his life.
I began to think: "Do I maximize the potential in my situations?" -it has changed my outlook.
Tomorrow: Know the heart, understand the action.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
You Have to Fight for your Blessing
Have you ever noticed that sometimes on the way to a service or a conference strange things occur that would attempt to distract you from what God is doing? Well this happened to our whole group on the way down to Utica and even when we got there.
There was a comedy of errors of miscommunication and waiting around for things to happen. You would think that it would be an easy thing to get 4 able-bodied adults to a conference 2 blocks away from the hotel, but not so much.
I won't bore you with the details because they really aren't that important, suffice it to say that we were all a little cranky by lunchtime the 2nd day. Fortunately, we all worked hard to not take out the crankiness on each other!!
As we FINALLY got our passes to the conference, and were walking the 2 blocks from the hotel, a thought hit me.....
"If it has been this hard to get here, imagine what God is going to do!"
Having seen this phenomenon before, and heard all about it from families who fight against illness and disobedience all the way to church, I kind of had an insight into what was going on. So on the short walk to the auditorium, I firmed up my resolve to leave any frustration and distraction at the door and just enter into what God was doing in the service. I had come too far, and risked wasting a good chunck of money if I didn't get something amazing out of the experience!!
So next time you are on your way to a church service or a conference (Especially when you are expecting good things), if something gets in the way, don't let it distract you.... push through and put it aside, God is making a big move in you!
There was a comedy of errors of miscommunication and waiting around for things to happen. You would think that it would be an easy thing to get 4 able-bodied adults to a conference 2 blocks away from the hotel, but not so much.
I won't bore you with the details because they really aren't that important, suffice it to say that we were all a little cranky by lunchtime the 2nd day. Fortunately, we all worked hard to not take out the crankiness on each other!!
As we FINALLY got our passes to the conference, and were walking the 2 blocks from the hotel, a thought hit me.....
"If it has been this hard to get here, imagine what God is going to do!"
Having seen this phenomenon before, and heard all about it from families who fight against illness and disobedience all the way to church, I kind of had an insight into what was going on. So on the short walk to the auditorium, I firmed up my resolve to leave any frustration and distraction at the door and just enter into what God was doing in the service. I had come too far, and risked wasting a good chunck of money if I didn't get something amazing out of the experience!!
So next time you are on your way to a church service or a conference (Especially when you are expecting good things), if something gets in the way, don't let it distract you.... push through and put it aside, God is making a big move in you!
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Mark Schilling
Today we continue the series of nuggets I recieved at Generation Conference
We were a little late for this session... Mark was mostly done, but I am pretty sure he was talking about Luke 5 where the disciples had fished all night and caught nothing, but the Jesus told them to cast thier nets in the deep waters and they caught a huge haul of fish.
Mark was describing some very difficult situations in his life where he had no choice but to follow the leading of Jesus and let down his nets into the deep water. He was referring to those challenges as "The Deeps" those places where you get to the end of yourself and there is nothing to do but that which God commands-even if the logic seems flawed. It is in those "Deeps" that Jesus has us where He needs us to be so that we can see the greatest glory of God. He touched a little on how circumstances often don't come FROM God, but He does allow them so that we will turn to Him.
James 1:2-8 was another scripture he used. He said, in talking with God, the more you describe the deep water you are in, the bigger God shows up.
MY take: I find too often that my prayers are symptom-specific but don't address the whole problem. Sometimes circumstances are like a disease with many symptoms, if you just treat the symptoms as individual situations, you could miss how they are all connected and miss the diagnosis of the real cause (Ever watched House?). As I think about what Mark said regarding describing the deep water, I suppose that how detailed a description you give God about the Deep water you are in, could be a litmus test which could "test" your view of God's willingness and ability to meet your needs.
Here is an example: I am unemployed and a reasonable prayer for that is "God I need a job, there are bills to pay. I tithe, and your word says that you will take care of your children."
It addresses the symptom and there is nothing WRONG with a prayer like that, however, when I trust God with EVERYTHING my prayer might sound more like this:
God I know that you have plans and purposes for me. I know that you have ordered my steps. God right now I find myself in a situation that I am not sure how to successfully navigate. You took me out of my job situation, you have placed in me a need and desire for more, and opportunities to impact YOUR kngdom. I believe you for this answer..... help me in those moments that I waiver. But most of all, in this time, continue to humble my pride, break down the need for self-sufficiency, and teach me what it means to be pursued and cared for by the Lover of my Soul.
I have given voice to not just the circumstances, but what lies deeper in those circumstances. I have described the deep water, and I wait for God to whisper "Drop your nets just THERE" and I am excited about the bounty of blessings that will pour forth!
What do you think?
Tomorrow "Fight for your blessing"
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