Ring Tones

Last night, we had a group of young people at the house for Discipling. While the goal has been to impart what little we have to those who are in the house, invariably we are the ones who always learn something. That is what is so cool about discipling. It goes both ways.
While they were at the house, we learned about a new ring tone. A ring tone that older people can't hear. At first, I thought they were messing with our heads and that there was no such thing. However, Jim got on the internet and did some research and found that it was true. The ring tone was developed as a high pitched sound that only young people could hear and was to be used to keep young people from loittering around places. The tone would be played and they wouldn't want to stay around. While at the same time, the older people couldn't hear it.
Now it is being passed as a ring tone on cell phones. A tone that older people-paricularly anyone over 25 can't hear at all, but that younger people describe as a high pitched tone.
So Jim, in his classic humor, thought it would be fun to mess with those who were in the house by sounding the tone in the house on a regular basis until it drove them nuts. They kept yelling at him to stop it, while I was oblivious to the sound or to why they were so upset they were getting agitated with him because he kept playing it. He thought it was funny because we couldn't hear it....that is until about 10 minutes later.
While I could not hear the tone, it seems to have still had an effect on me, because shortly after all this was going I began to realize I had a headache and another complained of their ear hurting. We could not hear the sound, but it still adversely effected us. There were those who heard the sound and fought against it because it hurt their ears, while there were others of us who couldn't hear, but were still effected by it.
Isn't that just like our battle with the enemy? There are those who see and hear the enemy coming. And then there are those who can't hear or see, but are still effected by it.
Isn't that just like sin in our lives? Some of it we can see and hear, while there are other things that we don't see or hear, but are still effected by.
Isn't that just like what is going on around us all the time? We may not see or hear what is going on, but we are still effected by it.
The Bible says in Zeph 3:17 "The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing." God is rejoicing over us with singing. He is singing over us right now. We can't hear it. We can't see it. But He is. And just like a ring tone that we can't hear, it still effects us.
What goes on around us that we can't see or hear effects us. Whether it is warfare or singing, just because we can't hear it doesn't mean we are not effected by it. This should make us all the more dependent upon those who can see and hear. It should make us trust the One who is SINGING over us instead leaning on our own understanding-because we are blind and deaf. We need Him. I am so thankful that while there is a battle that rages around me that I can not see or hear that my God is singing over me and that the effects of that will ring true over those things that long to steal my soul. ALL FOR YOU

memorial day

Memorial Day brought with it a day off, cook outs, the chance to chill out and time to have fun with friends. It also brought a chance to reminisce about old times and to look back at what the Lord has done. To REMEMBER. The Bible talks about remembering because we often forget. We forget where we have come from, where we are going and what we have gone through. We get so caught up in the now and the intensity of the days we live in that we forget what the Lord has done and therefore get off track with where we are going.
And so the Lord says to set up markers of remembrance along the way. For the Children of Israel it was an altar beside a river or a monument, so that when others would pass by they would ask what it was and they could be reminded of what the Lord has done. The Lord wants us to set up markers of remembrance, so that when we pass through, we will be reminded of what the Lord has done and is going to do, thus keeping us from getting so caught up in the moment that we miss God along the way.
Scripture tells us to stir one another up by way of reminder. We are called to help one another remember where they have been and where they are going-to NOT allow one another to get so caught up in daily life that we don't stop to remember, but look back and then look ahead.
Setting up some markers of remembrance is important. Making memories, having intentional conversations, involving yourself in activities that you can trace back to as a marker of change...these things are important to our walks with the Lord.
I was reminded tonight of God's faithfulness by looking back and dreaming forward. I was reminded of the value of friendship, the significance of time and the power of looking back in order to allow you to spring forward. We can not cling to the past, but we can certainly learn from it and use it to stir us up. ALL FOR YOU

from louie....to us

Thursday, May 10, 2007
Ashley's Home

You guys remember Ashley, the Florida senior who sent what might be the coolest e-mail of all time. Just after Passion 07 we received this at the Passion House from her:

Hi, I feel kinda weird writing this email. And i doubt if it ever gets to Mr Louie Giglio. I am a Senior at The University of Florida. I got a new roommate this semester and she is a Christian and I have never really been into the whole Christian thing because every pastor or speaker that I have ever listened to didn't speak in a language I could understand. I have believed in God and Jesus, but never really understood it because the preachers at the church that I have always been forced to go to every Sunday of my life. They speak all high and mighty and I never really felt connected, and I felt like God was only for the perfect people.
Well my roommate went to this Passion Conference over winter break. And she came back and moved into my apt and she was real and genuine about all her Christian stuff, like I have never seen before in a person. She said that God changed her at this conference, so i was like what are you talking about. And she told me. She told me about how God was cool, and how God really wanted a deeper relationship with her, and she wanted to really love God the way he loved her, so of course I was like well huh? She then said you need to listen to Louie talk about God, so I asked who Louie was, and she put on the Indescribable talk, and then we watched the Passport talk. And in the Passport talk you said that Christians do not have to just hope for the best at the end, that they do not have to do enough good stuff. You explained how to get to heaven in a simple way, in a way that I have never heard before. I actually got it, I got it that it is not about being so good, cause I am not a good person. I have screwed up a lot. But then you said grace, and talked about how is was different than other religions. Because God is a loving and a kind God who wants to forgive me. My roommate then explained that he wants to forgive me.
Now for one of the reasons I am thanking you. One, I am now a Christian. And two, my roommate said that she had never really cared about telling others about how much God loved her before she went to this conference. So though I am not sure who will ever read this. Please tell Louie thanks from me, for talking about Christ in a way that a college kid can understand. I know that Jesus has changed my life and as I get ready to graduate college in May, I am gonna be a different person. I am sorry this is kinda rambling but I just had to tell you that I now know about the Grace of God, and I have life for the first time in my 22 years

Ashley

I will never forget the day her message came. And I'm not going to forget last Friday. Waking early for the last day of Thirsty, I happened to see this on my Blackberry and opened it.


Dear Mr. Giglio,
It is with a heavy heart that I send you this email. My daughter is Ashley, she wrote you an email that went on your blog and podcast Well, today May 3rd at 4pm we buried Ashley. She was killed in a car accident late on Sunday night. She lost control of her car and hit a light pole. She was the only car involved and had serious internal bleeding. She died in the arms of my husband at the hospital from unstoppable internal bleeding. But I have hope of seeing my daughter again. I have this hope because after years of praying for her, and watching her live a lifestyle in college that is known as the typical college experience. The last semester of her college career I saw a woman, not a college girl that I have never been more proud to call my daughter. I can point the thanks to you and Chris Tomlin, David Crowder, Matt Redman, and everyone else involved in your Passion Conferences. Ashley fell in love with our Savior over the last 5 months of her life. She was so excited about graduation this week and moving to California to work her first real job. She had a life ahead of her. I miss my beautiful princess more than anything in this world.

But I just felt like you should know that she listened to as many of your talks as she could get her hands on and read your book I am not but I know I am and she was so excited about God and her new found faith. Words alone can not thank you enough. I may never meet you here on earth, but I know that someday I will be able to meet you and give you a hug in heaven, but only after Ash does. Thank you so much for praying for my girl, and your support of her as she was starting her new life. Also thanks for being a man of God who has a passion, and love for college students.

Your vision to share the gospel and getting college students to do the same made all the difference at a funeral today. Instead of being sad and scared for her. We were able to sing praise and worship songs today. Though there will be tears and I am so very heartbroken and crying as I type this, it is only because I will not hold her for so many years. And I will miss her for the rest of my life. I know I have said thank you a lot in this email, but because of you and Christa (Ashley's roommate) and people at the Bible Study that she was going to she was happier than I have seen her in a very long time. In the email she originally sent you, it said she had life for the first time in her 22 years, and please know she meant every word of that. She lived the last few months serving and loving and learning more about Christ. She will now spend eternity in heaven with Him so one more time thanks. I know this was long and I debated for the last 4 days as to whether or not to write you. I know you are a very busy man, but I also figured you would want to know.
Ashley's Mom
Anna

By the third line tears were streaming down my face, blurring the words, but not the sudden reality of it all. I had just received an e-mail from Ashley a few days before saying how excited she was to finally be through with college and headed to a "real job" in the Bay Area of California. And now she was gone.

I was crushed, but I found myself pumping my fist in the air, confident that Jesus Christ overwhelmed death and the grave. And just in the nick of time, He reached through the confusion and hopelessness and brought Ashley back to life again. Her mom was kind enough to allow me to share her e-mail and sent a photo of Ashley so we could all put a face with the name that has brought much rejoicing throughout the Passion world in recent months. Anna, please know that you and your family will be in our hearts and prayers as you begin the process of living without the daughter you so deeply love. You will see her again. And with our prayers we are praising God for matchless mercy...mercy that saved the day and carried Ashley safely home.
ALL FOR YOU

operating system

Have you ever tried to change computers? Or perhaps, you have changed from Windows 95, to windows 98, to windows 2000? Maybe you have changed from dos to windows or from windows to a mac? Changing operating systems on your computer can be a nightmare.
I have been thinking a lot about changing systems lately-particularly computer/operating systems. As I have thought about it, I have come up with a list of things that are musts for the change;
First it is important that everyone is on the same system. If not, then things that worked in dos won't work in windows and things that worked in windows won't transfer to a mac. Which means the work I do won't benefit anyone else.
Second, changing systems requires that you lay a good foundation for the change. Another words, you have to get ready for change. Me...well, I am a creature of habit and I would choose to use the same operating system on my computer forever, but in order for process and progress to occur, I can't stay in windows 95 forever, eventually I have to upgrade so that I can use the technology available to advance my productivity. And if I stay where I have been, then I get left behind and miss out on what lies ahead. Which means, ready or not....I have to get ready for change and just prepare myself that it is GOING to happen.
Third, it is NOT a gradual change. When I shift from one operating system to another-you just have to do it. You can't partially shift to a Mac, you either go all or nothing. I can't use windows 95 and 2000. I have to totally change-there is no in between.
Forthly, I have to realize that the change is going to bring conflict and glitches. There will be glitches in the software compatibility and conflict in programming from old to new. And if not dealt with it will shut down my system.
Fifthly, the way to deal with such conflict and glitches is to just make the change and deal with it as the problems arise. There is no in between, no easy way, no way to keep it from happening. As you resolved the glitches the new system becomes easier, better and more productive.
Sixth, I will not like the change at first. Why? because I like the ease of the old way. That is until I realize and learn that the new way is better and to my advantage. I may not like my Mac at first, but then I realize that as I learn to adjust to the change that it is better than the old operating system and I begin to love it.

As I have thought about changing operating systems on my computer, the Lord has revealed to my heart how alike these things are for each of us in our walks with Him and in church. God has called us to REPENT...to change the way we think. To line up our thinking with His. To change operating systems. To move from what we think...to what He thinks. His ways are not ours and to change the way we think or repent means to change operating systems.
Changing our system and our thinking requires the same things for us as it does for changing our computer.
First, it is important that we all get on the same system so we avoid not being able to work together. We must all decide that the operating system we are going to get on is GOD's. Whatever HE says we will do. We abandon our opinions and our own operating systems to get on His. How do we do this...we line up everything with the manual-His Word. If it doesn't line up...we can't do it. If it is there....we must.
Second, I better get ready for change. The message of the Word is not to leave us the same but to continually conform us to the Image of God and therefore that means Change. To fight against change is to fight against the gospel. Jesus came to bring change, particularly to the religious. Look at the gospels and see if that measures up...Jesus spent most of his time addressing the church via the Epistles, the religious of the day or the crowds (via the gospels) identifying what they were doing wrong and how to CHANGE it. If change isn't happening...something is wrong. In order for process and progress to occur, I can't stay where I have been forever, eventually I have to upgrade so that change and productivity for the Kingdom happens. . And if I stay where I have been, then I get left behind and miss out on what lies ahead. Which means, ready or not....I have to get ready for change and just prepare myself that it is GOING to happen.
Third, it is not a gradual change. We have to make the leap to getting on God's operating system and there is no in between. Sometimes we try to gradually shift over but we can't be partially on God's system and partially on our own. We are either fully on His system or not at all.
Fourth, conflict and glitches will arise as we change systems. People will not be happy with us. Conflicts with those who are not on His operating system will be apparent. Old programming will become a problem and not work with the new way of operating. But the only way to deal with it...is to deal with it. We can't avoid it. We MUST deal with it so that it doesn't shut down the new operating system and keep us from what we need to do. And the option is not to go back to the old way of thinking.
Fifth, I may not like the change, but I better learn to deal with it. Why? the alternative is to NOT be on God's operating system. And to miss out on what God has because I think my own way, the old way is better.

I am working hard at changing the way I think-at moving away from my own way of operating to being sure that everything lines up with Scripture. I am having to take a hard look at everything in my life and I am realizing that so much of it doesn't line up with God's operating system. I have been deceived in my thinking. Changing over is not easy...there are glitches and I don't always like it, but I am realizing that it is better and that though learning a new system can be difficult at times, it is also something I am beginning to enjoy as I see that changing the way I think to measure up to God's way of thinking is becoming something I desire and not just know I have to do. Because HIS WAY is BETTER. ALL FOR YOU

200th post....

I was doing a little gardening earlier this week. And let me say "a little" again, because it is not really my thing and I know absolutely nothing about it. I don't have one and was simply learning as I went. I can't even get my hanging baskets from Lowes to live....so gardening...Wow...a stretch for me.
But I was thinking a lot about the whole process; from tilling the ground and preparing it for the seed to having to weed it and tend it regularly so that it will produce what you want it to. But the thing that really got me was the grass....trying to keep the grass out. Tilling it up and removing what was once planted so that you could reproduce what you want. And then having to totally remove the remnants of the grass so it doesn't grow back. It was a lot of work just getting ready to plant, to produce what you wanted. And a big part of that was not just tilling up the ground, but removing from it the things that you no longer want there or else it will return and overtake what you are trying to produce.
For many of us, we are just like this garden. We have good intentions of producing good fruit. We even toil the ground and plant the seeds. But most of us do not take the time to remove the grass-we leave a clump or two here and there and think nothing of it. I am not even talking weeds. I am talking grass. Things that normally would be no big deal, but when you are trying to bear fruit for the Kingdom are a natural deterent. Tearing up what can not exist in order to get what you want. And for many of us it isn't about removing sin alone, but about removing those things that might creep in and destroy your crop, your fruit. Those things that would rob us and steal from us the produce of our labor...or later make reaping that harvest even more difficult to find because it would be overtaken with "grass". It is our outbursts of anger, selfishness, pride and frustration, but it is also our TV watching, movies and laziness. It is our lack of sacrifice, insufficient time in the Word and a casual prayer life. It is not putting others before ourselves. These things and so much more can cause whatever had been planted to be choked out, overgrown and keep good fruit from being produced.
We often start with great ambitions, but fall short because we don't remove the remnants....and it creeps back. We don't pull it up, carry it away and cast it aside. And it affects our produce.
There is a lot of work involved in simply getting the fallow ground ready for what it is going to receive so that it can reproduce. We all like the produce, but few of us like the work. I think it is time to get dirty....and to start dealing with the roots that keep creeping back into the garden, because it is affecting the produce. ALL FOR YOU

Convicted or conformed?

I often find myself convicted. Both in the sense of being stirred to change and guilty of wrong doing. I find that the truth that is revealed to me, often pierces my heart and I realize that there is so much that needs to be different.
And yet, I am learning that though conviction is good, we can squelch it and it will never have the desired result, which is conformity. There is a world full of people who feel convicted. They know they do wrong. They feel bad about it. There are churches full of people who have heard the Word of God and have seen where their lives don't measure up. They admit and confess their sin. They have a moment of 'recommitment' and move on.
However, it was never the Father's goal to merely convict us. He longs to conform us to His image. Conviction of the Spirit is always so that Conformity to the Cross might occur in us. My dilemna is that I see some conviction happening, but not so much conformity. Which leads me to believe there is something missing.
It is repentance. Repentance is not being sorry. It is having a godly sorrow that leads to change. Conviction comes so that we might CHANGE, not so that we can confess to be forgiven. Conviction comes so that we might CONFORM to God's standards and abandon the world's. Conviction is good....but if all it does is convict...well, it didn't produce what God wanted...which is Christ followers that repent and return and are conformed to Him.
ALL FOR YOU

ONE WORD

I spent three days this week in Atlanta at a conference to help refuel leaders. It was a fabulous time of worship and Word. I was challenged in almost every area, from leadership to personal sin. While all the speakers were excellent and I learned more than my brain could soak up in one sitting, the ONE thing that has permeated my thinking is that more than words from man, we need a Word from God. ONE WORD from Him will radically change our lives. We can have good ideas, programs and ministries, but if they are just that and not divine callings, instituted and directed by the Father then they are destined to be only what man can make them-at best good.
So, I did the only thing I know to do. I raised the sail and asked the Father to breathe into it and move me in the direction of His deal and not mine. I found space and place to press my head on the floor and to listen for that still small voice that whispers life into dry, dead bones. I set my face towards heaven and cried out asking the Lord to Drip down-thick as honey, a measure of His Voice and that I would trust it. I pursued and harassed until finally in the quiet of taking communion I heard. I wept in His presence and rejoiced at His faithfulness. I grieved over my sin and found joy in His forgiveness. He is God and there is none like Him. He is the One who forms light and darkness, calamity and well-being. And He is the One who wants to speak to each of us.
I am still convinced that just ONE WORD is enough to radically change us-IF it is from Him. And yet, this week, I am so thankful for more than a WORD....I am grateful for a sentence. I am clinging to the Voice of God and trusting HIM and His work to accomplish it. We spend a lot of time seeking the words, favor and direction of men. We pursue advice, lean on our own understanding and thinking, refuse to listen to anything that doesn't "make sense" and yet, God's ways are not our own. He WANTS to do things differently so that HE GETS GLORY. If we can accomplish it without Him....what glory does He get? If we only engage in man size tasks, what glory does He received? If all we do is trust our own understanding, then where does He get to be seen? Why would He command us to do something that we can do, so that we get His glory? He doesn't....God calls us to a God sized task and then to have faith to follow Him through the difficulty, building our faith and granting Him the glory. So, let's get A WORD and CHASE that!ALL FOR YOU