I was reading in Matthew 26, which begins with the plot to kill Jesus and ends with the trial before the Sanhedrin and Peter's denial. Somehow, the revelation that I got from it was not what I expected. I looked at Jesus, knowing who he is, knowing some of what he had done up until that point, and knowing how flawless he was. I saw that here was a man who dealt with his humanity. That very day, he sat alone in a garden and pleaded with his Father to grant him an alternative to hell. And yet, he chose to be obedient. His eyes were steady on Jerusalem; on his mission. I saw how perfect he was. And yet, they still crucified him. They still hardened their hearts toward him. They still did not believe. And those who did still denied him.
Sometimes, I have these notions that if I truly am obedient to the Spirit and only speak and do as He leads, then people will all listen and believe and love every word. Or, at the very least, they will love the presence of God. But how can I assume this when people turned away even when God walked among them? Jesus was hated with an all-consuming, murderous hatred. Why is it that we allow even the slightest rejection of the truth to discourage us? It might not be idealistic, but it is reality. Even when revival comes, there are those who will criticize and mock and refuse to believe in God. But He is worth it. He is worth living and celebrating and fighting for.
My heart prays that I, and each one of us, become ever more steady and firm in our convictions and relationship with Jesus. Never, ever, ever do I want to hear "I do not know that man," fall from my lips in reference to my Christ. The One who lives, not even just among us, but within us.
Waiting for my "The Spoon Does Not Exist" tshirt :)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Is it ok to not be ok?
Just when you adapt to change, when you begin to feel like you're coping and everything is ok, the bottom falls out of it all. Your routine, your life, and all of the players in it change up, and you are left feeling shaky and unsure. Everything changes. That's how life goes. Everything changes. And then it changes again.
Not God. God never changes.
His love never changes.
Tonight is a very serious night. Not because anything serious or major occurred. But because I am anticipating more change. And I am not sure that I'm ok with it yet. Sometimes it's the hardest thing to make peace with the circumstances that are entirely out of your control. To believe that God won't let something die without bringing to life something even more beautiful. To know that he is a faithful God, who will not leave a giant, gaping hole in our life. To know that he knows our needs, and will allow us to lack for nothing. I live life believing these things. I have come to trust him, and know that he is full of goodness. But once in a while, a moment creeps up where another truth hits you... it still hurts. God has promised to be our comfort. This requires that there be some reason to be comforted. And, hard as it sometimes is to deal with pain, God doesn't want us to become desensitized. After all, it was recorded several times that Jesus himself wept. Grief is natural, and promised.
David spoke of God as a refuge 43 times in the book of Psalms. There's a man who knew what's up. He knew that it wasn't selfish to acknowledge that he was in a place of need, as long as he was coming to God as his refuge, instead of the vices of the world. He also didn't believe it selfish to ask for mercy, or deliverance. There was no "if it's Your will," preface as we sometimes believe we have to use in prayer. He straight up asked God for what his heart desired. He knew God so intimately, and spoke words that are so easy to relate to.
Tonight is a very. VERY. weepy. night. I've got nothing to do but talk to God and write this blog. Which seems like the two hardest things to do, until you actually do them. And then, you realize it was exactly what you needed to do. Spend time in the shadow of His wings... and then blog about it, to process it.
Life doesn't have to be sunshine all the time. Even the die-hard optimists have their rocky days. The most important thing is to come to God with it, and not to drown in a sea of self-pity. It's a killer, that self-pity. It tells you that life will never get better, that no one cares, that death looks delicious in comparison. But God cares about us in ways we can never fathom. He is here even now, and has tasted our grief. He knows exactly what I am feeling in this very moment, because he is living it with me. There is always an end to today's tears. There is a rainbow after the storm. And there is a lover who will love us through it. He whispers of a home where there is no ugliness, no tears, no goodbyes. And everything that is now only images in my mind's eye will finally be revealed.
ps: the song "dance with me" (jesusculture) has proven itself to intensify, rather than relieve, the weepies. you have been warned. :)
Psalm 17:7
Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 18:30
As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 57:1
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in You my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
Psalm 142:5
I cry to you, O Lord; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living."
Not God. God never changes.
His love never changes.
Tonight is a very serious night. Not because anything serious or major occurred. But because I am anticipating more change. And I am not sure that I'm ok with it yet. Sometimes it's the hardest thing to make peace with the circumstances that are entirely out of your control. To believe that God won't let something die without bringing to life something even more beautiful. To know that he is a faithful God, who will not leave a giant, gaping hole in our life. To know that he knows our needs, and will allow us to lack for nothing. I live life believing these things. I have come to trust him, and know that he is full of goodness. But once in a while, a moment creeps up where another truth hits you... it still hurts. God has promised to be our comfort. This requires that there be some reason to be comforted. And, hard as it sometimes is to deal with pain, God doesn't want us to become desensitized. After all, it was recorded several times that Jesus himself wept. Grief is natural, and promised.
David spoke of God as a refuge 43 times in the book of Psalms. There's a man who knew what's up. He knew that it wasn't selfish to acknowledge that he was in a place of need, as long as he was coming to God as his refuge, instead of the vices of the world. He also didn't believe it selfish to ask for mercy, or deliverance. There was no "if it's Your will," preface as we sometimes believe we have to use in prayer. He straight up asked God for what his heart desired. He knew God so intimately, and spoke words that are so easy to relate to.
Tonight is a very. VERY. weepy. night. I've got nothing to do but talk to God and write this blog. Which seems like the two hardest things to do, until you actually do them. And then, you realize it was exactly what you needed to do. Spend time in the shadow of His wings... and then blog about it, to process it.
Life doesn't have to be sunshine all the time. Even the die-hard optimists have their rocky days. The most important thing is to come to God with it, and not to drown in a sea of self-pity. It's a killer, that self-pity. It tells you that life will never get better, that no one cares, that death looks delicious in comparison. But God cares about us in ways we can never fathom. He is here even now, and has tasted our grief. He knows exactly what I am feeling in this very moment, because he is living it with me. There is always an end to today's tears. There is a rainbow after the storm. And there is a lover who will love us through it. He whispers of a home where there is no ugliness, no tears, no goodbyes. And everything that is now only images in my mind's eye will finally be revealed.
ps: the song "dance with me" (jesusculture) has proven itself to intensify, rather than relieve, the weepies. you have been warned. :)
Psalm 17:7
Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 18:30
As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 57:1
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in You my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
Psalm 142:5
I cry to you, O Lord; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living."
Sunday, August 23, 2009
My Soul Sings.
very well. i have been slacking off....
but i have you know, before you come to any false conclusions, life has been far busier than i could have ever anticipated. most of the days that ive missed blogging, i have spent a total of less than an hour at home (not sleeping) and next to none on the computer.
i do think about it every day.
which leaves me in a pickle. i did promise to keep it up for forty straight days. and i did already blow that, multiple times.
thank God that I'm under so much grace.
i will keep blogging as often as i can... im thankful at this point for travel bibles that make it possible to have quiet times regardless of where in the world you are or how many minutes you have free.
church today was awesome. i really appreciated the word that ryan fluetsch brought about the word of God versus threats. ive been thinking about it in those terms all day, but for a much longer period of time ive been contemplating the same concepts in my own thoughts.
the world is bent on bombarding us with threats all the time. some of them seem very logical (the economy is bad. we need to do x, y, and z to stay ahead.) but are according to the systems of man and not those of God. when we bury ourselves in God, what he says, and living through Him, things look much differently. all of a sudden, we realize that following His voice is what will lead us into satisfaction, joy, and peace. this looks different for everybody. i believe that for everyone, it means coming into an understanding that we are to hold onto our earthly possessions very loosely; knowing that they belong to God and that we do not have ownership of them.
this is deeper than possessions, though. this is the enemy working to cause us to forget who we belong to, and what authority we are to answer to. he uses the world to fill our heads with ideas and theories that make sense according to the world, but are base and beneath what we are called to. it takes no faith at all to live by the world's standards. even successfully.
the word of God holds every answer. to everything. there will never be anything i can say that will come close to even the most unimpressive verse of the Bible. there is so much wisdom and meaning hidden within every line. and it is so applicable, if only we would take the time to listen and learn. this MUST be where we draw our identity. our feelings MUST come into alignment with the truth within! without grounding ourselves in the word each day, we are left to believe whatever deception is thrown at us. when Jesus himself was being tempted, he did not retaliate by using his wits or his strength, but with the very word of God. he knew that there was no offensive like the pure truth.
that message brought me back. i got absolutely wrecked on hebrews 4:12 a few months ago. Jesus is transforming my heart and mind more and more every day <3
Hebrews 4:12-13
For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
but i have you know, before you come to any false conclusions, life has been far busier than i could have ever anticipated. most of the days that ive missed blogging, i have spent a total of less than an hour at home (not sleeping) and next to none on the computer.
i do think about it every day.
which leaves me in a pickle. i did promise to keep it up for forty straight days. and i did already blow that, multiple times.
thank God that I'm under so much grace.
i will keep blogging as often as i can... im thankful at this point for travel bibles that make it possible to have quiet times regardless of where in the world you are or how many minutes you have free.
church today was awesome. i really appreciated the word that ryan fluetsch brought about the word of God versus threats. ive been thinking about it in those terms all day, but for a much longer period of time ive been contemplating the same concepts in my own thoughts.
the world is bent on bombarding us with threats all the time. some of them seem very logical (the economy is bad. we need to do x, y, and z to stay ahead.) but are according to the systems of man and not those of God. when we bury ourselves in God, what he says, and living through Him, things look much differently. all of a sudden, we realize that following His voice is what will lead us into satisfaction, joy, and peace. this looks different for everybody. i believe that for everyone, it means coming into an understanding that we are to hold onto our earthly possessions very loosely; knowing that they belong to God and that we do not have ownership of them.
this is deeper than possessions, though. this is the enemy working to cause us to forget who we belong to, and what authority we are to answer to. he uses the world to fill our heads with ideas and theories that make sense according to the world, but are base and beneath what we are called to. it takes no faith at all to live by the world's standards. even successfully.
the word of God holds every answer. to everything. there will never be anything i can say that will come close to even the most unimpressive verse of the Bible. there is so much wisdom and meaning hidden within every line. and it is so applicable, if only we would take the time to listen and learn. this MUST be where we draw our identity. our feelings MUST come into alignment with the truth within! without grounding ourselves in the word each day, we are left to believe whatever deception is thrown at us. when Jesus himself was being tempted, he did not retaliate by using his wits or his strength, but with the very word of God. he knew that there was no offensive like the pure truth.
that message brought me back. i got absolutely wrecked on hebrews 4:12 a few months ago. Jesus is transforming my heart and mind more and more every day <3
Hebrews 4:12-13
For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
YUMMMM!!!
there is so much goodness. i am just overwhelmed right now by the lover God who just pours out every good thing with abundance on his children. today began in a really rough manner, but it's ending in giddiness. i have found the covering for my sporadic emotions. it is here, and there, and everywhere. it is God. ive been trying to process all of the emotions and pain and the things that have been causing them lately, and just realizing that some of what i am feeling is not valid. well, by the world's standards it is. but by God's standards, it is out of alignment with his perfect truth. when i get into a funk, sometimes i just want to wallow. but wallowing isn't God's way. he wants us to come to him each and every time our hearts get scraped and bruised. he loves us PERFECTLY and wants to teach us how to accept that love. today, as i was distressed and avoiding the truest solution, i realized i needed to prepare for a bible study more thoroughly than i already had. so i hit the passage, read some study guides, and felt my worries melt away as awe struck me yet again.
1 John chapter 5 is so lovely. i mean, it really is beautiful. it goes into some really fundamental Gospel truths and does it in an "aha!" way. Bible study went really well and i know that the Holy Spirit led us all.
(Change in direction in the blog) i so want to just feed the poor and talk with them and heal every broken thing. i want to show the beauty of God in an ugly, ugly world. i want to love people.
hip hop makes my heart so happy. where are the Godly hip hop artists?? c'mon guys. rise up. im sick of having to avoid the greatest beats because of the worst lyrics. (although i am currently indulging in a little fabolous... not so bad, but it doesn't hold a torch to worship music.) God has really been sensitizing me to bad lyrics and spirits behind bad media these days. i can't watch or listen to a fraction of what i used to find entertaining. i praise him for this... some things are never supposed to be acceptable.
im starting to realize the truth in that: what you put in, you get out. what you input, you eventually become. if you feed on lies, then they will eventually become your reality. sometimes you aren't even aware of it until Jesus hits you with truth and rocks everything you thought you knew. its a beautiful thing.
ps: read this:
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=117717479108&id=799248727&ref=mf
it is so better than anything im going to write tonight.
"Do not try and bend the spoon, that's impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth: there is no spoon." ~The Matrix
1 John 5:3-4
For this is the love of God: that we keep His commandments. And his commands are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God overcomes the world. For this is the victory that has overcome the world -- our faith.
1 John chapter 5 is so lovely. i mean, it really is beautiful. it goes into some really fundamental Gospel truths and does it in an "aha!" way. Bible study went really well and i know that the Holy Spirit led us all.
(Change in direction in the blog) i so want to just feed the poor and talk with them and heal every broken thing. i want to show the beauty of God in an ugly, ugly world. i want to love people.
hip hop makes my heart so happy. where are the Godly hip hop artists?? c'mon guys. rise up. im sick of having to avoid the greatest beats because of the worst lyrics. (although i am currently indulging in a little fabolous... not so bad, but it doesn't hold a torch to worship music.) God has really been sensitizing me to bad lyrics and spirits behind bad media these days. i can't watch or listen to a fraction of what i used to find entertaining. i praise him for this... some things are never supposed to be acceptable.
im starting to realize the truth in that: what you put in, you get out. what you input, you eventually become. if you feed on lies, then they will eventually become your reality. sometimes you aren't even aware of it until Jesus hits you with truth and rocks everything you thought you knew. its a beautiful thing.
ps: read this:
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=117717479108&id=799248727&ref=mf
it is so better than anything im going to write tonight.
"Do not try and bend the spoon, that's impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth: there is no spoon." ~The Matrix
1 John 5:3-4
For this is the love of God: that we keep His commandments. And his commands are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God overcomes the world. For this is the victory that has overcome the world -- our faith.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
ps...
Truth. Pure relevant truth.
Sometimes I can just see him smiling down at us.
:)
Isaiah 54:5
For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is His name;
And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth.
Sometimes I can just see him smiling down at us.
:)
Isaiah 54:5
For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is His name;
And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth.
fully dependent.
oh man.
im in a state of delirium tonight. it's only 11 and i feel like my brain fell asleep a couple of hours ago.
the only thing i have to say relates to the funny little oddity that our society expects us to be independent, or want to be independent.
i tried independence. it sucks.
i would so rather be dependent on Christ, the one who does everything so better than i.
he is good. he is so good.
with that, listen to this:
www.relevantmagazine.com/media/the-drop
"consumed" is the latest jesus culture cd.
i want it. i love it.
ps i met ian mcintosh at jesus culture. that made my heart way happy.
im in a state of delirium tonight. it's only 11 and i feel like my brain fell asleep a couple of hours ago.
the only thing i have to say relates to the funny little oddity that our society expects us to be independent, or want to be independent.
i tried independence. it sucks.
i would so rather be dependent on Christ, the one who does everything so better than i.
he is good. he is so good.
with that, listen to this:
www.relevantmagazine.com/media/the-drop
"consumed" is the latest jesus culture cd.
i want it. i love it.
ps i met ian mcintosh at jesus culture. that made my heart way happy.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Covenant Love.
Well, I'm back from Jesus Culture and all the craziness of life has melted away (for the most part.) This is actually going to be an unusually unstructured week, and I'm glad for it.
Life is, yet again, taking a new turn of seasons. It's so rapid that I barely have time to fathom everything. I am learning to truly trust God in decision making, because I haven't the time myself to weigh all the consequences before needing to make a choice. It's a good thing. Looking back, I can see the intense wisdom in all the choices I believe he led me to make. He lives life so much better than I.
Jesus Culture was.... unreal. I have literally hours' worth of stories, which is impressive, coming from a three day conference. God did so very much in my life. He is so awesome. I can't even get into all the details from the conference, otherwise I'd be writing forever. If you want to know more than what I share in this blog in the next few days, please contact me and we will have coffee or something. God is doing some heavy, heavy stuff these days. Don't be out of the know. We are called to be watchmen in the night.
Tonight, I will share with you about one of the areas that God has really been speaking to me and transforming my life and views. It is in the area of relationships. During the Thursday, God began to break some soul ties... you know, even when a relationship itself isn't bad or impure, some level of dysfunction can occur when you are outside of the perfect will of God for your life. I recognized this and was moved to action. Actually, it was awesome. And is awesome. I am so thankful for all the people God has planted in my life.
In worship on Friday, I was so moved during worship. I was so thankful and aware of the freedom in Him when you are moving and living according to His will. So I began to dialogue with Him, and asked God what he wanted for me in this next season, and how I can best serve Him. I would do anything, I said. Anything.
He always honors that plea. Immediately, I felt a burning jealousy in my heart. I have never experienced this. God told me it was how He feels about me. This love that is from Him is not airy fairy and full of fluff. It is intense. It burns like fire. It is jealous. Love wants me entirely for Himself. I couldn't even stand in the presence of Jesus, experiencing the Love like that. I realized how short I come in my relationship with Him, even at the best of times. He craves our full devotion, our whole heart and being. In that instant, I knew what He was asking of me. And I was more than ok to give it. I wrote about the experience in my journal, which is how I will explain it on here:
"God has called me into covenant with himself... we are going deeper in relationship as He takes me to even greater places and prepares me for living out my destiny. I am called to the honor of singleness for the next year and a half-- until my college graduation and twenty-fourth birthday. I am very convinced that this is God's best for my life. We are in love, we are in covenant. His chosen man for me will wait and is waiting even now."
It is a great relief to know that I can shut the radar off and just be with Christ for a while. This is truly the best thing I can do, both for God and myself. I have done this before, for shorter periods, and it has been a wonderful growing time. Singleness is something that I have become very satisfied with, and even protective of. It is not something to be ashamed of at all. It is glorious in ways that Paul recognized, and few people today do. It is so wonderful to find your completion in Christ alone. To seek love in Christ. To have the freedom to spend time with friends and family, and to nurture and encourage their relationship with Jesus. I am excited for how He is going to use this time!!!!
Life is, yet again, taking a new turn of seasons. It's so rapid that I barely have time to fathom everything. I am learning to truly trust God in decision making, because I haven't the time myself to weigh all the consequences before needing to make a choice. It's a good thing. Looking back, I can see the intense wisdom in all the choices I believe he led me to make. He lives life so much better than I.
Jesus Culture was.... unreal. I have literally hours' worth of stories, which is impressive, coming from a three day conference. God did so very much in my life. He is so awesome. I can't even get into all the details from the conference, otherwise I'd be writing forever. If you want to know more than what I share in this blog in the next few days, please contact me and we will have coffee or something. God is doing some heavy, heavy stuff these days. Don't be out of the know. We are called to be watchmen in the night.
Tonight, I will share with you about one of the areas that God has really been speaking to me and transforming my life and views. It is in the area of relationships. During the Thursday, God began to break some soul ties... you know, even when a relationship itself isn't bad or impure, some level of dysfunction can occur when you are outside of the perfect will of God for your life. I recognized this and was moved to action. Actually, it was awesome. And is awesome. I am so thankful for all the people God has planted in my life.
In worship on Friday, I was so moved during worship. I was so thankful and aware of the freedom in Him when you are moving and living according to His will. So I began to dialogue with Him, and asked God what he wanted for me in this next season, and how I can best serve Him. I would do anything, I said. Anything.
He always honors that plea. Immediately, I felt a burning jealousy in my heart. I have never experienced this. God told me it was how He feels about me. This love that is from Him is not airy fairy and full of fluff. It is intense. It burns like fire. It is jealous. Love wants me entirely for Himself. I couldn't even stand in the presence of Jesus, experiencing the Love like that. I realized how short I come in my relationship with Him, even at the best of times. He craves our full devotion, our whole heart and being. In that instant, I knew what He was asking of me. And I was more than ok to give it. I wrote about the experience in my journal, which is how I will explain it on here:
"God has called me into covenant with himself... we are going deeper in relationship as He takes me to even greater places and prepares me for living out my destiny. I am called to the honor of singleness for the next year and a half-- until my college graduation and twenty-fourth birthday. I am very convinced that this is God's best for my life. We are in love, we are in covenant. His chosen man for me will wait and is waiting even now."
It is a great relief to know that I can shut the radar off and just be with Christ for a while. This is truly the best thing I can do, both for God and myself. I have done this before, for shorter periods, and it has been a wonderful growing time. Singleness is something that I have become very satisfied with, and even protective of. It is not something to be ashamed of at all. It is glorious in ways that Paul recognized, and few people today do. It is so wonderful to find your completion in Christ alone. To seek love in Christ. To have the freedom to spend time with friends and family, and to nurture and encourage their relationship with Jesus. I am excited for how He is going to use this time!!!!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Jesus Culture!
i dont know what to think.
what to feel.
or how to prepare myself.
all i know, is that im open.
to whatever God has for me.
and i KNOW he is going to arrive in a powerful way.
the writing's on the wall....................
SPEAK TO THE DRY BONES TODAY!
what to feel.
or how to prepare myself.
all i know, is that im open.
to whatever God has for me.
and i KNOW he is going to arrive in a powerful way.
the writing's on the wall....................
SPEAK TO THE DRY BONES TODAY!
Friday, August 7, 2009
This Just In...
Life sure does come with a lot of surprises!
So, this week is going to be impossibly busy, and I'm not sure I can commit to being consistent with this blog. I will keep it up when I can, but as it stands, I have to work all weekend, my relatives are coming to visit today, we might be at Cedar Point on Monday, and I will be in Chicago for Jesus Culture from next Wednesday- Saturday.
God knows. There is grace for busy-ness.
Love Love Love....
So, this week is going to be impossibly busy, and I'm not sure I can commit to being consistent with this blog. I will keep it up when I can, but as it stands, I have to work all weekend, my relatives are coming to visit today, we might be at Cedar Point on Monday, and I will be in Chicago for Jesus Culture from next Wednesday- Saturday.
God knows. There is grace for busy-ness.
Love Love Love....
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
The Love. The Holiness. The Grace.
God is love.
Therefore, everything God does is out of love for us.
He is incapable of acting otherwise.
Because it would be entirely outside of his nature.
There is such a balance...
between his love for us as people and his intolerance of the sin we commit.
When you realize how holy and set apart God is, that he cannot even coexist with sin...
it makes you realize how awesome the grace is.
How amazing his mercy truly is.
Because he has completely eradicated the sin from us, when we say "yes" to Him.
He could have chosen to smite all of us.
It would have been the easier way.
But he didn't.
Because easy isn't his thing.
He does everything with excellence.
EVERYTHING is intentional!
He is such a personal Person!
He could so simply open up the realms so that heaven literally invades earth without our consent-- but he chooses to showcase his glory through us!
Because he knows how much of a blessing and an honor it is to be a vessel... and he wants to teach us how to be his Body here on earth.
He wants to draw us into relationship with Him, and teach us how much better life is with Him at the helm.
When we let go of the control, and let Him shake out all the religion in us.
And all the impurity.
And all the unbelief.
Til there is nothing left but Him and His reality.
And we still choose to believe that there are certain areas of our life that are outside of God's control or interest?
Get Real.
Psalm 42:8
By day, the Lord directs His love; at night, his song is with me-- a prayer to the God of my life.
Joel 2:13
Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
Romans 8:39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the presence nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to seperate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 John 4:16
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
Therefore, everything God does is out of love for us.
He is incapable of acting otherwise.
Because it would be entirely outside of his nature.
There is such a balance...
between his love for us as people and his intolerance of the sin we commit.
When you realize how holy and set apart God is, that he cannot even coexist with sin...
it makes you realize how awesome the grace is.
How amazing his mercy truly is.
Because he has completely eradicated the sin from us, when we say "yes" to Him.
He could have chosen to smite all of us.
It would have been the easier way.
But he didn't.
Because easy isn't his thing.
He does everything with excellence.
EVERYTHING is intentional!
He is such a personal Person!
He could so simply open up the realms so that heaven literally invades earth without our consent-- but he chooses to showcase his glory through us!
Because he knows how much of a blessing and an honor it is to be a vessel... and he wants to teach us how to be his Body here on earth.
He wants to draw us into relationship with Him, and teach us how much better life is with Him at the helm.
When we let go of the control, and let Him shake out all the religion in us.
And all the impurity.
And all the unbelief.
Til there is nothing left but Him and His reality.
And we still choose to believe that there are certain areas of our life that are outside of God's control or interest?
Get Real.
Psalm 42:8
By day, the Lord directs His love; at night, his song is with me-- a prayer to the God of my life.
Joel 2:13
Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
Romans 8:39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the presence nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to seperate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 John 4:16
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Identity.
I am so very tired. Today was my seventh consecutive day working, and third closing shift in a row. I am very much looking forward to a couple of days off starting tomorrow. Life seems overwhelming or even discouraging at times, but there is much to be thankful for.
Today, I was reading through Matthew 16, and there are four verses that I keep receiving knowledge of our identity from. Jesus is speaking to Peter, but it is as if he is speaking to all of us. He is affirming Peter in who he is, and telling him of what God has promised him in this life. There is such power in that promise! It is such an encouragement to know that Jesus himself told us that he has given us the keys to the kingdom!
There are some things that we are born with that are flawed; weak. It is in these areas that God can show his glory the greatest, by making us strong. I think I can relate to this passage a lot, because I believe I am tempermentally a lot like Peter. I look at the things he said and did, and I think we are probably not that different. He talks a lot, sometimes without thinking. He is passionate, yet weak-willed and without commitment. He is emo and has mood swings. Yet God created him for such an awesome purpose. He used who Peter was, and he transformed the weak and flawed areas to create a new identity who was truly a force to be reckoned with. All because Peter believed, and chose to follow his Jesus.
Matthew 16:16-19
Simon Peter answered and said: "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."
Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on the earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on the earth will be loosed in heaven."
Today, I was reading through Matthew 16, and there are four verses that I keep receiving knowledge of our identity from. Jesus is speaking to Peter, but it is as if he is speaking to all of us. He is affirming Peter in who he is, and telling him of what God has promised him in this life. There is such power in that promise! It is such an encouragement to know that Jesus himself told us that he has given us the keys to the kingdom!
There are some things that we are born with that are flawed; weak. It is in these areas that God can show his glory the greatest, by making us strong. I think I can relate to this passage a lot, because I believe I am tempermentally a lot like Peter. I look at the things he said and did, and I think we are probably not that different. He talks a lot, sometimes without thinking. He is passionate, yet weak-willed and without commitment. He is emo and has mood swings. Yet God created him for such an awesome purpose. He used who Peter was, and he transformed the weak and flawed areas to create a new identity who was truly a force to be reckoned with. All because Peter believed, and chose to follow his Jesus.
Matthew 16:16-19
Simon Peter answered and said: "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."
Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on the earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on the earth will be loosed in heaven."
Monday, August 3, 2009
the connection of the body
FIRST CORINTHIANS TWEEEEELVE!!!
It is so crazy to me that I can be sensing and learning things directly from the Holy Spirit, whether through the Bible or through direct revelation, and discover soon afterward that the people in my life are getting the same impression from God. This can occur completely independently from one another, without even communicating with one another beforehand. What I mean is, it is one thing to tell someone an idea, which spurs an idea in their mind, which causes both parties to come to the same conclusion. It is another thing altogether when two people are fed the same ideas and revelation and, when they come together and talk, realize that they have been thinking about the exact same things, and have drawn the same conclusions without consulting one another. This is God. This is the amazing body of Christ. He communicates to each member of the body, and not one of us is left out of the loop, if we will only listen.
This is the way it was today with Judith. We spoke of the same things that have been laying on our hearts. Jude even read a quote that put into words many of the things that I have tried to articulate. God knows exactly how to make us see how connected we really are, even when time or distance does not allow for more frequent catch-ups. It's awesome to hear about what is going on in the lives of my friends around the world, and to hear about what God is teaching them. It is always amazing to me how similar, in many ways, their journey is to my own. We are working toward something bigger than ourselves. God is preparing us to birth something remarkable in the world. We need to realize our parts and PRESS IN to what God has for us!!! Not just for our own selfish reasons, but for the whole, completed Body, including those who have not yet been added.
Also, I love how God reveals to us from time to time a need that someone has at the exact right moment. It is as though we are sending signals to one another through a miraculous go-between. It is so encouraging to know that even when we are alone, we are NEVER alone. God is always with us, and he chooses to use others to bless us as well and let us know that we are not alone in our pursuit; our heart is shared.
Now we need to drink, drink, drink the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13
Now the body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into the body- whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free- and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
It is so crazy to me that I can be sensing and learning things directly from the Holy Spirit, whether through the Bible or through direct revelation, and discover soon afterward that the people in my life are getting the same impression from God. This can occur completely independently from one another, without even communicating with one another beforehand. What I mean is, it is one thing to tell someone an idea, which spurs an idea in their mind, which causes both parties to come to the same conclusion. It is another thing altogether when two people are fed the same ideas and revelation and, when they come together and talk, realize that they have been thinking about the exact same things, and have drawn the same conclusions without consulting one another. This is God. This is the amazing body of Christ. He communicates to each member of the body, and not one of us is left out of the loop, if we will only listen.
This is the way it was today with Judith. We spoke of the same things that have been laying on our hearts. Jude even read a quote that put into words many of the things that I have tried to articulate. God knows exactly how to make us see how connected we really are, even when time or distance does not allow for more frequent catch-ups. It's awesome to hear about what is going on in the lives of my friends around the world, and to hear about what God is teaching them. It is always amazing to me how similar, in many ways, their journey is to my own. We are working toward something bigger than ourselves. God is preparing us to birth something remarkable in the world. We need to realize our parts and PRESS IN to what God has for us!!! Not just for our own selfish reasons, but for the whole, completed Body, including those who have not yet been added.
Also, I love how God reveals to us from time to time a need that someone has at the exact right moment. It is as though we are sending signals to one another through a miraculous go-between. It is so encouraging to know that even when we are alone, we are NEVER alone. God is always with us, and he chooses to use others to bless us as well and let us know that we are not alone in our pursuit; our heart is shared.
Now we need to drink, drink, drink the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13
Now the body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into the body- whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free- and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Grace Like Rain.
I really have a lot to say. And the will to say it. But not the energy. I was going to talk about the church of Acts. But I think I would prefer to save it for tomorrow. Sometime when I can find the words.
Right now, I'm listening to "Grace Like Rain" by Todd Agnew. There is a cool breeze coming through my window, and it really isn't that hard to imagine. Grace like rain, falling down on me. All my sins, all my cares, all my bad feelings are washed away.
Today was a mish mash of so many things, both good and hard. Church was interesting. I will talk about that more tomorrow, though. I really feel like a kid sometimes. Not knowing where on the earth she is, or where she is going. Having no one there but her daddy. And just holding onto his hand. Because it's all she can do. Just be led, and trust that her Father knows perfectly well where he's taking her. And knowing that it must be someplace good.
Tomorrow, I am meeting together with Judith. And we are going to change the world.
In devotions, I was noticing how Jesus walks off by himself from time to time. That there are certain times that he knows he needs to be alone with the Father. Quite a few incidences of this are mentioned, actually. It's a good reminder that we aren't called to just spend all of our time and energy with people, constantly giving more than we can recharge. God knows that's an impossible task for any human. And he craves our time, too. There is a time for everything. Jesus displayed it so well. There was a time when he sent the multitudes away, and a time when he called them to Himself. There was a time when he wanted to be known, and a time when he wished to remain anonymous.
Ok. That's all for today. Thank you, Father, for the grace to mess up. To make mistakes. To learn at a slower pace than others. And thank you for the grace to ramble once in a while. Even when we feel like we have nothing of substance to say.
Matthew 14:13A
When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself.
Matthew 14:23
And when he had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.
Right now, I'm listening to "Grace Like Rain" by Todd Agnew. There is a cool breeze coming through my window, and it really isn't that hard to imagine. Grace like rain, falling down on me. All my sins, all my cares, all my bad feelings are washed away.
Today was a mish mash of so many things, both good and hard. Church was interesting. I will talk about that more tomorrow, though. I really feel like a kid sometimes. Not knowing where on the earth she is, or where she is going. Having no one there but her daddy. And just holding onto his hand. Because it's all she can do. Just be led, and trust that her Father knows perfectly well where he's taking her. And knowing that it must be someplace good.
Tomorrow, I am meeting together with Judith. And we are going to change the world.
In devotions, I was noticing how Jesus walks off by himself from time to time. That there are certain times that he knows he needs to be alone with the Father. Quite a few incidences of this are mentioned, actually. It's a good reminder that we aren't called to just spend all of our time and energy with people, constantly giving more than we can recharge. God knows that's an impossible task for any human. And he craves our time, too. There is a time for everything. Jesus displayed it so well. There was a time when he sent the multitudes away, and a time when he called them to Himself. There was a time when he wanted to be known, and a time when he wished to remain anonymous.
Ok. That's all for today. Thank you, Father, for the grace to mess up. To make mistakes. To learn at a slower pace than others. And thank you for the grace to ramble once in a while. Even when we feel like we have nothing of substance to say.
Matthew 14:13A
When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself.
Matthew 14:23
And when he had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Thankful
I am just so thankful for the life God has given me.
For the wonderful people in it.
And, above all, for His awesome presence.
He knows what I need before I am even aware of it.
He cares.
Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.
For the wonderful people in it.
And, above all, for His awesome presence.
He knows what I need before I am even aware of it.
He cares.
Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.
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