Be still in the presence of the Lord,
and wait patiently for Him to act.
-Psalm 37:6
Let your ROOTS grow down into him, and let
your lives be built on him. Then your faith
will grow strong in the truth you were taught,
and you will overflow with thankfulness.
-Colossians 2:7
A dear friend recommended the book, A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George. Only pages into the first chapter about being a woman fully devoted to God, George emphasizes the importance of spending time in His Presence. She includes the story of Mary and Martha, and how Jesus commended Mary for sitting in His presence, enjoying His company and dropping the need to busy herself in preparation for His visit.
What makes it so hard to BE STILL and simply dwell in the Lord? How have we grown accustom to always going, going, going, constantly on the move - even if it's on to the next church event or the next service project or youth group or getting coffee with a person you mentor, etc. The list goes on. Yes, faith without actions is dead. Yes, serving and being actively involved in bringing His kingdom to earth is beautiful. But why is simply sitting at His feet - meditating with scripture, worshipping, simply beholding God so hard?
Spending time with Him is what He asks. Putting down the business of life, letting our minds be consumed by Him and stray away from the thoughts of all we have to do is His plea. If only for a few moments each day. As cliche and overused as this line is, we are in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Relationships involve spending time with that person, giving them your undivided attention and just...taking them in. And if our relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important one of all, i pray we all get to a place where we are OVERJOYED to just sit and bask in His presence.
When we give Him our undivided attention, when we allow Him to move as we remain STILL before Him, this is the very place where the Lord will reveal more of Himself. This time with Him is where He gives us visions, instruction, reveals His abounding love and affections towards us.
My prayer for all of us is that we find time to truly savor His presence. That we realize our need for Him, and feel an emptiness without taking the time each day to meet with Him. Stay in His presence, just a little longer. Spend time in prayer, focus on one verse or one quality of the Lord, or simply sit. Whatever time with Him looks like, God may we crave it. May we feel an insatiable desire for more of You.
Be STILL and know that i am God!
-Psalm 46:10
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you
-James 4:8
Check it: A Little Longer...
Monday, September 20, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
LEANING on the Lord (Song of Songs 8:5)
I want to share with you yesterday's devotional from Streams in the Desert. It's based on one of my life verses and is such a beautiful reminder of what it means to lean on the Lord:
Who is this coming up from the desert leaning on her lover? - Song of Songs 8:5
"I once learned a great lesson at a prayer meeting at a southern church. As one man prayed, he asked the Lord for various blessings, just as you or i would, and he thanked the Lord for many blessings already received, just as you or i would. But he closed his prayer with this unusual petition: "And, O Lord, support us! Yes, support us on every leaning side!"
Do you have any "leaning sides"? This humble man's prayer pictured them in a new way and illustrated the Great Supporter in a new light, as well. He saw God as always walking alongside the Christian, ready to extend His mighty arm to steady the weak on "every leaning side".
Child of My love, lean hard,
And let Me feel the pressure of your care;
I know your burden, child. I shaped it;
Balanced it in Mine Own hand; made no proportion
In its weight to your unaided strength,
For even as I laid it on, I said,
"I will be near, and while she leans on Me,
this burden will be Mine, not hers;
So will i keep My child within the circling arms
Of my Own love." Here lay it down, nor fear
To impose it on a shoulder that upholds
The government of worlds. Yet closer come:
You are not near enough. I would embrace your care;
So i might feel My child reclining on My breast.
You love Me, I know. So then do not doubt;
But loving Me, lean hard.
-Streams in the Desert (September 12), L.B. Cowman
Beautiful image and devotion, yes? The Lord has crafted our burdens, He has allowed certain things to enter into our lives, SO THAT we may LEAN on Him. These hard times? These joys, these celebrations, these times of weakness and sorrow? They are all meant to bring us closer to the Lord. May we learn to truly, TRULY LEAN on Him. We were not meant to take on the world and our burdens on our own - He never planned it to be this way.
The first time this verse really sunk in, really become a life verse for me, was just under a year ago. I was bruised and hurting, I felt the darkness consuming me. And this sweet, sweet verse from Song of Songs, spoke wonders to me. I came across it in a book, an allegory of the Song of Songs (Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard...check it out, seriously). And after spending time just meditating on it, i got this image of myself: beat up, limping, tear streaked and dirty cheeks, blisters on my feet, so weary and worn from the journey, being supported and held by Jesus, as He carefully walked beside me and led me and allowed me to lean on Him. Mmm, this vision still brings tears to my eyes. Life is a journey. We will have seasons of life where we are bruised up and limping and can do nothing but lean on the Lord. There are also times where the season is fruitful and beautiful and joyful, and we forget our desperate need to lean on Him.
So, where are you? Do you acknowledge your need to lean on the Lord? Do you realize our desperate need for Him to be by our side? Do you long for Him to pick you up, for fear that you have fallen and can't pick yourself up? No matter where you are, this truth is real: We need to lean on the Lord. Through any and all things. We need to depend on Him, admit our need for Him, and allow Him to carry our burdens and carry us through.
Who is this coming up from the desert leaning on her lover? - Song of Songs 8:5
"I once learned a great lesson at a prayer meeting at a southern church. As one man prayed, he asked the Lord for various blessings, just as you or i would, and he thanked the Lord for many blessings already received, just as you or i would. But he closed his prayer with this unusual petition: "And, O Lord, support us! Yes, support us on every leaning side!"
Do you have any "leaning sides"? This humble man's prayer pictured them in a new way and illustrated the Great Supporter in a new light, as well. He saw God as always walking alongside the Christian, ready to extend His mighty arm to steady the weak on "every leaning side".
Child of My love, lean hard,
And let Me feel the pressure of your care;
I know your burden, child. I shaped it;
Balanced it in Mine Own hand; made no proportion
In its weight to your unaided strength,
For even as I laid it on, I said,
"I will be near, and while she leans on Me,
this burden will be Mine, not hers;
So will i keep My child within the circling arms
Of my Own love." Here lay it down, nor fear
To impose it on a shoulder that upholds
The government of worlds. Yet closer come:
You are not near enough. I would embrace your care;
So i might feel My child reclining on My breast.
You love Me, I know. So then do not doubt;
But loving Me, lean hard.
-Streams in the Desert (September 12), L.B. Cowman
Beautiful image and devotion, yes? The Lord has crafted our burdens, He has allowed certain things to enter into our lives, SO THAT we may LEAN on Him. These hard times? These joys, these celebrations, these times of weakness and sorrow? They are all meant to bring us closer to the Lord. May we learn to truly, TRULY LEAN on Him. We were not meant to take on the world and our burdens on our own - He never planned it to be this way.
The first time this verse really sunk in, really become a life verse for me, was just under a year ago. I was bruised and hurting, I felt the darkness consuming me. And this sweet, sweet verse from Song of Songs, spoke wonders to me. I came across it in a book, an allegory of the Song of Songs (Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard...check it out, seriously). And after spending time just meditating on it, i got this image of myself: beat up, limping, tear streaked and dirty cheeks, blisters on my feet, so weary and worn from the journey, being supported and held by Jesus, as He carefully walked beside me and led me and allowed me to lean on Him. Mmm, this vision still brings tears to my eyes. Life is a journey. We will have seasons of life where we are bruised up and limping and can do nothing but lean on the Lord. There are also times where the season is fruitful and beautiful and joyful, and we forget our desperate need to lean on Him.
So, where are you? Do you acknowledge your need to lean on the Lord? Do you realize our desperate need for Him to be by our side? Do you long for Him to pick you up, for fear that you have fallen and can't pick yourself up? No matter where you are, this truth is real: We need to lean on the Lord. Through any and all things. We need to depend on Him, admit our need for Him, and allow Him to carry our burdens and carry us through.
Friday, September 10, 2010
ACTS: A Call To Serve - ministry Proposal
God has really been placing a burden on my heart - there is SO much need in this world, even in the community around us. I think, as Christians, we all need to be aware of that need and God's call for us to serve, to reach out, to go lower and be servants. This has been something that i've been praying about for a few months now. After being blessed to receive First Runner Up in the Miss Lakeville Pageant and now serving as an ambassador to Lakeville, i felt God beckoning me further - past the pretty dresses, the sparkly crown, the parades and events. God has placed the importance of service and the need for more opportunities on my heart - the need to equip others, to get them plugged in and provide people with places where they can put their faith into ACTION. God's ways are so wonderful, and I'm not the only one whose felt a tug on my heart. Miss Lakeville 2010 and my dear friend Jenna Diercks has also felt God calling her to serve. God had placed this dream and calling in our lives a couple months ago and continues to grow it.
On a mission trip to El Salvador and Guatemala (mid July), God laid a name for this ministry: ACTS. A Call To Serve. I wrote it in my journal and tucked the idea in the back of my head somewhere. Now, a couple months later, God has stirred again and brought this idea to mind. After listening to the song Turn Down the Music by Shane & Shane (listen below) in the car yesterday, the Lord provided further instruction: serve my people. Serve these people. The song outlines Matthew 25:34-40:
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Jesus has clearly instructed us to serve those in need, those who are hurting, those who feel isolated, and those who simply need His unending love. My vision for ACTS is to work with already existing ministries, charities and organizations, meet their specific needs, provide ministry, and provide college (highschool? middle school? adults?) students/people with opportunities to serve. God has given us all unique passions, for a specific group of people, etc. He has given us gifts, talents to serve Him, by serving others. He has given us ALL we need to serve others. It just takes the next step. Do you feel convicted?
For now, my vision for this potential ministry involves focusing on specific groups outlined in Matthew 25:
1) Homeless/People in Need
2) Strangers/Immigrants
3) Sick
4) Prison
It would be AMAZING to partner, work with and meet the needs of homeless shelters, food shelthers, clothing drives, English language classes, Children's hospitals, nursing homes, Alcoholics Anonymous, and doing ministry - in prisons, on the street, in spending time with those who are hurting/sick/in need. There is so much need, yet we have been blessed abundantly - we are not helpless. By following specific passions and giving the Lord a chunk of our time to SERVE others, in one ministry or another, we are following the call of James 2:17 and 2:22:
17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. - James 2:17
22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. - James 2:22
We are called to put our faith into action. We are called to minister and serve those in need. For whatever we do for the least of these, we did for Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Isaiah 58:10-11 promises THIS:
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
John Piper comments about this verse:
"...if we pour ourselves out for others, God promises to make us like "a watered garden" - that is, we will receive the water we need for refreshment and joy. But even more, we will thus be a "spring of water" that does NOT fail - for others, for the demanding, exhausting, draining ministry of urban self-giving...God has made us to flourish by being spent for others. " - When the Darkness Will Not Lift, Piper 63
That is a promise. God is calling us to spend ourselves, to literally WASTE ourselves, exhaust ourselves, pour ourselves out for OTHERS and their needs. But, we will not be left with nothing. Rather, we will NEVER see an end to God's glorious riches. He will continue to fill us up. We WILL have the time and the energy to continue to serve and continue to waste our lives for others, thanks be to God.
John 7:38 - Whoever believes in me, as[a] the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
So, the next step? I need help. I need resources. I need others who feel a passion for one or more of these areas who feel convicted to step up and serve. I want ACTS to be the bridge and outlet for students to serve organizations, charities and people in NEED. Do you feel convicted and/or passionate about helping? God has yet to reveal how this will look, but i'm entrusting it all to Him. And it's time to get others on board, so this vision is not limited by my own tiny brain. Will you help? If so, comment on this note and include an email address. :) Keep pressing in.
A final word: In the past few months, the Lord has also placed the word "revival" on my heart. This world needs revival. The church needs revival. And in what better way to see a newness of life, a resurrected church, a fiery passion than to reach out, beyond church walls into places of need? This whole world needs revival. If you feel called to international missions, know that your mission field, your place to serve is wherever you are. Right now. In your very city.
"Turn down the music,
Turn down the noise,
Turn up Your voice, O God,
Let us hear the sound
of people broken,
Willing to love,
Give us Your heart, O God,
a new song rising up
Let it be our worship,
Let it be our true religion,
In this world, but not of it,
Holding on to our confession..."
-Shane & Shane
On a mission trip to El Salvador and Guatemala (mid July), God laid a name for this ministry: ACTS. A Call To Serve. I wrote it in my journal and tucked the idea in the back of my head somewhere. Now, a couple months later, God has stirred again and brought this idea to mind. After listening to the song Turn Down the Music by Shane & Shane (listen below) in the car yesterday, the Lord provided further instruction: serve my people. Serve these people. The song outlines Matthew 25:34-40:
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Jesus has clearly instructed us to serve those in need, those who are hurting, those who feel isolated, and those who simply need His unending love. My vision for ACTS is to work with already existing ministries, charities and organizations, meet their specific needs, provide ministry, and provide college (highschool? middle school? adults?) students/people with opportunities to serve. God has given us all unique passions, for a specific group of people, etc. He has given us gifts, talents to serve Him, by serving others. He has given us ALL we need to serve others. It just takes the next step. Do you feel convicted?
For now, my vision for this potential ministry involves focusing on specific groups outlined in Matthew 25:
1) Homeless/People in Need
2) Strangers/Immigrants
3) Sick
4) Prison
It would be AMAZING to partner, work with and meet the needs of homeless shelters, food shelthers, clothing drives, English language classes, Children's hospitals, nursing homes, Alcoholics Anonymous, and doing ministry - in prisons, on the street, in spending time with those who are hurting/sick/in need. There is so much need, yet we have been blessed abundantly - we are not helpless. By following specific passions and giving the Lord a chunk of our time to SERVE others, in one ministry or another, we are following the call of James 2:17 and 2:22:
17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. - James 2:17
22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. - James 2:22
We are called to put our faith into action. We are called to minister and serve those in need. For whatever we do for the least of these, we did for Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Isaiah 58:10-11 promises THIS:
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
John Piper comments about this verse:
"...if we pour ourselves out for others, God promises to make us like "a watered garden" - that is, we will receive the water we need for refreshment and joy. But even more, we will thus be a "spring of water" that does NOT fail - for others, for the demanding, exhausting, draining ministry of urban self-giving...God has made us to flourish by being spent for others. " - When the Darkness Will Not Lift, Piper 63
That is a promise. God is calling us to spend ourselves, to literally WASTE ourselves, exhaust ourselves, pour ourselves out for OTHERS and their needs. But, we will not be left with nothing. Rather, we will NEVER see an end to God's glorious riches. He will continue to fill us up. We WILL have the time and the energy to continue to serve and continue to waste our lives for others, thanks be to God.
John 7:38 - Whoever believes in me, as[a] the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
So, the next step? I need help. I need resources. I need others who feel a passion for one or more of these areas who feel convicted to step up and serve. I want ACTS to be the bridge and outlet for students to serve organizations, charities and people in NEED. Do you feel convicted and/or passionate about helping? God has yet to reveal how this will look, but i'm entrusting it all to Him. And it's time to get others on board, so this vision is not limited by my own tiny brain. Will you help? If so, comment on this note and include an email address. :) Keep pressing in.
A final word: In the past few months, the Lord has also placed the word "revival" on my heart. This world needs revival. The church needs revival. And in what better way to see a newness of life, a resurrected church, a fiery passion than to reach out, beyond church walls into places of need? This whole world needs revival. If you feel called to international missions, know that your mission field, your place to serve is wherever you are. Right now. In your very city.
"Turn down the music,
Turn down the noise,
Turn up Your voice, O God,
Let us hear the sound
of people broken,
Willing to love,
Give us Your heart, O God,
a new song rising up
Let it be our worship,
Let it be our true religion,
In this world, but not of it,
Holding on to our confession..."
-Shane & Shane
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Memories
Ah, memories. This afternoon, i've begun moving all of my belongings into my new room in the basement. Shoes, clothes and STUFF are easy to move; memories, not so much. I had photo album upon photo album, scrapbooks, old love letters, photo collages, ticket stubs and old bits and pieces of memories. The hardest part about memories are the emotions they evoke, especially when they tell of love lost, old friends you have lost contact with, and people that have faded away. While i was laughing one moment at the AWKWARD silly things i wrote about old crushes in some of my journals, i was overcome with sorrow going through things that remind me of those i'm no longer close with. It's crazy how that works, huh? God truly does work in seasons.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
-Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
I think the weirdest part of memories is how much they represent the idea of time and time passed. They tell stories, they speak of where we HAVE been, who we once were. How humbling it was to look at prayers i had written down and to see how the Lord has answered them, in time. No matter our memories, no matter the intensity of the bittersweet feelings they evoke, no matter where we've been, no matter where we are NOW, no matter how much we've changed, one thing is certain: While our memories are fleeting, while our circumstances, relationships, etc. are constantly changing, the Lord does not. He never changes! His love never fails, He will NEVER fail or forsake us. Even if memories tell of happier days and the present appears bleak, the Lord is still the same. Yesterday, today and forever. He will bring us through all memories, He will be our constant, and we can hold on to the promise that we will see joyful days once again.
Thank you, God, for the joys of the past. Even the sorrows and tough times, thank you. Even for love lost, friendships that have fallen away, the process of aging, THANK YOU. May they be reminders of your constancy. May they point to Your consistency, Your unfailing glory and your love unending. While seasons come and go, while events and people become mere memories, You stay the same.
Monday, August 30, 2010
A Semester (Indefinitely?) Off Explanation
Here's a quick summary/beginning of the email i sent to my parents this morning:
I'm sorry to spring such a huge life decision on you last minute...and now my advisors would like to know in a matter of hours. The thought of taking a semester off just hit me last night. I've been praying about really honoring the idea of a Sabbath day and setting aside Sunday as a day of rest - yesterday was my first one. So, after going to church and resting while seeing friends, it's sort of a God thing that this thought were to hit me while i gave more time to God.
My life has always been go, go go. You have known and seen that. And school sort of fell into "the plan" - aka, my plan: Go to college, graduate as early as possible and, since i was in this really great relationship with this really great guy, we'd get married fresh out of college. And when God asked me to surrender the really great relationship, i was still left with this really great career i had been passionate about since...forever: teaching. So i sucked it up, and kept on going, full speed ahead (if not faster).
And here i am, a college graduate (well one lousy paper away from graduating). About to start student teaching and embark on the part of the journey i've been anticipating all this time. And the night before, THE NIGHT BEFORE, i feel a thought enter my mind: Take a semester off. Uhh...what? WHAT?! This is not like me. I have planned since day one, and though i'm "go with the flow" at times, my plan is where it's at mostly. But when the thought came in, i just felt a lot of peace. It was like this heavy and huge thought crushed a lot of the walls i had built and wiped out a lot of fear and need to control. The reason i'm so at peace with this thought is because it's really not anything i'd construct or think of. It's quite the opposite. I know God has been calling me to rest and slow down, lately. And though you may not have seen many results of that, it's been happening slowly but surely. I never would've thought in a million years it would mean slowing down this much.
...
So, this is a season of rest. I am still praying about taking the middle school class in mid-November so i could still be on track with the Licensure Program if i do so choose to go back in the Spring. At this point, i don't know what's next. There's been things that pop into my head - long term missions, ministry, going to school for family counseling? All of those things are good, but they are also a safety net of plans keeping me from facing, truly, the UNKNOWN. I need to let God...be God. Things WILL fall into place. Whether i go back to school or not, next semester or in five years, this is where i need to be.
I feel really passionate about devoting more time to the girls i mentor - investing more into their lives, being able to start a bible study, etc. I also feel really passionate about being involved with middle school/senior high ministries at church. So that's a start. And while i already feel a need to fill my now EMPTY schedule up with...more plans...i must refrain and face the unknown. I have a passion for teaching. I do. But i am now aware teaching may look different than in an elementary school. I don't know where God's leading. That used to freak me out, and though i'm a little apprehensive still, i'm so very at peace.
Today's (August 29) My Utmost For His Highest had a perfect, fitting verse: And this same God who takes care of me will supply ALL your needs from His glorious riches... -Philippians 4:19.
So, this is where i'm at. I'm FINALLY seeking refuge in the watchtower. I HATE waiting...but God's calling me to rest, so i may earnestly wait.
I will climb up to my watchtower
and stand at my guardpost.
There, i will WAIT to see what the Lord says
and how he will answer my complain.
-Habakkuk 2:1
Saturday, August 28, 2010
To All Unbelievers, Seekers, the Beaten Down and The Church Alike
As i was driving home from St Cloud today, i had time to spend time meditating and worshipping God. He laid something huge on my heart - how badly, how horribly we portray His unfathomable love to others that have yet to encounter it - to unbelievers, to seekers, to those that have been hurt by the church, turned away, beaten down by US - so called "followers" of Christ.
To Christians, Christ-followers, Catholics, Protestants, The Body, The Church:
We, as the church, the Body of Christ seem to forget that we owe it all to Him. We allow our minds to resemble the religious Pharisees - focusing on living a rigid lifestyle free from sin. At one point or another, we all fall prone to this way of thinking. And when we live our lives focused on the laws and regimented lifestyle, we allow our hearts to believe we have to earn God's love, God's affections - it is up to us and our good deeds, what we do.
And how, then, does this look to those on the fringes, those beginning to dip their big toe in to test the waters of church and God and faith, before they really jump in? Our need for perfection, to live a life that God would be "satisfied" with or "proud" of, our need to earn love, to live a regimented life grounded in the strictness that is religion and LOOK DOWN ON those we deem outcasts - Homosexuals. Addicts. Druggies. Alcoholics. Prostitutes. Sluts turns people away and turns them off from wanting to know the Author and Perfecter of Love Himself!
Who are WE to turn people away because of their visible sins and "unclean lifestyle"? And the King will say, "I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me! ...I was a stranger and you didn't invite me into your home. I was naked and you didn't give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn't visit me." - Matthew 25:40,43
Here is the truth we all need to face: we have all sinned, and all fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). The human race is depraved. We are disgusting sinners, filth, SCUM, full of selfishness and damned without Jesus Christ intervening on our behalf. Had the Lord not stepped in, had He not been the perfect, spotless sacrifice and given His life for us, we'd be...screwed, for lack of better words. There is NOTHING we can do to earn His love, no good deeds are ever enough. For what we give back to the Lord, He has already given us. Without His mercies, His unending grace, His presence in my heart, my soul would not be accounted for. It is by His grace alone that we are promised everlasting life. So we, the church, need to reflect that depravity by claiming what we really are: Disgusting sinners, Poor in Spirit, yet LOVED and REDEEMED by God's grace alone. Every time we feel a need to perform, to "do" good, to earn His affections, to wear a mask, remind yourself - hiding behind perfection and not claiming our brokenness is disheartening, misleading to those that do not know the Lord. Embrace the broken pieces of your life, EMBRACE your depravity and sin, for they are reminders of how much we need God. Not religion, not a regimented lifestyle, but the Lord's love overflowing. We need to REFLECT Him - not our 'need' to do good.
To All Unbelievers, Seekers, Those turned away, Struck Down, Hurt and Beaten UP:
I cannot apologize enough for how much i have misrepresented God - in my judgement, in my stereotypes, in my feelings that i am better than some, in getting caught up in my own feelings of having to do good to earn His love. I am sorry. If you have been hurt, turned away by the church or beaten down by someone proclaiming the Lord's name, I beg you, do not give up. Do not build walls up, hoping to defend yourself from a God that loves with unfathomable greatness, to a God that knows you and has loved you and will NEVER fail you or forsake you, even if you have turned away from Him.
The so-called church? The Body of Christ? We are absolute hypocrites. We live like we have it all under control, like we've done something that sets us apart from you. But you want the truth? We are broken, we are disgusting, we have sinned and messed up and failed. Please, do not let the church and our own...humanness turn you away from knowing the Greatest Love of All. Because here's the truth - we are all the same. This body is imperfect and has failed countless times. The only thing that's different, is that we have chosen to know and seek Jesus Christ and accept Him as our Lord and Savior. We have made a choice, that despite our brokenness and our pain and our imperfections and sin, we choose to trust in and follow after God. And this God is what sets us apart! Why? Because He forgives. He loves perfectly - God is LOVE. He accepts us right where we're at. Do you believe it? You better.
Absolutely NOTHING can EVER separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38-39
Please, do not allow the imperfections of the church as a body of believers to turn you away from the Greatest and PERFECT Love, our Good & Merciful God and and the everlasting life we find in Jesus Christ.
If you do not know the Lord as your Savior, all you have to do is ask Him:
Lord Jesus, forgive me for all of my sins. I believe that You died on the cross, and You were buried and on the third day, God the Father raised You from the dead. Right now I open the door to my heart and I receive You into my heart as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen.
Here's the catch: once we invite Jesus into our lives, our lives are not all about rainbows and sunshine and complete happiness. In fact, we may face more trials and persecution. But it is worth it. He is worth it. We must lose this life to gain a far greater one. As followers of Christ, when we encounter hard times - divorce, financial problems, confusion, hurt, heartbreak, cancer, disease, death, etc. - we know that nothing is greater than God. Nothing is too big for Him to handle. He will use all things for our good, He holds all things in His hands. He loves us and He has promised us eternal life with Him, in heaven.
To All That are Reading:
I'd like to end this post with an excerpt from one of my favorite books. I encourage you to check it out - The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. I may not be able to answer them, i may not be completely 100% knowledgeable about the bible or theologies, but i have tasted the goodness and perfect love of the Lord and caught glimpses of His glory and redemption. Ask someone, seek encouragement, find a church - keeping all of our imperfections in mind. Regardless of your decision, know the Lord loves you. No, it's not cliche, because we all forget it time and time again. He loves us. HE LOVES US. He loves you. Right there, as you are.
Hyperbole, bloated rhetoric, and grandiose testimonies create the impression that once Jesus is acknowledged as Lord, the Christian life becomes a picnic on a green lawn - marriage blossoms into connubial bliss, physical health flourishes, acne disappears, and sinking careers suddenly soar...The New Testament depicts another picture of the victorious life [we have in Christ]: Jesus on Calvary. The biblical image of the victorious life reads more like the victorious limp. Jesus was victorious not because he never flinched, talked back, or questioned; but having flinched, talked back, and questioned, He remained faithful.
What makes authentic disciples is not visions, ecstasies, biblical mastery of chapter and verse, or spectacular success in the ministry, but a capacity for faithfulness...After life has lined their faces a little, many followers of Jesus come into a coherent sense of themselves for the first time. When they modestly claim, "I am still a ragamuffin, but i'm different," they are right. Where sin abounded, grace has more abounded. - Manning [Ruthless Trust, 181-182].
We need God. We have all sinned and all fall short. But He loves us, right where we're at, where we've been, despite what's to come and how many times we turn away from Him. He forgives, He redeems, He renews, He revives. He conquers, He reigns, He loves loves LOVES something fierce. So let's fling off the masks and facades that we have it all under control. Let's tear down walls of hurt and run to Him, as imperfect and broken human beings SO in need of a Savior.
Check it:
"Healthy people don't need a doctor - sick people do..For i have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who KNOW they are sinners." - Matthew 9:12,13
To Christians, Christ-followers, Catholics, Protestants, The Body, The Church:
We, as the church, the Body of Christ seem to forget that we owe it all to Him. We allow our minds to resemble the religious Pharisees - focusing on living a rigid lifestyle free from sin. At one point or another, we all fall prone to this way of thinking. And when we live our lives focused on the laws and regimented lifestyle, we allow our hearts to believe we have to earn God's love, God's affections - it is up to us and our good deeds, what we do.
And how, then, does this look to those on the fringes, those beginning to dip their big toe in to test the waters of church and God and faith, before they really jump in? Our need for perfection, to live a life that God would be "satisfied" with or "proud" of, our need to earn love, to live a regimented life grounded in the strictness that is religion and LOOK DOWN ON those we deem outcasts - Homosexuals. Addicts. Druggies. Alcoholics. Prostitutes. Sluts turns people away and turns them off from wanting to know the Author and Perfecter of Love Himself!
Who are WE to turn people away because of their visible sins and "unclean lifestyle"? And the King will say, "I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me! ...I was a stranger and you didn't invite me into your home. I was naked and you didn't give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn't visit me." - Matthew 25:40,43
Here is the truth we all need to face: we have all sinned, and all fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). The human race is depraved. We are disgusting sinners, filth, SCUM, full of selfishness and damned without Jesus Christ intervening on our behalf. Had the Lord not stepped in, had He not been the perfect, spotless sacrifice and given His life for us, we'd be...screwed, for lack of better words. There is NOTHING we can do to earn His love, no good deeds are ever enough. For what we give back to the Lord, He has already given us. Without His mercies, His unending grace, His presence in my heart, my soul would not be accounted for. It is by His grace alone that we are promised everlasting life. So we, the church, need to reflect that depravity by claiming what we really are: Disgusting sinners, Poor in Spirit, yet LOVED and REDEEMED by God's grace alone. Every time we feel a need to perform, to "do" good, to earn His affections, to wear a mask, remind yourself - hiding behind perfection and not claiming our brokenness is disheartening, misleading to those that do not know the Lord. Embrace the broken pieces of your life, EMBRACE your depravity and sin, for they are reminders of how much we need God. Not religion, not a regimented lifestyle, but the Lord's love overflowing. We need to REFLECT Him - not our 'need' to do good.
To All Unbelievers, Seekers, Those turned away, Struck Down, Hurt and Beaten UP:
I cannot apologize enough for how much i have misrepresented God - in my judgement, in my stereotypes, in my feelings that i am better than some, in getting caught up in my own feelings of having to do good to earn His love. I am sorry. If you have been hurt, turned away by the church or beaten down by someone proclaiming the Lord's name, I beg you, do not give up. Do not build walls up, hoping to defend yourself from a God that loves with unfathomable greatness, to a God that knows you and has loved you and will NEVER fail you or forsake you, even if you have turned away from Him.
The so-called church? The Body of Christ? We are absolute hypocrites. We live like we have it all under control, like we've done something that sets us apart from you. But you want the truth? We are broken, we are disgusting, we have sinned and messed up and failed. Please, do not let the church and our own...humanness turn you away from knowing the Greatest Love of All. Because here's the truth - we are all the same. This body is imperfect and has failed countless times. The only thing that's different, is that we have chosen to know and seek Jesus Christ and accept Him as our Lord and Savior. We have made a choice, that despite our brokenness and our pain and our imperfections and sin, we choose to trust in and follow after God. And this God is what sets us apart! Why? Because He forgives. He loves perfectly - God is LOVE. He accepts us right where we're at. Do you believe it? You better.
Absolutely NOTHING can EVER separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38-39
Please, do not allow the imperfections of the church as a body of believers to turn you away from the Greatest and PERFECT Love, our Good & Merciful God and and the everlasting life we find in Jesus Christ.
If you do not know the Lord as your Savior, all you have to do is ask Him:
Lord Jesus, forgive me for all of my sins. I believe that You died on the cross, and You were buried and on the third day, God the Father raised You from the dead. Right now I open the door to my heart and I receive You into my heart as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen.
Here's the catch: once we invite Jesus into our lives, our lives are not all about rainbows and sunshine and complete happiness. In fact, we may face more trials and persecution. But it is worth it. He is worth it. We must lose this life to gain a far greater one. As followers of Christ, when we encounter hard times - divorce, financial problems, confusion, hurt, heartbreak, cancer, disease, death, etc. - we know that nothing is greater than God. Nothing is too big for Him to handle. He will use all things for our good, He holds all things in His hands. He loves us and He has promised us eternal life with Him, in heaven.
To All That are Reading:
I'd like to end this post with an excerpt from one of my favorite books. I encourage you to check it out - The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. I may not be able to answer them, i may not be completely 100% knowledgeable about the bible or theologies, but i have tasted the goodness and perfect love of the Lord and caught glimpses of His glory and redemption. Ask someone, seek encouragement, find a church - keeping all of our imperfections in mind. Regardless of your decision, know the Lord loves you. No, it's not cliche, because we all forget it time and time again. He loves us. HE LOVES US. He loves you. Right there, as you are.
Hyperbole, bloated rhetoric, and grandiose testimonies create the impression that once Jesus is acknowledged as Lord, the Christian life becomes a picnic on a green lawn - marriage blossoms into connubial bliss, physical health flourishes, acne disappears, and sinking careers suddenly soar...The New Testament depicts another picture of the victorious life [we have in Christ]: Jesus on Calvary. The biblical image of the victorious life reads more like the victorious limp. Jesus was victorious not because he never flinched, talked back, or questioned; but having flinched, talked back, and questioned, He remained faithful.
What makes authentic disciples is not visions, ecstasies, biblical mastery of chapter and verse, or spectacular success in the ministry, but a capacity for faithfulness...After life has lined their faces a little, many followers of Jesus come into a coherent sense of themselves for the first time. When they modestly claim, "I am still a ragamuffin, but i'm different," they are right. Where sin abounded, grace has more abounded. - Manning [Ruthless Trust, 181-182].
We need God. We have all sinned and all fall short. But He loves us, right where we're at, where we've been, despite what's to come and how many times we turn away from Him. He forgives, He redeems, He renews, He revives. He conquers, He reigns, He loves loves LOVES something fierce. So let's fling off the masks and facades that we have it all under control. Let's tear down walls of hurt and run to Him, as imperfect and broken human beings SO in need of a Savior.
Check it:
"Healthy people don't need a doctor - sick people do..For i have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who KNOW they are sinners." - Matthew 9:12,13
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Bedtime Stories
As i sit propped up in bed and reflect on all that has happened in the past...week ALONE, i am so very grateful for the blessings and the Lord's faithfulness. On a more materialistic note, i am now a proud owner of a 2005 black Honda Civic Coupe - a belated college graduation present from my parents. I am elated, it's a beautiful car :) And thus began the search for the perfect name. It couldn't be just any silly name, it had to be THE name. (Yes, yes, i know, all of this for a car - can you imagine the naming process if/when i have kids?!) So, i searched high and low, browsed through baby name websites, glanced through countless meanings and various languages. After browsing through Song of Songs today before actually deciding on a name, i stumbled across one of my favorite verses:
Like the finest apple tree in the orchard is my lover among other young men. I sit in his delightful shade and taste his delicious fruit -Song of Songs 2:3
A word in Hebrew meaning shade/shadow is Tsila . Shade = black. My beloved brings shade, He brings refuge as we rest in Him. So, my black beauty of a car is named Tsila - Tilly for short - as a reminder of the Lord's presence. Is this silly? I feel a little silly putting so much thought into a name for a car...but thus is the result of overflowing excitement i have a hard time containing :).
And now, the bedtime story. Settle in, get comfortable, turn on relaxing music. I have learned from a Children's Literature course and throughout life that good stories have a moral and/or wholesome message woven into the plot. So be prepared.
****
Once upon a time, there were four friends who set out to climb to the tallest point in all of the land. They had set their gazes high and their hopes even higher. What was a mere seven miles through delightfully cool forests, past flowing streams and placid lakes? That mountaintop experience, that feeling of ecstasy in reaching the top, the view that awaited them was so highly anticipated and totally worth the trek.
So they set off - wandering through the dirt trail into the dense forest. Soon, the dirt-packed trail became narrower, barely wide enough for two to pass through walking side by side. Still further into the journey, large boulders and knotted tree roots covered the trail. The four passed through bogs on creaking, wooden planks, their minds focused on the view awaiting them.
After an hour or so into the pilgrimage, one of the hikers began to wonder how much longer it would take to get to the tippy top. She began to feel discouraged, as the trail seemed to be leading them lower and lower, rather than to the glorious peak. The impatient and weary hiker began to ask those that passed by, on their way down from the peak, "How much further?" Rather than feeling encouraged, she began to feel frustrated at the mixed responses: "Oh, you're not far. Keep going" and "You've got quite a ways to go" and "about 300 yards" and "about 1,000 yards, and a steep climb left" and "You're not even close to the top". Though she knew she was well on her way to the glorious site on that mountain top, she was burdened by the need to ask questions and the reception of inconsistent responses.
Kim, one of the four friends, led the way. She was a weathered veteran and had climbed to the tops of many high places. She kept her eyes focused on the path ahead, and encouraged her discouraged friend to keep moving and stop asking questions.
Allison, the third friend, brought comic relief and a breath of fresh air. Though silent for most of the journey, (as she contemplated the mounds of rocks she had to climb over and the surging rivers in front of her in her own life) Allison only allowed kind and encouraging words to escape from her mouth. She made her discouraged friend laugh, as they relieved themselves in the forest and scared passer-byers.
Cassie, the fourth friend, would break out in laughter at the most random things. Joy flowed from her, as she brought up the rear. Her steps were careful, her strides were thought out, as she focused on finding firm footings and the path that lay ahead.
And finally, the four friends reached the hardest part of the trail - the side of the mountain. The trail went from horizontal to a strictly vertical climb. As the four friends heaved and stopped to catch their breath occasionally, the discouraged climber became frustrated: "How much FURTHER?!" she said, short of breath.
Before any of her friends could answer, the four noticed a clearing. They stopped in their tracks, for they knew, they had FINALLY reached the mountain top. The highest place in all the land provided a view of the valley below - the treetops miles below them, meshing together, the rivers and lakes nestled in between. The view alone brought sheer ecstasy and excitement, as the weary travelers realized their journey was more than worth it. Every rock, every bump, every frustration or river that needed to be crossed made the view even more delightful. And so, the four friends soaked up this glorious view and found sweet rest.
THE END
The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights.
-Habakkuk 3:19
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