warring friends

Relationships are the currency of God's Kingdom. Nothing else is as
valuable in the culture of heaven as our intimate connection to God and
one another. If this is true, then a passion for thriving, healthy
relationships must dominate the vision of every Christ-follower. The term
relationship is broad, but we will focus on the INTIMATE frienships in
your life-the one, two or three people who know you best. It may or may
not be a romantic relationship, but it is where your soul goes deep.
Depth and commitment are what separate "hanging out" from
life-transforming interdependence. Friendship is a commitment forged in
the HEAT of battle. And until your relationship is tested by conflict,
you don't really know what you have. LASTING friendships use every
obstacle as a means to know each other deeply and reinforce and enduring
commitment to each other's good.
People should always be more important than projects. Today's culture is
consumed with production and evaluates people on their ability to
generate excellent work, not on their ability to nurture healthy
relationships. This is why frienships drift into functional partnerships
instead of actual sharing life. In order to build a healthy intimate
frienship you need both quality time and quantity of time, so that you
can get past the superficial, to take the masks off and be real.
Building relationships that can go the distance combines the resources of
time with the skill of intention. Relationships can't be rushed and more
than you can hurry along the blooming of a flower. Both require adequate
time and care. Care comes from being INTENTIONAL-using your time with
your friends to deepen your understanding of one another, to touch the
hidden places of the soul and to contribute out of your own soul.
Real Relationships are built when you guard your brother's back and know
that he has yours. When you know that your failures, your triumphs and
your destiny are owned and carried by your cloest friends. This is the
climate that empowers grwoth and transformation, whether the context is
marriage or frienship or CHURCH.
The Bible affirms these things in the picture of David and Jonathon.
Jonathon is nearly always mentioned in the same breath with his friend
David. It is the picture that true friendship has a redemptive power that
surpasses the relationship itself and moves us towards our destiny. David
and Jonathon both knew that they could not face the enemy without a
relationship that was utterly committed to their own good. And so they
committed themselves to each other in FRIENDSHIP, vowing to guard one
another, love one another, seek the highest good of another...so that
they could both succeed."(the NEW REBELLION)

So....wouldn't it be smart to INVEST, be INTENTIONAL and to build
relationships that can last a life time.
ALL FOR YOU

come on let's go....but beware

I sat down for a few minutes tonight to clear my mind and try to focus on something other than the pain that is in my neck. I picked up the guitar and worked for a little while, but found my heart being drawn to the piano once again. I was actually thinking about the music for the upcoming REVIVAL-The REAL THING...that is coming in Jan. I was working through several songs, asking the Lord to reveal that which would bring Him pleasure and move our hearts into the throne room.
I found my heart singing a fairly new song by David Crowder. COME AND LISTEN, come and listen to what He has done. Praise our God for what He has done....But the heart of song is found in the beginning. Come to the water's edge all who know and fear the Lord. Come to the water's edge all who are thirsty, come.
As I sat at the piano, singing these words to the Father and allowing them to pierce my heart, I was flooded with that call.....to COME....come higher, come further, come closer. I was stunned by the familiar call of the Father that invaded my heart only days ago. A call which said-Come on let's go!

While sitting in these thoughts this evening, I allowed the Father freedom to speak and a willingness of heart to listen. I cried out to Him....and said that I was here...listening. His call to me is the same...come on, let's go.

But I also heard a WARNING....a very STERN warning. It was not the first time I have heard it in the last 3 days. But this time, it overwhelmed me.
Beware...the enemy is crouching at your door and is seeking to destroy you and your journey. Do not be derailed....but COME ON...with all that you are and do not be deterred by anything here on earth. I was startled by the intensity of the Warning. And it has moved my heart in recent days to pray offensively and specifically about the temptation that is lurking and the attempt of the enemy to derail us from the journey. Specifically to say...don't turn back...come ON....Press on to know me.
COME LET US RETURN TO THE LORD
For He has torn us, but He will heal us
He has wounded us but He will bandage us
He will revive us after two days
He will raise us up on the third day
that we may live before Him.
So let us know, let us press on to Know the Lord...(harass!)
His going forth is as certain as the dawn;
and He will come to us like the rain.

So let's GO.....let's not back up....let's not allow the enemy to keep us from moving forward. Let's not compromise or give him place. Do not be fooled....he is lurking, waiting to destroy us, but he will not win....if we will press on.
Come on...let's go!
ALL FOR YOU

preparing for rain

As of Monday morning, I will be headed to Atlanta to the PASSION Conference. It is going to be an awesome time of worship and feasting on the Word of God. I have counted the days...for me, this is better than Christmas. But not for the reasons most think.
Sure I will enjoy the speakers. I mean who doesn't like Louie, Francis Chan, Beth Moore, John Piper and many others. The music will ROCK and usher us into the presence of God. With worship leaders like Tomlin, Crowder, Hall and Redman...there is bound to be little sprinkle from the Lord.
But me...I am preparing for RAIN...God raining down His glory on us, pushing our faces to the ground, breaking us, ministering to us, healing us and reviving us. For me, it is not about the speakers or the music, but a KNOWING in my heart that GOD will be there and meet us. I am going to be totally spent and undone...simply because my heart will be vested only on Him for 4 days.
Everyday should be like that....but most days I fail. So for me...KNOWING this is going to happen...is better than any gift, any celebration, any sermon or music...just BEING with JESUS...meeting with Him.
It is what church should be like all the time. Sadly, that is not the case. So this will have to hold me for awhile....I am preparing for a downpour from the Lord...and I am not carrying an umbrella. I will turn my face to heaven and be drenched by His majesty and greatness. I will bask in His glory and fall face down as He presses into towards us.
God...help me to bring this back home...and to share it with others.

ALL FOR YOU

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
I took a few minutes, this Christmas Eve, to spend some time reflecting on Jesus. As I have mentioned, I have been overtaken by the fact that we are celebrating the Christ child, while our focus is on so many other things. Therefore, for me…I have chosen to set my heart upon Him. To rejoice in Him and to allow my heart to be captivated by Him alone.

Isa 9:2-6
2 The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.
(John 1:9 There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.-Jesus)
4 For Thou shalt break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.
6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Isa 7:14 "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

I have been soaking in these Scriptures today. In fact, I could hear the Father whisper them over my heart while I was at church. I couldn’t remember WHERE they were found and had to come home and look it up so I could meditate upon them. Isaiah tells us that the people walking in darkness will see a great light and John affirms that Light to be Jesus.

This child, Jesus, born to the virgin, will be called Wonderful Counselor-meaning a marvelous thing, a miracle, something to marvel at, a divine guide and purpose. Mighty God-the championed, almighty. Eternal Father-a perpetual, continual, everlasting DADDY. Prince of peace-the steward of reconciliation, of the covenant relationship, the friendship. Immanuel-God with us.

This Jesus…..a marvel of God, to guide us in His divine purpose was sent to be our champion over sin, to bring us out of darkness into the Light so that He could be our Abba, our Daddy. He is our peace, our justification, our reconciliation, our lamb that established Covenant, allowing us to pass through the pieces of flesh and enter into a friendship with God. And if that is not enough….He is GOD with us, in us, for us, through us.

Tomorrow, we celebrate the COMING of JESUS to be GOD WITH US. How can we be drawn aside or distracted by lesser things or distractions? But we are….and so Isaiah makes a statement that absolutely blows my mind!

For Thou shalt break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.

Isaiah explains that these people who have seen the Light (Jesus) will rejoice because He will break the yoke of their burden and the rod of their oppressor-as at Midian.
God used Gideon to deliver Israel from the oppression and slavery of the Midianites. He used ONE man to break the yoke and the rod of those who enslaved and oppressed His people.

Wow….and then Isaiah says that this is what Jesus does for us. He is the breaker of the yoke of slavery and the rod of oppression. He is what can free us from distractions and lesser things-if we set out hearts on Him.

I am sure many of us are facing oppression, trials, slavery and yokes of bondage. I am confident that the enemy has us convinced that there is no way out or that it is something we must learn to deal with. Many of us have settled for life under the rule of another. Many of us have learned to “survive”….but tomorrow….tomorrow we CELEBRATE, we rejoice because the ONE who is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Immanuel, has come to deliver us from that which enslaves us. He has come and when He shows up in our worlds-it will be captivating and devastating all in the same moment. We will be Captivated by His greatness and devastated by His grace. We will be Captivated by His Love and devastated by His mercy. We will be Captivated by His compassion and yet devastated by the change He will require and perform in us.

Tomorrow should be a day….of rejoicing in a God who delivers-who captivates and devastates. Claim that truth, run after it, harass God with it….and celebrate it.
He is our peace. He is our Covenant Sacrifice. He is our deliverer. He is the Beginning and End. He is Tabernacle. He is the Law giver. He is the judge. He is our Kinsman Redeemer. He is our Strong Tower. He is our Shepherd. He is our King. He is the Word. He is our Wall. He is our song. He is our Bridegroom. He is our Priest. He is our Prophet. He is our Future and our Hope. He is the Word made flesh. He is our redemption. He is our friend. He is our soon and coming Daddy. He is….

What does tomorrow hold….the promise of deliverance and the soon and coming King.

ALL FOR YOU

the NEW REBELLION?

Top 10 reasons to join:
10 you are intensely passionate for Jesus and HIS KINGDOM
9 You really want to live a life of eternal significance
8 You resent the apathy that derails many of Jesus' followers.
7 You're willing to swim against today's social currents.
6 You know God is already stirring your heart for action.
5 You're looking for tools to empower God's purpose.
4 You want to live out God's ancient wisdom in a relevant way.
3 You desire to experience God and invite others into that experience.
2 You're absolutely dedicated to Christ's Lordship in your life.
1 You're ready to move in the power and authority of God.

I'm IN!
ALL FOR YOU

many or few? just me and you!

Saul was the man God had chosen to be king. He was a born leader and anointed by God. For a time, Saul feared the Lord and feared failing Him. Saul fought many battles for the children of Israel and won. And in 1 Sam 14, we find that he was about to engage in another battle, but was awaiting Samuel to come and offer sacrifices before they went to war. Saul, in his impatience, waited 7 days and got tired of waiting and had the offering brought to him. He then took it upon himself to offer sacrifices to the Lord, which could-at that time-only be done by a priest. When Samuel arrives, he informs Saul that he has acted foolishly and that the Kingdom would not be ripped from his hands and given to another.

When it came time for battle, we find Saul sitting on the outskirts under a pomegranate tree. The people were awaiting his instructions…and he did nothing. The enemy was drawing closer and Saul sat and sulked, knowing he had been disobedient and would reap the consequences to his sin.

However, his son Jonathon, is a whole other story. Jonathon, watching his father sit under the tree on the outskirts, not engaging in anything, refused to be a part of such disobedience. Jonathon watched as his father choose to remove himself from the blessableness of God and choose to be different. Jonathon choose to engage in battle. Jonathon choose NOT to walk in his Father’s footsteps.

While Saul sat and sulked, Jonathon found three small words that forever changed the journey ahead for him. I love the heart of Jonathon….a believer in the bigness of God and not willing to simply sit in a corner. He was a fighter for what he believed in.

Twice, he says these words….twice in one 6 verse Jonathon uses them as a war cry. He looks at his armor bearer and says “come let us go”. His Father might sit under a tree, but as for Jonathon…he would not. His father might choose to disengage, but not Jonathon. Jonathon refuses to sit and be taken captive. He is going to fight. “Come let us go….perhaps the Lord will work for us, for the Lord is not restrained to save by many of by few.”

What was he saying? If it is only the two of us….I am good with that! If it is just me and my armor bearer, I believe God is big enough to use just the two of us to deliver us from the enemy that is advancing. God does not need an army. He does not need MANY…He only needs a few! I will be the few!

Come let us go…..if it is only the two of us….I am good with that. For my God is Big enough to deliver….

ALL FOR YOU

Christmas Thoughts

tonight, I was thinking about what the season is REALLY all about. As Christians, we often say that JESUS is the reason for the season, but is that really true? Can we go to a party and never mention His name and say that He is the reason for the season? Can we tell stories of rudolph and frosty and yet say little or nothing about the Christ child and say that He is the real reason for Christmas? Can we go to staff get togethers, put lights on a tree and wrap gifts and never give a thought to Jesus and say He is the reason?
What is Christmas all about?
Yes, It is about Jesus. It is about understanding that God sent His Son to be born in a manger and to die on a cross because we are desperate sinners in need of a Savior. I feel bad knowing that we have lost Jesus in the midst of a celebration bearing His name. We talk of Santa and Rudolph. And yes, we will even go to church on Christmas Eve.
But there is something inside of me that continues to beg the question....is that why He came? So that we could claim to be Christians and live half heartedly for Him? Do we really think that He came so that we could get our get out of hell free cards and live any way we like?
I can't imagine that is what He wants. And I certainly can't imagine that He is pleased with our celebration of His Birth...with only the slightest mention of His name. Do we not understand these are ETERNAL issues....life and death....?
I am overwhelmed tonight thinking that so many wear His name and can attend church and parites in His name and yet, never mention His name, talk of His greatness or live as He has called.
Father....may you so radically change our lives....that you would no longer be lost in a religion that wears your name.
ALL FOR YOU

POLAR EXPRESS

What a blessing to see a group of people come together to work for the glory of the Lord. We are so blessed....thanks.
ALL FOR YOU

Can YOU hear me now?

This morning, I heard that voice. It calls my name....over and over, until I answer. It draws me in and sometimes is quite annoying. It is a voice that I love to hear, yet know that most times it is going to require something of me. It is a voice that I never tire of, however becomes tiresome as I know what comes next. It never stops until I answer. It is relentless.
It isn't that I didn't hear it the first twelve times. It is just that I was putting it off, busy doing something else. Or sometimes it is just that I don't want to answer. More often than not, I don't answer immediately because I just don't want to.
Eventually, I always answer. Eventually, I tune in, give in, give up and respond.
No, it is not the voice of God....but the voice of my four year old, Micah. (Now, before some of you jump to the conclusion that I am not a good Mom-not always responding to his every beck in call, let me remind ALL of you how many times you have wanted to change your name from "mommy or daddy", because of the incessant calling-for no reason.)

But for many of us....the description above could have described our response to the call of God. I want to train my heart to immediately respond to God and not to delay. Delayed obedience is disobedience. I want to train myself to be so tuned in that I don't put off the call of God.
I felt that call yesterday. It began in the morning. A call to come aside, be in the Word and to fellowship. I heard Him call me. Several times, I went to my desk, only to be sidetracked by "stuff" and then called away. Thank goodness for God's persistence in chasing me.....for He would call me back. It took 4 trips to my desk, away and back, several hours and a nagging call of God to get me to come aside. I must confess that I was ashamed that I had allowed so many other things to become my priority. By 1pm, I had carved out a few minutes to soak in the Word, to bask in His message to me. I turned on some praise music, delved deep and swam through the depths of His greatness. I look back and wonder why I waited? Why I let so many things come first? For the greatness of God is so overwhelming that I can't imagine what could have been so important. Even now, I don't remember. (it might have been the call of my four year old!)

Let's not delay when we hear His voice. Let's not allow other things to become our idols of worship and priority by becoming first place over His call to us. Let's not allow ourselves to be drawn away by things of this world. Let's train our hearts to respond immediately to His call.

My four year old is learning that to "mommy" me to death is not the way to get my attention. He must come to me and speak what He needs...not just call my name over and over. And yet, I am learning that all I have to do is cry out to Him and He will answer. He will come to me and meet my needs. Isn't it great that God is better than we are?

Call to me and I will answer, I will show you great and marvelous things that you have not seen. Jer 33:3
ALL FOR YOU

Make me a WARRIOR

Sunday morning, during a time of worship and prayer, I was overtaken by the heart of God. The room was already thick with the presence of God and I could sense that the following moments were going to be intense. I was just waiting for the movement of God to begin. It was awakened in our souls by the movement of 2 young boys, who could not have been 13. They were small in stature and in normal circumstances, probably would not be given a second thought by adults. However, on this day, they lead us into the throne room of God, as their boldness and courage stirred our hearts to respond as they had to the power and greatness of God.
The room was ripe and ready when I watched the 2 small boys almost sneak down the side of the building. The walkway was so small, that they walked one behind the other, yet the one from behind had his hand on the shoulder of the one in front, as if to say "i am still with you". They quietly made their way down the side of the building and to the front where they discreetly found a place on the steps of the altar to lay themselves. We were all thunderously singing "I surrender all", with hands open in demonstration that we would hold nothing back from our God. We were mouthing the words to an age old song. It was not the time for "invitation". No one had invited anyone to the altar. The service wasn't almost over, in fact, it had barely started. But in an act of courage and response to their God, these 2 small boys led the way. The leader looked down in the middle of the song and realized what was happening and just smiled.
If you had not been watching for it, you might had missed them. They were not looking to draw attention to themselves. They were not two kids who didn't know what they were doing or who were driven my emotion. They were two young men who had the courage to kneel themselves before their God despite the when, where or who, despite a room full of peers that might make fun....they made their way to Jesus.
I immediately began to cry. They had done what I wanted to do. But I was too afraid. I was waiting for someone to tell me it was okay. I wanted to be those two boys.
Later during the service, we had a time of prayer where people were asked to cry out to the Lord-literally out loud. To voice our prayers. Not in a "prayer circle", but just to shout out what was on our hearts. At first there was this trickle of shouts asking for God to show Himself or to help someone in sin. But it only took a minute or two before it began to rain down in that room as kids began to cry out two and three at time to the Father, begging Him to save their familiy members, to help them live for His glory, to rescue a friend in trouble. It was absolutely, amazingly beautiful to hear teenagers, without reservation shout out to the Father. In my heart, I could see Jesus sitting on the throne saying..."those are my kids crying out to me...give them what they want...I love them and am pleased with their offering." Kids began instantly dropping to their knees. The carpet was now covered with kids who were laying facedown before the Lord, bowed low to the ground. We were in the presence of the Lord and THEY knew it...they couldn't help but respond that way and neither could I.
In the midst of the kids shouting out their cries to the Lord, I heard one of those little boys from the front. He was on his knees (along with everyone else). He rared back on his heels and turned his face towards heaven and shouted out his cry to the Lord.
"God, Make me a WARRIOR for you!"
It was all he said.
God used those boys to pierce my heart and to start a movement of God in that room. Their cry was to "make me a Warrior for you" and as far as I could tell....they are well on their way. A boy with the heart of David. A child who longs to be a Warrior for the King. Abandoning all, leading the way, free from the bonds of expectation....just making their way to Jesus and asking....Make me a Warrior for you.
The following moments were full of mental word pictures that I will later write about. But today, the one that pierces my heart is of a young man crying out to the Father. It was in that moment, I was confident that we had "had church" and that the Father was pleased. It was in that moment that the presence of the Lord descended on that room and pressed us all to the ground, leaving us undone. And it happened because a boy had the courage to MOVE and RESPOND to the greatness of who God is. I saw a really BIG GOD in the heart of a small boy. A boy who has a heart like HIS....a boy who has challenged my feet to MOVE AND RESPOND-not waiting for the okay, but just quietly, discreetly, responding to the awesomeness of God.
ALL FOR YOU

missin' it

Don't miss what God is doing in you, because you are looking for God to do something around you.

Isn't that a crazy thought? That we are so busy looking for God to do something around us that we miss what God is doing in us. We are continually praying for God to heal, provide, show, guide, direct, answer, give, change or reveal. While God is certainly a God of all these things, He is more interested in doing something IN us than just doing something around us. But those are things that we rarely focus on. Why? because it is easier to ask God and focus upon what God is doing around us, than to be consumed by what God is doing IN us.
Isn't it time that we become a people that are obsessed by what God is doing IN us and to stop focussing on what God is doing around us? I want to stop looking for His hand at work around me all the time and begin to focus on His heart at work inside of me. I want to be overwhelmed by what He is doing in me, how He is changing me, conforming me. I love to see Him work around me, but what is going to forever transform me is what He is doing IN me, not just what He does around me.

So the question of the day: What is God doing IN you today?
Not how have you seen Him working around you....but what is God doing IN you? How is He transforming you? That is the work that He is longing to do. And if we can't answer that and say what God is changing, moving, doing inside of us....then we are not walking with Him as we think that we are. We are fooling ourselves. Don't be fooled....God wants IN you...not around you.ALL FOR YOU

fire hydrant

the above picture effectively describes my life most days. Let me explain why. Anyone who spends any amount of time with me will eventually describe me as a fire hydrant. My relationship with Jesus is not a casual relationship, a stroll or even a fresh breath of air. It is intense, intentional and often a force to be reckoned with. And for a lot of people...it is too intense, too intentional and a force they would rather avoid. Spending time with me, can often feel like you are drinking from a fire hydrant. And for many, that is an experience they can do without. People need to drink from a water hose, not a fire hydrant.
For years, I have worked on capping that fire hydrant off, controlling it and meeting people where they are. And I have gotten better...although there are moments when the cap pops off and there she blows.
However, in recent days, this picture has come to illustrate something different in me. Yes, I am still the fire hydrant, learning to be controlled by the Spirit so that I don't hose people down. But the more important picture for me now is that I am the one drinking from the fire hydrant.
The Father is lavishing His love, grace, mercy and relationship on me. It is overwhelming and astonishing, challenging and changing, fulfilling and satisfying. But what I have discovered is the closer I come the more powerful it becomes. The drink from Him is no longer a sip, a gulp, or a hose down. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly {places} in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
He is longing to lavish Himself on us....He wants us to drink from the fire hyrdrant of His mercy, love, grace and kindness. He is not holding back, merely giving us a taste or a sip. He is waiting for us to step up and to allow the down pour to begin. Who He is, is not just a taste and see God...for once we have tasted we will want to be drenched with, lavished by, poured out on by the greatness of who He is.
I may be a fire hydrant, but that is because I am drinking from one...and loving every minute of it. For I will never thirst again!


ALL FOR YOU

Delight

Have you ever stopped and just thought about what pleases the Father? We spend a lot of time talking about and focussing on what pleases us, but the ultimate question...the question of LIFE...is what pleases Him?
There are a list of Scriptures that could define what that looks like. But tonight, there is one that has topped the charts for me. Jeremiah 9:23-24 says let him who glories, glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on the earth; for I delight in these things.
The Father delights, takes pleasure in the man who glories in, boasts of KNOWING and UNDERSTANDING Him. That He is a God of Covenant mercy, judgement and rightness. God delights when we YADA Him, KNOW Him, Experience Him....this is a word that denotes intimacy. Not just understands, but has KNOWN and still KNOWS and loves.
We can be delighted...when He is delighted, for our delight should be in HIM and HIM alone. I crave time with Him. I long for time to talk about Him. I so want to share Him with others. It is why I live and breathe. Everything else is small in light of the joy of breathing Jesus. He is the air I breathe. I can boast in these things, for that is what delights Him. He is honored and thrilled when we sit with our friends and talk of Him, to Him, for Him, about Him. He smiles with delight when we surround ourselves with His presence and bring others into it. He is LONGING for us to GLORY in HIM.
So how could we choose to live any other way...than for His name and His renown. That is what the word to glory means...to live for His renown. To hold it as the highest worth. To make shine. But it also means to act like a madman, to act clamourishly foolish, to be given in marriage. Pretty cool...that to glory in means to enter into Covenant and to act in such away that you are considered a madman because you so shine the light and renown on the Father.
Makes me want to GLORY!
ALL FOR YOU

EXPRESS YOURSELF

I am not one that typically has a problem expressing myself. In fact, I am quite the opposite. And yet, the past several days I have found myself inexplicably without words. Unable to accurately express or describe what I felt, where I was, where I was going and why I felt so overwhelmed-in both a good and a bad way. But today, the Lord has allowed me freedom to KNOW and EXPRESS His heart.
I have longed for and desired for many months now freedom which has lead me on a new journey with the Father. I have cried out that He might be awakened in me and that He would take my breath away and breathe in me His words, His life, His ways. It is in that moment that He dwells in me and I in Him-that I can KNOW that the Lord has chosen and sent me, that He possesses me. In the arousing of the Father, to set His love on me and I on Him, I have found myself speechless. And yet at the same time, wanting more than ever to express the Love that resounds within my soul-not a passive, casual relationship, but an intensely passionate and emotional consuming that leaves you breathless.

Zech 2:11-13
11 "And many nations will join themselves to the LORD in that day and will become My people. Then I will dwell in your midst, and you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.
12 "And the LORD will possess Judah as His portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem.
13 "Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD; for He is aroused from His holy habitation."

ALL FOR YOU

inside out

It is getting colder, which honestly, is making running harder. It is harder to get out of bed, harder to make myself get motivated to go outside and harder to make myself run. Cold environments are just HARD.
However, I am learning to discipline my heart to run despite the environment. Truly, that is a discipline-to run in spite of the hardness is only something that comes through the training and subjecting of one's heart. As I run, I am conditioning my breathing as well. Increasing my breathing capacity by pushing myself to run further, harder and longer.
I am running, telling myself these things when I suddenly realize that I am not cold any longer. In fact, I have broken a sweat. I can see my breath as I breathe, but my body is no longer effected by the outside environment. I am startled by this revelation and begin to wonder why the outside environment and the cold is no longer effecting me when I am struck by the truth that as I am running I am producing heat. So much heat that the cold from the outside has no effect.
Wow, what a cool thought. We live in a cold world that would like to press it's effect on us as believers, making it hard to run after the things of the Lord. But as we discipline our hearts to chase after Him, we begin to put off heat from the inside out, counteracting the outside elements so much that they don't effect us. The cold is no longer hard for there is heat that is being put off from the inside out.
Wouldn't it be cool if we effected all of life this way....running after the Father in such a way that the world does not effect us because the heat from within, the passion from within, the journey itself counteracts what the world wants to try to stop. The outside elements have no effect on one who is running hard and fast to the Father.

ALL FOR YOU

ALLEY CATS

Today, the Alley Cats came to TREEHOUSE. It was so cool to see all Noah's baseball buddies worshipping the Lord together. Coach Richard came to talk about how important each member of the team is, how important character is and how they need every player to make the team work. Much like the body of Christ, there are many members, all gifted differently, but all needed within the body. What if we were all an eye or an ear? What if we were all catchers or all pitchers? Each member is a needed part of the body. It was a cool day and I am thankful to the Lord for allowing me to be a part of what He is doing at TREEHOUSE.

ALL FOR YOU

ONE NIGHT WITH THE KING

I took my girls discipleship group to see One Night with the King and then to have coffee after to discuss the story of Esther. It was a great movie that sparked a lot in each of our hearts. But I was especially moved by the scene where she abandons everything and chooses to enter into the Kings chamber unsolicited. As she enters, everyone is yelling at the King that protocol has been broken. When protocol is broken, severe punishment is given. The King is confused as to why she would have done this and the voices around him calling for her life rage a war within him. Yet, it is evident that her love for the King has caused her to risk it all and that his love for her, moved him to offer grace. He raises his sceptor and stops any harm from coming to her.
That scene has stuck in my memory for the last two weeks, knowing that the heart of my King is love for me-so much love that when protocol was broken by me that He raised His sceptor and interceded on my behalf, offering me grace-undeserved. And I want the world to know that my heart is given to my King, that I would risk it all for Him and for the love that we share. My heart is His. And if I perish, I perish.....

ALL FOR YOU

covenant friends

The past few weeks have been kind of crazy-an up and down rollercoaster of emotion. We have gone from thinking we were going to take a job at Precept Ministries to choosing to stay where we are and in the midst of that struggle we have wrestled with many church issues, emotions and relationships. We have rejoiced, cried, paced and poured our hearts.
These days have made me so thankful for precious friends who have committed to us not only their friendship, but that they would be our shield and our sword. That they, like David and Jonathon, have made our heart their heart...pledging to protect, provide and to always seek after our highest good.
There is nothing like a friend that carries your burdens and your joys so close to their heart that it is as if you are one.
In recent days, I too, have carried such a burden and know both the joy and the heartache of another, yet would not exchange it for the world, knowing that God has allowed me the precious privilege of friendship, that most will never know.
As I look back on the past month, I am smitten by the fact that God has allowed me to journey with these and am overtaken by the truth that just as David and Jonathon were Covenant Friends...so are we.
I hope all of you are so blessed...to have and to carry the heart of another with you through this life and to be a Covenant Friend.

ALL FOR YOU

time for a change

So the blog looks different! I thought it was time for a change. I am a creature of habit. I believe in discipline and like things to remain constant. I don't like to change my screen saver because I feel guilty over not having everyone's picture on it. I like consistency and constancy. I like everything to be in it's place and for life to be certain and sure.
But that isn't how life is. Change is the very nature of life. And though I would like to say that I am one who embraces changes, I know deep down that there is part of me that would rather have the security of what I know. That reality scares me, because I fear I could miss God for what is comfortable.
And so, despite what I like, I changed my screen saver. I redid my blog. Who knows what could be next. I am just a wild and crazy girl these days!
Jesus never wanted us to stay the same. He wants us to continue to process and change. I can not allow myself the privilege of remaining the same, clinging to what is secure or longing for everything to be secure. The truth is...HE is the only thing that never changes and the only One in whom security is found. To cling to anything else would be idolatry.
It is time to embrace change and worship the ONLY thing that doesn't. Jesus!

ALL FOR YOU

What do I want?

Just wanted to respond to my thoughts from earlier....what does Jesus want? The obvious next question is what do I want? Do I want what Jesus wants?
I know the correct Sunday School answer is Yes, but if we were really honest, we would have to step back and evaluate our hearts to see if that is really true.
Somedays, I want peace and that means compromising what Jesus requires to please people.
Somedays, I don't want to be the source of conflict, which means removing myself from serving so that I am not the target of attack.
Somedays, I want to be liked, which often means backing away from hard truth so that people will like me.
Somedays, I want to be accepted, which means faking what I think and know to be true in order to be pleasing.
Somedays, I want people to think well of me, which means I can't be who I am or do what God has required me to do because I know people won't like, accept or think well of me if I do.

but most days, above all these other things that my flesh wants, I just want what Jesus wants-which often comes in conflict with the other things. And thus my spirit and my flesh wars-tearing me apart from the inside out.
Most days, I want what Jesus wants for me. To proclaim truth without waivering. To love people more than I love relationships so that I don't back away from what is good for them, despite whether they like it or not. To know that I am accepted and obedient and pleasing before God, regardless of what man thinks. To know that trials and conflict will arise for those standing on the frontlines and to be willing to accept them as confirmations from the Lord that you are walking with Him.

But I can't have both....I must choose. To please man or to please God. Somedays, I want to please man-but those days are becoming fewer and fewer as my heart is longing all the more to please the Father. But I can't do both. I must choose.

So, what do I want? For Him to say well done...and that only comes when I want what He wants. So I had better BE SURE that we are synced up...abiding, one flesh, one mind...So regardless of the pressure to conform to what men want, I want what Jesus wants and that is to be fully His....



ALL FOR YOU

what does Jesus want?

I have been circling this thought for months, trying to discern in all aspects of life what Jesus wants...particularly what He wants from me. I came to the conclusion that He wants a heart that is fully His, sold out and surrendered, passionate and consumed by Him. Sounds simple enough, but that would be too easy.
However, I have chosen to embark on that journey dispite the difficulty. Oddly enough, I continue to bump into conflict because of that. But it isn't with whom you would expect. The world is NOT at all bothered by my journey to be fully HIS. Rather, they expect it. If you are a Christian, it is assumed you are fully His and if you say you are one and aren't fully possessed by Him-you are a hypocrite. Which is why most of the world thinks us to be hypocrites.
Instead, it is the church(not a particular church, but christendom in general) that seems to give us so much criticism-and when I say us, I mean those of us who are striving to be fully His. Most of the criticism comes from those who are within the community of "believers". And most of the criticism has nothing to do with what Jesus wants and everything to do with formulas, programs, personal preference, pleasing people and attitudes.
It is really quite discouraging at times. However, I will not be deterred from my original journey. I want to be fully His.
I have been reading a book called Dear Church. It is a twentysomething's perspective on why so many in their generation are walking away from church-and honestly has to do with this same question. Is anyone really asking "what does Jesus want?". I just wanted to answer her back and say....I am-even when it is hard and many don't like the answer or the fact that you are asking. I want ONLY what He wants and I am asking that question and am determined to walk in that alone. Isn't that what walking with Jesus is all about anyway?

ALL FOR YOU

I'm on my morning run today, thinking about the correlation between running and breathing. (as I was trying to breathe deep because I felt like I was going to die!) I kept thinking, in through my nose, out through my mouth. Breathe deep...steady....controlled....so that I can keep on going. And then I began to think that without correct breathing, running would not be possible. My body could endure the pain of pushing through the physical requirements of running, but if my breathing isn't right, it just won't happen. I began to really concentrate on my breathing. It was labored and hard to "think" so much about something that should be so natural. But as I am trying to increase my capacity for running long distance, I must also train my body to be able to breathe for such a run.
Which made me think about my spiritual journey as well. If I am going to run in the path of His commands, buffeting my body to run, press on and endure the race before me, I must also train my body and my mind to breathe correctly so that I can finish. For without breath, there is no finishing.
What does spiritual breathing look like? focussed, deep, steady, trained and disciplined inhale and exhale of the breath of God. He breathes-we inhale and then we exhale what He has breathed into us. We discipline ourselves so that we can do that while we run after Him...
Eventually breathing will become natural, as well as supernatural. However, in the meantime, we must discipline ourselves to learn to breathe...so that we can run after Him.



ALL FOR YOU

I don't want to work

With four boys in my house, it seems to be a phrase I hear a lot. I am guessing it is the curse of sin. I know that prior to sin, Adam had a job and worked. As a result of sin, work became hard. Therefore, I can't help but think that at that point, man began to hate to work. And yet, it is his curse. Six days he shall labor. However, getting them motivated to live by that-is a whole other story. Most of the time we would much rather sit in front of the computer or the tube. Yet, it is NOT what we were instructed. Man is to work. When man doesn't work, that is when he finds himself getting into trouble.
So although my boys may not like work, they are learning that work is life. And playtime only comes as a result of fulfilling responsibilities...even if we are tired.
There is something fulfilling about knowing that you have finished, accomplished and gotten something down. It is good for your heart, for your soul. God knew this. It is why He made us to work. We may hate it-but that is because of sin. We were created for good works in Christ Jesus....so get off the couch.


ALL FOR YOU

Encouragement

There are days when what the Lord has called me to do and be becomes very heavy. Especially, when those times are filled with challenging others-simply because of the natural resistance to change. I have set my heart towards change and I know that the Father has called me to be one who challenges the process, brings friction that results in change for HIS Kingdom. I am all about challenging the status quo and doing all I can to make myself and those around me line up with the Word, God's plan and Christ's heart.
Which means...sometimes I am not liked very much. Not many people like to be challenged. However, it is what God has called me to. This week I especially struggled with that. Needing encouragement from the Father, I went to His Word because the weight of that was causing me to be frustrated with who I am, wishing I could just sit in the pews like everyone else.
But then the Lord met me in Panera. Yes, I said Panera. I was there for a time of study and quiet. I got a glass of tea and took my Bible to a quiet corner where I secluded myself with the Father. And in those precious moments, the Father encouraged and affirmed me, bringing salve to my aching soul. They were words from Jeremiah 1 and will be forever etched on my heart-as they were written to me as well.
"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart. I have appointed you a prophet. I have put My words in your mouth. I have appointed you to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant. You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it. They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you."
God met with me in an unlikely place, with an unlikely message. He encouraged my soul and reminded me that I am His. He set me apart and appointed me to be a messenger of truth-to bring truth that may break down, but will also build and plant. It is HIS Words, not mine and He is watching over them and me.
Thank you Father for ministering to my "feelings". And for reminding me with TRUTH what is real and what is just an emotion that can lead me off track. Thank you for setting me apart and for putting Your Word in me. May I be faithful to what you have given and required.

ALL FOR YOU

Movies

FACING THE GIANTS....is a new film that opened this weekend. It is a Christian movie and EVERYONE needs to take their family to see this film. The acting is just okay...but the message is one of the best I have ever seen! I will write more on it later, but it will be a shame if you miss this one.



ALL FOR YOU

ALL FOR YOU

Amazing Grace

Recently, I have been bending my heart around falling IN LOVE with Jesus. To be madly, head over heels, to die for IN LOVE with Him. Not just emotion, commitment or duty, but to genuinely be consumed by/with Jesus. As I have pursued that-full on-the Lord brought me to a place of asking if HE was enough. Am I satisfied with JUST HIM? My answer has been yes, that I want MORE of HIM. I am not looking for more to do, for Him to do more for me...I just want to live and move and have my being IN HIM and LOVE HIM with all my heart, soul, mind and strength-totally given to Him, holding nothing back.
The question that came back to me in that pursuit was "is my grace enough". If that is all you get...of me (thank God it isn't all we get-for He is GRACIOUS), is My grace enough. What if GRACE is all I get?
I really had to step back and evaluate my heart, to honestly say, No. Wow, what a revelation. To think that grace has appeared to all men (being Jesus) bringing salvation, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires, to live sensibly, righteously and godly. (titus 2:11-12) It is grace that has saved us. (eph 2:5) His grace should be enough.
And yet, the reality of my heart was that is really wasn't. I said I was grateful for His grace. That it was sufficient for me. But it wasn't until earlier today that Grace truly became amazing to me. For it was I who walked according to the course of this world. It was I who lived in the lust of my flesh, indulging it's desires. It was I who was disobedient. But God, being rich in mercy and because of His love for me, even when I was dead, disobedient and not even realizing the depth of my sin, made me alive. He breathed on me. So that He might show the greatness of His grace and covenant. It was because of His grace that my I am free. For it was for freedom that Christ died. (Gal 5:1) His grace has set me free.
I have been searching for freedom....and I realized today that Grace has set me free. I got in the car today and the song Amazing Grace came playing through my ipod. But not just the traditional words. The words of a new chorus began to ring in my car and in my heart as the realization of His Grace swept through my soul.
My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, My Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood, His mercy rains
unending Love, amazing grace.
And for the first time ever....I can honestly say, His grace is enough. My chains are GONE...I am FREE.


ALL FOR YOU

run to you

Several months ago, standing on a beach in Daytona with a precious friend, the Lord gave me these words....a cry from my heart to His and from His to mine.
Run to you

Standing on the shore
Wanting to know you more
I breathe deep and cry out-Lord.
As the sand of the sea
You are the air I breathe
I drink you in, make me free….to

Run to you
I breathe you in
I know there is more than there has been.
I run to you
I breathe you in
In these moments I reach to you, my friend.

Son shining down
Stirring my heart somehow
I breathe deep and cry out-Lord
Passion swelling up in me
You are the air I breathe
I drink you in, you make me free….to

Run to you
To breathe you in
I know that there is more than there has been
I run to you
I breathe you in
In these moments I reach for you my friend.

You are the air I breathe
Setting my heart free
As I run after you, with all of me.
You are the worth risking for
You are Holy Lord
You are more than I have dreamed….

So I run to you
I breathe you in
I’m finding more than there has been.
I run to you
I breathe you in
Come further, come higher, come in!

ALL FOR YOU

birthdays

Today was my birthday. Because it wasn't a "big" one, I wasn't all that stressed about it, upset about it or excited about it. It was just a day, that marked the beginning of life for me.
My life has been full of beginnings, firsts and markers of remembrance. Today was not necessarily memorable. We went to church. We went to baseball. We had some meetings. I argued with my husband. Had dinner with my best friend. Received some nice cards. Drove through the drive thru for lunch. It is not a "marker" kind of day. It was just a day.
Until tonight, when someone stopped me and asked what was different about today from this time last year. I thought for a minute about my house, then my weight-neither are marked differences from last year. I thought about the ministry, my children, my husband. And though there is significant change in all of those things, I was not happy with that answer either.
What is different about me this year-from last year. ME...not the stuff in my life...but ME. Wow...that made it easy. I love Jesus more today than I did a year ago. I am striving after Kingdom life more today than a year ago. My heart is sold out, chasing after a relationship with Jesus-more so than a year ago. The answer....is summed up in Jesus. More of HIM, less of me.
So, how will I remember this birthday? pleasant well wishes, fights, distractions, activities, business, gifts, laughter, smiles...have all marked my day-making it nothing special. But today-I was reminded that change has happened in me this year and that makes this year a GOD one, a good one. May I continue to grow up in all aspects of HIM.


ALL FOR YOU

intimacy

recently, I have found my heart craving more intimacy. Not just in my earthly relationships, but also with my FATHER in heaven. I don't want just to be "friends" or a "christian". I want the abundance of Covenant, intimacy, consumation and Oneness. I have been sitting in the thought of being consumed and therefore consumated in a relationship. Not just being consumed with, but consumed by. That desire has stepped even further...not just becoming one, but being as ONE. Jesus' prayer for us was that we and the Father would be one as He is one.
Intimacy is part of that process. Opening up yourself, transparency and vulnerablity-are all things most of us fear but are the very things that are required for intimacy to occur. Whether with a friend, a spouse or our Father....we must be willing to open up in order to be intimate friends...intimate lovers and intimate with our Father in heaven.
I am beginning to understand the risk of intimacy. But I am also beginning to crave that risk...as I seek more than just the normal walk with Jesus and long for a oneness and a closeness that comes only from intimacy. I want intimacy with Him....for us to be ONE. Which means I must be willing to open up and be vulnerable, trusting that the ONE I am giving my life to will never leave me, forsake me, hurt me...but do only that which is for my good.




ALL FOR YOU

GOSPEL

Had so many requests for this, decided to just post it...

"The gospel is more than heaven and hell, more than what happens when you
die, but the hope and calling of what we live everyday."
The Gospel is MORE than just what happens when you die. And yet, we seem to
want to communicate and ask ONLY the question... If you were to die
tonight, do you know for sure that you would go to heaven? The reality is
that most of us won't die tonight...for most of us, we are all going to
wake up tomorrow. Sure, I am concerned about where people spend eternity.
But the essence of the gospel is not to keep people from hell. It is that
God might have for Himself a people for His name, His renown, His glory
and that we might LIVE everyday with Him, for Him, about Him.

The question of the gospel is NOT about what happens if we die tonight,
so much as it is what will happen when you wake up in the morning. The
essence of the gospel is NOT about trying to get people into heaven when
they die, but about realizing that the Kingdom of Heaven comes to live in
you NOW.
I mean, let's think about it. To die means to be in the presence of
Christ. That isn't a bad thing. And for those who have half a brain, to
offer them the choice between heaven and hell...they will take the get
out of hell free card every time. But is that really what the gospel is
about? Is it merely offering people a get out of hell free card? Isn't it
more? Isn't it more than what happens when we die? Isn't it more than
just dying and going to heaven? Isn't it more about what happens as we
live?
The gospel is more than just dying and going to heaven. It is what
happens everyday in us as we live here for Him. It is why Jesus preached
the KINGDOM of HEAVEN, the Gospel of the Kingdom. It is why Jesus tried
to help us see that the gospel is about understanding that you have
already died....and Christ has come to live in you. For the gospel means
that you have been crucified with Christ, therefore I no longer live, but
Christ lives in me. The gospel is Christ in us, the hope of glory. The
gospel is not about being safe from hell, although that is a pretty cool
by-product of it, the gospel was given that we might be a people, a royal
priesthood, set apart for his loving and choosing, to honor and exalt
Him, to live lives worthy of the gospel HERE! NOW!
We try to convince people to give their lives to Jesus based on where
they will spend eternity. (again a cool by-product), but the gospel of
the Kingdom (which is what Jesus preached) is NOT ONLY about where we
will spend eternity, but how we will live HERE.
Maybe a better question is not just if you died tonight, where would you
spend eternity? But if you live tomorrow, how will you live? The gospel
of the Kingdom means that Jesus has shown up HERE-not only that we are
waiting to see Him there, in the by and by, sweet...over there. I want
the KINGDOM LIFE NOW! Sure heaven will be great. But I KNOW that the
eseence of the gospel is not about then...it is about now. It is about
the transforming power of JESUS causing us to live and die for Him.
Doxa
Christy Upton
I RUN in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart FREE. Psm
119:32
ALL FOR YOU

Missing Jesus

I have been a Christian for almost 30 years. And I am not much older than that. I have been a preachers kid, a preachers wife, a worship leader, a teacher, a Bible study leader, a precept leader and vbs director, and blah, blah, blah. I have loved God with All that I am, served Him with every fiber in my being and have worshipped Him with every ounce of my soul. But this isn't really about what I AM....it is really about what I am not...or maybe have not been.
I have only in recent months realized that somewhere in the midst of all this "stuff" that my heart was not IN LOVE with Jesus and that I had missed Him in a religion that bears His name. He had been lost in the shuffle. Sure I loved Him, I worshipped Him. I was grateful to Him. I was forever in His debt. I would serve Him. But I have realized that I was not IN LOVE with HIM, consumed by Him, overcome by Him, made one with Him. My life was not wrapped around Him.
My every waking thought was not what does He want. My every movement did not revolve around His desires. My heart was not fully given to Him.
But that is changing. I must confess....I am IN LOVE with this man-Jesus. I am overwhelmed with HIS passion. His offenses are becoming mine. His loves are changing me. His agenda is what I desire.
I miss HIM when we are not in sync. I long for more time with HIM. I want to talk about Him, talk to Him, walk with Him, live for HIM.
I am coming to think that many of us have missed Jesus...that maybe I am not the only one. I thought for 30 years that I had the Jesus thing down...but am realizing I was completely wrong as I see that He is in all, for all, above all. That all things are summed up in Him and that He is and I am not. I am consumed with that idea and don't want it to change or go away.
And so...I don't want to miss Jesus any longer. I want to chase Him, Sprint towards Him and never slow down. I just don't want to miss Jesus in a sea of religion.

ALL FOR YOU

What do you want?

Really, what do YOU want? What do you REALLY want?
Have you ever wanted something and then once you got it you weren't so thrilled with it? Or maybe it wasn't all it was cracked up to be? Sometimes I wonder if we know what we really want.
I mean we can say we want MORE of JESUS, but the question comes back...REALLY? What do we really want? We can say with our lips the "right" thing-that we want more of Jesus, but is that really true of our hearts?
Cause Jesus will give us MORE if we want it. So the dilemna is not that God is withholding Himself from us, but that the true desire of our hearts (which the Father sees even though our words say something else) is not REALLY to have MORE of Him.
There were two men who were sitting alongside the road, crying out to Jesus. The crowd, told them to be quiet. They sternly told them to be quiet. I am sure the voices around Jesus were loud, many clamoring for His attention and asking for "things" at every turn. I am sure the crowd wanted them to be quiet-not out of reverence, but so they could be heard over them. But instead of being quiet, they cried out all the more. Jesus turns and asks a simple question. I don't know if there was compassion in His voice, frustration from everyone yelling at Him or if he was sincerely looking for someone that just didn't want something...but wanted Him. But He looks at these two men and asks them...What do you want?
What they wanted had to be evident. They were blind. But He asks, What is it you want?
Their response, "LORD, we WANT our eyes to be opened." Master, we want to see! We know WHO you are and we want our eyes opened!
Jesus was moved with compassion, He touched their eyes and they immediately regained their sight. AND FOLLOWED HIM.
What is it you want? Do you want your eyes opened? Do you want to see? Do you KNOW who HE is? Are you sure? Is that what you REALLY want, because after Jesus touches you, you follow Him.


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to the praise of His glory

There is much talk about predestination and the doctrines of grace these days. In fact, it is nothing new. It has been something argued and discussed for decades. Much of that argument surfaces out of Eph 1. Honestly, I believe in being predestined. It is not something I need to debate. However, I do believe that we have missed the purpose of that teaching. When you dig deeper into that passage, you will find that the entire purpose for the talk on predestination is to the praise of His glory. Wow, what a thought...set apart for His glory. Not just set apart. It isn't about elitism or some who are not chosen, it is about God choosing so that He gets more GLORY. Which defines our purpose-our lives are to be to the praise of His glory. We are chosen, set apart and saved for HIS GLORY. We are HIS to the praise of His glory. We have an inheritance, have been redeemed, sealed and sanctified to the praise of His glory.
We can sit and argue about predestination...but God doesn't get any glory in that and the whole point was to the praise of His glory.
Anyways....Eph 1 tells us that all things are summed up in Christ. So, why are we debating-isn't it time we stop arguing over misunderstood doctrine and begin to live the purpose behind it....summed up in Christ-to the praise of His glory.



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consumed

I have spent recent days in much thought about being IN love with Jesus. Not just loving Him, but being IN LOVE with HIM. Being in love means that you can't wait to be together, can't stand to be apart. That you enjoy being together and look forward to that time. It is intense. It is intimate, passionate and consuming. Consuming....that is a word. When you are IN LOVE and in COVENANT, you consumate that relationship. The act of two becoming one flesh consumates the covenant. It is the act of being consumed with another and by another.
I am only beginning to understand that Christ IN me is the hope of glory. That it is no longer I who lives, but Christ IN me. Being IN love with Jesus, means being IN Him. Being IN Him, means being consumed by Him and with Him. It is the act of 2 becoming one. It is not Christ and me, but Christ IN me.
I think many of us love Jesus, but most of us are not IN love with Jesus. We have not given ourselves to Him. We have not been consumed with Him. I want to love Jesus, but I also want to be IN love with HIM. I want to not be able to wait to spend time together, hate being apart, constantly calling upon Him. I want to so enjoy our time together that nothing else on earth could bring such pleasure. I want it to be intense, overwhelming, intimate, passionate and CONSUMING. All of Him and None of me...nothing else.

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believing is seeing

and He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief. Matt 13:58

Truth was truth then and it is true now. The reason we don't SEE Jesus work is the same as it was 2000 years ago...we don't believe. He does not do miracles where there is no belief.
What is the answer? Lord help our unbelief...so that we may SEE more of YOU!

ALL FOR YOU

ALL FOR YOU

Have you ever felt imprisoned...not necessarily behind bars, but captive none the less? Held in bonds in something that makes you feel like a prisoner? Have you ever felt trapped in your own life. Captives of our own souls? I have. But once you taste freedom...there is no turning back to that life. Once you taste and see that the Lord is good...well, freedom is an acquired taste. It comes from tasting and then yearning for more-being willing to fight for and to chase after it.

I have been thinking a lot about the issues of FREEDOM. In fact, I have been overwhelmed by the thought from Galations 5:1 that says it is for Freedom that Christ came to set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

I long for MORE FREEDOM. In fact, I am realizing that God created us to be free. From the beginning it was so...in the garden of Eden. Yet, sin came and took us captive, making us slaves. However, Christ came that we might be free...and free indeed. But not the kind of freedom most of us think. It is the freedom to do what is right, not to do whatever you want. For once we are freed from sin, we are enslaved to God-and God alone.

We were not meant to be captives....we were meant to have freedom.
Col 2 says IF you have died with Christ, (picture of true believer!) to the elementary principles of the world, WHY as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as "do not handle, do not touch." If God has granted us freedom, then why do we live as if we are captive? Why do we continually submit ourselves to the religious rules? The Pharisees had over 600 rules. Just rules...is that freedom? They meant nothing...and Jesus said so. Do we really need rules if we are free? Could it be that freedom is the ability to do what is right without the rules enforced...out of a love, passion, intimate relationship?
In Gal 5, Paul addresses this topic yet again by saying do not subject yourself AGAIN to a yoke of slavery. (he goes on to talk about circumcision-which was an outward sign of religion that people were trying to press in on others.) I love that word again....it so applies to us. AGAIN-as if we have done it before. He knew we were going to do it. He knew that we would be pressed to conform even in church. He knew that His yoke was easy and light and so He speaks to the issues of freedom concerning these things.

God wants us to have freedom, but it is our choice. We must stand firm and choose not to subject ourselves to the yoke of slavery. We must not submit ourselves to the decrees of man, but follow fervantly after God. We must know that Freedom is found in following Him alone.

John 8:36 says if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
John 8:32 says that the truth will set you free.

Jesus is all about FREEDOM in HIM.....and that means in HIM....nothing else, nothing more. God is not a warden, but a deliverer. He is so committed to your freedom that He was willing to be taken captive Himself and crucified for it...so that you could run free. But freedom in Him....looks like Psm 119:32: I RUN in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.
Freedom is running after Him and His commands.
Gal 5:13 says for you were called to freedom, only do not turn your freedom in to opportunity to sin, but through love serve one another.
1 Peter 2:16 says act as free man, but do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves to God.
Rom 6:22 says But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.

Freedom.....not to do as you want, but to do what is right. Enslaved to God. So running after His commands that your heart is set free, not bound to the yoke of slavery-of sin or religion, but to be free in the truth, free indeed. Free to serve, free to love, created to be free, called to be free...free to stand firm...to discipline your heart. This is true freedom....

and I want more!ALL FOR YOU

Anniversary

Today is my 16th wedding anniversary. It is a GOOD day. My husband brought home a dozen roses, a card and a promise of a night out....and a night in....lol! God has blessed us with a Covenant Love...it is a good thing, a God thing.
As I thought about our love and the celebration of it, I have been amazed by the journey we have been on and look forward to the journey ahead. I am mesmorized by the idea that through 16 years, good and bad-the passion has not faded, but only increased through the bonds of intimacy. Intimacy is key-not passion. For from intimacy comes passion.
The same is true for our walks with Christ. The longer we walk, the passion should not fade away. In fact, it should be more intense as the intimacy grows deeper. It make look different...more focused, more intentional, but it is strong and vibrant none the less.
Just like marriage, our passion and our intimacy for one another has got to be priority, that which we work on and are intentional about-so that our love does not fade away. I am thankful for a husband who understands that...and for a FATHER who explains it to us...so we can have good relationships!
Time to freshen up...I have plans....
ALL FOR YOU

Revolt

Revolts bring about revolutionaries. From revolutionaries come change. Jesus could be described as a revolutionary. Which caused me to pause and wonder what He would revolt against. Sin would be the normal answer, but I am not totally sure that is what His revolt was all about.
Although He came to redeem us from sin, as I read the gospels I am challenged by the thought that Jesus revolted against religion. In fact, He was down right defiant against it. He antagonized the religious. He was in their face. His very teachings stood in the face of what they stood for and taught.
I am wondering if Jesus walked the earth today, if the revolt would be the same. I can't help but hear Him say a resounding yes. A revolt against religious. He is simply looking for people whose hearts are fully His, fully seeking Him, full on, full throttle.
I wonder if Paul walked through our town if He would see our places of worship and think we worship an 'unnamed god' instead of the One who created it all.
I am thinking....Revolution is needed. We need a revolutionary-Jesus, to lead the way. He did...He revolted against religion and was defiant against hypocrites. If He is in us...Shouldn't His cause be ours?
ALL FOR YOU

ALL FOR YOU

2 responses

Jesus enters a small town and finds 2 men possessed by demons. The demons immediately recognize Jesus and realize that their end is coming. They say to Him, "if you are going to cast us out, send us into the herd of swine."
I have heard many ask what the pigs did to deserve such a sentence, for not long after the demons entered the swine, the pigs ran off the edge of the cliff into the sea and died. The story is not really about the pigs. In fact, it isn't really about the demons either. It is about the herdsman, to whom the pigs belonged.
You see, the pigs had herdsman that were at the very least watching over them. When Jesus sent the demons into the pigs and the pigs went over the cliff, the herdsman had a response to Jesus. They ran away!
They ran away and went to the city to report everything that just happened. Now, in my opinion, the event was a pretty miraculous, cool thing that I would have loved to have been present for. However, these guys thought differently. In fact, I am guessing their report was less than favorable. I mean...They did lose their pigs in the deal.
So, by the time Jesus got to the city, the whole place came out to meet Him. Not to say thanks for saving us from the demons, for making it where we could pass by the place where they were, for the miracle, for not sending the demons into ME. NO, they came out to implore (strong word) Him to leave. Jesus, the Son of God shows up, casts demons into pigs and the people ask Him to leave. Why? Because they lost their pigs? Crazy thought!

But when we encounter Jesus, we have 1 of 2 responses to Him. We are either amazed by Him or we will implore Him to leave. We will either be gripped by the amazing grace, mercy and sacrifice of Him or we will be afraid of loss, change and His power and will implore Him to leave. We will either be drawn to His love, His tenderness and forgiveness or we will be fearful of what He will require, the transformation that He will bring and what that will mean to us.
The question today....Is which response do you have to Jesus? Think carefully-before you say the first. Be sure that you have not asked Him to leave because what He wants done makes you uncomfortable. You would rather be in control of your pigs than to lose them to the King.
ALL FOR YOU

hypocrites

Reading through the sermon on the Mt in Matthew, my eyes fell on these words in chapter 6; "do not be like the hypocrites". Four times in that one chapter, Jesus speaks to His disciples and says the same thing. DO NOT BE LIKE THE HYPOCRITES! I think He was trying to get a point across to His followers.
There is grave danger for us and for the church when we don't heed Jesus' words. Today, the nice word for hypocrite is "religious".
So what does a religious/hypocrite look like?
1 : a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion
2 : a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings
an actor, a stage player, a pretender
Throughout His ministry, Jesus vigorously exposed and denounced the hypocrisy of many, especially the scribes and Pharisees-the religious leaders of their day. They paraded their charitable deeds, praying and fasting as a theatrical display to win the praise of men. They sought to give the appearance of being godly, but they were actually blind to the truth of God. This is what Jesus WARNS against.

Hypocrisy is professing to be what one is not and is generally applied to religious character. It is forbidden to the Christian .

And yet, so many of us engage in the charade. I don't even think we realize that it is a charade. Honestly, most of us think we are 'religious' and that is enough. But as I seek to find the answers to this problem, I am drawn back to the words of Jesus. Don't play the part. Don't be religious. Don't go through the motions of do right things. Don't be involved in liturgy, rote or traditions of man. Don't put on an appearance, dress up and pretend to be fully chasing after me when you are not. Don't parade your good deeds before men, when I see what is true. Don't sing songs you don't mean. Don't do what pleases yourselves in worship, do what please ME.

Isa 29:13 Then the Lord said, "Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, but they remove their hearts far from me, and their reverence for me consists of tradition learned {by} rote,

Don't be like the hypocrites....these are Jesus' words to His disciples.
So are we?


ALL FOR YOU

shout out!

Just a little shout out to the EBAG girls. Love you guys!
ALL FOR YOU

is it written on your face?

Have you ever met someone that can't hide their expressions, passions, feelings and emotions because no matter how hard they try-it is written all over their face? I am one of those kinds of people. Somedays that is good, somedays...not so good. My passions, my frustrations, my love, my zeal, my disappointments are all written all over my face. I am a what you see is what you get kind of person.
Although I am sure that there are many who would like me to hold it in, pretend, conform and control that about myself, I am not sure it is something I want to change. Because the very thing that gets me in trouble sometimes is also the thing that makes me long to live out loud, reflect His glory and be passionately ALIVE for the Lord Jesus Christ.
I want to be as MOSES...who sat in the presence of God and as a result had the glory of God written all over his face. In fact, He shined so brightly that the people had him place a veil over his face because the glow was so strong that they were afraid. Moses' face was a light beam of the glory of God, unable to hide the presence of God and the power of God in His life. It was written all over his face.
Could it be that I could SO get in the presence of God that His glory could illuminate me and make me the reflection of His glory...beaming out my eyes and written on my face? Oh yes...that is my prayer. Make me a mirror of YOU!

So I am thinking about these things...and while at camp, my son gave me a perfect reminder of what that might look like. He was on the RED team at camp and so jealous for the world to know what team he was on that it was written all over his face. Although, I don't recommend you using your face as a coloring book, I am thinking that the principle is the same-may the passion for our team be so strong that it is written all over our faces!

ALL FOR YOU

chill out?

Chill out, self control, calm down, don't get so excited...all phrases I have heard lately that have made me really pause and think about our passion for Christ-or maybe our lack of it.
We worship with our hands in our pockets and with distracted hearts. We walk with a mediocre step that looks a lot like the rest of the world. We pray as if we aren't sure there is a God who will answer. We sing as if the love song we once knew has faded. We serve with half our heart only half the time. We have lost our focus, our drive, our motivation, our heart, our passion, our love....
However, we play sports with all our might. Dedicate all of soul to our work. Sing in the shower with all our voice. Dance to the rhythm of the world's beat. We cheer with all we are for our college team. We shout, we raise our hands and we sing with all we are-the fight song of the Tigers or the Cocks. We stay late for work and leave church early. We cut grass til we sweat, clean til it shines and practice til it hurts-all for things of little eternal significance.
But we want to chill out when it comes to the God stuff. We want to calm down, remain in control and not get too excited. I wonder if that is what Jesus is saying as He sits beside the throne of God. "they need to chill out. They are getting too excited down there." Or maybe, "they need more self control....get those arms down!" No....I think not....I can't help but think that Jesus is looking at the Father saying....that's all they Got? I died on a cross for them, suffered the whipping post, crawled down the via dolorosa...and all I get in response to that is pew sitting, hands in pockets, hymnal holding, scripted, mediocre following, status quo walking, people pleasing worship. That's it...that's all the response I get?
I can't help but believe that Jesus is crying out....get excited...don't you see what I did? Don't calm down, lose yourself in me and show the world how awesome I am. Unleash the passion in your soul. Begin a revolution of praise for my glory that points everyone to the greatness of who I am. Don't chill out....get on fire! Turn up the intensity, be focused, intentional and purposeful. Be my reflection! Be Bright, pierce the darkness. Be Alive, bringing life into death. Be Present, so that I am seen. Be Truth, destroying the lies. Allow the Jesus inside to burst forth from the controlled and the contained.
Be transformed.....
Chill out...I don't think so. And neither does He!

ALL FOR YOU

Passion or duty?

Do you remember having Passion? Not just physical passion for someone of the opposite sex or passion for a career/job. Do you remember when you were passionate about something? For some of us it was the car we drove, a motorcycle, a sport, a musical instrument, learning or even a skill. For others of us, we were passionate about tv, video games, friends, socializing or even church.
Do you remember when you first came to Christ and there was the Passion for Him and a Passion to share Him with all you came in contact with. I can remember being in Frist Grade and Jesus entering my life. I couldn't wait to get to school and tell my teacher about Jesus in Me.
I have been pondering passion a lot lately....where has it all gone?
Somewhere we exchanged passion for duty. We stopped living and began existing. We stopped breathing and simply began to try to survive-by gasping for breath-when we could get one. We abdicated our passions for duty. And in that exchange-we lost what drives us to live. Passion.
I don't want to just survive this life. I want to truly live. I don't want to merely exist. I want to Breathe deep, feel the wind on my face and run head long down the beach towards the Father....who is longing for me to chase Him so that He can set my heart free. I don't want to exchange my passion for obligations. I want to Live out of my passions.
It is then...that the world might see something worth following....a passion not of this world, not fulfilled in earthly pleasures. A passion that doesn't feel like duty or obligation or religion. But a passion that looks like Jesus is worth truly LIVING and DYING FOR...not merely existing for.

ALL FOR YOU

ALL FOR YOU

change is in the air

I woke up at 6am on Wednesday morning. (which is a rarity for those who know me!) I tried to roll over and go back to sleep, but could not. I kept hearing the Father say come further....Come walk with me. So I quietly got up, slipped on some clothes and wondered down 4 flights of stairs, through the lobby of the hotel we were in and out onto the beach. It was a beautiful morning, the sun was rising and the breeze from the ocean was strong.
I stepped off the stairs, dragging my feet through the sand, feeling it between my toes. I quietly began to walk....with no destination in mind, except to simply walk with Jesus. I took several steps and felt my body cry out with the weariness it felt. It ached and hurt all over. I began to breathe deep, to allow the fresh ocean air to permeate my mind, my heart and my soul. It was as if God was the very air I was breathing. The deeper I breathed in, the more refreshed I began to feel. Starting to pray, I could feel the Spirit of God within me begin to direct my heart. I began to sing-out loud, praises began to ring from my heart. Tears flowed easily down my face, as worship spilled out onto the shore of Daytona Beach. The Kingdom of heaven arrived in my heart.
After my walk, I found a place on the deck that overlooked the ocean. I stood there breathing and just being still for a moment-enjoying the Sanctuary time with Jesus. It was in that moment I heard the Father say...."change". It was the only word I heard, but I knew immediately that would be the focus and the word for the day. Change was ahead, change had to happen and change was what the Father desired in me.
I meditated on that word all day. In corporate worship that morning, we talked about how Jesus EXCHANGED Himself for us and longs for us to do the same. During church devotions, Terry made a statement that said the definition of Insanity is doing what you've always done and expecting to get something different. A confirmation of the need for change. By the pool, I found conversation pouring out that surrounded the idea of risk for the Kingdom and being advocates of change. During the evening time of corporate worship, the speaker reminded us that if you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten. If you want something different-change what you are doing.
It was an amazing day....from the drawing to the beach and the Father speaking to the affirmation of His Word to me all day long. Change.....I have said for years that change is the One Word you can sum up the gospel in. For Jesus came for change-not to leave us as we are. To bring light into darkness, life out of death, relationship out of religion. He came to change those who were living in sin into righteousness, to make the unholy-holy. He came so that we would not remain the same, but so that we would be constantly transforming or changing, conforming to His image. Yes, it is a process, but change must be happening. Change is proof that you are His because you are being transformed. Rejecting change is rejecting Jesus.

If doing what you have always done, gets you what you have always gotten and insanity is doing what you have always done and expecting to get something different....I am wondering who many of us are insane? Change is in the air...Jesus is longing to transform us, to change us and we must not fight against that change, but embrace it. All we have to do is take a walk with Him, BREATHE deep and let Him speak. We must allow Him to draw us aside, to hear His voice and to embrace what He wants to do in each of us.

Maybe it is time for a change....in all of us! ALL FOR YOU

Running

These days my heart has been crying out for FREEDOM. And not just FREEDOM from sin, but FREEDOM from the traditions and expectations of man that seem to make my heart want to be men pleasers and instead finding FREEDOM at the cross to please God and God alone. I no longer want to be bound by the things of this world, but want to chase after HIM with all my heart.
Chase....it is a strong word that I have been using for about a year now. Chasing after Him-almost seems elusive. But that is not what I mean at all. Chasing just means that if we are running after God, He is always on the move, never stagnant or standing still. He is moving, we are following, chasing, because we don't know the way.
As I meditate on the thought of FREEDOM, the Lord continues to place things in my path that affirm that pursuit in HIM.
FREE to run.
FREE to live.
FREE to die.
FREE to sing.
FREE...is such a cool word. It brings with it the connotation of being no longer bound. As I have been seeking the face of God on this...He has reminded me that FREEDOM is why Christ died-to set us free.

I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free! Psm 119:32
Freedom comes as I run after Him and His commands. So the chasing, the running...is a GREAT thing-for it is in these things that we will be set FREE!

ALL FOR YOU